Close

Biliopancreatic Diversion/Duodenal Switch: here's what you should know

What is a Biliopancreatic Diversion/Duodenal Switch and why can’t you be without extra vitamins afterwards? Here you can read all about it.

Biliopancreatic Diversion/Duodenal Switch: here's what you should know

What is a Biliopancreatic Diversion/Duodenal Switch and why can’t you be without extra vitamins afterwards? Here you can read all about it.

What is a Biliopancreatic Diversion/Duodenal Switch?

The surgeon reduces the stomach and the small intestine is split into 2 parts. One end is attached to the reduced stomach. The other part is attached to the small intestine, close to the large intestine. These surgeries allow you to eat less and only small amounts. Your appetite may also be reduced, making it easier to lose weight. Therefore, a Biliopancreatic Diversion/Duodenal Switch is an effective treatment for morbid obesity.

What changes in your body after a Biliopancreatic Diversion/Duodenal Switch?

After a BPD-DS, your stomach is about 85% smaller. About the size of a narrow tube or banana.  Henceforth, food from the stomach goes directly into the last part of your small intestine. As a result, food is not digested as well and you absorb fewer nutrients such as fats, protein and carbohydrates. Also, after a BPD-DS, your body does not produce ghrelin. Grheline is the “hunger hormone” that signals the brain when it’s time to eat.

With a BPD, about 33% of your stomach remains. Just like with a BPD-DS, this allows you to eat less. After this surgery, you still make grheline. In addition, less stomach acid is a result of both operations. You need stomach acid to release nutrients from food. In addition, you make less intrinsic factor after the surgeries. This is a protein that is produced in the stomach wall. Without intrinsic factor, your body barely absorbs vitamin B12.


What is the recovery from surgery like?

The Biliopancreatic Diversion/Duodenal Switch are surgeries performed under anesthesia. Therefore, your body does need time to recover. How long exactly is different for each person. On average, it takes 3 to 6 weeks.  Make sure you are extra careful during your recovery, not heavy lifting or sports. Wait the first few days after your operation with driving and cycling. Swallowing often hurts in the beginning. Therefore, eat only liquid food for the first 2 weeks. Your doctor will tell you more about recovery.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure?

  • You lose weight which contributes to better health
  • Type 2 diabetes reduces or even resolves completely
  • Complaints caused by obesity reduce or vanish completely
  • The chance of early death is lower after surgery
  • Your health and quality of life improve: 95% of people who have had weight loss surgery say so.
  • Because of surgery, you absorb fewer vitamins and minerals. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause all kinds of symptoms. Shortages can be so serious after the operation that you have to undergo surgery again to move the intestine a little.
  • Fat from food more often ends up undigested in the stool. This can cause diarrhea and a different body odor
  • No surgery is without risk. This also applies to gastric bypass surgery. After surgery, complications can occur such as vomiting, bleeding, heartburn problems, leaky gut, gallstones and dumping syndrome
  • You may suffer from excess skin because you have lost so much weight
  • The surgery itself is not the solution. A healthy lifestyle, mindset and proper nutrition are just as important to staying fit and balanced.

Why do you need extra vitamins after weight loss surgery?

Weight loss surgery causes you to lose those unwanted pounds, but it also means you ingest less vitamins and minerals. You also absorb less nutrients from food because your digestive tract has been modified. Vitamins and minerals are exactly what keeps you healthy and balanced. You can’t live without them.  If you get insufficient vitamins and minerals, all kinds of symptoms may occur. You are quickly tired, get hair loss or sleep problems. Everyone needs vitamins and minerals to function properly. Especially after a weight loss if the risk of deficiency is high.

Multivitamins tailored to your operation

We are being honest: a multivitamin is not a wonder drug. Nor is it a quick fix or replacement for a healthy meal. A multivitamin is your daily support to replenish vitamins and minerals.  Every day it contributes to more energy and a stronger body. It ensures that you stay healthy. Not just today, but throughout your life.  Therefore, a multivitamin is not something temporary, but something you keep up taking.

Through scientific research we know that after a Biliopancreatic Diversion/Duodenal Switch you need additional vitamin B12, vitamin D, folic acid and iron. Also, a high dose of vitamin A is essential. That’s why our multivitamins are fully tailored to this surgery and supplement all the important vitamins and minerals.

Discover WLS Maximum

Weight loss surgery: the step to a healthy life

But it’s not just anything either. It has an impact. Both on the period around your surgery and the rest of your life. That’s why our multivitamins contain all the ingredients you need to stay in balance. We deliver the multivitamins to your doorstep and are ready to give you personal advice. So we are there for you. In the good times and the bad times. And we make healthy living a lot easier.

Discover our multivitamins
Detected country NL, selected country: NL and current language int, visited language en, selected store INT, current page store: INT, currency USD