Mexicali Bariatric Center welcomes Mexico's leading Duodenal Switch Surgeon

September 2, 2014 - Mexicali Bariatric Center, Mexico's top institution for weight loss surgery, welcomed the recent arrival of Dr. Gilberto Ungson. Dr. Ungson is one of the leading bariatric surgeons in the country and a leading authority in the duodenal swich, one of the most effective -yet difficult- bariatric procedures there is.

The duodenal switch (DS) was developed in the 1980s and though it is not a very common technique, the results obtained by this type of surgery for obesity are among the most successful compared with long-term results shown by other laparoscopic procedures. Duodenal switch in Mexico is both safe and affordable thanks to the practice of surgeons like Dr. Ungson.

Duodenal Switch surgery has as main objective the reduction of the stomach and the limited absorption of calories; more specifically, with this method 70% of the stomach is removed and the intestinal tract is altered, thereby altering the digestion and absorption of food. For weight loss surgery in Mexico, the duodenal switch is one of the most recommended procedures, although only a very few can perform this technique safely and effectively.

During the Duodenal Switch half of the stomach is removed (it is cut and removed) vertically rather than horizontally and thus the junction between the stomach and intestine remains more as it used to be.

Given this, the duodenal switch procedure usually supplies all patient expectations leading to their total satisfaction long term.

At Mexicali Bariatric Center we are proud to announce Dr. Gilberto Ungson as our new surgeon in chief, the Mexico's leading expert for this technique.

As with any surgical procedure, there are pros and cons.

Advantages:

It is the technique that achieves greater weight loss, usually over than 80% of excess weight and the best long term maintenance of all weight loss procedures.

By removing the greater curvature of the stomach, the production of the ghrelin hormone which controls hunger is eliminated.

Maintains the pylorus and therefore the natural functioning of the stomach, thus avoiding rapid emptying which is a cause of the phenomenon of dumping.

Disappearance or marked improvement of the diseases associated with obesity (hypertension, diabetes, joint disease, sleep apnea).

It allows a good quality of life.

Drawbacks:

This is a more complex technique performed laparoscopically, so it is less used by the majority of bariatric surgeons.

Since this technique has a malabsorptive component, certain vitamins (A, D, E, K) and minerals (especially iron and calcium) may be absorbed poorly, which causes patients to have to take supplements for life as well as have regular blood tests performed.

Gases and Diarrhea if eating too much fat and certain sugars are consumed.

Gallstone formation. Sometimes the gallbladder is removed during surgery to avoid this possibility.

Given the particular nature of this procedure, not all patients are candidates for access duodenal switch surgery.

For more information on bariatric surgery in Mexico, contact us today and see if the duodenal switch is the most appropriate procedure for you.