How the Duodenal Switch Procedure Works to Address Severe Obesity

Several variations of bariatric surgery are available to help patients suffering from obesity achieve massive weight loss. The proper procedure for an individual patient depends on their health, BMI and other factors. Duodenal switch is a type of weight loss surgery that combines the surgical techniques used in gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery. This procedure is a less common treatment for morbid obesity or people with a BMI of 40 or higher and often leads to the most significant weight loss. 

Duodenal switch surgery is a malabsorptive procedure that restricts the amount of food the stomach can hold and how much nutrition the small intestine absorbs from food particles. The combined stomach reconfiguration of sleeve gastrectomy with the intestinal re-routing used in gastric bypass offers more profound results. Dr V. Kuzinkovas can discuss duodenal switch surgery with you during your appointment at Advanced Surgicare in Sydney. 

How Duodenal Switch Surgery Works 

The duodenal switch procedure staples around 70% to 85% of the stomach off and keeps the rest of the stomach organ connected normally to the duodenum (the first portion of the small intestine). The intestine is cut before it reaches the appendix and then reattached to a lower section of the intestine. This duodenal switch technique causes bile and digestive juices to begin processing food further down the intestine and leads to a lower rate of caloric absorption. 

This weight loss procedure limits the amount of food the patient can consume in a single sitting while still allowing food to pass through the stomach to the typical entry point in the intestine. Food is re-routed to the lower intestine, causing malabsorption (poor digestion of nutrients) of calories.

Duodenal switch surgery is more time-consuming than other types of bariatric surgery and requires a highly skilled surgeon with the technical skills to perform the procedure correctly. Surgeons must be careful they don’t bypass too much of the intestine. Dr V. Kuzinkovas is an expert in his field and was certified a “Bariatric Surgeon of Excellence” by the Surgical Review Corporation. 

The duodenal switch typically leads to more weight loss than other procedures, allowing patients to shed an estimated 65% of their excess body weight within a year of the surgery. It’s best used for obese patients with a BMI of 40 or higher or 35 or higher with obesity-related comorbid health conditions. 

Patients enjoy an improved quality of life after duodenal switch surgery and are limited to smaller portions, helping them be fuller faster and for longer durations. Comorbidities, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea, tend to improve after duodenal switch surgery for most patients, and patients are less likely to regain the weight when compared to other weight loss surgeries. 

To learn more about duodenal switch surgery or another bariatric procedure, contact Advanced Surgicare in Sydney. Schedule an appointment with our certified bariatric surgeon by calling 1300-551-533.