Duodenal Switch
Expected weight loss 70-90% of excess weight

Description of Duodenal Switch

This procedure offers the ability to eat larger portions foods than gastric bypass or adjustable gastric banding and has reliable and long lasting weight loss.  You may experience more bowel movements and need to closely monitor your vitamin, protein and mineral levels.

The stomach is reduced in size to a long, tube like vertical pouch, 4-5 ounces in size with moderate restriction of food intake.  The small intestine is divided to separate food from the digestive juices, causing significant malabsorption.  This surgery is best for patients with BMI of 50 kg/m² and above if performed.

Dr. Feng no longer recommends this procedure due to long term concerns about side effects and complications.  Fewer than 2% of all patients in the world request or undergo this procedure.

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Advantages of Duodenal Switch Procedure

• Patients are able to consume larger meals
• Rapid weight loss
• Stomach function remains intact with normal stomach emptying, and thus “Dumping Syndrome” seldom occurs, like the sleeve gastrectomy
• The portion of the stomach producing hunger-stimulating hormones is removed, like the sleeve gastrectomy
• Better weight loss than the Adjustable Gastric Band procedures
• Safe in patients needing long term aspirin, NSAID such as Motrin, Advil, naprosyn, steroid use

Disadvantages of Duodenal Switch Procedure

• Some patients lose too much weight
• May require lifetime use of special foods and medications
• Higher risk of long-term nutritional deficiencies due to more malabsorption
• More invasive surgery
• Foul-smelling stools/gas after surgery.
• Patients experience a higher incidence of complications than any other surgery

Risks of Duodenal Switch Procedure

• Excessive or too much weight loss
  
• Leakage
• Infection
• Diarrhea
  
• Anemia
  
• Bowel obstruction
  
• Gallstones
  
• More vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  
• Abdominal hernia
  
• Combined and more malabsorptive operations are more likely to lead to complications then restrictive operations
• Inadequate weight loss
• Weight regain