Question:
I am going to have Dr. Aguirre in Mexico do my surgery and I'm curious...

I am curious to know if anyone who has also had him do their surgery has had Distal RnY? I really want more malabsorbtion than just a regular RnY would be so I was just wondering?? Thank you in advance for any information!!    — Maggie M. (posted on April 29, 2004)

April 28, 2004
I actually asked Dr. Aguirre if he could bypass more than he normally does. He said he wouldn't because of 2 reasons. First of all, he said that other surgeons when they measure the intestines, tend to stretch it like a rubber band, he stated that he did not stretch them. Secondly, he said that he didn't want to bypass more because I should be able to stick to the lifestyle changes in food and if I couldn't, I shouldn't be having the surgery. So, I had 120 cm bypassed and have lost 210 lbs in the past year. I started with 265 to lose and am 55 from goal. Within a year, I am considering myself very lucky. I will tell you though that I don't dump... on ANYTHING. I kinda wish I did but I don't, so I have to be diligent about being good with my food and going to the gym 3-4 days a week and busting my butt! Feel free to drop me an e-mail if you have any other questions. Good luck! Shawna - Dr. Aguirre - 5/2/03 - 445/235/180
   — SMG I.

April 29, 2004
Hi Maggie! Dr Aguirre told me the exact same thing he told Shawna. He is very good at what he does, but will not deviate from it, stressing that this surgery is a lifestyle change and a tool, not just a tool. Change is never easy, but I'm not sure I would want the worry that goes with a more extensive bypass. Congratulations on having the courage to make the decision! He is a fantastic Dr. LeeAnn RNY 10-14-04 300/206/150
   — doglover

April 29, 2004
Dr. Aguirre does it one way, his way. And, what he does is done right. I had my surgery with him slightly more then five months ago and have already lost 128 pounds. Distal or proximal it just comes down to following the rules! Good luck in your journey. Mary 345/217/160
   — y0maria

April 29, 2004
I completely understand your reasoning and there are a lot of people who feel as you do and won't settle for a one sized fits all approach. The bad thing about that is that you'll need to pay for it. There is a Mexico Dr. who performs the distal RNY but he is much more expensive. I can't recall his name (Herrera maybe?) of the top of my head but you'll find info on him in the archives. I once posted his name and the costs but don't have that info anymore. The other thing people tend to lean towards when they want more malabsorption is the DS because it is like a truly distal RNY as far as common channel length but with a different handling of the rest of the surgery, including giving you a fully functioning stomach. You can get a DS with the short commmon channel like you're requesting for about 10K in either Brazil or Mexico. I'd do a lot of research to make sure you really want a common channel that short, and if so if you're certain between the RNY and the DS. However, if you're set on using Dr. Aguirre you'll have to go with what he does. It can be a good thing to do one thing and do it well. Just make sure its the one thing you want done with your own body. BTW, I think its great that you're thinking and asking questions beforehand. Its very smart.
   — Shelly S.

April 29, 2004
I for one have been very impressed with the weight loss totals of Dr. Aguirre's patients. As far as distal or proximal, I have found that other proximal patients have posted that they have only 80 cm bypassed, so that is quite a difference. I'm not sure how much is normal, but it's not like we don't get a fair amount bypassed. After all, that is well over a meter bypassed. As for the DS, I have a non-scientific observation I've made about that. Originally I wanted a DS, but I found recently that the people I know who have had it aren't losing much lately. I can only surmise that it might be because they don't have the pouch to deal with so they eat more, and they also have it in their head that they have enough malabsorption to allow them to eat a lot of very high calorie foods and get away with it. While this is true to a degree, I wonder how many are lulled into an attempt to "try" it and see how far they can go. I may be dead wrong about it, but it just seems to feel that is the way it is. Anyway, I loved my experience with Dr. Aguirre and I am very happy with the procedure he did for me. At first I thought I wanted the DS because I didn't trust myself, but I realize now that this was exactly what I needed and I'm very happy with the results so far! **Dina**
   — Dinka Doo

April 30, 2004
I am one that self paid for my surgery. I shopped for a doctor that would do a surgery that would be more likely to have the best long term results. It isn't about living by the rules, because many of us HAVE lived by the rules, and they haven't worked for us, thus the NEED for bypass surgery. I really hate the idea that because we are fat, we need to just push away from the table....to abide by the rules....because we have a character defect or flaw because if we didn't, we wouldn't be fat. Maybe for some, but not for all. I had a distal RNY after much research, and if I were to do it over, I'd probably have the DS. (Check out Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey, MX) The thing to look for is a doctor's long term patients. Where are they 3,4 5, 10 years out? Are they keeping their weight off? While being a distal means I must be more vigilant in my supplementation, I still have the battle of keeping the weight off. I can only imagine the feelings of failure I'd have had I done a proximal. I'm 4 years post, and find myself fighting regain, even though I AM abiding 99% by the rules, and in my opinion 100%..but allowing 1% for an occasional oops. So, before you make your decision, check out the Graduate-Ossg list on Yahoogroups, as you will find people up to 21 years post there. You will see what the long term results are for the various surgeries, and it should help you to make a more informed choice. HTH. Regards~ Jacque
   — Statuesque