Researchers at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City followed 33 patients who underwent gastric bypass and 12 who underwent duodenal switch; all had comparable presurgery BMI measurements, and body composition. One to two years after surgery, duodenal-switch patients had lost an average of 50% more weight than gastric-bypass patients: 22.3 vs. 15.1 units of BMI. Furthermore, while gastric-bypass patients reduced their body fat to 34%, duodenal-switch patients trimmed theirs to 25.7% (25% body fat is generally considered normal). 

Michel Gagne, MD, chief of the laparoscopic and bariatric surgery division at Weill Medical College , explains that because the duodenal switch bypasses more of the small intestine than gastric bypass surgery, patients absorb much less dietary fat, enabling them to shed more weight. Dr. Gagne adds that a growing number of insurance companies have been green-lighting the procedure since a Medicare panel granted its stamp of approval in 2004.

 

"Duodenal switch better than gastric bypass." Clinical Advisor 8.12 (Dec 2005): 21(1).  

Well, you can see that I don't do this very often. To you newbies, take pictures, write down measurements, and journal your progress. It'll help you see where you came from and how you got to where you now are. I didn't do that, and now wish I had.

I reached the century club. That means I've lost 100 lbs since my surgery. I wouldn't have believed this could happen if you had told me at the beginning. Other than a rough couple of months at the beginning, which are to be expected, it has been smooth sailing. I still am very cautious about trying new things, and it always surprises me when nothing bad happens. For example, last night I ate sweet corn with my steak for supper, along with my ice cream for dessert, with no side effects. 

I do want my weight loss to slow now, so will be adding more carbs to my diet. I'm within 10 lbs of my goal, and know my "window" is still open. Can you imagine wanting to slow down weight loss? What a novel experience.

January 7, 2007

I can't believe I did it. I've added a picture for the whole world to see. I must admit, it took me a bit of trying to finally get one in the proper format, the proper size. Editing the picture was the biggest challenge. It was taken in my home office, and tidiness is not one of my strengths. if you look really hard, you can see my sewing machine, and piles of files. I say I don't have a filing system, I have a "piling system.