Before I start all the info I have put on here is from ObesityHelp.com
Duodenal Switch (also called vertical gastrectomy with duodenal switch, biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, DS or BPD-DS) is performed by approximately 50 surgeons worldwide. It generates weight loss by restricting the amount of food that can be eaten (partial gastrectomy (i.e., partial removal of the stomach along the outer curvature see diagram) and by limiting the amount of food (specifically fat) that is absorbed into the body (intestinal bypass or duodenal switch). This weight loss surgery is more controversial because it has a significant component of malabsorption (bypass of the intestinal tract), which seems to augment and help maintain long-term weight loss. Of the procedures currently performed for the treatment of obesity, it has some powerful and effective components. Due to concerns of possible long-term effects of malabsorption and the technical difficulty involved with this type of weight loss surgery, many surgeons don't perform it.
Advantages of this weight loss surgery:
More normal stomach allows for better eating quality, drink with meals
No dumping syndrome because the pylorus is preserved
Minimizes ulcer risk
Very effective for high BMI patients (BMI>55 kg/m2), but can be done on lower BMI just as effectively
The intestinal bypass is partially reversible for those having malabsorptive complications
Laparoscopic approach is offered by some surgeons
Disadvantages of this weight loss surgery:
Chance of chronic diarrhea, possibly more foul smelling stools and gas. This can be due to dieting intake, but for the most part controlled.
Malabsorption can lead to anemia, protein deficiency and metabolic bone disease in up to 5 percent of patients
Carbohydrates can be well absorbed and if eaten in significant quantities lead to inadequate weight loss
This procedure is the most complex surgical weight loss procedure. As with any of the surgeries listed complications can occur in high risk patients.(heart failure, sleep apnea)
Generally speaking, as the extent or magnitude of a surgical procedure increases, so does the risk of surgery. In regards to weight loss surgery procedures, Duodenal Switch is the most aggressive procedure and as a result, also carries the highest potential for complications.
Potential Duodenal Switch complications include:
Leaks
Blood clots forming in the legs
Pulmonary embolus or blood clots traveling to the lungs
Infection
Abscesses
Bowel obstruction
Pneumonia
Problems with healing at incision site
Additional potential complications include:
Kidney failure
Injury to the spleen which requires removal during surgery
Bleeding
As a result of these complications, some patients may need to spend extra time in the ICU. A patient may also require extra time in the ICU if their health is poor initially.
Some complications of Duodenal Switch are more long term, and may not become evident for some time after Duodenal Switch. These potential long term complications of Duodenal Switch include nutritional and vitamin deficiencies that are generally preventable with adequate supplementation. Deficiencies in vitamin D, vitamin A, calcium and protein may occur which can result in osteoporosis, anemia and poor health in general. Duodenal Switch patients should be dedicated to taking supplemental vitamins and minerals, consuming a high protein diet and having their blood tested each year.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RGB)This operation is the most common and successful combined weight loss surgery in the United States. First, the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch to restrict food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), and the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This reduces the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs. Rarely, a cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) is performed to avoid the gallstones that may result from rapid weight loss. More commonly, patients take medication after the operation to dissolve gallstones.
Advantages of this weight loss surgery:
greatly controls food intake, leading to rapid weight loss
dumping syndrome dumping conditions to control intake of sweets
reversible in an emergency though this procedure should be thought of as a permanent
Disadvantages of this weight loss surgery:
staple line failure
ulcers
narrowing/blockage of the stoma
vomiting if food is not properly chewed or if food is eaten to quickly
weight re-gain is known to happen if dietary changes are not followed long term
Uncommon bariatric surgery risks can include rare complications of leakage through staples or sutures, ulcers in the stomach or small intestine, blood clots in the lungs or legs, stretching of the pouch or esophagus, persistent vomiting and abdominal pain, inflammation of the gallbladder, and failure to lose weight (very rare).More than one-third of obese patients who have weight-loss surgery develop gallstones. Gallstones are clumps of cholesterol and other matter that form in the gallbladder. During rapid or substantial weight loss, a person’s risk of developing gallstones increases. Gallstone formation can be lessened with medication taken for the first six months after surgery.Among other bariatric surgery risks, nearly 30 percent of patients who have weight loss surgery develop nutritional deficiencies such as anemia, osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. These deficiencies can be avoided if vitamin and mineral supplements are maintained as recommended on a life-long basis.
Okay so you are all probably wondering why I have put just these two surgeries on here, well...Im not sure how to react, well not react but I guess just....I dont know!LOL
See I go on to Obesityhelp to read peoples post and if I can help them I tell them my point and what has helped me. BUT the one thing that I get very upset about is the on going continous debate over DS and RNY WLS. Seriuosly I dont think there should bea debate on a weightloss forum of any kind to further upset "newbies" as we all call them, in some people forcing them to check out DS or RNY between the two surgeries. There are a couple particular people, not naming, cause I am not like that, are basically preaching to others that DS is the BEST weightloss surgery out there. Now I am all for ALL different kinds of surgeries to help us lose weight, but STOP TELLING PEOPLE ONE IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER.
Everyone has there reasons for choosing one over the other, and eventhough Statistics say one shoudl help you better than the other for your body or BMI whatever......if you choose one then you choose it for YOUR reasons and not someone else telling you. DSers say DS is better because you dont DUMP like RNYers, but you know what....RNYers more than likely choose this surgery cause we dont want to go back to the ways we were with eating all the junk. That is why some got overwieght, cause we couldnt control our eating. That is one of the biggest arguments. Another one is the so called "diet" that RNYers have to follow. DSers say they dont want to be on a diet because diets have failed them in the past. RNYers have I believe to have choosen the RNY because they would like tolive a more healthier lifestyle of eating. I know personally I choose RNY just for that reason, I dont want to continue to eat the way I was eating, I want to eat healthier. Carbs, sweets were my biggest enemy and for me choosing DS that it a waste to me. Remember this is my opinion, so I wanted to have the "DUMPING" so I know that if I eat too much sweets I will in the end pay for eating it.
Like I said before Im not bias at all, I think any weightloss surgery is fantastic, and ALL WLS have risks and side effects. That is why I posted only the two surgeries on here and the risks and benefits of both.
All I wish is that if you have a strong opinion about a WLS instead of preaching to someone that one is better than the other, just state the obvious of having them jsut research for themselves the options of all the surgeries out there. THEY WILL choose what best suits them, for their body and their lifestyle!
Summer Issue of Weight Matters Magazine
2 years ago
