Duodenal Switch
A duodenal switch, or Gastric Reduction Duodenal Switch (GRDS), is a surgical procedure performed primarily for weight loss in obese patients.
This surgery involves removing more than 70% of the stomach along the greater curvature, leaving an area that is about six ounces and is shaped like a banana.
Duodenal switch surgery also reroutes a large portion of the small intestine. It separates pancreatic juices and bile from the flow of food during most of digestion, allowing them to interact only in the last 18 to 24 inches of the intestine, causing much of the food you eat to pass through the body and not be absorbed.
How is a Duodenal Switch Procedure Performed?
The duodenal switch is a laproscopic surgery that is usually performed in a hospital under anesthesia.
Small incisions are made to reduce the stomach size and the duodenum is separated from most of the second and third parts of the small intestine and reattached near the end of the small intestine.
The surgeon checks for leakage and closes the incisions with tape or sutures that can be absorbed.
Am I a Good Candidate for a Duodenal Switch?
Many obese patients are good candidates for duodenal switch. If your body mass index is more than 40 it is likely that you would be a good candidate for this surgery, especially if your age is between 18 and 65.
You may also be a good candidate if your BMI is lower than 40 and you have type two diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, or other obesity related illnesses.
What are the Benefits of Duodenal Switch?
The average patient that has undergone a duodenal switch procedure loses about 85% of their excess weight, with most weight loss occurring in the first 12-18 months post surgery.
What are the Risks and Recovery Time?
Risks associated with this procedure include blood clots, malnutrition, night blindness (due to Vitamin A malabsorption), leakage, and hernia.
Individual recovery time varies, but most patients are fully recovered from a duodenal switch procedure in about 3-4 weeks.
How Much does a Duodenal Switch Cost?
The cost of surgery varies throughout the U.S., but you can expect an average cost of about $15,000 to $20,000.
This amount may be partially or fully covered by your insurance if the procedure is medically necessary.
There are also companies that provide loans for surgery. For more information, fill out the form below and request a consultation with a certified surgeon in your local area.
