To maintain, I still have to diet hard. Less than 20 carbs a day is my life. I know I can't cope with eternal deprivation so I do give myself cheat days. Holidays and out town vacations. That way I feel like I still get to participate. And I make lists of things I want to eat. My cheat day for Easter/Passover is right around the corner and tops on my want list right now is toast and Cadbury eggs. But that could change between now and then.

I work out too. I run and walk my dogs but the only workout that has made a difference for me is HIIT(High Impact Interval Training) because it seems to boost my metabolism a bit. I would be much happier with my weight and my body if I could afford plastics. That TT is tops on my list followed by arms and face. I do have a hernia that just might pay for a big part of that TT. As of tomorrow I will have as much immunity from COVID as I am going to get(last shot 2 weeks ago) so I am going to start looking for a surgeon.

It took me almost 20 years postop to reach a normal BMI. Best guess, I didn't get the best DS. My CC is supposed to be 75cm but I have never had a single deficiency so not sure if I believe it. But if I diet hard I can control my weight now. And I couldn't before, diet or not! I was always a good dieter. I just couldn't keep the weight off.

I eat between 80 and 100 gr protein per day. Don't count fat at all. And right about 20 carbs. 30 is a bad day! Probably means I had a salad! I eat a lot of low carb wraps for sandwiches, pizza, and tacos. I really don't eat much. If I do, I gain weight really fast! My body is used to low carb.

Congratulations on being only 4 lbs away from your goal. Keep up the good work!

Mine was more then oil slicks, it was like having a menstral period only oil. It was for a week and then stopped.

thanks for responding.

Hey Everyone!

It's been a very long time since I posted and it's been 10 years going on 11 in September since my surgery. I've kept the weight off (regain and lost 20 pounds) and life is great. Now that I'm 50 and in menopause, life can be different. I think that's when I gained weight during menopause and it drove me crazy. But when I was finally finsihed, things went back to normal. That was rough. For my 50th birthday, I had a tummy tuck, and convinced my friends to do it too. I have never looked and felt better. It you are considering it, don't consider just DO IT. The look alone will change your life. I work out with a trainer and since being this age, I eat a lot cleaner (lowering my carbs) so that I can truly maintain. I'm trying to hit my magic number and I'm 4 pounds away but the struggle has been real. I eat my protein but need to increase more. Potato chips use to be my crack and Mountain Dew use to be my heroin. But I have control now and it has gotten a lot better. For my Vets 10 years out or more, what's your secret to maintenance?

Hello friends,

I had my DS surgery October 26, 2012 and there are times when oil drips out of me uncontrollably. Has this happened to anyone here?

thanks, Esther

I bring up Roslin because I know that he does do the BPD/DS, and has for many years (as HollyKim suggests, don't believe what you read on FaceBook). I mention his use of RNY in a specific case to illustrate that from what I have seen, he is no one trick pony who only knows how to do one thing and that is what they recommend to everyone for every use. Most in the BPD/DS world are not fans of the RNY, as the DS generally works better - that is why they went to the cost and effort to learn how to do them. However, there situations where it is not appropriate (as is the case with any procedure,) so in those rare cases he (and most of the rest of the DS world) is perfectly capable of doing the RNY and recommending it when it is the correct thing for a particular patient. Most bariatric surgeons don't have that flexibility because they don't have as large a tool kit - they don't know how to do much else other than the RNY and maybe the VSG. I like consulting with a surgeon with a broad toolkit because they can suggest something other than their preferred procedure when appropriate without losing business. He knows the DS, as well as the SADI, RNY, VSG, and can discuss their pros and cons for your particular case without a business bias (though he would certainly have his own preferences, as we all do.) You might just learn something that you missed on Facebook. I know a lot more about the RNY than many RNY patients because I have discussed these things with the Rabkins and Dr. K who aren't afraid to discuss the weak points of the different surgeries, including the DS.

Whether you agree with his assessment of your case or not, you will probably learn something, and have more questions that you can ask other surgeons, like Dr. K, whom you may consider. What have you got to lose other than a bit of time - which is usually a good investment when considering a permanent live changing procedure. I am not trying to talk you out of the DS or into anything else, but trying to encourage you to use the resources that you have available to learn as much about all of this that you can. The number of people online that you may interface with have their opinion but generally limited knowledge on these topics (they aren't doctors, for one thing,) so I find it helpful to talk to as many who do know what they're talking about as possible. They have their opinions, too, but they are generally well informed opinions, and that carries a lot of weight (so to speak) with me; much more than the general blogosphere.

I have the highest respect for Dr. K (and he carries off a bowtie very well...) but as I mentioned above, if I were in the NYC area, I would certainly talk to Roslin, and any other local DS docs who are still active, as part of my due diligence. I may well still go with Dr. K, or Rabkin, but by talking to others who may be available to me who are similarly qualified, I will be better informed when making my final decision. One of these docs may see something in you that might give him pause about doing the DS on you - wouldn't you like to know about that before getting into it, or at least being able to discuss that point with others?