ebroms17

So, I know it sounds like this is a great problem to have, but... I had my SIPS (modified Duodenal Switch) surgery just about 2 years ago. Since then, I have gone from 268 to 98 lbs. (I'm 5'1.") I haven't had my period in almost a year. I don't fit into adult sizes anymore (even J Crew petite 00 is too big!) and have to shop in the kids section. I get reactive hypoglycemic reactions 1-2 times a week (even from just half a glass of orange juice.) I'm permanently on iron supplements due to chronically low iron, hemoglobin, etc and these make my stool really fun lol. I had skin removal surgery (abdominoplasty + brachioplasty) in late October 2018 when I thought I was done losing weight (at 125) but then the weight loss randomly started again and I've lost an additional 25 lbs since the skin removal, which makes it less effective (still very happy I got it though!) I'm a bit torn, because on the one side, this surgery has been HUGELY successful. I'm still not technically underweight for my height since I'm so short. But I'm hating all the comments I'm getting that I'm too skinny, why am I still losing weight, the weird looks if I have the reactive hypoglycemic thing where I'll be super nauseated, lightheaded, and shaky for 20-30 minutes. Has anyone else experienced this? If so - what did you do?

Thanks! I already eat full fat but with the surgery I think I absorb only 20-50% of it. Same with protein. The only thing I absorb at 100% is sugar but that's what gives me the reactive hypoglycemia!

Yep. All levels are normal except for low iron, ferritin, and hemoglobin (now being addressed with the iron supplements) and low Vit D.

I have! They're basically like, "eat more." But when I get bad reactions to food, it's hard. Also I feel like I have increased my caloric intake, but it's like I'll maintain for a month or so and then I'll randomly get on the scale and will have lost 5 lbs! it's so unpredictablel

So...I currently weigh 138 at 5'1". I have no idea what my accurate BF% is because I've lost 130 lbs this year thanks to a modified duodenal switch surgery (aka Loops DS/SIPS) that also helped address my PCOS symptoms. Oddly enough, I'm a size 2/4 at this height and weight. I have a lot of loose skin, some of which I'm getting addressed at the end of September with a tummy tuck and brachioplasty, so I'm hoping to lose some more inches that way and get a more realistic understanding of my weight and measurements (although I'll still have loose skin left on my thighs and butt and boobs, but my stomach and arms are definitely the biggest problems.) My cals are a bit weird because the amount I can eat (and the amount recommended for someone who's had my surgery due to malabsorption/less room in the stomach for food) makes my average calories around 1000-1400/day depending on whether it's a workout or rest day (this is cutting.) But I need to figure out how to calcualte my TDEE with adjustments for my limitations due to the surgery as well as macros. Does anyone know how to appropriately do this after WLS? I do SoulCycle 3-4x a week and do toning (eg: barre) or weight training 2-3x a week and have been doing this for about a month. I haven't lost a single pound but have lost 1/2 an inch on my waist and an inch each on my thighs, hips, and calves. Measurements: Waist: 27.5" Hips: 36" Bust: 32" Thighs: 20.5"

Is your surgeon in NYC? If so I may know who it is...

Hi everyone! It's officially been a year since my SIPS (aka Modified DS) with Dr. Roslin at Lenox Hill and I couldn't be happier! I am down 125 lbs and 25 BMI points. I had my one year check-in and everything looks good, and they told me I don't have to lose any more weight (although I think I'd be comfortable losing 5-10 more and toning.) Now I'm planning for a tummy tuck and brachioplasty in a few months once my weight is stablized. This surgery is so worth it; I can't believe the difference, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. To everyone thinking about doing this or who has and may be struggling: keep at it. You won't regret it. #transformationtuesday

Thank you so much!! The first three months are the hardest. After that it honestly flies by. At least it did for me! And so worth it. You can do it!!

Hi everyone! I'm 8 months out from my modified DS/SIPS surgery with Dr. Roslin at Lenox Hill in NYC. As of today, I'm down 91.8 lbs from my surgery date (7/17/2017) and 98.8 lbs from my HW. I'm currently 5'2" and 168.8 lbs. I know BMI is a little bit of BS, but according to my BMI at my weight and height, I'm still in the obese category - and I don't look obese anymore. I'm actually fitting in a size 8 / medium for the most part. I know the high end of health weight for my height is around 135, so that's my goal, but I've been wondering if I need to aim higher based on how much loose skin. I definitely have a nice little pooch and very intense chicken wings. Is there a way to tell or guesstimate how much of your excess weight is just loose skin? I want to make sure I don't lose too much and readjust my goal appropriately. Thanks in advance!

I stepped on the scale today and couldn’t believe my eyes - I’m officially down 75 lbs! I had my SIPS (loop DS) with Dr. Roslin at Lenox Hill on July 17, 2917. The first two months were the hardest but since then it honestly has been relatively easy. I don’t have cravings anymore nor a big appetite, and I feel satisfied with small protein heavy meals. I’ve started cooking more (especially with low carb slow cooker meals that I can turn into freezer meals) and working out 2-3 times a week with a mix of personal training and cardio and interval training classes through ClassPass. To any of you thinking about having this surgery and are scared or had it and are in a rut...today any pain from my recovery period or challenges on this road (that I still have a long way to go on!) felt like they disappeared. This is so worth it. Not just because of how much better I look or fit in my clothes or small successes from being smaller, like being able to fold my arms or cross my legs or not feel winded just from walking a few blocks...but because I feel like a whole new person inside and out. I have so much more energy, am sleeping better, my skin has even improved, I’m happier, I’m more social, I’m more motivated. This is worth it.

Thanks everyone!!

Ok, so this is a gross question but when should I expect to start having normal-ish bowel movements? I'm 6 days out now from my SIPS with Dr. Roslin and so far am only going about teaspoon (if that) of pretty soft stool once a day. It doesn't feel like enough. Is that normal? I've been eating/drinking Atkins protein shakes, bone broth, and Vitamin Water Zero and sometimes some sugar-free jello or popsicles. But my appetite is pretty non-existent. I'm focusing more on getting my liquids in than my protein at this point at the advice of my PA.

Sorry, that was unclear. I mean the sleeve is not as narrow as it would be if you just did a sleeve. So my stomach is sleeved, but bigger than your average sleeved stomach who doesn't also do the DS

Not a revision - did the loop DS + sleeve with Dr. Roslin at Lenox Hill - it's a smaller sleeve than you would get without the DS

I wouldnt worry too much - everyone is different and you could be holding on to a lot of water weight after surgery. I'm just about 5 months out and I'm down 70 lbs - just hit onederland! I'm able to eat a bit more and my weight is slowing down but still moving in the right direction.

Haha Dr. Roslin is definitely not the warm and fuzzy type but I felt totally confident in his hands and I'm feeling great. And yes, his team is great, esp Nicole the PA!

I had SIPs in July and have been really happy so far. The recovery period is no fun but I'm down 50 lbs in 3 months and generally feeling really good and loads of energy. This was my first procedure I've ever done though so not exactly the same boat. In general I think we get fewer negative symptoms as traditional DSers particularly when it comes to digestive issues. My stools are soft but nothing crazy, I don't have major flatulence, and I only poop once a day. My stomach makes gurgly noises a lot but it's not uncomfortable. I am able to eat about 2-3 oz of protein + a bite or 2 of veggies at any given meal at 3 months out but some things are easier than others - typically the more moist the protein is, the better. So for more that means a lot of fish, ground turkey, ground beef, & cheese, and less of things like chicken breast or steak. I still enjoy those things on occasion but I get uncomfortable way more quickly. The weirdest thing for me is the new sensation of fullness - I don't feel anything in my stomach but it feels like things get "stuck" in my esophagus and it goes from feeling fine to NOT feeling fine really quickly, so it's been a lot of learning what works and what doesn't, and everybody is different. Don't drink anything for 30 minutes before or after meals because that feeling will come on a lot faster if you do and it will make it harder to get in your protein. The discomfort certainly doesn't make me throw up or anything like that but it isn't pleasant. Thankfully it doesn't last long. I've had alcohol a few times since the surgery and my tolerance is definitely much lower - I usually stick to a glass of wine. More than a glass, especially if I don't sip it slowly, and it's the same effect that 4 glasses would have on me pre-surgery! I can't have any carbonated beverages because the bubbles make me super uncomfortable, which is a bummer because I really miss Diet Coke (I know, I know.) I don't really experience a ton of hunger, which is new for me especially as I have a hormonal condition called PCOS (which the surgery also has a positive impact on) that was giving me crazy hunger attacks all the time pre-surgery. I had some cravings during the liquids only post-op stage but it was really just because I wanted to CHEW something. All in all I couldn't be happier. Some weeks I lose more than others but the scale is going in the right direction and I have a ton of energy, have gone down three sizes, and don't feel like my lifestyle has been negatively impacted by the new routine. I've just adjusted to it. Best of luck!

I have PCOS but went the SIPs/Loop DS route. I stopped Metformin and Spiro the day after surgery. Fortunately I never had problems with excess hair (just thinning hair, ugh) + major hormonal acne and of course wacky periods. My periods are still a bit wacky but my hormonal acne is MUCH better - I was waking up with painful cysts under the skin around my jawline multiple times a week and now I'm getting them very rarely, usually only around my period. My cycle isn't normal but I'm still on BCP so I am getting them semi-regularly every 4-6 weeks. The biggest difference is the amount of energy I have - and I noticed that within a week of having the surgery. My moods have gotten so much better. I"m having my 3 month checkin in a couple of weeks so we'll see where my levels are at but I'm feeling pretty great.

I had the Loop DS/SIPS surgery so maybe a bit different, but I rarely if ever get woken up to poop. I usually poop only once a day (pre-surgery I usually went once every 2-3 days) - it's soft but usually not at all uncomfortable. Occasionally if my salad dressing is too heavy or something I'll get the oil slick which is a bit gross but not unmanageable. Wet wipes help haha! I still get the gurgles all the time but it hasn't been super awkward...yet. I'm 3 months out and still eating very small meals - for example I had a Smart Ones for dinner and could only eat 1/2 of it. Fish works really well for me. Chicken not so well. Ground meats are typically ok especially if they're moist. Cheese is easiest and my favorite way of getting extra protein is with Fairlife milk. I fortunately don't have a problem with dairy!

I had the Loop DS/SIPS procedure on July 17 so just hit my 3 month mark and I'm down 50 lbs. Obviously the weight loss is fantastic but even better is the amount of energy I have now - I didn't even know how fatigued I was until I had the surgery. best of luck!

hi all, I had my modified duodenal switch (loop DS) on 7/17. I was about 260 day of surgery and today am 228.6 - so a little over 31 lbs in 2 months. My weight loss has slowed DRASTICALLY in the past month. Of course I know that had to be the case since I'm eating normal foods now, but I'm sticking to the plan (except sometimes admittedly not getting enough water) but have only lost 8 lbs in the past month - pretty much the 2 lbs/week that people without having had bariatric surgery can expect to see. I'm a bit frustrated, not only at how slow it seems for a bariatric surgery in general, but because my particular surgery is supposed to be particularly good at getting the weight off reasonably quickly thanks to the double whammy of a sleeve + malabsorption. has anyone experienced the same thing? any tips? thanks!

Thanks everyone for the kind words and tips! Really appreciate it. I have a check-in with my surgeon next week so I'll see what he says too. In terms of what I'm eating, this is what a typical day looks like: Breakfast: Sugar-free greek yogurt (Chobani) + coffee with milk & splenda or one scrambled egg on the weekends + blueberries Lunch: Usually leftovers from dinner (see below) or salad with romaine, veggies, tuna, and olive oil & balsamic vinegar Snack: Protein pack (I love the Crunch Pak from Foodles that have 8g of protein) or the Sargento Balnaced Breaks with 7g protein Dinner: Typically protein + veggies (eg: slow cooker turkey chili, turkey or chicken meatballs, 1/2 cheeseburger (no bun). Snack: If I don't feel like I got enough protein throughout the day, I'll add in 8 oz of Fairlife Skim milk before bed. I would say I'm able to get in 2-3 oz of protein as long as it's ground and moist. Turkey chili works super well. Chicken breast is really a no go. Veggies are typically those microwaveable steampacks of spinach or green beans.

Hi all! So I know we aren't supposed to have any carbonated beverages after our surgeries, but I'm curious as to why carbonation makes us so uncomfortable now. The reason I am asking is because I'm headed to Chicago this weekend and was lucky enough to get upgraded - I had a total brainfart in first class and asked for a champagne. I took one sip and instantly realized my mistake! I'm just not clear why carbonation creates such discomfort in our new bodies. Also, does it ever get better? I love diet coke and sparkling wines! [emoji87] Thanks!

'Burp pressure.' This actually makes sense!

I think some people are misunderstanding my intentions of writing this post... I'm not asking because I'm dying to get back to drinking diet soda on a regular basis, or even at all (although I will admit I miss Coke Zero!) I'm asking because I'm genuinely curious about the physiology of why our bodies now react poorly to carbonation in general, even if that carbonation is just sparkling water. I take a sip of anything carbonated and I feel immensely uncomfortable pretty quickly. I'm not trying to start incorporating carbonated beverages back into my diet, I'm just wondering why our bodies respond in this new way to them, from a physical perspective. Why do smaller stomachs/restructured digestive systems = discomfort when drinking bubbles?