Duodenal Switch Surgery Helps East Tennessee Man Lose 100+ Pounds

At Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, bariatric surgery is changing lives.  With expertise and experience, complex procedures like duodenal switch can lead to dramatic, lasting weight loss.

“My starting weight was 369 pounds and now I’m down to 220 pounds,” says Chris Creech, a truck driver from Tellico Plains who had duodenal switch. “It’s just amazing.”

This specialized procedure reduces the size of the stomach and bypasses a section of the small intestine. Hunger is reduced and the body absorbs fewer calories as a result.  

Deciding on Duodenal Switch

Creech’s struggle with obesity started early and followed him from childhood into adulthood. “I’ve been overweight my whole life,” Creech says. “I was bullied when I was young, called names like ‘Porky.’”

The unhealthy weight led to high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (AFib) and sleep apnea.

After a gastric sleeve procedure didn’t work out, Creech decided to look for new options and a new surgeon. His search led him to K. Robert Williams, Jr., MD, medical director at the Parkwest Center for Bariatric Surgery.

“I did my research and Dr. Williams came out at the top,” Creech says.

Dr. Williams explains that the duodenal switch is “a specialty within a specialty.” The complex bariatric surgery includes a sleeve gastrectomy followed by an intestinal bypass. Dr. Williams has performed the complicated two-phase procedure for over 15 years and offered it to Creech without hesitation.

“It’s a difficult operation, but it offers the best weight-loss results for those who need to lose a lot of weight or those who have regained weight after other surgeries,” Dr. Williams says.

It’s also much more effective than medications, which help patients lose only about 10 to 15 percent of their body weight. Most patients who undergo duodenal switch lose 50 percent. In addition, patients who rely solely on medications to lose weight usually regain what they’ve lost after they stop refilling prescriptions. The risk of regaining significant weight after duodenal switch is only about 5 to 10 percent.  

Life After Weight-Loss Surgery

With a weight loss of more than 100 pounds, Creech has experienced drastic changes in his life.

“My sleep apnea is pretty much gone and my heart health is way better now., I can climb stairs without getting out of breath. And getting in and out of the truck is so much easier,” Creech says. “My sexual health is way better, and I feel more confident in every aspect of life.”

With more than 1,000 duodenal switch surgeries under his belt, Dr. Williams has mastered this challenging procedure. “We do this operation because it offers better weight loss and lower risk of regain compared to other surgeries,” he says.

While the duodenal switch isn’t for everyone, it’s giving people like Creech new hope for better quality of life. He experienced a couple of complications but says those were readily resolved and can’t compare to his improved health post-surgery.

“I feel lucky,” Creech says, “and happy with the whole thing.”

Finding Hope Through Bariatric Surgery

If you’re considering bariatric surgery, it’s critically important to choose a surgeon who has the right training and extensive experience. The duodenal switch procedure isn’t offered by many surgeons, and those who do offer it must be highly skilled.

“It can be a dangerous operation if the surgeon isn’t experienced,” Dr. Williams warns. “Patients should make sure their surgeon is knowledgeable before deciding on this surgery.”

Parkwest Center for Bariatric Surgery is one of the top bariatric surgery providers in Tennessee. The center offers weight-loss surgeries such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy as well as duodenal switch. 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.