It's definitely a more complicated surgery than RNY. I don't know that the recovery is any harder, though. The DS can be a 2-part procedure, but usually that is done in patients with a very high BMI, like over 60 or more. It can be done laproscopically or open, depending on surgeon preference. Some really like to do open so they can see everything, since they're working on two sections of the small intestine. Others prefer doing it lap. Mine was open, so I have one scar from bottom of breastbone to belly button. I think with lap. you have around 5 small incisions, maybe an inch to 3 inches in length? but I'm guessing and trying to recall other people's experiences there.

There's a great diagram of the DS at http://www.dsfacts.com/duodenal-switch-procedure.html, if you want to see more details about the DS anatomy.

With any abdominal surgery, you're going to have lifting restrictions for a while, to prevent hernias. I think for a few weeks it's 10 lbs, and then gradually increases.

What do you mean that the DS "seems a lot more work than the RNY?" I'm also not sure what you mean about "the one with the holes." I can't answer your questions about type 1, but I can answer questions about the DS! Check out www.dsfacts.com for more info.

You can definitely have WLS as a Type 1. Cause the truth is, you've got insulin resistance on top of Type 1, most likely, and that is probably a culprit in your weight gain.

As far as lows, I had a duodenal switch, a surgery that does not have dumping as a potential side effect. I was worried about treating lows, too. So far, with the DS treating lows hasn't been a big issue. I treat them the same as before--juice, glucose tabs, or something else with sugar. The lows can wreak havoc on carb counts for the day, but that's the breaks, yanno?

The surgery has definitely improved  my control. I am taking about a third of the insulin I took before surgery. My last A1c was an amazing 5.9. I don't think it's going to be quite so good this next time, but I think it will be under 6.5, so not too shabby.

Recovery for me was a little difficult, because we discovered I had undiagnosed gastroparesis (my only complication after 25 yrs of diabetes). But except for that, it was recovery. Kind of takes a while, but nothing too awful. Since you're on a pump, you won't have to worry too much about eating to prop up blood sugar. Most of what you eat immediately post-op will be low carb, so you won't need to do much bolusing.

The pre-op liquid diet is the suck, but you'll get through it. I actually drank more than a couple mochas to get me through--not recommended, but it's what I did, and I still lost 17 lbs. before surgery.

The length of time between appointment and surgery is hard to predict. Depends on what your insurance requires, and how booked your surgeon is. Probably at least 6 months, unless you are self-pay.

I would urge you to check into the DS, as well as research the RNY. You can hop on the DS Forum here, and also go to www.dsfacts.com. The DS has the best excess weight loss stats at 10 years post-op; between that and no risk of dumping, that's why I chose it. I can't recall where you are, but dsfacts.com has a good list of DS surgeons on it. (The DS requires more surgical skill, so not as many surgeons perform it.)

I am so glad I got surgery. It's just amazing how much better I feel and how much more I can do. You won't regret it!

PM me if you want to talk more.

REMINDER....

http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/crossingtotransferaddictions/

Hi All,

There is a new OH Online Support Group. The above link will get you there.
It's called Crossing Over to Transfer Addictions.

This group discusses the issue of transfer addictions (also known as cross addictions) after weight loss surgery. there are millions of people who have undergone gastric bypass who are now dealing with issues of addiction transfer.

For a number of people, giving up overeating leads to adoption of a new compulsion.

Addiction transfer occurs when someone is unable or unwilling to rely on one compulsion (for us, it was food) and so switches to a new compulsion (alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, shopping, internet, porn, etc) due to not having dealt with the underlying issue behind the compulsion.

***Please feel free (and safe) to join and discuss any and/all issues you have regarding Transfer Addiction. ***

WE WILL SUPPORT EACH OTHER WITHOUT JUDGEMENT!

I probly have the highest A1c level here. 13.7 I take 60 units 3 times a day and 1000 mg of metformin 2 times a day