I want to hear from you! I'm going through with a modified, less extreme version of the DS! I've done my homework, grilled my doctor and his nurse for multiple hours and I'm prepared for this 100%. I have no fear of committing to Vitamins, diet or anything else.

Still, I'm dying to learn from personal accounts. So DS post-op people...what important things did you learn that you wish someone had warned you about beforehand?

On ‎2‎/‎20‎/‎2017 at 9:22 AM, ChaosUnlimited said:

My surgeon also discussed the stats with me, which is what gave me pause about just doing the sleeve. This is hard work, for any of the surgeries, and I want it to be a one and done kind of thing. I lost a lot of weight by doing weight watchers and high impact exercise several years ago. I thought I would never let myself backslide like I have, but I did. So I don't rule it out with the surgery either, but the DS gives a little more security against weight regain. I do realize that any of the surgeries will require a high level of compliance with the diet and exercise to be successful long term.

I'm leaning toward the DS, but the thought of changing the way my gut works by moving my intestines around is terrifying to me. My husband is worried about it too and is hoping I choose the sleeve only. I still have time to research and decide, but for right now, I waffle back and forth as to what to choose.

If you do decide to go with the DS, you will need a good deal more than 1-2 Vitamin pills. Please check back regarding vitamins/minerals for a DSer if you decide to go that route.

Edited February 21, 20179 yr by Postop

@kkami12 I've never heard of that. DS patients have to take more vitamins than any of the other surgeries, including 1000mg of calcium 4-5 times a day, along with a multi ADEK 3 times a day, a b12 an iron and a vitamin D

DSers take many, many more vitamins/minerals than any other WLS. It's due to the intense malabsorption. It's definitely something to consider (price-wise) when deciding whether the DS is the right surgery for you.

Almost all of us don't take a B12 supplement. That's much more with RNYers. ADEK is good for maybe the first year (if that). After that we have to supplement separately. ADEK isn't enough. Your calcium number is about right. I take over 4000 units per day of calcium citrate. Your Vit. D3 will mostly likely be between 50,000-150,000 iu per day. Of course, this isn't right when you start out. You'll have stores built up inside your body. It's as time goes on and determined by your blood draws (done twice a year or yearly depending on your surgical team).

And remember, DSers can only take dry vitamins/minerals (capsules or tablets). No gelcaps or anything oil based. That would blow right though us.

@kkami12 I've never heard of that. DS patients have to take more vitamins than any of the other surgeries, including 1000mg of calcium 4-5 times a day, along with a multi ADEK 3 times a day, a b12 an iron and a vitamin D

Nope bariatric fusion has everything you need look it up, i take 2 in the am and 2 in the pm.. so much better than taking 10 different pills they usually sell them at the drs office

On ‎02‎/‎22‎/‎2017 at 8:44 AM, Kaylamh said:

@kkami12 I've never heard of that. DS patients have to take more Vitamins than any of the other surgeries, including 1000mg of Calcium 4-5 times a day, along with a multi ADEK 3 times a day, a b12 an Iron and a Vitamin D

Edited February 23, 20179 yr by MowryRocks

@MowryRocks DSers take more vitamins than those with the sleeve.

I'll have to look in to bariatric fusion!

14 minutes ago, Kaylamh said:

@MowryRocks DSers take more Vitamins than those with the sleeve.

I'll have to look in to bariatric fusion!

I edited it that I misread it, but it won't show up. Sorry.

No problem

On ‎2‎/‎20‎/‎2017 at 8:22 AM, ChaosUnlimited said:

My surgeon also discussed the stats with me, which is what gave me pause about just doing the sleeve. This is hard work, for any of the surgeries, and I want it to be a one and done kind of thing. I lost a lot of weight by doing weight watchers and high impact exercise several years ago. I thought I would never let myself backslide like I have, but I did. So I don't rule it out with the surgery either, but the DS gives a little more security against weight regain. I do realize that any of the surgeries will require a high level of compliance with the diet and exercise to be successful long term.

I'm leaning toward the DS, but the thought of changing the way my gut works by moving my intestines around is terrifying to me. My husband is worried about it too and is hoping I choose the sleeve only. I still have time to research and decide, but for right now, I waffle back and forth as to what to choose.

Changing the way my body was intentionally made is my number one factor (surgery wise) for not going that route and picking the sleeve myself. May be great, but personally, it didn't sit right with me inside. So, I opted for the sleeve.

On Monday, February 20, 2017 at 6:22 AM, ChaosUnlimited said:

My surgeon also discussed the stats with me, which is what gave me pause about just doing the sleeve. This is hard work, for any of the surgeries, and I want it to be a one and done kind of thing. I lost a lot of weight by doing weight watchers and high impact exercise several years ago. I thought I would never let myself backslide like I have, but I did. So I don't rule it out with the surgery either, but the DS gives a little more security against weight regain. I do realize that any of the surgeries will require a high level of compliance with the diet and exercise to be successful long term.

I'm leaning toward the DS, but the thought of changing the way my gut works by moving my intestines around is terrifying to me. My husband is worried about it too and is hoping I choose the sleeve only. I still have time to research and decide, but for right now, I waffle back and forth as to what to choose.

One and done is everyone's hope. However, my surgeon actually encourages his patients to try the sleeve first (due to the large success rates his patients have experienced with it) and explains that the "switch" or DS portion of the surgery (rerouting of the guts) can be added down the road if necessary.

On Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 8:14 AM, Kaylamh said:

@ChaosUnlimited just do it. You'll thank yourself later when you don't regain every pound like many many sleeve patients do. The malabsorption helps make up for our "human" moments when we just don't make the best decisions.

I find that I never encourage or discourage a person in any one, specific wls. Everyone's situation is quite different with each surgery. I know several people who had the sleeve almost 10 years ago. Some have gained a bit of weight back, while some are continuing to keep it all off. After several years, there remain a few complaints about ocassional GERD and the extra 10 minutes added on to a workout due to overindulgence of a chocolate chip cookie. However, I don't hear many serious complaints overall. . On the other hand, I only know a few DSers. One can't keep up with the eating plan and complains that it's too much food to eat to keep her weight up and eating has now become a huge chore, not to mention her new "bathroom" issues. Another friend, is experiencing malabsorption issues despite taking all the required daily Vitamins. Another one has gained back quite a bit of weight and is just unhappy with the results of her surgery, because she was told by her surgeon that she wouldn't have to worry about weight regain with the DS.

These comparisons are not to persuade or dissuade either way, just an example of how things work differently for each person. While the DS may be the best surgery for YOU, it may not be for the next person. My surgeon actually encourages his patients to try the sleeve first (due to its high success rate with his patients) and explains that the DS or "switch" (rerouting of the guts) portion of the surgery can always be added later if necessary or wished.

That being said, I continue to research each surgery in an effort to decide what would be best for ME. I wish I was one of those people who could just decide already! It's becoming quite frustrating, because as you bring out, statistics DO show that regain with the DS is less likely, and we would all LOVE to lessen our chances at regain. However, the malabsorption issues REALLY frighten me, because I have other health issues which would only worsen with malabsorption.

Hopefully, I will make a decision soon, because I am struggling with trying to maintain my current weight (I've given up on losing, as that has become impossible due to my different metabolism/hormonal disorders). I had the stupid crap band in 2005, which developed a leak in 2009 and is now broken inside of me in 3 different places (YUCK). I will be revised one of these days lol

Edited March 1, 20179 yr by KattattaK

I wish I had known that I felt nauseous by eating anything....

44 minutes ago, Lannah said:

I wish I had known that I felt nauseous by eating anything....

@Lannah so sorry to hear this. How long since your surgery?

1 month. i guess it will be better as the time goes by....

1 hour ago, Mannah said:

1 month. i guess it will be better as the time goes by....

I'm sure it will get better with time ?