Question:
DS vs. RNY Distal -What is different?

I am trying to decide what type of surgery I should do. I need to lose about 145 pounds and keep it off. What is the differences and pros / cons between the DS and Distal RNY?    — Melissa T. (posted on August 30, 2001)

August 30, 2001
I suggest you go to the 'Library' section of this website and do some research. This topic has been well represented over the years. You can also go to www.duodenalswitch.com for more info on the DS. Good Luck to you.
   — merri B.

August 30, 2001
I was just at a support group meeting last night and our surgeon was there. He explained ALL of the surgeries.I will get right down to what he said..........with the DS you are more likely going to have problems with protein defiecentcies
   — Kim B.

August 30, 2001
OOps.......hit the post your answer button by accident......I was just at a support group meeting last night and our surgeon was there. He explained ALL of the surgeries.I will get right down to what he said..........with the DS you are more likely going to have problems with protein defencies........not saying you will, but this is a very high occurance. You can also expect to have diarreha. The success rate for keeping the weight off in the long run is not as good as with the RNY. The Distal is a good surgery, BUT, a little more drastic than the proximal RNY. My surgeon ONLY does the Distal if it is a revision for someone who has "failed" the proximal. With the distal, you can also expect to have diarreha for the rest of your life. There are lots of places to research the different types of surgery.........do your research and you have to be the one who decides which procedure is right for you.
   — Kim B.

August 30, 2001
Of course every person that has had WLS will try to say that their surgeon knows all. The only thing I can say to you is to do your research and make up your own mind. Speaking for myself, I had the DS in April, and researched for a good two years before making a decision. I would not take it back for anything. It is the best decision I have ever made for myself. There are more and more surgeons performing the DS every day. It is a lot more current than the RNY procedure. If I had the choice to make, and DS was not available to me, I would have had the RNY in a second. However, I was one of the lucky ones that had a choice, and after much research decided that DS was the best way for ME. I think it depends on each person individually. Are you a sweet eater? A fat eater? DSers may have looser BM's, but they are controllable, whereas the RNYers may have to look for a restroom each time they are in public. I would just recommend doing as much research as possible to do what is right for you. I don't think one is necessarily better than the other, it just depends on you as an individual. Good luck with your decision.
   — [Anonymous]