For me - there are worse things than dying. Experiencing nerve damage, and knowing that I could have prevented that - is my fear.

Chronically low B12 or B1 can cause nerve damage. Permanent nerve damage. Including the brain. nope.

No one can predict how your body will respond to the surgery. They can share their experiences, but cannot guarantee what your experince will be.

I have always considered the worst case scenario and then planned for how I would deal with it. If I can see myself managing that scenario, then I usually will go ahead with the action. If I do not experience the worst outcome, I consider that a bonus.

I have been on this site since 2003. At one time, there were a lot of people with DS. There were DS'ers who lived with chronic diarrhea. They made many, many bathroom trips a day and some wore diapers. Some people ate enormous quantities of food and had to purchase better toilets to handle their waste.

I remember people who had problems at work because they kept the office restrooms smelling so bad. Some had constant farting that they described as able to clear the room and strip off the wallpaper.

My sister is an attorney. She had someone who wanted to sue their surgeon because after weight loss surgery no one wanted to work in the same office with them and they were forced to work from home. I do not know which procedure that person had and my sister did not take their case. That person could not stop passing very smelly gas.

I also remember people becoming extremely ill because they would not take their supplements.

With DS, you have fat malabsorption for life. If you eat carbs, you will absorb the carbs.

With RNY you have calorie malabsorption for a few years, but it is mostly gone by the end of year three.

With both, you have vitamin malabsorption for life.

You are right to have concerns about your body after any weight loss surgery.

I had RNY in 2007. I no longer absorb oral iron and get infusions. I am always dealing with diarrhea or constipation issues. I almost never had any issues like that before surgery. RNY resulted in weight loss as well as health issues.

For me, the potential risks of DS would not be something I would risk with a 36.5 BMI. The DS at one time was only used for people with BMI over 50.

You already know that lapband did not work for you and a sleeve is basically a more convenient lapband. It gives you only restriction and every calorie you consume is absorbed. You control your weight by controlling your food intake.

RNY gave me malabsorption that made it easy to lose my weight. After RNY malabsorption ended, I control my weight with diet and exercise.

I have had times when I ate more than I burned and gained ten, twenty, and even thirty pounds over my goal weight. I was not doing anything like eating big meals, but was snacking and eating things with too much fat and sugar.

I have always gone back to counting calories or Weigh****cher points, exercising more, and getting the weight back off. For me, the surgery took it off and dieting keeps it off.

Please continue your research. I am 18 years following a full DS and I still experience significant malabsorption. Everyone is different so you're never going to hear two stories that are the same. If you do decide on the DS and do it in two parts, you can see if maybe the sleeve alone will work for you. Remember the sleeve is just another restrictive surgery.

There's a version of the DS called the SADI, which I think is what they call what you're describing - a longer common channel. Just remember that as malabsorption disappears, so does your ability to keep the weight off. At 18 years post-op I do not diet at all. I eat normally for someone who has a DS. Capacity-wise, I feel I have the capacity of a "normal" person - definitely not what I ate pre-op but more than post-op.

I eat a very high protein diet, eat full fat everything, drink lots of water, take all my vitamins, and watch my carbs. Carbs, for me, is where I lose and gain weight, period. Too many carbs, I gain weight (and deal with other DS-related issues - gas, bloating, loose stood, etc.), but I do love my sweets. However, if I don't eat enough carbs, I lose weight. Sometimes I simply don't want to lose weight - yes I can say that at this point in my life :) The main thing I've learned in almost 20 years is to listen to my body and eat appropriately for me.

I get labs done once a year. I take the full complement of vitamins and supplements to maintain "normal" ranges. I have a great primary doctor (after years of shopping around). I have osteoporosis so I'm currently being treated with Prolia. I've also battled iron deficiency anemia almost since the beginning. Again, working with my doctors, I'm able to maintain a normal iron/ferritin with diligence, regular testing, and periodic infusions.

Good luck with your research.

I am 24 years post op. My surgery was RNY on steroids, had multiple bowel resections and portion of colon removed. Pouch still works have 4-6 oz depending on density.

Just began tolerating regular mayo in last 2 years, i use it very skimpy....ie i spread it with back of spoon or butter knife. I can eat few greens, must maintain low carbs or cravings get horrific. eggs are half my protein for a day me and hubs eat 25 dz a month/ ave. 10 a day for both.No, we don't have cholesterol issues or high blood pressure.

. still can not eat chicken/tuna salad unless w/ low fat version, so must make those myself to make sure is usually tolerated- as opposed to lunch out.

.... my limit on seafood is 1.5 oz.... sits heavy for a long time..if i eat even a small bite over that.most other meats i tolerate well.

if portion size and leftovers a problem try child's portions.. when u go out to eat each get something different in childs portion and half each to share. or just order an appetizer.?

I have to be very careful of combo's /amounts, when i consume anything sweet. a 1/2 inch slice off a candy bar consumed at night.. followed w/ cup of coffee in am will give laxative effect.

I have zero tolerance for artificial sweeteners. +very low sugar tolerance.. a teaspoon of organic syrup on french toast is my limit... i load toast with 3 eggs, lactose free milk, cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice.. sprinkle of salt and tsp sugar..AND. use thin bread. oh the jelly packs they give in eaterys- i can use 1/2 pack, of strawberry...i give rest to DH he has no intolerance or wt issue.

i can eat no cereals- limited to2 oz oats, plain w/ 3 poached eggs...w/o sugar reaction/no bread. .....no dry cereals. no grits, or corn products , no lecithin, no whey,soy,or pea protein. i can eat white/jasmine rice.and we use it in many dishes. from plain-to stirfry, Mexican rice..gumbo, jambalaya.

i can eat kfc fried chicken if i skin it..and no other commercially prepared..

.. can sear in skillet w/ oil and steam meats.. or grill must still remove all visible fats or pouch tell m STOP, And NO you shouldn't have! My young pup has no problems helping with disposal., and no weight issues...

SAusage... oil in saucepan til done thru and through.. dip out of water and brown in dry.skillet for firm patty with little fat...