Why isn't the DS a more popular choice?

I second what everyone else has said.  You go where the money is.  If you have a successful "assembly-line" practice benefitting from the free advertising from the likes of Al Roker, et al and you don't want to be bothered (or see the necessity in) learning the DS procedure and establishing yourself as a reputable surgeon for the DS . . . you're certainly not going to let folks know about it.

Not to place all the blame on surgeons . . . the one pursuing the surgery has as great (or greater) a responsibility in educating themselves as well - and you have to look beyond the potential pounds lost . . . because there's more to choosing a surgery than that.

I recall my last pre-op session a couple of days before my surgery.  There were four of us in a small room watching the video.  Of course the question was asked "what procedure are you having," and it turned out three of us were having the DS and one was having the RNY.  One of the other DSer's asked "just curious, why did you choose to have the RNY?"  (Let me say now that is a question I would never have asked because I don't think it's my business).

I was prepared to hear reasons that I didn't agree with, because I had researched it and what I learned left a very bad taste in my mouth for the RNY - in fact, of the choices of which I was made aware, I had decided to continue trying to lose it on my own, or die trying.  But that's not what happened . . . She gave the one answer that was not acceptable to me . . . she said "I don't really know."

You don't know????  How can you pursue this dangerous surgery . . . ask a doctor to perform it on you, with all the risks that entails . . . and you don't know why you're having that particular procedure?  Now, I realize she may have just thrown that out to avoid a debate, but I can only take it at face value.  Sadly, there are those who don't care what procedure they have, they just want to lose the weight and will do whatever is "sold" to them without educating themselves on it.  Some have it because that was the procedure a friend or family member had and they watched them lose weight and that was enough of a recommendation.  And, yes, there are those who learn about the DS and due to insurance/financial restrictions, surgeon availability or other obstacles, they chose to have the procedure they can get rather than nothing at all.  As I said, I had already decided not to have anything done, given my choices.  I actually learned about the DS while searching for information for a friend of mine who confided she'd decided to have WLS and she was already half my size.  When I learned of the DS, the heavens opened up.  It answered every concern I had and made so much sense . . . it just felt right - the more I found out, the more I knew it was the right decision for me.  I fought, but it was not covered by insurance and, fortunately, I was in a position to be self-pay.  Now, I'll be paying for it for the rest of my life probably, but I would make the same decision again, and again . . . and again.

I tend to ramble . . . but I hope I answered your question.

Education is number one thing, I think.  Even here on OH if a DSer says anything about the surgey we are "recruiting" or "bashing" other surgeries.   I have been on the VSG forum lately asking questions because my dear hubby is considering that over the DS (He sees what I have to do with vitamin rituals and lab work and does not  think he is committed enough to do it, plus insurance is giving us the run around about his "low" BMI).  So we are researching...

Well, on that forum there is a lot of talk about VSG vs RNY... but seldom a mention about DS.  But I always tell them to research it before they make a choice.

I myself was a victim of a "bait and don't switch" doctor.  Was actually approved for the RNY for nearly a year and could not bring myself to do it no matter how bad my lap band was slipped/hurting.  Then my insurance changed their policy to cover the DS.  The doctor I had approval for RNY with gave me all kinds of scary stories about it, but then I brought those stories here and was told it was crap.   I got a second opinion from a surgeon that does all four surgeries and got my DS.   Thank heaven I waited and researched and listened and got that second opinion or I would be in RNY hell.

To me lack of information, mis-information, and lack of backbone to fight are a lot to do with it.  (And do know I would fight tooth and nail for the DS for my hubby if he wanted it... but it is his body and his choice. I can't make him get the DS even when I know it is the best.)

Follow the links in my signature to learn about the four major surgeries out there.  Learn about the lifestyle you can enjoy after surgery and choose which suits your life best.   For me, high protein and high fat sealed the deal for me.  I can pop those vitamins just as well as I was popping those prescription meds... but I can chase it with a cup full of butter and bacon fat if I want to. (Sounds gross, but I could do it if I wanted too.)

Let me start by saying that I have no 'numbers' to support this, just my observations over the last eight years here on OH.

The DS is becoming a VERY popular choice!When I first came here, this board ran TWO WHOLE PAGES. There were so few of us that we ALL knew one another, and pretty well. Now, there's a handful of 'newbies' every week---no way I can keep up with all of y'all.

As more surgeons choose to learn to do the DS, as more insurance companies choose to cover the DS, as more websites that give complete, accurate info about the DS come into existance---yep, the Ds is becoming more popular every day.

You just *think* it's not popular because there are so many sheeple getting other surgeries. (*grin*)

 Skip Dr V....  I ended up driving a little further and going with Sudan at Duke.  There are lots of  'satisfied customers' of his on this board.  I've heard that Smith in Atlanta is very good as well.

If you have any questions about Sudan/Duke feel free to message me.
~GG

True I knew nothing about DS before meeting with my surgeon... At my WLS seminar, I was "dead set" on getting the lap band, had been for 5 years... then I decided at the seminar to do the RNY not even looking at the DS as an option because they promoted it as the "most extreme/highest risk"... So when I met with my surgeon he asked which I wanted... He is a general surgeon, specializes in WLS and the Chief(/Co-chief) of Surgery at Madigan. I told him that I wanted the RNY, he asked me what my reasons were for this. I explained to him, then he asked me about my lifefstyle, family, goals etc... I told him about nursing school and my kids, basically a mini bio... after this, he introduced me to the DS, he drew it out on a paper how they do the surgery, he did the same for the RNY. He said because of my BMI (which was like 52%) and my history and goals he felt like I would be very successful with the BPD/DS I asked him a TON of questions about it, and booked my surgery. I was nervous at first but after doing a lot of research I was happy with my decision and I still am! As a surgeon who does all 4 options LB/VSG/RNY & BPD/DS, I was impressed at his advocation for what he thought was best for me. Some doctors do care! Hopefully you find the answers you're looking for!