Any DS'ers out here? Any revisions from VBG? Love to hear the Male perspective

I'm a VBG(1990) graduate, if you can call it that.  Never had any bad side effects but i've been over 300 lbs. (currently 350) for most of the post-op time.  So i've decided that if I do get a revision, after much reading, it'll be the DS.  Have to make sure it doesn't come back like the first time. I've been hanging around the DS and local (Ontario) board and it's been instructive.  Mostly women, however, so I'm interested in the male experience of both DS and revision from VBG.  How is life with the DS different from with the VBG?  How do men do on DS compared to women?  What are the most common side effects for men?  And on and on...Any input is appreciated.

Surprized no answers after 6 hours.   Hopefully by tomorrow you will have some answers.  Maybe some of us (me) do not understand the question.  What is "DS" & "VGB".   The only letters I know is RNY (open & Laproscopic).   Excuse my ignorance as this is all new to me.  I'm 3 weeks post op with R-NY Open.  I just haven't ran across the initials before.   I'll probably be embarresed when I recognize the initials...  Oh what the hell, I can't know everything.

 

Mike Ray, Ph.D.

Thanks Mike.  To clarify, DS is Duodenal Switch which is an alternative to RNY.  VBG is is Vertical Banded Gastroplasty which is otherwise known as stomach stapling.  Hope this helps.

Hello Zappre, You've gotten me very curious after reading your post. If I may ask, I'd like to find out your story. You say that you've had an RNY 17 years ago and have always stayed above 300 pounds just about all of your post surgery life. What went wrong and how did you manage to NOT lose weight? Did they do the surgery differently 17 years ago?  Maybe make the pouches bigger then?  I just can't fathom not losing the weight after this surgery. Also, I'm a new "graduate" from RNY, so forgive me if I seem rude.

Hey Z, We have quite a few DS guys here. And all seem most successful and delighted with their DS. Hope they drop in, probably will. As for revisions? A couple of guys tops… Have you dropped by the Revisions Board? At- http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/revision/

Or the DS Message Forum at- http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/a,messageboard/board_id ,5357/

You may get higher traffic and abundant info from both sources. Was your ’90 surgery VBG? Or RNY? As for –“How do men do on DS compared to women? What are the most common side effects for men?” Across the spectrum of procedures, Men typically lose faster and maintain goal weight at a higher percentage than the gals. Plain ole physiology. Glad you found this place. Best Wishes- Dx

It seems I totally mistyped my previous surgery, which makes the rest of my post incomprehensible.  I had VBG in 1990.  Never had RNY and don't think it's for me but DS is calling me.  i hope  this clear things up.  As for the other boards, I've been to both and yes, they're full of info.  I simply asked this question here for the male perspective since most other boards are mostly women and I had a male-specific question.  Thanks for the replies.

Z, I was a bit confused by the RNY/VBG inter-mix… As for DS’ers? Some of the constant and prolific posters include- Scott, at- http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/dreamchasser/ Sean, at- http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/sean_b/ George, at- http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/freeagedcool/ G Anthony, at- http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/ganthony101/ Hubba, at- http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/hubba/ Jason, at- http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jasong/ Michael R, at- http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/mlr973/

As well as- Mike G, at- http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/mg5523/ Otto, at- http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/ohanson/ And Walter, (at present a non-op, but very knowledgeable concerning the DS), at- http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/njwanj/ Will, at- http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/willunderwood/ There are others I’m overlooking no doubt. But these are some of the guys who come to mind. All in all, it’s the speed of loss and muscle mass the Men have associated with surgery that seems to be the biggest difference than the gals. That, and the “not easily offended” stuff….

(by the way…the “Queen Mother” of DS info- Diana Cox, is on my “Other Board.” sort of a “WLS-Old-Azzes” group.  Google will take you there.)

 

Hope you find the fix you are looking for! Best Wishes- Dx

I had the DS in Feb of 2006....it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself.  I went from 492 lbs (preop)_ to 202 lbs in just over 17 months. Men normally do better with WLS then women (in general ....from this forum it seems that it dosn't matter what kind of surgery it is....men normally do better).  We lose weight faster, have less plateaus..and if you exercise you'll be able to maintain your muscle mass easier then women do. Also further along post op, from my observation on the DS forums, men tend to be able to eat far more then women and still lose/maintain.  I consistantly eat over 3000 calories, some days as high as 6000  and have no issue maintaining. I'm actually trying not to lose  any more weight, at this point I am trying to stablize....although if I drop between 190-200 I won't cry. I keep my profile pretty up to date if you want to read it....feel free. Scott