Duodenal Switch in the UK

Hi everyone, 

I really need weight loss surgery and (after months of contemplation and research) the one I feel fits me best is the Duodenal Switch, however it's not a common procedure in the UK. Just wondering if there are any members from the UK who have had a duodenal switch and if so where did you get it done?

I would consider it getting it done abroad either in German or Mexico, does anyone have any experience of having the surgery in either country?

Thanks Em

just for your info, less than 1% of the wls in the us is the ds, so it is uncommon here also, most have never heard of it.

yes there is (was) a member  who used Ameet Patel in London for her DS. 

for Mexico there is only Dr. Ungson

I am not sure about Germany, you can check dsfacts.com that may have more information, good luck to you

I also had to fly for my surgery....most are not fortunate to have a surgeon nearby since there are so few drs

Huneypie is here too. She usually posts on the Bites & Vites thread every day. Her surgeon is Himpens in Belgium.

Welcome aboard!  : )

--gina

Thank you both for your comments! I'm currently doing research into Ameet Patel, Dr Ungson and Dr Himpens. 

I spoke to a Clinical Specialist Bariatric Nurse today from Chelsea and Westminster hospital in London (where I'd be referred for Bariatric Surgery) and she said that she is totally against DS surgery. She would recommend a Roux en-Y Procedure. One of the reasons I don't want a Roux en-Y is because I want to avoid 'dumping' but she said they used dumping as a tool to prevent you from eating badly! She also said the DS had horrible side effects and you'd be a slave to vitamins and supplements. 

However, despite having to take supplements all my life and smelly gas and loose stools (which doesn't bother me one bit)  I still want a DS! Badly! Is there anyone who's had a DS who has regretted not going for a Roux en-Y instead???

No regrets and not everyone has horrible side effects. lol  If you look around on various boards you'll see RNYrs looking for revisions to DS but no DSrs looking to revise to the RNY. I know of a couple of DSrs who's DS was not done correctly that had to be revised to  something like RNY but only a couple.

--gina

Good timing! I have never come on the DS board before but had time on my hands and so took a look!  Yes, there was a very successful UK DSer. She was very knowledgeable not only about the surgery but about DS in the UK. She was Scottish and so may well have had surgery up there. Her user name was Kirmy. No idea whether she still posts on here. She may have gone over to the other board so many DS vets went to a year or so back (not allowed by OH rules to name board!). 

Good luck with finding someone to do it for you. I know it is not done all that much over here yet.

Kate

Hi -

I am an American living in Belgium for the past 11 years. I had a Lap Band placed by the Professeur Cadiere at St. Pierre Hospital in Brussels.  I am scheduled to have a revision to Gastric Bypass the 8th of August!  He is the head of the Brussels Weightloss Clinic (http://www.bwlc.be/) and he and his amazing staff speak English. They welcome patients from all over Europe and abroad.  I would be happy to help you contact them (he does all types of WLS) and it is just a quick hop over on the EuroTunnel.   

Here is a link in English about Dr. Cadiere and his experience.  http://www.lap-surgery.com/html/Cadiere.html

Don't let the distance stop you!  Good luck on your journey!

Ashley 

You can e-mail me directly if you want more information...   [email protected]