Why did you choose DS over VSG?

The DS works better than any procedure that is restrictive only.  The sleeve is just another diet with a smaller stomach.  It MIGHT work for you but the DS WILL work.  And long term is a whole other story.  What works well for the 1st couple years may not work down the road.

I have to watch what I eat even with the DS.  If I'd had just the sleeve I have no doubt I would be very unhappy.  

Bottom line...  Think twice, cut once!

HIgh Blood Pressure - resolved

Sleep Apnea - resolved

SMO - resolved

Mobility - increased

Clothing costs - decreased

Closer to normal eating style than RNY, according to surgeon - very true

Least chance of significant weight regain - true

Is the tradeoff some diarrhea and gas? Besides taking vitamins. 

Also, what happens if you are in a situation where you cannot get to your vitamins?  For instance, if you are on a Caribbean vacation and there is some natural disaster and you cannot get off the island,  or something where you just cannot physically get to some vitamins (say, for 3 weeks)?

You don't drop dead if you miss a few doses.  It's what you do long term that counts.

I plan for vacations/trips and take what I need with me.  If I was stuck on that Caribbean island for three weeks, I wouldn't stress over it.  I would take any/all vites I could find in probably quadruple doses and make sure I ate whatever I could find that would help make up for what I was missing.  Something is always better than nothing.  I wouldn't be all that worried about D because I would probably be getting lots of sun exposure.  I would do the best I could with what I had.  And in the meantime, I would enjoy that island! 

I should start by saying that I am pre-op with a VSG scheduled for January 10th.

I originally met with my surgeon for the RNY as that is the surgery that the province of Ontario pushes due to "long-term success rates." Since I take NSAIDS and an SSRI daily, I decided to ask my surgeon to approve me for the VSG  so that I could continue taking my meds. He approved me for the VSG as a stage I procedure to having the DS as a stage II procedure ~1 yr later. I have heard the DS referred to as the "Cadillac" of weight-loss surgery, so since I was approved for it, I definately wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. I would have asked to go ahead and just have the DS right away so I wouldn't have to be put under twice, but currently there is only 1 surgeon in the Greater Toronto Area doing the DS surgery and my surgeon is not him. I would have ended up waiting another year to have my surgery (I've already been waiting 1 1/2yrs) and I need to lose some serious weight now. So for now, I am having the VSG.