Biliopancreatic Diversion With Duodenal Switch

When speaking about weight loss procedures, one procedure that may come up is the biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch. In this procedure which may be called simply a duodenal switch, the surgeon will actually bisect and cut 85% or more of the stomach off and remove it completely. By making sure that the nerves and pyloric valve are fully intact the patient will be able to eat regular meals later while at the same time no have to deal with the dreaded dumping syndrome.

Although the stomach is smaller at first which will limit the amount of food you will be able to eat the restrictive portion of your weight loss procedure will only be temporary. Later you will be able to consume a regular sized meal with your friends and family without worrying if your pouch will get clogged.

The surgery is actually in two parts which is why the duodenal switch falls within the combination category in which there is a restrictive procedure and a malabsorptive procedure. The restrictive procedure in not reversible but it is considered only temporary as the stomach will get bisected and have 85% or more of it physically removed. Meanwhile the entire stomach that is left is fully functional. The second part of the surgery is the malabsorptive part in which the small intestines are cut and rerouted. The smallest piece after the cut will be rerouted separately from the longest piece as a means to keep the pancreatic juices and bile separate from the flow of food which in turn reduces the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.

This surgical procedure also features a short hospital stay of about 2 or 3 days in all assuming there are no early complications found. From there you will be scheduled for a check-up with your surgeon roughly every 3 months as needed for the first year but afterwards you will only need yearly check-ups.

It is important to speak with a surgeon and make sure that you qualify for a weight loss procedure based on the minimum requirements set by the National Institute of Health.