Advertisement

Duodenal Switch Guides

CONTACT A DOCTOR
BACK TO BARIATRIC SURGERY (WEIGHT LOSS) GUIDE

Duodenal Switch

More obese patients are going under the knife for a duodenal switch to lose weight for good. If you want to find out if this is right operation for you, talk to a bariatric surgeon. A duodenal switch battles obesity with a 1-2 punch because it has two components. The first part of the surgery reduces the size of your  stomach. Unlike other gastric bypass operations, food is still digested normally in your stomach before moving on to the small intestine. The second part of the surgery will restrict the amount of calories and nutrients absorbed by your body.The duodenal switch is the most complicated yet most effective weight loss surgery available today. .

How a Duodenal Switch Is Performed

The patient and surgeon will decide if the operation is done in one or two phases.  General anesthesia is administered. When conducting the restrictive part of the operation, your bariatric surgeon will cut away 85 percent your stomach. Upon completion, your stomach will resemble the shape of a banana.   

During the part of the surgery that will result in the restriction of calories and nutrients into the body, your surgeon will rearrange the small intestine. The first part of the small intestine remains intact with the bottom of the stomach, but the middle part of the small intestine is bypassed. Through rearranging, your surgeon will separate the flow of the food from digestive juices and bile until the very end of the small intestine. The bypass will prevent your body from absorbing the calories and nutrients.
 
The duodenal switch is performed in one of two ways. Either a large incision is made, or it is done laparoscopically (three small incisions, camera inserted into one, surgical tools into the other incisions).
 
The procedure takes roughly three to four hours. Painkillers will likely be prescribed to help you recover.  After surgery, you'll be fed liquids for several days to avoid dehydration, then pureed foods and eventually solid foods. Recovery will take approximately three to four weeks.

Advantages of a Duodenal Switch

  • Most effective surgery available to battle weight loss
  • Obesity-related illnesses decline dramatically (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.)
  • Reduced risk of ulcers
  • Faster weight loss 

Disadvantages of a Duodenal Switch

  • Possible nutritional deficiencies that will likely lead to other health problems
  • Risks of surgery
  • Mandatory, strict lifestyle changes and lifelong doctor follow-up visits
  • Chronic diarrhea, foul-smelling gas
 

Duodenal Switch Articles (view all)

  • Duodenal Switch Bariatric Surgery: Are You a Good Candidate?

    Also known as vertical gastrectomy, the duodenal switch procedure is designed to restrict the size of the stomach and reduce the amount of calories that the stomach can absorb at any given time. Duodenal switch procedures are available in the United States and are designed primarily for patients who have a body mass index of 40 or more.

From Our Blog (view blog)

RSS
  • bariatric surgery

    Motivated by his wife and kids, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who once called himself “the healthiest fat guy you’ve ever seen”, disclosed Tuesday he secretly underwent Gastric Banding (Lap Band Surgery) on February 16, 2013, performed by Dr. George Fielding, head of NYU Medical Center’s Weight Management Program.

  • Weight Loss

    Did you know that heart disease is the number one silent killer in both men and women and the leading cause of death in the United States? That is why the month of is dedicated to raising about heart disease. It is important to know your risk factors, and to make healthy lifestyle choices to . Risk factors that we cannot change include age, family history, genetics, and ethnicity. The risk factors that can be managed successfully include diet, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, not smoking, and reducing stress. Prevention is the key to maintaining a healthy heart. LocateADoc.com can help you find cardiology doctors in your area.

Quick Search By Location

Choose a letter below for a list of states and their corresponding cities to view a list of doctors in that area.

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Share This Page

Advertisement

Contact a Doctor

Use the form below to request more information from a doctor in your area.

Procedure of Interest
Patient Name
Email Address
Zip Code
Daytime Phone

Related Procedures

VIEW ALL PROCEDURES