Thank you so much! I will definitely do some research. I would love hearing from people who have had it for sure. I have not been able to find many people.

The first year after my DS I focused on limiting carbs (carbs turn into sugar and we absorb 100% of sugar). You have to build up your protein - 30 grams of protein by 30-day post-op, 60 grams of protein by 60-days post-op, and 90 grams by 90 days. It's a process. I think I tried to keep my carbs to 20 grams of carbs per day. Drink lots of water (minimum of 64 ounces of water per day).

For me it was all about re-learning how to eat for my new DS. Read labels. Learn about the food you're eating. Learn how your body reacts to food.

I just had my 17 year surgerversary. I'm still exactly at the goal weight I set 17 years ago. I eat what I consider a normal diet, with the exception of more protein. I don't really limit carbs but I have learned what I need to maintain my weight.

Hi! I had a sleeve done June 2016. It went fantastic and I lost 130lbs. I then got pregnant and had a baby boy and since then I have noticed I'm able to eat a lot more. I saw my surgeon who then said because I have gained 70lbs back I should get either the bypass or DS. I chose the DS but am now second guessing myself because of the fact that the doctor said he wouldn't be touching my stomach because I've already had the sleeve. He would just be doing the switch part "bypassing intestines". So now I am worried that it won't be as effective if my stomach has stretched.
Does anyone know anymore about this? is it just as effective without doing a re sleeve on the stomach as well?
help I'm so confused!!

Thank you for your response. The diet for life I have been given indicates that you should avoid fatty foods. Based on what I have been reading and seeing from those who have undergone this surgery it would appear that isn't necessarily the case. I am a planner and my frustration comes when mixed messages interfere with my planning. I know this may seem somewhat anal but planning helps me feel like I am being proactive, at the same time it helps to relieve stress. Oddly enough I am a stress eater and the biggest cause of stress in my life these days is this surgery along with moderating my eating.

Currently I am running at about 15% carbs, 25% protein and 60% fats. I am a big carb fan so I have replaced my carbs with fat. So it looks like I need to move my fat number way down and get my protein up. My fat mostly comes from salad dressing, mayo and Greek yogurt. Still lots of work to do but I have at least 4 months until surgery so there is still time.

A couple of observations. Did the diet you got from the Doctor's office really say that this is your diet for the rest of your life or is it the diet they would like you to follow once you are healed enough to be on solid foods? In the early stages they might be quite similar. (Still not an exact match but close)

Not that Surgeons or WLS practices generally are great in the practical terms of living with your DS.

Protein first is a valuable mantra, especially so in the first 12 to 18 months. Meeting protein goals is something that will become 2nd nature after a while because it is your health you are looking out for..

With the DS you will be able to add back foods over time to have more "regular" meals. For me, the meals I have today are much more varied at 7 years out than they were the first 2 years and are much healthier than I ate pre-op.

It's natural to think your surgeon needs to supply you with all he answers. I wanted that first from my surgeon and then as time went on I wanted certainty from the vets. Life is a little more complicated and you have to see what will work best for you.

Of course you would never follow a plan that actually hurts your health by losing too much. Everything needs to be customized as time and cir****tances change.

For instance, I am a lot more active now. It lets me eat more than I could if wasn't and I can see the difference when I don't get to exercise but I know he adjustments I have to make.

SO just a few things on the overall eating changes.

Always get in your protein (and VITAMINS) to stay healthy. Eating protein feeds into the strengths of the changes you will have made to your body.

Never eat low fat again unless there is no alternative or you just like it. You will have plenty of time to figure out how much fat is actually good for you - opinions vary quite a bit. I've never gone out of my way to add fat to my diet but don't avoid it like they sometimes tell you either.

The first 6 months especially, tastes and reactions to food can change dramatically from week to week. There was a period I didn't really care to eat at all and had to schedule my meals to make sure I got my protein ( a fairly short period of time but it worried me at the time ). Also, some tastes change permanently and even though my mind may tell me to have something I used to like as a treat now when I actually have it the taste isn't the same. In my case this was a good thing for things like sweets and chips.

Also, sometimes people start out lactose intolerant. I started that way. It took me a while to figure out that the dry milk my surgeon had in his plan as a protein booster caused me trouble but after a year of lactaid and frozen yogurt that went away. Luckily it wasn't ever so bad I couldn't have cheese. :)

Not sure I really answered your question. Today I don't forbid myself any food but I severely limit the quantities based on how I know my body will react. Things change over time. A slice of birthday cake sent me on a quick trip to the bathroom the first year but now I can have a slice without that worry. I just don't have the urge any more to have more than a slice.

Pete