DS?

I am in the process of getting approval for Lapband to RNY revision but several people have suggested I look into the DS.  I have contacted my surgeons office to see if he even does this procedure and I should know the answer tomorrow (I am pretty sure he does).

Can you tell me if this procedure requires special considerations for insurance approval?  Seems like I read somewhere this procedure was used for the super obese only?  My BMI is right around 40.  What is the main difference between DS and RNY?

Thanks so much!

I'm glad you're looking at your options. : )   I haven't hear of your surgeon as a DS surgeon but you never know, just be careful and be prepared to see another surgeon if he balks and the DS is truly what you want. Check out the surgeons on www.dsfacts.com if you have to look elsewhere.

The main differences between the RNY and DS: With the DS you get to keep you pyloric valve which regulates the emptying of your stomach. With the pyloric valve, no dumping in most cases. The DS leaves you with a fully functioning stomach just much less of it. We have a sleeve-like stomach about the size of a small banana. With the RNY you get a small pouch without a pyloric valve, and in many cases, dumping on sugar and fat. Check You Tube for what dumping can do for you.  With the DS you get much more malabsorption long term which is why the DS gives you a longer term chance for success. DSrs must, must, must supplement heavily to keep their nutritional labs up. An RNYr must supplement too but not quite as much as we do. An RNYr will likely fight constipation and gas while some of us DSrs fight loose stools and gas. We do have quite a few DSrs that also fight constipation but you won't hear a doc talking about this because they are taught that we fight loose stools and they won't listen to us patients sometimes.

That's about all I know. Perhaps some of the folks that have revised from RNY to DS can give you more info. Good luck!

--gina

Also does common channel count in regards to constipation or the vitamin regimen one has to go through. My doctor is giving me a 150 common channel, what does that mean?

You are getting the longest common channel there is, which means your surgeon does not use the Hess Method to measure out how long your common channel should be for you as an individual.  This is apparently a "one size fits all" surgeon, which makes me question whether he/she is a vetted DS surgeon, and whether you'll be getting a true DS or a hybrid RNY.

The shorter the common channel (normal range from 75cm to 150cm), the higher the malabsorption, and the more supplementation and nutrition required.

You are getting the longest common channel there is.

Actually, that is not true...mine is 175. Reason, I am a lightweight and part of the deal was a longer common channel...he wanted 175 to 200. I got him to go with 175. Otherwise I would have ended up with a RNY and THAT was not gonna happen. And yes mine is a true DS...altho my surgeon isn't vetted, it was either him or NO ONE!

There are also DS'ers who have common channels of 200. So I am not the longest I know of.

Liz

That's interesting.  I didn't know surgeons did as long as you have.  Maybe that's because you are a lightweight.  I had over 200 pounds to lose, so no way was I getting any longer than 75cm.  In fact, I asked my surgeon for shorter, but she refused, saying she has had to do too many revisions with short cc's.

You learn something new everyday! 

There are others I am aware of...they are listed on dslabratdata.com But you have to be a member to access the information...part of what we did to keep information as private as possible. That way there is a log of who accessed the site IF ever needed.

I know that my being a lightweight was a big factor in mine...I only had 53 lbs to lose to get to a normal BMI...lost 73.

Liz

My starting BMI was 41.  I thought that there was a BMI  restriction for the DS also.  I thought you had to have a BMI of over 50.  I called my insurance company and they covered it as long as it was "medically necessary" no BMI restriction of over 50.  SO I would say just call your insurance company.

I love my DS!!  If I was you I would ALOT more research on the different surgerys prior to making the decision.  Obviously I think the DS is the best decision, but everyone is different.  I love the props that come with the DS.  I can still have Ibuprofen, carbs, sugar, fats...   I can still eat rather normal meals.  The DS has the best long term results.  Less chance of regain.  I lost all my excess body weight and now have a normal BMI!

i was also suggested the ds while milling around the wls forums. during that time i was barely 40 bmi and i started researching weight loss surgeries and there was no comparison to the ds. i was then on determined to get the ds, hence my name! so i made sure to log and gather all my information that my insurance needed and finally submitted my info in oct of 2011 and got approved with a surgery date of dec 19 2011. i am so so happy with this and so happy i had the courage to do it! my life has changed and i am actually LIVING again. i have lost 110lbs in a year i am below my goal weight but those are only scale related. my nsv's are far more rewarding! i can hike in the mountains again, i can wear my high school bathing suits, i have so much energy, i can play sports again, i can shop in the juniors section (cheaper clothes), people treat me better (sadly i was not given a second glance being heavier). :(

also picking a good surgeon who actually does the ds and has experience is vital. i had a vetted ds surgeon and i still had complications. i can't imagine if it was someone without an experienced and talented hand. i could have died...my story could have ended a lot earlier, but thank God my surgeon was amazing and got me squared away. complications do happen but they happen with any type of surgery ... always a chance :)

dsfacts.com is a great place to start as well as keep active on this board and ask many questions:)

Just because I can sew doesn't mean I should make your wedding dress.  Please research your surgeon carefully.  Please go to DSfacts.com.  There are a lot of differences between the RNY and the DS.  The RNY has a pouch with a man made "stoma" the DS has a sleeve-a fully functioning stomach, just smaller.  The intestinal configuration is very different.

My starting BMI was just at 40.  The DS works great for lightweights.  There is a lightweights forum too-come on over=)!