DS or RNY?? I'm so confused....

Hi all, Okaaaay.  So, I just got a post from someone on the main board who said at my weight I should really consider having a DS.  Does anyone have any pro or con thoughts about this?  I weigh 350 w/ a 54.8 BMI.  I've been getting comfortable with the idea of RNY because I really could use the dumping factor since my major demons are fats, carbs & sweets.  I don't know.  I'll admit I haven't researched the DS very much.  I think I'll make a stop over in their forum before I go to bed tonight.  I'd really appreciate any and all input you all might have.  Thanks a lot.

They will both work for you, so it just depends on what you want out of the surgery.  You also should check to make sure your insurance covers DS and that you can find a surgeon who does it nearby before you really agonize over a decision.  The DS allows you to eat more, but you mus****ch your carb intake.  You also don't have issues with stuck food in your stoma or dumping.  There is also more malabsorption, which is good and bad.  Your absorption of vitamins and fats and calories will be decreased even more than RNY so you can eat more calories, but you must also be extremely careful about your vitamins and regular blood work.  A DS patient must be very diligent about their vitamins because they are at a higher risk for deficiencies.  The RNY does not guarantee dumping, but you may dump heavy carb and fat laden meals generally do not make you feel good even if you don't dump.  I think dumping is a good thing, because like you I am addicted to carbs and sweets and fatty foods.  I am glad I dump, even if its miserable when it happens.  More surgeons do RNY, and there is a larger patient pool so more physicians at all levels are familiar with it.  With DS you will be explaining the surgery to your other doctors often times, so you have to be willing to do that.  My reasons for RNY were the following: No one locally did laparoscopic DS, and I was hoping for lap surgery even at my BMI of 80+ I wanted dumping syndrome, I wanted to be forced to make good food decisions I wanted a lot of restriction as I'd never really felt "full" in my life Since so many people have had RNY, most of the possible complications have been seen and managed before.  The number of patients with DS was too small for my comfort My insurance covered RNY but possibly not DS, although it covered VSG and now covers DS I am young and want children so I am already concerned about lifelong vitamin deficiencies and deficiencies during pregnancy - I didn't want to increase my risk of vitamin deficiencies All of that being said, many people are very happy with DS and very passionate about it, and we have a couple of DS patients who visit this board regularly (JoTeddie, among others).  If you are willing to be a very diligent patient, and you want to be able to eat more, with less discomfort DS is a good choice.  Also, depending on who you ask people say DS has a lower chance of regain.  People can regain with both surgeries though, and I wonder if the number of patients have each surgery was equal, the rate of regain might also be equal. 

Hi Jennifer, thank you sooo much for replying to my post.  I'm taking your words about RNY to heart.   The DS sounds like a great procedure, but I, too, worry about the long term vit deficiencies.  I also really want the dumping factor because fats, carbs and sweets are demons that I just can't get enough of (once I start -- watch out!).  Since my Kaiser benefits haven't started yet I'm not even sure whether it would be covered or not.  I also worry about the new stomach stretching to the point of where I could eat a bigger amount of food.  I don't know.  I might spend a little time lurking on the DS board and then do deeper research on the net.  I just really feel like I'm leaning toward the RNY more than anything.  I guess that poster's comment planted some seeds of doubt that I need to question.  Thanks again for your reply.  BTW -- you lookin' preeeetty awesome!

Welcome!  I'm originally from Oakland, now living in Colorado. I had the RNY, and I weighed 407 lbs on surgery day.  I weigh 214 today (but keep in mind that my highest weight was 500+ lbs, I lost 123 lbs before surgery, so I think my body might be done losing until I have PS).  I sometimes wish I'd had the DS, but that's because I wonder what it would be like to be able to eat sweets, carbs, etc again.  On the other hand, the RNY is really best for me because sweets, carbs, etc are what got me to 500+ lbs in the first place.  I don't need to be able to eat them.  I do dump on sugar, which is a blessing. Some folks who have had the DS are a bit militant about it (no one in this forum, though!) and say the RNY is doomed to failure.  My sister had a DS and it failed, so nothing is foolproof.  The most important thing to keep in mind is that whichever surgery you choose, it's only a tool.  It requires dedication and lifelong commitment to change.  Research both surgeries carefully and you'll know which one is best for you. Kix

Hey ex-East Bayer!  Kix, thanks so much for your response.  I'm going to do some digging and search out pros and cons and more info on the DS as well as RNY today.  I really do feel like I'm leaning more towards RNY though.

Kami, Be careful making your decision... like Kix said some of the DS folks can be quite overwhelming with their opinions. Now having said that be sure you do as much research as you possibly can!! This place is the best for that!!! Start printing out articles, info etc & make yourself a list of pros & cons!! There were some serious things about DS that I didn't like so that's why I chose RNY. You need to make that choice for yourself & don't let yourself be bullied or scared away!! Don't get me wrong - everyone is entitled to their opinions & that is a good thing just do your homework. Check with your local surgeon & see what he/she can tell you about all of your options - they will know what's best for you medically & you will know what will work for personally!! I started out my journey at 437.4 & am now down to 294 so RNY can & does work. I know the proof is in the pudding so to speak in a few years when I am maintaining my weightloss!! A lot of folks say we are doomed by our surgery choice but I think it's more your mental attitude & the amount of effort you put into it!! If you choose to succeed you can make it work no matter what!!! Good luck!! Cece

Hey Cece, What an amazing loss you've had!  Thanks so much for your reply -- especially the reminder about doing my research and having a positive mental attitude.  Even though I feel more comfortable with the idea of having a RNY, I'm definitely going to start doing some comparison research with the DS.  Thanks again for getting back to me.

Kami, Thanks, I am pretty amazed at the loss so far myself!! Who would've imagined it? Not me at first!! By all means do research on every option out there - what works for me may not work for you!! It's a tool & each one has different things to deal with for the rest of our lives!! You have to decide what will be easiest for you to live with!! I truly believe that once you make the selection the mental part is going to be the hardest (it was for me in the beginning)!! Work on that & you can achieve anything!! If you need anything just give me a shout - I'll help anyway I can!! Good Luck!! Cece

Thanks Cece! I hope you're having a great weekend.

Hi Kami,  I'm trying to decide which surgery to have myself.  It's hard.  I read everything I can and I lurk on the DS board and have asked a question too and got some good advice.  I just can't make up my mind.  One day I'm all for the RNY, then I read something and then I want the DS.  I go back and forth.   My main problem is that I'm not a meat eater really and I'm afraid if I get the DS I will be lacking in protein.  THen at the same time I think I need the dumping factor to keep me in line...but not everyone dumps, so I can't count on that either.   Sooo, I like you, will keep reading and researching and hope I make the right decision for myself.   Good luck in your journey too.  Linda