Question:
my bmi is 65 what is the best bariatric surgery to lose 200 pds?

i have medicare/medicaid insurance. they cover 4 procedures. in ohio the covered centers only allow these: rouexy and the band. i would have to go into a nother state to get the duodenal switch but i heard it has complications. what should i do?    — emmakinnison (posted on April 12, 2006)


April 12, 2006
i would do the regular gastric surgery the rou way!! you can lose 200# with that surgery. and has alot less complications.
   — ncooklpn

April 12, 2006
Lou, Statistically the best surgery for a 'heavy weight' is the Duodenal Switch... although I'm a 'light weight' and I chose the DS as well. You can find out some good information regarding the overall weight loss, better long-term results, better quality lifestyle eating (after a while)... go to the DS website at www.duodenalswitch.com and certainly check the DS forum and see the wonderful results and happy campers there! Good on ya, doing your research!
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 12, 2006
My surgeons group did 11,000 WLS the vast majority the RNY with excellent results. With your high BMI you might check on Dr Philip Schauer at the cleveland clinic, not only a excellent caring surgeon but a truly nice guy!~ I really miss him since he moved to cleveland. He does 2 stage surgeries sometimes for higher BMI patients to enhance safety.
   — bob-haller

April 12, 2006
From what I've read, it depends a lot on the type of eater that you are. If you're a grazer like me, the RNY would be a better option. If you don't snack though and eat large meals, the banding might be a less invasive option and get you good results, although more slowly.
   — Lauren003

April 12, 2006
Im having surgery May 1st, and Im at 512 and the surgery type Im having is RNY (open) with Fobi Pouch. My Dr. says this is the best for me at my current weight and needing to lose quite abit. duodenal switch was another that intrested me. Good Luck, Steph
   — stephanieb

April 12, 2006
Hi Em, My BMI was 65 at the time of my surgery. I was in a wheelchair, had out of control diabetes, stroke level hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive sleep apnea, severe GERD, stress incontinence, and I was on 23 RX meds. I was dying. Today - 3 years 9 months later, I've lost all of my co-morbidities, my wheelchair, and 210 pounds - and kept it off effortlessly. I love my DS. It is an incredible gift - and offers a quality of life I never dared to dream possible as a pre-op. I don't know what complications you've heard about - do you know any DS post-ops in person? I highly recommend finding some local support groups and meeting folks who are post-ops of all of the different surgeries! (Keep in mind there are 6 types being done today.) If you can't find a local support group, then start joining Yahoo groups - the Grads list is a great place to start. Best of luck to you. Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

April 12, 2006
Typically the duodenal switch is the strongest ally for someone who has that much to lose, but I want to insert a caution here. I know of at least 3 people who have had the DS and they have gained weight back...some substantial. In the group I'm in, those who have had the DS are the ones who have the most problem with regain. The reason for this I think is simple: The DS doesn't cause dumping and those who have it are not limited in what they eat. Therefore although they have this advantage which feels more normal to them, it can also cause a laxity in some folks who feel they have carte blanche to eat whatever they want, whenever they want. Since there is a large bypass and major malabsorption, they tend to lean on that to do the work for them rather than trying. In some folks who have had the DS, they become somewhat smug in the fact they can eat more normal, but with that comes those hazards. It depends on your personality. If you think you need negative reinforcement, the RNY might be best for you. If you end up a long term dumper, it will keep you from overindulging in things that will tend to put the most weight on you. If you take it seriously and realize that EVERYONE has the potential to regain ALL of their weight if they don't put a little effort into it, the DS may be the best option. Personally, I am happy I had the RNY because I do dump, and when I eat just a tiny bit too much of something not good for me it makes me sick, so next time I know to be more careful. So I might be able to get away with eating one cookie, but not 2 or 3. So I can still enjoy things, but not in the quantity that I was used to. This keeps me "honest" to myself. Again, it depends on your personality and what you think you need....not what you necessarily want. It would be great for us to all have no side effects from surgery if it meant we could live effortlessly without regaining. But that is not the reality of the situation for any of us. There are some who don't dump with the RNY, some who dump sometimes, and others who dump on any little thing. For me, I love that I still dump. I still enjoy my food quite well...even junk sometimes, but I have that built in aversion therapy which reminds me to be good. Some don't need that. I think in hindsight I do. What it boils down to is you. You need to spend time considering how much you eat, what kind of foods are your downfall and how much outside control you need to keep things in line for you. Bottom line is that you could choose almost any surgery and lose 200 lbs. It depends on how much effort you want to put out in the process and how much effort you want to exert long term. Oh - and with DS and RNY both, you can stretch your pouch/stomach back out, so if you like to eat until you hurt (as many of us were used to at one time or another), that could be a problem for you long term.
   — Dinka Doo

April 13, 2006
I had the duodenal. My starting BMI was 65.1. I'm almost a year and 6 months out and I've lost 196 lbs. I did have complications, however I still feel it was the best decision I've ever made and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat to feel as good as I feel today. Feel free to e-mail me if you'd like to know more about my experience with this particular procedure. Best of luck. Leslie
   — chasegrl65

April 13, 2006
Hi, I have lost 200 pounds and had the open Roux N Y in July of 2001, in my opinion the RNY is the best way to go overall. Best to you!!
   — Karen Renee

April 14, 2006
I had Roux en Y surgery Sept 2001. My starting weight was 397 lbs, I am currently at 211 lbs, however, i did lose down to 175 lbs. I had a baby and gained alot. But the original Roux en Y is a good option to lose that much. I, however, do not have alot of info on the other surgery options. My surgery was open, however, i hear that Lap has better recovery and many docs do that, but that option should not have anything to do with ins. approval to my knowledge. Hope this helps. Kim
   — Kimberly Felan




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