Ok, I am breaking my own rules here. I have spent the last two hours researching duodenal switch because I read an article that people with a BMI over 40 have better long term results in terms of keeping their weight off. I am a BMI of 40 right now. I never even asked about this surgery when going through the process. I currently have a lapband and only ever considered conversion to RNY. My surgery is on June 12th. Should I talk to my surgeon?

Anybody start with a BMI of 40 or higher with a truly crappy metabolism (RMR 1047) who was able to take 80+ lbs off with RNY?

I am at 224 now and would be thrilled if I could get below 130.

Need some encouragement that my choice was right. That and somebody to make me stop researching at this point! LOL

FYI my insurance laughs at the duodenal switch. Not even an option. Just a thought! Not sure I'd be brave enough to go that route anyway (that whole partial gastrectomy thing....). ALSO my impression was that they saved DS or higher BMI patients 50-55+, mostly because it is a tough surgery so it's used on those requiring the most weight loss. Your BMI of 40 actually puts you on the lower end for bariatric surgery patients.

You have to go with what surgery you're comfortable with. DS scares me a bit.

FYI my insurance laughs at the duodenal switch. Not even an option. Just a thought! Not sure I'd be brave enough to go that route anyway (that whole partial gastrectomy thing....). ALSO my impression was that they saved DS or higher BMI patients 50-55+' date=' mostly because it is a tough surgery so it's used on those requiring the most weight loss. Your BMI of 40 actually puts you on the lower end for bariatric surgery patients.

You have to go with what surgery you're comfortable with. DS scares me a bit.[/quote']

This makes me feel so much better - thank you! I work for Mayo Clinic so I am very comfortable with medical information and really just started freaking when I started reading all the articles on DS. Gastrectomy scares me too. Having been banded, I was just questioning if I made the easier decision. You are right tho my bariatrician would probably think I was nuts for even "going there". I really just want the success I never really had with the lap band.

This makes me feel so much better - thank you! I work for Mayo Clinic so I am very comfortable with medical information and really just started freaking when I started reading all the articles on DS. Gastrectomy scares me too. Having been banded' date=' I was just questioning if I made the easier decision. You are right tho my bariatrician would probably think I was nuts for even "going there". I really just want the success I never really had with the lap band.[/quote']

Girl, life without a lap band is simply amazing!!!! You're going to be shocked at how much better you feel!!!! I can breathe again!!! It's awesome!!! N

HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 214.6

I researched DS too and asked about it. My BMI is 55. My surgeon won't even do them because of the rampant lifelong nutritional deficiencies.