Okay, COUNT ME IN! I want a DS. Now, let's see if I can get one!
OY! Where did this come from? (All you lovely pay-it-forwarders, maybe?) I met with the doctor in January and we agreed the RNY was best for me. I have no comorbiditites, a 46 BMI and a vegetarian. (I eat eggs, dairy and tuna a couple of times a week.) I have read everything I can get my hands on and was pretty solid in my decision. I was supposed to get rearranged in early May, but it got pushed to September or later. I am one of those annoying pre-ops *****ads it all and is happy to give advice. I have always told people to research all 4 types and that the DS is absolutely the best in certain situations, just not for me. <br />
<br />
WELL... I have dreamed twice now about my pyloric valve and asking the doctor to leave it in. I taught alcohol awareness for years and truly understand the importance of the pyloric valve. I have been thinking a lot about the anatomical parts of that education lately. The more I thought about it, the more the sleeve overwhelmingly makes more sense than a pouch. The man-made stoma scares me. The valve is there. It works. Why not use it? <br />
<br />
So, last night I couldn't sleep and just decided that this is something I needed to look into further. I eat pretty damn healthy. My metabolism is broken. The DS would be the best surgery to fix that. Things don't work the same way here as they do in the US. You can't choose your surgeon. You go to the obesity center at a major hospital, speak with the doctor that does testing and then it goes before an approval board. I have been approved for the RNY. Now I am on a waiting list. I don't know what it's going to take to get approved for a DS or if it's even possible. I emailed my doctor last night to ask if I could talk about changing the procedure. They have weird rules. I also don't know how many they have done here or how good they are at it. Would this freak you out and make you run for the hills? There isn't another option. These are the surgeons and I don't get to choose. They will, however, put you with the surgeon who is best at the procedure you choose.<br />
<br />
I just assumed I couldn't do this without eating meat. Now I read that I can. I LIKE my pyloric valve! I am so confused, mostly by my own very fast change of heart. I guess now all I can do is wait for the doc's reply. <br />
<br />
Thanks for letting me spill my guts! Any tips, advice or warnings?
<br />
WELL... I have dreamed twice now about my pyloric valve and asking the doctor to leave it in. I taught alcohol awareness for years and truly understand the importance of the pyloric valve. I have been thinking a lot about the anatomical parts of that education lately. The more I thought about it, the more the sleeve overwhelmingly makes more sense than a pouch. The man-made stoma scares me. The valve is there. It works. Why not use it? <br />
<br />
So, last night I couldn't sleep and just decided that this is something I needed to look into further. I eat pretty damn healthy. My metabolism is broken. The DS would be the best surgery to fix that. Things don't work the same way here as they do in the US. You can't choose your surgeon. You go to the obesity center at a major hospital, speak with the doctor that does testing and then it goes before an approval board. I have been approved for the RNY. Now I am on a waiting list. I don't know what it's going to take to get approved for a DS or if it's even possible. I emailed my doctor last night to ask if I could talk about changing the procedure. They have weird rules. I also don't know how many they have done here or how good they are at it. Would this freak you out and make you run for the hills? There isn't another option. These are the surgeons and I don't get to choose. They will, however, put you with the surgeon who is best at the procedure you choose.<br />
<br />
I just assumed I couldn't do this without eating meat. Now I read that I can. I LIKE my pyloric valve! I am so confused, mostly by my own very fast change of heart. I guess now all I can do is wait for the doc's reply. <br />
<br />
Thanks for letting me spill my guts! Any tips, advice or warnings?
Pink!
HURRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
My biggest piece of advice: GET THE RIGHT SURGEON. There are almost no DS surgeons in Sweden. Also be prepared, from what I've read on the duodenalswitch.com site, for the aftercare to be absolutely horrible. So you will have to educate and care for yourself. That can be done.
Absolutely you can do this without eating meat, as long as you are able to consume eggs and fish. Remember, you might become dairy/lactose intolerant for any length of time, from short term to forever, after the DS. So if all you ate in animal products was dairy, it would be risky and I'd be warning you away.
You will almost assuredly have to use protein supplements for quite some time, possibly forever. You might well have to expand your fish consumption. 100 grams of protein from food is 14-15 eggs, so you see how that might be a bit problematic :-). It's about a pound of cheese or fish. So you might do, in a day, 3 eggs, 12 oz of Greek yogurt (in more than one serving of course), 8 oz. of kefir, 3-4 oz. of cheese (I do this almost every day, chunked up for snacking/nibbling--actually, I often eat more cheese than this), 4 oz. of fish and maybe nibble on soy nuts along the way for good measure.
Notice this requires you to graze pretty much all day long, not do the "three meals and no snacks" thing that many RNY educators insist is the only way to eat.
My biggest piece of advice: GET THE RIGHT SURGEON. There are almost no DS surgeons in Sweden. Also be prepared, from what I've read on the duodenalswitch.com site, for the aftercare to be absolutely horrible. So you will have to educate and care for yourself. That can be done.
Absolutely you can do this without eating meat, as long as you are able to consume eggs and fish. Remember, you might become dairy/lactose intolerant for any length of time, from short term to forever, after the DS. So if all you ate in animal products was dairy, it would be risky and I'd be warning you away.
You will almost assuredly have to use protein supplements for quite some time, possibly forever. You might well have to expand your fish consumption. 100 grams of protein from food is 14-15 eggs, so you see how that might be a bit problematic :-). It's about a pound of cheese or fish. So you might do, in a day, 3 eggs, 12 oz of Greek yogurt (in more than one serving of course), 8 oz. of kefir, 3-4 oz. of cheese (I do this almost every day, chunked up for snacking/nibbling--actually, I often eat more cheese than this), 4 oz. of fish and maybe nibble on soy nuts along the way for good measure.
Notice this requires you to graze pretty much all day long, not do the "three meals and no snacks" thing that many RNY educators insist is the only way to eat.
Amber, I've really enjoyed your rational and thoughtful posts on the main board, and I'm so pleased to see you poking around over here. I agree with what Elizabeth says. Even if it means delaying your surgery for a bit, the DS is well worth the preliminary sacrifices, as the net result will be much more effective. Congratulations and welcome!
Julie R - Ludington, Michigan
Duodenal Switch 08/09/06 - Dr. Paul Kemmeter, Grand Rapids, Michigan
HW: 282 - 5'4"
SW: 268
GW: 135
CW: 125
Duodenal Switch 08/09/06 - Dr. Paul Kemmeter, Grand Rapids, Michigan
HW: 282 - 5'4"
SW: 268
GW: 135
CW: 125
I had the EXACT same epiphany and I had already been approved for an RNY. I had gotten to a point where the RNY no longer made sense to me. Why destroy a good thing (the stomach)? Why create a stoma hole that could/would open up a set of horrid side effects? And the horrid side effects were touted as some of the POSITIVE aspects of that surgery. oh no no no. I had somehow been convinced that inflicting a masochistic alignment of my innards would cure me from having the audacity to eat.
Now, I have seen reports from a select few VSG and DS that claim they have RH and early dumping as well, though none have responded any further when I questioned them about it. Those couple of responders are also revisions from the LB I believe, so again what role might that have played?
You appear to be an intelligent woman, Amber, so do continue to research and soul search if this procedure is right for you. I am only 9 months out but I have quickly learned that the freedom and pleasure the DS has given me also comes with an uncompromising set of responsibilities.
Make sure that you will have access and the means to acquire to the supplements and sources of protein you will need.
Keep asking questions, there are lots of amazing vets on here with great advice and experience to share.
~GG
Now, I have seen reports from a select few VSG and DS that claim they have RH and early dumping as well, though none have responded any further when I questioned them about it. Those couple of responders are also revisions from the LB I believe, so again what role might that have played?
You appear to be an intelligent woman, Amber, so do continue to research and soul search if this procedure is right for you. I am only 9 months out but I have quickly learned that the freedom and pleasure the DS has given me also comes with an uncompromising set of responsibilities.
Make sure that you will have access and the means to acquire to the supplements and sources of protein you will need.
Keep asking questions, there are lots of amazing vets on here with great advice and experience to share.
~GG
This is exactly the epiphany I came to as well. Everyone else has given you good advice as far as being a vegetarian, Sweden, etc; but I just wanted to say that I understand how you're feeling. I had to meet with my surgeon again and convince him that the DS was best for me. It wasn't his opinion, but I made my argument and he finally agreed. So far, I really think it was worth the fight.
~shannon
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~E. Roosevelt
(Ticker includes 11 pounds lost in pre-op diet.)
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~E. Roosevelt
(Ticker includes 11 pounds lost in pre-op diet.)
Thank you so much for all of your replies. My wife (a nurse who keeps me full of vitamins as is!) and I have talked about it a great deal last night and today and she agrees that this is more than likely what is best. I told her today that I would hate to have to put surgery off and she said, as if she were a DSer herself, "Whoa! It's SO much better to wait and get the surgery you need than to live with the WRONG surgery!" lol She's so right. I am leery of the fact that the folks involved in my follow up care may not have much knowledge about the DS, but knowing my wife, she'll become an expert who will help me fight for what I need. Thank GOD the web is here and OH and other message boards. Besides DSFacts.com, what are some other resources?
Another thing that some of you may have the answer to: After speaking with my grandmother at length, she was worried about the lack of NSAIDS with the RNY. My paternal great-grandmother had congestive heart failure and both my paternal grandparents are on an aspirin regimen. Is this a concern I should voice to my doctor as another reason I should go for the DS? I mean, he should know regardless, but it just never occurred to think about the aspirin.
I feel like my head is exploding today. Now I just need to wait for my doctor to email.
Another thing that some of you may have the answer to: After speaking with my grandmother at length, she was worried about the lack of NSAIDS with the RNY. My paternal great-grandmother had congestive heart failure and both my paternal grandparents are on an aspirin regimen. Is this a concern I should voice to my doctor as another reason I should go for the DS? I mean, he should know regardless, but it just never occurred to think about the aspirin.
I feel like my head is exploding today. Now I just need to wait for my doctor to email.
Pink!
Yes, the need for aspirin or other NSAIDs in the future is a valid concern. With RNY, NSAIDs are contraindicated for life because of the risk of ulcers at the stoma or in the blind pouch. You don't have this problem with the DS.
I wanted to add that I had the same feelings about RNY. I had met all the insurance requirements and they were ready to schedule me, but every time I thought about actually having the surgery I would get nauseated. A true "gut reaction". I finally realized that I just couldn't accept the potential side effects, the dumping, the list of foods you are never supposed to eat ever again, and the high failure rate. I learned more about the DS, knew it was the right choice for me, and now at 5 years post-op have never regretted my decision.
Larra
I wanted to add that I had the same feelings about RNY. I had met all the insurance requirements and they were ready to schedule me, but every time I thought about actually having the surgery I would get nauseated. A true "gut reaction". I finally realized that I just couldn't accept the potential side effects, the dumping, the list of foods you are never supposed to eat ever again, and the high failure rate. I learned more about the DS, knew it was the right choice for me, and now at 5 years post-op have never regretted my decision.
Larra
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