New and have questions. DS or VSG??

Hey all! I am new to the boards and have a lot of questions as a start to look in to these procedures to help me get healthier. I have heard many things about weight loss surgery but I just don't know which procedure is best for me. I have heard good things about the vsg but I have also heard that you gain weight around 3-5 yrs post op and a lot of people revise to RNY because they are not disciplined enough to control their eating once they get farther out. I have also heard good things about the DS. More long term weight loss and better outcomes, but I've heard that they can eat a ton of food (high fat, sugar, etc because they don't dump) and it just goes right through them, so there is literally no dietary changes required.

Of course I love the fact I can lose weight and not have to change my eating habits but I also don't want to be stuck in the bathroom the rest of my life. On the other hand the VSG seems appealing as there is no vitamin issues and revision is always an option if I don't lose enough weight.

I really think there is no easy or better. Choose your hard. DS is a very extreme procedure and if you want to go that route I highly suggest finding someone very specialized in the procedure and aftercare required. It is possible to eat your way around any surgery, even the DS.

since the DS has a sleeve stomach, another option is to have VSG and then have the second part of the DS done (the intestinal bypass part) a couple of years down the road if you need it. Most surgeons do it all in one step now, I think - but years ago it was done in two steps, and even now it's not unheard of for someone to have VSG and then have it "revised" to a DS a couple years later (although it's not really "revised" - they just add the intestinal piece of it).

Not sure where you got the impression that you don't have to change your eating habits. No matter what surgery you choose, you will absolutely have to change your eating habits. I had the DS 17+ years ago and I completely changed everything about how and what I eat. Both surgeries are good but completely different. One is 100% restrictive (VSG) and one is a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive (DS).

Fat slayer.

,Do extensive research..This is your body You will be living with the decision for the remainder of your life...Eating a ton of food is a sure way to failure with any program.

For success you must change you from the inside....the way you view food., for some people why they eat. here are some tips.

You must learn before you have surgery to : count your protein, carbs, fat and ounces of water.. You need to begin keeping a diet diary.. like day before yesterday... everything.. every potato chip ,every snack food, every cracker, regular meal and unscheduled snacks. all liquids , loose the sugar and artificial sweeteners... pyure stevia is good.

MEASURE EVERYTHING. do it til you can guess within 10 cc of liquid and within 1/4 oz of meat and veggies.

To answer your question....Make a list of every procedure , your understanding of what is done in each, effects it can be expected to have , limitations of that surgery,

Put it beside your co-morbidities.. Do you already have ???___ any type arthritis,(including lyme, gouty, rheuma, and osteo...) diabetes, blood pressure issues. Do these exist in your family history? How does each surgery interact with each disease process.?

Of course, if you remain morbidly obese that has definite risk factors. This will help you dial in your surgery desired and expected outcome of weight loss and healthy living.

What ever surgery you have for weight loss , Understand you MUST make changes...esp amounts taken in of every nutritional element..

Yes , one can eat fats.. IF you desire to pay the price of sitting on commode for a couple of hours or standing over a potty waiting on it to come back up on you... ( I had a combination surgery ..was so extensive it is no longer done, but has elements of RNY , gastric resection, intestinal revisions of small and large intestines. It did work.) hidden fats were my nemesis!. no longer could have a chicken salad sandwich unless i made it with low fat mayo., in very small amount.- sometimes one needs something fixed /prepared by others-

. IF you have a RNY ( for example) you will not be able to have NSAIDS for remainder of life, except in extreme limitations and given in concert with other medications to buffer gastric tract... Not a problem -if you do not have any arthritis or inflammation in your body. If you have rheumatoid, or osteo arthritis.. could pose painful awareness in later years...

Every aspect of your life needs changing... at least that's how it was for me. My eating habits, the quantity of what I eat as well as the quality of what I consume. I also didnt exercise or focus on my mental health before I had surgery. One surgery is not "easier"... what allows you to become healthy is how you educate yourself now for long term success. I have only experienced dumping once in my 12 years of having RNY and I know exactly why... because I didn't look at the nutrition label before consuming or measure out a serving portion. That's a mistake that hasn't occured since.

I also attend monthly support groups and try to move at least 10k+ steps a day

Those are what I have done to do well in my journey... if nothing changes... nothing changes. You can't expect to eat the same things and lose weight so set yourself up for success. You can do this! You have the make the appropriate changes in your lifestyle and commit to a life long journey.

I also suggest you do it the hard way since it is what's best for you.

How much weight do you need to lose?
what health issues do you have?

EVERY surgery can be out eaten. You still have to deal with your underlying food issues