Question:
Would the RNY or BilioPancreatic Gastric Bypasses be best for me?????

Hello! I have had my consultation visit with Dr. Vanguri and now I have to decide which procedure I want him to perform on me. I have read alot but have conflicting information.I'd love hear from those of you who have had to make the same decisions. I want to lose the most I can but with the least complications. My BMI is 43 and I totally love to eat. Not Pig-Out, but eat!    — Arleen P. (posted on December 27, 2002)

December 26, 2002
First, is your surgeon equally as skilled in each? If not, then I would strongly consider which one he has done the most of or find a surgeon who has done tons of the one you chose.<p>Only you can determine what is right for you. It seems the skuttlebutt is that the DS gives you longer term weight loss/maintenance but yet what I have read (long term post-ops) it seems both have great success - it comes down to the person and how they use the tool they chose. There are definite differences in post-op life between the surgeries. Based on your eating habits didn't the surgeon recommend one over the other or point out the differences related to you? I have chosen the open RNY as that's what the surgeon I chose, who is close to home, does. I would have to go out of state to have the DS, which I could have but chose not to. Based on the severe malabsortion and the food going through quite undigested and the potential bowel issues I decided DS was not for me. I have enough bowel issues already and my luck I'd end up with constant diarrhia is I went DS. I haven't yet run into someone who had DS or RNY saying they wish they had the other. Each person chose based on their particular situation, goals and habits and is pleased with what they chose. Good Luck!
   — zoedogcbr

December 26, 2002
I also used Dr. Vanguri. I had the open RNY/Distal on Dec. 10th 2001,I started at 278, I am 5'3. At a year out I have lost over 100 lbs..I am at 162, I have been a slow & steady loser...but really, over 100 lbs in a year is hardly slow! I did not ever know he did the DS. I had researched and wanted the RNY. I was also an eater, not a pig-out, binger....I was not a big sweet eater..I did eat candy sometimes, but not always eating cakes and stuff. I ate chips and alot of carbs also...I ate veggies and meats..pretty balanced there, I just ate huge portions..and ate all the time. Now I eat what is considered a normal portion...My stomach was made at 60cc which I understand is larger than most RNYers, but I am pretty distal. I feel happy with the portions I eat..I just had 2 scrambled eggs w/cheese 1/2 small bagel. I can sometimes eat more than other times..it depends on what the food is. I dump...again it varies with the food..what is already in the stomach, etc. All in all, I am very pleased with my results. If you want to discuss anything else, feel free to e-mail me. Best wishes.Tricia
   — Patricia R.

December 28, 2002
Hi! I had an Open DS on 12/17/01. I have lost 164lbs. (161lbs. on my anniversary date). My surgeon says I am not done losing since I have never hit a plateau and losing every month. Please go to www.duodenalswitch.com and the Information Forum and ask questions there. Also, www.gr_ds.com and www.cutweight.com. I am sure there are many others also. This is predominately an RNY site so to balance out the info, please check out the others also. On www.gr_ds.com, check the graph comparing all the surgeries. Very helpful when trying to decide which to have. I had planned on an RNY until chance took me to a DS surgeon. He made sure I researched every aspect of the surgeries and I had to convince him which surgery I wanted and why. A few weeks ago I read on one of the sites where as many as 40% of RNY patients regain most or all of their weight over time. I do not know how true this is, but I do KNOW there are quite a few coming to my surgeon for revisions to a DS. With the DS, the average longterm regain has been approx. 10-15 pounds. Is it a better surgery? I don't know! I do know it is an easier surgery to live with.
   — grammie5