DS or Sleeve???
I am considering a revision from LapBand to DS or sleeve. I had LB in 2008, lost 85 lbs in the first 8 mos and then started gaining it back. When I had LB I weighed 450lbs and I now weigh 505 lbs. I have a consult on Friday with Dr. Wade Barker in Dallas, TX. I would really like to hear from someone who has had this revision, but any advice works. Also, anyone who knows of Dr. Barker, I'd like info on him too. Thanks!
I was 425 when I was sleeved. I lost 189 pounds, but that was strict under 1000 calories a day and intense exercise 4 days a week. The first year was pretty easy but I struggled for every pound after that. As soon as I started adding more calories, I immediately began gaining back. I got back up to 353. I'll have my DS revision on Thursday. (edited to say... I began adding more calories in the form of additional protein at first. I was still on track, but still quickly gaining. Then I got discouraged and began allowing bad choices to creep back into my daily eating habits. Then injury left me unable to exercise at the intensity that I was and weight piled on more... was still a gradual thing, but had more to do with my choices than me working my sleeve. Had to take ownership... didn't want to mislead you into thinking my tool failed)
Personally, I think the sleeve is a GREAT tool... If you have less than 150 pounds to lose. I know a BUNCH of people who had the sleeve 5+ years out who had less than 150 to lose and they are all maintaining at normal BMI's. Its the bigger ones who have struggled and have gained some or most back.
Out of all of the sleevesters I know, I'm the one who gained the most back...
Don't have any info on Dr. Barker... but I just wanted to weigh in. =)
Personally, I think the sleeve is a GREAT tool... If you have less than 150 pounds to lose. I know a BUNCH of people who had the sleeve 5+ years out who had less than 150 to lose and they are all maintaining at normal BMI's. Its the bigger ones who have struggled and have gained some or most back.
Out of all of the sleevesters I know, I'm the one who gained the most back...
Don't have any info on Dr. Barker... but I just wanted to weigh in. =)
Sleeved 6/2007 - Switched 10/2012 
You have a lot of weight to lose and your best odds are with the DS. You have already proved with the band that a restrictive only procedure does not work for you. I'm not familiar with Dr. Barker. Does he do the DS? You need to make sure he/she does or get another option from a DS surgeon. They are in business to make money and they will sell you the procedure they do!
Go read the medical articles for yourself. The DS offers the most weight lost plus the lowest regain.
Best of luck!
Go read the medical articles for yourself. The DS offers the most weight lost plus the lowest regain.
Best of luck!
A. C
on 10/9/12 11:37 pm
on 10/9/12 11:37 pm
You do have a lot of weight to lose. I would stay away from Dr Barker. We hear more bad things about him than good (or at least his work). I personally know someone who went to him for a DS Conversion and it hasn't turned out so great. I have heard he has good bedside manor. Buyer Beware.
With that kind of weight loss required. I really believe you should go to see Dr Patel in Plano. She was trained at the Cleveland Clinic. She has the best track record of any surgeon in the DFW area for sleeves.
The DS is a lifelong committment of a lot of things, from vitamins to labs. One's anatomy is totally changed. The trade off for me has not been worth it but then again I'm a newbie.
If you are still insistant upon wanting the DS - research it ad nauseam. Live breathe and eat it for 6 months. Read online all the side effects, try a liquid diet for at least a month. See if your body can deal with it. Commit to taking at least an hour everyday and read read read. Know what the complications can be, know what the side effects are. Try a liquid diet with protein shakes and see if your body accepts it. Any WLS is a tool, if we don't work it the right way, then it's not going to work for us.
Then, go to California to Dr R or Dr K. They are your best bets with least complications.
With that kind of weight loss required. I really believe you should go to see Dr Patel in Plano. She was trained at the Cleveland Clinic. She has the best track record of any surgeon in the DFW area for sleeves.
The DS is a lifelong committment of a lot of things, from vitamins to labs. One's anatomy is totally changed. The trade off for me has not been worth it but then again I'm a newbie.
If you are still insistant upon wanting the DS - research it ad nauseam. Live breathe and eat it for 6 months. Read online all the side effects, try a liquid diet for at least a month. See if your body can deal with it. Commit to taking at least an hour everyday and read read read. Know what the complications can be, know what the side effects are. Try a liquid diet with protein shakes and see if your body accepts it. Any WLS is a tool, if we don't work it the right way, then it's not going to work for us.
Then, go to California to Dr R or Dr K. They are your best bets with least complications.
Dr. Barker is NOT a good option for a lapband to DS revision. The ONLY surgeon who can do that IN TX is Dr. Stewart. Best ones, stateside, are the two in CA.
To be honest, I wouldn't suggest Dr. Barker for a VIRGIN DS.
Liz
To be honest, I wouldn't suggest Dr. Barker for a VIRGIN DS.
Liz
Duodenal Switch (Lap) 01-24-11 | Surgeon: Stephen Boyce | High weight: 250 in 2002 | Surgery weight: 203 | Lowest weight: 121 | Current weight: 135 | Goal weight: 135
DS - yes. A purely restrictive operation is not going to be adequate for you, period. You have already been down that road. Are you happy with where it got you? Go down the same road again, you will get to the same end, again.
Dr. Barker - no. You are a revision patient. You need the most experienced DS surgeon you can find. For you, that will be Dr. Stewart in Denton, TX.
Larra
Dr. Barker - no. You are a revision patient. You need the most experienced DS surgeon you can find. For you, that will be Dr. Stewart in Denton, TX.
Larra
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