WARNING TO PRE-OPS: Think twice, cut once -- or else!

I do as well.

It shows how much misinformation is out there still --

how much is being spread maliciously by some --

and it gets the word out about surgeries other than the RNY and the Band -- which, let's face it, is what 95% of the doctors perform and advertise.


While they can get ugly, surgery "wars" (and this is mild to say the least) gets quite a bit of information out there for those who are willing to see it.

I agree people should ab****ely combine full research of each procedure ALONG with their knowledge of their eating habits, self-control ,etc while making a decision.

I also though would not recommend that it's the right thing for everyone to go with the most extreme procedure (as far as malabsorption) if they didn't need that much intervention.

While I preferred a higher protein, lower fat diet even when I was obese, my biggest problem was volume eating to get to the point that I "felt full".

A year prior to my VSG I had researched the DS and talked with two friends that had it. Even though they were in love with their procedure and results I hesitated because I felt it was too much intervention for me.

I'm VERY glad that I waited a year and found out that the VSG alone was actually an option. It was right for me.

I think surgeons need to really get a feel for each patients eating history in assisting them to pick the right option. There are folks on my VSG forum that you KNOW whould have been a better candidate for full success with the DS instead. Most of those were SMO starting out with some pretty significant food issues.

Yes think twice and cut once, but make that decision based on how you picture your eating would be for the rest of your life. Not "every" person will need malabsorption.

Meg

I love these posts too!!! I WISH I had heard about the DS in 2004 when I originally began researching WLS, but either based on my own ignorance, or lack of available info. on the DS at the time, I just did not come across it.

Honestly, even if I had, I probably would not have had it. I "Thought" the VBG was "IT" for me. I thought I could do it with an itty bitty pouch and no malabsorbtion. WRONG. I could not eat any meat, apples or anything along those lines, as they all got stuck...so 3 years later, and much more informed research and I got the DS. (Wish I had selected the DS in 2006, but didn't).

So I love to see these posts informing newbees! No need to be hostile, just take it as another option that is out there, cuz like Diana said, who knows if you will get re-approved a second time, and who wants two surgeries???? Revisions are not something to take lightly, they are serious surgery, so Think Twice Cut Once is the best advice one could receive!

Amen

Hello! I just wanted to chime in here and thank Diana YET AGAIN for helping me fight my insurance company for almost 2 years to get the DS. It was worth the fight!! I'm almost 3 years out and maintaining effortlessly. For me, the DS has been my little miracle.

I can eat anything (and do!), no bathroom issues (I poop once a day in the morning), rarely any gas (nothing at all compared to my teenage son!) my labs are perfect and with all the delicious high fat foods I enjoy (bacon, cheese, full fat dressing, red meat) my cholesterol is 93!

Feel free to check out my profile for my entire story!

 Diana, I have a question, and I'm not trying to be argumentative, combative, or in any way disrespectful.  I am simply genuinely curious:

The beginning of your signature reads "DSers: PAY IT FORWARD! " 

What do you mean by that please?  I am viewed by most people, with the exception of some people here apparently, as a reasonable and intelligent person.  But I can't figure out what your statement means, and it's been bugging me!   

Thanks in advance for your response.  

I believe, and Diana is free to correct me, that it's a reminder to DS'ers to share the information about their particular surgery choice with others since it is not as widely known.

Most doctors do not perform the DS.  Those that don't tend to put it down as a surgery choice.  It's not advertised on television like the band is.  In many practices, you get two options: RNY or band -- no other choices, even though there are 4 options in mainstream WLS circles.

The point is for DS'ers to help get the word out about their surgery -- how much they love it, how much it can help with curing diabetes (versus just remission), etc. since the medical community is not helping in this regard.

 Thanks Andrea, that's what I thought it meant but wanted to make sure I was understanding it correctly.  I am fortunate that the surgeon I chose does all four of those surgeries, along with revisions.  I just don't necessarily agree that the DS is the best choice for everyone.   However, I was unaware that the DS was as uncommon as it apparently is, because both bariatric surgeons that I researched in my area perform it.  

If it's that uncommon then I guess I can see why they'd want to get the information out there.  Again though, I just don't want it shoved down my throat as the only BEST option; I don't want to be told that my choice is crap, as neither would you or anyone else.

Footnote: I spoke with my aunt, and the procedure she had was actually more along the lines of an open RNY, not a DS.  Without going into a lot of detail, it was its own unique procedure and it was done on an emergency basis.  My misunderstanding!

Have a great evening!

There are some things that I believe are black and white in terms of WLS --

Citrate is better than carbonate.
Flintstones are for children.

But surgery choice isn't one of them.  I just wish I had known about the DS when I had had my RNY as I might have gone that direction -- but I did not even have the option of the band way back when.  It was open RNY or nothing.  I could have waited a few weeks and been the first lap RNY, or I could go ahead and get an open RNY.  No other choice.

If I had known about the other options I may have gone a different route.  I don't know because I didn't know.  Perhaps some of the tones are a bit brash..  but the message is good.

Dr. Peter Lalor  (the surgeon your have listed on your profile), does NOT perform the DS.  Period.  End of story.

Don't believe me?  Ask him to do one on you  (even if you really don't want one).  Watch him sputter and provide you with all kinds of misinformation about he DS and why it would not be right for you.

If I found out that my surgeon was a liar, I would not use him/her, not even for a hangnail.