This is overwhelming :)

I get more confused when they go back and forth! I have learned each surgery is different for EVERYONE.

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 I can't tell you much about the DS bc I haven't had my consult yet (13 days and counting) but I do know a little about the RNY since I have had it since 2004. I don't know if DS was offered when I had my surgery or just doctors were just pushing RNY at the time. I was told since I am "big boned" don't expect to look like the people you see all the time that look like completely different people. Now I started at 396 and probably ended up around 286 so I lost a good 110 lbs but that didn't stay off for very long especially when I hit grad school in 2006 and was working, going to school full time, and had 2 full time internships. I know I could have watched what I ate more closely but my surgeon could have also explained more in depth about the honeymoon period so I knew what to watch out for. I went to the support groups and most people were "it feels so good to be this thin after all these years". No one was really speaking about 5 years down the line when you gain the majority of the weight back. I was in denial from about 2008-2011 before I realized I am exercising, eating right, and busting my behind and now I have htn, arthritis, degenerative disease, constant dumping, constant hunger from the dumping, PCOS has come back full force, infertility, etc... and the list goes on. I weigh 350 lbs but my height hides a lot of my weight so I don't look as if I am 350 but my body sure does feel as if it is 350 lbs or more. I actually feel worse than when I originally had the surgery. Please consider ALL your options before making a decision. I came on this board a couple of weeks ago and thought my only option was BOB or revision of my pouch. Many people have helped me see those aren't my only options. I am no longer the naieve 23 y.o. who believes bc you have a MD you know what is right for me. Even after I lost my weight my BMI was still considered morbidly obese. I know what I need. I know what my body needs. I research and research and research before I make any decision. And I always said I would NEVER go under the knife again but I am in the process of adopting children and I want to be there for them in all ways possible and not tell them to go outside and play while I watch bc I can't keep up. I want to be able to have my own child (The PCOS and the extra weight is keeping me from that right now), I want to be healthy. Do this for your future and not for a fix right now bc you don't want to have multiple revisions. And now I will step off my soap box.  

See what you can do advocating for yourself re: your surgery and choosing what you want for yourself- it is your only body. Your insurance may be open to appeal, particularly if you find a doctor willing to fight for you.

Good luck with your quest!

As you are learning, there are several choices for wls these days, and that's a good thing. Just like panty hose, wls isn't a "one size fits all" thing.
     My best interpretation of what you've posted is that you are leaning towards DS or sleeve, but still researching (which is great) and also concerned about some logistic problems. So I'll just say a couple things about both issues. First, the DS has the best statistics of any wls for percentage excess weight loss, MAINTAINING  that weight loss, and resolution of almost all comorbidities. Weight regain is a major problem with RNY and will probably prove to be a major problem longterm with VSG as well, though longterm results of VSG for large groups of people are as yet unknown. For me, I was on track for RNY and being offered a surgery date, and would have probably reluctantly accepted all the nasty potential side effects of RNY, but the longterm failure rate of 30% was a dealbreaker.
     Regarding the travel issues, you are in fact fortunate, though it may not seem like it at first glance, to have 2 DS surgeons within 200 miles. Many people travel far further than that for the DS. I wi**** were otherwise, but it does tell you how much this choice is valued. You mentioned Dr. Gagner in Montreal. He has an excellent reputation, and Montreal is a beautiful city with lots of flights in and out. I understand your concerns about child care, but remember that this is a real but temporary concern, whereas you will live with your surgery choice and its results for, hopefully, the rest of your life.

Keep on reading and learning. Check out the revision board. It's a sad place. Don't put yourself in a position where you end up there. Figure out what choice is best for you, and don't settle for less. You are worth it.

Larra

DSers and RNYers are up to their usual "debate" which I never take part in. However, this time I wanted to put a word in sideways for the plain-old VSG, which I have had direct experience with.  I don't know if you are taking medication of any kind for issues unrelated to weight, however, I do. Since I have MS and polypharmacy (taking many different meds) is required, I only had 2 choices: the band, which had almost killed a friend of mine and ruined her entire digestive system for life OR the sleeve which has no malabsorption issues, Needless to say, I chose the sleeve.
I have never been happier. Today, after having lost most of my excess weight I can walk again (albeit not very far, but that's an MS issue), I wear "normal" clothes and I'm no longer embarrassed to be seen in public.
Consider carefully the medical malabsorption issues now and in the future and good luck in making your decision.

Amalia, you are my heroine. I work for a company that manufactures two drugs to help patients with MS (and we're working on a bunch of others) and I've learned, through our patient advocates, and through the mother of some of my kids' friends, what a debilitating disease it can be. I am so glad you're able to walk again even if it's not far, and wear normal clothes, and go out in public. Those are huge milestones for anyone going through WLS and for you, even more so. I am very happy for you.

I appreciate your encouragement and wisdom, as I appreciate what everyone has had to offer in this thread.

Traveling for surgery isn't an option financially. The sleeve, which also sounds interesting, isn't covered by my insurance and would require a fight. Which I will do if that is what I decide. I may decide against surgery altogether--I want to be able to eat somewhat normally. Eating tiny portions of healthy foods is fine; having to puree everything I eat is not acceptable. Neither is having chronic slimy poop or issues with stinky gas at inopportune moments. The threat of revision scares the crap out of me. The snippy RNY/DS comments leave a bad taste in my mouth and a sick, negative feeling in my heart. I don't need that either. I may skip WLS altogether and just muddle on as I've been doing. Now that my knees seem to be on the mend (two arthroscopies in the last 3 months...I should come out of this with two equally functioning knees even if they're not 100%) I can get back to walking and biking. I'm in a better place mentally than I've been in years. So maybe it'll be one last gasp at the old fashioned way for me.

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