Confussed about RNY vs. DS

I had RNY in May of this year. here is what I can tell you. I wanted RNY because I was constantly hungry, pre diabetic, and I loved sweets. The doctor I chose had been doing RNY surgeries for almost 10 years and had never lost a patient. I knew that there could be risks but with my health deteriorating I knew I was at risk of some other very serious problems if I continued down the path I was on.
I have issues with anesthesia and with pain meds so until I got all that stuff out of my system I was a mess. I had a week or two of prefering to sleep in the recliner when I got home. I have developed a profound distaste for sweets, I do not know why but now much prefer to have salty or highly seasoned foods. I am having a difficult time with meat except for ground beef, turkey peperoni,and some salmon burgers I found at Aldi's, everything else meat is take a bite and see if it is going to work today. I am still eating lots of beans, cottage cheese, kashi go lean cereal, cheese, yogurt, and tofu, sliced and grilled with seasoning it had the texture of scrambled eggs. I always (well almost) have a protein drink for breakfast. I don't have a lot of time in the morning and the pouch prefers not to eat first thing in the morning.
So far I am four months out and I still get frustrated with the eating thing. I have cried a time or two when the hubby treats the kids by bringing home take out food. Then I discovered that is a great time to go for my walk alone! No dragging the four year old along. Yeah! My experience has been good compared to others. I don't post a lot I am still learning and like to read others posts. I still hate protein shakes they are too sweet, I have to make my crystal light with twice the water. I know that it is difficult to describe but head hunger is something that you will only understand once you experience it. I do not get phsically hungry at all ever. But it takes only the sight of a KFC commercial to send me over the edge. I want a bucket of fried chicken so bad I would do anything for it. I am driving my hubby crazy!!! So head hunger will make you crazy! I know that I would be spending at least an hour in the bathroom vomiting if I tried to eat fried chicken but I remember how good it tasted and I want it. Like I said, at least for me, there was no way to understand head hunger. I was physically hungry all the time so the thought of not being hungry but mentally remembering all the taste and enjoyment and my mind wanting the food that was beyond my imagination.
Now with all that being said I am 5'6" started at 313 lbs and four months later I am at 218 lbs as of this morning. I was in a size 26 and now can wear size 18 pants and xl shirts. Yes I have had problems but they are worth it. No more high blood pressure meds, no worries about diabetes, and I can play with my four year old on the floor without having to worry that I can't get back up! Hope that is honest enough for you. Any other questions just ask.

OK - here is my story. Maybe I'm still considered a "newbie" because I'm only two years out (almost), but I have experienced a bit of a bounce back from my lowest weight, and feel like I'm in "maintenance". I'm still 20 pounds below goal.

 I'm very glad I had the RNY - it has changed my life. I no longer suffer from GERD, IBS, or hypertension. I enjoy a greater variety of foods than I ever did pre-op because my tastes have changed, and I enjoy trying new, healthy foods. I hardly ever eat out, and have found great enjoyment in preparing my own food, trying new recipes, and finding healthy alternatives to pre-op favorites. I still eat full fat cheese, butter, sour cream, etc. with no problem.

I would not do well with the DS because I'm not a big fan of eating large amounts of fat - never have been. In fact, it kinda grosses me out. My big problem has always been carbs - delicious carbs! LOL - I do tend to have dumping syndrome if I eat too much so I keep my carbs in moderation, though I will occasionally indulge in a small treat. DS'ers do not dump on too much carbs, but they can experience some "intestinal distress" and will also, of course, experience slowed weight loss. I've probably also not been as good with my vitamins as I should, but work on that - I have much respect for the DS'ers because their regimen is pretty strict, and most of those I've seen on here have become supplement experts!

Anyway, everyone's needs are different - there is no one surgery that fits all. You are doing the right thing by asking about all the different types before you make your choice. Best of luck whatever you choose!

For the record, DSers don't have to eat massive amounts of fat, we simply don't have a need to limit them. If a DSer enjoys the taste of low fat products or simply doesnt want to use a lot of fat in their cooking they don't have to. I enjoy bacon and I enjoy frying my eggs in bacon grease, I also eat full fat greek yogurt, mayo, sour cream, cheese, butter and not concern myself with it but there are DSers who simply prefer the taste of low fat products of leaner cuts of meat and there is nothing wrong with that. There isnt some guideline that all DSers must eat 100g of fat a day or they shall perish lol. The only real rule for DSers is protein first. We focus on getting in 100g of protein a day and we make sure to get our fluids in but other than that every DSer is different.

Also, DSers malabsorb complex carbs at a rate of 40-50% (same as our protein malabsorption). There is definitely a strong low carb group amongst the DSers and I was a low carb fan before the DS but even with my low carbing I still eat 50g net carbs per day with a celebratory high carb day now and then. As for the intestinal distress, for the most part its when we overeat simple carbs and varies from person to person as well as the type of carbs. For example, some can eat flour but flour and sugar together makes them gassy, others can't do much white flour but can do whole wheat with no problem while others avoid flour but can do sugar, corn and potatoes just fine. Its a very individual process. While some might get diarhea from overeating too many carbs usually the side effect is foul smelling gas and sometimes bloating. Many of us, myself included, have no problems at all with carbs and while I may get a little malodorous gas if I eat a ton of bad carbs, usually I have no repercussions at all.

Thank you! 
It really ****** me off when someone says they don't want the DS because they dont want to eat a ton of fat.  As if we sit around eating tubs or lard or something?

All it means is that we can eat whatever amount of fat we want.  If someone enjoys butter, mayo, cheese...eat it.  Why not?  We don't absorb it, people.  It doesnt raise our cholesterol.  It doesnt clog our arteries.  It just passes out of our system.  If someone doesnt enjoy eating full fat versions, then don't.  However,  I have noticed for years that my naturally thin friends eat full fat versions of things, and it's mostly my overweight friends who eat the low fat versions.  And the low fat versions, by the way, are usually processed and full of carbs / sugar so not necessarily any healthier.

Even DS'ers who might get constipated and want to add some fat can add healthy (for them) fats by easily adding in some avocado, olive oil, bacon, a piece of cheese, etc. to their meals.  Not a big deal and a far cry from sitting on the sofa whith a tub of Crisco and a spoon which seems to be the perception of some.

 
~~Not a big deal and a far cry from sitting on the sofa whith a tub of Crisco and a spoon which seems to be the perception of some.~~

in all fairness, i eat a full fat diet as well and i have a sleeve.  Eating a full fat diet is not saved for DS folks alone.  Other surgery types eat a full fat diet as well.

AND... in all fairness there are a few DSers who brag about eating a pound of bacon daily so can you honestly blame newbies to OH for wondering if you sit with a can of crisco and a spoon?

I don't get the low-fat concept for ANYONE, personally. With the exception of some RNYers who dump on high amounts of fat, I suppose. Recent studies show that dietary fat is NOT evil UNLESS combined with high intake of CARBS. Fat alone doesn't do damage to the body - doesn't clog arteries or make your heart explode.

Oh, and bacon is high in protein and actually isn't horrendously fatty once cooked. I could see the misconception (and I know not specifically a misconception on YOUR part, but others), but bacon is a far cry from Crisco on a spoon  ;)

 
I agree.  Usually the low fat products they just replace the fat with sugar anyway.  If there happens to be a low fat  product i prefer i'll get it but usually the full fat taste better.

Besides, when I had my first surgery i did low carb/low fat.  My skin and hair were dry dry dry.  So about three months post op i went back to full fat.

Crisco on a spoon.... maybe cut it with butter for better flavor?  ;o)

Hey, they do make a butter-flavored Crisco, you know! As a wannabe DSer, I would know. (Actually, I bought it for baking since I bake so infrequently and figured it would have a longer shelf life than regular butter!)

This is OT -- but why would someone use butter-flavored crisco, when thy could just use butter?

 because it helps make pie crusts both tender AND flaky  DUH