Question:
Why is the DS the more advanced surgery, but most of you chose the RNY?
I was just wondering, because I chose the DS surgery, but it seems that 99% of the people here have had the RNY. I know the benefits of both, and the risks, and now I'm just hoping to get some personal opinions, as to why you all chose the surgery that you did. Thanks so much! — [Deactivated Member] (posted on July 25, 2002)
July 25, 2002
I think both have their merits. For me it was a matter of out of pocket
charges and insurance. My insurance covered everything with RNY, and the
closest DS Doctor wanted $3,000 out of pocket (and I am not saying it's not
warranted - ya know?)... that made up my mind.
— Karen R.
July 25, 2002
In my case, I did not have a choice. Kaiser No. California surgeons only
do the open RnY. I think there may be other insurances that only cover the
"gold standard", the RnY. Hugs, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]
July 25, 2002
I don't know why you call the DS the more advanced surgery? I chose the
RNY because I didn't want diarrhea, foul smelling BMs, or the gas problems
I have heard associated with DS. I already have IBS and didn't need any
further problems.
— Dianne C.
July 25, 2002
My insurance will not approve a DS, because it is still considered
experimental. When I first started looking into this I thougt DS - major
weight loss, fast! Then I read more. It seems that DS is rarely used in
people who are less than 500 lbs. There is a fear that you will actually
lose too much weight and have to battle to gain weight to be healthy. LOL
- that didn't sound so bad to me until I read that it sometimes results in
having to have a reversal. That sounded bad to me!
— Pam G.
July 25, 2002
At first I too thought the DS was the surgery for me. But the more I
studied it, I came to the decison that they bypass waaaaaay to much
intestine! Just seemed to risky to me.
Sandi
— goodgal
July 25, 2002
For me it wasn't an option. When I had RNY DS was not avaliable for me to
chose from. My surgeon wasn't doing them. Now it seems that he pushes the
DS due to the "benefits" of DS over RNY. According to what his
office promotes with DS the weight gain is less after long term post op and
it is easier to lose the weight if it is gainned, opposed to the RNY which
is easier to gain the weight due to pouch stretching, and losing is not as
easy as with DS long term. All surgeries have their pros and cons. It
really is up to the individual and their needs. I did hear that the DS is
used for patients that have a larger amount of weight to lose because of
how it is done. Also, with DS parts of you are removed, so that is
something else to consider. To be honest, if I could chose again I might
go with the DS because RNY has not been successful for me being as I was
not transected and have had a staple line disruption. So there are lots of
reasons people consider different surgeries. It's mere preference. Good
Luck!
— Erika B.
July 25, 2002
My personal decision was to go with the RNY and here's why: 1)The DS is
much newer and there are no very long term people out there to know how
they're doing, 2)I'm only 26 and the extensive amount of intestine bypassed
really worried me in regard to osteoporosis and other mineral losses down
the road, 3)I "only" needed to lose about 120 pounds, and 4)I
know some people say this isn't true, but I have heard a lot of bad things
about bowel habits after DS, such as excess gas and diarrhea. Everyone
needs to choose their surgery for their own personal situation and if you
are confident with your choice then that's what really matters. Good luck!
— cjabates
July 25, 2002
I went into this thinking I wanted teh DS too. I have a friend who had BPD
done in 1988. Although she has lost all of her excess weight (over 300
pounds!), she has some severe anemia and hypocalcemia problems. Her
nutirional deficiencies are chronis and persist despite massive amounts of
iron and calcium. And yes, she get the correct medications and supplements!
When I told her I was ready to make the wls jump, she implored me to opt
for the RNY. She still eats a lot and feels compelled to be near a food
supply. It's sad that her eating problem wasn't solved wiht this surgery,
she can eat ALOT, she just doesn't absorb much of it. So, thise brings me
to the bathroom issue. About 20 minutes after she eats, she has to RUN to a
bathroom, but preferably one out of the way from coworkers or family. She
says the smell is terrible since so little of her food is absorbed and goes
speeding through her in a matter of minutes. These things sound bad, but
she was much worse off before wls. I'm happy with my RNY, but would have
opted for the DS if I had more weight to lose in a heartbeat!
— NicoleG
July 26, 2002
Pamela, Please go to www.duodenalswitch.com and ask your questions there
also. This is predominately an RNY site so you need the balance of getting
answers from a DS site also. I had an Open DS 12/17/01. I was NOT over
500 lbs. (360 lbs.) I was 57 years old so any surgery would have given me
back a real quality life but I was able to have the DS and am so thankful I
did. I DO NOT have offensive gas or diarhea. Two bowel movements within
an hour of getting up and if I stay away from carbs, I have little to no
gas. With the DS, all the supplementation required is two calcium w/D
tablets and any multivitamin. Since we absorb MORE of the nutrients in our
food we do not need the ADEK, B12 etc. as most RNY patients do. We have a
fully functioning stomach with the pyloric valve intact. This regulates
all food and liquid leaving our stomachs. If an RNY patients chews well
enough, everything is semi-liquid and slides right through even lessening
the small amount of absorbtion that takes place in the pouch. It also
makes it easier to eat more and more often. There is NOTHING but the
leftover portion of stomach removed from the body. It is not needed since
our stomachs will gradually increase to a small normal size, never as big
as it was. I've read on this site it is not the pouch that stretches but
the intestine directly below the pouch in the RNY. The DS is completely
reversible at any time, the RNY sure isn't. We lose more and keep it off.
We do not absorb fats and neither does the disal RNY. We do absorb sugar
but most of us find our tastes have changed so much, this isn't a problem
anymore. We rule our food, our food does not rule us anymoe. That can be
said about both surgeries, but it seems the RNYers SEEM to test their
limits much more. The DS is not a new surgery and there are longterm
studies out there. Also, go to www.gr-ds.com. This is also a DS site but
has a chart comparing the three most common surgeries. I apologize for the
tone of this but there is so much misinformation out there. My personal
feeling about why more doctors do not do the DS is because they can make
more money doing the RNY (more per day etc.) and it is a much less
complicated surgery. It almost seems like the DS surgeons care more for
how their patients lives will be long term. Not just in and out and
goodbye. Our local hospital does only VGB, lapband and RNY. The patients
do not see the surgeon until the day of surgery and a few times after.
Everything else is handled by a regular doctor and even the support group
is self-run. My surgeon sees you each time and is at every support group
meeting. He is always a phone call or email away whether you are a pre-op
or years down the road. Good luck!
— grammie5
July 27, 2002
Pamela,
In response to Carol's response to your question about DS or RNY. I don't
have any preconcieved notions about which surgey is better-I am thankful
that there is a tool out there that will help us all loose weight so we can
live healthier lives. That being said....I am pre-op. I have a date for an
open rny on 8/6/02. I have met with my surgeon 4 times so far and have 1
more preop visit with him Friday. He runs his own support group, and even
invites patients that are not his own, and it is free of charge like most.
Also, at every office visit, he spends enough time with me to answer all of
my questions. So, please let's not make assumptions that all RNY surgeons
are not as dedicated to their patients as DS suregons. I think that there
are probably dedicated surgeons for both, as well as uncaring surgeons for
both. Good luck in your quest for information...:o)
— Metsfan91
July 27, 2002
Sorry, Diane, I did not intend to infer RNY surgeons were less caring than
a DS surgeon. The only first-hand knowledge I have is from the local
bariatric surgeons and the surgeon who did my DS. It is also an HMO which
may have some bearing on it. Like you, I am so thankful there is all the
choices of types of surgery to help us get happy, healthy, meaningful lives
back. We each have the right to chose whichever is best for us and the
responsibility to thoroughly research so we are sure we understand all
aspects. Sometimes we allow our emotions to make our decisions, not our
brains. So, whether we chose a lapband, VGB, RNY or DS, it needs to be the
one we have decided is the best for us. My first choice was the RNY and if
the surgeon had not been able to do a DS after opening me, I would have had
one. AND, I would be just as thankful today for the wonderful life I have
now. I would never condemn anyone for whatever surgery they choose. It is
a personal and often difficult decision but one that needs to be made by
education. Good luck on your surgery and enjoy the awesome journey you
will have.
— grammie5
July 27, 2002
Thanks Carol, I wish you all the luck in your journey as well.....:o),Diane
— Metsfan91
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