xpost: Confused on which surgery to have now HELP!!!

Let me start by saying I had the band back in 2004 and had to have it removed for a couple of reasons in 2006.  It was pure hell and I regret EVER having it. For years now I've been thinking and researching about RNY. I've even finished all my ins. requirements and now am just waiting on them to resubmit to my ins. But just yesterday I saw a post about regrets and how some RNYers regret that they didn't have the DS. So I decided to research that a bit...just for curiosity. Except now I'm confused because it sounds like a good surgery too. What makes you a better candidate for DS vs RNY? What's the major difference? It looks like their diet is a more 'normal' one...is that right? Better maintained weight loss long term? I thought I was decided and I had come to terms with RNY and was finally calm about it....but now I'm completely thrown. HELP!!!!!

Shannon

Dsfacts.com has a lot of info, you might want to check it out. I'm still fighting to get my DS, so hopefully someone with experience can chime in here soon for you. Good luck!

I went on there....that's why I'm confused lol.  Thanks.

 The typical RNY diet is low carb, low fat, high protein. Most RNYers (I think) have to count calories or ounces or something to control their intake because they lose their malabsorption. Because of our malabsorption, we have to eat a higher fat diet, while still high fat and low carb. Most of us can tolerate some sugar (with varying degrees of side effects, usually gas and loose stools)  while some RNYers dump (shaking, sweating, nausea, etc when eating sugar). 

We have a more strigent level of supplementation and frequent labs are non-negotiable. The potential for malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies is higher for DSers. We have higher protein requirements that make it difficult to be successful as a vegetarian or (definitely) began. (this is my opinion. I know people have done it) 

Lately I've been reading more about reactive hypoglycemia with RNYers. I honestly don't know much about it, but I know that seems to be the focus of a lot of regrets that I've read from them. 

Obviously I think the DS is the superior surgery because of the retention of the pyloric valve, but only for people who are willing to follow the supplementation requirements and stay on top of their protein intake. 

Hope this helps!

From one Shannon to another....thank you.  Yes, I've been reading a lot about RH in RNYers too.  I asked my surgeon about it and he told me that most ppl who develop it are diabetic or insulin resistant before surgery.  Well...ta da...I'm insulin resistant!!  Is that a gaurantee I'll develop it??  No..but it's a risk.  I know I'll have to be vigilant about vitamins either way and I have no desire to become a vegetarian.  Can you tolerate most foods though?  Like chicken, milk, eggs?  Some RNYers can't tolerate those things because of various reasons.  Thanks again.

Shannon

I'm 19 days out from being switched and I'm fine with chicken and eggs (I'm a 2 parter so am able to eat more than most at this stage - a one step DS provides you with the best odds of losing the most weight though).

I was slightly lactose intolerant before surgery, so don't even want to try it post op.  If I really want milk I use lactofree milk (I've only had 2 cups of tea since surgery and have been fine).  I've also been having coffee with cream.  Fermented milk is easier to digest and have been having cheese and yogurt without any issues.

If you do decide to go the DS route you need to make sure you have a vetted DS surgeon.  They're listed on DSfacts.  The DS is a more complex surgery than RNY so you need to be sure to have a vetted surgeon.

From what I have read, most DSers can eat eggs, but some people it gives them gas.  Some people become lactose intolerant after the DS so they can't do milk, but many people actually use heavy cream in their diet.  You also have better options as far as meats go-many people have a steady diet of bacon, chicken with the skin on, steak, etc.  Cheese is something I see a lot of people eating.  The RNY diet is low calorie so I'm assuming they can't eat things like bacon and fattier meats.  I am a week and a half from my surgery so I am only giving you things I have read.  Some of the DS vets can answer your questions better than I can.

For me, DS greatly outweighed the RNY.  Greater diet variety and malabsorbtion are huge pluses.

Eggs gave me gas pre-op, and I'm a DSer.  They don't give me gas now.

I wonder if anyone has done a study on this.  Eggs are high in sulfur, and I know from my pre-op life egg farts are the WORST!

Just sayin'...

Now, imagine what sort of farts a dog has, after eating hard-boiled eggs...