Lightweights....DS v. RNY?

Your pyloric valve is still attached to the remnant stomach with the RNY. If you are revised to DS from RNY, the surgeon sews your stomach back together and then creates the sleeve with the pyloric valve back at the bottom of the stomach where it should be.

--gina

I had RNY almost 5 months ago and I can tell you that the things you have heard about DS can be with RNY as well.  I have had terrible gas and "accidents", the accidents were early out and have stopped now but still no fun!  I am diabetic and although much better my diabetes is not resolved and actually my blood sugar is starting to go back up.  I hope it's related to something else, and infection, and not the surgery not working but don't know for sure yet! Seeing all my dr.s on Thursday!  The DS was not an option for me as my surgeon didn't offer it so I don't know much about it.  Both my surgeon and endo said the RNY was the way to go for me with the diabetes.  I still have hope for getting off insulin at some point!  Oh and even with RNY I can eat what ever I want but I have to choose not to.  There are some things that upset my stomach like pork but I have tried and tested most things now, fried, sugar etc and nothing seems to bother me.  I sometimes wish they did but they don't so I have to work at not eating them!  What ever surgery you choose I wish you the best  on this journey!  Good luck!

I'm a virgin DS'er...my BMI pre-op was a 35.2 (yeah, we've all heard of the "heavyweight" requirement...it may be by insurance or surgeon but it does NOT wash!) And since Medicare DOES cover the DS even at a 35 (with comorbids) BMI, you can fight the insurance company based on that. Esp if you are on or see a need for NSAID's at a later date.

The DS does NOT cause any more gas/accidents than a RNY does...that is a myth the non-ds'ers tell everyone. Those who are honest will tell you it happens with BOTH and is 99% controlled by what you eat.

I supposedly can eat anything I want...the thing is, now if I DON'T! IF I overeat the carbs, I know it...gas/bloat. I did NOT want to chance dumping. I NEEDED to take NSAIDS since I was already on them. I LIKE food, but due to diabetes, had been watching carbs for over a decade.

Food is to be enjoyed, not endured. I enjoy what I eat now, not just stuff it down in an effort to feel full.

Suppliments for the RNY AND the DS all depend on your lab work and your body. While DS'ers typically start out with more, it evens out fairly quickly...many RNY'ers take as much or more than I do.

Look at what health issues you have now or will be dealing with due to family history...then make your decision based on facts, not scare tactics. If the RNY is best, go for it but don't turn down the DS just because others scare you.

Liz

I'm sure you've already heard all these reasons, but I thought I would still chime in.  I was originally going to do the RNY, but changed to a DS after doing exactly what you are...asking lots of questions!  I spent a lot of time on the RNY & the DS boards just to read what problems people were having.  My final decision was based on a few things:

1. I don't have insurance and don't want to worry about anything getting "stuck" like I had heard of with the RNY.  I didn't want to take the worlds smallest bites, and then have to chew them into pulp.

2. Drinking with meals.  I know this sounds like it is no big deal, but immediately after surgery I had some discomfort if I tried to eat/drink at the same time.  I hated it!  I couldn't help but WANT something, even a sip.  Fortunately that didn't last long, and now I can eat/drink without any problems...I am so thankful it was shorterm!

3. NSAIDS.  I don't take them often, but am when I need them, I NEED them. 

4. Pyloric Valve:  I wanted to keep my normal functioning tummy if I could.

5. Dumping.  Sounds like it wouldn't be such a bad thing right.  But honestly I HATE throwing up.  I have thrown up twice with the DS, and let me tell you that the whole dumping thing is more than just throwing up...it is a miserable all-over feeling.  So thankful that was just the first week, and not something I have to worry about each day.  

6. Weight Regain.  I couldn't handle another "failure" by regaining my weight.  The more I researched the RNY, the more people I found that had regained.  This was probably the biggest deal breaker for me.  

So, I am a little less than a month post-op, and am so thankful that I got the DS!  Whatever decision you make, be confident in it!  Best of luck to you!

Whatever you decide.....WE WILL BE HERE FOR YOU!!! 

The LW's are WLS friendly no matter what your decision is and no one will ever tell you that you made the wrong choice.