The small stomach that is left intact with the DS will stretch back to a normal (but smaller) sized stomach with time. Opponents of the DS argue that the removal of the stomach is a bad thing. In fact, it is not a bad thing--the blind pouch left off to the side with the RNY is a bad thing. This blind pouch is inaccessible to endoscopy evaluation, thus you cannot be diagnosed in the future with problems such as ulcers or tumors, etc. This is why RNYers cannot take NSAIDs because of the potential for ulcer formation in the blind pouch. DS patients can take NSAIDS with no problem.

It is the malabsorptive portion of the DS that results in the superior long-term excess weight lost (around 85%). More of the intestines are bypassed in the DS than the RNY resulting in more malABSORBTION of calories, but NOT more malNURTRITION because of the superior digestion of a fully functional stomach instead of a man-made pouch.

Although the size of the stomach is reduced with this procedure, the
pyloric valve of the stomach, which controls the emptying of food
from the stomach into the intestines, remains in tact. With the RNY
there is a man-made pouch which allows food to pass freely through
the man-made "stoma" from the pouch into the intestines
resulting in dumping syndrome (a potentially-dangerous, sudden jump
in blood-sugar level caused by undigested food entering the
intestines), stomal ulcers, and vitamin deficiency due to poor
digestion. The malabsorption component of the Duodenal Switch as
relates to CALORIES from fat is GREATER than with the RNY because
more of the intestine is bypassed. The DS retains a normal,
functioning stomach with access to all the digestive juices, etc.,
rather than a man-made pouch.

Long-term excess weight lost and kept off is better with the DS.
After the “honeymoon” period of the first year or two of rapid weight
loss ends, the greater part of post-op RNY patients gain back 50% of
the excess weight lost. The DS combines both restrictive and
malabsorptive elements to achieve and maintain the best reported
percentage of excess weight loss, 80-85% with little or no regain.

The DS surgery without gastric reduction has been
performed on non-obese, diabetic patients since 1997 and is
increasing in popularity in Europe as an IMMEDIATE CURE for type II
diabetes. Latest studies on this technique report a 98% rate of cure.
This is attributed in theory to the malabsorption component of the
DS. The RNY does not cure diabetes. It only puts it in remission, and
the disease oftentimes comes back in two or three years--even if the
patient maintains most of their weight loss. It seems even a small
weight gain long-term (which is the norm) will cause diabetes
relapse.

Here's a list of careful studies which demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the DS procedure:

· Results of Ten Years or More P