DS vs RNY

the DS has been done in the USA since 1988 - not new at all, and is a standard of care bariatric surgery for anyone who qualifies for wls, but esp valuable for people with higher bmi's. The Ds has the best statistics of any bariatric surgery for percentage excess weight loss, for maintenance of that weight loss, and for resolution of almost all comorbidities. Weight regain is a major problem with RNY. You know people who have been successful with RNY...how far post-op are they? It's the longterm you need to look at. Many people do well for the first couple years, but then begin to struggle with weight regain.

The DS will also allow you to safely take NSAIDs, which are contraindicated for life with RNY. Dumping is rare with the DS, and understand that dumping is NOT a weight loss tool, but rather a very unpleasant side effect often (but not always) seen with RNY. The longterm diet wth DS is much more normal than with RNY, and much more forgiving. We can drink liquids with meals. Overall, many advantages.

We do need to take more vitamins than people with RNY. It isn't difficult once you get into a routine. This is a lifetime requirement, but the same is true for the vitamins needed after RNY, there are just less of them.

I had the Ds over 7 years ago, and have had absolutely no regrets. I don't think I would have done nearly as well with RNY. You can find a lot of good info about the DS at dsfacts.com. Make yourself the best informed patient you can be and you'll make the decision that is right for you.

Larra

If you want to hear the other side of the story, you should post on the RNY board, too. I know there are several vets there who are over 5 years out and still maintaining. While I'm biased towards the DS (of course haha), I just want to make sure you get both sides of the story! :)

I am a revision from an RNY to a DS. I ended up with complications from the RNY and was unable to lose weight after the first few months. Years later I found I had a fistula- rare but they happen. I did a lot of research and decided to revise to the DS. My body is so much happier with the DS than it ever was with the RNY. I always had stomach pains, couldn't take any Ibuprofen for pain, and had a lot of food sensitivities because I wasn't able to digest my food well. Most of my food sensitivities are gone (still have some food allergies tho), I can take advil when I need to and I've lost 90lbs in 81/2 months. I eat pretty much  what I want when I want . Like Valerie said- lots of bacon and butter! My surgeon once told me had he known 40 years ago what he knows now he would never have done the RNY but he would have done the DS because of the long term success of it. Listen to the advice of the long term people on here- they are the wise ones with lots of experience and knowledge