ZNEW_crAte
3 Year Surgiversary
Sep 05, 2012
Wow, it's hard to believe that it has been 3 years since I has my DS. Sometimes it seems like just yesterday, then other times it seems like a lifetime ago. I have never regretted making the lifechanging decision to have WLS and I am as certain today as the very first day that the DS was the right surgery for me. I have no complications, and it is so empowering to have no worries about being able to maintain my weight now or in the future. My weight ranges between 135-144, but I have learned not to worry because even at 144, I am still able to wear a x-small-/small top and size 4-6 pants.
I have shared my sucess with many others who have had a lifelong struggle with their weight because I would love for them to have the health and mental benefits of winning the weight battle. My biggerst regret is that this surgery is the most difficult one to get. This is for political reasons. As someone in the healthcare profession, and one who has seen the many obesity related diseases I think this is criminal!
I look forward to many more happy years looking and feeling my best, eating well, and loving every minute of my DS!
0 comments
I have shared my sucess with many others who have had a lifelong struggle with their weight because I would love for them to have the health and mental benefits of winning the weight battle. My biggerst regret is that this surgery is the most difficult one to get. This is for political reasons. As someone in the healthcare profession, and one who has seen the many obesity related diseases I think this is criminal!
I look forward to many more happy years looking and feeling my best, eating well, and loving every minute of my DS!
RNY VS DS STATS
Mar 26, 2010
This is based on the ASMBS guidelines which were published at the end of 2008 www.aace.com/pub/pdf/guidelines/Bariatric.pdf. According to that,
these are the average percentages of excess weight loss for DS and RNY:
3-6 years 53%-77%
7-10 years 25%-68%
3-6 years 62%-81%
7-10 years 60%-80%
What does that mean for you? Assuming your goal is a normal BMI (which it may not be!), for the purposes of this exercise, let's randomly give you a "goal" weight of 145, which would be a 24.9 BMI.
338-145 is an excess weight of 193 lbs. Based on the RNY averages, at 7-10 years, you can expect to have lost and kept off an average of 48-131 lbs. Based on the DS averages, at 7-10 years, you can expect to have lost and kept off an average of 115-154 lbs.
Now, these are averages, and some do much better with both surgeries, losing up to 100% EWL. However, SOMEONE has to be on the low end of the curve.
Since you have a BMI over 50, you might also be interested in this study: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1856567/.
Objectives: Although weight loss following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is acceptable in patients with preoperative body mass index (BMI) between 35 and 50 kg/m2, results from several series demonstrate that failure rates approach 40% when BMI is ≥50 kg/m2. Here we report the first large single institution series directly comparing weight-loss outcomes in super-obese patients following biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (DS) and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB).
Methods: All super-obese patients (BMI ≥50 kg/m2) undergoing standardized laparoscopic and open DS and RYGB between August 2002 and October 2005 were identified from a prospective database. Two-sample t tests were used to compare weight loss, decrease in BMI, and percentage of excess body weight loss (% EBWL) after surgery. χ2 analysis was used to determine the rate of successful weight loss, defined as achieving at least 50% loss of excess body weight.
Results: A total of 350 super-obese patients underwent DS (n = 198) or RYGB (n = 152) with equal 30-day mortality (DS,1 of 198; RYGB, 0 of 152; P = not significant). The % EBWL at follow-up was greater for DS than RY (12 months, 64.1% vs. 55.9%; 18 months, 71. 9% vs. 62.8%; 24 months, 71.6% vs. 60.1%; 36 months, 68.9% vs. 54.9%; P < 0.05). Total weight loss and decrease in BMI were also statistically greater for the DS (data not shown). Importantly, the likelihood of successful weight loss (EBWL >50%) was significantly greater in patients following DS (12 months, 83.9% vs. 70.4%; 18 months, 90.3% vs. 75.9%; 36 months, 84.2% vs. 59.3%; P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Direct comparison of DS to RYGB demonstrates superior weight loss outcomes for DS.
Hope that helps!
0 comments
these are the average percentages of excess weight loss for DS and RNY:
RNY
1-2 years 48%-85%3-6 years 53%-77%
7-10 years 25%-68%
DS
1-2 years 65%-83%3-6 years 62%-81%
7-10 years 60%-80%
What does that mean for you? Assuming your goal is a normal BMI (which it may not be!), for the purposes of this exercise, let's randomly give you a "goal" weight of 145, which would be a 24.9 BMI.
338-145 is an excess weight of 193 lbs. Based on the RNY averages, at 7-10 years, you can expect to have lost and kept off an average of 48-131 lbs. Based on the DS averages, at 7-10 years, you can expect to have lost and kept off an average of 115-154 lbs.
Now, these are averages, and some do much better with both surgeries, losing up to 100% EWL. However, SOMEONE has to be on the low end of the curve.
Since you have a BMI over 50, you might also be interested in this study: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1856567/.
Objectives: Although weight loss following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is acceptable in patients with preoperative body mass index (BMI) between 35 and 50 kg/m2, results from several series demonstrate that failure rates approach 40% when BMI is ≥50 kg/m2. Here we report the first large single institution series directly comparing weight-loss outcomes in super-obese patients following biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (DS) and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB).
Methods: All super-obese patients (BMI ≥50 kg/m2) undergoing standardized laparoscopic and open DS and RYGB between August 2002 and October 2005 were identified from a prospective database. Two-sample t tests were used to compare weight loss, decrease in BMI, and percentage of excess body weight loss (% EBWL) after surgery. χ2 analysis was used to determine the rate of successful weight loss, defined as achieving at least 50% loss of excess body weight.
Results: A total of 350 super-obese patients underwent DS (n = 198) or RYGB (n = 152) with equal 30-day mortality (DS,1 of 198; RYGB, 0 of 152; P = not significant). The % EBWL at follow-up was greater for DS than RY (12 months, 64.1% vs. 55.9%; 18 months, 71. 9% vs. 62.8%; 24 months, 71.6% vs. 60.1%; 36 months, 68.9% vs. 54.9%; P < 0.05). Total weight loss and decrease in BMI were also statistically greater for the DS (data not shown). Importantly, the likelihood of successful weight loss (EBWL >50%) was significantly greater in patients following DS (12 months, 83.9% vs. 70.4%; 18 months, 90.3% vs. 75.9%; 36 months, 84.2% vs. 59.3%; P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Direct comparison of DS to RYGB demonstrates superior weight loss outcomes for DS.
Hope that helps!
10/21/2009 Measurement update
Oct 21, 2009
Pre-measurements:
RUE 15in / LUE 15in
Chest 41
Waist 40
Hip 46/Buttocks 49
R thigh 29/L thigh 27
RCalf 19/Lcalf 19
10/21/09 Measurements:
RUE 14in /LUE 14 in
Chest 38.5
Waist 36.5
Hip 44
R thigh 27/ L thigh 26
0 comments
RUE 15in / LUE 15in
Chest 41
Waist 40
Hip 46/Buttocks 49
R thigh 29/L thigh 27
RCalf 19/Lcalf 19
10/21/09 Measurements:
RUE 14in /LUE 14 in
Chest 38.5
Waist 36.5
Hip 44
R thigh 27/ L thigh 26
Why DS For Me??
Aug 25, 2009
I was reading this thread and I thought I would add my opinion as well...
I have been researching WLS for the past 5 years. Originally thought I would have RNY and my Surgeon choice was Dr. Jeffery Allen. I had a previous surgery with him EVERYTHING I could read on this site as well as many others. The more I found out, the more I knew that what would be the best choice for me would be DS. I will try to highlight my reasons for you:
1. I want only one WLS surgery. I know many who have had the band or RNY, then been unhappy with their results. Initially they lost but regained of never lost enough. Many end up having a revision sown the road.
2. I want to be able to eat Sm-normal quantities of food.
3. I have a family history of inflammatory disorders and I don't want to be forever banned from Anti-Inflammatory medications.
4. After reading all of the forums, DSers seem to have the highest degree of long term weight loss success and are very happy with their choice. Very few if any spoken regrets.
As a RN, be assured that I have thoroughly researched every aspect of this surgery including reading medical journals and other sources that might not be readily available to everyone. I have also researched common myths about the DS surgery.
I will address two that I was given by Weight Loss Surgeons who don't perform DS surgery:
Some common ones are that if you have DS you can expect to have chronic diarrhea forever. This is simply not true and is an indication of a underlying problem that needs treatment.
Another one is that the DS will result in extreme malnutrition. Also not true if the recipient diligently follows the protein and vitamin regimen.
One question I had was why are DS surgeons limited? I believe thae answer is two fold
1. More complicated surgery for not much more money.
2. Less residual care needed ie: fills.
3. No marketable medical device. Ever Realize that a lap band has a name?
0 comments
I have been researching WLS for the past 5 years. Originally thought I would have RNY and my Surgeon choice was Dr. Jeffery Allen. I had a previous surgery with him EVERYTHING I could read on this site as well as many others. The more I found out, the more I knew that what would be the best choice for me would be DS. I will try to highlight my reasons for you:
1. I want only one WLS surgery. I know many who have had the band or RNY, then been unhappy with their results. Initially they lost but regained of never lost enough. Many end up having a revision sown the road.
2. I want to be able to eat Sm-normal quantities of food.
3. I have a family history of inflammatory disorders and I don't want to be forever banned from Anti-Inflammatory medications.
4. After reading all of the forums, DSers seem to have the highest degree of long term weight loss success and are very happy with their choice. Very few if any spoken regrets.
As a RN, be assured that I have thoroughly researched every aspect of this surgery including reading medical journals and other sources that might not be readily available to everyone. I have also researched common myths about the DS surgery.
I will address two that I was given by Weight Loss Surgeons who don't perform DS surgery:
Some common ones are that if you have DS you can expect to have chronic diarrhea forever. This is simply not true and is an indication of a underlying problem that needs treatment.
Another one is that the DS will result in extreme malnutrition. Also not true if the recipient diligently follows the protein and vitamin regimen.
One question I had was why are DS surgeons limited? I believe thae answer is two fold
1. More complicated surgery for not much more money.
2. Less residual care needed ie: fills.
3. No marketable medical device. Ever Realize that a lap band has a name?
Some Inside Information
Aug 22, 2009
I have recently gone through the process from consultation to insurance approval to surgery scheduling with Dr. Husted's office. The best advice I could give would be this:
1. Be your own advocate
2. Be proactive and follow up on a regular basis.
3. Be persistant but not pesky.
4. Be informed and follow up on the information you are given.
It also helps to show kindness to those you are working with because they may be going through "stuff" themselves, and may be overworked and/or underpaid!
By the way, this advice would apply to every healthcare situation.
0 comments
1. Be your own advocate
2. Be proactive and follow up on a regular basis.
3. Be persistant but not pesky.
4. Be informed and follow up on the information you are given.
It also helps to show kindness to those you are working with because they may be going through "stuff" themselves, and may be overworked and/or underpaid!
By the way, this advice would apply to every healthcare situation.
Waiting For DS
Aug 02, 2009
Still waiting for my surgeon to submit to insurance, impatiently waiting. I don't think it should take so long since I had everything done prior to seeing him. I am trying to think about what changes I will need to make, vitamins, protein,excersize and incorporate some of them now. I find that I eat carbohydrates and think "this will be different after I have DS, I won't be able to eat this then". I understand the concept of last meals, because when I eat these things that's what I think.
I have also noticed that my conception of my self is skewed by my weight. For example, I was at the store, and a worker told me that he thought I was very pretty, what I thought was "well I would be if I wasn't so fat".
I am fully ready for this journey, I have no choice but to wait for my time. I hope and pray that my insurance will approve me quickly, but I am ready to fight for what I need because I fully believe this is my key to weight loss sucess after a lifetime of weight struggles.
0 comments
I have also noticed that my conception of my self is skewed by my weight. For example, I was at the store, and a worker told me that he thought I was very pretty, what I thought was "well I would be if I wasn't so fat".
I am fully ready for this journey, I have no choice but to wait for my time. I hope and pray that my insurance will approve me quickly, but I am ready to fight for what I need because I fully believe this is my key to weight loss sucess after a lifetime of weight struggles.
Lori's Party
Jul 23, 2009
I went to a DS gathering in Indy today. It was a little scary to go since I did not know anyone, and I was driving 2 hours to get there. I almost didn't go because of this, and also I woke up with a migraine. I prayed about it and decided to take a chance, and go. I hoped that it would be a defining moment for me, and that I would come away with a much clearer picture of what it would look like to be a DS'er. It was most certainly defining. I met many beautiful people who seemed to be loving their new lives (post DS), I found out that they still love to eat, and have fun, make new friends. Contrary to some nasty rumors, they do not spend most of their time in the bathroom! I know that DS is what I want to have, and I can't wait to come to their next gathering...Look out, here I come! 
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