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Crystal Ann Keister

Duodenal Switch Patients
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Posts posted by Crystal Ann Keister

  2. Posted · Edited by Crystal Ann Keister

    Go to GNC and try Isopure clear drinks. Not everyone likes them, but I did (the green tea). 40g of Protein per bottle was great. Kept my energy level up.

    NOTE TO THOSE PRE-SURGERY - Taste test in advance of surgery. (@@Crystal Ann Keister - I'm not casting aspersions on you, just making a point to those who have not gotten as far as you. I wish you the best).

    I did taste test pre surgery, but taking a few sips is good but two weeks straight of that same thing and it gets rough. I had chicken broth tonight and that helped but I cheated a little and had an ounce of finely shredded chicken in it and I chews alot to ground it up

    Sent from my XT1080 using the BariatricPal App

  4. Posted

    I am 1 week post op, and I am so over the liquid diet. Luckily I only had to do the one week rapid liver reduction diet prior to surgery. But that makes 2 weeks of nothing but Protein shakes for meals. i try to add broth in, but its not enough Protein to get in my daily requirements so Im still having to fill in with shakes. How am I gonna make it another week, and then a semi-liquid the third week. My stomach is continuously rubbling for food. And I feel like an over filled Water balloon all day with no solids. I am meeting my Water and protein goals so thats great but its not filling at all.

    Sent from my XT1080 using the BariatricPal App

  7. Posted · Edited by Crystal Ann Keister

    Im feeling better but still worried. I have to start a new job on Monday 8/22 a weeks recovery was all I could pull off financial. I hope my brain will sharping if I get off the pain meds. I feel alot of brain fog, memory and hard to focus. And Im still sleepy so Im gonna try to not take pain meds much today. I was able to get all my liquids and Protein in yesterday, but it really was sipping all day full or not. Thanks for all the support

    Sent from my XT1080 using the BariatricPal App

  9. Posted

    My Duodenal Switch with a hyhatal hernia repair was on Monday 8/15/16. So far things are not going well, I hurt, I can't get enough clear fluids in because I feel so full after one oz. I'm up and walking but not much gas is coming out. And peeing has been hard to do. So far I am regretting this choice more and more. What have I done, I feel a continuous knife in my chest right at the sternum all the time. Im afraid as of now.

    Sent from my XT1080 using the BariatricPal App

  18. Posted

    Dub

    My surgeon has suggested I am a good candidate for either The Sleeve or the Duodenal Switch. Because my BMI is a 43.4 he and my PCP suggested I not try to lose any weight on my own during the 6 months insurance weight management wait period because if I lost to much weight I would not longer be a candidate. So they had me stick to a management program rather then a weight loss.

  19. Posted

    shelbys mom

    Duodenal Switch BPD-DS-185x300.jpg

    The duodenal switch is a weight loss operation that has been done for over 20 years but has increased in frequency significantly in the last several years. It has the greatest weight loss potential of all the operations available. It works by creating a sleeve gastrectomy for restriction and hunger control. Then after the sleeve the intestines are rerouted similar to a gastric bypass. The principle measured length with a duodenal switch is the common channel. This is the distance from where bile and food meet to the end of the intestines and determines the amount of malabsorption.

    This common channel distance is an important number and has changed significantly over time. Originally this number was 50-100 cm and while it provided excellent weight loss, it left patients with nutritional deficiencies and diarrhea. We currently do a common channel length of 300 cm for most procedures. Deviations from this number are dependent on theSINGLE-ANATOMOSIS-190x300.pngpatient’s needs and this appears to be the sweet spot where weight loss is still excellent with fewer downsides. Vitamin supplementation is important and patients may have some increase in the number of bowel movements.

    Surgery takes about an hour and a half and patients have a similar recovery to the other procedures. The dietary progression is the same. food enters the sleeve and is held there with the pylorus just like a sleeve. Because of this the dumping syndrome does not occur unlike the gastric bypass.

    The ideal patient for a duodenal switch is a patient who has more weight to lose. We know that patients will lose more weight than the other surgical options. Particularly patients with a BMI over 50 will have better and more sustained weight loss than with other procedures. Additional benefits are a lower incidence of ulcers than a gastric bypass operation. This is particularly helpful for patients that need to take NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen etc.

    Patients can expect to lose 80-90% of excess weight in the first year after a duodenal switch operation.

  21. Posted

    I was just approved for surgery by my insurance, now I am waiting to schedule my Results Visit to pick my surgery and schedule. I have been approved for the Sleeve Gastrectomy with Single-Anastomosis Duodenal Switch by my insurance, but original was planning on the Sleeve Gastrectomy when I started this process 7 months ago.

    What are your thoughts between the two?

    My thinking is since this is a once in a lifetime chance for me, why not go for the Cadillac of WLS and get the most out of my surgery. I think the Sleeve would be perfectly efficient also, but don't want to leave anything to chance.

    How did you choose which surgery to have?

  23. Posted

    • I have United Healthcare Gold Compass HSA 1600.
    • I took my Online Seminar at Bariatric Specialist of NC on 1/19/16
    • Initial Consultation 2/18/16
    • Started my 6 month supervised weight program 2/4/16 - 7/18/16
    • Worked with my case manager to get all required documentation 7/18/16 - 8/26/16
    • Documentation will be submitted to Insurance for approval on 7/28/16
    • The Dr. office is tell me its a 7 to 30 day approval process. But on average they get a response back in 15 Business days. We will see. I'm soooo nervous.
    • Then I have to wait for the final results consultation appointment.
    • Then they say it will probably take 3 weeks to get on the table.

    If your just starting now, and trying to get it for 2016 out of pocket with insurance. I don't think you will meet it. I'm sorry I know how stressfull this is. I am so ready for my surgery. I really pray I get approved and fast.

    These are the requirements my case manager says my insurance requires.

    • A referral from your PCP
    • BMI above 35 with obesity-related health problems (or BMI above 40 without health problems)
    • Participation in consecutive 6 month "clinically supervised" weight management program
    • Letter of Medical Necessity from your PCP
    • Medical clearance (Psychological Clearance for surgery from a mental health physician, Nutritional evaluation from a Registered Dietitian, Gastroenterology, Blood Labs, Pulmonary, sleep Study)
    • 5 Year weight history

    I hope this helps,

    CK

  24. Posted

    Does anyone else feel like their Case Manager could careless about them? I sent in my paper work after my 6 month weight management requirement from my insurance on Monday 7/18/16. Along with messaging in the portal that I faxed it over and here it is Wednesday and I still haven't heard back saying if they have received it. During my 6 months every time I asked question, I got the same response and no answers. I understand her hands are tied because of the insurance approval process. But I just thought they would be more hands on with communication leading up to the surgery. I'm just frustrated. I have been dreaming about this surgery for 8 months and I am beyond excited to start my new life. I'm afraid not enough information is going to be provided to the insurance company and cause a delay in the approval. Although I am not currently medicated for my medical issues. I have many issues that are causing life to become very uncomfortable and my doctor is holding off prescribing anything until after I have the surgery to see if they rectify themselves with weight loss. I have high blood pressure, and I'm beginning to have a lot of trouble with mobility, my back, my hips, my knees, my ankles, and most of all my feet hurt so bad that walking is very painful. And I don't feel that is being put into the documents to provided to the insurance to express why this surgery is so necessary. What did you provided to your insurance company for your approval, I have United Health Care? Any feed back would be great? Thank you for letting me Rant Crystal.

    Current Weight 261, 5'5

    Goal Weight 145

    Looking at having either the Sleeve or the SIPS procedure

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