Depending on the approach your surgeon is taking, your surgery can take either three to four hours or more, like an entire day, if the surgeon splits the surgery into two parts. After surgery ends, you will be transported to a room where you will stay for 2-3 days. Overall recovery usually takes anywhere from 20-30 days, but most of it occurs at home.
Weight Loss & Nutrition
In terms of weight loss, patients can expect to lose most of their website in the first year to a year and a half. Patients average about 70% of their overall weight loss goal and a BMI reduction of nearly 35%. However, this does not occur without some setbacks, such as dietary deficiencies. The surgery itself makes the intestines less able to absorb fat and calories properly. This results in vitamin deficiencies such as Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Iron, Potassium, and Calcium.
This makes embracing dietary changes increasingly important. This guide is mandatory, or malnutrition will occur. Patients may also experience bowel issues as a result of not following their post-op diet. Do not eat high-fat foods or beverages, which can lead to chronic diarrhea.
Milk and milk products also can cause this discomfort and frequency.
During the first weeks of recovery, patients will only drink liquids until pureed foods are incorporated into the rotation. Drinking enough beverages is important as many patients become dehydrated after duodenal switch surgery because of swelling in the areas around the stomach and small bowel. If you experience dehydration or if you cannot keep fluids down, return to the hospital, where they will intravenously rehydrate you.
Medications/Supplements to Take Daily
Typically, doctors prescribe a combination of medications to take daily. Some of these medications may include Prilosec, one tablet a day for four weeks following surgery, Lortab Elixir (as needed), Actigall (one 300 mg tablet twice a day for six months), Multivitamin, Calcium, Fat Soluble Vitamins (1 tab, 3 times a day) and Iron for at least two to three weeks after surgery.
Other Instructions
Showering or using soap is ok. Be sure to pat the incision line dry after bathing. Do not take a bath or soak the incision fully for at least a month following surgery. If the outer bandage is still in place 3 days after surgery, remove it. Do not, however, remove the steri-strips for a week or until they become loose. Some itching may occur; don’t scratch the area.
Vomiting may occur if the patient eats or drinks too much or too quickly. Wait four hours, and then try an ounce of a non-sugar beverage.
Do not drive at all until all pain is resolved and doesn’t require pain medication. If a strenuous activity feels uncomfortable during the first month, stop immediately. Walk as much as is comfortable. Aim for 30 minutes daily, 7 days per week. This will speed up the weight loss process.
Return to work after bariatric surgery:
| Job Type | Duodenal Switch |
| Sitting | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Stand/Walk | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Fast-Paced | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Lifting | 4 to 8+ weeks |
Be sure to attend any follow-up visits with the surgeon, nutritionist, or dietitian promptly. A dietitian or nutritionist will want to meet with you 2-3 weeks after surgery and again 5-6 weeks after surgery. Surgeon appointments will occur at 3 months, 6 months, and every 6 months until 2 years post-op.
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