do certain types of "eaters" do better with the DS?

Hi! I am new & researching both the RNY and the DS. I really think the DS is the way to go for me, but the idea of oil slicks and the level of malabosorption I read about scares the tar out of me. But I understand you pretty quickly learn how your body reacts to different kinds of foods.. and as long as you get your labs done often & follow VitaLady, you should be okay in that respect.  Am I getting that right?
If so, my real question is... I read in an old post that certain types of eaters do better with one surgery vs. the other. But I really cant find much more info on that. Is it that sweets-lovers do better with an RNY b/c of dumping? But DSers dont absorb fatty foods much, so they are dealt with that way. I can tell you I am a snacker & I do like my sweets and carbs, but I also like protein foods too (steak and cheese and eggs and chicken.. really, I dont discriminate :) ) I think i should also mention that I am a "light-weight".. my bmi is 37.5, and its been there for a while.

I really appreciate your guidance!
Thanks so much!!

My surgeon said if you have a Sweet Tooth the RNY is the way to go. 

Can't count on dumping to curb the sweet tooth tho in the RNY as only 30% (+/-) dump.

Also too many "rules" for eating with the RNY...drinking, amounts, etc. My ONLY rule is to watch my carbs....and as a diabetic (WAS on an insulin pump), counting carbs is second nature. Been doing it since 1997.

I also NEEDED to be able to take NSAIDS, you can't with the RNY.

Liz

Dr Elariny is unique in his approach in helping patients choose the surgery that will best help them deal with their eating demons. I think his categories and requirements for the DS fit me perfectly and I was a LW too.
The RNY may be a way to address carboholics, aka "sweeters", but they deal with dumping and likely reactive hypoglycemia later on. Sounds like you are more of a grazer and the DS would be hard to beat, whereas the others you'd beat pretty quickly and regain much of what you'd lose in the 1st year.
Dr Elariny is an awesome surgeon but he does bill separately for the DS and his part will likely not be covered by your insurance if that is an issue.

--gina

Gina - Thank you so much for the info on Dr. Elariny! I live in VA and plan to go to his seminar next Thursday evening. I am glad to hear your positive words about him! :)  I will be sure to discuss insurance with him and definately what his thoughts are on what will be best procedure for me given my specific eating issues/habits. My plan (bcbs carefirst) says it covers the bpd-ds, but we'll see what his office has to say. 

Thank you!!!
Nancy

 Hi,
I have not yet had my surgery but am having the DS I am also a lightweight. Like you I like sweets, carbs, and proteins. I too also thought the DS fit my eating habits the best. I didn't want RnY because I take NSAIDS and the dumping didnt sound to wonderful either. If you have not been there dsfacts.com is a pretty good site to check out.

Good luck,
Trish

I like sweets, too, and that is one of the reasons I chose the DS.  Who wants to get sick (i.e. "dump") every time you choose to enjoy something that has sugar in it?  Not me.  I don't choose to eat sweets all the time, but when I do, I want to be able to actually enjoy them, not feel like I'm being punished.

I think the DS is great because it pretty much gives you the option to eat like a "normal" person.  I mainly eat high protein, moderate fats, moderate complex carbs, low simple carbs.  It's pretty easy to live with.  I don't feel deprived, I don't feel like I'm dieting.  The malabsorption is a very individual thing and depends a lot upon how long your common channel is made.  My surgeon made my sleeve very small and my common channel longer - the result is that even at two and a half years out, I can only eat small amounts at a time, but I don't have a lot of issues with my nutritional status.  I eat what I want, but avoid things that give me problems.  And because I can only eat such a small amount at a time, I'm a grazer - I eat many times throughout the day.  I've never had any issues with "oil slicks."  Actually, if I don't have enough fat in my diet, I tend to get constipated.

I was also a lightweight, but have had no issues with losing too much weight or becoming malnourished.

There is a misconception that dumping is a weight loss tool. Not true. Dumping is a very unpleasant side effect that some (not all!) people with RNY have. It has NEVER been shown to enhance weight loss. People who dump don't do better than those who don't. Some people dump in sugars, some on fats, some on both, some neither. Many people who dump learn just how much will trigger the dumping and eat the trigger foods up to that point.

Many people are concerned about the malabsorption of the DS. It's important to remember that malabsorption does not equal malnutrition. Yes, you MUST eat plenty of protein and take certain vitamins and minerals with the DS. This is a lifetime committment and must be taken seriously, but it isn't difficult. There are certain protein, vitamin and mineral requirements with RNY also, just not as extensive, so either way, the committment has to be there.

Larra

 Don't even consider dumping as any kind of worthwhile tool, unless you intend to live as some kind of martyr.  You can't even count on it occurring --or occurring with the food you hope to be deterred from.  It's not dependable, and can make a person downright miserable.

Oil slicks are nothing to be concerned about.  They look strange in the toilet, but there's nothing else to them.  I had them the first year or two, but haven't had them in years now.

The DS is the most effective weight loss tool, period.  All kinds of eaters.  I think if you're unsuccessful with the DS, you'll be unsuccessful with other surgeries too.  That's purely opinion, of course.