duodenal switch or gastric bypass??

hi everyone


i am going in for surgery on august 27th, 2012... i was so set on the gastric bypass, but im also stuck on duodenal switch.  i really want the most effective one, but is either one safer than the other?

my only fear is not coming through all of this and being there for my two little babies in the long run. im doing this for them and myself, im just not too sure which one i should choose.


anyone able to enlighten me more please? ive done research after research, im still stuck inbetween both of them.


thanks so much,
stacey 

In the hands of a capable surgeon, the DS should be fine (obviously ALL surgery carries risk).  Your surgeon , Dr Greenbaum, is a vetted DS surgeon and the DS is your best bet for a successfull long term loss.  Other advantages of the DS are that:

- you can take NSAIDs (who knows if you'll regularly need them 20+ years down the line)
- you can eat and drink at the same time
- no dumping (40% of RNYers dump - check it out on youtube it seriously doesn't look fun)

This thread should cover points that I've missed http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/3463340/US-vs-THEM-Wh y-I-chose-my-surgery/ 

HI there, I am also a Dr. Greenbaum patient and 21/2 years out.  I choose the DS for one simple reason, the low regain rate.  I was a revision from a dreaded Crap-Band which didn't work and I lost no weight, but suffered for years.  So, I was worried I would again go through all the pain of surgery and again regain all my weight, its so common and I know myself, that would be me.  With the DS this has not happened and I am truly enjoying life!  Its nice to walk around like a "normal" person, not be the fattest person in the room and not have to stress every minute of everyday about my weight.

Nothing is perfect, I do have issues to deal with, and the recovery was not easy, but I would do it again, only this time sooner.

I can tell you this surgery changed my life.  I will always be indebted to Dr. Greenbaum.  PM me if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer them.

Good Luck!

 I have yet to have surgery but I have decided on the DS for various reasons. You might want to check out dsfacts.com. Good luck

Trish

If you want the most effective wls, it's the DS, hands down. The DS has the best statistics of any wls for percentage excess weight loss, for MAINTAINING that weight loss, and for resolution of almost all comorbidities. It has other advantages over gastric bypass, including no dumping, no food getting stuck, being able to take NSAIDs, and being able to eat a wider variety of foods.

You are afraid, which is normal, but is there something specific that you are afraid of? Both operations are major surgeries, both have risk, but it turns out that the complication rate is the same for either surgery. It used to be thought that the complication rate was higher for the DS, but that was because it was "reserved" for larger patients, who are generally both larger and sicker. If you compare one operation vs the other in similar patients, the complication rate is the same.

You were very fortunate to find Dr. Greenbaum and be given this choice. Many patients are either given misinformation about the DS, or no information at all. I've seen many posts from people with other operations who wish they had had the DS, but they didn't know it existed.

If there is something specific about the DS that concerns you, ask us about it, or better yet, ask Dr. Greenbaum. Or do both! But don't let a vague and unaddressed fear stop you from having the operate that is most likely to work best for you.

Larra

Hey there!!  Dr. Greenbaum is doing my DS on August 20.  I initially met with him for the RNY, but he convinced me that the DS was the way to go for me.  If you are having any doubts, talk to him about doing the DS.  He is a vetted DS surgeon and I have complete faith that he wouldn't steer you wrong.  You're lucky that in if you decide to change to DS, he is already your surgeon.  Good luck and let us know what you decide!!

I have seen lots of RNYers who wish they got the DS, but NOT ONE the other way around.

 thanks everyone. i really do appreciate everyones comments. i trust dr.greenbaum, i have done research on him, ive spoken with him. he seems confident that the DS will be the best one for me, and after doing research on it, i am going to go for that one.


thanks everyone :)

Yes I agree Dr. Greenbaum has a lot of experience and is a really good doctor, I would recommend him personally.  My comment is that he and his office are so busy that they often don't know who you are and what's going on around them (the office staff in particular.)  They posphoned my surgery because they said I didn't have the right documentation, which I did, because they thought I was someone else!  Having said that, after surgery they seem some what better.

Dr. Greenbaum is a good and caring doctor, I've called the office with concerns on a Saturday night and he himself called me back.  He sees so many patients, you just need to keep on top of him and remind him of your specific issues.

Good luck!  :)