Yes I've come back here again. As you know I am not a chick, but I am fat, 425lbs.

Last year I was mildly considering surgery, lap band. I didn't think I would do it, but wanted more information about it.

As of today it's now or never. The last half of 2007 changed my mind considerbly, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and high cholesteral.

This is in addition to the Reflux, Sleep Apnea (I use a CPAP machine), high blood pressure and swelling in my legs and feet.

As my health continues to deteriorate. At this point it is a matter of survival.

I have talked with my family doctor, and discussed the various options with him. I told him I had considered the lap band and he said at my age with my health problems that I should really consider gastric bypass or duodenal switch instead, with a strong leaning to DS.

I have been to an informational meeting with a surgeon, but she doesn't do the DS. The other hospital in town does do the DS, but I have not talked with them.

I want to know the +-'s of DS as compared to gastric bypass.

I have studied the different surgeries in several places, obesityhelp.com has a good explination. I chose RNY because I was told it was the best way to deal with my insulin resistance and lose 100+ lbs without an open surgery.

Good Luck!

Angela

well, saber, while i'm sorry that your health is declining, i'm glad that you're exploring options. there are a couple of people around here who've had DS, and i know someone in real life. please do your research. while DS is indeed becoming more common, it's still the one that docs have the least experience with.

the biggest concern that i have personally with DS is the impression i've gotten that the vitamin deficiencies tend to be the fat-soluble ones, like vitamin A, rather than the mostly water-soluble ones with the bypass.

ask lots of questions of your docs and everyone else you can think of - most of us have had either the bypass or the lapband.

I would suggest going here for DS information aplenty:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS...board_id,5357/
This board has a lot of DS "experts" but of course, take everything with a grain of salt - I do this with any webpage naturally. I considered DS as well but did not think it was for me - it's a very individual decision so you have to research and find out what works for you.

Overall it has a very high success rate, typically better stats than rny with more normal patterns of eating (no sugar dumping). If you "want" sugar dumping, DS is not for you. People will DS can technically eat bigger portions and are told to eat higher than normal amounts of fat.

The negative with DS is that it has a higher malabsorption rate so you have to supplement quite a bit more and some people have gas/bowel issues (however I am told this is managable with medications and/or watching the carbs). Don't believe all the "horror stories" about crapping their pants as they are most definitely not true =) LOL! Basically it has a very high degree of malabsorption in comparison with gastric bypass -that's what typically ensures the success of the surgery. (For me, the malabsorption scared me so it is really a matter of what you are comfortable with).

Often people that have a bmi of higher than 50 are encouraged to go the DS route by their doctors. That being said, my BMI was 51 starting out and gastric bypass worked for me.

Oh the most important thing about this surgery is to find a VERY experienced surgeon. This surgery has a higher degree of skill needed and more possible complications. Research your surgeon VERY WELL.

Dawn =)

Hi Saber,

back.

I can't help you with your question (I have the band) but I just wanted to say we are here for you

Leenie

My BMI is 55. With that being said I have be reading quite a bit on the OH website. Thanks for answering my questions, and all your support.

Just wanted to say welcome back Saber. These ladies are very informative and supportive. I am pretty much a newbie around here and still learning but will be there for you how every I can.

Welcome back, Saber. So glad you're checking them all out.
When I went to talk to my surgeon, I had my mind made up to do lap band. Then when he realized what shape my body was in (bad knees, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, you name it!, he said he truly believed I'd be better off with gastric bypass. I also studied Obesity Help.com and anything and everything I could get my hands on. I read these pages on this site night after night and used some of the suggestions that I found, for instance, after surgery, I made sure I had the leak test. I asked about it before going in and sure enough, they did do it, but at least I went in informed. I am so happy I had the surgury and every day I'm even more thankful.

I am waiting for my surgery date. After checking out all the procedures the best one for me is the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. No malabsortion, no dumping, less complications and greatly decreses the hormone ghelin that the stomach produces. This hormone is responsible for telling your brain you are hungry. Good luck in your decision. Keep us informed.