The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has set the criteria for qualifying for weight loss surgery. Most surgeons and insurance companies abide by these guidelines. Surgery should be considered for individuals who can show that dietary attempts at weight control have been ineffective and have a BMI greater than 40 or greater than 35 in […] Continue Reading “Qualifying for Weight Loss Surgery”

Getting Duodenal Switch Surgery contains information you will need to consider once you decide Duodenal Switch is for you. Find out if you qualify for weight loss surgery; use our BMI calculator and view our list of obesity related comorbidities that may help you when applying for coverage through your insurance company. Soon you will […] Continue Reading “Getting Duodenal Switch Surgery”

To find out if you qualify for bariatric surgery in Ontario see the list of Bariatric Surgery Criteria below. To start the process you need a doctor to register you in the Ontario Bariatric Registery . Once registered you will be assessed by a surgeon from your assigned Regional Assessment and Treatment Centre. To our […] Continue Reading “Duodenal Switch in Ontario”

The numerous benefits of Duodenal Switch further enhance the superiority of this weight loss surgery when compared to other procedures. These benefits include successful post-op and long-term excess weight loss (EWL), resolution of obesity related comorbidities, and a improved quality of life.   Better Success as Measured with Weight Loss The accepted measure of a […] Continue Reading “Benefits of Duodenal Switch”

Studies demonstrating that required preop weight loss or wait time for surgery is not a predictor of postop bariatric surgery weight loss success. Preoperative weight gain does not predict failure of weight loss or co-morbidity resolution of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity. Harnisch et al. May 2008 PubMed Abstract BACKGROUND: Success with preoperative […] Continue Reading “Required Preop Weight Loss”

The History of Duodenal Switch explains why this hybrid procedure is often referred to as the Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD-DS). Duodenal Switch is sometimes confused with old or outdated weight loss surgeries, but this is only being stated because Duodenal Switch has a long history starting in the 1950’s. By going over the […] Continue Reading “History of Duodenal Switch”

Articles highlighting vitamin and mineral deficiencies after Duodenal Switch surgery.   Neurologic dysfunction and pancytopenia secondary to acquired copper deficiency following duodenal switch: case report and review of the literature. Btaiche et al. Oct 2011 PubMed Abstract ABSTRACT: The duodenal switch (DS) procedure is a type of restrictive-malabsorptive bariatric surgery that is typically reserved for […] Continue Reading “Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies”

By: Amanda Basmajian of Advanced Medical Billing, Inc I. Does your insurance cover weight loss surgery? A) NO See your HR department for different medical insurance options or shop around independently, perhaps via your state’s exchange for other coverage that offers WLS. B) YES i. Does your insurance cover the Duodenal Switch procedure? 1. YES […] Continue Reading “Strategies and Resources for Appealing when your Medical Coverage Allows Weight Loss Surgery but Does not Cover the Duodenal Switch Procedure”

Duodenal Switch related limb length studies. Maintenance of weight loss in patients with body mass index >60 kg/m2: importance of length of small bowel bypassed. Anthone et al. May 2008 PubMed Abstract BACKGROUND: It is commonly believed that weight loss after biliopancreatic diversion/duodenal switch is inversely related to the length of the alimentary limb and […] Continue Reading “Limb Length Studies”

Carolyn M. Post-op birth control is very important if you are female, heterosexual, between the ages of 13 and 50, and have all your female parts intact. It is very dangerous to get pregnant in the 18 months following your surgery. Not just because it can mess up your weight loss, and not just because […] Continue Reading “Post-op Birth Control”