For individuals who are morbidly obese and have been unable to lose weight with traditional weight loss methods, the duodenal switch may be a good option. It has been proven to help patients lose more weight than other weight loss procedures and reduce obesity and resolve comorbid related illnesses.
Duodenal switch is a complex weight loss surgery reserved for individuals who are severely obese with a BMI of 50 or greater with serious obesity-related health conditions. It addresses weight loss in multiple ways – including removing a larger portion of the stomach, rerouting food away from most of the small intestine, and changing the normal way bile and digestive juices break down food.
How Surgery Can Impact Your Overall Health
Duodenal switch is ideal for patients with severe type 2 diabetes, with 98% of patients experiencing a complete remission after the procedure. It helps address a number of other overall health conditions, including:
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- High blood pressure and cholesterol
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Understanding the Procedure
The first step in a duodenal switch is performing a sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric sleeve. This minimally invasive procedure includes the removal of two-thirds of the stomach, leaving it in a tube or sleeve shape that limits the amount of food that can be eaten in one setting. The second step changes the natural path of digestion by bypassing the first two thirds of the small intestines. reduces the calories and nutrients your body absorbs.
The procedure reduces your body’s ability to absorb fat and calories, vitamins and minerals and can result in significant weight loss. However, it must be managed closely to avoid serious complications of malnutrition.
Why Choose the Bariatric Weight Loss Center at NGMC?
The multidisciplinary team at NGMC includes experienced, board-certified surgeons, medical weight loss doctors, certified bariatric nurses, registered dietitians and other support staff dedicated to your success. Our surgeons have performed more than 9,000 bariatric surgical procedures and the first robotic gastric bypass surgery in the state of Georgia. As a leader in innovative techniques and complex cases, we offer the most advanced treatment options and support services that ensure safe and effective results.
Begin Your Journey Today
There are three ways to get started:
- Watch our patient education video to learn about the options offered at NGMC.
- Connect with us using our short online form.
- Call 770-219-0446 to speak with a member of our team.