What surgery to choose?

I'm going this weekend to the peachtree bariatrics seminar. I have peachstate healthcare and would love to get feed back from everyone especially ones who have peachstate about the surgery they chose and why they chose it.  Thanks so much

Even if you don't have peachstate I would love to hear why everyone decided on they surgery they chose.

I do not have Peachstate, but I chose the sleeve because I'm a 40 BMI, so I'm considered a "lightweight" -- never heard that before! -- and the sleeve doesn't involve rerouting, which scares me and may be more surgery than I need for my particular situation.  After I made my decision, I found out that It's also the least expensive of the four surgeries performed by my doctor of choice, which is great since I'm self-pay.  (I had originally figured the lap band would be the cheapest way to go.)

I'm doing my pre-testing now and hope to have my surgery at the end of March or beginning of April.

Good luck!

Edited to add:
My second choice would be the DS for the reasons the others gave.  (It seems to be the "Cadillac" of the surgeries that are available at this time, from what I've seen.)  Unfortunately my particular insurance plan doesn't cover -ANY- WLS, so I'm self-pay and the cost of the DS -- or the RNY -- just isn't possible for me.  I am happy with my decision for the sleeve, though, because I beleve (and my doctor does too) it fits my particular situation the best considering my financial resources, my medical record, my comfort level, and the other information I have.  (Also, it can be revised to the DS in the future if necessary....though it seems revisions are harder on a lot of people.)

Remember that every situation is different.  What may be the right choice for someone else might not be the right choice for you...for any number of reasons.  And each surgery has its successes and not-so-successes, some more than others.  I commend you, though, for doing your research!!!

I chose DS because:
 - greatest percentage of weight loss 80-90%
- greatest long term succes rate in keeping it off
- eat normal sized meals post-op
- no dumping, pbing, sliming
- less food restrictions (can eat bread, rice, sweets).
-  lower chance of revisions
- no need for fills like lapband
- established procedure, has been done for over 20 years
- cures diabetes for  95% of patients

I don't think this procedure is covered by Medicaid. it is the most expensive of the procedures.  You can call Medicaid to check to see if it is an option for you.

HI TRACY
I CHOSE DS FOR THE FOLLOWING. "PEOPLE CAN ARGUE WITH DSer'S BUT CAN NOT ARGUE WITH RESULTS."

Excess Weight Loss: Mean Change
Band 47%*
RNY Gastric Bypass (includes long-limb) 62%*
Duodenal Switch 70% *

Diabetes - resolved
Band 47.9%
Gastric Bypass 83.8%
Duodenal Switch 97.9%

Hyperlipidemia
Band 58.9%
Gastric Bypass 93.6%
Duodenal Switch 99.5%

Hypertension
Band 43.2%
Gastric Bypass 75.4%
Duodenal Switcch 81.3%

Sleep Apnea
Band 95%
Gastric bypass 80%
Duodenal Switch 92%

Operative Mortality Rate:
Band 0.1%
Gastric Bypass 0.5%
Duodenal Switch 1.1%

Reservations on Duodenal Switch (DS) has been largely based on concerns of the long-term effect on malnutrition, as well as diarrhea, and is also likely influenced by the serious long-term consequences seen with the original malabsorptive procedure, the jujunoileal bypass. The SAGES Manual: A Practical Guide to Bariatric Surgery (2008) states that metabolic disturbances and the number of surgical revisions for malnutrition or diarrhea are considerably less using 100cm as the common channel length. The manual also states that the DS short-and long-term weight loss exceed that of any other bariatric operation. It does NOT state that DS should be reserved for super or super-super obese individuals, apparently due to the lack of evidence of high risk in malnutrition and diarrhea with the 100cm common channel, especially among those who adhere to physician advice for nutrition, vitamin supplementation, and regular lab work. It specifies that the BMI guidelines are the same for all types of bariatric surgeries, including the DS.

*Note that the study by Buchwald, et al. (2004) looked at averages across many studies where the patients were measured at different time lengths from their surgery (eg, one year, two years, or 5 years post-op). Other research that is 10 years post-op (lap-band not available in US patients for last 10 years, only last 7 years), shows that 20% of those with an RNY bypass regain more than 50% of their excess weight loss with comorbidities often coming back. Less than 5% of those with duodenal switch regain more than 50% of their excess weight. Fact. Know your choices & then decide what's best for you.

I chose DS for the same reasons as above, plus it leaves the geography of your stomach intact.  That way, if you need an egd it can still be done.  Additionally, I had previous stomach surgery and the DS was the onky one I could have!

 hi!!!  I hope you check out all the surgeries and not just the ones your surgeon is promoting.  Here is a great thread on the DS.  Be sure to read prettydove's post at the bottom.  People are scared away from the DS bc of malabsorption, but really, its safer than the RNY in those regards.  Good luck with your choice!  Please join us on the DS board if you have any questions!

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/3867772/Okay-Im-clueless-what- is-DS-I-made-need-a-revision-and/