Postop

@shazza I lost 19lbs my first mo. Some might say that wasn't so much. Not me. I'd never lost that much so quickly and the bonus was I wasn't gaining like I would've been w/o the DS.

@shazzaBest of luck!

Yep. But as the article said, you have to be very committed re: supplements.

@Krista2653Don't worry. Ungson has a great rep. Yup. Count protein grams (over 100 per day, I'm usually much higher) and simple carbs/sugar.

@Krista2653 Who’s doing your second part? Remember no calorie counting with the traditional DS. ??

@Classc1 I think either would be fine for that. If you want to speak to others about who they've used, you can always go to a bariatric support group there. Support Group Schedule

@Classc1I've been a patient there for a long time. Yes, Dr. Pomp has retired from Weill Cornell and will be at the U. Of Montreal. I know Dr. Dakin fairly well. He's taken over as chief. Afaneh has a decent reputation, too. I think it depends on which surgery you want as to who you see.

Me, too. You’re lucky they did them all at once. My gb came out 3 years post DS.

Unfortunately, it can happen again. But it can also not. It’s kind of a guessing game within the first few years of WLS. With me, I didn’t have any hernias till 9 years out. That was really odd. I also have a hiatal hernia (also not uncommon) but we’re leaving it alone unless it gets too bad.

Sorry to hear about the pain. This isn't uncommon. The weight loss can also sometimes make stitches looser and cause a hernia (pushing through). It is sometimes said that plastics and/or hernia surgeries are the finishing touches to weight loss surgery.

Regular bed but I needed pillows for my legs and feet as my ankles were quite swollen.

I said gallbladder. And 14 years later no one knows.

14 years out. I order only an entree (as not enough room for an appetizer) and ensure it’s a lot of protein. A steak, double cheeseburger; etc. I eat as much as I can and take the rest with me. It’s never been a problem. I can’t help with the drinks, as I don’t partake; but I do know one should wait 6-12 months before having one. You don’t want your liver to work double time on weight loss and alcohol.

@livefatdreamskinny The loop is the same as the Sips, Sadi, single anastomosis. The traditional, full or double-anastomosis is different aka duodenal switch.

Have you ever lost 31 lbs. in 6 weeks? That's quite a lot. Plus, remember it's a revision and revisions don't typically lose as fast as virgin DSers. Now a stat to make you happy, I lost 19 lbs. my first month with a virgin DS in 2005. I was thrilled as I'd never lost that much before in so short a time. :)

We all lose some malabsorption as time goes on. The body fights to return to 'normal'. It can't do it, though. Most likely, the SIPS will leave you with less malabsorption than the traditional DS, but you won't lose it completely as some other surgeries do.

@disco stuThat is such great news. You really did it! I’d continue it. Generally, once you reach the level you need to be that’s where you stay dosewise. If your numbers go too high or too low then you adjust accordingly.

@AllieCat1993 Hi. They do the traditional DS, right? Here's my thought about telling. I had the DS 14 years ago. Only my immediate family and doctors know (I tell all doctors as I feel it's important for them to know as part of any treatment I might receive). You can't unring the bell. Once you tell it's done. Perhaps you'd consider keeping it to your husband and mother now and then can always revisit your decision later.

Definitely the most aggressive. It’s the malabsorption.

Good choice.

@MardellI'm glad your D is rising as it needs to be a lot higher. What does your PTH look like?

@MardellShakes are definitely not the way to go for a DSer. Yes, you can use them as supplements but not as your entire menu. Your best bet is to eat a ton of protein. Then drink a lot of liquid and limit carbs severely.

Hi. I guess I'd want to ensure that you're committed. By that I mean; for the rest of your life can you take 40+ pills a day (if required ), have blood tests done 2x a year (if required), get a Dexa bone scan yearly (if required), eat at least 100 gr.of protein a day, deal with the gas and stool odors (which can be managed but if you don't, then they're difficult). Those are just some of the things I can think of off the top of my head . This isn't to discourage you at all. It's just to give you a real perspective of the DS. Of course,the great thing about the DS is it has the best stats re: losing the most and keeping it off. I'm almost 14 years out and look exactly like I've always wanted to look.

This is the exact right time to do this. You're not too far out, your BMI needs to be at a point where your insurance co. won't balk...these are important reasons to do it now. People I know who have done it haven't had too tough a recovery . Make sure your doctor has done the DS before (if you're doing the standard DS).

@Faith2002 DSERS don't absorb carbonate. Plus, your hunch is correct, carbonate makes us more prone to kidney stones. I take 40+ vits/minerals a day. Now, at about a year out you may see the malabsorption really kick in on your bloods. Bariatric Advantage doesn't have nearly enough in it for me unless I'd take it like Centrum (of which I take 2 daily). If your bloods are good, then stay with what you're on. Definitely keep all of your records and compare each subsequent draw so you can watch for any trends. I also recommend having your preop blood work. It might help if you run into a difficult deficiency you can't solve (as time goes on) as it did with me. Make sure you're taking your iron on an empty stomach (no food, pill, drinks [other than water]) for 60 minutes before and after. Your Vitamin D should be at least 50 on your bloods. I don't know how low yours is but I'd start taking dry Vitamin D3 (cholicalciferol). Either 50,000iu/day or 100,000iu/day depending how low you are.