Between BILIOPANCREATIC DIVERSION WITH DUODENAL SWITCH VS SIPS...

I have my consultation with my surgeon tomorrow and I really thought he performed SIPS but I just checked online and it doesn't specifically say SIPS or "loop" or anything. Just so I'm on the same page with him tomorrow, is one "better" than the other? I was sold on SIPS after my research.

Thank you in advance.

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch is the original. SIPS/SADI-S/Loop DS is the new version. The new version was created to mitigate some of the issues with the original i.e the diarrhea issue as well as lessen the malnutrition issue (still higher risk compared to Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, etc, but better statistics than original DS). However, the downside is you have slightly less calorie and fat malabsorption, statistically slightly less weight loss, and there isn't enough long term data to tell how patients are doing 10-20 years post-op, but that data is available for the original DS. However, statistically SIPS still has a higher weight loss percentage then Gastric Bypass even if it doesn't beat out the original DS. In the end it comes down to 1. if your surgeon even performs the SIPS version of the surgery (which is actually easier for them to perform then the original) 2. if your insurance even covers the SIPS surgery because some insurances consider it 'experimental' due to the lack of long term data and 3. which surgery you actually want. I chose the SIPS/SADI-S/Loop Duodenal Switch for myself because I didn't fancy having to deal with diarrhea all the time. Didn't expect that I'd have to deal with constipation issues at times and my system trying to empty itself at others (at least twice a week my stomach is like "ohhh you're going to be in the bathroom for a WHILE" and I literally empty everything out. Diarrhea still happens on those days. TMI, sorry, but I thought you'd want to know all the nitty gritty stuff to help make your choice). Also, there is something like a 3% you will develop either Celiac Disease or a Wheat allergy. That's for any malabsorbative surgery (DS, SIPS, or Gastric Bypass) and they don't TELL you that. I developed a wheat allergy. I was tested for it after I had classic symptoms of dumping syndrome after I was TOLD that wasn't possible. I tested positive for a wheat allergy. Anyway, it's unlikely it'll happen to you, but I tell people because a 3% chance means 3 out of every 100 people so it's worth mentioning and I'm irritated that they DIDN'T mention it! I still would have had the surgery, but I would have like to KNOW! Also, they didn't tell me that it's possible to vomit old blood after the surgery. Again, doesn't happen to everyone, but it happened to me and scared the SH*T out of me! I was still in the hospital and panicked and the nurse came in took one look at the blood in the bag and was like "It's old blood. You're fine." and then walked out. Like WTF?!

Anyway, I'm almost 16 months post-op with the SIPS so if you do decide to go that route feel free to ask me any questions about my own experience and I'll do my best to answer. Hope things go well for you at your appointment!

@NovaLuna You're so amazing, thank you for replying to me! I'm all alone this morning and I'm so nervous about my consult. You've really really helped. THANK YOU.

@novaluna My Consultation was kind of amazing. Mainly because my biggest fear was that I'd have to wait many months - but no, he wants to do late June. He wants me to lose 25 pounds before the surgery in about 5-6 weeks. Immediately my brain went "PROTEIN SHAKES"!! I ran to costco and bought four cases of protein shakes. Do you think that I can lose 25 pounds trying to do just a liquid diet of these shakes? I know you're not my doctor, but I was just hoping for your insight.

3 hours ago, laurenantics said:

@novaluna My Consultation was kind of amazing. Mainly because my biggest fear was that I'd have to wait many months - but no, he wants to do late June. He wants me to lose 25 pounds before the surgery in about 5-6 weeks. Immediately my brain went "PROTEIN SHAKES"!! I ran to costco and bought four cases of Protein Shakes. Do you think that I can lose 25 pounds trying to do just a liquid diet of these shakes? I know you're not my doctor, but I was just hoping for your insight.

I lost 15 pounds in two weeks on the liquid diet so it's definitely possible. It's hard, but worth it in the end.

NovaLuna explained it all so well. I just want to say I also had the Loop DS 10 months ago.
Just like NovaLuna, I have a lot of constipation.. In fact it has caused an umbilical hernia I already had to worsen, and now I have to get it repaired. I have had diarrhea as she described also, but it has been a while.
I also vomited old blood for the first 3 days after surgery and had to stay in the hospital and extra night for that reason. I was also not told this might happen.. I am a nurse, so I didn't panic too much, but it did scare me at first.
Otherwise, I have felt great, and don't seem to have any symptoms of a wheat allergy or celiac.
I did pay out of pocket for my surgery, which is one reason I chose the Loop DS. My surgeon calls it the most powerful operation and I knew I needed powerful with over 200 pounds to lose!

@STLoser Many thanks for this! I had read one other place only about the "old blood" so that is helpful. I'm oddly good at remaining calm, but I can imagine vomiting blood would freak me out.

I'm all set for a traditional DS on July 12th. I am so dern excited!

Good luck your surgery!!

[mention=385446]STLoser[/mention] Many thanks for this! I had read one other place only about the "old blood" so that is helpful. I'm oddly good at remaining calm, but I can imagine vomiting blood would freak me out.
I'm all set for a traditional DS on July 12th. I am so dern excited!

On 5/18/2021 at 5:00 AM, NovaLuna said:

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch is the original. SIPS/SADI-S/Loop DS is the new version. The new version was created to mitigate some of the issues with the original i.e the diarrhea issue as well as lessen the malnutrition issue (still higher risk compared to Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, etc, but better statistics than original DS). However, the downside is you have slightly less calorie and fat malabsorption, statistically slightly less weight loss, and there isn't enough long term data to tell how patients are doing 10-20 years post-op, but that data is available for the original DS. However, statistically SIPS still has a higher weight loss percentage then Gastric Bypass even if it doesn't beat out the original DS. In the end it comes down to 1. if your surgeon even performs the SIPS version of the surgery (which is actually easier for them to perform then the original) 2. if your insurance even covers the SIPS surgery because some insurances consider it 'experimental' due to the lack of long term data and 3. which surgery you actually want. I chose the SIPS/SADI-S/Loop Duodenal Switch for myself because I didn't fancy having to deal with diarrhea all the time. Didn't expect that I'd have to deal with constipation issues at times and my system trying to empty itself at others (at least twice a week my stomach is like "ohhh you're going to be in the bathroom for a WHILE" and I literally empty everything out. Diarrhea still happens on those days. TMI, sorry, but I thought you'd want to know all the nitty gritty stuff to help make your choice). Also, there is something like a 3% you will develop either Celiac Disease or a Wheat allergy. That's for any malabsorbative surgery (DS, SIPS, or Gastric Bypass) and they don't TELL you that. I developed a wheat allergy. I was tested for it after I had classic symptoms of dumping syndrome after I was TOLD that wasn't possible. I tested positive for a wheat allergy. Anyway, it's unlikely it'll happen to you, but I tell people because a 3% chance means 3 out of every 100 people so it's worth mentioning and I'm irritated that they DIDN'T mention it! I still would have had the surgery, but I would have like to KNOW! Also, they didn't tell me that it's possible to vomit old blood after the surgery. Again, doesn't happen to everyone, but it happened to me and scared the SH*T out of me! I was still in the hospital and panicked and the nurse came in took one look at the blood in the bag and was like "It's old blood. You're fine." and then walked out. Like WTF?!

Anyway, I'm almost 16 months post-op with the SIPS so if you do decide to go that route feel free to ask me any questions about my own experience and I'll do my best to answer. Hope things go well for you at your appointment!

Oh man, there is a new one? I got the DS 10 years ago and have been doing great tbh but it kinda scares me that they already revised it lol. What is sips like for you?