|
The bariatric surgery that is most commonly referred to as a duodenal switch is a vertical gastrectomy that includes a laparoscopic duodenal switch. This procedure may also be a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch as well. There are as of current only about 50 surgeons world wide who are capable of this procedure. This weight loss surgery starts with the removal of the stomach and ends with an intestinal bypass or duodenal switch. The duodenal switch is a very controversial procedure as it leads to a higher rate of malabsorption than any other weight loss procedure and usually requires various supplements in order for the patient to survive. The long term effects associated with high rate of malabsorption is still not yet known and therefore it will be difficult to locate a surgeon who will be willing to perform the surgery.
For starters the surgeon will restrict the stomach by bisecting it vertically and removing over 85% of the stomach in the process. The remaining stomach portion is only capable of holding about 4 ounces of food maximum. This is not a reversible procedure as there is no way to return the missing stomach piece after it has been removed. The surgeon takes precautions to ensure that the stomach’s nerves are left intact to allow the stomach to still be fully functional.
After this stomach bisecting and removal the surgeon will then move on to the duodenal switch which is a gastric bypass of sorts and this portion of the procedure can be performed with a laparoscope. Furthermore the duodenal switch can also be performed with many other weight loss surgeries that need to include malabsorption.
Because this is a non-reversible major surgery it is important to learn and understand as much about this procedure as you can possibly learn. You will also have to look for the surgeons who will be willing to cover this procedure. Furthermore because of the rarity of this procedure it will be next to impossible to get your insurance company to approve coverage of this procedure. Should you want your medical insurance to cover the procedure you should most likely look into a standard gastric bypass procedure. |
