Duodenal Switch

Duodenal switch is a weight loss surgery that pairs a sleeve gastrectomy with an intestinal bypass. A large portion of the stomach is removed to leave a smaller, tube shaped stomach. Next, a section of the small intestine is rerouted so food takes a shorter path through the digestive tract. The result is a robotic-assisted procedure that limits how much food a patient can eat and reduces how many calories the body absorbs.

While it is not performed as often as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, duodenal switch is widely considered one of the most effective bariatric options available. At Baptist Health, duodenal switch is often performed with robotic surgical assistance through small incisions.

Benefits of Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Robotic surgery is a technologically advanced system that improves surgical results for patients. It is important to note that a robotic-assisted procedure does not mean being operated on by a machine with no human involvement. In robotic-assisted procedures, the robot is a group of tools used by a skilled surgeon and the medical team to aid in an operation. These tools mimic human motion with greater precision, better visualization, and less fatigue than a person can maintain on their own.

Robotic-assisted surgery offers the following benefits:

• Smaller incisions.
• Less blood loss.
• Reduced scarring.
• Lower risk of infection.
• Less pain after surgery.
• Shorter hospital stays.
• Quicker recovery times.

How Does Robotic-Assisted Duodenal Switch Work?

Robot assisted duodenal switch procedures are performed using the Intuitive da Vinci system. The surgeon controls slim robotic arms from a console, guided by a magnified, three dimensional view of the surgical site. The system translates hand movements into very precise motions, which is especially useful for the detailed intestinal work involved in a duodenal switch.

The procedure has two parts. First, the surgeon removes a large portion of the stomach, leaving a smaller tube shaped stomach that helps you feel full sooner. Second, the surgeon divides a section of the small intestine and reroutes it so food bypasses a significant portion of the digestive tract. This results in an inability to absorb all of the calories that are eaten.

The surgery also lowers levels of the hormones that drive hunger. This is why most patients notice a meaningful drop in appetite afterward. In some cases, your surgeon may recommend completing the surgery in two stages, with the stomach reduction done first and the intestinal rerouting completed several months later.

What to Expect with Robotic-Assisted Duodenal Switch

A duodenal switch usually takes two to four hours, depending on whether it is completed in one or two stages. It is performed under general anesthesia. Most patients spend one to three days in the hospital while the care team manages comfort, hydration and early recovery.

After surgery, you will initially follow a liquid-only diet, and slowly progress to eating solid food over the course of several weeks. Eating slowly and following the plan your dietitian provides is an important part of a smooth recovery. Most patients with desk or light duty jobs return to work within one to three weeks, while physical labor or heavy lifting may require three or more weeks.

Because the duodenal switch reduces how well the body absorbs nutrients, daily vitamin and mineral supplements are a lifelong part of care. Your Baptist Health provider will tailor a supplement plan that includes higher doses of vitamins to support you after surgery.

Follow up visits are scheduled frequently after surgery to give maximum support to the patient. Your bariatric provider will likely want to check in with annual visits and blood work after that. These check-ins help your provider catch nutritional gaps early and keep you on track with your goals.

Why Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric Surgery is an effective and safe tool in the treatment of obesity. Obesity is a disease, and can present with different levels of severity. Bariatric Surgery has been shown to result in the most long-lasting weight loss and disease resolution for patients with a BMI (body mass index) of 35 or greater.

Some diseases that can be improved or resolved by Bariatric Surgeon include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. The safety profile of Bariatric Surgery is similar to some of the safest and most commonly performed surgeries in the United States, such as gallbladder surgery, appendectomy, and knee replacement.

Many studies have shown that patients lose more weight and keep it off longer after Bariatric Surgery than after treatment with GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide.

Why Choose Baptist Health

Baptist Health is committed to being a leader in the field of Bariatric Surgery in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The Bariatric Surgeons at Baptist Health are distinguished by lower than national average complication rates, and their extensive experience and training increases the safety and success of revisional bariatric surgery.

If you have questions or concerns about obesity and weight related health issues, take our online Health Risk Assessment.