A lot of people are having problems with their weight. They tend to have more insecurities and low self-confidence because of their overweight and plus sized structure. Although exercising and dieting is a great help, some people do not possess the right discipline to do it. Hence, plastic surgeons are offering an option to lose weight without exercising and dieting. They now have a duodenal switch or known to be as Gastric Reduction Duodenal Switch which is an invasive surgical procedure for the stomach.
Duodenal switch is done by removing a portion of the stomach, usually more than 70% of it and leaving only an area of six ounces. This kind of surgery will reroute the large area of small intestine and will separate the pancreatic juices as well as the bile to the food that are being consumed. This means that not all the food that is being taken will be absorbed because the bile and pancreatic juice interact to only 18 to 24 inches of intestine. Some of the food will eventually be excreted in the system.
How is the procedure performed?
The duodenal switch is performed under a general anaesthesia and it is a kind of laparoscopic surgery wherein small incisions are created in order to reduce the size of the stomach. The surgeon will also separate the duodenum to the second or third portion of the small intestines. This means that the shape of the stomach will be modified in order to accommodate only small amounts of food in the body.
Right after the surgery, the surgeon will then place proper drainage on the incisions together with a suture or tape to absorb any forms of leakage.
How will a person know if he is a good candidate for duodenal switch?
Most of the time, obese people are good candidates of this kind of procedure. A body mass index of 40 is recommended especially when the person is aged 18 to 65. People at these age group are at high risk of coronary disease that is why duodenal switch is the best option for them.
In addition to the body mass index of 40, people having type 2 diabetes, those with high levels of cholesterol, high blood pressure as well as those having obesity associated diseases are also allowed to undergo this kind of procedure.
Known Benefits for Duodenal Switch
Patients who have undergone duodenal switch lose 85% of their body weight. This usually occurs on the 12th or 18th month after the surgery. Weight loss is apparent because there is little storage for food. Even if a person eats a lot, some of the food will not be absorbed.
Risks for Duodenal Switch and Recovery Time
Risks for duodenal switch are usually caused by malpractice or improper interventions. This may create blood clots, night blindness, leakage, malnutrition and hernia.
The recovery time for duodenal switch will vary per person but most of the time, a patient will experience full recovery after 3 to 4 weeks.
Cost for Duodenal Switch
The cost for this kind of surgery varies per institution but the average cost ranges from $15,000 to $20,000. It may or may not include the expenses for medical facilities and medicines.
Some insurance companies compensate the expenses for this kind of surgery. They may fully or partially cover the expenses but it depends on the company.
Moreover, there are also some companies that provide loans for cosmetic surgery. To know more about it, do a thorough research about the best company and select a board certified plastic surgeon to do the procedure.