HOW DO THE SIDE EFFECTS AND WEIGHT LOSS OF DS COMPARE TO THE STANDARD RNY PROCEDURE?
The complication and morbidity rates are roughly about the same overall. The DS avoids some of the problems associated with the RNYGB, such as dumping and marginal ulceration. The DS does, however, carry a greater risk of protein malnutrition, which can be quite a problem, but which runs about 1%. The weight loss with the DS averages 80-85 of the excess body weight (which is the actual body weight minus the ideal body weight as determined from the Metropolitan Life Tables), and it is better sustained in the long-term than with the RNYGB. The RNYGB averages 70-75% of the excess body weight lost, but avoids some of the malabsorptive problems of the BPD/DS, such as protein, Vitamin A,D,E and K absorption, and avoids some of the greasy, foul smelling stools and gas that can occur with the BPD/DS. Maximum weight loss arrives at about 18 months after surgery for both. The RNYGB usually has a small amount of regain over the next few years, while the DS has much less.
