Question:
I am a carb & sugar addict will DS work for me?
I was all set to have RNY, but after looking at my history, my surgeon recommends DS. He said it would work best for me because: I have a history of binge eating, I am a carb & sugar fiend, I recently quit smoking (GBrny+smoking can cause ulcers, other complications) and because I mentioned that I absolutely hate having nausea! This sounds awful, but I was looking forward to having the dumping problem as a deterrent to feasting on carbs & sugars. Now I don't know what to do! I am also concerned about the "side effects" of DS - gas & icky bms - I'd like to have control over my bowels. Also, DS is more expensive, and if my insurance doesn't pay all/pays usual and customary I could be stuck with a serious bill! Help - what do you guys think? — Anne F. (posted on July 26, 2002)
July 26, 2002
I don't think the DS affects your eating sugar, like the RNY does. Keep in
mind, though, that about 30 percent of RNY post-ops eventually experience
no dumping with sugar. Others are ultra sensitive. I am 6 months post-op
RNY and experience almost no dumping at all with sugar. I, too, was a carb
and sugar addicted person pre-op, and altho I have it under control for
now, I do wish I was one of the ultra sensitive dumpers on sugar. As for
the other side effects of DS, that is one of the reasons I chose RNY, so
that I would not have the negative side effects of DS. I was also told by
my surgeon that the success rate for weight loss with RNY was higher than
DS. Many insurance companies do not cover DS, just RNY, so check that out
carefully before you make a final decision. Good luck!
— Cindy R.
July 26, 2002
I can only speak of a very distal RNY. We have the same common channel
(amount left in use) as a DS. If you tolerate sugars with one of these,
you can gain 100% of your wt back. No question. The nice thing is that
you can almost always reset your dump-o-meter & starting over again.
If I did not dump, I would weigh about 50# more than I do at 8 yrs out.
— vitalady
July 26, 2002
I think you are right on the money--the RNY is best for those who have
carb/sugar addiction because it makes those things less desirable. Nothing
wrong with the DS surgery, but who knows you better than YOU? Also, there
is more of a risk for protein malnutrition with DS so if you think you will
consume carbs INSTEAD of protein, that might be a red flag, too. You don't
want to get sick, you want to get healthy! Every surgery has its "side
effects" and they can't always be predicted. Some RNYers have smelly
gas/BMs and some DSers don't. I, too, hate to be nauseated but--lucky me--I
don't have a problem with it even though I have the RNY. Have never even
thrown up since surgery! The different surgeries are just
that--different--one is not necessarily better than the other and in any
case to a large extent the success of the surgery is what YOU make of it. I
think you should think about it a little more and decide what you think YOU
can live with long term. After all, you are the one who has to live with
it, NOT the doctor! That said, if you have problems with food, like binge
eating, it is probably a good idea to address those issues with a therapist
BEFORE surgery (or at least along with it) because you can defeat any of
the surgeries if the head stuff isn't taken care of. Best of luck to you!
— ctyst
July 26, 2002
I just wanted to tell you about my experience...RNY does not necessarily
garrantee that you will dump on sugars and carbs. I am 5 months post
op and I can eat cookies and cake and chips with no problems. I only have
dumping problems with things very high in fat or sugar...I even can eat
some ice cream...but dont make it through a whole sundae or shake...usually
take about 4 or 5 sips or bites and then give the rest to someone. I still
find myself having to use a whole lot of my own willpower....more and more
as I fo further out from my surgery. Same as what you would have to do w/a
DS. Good luck with your decision.
— SARose61
July 26, 2002
Anne, I too am a sugar and carb junkie,,I am 12 weeks post op and have not
had any sugar, but the carbs get me,,,,mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and
creamed soups go down real easy and are very tempting,,,but,,,I lose alot
faster if I stay on a high protein low carb diet, and stay in ketosis,,It's
very hard to do, but right now I want to lose the weight more than I want
to cheat (most days). I do have these things once in a while, but only eat
a few bites,,I wish I had not had to have surg to lose this weight, but I
could not do it on my own. I keep telling myself I can put up with this way
of eating for 6 months, and then I will be able to eat a little more
"normal",. Also for BM's, I only have one about one a week, no
diarrhea, or probs with gas,,,I do get nauseated if I eat meat too fast or
too big of bites,,meats don't sit too well with me,,but this is something I
do to myself and I can control it eating slow. Good luck to you, I know
its a hard decision. Susie -85 pounds.
— Susie R.
July 26, 2002
I was a sugar and carb junkie and now almost 5 months post-op (open RNY and
down 105 lbs) I really have no desire whatsoever to eat sugar. I was
insulin resistant and borderline diabetic. Now all that is gone. I was a
binge eater. And now I am not. It is amazing, but I have made a 180 degree
change in eating habits and cravings. (I actually sometimes crave protien
bars, protien drinks and meat.) Sounds to me like because of your problems,
you can best benefit from the biochemical changes that occur from RNY. If
your DR doesn't support that, get a new Dr.
— Dell H.
July 26, 2002
Check out the Yahoo groups on duodenal switch to get info also from people
who have had DS, but here's my take...
I am almost 8 weeks postop from DS. Something that wasn't mentioned to me
until I asked afterwards was that many of us lose our sweet tooth (sweet
teeth?) after surgery.
Prior to surgery, I LIVED on carbs and sugar...a little meat, hardly any
veggies. Since surgery, almost everything tastes too sweet. It is amazing
to me to NOT crave sweets, breads, pastas, etc. but I don't. It's also
amazing to WANT to eat meat...just meat!
At this point, I can eat just about anything. But, I've noticed that when
I eat my Lean Cuisines or the frozen dinner of the day, I eat all the
protein (meat) and can leave the most of the carbs.
For me, I chose DS because (1) I hate vomiting and the risks of vomiting as
a side-effect were lower, (2) didn't see dumping as a perk or plus (don't
like feeling nauseated, sick, etc.), (3) didn't want to worry about ulcers
since I have a history of them (lower risk with DS), (4) wanted to be able
to take NSAIDs regularly (only thing that works on my headaches), (5)
wanted to keep a functional pyloric valve (keeps stuff in your
stomach...helps with medication absorption, etc), (6) didn't want to worry
about taking protein supplements (shakes, bars)...and a few other reasons.
Anyhoo...whatever surgery you choose will have risks and benefits. My side
effects include soft stools, pimples, having to take calcium horse
pills,...NOT LIKING SWEETS! :(
When I did a literature search on biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) (part of
the DS), I read that it had been used to treat things like
hypercholesteremia and type II diabetes. That may be why your doctor
thought it would be more helpful. Something about the BPD seems to affect
insulin or insulin-resistance or something.
Good luck!
— Pamela B.
July 26, 2002
Anne, I was a major sweets/bread eater before my Open DS on 12/17/01. I'd
start with A cookie and after 12 would soon be looking for more. Since my
surgery, my tastes have changed so much. One bite and I wonder why I even
wanted it. Plus, I couldn't fit them in anyway. I still have my pyloric
valve which regulates the food and liquid leaving my stomach. With the
RNY, if you chew well enough, everything becomes semi-liquid and slids
right on through. An invitation to eat more, for some. As you watch the
pounds and inches disappear and you regain a new, wonderful life you find
you are ruling the food, it no longer rules you. Please go to
www.duodenalswitch.com and ask your questions there also. This is
predominately an RNY site and the answers from both sites will give you a
more balanced idea.
— grammie5
July 31, 2002
I am almost 9 months post-op open DS. I too was very much a sugar eater.
As far as I was concerned eating brownies (or ice cream or cake or cookies
etc) was a very appropriate breakfast and dessert much always be eaten
after lunch and supper. However, for the first 7 months after surgery I
totally lost my sweet tooth. Just the thought of sweets made my stomach
roll. Now I do eat something sweet everyday (my sweet tooth has slowly
come back) but it's like 3 or 4 spoonfuls of ice cream not the whole pint.
When I do eat sweets it's always less than a serving size because I just
don't want that much of it.
From my experience and reading the DS yahoo list (with over 1800 members)
the idea of gas and icky BM's is way overrated for what DS patients
actually experience. Yes some have problems with it but that is not the
norm (especially for long term patients). Within the first 6 months these
things typically resolve if they ever were a problem.
I also find I actually crave protein now. It's not a problem at all to get
enough protein, I just don't have the interest in junk food and my body
asks for the good stuff (protein). FOr me what finally made my decision
clear between the two was the issue of dumping. I liked my sweets too much
that I was not willing to live the rest of my life with never being able to
eat a piece of cake or even a piece of fresh fruit. Not every RNY patient
dumps in fact most don't in the long term but for me I wasn't willing to
risk that fact that I "might be" one of those who did. I had
someone write to me who was several years out and things like BBQ suace,
ketchup, salad dressings etc make her dump. I thought long and hard about
that one because while I realized my sweet tooth was out of control, I
didn't think a person should have to avoid all condiments as well just to
be a "normal" weight. For me those were possibilites that no
matter how remote I was not willing to live with.
I am almost 9 months out and only 8 pounds away from a normal BMI. I love
my DS. I can eat what I want when I want. But mostly I want protein but
when the occasion comes along I can enjoy a freshly baked cookie, or a
slice of birthday cake with no regrets.
Stephanie
— Stephanie Z.
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