PRE-OPS: Make sure you learn about the DS before you choose your surgery!
Reposted from the same thread last year: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4050017/Pre-ops-Make- sure-you-learn-about-the-DS-before-you-chose/
Nothing makes me more upset than to hear about someone who has some other surgery who is now struggling and wishing they had the DS, especially when they say that they had never heard of it, or had only heard lies and exaggerations about how "big" or dangerous a surgery it is, compared to the others.
The DS is, on average, the most effective of ALL of the weight loss surgeries, and the easiest to live with. It is the most malabsorptive, but allows the most normal eating of any of the surgeries (in fact, better than normal, in most DSers' opinions), and the best chance of losing the most weight and the best chance of KEEPING that weight off long-term. Keeping healthy means eating a high protein, high fat diet (which DOESN'T suck!), taking supplements (generally a couple of handfuls a day) and doing labwork and adjusting if necessary.
It has no greater surgical risk in competent hands. There is NO reason to reserve it for the super morbidly obese, because it can be tailored to the patient, by adjusting the lengths of the alimentary tract and common channels, as well as the size of the gastric sleeve. There is no dumping, no risk of marginal ulcers -- we keep a normally functioning stomach, with our pyloric valve, that is simply made smaller along its lengtth (the sleeve gastrectomy) -- over time, it stretches out to be about 2/3 the size it was before surgery, so you can eat a small normal meal -- then the intestinal bypass helps keep the weight off.
It is, however, the most technically difficult surgery to perform, because the surgeon must be quite skilled in suturing duodenal tissue, which is difficult to work with, and so it can't be learned in a weekend seminar. DS surgeons typically must proctor with an experienced DS surgeon, and most general or bariatric surgeons don't care to take that kind of time to learn a new procedure -- especially when some of the insurance companies don't make it easy to get authorization for it. Nevermind that it might be better for their patients -- follow the money!
The worst thing about the misinformation that is promulgated about the DS is that much of it comes from surgeons who are not qualified to perform it. They cite outdated statistics, including statistics that confound the results of the DS with those of the BPD (an outmoded predecessor surgery), and that don't take into account that earlier studies included a disproportionate number of the heaviest and thus sickest patients. They also say that DSers have uncontrollable gas and diarrhea. These are unconscionable lies. I guess many bariatric surgeons feel the RNY, VSG or Lapband is "good enough" for most of you.
The DS is in most cases (>98%) a CURE for type 2 diabetes. Even for those DSers *****gain a little weight after hitting their low, the diabetes almost NEVER comes back. This is not true for RNY, VSG and Lapband -- and those procedures have a much higher risk of regain, and in particular substantial regain.
The DS also cures hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and sleep apnea in the vast vast majority of cases, and again, even if there some regain, these co-morbidities almost never come back.
Do yourself a favor -- before you hop up onto the operating table, make sure you understand the TRUTH about the DS. Come over and read our posts on the DS Forum and learn the FACTS before you settle for what your local, in-network surgeon is willing and able to give you.
Nothing makes me more upset than to hear about someone who has some other surgery who is now struggling and wishing they had the DS, especially when they say that they had never heard of it, or had only heard lies and exaggerations about how "big" or dangerous a surgery it is, compared to the others.
The DS is, on average, the most effective of ALL of the weight loss surgeries, and the easiest to live with. It is the most malabsorptive, but allows the most normal eating of any of the surgeries (in fact, better than normal, in most DSers' opinions), and the best chance of losing the most weight and the best chance of KEEPING that weight off long-term. Keeping healthy means eating a high protein, high fat diet (which DOESN'T suck!), taking supplements (generally a couple of handfuls a day) and doing labwork and adjusting if necessary.
It has no greater surgical risk in competent hands. There is NO reason to reserve it for the super morbidly obese, because it can be tailored to the patient, by adjusting the lengths of the alimentary tract and common channels, as well as the size of the gastric sleeve. There is no dumping, no risk of marginal ulcers -- we keep a normally functioning stomach, with our pyloric valve, that is simply made smaller along its lengtth (the sleeve gastrectomy) -- over time, it stretches out to be about 2/3 the size it was before surgery, so you can eat a small normal meal -- then the intestinal bypass helps keep the weight off.
It is, however, the most technically difficult surgery to perform, because the surgeon must be quite skilled in suturing duodenal tissue, which is difficult to work with, and so it can't be learned in a weekend seminar. DS surgeons typically must proctor with an experienced DS surgeon, and most general or bariatric surgeons don't care to take that kind of time to learn a new procedure -- especially when some of the insurance companies don't make it easy to get authorization for it. Nevermind that it might be better for their patients -- follow the money!
The worst thing about the misinformation that is promulgated about the DS is that much of it comes from surgeons who are not qualified to perform it. They cite outdated statistics, including statistics that confound the results of the DS with those of the BPD (an outmoded predecessor surgery), and that don't take into account that earlier studies included a disproportionate number of the heaviest and thus sickest patients. They also say that DSers have uncontrollable gas and diarrhea. These are unconscionable lies. I guess many bariatric surgeons feel the RNY, VSG or Lapband is "good enough" for most of you.
The DS is in most cases (>98%) a CURE for type 2 diabetes. Even for those DSers *****gain a little weight after hitting their low, the diabetes almost NEVER comes back. This is not true for RNY, VSG and Lapband -- and those procedures have a much higher risk of regain, and in particular substantial regain.
The DS also cures hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and sleep apnea in the vast vast majority of cases, and again, even if there some regain, these co-morbidities almost never come back.
Do yourself a favor -- before you hop up onto the operating table, make sure you understand the TRUTH about the DS. Come over and read our posts on the DS Forum and learn the FACTS before you settle for what your local, in-network surgeon is willing and able to give you.
I'm a good example,, I was fortunate in 04 I went to a band doctor who because of my prior conditions ,,barrettes,,google it,,refereed me up to see the world re-known, Dr Gagner, at Cornell,,who design a D'S for me,,,it was the only suitable surgery for me per his diagnosis,,,,, I stuck with that, although his associates refused to do it after he left the hospital,,and so did other surgeons in NYC,,insurance would not pay for D's, either,,they wanted to the rny,,,My bmi was 40 ,, many appeals,,I had more insurance than 3 families combined. 7 comorbidies,,, after 6 years,,,, and finale ending up on disability and medicare,, i was able to have a DS from a out standing surgeon where I wanted,,,,I traveled Omaha NE,, and had surgery this Nov. I now eat anything I want.,with in guiedlines of course, , about 2 cups at a meal,,lost my initial 35lbs, and have 35 to go,,and also lost my diabetes 2 . i average 1.5 lbs a week loss. no discomfort, no issues...
It was here on the main forum where I first learned of the DS. I thought it was too good to be true and certainly didn't believe what I was reading.
I did my homework tho, and soon realized that the ONLY type of WLS for me was the DS!!
And Medicare PAYS for it!!!
That was 15 months ago and if I had to have the surgery every year to maintain these tremendous health benefits I would do it in a heartbeat.
My ONLY regret is not having learned of the DS 30 years ago.
~Becky
I did my homework tho, and soon realized that the ONLY type of WLS for me was the DS!!
And Medicare PAYS for it!!!
That was 15 months ago and if I had to have the surgery every year to maintain these tremendous health benefits I would do it in a heartbeat.
My ONLY regret is not having learned of the DS 30 years ago.
~Becky
I am so glad I heard about the DS. I originally wanted the Band and then the RNY but once I heard about the DS and did my research I KNEW that the DS was the only one for me. The Stats speak for themselves I wanted the most effective WLS. I knew I only had one shot one surgery and I wanted tho get the BEST results. I am 3 months out and down 68 lb. I ♥ my DS!
Don't do what I did 11 years ago. I did not do my research and jumped on the RNY bandwagon. I saw the RNY as my magic cure. I was young, depressed, lonely and just was looking for away out of this hell called obesity. I had the RNY Dec 13, 1999
I won't say the RNY was not good to me because in the begining it was. I will however tell you I suffered debilitating hypoglycemia that would make me sleep a complete day away (leaving me unable to watch my four children). I would dump (apple juice, oranges, raisins, etc were my culprit) and again would be left to sleep for hours at a time to let my body recover from such a "punishment"
About three years ago (so 9 years after surgery) I started my regain. I am one of the lucky ones as I know many people start the regain much earlier then I did. I went from 180 pounds (at 5'11) to 260 pounds and needing a revision desperately.
Now DS Docs are few and far between, however find a DS Doc that does a RNY to DS revision you have only about 5 or so to choose from. I was so fortunate that the World RE-knowned Dr Gagner moved to Canada and took me on as his patient. Still I had to travel 5 hours by air and stay 10 days in Montreal to have my surgery revised.
The boards are flooded with revision patients. Just go over to the Revision board and read who is revising from what surgery to what surgery. You will not find anyone revising from the DS!! I am two weeks out now and I have a fully functioning stomach and... AND I have not had one hypoglycemic episode nor have I dumped!!!! Thank the Good Lord and Thank you Dr Gagner.
This has been very hard on my husband and my children who were not in the picture when I chose my original RNY surgery. Dr Gagner will tell you a revision from RNY to DS is the Biggest and most complicated surgery for Weight Loss. Thick twice about what you are doign to YOUR body and cut once. Dont fall in to my trap and be where I was...
Happy New Year
I won't say the RNY was not good to me because in the begining it was. I will however tell you I suffered debilitating hypoglycemia that would make me sleep a complete day away (leaving me unable to watch my four children). I would dump (apple juice, oranges, raisins, etc were my culprit) and again would be left to sleep for hours at a time to let my body recover from such a "punishment"
About three years ago (so 9 years after surgery) I started my regain. I am one of the lucky ones as I know many people start the regain much earlier then I did. I went from 180 pounds (at 5'11) to 260 pounds and needing a revision desperately.
Now DS Docs are few and far between, however find a DS Doc that does a RNY to DS revision you have only about 5 or so to choose from. I was so fortunate that the World RE-knowned Dr Gagner moved to Canada and took me on as his patient. Still I had to travel 5 hours by air and stay 10 days in Montreal to have my surgery revised.
The boards are flooded with revision patients. Just go over to the Revision board and read who is revising from what surgery to what surgery. You will not find anyone revising from the DS!! I am two weeks out now and I have a fully functioning stomach and... AND I have not had one hypoglycemic episode nor have I dumped!!!! Thank the Good Lord and Thank you Dr Gagner.
This has been very hard on my husband and my children who were not in the picture when I chose my original RNY surgery. Dr Gagner will tell you a revision from RNY to DS is the Biggest and most complicated surgery for Weight Loss. Thick twice about what you are doign to YOUR body and cut once. Dont fall in to my trap and be where I was...
Happy New Year
Michelle
My
is Debbie M.......I am 
to lo24 (Louisa)
RNY 338- 185. Regain to SW260 CW 236 GW 150ish?
My
is Debbie M.......I am to lo24 (Louisa)RNY 338- 185. Regain to SW260 CW 236 GW 150ish?
All I can say is that the Ds has amazed me every step of the way. I have lost 162lbs in 12 months and am still losing. I get gas if I eat lots of carbs otherwise I eat what ever I damn well please and lose weight.
It is a big operation more so then the RNY and 1000000000 times more so then the lap band. Read as much as you can and visit the DS board.
Good luck finding your way. Life is fantastic. xx
It is a big operation more so then the RNY and 1000000000 times more so then the lap band. Read as much as you can and visit the DS board.
Good luck finding your way. Life is fantastic. xx
RIP Mickie aka Happychick. You will be missed deeply.
Most Active
Recent Topics
