Surgery Types

After doing some research on the different types of surgrey and attending a seminar at IU Health last night I'm not quite sure RNY is right for me. By the sounds of it possibly DS would be a better option not taking into consideration the higher risks. IU Health said that they do not perform DS because of the risks and complications after the surgrey. They have a surgeon that does perform it here in Indiana - but I guess she is at multiple hospitals. 

The reason I say i'm not sure RNY is right for me is my BMI is at or very near 50. Plus, RNY is more restrictive I think than anything else. In my personal, non professional, opinion I don't think necessarily "over eating" is a huge problem with me. Excess Calories...perhaps - but one of the things I've been struggling to figure out over the past few years is how I can eat the same thing and same amount as the person next to me and they be a tall skinny guy and I'm at 350lbs. 

I know everyone is made different, however, just getting to my thought of why I'm not sure RNY is right for me. I want to be sure that if I go through with something serious as WLS I want it to work and work well.

However, one thing that concerned me is the surgeon that talked last night (that doesn't perform DS) made a point that someone with DS might go through bowel movments 3-6 times a day. I travel quite a bit and am rarely near a rest room - is this a real concern? 

However, I don't want to go in and say "I want X surgrey do it....."  -  Its totally up to the surgeon to find out what is right for me.

I am going to go to St. Vincent to see what they have to say.

I know there is a lot there...any advice or thoughts is greatly appriciated! 

.

On December 9, 2011 at 5:02 AM Pacific Time, cartwrightna wrote: However, I don't want to go in and say "I want X surgrey do it....."  -  Its totally up to the surgeon to find out what is right for me.


Wait...what?! No, it is NOT up to the surgeon! It is up to YOU to determine what you want to live with for the rest of your life! Read, research, and pick your procedure, THEN seek out a surgeon who is excellent at performing the procedure you WANT.

Most surgeons do not perform the DS because they aren't trained to do so; saying they don't do it because of the increased risks and compliacations is usually an excuse when, in fact, they have never performed the procedure at all. It normally takes longer to perform than the RNY, requires sewing of the duodenum (which is more delicate tissue, therefore requiring more skill), and is less profitable. Some surgeons truly do believe in the higher complication/risk rates, but most complications can be headed of with proper follow-up and proactive self care. I have not had a single complication. That's not to say complications don't happen, but they can hapen with any procedure. The most important thing is finding a surgeon who is GREAT at the procedure you choose. General complication statistics are meaningless if your selected surgeon has never encountered any of them, right?

I decided on the DS and then found vetted DS surgeons. I NEVER saw a surgeon before deciding which procedure I wanted.

As for your other concerns, I poop once a day. It is rare that I go more than that (though it happens occasionally). I have never used a restroom on an airplane, bus, train, etc., as I am always fine for the duration of the trip. I have family that I travel to see and have never had an issue driving 4-6 hours at a time without stopping.

It's a rare day that I don't poop twice---and ONLY twice. (*grin*) This generally happens within the first 30 minutes after I get up in the AM.

I'm actually somewhat impressed that IU is even talking about the DS, especially  if it wasn't Dr. Inman presenting.  Both my wife and I were Inman patients, and we had great experiences with her.  My wife's was in May 2010, and I followed in August 2010.  Her BMI was in the high 60s if I recall, and I was at about 47 I think.  We chose the DS because of it's long term results and because it allowed us to have the most "normal" diet of the various options.  With regards to bowel issues, I go twice in the morning before leaving for work and every once in a while will have another visit in the late afternoon/early evening, and that's usually because I've had something to eat that I shouldn't have.  In any event, it is never a situation where I can't hold it long enough to make it to a restroom.

At your BMI, you likely won't have a hard time convincing Dr. Inman to do the DS.  However, you have to go in and ask for it.  She only does one DS a week, with the rest of her surgical time being primarily VSGs and RNYs.  With that in mind, be prepared for a three to six month wait for your surgery.  My wife had to wait 4 months for her surgery from the date of initial consult, and I was about 7 months, although part of that was due to some internal miscommunication and then working around my school schedule.  Also be prepared to do your own research about diet and supplementation needs, because the nutritionists at St. Vincent's are likely to give you RNY advice instead of true DS advice. 

Good luck on your journey, and come on over to the DS board to learn from the vets.  Also, start reading dsfacts.com now to understand exactly how this surgery works and what your needs will be afterwards.

 Dr. Inman didn't present  -  She's the doctor I want to see. 

They said last night (Dr. Mattar) they do not offer it at that center any longer because it was too risky and was not worth it. Did you go through IU or St. Vincent? 

 She only does the DS at St. Vincent.  As far as I know, she never did it at IU.  If she did, it's been years since she's done it there.

When you schedule the consult at St. Vincent, make sure that you specify you want the DS and you want to attend one of the sessions when she presents.  Otherwise you'll have to go back to the information session again just to see her.

 I totally understand what you mean by it's my choice. I absolutly agree. Though, it is a little rough to wrap my brain around going into a medical procedure and picking which one to have. Heck - last night when they asked if you wanted to schedule a consult they gave you a booklet with doctor pictures and bio's and asked which one you'd like to see...I have done plenty of research on the doctors here in Indiana and I know which one I want to see - but - it was awkward to hear.

I know I need WLS - I've tried to do this on my own and failed every time. I'm turning 30 in 3 years and I will be absolutly devistated if I turn 30 and weigh more than 10 times my age.

This whole process is a bit to get use to for me - First I've decided to seek help and finally admit there was an issue more than just being overweight. The risks of continuing being obese by FAR scare me more than any WLS procedure. I have NEVER talked to my friends about this nor have they talked to me about it. Now that I have made the first effort to discuss they're researching and discussing with me which is great.

I'm going to go to another center to discuss with them. The surgeon who presented last night didn't do it justice. He bashed DS to begin with and at one point someone asked "well if your bypassing the stomach why leave it in there?" The surgeon replied, "I don't know, that's the way it has always been done - that's the way we're taught" - Heck - I know the answer why it's left in there - perhaps he does too and was just being lazy...

I digress. Sorry for the ramble and thanks for the advice and insight.

I used to travel a lot as a corporate trainer, also presenting in front of groups for hours, entire days, and never had any mishaps.  I do all of my business first thing in the morning, and I'm done for the day.  The doc in Indiana is a good one, or there are a couple across the border in Dayton Ohio.  Today I own a restaurant, and still no problems.

It is NOT up to the surgeon, it's up to you, and you owe it to yourself to know what you want, why you want it, and what is required of you to have it, before and after the surgery.  You know your own weight and diet history, and with some knowledge, can determine what you need much better than a doc in a 15 minute consultation.

oh no no no no no.

A Toyota salesmen is going to try to sell you a Toyota. It doesn't matter that there is a better car. YOU need to research and decide what surgery is best for you. THEN find a vetted, experienced surgeon to do it.