Who benefited from DSers posting on other forums?

I'm one.  I saw a post from Val Groce on the Ohio forum that directed me to the DS forum here. I was already in a program with an RNY surgeon...who I totally disliked.  I typed in "weight loss surgery and Ohio" into google and got the OH link.  I just went to the Ohio board to see the other surgeons who were performing surgeries in Ohio.  I had a vague memory of the DS procedure from a TV documentary.  My sister in law had the RNY was seeing success (then...now, she's about 15 months out and is facing re-gain issues). Anyway, I lurked here for probably around a year and on the other DS site too. When I finally became a member and picked my surgeon, I PMed Brandy (divagoddess) a lot about the surgeon/procedure because we both have Dr. Teel.  She was (and still is) very, very helpful and kind.  The DS certainly seems like the perfect choice for me and so many others. Now, I feel obligated to post on the OH forums where I can.  Since I'm still pre-op, I mainly post on the lightweights and insurance forums.

Three days till the RNY was to be done.   Approved by insurance, reservations made.   would have been my 3rd go at freedom , having failed the staple job and the VBG.   It would have been my last surgery for weight loss that is for sure.    Then............BabyCatcher, Starry1, Dina, LeaAnne  et al ...just appeared out of nowhere.  Who the heck knows where I saw them.   That was two years ago.  I called and canceled the surgery RNY.  Whew am I glad.   I doubt anyone would consider a fourth revision....... I have had to play a 2 year waiting game and learn a lot.   I think I have been refused, excused and abused in everyway by front desk people, insurance companies, family you name it.   However, I think this might come about after all.   Sometimes maybe things dont happen till you really need them or are ready or them.  I acually have had to fight pretty hard to get to this point.  Second guessing me and all of you about if it is a good idea.   But the fight and the debate has made it a reality in my mind and I have a total committment to the procedure now.  I have heard every which way about the supplements.   I am ready.   Now about the toots.......I have an ex husband I am going to look up after this is done.....ahhhhh revenge is sweet or is that foul.....ya ha haaaaa

I found out about DS through a post on the RnY board from a DS'er. I'm thankful EVERYDAY I read that post.

This thread was linked by LeAnn in another post and I thought it was worthy of a resurrection.  Perhaps there are more people who have learned about the DS from posts by DSers in other forums? I came over here because of a post on the RNY board too.  I don't personally like all the fighting and bickering between WLSers but I do realize that many people learn or re-learn (as is my case) about the DS because of these posts.

*raises hand enthusiastically* After reading the limited loss abilities of the band (I have a lot more to lose) I started looking around, I read Amy W.'s story and was at least relieved to see that that level of weight loss IS achievable - then I saw a post either by Val, Julie R. or Lola (probably Lola the more I think of it) and it's been the darkside ever since! Don't Stop!!

Me too...I was headed for RNY, because I had no idea there was a thing called DS.  Some of the DSers (I'd have to go back and look at who they were) posted about it and PM'd me which is when I made my way to the forum. Once here I posted questions about the DS and was welcomed warmly with thoughtful and kind posts by the DSers on this board.  Anne S. helped me find a great surgeon who (the stars were aligned on this): 1) just happed to be one state over, 2) only eight hourse away by car, 3) one of the most skilled and respected DS surgeons in the world, 4) working at a bariatric center of excellence, and 5) a preferred provider covered by my Medicare Blue Cross of South Dakota PPO! I had my consult, and the rest is history!  I'm so happy I had the DS and forever thankful to those who paid it forward.  I will defend anyone who gets sand kicked in their face for spreading the good word about the DS and sing the praises of the DS whenever I can.  Oh and I forgot to mention that the DS cured my diabetes right out of the gate---even before the pounds started falling off.

I have to admit seeing the ds posts everywhere got me thinking again and made me really think about my choices. Was going for rny. But now I'm going to fight for the ds.

I learned about the ds while I was looking at the members list that listed type of surgery.  I was looking on the AL forum and I saw LeaAnn had the ds and I wanted to find out what it was so I clicked on her profile.  Then, while I was on either the RNY forum or the AL forum, someone invited me to the ds forum and I started reading peoples blogs that had the ds.  I know Lola's really helped me with all of the DS vs. RNY reasons for why they chose the surgery they chose.  But I really owe it to all of you for helping me with all of my questions.  You have all been great. 

Count me in as one that is very thankful for the DSer that posted on the main board! I was 'hanging' there and at the RnY board, even though I'd read about the DS. You don't know how close I was to having the RnY! The thought of it just never sat well with me. I just can't explain it...but I would have had the RnY rather than remaining obese for the rest of my life. I am so glad that the DS was brought up on a post and that I visited the DS forum. When I asked about it on the main board, folks scared me to DEATH with the horrible rumors. I am further thankful that I sought out other DSers that lived in my area and met them. (No, it wasn't on this site.) After that, there was NO QUESTION about what I was going to do. Just think, I could have had insurance pay for the RnY just 10 miles down from where I live. But no....I travelled to Brazil, a country I did not know - parts unknown - to self pay for the DS. That's how "RIGHT" I knew it was. Now, I post on the main board, the over 50 board, PS board and have even been to the SEX board. (Not recently though...maybe I should visit! Maybe there's some stuff I can do with this skin that I've not thought of before! :-)  Have I said how much I love my DS?? Can you say OVER 160 pounds gone?? Color me happy! Dianne from FL...who promised to pay it forward!

WOW!  This list is like the Energizer Bunny!  It just keeps on GOing and GOing.  I wanna thank Diana for keeping the link on her profile.  I use this little gem ALL the time for the "WHY are you posting on "OUR" forum whiners!"

And, oh yah:

                     I MY DS!!

                                  (Duodenal Switch WLS)

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