The good, the bad and the ugly of DS
MOST of the people I see with gas problems are able to isolate it down to the food that is causing it if they hate the experience that much. I know of a few that have gone on complete isolation diets to figure out it was gluten or lactose or some other thing causing the gas problem and then were able to eliminate it to live pretty gas free lives.
My friend Marta suffered from gas for a while and really worked at figuring out what works for her and now is pretty much gas free - or else times it accordingly when she will be outdoors or alone. She reminds me of what you said that you're terribly embarrassed with gas - I've heard of a few folks that have said the same that they don't even pass gas in front of their husbands.... and even after the DS they were able to be pretty normal.
I think it's great that you are doing your research now. The problem is that we are all so different. I've heard people say they can't believe they have the DS because there has been such little change to their bowels post op, but yet the weight is falling off them. Others notice from the get go or become severely lactose intolerant. I am lactose intolerant but at least not with yogurt or cheese -
Jill - revision - band to DS 3/10/05 Dr. Baltasar, Spain
440/140/149 hw/cw/gw - 5'5" -300lbs -- bmi 73.2 to 24.8 :) GOAL MET 10/26/10!!.... Even made 140 September 2012. Been ranging 4-6lbs from 144-146 since then. Back to 140 December 2012, hoping to see it again after I feel better and start working out.
Certain foods (and sometimes ALL food) give you unbearable VERY stinky gas
Those foods can give ANYBODY ELSE very stinky gas! It's not a matter of WLS or non-WLS at all! My dad has not had WLS, yet his gas and BMs have always stunk up the house and many other places!
Longer surgery
My virgin lap DS surgery lasted 3.5 hours. When my surgeon revises from RNY or VBG to DS, he takes down (as in reverses) the old procedure before starting on the DS as if it were a virgin procedure. That could take quite a while because it's two procedures in one operation.
Longer Hospital
My surgeon's standard for DS or RNY is 3-4 nites for lap and 1 week for open, barring any complications.
Longer time off work
If I were employed at the time of my surgery, then I would have returned to work half-time at about 4 weeks and full-time at about 7 weeks. I went back on the job-hunting market at about 7 weeks, and I could take naps as needed.
"Most" people LOVE their DS and would do it again in a heartbeat.
I so my DS! However, I wouldn't do it again because it's already been done!
One of the reasons I chose the DS is that my primary insurance covers DS but not the VSG. Also, I wanted a fully-functioning stomach with the pylorus valve intact and to be able to eat like a non-WLSer and not have to worry about dumping, puking, or getting the foamies. Plus, I wanted to be able to take meds like a non-WLSer.
I have seen RNYers and lap-banders being able to eat only a couple of small bites before they say that they're full. To me, that's not real eating!
Also, I learned in the surgery prep seminar that RNYers have to cut foods into sizes of pencil erasers to accommodate their egg-sized (about 50 ML) pouches. Real DSers eat just like any non-WLSer!
Vicki
DS (lap) with Dr. Clifford Deveney. Cholecystectomy (lap) with Dr. Clifford Deveney 19 months post-op.
Has not weighed myself since 1/2010. Letting my clothes gauge my progress instead.
Good luck with your decision.

on 11/15/08 7:18 am - GA
Thanks for posting~
I KNEW there were more people out there like me...(embarrassed by gas). HA!
This is GREAT information...thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diana
Certain foods (and sometimes ALL food) give you unbearable VERY stinky gas
Certain foods can give ANY post-op very stinky gas whether they had RnY, DS, VSG, VBG or even LapBand. It is an individual thing and not based as being general fact solely for DSer. The statement that ALL food gives a DSer very stinky gas is also a fallacy. The first year post-op I had a lot of food intolerance and NOT ONCE had any diarrhea, bathroom issues or certainly there weren't very stinky gas from it. Hey, I fart as do many people do, including non-op. First year is a lot of trial and error and you will get to know your system very well. The only issue that gave me very smelly gas was almonds, as it may with any other post-op with food they eat, regardless what type of surgery they have.
One of the great pluses of having the DS is, the post-op is very aware which type of food can cause them to have gas issues and they can CONTROL it for it not to occur. DSers are very in tune with their digestive system and mechanics to what happens when certain food is eaten and doesn't agree with them. This is very easily controllable and not an issue at all.
Revision from RNY to DS has LOTS of "could" happens
A revision in general that consist of having a take-down or reversal from the RnY is a very complicated surgical procedure and should only be perform by very experienced and knowledgeable revision surgeons. In general, there can be a lot of "could" happen with ANY of the bariatric procedures and depends on the patient's health condition, weight and other pre-exisitng factors.
Longer surgery
Depends of various factors based on the patient medical condition and even weight. This is for any bariatric surgery and not just the DS.
Longer Hospital
I was high risk and spent 4 days in the hospital. Even as high risk, I was discharge on day 4 and with no medical complications that needed to me stay there any longer. On average, DSers spend 3-4 days inpatient after surgery, then discharge.
Longer time off work
Depends on the individual. Some are able to recover faster and go back to work in 2 weeks. Others, depending on whatever it is and even in the surgical recovery process, may take alittle longer.
"Most" people LOVE their DS and would do it again in a heartbeat.
I would because I live life as though I NEVER had WLS. I can eat food and not worry, focus or even concentrate on what I eat. I am hungry, I go eat. If I am still hungry, I go again and eat. No big deal or drama about it. The best thing is, I haven't gained any weight. Calories, fat and even complex carbs has not been an issue for me and I have tested my limits on it with no negative effects. The most important thing to me is I have my health back and able to move on in life and beautifully with no issues or guilt from it.
A Lot of people wish they'd never done it (because of the "brown cloud")
If you mean farting. I would like to know who are these "a lot of people" who wished they never done it because of the "brown cloud" that said that. I personally know a lot of DSers in real life and even myself as a DSer, do not have issues with gas or bowel movements that impedes in mine or their lifestyle. It is all common sense to be honest. DSer do know what to avoid and have in moderation when it comes to eating things that do not agree with them, especially when in public.
Many of the hear-says that are said to you or have read, I am sure are from people who do not have the DS as their surgery or experienced life being a post-op DSer. Huge difference to live it and another to hear from 3rd parties or friend of a friend. As for me, living with the DS so far has been very productive and beautiful experience. My DS friends do not regret it either and many here on this board and other boards that I am a member of, also do NOT regret having the DS. I enjoy the freedom I have living with the DS since there is no limitations to anything in regards to food and haven't once had any negative side effects since the initial 1st year post-op with severe food intolerance which has since then been ALL GONE. Food is just food and I have the option to choose what I want to eat or have without worrying, freaking out, go into pity party mode of guilt, deal with if I might get sick or even gain weight. I am now in maintenance mode and do not want to lose anymore weight.
I would rather be 300 lbs than have gas issues (I'm such a prude!)
I personally weighed 305 lbs and was suffering alot with immobility and my health deteriorating taking me closer and closer to my death. It was a very difficult life living with 300 lbs on my tiny body frame. I now weight 135 lbs and have my health back, a great social life, enjoy playing sports and most of all, have my independence not to rely on anyone to assist me, especially with my daily basic tasks and needs. Like I said, life is beautiful living with the DS.
Wishing you the best in your journey to better health and life.
BMI = 23.7 3+ yrs post-op
stomach = 3.5 oz, common channel = 125 cm

5' 5" - 317.5 / 132 / 134 SW / CW / GW
everyone is different.. there are NO guarantees..with anything in life let alone WLS... you just have to go into it being as positive as you can, research and weigh your options..
Unfortunately, I also feel you are likely not ready for the DS... ask anyone on here..I am normally a VERY positive person. Your whole thought process and defensiveness brings up a HUGE red flag.
me personally..I would rather weigh 160 and kill people with gas (which by the way is actually better since i had the DS) than be 300 (or 279) and not have gas issues..
THERE!! i took my chance...FLAME away!!! I got my big girl panties on, I can take it!
ps - I think you are looking for a fight, not really coming here with an open mind.. leaving out the fact you are seeking a revision is a huge thing to leave out of your post..in my humble opinion.
1) Yes, you can have some horrendous gas -- almost ALWAYS treatable or preventable, depending on the cause. You can get an overgrowth of C. diff, which needs to be treated. You can take probiotics, which help signficantly. You can take Flagyl, prophylactically (although I don't recommend it). You can, through trial and error, figure out which foods cause you the worst problems, and not eat them -- the easiest, cheapest and most reliable thing to do.
2) You still need to be prepared for the occasional surprise. Sometimes, the cause of the gas is not identifiable or avoidable.
However, I would caution you -- if you are that obsessed about, concerned about, humiliated about, overwhelmed about, etc., the possibility of farting in public, in front of your SO, in bed at night in your sleep, etc., maybe you are not mature enough for the DS. **** -- and gas -- happen, and if you are truly going to be that psychologically damaged by farting, the DS may not be for you -- in particular if you honestly prefer being unhealthy and fat, rather than having gas. Yeesh.
I sure hope by the time you are older and become more and more incontinent of pee, stool and gas -- as most people are, irrespective of having WLS -- you are able to handle it. I imagine you will -- I've never heard of anyone committing suicide over not being able to control their farts.
You would rather have an ineffective RNY than risk farting? Alrighty then -- your choice is clear. Just be warned than an ERNY will have a similar risk of having gas, and a higher risk of malnutrition.
NOTE: although I truly believe that the DS is THE BEST WLS of them all, there certainly are some people who should not have one. Mostly for psychological reasons.