Question for old school DSers (5+ years out)

I believe staying fat would have done me a whole lot more damage than having the DS.

I eat high protein and take my vites like I should and I have no problems.  It's been easier than staying heavy too.  So far so good.  I do change my supplements as necessary to keep from becoming deficient.  What works today will always have to be changed down the road.

There are quite a few DSer who have had healthy, happy babies.  If you take care of yourself, there's nothing you can't do.

Thanks for the response, Patty.  You should post some pics on your profile :-)

Funny you should mention her pics, she just posted some of a grand ol time she had in Vegas and you know what they say  about Vegas, but she did post a few, and she is lookin great!

I'm only 26 (and I'm seeing Dr. Sweitzer, too!). I am chosing the DS in part because I am so young. I don't want to have to count calories, limit fat, fear dumping, etc., for the rest of my life. I also don't want to have to be as concerned about regain as Iw ould be with other procedures. I believe as long as I am proactive about my supplements and labs, the DS is the best way for me to have a long and healthy life!

BTW, where in VA are you? We have meetups about monthly for the MADS (Mid-Atlantic DSers) with another coming up in early February. If you're not too far, you should try to make it. We have DSers from DC, MD, VA, and DE (plus whoever else might be around--we've had a couple CA visitors!).

Hey Jilly,

Im literally right up the road from you in Montclair.  I sent you a friend request this weekend when I saw you were so close and also going to Dr S, but I dont think it went through (or maybe you just dont wanna be my friend, lol).

Shani told me about the next meeting in Feb, and if I am in town, I will definitely be there.  Would love to talk to you about your experience with Dr. S.  Sending you my info on the backline...

It's really about staying in the proactive stance.  We don't sit around waiting to feel badly before we react.  Instead, we're checking our nutrient levels regularly, and tweaking our regimen accordingly.  This is something you need to be committed to with DS as well as RNY. 

See the other thread on what happens at Schweitzer's initial consult--if you do choose DS, be prepared to explain why you want it over the RnY.

Just my humble opinion and not exactly what you asked about, but me throwing in a two cents since you're still in the consideration stage:  I'd say consider your diet personality and your personal goals when deciding which surgery you really want. 

Some RnYers really want to limit the amount of food they eat, and watch what they eat, and having dumping from sweets so that they will be "forced" not to eat them.  They and some doctors really stress that people need to change their eating habits vs. only losing weight, and the RnY is the tool to help them do that.

On the DS side, almost everyone clearly understands that we will have to eat differently, esp. if we start out as carb-aholics.  Most people on the DS side do NOT want to diet, count calories, not drink and eat at the same time, and get sick if they eat carbs.  They/we want normally-functioning stomachs and the best statistical chance to keep the weight off in the long run.  They don't want a "tool" that they're likely to eat around.

There are lots of ways to think of the surgeries, but I think everyone should pick the one that is the best fit for them.

Let us know how the Schweitzer consult goes.  I'm going to see him in the spring.