DS Horror Stories

There are horror stories out there if you dig deep enough. The DS is a not only a major surgical procedure, with all the risks associated, its a major physiological change for your body and no two bodies are going to react exactly the same way.

I really suggest you read the worst of the worst horror stories you can find and then ask yourself if its worth the risk.

There is a 95% chance you will never have any horrorshow type side effects, lets be clear about that, but you have to mentally prepare yourself for anything.

Personally I was perfectly willing to throw up blood and crap glass every day for the rest of my life if it meant I wouldn't have to spend the rest of my life weighing 430 lbs.

I have a very honest no bull**** view of how bad my life had become at 430+lbs and was willing to accept any risk to change that.

Steve

The horror stories I've read have been mostly due to non compliance with supplements.  This is not a light surgery - you've got to commit to the long term needs or you can be in serious trouble. I know of one who was almost in a wheelchair due to lack of vitamins but once she got help and serious about doing the right things, is back in good health. There is a gentleman who lost his legs.  Yep.  Lack of supplementation and he has been quite open about that fact. If you are going to make this decision, you've got to be ready to take it ALL on.  For LIFE. I'm almost 3 years out and would do it again tomorrow. Sharon

Pretty much ditto what everyone else said. Most horror stories are brought on by the individual themselves...once post-op. We all know what is possible during and shortly after surgery. I have a slight story. Do I call it horror NO. Is it actually because of my DS arrangements...No. I had a twist in my bypassed intistine. Only real thing we figured that caused it, actual cause is unknown, was the drastic loss of fat in my abdominal area, as I had very very little scar tissue and absolutly was not a stricture. And basically my intestines freaked because they never "felt" or touched anything other than that fat that was once there. But the reason it nearly killed me was because I waited through 6.5 hours of pain before going to the ER and by that time I had pancreantitis(sorry if my spelling is off, doing to much to run checks right now) SEVERLY. Normal levels are near 100 my levels were off the charts at over 10,000. One doctor quite honestly goes, how are you alive. Well I had to have roughly 2 feet of intestines removed because they died from being twisted. I was hospitalized for over 2 weeks and wasn't allowed to eat for 2 weeks. And I was a year post-op at the time. It was a little over a week before they put me on TPN. My pancreas had to calm before I was allowed even TPN for nutrients. And I wasn't allowed to eat food till 3 days before I was released home. Recovery was rough as I was really weak, my body ate at my muscle and eating felt like a newly post-op. But I survived and im healthy as can be, of course I was before that happened too. So you can have things happen that are not related to the DS itsself but from the weightloss.

I am sorry I had the surgery.I had previously had a gastric sleeve done but I lost some weight. When my mother was diagnosed with cancer I became her caregiver and focused on my mother. So after my mother died I wanted to focus on my weight again. NALC insurance rules prohibited me from seeking help. So I changed to Blue Cross Blue Shield they said no also even though the bariatric physician recommended my surgery. They said she did not follow the recommend protocol. Even though I explained I had to care for my mother Blue Cross said no. I heard some nurses had surgery in Tiajuanna, Mexico and they were doing well.As a last stitch effort I ask Bariatric surgeon here how much cash. I remember the person just blurting out a fee but it left me with more questions. Long story made short I went to Tiajuanna , Mexico and I have felt sick ever since. I am low key nauseated many days. I have to take pesto bismol or aluminum hydroxide gel to coat my stomach. I had my surgery 10/21/20 after I got home from Mexico I have been having diahrrea ever since. I no longer like foods I used to like. My sweet and salt taste buds are okay. I can barely eat. If I had the chance to live my life again at least for me I would not have raw Duodenal switch. I had no idea after the surgery I would have to wear a poise pad to catch the unabsorbed orange oil that come out in toilet and clothes. Everytime I eat or drink anything it travel thru my body so fast I need to be near a restroom.i looked in the mirror the other day. Skin 9n my arms are droopy, my face amazingly looks like the younger version of me when I was younger. But I feel just horrible. I dont think I will survive very long. I have been referred to a specialist. If the Lord is willing he can help me out of the mess I got myself into. I blame myself!

How are you doing now?

Thank you all so much for your replies. I am definitely serious about doing my research for this surgery, and I am really grateful for all of your honest, heartfelt responses to my questions. This helps me a lot in gauging the risks vs. the benefits of the DS.  Cheers!