Trying to decide between the RNY and the DS surgery.

You've posted somewhat the same question before, but I'll answer again anyway...

The DS has the best statistics of any wls for percentage excess weight loss, for maintaining that weight loss, and for resolution of almost all comorbidities. It also has a much lower failure rate than RNY. While it works great for the "lightweights" of the wls world, it is esp useful for people with higher bmi's who have more weight to lose.

     Weight regain is the dirty little secret of RNY. The failure rate for RNY is 30%, and that's with a threshold for "success" at losing just 50% of your excess weight. To me, that failure rate is unacceptable. You will have to make your own decision. But if you think the threat of dumping will keep you from regaining, guess again. Dumping has never been shown to be a weight loss tool. It is nasty side effect that some, but not all, patients with RNY get, to some degree, and for some people it's fats that cause dumping, for some it's sugars...and some people figure out just exactly how much of the food in question they can eat before they will dump and eat up to that point. There is no way to predict whether or not YOU would dump, or what foods might lead to dumping, or even if whether or not the fear of dumping would stop you from eating those foods. In other words, dumping or not dumping shouldn't be a factor in your decision.

     Also with the DS, you have the advantages of being able to drink with meals (after the initial recovery phase, of course), no food getting stuck, being able to take NSAIDs, and pretty much being able to eat a small, normal meal.

     There are many reasons why more people get RNY, but effectiveness and quality of life aren't on the list.

Larra

I had the DS last week.  Here is why I chose it over the RNY:

NSAIDS:  That includes Advil (ibupropin) Aleve (Naproxin sodium) or any other type of anit-inflamatory, cannot be taken EVER if you have the RNY.

Regain:  There are a LOT of people *****gain after RNY and the sleeve.  I could not handle another failure. The long term results with the DS are much better.

Pyloric Valve:  They bypass it with the RNY, but it is kept with the DS.  I want as much of a normal functioning stomach as possible. I don't want to have to worry about anything getting "stuck".

Stomach:  The old portion of the stomach is not removed with the RNY, but it is with the DS.  Studies show that removing the excess stomach actually helps reduce the hunger hormone.  Plus, it is possible to still get an ulcer in the old stomach, but it is very hard to treat since it is "sealed off".  So, I like the idea of getting it out of there...no ulcer potential and less hunger!

Eating:  I like the fact that I can eat a much more "normal" diet with the DS. There aren't as many restrictions with the DS.  Even though "dumping" may sound like a good thing (I thought so too), trust me, the new tummy of a DS certainly does not like if you eat the wrong thing.  Too sweet, too much or too fast, and you will regret it!

The DS is referred to as the platinum of WLS...the very best.  Well, I only want to do this once.  I do not ever want to have to go through another surgery unless absolutely necessary.  Plus, even though you could potentially revise from RNY to DS, it is not recommended, is hard to find a surgeon to do it, and the success rates are not as good as what they are as if you had the DS done originally.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

congrats on getting your DS surgery, 6Penn!!   I am really glad to hear it. 

I've had both.  I had RNY in May of 2008.  Lost to no where near goal and promptly began to regain, no matter what I did.  I had severe hypoglycemia.  It was a miserable couple of years! 

I had my revision to DS in April of 2011.  I am at my lowest weight ever and have never been healthier.  I am delighted that you are doing your research and looking at all the options.  I did not do that.  I was stupid and suffered.  With your BMI, you really should be looking at the DS.  Like someone else said, go to dsfacts.com and read everything there.  Make sure that you have a vetted DS surgeon!  That is the most important thing. 

DS has gained a lot of ground in the last few years with insurance, and with a BMI over 50, it makes the most sense of all the procedures.  Some other things to chew on:

Gas and loose stools are prevalent with RNY as well as DS.  Its a result of what you eat, and very controllable when you learn what foods affect you.

DS has the best permanent results for Type 2 Diabetes (98% total cure rate)

RNY is the preferred procedure with people who suffer GERD.  There is something about the anatomy that provides relief (or at least no new problems)

Both require a tailored approach to supplementation - and individual needs vary.  There are some extremely knowledgeable people of both procedures that are of great help to us, much more than the average nutritionist or dietician (both relatively useless for DS)

I had the DS last week as well. The main reason I chose it is because it is the best surgery for me to get the weight off and then to maintain that loss. While doing research I was astounded at the number of people that had RNY that were struggling with a lot of weight regain -- that surgery isn't nearly as "foolproof" as I was led to believe. Lots of these people were beating themselves up over the weight gain and hoping to revise to the DS -- I figured I could not take another weightloss  failure so I went for the DS.

With Dr. Bonanni he believes if you have a BMI over 50 the DS is best for you. I agree because the the high failure rate in those of us over BMI 50. I believe as long as you understand the effect of the vitamins if you miss them will have on you and are willing to make that life long change than I suggest the DS. My mother in law had RNY and 8 years later she is active yet still can not lose the weight she gained since her initial loss. While my grandfather in law had the DS 5 years ago and he has remained the same size maybe bouncing between 10 pounds nothing like the 40 my MIL gained on top of that fact she never lost near to where she needed to. There are a lot of reasons why I am choosing the DS. The best advice is look into the lifestyles of both and see the failure rates.