Question:
how can you loose 240lbs? How long did it take? What type of surgery

What type of surgery did you have?    — kimberly B. (posted on September 11, 2005)

September 11, 2005
Kimberly, I offer my own story even though it is not truly illustrative of typical weight loss. I started at a BMI over 61 and a weight of over 510 pounds. I lost 250 pounds within the first 11 months and then dropped the next 50 over the course of the second year. I've maintained the weight I reached at my two-year anniversary. For a relatively quick, sustainable weight loss, the gold standard is the roux-en-y (gastric bypass) because it combines the better features of reduced capacity with serious disincentives for consuming refined carbs and sugars (the dreaded dumping syndrome that most RNY patients experience); this was the finding of the National Institute of Health. The DS/BPD surgeries are pincipally malabsorption procedures, have the highest rate of quick weight loss and have the patients who are most able to sustain that weight loss for the long term; however, those procedures also have the more serious consequences and risks (such as a relatively high rate of malnutirition issues). Lap band surgery typically results in patients being able to lose about 2/3 of their excess over the course of about 5 years. You should realize that each weight loss procedure works best for specific individuals-- finding the method which is best for you requires your working closely with a surgeon and various specialists to determine your particular needs and food issues. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi

September 11, 2005
The DS is the best choice for Huge amounts of weight to lose. It is NOT just malabsortive. My stomach was reduced in size, tremendously as well. Also in the DS the stomach stays NORMAL. Our pyloric valve is intact and thus the tummy empties when it's supposed to. Also, with the DS they remove completely the portion of the stomach that is resp for making the enzyme that causes the hunger pain. It's record speaks for itself....Better weight loss, more lost, more kept off. Please do research before you choose your surgery. duodenalswitch.com is awesome as is our DS forum here at OH. Best wishes and always get the facts for yourself before making a life changing decision. Hugs,
   — T S.

September 12, 2005
Just be careful of depending on dumping if you choose RNY. At the time of my last research, only about 30% of RNY patients actually experienced it, and even if they do, it is not necessarily permanent. It is often sold as a benefit of RNY surgery, but it is more of an unpredictable side effect. Do your research, keep asking good questions, and you will find the perfect fit. Choices are good. :)
   — Jeanie

September 12, 2005
The best site to review the risks, benefits and complications from the various weight loss surgeries is the National Institute of Health's site at http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gastric.htm#whataresurg . Serving as the volunteer facilitator for the new patient information meeting at a community hospital where all three of the principal weight loss surgeries are performed, I have found that each procedure has its own particular risks and benefits. However, patients need complete information and not merely anecdotal information or misapplied statistics to make the decision that is best for them. There are several complete misconceptions that do need some clarification. First, the incidence of weight gain for gastric bypass patients is grossly inflated in the studies that reveal the alleged "50%" regain percentage. Many RNY patients do experience a slight bounce after hitting their lowest weight-- however, after this bounce, they in overwhelming numbers are typically able to sustain this loss (which still has them in a healthy range) for over 10 years. Secondly, dumping is not limited to 30% of RNY patients, but rather to the majority of them. It is not an unpredictable side effect but an intended consequence; dumping (which even happens to people who have never had weight loss surgery) is the end-result of overconsumption and is due to the overfilling of the duodenum with foods that absorb the fluid in your system. What is less prevalent is the incidence of late dumping, where the consumption of concentrated sugars prompts a similar response (to dumping) due to the body's over-production of insulin in response to the introduction into the digestive system of sugars that have not been broken down.
   — SteveColarossi

September 12, 2005
I had the RNY (proximal) surgery. My insurance would not cover either DS or Lapband because they considered both "experimental". I PERSONALLY did not want the DS surgery because of the surgery (both during and after surgery). Since I "only" needed to lose about 120 pounds I probably would have chosen the Lapband if it were an option. I did end up losing 153 pounds so the surgery worked out very well for me. I would suggest that you look into the DS or RNY distal.
   — SJP

September 13, 2005
I had laproscopic RNY 11/03 and have since lost 210lbs. Not one problem ever, don't usually dump, can eat most anything. BUT DON'T!!! Have about 20 more to lose (per the plastic surgeon). Hoping to start plastics in December. Insurance company has already approved abdominoplasty and thigh lift.
   — sgrngoddess