Good luck with your decision Turtle, it's not an easy one.

Monkeylvr, isn't it exciting...

Do you guys in the States also have to take Optifast for an amount of time prior to the surgery?

I dunno, I think they're pretty even actually.  I had been planning on RnY for years, my Dad, stepmom, and friend all had it.  My friend who was around my age (nearing 30) when she had it has had fantastic results, well surpassed her goal weight and is healthy.  My Dad & stepmom were both older, and while both lost the majority of their goal weight, both have also gained back some of it.  They have remained active and still small meals, neither really drinks and aside from my stepmom's love of chocolate (in moderation), stay away from the junk.  The DS came up recently, and eases some of my fears (I have had a recurring dream for almost a year now that I have the surgery and immediately, like while still on the table, start gaining weight instead of losing and I end up even bigger).  I already walk daily, eat healthy, take vitamins...I'm ready for this. But the DS pretty much guarantees weight loss, and contiunous weight loss and maintenance, it can't be avoided b/c of the malabsorbtion.  I have no problems with the protein & vitamin requirements.  So it's pretty even back & forth between the two.

I am on pins & needles here until I see the surgeon on the 17th of August to get the date...

I still can't decide between RNY and DS.

Finally, after a 5 year wait (employer's eligibility requirements) I will be eligible for surgery mid-August, and the surgeon's office says I will be in surgery by mid-September.

I'm 29 y/o, 5'7'' and 360 lbs. My realistic goal weight is 175, my hopeful goal weight is 160, so a 200 pound weight loss.  I have yet to decide between RnY and DS; better decide before August 17th when I have my appointment with the surgeon!

Gina