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 Member Since: 12/28/11 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 1:18 pm Last Edit: 1/7/12 1:20 pm I received an email from my lap band doc and I feel like it coming from his heart & now I am torn. My surgical date is either Feb 14 or 21 with Dr U. I was planning on going Monday to the bank to put the down payment in Dr U bank account to book the surgery. I do not feel My lap band doc was up front with me regarding my lap band or maybe I was looking through rose color glasses and wanted the lap band to work so bad I was sold on it without taking into account the failure rate. I am a self pay. I want to make sure I am making the right decision and I thought the best people to ask is other ds pt's. I have to be honest the information I have received from this site has been more helpful then the doctors so I would be grateful if you would take the time to respond as it will assist me with making a life long decision. Thank you sincerely Donna Here is the email from my lap band doc............ I omitted only stuff which applied to his baby however any thing to do with the DS I kept and did not alter other then protecting some names he offered. So one last time- consider this all carefully. I don't think you need that malabsorption and all the issues that come with it. You will lose weight fast - and will struggle at first to keep up with the protein requirements, and probably will be protein malnourished for a while. Do consider just the sleeve portion of the DS or just a plication. They are easier on you, and your body, and do not have the malabsorption. I won't bother you again with that opinion, but hope you keep it in mind, because I really do have your best interests at heart, and would really like you to think again. Remember, I've done more DS than most people - and one of the reasons I stopped was in 2003 I did over 350 DS and in 2005 only 3 people came back to follow up with their labs. There are still some DS patients who I follow - they are on facebook. I have banded over two (Kim and Bonnie ) (note I removed the pt's last name as they did not give me permission) - and one- Stephanie is doing well and living in Tampa- the other Kathy has regained a fair bit of weight, but is a lovely person, just got her nurses license and is working for a GI doc. So- you might think about asking them. They have given me permission to talk about them. I have asked my old DS patients to identify themselves on Facebook- so perhaps you can interact with them. First year is a b&^$# (changed the 4 remaining letters as it might not be allowed on this site) with DS - up to ten stools a day. There are some things that can help with it. I have those outlined in my first book. Lots of gas. It is like having Ally all the time without being able to get away from it. It does settle down- although some patients have no issue with any of it. Me again........I am hoping to make the decision and never regret it any help would be so appreciated. Note I only lost 16 pounds with the band. Sincerely Donna |
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 Member Since: 09/28/11 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 1:34 pm I disagree with your Dr. I had the Lapband also and it almost killed me. I was considered a lightweight at the time of surgery. I had 100 lbs to lose. Yes it's come off quickly (60 lbs in four months) but my health is up to me. He said only three people came back to follow up with labs. Really? Out of over 350 people?? Obviously they didn't educate their patients properly! I know that if I was going to have this surgery I would have to have labs done every 3 months, take a buttloaf of vitamins daily and adjust them according to my lab results, and I'd have to get my protein in. If I have a small tummy day I add protein drinks. I know what I have to do to be healthy. The choice is mine and mine alone. Research, KNOW what is required of you to keep you healthy and go with it. Having already had the Lapband and the mess it made of me I was unwilling to risk any surgery other than the DS. It is the only I trusted I would not need another revision from.
 ~ Lauri |
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Member Since: 12/28/11 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 2:21 pm Thank you for replying......... once I received his email then I felt like strange because he was trying to talk me out of it or rather reconsider. I am a self pay however regardless I do not like to keep having surgery. I am praying the DS is a life time fix. I plan on having my labs drawn every 3 months. I am not sure what the vit supplements are but I will take that as well. If you could tell me what to expect with vit I would appreciate it. I want to be thinner I am not thinking this will change who I am other then the fact I hope it easier on my back as I have arthritis. I am so tired of feeling like a loser because the lap band did not work. Can you tell me is my lap band doc is exaggerating in regard to the number of time you use the rest room sorry to sound gross. Thank you Donna |
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 Hobart, Australia Member Since: 03/07/11 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 1:37 pm Ultimately it's up to you. It's your body and don't let anyone make the decision for you. For me I had the DS because: 1. I am morbidly obese, had struggled on diets etc for 25 years without keeping the weight I lost off. 2. Was likely to die from co-morbidities and never see my son grow up. 3. Would NEVER have the lap band for soooo many medical reasons (also had a friend almost die because her's cut through her internal organs) and I knew it wouldn't work for me as my biggest enemy was milk. Also had no intention of taking on the complications of an RNY. I'm 9 weeks out from surgery now, I've heard of one person who has several bowel movements a day (because they didn't have the DS that keeps the Pyloric valve), I personally only go once a day (this business of spending all day on the loo is one of the biggest furfies Dr's tell about the DS). I am regimented in taking of my vitamins and my protein (shakes) which is ALL IMPORTANT with the DS or YOU WILL DIE eventually. For me it was a no brainer after doing a year of research into ALL types of weight loss surgery, I can say for certain the DS is the tool for me and is currently in the process of saving my life. Now you need to understand if it is the tool for you. If you're only slightly overweight, maybe it's not. You do need to remember though that if you commit to any surgery, you're going to need to change your eating habits one way or another (just like you would have had to with the lapband). No surgery is bullet proof, they all rely on commitment and common sense AND above all going to a surgeon who is proven in the operation and follow up. I hope this helps a little for you. Good luck!  |
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Member Since: 12/28/11 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 2:35 pm Thank you for replying. I love milk as well do you have any problems drinking it now? I am committed to do what ever needs to be done. I will take the supplements both protein or vit. Every time I went to the surgeon office for a fill I was told the lap band is not failing it is a tool I needed to learn to work with....... I have 10 cc in my band and I do not feel like I have any thing there at all. I feel like by going back to the lap band doctor and continuing to have fills is like the definition of insanity I have been at this for some time and I am expecting a different outcome however I am still the same wt. I trusted my surgeon I even went back and had a port changed but still nothing. I had my surgery in 09 and I am looking at the DS pt's and they are where I was hoping to be. I want to be able to move. I am so tired of taking long acting pain medication for my back. Oh and this is another reason why I liked the DS because I can take Motrin. I have done a lot of research and I feel the DS is the best fit for me. Of course I do need to work and going to the bathroom 10 times a day would be difficult to get on with my life. Thanks for your candidness as it is a uncomfortable topic for the average person and I appreciate your response. Sincerely Donna |
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Hobart, Australia Member Since: 03/07/11 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 2:58 pm Hi Donna, |
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Member Since: 12/28/11 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 3:05 pm thank you |
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| Post Date: 1/7/12 2:11 pm I disagree with him. 1. I go to the bathroom in the am, seldom later, no way 10 times or more. 2. no reason to be protein deficient, if at first you can't eat enough protein you can drink protein shakes. 3. I had the band and to keep it short "it sucked" 4. almost immediately felt better once the band was out and I was able to eat "normal" again 5. just because not many people follow up with the surgeon does not mean they are not successful, I get my labs done through my local doctor. Every 6 month now, my labs are very good and I have no problem taking the necessary vitamins and eating the protein that we so badly need with this surgery. I'm very happy with the DS. |
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Member Since: 12/28/11 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 2:46 pm I am so grateful you responded as your experience is similar to mine since I had the band as well. My lap band MD keeps telling me it is a tool and that I need to learn to work with it. I have 10 cc of fluid and still nothing. I want to scream if I hear him tell me it is a tool again. I was concerned when he stated the number of bathroom trips per day would be 10 as I am a single parent and need to work but it sounds like from the replies this is way off. I agree with you perhaps it was cheaper for the Pt's to fu on their labs else where. I doubt if that many failed. I honestly felt like he no longer did the procedures because he liked the quick money lap bands brought in however when he sent the email to be and sounded concerned about my well being I stopped and thought about it for a period of time. I was completely convinced the DS was the procedure for me and selecting between 2 surgical dates and then he emailed me. He is taking care of my paperwork for being off work because I am going to Dr U in Mexico to have the procedure. I feel good about who I have chosen as he has emailed me personally when ever I had questions and I had the pleasure of contacting someone on this site who had the same procedure by him and is doing well. Glad to hear you had the DS and would do it again if presented with the same questions in life again. Sincerely Donna |
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 VA Duodenal Switch (08/09/07) Member Since: 07/23/07[Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 2:41 pm Donna, I don't have the issues he's talking about because I've come here and learned how to take care of myself. I have followed Vitalady's advice and I'd put my labs up against any band patient and mine would be better. Maybe his follow up isn't the best and that's why his patients have issues. I've only met band patients looking to get the dang thing out and revising to the DS. I don't think I've ever heard of any DSr wishing they'd gotten the band. Are you also on the other board where the vets are? There are quite a few revision vets there as well as Dr Ungson's patients. --gina 5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 119 Dec 2010 |
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Member Since: 12/28/11 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 3:03 pm I am new to this site. I can not tell you how grateful I am for it as I have learned so much information. I was not sure how to even post a question so I had to look at the how to section so forgive me. I selected the ds forum thinking that was the best place to post the question. I tried to google DS failure and I got noting however when I do that for lap band as you know there are many. I did try to ask for prices on vit packs from vitalady but I did not get a response and that was several days ago however I might have done something wrong since I am new. I have been reading every thing I can get my hands on this site and I did read someone said they missed vitalady so maybe she is no longer on but that is only a thought on my part. So the ultimate question you would do it again in a heart beat? Sincerely thank you for responding Donna PS I am taking 6 weeks off so I hope to adjust prior to my return. |
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VA Duodenal Switch (08/09/07) Member Since: 07/23/07[Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 3:36 pm Vitalady has been keeping a low profile on the various boards while she gets her and her hubby's health back up to par. Here is a link to her DS Vitamin Plan with last year's prices. Things may have changed some but not that much. www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/ProgramDRNY_ERNY_BPDDS3- 2010.pdf --gina 5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 119 Dec 2010 |
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Member Since: 12/28/11 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 5:46 pm I sincerely hope she is doing better with her health. I do not want to pry however is her health issues because of the DS or not related. I understand if it is not your place to respond. Thank you Donna |
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VA Duodenal Switch (08/09/07) Member Since: 07/23/07[Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 5:59 pm No, her issues pre-date her WLS and not related. I really hope she gets back to her feisty self soon too. She has a distal RNY not a DS. She has a common channel like a DSr but a pouch like an RNY. She understands our malabsorption and her vitamin plan works to keep my labs in great shape. I tweak her basic plan to match my labs. --gina 5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 119 Dec 2010 |
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 "The OG", OH Duodenal Switch (10/31/05) Member Since: 11/05/04[Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/18/12 11:53 am Last Edit: 1/18/12 11:53 am MajorMom is right - we learn more about what we need to keep healthy from each other than our surgeons. Your band surgeon may not be giving good info for prolonged health, so they may see no need to do follow-up with him. That's the way I feel with my own surgeon. She got me through the first six months, but when my levels tanked, she had no idea what to do except wait another 3 months. By the third 3 month wait, I took matters into my own hands and got my levels up with my PCP prescribing my labs and faxed them to the surgeon for a few years. I went one more time to the office, got a hug said I felt great and my labs were great and I'm sure the insurance was billed $150 for that 10 minute visit. From there, I just don't see the point, so don't take patients not consulting with a surgeon about vitamins as not being compliant. They may have gotten their results elsewhere. Oh, and YES, I would do it again in a heart beat. Valerie 1 year to lose the weight - 5 years maintaining it with the DS There is room on this earth for all of God's creatures..next to the mashed potatoes |
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bay area, CA Member Since: 01/07/05 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 3:02 pm You sound sincere and genuinely concerned, but this is so bizarre as to be unreal. Only 1% of his patients follow-up? Come on! Either someone is lying, or he has the worst pre-op and post-op educational program in the history of bariatric surgery. |
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Member Since: 12/28/11 [Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 6:02 pm Well to give him credit he is one of the top doc's in AZ and was named top doc in the phx AZ which is the reason I chose him. I do remember he stated something along the lines that the out comes did not apply to all Pt's as in the number of stools so if I did not include that at the end that is my error. I was a bit discouraged when he suggested Dr Ortiz in Mexico as it was so important to me to be followed by a doc in the USA however after that since he did suggest someone in Mexico it lead me to look and found Dr U. I thought I made my decision until I received his email as he took the time to write me when I am sure he has far better things to do. I agree with you in regard to the plication as it is to new and I want something that has had success for some time. It appears the DS has been done for 20 years. One mbr directed me to have a specific DS to avoid removing a sphincter I believe there by avoiding the 10 stools a day. That was helpful because I did not realize there was more then one DS. I have found different names for the same procedure but not that there were different kinds of DS. As for if I am the real deal yes I am. Strangely I have received 2 personal message from some odd ball stating they liked me because of what I wrote on here and then the person is deactivated so I assume it was some kind of solicitation and I blocked them. That said I guess just as there may be someone *****aches out to me via message which is not legitimately interested in WLS then I guess you may have some thoughts I might not be the real deal. I am not sure what would help as I do not have many pictures because I avoid the camera since I am embarrassed and do not even have an up dated picture on my face book................. I guess that is pathetic. Any way all and all I wanted to thank you for taking the time out of your day to answer my post as it is greatly appreciated. Sincerely Donna |
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 SF Bay Area, CA Duodenal Switch (09/09/09) Member Since: 03/06/04[Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 7:24 pm I have to agree with the others that posted responses. I would be helpful if you posted your statistics, like BMI, etc. I will never regret my decision to have the DS. I occasionally have multiple BMs in one day (never close to ten) but that is much less than I had pre DS when I suffered from irritable bowel syndrome. The DS really helped resolve the IBS. The BM's now are always manageable. There is never an emergency and never had an "accident". My doctor does a very thorough educating of his patients to ensure that they will be compliant. Follow up appointments are covered for the first year and a half. You can go to his website PacLap.com to get additional information. In my opinion, your best information will come from DSFacts.com. You should study that entire site. It is essential that you educate yourself on the DS and feel free to come here and to the other DS Board to clear up any questions you have after reading DSFacts. Regarding milk, my surgeon recommends avoiding milk for at least three months after surgery in order to avoid the possibility of developing lactose intolerance. ~Gail R~ high wt.288, surg wt 274, LW 143, CW 153, GW164  |
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 Duodenal Switch (08/20/07) Member Since: 06/19/07[Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 8:28 pm "Caring" is not the vibe i picked up from his letter. Desparate, oily, used car salesman is more like it. He's lying to you because you want to buy a car that he doesn't sell. So, he's telling you that the Rolls Royce will be more trouble than it is worth, that this used Cadillac is better, or he could just put a new muffler on that Studebaker and she'd be as good as new. Times are tough. Medical practices are expensive to run. Advertising can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Of course, he wants your business again. He didn't offer you a refund on that failed band, though, did he? Dr. Ungson is a top notch surgeon who I couldn't recommend more highly. There is a review on the left hand side of my profile. Feel free to PM me at the link in my signature and I will answer any questions about Dr. U and/or the experience in Hermosillo. ------------------------------- I I V   Check out my profile: http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/goodkel/Or click on my name DS SW 265 CW 120 5'7" |
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 Duodenal Switch (11/20/08) Member Since: 05/25/10[Latest Posts] | Post Date: 1/7/12 8:51 pm The surgeon you quote is lying to you. It's that simple. He's lying about the DS itself, and he is lying about himself. First, there is NO WAY he did 350 DS operations in one year. It's difficult to imagine him scheduling more than one DS per day (unless he just totally a butcher, or a surgeon who claims he did the surgeries while he actually has other doctors doing the work while he maintains his status as the surgeon of record). The DS is highly complex and challenging and reputable, competent surgeons don't know in advance just how long it will take per patient. So unless he almost never took a day off and hardly did anything else in his professional life, he is just making that figure up. Of course, based on his own story, one reason he may not have seen any patients in follow-up might be, according to the tale he is spinning here, he was just too freaking busy in the OR, hacking away. He has also filled you up with misinformation about life with the DS. Below is the body of a message I wrote to another person considering the DS on another forum. I think the info applies to you, as well. (By the way, maybe the way HE did the DS caused 10 poops a day! Another reason to stay from this guy.) Good luck. Michael All your fears are perfectly justified. Of course. Especially if you've never had surgery. But let me tell you that if you want to lose the weight, keep it off, and get your life back, embrace the DS. Research this procedure, find a good surgeon who does the DS, and see if this is a good fit for you. Let me put this bluntly: it is probably your best option to regain health and find the way toward having the life you want for yourself. Now, everyone's experience is different. But, for me, and for most of the people I personally know who have had the DS, it is, in fact, the "easy way." It is a million times easier than living with the minute-by-minute discomfort, shame, and fear that comes with being morbidly obese. It's actually better than that. It's a freaking miracle. For me, it was as if the surgeon waved a magic wand over my head and...poof...I became fit and healthy...and comfortable and active and good-looking. It was NOT hard for me. The surgery itself was very scary before I had it. I was terrified. But I had a great surgeon and a wonderful hospital. Recovery was swift and painless and without complications. All the excess weight (150 lbs) melted away as if by itself. I am at an ideal weight and maintaining it is effortless. Over three years later, I eat normally, have no gas or bathroom issues, and don't even have surgical scars. If I indulge too much in some sugary things (like ice cream), I may...may...get some gas, but it is easily controllable and not usually a problem. I have some extra skin which is not especially attractive, but otherwise no problem and I will leave it alone. Maybe do the sagging turkey neck someday, but that's it. I'm much older than you, so my skin is not as elastic as yours. So the sooner you have the surgery, the less follow-up plastic surgery you will likely want or need. I said I eat normally. That's true. I eat like a person who has always had a normal weight. The big difference is that I eat much less than I did before, and I am always aware that I have to get in all my protein for the day. After that, I maintain a general awareness of carbs and sugars, but don't bother counting those numbers the way I do protein. The supplements are real easy. I take my calcium and iron and all the vitamins, especially monitoring D. So, several times a day I chew my calcium tabs (which taste pretty good, actually) and swallow some pills. It is an insignificant price for feeling so good. I have my lab work done religiously and everything looks very good. My bone scan looks excellent. If you can't manage your life to take in the protein, take the supplements, and get regular lab workups, then the DS is not for you. But, honestly, those are pretty simple, painless requirements, in exchange for which, you get a new life. Some people have posted that the DS did not make them happier. Well, it has made me much, much happier. I was miserable and depressed before the DS, and it was because I was a prisoner in my own body. I was becoming anti-social and withdrawn and felt like life defeated me. All that is gone. On top of the bliss of feeling so good physically, I still get a thrill when I walk into a room of strangers and know that I'm not already being judged because of my appearance. I can buy a whole universe of clothes right off the rack, and they fit. And as an older father, I know I have a fighting chance to be around for a lot more of my six-and-a-half year old son's life than I had before. My wife is thrilled. Your family members just don't understand that a morbidly obese person is not going to be able to take all the weight off and keep it off. Don't be angry with them; they don't know any better. It's not what we have been taught. Many people think WLS is a cop-out, that we should all have the "will power" and "character" to just lose the weight. Well, this surgery is the BEST way to do what has to be done and there's nothing to be ashamed of. And when the doubters see the results, they will understand. Of course, some people have challenging experiences with this surgery. They have complications from the surgery itself, or with post-surgical issues. And some folks don't do the proper work of informing themselves about the post-surgery requirements, simple as they might be. So they have issues. And some people are just unlucky and have problems through no fault of their own. And you will probably have to be the one teaching health care professionals you deal with about the DS and your requirements. You will find a higher concentration of people with post-DS issues on this fine and wonderfully supportive and educational forum because most people who have the DS become inactive with this type of thing and just go about living their lives. Most of the people who had surgery about the time I did, and who were active on the parent forum of this new one, dropped off a long time ago because their focus is on living life, not their DS. It becomes a tool, not life itself, for most of us. Research and learn and don't fear the DS. A new and better life awaits. Michael |
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