to big for RNY

Hey All I don't tell many people my weight (although it's in my profile) I think it lists my weight as 377 but, iam down now to 368 with a BMI of 62.8. What i was wondering is am i to big for the RNY? i do prefer this procedure over the DS because of the possible dumping if i make a mistake by eating something iam not supposed to that would teach me to stay away from that type of food. The DS i'm not sure i like the possiblity of chronic diarrhea(sp?) having worse smelling BM's and foul smelling passing of wind. Mine are bad enough now as my dad likes to say. I also know that the DS is the procedure preferred for people with alot of weight to loose and as you can see iam 218lbs over what Iam supposed to be or 188 over what i think would be a suitable weight for me. my second question is it not my choice for what procedure i want done it is my body after all? thanks for any help you can provide me, Dannette

Dannette You are absolutely not too big. I was 356, and I know people who were over 400 pounds and had RNY. Some people on here actually, and I'm sure they will tell you who they are. I chose this over DS for most of the same reasons. I work in a busy office and didn't like the idea of that smelly gas LOL Take care friend Joyce

Hi Dannette I should let you know that initally the DS gave me diarrhea and smelly gas, but now that's gone away. If you talk to people that have had the DS they will tell you it all depends on what you eat. If you stay away from foods that give you diarrhea or gas you'll be fine. Sandra

hi dannette i thought after 6 months you dont have that problem with foul gas.. also you could get it with other surgeries ..at least that was what i thought... good luck carolynne

Hey Dannette I think the gas and diarrhea are only temporary and like dumping with the RNY occurs when you eat things you're not supposed to (highly refined carbs with DS) People with BMI's over 50 and particulary over 60 do very well with the DS...one of my docs think I am too SMALL for a DS weighing in at 311 BMI around 53. I don't think you are too big for the RNY at all, I've seen profiles of a lot of people who were much bigger than you who had an RNY and were very successful. There are many solutions to gas and diarrhea problems and I figure that at least it's comming out the end it's supposed to as apposed to vomiting which really bothers me. The gas and diarreah were not concerns for me because I have diarrea predominant IBS and have learned to deal with it very well...I don't think I could get used to vomiting. The decision is yours and your surgeon will be able to give you the best advice on what surgery is best for your body type. The most important thing I can say is stick to what feels right for you, ultimately you are going to have to live in your body for the rest of your life. Cheers Jen

Well said Jen! After that, there's nothing more I could add.... Laurie

What is RNY and DS... and the differnce:: little lost I thought gastric bypass same for everyone

Considering that I believe that the 1 ton man got it done on the tlc documentary, you are more than fine girlee! Dawn

You are not too big for the RNY. You are not too small for the DS. You need to do your research, talk to post-ops who are on both sides of the fence, then make up your mind. FYI, I was approved for the RNY, but then later changed my mind and got approval for the DS. I went into DS surgery as a "lightweight" (BMI 43) ... my experienced surgeon customized my intestines so I would lose the right amount of weight for my body. At 11 months out of surgery I am 2 pounds shy of my goal and can eat like a horse. (relatively speaking ) There is a lot of information on OH about the RNY, Lapband, etc. But not a lot of good information about the DS. Chronic diarrhea can happen to anyone post WLS, not just DSers. It all depends on the type of surgery you chose and how your body reacts to it. The beauty of the duodenal switch is that it can be customized to your needs, unlike the the RNY, which is pretty much an identical operation from patient to patient. I do not have chronic diarrhea. My poops and farts smell, but they stunk pre-op too. They just smell different now and the smell lingers a little longer. Nothing that a can of bathroom spray can't handle. If I completely avoid simple carbs, I smell as sweet as a rose, so to speak. Dumping and the RNY is akin to smelly gas and the DS. Not everybody gets it and it is almost always caused by eating something you shouldn't. Choose a surgery that you know you will be comfortable with for the long term. There are pros and cons for all of them. The best feature of the DS is that it has the best long term success rate of all WLS. I love food, which is why I chose the DS. Post-op DSers have a magnificent quality of life when it comes to eating. I could go on and on, but I'll spare you. Best of luck. You're worth the extra effort it takes to find the right surgery and surgeon for you. No one needs to blindly accept any WLS out of desperation. Wendy

Dannette, I was 432 lbs. when I had open rny. you are by no means too big for it. There's a lovely lady that I met on another board that had the same surgery with the same surgeon as I, and she was close to 600 lbs. She is doing extremely well with the rny. I chose rny for the simple reason that the DS is not reversible if any problems were to arise. The rny is a tough surgery to reverse, but there is that assurance. I too didn't really like the idea of the extra smelly gas among other side effects that come along with the DS. But it is a personal choice. You have to make that for yourself. I by no means think the DS surgery is bad. I know it has worked for those that have had it. It just wasn't for me. I am happy to say that the rny was the perfect surgery for me. It's difficult to finally make the ultimate decision, but you will eventually figure out what you think is best for you. I wish you all the best! Research research research!!!! Cheers and Hugs! Lorraine