Hello all! It's been about 9 years since I was on this site. I've been racking my brain for the name of this place and it finally came to me. Here is an update.

In 2013 I had gastric sleeve surgery. At the time I did really well and lost over 100 lbs. I got involved in running, and ended up getting into triathlons. I even completed Ironman North Carolina in 2016 and Ironman Chattanooga in 2017. I got a new position at work and ended up going to school for 2 years. A lot of sitting on my butt and studying followed. I got older, my metabolism went down and the weight went up. I haven't gained back all my weight, but I gained enough to know that I needed to do something. At 58 I just wasn't able to be as active as I was a few years ago. Diets and fads still don't work.

After a lot of thoughtful consideration, I went to see Dr. Stephen Boyce in Knoxville, TN. He was able to convince the insurance company that additional surgery was necessary and we settled on the duedenal switch procedure. Surgery was performed on 12/12/22. My belly is sore, i'm having nothing but liquids and the weight is already going down pretty fast. I'm excited about the journey ahead and hope to hear from a bunch of you. Maybe next year I'll be able to do a 1/2 Ironman. I don't think I'm up for a full Ironman but who knows.

Mike

Hi Bobbi,

One of the veterans can probably weigh in here since I know there have been comprehensive lists posted - they're just hard to search for and find if you aren't reading years of posts line by line like I was. I did find an article with the beginning of some lab work below, though it's missing some things I know I'm tested for (vitamins D, E, K, since they're fat soluble and regular A1C, etc.). There are probably more but I don't have a good tracking chart yet and am on mobile.

Here's the link to the OH article with some background, if it helps: https://www.obesityhelp.com/articles/vitamin-and-mineral-abs orption-with-the-duodenal-switch-ds/

My clinic's plan is to have testing annually once I get to that point but with follow up as needed. I'm already learning from folks here that your mileage and needs may vary. I've also seen some VERY comprehensive blood panel lists from folks, which may also be driven by their history over time.

Hope this helps a bit, and that you find a doctor who you can work with!

Annual Lab Panel for a DS Patient

The annual lab panel for a DS patient may include the following and need to be discussed with their doctor.
Total Protein, Albumin- determines protein absorption
Complete Blood Count (CBC)- hematocrit, hemoglobin, (determine anemia), white blood count (WBC) infection
Kidney function, creatinine, potassium
Liver Function tests, cholesterol (LDL/HDL)
Vitamins: Vitamins A, B1, B3, B6, B12, Folate, D25-OH
Minerals: Calcium, Copper (Ceruloplasmin), Iron, Ferritin (Iron Stores), Magnesium, Phosphorous, Selenium, Zinc
Thyroid (TSH)

Sounds like you need a good bowel movement and high protein diet to help kick those sugar cravings.

I hope you taking a strong enough probiotic to cleanse your system out every morning

Thank you SO much T.D.!! I knew that Desert Harvest had a no B6 B Complex, but I didn't know it had a multivitamin one!! I need this as I am avoiding B6 in order to lower my toxic high level, and this leaves many important nutrients off my diet!! So I certainly need a multivitamin. Thanks SO MUCH!!!! How long dis it take you to lower your B6 and feel normal again, if I may ask? :)

Oh my!!! I am high in B6 and I REALLY hope I don't have permanent damage!!! I even have swelling in the head. Not just problems with walking. And some swallowing issues...Lots of Neurologic and autonomic problems!! :( Doctors don't know much about this toxicity as usually people are low in B6, not high!!!