Obesity has a negative effect on one’s overall health, and it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. If your BMI levels are unhealthy, your physician might suggest weight loss surgery to combat the higher-weight range and improve your health. Among the many options, you must have heard of gastric bypass. Another surgery for weight loss is the duodenal switch. So, what is the difference between a duodenal switch vs. a gastric bypass?
Duodenal Switch vs. Gastric Bypass: What is It?
First, let us go over what duodenal switch and gastric bypass actually is.
Also known as biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch or BPD-DS, duodenal switch is the least popular bariatric surgery. During the procedure, the bariatric surgeon performs a sleeve gastrectomy, shaping the stomach into a smaller banana-like pouch. Then, the stomach is directly connected to the lower third of the small intestine. After the operation, your stomach will have changed size and shape. Moreover, a bypass of food via two-thirds of the intestines also takes place due to the duodenal switch.
In comparison, gastric bypass surgery is pretty popular thanks to its high effectiveness. The procedure to perform a gastric bypass involves altering the anatomy of the intestines in order to change the path of the food. At the end of the surgery, your stomach will be around as small as an egg, directly connecting to a piece of the small intestine and bypassing the main stomach. This has amazing results — for one, patients feel full faster, even with less amount of food. In addition, gastric bypass encourages weight loss by limiting the amount of calories the patient consumes.
Duodenal Switch vs. Gastric Bypass: The Differences
Gastric bypass and duodenal switch are both procedures meant to help with weight loss when diets and other methods do not show any improvement. Both procedures are different, and your bariatric surgeon and physician can determine which one will work best for you. As for the difference between duodenal switch vs. gastric bypass, here is a list of factors that separate the two:
- Required BMI: If you have a BMI level between 40 and 50, gastric bypass might be suitable for you. However, you may need a duodenal switch procedure if your BMI is above 50.
- Duration: Performing a gastric bypass procedure will take around 2 hours. As for the duodenal switch, you will undergo the surgical procedure for 4 hours. The duration of both procedures is not the same!
- Excess Weight Loss Expectation: Both bariatric surgeries are meant to help you with significant weight loss so you can get on the track to a healthy lifestyle. With gastric bypass, you can expect an excess weight loss of around 60% to 85%, whereas a duodenal switch has a possibility of 75% to 90% reduction in weight.
Final Word
There are many differences between gastric bypass and duodenal switch. From required BMI to weight loss expectations to the duration of the surgery, you can find many ways they are different. You can get guidance from your healthcare team on which weight loss surgery is better for you!
Nova Bariatric is here to help you shed off the unnecessary safe in multiple ways. Talk to us now at (469) 639-0953 or give us a visit at 3150 Matlock Road, Suite 403, Arlington, TX 76015.