Two years ago my surgeries began with a complete hysterectomy  at Saint Mary's with the Davinci robotic surgery machine. A complete hysterectomy was necessary due to  uterine cancer, and to prevent future cancer in the general area due to cancer on both sides of my family, (all cured). Surgical menopause, hypothyroid, years of extreme stress being my parents caregiver with their Alsheimer's and dementia, all contributed to my ever increasing weight. I needed help fast for health reasons. My weight was too much for my arthritic hip and knees. I could hardly walk without unbelievable pain( all resolved).

4 months later I decided to work on my quickly escalating weight with a medical weight loss program at the local hospital. Who ever answered the phone when I called to enquire, told me only weight loss surgery works. I attended one of their bariatric surgeons lectures, signed up with him. Before my first appointment with him, while researching all the possible surgeries, I ran into the Duodenal Switch. The only surgeon within driving distance for me to do it all alone since my husband couldn't accompany me, was Dr.Kemmeter in Grand Rapids. I attended one of his informational weight loss surgery lectures. He was well organized, knowledgeable about all the possible surgeries and  has a charismatic personality. He offered any one of the surgeries to me, I would benefit from any of them but not the band. Right then and there I decided on the D.S. with him. No turning back !!!

When he described all the surgeries including the D.S. it was so clear the D.S. would be the best most successful surgery for me, to reach goal and keep it off unlike all the others. I liked keeping the pylorus enabling normal digestion, and being able to eat my usual list of foods with lots of protein like the Atkins diet I had used many times in my life. Nsaids are important with my arthritis.  I would do it all  again the same way if I had to do it over. I was very calm and relaxed entering the surgical suite, because I felt very prepared  having studied the D.S. and confident in Dr. Kemmeter's capabilities. He didn't disappoint. My surgery was 4 hours long. He cleared lots of  adhesions out from my past surgeries and 2 "C"section births. I didn't have any complications. 2 1/2 days in the hospital, up the night of surgery walking, sipping lots of water. When they found me in a chair using my computer one early morning, they knew I was ready to go home. I had been walking the halls often to help my circulation. This is important to prevent blood clots in the lower extremities.

I asked Dr. Kemmeter to do my gallbladder/appendix  surgery 8 months post D.S, because he knows my rerouted system best. My internist approved, saying no one else should do the surgery. I had a well trained team at Grand Health Partners  for both my surgeries covering all aspects of recovery and  the start of my weight loss journey. Behaviorist lectures really helped me get through the food centered  holidays and analyze why I  had gained so much weight during my life, genetics, and environment. The sports physiologist checked out my exercise program to be sure I incorporated all the right exercises for cardio, strength training and stretching. The bariatric specialist monitored food plans, theirs or mine to insure I was getting the correct amounts of protein, fluids, vitamins and supplements. She answered so many of my questions by e-mail because I lived so far away, and still is helping me. My trainer at the local gym introduced me to weight machines, and helped my recovery with increasingly  difficult work outs. I would not have been so successful  in such a short time without all these people.

 Next is plastic surgery with Dr Renucci in Grand Rapids. I plan to have body contouring with a circumferential lower body lift, a Brazilian mini but lift, breast lift and augmentation, hour glass waist, abdominal muscle tightening, and partial thigh lift front and back. Mini face lift, neck and eyelids are next, maybe  with upper arms. Inner thighs are last if they need it, we'll see  if its necessary after the lower body lift he says. The order in stages of these extensive operations is well planned. Time between surgeries for replenishing nutrients, protein, and increasing lab values is a prerequisite for booking any of the next surgeries. My family is going to help me through the early stages of recuperation, I couldn't do it without them.

I love to help people  on the boards think about the best  weight loss surgery for them. Its a big life altering step. This board helped educate me about the D.S. and the other surgeries before I had my D.S. surgery. My surgeon sends all his prospective WLS patients here to talk to WLS experienced people. I really like the friendly people here sharing WLS experiences. Its the best way to find answers, information, and ask questions. There's no better place to find the answers you are looking for concerning the D.S. and weight loss surgeries. I have been on the boards, reading and posting for the past year and a half. Being here is definitely a part of my success with  my weight loss, never losing sight of all my goals everyday.

Duodenal Switch lap,8/29/11

High weight 255, surgery weight 235, current weight 117-122, BMI 20--135 lbs lost in 8 months.Reached goal, maintaining for 8 months.   

Dr.Kemmeter, Grand Health Partners, Saint Mary's Hospital, Michigan