What is duodenal switch surgery?

Duodenal switch, also known as the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, is a weight loss surgery procedure, which makes the stomach smaller, reroutes the intestines and removes the gallbladder. The result leaves patients feeling less hungry and enables them to lose a significant amount of excess weight within one year.

How is the weight loss surgical procedure performed?

The duodenal switch method combines qualities of both the sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. The first part of the procedure conducts a sleeve gastrectomy, which removes around 80 per cent of the stomach and converts the remainder into a tube.

The small bowel that connects to the stomach, which is called the duodenum, creates the bypass. Food would usually go from the sleeve into the initial part of the small intestine, but it is rerouted to the lower part of the small intestine thanks to this operation. 

There are a few ways to perform the bypass stage of the operation but when an anastomosis switch is performed, a significant length of the small intestine is bypassed and creates a single connection between the bottom of the sleeve and the small bowel. Sometimes the procedure is performed in stages and the operation happens over the course of between six to 18 months.

Who would require duodenal switch surgery?

Those with a high BMI and diabetic patients would benefit the most from the duodenal switch procedure. Patients can expect to lose around 70 to 100 percent of excess weight with long-term success.

What are the benefits of duodenal switch surgery?

The results of the bariatric procedure have the following impact on patients:

• Feeling less hungry
• Feeling full when eating
• Patients absorb fewer calories from their food
• Huge weight loss within one year since the procedure
• Patients keep the weight off
• Overall improvement in general health and wellbeing.