Duodenal switch, or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, is a weight loss surgery that combats overeating by restricting how much food you can eat and reducing the number of calories absorbed.
Duodenal switch is a two-part surgery that involves the stomach and the small intestine. In a similar fashion to the gastric sleeve surgery, a portion of the stomach is removed, leaving a smaller slender pouch but keeping the pylorus valve intact. This valve controls the speed at which the stomach empties. Then a section of the small intestine is bypassed, rerouting food passage, which decreases the number of calories absorbed, similar to gastric bypass surgery.
Duodenal switch is a surgical option for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 50, which would be considered severely obese. Learn if you qualify for weight loss surgery.
If you are a candidate, read more about what you should do before duodenal switch surgery at Atlanta’s Center for Weight Management at Northside Hospital.
