when you have ds..........

Hey my fiance is having the DS next week Thurs. and I didnt make it to a few of his appt, but he seems to think he can eat and drink at the same time. Is this true? If so I am soooo mad that I didnt have the DS cause I miss drinking and eating at the same time. Please let me know thanks!

 

Jamie

From my pre-op research, I remember that they CAN eat and drink at the same time. 

by eating adn drinking at the same time it will wash the food out faster adn they will be able to eat more adn absorb less BUT yes they can eat and without the same issue a rny patient has because they have a full functioning stomach just smaller than before.

Most definitely we can eat and drink at the same time. It has no influence on the speed with which food leaves our stomach, as we have a fully functional pyloric sphincter. He has lots of other advantages because of the DS, but I'll let him tell you. Or, come on over to the DS forum, and we'll tell all.
SherryB

It's true.  I'm fighting my insurance co right now for the DS - first time in my life anyone every told me I wasn't fat enough!!!  I wanted a band originally, then the RNY, & when I heard about the DS, that's what I decided on.  I think it's really unfortunate that everyone doesn't know all the options so that everyone can make a decision with all availble info, no matter what they go with.

hi all...well I have been researching WLS for a long time now trying to make up my mind of its right for me....and realized I didn't want the band (I have about 130-150 to lose depending on how I feel etc.) but I just thought the DS was one many surgeons didn't like to preform anymore...in a seminar I attened, the doctor actually was pushing the LAP over RNY and just skimmed over any of the others.....and I thought...Hmmmmm is this purely becasue he doesn't like doing them, or they are outdated or perhaps the companies that make the LAPBANDS are pushing his group to do more...kinda like how some meds are suggested more by your PCP because the med. reps sell them more to them?  And I am feeling overwhelmed in the first place by trying to decide if I am strong enough (mentally mostly) to handle all the problems that could come up after WLS....I envy some people who can make up their minds so easily....but I really DO want to explore all options--even though more choices may confust me even moreso! :)

PK in Maryland

Most surgeons don't do the DS because they aren't properly rained to do it. It takes longer to learn and longer to perform, and most surgeons aren't willing to invest the time, effort, and money to learn it.

Surgeons who do not perform the DS will often speak negatively about it since they don't do it and don't want you to go to another surgeon.

If you're in MD, Dr .Schweitzer at Johns Hopkins is the man to see. But you have to be 110% committed to getting a DS before your consultation with him or it ain't gonna happen. Because the DS requires more strict supplementation post-op and has very different issues from the RNY or band, they do not offer, suggest, or recommend the DS to anyone--you have to go in and ask for it yourself. This is how they ensure their DS patients are more likely to be well-educated about the procedure, more likely to be compliant after surgery, and are more aware of the possible complications and how to handle them. And this is how Dr. Schweitzer has never lost a DS patient in his 8-9 years of performing the procedure.

Hi Jill--ironically I have been looking seriously into Dr. Schweitzer....I wasn't too thrilled about the drive...its  about an hour (was worried if I needed to get to the hospital and to him fast!)and Shady Grove was 15 minutes. & much closer...but not to keen on what I've read about the other doctor(Long) that my first doctor 'suggested' I try that my insurance will cover.  I liked the thought of Johns Hopkins as I know its one of the best hospitals in the nation and Dr. Schweitzer is one of the first Doctors  doing WLS.  I do notice that whatever type of WLS You have...people are passionate about their type and think its the best :) which is only natural....but a friend of mine really hates the dumping...her worst feeling..and frankly its not appealing to me either....but I will take up your advice and really look closer into ALL options including DS AND go to the boards with quesitons.--I just remember sitting in that one seminar--it was my first--and thinking...Hmmmm this particular Doc just totally passed over talking about DS or anything but Lapband and a little RNY and as good as he is supposed to be (his patients rave about him and his staff and a good staff is going to be cruial to me as well as a skilled doctor)  a co-worker of mine had his RNY 3 weeks ago...although he is doing very well and was out of the hospital the next day and back to work in two weeks to the day, no problems or pain at all so far....the one thing that bothered me...was that an hour out of his surgery, this doctor actually came into his room and tried to talk him out of RNY and to do a Lap??!!!!!!  Now that would have upset me greatly....you research and finally get ready mentally and physically for the big day and your surgeon tries to talk you out of what you've chosen....perhaps knowing how vulnerable you are at that moment.....that alone made me start to be a bit glad that he didn't work out for me :)

But I'm also aware that even though your doctor hopefully wants you to become healthy and wants the best for you...its a business as is any other....and I will check out the other options.  I've ruled out Lap for sure for me....but now onto some more research!  thank you...

And Jamie....what made your new hubby chose DS when he saw you go through RNY?  Just curious...best of luck to him...and to you too!

Paula

I would be doing the happy dance if Dr. Schweitzer was only an hour away from me! I live south of DC, so the distance isn't horrible, but, as you can imagine, I get the lucky advantage of both DC AND Baltimore traffic  It took me just over 2 hours to get to my initial consultation appointment with him.

Unfortunately, there are very few real DS surgeons in the US. Some people have to travel hundreds of miles for their DS, but the surgeons know this and are generally VERY willing to work with long-distance patients by keeping in close contact with them and their PCPs. Most also have an emergency number should you find yourself in an ER somewhere and need someone to contact your surgeon.

Thanks Jill Good info to have...and I guess our traffic with MD/VA/DC all one big area is what, now third worst in the nation behind LA and NYC? It can sometimes take me 45 min. just to get to work 5 miles away some realllllllly bad rushhours lol But its sounds to me that Dr. Schweitzer is worth  the drive down the road to Baltimore & I'm even closer so I shouldn't be complaining right? ...and  he is somewhat of a pioneer in all of the WLS's so its a good starting point!