dsdesigna

I am 6 years out from surgery.

I started out at 371. I am now at 234.
I’ll answer your questions in the order you asked them:
- What foods do you avoid? (Fatty foods? Carbs? Can you tolerate small amounts?)
Foods I avoid: Rice! and Carbonated beverages. Both have a very negative effect on my stomach even now. Rice seems to grow once it gets in my stomach causing it to feel overfull. Carbonated beverages are to be avoided anyway but occasionally it’s the only thing around to sip and never has there been a time that I didn’t regret it!
- Do you have diarrhea?
Occasionally but it’s rare and usually something I know is going to happen. Constipation is a bigger issue and my go to remedy is a slice of plain cheesecake. Seriously. It works better than anything else. To help keep things moving I am sure to add real butter to any carbs I eat. Sometime I use MCT oil to help keep things moving but be careful cause it can cause very loose stool.

- How many Vitamins do you take? Have you experienced Vitamin deficiencies? Have you had to get infusions?
I use PERSONA now for Vitamins They do an assessment that determines your Vitamin needs for me that is one Bariatric Multi, 8 Calcium Citrates spaced out in three doses, Vitamin D, and a Probiotic. I was seriously anemic and had to do Iron infusions until I had a hysterectomy July 2019. Now I’m normal and won’t need them again. I take powdered collagen in my coffee everyday to keep my hair growing, my skin from drying, and my muscle from aching.
- Do you struggle to maintain your weight loss? Do you feel like you are constantly on a diet?
Weight loss is a constant struggle, you will not lose on a smooth downhill slide. It will fluctuate and drop suddenly then rise and fall like ocean waves. Keeping the weight off is the challenge and with the DS weight gain is less likely it still is very possible if Carbohydrates are your source of comfort in times of struggle and stress. You won’t feel like you are on a diet, you will feel like you are a slave to your stomach. You’ll spend an hour making the most delicious meal and take two bites and be full. You’ll find that foods you once loved now don’t make your new stomach all that happy. But with all that you lose and all that is frustrating comes so much amazing stuff like feeling average sized. Shopping in a average clothing store, sitting in theater seats or airplane seats or really any seats and not worrying about what the person next to you might think. Saving so much money cause you can split meals with friends.
 - Anything else you wish you had known before surgery?
My words of advice: find a local support group or an online one if you can’t find one in your area and stay faithful to going to meetings and events for at least one full year but two would be better. Your family and friends will have no idea what you are going through and will say things that will be surprisingly hurtful but they won’t mean it that way, like “Wow, you look how small you’ve gotten!” (Internal thought: I must have been huge) You’ll need people who know not to say those things and instead say “You are making great progress! I am so glad to see you again!”

Good Luck!

It gets better!
Walk Sip Walk Sip
Never Trust a Fart! 😜

Put the scale away. It’s a terrible way to measure your progress. Bariatric weight loss does not happen in an even decline. Your body is making a huge adjustment and you are better off using how your clothes fit as a guide to progress. If you weigh every day you will continue to be frustrated. Also stop counting calories. For the DS it’s a useless guide. Protein and making sure you are getting enough healthy fat into your diet daily is going to be key. Also stay away from liquid calories other than Protein Shakes.
Small meals are key and it appears you are doing well. You’ve lost 34lbs in 8 weeks. That’s an average of 1.6lbs per day. That is fantastic no matter how you slice it. Try to focus on changing your eating habits and staying active. Try to at least walk 30 minutes per day, it helps with keeping everything loose.
Protein first, then veggies, then carbs if you have room. Stay hydrated and active. There’s not much more you can do. No two people have the same rate of weight loss, try not to gauge your progress by looking at others.
You are right on track! Keep it up. In a year you’ll wonder where the time went and wearing a much smaller size!

It’s always possible to regain if you drink your calories and refuse to follow a healthy eating program regardless of which surgery is chosen.

You will need to work with your doc. NSAIDs are not recommended as they contribute to stomach ulcers.

First thing you need is a good support group of other DS patients. This forum is ok but there are Facebook groups that are helpful and necessary to staying mentally healthy. Your family and friends will be important too but they won’t know what you are experiencing.
Next you will regret your decision almost immediately after surgery but remember “It gets better”. The healing process is different for each person. Be kind to yourself this is major surgery.
For the first few weeks/months the most important thing is Hydration. You should get used to carrying a large cup (30oz is a good size) everywhere you go. And Sip, sip, sip. When you get on solids you can start being concerned with Protein and such but keep hydrated, always.
Dont get down on yourself if you land back in the hospital for dehydration. It’s common and normal. Stay in contact with your surgeon and don’t hesitate to report anything happening to you that doesn’t feel right
Do NOT WEIGH yourself EVERY DAY!! Stop doing it now. Post Bariatric weight loss does not happen in a smooth decline, your weight will fluctuate and it will drive you nuts if you weigh constantly. Once a week is a good idea but remember the number on that scale is just your relation to gravity, your body will be changing radically and these things happen gradually. You will lose scale weight and size sometimes separately you’ll notice your clothes fitting different even though the scale hasn’t changed. This is just the process.
You may at some point need an anti depressant, hormonally you are going to feel weird and overly emotional. Don’t wait to get a little pharmaceutical assistance. It will help you get through the rough spots. There’s no shame in it.
Good Luck
Remember you are saving your life! This is a huge deal. But you are not taking the “easy” way (there isn’t one) and life is about to get very different.
It Gets Better!

There is a danger of anorexia, being unable to keep on weight, with both SIPS and DS. I would call a doctor and have blood work drawn to make sure you are not doing irreversible damage through malnutrition. You may need supplemental nutrition.
Regain stats with SIPS does not exist. For traditional DS it’s less than 5% so it’s unlikely you will be counting calories.
To help yourself out be sure your meals are nutrient dense. No simple sugar/carbs. Protein, colored Vegetables, Fiber rich Fruits. Also Bariatric Vitamins taken faithfully.
It sounds like you are doing well but it’s better to be safe consult your Bariatric surgeon and Primary Doc for blood work
good luck

There is a danger of anorexia, being unable to keep on weight, with both SIPS and DS. I would call a doctor and have blood work drawn to make sure you are not doing irreversible damage through malnutrition. You may need supplemental nutrition.
Regain stats with SIPS does not exist. For traditional DS it’s less than 5% so it’s unlikely you will be counting calories.
To help yourself out be sure your meals are nutrient dense. No simple sugar/carbs. Protein, colored Vegetables, Fiber rich Fruits. Also Bariatric Vitamins taken faithfully.
It sounds like you are doing well but it’s better to be safe consult your Bariatric surgeon and Primary Doc for blood work
good luck

It’s normal for one of your incisions to be more bruised and look different from the others. It’s where the largest instrument was inserted. It’s where things were removed like your gallbladder and portion of stomach. It should heal up fine. Mine are hardly noticeable and I’m 4 years out.
liquids and getting anything down is going to be difficult for a few weeks. Your new stomach is tiny and inflamed from surgery. Try warm liquids and see if your medication comes in a liquid form.
Hang inthere. It gets better.

It’s normal for one of your incisions to be more bruised and look different from the others. It’s where the largest instrument was inserted. It’s where things were removed like your gallbladder and portion of stomach. It should heal up fine. Mine are hardly noticeable and I’m 4 years out.
liquids and getting anything down is going to be difficult for a few weeks. Your new stomach is tiny and inflamed from surgery. Try warm liquids and see if your medication comes in a liquid form.
Hang inthere. It gets better.

Whether or not you intent to cause someone to stop using their medication your caution in taking it along with possibly negative side affects could in fact be enough for some to stop their medication. You are apparently not aware of the negative consequences of your opinions and I encourage you to keep them to yourself until you understand.
I say opinions because you are not a medical professional or you would know of what I am referring and instead just offer your own experience. If the medication caused you side affects then share that alone. Otherwise you could be scaring people unnecessarily.

Whether or not you intent to cause someone to stop using their medication your caution in taking it along with possibly negative side affects could in fact be enough for some to stop their medication. You are apparently not aware of the negative consequences of your opinions and I encourage you to keep them to yourself until you understand.
I say opinions because you are not a medical professional or you would know of what I am referring and instead just offer your own experience. If the medication caused you side affects then share that alone. Otherwise you could be scaring people unnecessarily.

Yes. It made me nauseous, food had a metallic taste and I started smelling strange things like burnt dust or plastic. I had to stop taking it. I’m still on the Phentermine and it is working fine without it.

Put the scale away. It’s a terrible way to measure your progress. Bariatric weight loss does not happen in an even decline. Your body is making a huge adjustment and you are better off using how your clothes fit as a guide to progress. If you weigh every day you will continue to be frustrated. Also stop counting calories. For the DS it’s a useless guide. Protein and making sure you are getting enough healthy fat into your diet daily is going to be key. Also stay away from liquid calories other than Protein Shakes.
Small meals are key and it appears you are doing well. You’ve lost 34lbs in 8 weeks. That’s an average of 1.6lbs per day. That is fantastic no matter how you slice it. Try to focus on changing your eating habits and staying active. Try to at least walk 30 minutes per day, it helps with keeping everything loose.
Protein first, then veggies, then carbs if you have room. Stay hydrated and active. There’s not much more you can do. No two people have the same rate of weight loss, try not to gauge your progress by looking at others.
You are right on track! Keep it up. In a year you’ll wonder where the time went and wearing a much smaller size!

First thing you need is a good support group of other DS patients. This forum is ok but there are Facebook groups that are helpful and necessary to staying mentally healthy. Your family and friends will be important too but they won’t know what you are experiencing.
Next you will regret your decision almost immediately after surgery but remember “It gets better”. The healing process is different for each person. Be kind to yourself this is major surgery.
For the first few weeks/months the most important thing is Hydration. You should get used to carrying a large cup (30oz is a good size) everywhere you go. And Sip, sip, sip. When you get on solids you can start being concerned with Protein and such but keep hydrated, always.
Dont get down on yourself if you land back in the hospital for dehydration. It’s common and normal. Stay in contact with your surgeon and don’t hesitate to report anything happening to you that doesn’t feel right
Do NOT WEIGH yourself EVERY DAY!! Stop doing it now. Post Bariatric weight loss does not happen in a smooth decline, your weight will fluctuate and it will drive you nuts if you weigh constantly. Once a week is a good idea but remember the number on that scale is just your relation to gravity, your body will be changing radically and these things happen gradually. You will lose scale weight and size sometimes separately you’ll notice your clothes fitting different even though the scale hasn’t changed. This is just the process.
You may at some point need an anti depressant, hormonally you are going to feel weird and overly emotional. Don’t wait to get a little pharmaceutical assistance. It will help you get through the rough spots. There’s no shame in it.
Good Luck
Remember you are saving your life! This is a huge deal. But you are not taking the “easy” way (there isn’t one) and life is about to get very different.
It Gets Better!

Just wait. It’s coming. BMs will become larger and have more odor (noxious). If you get constipated try eating a slice of cheesecake, seriously, it works better than medicine for the DS. Also simple carbs, like white sugar, will cause excess gas and possibly tummy discomfort.
This is the life! 👍

I am 4 years out and have one rather large Bowel movement per day typically. Usually in the morning but occasionally other time of the day.

You are making a huge change in your life. If you weren’t a little scared that would be more concerning. This journey is so worth it but it is chaotic for some time. It’s perfectly natural to feel anxious but you are about to open a whole new world for yourself and it will be amazing.
Take a deep breath, try to still your mind, find ways to distract yourself, get out of the house, watch a good movie, visit with friends but don’t talk about the pending surgery, read a good book.
Be proud of yourself.

The short answer is yes but you will want to consider a few things. First anal introduces air into your colon which could create trouble with the second connection to your lower intestine. Second although there are ways to minimize it you will be producing flatulance that is typically fairly noxious. You might also have some trouble with loose stools but again this can be handled.
So yes but it’s likely going to be a different experience.
Cheers.

https://www.dsfacts.com/SADI-SIPS-Loop-DS-not-same-as-duodenal-switch.php

Please Read this article before making a decision.

https://www.dsfacts.com/SADI-SIPS-Loop-DS-not-same-as-duodenal-switch.php

Please Read this article before making a decision.

Thank you I’m very happy with my progress. Start 371. Current Weight 245. Went from a size 4X to an XL. Don’t have to shop in the Plus department anymore.

This is my opinion: The traditional DS has been around for 30+ years. It’s went through some modification but it’s been through real life testing for a long time. That is comforting for me. The Loop or Single Anastomoses Duodenal Switch is new, less than 10 years old it is basically an experimental procedure that most insurance will not cover. It’s a challenge to find any statistics on it. That makes me nervous. There’s no way to tell for certain if long term success is similar to the Traditional. I personally wouldn’t want to be a test subject. As far as what you will look like in the end, that’s a bunch of nonsense. I have a whole support group here. Many who are 5 years out or more and no one looks gaunt or “old”. It’s not a good excuse for pushing a new procedure on to you.

Thank you I’m very happy with my progress. Start 371. Current Weight 245. Went from a size 4X to an XL. Don’t have to shop in the Plus department anymore.

The short answer is yes but you will want to consider a few things. First anal introduces air into your colon which could create trouble with the second connection to your lower intestine. Second although there are ways to minimize it you will be producing flatulance that is typically fairly noxious. You might also have some trouble with loose stools but again this can be handled.
So yes but it’s likely going to be a different experience.
Cheers.

This is my opinion: The traditional DS has been around for 30+ years. It’s went through some modification but it’s been through real life testing for a long time. That is comforting for me. The Loop or Single Anastomoses Duodenal Switch is new, less than 10 years old it is basically an experimental procedure that most insurance will not cover. It’s a challenge to find any statistics on it. That makes me nervous. There’s no way to tell for certain if long term success is similar to the Traditional. I personally wouldn’t want to be a test subject. As far as what you will look like in the end, that’s a bunch of nonsense. I have a whole support group here. Many who are 5 years out or more and no one looks gaunt or “old”. It’s not a good excuse for pushing a new procedure on to you.