DS vs RNY- help!

I'm 23 and have been overweight literally all my life. I REALLY want a DS but I've just spoken to a Clinical Specialist Bariatric Nurse today from Chelsea and Westminster hospital in London (where I'd be referred for Bariatric Surgery) and she said that she is totally against DS surgery. She would recommend a Roux en-Y Procedure. One of the reasons I don't want a Roux en-Y is because I want to avoid 'dumping' but she said they used dumping as a tool to prevent you from eating badly! She also said the DS had horrible side effects and you'd be a slave to vitamins and supplements. 

However, despite having to take supplements all my life and smelly gas and loose stools (which doesn't bother me one bit)  I still want a DS! Badly! Is there anyone who's had a DS who has regretted not going for a Roux en-Y instead???

I've heard of far more RNY people revising to DS.  You couldn't pay me to have an RNY.  Go see Mr. Patel in London.  I think that's  his name.

Stick to your guns! She doesn't know what she's talking about. While it is true that you will have to take vitamins and minerals for the rest of your life, that's also true with the RNY. The DS has the very best long-term, maintained weight-loss stats, and at 21 you HAVE to be thinking about the long-term. Any 'horrible side effects' from the DS are self-induced most of the time---it's very important to listen to your body and feed it the right foods ( Loose stools and smelly gas tend to be directly related to what you're putting in your mouth.)

When I was researching surgery, I could have had an RNY for almost no cost to me. Instead, I chose to pay my surgeon's fee ($7500) out of pocket in order to have the DS instead. It's been worth every penny.

SHE doesn't get to choose what happens to your body.  YOU DO.  

There are others in your area that have had the DS with Dr. Patel.  Can you see him?

Yep, get a second opinion from Mr Ameet G Patel.  I'm pretty sure the NHS will let you have a second opinion.  Mr Patel's great - I see him for my follow up even though my surgery was in Belgium.

Mr Patel is in King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill (south of the river if that helps with geography).

BTW the gas is only bad when you eat junk.

What she is totally against is fine for her...as long as it is her body. This is your body,you need to have the surgery you want and that you know you can live with.

You have to have vitamins the rest of your life with any surgery except the lap band and you definitely don't want that! Just sayin...

I had the Ds in March and have had no problems. if I eat carbs...then...yes I am going to have lose stools and way stinky gas. that helps keep me on the right path,esp. if i have to go somewhere the next day.

Only 30% of RNY'ers dump. what if you are in the 70% who don't? there is also the fact that the malabsorption stops after about 3 years and you absorb all you eat. the malabsorption is forever with the Ds as you likely know. there is also reactive hypoglycemia. Google that.

GL with your decision,but don't let ANYONE make that decision but you!

Early on from doing my research I knew I wanted the DS yet when I went for my consult I was a little shy to tell surgeon I wanted the DS. When I got home I immediately regretted my choice and called the surgeon to tell him what I really wanted was a DS. He agreed and told me he was surprised I had opted for the sleeve cuz he had sensed that I truly wanted the DS. Point being I think we pretty much know we want the DS but for some reason we shy away from requesting it outright. It's like we feel we don't deserve the DS which was eloquently referred to as the luxury car weight loss sugery by some American surgeon. Why settle for the "toyota" when the luxury car is just as available for the taking. 

I apologize if my rant doesn't make sense but bottom line: you know you want it, don't be shy to ask for it!

I Love my DS!

Ugh. I went somewhere too that was pushing RNY, but it was because it's was easier for their surgeons, and they could do them faster and therefor make more money off them. I care about what is best and easiest for ME to live with for the rest of my life, not what is easier for them to do in a few hours or making the hospital a few thousand more bucks per hour.

And the honest truth is, the drawbacks of the DS also apply to RNY. They both can have poop and gas issues to resolve, and have to take supplements. Usually different types/amounts, but both have to be committed for life.

The kicker is that the RNY has many drawbacks that the DS doesn't have. Possible dumping, reactive hypoglycemia, marginal ulcers, stoma issues like stricture or stretching, inability to drink with meals or take NSAIDs for pain. RNY has more regain issues, and isn't as good at dealing with some co-morbidities like cholesterol or type2 diabetes. 

The nurse is saying what the hospital / insurance want her to say so they can make more $$$, but you deserve the best, so fight for what you really want.

Oh yeah, and there is no evidence showing that those that dump are any more successful than those that don't, just more miserable.

I am finding that there are ALOT of people trying to talk me out of it. I was starting to get really sensitive about it...Finally, today I said to some one, "It means a lot to me that you care enough to offer your input. I want you to know that I've spent a lot of time researching and making a decision that's best for me. " Then I ended the conversation. 

Why the heck do I have to keep defending my choice?

Why are medical professionals so against DS? (Not all of them, just the ones I seem to come in contact with.LOL). 

I am learning that in order to get what is best for me, I have to advocate for myself. 

I have met many, many people with the RNY and the fear of dumping has not stopped them from eating what they really want to eat. They just plan for it. They take some time away from life, eat the crap that they want to eat, then puke, pass out or whatever until they feel better. Done. It's not so awful that they don't still risk it. It's just awful enough that they don't do it every day. 

I don't know about you, but I was punished enough by being heavy. I don't need to be punished the rest of my life for eating spaghetti sauce or cake. I LOVE my DS because I have freedom in my food choices. Right now, I am eating a huge salad, drowning in bacon, cheese, chicken and dressing. I ate a tamale with it. I will have a candy bar in about 1 hour.

If this broad thinks you will not be a "slave to vitamins" with a RNY, then run screaming from their offices. RNYers need vitamins as much as we do. In some cases, they need more. Their aftercare must be crap.

I had my DS with Dr. Rabkin more than 5 years ago and I love it! My pre-surgery weight was 344 and I weigh 157 today.

Nicolle