is switch a higher risk
i just fournd out about the switch. this is all getting confusing. i am trying really hard to make educated choices. i have origanally chosen band,but would am more comforatable with sleeve (mediacre will not approve). I have just gotton GI and have done other tests. Today i talked to a nurse from another docs oofice and she suggested come to a information seminar on switch. PLEASE anybody with any sats on complications for switch compared to other WLS. Really any input would be helpful my head is spinnin and i know i have to do somthing or my weight is going to kill me BMI52 thanks to anybody and i hope i made some sense.
(deactivated member)
on 11/29/10 6:28 am - Woodbridge, VA
on 11/29/10 6:28 am - Woodbridge, VA
When you say "risk," do you mean surgical risk? Risk of long-term ciomplications? Potential side effects?
I know there is a study out there that compares surgical risks between RNY and DS, and, when comparing like groups of patients (apples to apples), there is not a statistically significant difference in complication rates between the two procedures. What is mist critical, IMO, is the complication rate of your chosen surgeon. Ask your surgeon what the most common complications they see in DS patients are, how often they occur, and what is done to help mitgate those risks.
For me, the risk of staying morbidly obese and type 2 diabetic was far worse than the risk of a surgical procedure that has since essentially resolved both.
I know there is a study out there that compares surgical risks between RNY and DS, and, when comparing like groups of patients (apples to apples), there is not a statistically significant difference in complication rates between the two procedures. What is mist critical, IMO, is the complication rate of your chosen surgeon. Ask your surgeon what the most common complications they see in DS patients are, how often they occur, and what is done to help mitgate those risks.
For me, the risk of staying morbidly obese and type 2 diabetic was far worse than the risk of a surgical procedure that has since essentially resolved both.
The Band sucks---I can't believe Medicare is still paying for that. With a BMI of 52, the DS is your best bet at achieving and maintaining a normal BMI. As for risks---that's really more dependant on your personal health and your surgeon's skill than the type of surgery you choose.
Some stats you'll see WILL show the DS to be riskier---because those stats reflect a time when the DS was reserved for those with a higher BMI. Traditionally, the higher your BMI, the greater your surgical risk with ANY procedure, be it WLS or a gall bladder removal.
Some stats you'll see WILL show the DS to be riskier---because those stats reflect a time when the DS was reserved for those with a higher BMI. Traditionally, the higher your BMI, the greater your surgical risk with ANY procedure, be it WLS or a gall bladder removal.
The others are right, the surgical risks are similiar for any WLS. You should check out DS Facts for more info. Here is the link: http://www.dsfacts.com/
I have the band currently and all I can stay is STAY AWAY FROM THE BAND! I am looking at getting a revision to the DS because over the long term success rate is much better then other surgeries. No matter what surgery you have there is always a risk, regardless if it is weightloss surgery. I do agree with others and make sure you know about the surgeon because that does matter. There was a doctor in Mexico I was going to go to and then I realized all the complications he had. I instead when and got health insurance through my company to make sure I had a good surgeon.
Good luck
Gina
Good luck
Gina
The *risk* with the DS is for patients who don't/can't learn their new "plumbing" in order to become self-advocates with the medical community.
The *risk* with the DS is for patients who will always follow doctor's orders even if those orders are not what is in the best interest of the patient.
You MUST be able to explain your surgery to doctors and nurses who will try to tell you that you had the RnY because they've never heard of the DS. You MUST be able to understand your nutritional and supplement and vitamin needs and follow through.
You MUST be able to afford the long term costs of protein and vitamins supplements and expensive lab work.
The *risk* with the DS is for patients who will always follow doctor's orders even if those orders are not what is in the best interest of the patient.
You MUST be able to explain your surgery to doctors and nurses who will try to tell you that you had the RnY because they've never heard of the DS. You MUST be able to understand your nutritional and supplement and vitamin needs and follow through.
You MUST be able to afford the long term costs of protein and vitamins supplements and expensive lab work.
(deactivated member)
on 11/29/10 7:25 am
on 11/29/10 7:25 am
this question is too broad to answer. "complications" depends on when not just what surgery you are getting...... Immediately post op the least complication wls is lap band, but you have to understand the lap band is not a permanent implant and you will need more surgery in the future, it is best for a younger patient. The lap band has the highest reoperation rate increasing linearly over time.
If you are an older patient, I would suggest staying away from the lap band and your surgeon should tell you that. With the DS if you take your vit/min and watch your blood work and adjust you complications are primarily immediatley post op (reverse of lap band). Keep in mind the intestinal re-routing is reversable also. Currently medicare does not approve the sleeve but they do approve DS, so it seems like you have rules out the sleeve due to non-coverage.
RNY has a relatively high re-gain weight 4+ years out they have to worry about malabsorption issues and requrie vit/min and do not have a fully functioning stomach (pylorus)
Make sure whoever you consult with does all surgeries, to include lap band, sleeve, RNY, DS and rule out as you don't want to go to a surgeon who rules things out for you as they dont do a certain surgery type.
It really is about what you want and what you are willing to do, if you are a type a person who will not take vit/min and no follow-up do not get DS or RNY. take care
Mila
If you are an older patient, I would suggest staying away from the lap band and your surgeon should tell you that. With the DS if you take your vit/min and watch your blood work and adjust you complications are primarily immediatley post op (reverse of lap band). Keep in mind the intestinal re-routing is reversable also. Currently medicare does not approve the sleeve but they do approve DS, so it seems like you have rules out the sleeve due to non-coverage.
RNY has a relatively high re-gain weight 4+ years out they have to worry about malabsorption issues and requrie vit/min and do not have a fully functioning stomach (pylorus)
Make sure whoever you consult with does all surgeries, to include lap band, sleeve, RNY, DS and rule out as you don't want to go to a surgeon who rules things out for you as they dont do a certain surgery type.
It really is about what you want and what you are willing to do, if you are a type a person who will not take vit/min and no follow-up do not get DS or RNY. take care
Mila
Well, the band for people with a high BMI like you has historically, FAILED. (I had a BMI of 55--please feel free to read my profuile here.)
You're in Chicago, so I will chime in. The ONLY docs who do the DS in the Chicago area are at the University of Chicago. (So do NOT expect any other office in the Chicago area to give you a straight answer on the DS. If they do NOT do it, they talk smack about it, but they do not have the skills to do it. I visited about 4 bariatric offices in the Chicago area, talking to them, talking to their patients, etc and they give WRONG info about the DS out because they do not know how to do it. IT SUCKS.)
In Chicago, there has been some buzz recently about the U of C docs lately and the DS. Leaks, complications, long waits, bad customer service, unwilling to give it unless you have a 50+ BMI. I have no personal experience with them, however, so you would have to meet them, do your due diligence and make your own decision.
I wanted as much experience as possible on my side. As you see, I traveled to San Francsico to have Dr. Rabkin do mine. (Travelling was no problem, BTW.) I liked his patients' results and long-term success rates far better than the U of C docs. I am THRILLED with my results and my DS lifestyle. I think the surgeon makes a HUGE difference.
Here is his site: www.paclap.com
Dr. Rabkin comes to most of our Chicago monthly support groups, so you can meet him and ask your own questions. They are held on the third Monday of each month. I am not sure if we are having a December one and if we do, I may not be able to attend. If you contact his office, you can get the details and come to a meeting, learn about it and make an educated decision.
I wish you luck!
ETA: The DS is a weight loss surgery that does not get much press, since there is no actual product to implant in a patient like a Lap-Band--no marketing budget!
However, it has the BEST success rate of any of today's weight loss surgeries, including the LapBand and RNY. On average, DS patients lose the most weight and more keep it off 7-10 years out, which is what we all should shoot for, right? See page 10 of this guideline document of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. It lays out the stats nicely.
http://www.aace.com/pub/pdf/guidelines/Bariatric.pdf
The DS has a EWL rate, 7-10 years post-op, of 60-80% and the gastric banding has a 14-60% rate. That means if you only had 100 pounds to lose, the DS would keep 60-80 pounds of that off and the band would keep 14-60 pounds of that off, on average. I like the odds of the DS!!
PLUS, it has the most success rate of resolving patient comorbidities such as diabetes. AND, once you get your daily protein in, you can eat a wide variety of foods without fear of dumping, sliming, foamies, etc. which can happen with the other weight loss surgeries. I eat steak, cake, potatoes, cheese--you name it, and still lose weight!
Nicolle
You're in Chicago, so I will chime in. The ONLY docs who do the DS in the Chicago area are at the University of Chicago. (So do NOT expect any other office in the Chicago area to give you a straight answer on the DS. If they do NOT do it, they talk smack about it, but they do not have the skills to do it. I visited about 4 bariatric offices in the Chicago area, talking to them, talking to their patients, etc and they give WRONG info about the DS out because they do not know how to do it. IT SUCKS.)
In Chicago, there has been some buzz recently about the U of C docs lately and the DS. Leaks, complications, long waits, bad customer service, unwilling to give it unless you have a 50+ BMI. I have no personal experience with them, however, so you would have to meet them, do your due diligence and make your own decision.
I wanted as much experience as possible on my side. As you see, I traveled to San Francsico to have Dr. Rabkin do mine. (Travelling was no problem, BTW.) I liked his patients' results and long-term success rates far better than the U of C docs. I am THRILLED with my results and my DS lifestyle. I think the surgeon makes a HUGE difference.
Here is his site: www.paclap.com
Dr. Rabkin comes to most of our Chicago monthly support groups, so you can meet him and ask your own questions. They are held on the third Monday of each month. I am not sure if we are having a December one and if we do, I may not be able to attend. If you contact his office, you can get the details and come to a meeting, learn about it and make an educated decision.
I wish you luck!
ETA: The DS is a weight loss surgery that does not get much press, since there is no actual product to implant in a patient like a Lap-Band--no marketing budget!
However, it has the BEST success rate of any of today's weight loss surgeries, including the LapBand and RNY. On average, DS patients lose the most weight and more keep it off 7-10 years out, which is what we all should shoot for, right? See page 10 of this guideline document of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. It lays out the stats nicely.
http://www.aace.com/pub/pdf/guidelines/Bariatric.pdf
The DS has a EWL rate, 7-10 years post-op, of 60-80% and the gastric banding has a 14-60% rate. That means if you only had 100 pounds to lose, the DS would keep 60-80 pounds of that off and the band would keep 14-60 pounds of that off, on average. I like the odds of the DS!!
PLUS, it has the most success rate of resolving patient comorbidities such as diabetes. AND, once you get your daily protein in, you can eat a wide variety of foods without fear of dumping, sliming, foamies, etc. which can happen with the other weight loss surgeries. I eat steak, cake, potatoes, cheese--you name it, and still lose weight!
Nicolle
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
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