Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Welcome Switchers Past, Present And Future!



Recommended Posts

In the beginning, I was so pleased to have chosen to have the VSG, Gastric sleeve, without " Duodenal Switch (DS)."



I was convinced that if I followed every rule religiously, did all the other health things I was supposed to, it would work, and I was ready to work it, for three years. ! I was wrong. Although I lost 140# I am still at a 37-ish BMI. No matter what calories, exercise, etc. I subjected myself to, no luck!



My Dr recommended that I was a candidate for Duodenal Switch I am already proceeding to be resleeved and complete the 2nd part, Duodenal Switch.



As more and more Sleevers (and Bypassers) fail, the emergence of the DS is assured….IMHO when one actually studies the facts rather than listen to rumor and wive's tales, it's a no-brainer for LT success! rdc



post-153367-0-13773100-1384661935_thumb.jpg



Before After Afterer


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good luck in the next step of your journey. Keep us posted.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello all! I have scheduled my DS surgery for a couple of months from now. Kinda scared, but mostly excited and resolute in my resolve to be successful. I weighed in at 412 lbs recently, and that was when I realized I had to make this decision if I planned to remain on this planet for much longer. I'm 52 yrs old and have clearly failed in all previous efforts to address my super obesity problem though conventional means. Now it's time to embrace a more effective solution. I think it's nice to have a place to come to learn from others who have had, or are going to have, the same procedure as me/us. Best of luck to all here who are brave enough to choose the path of action over helpless inaction in our war against morbid obesity. I wish you all great success and happiness.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am considering having this procedure as well. I had the VSG done in 12/4/2012 and have not reached my goal yet. I have done everything that I was suppose to and still considered obesed. I am 5'3 and still weigh 190 lbs . I also have a lot of hormone issues which does not help in losing weight. Trying to figure out how to get the insurance company to pay for this surgery. Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am considering having this procedure as well. I had the VSG done in 12/4/2012 and have not reached my goal yet. I have done everything that I was suppose to and still considered obesed. I am 5'3 and still weigh 190 lbs . I also have a lot of hormone issues which does not help in losing weight. Trying to figure out how to get the insurance company to pay for this surgery. Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated.

Do you still have any co-morbidities?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think Postop is asking the correct question Leann. Insurance companies have as their goal, as do all corporations, how to maximize their profits. If they can reject your request...of course they will. I'm guessing you have already resolved most, if not all, of your existing co-morbidities (hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea,etc.) as a result of your excellent efforts resulting in losing 72 lbs. Grats for that by the way! And please do remind yourself that you have worked damn hard and accomplished a great deal by doing that. Don't fall into the trap of comparing yourself with others and feeling badly about your results, although I understand your desire to reach your goal. I think you may need to go out of pocket to have another procedure- like converting to a duodenal switch. But I encourage you to speak to your insurance company to confirm that. If you do have to self pay, remember that MANY options are available to you. Most Dr.'s allow for financing procedures, and cheaper alternatives such as going to Mexico (such as I'm planning to do) exist. Stay positive lady! Best of luck in your future decisions. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do you still have any co-morbidities?

Yes I still have sleep apnea and high cholesterol. Hopefully in the next few days I can get a hold of the insurance company and see what can be done.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think Postop is asking the correct question Leann. Insurance companies have as their goal, as do all corporations, how to maximize their profits. If they can reject your request...of course they will. I'm guessing you have already resolved most, if not all, of your existing co-morbidities (hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea,etc.) as a result of your excellent efforts resulting in losing 72 lbs. Grats for that by the way! And please do remind yourself that you have worked damn hard and accomplished a great deal by doing that. Don't fall into the trap of comparing yourself with others and feeling badly about your results, although I understand your desire to reach your goal. I think you may need to go out of pocket to have another procedure- like converting to a duodenal switch. But I encourage you to speak to your insurance company to confirm that. If you do have to self pay, remember that MANY options are available to you. Most Dr.'s allow for financing procedures, and cheaper alternatives such as going to Mexico (such as I'm planning to do) exist. Stay positive lady! Best of luck in your future decisions. :)

Thank for the info, it gives me something to consider. I hope the outcome with getting them to pay for it will be a success.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do you still have any co-morbidities?

Yes I still have sleep apnea and high cholesterol. Hopefully in the next few days I can get a hold of the insurance company and see what can be done.

I'd never wish them on you, but in this case they may actually help you out. They're impt. for the ins. co. to see and realize you're still having these issues that can and will cost them down the road if they don't pay for your DS.

Edited by Postop

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Postop

Thanks for the info. I wish they were gone but they aren't. I will be looking in to this in a couple of months. My deductible went really high this year so I have to save some money just incase they say yes.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sounds like good planning. I hope they come through for you. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi everyone. My DS was March 31st, so as of today I am 7 days post op. I decided to have the surgery after the death of my aunt last year. I want to be healthy and to be around for my children. Other members of my family have had the gastric bypass, and both had regained weight. I researched my options before I made a final decision and the DS was best for me.

Before I made a final decision, after meeting the nutritionist I changed my diet completely to make sure that I can stick with it and I could, I was eating healthier pre op and lost 20 before surgery.

The first week post op diet is a little difficult but once you get use to it, its not so bad. I find that keeping a journal of your intake is very helpful in making sure you are getting what you need. I am looking forward to seeing what the weeks, and months post op will bring.

Good luck to you all :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sounds like a good plan. I kept a diary for the first 6 mos. till I knew how much Protein was in what, etc. It worked well for me. Later on you keep it in your head. It becomes 2nd nature.

Keep up the good work.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am a lapband semi-fail- I weighed 398 at my heaviest and stood my ground for 4 years at 320... In Feb 2014 I had DS done, Weight in as 311 (after 2 week liquid diet) and as of today 243. I'm struggling with eating and then the acid reflux from not eating, but mostly I'm satisfied with my loss and have changed my eating habits (mostly). I still try things I like only to find I throw them right up, i.e. candy, and meat, but keep fish and veggies down perfectly.

wish i had a "now" pic

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×