You DON'T have to give up NSAIDs!

NSAIDs were something I knew I did NOT want to give up after WLS---but everyone told me that with the RNY, I'd either not be able to take them at all, or would have to take them in VERY limited doses and would have to take other medications along with them to protect my pouch. Scary, for someone who was taking twice the recommended dosage of Aleve each and every day. (With my ortho guy's blessings!) Then I found out about the Duodenal Swtich, which leaves a fully-functional STOMACH rather than a pouch, and NO 'blind pouch' of excess stomach material. (This blind pouch is the biggest reason NSAIDs are bad for RNYers---it can develope ulcers, but can't be 'scoped.) I'm over 3 years post-DS, and still take NSAIDs as needed. Losing weight did help my arthritis pain, but certainly didn't 'cure' it.

I've also wondered about this, because I feel a lot better when I'm on a NSAID. My surgical group is great, with a wonderful reputation and a low rate of complications, but they don't do the duodenal switch. Can you tell me a little about your experience? About your weight loss - how much in what time, eating patterns, etc? Thanks!

I losy 100 pounds in the first six months, and another 50 or so over the next year. I'm about to start back at the Y and try to do some firming and maybe lose a few pounds more before I start pursuing plastics. My eating patterns are...normal. If you went out to eat with me, you'd never know I had WLS. There are no foods that I like that I don't eat---I just eat a lot less of them than I did pre-op. I eat a lot of meat, cheese, eggs, and nuts, but I also eat bread, potatoes, pasta, and rice, and loads of veggies and fruits. Over all, my DS has been a WONDERFUL experience for me!

That sounds wonderful! So I gather you don't have the malabsorbtive problems and therefore don't need vitaminn supplementation and protein supplements? Do you eat less because you also feel full faster, or is it that you limit what you eat because you won't feel well after eating? And you can eat  everything - how about sugars? Sounds better than the RNY... Kathy

Actually, the DS gives a high degree of malabsorption, but it's different from the malabsorption of the RNY---it specifically targets fat absorption (DSers absorb about 19% of the fat we eat, compared with 62% for RNY patients), so SOME DSers need to supplement the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, ,and K. I haven't been taking supplements of them for about two years now, and my annual bloodwork says everything's fine. I do take a multi-vitamin every day, and 1800 mgs of calcium. But no, I don't do protein supplements---I EAT around 100-120 grams of protein daily. (*grin*) I eat less because I do get full MUCH faster than I did pre-op---pre-op, I just NEVER got full!!! But yes, if I over-eat, I do feel uncomfortable. Not so much now as in the early days, when I was learning to understand just what 'full' felt like, but there are still times when I've just gotta eat that 'last bite' and I do feel uncomfortable for a few minutes.I also drink with my meals. Yes, I can eat everything, including sugar---no dumping with the DS. But I limit how much sugar I eat, because I still absorb prretty much all the refined sugar I eat. And the DS has sort of pulled my sweet tooth---most sweets are just TOO sweet for me now, and a couple of bites satisfies me. I definitely thought the DS was better for ME than the RNY!

Thanks for all the info - I may explor this further with my surgeons!

Bear in mind that not all WL surgeons do the DS, and the Ford dealer isn't going to tell you what you really need is a Cadillac. (*grin*) Come visit the DS forum and read up on the procedure, talk with others who've had it, etc.

Great idea - will do, thanks! Interesting - I just came frommy WLS support group meeting and I asked if my surgical group does DS; the moderator (who also runs the whole program) said they don't because of the high rate of complications.  Go figure!  ;- l

Welllll...surgeons who have done less than 50 DSes DO tend to have a high rate of complications. The DS is a more difficult procedure, and it takes longer for a surgeon to master. Most surgeons who do do the DS have the majority of their complications/deaths in the first 50 cases, and almost NONE after their 100th. Experience counts! If you really think the DS might be the best choice for you, visit www.duodenalswitch.com and check out the surgeons in your area they list as *true* DS surgeons. A surgeon doesn't 'make the list' over there without a good history. Also, many (good!) DS surgeons are willing to take on high-risk patients---SSMOs with multiple health issues, the people who NEED the DS the most. It's been my experience that for may bariatric surgeons, the dollar sign is the bottom line, and the RNY pays better---not only is it easier to get insurance approval for it, but a surgeon can usually do 3 RNYs in the time it takes to do one or two DSes. Research, decide what's right for YOU---then find a surgeon who agrees with you! (*grin*)

Thanks - I agree!