Just in case it might help someone to read this, I asked my surgeon why Ursodiol wasn't on my list of prescriptions six months ago. He mentioned some mixed reviews on it and said that he's seen it cause some issues where it makes the gallbladder empty when there is sludge or small stones that can then cause additional issues. I'm not convinced but it was ultimately his choice.

He definitely wouldn't give it to me now for that same reason. Surgery scheduled February 10th for removal to prevent complications. He thinks I have a very high pain tolerance for not opting to have it out tomorrow. Go figure.

Hi there,

Good to hear. One of the things I did to help with nerves was to go armed with a whole list of questions for the things I was nervous about. I had lists for the surgeon, dietician, and nursing staff. By the time my pre-op bloodwork was done, I felt a lot more educated.

Hopefully your clinic has educational information and diet advice/requirements they're sharing with you. The plans by clinic can vary greatly, so not sure if yours will have the same diet/stages mine does. I was on two weeks of high protein liquids after surgery before being moved to the next phase by my surgeon. If yours is similar, it might include some of the things on the list I'm including below about the stage 2 diet.

It's got some good info about that stage overall and suggestions about schedules. Some people set timers or use one ounce cups...I just always had a bottle of liquid with me. To meet my goals, I was sipping literally all day the first couple of weeks. Some people set alarms. I couldn't take big sips, though, so just kept working at it.

It also includes some typical fluids that might be on your clinic's plan. I don't like sweet things, so mostly stuck with water, Unjury chicken soup protein, my clinic's required vitamin protein, and decaf tea. They should give you protein and fluid goals, which I've also learned can vary. Initially, I was aiming at 64 ounces of total liquid with 80g of protein.

Definitely use your clinic's standards, but this might give you some idea of what to expect. Hope it helps!

Hi there,

I haven't had a revision and I'm still in my honeymoon phase, as it were, so I don't have a whole lot of feedback there.

I will say that from everything I've seen, a lot of DS used to be done as a two-part surgery with the intestinal half coming months, or even years later as the patient lost weight.

Hopefully your surgical team is able to help with nerves. I went in with a list of questions and that helped a lot to reduce nerves on my surgery date. Wishing you all the best!

Hi there!

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! I'm six months post op from SADI (modified duodenal switch) myself and was also a bundle of nerves going in. I personally have not had buyer's remorse for the surgery, not even a little. I'd tried unsuccessfully for decades to control my weight on my own. Surgery was my chance at a tool to make a difference while I still could. I got lucky with recovery- almost zero pain and no complications.

DS surgeries are the most malabsorptive WLS, so I'd reinforce being mentally prepared to ensure you take all of your supplements and keep up with labs regularly.

As to losing too much, I hear it can happen, but it's more rare. My manual says DSers control their weight with carbs, and I've seen some people post here with similar feedback. There is a balance you have to find along the way, and I'm definitely not far enough along to have my own feedback there yet (complex carbs reintroduced last Monday).

I will say that the way I've lost weight this time has been more uneven compared to my self-paced efforts. My face looks massively different and my cheekbones are showing more than they ever have. My knees are knobbier. And I still have the spare tire and hips to lose from. Advice from others here says that you may look more gaunt for a bit but that it evens out over time. Personally, I'd rather be working through it this way than continuing to deal with the extra weight and health conditions it was contributing to.

All of this to say, losing too much is uncommon, but can happen. If you work with your clinical team, they can help respond to things if you communicate with them regularly. It's good to research and be informed. Best of luck!

Thanks for sharing your feedback! It's good to hear both stories, and to know that your wife has been able to resume a normal diet for her after surgery.

I've definitely seen everything from "as much fat as possible" to my clinic's direction of super lean everything, so agree that it will be finding the balance that works. Of course, when I asked my clinic last July why they recommended low fat, their concern was loose stools and gastric issues and had nothing to do with gallbladder. You live, you learn!

Glad it sounds like you're both doing well. Cheers!