Single Anastomosis Duodenal Switch (SIPS)

What is a single anastomosis duodenal switch (SIPS)?

SIPS is a weight loss surgery that helps people lose more weight on average than a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass procedure. SIPS achieves this result by reducing the size of your stomach and limiting food absorption in the small intestine.

A smaller stomach helps you eat less because you feel full after consuming little food. Reducing absorption means that fewer calories make it into your bloodstream.

The SIPS procedure also improves chronic health conditions. People with Type 2 diabetes find that their blood sugar significantly improves, or their diabetes goes into long-term remission.

What happens during a single anastomosis duodenal switch procedure?

Your SIPS procedure begins like gastric sleeve surgery. Dr. Schumacher removes about 60% of your stomach, leaving a functional but smaller stomach connected to your esophagus and small intestine. However, for the next step, he detaches the small intestine close to where it meets the bottom of your stomach.

Then Dr. Schumacher goes to the end of your small intestine, measures about 9-10 feet up, and cuts the intestine. (Nine feet may sound like a lot, but the average adult small intestine is 22 feet long.) He brings the end of the lower intestine up and attaches it to your stomach.

As a result, food leaves your stomach and goes directly to the bottom half of the small intestine. This severely limits calorie absorption.

Will I have a minimally invasive single anastomosis duodenal switch procedure?

Yes, Dr. Schumacher does your SIPS procedure using minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Minimally invasive surgeries use small incisions so that you experience less pain and heal faster.

However, it takes 3-4 hours to do the surgery, and most patients stay in the hospital 48-72 hours before going home.

Will I need nutritional supplements after SIPS?

Bariatric procedures that limit calorie absorption also reduce the amount of nutrients taken in. For this reason, you’ll be at risk of developing a nutritional deficiency. In the years after your SIPS procedure, you’ll need regular blood tests to check for nutritional problems and take supplements to stay healthy.

Call Ohio Bariatrics and Laparoscopy or book an appointment online today to learn if you meet the criteria for having SIPS.