Question:
Why is the RNY so much more common?

I have a consultation on Monday 10/8 with a surgeon who doesn't do the RNY procedure as he feels it has more side affects and the lack of nutritional absorption with it is a risk. From what Im understanding is he performs a stapling procedure with a small pouch made that does not require small intestine reconnecting. They claim he has perfected this particular way of doing it and has had 0 deaths 0 complications and 0 reoperates in his 15 years of practice. He also has you on a follow up diet and claims you could lose over 200 lbs. My question is that why are so many other docs doing the RNY? Is there better results? less complications? Im just confused. It sounds the opposite according to his office. He is 1 of 2 I found in Milwaukee that will even do bariatric surgery. If anyone could help me understand the difference I would really appreciate it. As I would like to make the RIGHT permanent choice. Or if anyone has other surgeons in the Milw area doing these kind of surgerys I would appreciate that too. Thanks, Shelly    — Shelly M. (posted on October 5, 2001)

October 5, 2001
I would definitely interview another surgeon. RNY is considered the "gold standard" of bariatric surgery because of its fantastic long-term results. What your surgeon is doing is standard stomach stapling. This has been considered an outdated procedure for at least ten years because of its high failure rate. How many has he done? Can he hook you up with some of his patients? Can he hook you up with some of his patients who are 5 or even 10 years out? NO surgeon has 0 complications, unless they've only done a few surgeries, so I find that very suspicious. I don't mean to scare you but you are right to be concerned about your long-term health. Talk to another surgeon. Hope this helps, and good luck on your journey!
   — Julia M.

October 5, 2001
The RNY is more common because Carnie Wilson had it done. That is one of the reasons more people know about it and request it. I encourage you to research all the different surgeries and the possible complications concerning each. If you do this, you will find the right surgeon for you. Don't waste your time and money on a consultation until you decide which surgery you want. This site has a very good library on the different types of surgeries.
   — artistmama

October 5, 2001
Shelly, (great name!) I think you will find that you have opened the great procedure debate. So, I really will leave that part of your question to those who have a strong opinion. However, I did want to let you know what I found out about surgeons in Milwaukee. This site has a database of surgeons (go to the top of the page and click on "find a doc" and follow the link). Anyway, I found several surgeons in Wisconsin and 3 in Milwaukee. A Dr. Namdari only does the VBG and it looks like there is only one member of this site who has had it done by him. Dr. Thomas Chua at 414-281-9655 or [email protected] does the RNY and has had some Humana insurances pay for it. The third, Dr. William Schulte also does the RNY and has received approval from your exact insurance. His numbers are 414-454-5144 or [email protected]. If you use that link that I gave you, you can research all of these surgeons and read members' comments about them. I find it very interesting reading. Anyway, best wishes in whatever you decide to do. Shelley
   — Shelley.

October 6, 2001
I don't believe that most people get the RNY because thats what Carnie Wilson had. True, her weightloss journey is impressive and she has inspired many people, but I think she has guided people to the option of wls and not just the procedure she had. The vast majority of us are intelligent enough to research all of our options. I am not so enamored of celebrities that I let their decisions dictate mine. I learn from their experiences no more than I learn from anyone on this site. I considered the DS and the RNY. Both have tempting advantages and sobering disadvantages. I chose the RNY because for me the benefits/risk levels most closely matched my needs. Carnie is a person who happens to be in the limelight and the RNY is her choice. Doesn't discount the wonderful other choices. As we all know, brand loyalty is HUGE in the WLS community lol. But give us all the credit due for using our brains and not a People magazine article to make our choices.
   — Donna L.

October 6, 2001
Hi Shelly, If I were you, I would continue researching. Go for a consult with another surgeon and see what the difference is. I'm not familiar with what this surgeon is doing. I think it's suspicious that this surgeon would claim 0 deaths, complications & revisions in 15 years experience. That's simply unheard of. Here's some resources for all surgery types. Keep doing your research! Take care.. <p>http://www.mywls.com/Surgery_Types/surgery_types.html</p>
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 6, 2001
The RNY is considered the "gold standard" of bariatric surgery because it has better results than other weight loss surgeries of the past. Therefore, many more surgeons have gotten training in how to do the RNY. However, there are a handful of different types of wls. There are newer types of wls than the RNY that many prefer because there is no dumping ever and you have an entire stomach, though smaller, and you can eat anything a few weeks after surgery (though small amounts). I am talking about the gastric reduction/duodenal switch. It reduces the size of the stomach, it does not bypass the stomach--big difference in how you live and eat afterwards. You can do all your research right here on this site in the library. Read, read, and read some more. You will know when you have done all your research. You will be well informed and be able to make an informed decision for yourself. Good luck to you.
   — a W.