Duodenal Switch Surgery
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Houston and Katy
The duodenal switch—also known as the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch—is a bariatric surgical procedure with some similarity to the gastric bypass. The surgery streamlines the stomach and its intersection with the upper small intestine, called the duodenum. By reducing the size of the duodenal switch, the procedure inhibits a patient’s appetite.
Texas Endosurgery is the ultimate destination for weight loss solutions. If you struggle with hunger issues and the resulting weight gain it creates, consider the benefits of duodenal switch surgery. Contact our Houston office to schedule a consultation. We also offer virtual consultations to meet your needs, no matter where you log on.
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Before and After Photos
About Weight Loss Surgery
When most people think of bariatric surgery, they immediately conjure up a gastric bypass procedure. Gastric bypass surgery works by creating a small pouch and connecting the small intestine to this truncated stomach cavity.
Duodenal switch works differently. Instead of a small pouch attached to the Y section of the small intestine, the duodenal switch surgeon actually creates a sleeve, or a sleeve-shaped stomach. Afterwards, the final section of the small intestine is attached to the stomach sleeve. So, the procedure bypasses all but the last section of the small intestine, which allows your body to reduce the amount of calories and fat it absorbs. This allows recipients a greater capacity to eat compared to other bariatric procedures, but fatty foods can carry potential concerns.
Duodenal Switch vs. Gastric Bypass
Both gastric bypass and duodenal switch are potentially effective ways to reduce excess weight when paired with a healthy diet and exercise. Many patients enquire about the difference between the two. Ultimately, the goal of both procedures is to reduce weight. They just go about achieving weight loss in distinctly different ways.
Gastric bypass reroutes the majority of digested food through a “Y” shaped intersection. Duodenal switch surgery, on the other hand, consists of two distinct steps. First, approximately 80% of the stomach is removed. The remaining material is fashioned into a sleeve formation, like the contours of a banana. The junction with the duodenum is left intact, but the entire mechanism is streamlined to help reduce a patient’s appetite.
Next, Dr. Bonnor truncates the small intestine. He accomplishes this goal by making one incision close to the upper duodenum and another toward the end of the small intestine. Your surgeon joins these two portions of the small intestine, creating a harmonious system that is perfectly equipped to process the reduced caloric intake that a duodenal switch procedure facilitates.
To learn how duodenal switch surgery can help you achieve your weight loss goals, call (281) 579-5638 and speak to a Texas Endosurgery expert.
Benefits of Biliopancreatic Diversion
The duodenal switch procedure offers a plethora of benefits for patients seeking to reduce their excess weight. The surgery preserves the pylorus, which is the passageway between the stomach and the upper small intestine (duodenum). Due to the preservation of the duodenal junction, patients do not experience the same “dumping syndrome” associated with other bariatric procedures. Dumping syndrome refers to the rapid movement of food through the digestive system that may trigger sweating, nausea, diarrhea and other distressing phenomena.
Duodenal Switch Advantages
- A great option if other weight loss procedures have failed
- Potential reversal or improvement of type 2 diabetes
- Potential reversal or improvement of high blood pressure
- Reduction of high cholesterol
- Potential reversal of sleep apnea
To experience the benefits of biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS) for yourself, please contact Texas Endosurgery in Houston.[1, 2]
Eligible Candidates
If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher, you may be an ideal candidate for duodenal switch treatment. Please tell your Texas Endosurgery representative about your general nutrition so they can determine the best course of action for your case.
The duodenal switch procedure limits your intake of food, so it is important that you create a post-surgery diet plan to ensure proper nutrition. Call (281) 579-5638 to begin a conversation with the health care team that can unleash the slim, striking new you.
Private Consultation in Houston
Texas Endosurgery is proud to follow the esteemed lead of Dr. Ricardo Bonnor. He is an accomplished physician who specializes in digestive health and aesthetic wellness. Dr. Bonnor improves patients’ quality of life in compelling and comprehensive ways. To learn more about his philosophy of care and compassion, please visit our blog.
Contact us today to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Bonnor and the professional staff of Texas Endosurgery Associates. It may be difficult to ask for help in your journey toward a better life, but helping our community is what Texas Endosurgery does best.
Preparation and Procedure
During your comprehensive consultation, you will receive detailed instructions to prepare you for biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS). These directions are customized to your needs, diet, and lifestyle. Please follow them closely.
In general, you should quit smoking at least three weeks before any invasive procedure. You should also stop taking certain blood thinners such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Dr. Bonnor and his associates will prescribe a strict diet in the days leading up to your surgery.
On the day of your procedure, you will meet with your surgeon to review the particulars of your duodenal switch surgery. An anesthesiologist will administer the appropriate sedative to keep you safe and comfortable throughout the procedure.
Dr. Bonnor will begin by surgically reducing the size of your stomach and contouring it to be more streamlined. Next, your small intestines will be bypassed to connect the lower portion directly to the duodenal junction. The duration of a BPD/DS procedure varies from patient to patient. Texas Endosurgery will focus our full array of resources and expertise to your treatment, ensuring you get the best care imaginable.
Healthy Recovery
Immediately following duodenal switch surgery, a medical professional will monitor your progress. Once you are deemed ready to return home for a restful recovery, you will be released to your caregiver.
Your diet will consist of liquids for the first 1-2 days after the duodenal switch procedure. You can gradually incorporate pureed foods into your routine, according to the timetable Dr. Bonnor advises.
When your body is ready to digest solid foods, you can introduce them to your diet slowly and cautiously. Your hunger will be greatly reduced following surgery, so it is essential to pay attention to what your body needs. Dr. Bonnor will recommend a multivitamin to supplement your nutrition. It is especially important to bolster your intake of calcium and vitamin B12.
Remarkable Results
At Texas Endosurgery, we are firm believers in scientific data. According to one extensive study of duodenal switch patients, a staggering 95% reported overall satisfaction with their end results.[3]
While 95% is a great start, Dr. Bonnor will settle for nothing less than perfection. Take a look at his overwhelmingly positive reviews to get a glimpse of your future self. If you are more of a visual person, you may choose to peruse our photo gallery instead. If you are a “before” yearning to enjoy an “after” sense of strength and wonder, then please consider an appointment with our dedicated team. Dr. Bonnor is committed to providing 5-star service to Houston, Texas and beyond. To join the ranks of his happy, healthy clientele, contact our office at your earliest convenience.
FAQ
How much does duodenal switch surgery cost in Houston?
Quality care should never be cost prohibitive. Dr. Bonnor has devoted his professional career to improving his patients’ quality of life, so he will work within your budget to deliver the results you seek. Since duodenal switch surgery can help alleviate complications from diabetes and high blood pressure, it may be partially covered by your insurance plan. For help maneuvering the medical billing process, please visit our financing page.
How much weight can you lose with a duodenal switch procedure?
Every patient is wonderfully unique. Weight loss should reflect each person’s specific anatomy and goals. Duodenal switch surgery has proven incredibly effective in reducing patients’ excess weight. Results may range between 60-80% of excess weight loss. To translate this into tangible numbers: if you are 50 pounds overweight, duodenal switch surgery may help you shed 40 of those pounds.
Is bariatric surgery safe?
Weight loss surgery is delicate and decisive. You should only trust a skilled surgeon to perform a procedure as complex as a duodenal switch. Dr. Ricardo Bonnor has earned his reputation as the best bariatric surgeon in the greater Houston area. Please call (281) 579-5638 to schedule some face time with Dr. Bonnor and chart a path to perfection.
References
- Scopinaro, N., Adami, G., Marinari, G. et al. (1998). Biliopancreatic Diversion. World Journal of Surgery. 22, 936–946. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002689900497
- Hess, D.S., Hess, D.W. Biliopancreatic Diversion with a Duodenal Switch. OBES SURG 8, 267–282 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1381/096089298765554476
- Marceau, P., Biron, S., Hould, F. et al. (2007). Duodenal Switch: Long-Term Results. Obesity Surgery. 17, 1421–1430. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-008-9435-9