I was weighed at my dr's office. I'm a 5'5" female. Now 326 lbs. (a few years after the...

One day at a time!  Be gentle with yourself.  You will be fine!

Good for you!!!!!  

Quote from AMSBS clinical guidelines, 2013 update: "Physicians should exercise caution when recommending BPD, BPD-DS, or related procedures because of the greater associated nutritional risks related to the increased length of bypassed small intestine."    

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JAMA Surgery Releases for September 17, 2012  Study Compares Duodenal Switch vs. Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity   "Although researchers note a relative increase in the use of the DS, this procedure is still used much less in theUnited States compared with gastric bypass. The researchers suggest that is likely due to several factors, including the technical difficulty of the procedure, the higher reported rates of short-term complications and concerns about the longer-term nutritional consequences of a primarily malabsorptive procedure (where absorption of calories and nutrients is reduced)."  

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Duodenal Switch vs. Gastric Bypass There are higher complications with the duodenal switch as opposed to a gastric bypass or a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or a lap band.  There is a higher risk of leak and a higher mortality with the duodenal switch versus the gastric bypass. Also, there are many more nutritional and vitamin deficiencies with the duodenal switch. Duodenal switch patients have a higher incidence of diarrhea after the procedure, as well.    David Buchin, MD Long Island Bariatric Surgeon    

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Pretty reputable sources that have nothing to do with selling anything, and useful information to take into consideration.

AnneGG:  Stop being an alarmist.  You have populated this thread with copious amounts of misinformation about the DS being a bad weight loss surgery.  Stop.  Quoting studies does not make your misinformation correct.  The DS is NOT done by ONLY 50 surgeons, as you previously stated.  I don't know where you are pulling your information from, but it's all wrong or dangerous.  You quote studies that are based upon the antiquated BPD surgery, NOT the Duodenal Switch.  You also confuse the SADI loop surgery with the Duodenal Switch.  That leads me to believe you have absolutely no desire to "educate", but only to scare people away from a surgery you did not have.  You cannot speak to living the DS life, so don't talk about something you have NO experience with.  Stick to the surgery type you had.

I am not a doctor, nor have I ever given any impression that I am.  I DO know the DS lifestyle and I do NOT experience any of the alarming issues you threaten happening. 

I weighed over 250 pounds at my highest weight, which makes me a "lightweight" in the DS world.  I did have Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and the beginning of heart problems, along with lack of mobility, arthritis, depression, and hip problems.  I could not walk more than 20 feet without stopping to pant.  I could only do 6 steps at a time.  My weight at surgery was 219.  I now hover comfortably around 115-121 with no effort whatsoever.  I eat a diet that people around me envy.  I eat high fat, high protein with an eye towards low carb.  I do not count calories.  I eat cake when I want it.  I do have a somewhat smaller sleeve, a trademark of my particular surgeon.  He does that so re-sleeving in the future is not necessary.  My restriction (the sleeve) is still very tight over 4 years out.  My malabsorption (the "switch" part) is what keeps my weight off.  I suffer no intestinal issues that you hear horror stories about.  No running to the bathroom, no paint peeling, room clearing farts.  No diarrhea.  Quite the contrary, I am now constipated, probably because I get in all my calcium every single day without fail.  I've never missed a vitamin. 

I love my Duodenal Switch.  It saved my life.  It's not just for SMO people who weigh over 600 pounds.  There are many, many more of us out here.  We just don't post alot because WE ARE BUSY LIVING OUR LIVES.

I'm glad for you that your DS saved your life.

The sources I quote from are both reputable and current as well as professional, as is my consultation with several Bariatric surgeons, especially the two I work with directly.

Again, I am only interested in a full presentation of the costs and benefits as well as risk factors of all of the weight loss surgeries, not one in particular. Fully informed consent is essential in choosing something as major as WLS.

I am deeply concerned that only the benefits of the DS are spoken about here, without acknowledgement of the disadvantages and risk factors, which are the most substantial of all the weight loss surgeries. Informed consent needs access to, and to take into consideration, all the different aspects.

But my main concern is amateur strangers over the internet making recommendations for extensive, major, permanent surgery for someone they don't know.

I personally would never consider such advice. It is my one and only body, and it is my responsibility to make sure it gets the best professional care possible.

I am not an expert or licensed Bariatric professional, but I can and will point people in that direction.

Well, there's certainly a wealth of information here. I'm feeling all I can do successfully is take it one meal at a time while I look at the bigger picture. This morning I had high protein, low carb oatmeal and feel comfortably full. Saturday I start weaning off the steroid prednisone, so that should help with the hunger pangs and weight gain. I just feel discouraged about how much I have to lose. I don't necessarily want to go through another surgery. I'd rather try getting my eating under control. Like I said, while learning, researching and contemplating, I will take it one meal at a time. 

Things do get heated around here- sorry for taking over your thread. Your email inbox must be positively stuffed and overflowing! As you say, a wealth of information, and you walked into a debate that has more to do with opinions than it has with you. We do need our soapboxes, and you provided a good one. And they are all only opinions by nonprofessional strangers.

It sounds as though the discussion has made you thoughtful, which is a very good thing. There is no one or right answer, no one surgery that is the right one.

I'm glad you are going to focus on one meal at a time- sure sounds like a good plan. That's what I have to do to manage myself- one day, sometimes one minute at a time. Try not to focus on the big picture, because as you say, that is overwhelming. Just one step at a time.

One of my favorite quotes: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Just keep focusing on those steps, keep slogging on through, as you are doing, starting now. Now, the present, is all any of us have.

I'll be thinking of you! Here is a good place to come for encouragement and that kind of support. 

Hamptons, it appears that my response was deleted from this thread.    Good luck with your research.   I had the DS 7.5 years ago, and I have maintained a 146 pound weight loss since then.    There are many, many studies posted on this thread.  Please read them carefully.    There are also many other forums and websites out there in cyber land.   I wish you the best result for your situation.

Just out of curiosity, have you ever read the revisions board or wls regrets?  Have you read how many DS stories are out there?

Perhaps you should.

Ok, I have had about enough of that line, "?...only the benefits of the DS are spoken about here, without acknowledgement of the disadvantages and risk factors, which are the most substantial of all the weight loss surgeries."  That is not true at all.  These pages are full of admonitions and warnings about compliance to the post DS needs.  To say that folks here only tout the benefits is a misrepresentation of fact.  When someone does that over and over it causes me to question their underlying motives.  You have stated your opinion now move on and let those who are interested do the research that they must to make an informed decision.