Why do so few surgeons perform the DS?

I currently have a lap band. I choke on healthy food no matter what my fill and am forced to eat crap if I want to eat anything at all. At lunch today I had 5 bites of tuna and 1 strawberry. While waiting for the food to get unstuck from my pouch, my actual stomach was still growling away. I don't know how all of you feel about your DS, if you find it successful or not, but it seems like a surgery I would be interested in. I've already made up my mind about a revision, I'm just not real set on what yet.

Can you tell me a bit about your experiences with the DS? Have you been able to keep the weight off? Eat like a human? Not live on protein shakes?

And why do so few doctors so this type of surgery? Is it controversial?

Thanks for any input!!

~Susan

 I eat like a true carnivore and have never felt deprived of anything.  I've maintained a size 8 in the 140's for 5 years now (6 yrs post op) and not one problem.  I love my DS.  To learn more from more of us who are living the dream, see dsfacts.com.  There's a great collection of shared information out there, and a list of DS surgeons that we know and trust, too.

I do know there's a Dr. Peters in Scranton, PA. 

FYI

Dr Peters is not practicing now.

So few do it because insurance pays the same as for an RnY and it takes longer.  It also takes more skill.  It also requires compliant follow-up with labs and vites.  Not that the  RnY doesn't, but the DS will kill you faster if you are in idiot than the RnY will.

Why not to have an RnY?

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4454843/Considering-the-RnY- Please-educate-yourself-These-threads/

www.lenoxhillhospital.org/press_releases.aspx

www.dssurgery.com/procedures/compare-surgical-procedures.php

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ds/4416755/Must-Read-Transcript-o f-Dr-Roslins-Presentation-to-ASMBS-on/


Go to the revision forum and see how many RnY folks are looking for help.  Then look to see how many DSers are looking to revise.

Go to www.DSFacts.com for loads of info.

~Becky

The DS is often the vicim of bad press from doctors who don't have a clue on how to perform it. THE DS is not a controversial sugery amongst qualified surgeons who know how to perform it, only the naysayers with an agenda.

My DS has been great: DSers don't dump, I haven't had any problems with food getting stuck, and I eat like a carnivorous human being. I had a food porn thread where I took pictures of everything I ate on a cruise at 8 months out, I have removed the pictures because OH has been posting things to facebook without permission, but I can give you a quick list:

-Prime rib, venison, foie gras, crispy duck
-seafood of all kinds, scallops, lobster, shrimp in butter
-eggs benedict and bacon
-all kinds of cheeses
-breads (in moderation, with a DS you need to watch your carbs to so you don't slow down your weight loss)
-Rich deserts like panna cotta, creme brulee, custards (in moderation, gotta watch the carbs, but rich fatty desserts with offer the most bang for your buck since we only absorb 20% of the fat- however we absorb 100% of simple carbs like sugar)
- veggies and salads too! but I rarely had enough room after my protein

However the recovery can be tough- it was for me. Sometimes your stomach has mood swings when it's healing. Keep in mind the DS "recovery" period is A YEAR:  even though the stiches heal quickly, it takes months for your stomach to regain the ability to digest certain foods comfortably. Your intestines need time to adjust to the changes as well.  There are good days and bad days. While I was up and running with my normal daily routine in a few weeks, it took a long time for my stomach to heal and be able to tolerate those foods I mentioned above. I also experienced nausea in the early months. The worst part is the first 3 months, after that it gets much easier.

In short, it's great but the early recovery can be a ***** Compliance with protein and vites isn't hard, but you need to be comitted to them for the rest of your life. Vites and quality protein is expensive, make sure your budget is ready.

Its a very drastic surgery and if a person were to not take care of themselves, they will die.

I'm very happy with my ds. I live very normally. Eat very high protein, lower carb and enjoy my food and my life.

And that is a big reason why many doctors and surgeons are opposed to it.  And it's a good reason.

LIFE HAS BEEN A PEACH SINCE MY DS, BUT YOU DO HAVE TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN YOUR NUTIRITION AND MEDICAL FOLOW UP POST OP FOR THE VERY LONG RUN./LIFE TIME , AND NOT EXPECT TO DO IT ON HEALTH INSURANCE.  LABS AND REGULAR DOCTOR FOLLOW UPS ARE EXPENSIVE,  YOU MUST BE KNOWLEGEABLE OF WHAT GOOD NUTRITIION IS.  
 THIS IS HARD PUT, BUT,  PART OF THIS LECTURE SINCE YOU ASKED IS  DIDNT WE TELL YOU ABOUT THE DS B4 YOU HAD THE BAND?  WERE YOU NOT WARNED ?  WE HERE ON THE DS BOARD HAVE BEEN CALLED A LOT OF FOUL NAMES IN THE PASS AND NOW REVISION IS THE MOST POPULAR TOPIC.

Actually no, no warned me about the DS before I got the band. I didn't know anything about it. I'm sorry if my question upset you, I'm just trying to do what's best for me. I didn't know the DS existed. My Doctor was about an  hour away from me and I got most of my information from him. He didnt' and doesn't to the DS so how could I have known about it. Obviously people have hurt you with their name calling, but one of them wasn't me, so please don't take it out on me.. I'm only trying to make a better and more informed desicion for myself.

Susan

 Walter, Quit shouting!!!!