Hi! I'm new here and thought I'd do a little introduction.

I had my DS in 2013. I got down to 140 lb, then stabilized at 150. I felt great! Then life happened and I allowed the carbs to sneak back into my diet. They're insidious little suckers, aren't they? Over the past few years I've managed to allow myself to get back up to 180.

I don't feel good anymore. I need to get 30-40 lbs off! I've moved a whole state away from my support group and the online groups I've found are all basically pre-op and new post-op, early in their journeys. I need some seasoned DSers to help guide me back.

I've forgotten the DS "rules". I've stretched my stomach out to the point I can eat a whole foot-long sub. My once wonderful DS tool isn't as effective as it once was. It's nobody's fault but my own. I just need a little help getting back on track.

I still take my vitamins and I have access to a gym and I have been committed to going five days a week.

I think I need to start by shrinking my sleeve back down. Does anyone have suggestions on doing this? After that, I need to get back to basics. What and how should I be eating? Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

thank you so much in advance.

Yes, I take medicine for Gerd. Also, I had a hernia repaired hoping that would help fix the issue. It seemed to help some but the nausea is still there. I am at my waist end hoping the surgery would help.i drink a lot but may need to drink more. Thanks for the info.

I am a 2 year duodenal switch post op. I have suffered from nausea the majority of my journey. It seems the nausea is dominant when I take medications. I make sure that I eat something before I take the medication but I still get sick. I also noticed that I get sick a lot when taking medication right before I retire for the evening. I take nausea medication but it makes me sleepy and I don't want to have to depend on it everyday for the rest of my life. Can anyone give me any info that can help lessen or alleviate this issue? Thank you for your input.

I still swing by here but not very often. I'm sorry that I don't, because I loved posts of people who were more than 5 or 10 years post surgery. I'm going to try and come more often this next year.

Anyway, today 13 years ago I had the DS. My life was forever changed! I followed every rule to a T! I optimized my window and learned to live again. I lost 120+ pounds. I had more life changing plastic surgery 3 years out to have 20 pounds of skin removed. I eat pretty much like a normal human, focusing on protein first still, fat is my friend, and I have some treats sometimes too!! I had a little weight gain bounce back of about 8 pounds, but I've lost 5 of that. I try and weigh every other day or so to keep on track.

There are days I can't believe I have worn the same size for 10 plus years. I have to change my clothes out because styles change not because I can't wear it anymore. I'm at the point now that many people never know what I was before.

I am a nurse practitioner and have advocated for several of my patients that want to have surgery. There is no on in my state that does the DS, but I always tell them I traveled to have mine and it was so worth it.

If you have questions please feel free to ask!!

Jinjer

My hematologist recommended Ferrous Fumerate and it has worked wonders for me. I had iron infusions after my VSG and was able to maintain my Ferritin level with the fumerate. I again needed iron infusions in 2018 after I was sick for a month with a virus. I again have been able to maintain with the fumerate. My hgb & hct have always looked good but my ferritin was in the toilet.