Strivingforbetter

I've been a DS patient since 2017 and was wondering if other DS patients have noticed that salads are troublesome. I love salads of any kind, but leafy green salads can create unintentional surprises. Is this just me?

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.

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.

I had the traditional DS and take 3 vitamins a day,(calcium, ADEK, B12), and my blood panel is great. I'm three years post-op and have only regained 5 pounds. I've never been able to control my weight and not feel deprived, but the DS has solved that problem. My BMI was only 40 when I had my surgery.

Pros: It works long term whereas the sleeve and lapband often fail over time. Cons: Gas every day starting at 3:00. This gets tiresome. Sometimes I have to get to a bathroom ASAP.

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.

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!

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.

What catwoman7 above was what I was told also. I remember being extremely angry about all of the protein I had to eat and being shamed about eating fruit. I almost took the nurse's head off one day over that.

They only allowed me to stay one night in the hospital for my DS. I don't remember the pain being very bad. I think after three days it improved. The lapband surgery was much more painful for me. I wish you well.

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.

@onmyway11I had the exact same experience with the band. Then I was revised to the traditional DS two years ago. No regain at this point. The doctor who did my DS is located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

@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.

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.

Don't get the lap band.