You may have heard of duodenal switch surgery and how it can benefit those who are morbidly obese. It can help you lose weight and keep that weight off. But you might be wondering how much this surgical procedure costs. While the duodenal switch cost is not cheap by any means, you will want to read more to find out and whether it is right for you.

What is the Duodenal Switch Cost?

The duodenal switch cost is pricey. This procedure is an expensive surgery. The typical cost of a duodenal switch surgery can vary anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000. This cost is without insurance coverage. One may look at this and see how expensive it is.

However, you need to check with your insurance company whether they cover this procedure. You may find those insurance companies that include bariatric surgeries in their policy cover the duodenal switch, which can significantly offset the cost for you.

What exactly makes it so expensive? This procedure is among the most powerful and effective bariatric treatments, and it is a very involved and invasive procedure.

It consists of at least two procedures involving the stomach and then the small intestine called the duodenum.

Results are promising because they show that at least 80% of excess weight is lost after the duodenal switch surgery is done on a patient. That weight is kept off for the remainder of the patient's lifetime, making it a great long-term solution for morbid obesity and even helps with type 2 diabetes.

Breakdown of the Duodenal Switch Cost

Among the significant expenses that make this procedure so high are:

• Cost of anesthesia
• Surgeon labor cost
• Hospital stay which can be from one to five days
• Preop diagnostics including blood work, lab, and radiology
• Follow-ups to ensure safety and efficacy

Again, the duodenal switch surgery is among the most effective bariatric surgical procedures in terms of weight loss and maintenance. It does so by restricting the volume of food in your stomach, and it reduces the absorption of food due to the reduced length of the digestive tract.

What Happens During the Duodenal Switch Procedure?

The duodenal switch could be open, laparoscopic or robotic procedure. The stomach's size is reduced by about 85%. This is called a sleeve gastrectomy, which can be an operation by itself.

The second stage of the duodenal switch involves the duodenum. The duodenum is the part of the small intestine right after the stomach, and it is the first part of the small intestine, followed by the small intestine section called the jejunum. The duodenum is divided and reconnected to lower portion of the small intestine. This second portion makes the small intestine shorter in length, so less food is absorbed when you eat.

Another name for DS is a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS).

This is how greater than 80 percent of excess weight is lost, and it is kept off. It is also great for treating type 2 diabetes.

But because of the reduced absorption of food into your system, there is the risk of deficiencies. Side effects of duodenal switch surgeries include vitamin deficiencies and protein and fat deficiencies.

Duodenal Switch Surgery Alternatives

The duodenal switch surgery is a powerful solution, but chances are you may just be looking for options right now in the market for weight loss. Other bariatric procedures may be right for you. This is especially so if you are not classified as super morbidly obese. Super morbid obese is a BMI of 50 or higher.

Other options include just having the sleeve gastrectomy alone by itself, loop duodenal switch, gastric bypass or its variants, or the gastric balloon procedure.

Consider a simple diet and exercise, along with lifestyle changes whenever possible.

And if no solutions fit your problem, again, you should consult your doctor to see which treatment is right for your unique needs.

Since the duodenal switch is a significant procedure, you mostly need to talk to your doctor before deciding to undergo this surgery to weigh the risks and benefits and ensure the benefits outweigh the risks.

To reiterate, those who qualify for this effective procedure are among the most morbidly obese, and if you do not classify in this category, you may look at other options.

You also need to consult your insurance company and make sure that they cover the expensive cost of the duodenal switch so that you are not surprised by the hospital bill afterward.

Make sure also to ask if there are any hidden fees. You do not want to find yourself with a bigger bill than you thought because of expenses not advertised in the front end.

Another action to take is to ask if there is financing available to help the patient afford the surgery's high cost.

Conclusion

If you have read this far, then you are seriously considering getting the duodenal switch surgery for yourself, or you are researching for a loved one.

The biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch is an extremely powerful procedure that can change your life since the reduced volume and absorption are the right combination for losing weight and keeping it off. But it does come at a high cost.

Still, there are options available for you. Make sure to check with your insurance company and see if they cover the duodenal switch cost. Also, check with the medical facility you will be doing the surgery and ask if they offer to finance their patients. There is help. Make sure to consult with a qualified surgeon before taking any drastic actions.