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Dr. Hazem Elariny in Vienna, VA (DC suburb). Not the most sophisticated office but a gifted surgeon.
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
The PatchAid is a knock off of the PatchMD vitamin patches. I have low iron and used these for a while but my levels were too low to see an increase and my dr told me to ditch them and go to iron by mouth after I had to have infusions to build the iron up. Any of the other patches by PatchMD are great but I never saw an increase in my iron on them.
I probably would have gone with the DS if my insurance covered it, but it didn't. It only covered bypass, sleeve, and band (that was five years ago, so I doubt it covers the band anymore)
I chose bypass over sleeve for a couple of reasons: 1) I had GERD, and surgeons usually recommend bypass for patients who have GERD. Sleeve can make it worse (certainly not always, but often enough that it's a pretty well-known risk), whereas bypass often improves if not outright cures it. Second reason is that at the time of my surgery, bypass was the gold standard and had more research behind it than the sleeve did. I was a little worried that the sleeve would end up being "Lapband 2". However, it's been around long enough at this point - and it's done enough - that it's proven itself. I don't think that would be a concern at this point. But because of my pre-op GERD, I'd still choose bypass if I had to make that choice today.
I worked in an office full of fat women. I was one of them. 10 of us had WLS over a 2 year period. 8 RNY, one band, and 1 DS(me). Fast forward about 20 years.
The band person never lost an ounce. Total fail. 7 of the RNY people are now as heavy or heavier than when they had surgery. Another fail. Today 1 of the RNY people and the one DS person(me) are still pretty normal looking.
I think the RNY is cruel. We adapt over time. The standard proximal RNY doesn't bypass much. Around the 2 year mark your body adapts to the bypass and many patients start gaining. The DS bypasses so much your body can't adapt completely. This is why DSers have the best long term results. The DS also has the most 'normal' post op life. There is nothing I can't eat but I still have to diet just like almost every other woman on the planet. I can gain weight.
But... There is a tradeoff. You have to be willing to take the supplements for life. I take a small handfull of pills twice a day. To me it's no big deal and it's a habit just like anything else I do every day. I took daily vitamins before surgery so it wasn't a huge adjustment for me.
Today I am 65 and still very healthy. I take no prescription meds and I can do anything I could when I was 25. I am happy with my decision. Now it's your turn. Choose wisely!
Hello there, I am scheduled for a VSG later this year, but I am interested in learning more about the DS.
My surgeon does not do the surgery, any recommendations for surgeons in the south east?
I live in South Carolina.
I am still preop and I am looking at all of my options... What was it that drew you to DS vs VSG or RNY? Any helpful info is greatly appreciated!
HW 372 SW 350 CW 185 GW 150 Lost 187 so far....
I would have to look back at my labs but am currently out of the country so can look. I will try to remember when I return and post then.
edited to add: I know that about 3 years or so ago my ferritin got life threatening low, so low like atrium 2 that I was sent for a blood transfusion and then my first Injectifer.
thos was pre patch's and while taking lots of oral iron which was determined not being absorbed at all.
Can anyone recommend a multivitamin that does not contain any B6?
CA
I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. I assume you're post-menopausal and have completely eliminated any possible other causes (obviously other than the DS). I could usually get a year with the various infusions and I was having the same issues you are experiencing, but once we tried injectofer, it all changed.
I hope the patches work other you should try to find another hematologist who understand malabsorption.
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
