Postop

Stacy, it's a single vs. double anastomosis.

Sure thing. Sounds as if you're getting the SIPS/SADI. That's generallly the WLS with the longer cc.

Due to the malabsorption DSers need tons of vits/minerals. We don't absorb them well. Same with Protein. We need 100+ grams/day. I eat closer to 150. A Dexa bone scan is a quick easy test. It shows how your bones are doing. Age and malabsorption can make one (more so a woman) more prone to osteoporosis. So it's great to have a preop baseline so you can see (as the years go by) if there's any change. My common channel is 100. It was pretty much the standard at that time. But some did have longer and some shorter.

Lots of people need something for the nausea. Hopefully, it'll lessen soon.

Hi. I'm 11+ years out from a full DS. I've heard of doctors mentioning the DS (as the second procedure) as something to think about if you don't do well enough with the sleeve (and keep it off) but yours does seems a bit more insistent. I guess he really thinks it will be necessary in your case given what you want to lose. But remember, the decision is ultimately yours. You'll do what your comfortable with. As for the insurance, I know many DSers who want to have that 2nd stage of the surgery within about 6 mos. The reason being is they may lose enough weight that their ins. co. might balk at another procedure & that sleever wants the switch to add the lifetime malabsorptive component. Today most DSers have it done in 2 steps. Especially if you have a high BMI, it's just safer to keep you on the operating table for a shorter period of time. I'd ask the doctor what length he makes the common channel. Does he use a standard length of: 75, 100, 150? Or does he measure each patient individually? The length will also determine what (if any) types of side effects you may experience. The DS is more extreme. There is potential for more side effects. Most are manageable if you're careful about what you eat and when. That doesn't mean I don't eat junk. I just had half a brownie. I'm at home now as I wouldn't eat something like that in public. I don't want to deal with the gas and/or stool issues that might occur. But...there is also the benefit of your odds regarding losing & keeping it off. As for Vitamins, I don't know many DSers who have luck with the Patches. It's just something I want you to think about. You must be committed to a lifetime of vitamins (I take 40+ per day) and blood tests (every 6 mos. or yearly depending on your surgeon). You should also probably have a Dexa Bone Scan (preop) so you'll have a baseline to be compared to as you age and as your malabsorption kicks in. While the amount of my vit/minerals may have shocked you (others do take fewer, but we all take a good amount) there's no diabetes issues, cholesterol issues, CPAP, etc. You might want to make a pros/cons list to figure out what you can live with and what you can't. Look, I didn't run to the DS. I was told in 2003, I had to have WLS. I ignored that for 1 year. I told no one. Then in 2004, I realized I had to do something (as my cholesterol was 302 and everyone in my family dies of heart issues). I was also a touch below diabetic. I went to 3 hospital programs and at one of them, I learned about the DS. Once I realized I just couldn't lose/keep the weight off on my own; I decided the DS was probably the right one for me. It's a very personal decision as all of the WLS have good & bad points.

I saw him anually until this year. I just don't have the time to go there as it's 3/4 of a day. I do email him if there's an issue & I have my bloods done through his office.

I told no one & still haven't (except for physicians and immediate family). I said it was gb surgery. "It had been backed up for a while & now that it was gone I was going to be able to lose that weight."

Glad you got it.

Did you get a look at my PM? It really might help.

At a year and half out, I can see you still might need a shake to supplement your Protein. But boy, I'd be eating my protein if I could. It's so satisfying to have a bowl of nuts, big chunk of cheese, salami & swiss, hamburgers, steak, etc.

How many grams or Protein are you eating a day? I eat a ton. Every 2-3 hours. Protein.

If you had the full DS, you won't need to count calories. Just Protein grams and simple carbs/sugars. Are you eating 100+ grams/protein/day? Are your carbs under 50 grams/day (since you still want to lose)? These are the only things you'd have to weigh and/or measure (to ensure you're eating enough). Have you had your bloods done within the last 6 months? I've sent you a PM with more information.

It's actually at scribd saved as a document. I really should update it. The written word is more my thing.

I don't have a VLog; however, I do have a journal I kept for many years. It runs from 2005-2014.

Just free weights. I own 1lb., 5lb. and 10lb. ones. I used to have a weight bench and curl bar so I could add weight onto it. You can google curl bar and see what I mean or I can point you to some links. I had to sell the weight bench and curl bar, unfortunately, bc I have tendon and ligament issues and am only allowed to lift up to 10 lbs. That's why I now use free weights. Oh, and these tendon and ligament issues have nothing to do with the DS. They began long before I had it done.

Welcome to the Dark Side.

I only had 2 days of preop diet, too. I do weight training in my apt. I bought weights so I can use them whenever I want. Day or night.

Sorry you had to go through this. Thankfully, I'll be a distant memory in a year or two when you're eating everything. Consider trying it again in a few weeks. That's what my DS practice recommends. Sometimes it wasn't good other times it went down well. If it still isn't good, I'd wait another couple of weeks and try it again.

We'll be waiting to welcome you to the Dark Side.

It's a wild time. Excited, happy, nuts, anxious. Anthing you feel is Right!

I've always only left 1 hour between eating (or other pills) and Iron. That's what was recommended to me by my DS team. Also, if you want to increase the absorption of your iron, consider adding 1000mg. of Vit. C (tab or capsule) at the same time you take you iron.

I never set a goal. I felt it would be too much pressure on me. In the first month, I lost 19 lbs. Compared to other DSers it's wasn't as much. I was happy, though, bc I asked myself when had I ever lost that much weight in 1 month? My suggestion is to use that 12-18 month post op period to its fullest. It's the fastest you'll lose weight (you'll still lose years later if you want to but at a slower rate) so really let the DS work its magic.

Sure I know of the single loop DS. Dr. Roslin at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC has been doing it for quite a while. You might want to look him up as he's written extensively about it.

I think you're referring to the SADI-S or SIPS procedure. That's a single loop DS. The full or traditional DS is known as the Duodenal Switch or BPD/DS.

Most I know have gone to Michigan. You can also check here: DS in Canada