I am new to this forum, was recommended by a friend. I am 24 years old and weigh about 539 my height is 5'7 i'm planning to have the sleeve. I have meet with the local and well know surgeon. He has recommend that I have two operations first the sleeve and come back in 5 years for the Duodenal Switch. He has told me that he will not operate on my unless I lose 162 lbs. I have several friends and family that have had the sleeve and weighed around my weight and did not have to lose near as much as he's asking me to.

My question to the group is, have you heard of doing two surgeries (I'd be happy with one.) and how much did you have to lose prior to your surgery? Also any other tips you may have!

Thanks

Adam

the duodenal switch is sometimes done as two surgeries, so that's not too unusual. Odd he wants to wait five years between them, though.

as far as losing weight, some surgeons have a BMI limit (for example, they won't operate on people with a BMI over 60 - or over 70 - or whatever). On someone with a really high BMI, the surgery is riskier, and some surgeons don't want to take the risk. So you'll either have to lose the weight, or find a surgeon who operates on people with high BMI's.

The second surgery is a good idea. Not familiar with the timing. 5 years does seem really long.

You might want to ask some other surgeons their opinions on your case and go with the one you are most comfortable with.

There aren't THAT many places that do DS's. So you won't be overwhelmed by choice.

What State are you in?

My surgeon doesn't operate on super large people because of the added risk during surgery. You could always find another surgeon that will.. But I wouldn't id want to reduce the risk also.

You may get to 5 years and be happy with your weight

I also want to say all cases are different. He may feel that is what you need but not others etc

4 hours ago, dreamingsmall said:

My surgeon doesn't operate on super large people because of the added risk during surgery. You could always find another surgeon that will.. But I wouldn't id want to reduce the risk also.

You may get to 5 years and be happy with your weight

I was thinking that about the five-year thing, too. He may be thinking that if you get to your goal and can maintain it for a couple of years, there's be no reason to do phase 2 of the surgery.

Should probably try researching other doctors.

I was looking at something else, vitamins, I think, and came across the fact that the 2nd part of DS usually happens at around a year post sleeve. They want the patient to have lost a large chunk of his/her weight, but still be in the losing phase when getting the switch.

THIS sounds right to me. Shoot, in 5 years, a person could have regained everything!