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Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch
CONVENIENTLY LOCATED TO SERVE RALEIGH, NC

The biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch is the most effective surgery for treating super obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The operation involves creating a sleeved stomach attached to an intestinal bypass. With this operation, the average patient loses 75 to 85 percent of excess weight and rates of diabetes remission exceed 90 percent.

You’ll be in good hands with our expert weight-loss surgeons. We specialize in laparoscopy, also called minimally invasive surgery. We offer the longest and largest experience in laparoscopic fully stapled duodenal switch in the nation. In fact, our surgeons are nationally recognized leaders, publishing, teaching, and developing the latest bariatric surgery techniques.

REX Bariatric Specialists serves all of North Carolina, providing specialty care in weight loss surgery. Our offices locations include Raleigh, Wake Forest, Garner, and Cary. We reach patients throughout the region by telemedicine, from Wilmington, Greenville, Charlotte and beyond as a destination center for bariatric surgery.

Advantages of a Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch


There are many advantages to undergoing a laparoscopic duodenal switch procedure:

  • Allows patients to lose 70% of excess weight after 5 years
  • Reduces hunger
  • Improves satiety
  • Allows patients to have near-normal food intake
  • Positively affects hormone levels
  • Decreases fat absorption
  • Reduces the risk of serious illness for a longer life
  • Minimizes dumping syndrome so the patient can still have fat or sugar

Ideal Candidates for Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch Surgery


Ideal candidates must be healthy and physically fit to undergo a laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery. This surgery is appropriate for patients with morbid obesity who were unable to effectively lose weight through traditional weight-loss programs and remedies. Patients who have diabetes are also good candidates for this procedure.

Patients with high-risk health conditions like heart diseases and liver diseases are not recommended to undergo laparoscopic duodenal switch procedures.

Your Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch Consultation

During your laparoscopic duodenal switch consultation, we will discuss your struggle to lose weight and your goals for the surgery. You must disclose any treatments, remedies, medications, and surgeries you have tried to treat your obesity.

We will perform a physical evaluation and look over your medical history to ensure minimal chance of complications. We will determine the best treatment for your condition and customize the most suitable treatment plan.

Your consultation will involve discussing the details of laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery, its effects, potential risks, and estimates of your fees. We will answer all the questions you may have during the consultation and help you prepare for your duodenal switch surgery.

How to Prepare for Surgery


During the consultation, the surgeon will provide the patient with instructions to prepare for the surgery. Although some instructions are given according to the patient’s specific case, there are basic pre-op instructions for laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery patients.

  • Contact your healthcare provider to determine if your health insurance will cover the procedure.
  • Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco for at least 2 months before surgery.
  • Avoid alcohol for at least 2 weeks beforehand.
  • Supplements and medications like steroids and blood thinners should be avoided before surgery.
  • Change your eating habits as directed.
  • Hydrate properly.
  • Follow a soft and liquid diet 2 weeks before the surgery.
  • Perform all errands in advance and buy groceries beforehand.

How Duodenal Switch Surgery Works

The laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery can last at least 2 to 3 hours depending on the surgical plan. Anesthesia will be administered to prepare you for the surgery and ensure that the procedure is completely painless.

To perform duodenal switch surgery, a doctor makes several small incisions in your abdomen. The surgeon then inserts small tools to remove about 80 percent of your stomach, just as in sleeve gastrectomy, to make you feel full after eating less food.

Next, the surgeon connects the stomach directly to the last part of the small intestine, bypassing the intestine’s first part (duodenum). This step decreases the amount of calories, protein and fat your body absorbs. Because any duodenal switch procedure uses only small incisions, you’ll notice minimal scarring. Duodenal switch also affects your gut hormones in a way that can make you feel hungry less often.

Ask your surgeon about a modified procedure called single-anastomosis duodenal switch. This approach which lets your body absorb more nutrients than standard duodenal switch treatment.

Testimonials

I LOVE Rex! I’ve been a patient since 2015 and I highly recommend Rex. I feel educated, understood and taken care of. Most importantly to me – I’ve never felt like I was being treated a certain way because of my size at Rex. Do yourself a favor and come to Rex! Ask for Dr. Bermudez 🙂

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What to Expect After Surgery

After the surgery, the patient will stay in the hospital for several days of recovery. We will strictly monitor the condition of the patient and provide a liquid diet; this will be slowly turned to a soft diet based on the recovery progress of the patient.

Once the patient is released from the hospital, a recovery period of several weeks at home will be necessary. The patient may experience signs of discomfort such as fatigue, body aches, hormone swings, and nausea.

Take bariatric vitamins and make other required lifestyle changes after surgery to help your body stay healthy. Make meal planning easier with our bariatric recipes.

You may face a higher risk of complications from duodenal switch surgery than from some other weight-loss operations. But you can entrust your safety to the fellowship-trained surgeons at REX Bariatric Specialists. They’ve completed hundreds of successful bariatric surgery procedures with very low complication rates and are the best choice for your procedure.

Patients can expect a 30% loss of excess weight for the first three months. The full results of the surgery can be seen a year and a half after the laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery.

Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch Cost


The price of a laparoscopic duodenal switch will depend on the surgical plan. Anesthesia and other fees may be included in the overall cost of the surgery. We will recommend that the patient contact their healthcare provider to learn more about insurance coverage for this procedure.

Support for Your Journey

Find out if you qualify for bariatric surgery treatments, including Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch, to improve many health problems linked to obesity.

Then, discover how you benefit from REX Bariatric Specialists’ thorough preparation for surgery and support during recovery.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the benefits of choosing laparoscopic duodenal switch over other weight loss surgeries?

Laparoscopic duodenal switch offers distinct surgical benefits, especially when compared to other weight loss surgeries. It involves smaller incisions, minimizing scarring and promoting faster recovery. Many patients find that the long-term outcomes, including substantial weight loss and improved comorbidities, make the laparoscopic duodenal switch a preferred choice.

Are there any risks or potential complications associated with this surgery?

Like any surgical procedure, laparoscopic duodenal switch carries inherent surgical risks and potential complications. These may include infection, bleeding, and reactions to anesthesia. To address safety concerns, it is vital to discuss these risks with your surgeon thoroughly. 

Adhering to pre- and post-operative guidelines is the key to minimizing potential complications and ensuring a safe recovery.

How significant is the weight loss after laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery?

Laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery typically yields significant weight loss results. Success rates may vary, but many patients experience substantial and sustained weight reduction, contributing to improved overall health. 

Individual outcomes depend on factors such as adherence to post-surgery guidelines and lifestyle changes, influencing the expected outcomes of the procedure.

Will I need to follow a specific diet after the surgery?

Yes, following a specific post-surgery diet is important after the laparoscopic duodenal switch procedure. Your healthcare team will provide detailed nutritional guidelines to support your recovery and optimize weight loss. Adhering to these dietary adjustments is essential for achieving the best outcomes and maintaining long-term success after the surgery.

How does laparoscopic duodenal switch impact overall health and comorbidities?

Laparoscopic duodenal switch surgery promotes weight loss and also brings about significant health benefits. Many patients experience resolution or reduction in obesity-related comorbidities, such as diabetes and hypertension. 

This positive impact on health often leads to quality of life improvements, making laparoscopic duodenal switch a comprehensive approach to improving overall well-being.

Contact Us Today

To learn more about the Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch in Raleigh, NC, and how it can facilitate your weight-loss journey, contact REX Bariatric Specialists. Our skilled surgeons will be available to walk you through the procedure in further detail and can answer questions regarding cost, recovery, and more. You can also view before and after videos to learn about our patient success stories.

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