Duodenal Switch Procedure

Duodenal switch produces weight loss results far surpassing those of other severe obesity therapies
The duodenal switch procedure is an effective weight loss surgery that alters the gastrointestinal tract in two different ways. First, the duodenal switch technique restricts the volume of the stomach pouch so that less food can be taken in by an individual. During a duodenal switch surgery, the larger curved side of the stomach is reduced so that the altered stomach volume is about one third its original size.

Additionally, duodenal switch technique works to aid weight loss by utilizing a maladaptive procedure to create two separate pathways as well as a single common pathway. In a duodenal switch, food travels through the shorter pathway, directly to the large intestine. Duodenal switch surgery also creates a longer pathway so that bile from the liver is diverted to the common path of the altered digestive tract.

In a duodenal switch, the two created pathways culminate in what is known as the common path. The duodenal switch technique allows ingested food to bypass much of the digestive tract so that less calories and fat can be absorbed by the body of the severely obese patient. Since food doesn’t pass through as much digestive fluid areas, the bile diversion portion of a duodenal switch serves to assist digestion of food.

Duodenal switch surgery is one of the least commonly performed types of bariatric surgery. This is partly because it is a much more complex form of weight loss surgery. Additionally, there are much fewer surgeons that perform the duodenal switch technique.

Despite the increased complications of duodenal switch surgery and the difficulty in locating a surgeon trained to perform a duodenal switch, this weight loss procedure remains one of the most effective forms of weight loss surgery. Because so much of the digestive tract is bypassed, duodenal switch patients are required to supplement their nutrition for the rest of their lives to avoid nutrient deficiencies that can lead to anemia or osteoporosis.

Another disadvantage of duodenal switch surgery is that oftentimes surgeons also remove a severely obese patient’s gallbladder. Many times the gallbladder is removed during a duodenal switch technique because of the increased risk of developing gallstones once the duodenal switch procedure has been performed.

In addition to the duodenal switch technique, there are many types of bariatric surgery with various correlating advantages and disadvantages. By talking with a medical professional you can best determine if duodenal switch or some other type of weight loss surgery is best for you and your individual needs.