Duodenal Switch Surgery – Weight Loss in Mexico

Posted by Jose A. Castaneda on July 24, 2013

Duodenal Switch Surgery – Weight Loss in Mexico

Duodenal switch surgery is a weight loss procedure that uses a combination of both malabsorptive and restrictive measures in controlling weight. This kind of surgery reduces the stomach capacity to accommodate food and the amount of calories that the body can absorb and use. Most of the stomach and Ghrelin containing cells are removed, resulting in reduced appetite. The remaining portion of the stomach is sealed off, resulting to a reduced stomach. The end result of this is weight loss without significant alterations of the eating habits. Food does not pass through 40%-60% of the small intestine leading to malabsorption and significant weight loss.

The Procedure – Duodenal Switch

To begin with, multiple incisions, half-inch in dimension, are made in the portion of the stomach and the middle of the abdomen. The stomach remains attached to the duodenum, which is then separated from the small intestine. The lowest part of the small intestine is then attached with the duodenum; the result is that majority of the second and third segments of the small intestine are bypassed in the process. The surgeon then determines there are no leaking portions and he withdraws the instruments and closes the incisions, mostly using sterile tapes.

Benefits of Duodenal Switch Surgery

Greater loss of excess weight: duodenal switch is the best weight loss operation in terms of reducing excess weight in relation to the other weight loss operations. Duodenal switch reduces approximately 85% of the patient’s weight; laparoscopic gastric band has a weight reducing efficiency of 45% whereas Roux-en-y gastric bypass has approximately 65% efficiency. It may relieve other obesity related diseases. This implies that as a patient loses weight, there is a probability that these diseases might be relieved or improved. The most prevalent obesity related diseases are cancers, hypertension and high cholesterol, whose risks are minimized with weight loss.

Additional medical benefits:

Diabetics benefit the most after undergoing duodenal switch surgery. They will leave the hospital with less dependency on insulin because the alterations made on the normal functioning of the small intestine alters feedback mechanisms by changing the production of gastrointestinal hormone which improves the blood sugar level.

Potential complications of Duodenal Switch Surgery

Generally, the risk of any surgery increases with the magnitude of the surgical procedure. Duodenal switch is considered perhaps the most risky weight loss surgical procedure compared to any other weight loss operation.

Some of the complications that might arise include: leaks, bowel obstruction, abscesses and infections. Consequently, some of the patients may require spending extra time in the ICU. This also goes to those patients whose health was poor initially before undergoing the surgery. Some complications associated with duodenal switch are more long term and may not even be noticed for some time after the surgery. Such long term complications include nutritional and vitamin deficiencies. They can however be prevented easily with adequate supplementation. Anemia and general poor health may be the result. Patients should take supplemental vitamins and minerals and undergoing regular annual blood tests.

Dr Castaneda has performed over 5000 bariatric procedures successfully, get in touch and request a personal consultation.