Question for the pros

I am considering revising my VSG to a DS.  I started at 507 and will have my one year surgiversary next week, am down a total of 145.  However, since April, my loss has come to a crawl, gaining and losing the same 5 lbs over and over.  I don't think the sleeve alone will get me anywhere near my goal.

In discussing options with the surgeon and nutritionist, the big concern for me in particular are the loose bowel issues.  Apparently my surgeon just did a DS revision because one of his patients couldn't deal - incontinence problems.  They just want to make sure I'm going into this eyes wide open, and perhaps because this guy's problem is so fresh in their minds, they're really putting the fear of God in me.  

It's my understanding that the biggest problem those with the DS have is gas and loose bowels.  I'm just looking for some feedback as to the severity or any of the other drawbacks, or what the triggers are for some of the worst symptoms from those who've gone through it.

 First of all, I've not heard of your surgeon doing the DS, let alone revisions.  

Second, there is a distinct difference between loose bowel movements and diarrhea.  Loose bowel movements just make nice fluffy easy poos that require no straining.  Sometimes their liquie - sometimes paste (dependent on what you've been eating), but they are controllable.  I have a big giant poo every morning and it's usually all I go all day.  It's very manageable.

Yeah, I wouldn't not get the DS because of someone else's experience. Everyone is so different.

 Right... I'm really trying to figure out how common and to what extent people have bowel issues.  I just want as many opinions a different points of view as I can.

Gotcha. Well, I personal don't have diarrhea too often. I do have loose poops but would rather that then constipation which some people get because of the vitamins.

They gave you a VSG at 507 pounds???? I would not trust your surgeon's judgment!!! I would have imagined your doc would have strongly suggested the DS to you, NOT the VSG.

Oh well...shoulda coulda woulda. Maybe you'll end up with the DS after all. Make sure he actually does the DSand that you talk with some of his successful patients.

I had the DS 4.5 years ago and I have soft, fluffy poops. No diarrhea. I maybe fart 2-3 times a day and yes, they stink. They ARE farts!

Best of luck to you!

Nicolle

You can do well with just a sleeve. I was 540 now am 235, maybe have to work a little harder to keep it off but it helps me to appreciate what I've accomplished. I have lost more weight than the 3 other guys who were over 500 pounds in my group who had the DS. (Not saying the DS isn't the bomb I know it works)

I was self pay so sleeve was all I could afford.

If your thinking I'm trolling the DS forum for fun I'm not. My mom had DS 6 weeks ago, just trying to help her get a feel for life with the DS and see what goes on in this forum till she is up to logging on herself. 

I'm 16 days out and I have diarrhea.  I go 2-3 times a day and at least get a minute or two's warning, so no accidents here *yet* ;-)

Just to give you input from a fellow 2 parter who is barely a newby.

BTW barely any gas here, but I'm adhering fairly closely to Adkins and not having any milk powder and only stevia and erythritol for sweetener.

I am 10 days out.  I have loose stools and liquid stools.  Depends on what I eat.  I also get plenty of time warning and have had only a couple accidents.  At least they were at home.  My surgeon tried scaring me with the loose stool speach also.  I already knew about it because I researched the DS until I was blue in the face.  Personally I would rather have loose stools than be unhealthy.  Even being just 10 days out I am staying out of bed a lot more, I  have lost 22lbs, I have little more energy.  I haven't gotten sick once.  The DS is the best thing I could have done for myself.  That's what you need to decide.  Is it really for you or not?  Like already said.  Everyone is different.  I was expecting the worse and was blessed with little pain, controlable stools and ability to eat and drink.  Good luck on you adventure.  I wish you the best.