Why DS over RNY?
Hi Katie,
I chose the DS because it had the best long-term success rates. It took me several years before I decided that I HAD to look into WLS. My worry was what if I am not successful or if my success was only short term. I knew quickly that the RNY wasn't for me. I wouldn't want to feel like a failure twice and have to revise later. Some people with the RNY still "diet". Pay attention to the other boards... some even join Weigh****chers post-op. I wanted to do away with that. I don't want the guilt associated with what I choose to eat. I still need to be accountable and I make sure to meet my protein requirements but I don't need to count points or weigh out a half cup of non-fat, non-flavorful diet foods. I threw away all my old WW books about 3 months post-op and it was an incredibly freeing feeling to know that I'll never need to diet ever again.
I was also very concerned about what sort of effect the DS would have on my digestive system. No one can really predict how you'll do but most things can be controlled by what you eat. I knew that if I had major problems, I'd probably end up quitting my current job. I travel for work and am away from home 5 - 6 days a week. So believe me when I say that I understand your concerns. Yeah, I was gassy pre-op and had some terrible bouts of IBS but I really don't have any gas issues post-op. Ok, there have been a few times when I ate more carbs than I should have on a particular day but those are very few and far between. I had diarrhea post-op for a while since I was on antibiotics for an infection but otherwise, no issues there.
Life with the DS is good. Nothing is off-limits. I feel normal. I feel good. I feel happy and I'm healthy. Another important thing to remember is that you can't take NSAIDs after the RNY. I get migraines, cramps, backaches, etc so I need these.
I'd recommend hanging out in several of the boards for a while and read as much as you can about what life post-op is like for a few months before making any huge decisions. You really want a clear picture. Also pay attention to what people have to say who are further out and aren't still in their honeymoon period... it's easy to love any surgery choice initially. The revision board is a good place to hang out too.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
I chose the DS because it had the best long-term success rates. It took me several years before I decided that I HAD to look into WLS. My worry was what if I am not successful or if my success was only short term. I knew quickly that the RNY wasn't for me. I wouldn't want to feel like a failure twice and have to revise later. Some people with the RNY still "diet". Pay attention to the other boards... some even join Weigh****chers post-op. I wanted to do away with that. I don't want the guilt associated with what I choose to eat. I still need to be accountable and I make sure to meet my protein requirements but I don't need to count points or weigh out a half cup of non-fat, non-flavorful diet foods. I threw away all my old WW books about 3 months post-op and it was an incredibly freeing feeling to know that I'll never need to diet ever again.
I was also very concerned about what sort of effect the DS would have on my digestive system. No one can really predict how you'll do but most things can be controlled by what you eat. I knew that if I had major problems, I'd probably end up quitting my current job. I travel for work and am away from home 5 - 6 days a week. So believe me when I say that I understand your concerns. Yeah, I was gassy pre-op and had some terrible bouts of IBS but I really don't have any gas issues post-op. Ok, there have been a few times when I ate more carbs than I should have on a particular day but those are very few and far between. I had diarrhea post-op for a while since I was on antibiotics for an infection but otherwise, no issues there.
Life with the DS is good. Nothing is off-limits. I feel normal. I feel good. I feel happy and I'm healthy. Another important thing to remember is that you can't take NSAIDs after the RNY. I get migraines, cramps, backaches, etc so I need these.
I'd recommend hanging out in several of the boards for a while and read as much as you can about what life post-op is like for a few months before making any huge decisions. You really want a clear picture. Also pay attention to what people have to say who are further out and aren't still in their honeymoon period... it's easy to love any surgery choice initially. The revision board is a good place to hang out too.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
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Well Katie,
Everyone is going to be a little different on the gas and bowel issues, some have to watch what they eat to keep the gas down, a few have intestinal issues which cause loose stools, but most don't have much if any issues with these things. I have none 0 issues no matter what I eat, unless I really go crazy on the white flour foods and even then, it's just some extra gas and nothing uncontrollable.
The DS diet is to die for, especially compared to what I had to endure with the RNY. When I had the RNY, I would dump on anything sweet or with milk in it. I also had a difficult time with dense proteins like roast beef or steak; anything stringy or things like raw veggies would stick all those things would stick and I would end up puking them up. It was a miserable 28 years for eating; I ended up eating mostly soft carby foods like pasta or pizza.
With the DS, I don't dump, no matter what I eat and nothing sticks, I can eat steak, roast, raw veggies, salad, even rice is no problem. So from that perspective there is no comparison.
Now if you're in your weight loss window or decide you want to lose weight with the DS, you just eat low carb. You still eat all the full fat foods you want, all the protein you want, just cut the carbs, and even that is just cutting the simple carbs. For example a good lunch for a DSer is a double bacon cheeseburger minus 1/2 the bun, or some KFC, or anything you want to make that's high protein, the fat doesn't matter, just keep the carbs down. It's easy to eat this way and it's delicious! I Just had my lunch and I had some left over pot roast beef, that had potatoes and carrots cooked with it and it was delicious!
If you were to see me eating a meal in a restaurant, you would have no idea, no clue I've ever had any kind of WLS, I eat like a normal thin person eats.
Hope that helps, but if you have any questions, please ask away.
Kerry
Everyone is going to be a little different on the gas and bowel issues, some have to watch what they eat to keep the gas down, a few have intestinal issues which cause loose stools, but most don't have much if any issues with these things. I have none 0 issues no matter what I eat, unless I really go crazy on the white flour foods and even then, it's just some extra gas and nothing uncontrollable.
The DS diet is to die for, especially compared to what I had to endure with the RNY. When I had the RNY, I would dump on anything sweet or with milk in it. I also had a difficult time with dense proteins like roast beef or steak; anything stringy or things like raw veggies would stick all those things would stick and I would end up puking them up. It was a miserable 28 years for eating; I ended up eating mostly soft carby foods like pasta or pizza.
With the DS, I don't dump, no matter what I eat and nothing sticks, I can eat steak, roast, raw veggies, salad, even rice is no problem. So from that perspective there is no comparison.
Now if you're in your weight loss window or decide you want to lose weight with the DS, you just eat low carb. You still eat all the full fat foods you want, all the protein you want, just cut the carbs, and even that is just cutting the simple carbs. For example a good lunch for a DSer is a double bacon cheeseburger minus 1/2 the bun, or some KFC, or anything you want to make that's high protein, the fat doesn't matter, just keep the carbs down. It's easy to eat this way and it's delicious! I Just had my lunch and I had some left over pot roast beef, that had potatoes and carrots cooked with it and it was delicious!
If you were to see me eating a meal in a restaurant, you would have no idea, no clue I've ever had any kind of WLS, I eat like a normal thin person eats.
Hope that helps, but if you have any questions, please ask away.
Kerry
Is your surgeon William O'Malley, by chance?
Here's my take on the DS diet. With the DS - about 80% of fats are malabsorbed, 50% of protein is malabsorbed, 40% of complex carbs are malabsorbed and 0% of simple carbs. What that means is that we do not have to worry at all about eating low-fat. In fact, I enjoy a fair bit of fat in order to keep things regular and to keep my skin from getting dry.
I never feel like I'm on a diet, because I can eat things like bacon, full-fat cheese, peanut butter, steak, buffalo wings with extra blue cheese, sausage, crab legs drenched in butter, etc. All these things are health food for my new anatomy. I can also enjoy fruits, veggies and complex carbs (like popcorn) in moderation. Occasionally, if I want to have a little cheesecake, ice cream, candy or a cookie, I can have that too. I won't dump. There is a responsibility not to go overboard on the simple carbs, because I absorb those 100%. But since I am so busy eating decadent, yummy protein and fat, I don't find that too hard to do.
There is no surgery that will let you eat whatever you want and still be successful. But out of all the post-op diet plans, I think the DS is most forgiving.
Here's my take on the DS diet. With the DS - about 80% of fats are malabsorbed, 50% of protein is malabsorbed, 40% of complex carbs are malabsorbed and 0% of simple carbs. What that means is that we do not have to worry at all about eating low-fat. In fact, I enjoy a fair bit of fat in order to keep things regular and to keep my skin from getting dry.
I never feel like I'm on a diet, because I can eat things like bacon, full-fat cheese, peanut butter, steak, buffalo wings with extra blue cheese, sausage, crab legs drenched in butter, etc. All these things are health food for my new anatomy. I can also enjoy fruits, veggies and complex carbs (like popcorn) in moderation. Occasionally, if I want to have a little cheesecake, ice cream, candy or a cookie, I can have that too. I won't dump. There is a responsibility not to go overboard on the simple carbs, because I absorb those 100%. But since I am so busy eating decadent, yummy protein and fat, I don't find that too hard to do.
There is no surgery that will let you eat whatever you want and still be successful. But out of all the post-op diet plans, I think the DS is most forgiving.
The DS makes you psychic too! Just kidding. 
O'Malley is the only surgeon I've heard of in Rochester who can do the DS. I will warn you that I have heard he will often try to talk patients out of the DS. I also believe that his office staff are notorious for giving out DS misinformation (like might tell you that the DS will make you go to the bathroom 8 times a day).
If you think the DS might be for you, you might want to post a separate thread asking for feedback from O'Malley patients (there are a few here). They can tell you what pitfalls to expect if you seek the DS from him.
O'Malley is the only surgeon I've heard of in Rochester who can do the DS. I will warn you that I have heard he will often try to talk patients out of the DS. I also believe that his office staff are notorious for giving out DS misinformation (like might tell you that the DS will make you go to the bathroom 8 times a day).
If you think the DS might be for you, you might want to post a separate thread asking for feedback from O'Malley patients (there are a few here). They can tell you what pitfalls to expect if you seek the DS from him.
Hi Katie, I thought I would "weigh" in here as I just had the DS two weeks ago! My doctor and I had discussed both options, RNY and DS, and I was leaning toward the DS. She said with my high BMI 54+ and total amount of pounds to lose the DS was more suitable for me.
I also was attracted to the malabsorbtive part of this surgery that RNY does not offer. I know my faults, weaknesses and desires. I have always failed at deiting because I eventually "revert' back to these old friends. I can see that I will never be able to "pig out" again - just no space. But I can enjoy normal foods, eventually in more normal quantities and be able to keep the weight off.
My doctor also made me read the "A Complete Guide to Obesity Surgery" by Bryan G. Woodward and it has been invaluable (I bought used on Amazon for under $5). Great comparisons of all the options and the whys and wherefores.
I have had no nausea, only vomitted twice (because meds were intolerable) am walking more each day and went back to work (I work from home) 6 hours a day 1 week after surgery. I have been very pleased with my recovery and weightloss so far. I am down 40 pounds from highest weight.
All the best Katie.
I also was attracted to the malabsorbtive part of this surgery that RNY does not offer. I know my faults, weaknesses and desires. I have always failed at deiting because I eventually "revert' back to these old friends. I can see that I will never be able to "pig out" again - just no space. But I can enjoy normal foods, eventually in more normal quantities and be able to keep the weight off.
My doctor also made me read the "A Complete Guide to Obesity Surgery" by Bryan G. Woodward and it has been invaluable (I bought used on Amazon for under $5). Great comparisons of all the options and the whys and wherefores.
I have had no nausea, only vomitted twice (because meds were intolerable) am walking more each day and went back to work (I work from home) 6 hours a day 1 week after surgery. I have been very pleased with my recovery and weightloss so far. I am down 40 pounds from highest weight.
All the best Katie.
For me....
Knowing my own weight history told me I needed to alter my own metabolism more than just eating less. I couldn't lose weight on the most ridiculous extreme diets. I would only stop gaining for a period of time.
The DS eating was much more liberal - something I know I could live with long term. I was right. I've never felt deprived.
Side effects - once I knew what they really were from those who live it were quite acceptable, moreso than the RNY.
Long term results are far superior.
Knowing my own weight history told me I needed to alter my own metabolism more than just eating less. I couldn't lose weight on the most ridiculous extreme diets. I would only stop gaining for a period of time.
The DS eating was much more liberal - something I know I could live with long term. I was right. I've never felt deprived.
Side effects - once I knew what they really were from those who live it were quite acceptable, moreso than the RNY.
Long term results are far superior.
Valerie
DS 2005
There is room on this earth for all of God's creatures..
next to the mashed potatoes
I'm a recent revision patient, from RNY to DS. I can eat pretty normally now, and I'm not even 3 months out. I stay away from carbs, follow an Atkins-style diet, and I'm great.
BTW, I had horrid, smelly farts after RNY. I think it happens with most intestinal surgeries. Now that I'm leveling out, I go in the AM (unless I eat something that doesn't agree with me, like stuff heavy in lactose).
All in all I wish I had done this 7 years ago.
BTW, I had horrid, smelly farts after RNY. I think it happens with most intestinal surgeries. Now that I'm leveling out, I go in the AM (unless I eat something that doesn't agree with me, like stuff heavy in lactose).
All in all I wish I had done this 7 years ago.
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