TO DS or not to Ds..??

Hello everyone. I have been in the process of having weight loss surgery for about 4 months now (getting things together for insurance) surgery date should be Oct. Or Nov. I have read some books, & did research. I decided to go w. The rny...but i met w. My surgeon & due to my bmi & insulin resistance..he reccomends the ds. But from the beginning thats the one ive strayed away from. I like the benefits & advantages of the ds & i wouldnt think twice about having it done, but im a single mom w. Two kids & im afraid of the higher risk rate of the ds..i cant leave my babies behind...but at this high of bmi i am unable to do many things i want to w me...ride horses, ride roller coasters..go carts..u all who who suffer know the feeling. I guess im just looking for feedback..stories..help deciding?? Lol:/ THank you all.

With what I know now I would never have had the RNY (I had it twice) like you because I had a little child. The convesion to the DS was a much more major and riskier surgery. I would have the DS but make sure - please, please - you have a vetted and known surgeon who has done a lot of the surgeries. There is a site people recommend - www.dsfacts.com - and check to see if your surgeon is there.

Risk wise given a good surgeon I don't think there is much difference between RNY and DS. They are both done lap (can't spell that word sorry ;-) but without an open incision. That is huge in terms of lowering the risk.

Best of luck in your journey. Terri

Thank you Im very much thinking about the ds..would hands down do it if i knew id make it out of surgery..i still have around 2a mos. To make final dedicion. Thanks again for your help

The myth that the surgical risks are higher with the DS than with RNY has persisted for a long time. In actuality, a study was published in 2006 where 2 groups of similar patients, all with bmi over 50, each had either DS or RNY with the same surgeons during the same time period.
    Guess what - the rate of complications was almost identical for both groups! The DS patients lost more weight, and the longer they were post-op, the larger the difference in weight loss became.
    In the old days, and sadly still today with some surgeons, only the heaviest patients were offered the DS. Naturally the complication rate turned out higher, as these were sicker patients with greater surgical risk. If you compare similar patients, the risks are the same for either operation, but the RESULTS are superior for the DS.

Larra

THANKS so much for the info/help...i really think the ds would be besy for me..just gotta work up some more courage!

 The high risk is in the hands of the doc, not you.  If the doc is high-skilled, then the risks of surgery are no more than RNY.  If you are one who will make the effort to take care of yourself and take vitamins, then the risk is the same as RNY.  It's a more drastic surgery, but in the hands of a skilled surgeon, no more risky.

Thank you so much for your help

Your bigger risk isn't from the surgery itself but from not being compliant after the surgery with vitamins, supplements and lab work.  It is a lifelong commitment.  Yes, you need to do the same thing with the RNY but with the DS the consequences of not being compliant can be worse but in either case you need to know that you will always have access to vitamins, supplements and lab work.  Going in once a year for a follow up isn't enough.  You need to be proactive and in many cases you will have more knowledge then your health care professional as far as what you need.
Sadly, the rate of compliance after WLS of any kind is fairly low.  Many people get complacent and think that because they feel good they must be healthy but in reality you will always need to work at it or your health could suffer.  Once the weight is off and the novelty has worn off you still need to keep up the protein and vitamins.  Only you know if you are going to be able to do that.

I am going through this too. I know how you feel somewhat (minus the children part lol) I met with my surgeon today too and I had my mind set on the VSG or maybe the RNY but he told me due to my diabetes and my BMI that I would benefit more from the DS. I also had tried to avoid this because from hearing about it and seeing the video of how it is done it sounds SCARY. I am nowhere near a know it all about WLS though lol just wanted to say I am kind of going through the same thing and you are definitely not alone in trying to figure out which one to go with.. Good luck!

Wow! I havent seen any video..idk if i want to..lol. WEll let me know about any info u found out or anything..im greatly thinking about goi.g w. The ds..i talked to a girl in my town who had it done..she looks 100% better also said she feels do much better..its amazing. Im still worried..but i have a little time to decide. Ty for ur reply