"Gold Standard"

I'm tired of hearing how RNY is the "gold standard" for surgery.  They've been saying that for literally YEARS.  Just because it's the most commonly performed, doesn't mean it's "gold" for everyone.  Time for the medical profession, including the ASMBS, to re-evaluate this determination methinks.  My $0.02

My doctors [surgeon and GP] never referred to RNY as Gold Standard.  My surgeon just said it's the surgery that would likely work best for me [over lapband or VSG].  I heard it referred to as Gold when I came here. 

I first heard it about 11 years ago when my girlfriend from Maryland decided to have RNY.  She kept referring to it as the "Gold Standard", so I asked her what it meant.  She didn't know. lol

 I have heard it a millionnnnnn times!

RNY i's even mentioned in several WLS books as the Gold Standard. 

I looked up the definition of Gold Standard:  The best, most reliable, or most prestigious thing of its type

But is it for everyone? 

Best.  Most reliable. Most prestigious.

I guess I think that some people just throw the term around without really understanding the implications of what the term implies.  *shrug*

I agree with you Karen.  Let's face it, when it comes to people, we are not "one size fits all" and we should not be "one surgery fits all".  When it comes my turn, I hope the surgeon will look at what's best for me, not what is the generic gold standard.  I'm going through Hamilton, so at least I have a slight chance.

Ahhh!  Are you hoping for a VSG?  And if so, have you read this position paper by the ASMBS?

http://s3.amazonaws.com/publicASMBS/GuidelinesStatements/Pos itionStatement/ASMBS-SLEEVE-STATEMENT-2011_10_28.pdf

I've got to be honest ... that article made my brain hurt.  Seems to me it said you don't lose as much, but it is safe???

I'm hoping to discuss all three major options: RNY, VSG, and DS with the surgeon.

hehehe

Well, it was sort of confusing, you're right.  I think the mere fact that they're researching it, writing positions on it and validating it as a worthy bariatric surgery is a good sign.  It'll be interesting to see more long term results in the future, as a stand-alone surgery.

You most definitely should discuss all of your options - that's your right.  I truly hope you get what you need.  They weren't even really doing the VSG as a stand-alone bariatric surgery at the time of my RNY 5.5 years ago.  Thankfully, I know I got the right surgery for me, as I'm aware that a restriction-only based surgery wouldn't have solved my metabolic issues.

What was interesting in the position statement was the statistical information about diabetes resolution (better than expected) and the data that demonstrated there may well be some metabolic effect on the system, even without malabsorption.