DS vs Gastric Bypass

I am just starting my medically supervised diet and I am hoping to have surgery in January 2015. I have been over weight my entire life. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for DS vs Gastric Bypass? I do have PCOS. I have decided that the sleeve is not for me. Any help is appreciated. My surgeon does not seem to like the DS at all. When I went in for my consultation and told him I was undecided but leaning towards the DS I got the impression that he does not like performing that surgery.

I also have been overweight my whole life and have pcos.( took me 6 years to conceive) .. I can only tell you my choice to have ds was the best choice I have ever made. I feel free... I have lost 100 pounds in 9 months and now have a normal bmi! I eat good yummy foods daily and still enjoy the foods I loved before... For me the gastric was not even a option... It was ds... Or nothing! I had way too many friends fail with gastric... If you know you will be able to stick to the vitamin needed for life and have the option to go with ds... I say do it...BUT it has to be your choice! Good luck Hun! 

I'm not sure how the PCOS really effects the choice of surgery. I was overweight my entire adult life (currently 56) and decided that the 
DS was for me based on a couple of things. 
1) Lower percentage of weight regain than the bypass
2) Greater chance my diabetes would be resolved (It was)
3) Greater chance of hitting my goal weight of 220 (I'm at 245 after 16 months)
4) Since the sleeve is part of the DS the fact that the stomach was intact and not made into a pouch
    was a big plus.

Still you just make the best choice you can and work with it. DIfferent people make different choices.

Good luck,

Pete

It's likely that your surgeon doesn't do the DS at all.  They aren't as plentiful because the surgery is more complicated for them.  

What Val said! A surgeon who does not do the DS isn't going to recommend it, and most bariatric surgeons don't do it. Sounds like you need a different surgeon. The best list of DS surgeons is at dsfacts, though it badly needs updating.

The DS has the best statistics of any bariatric surgery for percentage excess weight loss, for maintenance of that weight loss, and for resolution of almost all comorbidities. Weight regain is a major problem with gastric bypass that isn't talked about enough. The DS also allows for a more normal diet and there is no laundry list of foods that you are never supposed to eat ever in your life. It doesn't, or rarely, cause dumping, which is NOT a weight loss tool but rather is a nasty side effect that some, but not all, patients get with gastric bypass. The DS allows you to safely take NSAIDs. They are contraindicated with gastric bypass for the rest of your life. You have normal stomach emptying through the pylorus. Lots of advantages!

Both operations require a lifelong commitment to taking certain vitamins and minerals, but more with the DS. It's a crucial commitment, but not difficult once you get into a routine. And both require regular lab work to make sure your vitamin and protein levels are ok, just more labs with the DS. I consider this a very small price to pay, but you must make your own decision.

Larra