Question:
RNY vs. BPD/DS...TERRIBLY CONFUSED. PLS HELP !!
Until yesterday, I was almost positive that I wanted to have he Medial RNY. I attended a group discussion held by Dr.Elariny in VA yesterday and now i feel like i'm leaning towads the BPD/DS (Bilopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch and vertical gastroplasty with sleeve gastrectomy)<---WHAT A MOUTHFUL !! Previously I had completely dismissed the BPD/DS because i couldn't imagine having part of my stomach actually removed from my body and THROWN AWAY. But now that i look @ it from a different angle, it seems safer & with less side effects. And so many post-ops @ the meeting had it done and are EXTREMELY happy with the results. I am sooooo confused!! I had never planned on being interested in anything other than the RNY ("thats what Al Roaker and Carnie Wilson had...so it must be the best"). Can anyone please give me some peace of mind. Any opinions on RNY vs. BPD/DS. You can e-mail me if u like at [email protected]. I would be ETERNALLY grateful. And as always, thank u for ur help....ur all a bunch of life-savers !! God Bless you. — Laura R. (posted on May 14, 2003)
May 13, 2003
I am hoping to have BPD w/o DS when and if I can get insurance approval. I
think it is the best choice for me and is the only procedure my surgeon of
choice now performs. Also, he is the only one within a many state area
that offers anything other RNY. So, if you have a surgeon close to you
offering this surgery, consider yourself lucky. I recommend going to the
DS website and asking questions there. Lots of very happy postops there.
Good luck!<br><br>http://www.duodenalswitch.com/index.html
— Lynne S.
May 14, 2003
I am also having the BPD without the DS. I have spoke with many BPD'ers
and RNY'ers and done my research as well. The BPD is a newer surgery
however the effective rate of keeping the weight off is much higher. Plus
we are able to eat!! If you have any more questions..I can point you to a
few websites and to my doctors website if you would like!
— Melissa M.
May 14, 2003
Laura... I too was completely 'sold' on the RNY until I met someone who had
undergone a Duodenal Switch. After doing a bit of research I completely
changed my focus and went for the DS. (I actually wound up with a BPD with
NO DS, as my surgeon quit performing them just before my initial consult).
As others have said, the choice is yours, in conjunction with your surgeon-
but I will tell you that for me personally this was the ONLY way to go.
Yes, my loss has been slower than my RNY counterparts, and yes I have to
sometimes work a bit harder to make proper choices because I CAN eat more
and do not dump, but I feel as though I have more control over my body, and
I can still truly enjoy food. Best of luck to you. ~Peace
— Joscelin
May 14, 2003
I would suggest that you do your research and go with the
procedure you feel will benefit you most.There are side
effects with both. I have a friend that has had the DS
and she has experienced problems with the DS. The problems
probably could have been eliminated if she had received all
pre-op testing. b/c she was young her doctor felt that she
did not need them. I also know people who have had the RNY
and have not experience any problems.(Some do) With tha being said.
It will depend on your health, Your surgeon skill What your doctor
do in the beginning to rule out any problems and how you use or abuse your
tool.Do your research and choose the best surgeon.
— Just P
May 14, 2003
Just because "someone else" had it DOESNT make it the BEST for
YOU! or the BEST period. that said. I had the RNY. I did my research, so
I thought. If I could go back and redo my surgery; I would have the DS.
WHY? Because of the 'little' told risk the RNY has concerning the stoma.
The stoma is the opening from your pouch to the intestines. IF you are one
of the rare people that have this problem - you will NOT have the food
limiation you seek. To avoid this problem completely; the DS is the
answer. JMHO..
— star .
May 14, 2003
I had the Ds/bpd on 2/20/03 and have lost over 80# so far! I started at 500
tho too.
I think the DS is far more better than the RNY because there are less side
effects! I have researched wls since 96 and knew the DS was for me. I
wouldnt have ever had the rny if I Couldnt have the DS. I didnt want to
chance getting:
ulcers...having a blind stomach....blocked stoma...not eat a normal amount
of food...having to chew chew chew...and so on. AGAIN this is my personal
opinion.
But I had a smooth 6 hour open DS/bpd and hernia repair surgery and have
had no complications what so ever! :)
Good luck in your research and wls process! Its well worth it all!! :)
HUGS and HEALTH
Lisa from Iowa
— Lisa Jean
May 14, 2003
Good for you for researching...there is plenty written on this topic and
can be found in the AMOS library. I chose the DS because I wanted the most
'normal' lifestyle after surgery. I do not have any 'diet mentality' of
having to restrict my sugar intake, chewing to mush or extremely small
portions. I eat like a normal person eats now. The smaller stomach is
unnoticable except that I feel full with just one sandwich now, instead of
four. And I still have the pyloric valve which helps to process digestion
the way nature intended, releasing a little at a time into the small
intestine. The only thing I have to worry about is calcium, vitamins and
iron malabsorption, which I take supplements for. The DS with partial
gastrectomy was and is the best for me. Good Luck to you...feel free to
check out my profile. I have lost over 275 pounds!
— merri B.
May 14, 2003
I sympathize with your situation but the real answer is what is best for
you. The only way to answer this question is research and education. You
are on the right path. Consider what you can live with and what you cannot.
Weight loss surgery is a very personal choice when it comes to which
procedure is right for you. Good Luck!
Theresa
— Theresa A
May 14, 2003
Hi Laura! I posted a lengthy response to your introductory post on the
Elariny board, so I won't go on and on here. Just add me to your list of
DS post-ops who are EXTREMELY HAPPY with my choice. Both procedures work
for most people & both procedures have some specific risks and
drawbacks. The DS has somewhat better long-term weight loss stats, and
that's why I chose it. You may weigh the pros and cons a little bit
differently and come up with a different decision about what is right for
you, and that's okay -- there's no single answer for everyone. You're doing
great just by thinking it all through so carefully. This is a big decision,
and you'll be living with it for a long, long time. Best of luck!
— Tally
May 15, 2003
Hi Laura,
Well, I'm 2 yrs post op BPD/Ds and for me it was the right thing. I would
encourage you to continue the research. Only you can decide what's right
for you. Make a list of pros & cons. Will your ins. pay for both(if
that's a consideration)? Talk to people on both sides of the coin from all
across the country. I personally love my DS and I love how I'm not
restricted. What's your life style like? Will the RNY fit into that or not?
Just because Al Roker and Carny Wilson had the RNY dsn't mean it's what you
should have. It's what was right for them. This can be a hard decision but
one that shouldn't be taken lightly as you'll have to be the one to live
with it. Best wishes on whatever your decision. Any questions please don't
hesitate to ask. Open BPD/DS with Gall Bladder removed on 4-11-01 Down 110
lbs over 60".
— Linda M.
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