Question:
Iam usure whether I want duodenal switch or RNY.Please let me know your experiences

Please let me know your experiences.    — amyoliveras (posted on October 23, 2003)

October 23, 2003
I don't have personal experience w/ the DS as I had a Lap RNY 8 months ago. I was a "lightweight" at 248 pounds and 5'7". My surgeon carefully explained the differences between the DS and RNY. His suggestion was that the DS be used for super morbidly obese patients, as it leaves the patient with more extreme malabsorbtion issues although the excess weight may be lost more quickly. I have met a few DS patients who are thrilled w/ their results. I have personally not heard any negatives. I can tell you that a few of the people I know from my support group started with weights of 330 and 380 have done extremely well with the RNY, the lighter one losing 104 in 8 months and the other losing 186 pounds in 9 months. I lost 101.5 pounds in the 8 months since my surgery and am at my goal according to the charts. I am totally satisfied an would do it again in a minute. Good luck with your decision!!!!
   — Fixnmyself

October 23, 2003
Very distal RNY 1994. 262 to start, 5'1". Have weighed around 110 for 8 of these 9 yrs now. I would not choose to change this surgery for any other. I'm a volume eater. If you let me have volume, I'd eat it. And I would weigh more. I have severe malabsorption now, but it's not magic. I can out eat this one, if I run amok. But with 3 controls in place (restriction & malabsorption & a good program), I have as many tools as they can give me. The rest is up to me. And we know where THAT got me before!
   — vitalady

October 23, 2003
I think it is most important to understand the differences and figure out which post-op life you can best live with. For me that was a 150cm bypass with 1/2 oz. pouch RNY. For me personally, I did not feel the DS was right. I needed to make some major changes in my eating habits and relationships with food and being able to eat the volume that a DS patient can/shold, I do not feel would have provided those changes. I also had serious concerns of post-op bathroom issues with the DS because of my history of irritable bowel etc. It's not the same for everyone, but this was my concern. I felt comfortable with eating smaller portions of food as long as it was real food, which it is. <p>Some people swear that a DS is the only surgery for a SMO, of which I was. I started at 442 and am 8-1/2 months PO and down 185 lbs. I have 57 lbs to go to goal weight. I am comfortable with the amount of food I can eat. Yes at times I have some issues with grazing etc, as old habits die hard, but I'm willing to work through those things and do the best I can. The RNY has worked extremely well for me but it isn't for everyone. I am very comfortable with post-op life. Good Luck!
   — zoedogcbr

October 23, 2003
I think each person thinks THEIR surgery is the best. Its a matter of understanding each surgery and deciding what is right for you. But look hard. There is so much misinformation out there so you need to look for the facts. Also there is a big range out there. If you go with the RNY how much is going to be bypassed, what is the size of your pouch, etc? With the DS there are some surgeons now straying from the original surgery and the stomach size and bypassed amount vary too. All that makes a lot of variety for each surgery type and makes it even more complicated. Regardless though nobody can tell you what is right for you. The only way you'll know is to do your research, talk with lots of people who are post op for each surgery you're considering and then go with what you feel is best for YOU. Good luck!
   — Shelly S.

October 23, 2003
If I had it to do over again I'd look into the D/S. I had an open RNY proximal. I was 368 before surgery, stopped losing at 247 at about 8 months post op. I have now gained back up to 260, so up and down the same 5 lbs. I do not dump at all and I can snack continuously and I find it is even harder to resist the carb addiction I have now. I'm 20 months post op and stopped losing 60 lbs over my goal. I dont know why RNY works well for some and not for others.
   — SARose61

October 24, 2003
I am not thrilled with my results with the RNY. I had thought maybe the DS would have worked for me better when I first heard of it. Now I kick myself for not starting over and trying to get the DS. Oh well, live and learn. But it's an individual thing. Some people are served better by the RNY and some by the DS. Hope you like the decision you make. Good luck.
   — sherry hedgecock