WARNING TO PRE-OPS: Think twice, cut once -- or else!

On average, DS patients lose more weight and maintain far more of that weight loss long term -- there is NO doubt about those overall statistics.  I think that qualifies to call it the most effective surgery, on average. 

The point is, the DS should not be considered the fall-back or revision surgery, to be used if a "less drastic" procedure fails, when revisions are being excluded from insurance coverage.  Not only are revisions more dangerous, you may not be able to get one.  That's the point -- no matter what you claim I am saying.

I am very lucky that Medicaid now covers the DS (not to mention they don't require prior authorization anymore- at least here in Illinois!).  I had very limited out of pocket expenses compared to others (I had to pay a $395 program fee and $318 for the psych eval plus my appointment co-pays) and I am pleased with my choice in surgeries.  Each person should research the surgery options and pick which one is right for them.  If the insurance doesn't cover it- try fighting for it.  Most people seem to win those appeal processes!  I know some people and doctors try to say the DS is such a drastic measure and a risky procedure.  I'm not sure if that is to scare people or what but my DS went smoothly without complications and I even had it laproscopically.  The DS is a safe procedure and the benefits of having a DS were so worth it for me compared to the other options.  Everyone should research their options and not let other people, doctors, or their insurance company pressure them into a surgery they aren't 100% sure that they want.  At least that is my opinion on the subject!

 Actually, I have an e-mail directly from my doctor's office that states DS is the former gold standard, RNY is the new, and fewer doctors are performing the surgery.  I can copy/paste the e-mail, if you like...

"...Their guidelines have changed over the years due to the statistics they have collected and just so you know, a lot of the data is for the duodenal switch patients. That procedure has been around for many years and was the standard for bariatric surgery for a long time. That is changing now... "

Some people seem very fond of preaching their own personal choices on these boards, and I can't help wondering why?  If someone went to those very people and preached to them, they would kick and scream and ridicule... yet we are supposed to follow them like little lambs.

Do your research, consult doctors (more than one), talk to your insurance company.  Get all the facts from as many resources as possible (preferably professionals) and choose the path that suits you best.  

And be as supportive of others as they find their way as you would like to be supported.

If you have a letter from you doctor stating that the DS predates the RNY and that the DS is being replaced by the RNY, then your doctor is a blithering idiot because none of that is true.

 Good luck with your surgery of choice, Chad.  My aunt (a nurse) had the same procedure 11 years ago, and she's doing wonderfully with it.  

She also disagrees with me about vitamins.. apparantly the ASMBS isn't good enough to follow for vitamin supplementation prior to lab changes.

"Because the ASMBS is using DS supplementation guidelines for RNY patients" -- which is crap as well -- and as a DS patient you know it.

I think rather than him being an idiot, he is just a doctor that does not perform the DS, of course he would say that it was not as good as the RNY, why would he say a surgery that he cannot do is better than one he can do? I would ONLY ask a doctor's opinion on which surgery is best for me if that surgeon does ALL types of surgeries.

That's like going to a Kia dealership, is he going to tell you that a Toyota is a better car?  Hell no, you need to find a dealer that will tell you the truth and that sells all types of cars.

Well, the research still shows that folk that have the DS have the highest rate of long term success in keeping their weight off.  Soooo, there would be nothing other COULD preach about.  We are simply trying to let folks know what sometimes surgeons don't let them know.  WHich is the whole point..It's not fair to not let those investigation WLS know of every option...that would be the wrong thing to do.  That's what I call and consider support to be.


I agree with you people do need to do research and get the facts...personally in my research DS win hands down in long term success and benefits towards health...

I've been one of those people who fell in the statistics of WL failure...that stuff is real. 


Let me know how your weight loss is at 10 years out, hopefully great...but for most not so much.

Just because your doctor's office writes something, doesn't mean that it's true. You shouldn't believe everything you read. Sounds like he doesn't do the DS and is trying to persuade his patients into the RNY or Lap Band Mill. The DS is the Platinum Standard and not every surgeon can do it.

I don't think Diana was trying to get anyone to follow her "like little lambs". Diana was trying to inform and help pre-ops with their surgery decision. How many times do we see posts like, "Help me choose between Lap Band and RNY"? Not many people have even heard of the DS. It is posts just like this that first introduced the DS to me and many other DS'ers. 

 Actually, he DOES do the DS, for now.  He also does RNY, Lap Band, VSG, and revisions.  He's looking at getting away from DS because he has seen too many patients deal with problems like vitamin deficiencies as others have mentioned here, not to mention serious gastrointestinal issues that Gas-X won't touch.  His seminar is very unbiased and presents all facts on equal footing; I happened to ask him questions, and that's when he shared his thoughts with me.  He'd actually prefer that I get the VSG, and my insurance will cover it.  I just know myself well and I feel that a healthy fear and respect of sugar and carbs will serve me better in the long run!  lol

As I mentioned before, I have a family member who has had the procedure.  It has done amazing things for her and her experience was one of the deciding factors for me to pursue WLS as an option.  I applaud anyone and everyone who has success in achieving a healthier, happier, longer life through whatever means works for them.  

RNY is what I choose for me, with help and input from 3 doctors (2 of whom specialize in bariatrics) and my aunt, who also happens to be a nurse.  What works for you, or Diana, or my aunt though may not be the path that I feel will meet my needs the best, and I really don't like people telling me that my choice is wrong.  It's my choice.

And PS: I wasn't necessarily referring to Diana in the "little lambs" statement...  :)