The Duodenal Switch

What is it? Why this form of surgery?

There are some great web sites explaining what this surgery is about - the following is a good place to start

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/

but let me give is a shot in laymans terms

The duodenal switch is a surgery that has two main components. 1. it makes your stomach smaller and 2. it shortens the amount of time that food is in your system hence the length of time there is for calories to be absorbed. The surgery makes your stomach smaller but leaves it operating as a normal stomach (unlike the more common RNY gastric bypass surgery). The surgeon also shortens the length of the digestive loop.

Hmmm... clear as mud? Maybe the why's would make more sense...

1. The stomach continues to operate which means that you have a greater chance of getting the required nutrients from food
2. You will end up eating more normal meals, albeit smaller ones than before, than with some of the other surgery options
3. You are less likely to experience "dumping" which happens when the small intestine fills too quickly with undigested food from the stomach. "Early" dumping begins during or right after a meal. Symptoms of early dumping include nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, and shortness of breath. "Late" dumping happens 1 to 3 hours after eating. Symptoms of late dumping include weakness, sweating, and dizziness.
4. It has a much greater success rate of long term weight loss
5. People lose a much greater percentage of their excess weight in the first two years

After lots of research I think there are reasons to consider the other main surgery options but for me this was a no brainer. Given my starting point this is the surgery that makes most sense for me.

http://obesityhelp.com

is another good website. I love reading what other people have to write. Not only does it give you an insight into other peoples lives and challenges as it relates to weight, it can act as an aha moment helping you to better understand your own challenges.

Happy reading!