Duodenal Switch Surgery

Duodenal switch surgery is the effective form of Bariatric surgery that promotes potential weight loss but there are some complications associated with the duodenal switch that should be noticed too. After duodenal switch surgery patients may have nutritional deficiency, anemia, protein malnutrition, duodenal switch gas, bloating etc.

As compared to other weight loss surgery, duodenal switch surgery combines both restrictive and malabsorptive component. In duodenal switch surgery, about 70-75% of the stomach is removed along the great curvature that restricts the amount of food intake and then reroutes the small intestine leaving only small inches that absorbs only a small portion of food. Also, as the pylorus remains intact with the intestine, it prevents from the dumping syndrome.

However, there is some nutritional diet that needs to follow after surgery. Duodenal switch diet program is similar to other surgery. This surgical procedure includes malabsorptive component, so patient can eat fat but it leads to duodenal switch gas and odorous stool. Also, taking starchy foods may cause gas. Therefore, it is required to follow nutritional guides otherwise it may leads to malnutrition or some bowel changes.

Duodenal switch gas is not a permanent complication of this surgery. It is just because of intolerance of certain food that leads to gas, bloating, and frequent passing of foul gas. Due to malabsorptive procedure, some patients may experience mild diarrhea, loose bowel movement two-three times a day that may vary from patient to patient.

Apart from duodenal switch gas, nutritional deficiency and other complications, there are lots of advantages of duodenal switch surgery. In contrast to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or adjustable gastric banding, patients are able to consume normal foods. Due to malabsorption, it promotes significant weight loss. As far as the weight loss success is concerned, about 70-80% of excess weight loss is noticed in many patients. Though there are some complications, but it is the most effective weight loss option for extremely obese person.