Forget set points and previous failures. The DS is strong enough to FIX you. The DS is a metabolic reset. You most likely have PCOS too and it usually resets that as well. You have to be very careful with birth control postop!

I wanted a 50cm CC. My surgeon wanted to do 100cm. So we played let's make a deal and settled on 75cm. Theoretically, that's short CC and I should have had deficiencies. But never a one. I do take good care of myself and take my supplements. If you can do this, you will be OK. Especially since you won't be able to find a surgeon willing to do less than a 100cm CC these days.

Compared to what is going on with you right now, the DS is easy. Since I have had the DS, I have thrown up once and that was hernia related, not DS related. Since I had the DS I rarely get colds and I have never had bronchitis or the flu. And I used to get all of these before surgery. I would guess the DS has improved my immune system. I am now 64 and healthy as a horse. I can go out and run 5 miles. I take no prescription meds at all. I regularly use a treadmill, a rowing machine and a vertical climber. I have no physical limitations.

I used to have skin tags from most likely PCOS that was never diagnosed. They all went away postop. I used to get heartburn and that went away too. I have probably taken 4 Tums in the last 15 years.

Diarrhea. I think almost everyone has some issues in the beginning. It takes time to figure out your new system. When I was brand new I probably took a couple packages worth of imodium. I had diarrhea and I treated it. For a while I carried the pills with me. I stopped that about 15 years ago. I usually poop once in the morning and maybe 30% of the time, again in the evening. And that's it. Since my DS, I have ridden a horse across Mexico, gone on rappelling trips, climbed mountains, went diving in Tahiti, and all sorts of other things. If I had chronic diarrhea there is no way I could have survived.

Let me tell you what will be different. You will have stinky poop. It will smell much worse than it does today. You will poop more(volume) than you do today. And it will not smell like roses. Bad farts too! But over time you will learn to eat properly and avoid foods that give you gas.

I still do low carb because I can gain weight. I still drink coffee and have diet soda every day. I am pretty strict on carbs. Holidays and out of town vacations are my cheat days. I can eat anything I want. 4th of July I had chilidogs, potato salad, muffins, chocolate, and ice cream. And it's less than 2 months to Labor Day now. Another cheat day on the horizon.

The DS is not set it and forget it. You have to be willing to learn about the surgery and educate your medical professionals. You must be capable of being assertive and being your own advocate. You must be able to question your doctors, etc, and stand up for yourself. You have to be willing to take the supplements and eat a high protein diet. You need to be willing to avoid sugar and carbs. If you can do those things, the DS will fix you.

I read your office story while lurking and it doesn't surprise me. I've been in a wls group since 2002 and the couple of DSers are still holding on to their weight loss.

The scary stuff I'm referring to are the deficiencies people can't seem to reverse. Stomach issues. Chronic diarrhea. The stuff surgeons throw at you! I'm definitely leaning towards the DS, I'm just scared. I have only been a diabetic for 4 years, but it's gotten worse with every pound I've gained as I approach what is possibly looking like early menopause. I started insulin injections 3 times a day a couple weeks ago and it's still not great....this is not the life I want. I've been on blood pressure meds since I was 19, my body hasn't worked right for a long time.

What is your take on weight set point with the DS? Any thoughts on this?

appreciate your detailed reply!!

Jen

I did extensive surgery and have worked in health care for 37 years. I do not need you to tell me what I did and did not do. I am entitled to my opinion and this is a screwed up procedure. Do not message me back I am not interested in debating with you. Good luck

I gave you the stats that fewer than 2% have your outcome. I am sorry you didn't do well. We weren't healthy when we came to DS. I was very fat, very sick and if I hadn't taken the risk, I'd be dead.

1. I have had anemia needing iron transfusions. I attribute it to the wrong iron (I needed heme iron) and not taking it with vitamin C. Now, it's 2 years without needing iron infusions, so for me, it was doing the wrong thing. I could have done better if I had asked enough questions. So it's a matter of education, using the right iron in the right dose, with vitamin C with every dose, without dairy food.
2. by definition we have short gut syndrome. Most of our small intestine is bypassed. Don't mess around with the DS. It isn't for people who want to just cut and go, and don't want to work at it. You have to drink fluids, eat protein, and think about it a lot. Fact.
3. People who who are morbidly obese die early. I was terrified when I weighed 300 pounds and had diabetes. That's why I had Bariatric Surgery. No guarantee I would survive after surgery, but I had NO chance as super morbidly obese with diabetes and hypertension at age 55 who couldn't exercise. Sure, I might have died after DS, but I knew I was going to die early as a morbidly obese woman with hypertension and diabetes. I took the risk and it worked out for me. I knew I had a risk of not doing well, but I knew I was going to die without taking the risk..
4. I don't know what you mean by archaic. The good surgeons evolve in their technique, but there are many patients who have done very well, including me. Patient selection is critical. Some patients should not get the DS if they aren't smart enough or compliant enough with aftercare. If you aren't going to work at it, stay away. I see my surgeon once a year and get blood tests twice a year. I work at it every day. I read studies all the time, I have a great bariatric nutritionist, and I ask a lot of questions. my surgeon says he wants an I Q test for patients, because DS is NOT for everyone.
5. there are terrible surgeons, as you know as a nurse. Picking the right surgeon is the key to long term outcome. Please tell us who your surgeon was. He either had a very bad day, or he just shouldn't be doing D S.
6. You are not the only one who hasn't had a perfect outcome. The stats are in support of taking the risk, in my view, but some people do not well despite picking a great surgeon. Good of you to point that out. But being morbidly obese is not a formula for a long life of disability-free years. Not a great choice, but the only one I had.

Going without surgery or having surgery is a tough choice. Too bad we weren't naturally thin. If DS want available, I would have had a different procedure. But without DS I would either be fat again, or on insulin for my diabetes, or dead. No good choices, but being morbidly obese was a greater risk.

I am a lifelong healthcare professional. I went into the operating room hoping I would come out ok. I did and I am so sorry for you. I could have easily had your outcome.

I see new people who have to make this choice. Good for you to say it isn't 100% perfect, but good for them to know what risks to take. Be well. Thank you for contributing your experience.

Hi everyone! I've been lurking around for a while and greatly appreciate all the information from everyone!

I had the lap band in 2002 and removed in 2009, so I've been around the world of WLS for many years. I'm finally taking the plunge for another surgery and I am in the early stages now of trying to decide what's right for me and scheduling consults. I have ruled out 1. RnY 2. Sleeve. So that leaves me with DS...or SIPS. I searched and can see that SIPS isn't widely accepted around these parts or there aren't very many recent posts that I can find.

When I first discovered SIPS I was sold and felt deep down it was the surgery for me. It had all the things I wanted my WLS to be: Sleeve stomach, better weight loss than RnY, not as drastic as DS, pyloric valve intact, less invasive surgery, lower risk of deficiencies and GI issues. But then I felt like if I'm going that far why not go all the way to DS and be sure I've done EVERYTHING possible to get healthy?

Then I came here and read many many posts and I'm scared of DS again. I'm really concerned with the long (LONG) term consequences of this surgery and seeing a lot of posts from people 10-18 years out having brand new issues, which is what the first surgeon I spoke to told me would happen. He was 100% adamant that I would regret the DS (not right away, but 8-20 years down the road) and it's not a popular surgery for a reason and no way, don't do it. He does not perform DS, so I'm waiting to meet with 3 surgeons who do, but meanwhile....can you guys answer some questions?

1. How far out are you and what issues have you faced?

2. How did you get over the scary stuff and decide to go for the DS?

3. What's your take on SIPS - not comparing to DS, but comparing to RnY?

4. Who and where was your surgeon?

I'm 44, 52 BMI, Type II diabetic, Sleep apnea, hypertension, and high cholesterol. I've got it all. I also have IBS, history of anemia and Vit. D deficiency and supposedly GERD, but don't have typical reflux symptoms, just vocal/mucous issues. This makes choosing DS difficult because I don't want to end up even more unhealthy than I already am.

I appreciate any feedback you can provide!
Jen