Have you been looking into various weight loss options? A method that you may not have heard much of is duodenal surgery. This is an operation that can heavily reduce your weight and make you healthier.
It is performed on your stomach and intestines and it alters the manner in which your body handles the food you eat. Below are the keys that will help you to understand how this surgery is done, its potential benefits, and what risks you are exposed to.
What is Duodenal Switch Surgery?
The duodenal switch procedure represents a combination of two procedures: the primary goal is to decrease the size of the stomach and the secondary goal is to delay or restrict how food is digested or absorbed by the body. A sizable piece of the stomach is taken out by the surgeon and then the remaining part is shaped like a banana. This means that the food is filling less space than before.
Next, you have an operation done that makes you eat in a different way. The process is aimed at disrupting the normal process of digestion and assimilation of calories and vitamins, sharply reducing the amount of calories and vitamins which are absorbed into your body system.
Benefits of Duodenal Switch Surgery
The surgical process of duodenal switch may result in considerable weight loss. It is especially useful in comparison to other weight-loss surgery types as it results in more weight loss. Such a less-invasive approach is especially suitable for the obese due to the high rate of reduction of the high body mass index (BMI) over time. Besides shedding pounds, the bariatric surgery leads to the resolution or remission of other medical conditions related to obesity, including diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea.
Risks and Considerations
Similar to any major surgery, duodenal switches also carried an associated risk. They do involve the body’s absorption of nutrients from food, so there may be a lack of nutrition. Thus, patients are supposed to make a lifelong change in their diets, given that they will need vitamin and mineral supplementation to prevent deficiencies. In addition, there is the risk of developing surgical complications like infections or problems related to the intestine recircuiting.
It is very necessary to talk to (and work with ) an expert professional in the healthcare industry. That way, you can better understand whether the advantages outweigh the possible consequences.
Recovery and Aftercare
Duodenal switch surgery needs a lot of changes in the pattern of your life after it. Within 3 days of the operation, you should prepare yourself mentally for a liquid diet only, and within 1 week, you can introduce solids to your new diet. In the long-term, you need to take dieting seriously, work out routinely and undoubtedly make regular checkups with your doctor.
Conclusion
The duodenal switch surgery is a very powerful surgery that enables individuals to lose weight, but for others it might not be suitable. The most important steps in your decision making process about this procedure is a careful consultation with a surgeon specializing in this field so that you can make an informed choice that serves your health and goals.