Question:
RNY vs DS

You will find many RNY'rs who revise to DS but never a DS'r asking for a revision. My insurance only allows the RNY, but it seems weight rebound is greater with the RNY vs the DS. I know all about food intake & restraint, please just advise on which procedure you believe is better. THANKS    — tgilber (posted on July 20, 2011)

July 20, 2011
Honestly, I don't know much about DS. I had RNY four years ago and would choose it again. I lost 136 pounds. Admittedly I gained about 20 lbs back but that was my own fault - I didn't exercise like I should. I have since started walking again and hope to get that 20 lbs off. I'm lucky in that I think I still have a pouch because I can't overeat.
   — Muggs

July 20, 2011
I do not post answers very often, but actually I would have to agree with the previous poster's reply (MUGGS). I had RNY almost 2 years ago and despite my surgeon's calculations I would lose between 80-90#, I went on to far exceed his estimations and lost 130#. I have maintained the same wt. loss since my 1st anniversary, give or take a 3-5# fluctuation. That is the personal goal I have set for myself. As soon as I overdo it (i.e., eat a little too much of the foods I shouldn't, or don't get enough of proper daily physical activity), I retreat back to what I know works -- little to no carbs and mostly all proteins -- whether that is in the form of a protein smoothie, bars, etc. However, to answer your question directly I must pose one myself: Why do you think it is your insurance will only pay for the RNY vs. DS? Because it is the #1 medical procedure that is KNOWN to work if the candidate follows the rules and uses this "tool" to gain better control of their life. Yes, it is hard (I won't lie) and there is more to it then simply being given a "pouch" and I strongly suggest most patients undergo some form of behavioral modification or cognitive behavioral therapy post surgery (I did). As you will also hear a lot of RNY'ers say, "They don't operate on your head only your stomach" and that is the honest to goodness truth. What reason did you have to overeat in the first place? Why did you allow yourself to become chronically or morbidly obese enough to warrant surgery? Yes these are all questions that should and can be answered if you really and truly want to gain control of your life and change it for the better. As Muggs too said, I would not change a thing and I would choose RNY again in an absolute heartbeat. I don't know a lot about the DS either, but again I don't need too. I chose the method my surgeon suggested and the one he personally prefers and of course since it has (thus far) worked like a charm for me, I am undoubtedly not looking to change something that is NOT broken. I wish you the best of luck in your journey!
   — momeego

July 21, 2011
I had the rny 23 months ago and am pleased with the results. I'm down 185 lbs, 8 lbs lower than my surgeons goal, and trying to have plastic surgery to remove roughly 15-20 lbs of excess skin. The rny allowed me to get to this point but I have to do the work on losing and maintaining my loss. As far as the ds, there's a lady named MsBatt that knows alot about the ds. She could answer your questions about it.
   — Kathleen W.

July 21, 2011
I had DS on 12/09 and so far lost 159lbs. I'm very happy that I did. the healing process is sort of the same as RNY because both are not easy, the first year is the hardiest. I'm still losing wt. but a lot slower now I'm just 10lbs. away from my goal wt. but now I just hope that I can keep the pounds off. I wish you the very best in your wls journey. Mary
   — Mary D.