Me!  Me!  Me!  I had the DS 1 year ago last April.  There aren't many of us here in SC that have had it so I mainly hang on the DS board.
As far as living and liking....heck--LOVING my DS.... each person must choose their own wls that works with their goals and lifestyle.  The DS fits mine perfectly!  My diet consists of high protein, moderate to high fat, and lower carbs.  This means I eat protein first (think steak, chicken, shrimp, nuts, eggs, etc --can be cooked in oil or butter), then veggies (fried, steamed, baked) and then carbs (a bite or two of bread, potatoes, etc) and, of course, a few bites of dessert!  I have a much larger stomach than a RNY.  If you were to go out to eat with me, you probably wouldn't be able to notice from how much I eat that I have had wls...I eat just like a normal thinner person.  I have a fully functioning stomach (but smaller) with no pouch, stoma, etc. so I do not have to deal with dumping.  I do malabsorb vitamins, as do all wls where there is malabsorption.  I just malabsorb different vitamins than RNY patients.  I take vitamins 4 times a day...takes about 5-10 seconds each time.  I never think twice about it, but you must be willing to do this if you are interested in ANY wls. 

I had the lapband (aka chokechain) a few years ago....that definitely was not for me.  Then I started pursuing wls again and found the DS.  It was the best thing I ever did for myself.  In one year I have lost from 360lbs to 224lbs and still losing.  I have gone from a size 30W to a 16W.  I am actually living life instead of watching it go by.  I have a great quality of life where I do not feel like I am on a diet... I spent 30 years of my life living on a "diet" and didn't want to live that way any more.  I love the type of food I eat.  As a general rule, I avoid low fat items because they have higher carb content that full fat items. 

The DS requires a very highly trained surgeon.  The two closest are Dr. Dennis Smith in Marietta, GA just outside of Atlanta and Dr. Voellinger in the Charlotte, NC area.  I chose Dr. Smith because of his performance records and the number of DS he has performed.  Would I do it again?---tomorrow if I needed to!!!!!

Please let me know what other questions I can answer for you.  Make sure you research all wls and find the right one for YOU.

Cyndi

I will have to see if I can get my mom to watch the kids but I will do my best!

Hi,
I normally go to the 6:30 p.m. meeting - but I need to skip this week - my friend is in a hospital so probably I will be there instead of in the meeting...
Maybe next week? as long as you can come to the 6:30 meeting..

I am thinking of going to it Tuesday at 1, is anyone else going? I would love to meet some of you OH folks!

I have decided I can't take this loose skin anymore. I live in Lexington. I just want anyones opinion on a good plastics dr. Also does Insurance cover any of it?