Considering DS over a RNY

I am curious to find out why some of you chose the DS over the RNY.  My BMI is only 35, and some docs wouldn't even consider it, but I have found others that will.  My surgeon suggested starting with the RNY, and that we could revise to a DS if we needed to, however I only want to have to do this once.  Here are the reasons I am considering the DS:

1. I have taken NSAIDS in the past, and will not be able to post RNY, but could with DS.

2. Long-term results regarding weight regain are better for DS.

3. Sounds like adjusting to the new diet of a DS would be easier than RNY.

So, I would love some feedback.  Why to have or not have either of these surgeries. Thanks! :)

I HAD A BMI OF 35, IT WAS A ISSUE,  WOULD NOT CONSIDER THE RNY,  IMAGINE NOT HAVING THE MIRACLE OF NSAIDS FOR ANY FUTURE INFLAMMATION YOU WILL AND YOU WILL SUFFER FROM VARIOUS INFLAMMATIONS IN THE FUTURE SUCH AS ARTHRITIS , CIRCUITRY, HEART AILMENTS, BEE STINGS, TWISTED ANKLES YOU NAME IT.  

 THE RNY DIET SUCKS,  I EAT ANYTHING I WANT, I LIVE A NORMAL LIFE, JUST A SKINNY ONE.   CUT ONCE IS A VERY TRUE STATE MENT.  REVISIONS ARE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE.  AND TO GET PAID FOR. 

 

I think all of your reasons for prefering DS are sound.

 

I also think that any surgeon who would advise ANY patient to start with RNY and revise to DS if needed is an idiot. Revising from RNY to DS is an extremely complicated operation and far higher risk than a virgin DS, AND not always possible. There are very few surgeons willing to take on this type of revision surgery. My guess, and I admit it's just a guess, is that this surgeon does not do the DS, or at least hasn't done it much and is far more comfortable doing RNY, and doesn't want to lose a paying customer...oh sorry, I mean patient.

I chose the DS because if has the best statistics of any wls for percentage excess weight loss, for maintaining that weight loss, and for resolution of almost all comorbidities. If you read a lot on the main board here, or go to live support groups in your area, you will learn that weight regain and/or failure to ever get even close to a normal weight, are significant problems with RNY. The failure rate is substantial - 30%, and that's with "success being defined as losing just 50% of your excess weight.

As you pointed out, it also allows you to take NSAIDs, and allows for a much more normal and varied diet than RNY. Also no dumping, no food getting stuck, and you can drink liquids with your meals.

While the DS is often recommended for heavier patients, it works well for "lightweights" too.

I hope you will see the advise you have been given for what it is.

Larra

 

Hello!

 

I am revising from a band to the DS next month. I could've went with either RNY or DS but the DS was a pretty easy choice for me when compared to RNY for the very reasons you listed above. You've got to be diligent about protein, vitamins, life long follow up, labs, etc with either surgery -- and you better believe if I'm going to commit to all that, I am going with the option that has a better chance of keeping more weight off, allows more freedom with the diet and  NSAIDS.

 

My starting BMI was 36.8, so pretty close to yours. I would run from a surgeon who suggested an RNY to DS revision if the RNY wasn't enough. That is a very difficult surgery and it's difficult on the patient as well. There are only a handful of surgeons that are even skilled enough to do it. Most surgeons might recommend a sleeve and convert to DS if necessary. The sleeve is the first part of the DS and you maintain a functioning pyloric valve to regulate the emptying process from your stomach. I chose the full DS because of many of the things you list in your post: ability to take NSAIDS; successful long term maintenance of weight loss; a diet that I was comfortable with--I was not a carb addict and could easily do low carb for life; I also did not want to deal with reactive hypoglycemia and was seeing that issue pop up all the time on the lightweight board I was reading; the DS has a 98% cure rate for type II diabetes; and I'm a grazer and I know I would have out eaten the RNY or the sleeve, I need the malabsorption the DS offers. I have a standard 100cm common channel and I stopped losing right in the middle of the normal BMI range, so even a lightweight won't lose too much with the DS.

Come visit us on the lightweight board. The link is in my siggy block. Also, take a look at www.DSFacts.com and make sure your surgeon is listed there.

--gina

 

"Ditto" what everyone else has said.

Run from any surgeon who suggests a RNY revision to a DS in such casual terms.  You want to find another surgeon.  Most DS complications that I have seen on this board are related to revisions.  It sounds like you have done your research and know that the DS is best for you.  Please, find another surgeon!

My reasons for choosing the DS

1. Best success rate

2. Intact fully functioning pyloric valve

3. The future use of NSAIDS

4. Varied diet

I began with a BMI of 50. I had surgery May15, 2012, six months ago. I have lost 119 pounds so far and have 64 more to go to get to goal. If I am diligent about my carbs, keeping them as close to 50 or less as possible I have no doubt I will be to goal before my year anniversary. You have to make this decision for you. Will you take the required vitamins? Will you eat protein when you don't necessarily want to?

 

You have a good list started.  The main reason I wanted the DS was for the LONG term maintenance of weight loss.  I also wanted to keep my stomach and not be given a POUCH where food gets stuck or washes through.  Yuck.

The DS is the best surgery in everything they measure in studies except for resolution of GERD.  The science speaks to me.

I had a low BMI and had no problem getting my surgeon to give me a DS.  I would have RUN from a surgeon who said he would give you an RNY and then you could revise to a DS.  A revision to a DS is a HUGE surgery (remember the stomach is mutilated by the RNY and has to be reconstructed to have a real DS) and only a handful of surgeons in the world can do it.

Start with the best surgery.  Think twice.  Cut once.

 

~Becky

Ditto to what everyone else has said. I was considering RNY and DS and finally decided on DS because much of the stomach function remains intact - and that I could lose more with DS vs. RNY. My BMI was around 60. I'm only 3 weeks out from my surgery, but I don't regret a thing.
I agree with what others have said - you have to make the right choice for you and what your goals are.
Good luck with your decision!

Chose the DS because of weight regain after RNY.  Recommend having the DS first because it is the most effective weight loss surgery rather than having to pay for 2 surgeries and undergo the risks of two surgeries and anesthesia.