Question:
RNY or DS?

I've been reading hundereds of posts on here and it seems like the people who have the DS pretty much go back to normal and keep the weight off. Is there a reason why so many more people get the RNY?    — jtaormina (posted on February 25, 2009)

February 25, 2009
RNY is covered by most insurance companies, and many insurance companies consider DS to still be "experimental". Also it's a surgery with more "nutritional challenges". It comes with the need for higher supplements needed daily, high potential for diarrhea, more malnutrition, etc. RNY has less issues for the surgeon to deal with too. So there are many reasons why the RNY seems to be done in higher numbers. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

February 25, 2009
Dave is essentially correct. There is another surgery that most people rarely hear about that is similar to the DS. It is the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. It is similar to the DS in that the stomach is converted into a sleeve just as it is in the DS. It is DIFFERENT in that there is no BYPASS, as there is in both the DS and in the RNY. Because of this, there is no issue with malabsorption, diarrhea, or the other issues that are common to BOTH of the other procedures. The VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) is comparable in efficacy to the RNY (Gastric Bypass). It is only a restrictive procedure, however, like the Lap Band, but it does not use a mechanical device to provide the restriction. It is the safest weight loss procedure currently practiced, and it is frequently used as the procedure of choice for conversions from Lap Band surgeries that have gone bad. The biggest problem with this procedure is that it too is still considered as an "experimental surgery" by many insurance companies despite the fact that there is plenty of evidence that this procedure WORKS and is SAFE. The problem is that the evidence was gained from operations that were performed for the removal of stomach cancer and from the removal of stomach ulcers, so the US Government will not allow the data to be used as evidence for proof of WEIGHT LOSS, since the surgeries were not SPECIFICALLY for WEIGHT LOSS. Until there is a body of evidence that is ten years old based on US DATA, they will not state that the procedure is anything MORE than experimental. Because of that, some insurance companies take a short sighted view of the procedure. They fear lawsuits if there is some sort of failure. They fail to realize that it would be in THEIR best interest AND in the PATIENT'S best interest to have THIS procedure done instead of the more RADICAL procedures. It is almost nearly exactly as effective as the RNY WITHOUT the nasty side effects, and can EASILY be converted to the Duodenal Switch LATER if need be. The Duodenal Switch IS the most EFFECTIVE surgical method of weight loss currently available today. It is also the most radical. It has the harshest side effects, and requires a life long commitment to a dietary supplement regimen. This is because of the severe malabsorption that comes with the bypassed intestinal tract. It also requires regular monitoring of the patients blood. The physician requires that the patient has his or her blood tested regularly to see that there are the required amounts of certain minerals and hormones. You have to do this for the rest of your life with BOTH the RNY and the DS. You do NOT with the VSG. For this reason ALONE, the insurance companies would be better off paying for the VSG instead of all other forms of weight loss surgery. It is better for THEM, and for the patient. If you want to find out more about the different types of weight loss surgeries available today, check out my profile page at: http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/hubarlow/ . Look for my post titled "Surgical Comparisons." If you can't find it on the main profile page, look for it in the March 2008 archives.
   — hubarlow

February 25, 2009
I had the VSG in July and lost 92 pounds and still losing and feel great and my blood work comes back good. My niece had the VSG in Oct and she has lost 78 pounds and feels good too, her blood work is also good. I would do this again in a heartbeat.
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 26, 2009
Hello! I had lap RNY in Sept of 2006. No regrets - lost 200+ pounds and am at goal weight. I have maintained by weight for more than 2 years now. I believe any WLS can be successful if you manage your program well. Best of luck!
   — waferqueen