onmyway11

I posted on the DS forum but thought I would post here as well and maybe catch someone that knew of a surgeon that performs DS surgery in Boston? Surprisingly hard for me to find one!!

I am currently failing at finding a surgeon in Boston that performs DS surgery. Mind blown as Boston prides itself on great health care. I just got off the phone with Brigham and Women’s and their head surgeon said he doesn’t do DS, has never heard of SIPS and that the loop would be out of pocket and not covered by insurance. Huh? Mass general also said they do not perform. Newton Wellesley said they do the SIPS but have only done 3. This has left me asking myself why?? Should I not be considering the DS? Or is this a it’s them not me situation. Please help Boston DSers!! Thanks :)

I’m researching SIPS vs DS and I’m so confused on the correct choice! SIPS seems easier to live with less side effects possibly and an up and coming surgery while DS has been around longer and has more follow up data. My surgeons office only does SIPS and truly has not done that many of them so I’ll probably switch surgeons as well. My story is that I had a nightmare band experience in 2011, didn’t lose much at all and regained all as well as port discomfort etc until being revised in 2017 to sleeve. I did amazing on sleeve for 2 years lost almost all my weight (112lbs) but regained about half. I’m desperate to find the right surgery and so afraid I will make another mistake! I know I need a more powerful surgery than the sleeve and yes I’m doing the “head work” in therapy. Any advise on which I should choose or how I should make the decision?

I am looking for Boston people that love their surgeon. Specifically to do either a DS or a SIPS procedure. It’s ok if you don’t know if they do or not I will call around thanks!!

Have any of you long time SIPS patients had trouble maintaining? My surgeon says I will still need to be careful and vigilant over what I eat. Others in the practice (nutritionist and psych) say it’s impossible to regain bc your body won’t allow it.

Ohhhh @azhiker I love your excitement!!! Haha so fun. @losingit2018 my surgeon said the DS is the way to go he doesn’t revise to the bypass and since I have the sleeve already i can see advantages to the DS. I’m not confident another surgery will be the answer since it seems like I have been gaining weight so easily w the sleeve after 2 years. I don’t want to redo my insides and have bathroom issues for the rest of my life and still be fat. Sigh

I asked my surgeon if DS patients were happy they did it. He said yes because they are thin but I wonder are you happy otherwise with your new lifestyle and is life completely different? In what way if so?

I’m 2 years out after very successful sleeve surgery. I lost over a hundred but maintaining has been extremely difficult. I’ve gained a little over 30 back and seem to be on a run away train. I’m 52 and healthy, active. Currently weigh about 200-205 and am 5’2”. My highest weight was 283. I’m exhausted from the ups and downs of weigh loss and want to fix my body. I feel hungry all the time and can only eat a tiny bit if I don’t want to gain. I can however eat a lot physically. I’m so tired of the stress of my weight and can only imagine how much weight I will put back on at this rate. Most likely all of it. My surgeon is suggesting DS surgery now before I gain more. I’m concerned about long term issues. Mostly the bathroom issues not the vitamin regime. I don’t know if I want to alter my body and create problems. And also if I do so in a year or 2 or 3 is the maintaining an issue again? Would love to hear from people w similar stories (or not so similar). Would you do it again? Would you do it if you were me? Thank you so much in advance for your advise these forums are a godsend for real life education!

Thank you all for your replies! I’m not sure what’s scarier another surgery or gaining the weight back. I’m also not sure what my profile says but my highest weight was 283 I got down to 171 didn’t stay there long and am now about 200. I’m hopeful that a more “serious” surgery would prevent me from gaining the weight back and also help me to get down to 140-160 as I’m still pretty high up on the evil BMI scale at 5’2” When my surgeon suggested it 3 months ago it seemed radical and after 3 months of trying to get it off I feel defeated and am thinking I will be white knuckling it through the rest of my life without revision. I’ve tried therapy and am seeing a nutrionist Wednesday. Very lost and confused at this point and trying to figure out how to handle this before I gain it all back.

Would love to hear from those that have had DS surgery. The good the bad and the ugly. I’m having trouble keeping the weight off from my sleeve surgery 2 years ago and I’m considering heading it off before it becomes a mess!! I would like to know specifically how it’s different. If you feel less hunger and if the malabsorption factor is of tremendous help. Would also love to know what terrible side effects you have had, what you have had to change in your life because of the surgery and whether or not you would do it again knowing what you know now. Lastly recovery! I’ve read it’s easier than the sleeve. Would love to hear your experiences. TIA!!!!

I was sleeved 1/17 I did great. My dr called me a “super acchiever” until my 2 year mark when I had gained 20 lbs back. After his pep talk i gained another 10. Sigh. Now I’m looking at DS and it’s appealing. Especially eliminating the hunger factor. My high weight was 283 lowest 171 current 205. My questions are is it too soon to start thinking about revising and if not would you all do it again. I love my sleeve no complications at all and an easy recovery wondering how recovery is vs the sleeve. Thanks in advance!

My dr prescribed me phentermine to help me lose the 20 lbs I have gained back. I took my first dose this morning at 7am and started vomiting at 10. I have been in bed/on sofa since and every time I get up I feel sick. Has anyone had this happen? Would love to know how long this lasts because I have a huge day tomorrow ugh!

The last case i picked up was really thick and I haven’t been drinking them bc I was thinking there was something wrong with that batch. Interested to hear what others are thinking. Thx for posting this! Band to sleeve revision surgery 1/16/17 HW: 283 CW: 171 GW: 160

I think I'm finally at restriction! Yay! However clearly I'm a food addict and I'm obsessing about stuff I can get down but shouldn't (ice cream/crackers etc). How did you successful people get over this or get in control of this? Self help book? Therapy? I'm ready to try anything. I'm on this journey till I win the battle Thanks!!

Have the power not the food...love it!

Honk-when you got restriction was it easier? Hunger wise?

I always thought you needed to be done losing weight even have maintained for a while before a surgeon would touch you but I was watching a weight loss reality show and the woman lost just a little say 20-30 lbs and had a tt and then continued on a journey to lose about 70 more. I've had 4 kids (a set of twins too) so sadly i have the "butt in the front" look going I swear if that belly was gone I would feel soooo goooood but I still have at least another 50-70 to go!!!

I agree I read these people that are at 5cc or empty and losing. I "get" that the band is only a tool and some of this is my responsibility but I am truly truly starving sometimes. I guess a big part of me thought this was a magic pill and maybe that's why I'm not successful?? I AM exercising like a maniac. I do an hour long bootcamp class full of things I've never done nor ever thot I would do. I go most days 5-6 and walk or do hot yoga the other day(s). I track on myfitnesspal but I'm not satisfied and I'm eating too much. I was hoping food would be less of an issue and I would have more control but I feel like I'm white knuckling it all the time and I'm close to maximum capacity! Thanks for all your advise. I'm still trying. I won't surrender haha hoping this gets easier...

I'm having such a difficult time losing I was banded Sept. 2011. I'm down close to 50 but a lot of that was pre surgery/weight watchers etc. I'm exercising and I'm trying but I'm starving and I eat. I saw my surgeon today and I'm up to 10cc in an 11cc band. He told me there is a low success rate for band patients but those that do succeed do so in a big way. I'm looking for the secrets to your success! Helpppp. It was all I could do not to cry in that office. Such a downer to still be struggling. Thanks in advance!!!!

I put lemon in my water bottle and took a chug yesterday and I kinda thought I felt a seed. Now I feel like its stuck in the back of my throat?? Is that even possible or due to the band? It's not terribly bothersome so I thought I would just wait it out it would go thru. It's not like that "stuck" feeling. Any thoughts?

Thanks everyone. I do have some restriction but I'm still waiting for everything to click! I'm counting calories I joined weight watchers ...again....but I know i am still eating way too much. I guess I thought this was a magic pill?? I thought I would not be ABLE to overeat or I would be able to control my eating better with the band?? Is everyone that is successful trying SO hard? I thought it would be more natural once I was banded??

What exactly are the rules? I've heard 3 meals a day 2snacks and protein first. I'm def guilty of eating on the run sometimes. I get my protein in every day. I'm a workout fiend and do it every single day either cross training in an hour long boot camp, walking 4-5 miles or hot yoga. The band is not stopping me from eating and I guess I thought it would! I'm not afraid to work hard (believe me the exercise thing was not me a few years ago). Maybe I expected too much? How are some people down 100 lbs from this? It feels to me like the same old will power story?? Help! I don't get it! ,

I've been banded for 9 months and lost very little. What I have lost I've done by white knuckling it. I remember waking up from surgery and being ecstatically happy that I was finally going to conquer my weight problem. Im 9.5 in an 11cc band and I never feel content. I must have "head stuff" to work out but I seriously feel hungry. I start every day by working out drinking water watching what I eat and by 4pm I'm off the wagon. How did you all lose the weight? How did the band help you? It's not helping me and I'm so bummed!!

Does anyone know anything about this? Of course it sounds too good to really be true (lose inches increase metabolism etc). There is a groupon in my area and it's incredibly cheap compared to the regular price. Thinking about giving it a whirl but mostly concerned if it will be safe for my band. Any advise?

I'm only almost half way thru in my weight loss journey. People are noticing and clothes are fitting better BUT my tummy is in the way. I can't wear anything besides frumpy if I want to cover it. I know when I'm done losing I will need a tummy tuck but do any of you know of any treatments at any of these med spas that actually work? I've seen body wraps and lipo injections etc.