Question:
this is what i have decided to do

Three years ago, I had the adjustable gastric lap band that is still under FDA ruling. I lost only 40 lbs. because the doctors could not adjust the band anymore, it became very infected and had to be removed. While the surgeon did this lap procedure, he injured my spleen and had to convert to open. I had fluid in my lungs, became severe anemic, had a blood transfusion and high fever, high blood pressure, etc. what was supposed to be a two day deal turned out to be two weeks. But guess what? I refuse to let my circumstances get me down. I have decided to take control and have the roux-en-y done. I will not be a prisoner in my body because of one bad event. The doctors and most patients I have read about, say this is the most succesful surgery of all. Good luck to you and God Bless.P.S. you did the best you could, just like I did, now find your inner strength and move to the next phase.    — N S. (posted on July 16, 2000)

July 16, 2000
Hello Nadia! You have went through a lot. I understand your pain and I know you want to lose the weight. I would be scared to even go through anything else. I Had open RNY and this surgery has been excellent for me so far. Many people have decided on the RNY surgeries because of there high successful rates. I wanna wish you much luck and I hope that you do what is best for you. I will keep you in my prayers and GOD BLESS YOU.
   — Queen K.

July 16, 2000
Nadia, glad your moving on towards finding an intervention to control your obestiy, but may i comment that the RNY is very succesful but don't for the DGB/DS procedure thats out there. The DS is as succesful and in some cases better depending on your eating habitsPlease visit WWW.DUODENALSWITCH.COM just my 2 cents-no matter what best of life.
   — TJ J.

July 16, 2000
My husband and I had distal RNY a year apart. We are 5 & 6 yrs out now and have maintained our goal wt since we reached it. Our doctor did VBG and AGB (during the trial phase years ago) and unfortunately, continues to revise these surgeries as time goes on. Those who have converted have been thrilled with their result and how much better they feel with the RNY. It does require some supplementation, but really, so do the others, though not such specific elements. We work with a lot of people who have had bands and rings of all kinds. Hands down, the RNY people have had better wt loss, better maintenance and a more comfortable life. Good luck to you!
   — vitalady

July 16, 2000
Hi Nadia... I am very sorry that your surgery failed you. This surgery has been failing too many people I have a list mate who had the AGB that faied her as well. She has flown all the way from Australia to Oregon to have her revision to the Duodenal Switch. Seems that the DS is the surgery that a lot of folks are revising to... AGB, VGB and RNY. I have not heard of one person having a revision from the DS to another type of WLS. Good luck with your revision.
   — Kris S.

July 16, 2000
Nadia-Just wanted to say I am happy that you didn't let your experiences paralyse you and not move forward to take every chance you have at an obesity free life. I am not saying it is the best choice but I would like to invite you to check out www.duodenalswitch.com before you make your final decision. After reading you might decide to continue with the RNY but at least you will have explored all options before you make a final decision. Best wishes in your decision making process.
   — KAY J.

July 17, 2000
Nadia, what courage you have to do this again!!! I too had a failed VBG in 1994 and need a revision. As a nurse I aggressively researched all available WLS and initially chose rny, but wound up switching to DS. DS statistically has the best long term weight loss and maintenance of all wls. Also, many DS surgeons do conversions of RNY to DS, but never DS to RNY. WE are lucky to live in a country where three very good options are available. This is permanant, so please dont make a decision until you have thoroughly investigated each option to find the one that is best for you. Best of luck to you!
   — Meli ..

July 17, 2000
As usual, the posts with the flaming got deleted, even though they did have some good info included. I have taken the liberty of editing a post from Carla K and from me and re-posting pertinent information. From Carla K - Dear Nadia You are very courageous to continue your fight against obesity when you have been through so much already. I hope you will take the time to research all your options prior to your revision. Someone stated that 80% of the stomach is removed in the DS procedure, which is approximately correct. The stomach is a muscle and within a year and a half the DS portion stomach stretches to a normal (normal for a small person) size stomach again. By this time, DS'ers have lost the majority of their weight and the malabsorption aspect of the DS surgery keeps the DS'ers from gaining their weight back even though they eat normally. Someone said that a large portion of the intestines that is bypassed, insinuating that it is extreme. The portion bypassed is the same as would be bypassed in a Distal RnY. The lower part of the DS surgery (the Y part) is the same as a Distal RnY. The major difference between a Distal RnY and the DS is the upper part of the surgery. The DS stomach remains functioning much as it did before using the pyloric valve and leaving a small portion of the stomach (which stretches). The RnY leaves a small pouch, an artificial outlet, and doesn't use the pyloric valve. I have been on the DS list for more than 1.5 years and have never met anyone who needed to have the DS revised to another type of WLS. However, the DS COULD be revised and even reversed. There are many successful and happy RnY folks out there and I am thrilled that they are as happy with their surgery as I am with mine. Since you want to be sure this is your last WLS, please take the time to select the best surgery for you. Get the facts. To learn about the DS surgery, there is a wealth of information at the www.duodenalswitch.com web site from doctors and patients. Good luck to you. - Carly K This one is from me. - As far as the stomach size... well, it stretches out to a NORMAL person's size... not like it was when we were morbidly obese, or even obese. Since the stomach is left as a normal functioning stomach (i.e. a small stomach, not a pouch with a false opening), why couldnt this be reversd? Its not like an RNY pouch that would require a lot of reconstruction to get it back to normal. This is much harder than one would think. In some cases... it is impossible to reverse the RNY pouch. The best advice I can give, is to talk to surgeons who perform both the RNY and the DS and get the answers that way. You cannot an unbiased opinion from a surgeon who only performs one or the other. Hope this post stays up. Thanks.
   — Kris S.

July 17, 2000
Nadia, You are so brave to be undertaking this again after all you have been through. I just want to say please, please check out all you options before you make your choice. There are wonderful responsis on here. You need to make the choice that is right for you. So again, please check ALL the options available for you. It will be worth it in the long run. Hugs, the other Carla K
   — Carla K.