Sleeve or Duodenal Switch??

[TeRo 0]

Trying to decide between these 2 surgeries. I have had a failed lap band and need to loose 115 lbs

[New&Improved 1,780]

Talk to your surgeon but the bypass is in the middle of the two

[catwoman7 10,845]

the sleeve is actually the first part of a duodenal switch. They do a VSG on your stomach and then bypass a large part of your small intestine. They used to do the DS in two stages - starting with the VSG and later adding the intestinal bypass - and then they started offering VSG as a standalone surgery when they realized some people could lose all the weight they wanted with just the VSG. The DS is not like the RNY at all - that's a stomach bypass (although a few inches of the small intestine is bypass - a foot or so - much less than in the DS), whereas the DS is an intestinal bypass (with a VSG stomach).

I'm not sure what to tell you. The DS is a much stronger surgery, so it'll be easier to lose weight and keep it off, but on the flip side, there is also a greater potential for complications with it (moreso than the RNY, too). You have to be REALLY diligent about taking Vitamins for the rest of your life, or you can get really sick really quickly. Also, a lot of doctors these days know how to deal with RNY and VSG patients because there are so many of us out there, but many aren't really familiar with DS, so you may need to be more of an advocate for yourself (and may even have to explain your anatomy to them).

I would have considered a DS if my insurance would have covered it (they wouldn't) because I had over 200 lbs to lose, but with 100-ish lbs, I'm not sure. Although I did have a friend who had it who was 100 lbs overweight pre-surgery, and she's been very happy with it.

[New&Improved 1,780]

Yeah here in Australia they don't really do the DS because most people do well with VSG or RNY unless maybe extreme obese..

I chose RNY and I've already lost 136lbs so far

[TeRo 0]

My surgeon recommended either the bypass or the duodenal switch. I take a strong NSAID that I will probably continue to have to take despite significant weight loss. He said with a failed lap band he didn’t recommend the sleeve. I am thinking about the sleeve because the switch is a more serious operation.