rny vs ds help

I am currenrtly awaiting my NP appt on JUne 6 at ohsu....i was sure about having rny up until i started researching ds....i never considered it before because at my information session i believe it was dr wolfe who said it was much to dangerous and he will not do it so i never looked into until now......do most insurance companies cover it too........ now i am unsure which procedure to have done ...i want the best most long term outcome......but dr wolf mad me nervous ...anyone have any thoughts ....how do you decide????

I had lap DS on Wednesday, 5/14 and am doing great!  I was on clear fluids until I started full liquids on post-op day 2.  I started soft foods just one week after surgery and have tolerated the foods so far.  I haven't experienced any uncontrolled or real stinky BMs that the non-DS surgeons discussed in WLS info seminars.  I take probiotics with my breakfast meal to reduce the chance of really stinky BMs. The only one who does DS on a regular basis is Dr. Deveney.  Dr. O'Rourke had been trained to do the DS but decided not to do them.  I did get a chance to talk to Dr. O in the pre-op unit when I had my surgery.  He talked about the DS and didn't attempt to talk me out of it.  He didn't even diss the DS.  Dr. O did go into the OR for a brief time after I was anesthesized before Dr. D started my operation. Another surgeon who has done the DS is Dr. Martindale.  He's primarily a general surgeon now but has done bariatrics while in Georgia and consults with the bariatric team at OHSU.  He also takes on more complex and difficult cases. Dr. W is not the only one who disses the DS in WLS info seminars.  Dr. O also disses it. The best source of info about DS is the duodenalswitch.com website.  Here is the link: http://www.duodenalswitch.com  You're more than welcome to visit our Duodenal Switch board, where I hang out and post on a regular basis.  We are like family and welcome newbies eager to learn more about the DS. Don't let Dr. W dissuade you from the DS, if that is what you really want. Best of luck in your research!

Hey Vicki I never got to thank you for your reply it is helpful......since my recent visit to ohsu i figured out they are pro bypass and not really DS....and it makes me feel better to here your story ....thanks sharon

Do yourself a favor and read as much as you possibly can about the two procedures.  DS is not covered as commonly as RNY, but there are an increasing number of companies that will cover it.  While you will be able to eat more normally with a DS, you will also have a different set of malabsorption problems or possible problems.  We're all different, have different needs and react differently to different surgeries.  In choosing between lap band, RNY, and DS, I chose the middle ground and went with the RNY -- my insurance didn't cover the DS and, while I probably could have fought for coverage, in the long run, I thought the RNY was a better choice for me.  You need to decide what is the best choice for you. Linda

I have had both surgeries. I was revised to an RNY. Neither are perfect but the DS nearly killed me.  Do your research. tee

Tee, so sorry about your WLS experiences- I read your profile! But I have to say this; is JIB from 1980's equivalent to a DS in 2008? Call it JIB, so as not unnecessarily taint the DS of today. Reasonable?

Thanls for all that great info.......i guess whats stopping me from wanting the DS is when one of the surgeons said its to dangerous and he will not risk it ...........what are they refering too.............when i read about DS its sounds the best .....except the side effects......but RNY has them too.....is it because you of the malabsorption ??

The DS is a more involved surgery.  Altering the digestive path significantly, plus a large portion of your stomach is actually removed from your body.  If something goes wrong, there's not much left to work with at a later time.  Near the top of this page you will see a link that says "The Lobby" -- there is a link there for Surgery Types.  If you go there, you can read and see diagrams of the various surgeries.   DS has a much greater degree of malabsorption than RNY.  The good part about this is you can eat pretty much as you always have and you won't absorb it, so you still lose weight.  The bad part is, you miss out on a lot of the nutrients you need.  I had seen folks on here who were having horrible malabsorption problems from even RNY and I didn't want to end up thin, weak, and sick.  Now, that said, there are many people on these boards who have had DS and they are doing fine.  As I said, do your research.  You may also wish to go over to the Revisions board and see how many people have a RNY revised to a DS or vice versa.  Check everything out so you can decide which will fit your lifestyle best. Linda

thanks for all your help.........the more onfo the better

No, but each to their own. At the time I wrote the proile, I was unaware I had had a DS.  It is what it is and I admit neither is perfect, then or now. The DS is quite tainted without any help from me, and I really don't give a fig whether people chose it or not. That is why I said pretty clearly "do your research." I know there are the DS nazis who love to argue, but I am not motivated enough to argue the point. tee