Achieve significant, long-term weight loss with the duodenal switch, a powerful bariatric procedure that combines restriction and malabsorption. Dr Mo Atalla at BetterLife Surgery offers expert surgical care to help you achieve and maintain your desired weight and improve your life.
Reduce Food Intake &
Calorie Absorption at Once
The duodenal switch is a highly effective bariatric surgery that combines stomach restriction and intestinal bypass to promote substantial, long-term weight loss. It involves removing a portion of the stomach, similar to a gastric sleeve, while also rerouting the small intestine to limit calorie absorption. This procedure can lead to significant improvements in obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Dr Mo Atalla provides expert care, ensuring thorough pre-operative assessment and lifelong post-surgical support.
*Individual Results May Vary
Benefits of Duodenal Switch:
- Greater long-term weight loss compared to other bariatric procedures
- Significant improvement or resolution of type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, and hypertension
- Reduced hunger due to decreased production of the hunger hormone ghrelin
- Improved portion control with stomach size reduction
- Increased calorie malabsorption, allowing more flexibility in food choices
- Higher success rates for patients with severe obesity (BMI >50)
- Lifelong support and monitoring with the BetterLife Surgery team
How Does the Duodenal Switch Promote Weight Loss?
The duodenal switch promotes weight loss through a combination of restriction and malabsorption. First, the stomach is surgically reduced in size, similar to a gastric sleeve, which limits the amount of food you can eat. This also reduces the production of ghrelin, the hormone responsible for hunger, helping you feel full with smaller portions. As a result, your daily calorie intake naturally decreases, supporting sustainable weight loss.
In addition to restriction, the procedure reroutes a portion of the small intestine, reducing the amount of calories and nutrients absorbed by the body. This process, called malabsorption, ensures that fewer calories contribute to weight gain, even when consuming regular foods. The combination of eating less and absorbing fewer calories leads to significant, long-term weight loss, making the duodenal switch one of the most effective bariatric procedures available.
How Much Weight Can I Lose With the Duodenal Switch?
With the duodenal switch, you can expect to lose 70–85% of your excess body weight within the first 12–24 months. This procedure offers one of the highest weight loss outcomes among bariatric surgeries, particularly for patients with severe obesity. Your results will depend on factors such as diet, exercise, and long-term follow-up care. Dr Mo Atalla and his team provide comprehensive support to help you achieve and maintain your weight loss goals.
Potential Side Effects or Risks of Duodenal Switch:
- Nutrient deficiencies due to reduced absorption of vitamins and minerals
- Increased bowel movements or loose stools, especially after high-fat meals
- Gas and bloating caused by changes in digestion
- Dumping syndrome, leading to nausea, dizziness, or diarrhoea after eating sugary foods
- Higher risk of protein deficiency, requiring careful dietary management
- Potential for surgical complications, such as leaks or strictures
- Lifelong need for vitamin supplementation to maintain health
- Risk of malnutrition if dietary guidelines are not followed
- Possible acid reflux or digestive discomfort in some patients
Life After Duodenal Switch: What You Can Expect
After the duodenal switch, you’ll experience significant weight loss, but it requires lifelong commitment. Your diet will start with liquids and gradually progress to solid foods, focusing on high-protein, nutrient-rich meals. You’ll need to take daily vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent deficiencies and attend regular follow-up appointments for monitoring. You may notice changes in digestion, including more frequent bowel movements and sensitivity to certain foods. Long-term success depends on healthy eating habits, portion control, and regular exercise.
Duodenal Switch FAQs
Who Is a Good Candidate for the Duodenal Switch?
The duodenal switch is typically recommended for individuals with a BMI over 40 or those with a BMI over 35 who have obesity-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes or sleep apnoea. It is especially effective for patients struggling with severe obesity who have not achieved long-term success with other weight loss methods.
How Is the Duodenal Switch Different From Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass?
The duodenal switch combines restriction (like the gastric sleeve) with malabsorption (similar to gastric bypass). It involves removing a portion of the stomach to limit food intake and rerouting part of the small intestine to reduce calorie absorption. Compared to gastric sleeve or bypass, it leads to greater long-term weight loss, but also requires lifelong nutritional monitoring.
What Is the Recovery Time for Duodenal Switch Surgery?
Most patients stay in hospital for 2–3 nights and return to light activities within 1–2 weeks. Full recovery, including a gradual return to normal eating, typically takes 6–8 weeks. Dr Mo Atalla’s team will provide detailed post-operative guidance to support your recovery.
Can the Duodenal Switch Be Reversed?
The duodenal switch is a permanent procedure and is generally not reversible. However, in rare cases where complications arise, certain modifications can be made. It’s important to fully understand the lifelong commitment before choosing this surgery.
What Happens if I Don’t Follow the Recommended Diet?
Ignoring dietary guidelines can lead to nutritional deficiencies, digestive issues, and weight regain. A high-protein, nutrient-rich diet is essential, along with portion control and avoiding excessive sugars and fats. Dr Mo Atalla and the BetterLife Surgery team will provide ongoing nutritional support to help you maintain long-term success.
How Often Will I Need Follow-up Appointments?
Follow-up care is lifelong, with frequent appointments in the first year and annual check-ups thereafter. These visits help monitor your weight loss, nutritional status, and overall health.
Will I Need to Take Vitamins and Supplements After Surgery?
Yes, because the duodenal switch reduces nutrient absorption, you will need to take daily vitamin and mineral supplements for life, including multivitamins, calcium, iron, and B12 to prevent deficiencies. Regular blood tests will also be necessary to monitor your levels.
Why Choose Dr Mo Atalla?
Dr Mo Atalla is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and an experienced bariatric surgeon specialising in the duodenal switch. With his expertise, you’ll receive comprehensive care from pre-surgical preparation to lifelong follow-up. This procedure is ideal for those seeking significant, long-term weight loss and improvement in obesity-related conditions. If you’re considering the duodenal switch, schedule a consultation with Dr Mo Atalla today to explore your weight loss options.
