Down & Dirty of DS?

Any  vet or new DS'er out there I would like your input any one willing to share the down side of the ds it would be so appreciated. I am not looking for rants I sincerely welcome the negatives of the DS. I am about to have the DS and would like to know the down and dirty details of the DS which only the DS'er would know to make an informed decision. I understand the commitment, the required labs, the fu, the life time adjustment of vit and supplements, the bone scans, obtaining enough daily protein, tender rectums. Please paint me a picture of the so called nitty gritty life of a DS'er post surgery including the uncomfortable embarrassing odor of gas/stool every bit of it. I am not looking for the so called rose colored glasses version I truly want the down side of this permanent operation. Who ever responds know it is appreciated as it will help me in making my decision. If it is more comfortable for you to answer my question privately please do. Thanks Donna
 

The side effects of the DS differ from person to person.  Some people turn sensitive to breads, pastas, corn chips; Stuff like that, all due to the gas and or diarrhea.  I, for one, have little to no side effects from my DS.  In fact as I type, I'm eating a bagel. 

I understand what you're looking for; you want to know what you just signed yourself up for.  But the results are so different from person to person. I hope others respond.

Best of luck!

thank you yes that is exactly what I am looking for.  Donna

i agree with janine, you will get so many versions on this site, there are plenty of stories to search through, revisions may have different stories than a virgin DS. my take on it is that the surgery is only the first part of the changes in your life, physical changes are not the only issues you will have to deal with, and not just because its the DS, you have to learn to change habits and make adjustments in your life and others will have to adjust to the new you. i personally just wish i had the surgery sooner, but there is a time and place for everything, the only time i have problems with gas if i over do the carbs (white flour, wheat, bread pasta), i am also lactose intolerant, so i stick to things that dont give me the side affects, i am currently doing iron infusions but this is something i have to deal with or suffer the consequences, i also hope to lose more but is seems my body likes the weight it is now.  i was very unhappy the way i was and i was getting sicker and sicker as i got older. i am very happy with my decision. i am surprised that the DS is giving me a more normal way of life (aside from the supplements and infusions) compared to other wls. i just hitting 2 years so i may be still in the honeymoon stage but i am enjoying the results compared to nutrisystem and diet pills! The DS may not be for everyone but it was a great choice for me.

Thank you.  Did you follow the rule of thumb for iron supplement and still got in trouble or did you get out of the habit or the cause is entirely unrelated to the ds?  Sincerely appreciate your input.  Donna

yep, i supplemented but it was not enough to get out of a hole that was recreated due to issues unrelated to the DS. some people have iron issues, some dont.

I am sorry to hear of your struggles and I pray they are behind you.  This is the aspect I am concerned about if I have major medical problems I will not be able to run to Mexico sort of speak.  Planned yes but not on a moments notice.  Thank you for being so up front.  Donna

There really shouldn't be any reason for you to need to run to Mexico, unless you developed a REALLY serious complication---once you're healed from surgery, you don't need your surgeon any more. Most of us do our follow-up stuff---labs, etc.---with our PCP. Of course, it's important to find a PCP that really understands the DS (almost impossible), or one that's willing to be educated about the DS (much easier!)

My surgeon retired six months after he did my surgery, 8 years ago.

Thank you for at least the bone scans I figured I would do Mexico however Dr U said he would give me instructions to give my pcp.  I am to arrive one day early and they are going to do all my test.  On the day of the procedure they are going to add a procedure being an upper endoscopy to make sure the band did not migrate into the tissue.  If the band did migrate then dr U will only remove the band and then I will need to wait 6 months before I proceed with the DS portion however if all is good then the ds will be completed in one process.  Thanks again