Duodenal Switch Surgery

At the Sansum Clinic Bariatric Surgery Center, we offer a full range of life-changing weight-loss surgery options, including duodenal switch surgery, also called biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch or “DS.” Our board-certified surgeon, Marc Zerey, MD, performs the procedure laparoscopically, which may offer a host of benefits, such as less pain and scarring, fewer complications, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery.

About Duodenal Switch Surgery

Duodenal switch is reserved for the most severely obese patients who are suffering with serious related medical issues. As a combination of gastric bypass and gastric sleeve, it works in two parts: first, a smaller, tubular pouch is created by removing a portion of the stomach, similar to the sleeve gastrectomy; second, a large portion of the small intestine is bypassed. Since the stomach is shrunk and only a small portion of the intestine has a chance to digest food before it enters the colon, this procedure offers both restriction (eating less because you feel full more quickly) with malabsorption of fat to give you a very powerful bariatric surgery procedure.

Benefits and Expected Results

Duodenal switch results in more weight loss than other bariatric option. In the first year following surgery, usually between 48% and 65% of excess weight is lost. Over the long-term, patients can lose as much as 75% of their excess weight. Additionally, DS has shown to be the most effective procedure for resolving serious obesity-related medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea.

Risks of Surgery

Because duodenal switch is more complex than other bariatrics procedures, and patients tend to have more serious related problems, complication rates tend to be higher as well. Risks include leaks, blood clots, infection, abscesses, bowel obstruction, pneumonia and problems with healing at incision site.

Keeping regular follow-up visits and strict adherence to dietary and vitamin requirements are vital to avoiding malnutrition and serious complications.

Could Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch Work for You?

Sansum Clinic is proud to offer our nationally recognized Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® to the Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Ventura and Bakersfield communities we love to serve.

If you think you may be a candidate for a DS procedure, join us for a free orientation, hosted by Dr. Zerey. Call (805) 898-3472 or save your spot at an upcoming weight loss surgery orientation.