Duodenal Switch Surgery at Parkwest Medical Center

Experienced Surgeon Helps Patient Make Life-Changing Transformation

Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville provides long-term solutions for severe obesity. Patients are reclaiming their lives after weight-loss surgery that works. Just ask James Hamby of Wartburg, who underwent biliopancreatic diversion, also known as the duodenal switch.

The Path to Duodenal Switch Surgery

Overweight most of his life, Hamby wasn’t very optimistic when he stepped on the scales at his doctor’s office. Still, he wasn’t expecting the scales to tip at 460 pounds.

“When you get that big, you’re very limited. You don’t feel like doing anything and your mobility is really impaired,” Hamby says. He told himself, “You know you’re too big; you need to do something. You’re 50 years old; you weigh 460 pounds. If you don’t do something, you might not see 60.”

Having had some success with diets in the past, he knew he could shed pounds without help. The problem was keeping the weight off long-term. Hamby knew of a couple of people who’d recently undergone weight-loss surgery, and he began to ask questions.

Those questions led Hamby to K. Robert Williams, MD, medical director at the Parkwest Center for Bariatric Surgery. Parkwest is a leading provider of weight-loss surgery in the Knoxville area. Bariatric surgeon Dr. Williams is skilled and experienced in the complex duodenal switch procedure.

“This operation should really only be done by somebody who’s experienced, because it is a technically more complex operation than a sleeve or a gastric bypass,” Dr. Williams says. “Patients should make sure their surgeon is knowledgeable before deciding on this surgery.” Dr. Williams estimates he has performed the procedure about a thousand times or more in the past 15 years.

Understanding Biliopancreatic Diversion-Duodenal Switch

The duodenal switch is a weight-loss surgery that combines two techniques. First, a sleeve gastrectomy reduces the size of the stomach. Then, an intestinal bypass limits calorie and nutrient absorption.  These intestinal changes lead to hormonal changes that improve weight loss. These changes are similar to, but more intense than, the results achieved by current obesity medications such as Zepbound^® and Wegovy^®.  These intestinal changes help patients lose weight quickly and maintain weight loss over time.

The duodenal switch is typically for patients who have an especially high body mass index (BMI) or those with significant weight-related health concerns.

“We mostly offer this surgery to our heavier patients,” Dr. Williams explains. “People who have the biliopancreatic diversion are going to lose around 80 to 85 percent of their excess weight, even if they’re starting at a very high body mass index.” Dr. Williams’ expert opinion was that the procedure would be a great fit for Hamby.

“All I knew about was the sleeve and the gastric bypass,” Hamby says. “Dr. Williams told me, ‘This is what I’d recommend for you,’ and explained why it was the best choice in my case.”

In preparation for what was to come, Hamby lost 100 pounds to get ready for surgery. He checked in at Parkwest for a day that would soon change his life – and maybe even save it.

“Everybody was real good to me,” Hamby says of his experience at Parkwest. “It was a pleasant experience.” He  was discharged from the hospital after just a few days.

Life After Duodenal Switch Surgery

Weight-loss surgery is a team effort. The surgeon puts skill and expertise to work, but the patient has to work too.

“You don’t drop 100 pounds in the first day,” Hamby says. “It takes a while, and there’s a process.”

Hamby had to adapt to the difference in his digestive system following duodenal switch surgery. After being restricted to a liquid diet for a couple of weeks, he transitioned to soft foods, then on to a permanent lifestyle change with healthier eating habits.

The reset has been worth the work. Hamby’s only regret is that he didn’t do it years ago. “I’m more active instead of every day being a struggle,” Hamby says. “It’s completely different from what it used to be. It’s a whole new life.”

He now weighs about 200 pounds, takes half the blood pressure medication he once did, and wears pants that are size 40 instead of a 60. Swelling in his legs has also significantly decreased.

Is Duodenal Switch Surgery Right for You?

Bariatric surgery is generally recommended for adults with severe obesity who have not been able to achieve significant weight loss through diet and exercise alone. Specifically, it’s often considered for individuals with a body mass index (BMI)  of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health problems like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea. 

Hamby recommends following the doctor’s instructions to the letter and taking advantage of the Parkwest bariatric patient support group. “It’s helpful to be around people going through the same thing you are,” Hamby says.

Now, with an inspiring success story, he has returned to the support group to share his duodenal switch experience. Hamby also has advice for anyone considering bariatric surgery as an option for weight loss.

“It’s not a magic bullet. It’s not a cure-all. They’re giving you a tool, and if you use it, it’ll work,” Hamby says. “If you’re not serious about doing it, don’t. But if you really want to change, have it done.”

Learn More About Duodenal Switch at Parkwest

Bariatric surgery is safer and more effective than ever, and Parkwest Center for Bariatric Surgery is one of the state’s top providers of these life-changing procedures. If you’re ready to take steps toward a new life beyond obesity, learn more about bariatrics at Parkwest Medical Center. You can also attend a free informational seminar to see if bariatric surgery is right for you.