DSwitcher

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?!?!

Better to ask for forgiveness than permission! Follow what you are told if you can, but if you know that is not the way for you, and others have experienced the same, then you have to decide the next right move...

Sheanie, My Celebrate Chewables, have A, D and E, a little low on the K. I had planned to add an ADEK after surgery. Does that seem sufficient for the basic multi? I will, of course take other supplements...

"The novelty of this study is the large and sustained reductions in the symptoms of anxiety and depression after the duodenal switch procedure, and that these changes were closely associated with improvements in self-reported physical health." http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/729214

Had pages of nutritional baseline blood work already. Been a little wheezy with the cold weather up and down, but no mention yet of pulmonary clearance...

I am glad to be on this new forum. Rule #1 in my experience? "What happens on one forum stays on that forum," wisdom born of pain…. I believe the admins need to set the bar for this, and while I KNOW how frustrating it is to be spoken ill of, it is really important not to import drama. Let's take the high road, K? I eat every 2 hrs and the new Nut couldn't get it. She wants me to eat every three or four hours, pre-op! I agreed to do do, with a Protein coffee and Jello in between. After surgery, I will graze with protein and fats, and very little carbs, at least for the first 6 months…. DS IS the "eating WLS" from all I have been told by MANY who are experiencing success. I will adjust as needed. rdc

VSG to DS is not correctly listed as a revision, but a completion of a dual procedure. Many had the first surgery (3 or 4 possibilities) and then had the DS, later, to complete the surgical procedure. Many, including myself, hoped that the sleeve, alone, would be sufficient. I followed the VSG for three years, and found that maintenance and avoiding re-gain, was not metabolically possible. While I will be what is considered, a "lightweight," I have allowed myself to eat regularly to have some rest for my metabolism and to weaken the starvation re-action, a theoretical construct, that has some believers and some detractors. Completion with the DS will provide the malabsorption necessary to correct the insufficiency of the Sleeve alone, according to my Drs. Those who chose the "Virgin DS," having both parts at the same time, are also finding success in maintenance. The stats are definitely in the DS favor.

Like making the decision for WLS, there is a lot of research and information to be gathered before this decision is made. A vast majority of people are getting better services, for what many are finding is a better deal in the long run. When I hear lots of horror stories I question the facts… Just like WLS...

I couldn't read it all, but sounds like it could be normal depression. talk to one of your docs, re meds and some therapy around the fact that you are not getting your needs met by your family might be appropriate...

Not a coincidence. As sleevers like me hit maintenance and have no metabolism left, the only choice is DS completion!

I went through all kinds of gyrations in the beginning, trying to put together a GNC, CostCo, Walgreens value-pak, and who needs that stress?. I have met with the nutritionist, not the surgeon, so I am taking Celebrate at post op level and Vit D3, dry, which was low, to get things up in general. In Jan, I will meet the surgeon. I will start The Vitalady Packages to build up before surgery. I have decided to pay the extra for going with the three month plan, as my "guilty pleasure." After my next labs, 14 vials worth, I will reassess. It's the cost of doing business iin DS Land!

Are you a Sleever in maintenance? Having a hard go of it, even though you are following your plan? That was my experience, and why I have elected to re-sleeve and have the second phase DS, which promises to provide a level of malabsorption that will enable me to maintain. If you ar considering the sleeve, or struggling with the sleeve, I suggest you look at the Duodenal Switch, and get past the rumors and bad info you may have heard. DS is, by far, the most effective surgery!

58 views and no replies. How many of those folks are having or have had DS?

WLS Revision Journey continues! Disability Medicare Parts B,C, and D are taken care of. AARP completed for deductibles and Part C. Surgeon's office has all info needed. Just a matter of running all the info through and setting the first appt, which I hope will occur this week! Just as I was about to decide the Re-Sleeve and DS was not for me! Like I had another choice? Swing them critters, I want to get this one right!

The concept of a Higher Power is a real deal breaker for some, especially those who, like myself, were a part of abusive religion that was way more about "Power," than about "Higher" thinking. As a recovering addict of Religion, it was a struggle to sit through a lot of the religious vs spirtual sharing I heard. Little by little, I was able to disconnect myself from the impact I felt from others to realize that the part, "of our [own] understanding," was key to my own definition of Higher Power. Nowdays, I pray for "serenity, courage and wisdom." Much like the trinity I was raised on, this Higher Power suffices to meet my spiritual needs... What are your thoughts and feelings regarding a Higher Power? {:>} rd

www.therecoverycenter.org has meeting every three hours round the clock. Also has WLS-OA meetings on Thursday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 7:30pm.

This board has great potential. So many people pass through, but so few comment? Forgive me for trying to set the stage, but it's all right here... As you browse through the recovery topics on the "12 Step" board, please take a moment to talk about your day, your abstinence, HP, your challenges, 12 Step solutions, your Experience, Strength and Hope! Let's share a power that is right under our noses to deal with our own, and share in helping others with, food addiction... {:>} rd

It is so easy for me to go through my day without communicating to others. Especially easy to go by without sharing what I am really feeling. Why is it so much easier to eat a sandwich, than reach out, touch and be touched back? {:>} rd

What are some changes you have been thinking of, maybe obsessing over, that'll only make a difference, if you DO them?

I travelled all over the US and the world (Russia) in an evangelistic singing group. Independent baptist, Episcopalian, and Church of Christ. All had sexually abusive clergy. The latter extremely powerful, fundamentalist and cultic.... "When God Becomes a Drug" is a great book... Helped me reconsider a creator..

As a recovering person, I rely on the science of addiction studies, which assures me that addiction is not evil or sin, it is a disease. Some of the behaviors that are symptomatic of my disease are serious and must be adddressed. Not through guilt and shame, but by the most effective recovery techniques, added to a basic spiritual factor that is also effective in breaking the bond substances and addictive behaviors have over me. Science also tells me that meditation, prayer, sharing, confession of behaviors, and journaling, as well as other spiritual activities, are part of successful recovery. Chapter Five of The Big Book of AA tells us: "Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain anything like per­ fect adherence to these principles. We are not saints. The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection. "Our description of the alcoholic, the chapter to the agnostic, and our personal adventures before and after make clear three pertinent ideas: -- That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives. -- That probably no human power could have re­ lieved our alcoholism. -- That God could and would if He were sought. -- Being convinced, we were at Step Three, which is that we decided to turn our will and our life over to God as we understood Him. Just what do we mean by that, and just what do we do?" This is where action must be added to faith...The 12 Steps helps us begin the process....{:>} rd

I think we have to be careful about taking another's inventory when discussing faith related issues....

How does this impact on addiction? Lots of very good Christians struggle with OCD and addictive behavior?

I guess I am wondering about A "Higher Power" and how he/ she/ it relates to addiction and recovery...

Blabber On! lol