Are You a Good Candidate for Switch Surgery?
We'd like to take a moment to consider the basics of the duodenal switch surgery and why it may be the right procedure for your needs. You may find that you are a good candidate for this procedure.
What Is a Duodenal Switch?
Duodenal switch surgery is a weight loss procedure option that involves reducing the size of a person's stomach while also rerouting part of the small intestine. The procedure promotes two types of weight loss:
- Restrictive Weight Loss – Restrictive weight loss refers to restricting the amount of calories that a person can consume in a single sitting by reducing hunger and stomach capacity.
- Malabsorptive Weight Loss – Malabsorptive weight loss refers to reducing the amount of time that the intestines can absorb calories during the digestion process.
General Candidacy for Duodenal Switch Surgery
Good candidates for duodenal switch surgery are people who are morbidly obese. Typically these people will have tried to lose weight through natural means (i.e., diet and exercise) but with little success. It's important that candidates for the procedure be healthy enough to undergo the surgery without posing serious medical risks to their health and wellness.
Ideal BMI for Duodenal Switch
Given the mechanisms for weight loss and the nature of the procedure, duodenal switch tends to be most ideal for people with a high BMI. In particular, people with a BMI of 40 or greater tend to be the most ideal candidates for the surgery.
A Good Option for Revision Bariatric Surgery
Aside from an initial bariatric procedure, people who have have previously undergone weight loss surgery with little success may be good candidates for a revision of the first operation into a duodenal switch. Changing the initial procedure can help promote proper weight loss and improve a person's general wellness.
Understanding the Risks and Benefits
Before undergoing any sort of surgical procedure, it is of the utmost importance that patients understand the risks and benefits that are involved. This allows patients to understand the importance of pre-op and post-op care to prevent complications and minimize the severity of side effects.
Realistic Expectations About Life After Surgery
In addition to all of the above, it's important that patients have realistic expectations about the nature of bariatric surgery. Patients should be aware of the lifestyle and dietary changes that go along with a duodenal switch. By knowing what to expect after an operation, the overall results can be greatly enhanced.
Is Duodenal Switch Right for Me?
The best way to find out if a duodenal switch is the ideal answer for your weight loss needs is to visit our practice for a consultation. We can go over all of your options for a bariatric procedure in much greater detail, and suggest a procedure or various procedures that can help you achieve your weight loss goals.
Contact Tijuana Bariatric Center
At Tijuana Bariatric Center, we take great care in tailoring each treatment to the needs of the patient. That means assessing a patient's current health, their weight loss and wellness goals, and then matching this to an ideal surgical procedure. In some cases, that means duodenal switch procedure (biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch).
For more information about duodenal switch surgery and how our team can help you achieve a more ideal weight and better health, be sure to contact our team of bariatric surgery experts today. The team at Tijuana Bariatric Center is here to help you achieve your weight loss and wellness goals.
