Standard Duodenal Switch
The standard duodenal switch begins with the creation of a tube-shaped stomach pouch similar to the sleeve gastrectomy. It resembles the gastric bypass, where more of the small intestine is not used. Following the creation of the tube-shaped stomach, the first portion of the small intestine is separated from the stomach. A part of the small intestine is then brought up and connected to the outlet of the newly created stomach, so that when you eat, the food passes through the sleeve pouch and into the latter part of the small intestine.
The smaller stomach, shaped like a banana, allows you to consume less food. The food stream bypasses roughly 75% of the small intestine; the most of any commonly performed approved procedures. This results in a significant decrease in supplements after surgery. Even more than gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, the duodenal switch affects intestinal hormones in a manner that reduces hunger, increases fullness and improves blood sugar control. The duodenal switch is considered the most effective, approved metabolic operation for type 2 diabetes treatment.
Loop Duodenal Switch
The loop duodenal switch is the most recent procedure to be endorsed by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The loop duodenal switch is simpler and take less time to perform than the standard duodenal switch, as there is only one surgical bowel connection.
The operation begins by making a smaller tube-shaped stomach, similar to the sleeve gastrectomy. The first part of the small intestine is divided just after the stomach. A loop of intestine is measured several feet from its end and is then connected to the stomach. This is the only intestinal connection performed in this procedure.
When you eat, food goes through the pouch and into the latter portion of the small intestine. The food mixes with digestive juices from the first part of the small intestine. This allows absorption of vitamins and minerals to help maintain healthy levels of nutrition. This surgery offers weight loss along with less hunger, more fullness, blood and sugar control and diabetes improvement.
