Saint Mary's Weight Management - Surgical Weight Loss

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Duodenal Switch

The Duodenal Switch (DS) is a combination of restriction and malabsorption. The best way to describe the DS is that it is a Sleeve Gastrectomy combined with a very long limbed bypass. This procedure can be completed in one or two stages. The DS has the best weight loss as well as weight maintenance. Patients can lose up to 90% of their excess body weight.

Because of the malabsorption, it is extremely important to keep up with proper protein and vitamin intake. Patients who choose DS will require at least 90 grams of protein per day and will need vitamin supplements including A, D, E and K on a daily basis. Patients with DS enjoy the benefits of a wider range of food choices and fewer calorie restrictions. The trade off is that DS patients will normally have three to four soft bowel movements per day and the possibility of foul smelling gas. DS patients have a high percent of overall satisfaction due to the higher weight loss and minimal weight regain, making these side effects tolerable.

Benefits:

• Higher percent of weight loss with minimal weight gain
• Excellent resolution in medical conditions linked with obesity
• Less invasive, with minimal recovery time
• Less food intolerance than with other procedures

Potential complications include pain, nausea, vomiting, frequent bowel movements, staple line leak, bleeding, blood clots, malnutrition, and infection. A more complete list of complications is discussed on the consent form.