Ever wish for the RNY instead of DS?

Hi there. I had the RNY, twice, and had to convert to a DS. I could not sustain weight loss and as a result my co-morbidity issues resurfaced. If I could have had the DS round one instead of round 3 I would have in a heartbeat.

As far as the complications, surgery is surgery. You're taking that gamble going in...in either direction.

Good luck in your decision making

 

 

Absolutely, positively NOT!  I know and have seen far too many RNY's regain most of the weight they lost after the first 18 months.  It is very hard to "eat around" a properly done DS. 

For the first time in my life, I can eat like a *normal* person.  Read very carefully - Eat. Like. A. Normal. Person.

Many of those who turn thumbs down on the DS think we sit around and eat crap all day.  There's noting further from the truth.

DSer's know the restriction gets the weight off, the malabsorption keeps the weight off.  It takes a lot of discipline to adhere to a strict vitamin and mineral regimen (see Vitalady site) to keep yourself healthy after a DS, in addition to getting in enough protein through food, and shakes if need be.

Death from malnutrition is not pretty or fun, but a very real possibility with absolute neglect, or half-taking vites and protein. If not death, you're in for some very serious illnesses due to vitamin deficiency if you're not the disciplined type.

Please do the research on the DS well in advance of your surgery choice.  It is the Platinum Standard for losing and keeping the weight off if you keep up with your nutrition.  It can kill you if you don't.

You can ask vets more senior than I am here ( I'm only coming up on four years out February 25th, and there are DSer's on this board who were among the first in the US to have this surgery, when it was still called "experimental".  You will have to educate EVERY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH POST-OP, as the DS is gaining ground in the US, it is still not mainstream enough, and many health professionals have never even heard of it.  I had to educate my PCP post op, to prepare her to takle care of me after my 5 year surgeon follow, which will come to a close next year.

I have had a bit of recent rebound, but my body started giving up water today, like nobody's business, so I'm sure I will see several pounds gone when I go to the gym tomorrow. 

I no longer own a scale at home ( bathroom sink fell on it, long story), and while I plan to get another one which also measures BMI, I no longer freak out when I can't hop n the scale everyday.  I check my weight every other week, and go by the fit of my clothing, especially pants.

I'm preparing for Phase One of a two-step thigh reduction this year, and my full labs next month will determine whether I'm nutritionally ready for surgery.  I would have had Phase One (lipo) six months ago, but had a number of nutritional issues pop up in labs following the passing of my Mom last April. Phase Two will remove the actual skin, after a six month heal from the lipo. I'm starting with the area tht bothers me the most.  I also get skin infections from time to time, in some of the folds where skin overlaps on my legs, and I have had several cellulitis infections post-op.  Ironically, though obesity is listed as a cause, I never experienced cellulitis until now, even at my highest weight.

Not everyone has excess skin issues with the DS, but my skin was stretched out so far for so long, there was no elasticity left, so no "snap-back" for me.

I also need upper arms done, and breast implants, as there is no fat left in my breasts, just skin and glandular tissue, and I'm sure I could take flight using the skin on my upper arms.

My surgery was not done for appearance sake - it was done for my health, and as part of a plan to once again join the world of work.  Autoimmune disease (Lupus) and fibromyalgia had been very hard to cope with at my heaviest, as medicines other than prednisone with a major flare would not work for me.  They are working now to keep major flares at bay, and I have only had one major flare since my surgery.  Most surgeons will not touch someone like me, but after careful consideration, and the usual pre-op screenings, all involved determined the benefits outweighed the risks.

That  is the "scoop" on my DS journey...and for once in my life, I can stop worrying about my weight, and live the rest of my life as fully as I can.

If you want restrictive dieting forever, have the RNY...(at least, that's my view)...if you want freedom to make your own decisions as to what you eat, and can live with the outcome of your decisions(example: horrifically malodorous gas after eating simple carbs), then the DS is for you.  If you have the kind of weight I had to lose, it may well be your only hope.

***EDIT***  Not everyone has to do a five year follow with the DS.  I'm part of a study, which I consented to pre-op, in hopes that some good will come out of this and help other SMO people.

No way!  I was within weeks of having the RNY, when I "discovered" the DS.  The surgeon I chose, who was closer to home, passed away unexpectedly, so I waited another 6 months, found a surgeon 2 hours away, and got switched in 2009.

I had seen so many other people with RNY regain weight, and I couldn't live with having to do restrictive dieting on top of having a surgical tool.  Just didn't compute for me.

Not like I slide up to the trough like a big ole' hog with the DS, but there are so many more food choices!  I know that simple carbs and simple sugars will not only be 100% absorbed, but with have me playing a smelly tune until the wee hours...so...

I  my DS!