Question:
Can someone please explain to me the difference between a DS and RNY? Thanks!

   — Tracy F. (posted on December 12, 2004)

December 12, 2004
Tracy, RNY is gastric bypass. DS retains the pylorus and the normal function of the stomach. RNY has some intestinal malabsorption (depending on degree of bypass). DS has significant intestinal malabsorption. Here are some web sites that might be of help: http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Procedure/DS_vs__RNY/ds_vs__rny.html http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/surgtype-forums/DS/about.html http://www.gr-ds.com/generalinformation/comparison.html http://www.johnhustedmd.com/switch.htm Hope that helps. Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

December 12, 2004
One major difference is that the DS has no stoma issues... which means NO strictures, no stoma failures etc... If you are blessed with insurance that pays for the DS I would certainly consider it!
   — star .

December 13, 2004
Check out my profile for a detailed explanation of the DS as well as a plethora of supporting data and links.
   — Melissa Mermaid

December 13, 2004
As you evaluate the differences between DS (or BPD) and RNY, appreciate that each procedure has its own particular advantages-- and those advantages come with decided costs. For instance, the DS offers the most effective long-term sustained weight loss of any surgical method-- but, it achieves that result through intense malabsorption, so it carries with it a greater chance of nutritional issues. The RNY has fewer nutritional issues (because malabsorption is minimized) but requires greater care in food choices because of the risks of items getting stuck or being too dense to be adequately processed without some discomfort. For me, I knew that maintaining the more intense vitamin regimine of the DS would be an impossible task (I couldn't remember to take my high blood pressure meds regularly) and I was put off by the frequent bowel movements that come from the DS. I was willing to risk experiencing dumping if I didn't make right food choices with the RNY. For me, the RNY has worked, and worked well (I dropped 300 pounds in less than two years going from a 62 BMI to a 24.8 in that time)-- but we all have an individual story to tell of what has worked for us. The best advice is to listen to your peers and then follow your heart.
   — SteveColarossi

December 15, 2004
With all due respect to Steve and what he believes about the DS, please listen to those of us who have HAD the DS. I have essentially no bathroom issues -- I go once or twice in the AM and sometimes just before bed. The RNY has now been shown to have MUCH more serious vitamin malnutrition issues, because DSers can absorb B12 and iron almost normally, as well as eat substantial amounts of real food; the other vitamins can usually be covered with a single prenatal vitamin and several calcium citrate tabs/day (which RNYers have to take anyway). I hate to think what Steve's bloodwork looks like if he isn't religious about his supplements after having an RNY. "Intense malabsorption" is somewhat of an exaggeration -- the term the DS surgeons are using is "selective malabsorption" as, after the first couple of years, the malabsorption is primarily fat malabsorption. Please do your research before making a decision.
   — [Deactivated Member]