Question:
DS vs RNY--I have done lots of research on both but now looking for
from others. Thanks so much — Beth C. (posted on November 5, 2000)
November 5, 2000
This is a big decision and asking for real life input is a good idea. I
had open RNY with 8 ft bypassed. That is more than some I've met here at
AMOS and less than others. It is working well for me. I've lost all the
weight I wanted to lose...122 lbs and I have been at goal for about 5
months. I'm not having any trouble at all maintaining my loss. Some days
I'm a few pounds more, some a few pounds less, but most days I'm right
where I want to be. I do not diet, I enjoy eating, cooking and
entertaining. I feel satisfied when I eat but to be honest, there are
times when I wish I could eat more. And this may sound silly but I really
miss ice cream. I am lactose intolerant now. I am one of those who views
*dumping syndrome* as a disadvantage. I know some think it is an advantage
that keeps them on the straight and narrow. <p>I've often wondered
if I could go back in time would I have made a different choice about the
surgery type. I hadn't even heard about the DS until I was about 8 months
post op. I think that more than likely I would have chosen DS. The
advantage of leaving the pyloric valve intact makes sense to me. You have
better B12, iron and calcium absorption, no dumping and you can eat larger
portions of food. <p>Personally, I find those advantages very
compelling. However, going back or having a revision is not an option for
me. I live well with the RNY and I feel well. I take my suppliments and
get my protein in. I guess I can live without ice cream. :-) Best of
luck to you as you make this decision.
— Roseann M.
November 5, 2000
— Victoria B.
November 5, 2000
This question has been asked a hu ndred ti mes!!!!! :-) Go to the
database and search for duodenal switch and you will have literally
hundreds of answers. The database of Questions and Answers is one of the
best features on AMOS and is not utilized to it's potential. It sets this
site apart from other sites and e-mail lists as you can easily see what has
already been written about. I assume in all of your research you have read
all the patient testimonials over at duodenalswitch.com They are all very
inspirational. Good luck.
— Fran B.
November 5, 2000
TYPO FIX!!!
(I'm now little over 10 weeks post-op and have lost over 78% of my excess
weight!!!) umm that should have been 10 MONTHS.. LOL Guess you knew
that though!!! Kind of hard to loose 172 pounds in 10 weeks LOL
— Victoria B.
November 5, 2000
I'm 6 yrs out, distal RNY. I have 15-18 ft bypassed. I don't mind the
restrictions of my pouch size or the intolerances. I can tolerate more
foods now than pre-op! I did have the chance to choose again last January
and chose what has worked well for me. If I did not have these restictions,
there is no doubt that I'd wear a size 13 or 15 rather than the 3 or 5 I
enjoy today. My biggest fear is regain and I feel that this procedure is
the safest one for me.
— vitalady
November 5, 2000
At almost 11 post-op with a DS I've lost over 80% of my excess weight and
continue to lose. For me the 2 most important factors were the more normal
stomach anatomy and the lack of late regain when compared to the proximal
RNY. I'm absolutely certain I made the right choice for me. My best advice
is to evaluate the pros and cons of each surgery and then decide what you
can and cannot live with. Best of luck!
— Duffy H.
November 5, 2000
You can click on my name to get a month-by-month journal of my WLS
experience, but in a nutshell, I have had a really wonderful experience
with the DS. I am almost 11 months post-op, and I've lost 120 lbs. -
approximately 80% of my excess weight - and I continue to lose (five pounds
this last week - yippee!!). Today was a pretty typical day for me
food-wise, so I'll describe what I ate: for breakfast, I had two pancakes
with lots of butter and real maple syrup (not the healthiest choice, but
oh-so-yummy!). For lunch I had a medium-sized cesear salad with roast
chicken (extra dressing and croutons - lol). I'm still waiting for dinner
to be delivered - pizza with sausage and mushrooms, and I'll be able to eat
one large piece (but probably not the crust). I eat anything and
everything I want, for two reasons: the first is <i>because I
can</i>, and the second is because, when I chose the DS, I believed
that it would free me from the cycle of dieting, and IT HAS. I no longer
obsess about food, and there are NO MORE EMOTIONAL STRINGS when I eat. I
don't know about you, but that is an ENORMOUS difference for me. Now, if I
want some ice cream, I eat some, and I don't beat myself up for it or feel
like a failure for not having
"self-control".<br><br>Another thing people are
frequently curious about is the possibility of excessive gas and bowel
movements with the DS. Let me reassure you that, while I have a
<i>little</i> more gas than before, it's not uncontrollable by
any means. As for bowel movements, I usually have two a day - one in the
morning, one in the late afternoon or early evening. Sometimes it's a
little more (depends on how much fat and fiber I've eaten), and sometimes
less. But it's never intolerable.<br><br>This is a big
decision, and I know how hard and scary it is. I'm sure anyone who's
posted will be happy to answer any specific questions you have, including
me.
— Kim H.
November 5, 2000
I was approved for the RNY and was ready to schedule my surgery when I
discovered the DS. Personnally, I am very happy with my surgery. The
dumping and the diet restrictions associated with the RNY were not
appealing to me. I was afraid that I would not be able to restrict my
intake of fatty foods after surgery. I did not want to have to be on a diet
for the rest of my life. And now I don't have to ! I am four months
post-op and have lost 75 lbs. I enjoy food and feel very grateful that I
can eat anything I want, just smaller quantities. Feel free to contact me
with any other questions.
Good luck luck with your decision.
— yvette C.
November 7, 2000
Beth....I had the DS a year ago. Knowing everything I know with continued
research, I am so glad I had the DS! I can eat a normal size meals of
12-1500 calorie/day and lose weight!! I don't have to struggle with
hunger/food limitations/restrictions, keeping to a 700-900 calorie/day
diet. With the DS there are no special recipes to follow, no need for diet
pills to curb hunger. I will never have to go to Weight Watchers again
LOL!! You don't have to look for lists of "foods to avoid."
Best of all, with the DS you have the greatest possibility for no late
regain of the weight. For me, that was key. Everybody has their own
priorities & what matters to them most. For some, what's important is
a lap procedure; for others, they want a particular surgeon; still others
feel a need for the dumping syndrome to curb sugar cravings. Chosing a
surgery type isn't a matter of finding the "best one," but
finding the one that is best for you and your priorities. The DS has worked
for me. It doesn't work for everybody. If you would like to read my story
you can go to <a href="http://www.mywls.com">My Home
Page</a> and read my Journal, my FAQ page, before & afters, Pro's
& Con's, etc. Another good site to check out is the <a
href="http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/patients.html">The
DS Patients</a>page. You can get losts off feedback there. Good
luck to you in your research & decision!
— [Deactivated Member]
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