Laparoscopic duodenal switch with NUBARICS®
Every bariatric and metabolic surgery will improve a patient’s weight and metabolism; they are similar in weight loss rate and benefits, that’s why some patients may get confused when choosing between them. Understanding their characteristics, benefits, and advantages is key. With the help of your doctor, you will find the one that suits you best.
UNDERSTANDING DOUDENAL SWITCH, A.K.A BILIO-PANCREATIC DIVERSION (BPD)
Duodenal Switch (DS) is a complex procedure reserved only for the most skilled and experienced surgeons. It is an irreversible surgery that NUBARICS® surgeons suggest for patients who need to lose extreme amounts of weight and are committed to following up with their doctors, and whose metabolic diseases are difficult to control since it is highly effective on metabolic control and reversal of conditions that put a person’s life at risk. DS induces weight loss regardless of patient behavior. Below are eight characteristics, benefits, and advantages of the DS surgery.
1. The ultimate restrictive and mal-absorption procedure
The effectiveness of this procedure lies in several mechanisms. Since this surgery creates a gastric sleeve, the patient will experience a restriction, meaning that will feel satiety with smaller quantities of food, thus fewer calories. The sleeve is then connected to the terminal (or the farthest) part of the small intestine, bypassing the stomach, the first, and the second part of the small intestine where calories are absorbed, which creates an extreme mal-absorption mechanism too. DS effectiveness relies on the fact that is the bariatric and metabolic surgery with the longest bypass of the small intestine.
2. Affordable
DS all-inclusive medical tourism packages in Tijuana, Mexico is by far more affordable and cost-effective than in most countries. Thanks to being the second most popular city for medical tourism in the world and having a price-privileged private medical system, surgeons can offer expertise and cost-effective medical treatments.
3. Nutrient absorption
Duodenal switch is the bariatric and metabolic surgery that modifies the anatomy and functionality of the stomach and small intestine the most. Food calories and nutrients of meals bypass most of the small intestine, thus are minimally absorbed. Nutritional deficiencies are a concern; the second intake of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, omegas, and essential amino acids in the form of supplements is highly suggested.
4. Surgery and recovery
The laparoscopic duodenal switch bypass surgery is performed in 90 to 120 minutes. It is the most complex bariatric surgery, NUBARICS® surgeons take care of precision, details, and safety leak tests. I suggest you also read the blog on how time is spent in the operating room during bariatric surgery.
Hospital stay under NUBARICS® care is 3 days; we do not send our patients to a recovery house.
A safe return to office activities is one week, physically demanding: one month, full recovery time: 6 weeks. Don’t get confused by the small laparoscopic incisions on the skin, because on the inside, bariatric surgery is major surgery.
5. Documented results
Off all the bariatric surgeries DS delivers the fastest weight loss in the initial phase of treatment, resulting in a dramatic improvement of obesity-associated conditions and diseases as well. In the long term, results in weight loss and metabolic control are similar to other procedures.
6. Advantages of losing weight with bariatric and metabolic surgery
Improvement of metabolic, respiratory, cardiovascular, skin, joint conditions and diseases; such as Insulin resistance syndrome, glycosylated hemoglobin results (Hba1C), blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels, blood pressure, sleep apnea, asthma, fatigue and many more illnesses related to being obese.
7. Risks and complications
DS surgery has been considered the surgery that poses the highest risk to patients since it requires multiple incisions, anastomosis, and the longest bypass. However, the surgeon’s skills, laparoscopic approach, and comprehensive care have significantly reduced the rate of perioperative complications related to this procedure to a low 3%, which is a similar rate to other procedures.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4722734/
8. Mortality rate
Although any surgery carries a risk to the patient, you will be amazed by the low mortality rate of weight loss surgery compared to other procedures. Overall bariatric and metabolic surgery mortality rate is about 0.1%, lower than gallbladder surgery with a rate of 0.7%, and hip replacement surgery with 0.93%. Still, there is a method for making your surgery even safer: avoid paying the industry’s low-end prices. Every price cut requires a cost cut; it may be a fee, service, underpaid professional, or a hospital with insufficient staff or without bacteriological surveillance, or the necessary equipment to treat an unexpected emergency.
Hopefully, this blog will provide you helpful information to discuss with your surgeon in regards to your future surgery.
At NUBARICS® we don’t just help people lose weight. We put them in a path to a healthier, happier life.
Call today:
1.619.573.4667 | 1.855.700.2522
Dr. Gabriel Gutierrez
NUBARICS® pre- and post-operative support coordinator