The biliopancreatic diversion – duodenal switch (BPD-DS) is a type of weight loss surgery which involves extensive bypass with duodenal switch as defined by the National Institute of Health. This type of surgery is not commonly performed but has continued to attract attention because it allows a person to eat larger servings of food than the regular gastric bypass. It also is an excellent weight loss system which has several benefits going for it.
In biliopancreatic diversion – duodenal switch surgery, about one-half of the stomach is permanently removed. You will be able to visualize this by imagining the size of your stomach going from a plump pineapple shape to a slender banana shape. The remaining portion of the stomach is then connected to the last 8 feet of the small intestine, which is also connected to the small bowel, serving as the common channel where digestive juices mix with the food.
This particular procedure is not for everybody because of the risks involved in the operation. Only people having a high body mass index ranging from 35 to 40 can be potential candidates for the surgery. But this surgery can also be done to people having a lower body mass index provided that they are suffering from complications that being overweight has with it, including high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Those with psychological instability and alcohol problems cannot undergo this surgery for obvious health reasons.
Among all weight loss surgeries, the biliopancreatic diversion – duodenal switch surgery is considered to be a bigger operation. This is because a big part of the stomach is permanently removed, making it completely an irreversible procedure. Secondly, malabsoprtion happens greatly as a result of bypassing a considerable length of the small intestine. This just means that the nutritional risks associated with malnutrition are greater after a biliopancreatic diversion – duodenal switch surgery.
After having a biliopancreatic diversion – duodenal switch surgery, one has to expect side effects to occur. These side effects will differ from patient to patient, but nevertheless, some of these have been reported to have occurred in a person who has had the surgery. Side effects include frequent bowel movements, halitosis, change in body odor, bloating, gas pains, hair loss, food intolerance, and passing of foul-smelling gas.
Because of the high risk of malnutrition right after the surgery, it is necessary for one to take several nutritional supplements. These supplements include multivitamins, iron supplements, and calcium, all to be taken twice per day; and fat soluble vitamins taken three times a day.
Despite its disadvantages, there are also several benefits associated with a biliopancreatic diversion – duodenal switch surgery. One of which is that the pylorus remains intact which prevents the dumping syndrome, rapid filling of the jejunum with undigested food, from occurring right after the surgery. Second advantage is that the newly created stomach pouch is significantly larger when compared to traditional gastric bypass or Lap-Band surgery, which enables the person to eat larger portions of food. Also, this type of surgery has a success rate of achieving a 65%- 80% weight loss which is comparatively greater than what other weight loss surgeries can achieve.
Hello,
I have huge hormone variations that make me feel hungry all the time. It is common for me to eat and then within 1/2 hour, be hungry again. I also crave bread, cake, pasta and rice. This being the case, would a DS or RNY make more sense for me.
Thank you.
I had the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in September 2006; I lost 60 lbs in 30 days. I never lost anymore significant weight after that. From 2006 to 2009 I had many significant health problems; including 3 strokes. After spending months in the hospital I gained back all my weight and more. The only reason I can think is that my medications at present (11 /plus 2 types of insulin)sinificantly changed my metabolism. I still can only eat about what I was able to eat after the intial Roux-en-Y. My insurance allows for a 2nd operation can the BPD/DS be done after the Roux-en-Y is done?