Is DS dangerous??

I'm scheduled for Dr. Ungson in Mexico for April 5th. I haven't told that many people cause I don't feel like defending my decision to everyone. I told my wls support group leader and she had a cow. Saying DS is so dangerous, that's why not that many doctors do it, especially none in North Florida. And that people lose too much weight, too fast. Dangerously fast. I did my research and didn't hear anything like this but I don't understand why more doctors don't do it. I asked at a seminar and the doctor just blew me off that he didn't do it. ?!? emily

I didn't lose dangerously fast, nor did I lose too much weight. In fact, at over 2 years out, I have not made it to goal probably by 35-40 pounds-ish.  I followed all the DS rules and still do, too...  I am not alone either.   Losing too fast or too much is really a personal thing.  People can lose dangerously fast and too much with a RNY too, even if they do all the right things... it's all a YMMV thing in my opinion.

Regardless, it's the best decision I made for myself and I am very happy and healthy.

I wish you the best in your journey.  :)

Teri

Hi Emily,

It is my understanding that the reason this superior surgery option is not offered in more locations is all about the almighty dollar -- the insurance dollar.

Insurance doesn't pay enough over what they pay for the RNY to make it worth while (financially) for surgeons to learn to do it and offer it.

It is not a surgery that can be learned as quickley as the RNY/lapband so a surgeon has to take the time to learn it and then not get paid a significant amount to do it.

I think that as time goes forward and the surgical outcomes are continued to be studied that it will become offered by more docs. 

The LIES that are told about the DS are quite amazing.  Just something you will continue to hear.  I go to a support group where the DS is not offered and they continue to either lie about the DS or dismiss is as if it doesn't exist.  I can only go to the meetings when I have the energy for a fight.  And that is even after it being announced that once this hospital gets it's COE that they will begin to offer it.

That is why this forum is so important.  Often we can't get the same support that a RNYer or Lapbander can get locally.

You are going to love your DS.

Becky

It's all about the Benjamins; the $$$$$$$. The DS takes longer to do and takes a lot more training and skill to do safely than RNY does, so only a few surgeons are willing to do the training and not make so much money, just to be able to do a superior WLS.

It's all about the $$$$, follow the $$$$$.

Kerry

The local support group leader is totally misinformed but spouting the myths as if they were truth.  The only thing dangerous about the DS is not taking your vitamins and getting your protein in. Most people have very few issues with the DS if they follow the rules. Are there exceptions, sure there are. Everyone is a little bit different.

I was only 36.8BMI to start and I lost proportionately to folks with higher BMIs. I didn't lose too much or too fast. That's a bogus myth.

Good luck!

--gina

I'm the support group leader.  And I wasn't spouting.  I had done a little homework and knew there was only one (not none) surgeon in Florida who did this surgery and he was in Miami and we are in the Jacksonville area.  I had asked my own surgeon about it and he said he doesn't do it because of the mortality rate and that comes from the fact that you have to be a far stronger person to have this surgery and you have to be disciplined enough to make it work for you. 

So, I wasn't misinformed.  I'm just concerned for Emily and know that she's going to Mexico to have this done.  I had a seen and talked with my surgeon numerous times before my surgery and I wanted that for Emily, as well.  And I was certainly concerned about her after care as I know how important that is no matter what type of surgery you have.  She liked the confidence I have in my PCP and is coming a good distance to see her and that's who'll do her after care and I felt much better about that.

I'm just concerned that Emily will be in the classroom and she'll have some intenstinal problem and be in an embarassing situation.  I'm just concerned that Emily will be as lax about taking her vitamins and supplements as I am.  Thankfully, with a band those aren't as important (and the results not as serious) if you don't take them.

I have backed Emily every step of the way in her journey to have the surgery done.  I hate that she's going to be self pay because with an insurance company that would pay, she could stay home and have had this surgery some time ago.  Emily is looking for a quick weight loss result and DS should do it but we all know there are problems with quick weight loss. 

I just want her to be safe and happy with the result of the surgery.  I was just trying to urge her to do all the homework she can before she gets on that plane.  She had chosen a surgeon in Vegas and THEN did her homework and figured out he wasn't the one for her so she cancelled those plans.  Thank goodness she did get that homework done before she got on the plane that time.

I try to stay attuned to all the things going on in the WLS world and with DS and the sleeve, my major concern is the REMOVAL of a portion of the stomach.  I know and RNY patient who's stomached rotted and had to be removed.  She now has a pig stomach.  I just sort of worry that maybe if it was disconnected and left in there (like RNY) you may be able to use it, if need be.  Not so in this girl's case so I just have to stop worrying and know that God is in control and we're all adults and have choices to make every single day.

Hope that explains my view on the DS.  I do know one person who had this surgery and the road was rough at first but it is for all of us, I think.  She's doing fine now and never had any serious problems.  I know people who are banded and had serious problems.  One is my own sister.

All surgery, whether WLS or not, is risky.  I just wanted to make sure Emily did all of her homework and wasn't in a big hurry to drop the weight.

LaWanda 

LaWanda, you are misinformed and mistaken about the DS.  And you certainly are talking down the DS in your "support" group.  Your negative attitude about the DS and your mistaken assumptions about us come through loud and clear:

I'm just concerned that Emily will be in the classroom and she'll have some intenstinal problem and be in an embarassing situation. 

Please. You are repeating MYTHS. Do you not understand what a myth is? It's something that is promulgated that is NOT TRUTH.

The mortality rate? Please. The mortality rate is the SAME AS THE RNY. The mortality rate goes up for people with a very high BMI. Guess what. It goes up when they have any kind of surgery. Your surgeon doesn't know what he's talking about. He never learned how to do the DS, so he says he doesn't do it because of the mortality. I call BS. Surgeons do not know it all. They are not God because they know how to cut on people. Quit revering them.

Do you not realize that people with the RNY can have the same type of bathroom problems? But because she's getting the DS that makes it an issue? You're afraid for her. Well, bully for you. The vast majority of people who get WLS deal quite well with any potential bathroom issues. Did you know that some people have bathroom issues with the lap band as well? Bet you didn't know that. Do you worry for all "your" lapbanders on this point? Hmmmm?

Do you not realize that people with the RNY can have the same types of vitamin issues? But because she's getting the DS that makes it an issue? And because YOU have issues with taking the necessary supplements that means she might, too? I mean, she could be as lax as you are and then *gasp* what oh what would you do? Honestly, you would do nothing, because you have no clue as to who she is or how she is going to take care of herself.

You are worried about things that you don't need to worry about. Worry about yourself and your lap band. Honestly, I'd be more worried about yourself. Because the rate of complications and necessity of removal after the lap band according to the information provided by the manufacturer is no picnic from what I understand.

Mother-hening someone isn't going to earn you brownie points. It seems you want to stick your nose into her business. Do your job of support and keep it to just that - support. You are not Emily's mom. I'm sure she has someone that is qualified to fit that bill already.

So, your info on the DS came from your NON-DS surgeon? Of COURSE someone who doesn't DO the DS isn't going to try to "sell" it, nor will they have as accurate information to offer as a surgeon who DOES perform it. Sorry, but it's entirely possible to get MISinformation, even from a surgeon.

Please cite for me the research that enabled you to conclude this is a likely possibility:

I'm just concerned that Emily will be in the classroom and she'll have some intenstinal problem and be in an embarassing situation. 

Why exactly do you think she'll have "some intestinal problem" and "be in an embarassing situation"?  Please don't tell me you believe that DS'ers stink and have constant accidents.  It would be an embarrassing situation for you if you were actually that misinformed.



Emily is looking for a quick weight loss result and DS should do it but we all know there are problems with quick weight loss. 

Actually, DS isn't the fastest.  I wasn't looking for quick weight loss when I had my DS, I was looking for PERMANENT WEIGHT LOSS.

 I know and RNY patient who's stomached rotted and had to be removed. 

No kidding?  That really stinks and I feel bad for the person in question.  I do have to wonder, however, if the remnant stomach rotted due to the bad construction of the RNY in general.  It's not really natural for someone to have some stomach tissue, including a perfectly good pyloric valve, hanging out in one's abdominal cavity.  Just like it's not really natural to put a saline band around the top portion of one's stomach.  Nor is it natural to remove the outer curvature and reroute the intestines.  Why, I guess what I'm getting at with this is that we all choose procedures that are drastic in order to control an out of control body.  I'm glad that the one DS person you actually know is doing well.  I hope you can base your anecdotal evidence on that person's good experience, rather than bandying about things you've only heard might be true.

Oh, and by the way:

I had asked my own surgeon about it and he said he doesn't do it because of the mortality rate and that comes from the fact that you have to be a far stronger person to have this surgery and you have to be disciplined enough to make it work for you.

Why isn't your surgeon up to date on comparative surgery risks?  Just curious.  I'd be worried about using a surgeon who stated such out of date information as fact.