Question:
I feel like I understand all the surgery options.

Please, can someone, any of the doctors, etc. tell me why there is concern over the duodenal switch with the RNY distal? I understand the technical differences. That is why I would think that maintaining the normal gastrointestinal tract would be favorable, keeping all the sphincters intact to facilitate a natural digestive process. The stmach is still quite small but seems to me that being able to eat a cup of food beats a few tablespoons. Especially relavent to social interactions. Also, please address why creating a new distal stomach port is better than intact route.    — Fran B. (posted on October 18, 1999)

October 18, 1999
I don't know specifics...I went for my 6 month post-op check up a couple of weeks ago and asked my doctor about that procedure because it sounded good. He just said that it carries with it a high complication rate and he would not perform it. He does Laparoscopic or open RNY or VBG. Diane
   — Diane N.

October 18, 1999
Yes, you are right the DS (duodenal switch) provides a natural progression of food into the intestines. What does that mean??? No dumping, no food getting stuck in the pouch, no leaking, etc, etc, etc... The main side effect of the DS is that you have to be careful eating a lot of "fatty" foods. This can cause diarreah and bad gas (just like with Xenical). However, there are things you can take for that like "Chlorophyll" to correct that problem. Look at it as a comparison to eating sugar with the RNY. So, choose what is best for you. Overall, the DS switch procedure is great. It is the procedure of "choice" in Europe. More and more doctors in the US are performing it all the time. There is still some "negative hype" about it but that comes with anything considered not to be the "norm". Remember when everyone thought that a LAP procedure wasn't going to be successful? Well, look, now more and more people want things done LAP. I am still pre-op with Dr. Anthone at USC Medical Center. Also, this operation is a modern variation (fixing the side-effects) of the BPD which has a 20 year history of success. If you would like more information on the DS and a complete comparison to on the RNY and DS, go to the DS website at www.duodenalswitch.com. You'll learn everything you could ever want to know there. Best of luck to you.
   — Christina D.

October 18, 1999
I swear when are you ppl going to learn how to post a question without it repeating 10 times, plz, get computer LITERATE! have a nice day! :)
   — [Anonymous]

October 18, 1999
How about helping people instead of being rude "Anonymous". Some people are new at this, just like you were at once.
   — Christina D.