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Jewels
The DS saved my life in two ways. First, from all the obvious co morbities that come from obesity. Second, just 5 months after my surgery, due to rigorous post OP labs I was dxd VERY early with Acute Myloid Leukemia AML.
This early diagnosis and the grace of almighty God, certainly saved my life. That was over six years. Before I had the DS I was looking for a removal of a lap band and I was headed to a bypass. I had dozens of friends and co workers who'd had the bypass and regained.
I researched a ton and actually self paid because I was so convinced the DS was the very best option. I've maintained my 120 lb lost with little to no attention to carbs but I am ubber vigilant about my vitamins and protein.
I had my ds and lap band removal with a hyetal hernia repair in one procedure. I recovered very fast with no complications.
Best wishes with your decision.
Blessings
Julie
Who was your surgeon (the name doesn't happen to start with "H" does it)?
The DS is a complex surgery, and as a result it tends to attract the best and most attentive surgeons, but there were a few surgeons back then (my wife had her DS in 2005 also) who got in over their heads, or thought that they had a "better idea" (like 20cm common channels, etc.) with the expected results, similar to what you have experienced. Such problems are very rare amongst patients whose surgeons stuck to the established standards of care for the DS and who are compliant with their supplements and lab follow ups. In addition to the folks here on this forum who have done well over the years, we have a dinner support group with a bunch of vets, mostly in the 10-20 year range, who likewise are doing well with only minor glitches along the way, many of which are indistinguishable from ordinary aging.
The DS is serious medicine, and should be taken seriously by all involved - patients and doctors alike. I went with the VSG instead as I didn't need that strong of a tool, but that does preserve that option for the future. For those who do need the stronger medicine, nothing else comes close in its effectiveness - neither the RNY nor the VSG.
1st support group/seminar - 8/03 (has it been that long?)
Wife's DS - 5/05 w Dr. Robert Rabkin VSG on 5/9/11 by Dr. John Rabkin
Please seek out a few opinions before having the DS. I have had serious consequences. I am a RN. I should have known better. I have very serious issues some years later as a result.
I would not advise the DS
Actually, I did a ton of research. I got all my vitamin levels up prior to surgery, which was recommended to me. I have lost no noticeable hair at all, my blood work is seller, my A1C is perfect, and I can maintain with little to no thought. Yes, I gained back 10 pounds from my lowest but I'm still 25 pounds lower than my wish goal. I eat protein first and get 100 grams or more in daily. I watch my carbs and could careless about fat.
This surgery is the Gold Standard and it's the number 1 most successful WLS world wide. The bottom switch portion of the surgery is used in Europe to treat and cure diabetes. This surgery is safer than the RNY and the gastric band. Maybe you didn't do your research on your surgeon, I did.
HW: 398.8 SW:356 GW: 175 CW:147
Which state? No state has banned duodenal switch surgery, which as you know as a nurse is true, because states don't ban specific surgeries. I am sorry for your experience, but every patient facing surgery has to assess risks and benefits. Picking the right surgeon and being a 100% compliant patient with aftercare are important parts of the risk-benefit decision. Speaking of research, this is a report on the 15 year experience of Marceau and colleagues reported in the journal Obesity Surgery: "95% of patients were satisfied with the overall results. Operative mortality was 1% which is comparable with gastric bypass surgery. The need for revision for malnutrition was rare (0.7%) and total reversal was exceptional (0.2%). Failure to lose >25% of initial excess weight was 1.3%. Revision for failure to lose sufficient weight was needed in only 1.5%. Severe anemia, deficiency in vitamins or bone damage were exceptional, easily treatable, preventable and no permanent damage was documented." For me, the long term benefits of gastric sleeve weren't sufficient, because I wanted to reverse my diabetes, and to not end up fat in 10 years, as my niece who chose the sleeve and has regained all her weight and then some. I am sorry for your experience, but it is unusual.
Which state is that? Also can you provide any credible links to back up your random claims?
on 7/9/19 2:52 pm
Please seek out a few opinions before having the DS. I have had serious consequences. I am a RN. I should have known better. I have very serious issues some years later as a result.
I would not advise the DS
on 7/9/19 2:50 pm
liz you are not informed. Do the research. The gastric sleeve is the gold standard. My surgeons I work with look at me inhorror when I tell them I survived this nightmare. It is not gold standard.
You are grossly misinformed I am a nurse and I have sent 6 bodies to the morgue in the last 15 years post this surgery. They have banned it in my state!!!
on 7/9/19 2:48 pm
malnutrition, short gut syndrome, iron deficiency anemia regarding severe anemia done intravenously every month, lost all my hair, osteopenia and gastroparesis. Need I go on. There are other safer procedures. This is not the gold standard. They have ceased to do it in my region.
Do not do this surgery. I had it done in 2005. My life has been miserable since then with complications and issues. THe DS is too drastic. Please consider maybe the sleeve gastrectomy.
I went through TPN, severe malnutrition, have almost died on several occasions, lost my job due to illness and finally had it revised. I have severe gastroparesis now. Please do not do the DS
The people with great success far out number the ones that have had complications. This is still the Gold standard of WLS all over the world.
HW: 398.8 SW:356 GW: 175 CW:147
Why? What are your issues? Are you following your doctors vitamin and food suggestions? If so, thats probably a big part of the problem. Doctors, nurses, and nutritionists seriously have zero clue how to live with DS.
