Lexington1020

My DS was on 4/11/05. I went from a size 24-26 to a size 4-6.

The gas will get better from the initial post op stage. Now that I'm a few months out, I have noticed that it is definitely worse when I eat too many carbs at one time.
There is a product called Devrom chewable pills, I found it online. It makes the gas less smelly, it's a deodorizer for your gut, it really works! It costs about $20 for a bottle but it is so worth it, and I haven't used it all in 3 months, still have plenty left. Also get some chewable Gas-X, it also helps with the frequency.

I'm a few months post op and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it doesn't go away. The forced need to fart does (that's from surgery, as previously mentioned). However, your farts are now going to smell. Not just an "ew" smell, but an "oh god, I think something died up my colon, this smell can be bottled and used instead of pepper spray" smell.

The good news is that you can hold your farts in, it isn't forcing its way out the way post-op farts do. The bad news is that I've had a few sleep toots since surgery that were so bad that my husband went to go sleep in the other room.

Almost 120 pounds lost. Need to get back in the gym and start toning.

It's funny. I've owned it for years but never used it. I know others swear by it but mine sits in my closet.

@DakiniNo odors at all. Shower with deodorant soap and then use deodorant. I sweat much less bc I'm not carrying the extra weight.
Definitely stool and gas odors so I'm very careful what I eat in public and carry certain sprays (I've tested a ton of them) to deal with it. You learn what to eat & when and then it's manageable. It hasn't hindered me at all. No one knows I've had WLS.

There are several reasons according to my nutritionist and the classes I took pre-surgery. High fat foods tend to also be high in calories, less nutritious, and may in some cases cause fatty stools and diarrhea. Since intake amount is limited you want what you do eat to be as nutritious as possible. Most people get about a year to a year and a half of rapid weight loss, and you want to maximize that loss while still maintaining muscle mass. Eventually weight loss slows down, and the body adjusts to it's new configuration. It is possible to gain weight back after surgery so this time of rapid loss should be used to learn and make a habit of eating for nutrition and fuel rather than for pleasure.
Now with that said, I told my nutritionist that life just wouldn't be worth it if I thought I could never have some of my favorite things like pizza and a big fat cheeseburger on a bun. And her reply is that it's not that those things are completely forbidden, as an occasional treat it's fine. However, some people, once they indulge, have a hard time keeping those things to an occasional treat, and they slide back into old habits. I can totally understand the idea of trigger foods that make you crave more and more. So, I'm doing the best I can to change my habits for the better while I have the benefit of less hunger, less craving, and limited food intake so that later this lifestyle will be the new norm. I made a deal with myself: I can give up anything (food related) for a year while I focus on my health. It will still be there in a year if I want it, but maybe I won't.
Sorry that turned out so long! Hope I made sense there. Here are a couple links to articles:
http://www.bariatric.us/duodenal-switch-diet.html
https://www.dssurgery.com/fat-protein-post-duodenal-switch-diet/
http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/diet_guid_duod_swit.pdf

I had a full ds 5 years ago. I use the app to track Protein and carbs. I've never worried about calories. I have had to make sure I get in enough fat as well. I drink a premier shake each morning, it kind of wakes my tummy up. I try to stay within a 5 to 7 lb range, if I get on the high side I make sure carbs stay under 50g a day. I usually maintain weight at about 75g of carbs a day.

I use My Fitness Pal and track my carbs and Protein intake. I don't pay attention to fat intake since I've had the DS. I keep my calories at 1000 a day because I need some kind of line in the sand, although my doctor has never told me to count calories. He just said to keep my meals 70 percent protein and 30 percent veggies and to stay away from sugar. That's all the advice I received. So far, my weight has dropped steadily every week since my surgery. I wasn't put on a pre-op diet. I work at getting my Water intake in all day long and still struggle with that.

My nutritionist has me watching calories, carbs, Protein and Water intake. At 2.5 months out, I am aiming for about 800 calories, less than 50 g of carbs, and at least 80 g protein, more if possible. I'm also supposed to keep to low fat foods. It can be difficult to do if I use shakes or Protein Bars too much, so I try to get the majority of my protein through tuna, chicken, and other meats.
I log everything that goes in my mouth on My Fitness Pal. I track my water there too, I try to get at minimum 64 oz.

@Lexington1020 Hi. If you had a full DS, you needn't count calories. We count Protein grams, sugar and simple carb grams. I haven't counted a calorie or read the calories on a label in over 12 years since I had my DS. It's a hard concept to grasp. But you will. Now it would feel odd to look at calories whereas pre-DS that was such a large part of my life.
Your Protein Shakes should be about 7 grams of sugar and under. They do help fulfill protein and liquid requirements. The rule of thumb is 30 grams/protein at 30 days, 60 at 60, etc. I didn't make it as I couldn't eat that much but YMMV. I drank a shake everyday for the first 2 years, I think. Then never again (except in rare occurrences). I just eat and eat protein. Keeps me satiated and I can eat every hour or two if I want.

@cjsunshine I had a full DS. The planned hospital stay was 4 days but I stayed 5 due to a slight fever. My mother then stayed with me for almost a week. I needed her. Preparing the little I was eating, helping me walk outside 4x/day, etc.
Can you sleep on the ground floor? Stairs may be tiring and might pull on your stomach. Esp. as you need to walk a good deal to heal. You also may want a recliner to sleep in for a while. I didn't but had to sleep with my legs up as my ankles became very swollen for a week or so.

I have been having the same problem. Miralax once a day was giving me diarrhea, but not taking it had me constipated. I was given the ok to switch to Dulcolax (Colace generic) and that worked at first, but now is not working. They told me I could try some Senna, and I took that today so no results yet. I also took miralax today because diarrhea is the lesser of the two evils in my book right now.
My nutritionist advises low fat, low carb, which I've been doing pretty well with, but I'm wondering if a little higher fat would help.
Edited to add that I have also increased my Water intake as recommended from 64 oz/day to about 90 oz/day, and so far it hasn't helped much. I can't get as much Protein in when I drink that much but I'll do it if I get relief!

Buh bye band, hello SIPS!
Arrived at hospital at 5am, surgery started at 715a... was up and walking by noon. Had my cat scan and swallow test by 3, discharged by 530p and home a little after 6....
I'm super nauseated and sore but dealing ok. Now laying down in bed. I don't like this weird pulling feeling in my tummy and I am having a heck of a time completely emptying my bladder (thanks to the catheter) but I'm managing.
BAND out SIPS DS in, one operation. I'm ready to get this journey on the road! Woohoo!!

Thank you Jean! I'm bad about weighing EVERY DAY. Sometimes twice a day. I have often asked God why I wasn't blessed with patience. Obviously my weight is a tool he's using to help me develop my patience. Your article is very well written and encouraging. Meanwhile, this girl is just going to keep enjoying her journey and reaping the healthy benefits!

Jean, this one hit home with me. I am 4 mos out, and down 40 lbs, but SO impatient with myself! I am walking 3 to 4 miles 4x a week...when I have been a couch potato for 30 yrs!
This is a process, not a in a blink miracle....and I need to remember that!! Being off all type II diabetes meds is a huge nonscale victory, and I need to focus on the positive!!

A weight loss plateau or stall is a temporary cessation of weight loss that can happen at any point in your weight loss surgery journey and can last days, weeks, or months. Plateaus happen to almost everybody sooner or later (no matter what means they're using to lose weight), no matter how hard they work at weight loss.


Why do plateaus happen even when we’re doing all the right things? The human body wants to preserve itself. It fights weight loss by adapting the metabolism to accommodate decreased calorie intake and/or increased calorie output. The body's new plan of attack is multi-pronged: increase calorie intake by making you hungrier (so you eat more), use less energy to accomplish physical activity (so you burn fewer calories) and hold on to stored fat (so it can use it for energy).
I think plateaus often happen because we're in a rut. So even if you believe you're doing all the right things in terms of diet, exercise, and mental or emotional effort - try changing them. If nothing else, it will prevent boredom and help you feel that you're taking positive action instead of being a victim of fate.
Here are some things you can try to shake up your routine.

Change the intensity, duration, frequency and type of exercise you're doing, so your body doesn't become too efficient at burning calories when you work out.
Don't neglect strength training - muscle burns far more calories than fat does.
Don't over-train - take one day off exercise a week.
Plan all your meals (the "how much" as well as the "what").
Weigh and measure your food before you put it on your plate.
Log your food intake - you might be surprised to see what and how much you're really eating.
Try calorie shifting: vary your calories - eat 1200 one day, 900 the next, and so on, to keep your body guessing.
Eat 3 small meals and 3 healthy Snacks a day instead of 3 meals a day.
Increase your Water intake.
Decrease your sodium intake.
Don't weigh yourself every day - switch to once a week.
Don't skip Breakfast.< br>
By the way, if you weigh yourself every day and think that no weight loss for three days running is a plateau, you're going to have a long journey ahead of you. Get off that scale, now!
I have one more suggestion that you probably won't want to hear: CULTIVATE PATIENCE. No, it's not one of my virtues, either. Give it a try anyway.

I'm on the Celebrate ADEKs. I have a dream of when they release good tasting flavors, or perhaps ones in a capsule. I eat the tropical flavor, though I just bought the clementine. Those are a little better. Not much, but any improvement is a step in the right direction.
I'm 2 months out and had my first labs done. Everything looks fantastic. I have missed a few doses here and there, but my doctor told me as long as I'm getting most of my stuff regularly, I should be fine. This isn't to encourage you skipping, but just peace of mind. If you miss a day's dose it isn't the end of the world!

Thank you very much for your thoughtful response. I have high hopes, I am excited to begin this journey!

My doctor strictly said NO carbonated beverages period. They feel that it could stretch the pouch. Also not good for you....which is obvious. But if I go through all this and stretch my pouch over a dumb soda I would be mad....this is just me of course. I also am not foolish to think that someday down the road I might have a sip of soda because I do not want to put that burden on myself if I did. But I am going to be strong and resist the urge.

omg...I can't believe that people not only think like that, but have the audacity to say it. Honestly your HR person could be sued. My sister is getting sleeved in September and wants her husband to keep it from his parents because her mother in law has said similar things in the past when she brought up that she was contemplating it.
Being overweight I have been judged all my life. This is my biggest fear about what will happen if people find out I had the surgery. I'm a teacher and I did it over the summer.

Sounds like you have all the right people in your life.... it'd be funny if it weren't so nasty [emoji849]
Seriously though... if mil asks you how you're doing so and so many months later, or compliments you on your looks or clothing or something, just say " i took your advice and stopped eating [emoji489] "
H 5'6" HW 253, CW 250, TBS 9/19

@donnainsd Hi,
Here's the meal plan my DS surgeons and nutri. provided. Honestly, though, I needed to drink a shake for the first 2 years (nearly everyday). I couldn't eat enough Protein until then. The rule of thumb is 30 gr/30 days, 60 gr/60 days, 90 gr/90days. I couldn't eat nearly that amount (YMMV); that's why I needed to keep up the shakes. Not sure which shakes you're using. I used premade (only) Mylopex and Muscle Milk, I didn't love them but I got them down like you.

Thank you very much for your thoughtful response. I have high hopes, I am excited to begin this journey!

I feel the same way! Im in love with my seltzer but my nurse told me some stories about a few patients stretching their pouches due to it so im too scared to go back..hoping lemon and ice ice ice cold Water will help me. If i do the crystal lite its the pure with stevia not the sucralose (which i think is horrible) but so far thats been helping me alot too! but im with you about the urge!