Introduction - Confused about RNY and DS
Minus 
My DS! .
(deactivated member)
on 10/29/09 10:18 am
on 10/29/09 10:18 am
Hi Arttina,
I had a horizontal gastroplasty (old stapling procedure) done in 1989 because of all the horror stories about any kind of bypass surgery. Major surgery and I lost 30# and about half my hair. In 2004, I started looking into surgery again because I STILL couldn't lose the weight and keep it off. I thought RNY was the only thing available to me, but I kept researching and researching. When I found this site there was not a separate forum for the DS and most of the posters were RNY patients.
I had just about determined that I would have NO surgery if the RNY was all that was available. I had already been through an old stapling procedure and did not want another surgery that was not going to work for me. I just did not want a "surgically induced diet". I wanted to be NORMAL.
Then I read a post about the DS. More research. Holy COW! This was the surgery I needed!
I weighed 279 # and had GERD, HBP, High Cholesterol, sleep apnea and Type ll diabetes. I was on a plethora of Rx medicines. All of my co-morbidity's were cured except for the GERD, which I had for 25 years prior to the surgery. The GERD is sometimes better, sometimes the same, I take OTC medication for it and really did not expect it to be resolved.
My insurance at the time did not cover DS, only the RNY so I chose to self-pay and went out of the country to get it done. I robbed my retirement, saved and borrowed. I figured I was worth the price of a new car!
The DS is the best thing that ever happened in my life, after my family!
Michele
I had a horizontal gastroplasty (old stapling procedure) done in 1989 because of all the horror stories about any kind of bypass surgery. Major surgery and I lost 30# and about half my hair. In 2004, I started looking into surgery again because I STILL couldn't lose the weight and keep it off. I thought RNY was the only thing available to me, but I kept researching and researching. When I found this site there was not a separate forum for the DS and most of the posters were RNY patients.
I had just about determined that I would have NO surgery if the RNY was all that was available. I had already been through an old stapling procedure and did not want another surgery that was not going to work for me. I just did not want a "surgically induced diet". I wanted to be NORMAL.
Then I read a post about the DS. More research. Holy COW! This was the surgery I needed!
I weighed 279 # and had GERD, HBP, High Cholesterol, sleep apnea and Type ll diabetes. I was on a plethora of Rx medicines. All of my co-morbidity's were cured except for the GERD, which I had for 25 years prior to the surgery. The GERD is sometimes better, sometimes the same, I take OTC medication for it and really did not expect it to be resolved.
My insurance at the time did not cover DS, only the RNY so I chose to self-pay and went out of the country to get it done. I robbed my retirement, saved and borrowed. I figured I was worth the price of a new car!
The DS is the best thing that ever happened in my life, after my family!
Michele
Well, here's what I post to people when I want to explain why I got the DS vs. the RNY:
I was originally on track to have RNY back in 2002, but got derailed after preop testing revealed that I had pulmonary hypertension. It's a long story, but it's on my profile if you'd like to read about it.
Even though I was off the track for RNY, I continued to attend the program my then-surgeon required of all his patients. I'd paid for it, so I figured I could benefit from it anyhow :-).
I saw some disturbing trends there. This was a big group, as several surgeons sent patients to it. There was, of course, a cadre of very successful patients (all RNY). They finished their year of program and went on with their lives, and as far as anyone knew/knows, all is well.
There were a surprising number of people, though, who fought and fought and fought to comply with what was expected of them, and the weight didn't come off well. At every meeting, there was word of someone else in the hospital with this or that problem--usually an ulcer or a stricture.
I listened to stories of dumping episodes, of getting food stuck episodes, of the mental/emotional challenges of having to live on highly restricted diets.....and I thought, "There's not a chance in hell I could live with this." (I should add that I have a major vomiting phobia. I'll do just about anything to not vomit. Not a good thing in some cases.)
Well, time passed, I got fatter and sicker, and eventually (again, story in my profile), it came out that the pulmonary hypertension was caused by the fat on my torso squashing my heart and lungs. It went from, "You cannot have any surgery at all," to, "You must have surgery or die."
I came back here to OH, feeling desperate because the lap band wouldn't give me enough weight loss to have any real hope of curing what was ailing me, and the RNY seemed to me like foolish butchery for not enough good results.
Someone told me then about the duodenal switch, invited me over to the DS board, which at the time was pretty much brand new, and the rest was history.
What I like about the DS:
1. 98% cure rate for type II diabetes. This was a major biggie because I had very bad diabetes.
2. Normal stomach anatomy and function is maintained. The stomach is reduced in size, but the normal stomach outlet, the pyloric valve, remains intact and functioning. There is no "stoma" with the DS or the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG).
3. The intestinal changes that are done in the DS "jump start" the body's metabolism. Mine was shot to hell from a lifetime of PCOS, dieting and other factors.
4. I'd already done many years of low fat, low carb, highly restrictive dieting and I knew I sucked at it. The DS gives an eating quality of life that I find easy to live with: eat a primarily animal protein based diet. I'm a happy carnivore :-). I had to learn to restrict my carb intake, but it was a lot easier to do when I could eat meat, cheese, fish, eggs, etc. with abandon, with little regard for fat content. (DS'ers only absorb about 20% of the fat they eat, so for most of us, fat is almost a "free" food.)
I felt so strongly about the superiority of the DS to any other procedure that I traveled and paid out of pocket to have it done, rather than have the RNY done fifteen minutes from home and covered by insurance. It's been three years, and so far, so good :-).
Hi Arttina,
Welcome to the DS board -- I'll try to answer your questions.
1. I was 316.5 and hubby was 354 we chose DS. My sister in law had Fritzer (loves him!). She was 200 pounds when she got RNY. She lost the first 6 months and has not been able to lose weight since. I see her struggling with food. (Obsessed!) She was a great cook, now she can’t be in the kitchen or she eats everything in sight … and gains weight. She wasn’t overweight like us. Only losing 50 pound was not an option for us.(hubby and I) Having dumps (RNY –get sick if they eat sugar/carbs). She had a bite of a pecan pie and was sick for a week. She also got C-Dif from the hospital in Utica. It only took her 8 weeks and she went back to work. DS can take a bit longer depends on how you recover after surgery. Some have posted they returned to work after 2 weeks!!!! It varies with each person.
2. I was type 2 as well. 3 months after surgery I no longer have diabetes.
3. DS you will have to take 3000mg of calcium a day maybe more if you have issues. 50,000 of dry D3 you’ll need Viitamin A/E/K B12 and B comples vitamins with 2 multivitamins a day. It’s a lot. I have arthritis but it is not as bad, not sure it weight lose has anything to do with it. RNY you can’t take NSAID. Ibiprophin is not recommended for DS either. (There’s a post from Dina McBride about it)
4. I was a terrible eater too. I couldn’t stick with any diets except liquid protein diet (Optifast). I am great at starving then binging! Breakfast & Lunch would be CHIPS – then fast food for supper. Then I’d wake up in the morning angry and hating me and starve until I was so hungry and sad …I’d get my comfort food to make me temporarily happy. I wasn’t a cook and still not a very good one. I’ve had to learn how to cook (this is still a challenge for me). I still eat out at restaurants minus the bread. I don’t have white breads, pastas. I was never into sweets/deserts. I avoid them now but… if I want a chocolate bar I can eat it. I’m not deprived in anyway I have chips. Not 3 times a day … I don’t want them. I have chips in the house and they don’t call to me like they use to. This is the DS working. RNY you will have battles with food and … I just can’t fight with food any more. RNY you will be forced to eat a certain way. My sister in law eats protein and veggies (only! She can’t stray.) Everyday is a battle with the scale. She has mood swings and wants food all the time. She can’t have any carbs in the house or she will eat it. She’s working very hard to make her RNY work for her (it’s a fight! She has to exercise for 11/2 hours a day every day or she puts the weight right back on!!) She was not able to get DS. She told us to get DS. It’s a choice. DS is more forgiving and it has long term success. I wasn’t having surgery just to have my plumbing rearranged lose then re-gain weight back! Done that too many times!. As a DSer I can eat my chips, deserts, sweets. I lay off pasta and breads don’t sit well in my stomach. If I want it I eat it. I do take Bino. The point I’m trying to make is I don’t have any restrictions. If I want it I can eat it. Keep in mind I have 183.5 pounds to lose in total. I am low carbing it so I will lose all this weight in the first 18 months. I don’t miss any food. When I get a craving (usually around my period) So once a month I will eat chips. Many RNY have regained after 18 months. My friend was 320 had RNY 2 years ago (Jan 2007). She lost 120 pounds. I saw her last week she re-gained 80 pounds. Don’t think you will be different. Look on the board there are so many people who have had wls just to regain the weight and to have had DS. I’m not dissing RNY – I’m just saying you have to be dedicated and work really hard at keeping the weight off. I just want you to know that. 5. We (hubby and I) were one of the last ones to get DS paid by OHIP. You must apply for it or you will never know. Appeal if you have to. I saw a post from a Canadian she was accepted for DS… not sure where in Canada she was from.
6. We are very happy with Dr. L . (9 hour drive from Ottawa). My family doctor now does the blood work. We fax the results to Dr. L to look at. OHIP stated it cost 35,000.00 U.S. Ruth one of the ladies on the Ontario board had Lap DS in Paris self paid.
7. We all make our own choices. I know I would not have had RNY because the people I know who have had it are suffering now… I suffered everyday before DS I couldn’t get any other surgery then DS. You need to get informed. RNY is a life long diet and you must eat 600-800 calories if you choose to eat more you will gain. DS is a life change – lots of protein (100 grams), lots of vitamin/minerals and lots of water, veggies, fruit and low carbs. I walk (not excessive, like doing groceries, shopping, not like I want to lose weight!). I do want to exercise more because I like exercise and not because I need to. Some days I eat like there is no tomorrow and other days, I don’t want my protein drinks but I drink them because this is my new life. I was a 6X now I’m size 18 (down 105 pounds in 5 ½ months).
Saying that... I don't have diabetes (pre-op I was 19!) I don't have high blood pressure anymore, my GERD's is much better (hardly any acid reflux.) I can wipe my butt without getting a cramp!!! I take a shower and feel clean where as before I never felt like I was clean. My son can put his arms around me for the first time in his life! I have a lap for him to sit on now!!! I can walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath. I can walk with no foot pain!!! I can sit in chairs that won’t break. I was not an eater pre-op. I starved myself (I have food issues! Bulimic) So, It's a learning curve to be eating 3-4 times a day. How we get to “thin" is your choice, just know what you’re getting into. Be (be honest with yourself). DS is a great surgery if you want to eat normal and lose weight. I’m no****ching everything I put into my mouth I follow my rules Protein first then veggies and fruit then carbs. 3 0z Chicken with 1 tsp of hummus, 3 pieces of broccoli, 2" piece of cantaloupe and 4 fries. (Example of what I eat for supper)
OHIP paid our DS’s (hubby and I both had it done the same day.) I'm not sure what’s going on with OHIP these days with DS. I'd put a request to OHIP for DS and if you ever had Optifast don't mention it on the application, especially the name Dr. Dent! Many have been refused because of him. We all want the same thing – to get thin. My issues are still here wls has not changed that. My life is still the same EXCEPT I’m losing weight and becoming healthier each day. How we get there is “to each there own". Since you’re asking --- with the weight you have to lose, DS would be a better option. RNY is a struggle and personally ---I’ve struggled all my life with weight. DS has not been a struggle. I wake up each morning NOT STRUGGLING with my weight. I’m not even concerned about it now. I focus on the DS rules and everything is working out like it is suppose to. I’m losing and eating!!!!
I just copied this off of Bev's profile. Read up on the surgeries. Fight OHIP for DS!
A comparison of the two procedures can be found at http://www.dsfacts.com/Comparison-of-DS-and-RNY.html
OHIP OOC Application
on October 12, 2008 11:57 am
The OHIP OOC Application can be found at http://www.dsfacts.com/Duodenal-Switch-in-Ontario.html along with the OHIP OOC phone and fax numbers.
Obesity Comorbidities List
on October 12, 2008 11:55 am
An obesity comorbidities list can be found at http://www.dsfacts.com/qualifying-for-weight-loss-surgery.html
Welcome to the DS board -- I'll try to answer your questions.
1. I was 316.5 and hubby was 354 we chose DS. My sister in law had Fritzer (loves him!). She was 200 pounds when she got RNY. She lost the first 6 months and has not been able to lose weight since. I see her struggling with food. (Obsessed!) She was a great cook, now she can’t be in the kitchen or she eats everything in sight … and gains weight. She wasn’t overweight like us. Only losing 50 pound was not an option for us.(hubby and I) Having dumps (RNY –get sick if they eat sugar/carbs). She had a bite of a pecan pie and was sick for a week. She also got C-Dif from the hospital in Utica. It only took her 8 weeks and she went back to work. DS can take a bit longer depends on how you recover after surgery. Some have posted they returned to work after 2 weeks!!!! It varies with each person.
2. I was type 2 as well. 3 months after surgery I no longer have diabetes.
3. DS you will have to take 3000mg of calcium a day maybe more if you have issues. 50,000 of dry D3 you’ll need Viitamin A/E/K B12 and B comples vitamins with 2 multivitamins a day. It’s a lot. I have arthritis but it is not as bad, not sure it weight lose has anything to do with it. RNY you can’t take NSAID. Ibiprophin is not recommended for DS either. (There’s a post from Dina McBride about it)
4. I was a terrible eater too. I couldn’t stick with any diets except liquid protein diet (Optifast). I am great at starving then binging! Breakfast & Lunch would be CHIPS – then fast food for supper. Then I’d wake up in the morning angry and hating me and starve until I was so hungry and sad …I’d get my comfort food to make me temporarily happy. I wasn’t a cook and still not a very good one. I’ve had to learn how to cook (this is still a challenge for me). I still eat out at restaurants minus the bread. I don’t have white breads, pastas. I was never into sweets/deserts. I avoid them now but… if I want a chocolate bar I can eat it. I’m not deprived in anyway I have chips. Not 3 times a day … I don’t want them. I have chips in the house and they don’t call to me like they use to. This is the DS working. RNY you will have battles with food and … I just can’t fight with food any more. RNY you will be forced to eat a certain way. My sister in law eats protein and veggies (only! She can’t stray.) Everyday is a battle with the scale. She has mood swings and wants food all the time. She can’t have any carbs in the house or she will eat it. She’s working very hard to make her RNY work for her (it’s a fight! She has to exercise for 11/2 hours a day every day or she puts the weight right back on!!) She was not able to get DS. She told us to get DS. It’s a choice. DS is more forgiving and it has long term success. I wasn’t having surgery just to have my plumbing rearranged lose then re-gain weight back! Done that too many times!. As a DSer I can eat my chips, deserts, sweets. I lay off pasta and breads don’t sit well in my stomach. If I want it I eat it. I do take Bino. The point I’m trying to make is I don’t have any restrictions. If I want it I can eat it. Keep in mind I have 183.5 pounds to lose in total. I am low carbing it so I will lose all this weight in the first 18 months. I don’t miss any food. When I get a craving (usually around my period) So once a month I will eat chips. Many RNY have regained after 18 months. My friend was 320 had RNY 2 years ago (Jan 2007). She lost 120 pounds. I saw her last week she re-gained 80 pounds. Don’t think you will be different. Look on the board there are so many people who have had wls just to regain the weight and to have had DS. I’m not dissing RNY – I’m just saying you have to be dedicated and work really hard at keeping the weight off. I just want you to know that. 5. We (hubby and I) were one of the last ones to get DS paid by OHIP. You must apply for it or you will never know. Appeal if you have to. I saw a post from a Canadian she was accepted for DS… not sure where in Canada she was from.
6. We are very happy with Dr. L . (9 hour drive from Ottawa). My family doctor now does the blood work. We fax the results to Dr. L to look at. OHIP stated it cost 35,000.00 U.S. Ruth one of the ladies on the Ontario board had Lap DS in Paris self paid.
7. We all make our own choices. I know I would not have had RNY because the people I know who have had it are suffering now… I suffered everyday before DS I couldn’t get any other surgery then DS. You need to get informed. RNY is a life long diet and you must eat 600-800 calories if you choose to eat more you will gain. DS is a life change – lots of protein (100 grams), lots of vitamin/minerals and lots of water, veggies, fruit and low carbs. I walk (not excessive, like doing groceries, shopping, not like I want to lose weight!). I do want to exercise more because I like exercise and not because I need to. Some days I eat like there is no tomorrow and other days, I don’t want my protein drinks but I drink them because this is my new life. I was a 6X now I’m size 18 (down 105 pounds in 5 ½ months).
Saying that... I don't have diabetes (pre-op I was 19!) I don't have high blood pressure anymore, my GERD's is much better (hardly any acid reflux.) I can wipe my butt without getting a cramp!!! I take a shower and feel clean where as before I never felt like I was clean. My son can put his arms around me for the first time in his life! I have a lap for him to sit on now!!! I can walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath. I can walk with no foot pain!!! I can sit in chairs that won’t break. I was not an eater pre-op. I starved myself (I have food issues! Bulimic) So, It's a learning curve to be eating 3-4 times a day. How we get to “thin" is your choice, just know what you’re getting into. Be (be honest with yourself). DS is a great surgery if you want to eat normal and lose weight. I’m no****ching everything I put into my mouth I follow my rules Protein first then veggies and fruit then carbs. 3 0z Chicken with 1 tsp of hummus, 3 pieces of broccoli, 2" piece of cantaloupe and 4 fries. (Example of what I eat for supper)
OHIP paid our DS’s (hubby and I both had it done the same day.) I'm not sure what’s going on with OHIP these days with DS. I'd put a request to OHIP for DS and if you ever had Optifast don't mention it on the application, especially the name Dr. Dent! Many have been refused because of him. We all want the same thing – to get thin. My issues are still here wls has not changed that. My life is still the same EXCEPT I’m losing weight and becoming healthier each day. How we get there is “to each there own". Since you’re asking --- with the weight you have to lose, DS would be a better option. RNY is a struggle and personally ---I’ve struggled all my life with weight. DS has not been a struggle. I wake up each morning NOT STRUGGLING with my weight. I’m not even concerned about it now. I focus on the DS rules and everything is working out like it is suppose to. I’m losing and eating!!!!
I just copied this off of Bev's profile. Read up on the surgeries. Fight OHIP for DS!
A comparison of the two procedures can be found at http://www.dsfacts.com/Comparison-of-DS-and-RNY.html
OHIP OOC Application
on October 12, 2008 11:57 am
The OHIP OOC Application can be found at http://www.dsfacts.com/Duodenal-Switch-in-Ontario.html along with the OHIP OOC phone and fax numbers.
Obesity Comorbidities List
on October 12, 2008 11:55 am
An obesity comorbidities list can be found at http://www.dsfacts.com/qualifying-for-weight-loss-surgery.html
Wow. I gotta say it. I love you! lol Wow, thats just an incredible post. You've convinced me DS is what I think I want. I'm not all the way there now but my fear is having to wait too long to get it done and so on. I truly believe this is the way I need to go but to get it all organized and covered. I simply have no way to pay for it on my own and I'm in so much pain that I need to do something now. I will continue to post my questions and look forward to hearing back from everyone.
completed not by strength, but by perseverance.
Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, let go of what you can't change.
RNY vs DS?
You have received excellent replies regarding comparisons on this thread. Hayley sums it up the best. Reread her reply again. You are welcome to read my profile story for my explanation of the DS and comparison to the RnY.
Personally for me, living with the DS is way less dramatic than living as a RnYer. No need to worry or focus on calories or fat from food that many, even non-WLS do. I read a menu or look what food is available to me and just pick it. No need to freak, whine or feel guilty what I ate. Even complex carbs for a DSer is not really an issue, since we do malabsorb a great deal of it. It doesn't matter which surgery you have or plan to get, simple carbs is absorb 100%. The longterm DS absorption level of 3 out of 4 (50% calories, 20% fat, 60% complex carbs, 100% simple carbs) is not bad.
You will hear many RnYer say Calories In vs. Calories Out, low calorie daily intake, lowfat daily intake, etc. For DSers calories is just automatically burned out of us due to our digestive physiology and configuration. For many DSers, our portion control is automatic. My stomach will tell me I had enough to eat and can't eat no more. I cannot, no matter what, overeat or stuiff myself. Even at 3 yrs post-op, I still have strong sleeve that limits the amount I can eat per serving. My DS will tell me to STOP eating.
1. I'm at this point of time 332 lbs. My initial consultation is Jan. 8 with Dr. Graber (originally it was Fritzer but I can't figure out how to change it! lol) and I had hoped to get the surgery done in March sometime. The main delay is work. I'm in marketing and with xmas and the olympics my job needs me.
Dr Graber does not do the DS, nor does he recommends it. He is Pro-RnY. OHIP no longer accept the DS as a surgical option for Canadians. I highly recommend if you want the DS and able to self pay to research Dr. Peters in Pennsylvania, who is very close to you, has the most affordable self pay prices in the USA and is a highly experienced DS surgeon.
William S. Peters DO, FACS
Email: [email protected]
I highly recommend you research the DS. With the DS, you have 98% CURE rate compared to the RNY that has only a REMISSION rate to Diabetes that is due to the RNY weight loss. This means if a RnYer regains weight, their Diabetes will likely return as had happened to many who developed Diabetes again, and there are published report regarding this.
In addition, with the RnY, type 2 diabetes may be under control, but due to chromium, niacin, vitamin C and vitamin E unable to regulate the glucose level in their RNY system due to the gastric bypass physiological aspect to the procedure, there is also a possibility of developing OTHER glucose abnormalities that does not occur with the DS. The reason for this, relates to the DS strong and permanent metabolic effect, in which the RnY will never have. If you regain weight with the DS, your diabetes will not resurface.
One thing that has to be noted is that yes, there is a rare exception of 1.1% of DSers whose Diabetes condition was still evident after surgery. But,1.1% compare to the RNYers issues with weight regain/Diabetes activation and with possibilities of developing other glucose abnormalities after having RnY, has to be heavily considered that the DSer is more effective to help you with your Diabetes, especially longterm and with weight gain, compared to the RnY.
3. I have severe osteoarthritis and take a regular anti inflammatory. Although I know weight loss won't cure it, it will help but I'm sure I'll need to take something still.
With the DS, taking NSAID medication daily and for life has no issues that would affect you. Compared to the RnY and due to their gastric bypass and blind stomach, NSAID may cause serious issues that can lead to bleeding ulcers if not detected on time and if untreated may lead to their death. This is not an issue with the DS. This is why those who need NSAID and those who have fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, lupus, migraines, dysmenorrhea, rheumatism or chronic muscular-skeletal pain, consider the the DS as an option to help continue treatment using NSAID and again may be use daily and for life.
4. I'm a terrible eater. I can stick to most diets - for a bit, then fall off the wagon fast. I love sugar and sweets but am sure I can eventually get it out of my system. I emotionally eat, mostly at night and sometimes binge eat but not severely any more.
Although the DS is the ONLY surgical procedure that is able to malabsorb complex carbs, none of the WLS procedures available will help to malabsorb simple carbs. Regardless which procedure it is, you still have to learn to moderate the amount of simple carbs you put in your mouth. Yet, with this said, with the DS, you can learn to what is your limit to simple carb intake you can have to avoid weight gain.
To me, I eat a good amount of simple carbs daily to maintain my weight and not lose anymore. But this is a Your Mileage May Vary situation. Many DSer can eat a good healthy portion of various meals per day and not gain any weight because of the strong malabsorption to calories, fats and complex carbs that other WLS does not provide at our level. Hence, this is why with the DS longterm, the majority can eat normally and wide range of food choices and not worry about weight gain. Yet, to some DSers, it is simple carbs that will cause a DSer to regain weight. I use simple carbs to maintain my weight and know my limit. Sometimes simple carbs can affect your digestive system and cause minor issues that is very controllable and hence you will learn to what is your limit to control it and what type of food or ingredient to moderate. After my DS, I do not eat much sweets, because everything taste like it has too much sugar is in it. I will eat it my dessert whether a cannoli, strawberry cheesecake, cake, pies, etc, but a small portion because it's too sweet for me now.
5. I'm Canadian so OHIP must cover my surgery or it's not possible.
See my reply to this topic in # 1.
6. I"m not rich but would be willing to go stateside to get it done if I didn't have to go too far. Utica was a great location.
There are no DS surgeon in Utica. I would recommend Dr. Peters in Pa and you can create a thread inquiring about him, his aftercare program and receive references from those here who had him as a surgeon. I have recommended many who are self pay to him,, due to his DS surgical credentials and his aftercare program.
7. I'd love to find some Canadians who had this done and who can give me some advice!!
There are many Canadians on this DS board and sure will chime in to post or send you a PM. My best to you.
You have received excellent replies regarding comparisons on this thread. Hayley sums it up the best. Reread her reply again. You are welcome to read my profile story for my explanation of the DS and comparison to the RnY.
Personally for me, living with the DS is way less dramatic than living as a RnYer. No need to worry or focus on calories or fat from food that many, even non-WLS do. I read a menu or look what food is available to me and just pick it. No need to freak, whine or feel guilty what I ate. Even complex carbs for a DSer is not really an issue, since we do malabsorb a great deal of it. It doesn't matter which surgery you have or plan to get, simple carbs is absorb 100%. The longterm DS absorption level of 3 out of 4 (50% calories, 20% fat, 60% complex carbs, 100% simple carbs) is not bad.
You will hear many RnYer say Calories In vs. Calories Out, low calorie daily intake, lowfat daily intake, etc. For DSers calories is just automatically burned out of us due to our digestive physiology and configuration. For many DSers, our portion control is automatic. My stomach will tell me I had enough to eat and can't eat no more. I cannot, no matter what, overeat or stuiff myself. Even at 3 yrs post-op, I still have strong sleeve that limits the amount I can eat per serving. My DS will tell me to STOP eating.
1. I'm at this point of time 332 lbs. My initial consultation is Jan. 8 with Dr. Graber (originally it was Fritzer but I can't figure out how to change it! lol) and I had hoped to get the surgery done in March sometime. The main delay is work. I'm in marketing and with xmas and the olympics my job needs me.
Dr Graber does not do the DS, nor does he recommends it. He is Pro-RnY. OHIP no longer accept the DS as a surgical option for Canadians. I highly recommend if you want the DS and able to self pay to research Dr. Peters in Pennsylvania, who is very close to you, has the most affordable self pay prices in the USA and is a highly experienced DS surgeon.
William S. Peters DO, FACS
Email: [email protected]
MidValley Hospital2. I have type II diabetes controled with drugs.
Professional Service Building
1400 Main St.
Peckville, PA 18452
Phone: 570-969-2527
Web Site: Dr. William S. Peters
I highly recommend you research the DS. With the DS, you have 98% CURE rate compared to the RNY that has only a REMISSION rate to Diabetes that is due to the RNY weight loss. This means if a RnYer regains weight, their Diabetes will likely return as had happened to many who developed Diabetes again, and there are published report regarding this.
In addition, with the RnY, type 2 diabetes may be under control, but due to chromium, niacin, vitamin C and vitamin E unable to regulate the glucose level in their RNY system due to the gastric bypass physiological aspect to the procedure, there is also a possibility of developing OTHER glucose abnormalities that does not occur with the DS. The reason for this, relates to the DS strong and permanent metabolic effect, in which the RnY will never have. If you regain weight with the DS, your diabetes will not resurface.
One thing that has to be noted is that yes, there is a rare exception of 1.1% of DSers whose Diabetes condition was still evident after surgery. But,1.1% compare to the RNYers issues with weight regain/Diabetes activation and with possibilities of developing other glucose abnormalities after having RnY, has to be heavily considered that the DSer is more effective to help you with your Diabetes, especially longterm and with weight gain, compared to the RnY.
3. I have severe osteoarthritis and take a regular anti inflammatory. Although I know weight loss won't cure it, it will help but I'm sure I'll need to take something still.
With the DS, taking NSAID medication daily and for life has no issues that would affect you. Compared to the RnY and due to their gastric bypass and blind stomach, NSAID may cause serious issues that can lead to bleeding ulcers if not detected on time and if untreated may lead to their death. This is not an issue with the DS. This is why those who need NSAID and those who have fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, lupus, migraines, dysmenorrhea, rheumatism or chronic muscular-skeletal pain, consider the the DS as an option to help continue treatment using NSAID and again may be use daily and for life.
4. I'm a terrible eater. I can stick to most diets - for a bit, then fall off the wagon fast. I love sugar and sweets but am sure I can eventually get it out of my system. I emotionally eat, mostly at night and sometimes binge eat but not severely any more.
Although the DS is the ONLY surgical procedure that is able to malabsorb complex carbs, none of the WLS procedures available will help to malabsorb simple carbs. Regardless which procedure it is, you still have to learn to moderate the amount of simple carbs you put in your mouth. Yet, with this said, with the DS, you can learn to what is your limit to simple carb intake you can have to avoid weight gain.
To me, I eat a good amount of simple carbs daily to maintain my weight and not lose anymore. But this is a Your Mileage May Vary situation. Many DSer can eat a good healthy portion of various meals per day and not gain any weight because of the strong malabsorption to calories, fats and complex carbs that other WLS does not provide at our level. Hence, this is why with the DS longterm, the majority can eat normally and wide range of food choices and not worry about weight gain. Yet, to some DSers, it is simple carbs that will cause a DSer to regain weight. I use simple carbs to maintain my weight and know my limit. Sometimes simple carbs can affect your digestive system and cause minor issues that is very controllable and hence you will learn to what is your limit to control it and what type of food or ingredient to moderate. After my DS, I do not eat much sweets, because everything taste like it has too much sugar is in it. I will eat it my dessert whether a cannoli, strawberry cheesecake, cake, pies, etc, but a small portion because it's too sweet for me now.
5. I'm Canadian so OHIP must cover my surgery or it's not possible.
See my reply to this topic in # 1.
6. I"m not rich but would be willing to go stateside to get it done if I didn't have to go too far. Utica was a great location.
There are no DS surgeon in Utica. I would recommend Dr. Peters in Pa and you can create a thread inquiring about him, his aftercare program and receive references from those here who had him as a surgeon. I have recommended many who are self pay to him,, due to his DS surgical credentials and his aftercare program.
7. I'd love to find some Canadians who had this done and who can give me some advice!!
There are many Canadians on this DS board and sure will chime in to post or send you a PM. My best to you.
BMI = 23.7 3+ yrs post-op
stomach = 3.5 oz, common channel = 125 cm
Thanks for your lengthy response. I actually should have put in my original post that my appointment with Dr. Graber is for the RNY. It's all in motion already but it's only been the last few days where I've seen more information on the DS and it's seeming to be a better option. It may not be an option though if I have to self pay. I'm afraid I don't have the credit or the ability to save that kind of money. I will contact the surgeon you reccommended for more information though.
completed not by strength, but by perseverance.
Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, let go of what you can't change.
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