Duodenal Switch

There are several names for this procedure, including biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch or gastric reduction duodenal switch (GRDS), but it is most commonly known as duodenal switch (DS) surgery.

The Duodenal Switch (DS) is a laparoscopic surgery often performed under general anaesthetic. The surgeon will create a small incision in the abdominal wall. This allows a special, small, surgical camera to be inserted into the abdominal cavity to guide the surgeon during the procedure.

The procedure is sometimes performed in two separate stages, often a year to eighteen months apart. The initial stage involves keyhole surgery to carry out a sleeve gastrectomy, this is where the stomach is turned from a pouch shape into a long, tube shaped organ. Then, after a year or so, when the patient’s weight loss has reached a plateau, the second stage of the DS surgery is carried out. This final stage involves bypassing a large part of the intestines.

The DS procedure aims to reduce the stomach’s capacity by around 50%. In order to achieve a large degree of weight loss, the surgery is reliant on malabsorption of calories. The DS surgery can cause what is known as ‘dumping syndrome’, this is where you may feel lightheaded and dizzy if you consume too many carbohydrates or foods that are high in sugars. While not a pleasant symptom, dumping syndrome can deter overeating of unhealthy foods.

The DS procedure is designed for those seeking to lose a large amount of weight. These kinds of patients may have pre-existing health conditions which mean hospital stays are longer. In general, however, patients are allowed to return home in two to three days.

Due to the two stages of the DS procedure, the price often starts at £10,000.