Revision from Sleeve to RNY instead of DS??? HELLLP!

Hey there!

So... I went to see my surgeon for a late 1 year check up and told him I wanted to revise my surgery. I told him I wanted to get the Switch. He told me I would have more issues with the Switch vs RNY. I asked him if I would have to be on meds indefinitely with RNY and he said no, but I would with the Switch.

Mind you, he suggested me get RNY initially because I was on the heavier side. I had gained a lot of weight a year prior to surgery because of a steroid. If I would have known that I wouldn't be on meds/vitamins indefinitely with RNY, I may have gotten it last year instead of the sleeve.

My questions to you guys are did anyone revise from the sleeve to the RNY and/or Switch? Did you have any issues with revision? Was it worth it? Would you do it again? Additionally, I have had anemia problems in the past, which one may be more likely to cause more anemia problems? Overall thoughts? Please HELP!

Translation - your surgeon doesn't know how to do the DS.  

Why on earth would you want to tear up a fully functioning stomach without consulting a real DS surgeon?  Go to dsfacts.com and find a vetted one to give you a real opinion instead of just trying to sell you on something he knows how to do.  You will take vitamins with either procedure, not "meds".  Iron seems to be worse with RNY simply because of the way the body naturally absorbs iron, which is blocked by RNY along with B vitamins.

What Val said....

Always follow the money!

Hi there. I am a revision from VSG (aug09) to DS(Mar14). I am still early out but will give you my experience thus far. I chose to revise to the DS as it was the most logical next step. I also was sooooooooo tired of dieting. I felt the the DS gave me the more "natural eating pattern" and long term maintaince without having to "diet" for the rest of my life.

Did you have any issues with revision?

Complication free and back to work at two weeks(desk job)

Was it worth it?  So far I am happy with my choice. The weight is coming off and even now I do not feel like I am dieting other than limiting my carbs.

Would you do it again? today that answer is yes...but ask me again in a few years...lol

Additionally, I have had anemia problems in the past, which one may be more likely to cause more anemia problems?

The RNY more than likely will cause you the anemia problem because ALL of their duodenum is bypassed.

Someone is lying to you. People with RNY DO very definitely need to supplement iron, calcium, multivits, and B12 and possibly other B vitamins for the rest of their lives. They have MORE problems with iron and B vitamins than we do with the DS.

Granted, we have, on the whole, more vitamins to take than with RNY. We need to supplement the fat soluble vitamins (A, D, and K, and some people need E), as well as calcium, probably iron, multis, often zinc. Some people with the DS need B12, others don't. I haven't so far in over 8 years, but a good friend with RNY has to get a B12 injection monthly (other people with RNY do sublingual). If people with RNY don't take B12 for life, they will develop peripheral neuropathy, which becomes permanent if it isn't remedied fast enough.

Your surgeon is pushing the operation he knows how to do. If he's telling his RNY patients they don't need vitamins, they are in for serious deficiencies. I hope you are doing your own reading on RNY and if you are, you will see that these vitamins are routine and absolutely required.

What's more, the DS is clearly the best operation for heavier patients, though it works well for lightweight as well. It 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. While some people are successful with RNY, many fail to get near a normal weight, and weight regain is a major problem. This is much less common with the DS, and we are also able to eat a much more normal diet. There is no dumping, no food getting stuck, we can take NSAIDs safely (in proper doses) whereas they are contraindicated for life with RNY. We do need to emphasize protein and take lots of vitamins, but to me that seems a whole lot easier and more realistic than trying to live on a low calorie, low fat, low carb diet for the rest of my life.

Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now, but it just infuriates me when a medical person misleads someone so as not to lose a paying customer. I wasn't a revision, but would I do the DS again? Absolutely!

Larra

I had my VSG, April 2010 and revised to the DS on January 23^rd of this year.

I agree with the other posters. This doctor is promoting the surgery he does.

For an objective, professional opinion you should speak to a doctor who is very experienced doing DS revisions and can make recommendations on what is best for you and your situation. I highly recommend my surgeon, Dr Keshishian in southern California. He is one of very best DS revisions surgeons in the world. Another option would be Dr Rabkin.

I travelled to be able to work with Dr Keshishian and it was worth all the extra effort to make it happen. I am 4 months out, I’ve had no complications and was out sightseeing by myself in LA 8 days after surgery.

So far, I’ve lost a little more than 50% of the excess weight I had at the time of surgery. I have no “potty issues” and except for the first couple of days, before I realized I was lactose intolerant, no significant issues with gas. Nutritionally, I’m in good shape and follow Vitalady’s program with a few additions to address other health issues.

Although I’m also early out, I am very happy with my decision to have the DS. I knew from the beginning the RNY was not the right choice for me – I wanted freedom from issues with food, not feel scared of heart palpitations and the like from dumping syndrome.

Good luck to you.

Tricia

NEVER listen to a surgeon that does not do the actual surgery you are asking about. They know nothing about it and cannot make any money on it. 

Do your research. I lurked for two years before I decided to do this surgery. I studied the RNY and the DS for that long. Reading and lurking in the forums. Pulling up all studies and articles on the surgeries. That is how I made my decision. I am SO happy I did not butcher my stomach down to a large marble sized thing. My Aunt had the RNY and gained back every last pound she lost. She also had severe dumping because she refused to stick to a strict diet. Make a knowledgeable decision by studying it all.