Duodenal Switch Surgery Forum

802 topics in this forum

We did a grocery store tour last night as part of our required tasks before surgery, and the dietitian showed us the the nuval scoring shown on various products. We were at king Soopers. Companies have their products evaluated for nutritional value by this company. The are not allowed to pay for a high score, so it is unbiased. It ranks the products 0-100. The closer to 100 the better. Surprisingly most yogurts (except plain yogurt) only ranks 25-39, which is bad. This is a great way of shopping for better products. Has anyone else seen this?

Hello Everyone! This is my first post in this forum. I decided a couple of months ago to start researching WLS and I went to a talk done by Dr. Sudan at Duke, where I also work. And was interested in getting the DS surgery after the talk. I have done all of my initial visits, Dr. Sudan, Psych, Nutritionist and have been cleared. I still have all of my other testing to get done, Aka, sleep Study, EGD, Blood work, chest X-ray. I am spreading them out over the next 6 months that I have to wait for my insurance company to approve it. When I first learned that I would have to wait 6 months to even be approved, my insurance requires me to be in Weight Watchers for 6 month…

I am starting my pre op shakes . So far I have had just two . What if I can't drink 3 per day ? Anyone that can tell me there experience with the two week before surgery I would appreciate , thanks

Saturday for lunch I had two slices of a cucumber off of a salad and that night I started having major stomach cramps at the top of my stomach. It feels like my stomach tightens and relaxes. I woke up with a sour stomach at about midnight and hadn't eaten in hours. I vomited every couple hrs all night. Sunday morning I had diarrhea. Well today is Tuesday and I'm still having the same stomach pain with the diarrhea. What's going on ?? I'm afraid I'm going to dehydrate.

Does anyone know tracy6914? We had our surgery the same day, July 16, 2014, and we were messaging. She had many complications and I have not heard anything from her since 8/30/14. I'm so worried about her. I just want to make sure she's ok. Thanks for any info in advance:)

It has been sixteen weeks since my surgery. I have lost weight very slowly and have been on a stall seems like forever. In fact I keep going up and down five pounds or so!! I have not had any follow up blood work. I went in and saw my cardiolist and he did blood work up. He said my thyroid (I don't have one) is low, Homocysteine level is elevated, Glucose is high and I have a Vitamin D deficiency. Would this keep me from losing weight?

Finally found a Protein that I could get down and keep it down and actually like! Yea! I am finally getting in all of my protein. I ate a whole poached egg for the first time this weekend without it making me sick! I was able to eat little less than a 1/2 cup for lunch Saturday and Sunday! This is an accomplishment......all I had been able to handle was a tablespoon at a time and I am seven weeks out??? I even ate an 1/2 of a chicken salad sandwich today and it did not make me sick........feeling so much better!!!

Can anyone tell me how much they lost within the first six month, starting with day of surgery weight, as well as whether a virgin or revision surgery? Anyone know the percentages of expected weight loss within the first month? Thanks.

Hello, I had a sleeve 6 years ago, never lost enough weight and what I did I have regained. I'm 7 days out on full liquids. My dr didn't have to resize the sleeve so I'm thinking that's what is making it easier for me. When I had the sleeve I could bearly take in a few sips of water and this surgery I'm able to drink just fine. Im on purée liquids, did any one else find it easier this surgery? I also had my gallbladder removed.

I have been waiting all summer to see if I could get the DS instead of the RNY. The surgeon told me that he thought it would be the best surgery for me (43 BMI with diabetes). But the insurance company had a policy of DS only for those with BMI over 50. Today I found out that the insurance company has updated their approval so I can get the DS!!!!!!! I am so happy and I am hoping for approval next week and hope to be able to get a scheduled surgery date! Just wanted to share my happy vibes -- hope others out there are able to benefit too!!

I am 3 weeks out from DS. I vomited today for the first time. I know I ate too fast. I still feel nauseous and I don't want to eat anything. Can only get 4 ounces of my shake down where as yesterday I could drink the whole thing. Is this normal?? Anyone have experience with this? Thanks in advance.

Had surgery July 16 th and since surgery I'm having a very difficult time with smells. Which is affecting my taste of everything. Nothing smells right and it makes me nauseous. Even down to my laundry detergent stinks. When will this go away ? I'm miserable !!!

Hello everyone! Ok, so I'm now under the 400lb mark...127lbs lost since the middle of March 2014. I'm at 398lbs now. About the dairy and Beans, I get MAJOR GAS-farts after eating cottage cheese, milk, anything dairy. The same goes for beans-ham and bean Soup, bean burritos, etc. I suppose this is normal?, but I may be lactose intolerant. I feel like before surgery, milk affected me slightly but not enough to worry about, that and the fact that I have a sibling that's lactose intolerant. I think surgery kicked it into "high gear". The question is,... can I take something like Lactaid or Beano before having dairy and beans with out any adverse interactions with my Vitamins…

Hi! I am 17 days post op from DS. I am having nothing but diarrhea at least 3-5 times per day. I am not eating anything fatty at all. I am using skim plus in my shakes. Could I suddenly be lactose intolerant? Help:(

Surgery was Wednesday about 12:45 pm. That nite at 10 pm I was up walking and sat in a chair. Thursday I walked off and on slept a lot pain was pretty bad but mostly sore. Friday had to go drink contrast milky stuff worse thing so far ! Sat in X-ray from 8:30 am til 2 pm with very little movement. Back to X-ray at 7 pm. Then over nite was horrible I was sick vomiting which is not what your dr wants to say the least. Saturday has been a lot better. Still off to X-ray every 8 hrs but it's moving just very slowly. I did get ice chips thou best ice chips ever !! So now I still have no clue when I'll get to go home. But I'm feeling better by the hour. Dr ordered me a shot of T…

Hi All! I am brand new to this forum. My DS is scheduled for this Wednesday, July 16th. My family has a trip to DisneyWorld planned for August 9th that can not be changed due to my dad's cancer. Do you think I am going to be able to walk around in the heat only 3 weeks post-op? I've already purchased a portable blender to take with me in the parks. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

Surgery scheduled Monday but got called today postponing it til the following Monday. This makes my 3 rd surgery date ! Will I ever get there ? I'm feeling pretty down this evening !

What is ds?

Hey, I'm new to bariatric surgery. I decided on Duodenal Switch, but my insurance (Blue Cross PPO) is being unhelpful about giving me anything close to a straight answer on whether they cover duodenal switch. I cant find it on their website under bariatric surgery. I cant even get someone at their dedicated bariatric & transplant number to return a call. Now I'm wondering if it is even considered bariatric surgery, as this website has DS buried under "other". Can anyone give me any advice? I talk to my bariatric surgeons office (i went ahead and started the process anyway) about it and Blue Cross gives them a hard time too. So is DS considered bariatric surger…

I am 225 pounds, 5ft 6 inches tall, have type two diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. My mother died from morbid obesity, heart attacks and strokes. I have decided to have WL S but Am still doing research and trying to determine which surgery would be best for me. My BMi is 35. And I am going to have to self-pay. I only want to have to go through this once, even though this forum considers me a lightweight would a DS be a good option for me?

In the last few days of this research so I'm posting it here for anyone that missed it and would like to share their experience. I have gotten a great response so far but struggling to get people so I would be very appreciative if you have a few minutes to fill it out. All you have to be is post-op! Thank you so much in advance https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1eDZE0cIK8ChVCeWrsX1s-QMAshk5oLErL7c7q5Sk2Kw/viewform?usp=send_form

Hello all…. Hoping you can answer some questions for me…. I am interested in any information you can give me on DS from your experiences (good, bad and possibly ugly) What is the protocol to get to surgery? Pre-op and post-op diets/experiences (I know this will be different for all depending on doc) How long is the surgery? How long were you in the hospital? How was your recovery? How long before back to work? Are there foods you can/cannot eat? Side effects from surgery? Why did you chose this surgery? This surgery is the one I know the least about and I have a family member who this procedure has been recommended for. I had WLS surgery back in Sept (la…

I'm taking Calcium chews 3x a day and chewable Iron 2x. I know there's a warning about taking them together(something about absorbtion), but I'm not exactly sure. How much time has to pass before I take one or the other? Thank You, Timmo

I need any advice on new DR's in the Holland area I am four months post surgery and need a Dr in the area for follow ups.

O.K., So I'm feeling like I'm gonna need pads on hand for a looong time. I'm wearing 3xl (whitey tightys) with Tena pads flipped around and put in the rear. The only problem with that is it shifts around and is not always covering the "mark". I don't wan't to use "chuck" diapers because they're too hot and bulky between my legs and don't really fit around my waist too well.(and besides, who wants to wear a diaper??) I'm looking for something similar to the shape of the triangular Tena pad but with more coverage area(wider across the backside) on the Bum and without bunching up near the crotch, also better adhesive. I was thinking of trying to create a "Franken-liner" out …

I'm 6 weeks out of surgery and doing fine. What kind of nuts would be good to snack on? I like pistachios, peanuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, and sometimes smoked almonds. I know peanuts and beef Jerky are go-to's for some but what about the others? Thank You, Timmo

I'm craving crackers and such as a savory type of snack, but I'm having trouble with undigested fats(ugh!). Can I get some suggestions from the group about whats working for them. My only shopping outlets near me are Wal-mart and the local rinky-dink grocery store. Can I get suggestions for the right type of low fat crackers and snacks I should buy? BTW- I had the sleeve/DS

Hello DS Community: I am new to the forum and happy to have stumbled across this site! I'm a 32 y/o female, 5'2.5" tall and currently weigh 263 lbs. I've had an interesting weight loss journey and was told by my doctor that it was somewhat atypical. I lost about 75 lbs on my own from 2007-2008 but then regained a great deal of that weight and in 2009, I decided that I needed to take surgical intervention. I had a lap band in 2009 and immediately had issues following it: both issues with finding my "sweet spot" in terms of fills (either I would feel no restriction and would eat a lot or I would feel so much restriction that I would throw everything up) as well as th…

Please let me know if anyone has had the DS or the DS revised with Dr. Alverdy in Chicago. I actually already had this surgery in 2001 and looking for a revision. I never lost all of my weight. Thanks, NancyB in IL

I just got off the phone with BCBS Illinois. I was trying to find out if they cover the DS surgery before I go hog wild researching. They couldn't tell me definitively that it was included or excluded! Has anyone had experience with this insurance and were you covered? Thanks

I was doing great for a few days when I started eating soft to regular foods per Dr.....and then problems. I haven't tolerated anything I ate yesterday. Going back to protein shakes for a few days. I know it's early but discouraging never the less.

I had my first consult appt. today, I have some homework as far as getting insurance straightened out, but my Dr gave me info on the pre-op diet. I'm not too worried about soda, I mean I like it, but once it's out of the house, I'll be fine. I'm not a big sweet eater, nor a big snacker. My thing is carbs, pastas, cheeses and white rice. One of my go-to "whatever" meals is a nice big bowl of white rice with broccoli, chicken and shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Normally veggies is 1 or 2 of either fresh or frozen corn, fresh or frozen broccoli,fresh potatoes, usually boiled or mashed with butter and milk , canned green beans, fresh asparagus, frozen peas. If we have potatoes…

I met with the surgeon yesterday and told him I was interested in the DS. He recommended the Gastric Bypass Roux en y because of the long term effects of various deficiencies especially A. He said that they are having problems with them. Any one else aware of that. Shawn Mc

Very curious to hear any and all details of your experience. I'm about 6 weeks out from my surgery for DS...and admit to being slightly anxious as well as excited. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

I know some insurances don't cover DS. What insurance do you have that worked and required less than six months weight management ? What was the BMI requirement?

In the beginning, I was so pleased to have chosen to have the VSG, Gastric sleeve, without " Duodenal Switch (DS)." I was convinced that if I followed every rule religiously, did all the other health things I was supposed to, it would work, and I was ready to work it, for three years. ! I was wrong. Although I lost 140# I am still at a 37-ish BMI. No matter what calories, exercise, etc. I subjected myself to, no luck! My Dr recommended that I was a candidate for Duodenal Switch I am already proceeding to be resleeved and complete the 2nd part, Duodenal Switch. As more and more Sleevers (and Bypassers) fail, the emergence of the DS is assured….IMHO when …

Hi everybody! My name is Louise and I am a researcher in bariatric surgery from University College Cork in Ireland. Having personal experience of the bariatric journey, I was amazed by the huge psychological impact the surgery has & how much we still need to learn. Ireland has quite a small bariatric community so I would be so grateful if you would lend your voice/experience and be apart of something meaningful. The questionnaire doesnt require any identifying information, just your experience & will take about 15min to complete. I am more than happy to forward you the results once I have completed it if you would like. Here it is http…

How many times during the day do you need to take Vitamins after DS surgery? I haven't decided which surgery to get yet (between VSG and DS). I'll have no problems being compliant taking vitamins once per day in the morning. However, I am concerned that I'll have to take vitamins multiple times during the day if I get DS. I have a very busy life and I'm not certain I would remember to take them throughout the day. It seems to me from the reading the DS forum that some people are taking vitamins throughout the day. Any help is appreciated. Tony

I just got my surgery date- April 1- and I'm wondering what you guys did to take medicines post-op. How long did you all need to crush pills? I'm not looking forward to taking some of my medicines crushed.

I start my pre-op diet tomorrow- 4 160 calorie protein shakes a day plus clear liquids. I am very nervous about this as I tend to get anxious when I get hungry. Anyone else have a strict pre-op diet? Mine is to shrink my liver, which is enlarged due to fatty liver. I understand that a smaller liver will make the surgery easier, but man, I am not looking forward to this!

I am pre-op hoping for surgery May or June. I have been reading a lot. I have some questions mostly about Vitamins. I know Vitalady is a wealth of info but why purchase from her rather than say CVS or Walgreens is the cost about the same? Also for a Multivitamin will a prenatal work? I am not pregnant nor can I get pregnant, I have just always taken the prenatal as my multivitamin and wondered about continuing. Also was wondering about Protein powders and drinks. What Proteins are complete and which ones aren't? These are my two concerns about WLS is getting in the vitamins and proteins that I need. Thanks in advance for any input.

I'm a diabetic and overweight and still waiting...I'm not sure how long a person as to wait for a surgery i'm 5``3 and weigh 240 pound i have insulin and medications i have to take and can't walk or stand more than 15 minutes i am tired of waiting but maybe if i had a clue on how long it takes i wouldn't be so discouraged....

Looks like I will be doing an endoscopy and colonoscopy before surgery. Scheduled for psych eval. Also need a consult re: changing med prescriptions for absorption change. Otherwise, pretty much the same as the first time in 2012. Don't think the sleep apnea clearance will be necessary this time. Has anyone else had to jump through any additional hoops?

I recently had Gastric Sleeve surgery. It was only a week ago, so I am not trying to raise flags here or anything, but I am curious about something. I read that Gastric Sleeve was developed out of Duodenal Switch, when the surgery was done in two stages and it was found that the first stage (the Sleeve portion) provided adequate weight loss for most people. That makes me wonder if it is possible for Gastric Sleeve patients, who did not do this as part of a Duodenal Switch, to later decide to have the mal-absorption portion of the DS done, in cases where there was difficulty in losing weight. Has anyone had that done? Is it even possible? It would be nice to know w…

Hello, I am hoping to have duodenal switch surgery in April 2014. Any hints, suggestions, recommendations welcomed!

I think I am interested in the switch. While I understand its personal decision would you choose the switch over sleeve, why.

I am pre-op and researching my options - OK here is the boring part: I have a genetic blood disease commonly known as "Iron Overload", medically known as Hemochromatosis. Essentially my body absorbs iron until it becomes unhealthy, damages your organs and can lead to organ failure if untreated. Long story short - I have to have phlebotomies (1 pint blood draws) regularly (every 2 months) for the rest of my life to keep my blood iron levels low (unfortunately they will not use the blood for the community blood supply - not because it is "bad blood" but because it is expensive to manage :-( ). When I mentioned to my current Doctors (yes that is plural) that I am considering…

How about planning a get together for Duodenal Switcher in NYC - Summer or Fall '14? We stayed in NJ, across the street from the Meadowlands, and took the bus to the Port Authority. Any takers?!?!

I just purchased Champion whey protein plus for after surgery in Strawberry Sundae andbody tried this and anything else I should have at home besides propel, sf pops and jello? Finally got all the vitamins but I do know that I won't be able to start vitamins right away.

Couple of questions here: 1) do most surgeons who do the VSG also do the VS? 2) I'm set for VSG surgery in March, but I'm intrigued and very interested in this surgery--especially because I'd rather do one surgery rather than one plus a follow up; 3) is there anyone out there who regrets this and wishes they had just gotten a VSG; 4) do all of you believe that you malabsorption/vitamin issues are a) fully addressed with supplements and watching your numbers and that you're not shortening your lives or in line for some other wicked medical condition; and 5) I've been reading the VSG site for almost a year now. Lotsa people still struggling with dieting and food addicti…