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The duodenal switch weight loss surgery is more commonly referred to as a biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch. The main reason for this is that there are actually two different surgeries performed. Originally the duodenal switch surgery was used as a remedy for those whose esophagus and stomach were continuously burnt by the intestine’s bile. It would latter be incorporated with a biliopancreatic diversion in 1988 when it would become more commonly known as a weight loss surgery. This surgery helps a patient to loose their weight by two different means which includes restrictive and malabsorption which constitutes this procedure as a combination style weight loss surgery.
In the restrictive portion of the duodenal switch surgery the surgeon will bisect the stomach and actually remove up to 85% of the stomach or more. This portion of the surgery is not reversible like a gastric bypass surgery is as you can not return that missing portion of the stomach once it has been physically removed. The goal of course is to allow the pyloric valve to remain intact so that it can do its important job.
The malabsorption component of this surgical procedure is the duodenal switch itself. In this portion of the surgical procedure the surgeon will take the small intestines and cut them into two pieces. The shorter of the two pieces is connected to the end of the longer piece and the exposed end of this longer piece is then looped around resulting in a substantial amount of malabsorption. The goal is ultimately to keep the bile away from the digesting food which in turn results with the patient being able to absorb far less nutrients while at the same time giving the bile a longer path in order to reach the stomach.
With the duodenal switch weight loss surgery not only can the patient see some of the highest success rates associated with any weight loss procedure but it is also well known to provide long lasting results. In other words, unlike a stomach stapling procedure the patient will have a much harder time ever regaining their weight. It is also a lot better of a procedure for those who are far beyond morbid obesity. |
