In responce to my last post!!

Valerie G.
on 1/18/09 10:14 pm - Northwest Mountains, GA

Statistically, the DS has the highest rate of weight loss and lowest rate of regain then any other wls.  Over 5-10 years, on average, patients have retained 80% of their excess weight loss.  That's 20-30% more than the RNY patients. 

On your idea of the RNY being reversable:  there are some RNY's who's plyoric valve atrophies over time rendering it useless.  Now, if the patient has ulcers in their pouch (common for RNY's because the pouch is made from the part of the stomach susceptible to these - the same part of the stomach that is removed in the DS), what happens then?  That's something to ask a surgeon.  I know that a RNY cannot be revised to a DS if this occurs, so it can be assumed that the stomach cannot be utilized again?  The intestines in the DS remain in the body, so they can be adjusted if need be.  I've only seen this necesary once.

Now for the what if's?  We chose to go into the unknown what if's because we decided the risks of these what if's was less than the risk of remaining morbidly obese.  If  you're not there yet, then maybe you need more time.

I can tell you from my 4 years on this board, I've seen hundreds, maybe thousands come and go.  Of those, I've seen one go in to have their common channel lengthened.  I've seen two not lose as much as expected (but still lost a notable amount) and their surgeons were baffled.  I saw one actually go back into surgery and get her sleeve tightened and common channel shortened, but she was 8 years out and since then, surgeons are more aggessive today with more data to work with.  She also had a lot to lose, and even though she'd lost a notable amount already.  I've also another long term post op regain 65 lbs, but she shed her bad eating habits and lost it all within only a few months.  I was in awe watching her get back to her goal, and it put my mind at ease that my DS doesn't stop working.  It will always be there for me.

For comparison sake -- you can check out the Revisions board and see how many DSers there are out there compared to other procedures.  There's a reason for that.  

Valerie
DS 2005

There is room on this earth for all of God's creatures..
next to the mashed potatoes

caro
on 1/18/09 10:17 pm

I didn't see your earlier post and I'm sorry to hear you were treated rudely when you asked questions.  There is no bad/wrong question.  If you are thinking it; you should be allowed to ask.  Sometimes people come on this board to stir the waters and get people mad.  I think maybe some thought that was your intent.  Most of the people here are nice, helpful, informative people.  I'm glad to see you didn't give up because of the first experience.

I agree with the answers that you have received so far.  We do have a fully functioning stomach, so there should be no need to revise it in the future.  Remember, while the RNY keeps the rest of the stomach, it is closed off.  So, it cannot be scoped if there is a problem.  That can cause issues in the future.  Also, the intestine can be re-attached if digestive enzymes don't stop the weight loss or some other situation would come up in the future. 

Good luck in your research.

Caro

SW: 236.5 CW: 116 GW: 120-130

 

 

 

 

Maria C.
on 1/19/09 3:45 am - KY

She wasn't treated rudely at all.  I read the whole post and I saw nothing out of line.


HW 246    SW 243     CW - below goal    GW 139     Height 5'3"
Roxy2974
on 1/19/09 9:30 am - Austell, GA
That is your perseption, I never said I was treated rudely and obviously you did not read this whole post b/c I stated maybe I was being sensative but some of the responces made me feel uneasy and I am entitled to how I feel, I am not here to play games or argue.
Maria C.
on 1/19/09 11:56 am - KY
I was responding to Caro, who apologized that you were treated rudely.  You weren't.


HW 246    SW 243     CW - below goal    GW 139     Height 5'3"
Elizabeth N.
on 1/19/09 12:04 am - Burlington County, NJ
Perhaps it might be reassuring for you to know that partial and total stomach removals have been performed (for reasons other than WLS, like nonhealing very bad ulcers, cancer, etc.) since the 1940's or 1950's. It's possible to live just fine with NO stomach whatsoever. You don't need to fear something happening that might cause you to "need" the portion of your stomach that's removed with that part of the DS. You're just getting rid of excess size, excess acid- and hunger hormone-producing tissue.

As others have already said, the intestinal portion is reversible. The DS is a more adaptable procedure than the RNY.

The appendix is a totally expendable bit of tissue. It is possible to have a bit of digestive trouble after gallbladder removal, but that's almost always temporary, and it is generally limited to a few food intolerances (as in you get a bellyache from an offending food). Gallbladder failure is pretty common, though, and it's a lot easier to live with no gallbladder than with a stone filled or otherwise wrecked one. (Voice of experience on that one.)

As to your concerns about how people responded: You'd be surprised how many people say something like, "Talk to me like a 3 yr. old" (not necessarily here, but in forums in general) and then get REALLY offended when someone takes them seriously. They're just using it as a figure of speech.Give this place more of a chance and try not to take that stuff personally. Just take what works for you and leave the rest :-).
Roxy2974
on 1/19/09 9:34 am - Austell, GA
I appreciate your post.
jacqqui
on 1/20/09 1:54 am - Cherry Hill Area, NJ
If you do decide not to post any further, becasue many of us can be blunt, you are right that is your perogative.

Just make sure though that you go to a good website like DSfacts.com to get a current list of surgeons *****ALLY do the DS. There are many listed on here who say they do it but when you get there they have reasons you arent appropriate that really have more to do with them not wanting to or being able to actually do the DS. We call them "bait and dont switch surgeons"

there are no guarantees in life..look at the people who hadLap bands or  RNY's and regret that they never knew about the DS. there ARE issues related to malabsorbtion and we know what they are already. That is why there is so much talk about nutrition and vitamins and labs.

If you have another 10+ years to wait to see what the next wave of surgery brings then that is all you can do about the "what if's"

I am glad that I had already had my gallbladder out or I would have had it removed at the same time I had my open DS and my appendix. I know the what if of the gallbladder issues becasue mine had to come out due to me getting gallstones from my last big weight loss.


Good luck


Jacqui


Ht 5'9" HW 389 / SW 385 / CW 192/ LW/ 164 / GW 180-190 
 

Guate Wife
on 1/19/09 12:09 am - Grand Rapids, MI

First of all, I don't really care how you ask me to answer you.... if you post asking for answers or advice, I decide IF I want to take the time to answer and how I will answer.  I really don't have the time or patience to shoot rainbows & sunshine up anyones a$$.  Take it for what it is, and if you don't like the answer, chances are that has a lot more to do with you than the person responding.

Second, I also really don't care if you get the DS.  It is what it is, and only you can decide what is best for yourself and how you want your post-op life to be.  People take time out of their life to provide insight, take it or leave it, but if you want it to continue you may wish to back off on demanding how people respond to you.  Frankly, if you can't take direct statements on HOW you are going to have to manage your post-op life, there is a chance that the DS may not be for you.  We are a community of many different types of people, but when someone needs something we tend to focus on the message and not how it is delivered.

Next, we don't get our stomach removed.  We get a portion of our stomach removed.  It is still completely functioning, and many thousands of people have survived with this amount of stomach, less, or no stomach for a whole lot longer than a SMO or SSMO person will likely survive their co-morbidities.  The DS is not the only reason to have a portion of the stomach removed, and certainly not the latest & greatest, there are years & years of studies.  Again, this is for you to determine for yourself.  You never know what will come along.  We make educated decisions based on current research.  If you want to buy problems from the future, more power to you.

Why are you connecting the potential removal of your appendix & gallbladder?  These are separate organs, and the surgeon makes that call.  As I am certain even your older than 3 year old self is aware, these organs are removed by the hundreds everyday, and this is not contingent on the DS.

Yes, indeed, you are entitled to your fears and entitled to your opinions, which will ultimately lead you to a decision that is right for YOU.  You are not entitled to skew data, and you're not entitled to tell me how to respond.  If you want input & insight, put your big girl panties on and absorb all you can to help you make the most informed & best decision for yourself.  If you can't handle it, feel free to utilize the block button. 

       ~ I am the proud wife of a Guatemalan, but most people call me Kimberley
Highest Known Weight  =  370#  /  59.7 bmi  @  5'6"

Current Weight  =  168#  /  26.4 bmi  :  fluctuates 5# either way  @  5'7"  /  more than 90% EWL
Normal BMI (24.9)  =  159#:  would have to compromise my muscle mass to get here without plastics, so this is not a goal.


I   my DS.    Don't go into WLS without knowing ALL of your options:  DSFacts.com

Nicolle
on 1/19/09 6:27 am
As usual, straight and to the point, Kim. I looked through the thread and it seems that I was the meanest one to her as I contradicted her when she said she was probably thinking too hard about this and that she would be equally successful at the DS or RNY. I said she was probably not thinking about hard enough and laid out the stats, using her real-world weight as an example. Go figure.

Please block me too, Roxy, if you can't handle a big, meanie like me. (Be careful, I am one of the tamest ones here, so you might get carpal tunnel if you have to block so many of us who are willing to help you.)

Nicolle

I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!

HW: 344 lbs      CW: 150 lbs

Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!

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