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Strivingforbetter

Duodenal Switch Patients
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Posts posted by Strivingforbetter


  1. I'm 6 years out and trying to get back on track. I've regained about 12 pounds since 2017, enough for me to go from a size medium top to a large. This is my first attempt at self-restricing since my surgery. I lost 80 pounds through the DS, so now it's time for me to take charge on my own. So far, the smaller stomach is proving to be a big help with Portion Control. My weakness is sugar. It's daily challenge. Still, I'm so grateful for my surgery and feel it was a lifesaver.

    It has been over four years since I've posted on this site, so just admiting I need to take charge is huge for me.


  2. On 10/17/2020 at 7:32 PM, Bon Bon Jovi said:

    Thanks for the thoughtful responses. I've decided to go ahead with the ds. I think. Maybe. Lol. Best case scenario i still have another month before i will have the surgery, so Ive still got time to change my mind.

    My pre op weight loss has stalled a bit. I was 306 (down from 338) when I started this thread. I'm 299-301 for the last week or so. So only about 6 pounds in the last month. Not great, but better than gaining. I've been having quite a few food funerals, so I'm not completely surprised. Regardless, I still need to lose about 130 pounds to get to my fightin weight. That's a lot of weight to lose. And yeah, I might be able to do it with just the sleeve, but statistically, i think my chances are better with the ds. Everyone I've asked that has had the ds says it was the best decision theyve ever made. Hopefully I will be among them soon.

    No need to have food funerals. You'll be able to eat your favorites after you heal, just in smaller portions. Just try to keep your sugar and carbs low and your Protein high.


  3. I worry with your current weight you will be too slim to be a candidate for bypass. Only your doctor would know. I had the band for a few years and also had issues with certain foods I couldn't eat. You were very successful with the band, and not everyone is. I wasn't. In fact, I gained 20 pounds with the band and had pain when eating foods like chicken, carrots, or anything firm. I had to revise to the duodenal switch for my body to respond in a healthy way. Now I can eat healthy foods without pain, and I've lost 82 pounds. I was revised in 2017.


  4. Oh hell no! I'm 57 and just had a Tummy Tuck on December 11, 2019. I've had 4 c-sections, one incisional hernia after my third c-section, and lost 80 pounds. My stomach was a mess and a huge, hanging blob. I am absolutely loving my flat stomach. I've got a lot of living yet to do and when my children get married, I'm not going to have to shop for some frumpy mother of the bride dress to hide my hideous gut. Go for it!


  5. I also received a Tummy Tuck with Lipo suction to my flanks (love handles) on Dec. 11, 2019. I'm doing well. The first week was rough. So much pain! In the past, had four c-sections and by the third day I was off all pain meds. --Not with this surgery! However, I'm very satisfied with the results and feel after losing 80 pounds that this was very needed.


  6. I had my last period starting the day after I had my wls for my duodenal switch, and it lasted almost a week. That was the last period of my life. I was officially done and haven't had another one since. It's been two years. I think the surgery pushed my hormones over the edge.


  7. @HP62442I can't speak of the differences between the recovery of the MGD and the DS because I've only had the DS after a revision from a band. However, recovery wasn't bad at all for me. My BMI was about 39 when I received my DS. You might not be heavy enough for the DS with a BMI of 36, but your surgeon would know. Not many surgeons have been trained to do the DS, so that might be a factor for your doctor too.


  8. 5 hours ago, JRT Mom said:

    I've had a lap band for 10 years. All went well for the first 7. Now I have NO fill in it and still get food stuck in it constantly and can only eat what my doctor calls "squishy" food, so my weight is creeping back on because those are the higher calorie less nutritious food.

    So because of the constant sliming and vomiting I am having the lap band removed in November with a revision to a bypass and I can't wait! Evidently about 30% of people with lap bands over 10 years old have problems with them and many doctors will no longer do them.

    This is pretty darn common, which are also the reasons I had mine removed and had a revision. You're right, very few people keep their lap band their entire life without having a revision. The band erodes into the stomach and causes a lot of problems. Regain is also an issue. My doctor said very few doctors will do the band anymore because of all of the side effects. It's just not the best decision for weight loss. It was a huge waste of money. I'm very happy with my revision, and excited for you to also have a better life without the band. Best wishes to you.


  9. My common channel is 150 cm long, but I really wish I had gone shorter to 100 cm because those patients who had a shorter channel lost quicker and more than I did, and they started out heavier than I was. With a BMI of 40 at the time of surgery, I was worried I would get too thin. Ha! No worries there. I've regained 4 pounds since my surgery two years ago.


  10. On 9/21/2019 at 11:07 PM, CoramDeo said:

    My wife had a rny about 9 years ago, and if she eats too much sugar, her blood sugar bottoms out and she gets the shakes and such. Is there a drastic reaction like this on the ds?

    I had the duodenal switch two years ago. As far as my reaction to sugar, I would say it goes through me looser than other foods. For example, if I drink a soda, I can count on gas and very loose stools. It's not what I consider "dumping," as some people experience. Let's put it this way, if I want something sugary and it looks amazing, it's not enough of a deterrent to make me pass it up. Only my guilt would do that.

    @BoredCWGood job with explaining the duodenal switch. I have found that I can eat pretty normal portions two years out, which means it still prevents me from overeating and helps me maintain my weight. On the plus side, I don't feel deprived.


  11. @Thunder ChickenI agree with @Chipwater and his recommendations. I had my DS done with Dr. McKinlay in 2017, If your heart surgeon recommended the DS, I would have Dr. McKinaly consult with your doctor on the best weight loss surgery for you. He also does the sleeve and gastric bypass. I would have the utmost confidence that they would do what is right for you. We haven't heard back from you since August. Could you update us on where you're at in your research?


  12. On 5/31/2019 at 10:15 AM, jennifer47 said:

    Thought I would get lap band now I'm not sure.. I don't drive so how would I get the adjustments all the time. I'm 220 lbs my bmi is 40 am I fat enough to get sleeve or bypass

    Don't get a lapband. I had one for three years and it was miserable. I revised to a duodenal switch and lost 80 pounds. Don't waste your money on a band.


  13. @disco stu I wonder why you use the bathroom so much. I had the traditional DS and I only use the bathroom about 5 times a day. That include all types of bathroom visits. I do use the bathroom at least twice a night. I don't down a fistful of pills. My levels were so high for B12, that my doc said to cut way back on the dosage. It's interesting to see how different people can be with the same surgery or somewhat the same surgery.


  14. I'm two years post-up from the traditional DS and have gained 5 pounds, but i was just diagnosed with a low thyroid. I'm not a perfect either, same as Disco Stu, and without a doubt I would be much heavier if it wasn't for my surgery. I still malabsorb and can't eat as much as I used to. I'm working on losing the 5 pounds I've gained. Hopefully with my thyroid medication it will help the process. I still feel my surgery was a success.


  15. I revised from the Lapband to the DS two years ago. Since that time, I have lost 80 pounds. Besides there being a whole lot less of me, yes, I am happy and would do it again. I can eat pretty much what I want and have maintained my weight loss due to the malabsorption component of my surgery. You will find that many sleevers have regain issues. As far as the bathroom goes, no one's poop smells good. I have more gas in the evening and looser stool than I used to, but this is a small side effect and not a deal breaker to me. I went from a size 2x to a medium top. A size 18 pant to a size 8. No one eating next to me would know I had weight loss surgery because I can eat a normal portion. Protein first, veggies next. Drinking lots of Water. My joints and feet don't hurt like they used to either. I wouldn't let a little more gas deter you from considering the DS. It's a good, solid, data-proven weight loss intervention. Out of all of the weight loss surgeries, the DS has the best proven track record for keeping the weight off, even over bypass surgery. Ask your surgeon.

    My short answer: Yes, I'm happy.


  16. I lost 14 pounds the first month, which is huge for me. Weight steadily came off at about 2 pounds a week, but slowed to one pound a week the last few months of the first year. Overall, I lost 80 pounds in a year and have had about a 4 pound regain since having my surgery in 2017. Best decision I made for my health and well-being. I would recommend it to anyone with a BMI of over 40, which is where I started. Wish I could drop another 20 pounds, but this is where my body wants to be.

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