Modified Duodenal Switch (ModDS)

Over the last few years, a less invasive version of the traditional duodenal switch (DS) has become an option for many patients.

What is modified duodenal switch surgery?

This is known as the “modified duodenal switch” (ModDS). It’s also sometimes referred to as SADS, SIPS, SADI, SADI-S, or the loop DS procedure. Instead of two connections as in the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or the more traditional duodenal switch, a single connection is made in a so-called “loop” configuration.

Faster surgery and reduced risk: Modified duodenal switch

By having one connection instead of two, the surgery is performed more quickly and with less risk of leaks, thereby decreasing the risk of surgery. Furthermore, in the ModDS procedure, we only bypass about 50% of the small intestine — whereas in the traditional DS, 85% to 90% of the small intestine is bypassed. This helps to avoid the main risks of the traditional DS procedure, which are debilitating malnutrition and diarrhea. Both of these are very uncommon in the ModDS procedure. Although the traditional DS led to massive weight loss, a significant number of patients suffered persistent vitamin or protein malnutrition despite taking all the proper supplementation.

ModDS vs. gastric bypass surgery

Some of the main advantages of the ModDS procedure over the gastric bypass (RYGB) are:

Patients can take aspirin, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Advil®, etc.), and steroids if necessary, without the risk of getting a marginal ulcer (as with the RYGB).
Most effective surgery against diabetes
Produces the most weight loss
Decreased risk of bowel obstructions compared to traditional DS and RYGB

How does modified duodenal switch surgery work?

Like the gastric bypass (RYGB), the ModDS is both a malabsorptive and restrictive surgery. Restrictive means that the stomach is reduced in size, which restricts the amount of food that you can eat. Malabsorptive surgeries reduce the number of nutrients that your body absorbs by bypassing a portion of the small intestine. The combination of malabsorption and restriction makes ModDS surgery, like the RYGB, extremely effective at enabling our patients to lose weight and keep it off. Patients can lose more weight with bariatric surgeries that have both restrictive and malabsorptive components.

What is the modified duodenal switch procedure?

This surgery involves removing about 80% of your stomach by forming a sleeve gastrectomy. This is the restrictive component and reduces the amount of food that you can consume at one time. Next, the first portion of the intestine located just after the new sleeve — the duodenum — is divided, and a loop of the small intestine is brought up and attached to the duodenum to bypass about half of the small intestines. This bypass reduces the number of calories that can be absorbed (as well as the amount of fat) by limiting how long food can mix with bile fluid and other digestive juices.

Take your first step on the road to better health here

The first step in your weight loss journey is to register for one of our weight loss seminars.

What are the SADI, loop DS, and SIPS procedures?

The SADI-S (single anastomosis duodenal-Ileal bypass), loop DS, and SIPS (stomach intestinal pylorus sparing surgery) are both commonly used medical acronyms that refer to the modified duodenal switch.

What are the results?

Studies have shown patients at two years after the ModDS, patients can lose greater than 95% of their excess weight and more than 90% achieved complete remission of diabetes.

However, the longest-term data is just four years old — so while longer-term weight loss results are unknown, they are expected to be similar to the more traditional DS without some of the long-term complications.

Hospital stay with the ModDS

The surgery takes approximately 60-90 minutes, depending on your past surgical history, scar tissue, and anatomy.

This procedure is almost always done laparoscopically through six small incisions in the abdomen.

Laparoscopic surgery usually results in a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, smaller scars, and less pain than open surgical procedures. The typical hospital stay is only one night.

Who is a good candidate for the ModDS?

You may be a good candidate for ModDS if you:

Have a significant amount of weight to lose (BMI over 50)
Want your best chance of curing type II diabetes (up to 98%)
Know that you will be extremely dedicated to a life of vitamins and supplements
Have conditions that will or may require you to use NSAIDS or Steroids (which patients cannot take if they have a gastric bypass)
Have a strong history of smoking or nicotine

Safe, effective, minimally invasive weight loss surgery

If you’re considering this operation as a way to cure type 2 diabetes or maximize your weight loss opportunity long-term, you must be very committed to taking a certain set of vitamins and protein every day for the rest of your life. This is crucial to help you take in adequate vitamins and proteins. With this commitment, the ModDS operation has been shown to be safe and very effective. With a healthy diet and vitamin supplementation, you can start making the most of everything life has to offer.

ModDS advantages

Greatest weight loss potential of all bariatric procedures
Minimal risk of dumping syndrome
Excellent diabetes control
Minimal risk of ulcer disease
Lower risk of bowel obstruction compared to the traditional Duodenal Switch

ModDS risks

Standard surgical risks
Nausea and vomiting
Leaks from the staple line
Reflux
Small bowel obstruction
Diarrhea

ModDS disadvantages

Increased risk of reflux disease
Greater risk of nutrition deficiencies if not compliant

Expected weight loss: 70% to 95% of your excess weight*

ModDS patients tend to lose more than gastric bypass patients.

*Results may vary from person to person.