Recent Posts

Liz J.
on 3/18/19 8:20 am
DS on 11/29/16
Topic: RE: VSG to DS Loop - Never thought I would here :(

Why the Loop of a standard DS?

HW: 398.8 SW:356 GW: 175 CW:147

Sgas5330
on 3/17/19 9:02 pm
Revision on 04/08/19
Topic: VSG to DS Loop - Never thought I would here :(

Hello All - In 2009 I had VSG and lost 200 pounds from 425 to 225 in about 13 months... after the initial year with the proper diet and exercise I settled in around 240 pounds and was very happy....I kept it off until 2013 and that's when I went through many difficult personal challenges and stop taking care of myself. I have regained about 30 pounds per year and now Im at 380 LBS. I have decided to do a self pay DS Loop with my original surgeon in about 4 weeks. Im excited yet terrified of failure again and complications with my body and mind. I have found it hard to find facts on projected weight loss and long term success going VSG to DS Loop ? He will also be re doing my sleeve as well. Any advice, thoughts, support, weight loss projections would be very helpful. I know that all of this has been asked before but I really appreciate the support, Thank You

Bellstarr
on 3/17/19 6:47 pm
Topic: How many calories?

A question about calories.

I eat a keto diet, so around 20g carbs a day, the rest fats and protein. It's just hard to know what my calorie intake should be.

For example on a day when I eat 1600 calories, with 60 percent of those coming from fat and 30 percent from protein - according to 'DS Maths' I should only be absorbing about half of those calories or less.

But if I'm only absorbing 800 or so calories a day, why is my weight loss so slow? I lose about 4lbs a month at most with the above macros. Often several weeks go by with no loss.. Previously I have lost faster and I'm not sure why it's so slow this time around.

I was at 140lbs (down from 320) but regained a lot after a bereavement. The weight just doesn't seem to be coming off the way it should and has in the past and I realise I never figured out what calorie level to eat at.

i

Should I eat more? Should I eat less?

I have at least 50lbs left to lose...

could people tell tell me how many calories they eat?

Tanya B.
on 3/15/19 3:56 pm - Philadelphia, PA
Topic: RE: Constipation

Thank you for replying Janet. My fat intake varies. 70-150 gr a day over the last 2 weeks.

My water intake has been pretty consistent. I never get 64 in.

My vitamin regimen was increased about 6 months ago. And I have tolerated it well. My labs are excellent.

I was told about adding Magnesium and someone else suggested MCT oil.

Tanya B.
SUCCESS IS ONLY A STEP AWAY


Janet P.
on 3/15/19 7:09 am
Topic: RE: Constipation

Tanya - has this only been since you decided to go back to basics or did it start before? IMHO, you're not drinking nearly enough water. You should get a MINIMUM of 64 ounces of water a day. Is this new or has this been your water consumption for the last 11 years?

How's your fat intake? That could be a major cause of constipation - you need fat to keep things moving along. No lean proteins - go full fat. 100 grams of protein should be the minimum amount.

Add fiber to your diet - I add one scoop of organic fiber to my drink in the morning when I take my vitamins.

Have you changed your vitamins at all? Added iron? Upped your calcium?

Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175

Tanya B.
on 3/15/19 2:38 am - Philadelphia, PA
Topic: Constipation

So I am 11 yrs post op and decided recently to go back to basics after a 30 lb weight regain. I keep a food log and aim for 100 for of protein per day and limit my net carbs to 20-30 per day. I get about 32-40 oz of water a day and am trying to increase that number.

My issue is that for the first time since my surgery I am experiencing constipation. Before lowering my carbs I was super regular. 3-4 times a day. Now I struggle to go once a day. I have gone 3-4 days without pooping. This has me very worried. I take colace every day now. And I was told to try MCT oil. Your thoughts?

Tanya B.
SUCCESS IS ONLY A STEP AWAY


Donna L.
on 3/13/19 1:09 pm - Chicago, IL
Revision on 02/19/18
Topic: RE: What would you do? VSG to DS Long post

I was advised to get skin removal at 350 pounds (my highest weight was around/over 750) and they would remove a lot of skin. Even then it'd not be anywhere near like 40 pounds, though, without liposuction. They also told me that I'd have had close to a 100% wound failure rate and that I had to be on bedrest for at least 6-8 weeks to minimize it. She would have done it, but she said to expect it would be extremely difficult recovery wise. That's something to keep in mind. I weigh significantly less now and still am waiting to drop more weight.

I would still consult with Dr. K even if she made her decision. Even though I loved my surgeon I still got a second opinion. I mean, I never buy a car from the first car salesman. If I'm going to spend 30k, I'm going to get other opinions... especially being self-pay. The problem with hybrid surgeries is that this phrase isn't very specific. I would clarify what makes it a hybrid and get it documented so she has records of what was done in the event of other complications. He's one of the best, and he will be extremely honest with her regardless of whether he does the procedure or not.

I follow a ketogenic diet post-op. I also have a diagnosis of binge eating disorder. Feel free to ask me about either!

It is not that we have so little time but that we lose so much...the life we receive is not short but we make it so; we are not ill provided but use what we have wastefully. -- Seneca, On the Shortness of Life

Donna L.
on 3/13/19 12:51 pm - Chicago, IL
Revision on 02/19/18
Topic: RE: Taking regular medications after DS

Some absorption can increase but some can also decrease. It really depends on the individual medication, because they are not all metabolized or absorbed the same. There aren't many studies about the duodenal switch and absorption. Studies with the RNY do show decreases in plasma concentrations for some drugs (Cymbalta is a big one), but with the RNY contact with the duodenum is lost which isn't the case for the DS.

It's a good question to ask a bariatrician, actually, as they probably know the most about how malabsorption affects pharmacokinetics.

I follow a ketogenic diet post-op. I also have a diagnosis of binge eating disorder. Feel free to ask me about either!

It is not that we have so little time but that we lose so much...the life we receive is not short but we make it so; we are not ill provided but use what we have wastefully. -- Seneca, On the Shortness of Life

Janet P.
on 3/13/19 11:21 am
Topic: RE: Weight gain after DS

Sorry but I'm having a hard time following your post. I guess I'm confused as why you're so concerned about whether you weigh 273 or 278. I would recommend stop worrying about how much you weigh and start tracking what you're eating. I think from your signature block it appears you started with the sleeve and then got the switch done. Technical not a revision (revision would be RNY to DS, or DS to RNY). Many people have the same issue because you don't have restriction anymore (only malabsorption).

Go back to basics - you already said you need to start writing down what you eat. Focus on high protein, low carbs, and lots of water. If you get hungry, snack on protein - nuts, jerky, deli meats/cheeses, etc.

Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175

Janet P.
on 3/13/19 8:12 am
Topic: RE: DS weight gain 5 years later

I graze all day, but try to focus on protein snacks - nuts, cheese, deli meat, yogurt, tuna, jerky, etc. Stinky gas is definitely a sign of too many carbs.

Start keeping a journal and you'll find out pretty quickly what helped you add those 50 pounds. Ideally your DS still works and once you get back on track (high protein, low carbs, lots of water) you should drop those extra pounds.

Eating post-DS is all about balance - eating what you want but making sure you get your protein in. Also eating just enough carbs to keep from losing too much but not gaining.

Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175

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