I came across this article that suggests that Jesse Jackson Jr's gastrointestinal and depression problems may have been caused by a duodenal switch. The description of a duodenal switch makes it seems as though it is the same thing as a sleeve that also bypasses a lot of the intestines which results in malabsorption. The articles go on to say that Jr may have developed bipolar disorder as a result of malnutrition.

http://chicagotonigh...witch-explained

http://illinoisrevie...r-disorder.html

If true then this is yet another reason why getting just a sleeve is better than getting the duodenal switch or bypass. The idea of bypassing the intestines is a scary thought to me. It just seems too drastic to not only remove 90% of the stomach but then to also bypass a lot of the intestines. I wonder if cases like this will eventually result in people with depression, etc. being disqualified from any kind of bypass operation.

The sleeve hasn't been around long but I look forward to reading comparative studies of the sleeve vs. the bypass. Cases of malnutrition are higher in bypasses already. I would like to know if people also have more mental problems that could be related to the malnutrition following a bypass.

Aside from that though, Jr. is apparently being investigated for offering to buy Blagojevich's senate seat. It's entirely possible that Jr's nervous breakdown had nothing to do with his bariatric surgery and everything to do with his criminal activity:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1314356/Jesse-Jackson-Jr-offered-6m-impeach-governor-Obamas-old-seat.html

The diagram they have shows a sleeve gastrectomy with a DS. Yes, a Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause mental confusion, but basically, I believe that if you have a mental condition going in, the stress and change could acerbate the symptoms.

Also, not everybody mourns the loss of food in quantity and then goes into depression and develops replacement addictions because weight loss was not all they thought it would be.

In Jackson's case he very well could be blaming his criminal behavior on everything else but his own decisions. He'd probably be doing just peachy had he not been caught.

I guess that I really believe in the sleeve and I don't like it being lumped in with the band or gastric bypass. I also hate misinformation.

To be fair regarding the gastric bypass, I was asked while in the holding room to sign papers regarding my sleeve. One paper was to okay having an "open" gastric sleeve, in case there are difficulties and they could not do it laprascopically. I signed that paper. I was also asked what he should do if he feels that my hernia was too extensive and there was too many problems because of GERD to do a proper sleeve if I want him to close up or perform Gastric Bypass. I signed the papers to allow the Gastric Bypass, if need be.

No matter which I ended up with, I promised myself that I was changing my life...forever.

Neither surgery is an easy way out. The people that I know that have gained the weight back with Gastric Bypass CAN do a boot camp type regimen and go back to the beginning if they chose to. They should have done this after 10 pounds gain. They should have gone back to the nutritionist.

Nobody really needs to have mal-absorption issues with Gastric Bypass. They do because they do not follow the rules, they go ahead and drink beer, diet pop, regular pop, eat breads, spaghetti and they overeat. I believe truly that those that gain weight after Gastric Bypass did it because they chose to use the surgery as a "cure-all" and expected not to have to do the work.

Whether you get the sleeve, bypass, you have to do your job. You have to eat properly and exercise. I can't talk about the lap band, because this is the only surgery I would have refused outright because it would be too harmful for me because of my issues with adhesions and the fact I have lupus.

I think what most people need to really know before they have surgery is this is permanent and you have to work as hard, or actually harder after surgery than you ever had, because this is a lifestyle, not a diet.

Yeah. My uncle's mother-in-law has had gastric bypass twice. The first time, she had her daughter sneak her in a hot dog and was able to eat it while still in the hospital without a problem. The second time, I guess they made her stomach even smaller.

Hello - I had a duodenal switch in November 2010. Day of surgery I weighed 325 pounds. As of today, 21 months later, I weight 147 pounds with zero complications. As long as you take your vitamins, get regular blood work and eat a healthy diet (I also run every day), I don't think you'll experience issues. Although everyone is different. I swear by this surgery; best decision I ever made.

Honestly, the duodenal switch is dangerous BUT it is also very effective. They have a higher percentage of excess weight loss overall than the sleeve and the gastric bypass. They keep weight off longer than any other surgery. HOWEVER--you have to be extremely diligent in getting blood work and taking lots of vitamins. If you are bad at remembering to take vitamins--don't have the money or the insurance to cover the hundreds of dollars in vitamins required monthly for the surgery--don't have the money or insurance for frequent doctor's visits--then you should NOT get the duodenal switch. I know a lady who lost her job and insurance after having duodenal switch and she could no longer afford her vitamins and doctor's visits. She got ExTREMELY sick, and I am not exaggerating. She begged for help and a charity organization is helping her get the supplements and doctor's visits she requires. Basically if you get this surgery--you have to be prepared for a lot of diligence in taking pills and going to the doctor. The pay off is that you lose a lot of weight and it is usually kept off for a long time.

I agree! Maybe, him being investigated made him weak not eating, not taking vitamins etc.....

I know that WLS patients have a high percent of depression etc. I personally think it may have to do with nutrients, but is more likely due to unrealistic expectations. WLS won't make you happy, won't solve marriage, financial or other problems. Heck, it won't even guarantee weight loss and maintenance. It is a tool to help you achieve many things, but the price you pay is giving up food as an emotional crutch. For some people, some points in their lives, that is a rugged change to deal with.

I think I would have a hard time too, but the weight loss came for me at a time in my life when I am so loving and getting more and more into my horse riding hobby. I am doing all sorts of stuff with my horses that were just not possible before. If I ever feel like I miss food, I give my horse a big hug and am reminded why it is just so worth it.