DS - wishing for reversal????

Hey All Seriously considering this option and would really value your homest opinions. Any regrets?? Any unliveable side effects??? Any failures long term??/ have been offered RNY free of charge but decision does not sit right with me!! please help C X

I had the lap band over a year ago and have had no problems. I weigh 135, size 4. I am not trying to talk you out of getting a DS. It is an extreme WLS surgery. If you feel you must have your stomach excised or do not want a foreign object. why not check on the Vertical Sleeve Gastretomy. It is a fairly new surgery and just removes a large part of your stomach without all of the rerouting. This WLS is such a hard and individual decision. I myself am a licensed Naturopath and let me tell you this was not an easy decision for me to have this surgery. I tried all of the herbs and natural cures and they just did not work. I chose the lap band because I did not want any part of my anatomy rearranged. But that is just my own personal preference. No surgery is foolproof. Good luck and much success to you.

I had the lap band for three years and it started causing damage. I now have the DS. I don't like the multiple bathroom visits every morning, but even that beats the he!! out of my life WITH the band. Sue

Are you wanting the DS? Can you appeal their decision? The DS is a great WLS and statistics prove it. I am having DS done in two stages because of my BMI. First I am having the VSG (restrictive) and then in about 6-12 months, I will have the second part (malabsorption). My surgeon said I may not need the second part of the surgery because I may lose all the weight I want with just the restrictive part of the surgery. I am hoping that is true because I don't want to go back in and have another surgery if I don't have to. I, also, believe it is true because I have been checking in the VSG board for about 10 months and I see a lot of VSGer's losing a lot of weight like the DSer's do. I have done a lot of research on the VSG and I think it will prove itself to be a great WLS, too. There have been some studies done, but nothing long term like the DS. I have some studies on the VSG called, "Duodenal Switch without Gastric Resection: Results and Observations after 6 Years," on my profile if you would like to see it. I do have a friend of mine that had the RNY and she has lost nearly 75% of her excess weight, but she is only 3 years out and did have complications with strictures. I have two other friends that have had DS and they have lost 95-100% of their excess weight and they are 5+ years out. My DS friends were both self-pay and my RNY friend had hers covered by insurance. I know more insurances are covering the DS and the VSG and I think that will continue as more studies are conducted with the DS and VSG. Tina

DS was the surgery type my surgeon said would offer me the "most" total weight loss over time, as I'm starting out at 400 +, but that ANY surgery type is simply a tool. Factoring in my age, DS wasn't a good fit for me because I'm just 30 and haven't had kids yet, the malabsorption of DS would be a potential risk for me and any potential pregnancies. So surgeon and I opted for RNY, and I'm comfortable with my decision - for me, I think it's the healthiest choice. With either of the surgeries, you still have to do the "head work" of making good choices, limiting portions, and exercising. I've heard of people revising from DS to RNY - though I won't presume to speak for them. Bottom line, for me, the deciding factor was degree of malabsorption. If I were older, and weren't looking at having potentially a half-century of living yet to do, I would have gone with the DS. The potential for vit/min defeciencies over time just seemed a bit too high for DS vs. RNY, even though there is that factor in RNY as well. Take care!

I am only 5.5 months out, but have no regrets on my RNY. It has been a major life changing event - and not all of the changes have been pleasant to undergo. Pychologically, it has been the most difficult. I think you should do all of your research, talk to surgeons, go to support groups, and get all of the info before you go ahead. It is a major decision that you need to be sure of. And as you can tell, some people really do have complications - and even death is possible. So please be sure. I have lost 90 + pounds and am off many of my pre op meds, my arthritis is managable (where I thought I might have to quit teaching pre -op), and I am sleeping thru the night most nights which is very rare.

Please check out the Vertical Sleeve forum! Also look at Amy P's profile on the forum. It gives a lot of info and is very inspiring. Go and post a lot of questions! I read all of the different option boards and then made a decision on surgery. Have fun researching.

Post Date: 10/14/07 4:25 pm 1 yr post lap gastric bypass 9/22. I was bad and started smoking again, developed ulcer, little gastric reflux but not bad, did not know I had ulcer. ulcer perforated had emergency surgery 9/14/07 pouch was revised with all new clean tissue. after bypass started where I could not have a bowel movement, I could not pu**** out; thats been going on for appox 9 months .  While in hops for ulcer developed acute renal failure, high bun and creat, tpn and lipids infused and g-tube conts with conts feeds. they said renal failure was due to vancomucin antibiotics, toradol pain med ? creat and bun now normal. potassium was high, now normal but albumin and proytein and iron still low. I keep losing weight, no energy, voming/dry heaves, DRY mouth, lehtargic alot of the time. MD says I am hooked on drugs. Drugs started post ulcer and I have taken less than what was perscribed. I am not taking any pain med now so md can find out what is going on. I want to get better, I have 2 little girls and i love my job. No history of alcohol. was healthy prior to this. any ideals or paths suggested to take? Amy Spears

Since you have asked for the opinions of people who have had ds, and gotten little response from anyone who has actually gotten it, here ya go.  I am 10 mths out from open DS surgery. I have had little complications, although there were a few. I do take vitamins every day, a multi, vit D, A&D, calcium. I eat what I want, literally. There is nothing that doesn't sit well with me at this point. I need to drink alot of water. I learned that over xmas when I fainted from dehydration cause I hadn't been drinking any for days. My poop stinks.....so does everyone elses, its no worse than my husband, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying or has no idea what they are talking about.  Finally, I have lost 157lbs in 10 mths and am less than 20 from goal, and I'm guessing at least 10 of that is skin. I would not give up my DS for anything in the world. Does that mean all other surgeries suck? Of course not, but I can't imagine any of them being the right one for me!  Good luck in all your weight loss goals!