What to do?

I am on schedule for a RNY in 3 months.  I spoke to my surgeon today.  I think the DS is a better fit for me.  But my surgeon when on and on about how dangerous it was, the increased complications, rada, rada.  He said he doesn't do the DS because of the dangers.

I was made for the DS.  I love the diet plan, and the malabsorbtion of fat/calories is very helpful.   I love that there is no dumping, and the stomach works.

My current surgeon thinks losing 70 lbs is enough.  He said if I weighed 400 lbs, he could see it.  But a BMI of 40 is not enough to do such drastic surgery as the DS.

What is your opinion/experience with the RNY verses the DS.  Ever had buyer's remorse over the DS?

when I went in for my DS in 2010, my bmi was in the 30's yes that is right, there was NO way i would have a RNY, this is a personal decision, but to me it was a much better quality of life.  nutritional deficenies can be managed.  You have to advocate for yourself, make sure you take your vitamins, blood work follow up.  (you have to do that with rny also)  for me i wanted to eat normal amounts of foods, not one spoon be sick, dumping, etc.  again that is me.  malabsorption comes with a high compliance, DS offers you a great quality of life, whatever you choose, I wish you well-just do you homework and pick what is best for you.

GEt yourself a REAL DS surgeon and have the procedure YOU want. Your current surgeon obviously doesn't understand the DS.

Some people think the DS is a more 'dangerous' surgery because in the past, it was reserved for larger, and usually therefore sicker, patients---who are at a greater risk for ANY surgery.  When you compare patients of the same weight and health, there is no more risk in the DS (when done by a competent surgeon) than in the RNY---but a lot more benefits.

You are right in exploring your options.  It is NOT TOO LATE to switch surgeons, who do the DS.

Go to DSFacts.com

And here is the link to the lightweights board, here on OH
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/wls_lightweights/

Well, maybe the risks are why he doesn't do it, or maybe he doesn't know how. Or maybe his group has simply decided not to be bothered with a more complex operation when they can churn out lots of RNYs and bands and sleeves more easily. I don't know.

Are there risks? Sure! But there are risks with RNY as well. The only prospective study that compared the risks with RNY vs. Ds in matched groups of patients, and with the same surgeons during the same time period, showed nearly identical rates of complications for the two groups...but the DS patients lost more weight, and the difference in weight loss became greater as time went on.
     Info about what I believe are the same patients presented at a conference (not published that I know of) also showed better resolution of all major comorbidities for the DS group.
   
    the DS used to be thought to be more risky, and thus was reserved for the heaviest, sickest patients. Well of course those patients are going to have the most complications. If you compare similar patients, the complication rates are the same. The DS is a standard of care operation for anyone who meets the standard NIH criteria for bariatric surgery, and NOT just for those with higher bmi's. Your surgeon may be good at what he does, but his thinking is behind the times.

    Since you are in the Bay Area, you do have access to one of the best DS surgeons around, and also to support groups sponsored by his practice. It is absolutely NOT too late for you to change your surgery plans. I will sent you a pm with more info.

Larra

Thank you for the pm.  I really appreciate the info, since I am in the same local that you are. 

I asked my PCP for a referral to John Rabkin.  My insurance approved it today.  I will get a consult with him on the DS.  Most importantly, see if he accepts my insurance.  I also thought about fulfilling all of my insurance required 6 months of hoop jumping with the RNY surgeon, then at the last minute petition the insurance to let me do the DS.

 I'm glad I found this site.  There seems to be many knowledgeable folks here who go out of their way to help others here.   

Don't set yourself up to be part of the RNY Revision to DS statistics - thats double the surgery and double the risk.  The truth is that the DS is far superior to other weightloss surgeries for longterm success - if you will always take the required supplements and always get the appropriate lab work done at least once a year (more often if needed). Stop going to any surgeon who does not tell you the whole truth.

Thanks everyone for the info.  I'm new to the whole process and I can see that I need to educate myself and be my own advocate.