At The Center for Bariatrics, in Tijuana, Mexico you may be considering duodenal switch surgery if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 50 or greater.

According to Ismael Bailon MD, FACS, the duodenal switch procedure is used to treat patients who are classified as ‘super obese’ and at a high risk of developing one or more comorbid conditions related to their excess weight.

At The Center for Bariatrics, in Tijuana our team of highly skilled and experienced weight loss specialists offer this life-changing surgery to patients who require a highly effective treatment for chronic, life-threatening obesity.

About Duodenal Switch Surgery

Duodenal switch surgery is actually two separate procedures performed in one surgical session.

Patients are first given a sleeve gastrectomy to dramatically reduce the capacity of their stomach – this helps to minimize both caloric intake and the production of hunger-stimulating hormones.

A gastric bypass is then performed to bypass approximately half of the small intestines – this further reduces the amount of calories and fat the body can absorb in order to promote a rapid reduction in unwanted body fat.

Not recommended for…

Patients who have pre-existing digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastric reflux (GERD), or Crohn’s Disease may find that the duodenal switch surgery aggravates their symptoms, and therefore are not good candidates for this procedure.

Similarly, patients who have pre-existing mineral or vitamin deficiencies, such as those who suffer from chronic anemia, are often advised against having this procedure.

Duodenal Switch Advantages

• Patients are able to eat more normal meals than with standard Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or adjustable gastric banding, resulting in higher degree of patient satisfaction
• Patients are able to achieve significant and long-lasting weight loss, due to the high level of malabsorption
• Patients do not experience dumping syndrome, common with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, because the pyloric valve between the stomach and small intestine is kept intact
• Reduces likelihood of stomal ulcers from occurring
• The intestinal rerouting can be reversed if medically necessary as no part of the small intestine is removed
• The hunger hormone, Ghrelin, is greatly reduced due to removing a large portion of the stomach
• Improvement in obesity comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, shortly after surgery
• Super obese patients who are turned down for other weight loss surgeries may qualify for the DS procedure
• Very effective weight loss for patients with high BMI (BMI greater than 55)
• Average weight loss of 60-80% excess weight

Duodenal Switch Diet

Patients who undergo duodenal switch surgery must follow a highly restrictive lifelong diet that involves consuming healthy, lean proteins and vegetables while avoiding complex carbohydrates and simple sugars.

Because this procedure impacts the absorption of nutrients, patients also need to continuously monitor levels of vitamins and minerals in their blood, and supplement their diet daily with a variety of multivitamins.

Duodenal Switch Recovery

After your procedure, you will be moved to a recovery room for observation. When our bariatric surgeon is satisfied with your progress, you will rest in the hospital for one to two nights. Here, you will be helped up by a nurse to move and walk gently. This movement will promote blood circulation and healing.

You may require oxygen transiently and will be provided pain medication as needed, along with compression garments to prevent blood clots. You will be given liquids soon after surgery and soon realize you become satisfied with smaller meals.

Expect frequent visits from our bariatric surgeon and different staff on his team to monitor your progress and handle any complications which may arise. In routine cases, you will stay overnight, and no blood work or X-rays are needed. However, depending on your progress, you may stay longer, and blood work or X-ray may be needed.

After Duodenal Switch Surgery

The duodenal switch surgery delivers excellent results; patients lose around 70% of their excess weight in the five years following surgery. However, patients must compensate for nutritional losses caused by a shorter connection between the stomach and small intestine. The patient can take supplements, which include the vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy lifestyle. In almost all cases, these supplements are a lifetime requirement.

Long-term, most patients that choose duodenal switch surgery experience lasting results. Lifestyle changes are not as drastic as with other types of bariatric surgery. The duodenal switch patient also experienced increased satisfaction with treatment as they can eventually eat larger portions than those with restrictive surgeries.

The possibility of eating more than with other procedures while still losing weight is attractive to many candidates considering bariatric surgery. However, few surgeons perform a duodenal switch, so it is important to understand the challenges of travel for follow up visits.