Looking for DS information

Jo, My starting BMI was 58....really high. Dr. S only requires the Psych and nutrition consults pre-op. I had to do a 6 mo MD supervised diet to satisfy insurance requirements. There is no endoscopy prior to surgery, and no bowel prep. I have had NO issues with diarrhea since the fourth post op day, and the gas issues are easily controlled by watching what I eat.....too many carbs and sugar will cause gas, and will also slow the weight loss, so I really don't need to be eating them anyway!!! I can have some without many problems though. It's truly an amazing surgery. I can go out to eat with friends, and if they didn't know that I had surgery, they would never guess, except that I take most of my meal home with me!!! I still don't eat a lot of food at one sitting, but I eat frequent small meals during the day. It's a fabulous post op way of life. I am so greatful that I discovered the DS when I decided to procede with surgery. As for vitamins, I take 2 ADEKs, one multi vitamin, and 1200 mg of Calcium Citrate each day. If you are pre-menopausal, you would also take an iron supplement. So far, my labs have been great. Dr. S will tweak your vitamins according to your labs. You will also need to be diligent about taking in enough protein and water. We also malabsorb protein. If you have any more questions feel free to ask, or pm me. I love to be able to "pay it forward". Good luck on the flights this week!! Marcia

Marcia, the more you say the more I wish my surgery was tomorrow. I am ready. My BMI is 60.2 or so and I don't need to say more. Thank you for all the answers. Did you or do you use any protein supplements? I am glad to hear what you say about diarrhea and gas. I know even now if I eat certain foods what they do, so I am sure I will learn with my new configuration. Did you have lap or open? How soon were you able to go back to work. Jo

Jo, Dr S tries to do all of his surgeries lap, however there is always a possibility (although small) that he will have to convert to open. Lap makes recovery SO much easier. I went back to work at the end of 4 weeks. Pat Jordan told me at my 2 week follow up appt that I could go back to work at 4 weeks, and I almost cried. I was so weak and tired, but she certainly knew what she was talking about, and at 4 weeks, I was ready to go! I really did not tolerate protein drinks at all in the beginning. They truly made me gag....and one I was allergic to. What I used was a protein pudding--Stallone pudding--it has 20 gms of protein per can. In fact, I still have one now and then when I need to bump up my protein a bit. But basically now I can get all of my protein in with "real" food!!! I had a lot of "bathroom" issues prior to my surgery too. I had gallbladder surgery about 10 years ago, and since then would often have to make an "emergency" bathroom run after I'd eat. Those are a thing of the past now. Yes, some people do have serious "potty issues" after DS, but from the people I've spoken to, they seem to be the exception rather than the rule. In my case, it has actually gotten better...my bathroom time is much more "predictable" now. When is your appt with Dr. S? You will be so reassured after you talk to him. Good Luck! Marcia

Marcia, my appointment is July 2. I wi**** was tomorrow! I am hopful he will be able to do me Lap but I am prepared to deal with it if he can't. Thank you for all the information. I appreciate it and hope to talk to you more on the forum. Jo

Hi Marcia, My appointment with Dr. Schwietzer is June 18th and I also am intersted in D.S. I do have a question for you concerning the recovery. When you woke up did you have a drain and for how long? or did you come home with the drain? Also, did you have a tube in your nose? Thanks for the information you did provide about the website just for DS. Thank you, Elaine

Elaine, I have a follow up appt with Dr. S on June 18th as well!!! So we just might see each other then! No, I did not have a naso gastric tube, but I was told that I might have one when I came out of surgery. I did have 2 drains. One they took out just before I was discharged, and one I went home with. It was removed three days later. Once they are out, you'll feel like a new person! But they are really more of an inconvenience than anything else. Good luck with your appt on the 18th!!! The DS is an amazing tool!!! I felt so fortunate to have discovered it. Marcia