Skip To Main Content
Free Insurance Check
Call
Location Call Now (256) 880-1977
home icon Weight Loss Surgery / Weight Loss Options / Duodenal Switch

Duodenal Switch

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD), commonly known as duodenal switch, is a dual-approach bariatric surgery that can be effective for patients with severe obesity.

What is a Duodenal Switch?

Duodenal switch surgery, or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS), is a two-part bariatric surgery. This procedure helps patients lose weight through two mechanisms: it is restrictive in that it reduces the size of the stomach, and it is malabsorptive in that it reduces the calories and nutrients the body can absorb. Duodenal switch surgery also impacts hunger hormones, so patients feel less hungry after the procedure.1

Benefits of Duodenal Switch

Resolution of Type 2 Diabetes

Up to 98% of duodenal switch patients see a resolution of Type 2 Diabetes.2

Improved Sleep Apnea

Up to 90% of duodenal switch patients are able to discontinue using their CPAP machine.3

Improved High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure

Following duodenal switch surgery, more than 70% of patients saw an improvement in high cholesterol, and nearly 79% of patients saw a resolution or improvement in high blood pressure.4

Duodenal Switch Surgery: What to Expect

The Duodenal Switch Procedure

Duodenal switch surgery is performed under general anesthesia. This is a two-part procedure.

In the first stage of duodenal switch surgery, a gastric sleeve is created when 80% of the stomach is removed and creates a narrow sleeve from the remaining part of the stomach.

In the second stage of duodenal switch surgery, the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum) is rerouted, so that food bypasses much of the digestive tract and empties directly into the end of the small intestine.

Duodenal Switch Results

Bariatric surgery is a tool, and patients who commit to healthier lifestyle habits will experience optimal outcomes. Duodenal switch is a malabsorptive procedure and patients will have to pay close attention to nutrition and take daily supplements in order to maintain adequate vitamin and mineral levels. A successful duodenal switch patient may lose up to 80% of excess body weight within two years of surgery.4

Who is a Candidate for Duodenal Switch?

The best way to determine if bariatric surgery is right for you is to schedule a consultation with our experienced weight loss surgeon. In general, candidates for duodenal switch have a BMI over 40 and do not have a history of digestive diseases. If you have questions about the duodenal switch or other weight loss procedures, contact us.

Calculate My BMI
 

Gastric Balloon

Invasiveness
Non-Invasive
Excess Weight Loss*
20-40lbs
Rate of Weight Loss*
Slow
Average Procedure Time
Less than 30 minutes
Typical Hospital Stay*
Out-patient
Insurance Coverage Available*
No
Financing Available
Yes
Self Pay Cost
$5,995

Gastric Banding

Invasiveness
Minimal
Excess Weight Loss*
40%
Rate of Weight Loss*
Slower
Average Procedure Time
Less than 1 hour
Typical Hospital Stay*
Out-patient
Insurance Coverage Available*
Yes
Financing Available
Yes
Self Pay Cost
$8,995

ESG

Invasiveness
Non-Invasive
Excess Weight Loss*
50%
Rate of Weight Loss*
Fast
Average Procedure Time
Less than 1 hour
Typical Hospital Stay*
Out-patient
Insurance Coverage Available*
No
Financing Available
Yes
Self Pay Cost
$8,995

Gastric Sleeve

Invasiveness
Minimal
Excess Weight Loss*
65%-70%
Rate of Weight Loss*
Fast
Average Procedure Time
Less than 1 hour
Typical Hospital Stay*
Out-patient
Insurance Coverage Available*
Yes
Financing Available
Yes
Self Pay Cost
$9,995

Gastric Bypass

Invasiveness
Minimal
Excess Weight Loss*
65%-70%
Rate of Weight Loss*
Fast
Average Procedure Time
2 hours
Typical Hospital Stay*
1 night
Insurance Coverage Available*
Yes
Financing Available
Yes
Self Pay Cost
$11,995

Duodenal Switch

Invasiveness
Minimal
Excess Weight Loss*
80%
Rate of Weight Loss*
Fastest
Average Procedure Time
2-3 hours
Typical Hospital Stay*
1 night
Insurance Coverage Available*
Yes
Financing Available
Yes
Self Pay Cost
*Call for pricing
Invasiveness Non-Invasive Minimal Non-Invasive Minimal Minimal Minimal
Excess Weight Loss* 20-40lbs 40% 50% 65%-70% 65%-70% 80%
Rate of Weight Loss* Slow Slower Fast Fast Fast Fastest
Average Procedure Time Less than 30 minutes Less than 1 hour Less than 1 hour Less than 1 hour 2 hours 2-3 hours
Typical Hospital Stay* Out-patient Out-patient Out-patient Out-patient 1 night 1 night
Insurance Coverage Available* No Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Financing Available Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Self Pay Cost $5,995 $8,995 $8,995 $9,995 $11,995 *Call for Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions About Duodenal Switch

What is the difference between gastric bypass and duodenal switch?

During gastric bypass surgery, the size of the stomach is made smaller by creating a small pouch that connects to the small intestine. In duodenal switch surgery, a narrow sleeve is created from a small portion of the stomach, then digestion is rerouted to reduce the calories a patient can absorb.

What are the risks of duodenal switch surgery?

Any surgical procedure is associated with some risks and complications. Risks of duodenal switch surgery include:

  • Procedure is not fully reversible
  • Possible nutrient deficiency
  • More frequent bowel movements

Contact Alabama Surgical Associates

If you are interested in learning more about duodenal switch and other weight loss surgery procedures, please call us at (256) 880-1977 or contact us here to schedule a consultation at Alabama Surgical Associates.

*Individual results may vary.

1 Hopkins Medicine. BPD/DS Weight-Loss Surgery. Available: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/bpdds-weightloss-surgery. Accessed April 4, 2022.
2 ​​Rubino F, Moo TA, Rosen DJ, Dakin GF, Pomp A. Diabetes surgery: a new approach to an old disease. Diabetes Care. 2009 Nov;32 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S368-72. doi: 10.2337/dc09-S341. PMID: 19875583; PMCID: PMC2811475. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19875583/. Accessed April 4, 2022.
3 Marceau P, Biron S, Hould FS, Lebel S, Marceau S, Lescelleur O, Biertho L, Simard S. Duodenal switch: long-term results. Obes Surg. 2007 Nov;17(11):1421-30. doi: 10.1007/s11695-008-9435-9. PMID: 18219767. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18219767/. Accessed April 4, 2022.
4 Buchwald H, Avidor Y, Braunwald E, Jensen MD, Pories W, Fahrbach K, Schoelles K. Bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2004 Oct 13;292(14):1724-37. doi: 10.1001/jama.292.14.1724. Erratum in: JAMA. 2005 Apr 13;293(14):1728. PMID: 15479938. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15479938/. Accessed April 4, 2022.
5 Columbia Surgery. Duodenal Switch. Available: https://columbiasurgery.org/conditions-and-treatments/duodenal-switch-bpd-ds. Accessed April 4, 2022.