ChaosUnlimited

If you don't like it, then don't eat it. You're a grown adult, the nut works for you, and she should help you find other ways to get your Protein in. There are many vegans and lactose intolerant patients that get along just fine without yogurt. I happen to like Greek yogurt, but if someone was telling my I HAD to eat turnips or liver I would tell them to go pound sand.

One and done is everyone's hope. However, my surgeon actually encourages his patients to try the sleeve first (due to the large success rates his patients have experienced with it) and explains that the "switch" or DS portion of the surgery (rerouting of the guts) can be added down the road if necessary.

Changing the way my body was intentionally made is my number one factor (surgery wise) for not going that route and picking the sleeve myself. May be great, but personally, it didn't sit right with me inside. So, I opted for the sleeve.

My surgeon also discussed the stats with me, which is what gave me pause about just doing the sleeve. This is hard work, for any of the surgeries, and I want it to be a one and done kind of thing. I lost a lot of weight by doing weight watchers and high impact exercise several years ago. I thought I would never let myself backslide like I have, but I did. So I don't rule it out with the surgery either, but the DS gives a little more security against weight regain. I do realize that any of the surgeries will require a high level of compliance with the diet and exercise to be successful long term.
I'm leaning toward the DS, but the thought of changing the way my gut works by moving my intestines around is terrifying to me. My husband is worried about it too and is hoping I choose the sleeve only. I still have time to research and decide, but for right now, I waffle back and forth as to what to choose.

I had the same concerns, but many of the people I talked to that have had their surgery agree that it is controlled by eating correctly and it does get better over time.

I got the SIPS procedure which is basically the same as a regular DS with the difference being a longer common channel (the portion of the bowels that absorbs stuff). Before surgery I had bm problems ALWAYS going to the bathroom. I'm only a month out, but so far this has been solved I now have one bm a day. We do require more Vitamins than Sleeve patients less than regular DS patients, but Vitamins are more vital and become a part of our lives because we can become malnourished faster than a sleeve patient. Our sleeve is typically longer, so we can eat more than a sleeve patient in the long run, but once again we do not absorb all the calories or nutrients. We also have higher Protein requirements (80-100gm) because of malabsorption. Hope this answered some questions you have.

The 'gas' issues with the DS is bariatric surgeon code for "we don't really do that procedure even though we may list it on the website to get you interested in us." Yes, the DS does have some issues with smelly gas and stool for a while due to the incomplete digestion from the malabsorption - you may have experienced some of the same things early on with your bypass, and for the same reasons. It is something to consider, but not really a reason to avoid the procedure as it is something that is managed and treated. Even those of us with the VSG and no malabsorption can run into some of these problems simply because our diets have changed and out gut flora (all those nice little bacteria that live in out intestines that help digest our food) haven't yet adjusted to the new diet. Probiotics can help with those adjustments.
I would be wary about sending any deposits until you establish that they can do the procedure that you want, which I doubt that they can (or that you really don't want them to try.) The DS is a more technically challenging procedure to perform than the other mainstream bariatric procedures, which is why relatively few practices offer it - it takes resources to develop, and particularly to maintain, the requisite skills. The revision from an RNY to a DS is another step above that in complexity, which is why only a few of the experienced DS surgeons offer it (half a dozen or so.).
For a long time, Dr. Gilberto Ungston Beltran was the only surgeon in Mexico that one would consider for a DS. Dr. Aceves was training with him to offer it in his practice before he died, so I would be wary of others that say they offer it - do they really have the experience to perform it, or will they do something else once they get inside? A distal RNY is sometimes offered as an alternative to the DS by surgeons who don't have DS skills - look carefully into that as to whether it would be a viable alternative (though one needs to ask why it is not routinely done?)
If you haven't run into it yet, a good information resource on the DS is dsfacts.com. It doesn't undate that often, but they do have an incomplete list of DS surgeons and a listing of various support sites and forums (including BP!) to check into, as you are pursuing a fairly rare procedure so you should cast your net widely to find others who have been through it. I know several who have done this revision and are quite pleased with the results, mostly thru Drs. Keshishian or Rabkin in California. My best advice would be to save your pennies and scour whatever financial resources that you have to do it stateside with one of the guys with the demonstrated experience to do what you want done - this is not a straightforward sleeve or bypass job.
Good Luck

My weight has yo-yo'ed all my life. I have been somewhat thin and also very heavy. There were definitely differences in how others treated me when I was smaller versus being heavy. The most hurtful things happened while I was overweight, like comments made by people I considered my friends, and even my own family. Some things will stick in your head and you beat yourself up over and over remembering them. I won't miss that.
I haven't had surgery yet, but I did lose almost 90 lbs several years ago by doing weight watchers, high impact exercise, and occasionally taking Phentermine. People at work always wanted to know what I was doing to lose weight and they were generally supportive. But there were times when there would be cake or donuts brought in, and when I said no thanks, there were certain people who would say things like "Oh, come on, you can have one little piece of cake, it won't kill you." As long as I had my own Snacks and food I prepared I didn't have any issues, but if I was hungry and without my own snacks it was easier to feel deprived and give in under pressure.

This made me laugh, thanks for the mans perspective!

@elliekay Sorry you were so disappointed on Valentines Day. Going by your post, it sounds like there may be more issues than just the chocolates. You went all out for him, planning and buying gifts, and he didn't put much thought into it for you. You said that wasn't the point, but you mentioned it, so it is bothering you. Really think about why you are holding on to these chocolates to spare his feelings instead of taking the opportunity to let him know this is not an acceptable/healthful gift for you. What is worrying you about being honest with him? Also, this sets you up for more gifts like this in the future because if you accepted it for Valentines Day and seemed ok with it, why not do it again?
You are worthy of being with someone who respects you, loves you, and makes you feel special. Be honest with him and give him the opportunity to be that person, but don't accept any less.

This made me laugh, thanks for the mans perspective!

@elliekay Sorry you were so disappointed on Valentines Day. Going by your post, it sounds like there may be more issues than just the chocolates. You went all out for him, planning and buying gifts, and he didn't put much thought into it for you. You said that wasn't the point, but you mentioned it, so it is bothering you. Really think about why you are holding on to these chocolates to spare his feelings instead of taking the opportunity to let him know this is not an acceptable/healthful gift for you. What is worrying you about being honest with him? Also, this sets you up for more gifts like this in the future because if you accepted it for Valentines Day and seemed ok with it, why not do it again?
You are worthy of being with someone who respects you, loves you, and makes you feel special. Be honest with him and give him the opportunity to be that person, but don't accept any less.

Have you heard the phrase "Like A Deer In The Headlights" that explains most of us Cavemen style Men. We know Valentines is coming but we put it off so at the last minute we run into our local Grocery after our buddies have reminded us at work that we BETTER take something home. I would throw them away I know it sounds wasteful but the feeling that you get from cutting the strings that tie you to chocolate will be Liberating. You could give them to friends but do you really want to add to someone else food Addiction. To All the Women Out There it is time to start asking for EXACTLY what you want from us here are the unofficial rules.
1) 2 weeks before a Holiday write a list of things you would like as a gift (give us 3 options so we feel like we made the choice)
2) One week tell us where we might find said items!!!
3) The day before remind us what you want (Doing this while you're Naked Surely Helps Us remember)
4) Day of Praise us for getting you Exactly what you wanted (This makes us think it was our own Idea)
Now that I have gave you one of the Many Mysteries about how men's minds work Go Forth and enjoy your Holidays!!!

A- Give them away, take them to work, ask him if he wants them back, but get them away from you. Who gives a rat's patoot if he sees you??
B- Give some hard thought to why you feel bad giving away something you explicitly told him you can't have because it makes you sick. That is the behavior of a people pleaser who wants to please others at the expense of herself.

@ChaosUnlimited just do it. You'll thank yourself later when you don't regain every pound like many many sleeve patients do. The malabsorption helps make up for our "human" moments when we just don't make the best decisions.

Rather than say they are haters, I'd say they were more curious and possibly concerned...and yes...there's some gossiping in there as well. Just remember that when we are very large and loose alot of weight, it's common for those folks who know you as a heavier person to think you have/are losing too much weight. Not so. It's perception. I lost more than half my body weight and lots of people thought I should have stopped losing weight 50 lbs. or more ago.
Besides....our bodies will tell us when we've lost enough. I know mine did and now I'm working hard to maintain that loss. No one says squat about my size or weight loss anymore. After four year, everyone is used to seeing me at a normal size. Period.
I for one am happy that the questions have stopped and I am just who I am. It's my new normal is all and for that alone, I am so grateful.

@@erp -- somehow I missed this post earlier. You make SUCH a good point. Rapid weight loss can be a shocking sight to see for some people, and their responses could be very genuine and sincere.
My dad is fighting Stage 4 Lymphoma right now. He has lost a massive amount of weight in the past 5 or 6 months. (In fact, it was the weight loss without him trying to lose weight that finally convinced him that something might be wrong.) Sometimes, when people see rapid weight loss, they think that something is wrong (because something often is wrong). Comments like that may be investigating that conjecture without directly asking about it.
That's just something to think about it. We all (myself included) form opinions pretty quickly sometimes without putting ourselves in the metaphorical shoes of others.

I'm really open with people about my surgery. I don't think it's fair for people to think I'm dropping weight this fast because I'm eating right and exercising. I know that when I was bigger, and people told me that, I always wondered why it never worked for me and got discouraged. I try to use my surgery as a way to build people up, ya know?
I definitely understand keeping it private though. I don't post about it on Facebook, or at least I haven't yet, but when people ask I tell them.

I found very few true haters along the way. Turn the tables and imagine if you saw someone drop weight at an incredibly fast pace beyond the usual lore of 1-2 pounds per week. You would probably comment as well because our transformations are shocking. Everyday on here people post things like, "5 months out and 70 pounds gone forever!" That's not typical for most people and if no one knows you have an extra tool to attain rapid weight loss, why does this surprise you? In the end, I got my fair share of "you don't need to lose anymore" comments but it was never with any real malice, there was occasional jealously once or twice, but mostly just curiosity and true amazement at such rapid change.

I'm glad to hear you're feeling better. I'm seven years out from the DS and I can tell you, as those who posted before me, it does get better. Follow your doctor's advice. Learn what your body can and cannot handle then push forward from there. I can honestly say 95% of the time I don't feel like I had surgery.
xoxo
bariatricbutterfly

I agree w/ LipstickLady 100% about the flushable hygiene wipes...they are a Godsend.
We simply have too much going on post-op and during the huge learning curves afterwards to deal with such petty distractions.
Tip: Pack a small stack of wipes in a zip-lock baggie to keep in your purse, for when you're out and about.
I speak from experience on the importance of this.

What you are experiencing is completely normal. It's "buyer's remorse" in the weight loss surgery world, and we all go through it in one form or another. The first year is really the toughest with the physical and emotional changes - you're going through a LOT. You think that life will never feel "normal" again, but it will. You have to treat your body and yourself with kid gloves, and it's a lot of work and can wear on you emotionally.

I'm not sure what your post-care plan is, but one of the best things that I did for myself was regular weekly therapy to deal with all of the massive changes in my life. I really didn't want to go at first, but I found that it was one of the best tools that I had to deal with coping and working through everything. If your insurance doesn't cover it, there are many therapists that work on a sliding scale fee. Even if you can get a once a month appointment could work wonders. If you're going to post-op support groups, this only doubles up on the amount of support you get and you'll be able to rock it!
I'm almost nine years out. I remember having buyers remorse a LOT in the first year. I remember thinking life would never be normal again. I promise you, it will be. Hang in there!

You are more likely to have issues with diarrhea & foul-smelling gas & stools with the DS but it does get better over time. The DS has much better long-term weight loss than the sleeve and better resolution of co-morbidities. Your higher starting weight with, I assume, a BMI over 50, is a reason to consider the DS over the sleeve.
My highest weight was 314 lbs with a BMI of 50.7. I had a sleeve gastrectomy in August 2013 because, as a nurse, I wasn't comfortable with the amount of malabsorption of the DS. At that time, there was only the classic DS with a 50-100 cm common channel. Two plus years later I was down about 100 lbs but my co-morbidities were not significantly improved. I was still on 4 insulin injections a day plus Metformin for type 2 diabetes, three meds (one was a combo) for high blood pressure & medication for high cholesterol. As a matter of fact, my cholesterol med had been changed to a stronger one & then that dose was increased. I decided something more had to be done so, in December 2015, I had a revision of the sleeve & conversion to a single-anastomosis duodenal switch (loop DS AKA SIPS or SA-DS) with a 300 cm common channel. The first 2-3 months were a bit rough with the intestinal issues but, by 6 months out I was completely off all of the medications & by 9 months my PCP has removed the diagnoses of diabetes, hypertension & hyperlipidemia.
So, my personal opinion is go for the SA-DS in the first place.

Personally I had the sleeve done in July 2011 and my starting weight was 320. I was in graduate school full-time and was working full-time and had to complete an internship. The recover time frame the sleeve is minimal. I got down to 185 pounds. I graduated in 2014 and had remained at 185. Then I started to have weight regain. I got up to 260. I wanted to have the DS since I knew that I needed the malabsorption part. So I spoke with a different surgeon and he suggested SIPS. I was his first SIPS patient. I did my research and in the end decided to trust surgeon. I had the intestinal single loop portion done August 2016. My recovery time was longer 4 weeks instead of the o e week that I had with the sleeve. Today I am at my lowest weight of 178 pounds and I am nowhere neary stopping point. I have developed an intolerances to lactose and a gluten sensitivity. If I had to do it all over again I would have done the SIPS even with the intolerances. Overall I am better off now than I was with only the sleeve. Plus weight regain is not common with the traditional DS or the SIPS. I hope my experience has helped you some and wish you a speedy recovery no matter which one you chose. Please post your progress.

I'm a week out from surgery I got the modified DS (which I'm sure is the same thing you're talking about because my common channel is longer) but my recovery was really easy. I work and I am in graduate school. I took 2 weeks off of work but honestly could probably go back now, as for school I only needed a week off but could have gone back by my 4th day. My surgeon suggested the switch for me because my weight loss goal, the weight I'm at now (BMI 59.4) and he does test for your metabolism and mine is significantly low. He told me if I were to get the sleeve he doesn't think I would be happy with the results, so I went with the switch. So far my gas is pretty foul smelling (tmi but it's a little like sulfur) but I don't have too much gas, my bm's however aren't smelly at all (that could be due to me still being on liquids). However, I do get pretty fatigued but my body just went through something traumatic so that's expected, but so far I'm very happy with my DS:) Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App