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Duodenal Switch Surgery

Riding your bike. Chasing after your kids. Hiking with your family. Get back to the activities you loved before your weight became an obstacle. At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we offer a range of innovative bariatric procedures, including duodenal switch surgery. An expert team is by your side to guide you through weight loss surgery, recovery, and beyond.

Start your journey today

Duodenal switch surgery: Why choose us?

At our comprehensive Center for Weight Management in the Puget Sound area, you’ll find: 

  • Surgical expertise: Duodenal switch surgery is a new procedure reserved for people with severe obesity, especially those with diabetes. Our surgeons have the expertise to perform this complex surgery and deliver excellent results. 

  • Fellowship training: A number of our bariatric surgeons have completed additional fellowship training in weight loss surgery, focusing on minimally invasive techniques. You receive care from a highly skilled team well-versed in the latest procedures. 

  • National recognition: The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) accredits all our bariatric hospitals. We excel in many key areas, including patient safety, surgical volume, and follow-up care.

  • Team approach: At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you have access to an extensive network of specialists in the Puget Sound area. Bariatric doctors, endocrinologists, registered dietitians, and mental health providers work together to deliver your care.

  • Single anastomosis duodenal switch surgery (also called single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass, or SADI) combines the techniques of gastric sleeve and gastric bypass. 

    Your surgeon permanently removes a large portion of your stomach during the procedure. They shape your remaining stomach into a smaller, sleeve-shaped pouch. Next, your surgeon detaches your small intestine from the pouch, loops it and brings a lower section of the small intestine up to attach it to the pouch. Unlike gastric bypass, however, there is only one new intestinal connection (single anastomosis) instead of two.

  • Your sleeve-shaped stomach pouch holds less food and liquid so you eat and drink less. But you also absorb fewer calories from the food you do eat. The food bypasses the large, looped section of the small intestine, which is where most calorie absorption occurs.

  • If you’re considering SADI surgery, here are a few things you should know about the procedure: 

    • Anesthesia: General anesthesia (you will be asleep)
    • Minimally invasive: Yes
    • Procedure time: 2 to 3 hours
    • Hospitalization: 1 to 3 days on average
    • Recovery: 2 to 3 weeks on average
    • Total weight loss (TWL): About 40% TWL (as a percentage of starting weight)

  • Single anastomosis duodenal switch surgery produces dramatic, long-term weight loss in people with a Body Mass Index greater than 50. It’s an extremely effective treatment for people with Type 2 diabetes. Duodenal switch is also an excellent option for people who had gastric sleeve surgery but want to lose more weight.

  • SADI is a complex procedure. It is important to discuss risks and possible benefits with your doctor when considering weight loss surgery.

Are you a candidate?

We invite you to take the next step to find out more about your weight loss options.