The duodenal switch, known also as “Switch”, “DS” or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, is a “weight loss operation” that combines both the sleeve gastrectomy and the gastric bypass and it is performed in two steps making it excellent for long term weight loss. Most duodenal switch patients experience significant improvement in or a complete “cure” of obesity-related health problems.
What happens during surgery?
This operation works by decreasing caloric intake, reducing absorption and changing the hormonal balance in the GI tract, and causes fairly rapid weight loss during the first six months following surgery.
With this operation, the surgeon permanently removes the stretchy outer and upper 85 percent of the stomach, leaving it small and tubular, just like a Gastric Sleeve Surgery. Stomach capacity is reduced from about a quart (1,000 ml) to roughly 5-6 ounces (150 ml).
This new stomach remains connected as it normally does to the first part of the intestine (the duodenum) to create the bypass. Consumed food would normally go from the sleeve into the initial part of the small intestine, but it is re-routed or ”switched” to the lower part of the small intestine.
The surgeon cuts the small intestine several feet down. The part that is still attached to the large intestine (colon) is connected to the duodenum. The loose part of the small intestine (the part that wasn’t just attached to the stomach) is then attached to the small intestine so the digestive juices it creates can mix with the food coming from the stomach.
This prevents the bile and digestive juices to only start processing the food when it gets further down the intestine resulting in less caloric absorption.
Because duodenal switch surgery is both malabsorptive and restrictive everyone loses weight.
After Surgery
Most studies report over 80% success rates for duodenal switch patients. Improvement and/or resolution in all major co-morbidities has been documented, including:
Reduction of about 89% in risk of death vs obese individuals who do not have bariatric surgery, type 2 diabetes, asthma, quality of life in 95% of patients, degenerative joint disease, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, hypertension, high cholesterol. There is also very little risk of “dumping” syndrome.
Patients with a high BMI (over 50) are best suited for this surgery, Duodenal Switch is a major procedure and should be considered when other weight loss alternatives have failed.
At Bariatric Surgery Tijuana they are dedicated to providing the highest quality of surgical weight loss management in a caring and compassionate setting.
