ZetaStar

Aye! I read it, too. I am so glad you made it to the Dr. in time! I've not experienced what you were speaking of, but if anyone that read this does, they will know what to do. Thanks for sharing your experience. Praying all is well with you.

Hey ColdFred!

Sorry it's taken me a while to answer. I don't come on everyday.

So far, it's been ok. I got tired of the liquid diet! I've been on puréed foods for 2 weeks & am excited that I start the soft foods diet tomorrow! [emoji126]????

I have been having a struggle with wanting to eat food the way I usedta eat, feeling like I'm eating too much, & Constipation. I have my 2nd post-op check up tomorrow. I don't feel that I have lost as much weight as I should have at 4 & 1/2 weeks.

I was able to go home from DS surgery on 3/24. I feel pretty good. I get tired kinda quickly, though. I'm starting the full liquid diet today & I still get a lil pain behind my chestbone when I drink. I guess I'm either drinking too much or too fast. Yet I'm still not able to get the liquid amount, though.

Hey all!! DS surgery 3/21/16 in Raleigh, NC

Hey there, jam1595!! [emoji137]????

I too am scheduled for surgery tomorrow. I'll be getting the DS. I understand your feelings of being scared. I feel it too!! I pray that we both have successful outcomes. Best Wishes[emoji873]

Congratulations!!! I pray everything went smoothly with your surgery.

Thanks tburns82 for posting and everybody that gave advice. I, too am getting ready to go on my full liquid diet in the week before my surgery. I'll be referring to this post for ideas. *Two Thumbs Up!!*

Thanks everybody!! I pray that we all are succuessful in this journey. I'm looking formward to being on the 'loser's bench"!!

Hello all!!!!

Yesterday I got my Surgery date!!! Needless to say, I'm excited and scared. I found out that my gall bladder will also be removed during the surgery. That surprised me. Of course, I looked up why they would have to remove it, and understand that it's a preventive measure, but I'm still not completely clear. Can someone give me the "why the gall bladder is removed during DS surgery for dummies" explanation? Thanks!!

I'll be glad when I have those kind of problems!!

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I have been diligently following the suggestions and instructions from my Nutritionist. I don't feel as hungry as I did before. I guess my body had to adjust to the new way of eating. I still haven't heard from my insurance company, but I'm thinking any day now. I'm just trying to get a head start on everything.

Sophie74656: It feels like physical hunger, although I'm telling myself that I just ate, so I shouldn't be hungry. Thanks for the suggestion of low carb Snacks and veggies.

Djmohr: I'll try the Water and low fat milk. I was thinking about trying the Iaso Tea, also as it is a detox tea and helps promote weight loss.

Sajijoma: I think I'll be drinking a whole lot of Water and low fat milk. I'm thinking and saying to myself, "if it's this hard now, what am I gonna do when I get to the liquid diet?" It feels like surgery is so far away. I've finished all my pre-op screenings and am now waiting on approval from my insurance company.

Thank you all for words of advice and encouragement. I certainly appreciate it. I'll be trying your suggestions. I pray that I'll be out of this stage real soon!!!! <3

Hello All and Happy New Year!!

I now have a new dilemma... Right now, I'm pre-op and have started changing my diet to stay in the calorie limit set for my weight and BMI by my nutritionist. One of my goals was to eliminate carbonated drinks (my main drink is Diet Mt. Dew) which I have done pretty good with keeping. I have also done pretty good with my other goal of at least 90 minutes of exercise a week and drinking at least 64 ounces of Water a day. Here's my dilemma: Ever since I started changing my diet and eliminated sodas, I can't seem to get enough to eat!! It's like a hole in my stomach and I can't fill it up!! And the flatulence that came with the change of diet!!! * holds nose and fans hand, eyes crossed* Whoo!! I've been wondering, did anyone else have to deal with this? Is this what is called "head hunger"?

Ill tell you right now, if your diabetic, get the DS. I too was diabetic, before I left the hospital after my DS surgery my diabetes was cured.

In Europe, the DS is performed on healthy wieght type 2 diabetics soley to treat this disease.

The DS is more invasive, my surgery hurt like hell. But im 7 month, and 135LB lighter. Im a new man, husband, and father.

Any surgery will require you to take supplements afterwards, i just take 1 extra, its not that hard.

The hardest part for me is not eating sugars (gas), or fatty foods (oil slicks).

Like the sleeve, the ghrelin producong portion of your stomach is removed so that benefit is added.

Of all the surgeries, sleeve, bypass, band.... Only the DS cures diabetes. Something like 98.4% cure rate.

Im healthier and happier than I have been in 15 years. Do yourself a favor. Listen to your doctor.

Thank you so much, Link209. I will be getting the DS. I have researched and prayed about it, and I have peace about the decision. I'm glad that you are doing well and are "healthier and happier than you've been in 15 yrs."

I certainly look forward to that! God bless you and continue to stay healthy and happy!

I am a man so it might be a bit different. I just had DS on 12/7/15. I feel great. I am already on the weight machines lifting using arms legs and chests (no core or abs yet). Recovery was/is a breeze. I can drink a ton of Water. I went to Rex Bariatric in Raleigh where they have 3 or 4 surgeons and do all of the WLS types. I think that helps avoid the situation where "if you only have a hammer in your tool belt, everything looks like a nail." In other words, they are not pushing you to fit into one procedure because of a lack of skill in others. A group that does it all is skilled at picking the right surgery and competent at whichever one suits you the best. I had two other friends who got different WLS from my same surgeon - with great results. He recommended a different one for me. So, if you go to a place that can do it all, listen to them. They want success stories and no revisions. Don't let fear get in the way of the recommended option. They have to scare the crud out of everyone. Disclaimers and stuff. Also, us folks needing WLS probably haven't followed our doctors advice very well in the past -- and look where it got us. . For me, I decided to concede that my brilliant opinions and decisions about my health were demonstrably proven to suck. So, I decided it was time to listen and obey the doctor, and I'm glad I did.

I'm going to Rex Bariatric in Raleigh also!!!! I finished all my pre-opscreening Dec. 28th and am now waiting for insurance approval & a surgery date. Right now, it feels unreal. Maybe when i get the approval & date, it'll become real for me. In the meantime, I'm watching what I eat, drinking my required Water, I've started exercising, too. I'm enjoying the journey because I know I'm gonna see some major changes in my life.

AllthingsApple, I finished all the pre-op screenings and am now waiting on insurance approval/authorization. I'll be having the Duodenal Switch (DS) surgery. I originally wanted the sleeve, but because of all the co-morbidities that I have (mainly being a Type II Diabetic for over 15 yrs. & it being so out of control), My Dr. recommended that particular surgery. I asked him about SIPS and he said the DS would be more beneficial in my case. Besides Diabetes, I also have High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, arthritis in my knees, & during the pre-op screenings, I learned that I have mild sleep apnea. I'm excited and scared all at the same time. I KNOW this surgery will mean a whole new lifestyle for me. I look forward to the changes (mainly being under 200 lbs. cause I have been there in 31 yrs.!). I've already started with some of the changes that I need to make before surgery.

• Best Wishes!!!

Hi AllthingsApple! Glad to hear your surgery went well and you are feeling great!

I'm curious as to what surgery you had and how life has changed for you since surgery?

Zetastar

Nurse_Lenora, I'm kinda in the same boat: finished all the pre-op screenings and nutrition classes last month (Dec.2015). Now I'm waiting on insurance approval. My concern is that since it is a new year, I have to start all over again with the deductible & our-of-pocket cost before my insurance will pay 100%. Once I get approval, I'm afraid I won't be able to pay all that before I can get the surgery, & I'll have to do all the pre-op screenings again. I wish I would've started the process earlier so that I could've had surgery before Dec. 31st.

Thanks, James Marusek!!!! ❤️ ????????????????

Well... my consultation with the surgeon went well. He recommended DS as I thought he would. I told him I thought I'd rather have the sleeve and he explained that with my A1c being 13.1, that my diabetes was way out-of-control and that it needed to be brought in control and the DS surgery has proven to be the best for that. Plus with me having been diabetic for over 15 yrs. and insulin dependent as well as pills for about 10 yrs. DS was best for resolving diabetes. Then when you add in my other co-morbidities, and he really took time to explain to me the effects and how the DS surgery can help resolve/improve these issues,I felt better. I also expressed my concerns and his explanations helped calm those to the point where I felt a lot better about the DS surgery. I also went to a support group of Protein Tasting at the Center and the Mentors (those who've had the WLS) were there to talk to and answer questions. There was a lady there that I had talked to before who'd had the DS surgery. Of course, I talked to her again tonight and she was very supportive and told me more about how she's being 2 yrs. post-op. So, I guess I said all that to say I'm ok, even though a lil nervous about surgery, but I'm listening to my Dr. and ready to commit. I'm sure I'll be calling on y'all's advice, & prayers,and I'll be devouring everything I can find on DS surgery. Again, Thanks so much!!!! Love to you all!!!!!! MUAH!!

I love this!! As a beginner in the WLS process, I'm planning to refer to this quite often. Thank you!!

Thank you all for your advice! I appreciate it so much.

Cowgirl Jane: In the information seminar, the Dr. did say that the DS surgery is the one that is best for resolving/curing diabetes and the one they usually use for insulin dependent diabetics. That's me...

animallover1247: I like that you told your surgeon what you preferred and he didn't have a problem with it. I may try it and see what happens.

James Marusek: You are ab-so-lute-ly right!!! I do not want to go under the knife twice when once will suffice! I will be listening to reason. There's a reason why they are Drs.

DivaSoBlessed: I forgot to mention that I have acid reflux and take Walmart OTC meds for that. Since you said that, I now remember that they did say that Gastric Sleeve could possibly/will make acid reflux worse. I know that I am leaning more to the Sleeve because that's the one my Son had 1&1/2 yr. ago. He and his girlfriend had the sleeve. He looks wonderful and lost quite a lot of weight (over 100 lbs), but he still has to take insulin for his diabetes. Personally, I don't want to have to take insulin or have the complications that come with diabetes. I'm already experiencing neuropathy and diabetic nerve pain in my feet and hands.

I am so glad that I happened to stumble across this website!!! I <3 it!!

Again, thank you all so much!!

Smooches

I am currently torn between Gastric Sleeve and Duodenal Switch. I am a 15+ yr. diabetic (currently on metformin pills and long and short acting insulin), have high blood pressure (on 3 different medications), and high cholesterol (on simvastin). My weight at the Nutrition/Orientation was 256 with a BMI of 40.2

In talking with the Dr. at the information seminar, I briefly he said that the DS surgery was the best for someone with my co-morbidities (especially diabetes); but I want the GS. My reasons for wanting GS is because I'm afraid of the possible Vitamin deficiency, dehydration, and malnutrition, and other complications that aren't associated with the GS. I have my first consultation with him tomorrow. My question is: If a surgeon says that the DS is the best surgery for you, but you want the GS, can the surgeon refuse to do the surgery that you want? If so, do I comply with his suggestion or try to find another surgeon?