Important question.....which suregry to pick???

Hi all!! 

I am sure you all love seeing my face and all of my kazillion question I have, but how else am I to learn if I don't ask, seek, and knock??

So I basically have my mind set up for the RNY, but I came across somebody who had the DS. I have done some research both, but I am just wondering what surgey you all have and what you would recommend me. I know that its a personal choice, and no one should tell me what to get, but I need suggestions... here are some things about me to help out with your answers....

I am 23 and 284 pounds
Been trying to have kids for 1 1/2 yrs with my husband
Haven't been diagnosed with PCOS, but my cycles are ALL MESSED UP since I gained my last 50 lbs
High blood pressure (thanks mama and daddy!!)
back problems
asthma

One thing I have noticed while reading lots of posts is that some DSers can be kinda mean! Sorry to say that, and please don't take it personal, but I am just wondering why that is? Anyway! Help from both sides would be LOVELY! Thanks!!!

First things first. Can you clarify your name for me? Is it Channel? (I just wanna get that straight)

The surgery that you decide on has to be the right surgery for you. I suggest you check out bariatrictv.com and start the episodes from the beginning. They go through a series that they talk about 4 of the major surgery types and it may help you decide based on the pros and cons of each.

I cant tell you what to pick but I can tell you why I picked RNY. The main reason that I chose RNY is because of my personal eating habits, bad habits, and the dumping syndrom. I NEED the reinforcement of dumping. I love sweets and fats and that is part of why I am the way I am. Knowing that now I cannot eat these things because I will get sick and dump gives me the extra boost to stay away.

The drawbacks of course are the malabsorbtion and the vitamin loss that RNY patients have. So you have to closely monitor your vitamin and protien levels.
 
My main choices were between gastric banding and the RNY. I did not even consider DS because of how complicated it is. The band wasnt for me and RNY fit me and my personality.

LOL! Yes my name is Channel (like the perfume!).....except with an extra 'n'. They asked my mom when she was still drugged up how to spell my name. She slurred an extra N. But I LOVE IT!!
People call me 'Channel' (like the TV channel)  all the time though. On purpose! So Im used to it, and I think its funny.

Thanks for your journey experience. And for giving me that website! I will definitely be checking that out tonight or this weekend!

One other thing to think of. WLS for infertility is very effective. I have heard that it is harder to not get pregnant after surgery during your weightloss than it is to get pregnant before. You want to make sure that your weight has been stable for a period of time before you try to get pregnant.

I also chose RNY as my surgery for a number of reasons. Like the previous poster I have issues with sweets and fats and I want and need the restriction that will force me make better food choices, not allow me to keep eating what I have been my whole life.

DS works for some but it's very complex, very risky and for me the restrictions and knowing that if I chooose poorly I'm going to pay for it helped me a lot. A lot of people will say that RNY doesn's work in the long run but I disagree. Yes there are reasons why any WLS would not succeed in the long run, but I feel that if I successfully lose my excess weight and I keep up with my Dr's plan there's no reason for my surgery to fail. Someone once told me something that sticks with me. WLS is a lifetime, all enclusive deal, not something you stop doing once you're at goal weight.

Do your research, go to seminars, classes, make sure you are very educated about the options, research your surgeon and that will help you choose.

Good Luck

The DSers tend to be very...."forceful" about promoting their surgery while criticizing all other WLS surgery options and the people who choose them. I have no clue why that is.

I can't really help you with your decision. I had the VSG done and wouldn't change my choice for anything else. The only thing I can tell you is that you should do your own research and reading at OH and other sites, and don't let anyone, whether it's the DSers or even someone who had RNY, sway you. You need to decide which surgery would work best for you with unbiased information.

This is a decision only you and your surgeon can make. I didn't want the lapband because I didn't want to worry about fills and I didn't want the DS or RNY because I didn't want my intestines moved. 

I had the VSG and I am thrilled that I did.

ROTFL at "forceful"!!!  Excellent description. I do like my DS peeps, but they can bowl ya over.

I'm asking many of the same questions, even after 2 years of observation. I'm not more sure than I was back then.

At first I thought the band was the way to go - less invasive.
Then it was RNY, cuz that's what my PCP recommended.
Then I got the DS religion for a while, but my Ins does not cover it.
Had resigned to RNY but could not quit smoking.
Then I thought Medifast was da bomb.

2 years later I'm down about 85 lbs. Haven't lost much in a year, but I'm not exercising as much as I was.

Now I think the VSG looks good, but again, is not covered. I want to go to my local hospital, but I can't. I have to drive to Portland, and I hate city driving. Stresses me out, altho it is even WORSE if DH drives.

What is wrong with me that I can't take the next step? I even found the old application under a pile on my desk. I could fini**** and send it in. Why am I paralyzed?

Sorry to go on so --- I just understand your dilemma. I want to pick the right surgery the 1st time too. I don't want there to BE a 2nd time!

Stickin up for the DS peeps here :) Some are downright buttholes, some are rather forceful, and others just wanna get the good word around.

DS has best results for maintaining weight loss. Also has best results for those with high BMI. Stomach is fully functioning, no dumping. Only thing you really have to watch is carbs, no calorie counting.

The closer I got to my RNY, the more I was dreading it. When I found out about the DS, I felt a big weight lift off my shoulders.

I do NOT think that the DS is the answer to everyone, everywhere. But I see an awful lot of people here who say that they would have had the DS, had they known, or had the chance. I have to be honest, and say that I do think the RNY is not as effective, and has more side effects than DS, but I truly wish all of us the very best, as we are all on the same path, just taking different routes.

Please look at www.dsfacts.com or www.duodenalswitch.com. Also, please visit the DS forum, truly the majority of people over there are really nice, really helpful, and knowledgeable.

Please ask me any questions you may have. I promise I won't ever be mean :)

well if you don't want to be on OH in 2 or 3 years crying about regain, then get the DS. It is hands down the best surgery for those with a BMI of over 50.

Go to www.dsfacts.com

Scott