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Choosing the Right Procedures

I have worked as a receptionist at a popular cosmetic surgery office for the past ten years, and I have seen every type of cosmetic surgery and recovery that you could imagine. Unfortunately, some patients are much better at choosing their procedures than others. For example, we had one patient that opted to have ten nose jobs in a row, which lead to a deformed bridge and a super tiny nose tip. Unfortunately, when she came back a few months later to have the problem corrected, the doctors didn't have enough tissue to work with. On my website, you will learn how to decide which procedures are right for you, so that you aren't left regretting your decisions down the road.

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Choosing the Right Procedures

Unexpected Result For The Duodenal Switch Surgery - "Cure" For Diabetes

by Michelle Austin

Patients looking for an alternative to the typical gastric bypass surgery can choose a duodenal switch surgery instead. In this type of weight loss surgery, a gastric bypass of the stomach is performed as usual, but then the liver and bile ducts are connected directly into the bypassed section of small intestine via the duodenum, or the small organ just below the stomach which connects it to the small intestine. Recently, surgeons have discovered an amazing side effect: this procedure practically cures diabetes. The how and why are explained below.

The Malabsorption Aspect and Effect

Because this procedure relies heavily on malabsorption, or not absorbing a large portion of the calories consumed, patients lose weight. Their diet is far less restricted than with traditional bypass surgery, but they eat in moderation and it is digested faster because of the direct connection of the bile ducts. This also means that far less sugar is consumed and the body begins to balance out its insulin production to meet what nutrients are absorbed. 

Patients with Diabetes No Longer Have to Check Their Blood Sugar 

Patients who have undergone this surgery and who had diabetes found that they no longer had to take medication or check their blood sugar after just a few months. Studies in Europe supported the evidence so well that now patients who are not overweight but have diabetes are requesting and receiving the duodenal switch surgery to reverse years of suffering with diabetes. It also seems to cure or almost cure sleep apnea, high cholesteral, high fat content in the blood and high triglycerides, which contribute to high cholesterol.

Potential Problems with Covering the Cost of the Surgery

At the moment, some insurance companies have not heard of the duodenal switch, and those that have view it as a rapid weight loss/cosmetic procedure rather than a necessary health measure. This means that you may have to pay most of the bill for the surgery on your own, or insurance will only cover traditional bypass surgery. If you have many of the health risk factors that make you a better candidate for duodenal switch surgery, including sleep apnea and diabetes, the insurance company may be convinced by your doctor that it can help reduce your health costs and risks over time, something which most health insurance companies appreciate.

Finding Duodenal Switch Surgeons

Because it is so new a procedure in the U.S., you may also have a difficult time finding a surgeon who can perform the surgery. There are informational sites that link you to the available surgeons in the U.S. who can help. Your only other option is to wait a year or two, when this new technique will catch on and more surgeons closer to your home will be able to offer it to you. To learn more, contact a business like Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas. 

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