Trying to decide gastric or ds

Hey, i am 34 and weigh 501 pounds. I went to my first appointment with the weight loss surgery doctor and had my mind set to gastric. However my doctor said hes wants me to get DS. He said bc so many people are coming in for revison surgerys and you have more chance of keeping weight off longer. Why did you choose gastric bypass over DS and other surgerys?... I am trying to do my research and make up my mind. Thanks in advance ?

The surgeon recommended my 2012 gastric bypass surgery due to a BMI in the 60's and Type II diabetes (sidenote: he did not perform the DS back in 2012 but does now). At 501 pounds, your surgeon's recommendation accompanied by his explanation sounds worthy of your close consideration.

I agree, your surgeon will have a pretty good idea of what is best for your profile. I'm a "lightweight" in that my starting BMI was only 35. Most people thought I should get the gastric sleeve but my surgeon felt I should go with the RNY. He pointed out that I can restrict my portions and lose weight through calorie reduction, my problem has been getting down to a healthy BMI and then keeping the weight off. I have never been able to get out of the Obese range through diet alone.

I had the RNY a couple of weeks ago. I'm really glad I took his advice, and I am determined to do this by the book (where "the book" means following my physicians orders AND listening carefully to those who are vets on this forum).

My bariatric center doesn't offer the DS. That is a little more difficult surgery and it takes a little longer. I think it's a great option, make sure your doc has done a lot of them :)

Good luck!

Hi Honest Omnivore,

I am also in a lower BMI range. How are you doing? I have been approved and the doc says that he is scheduling about 6 weeks out.

I have a Lap Band and am switching to the RNY, I originally wanted the sleeve, but the surgeon recommended the RNY. I was concerned at first, but now I am reading more about it.

Hoping to hear more about your journey, since our stats are about the same.

Before making a decision you may want to check with your insurance policy.

My insurance paid for the bypass. I am happy with it. I just have to be compliant and do protein forward meals. I can eat around my surgery.

Good luck to you whatever you chose.

Research research and more research.

The DS is a big surgery with a lot of malabsorption. That means strict compliance with vitamins and following the DS diet.

The VSG was/is the first step of DS. They did it on people with really high BMI's that they didn't think would survive the surgery. What they found was that for some the VSG restriction/no malabsorption worked for some and they didn't need the second half of the surgery.

Both surgeries are permanent. Both provide a path to losing a whole lot of weight.

For me, I had so many other medical problems and the RnY is better understood by other doctors and health care professionals. With an RnY I can't take time release meds or non-steroidal anti inflammatories.

Again..best of luck and really research and keep asking questions.