RNY or DS MY Decision (Long) I HAVE A DATE!!!

[Guest guest]

First, I want to say that the responses to my questions about GERD and IBS

problems post-op were tremendous. There are so many generous people on this

list that took time to answer my questions, it is just amazing. I will still

compile and publish the survey results...

Second, (IMPORTANT PLEASE READ) I want to say that what I write next is just

my opinion, based on the many responses that I got. It is critically

important that each pre-op out there make this journey for him or herself,

based on your own priorities and honest soul-searching. Research, Research,

Research, Research some more and then ask your own surgeon!

The Surgeries: Both the RNY and the BDP/DS are effective in facilitating

weight loss. The key is that they are an aid, not a silver bullet. It should

be understood going in to either that you will have to modify your diet

forever.

RNY:

This surgery is the Gold Standard, by which other surgeries are measured.

Based on my research, the dumping syndrome is deliberate, not a side-effect.

GERD - None of the people who responded who had GERD prior

to RNY surgery had any problems after.

IBS - I only had one or two responses to this question and

the problem was helped by RNY surgery.

Diarrhea - Several people responded who had diarrhea after

RNY. None of them uncontrollable, mostly diet related.

BMs - There is no trend here. Most people have slightly more

than pre-op. They do tend to be more odorous, but less so than the DS.

In my totally unprofessional/personal opinion, the RNY is an excellent

surgery for anyone. Especially good for those people concerned with being

unable to change their own eating behaviors. The dumping syndrome (By the

way a lot of people don't have ANY dumping) is a powerful tool that helps

you to revise bad eating habits. If you can sit down and eat a package of

candy or cookies, a gallon of ice cream or if you have junk food in the

house and you cannot resist it the RNY is the better surgery. The pouch is

much smaller and hopefully you will dump until your behavior has been

modified.

BDP/DS:

This is a newer surgery, not included in the medical consensus statements or

recommendations, because it's new. This surgery is a more drastic surgery

and has a slower recovery and higher complication rate.

GERD - Many of the people that responded to me have total

relief of their GERD with the DS. A few still need to take medication

post-op. The difference seems to be if the GERD is weight related or

functional.

IBS - I had four responses to this question. One out of the

four ended up with bad diarrhea post-op, the other three found that the

surgery helped their IBS.

Diarrhea - Many people experience diarrhea post-op with the

DS. For most it clears up after about six weeks. The rest can control it by

avoiding a high fat diet.

BMs - Again there was no trend. Most people agreed that the

odor was worse than pre-op, but controllable with Ozium, Devrom or diet

modification. Some people actually have fewer BM's post-op.

In my totally unprofessional opinion the people who choose BDP/DS surgery

need to be more motivated and committed to good maintenance post-op. My

surgeon likened it to a turbocharged sports car. You have to take more care

with its maintenance if you want it to stay running right. You have to

choose good eating habits as there is no enforcer. You will lose weight even

if you choose to eat badly, but you run the risk of having problems with

protein deficiencies and/or diarrhea.

My Decision:

I am going to have the BDP/DS on 12/08/00. (God and Insurance willing!) I do

not eat large portions now, typically when I go out to dinner I eat one half

or less of the portion that I am served. I enjoy eating a variety of foods

and cannot imagine forever giving up desserts and chocolate. I anticipate

following a low fat / low sugar diet for two years or until I reach that

dreamed of goal weight. But, once I am there it is very important to me that

I return to what I think of as normal eating habits and that includes

dessert and chocolate. I know that the BDP/DS will allow me to do this,

albeit with a little diarrhea for my indulgence. I cannot be sure that the

RNY will as I may be one who has the dumping syndrome.

I realize that I may still have problems with my GERD because it is related

to valve function not overweight. I have been taking the medicine a long

time and I am OK with still taking it. As far as the IBS goes, well in

reading Sandy K's posts it sounds as if that may be my own fault for eating

too much fat after having my Gall Bladder out. I will be praying that I will

not be the one who still struggles with uncontrollable diarrhea and orange

ooze as our own Frannie does. I don't have Crones or Diverticulatitus so

maybe I will get lucky.

However, if for some reason I could not have the BDP/DS surgery

Please don't flame me, remember this is my decision about what is right for

me. I am sharing it because I have gotten so much help from all of you with

my research and many requests to share the responses that I have gotten. The

views expressed are my own. I have been and will continue to post about my

journey here on the duodenalswitch egroup. I plan to start a webpage when I

have time. In the mean time I would be glad to respond to any questions. I

DO NOT plan to share this with the OSSG group as my DH thinks I am too

negative about the RNY and will get flamed. If you all, really think I

should let me know, I could be persuaded.

Coming Up next week... I visit the nutritionist, the psychiatrist and the DS

Support Group in NYC. Stay Tuned...

Blessings to all who share the journey,

Vickie Hewitt

Pre-OP Wt. 283.5 BMI 47.2

West Chester/Exton PA

DS Surgery w/ Dr Herron 12/08/00