Think DS is for me, scratch that, I KNOW DS is for me

Originally I wanted do get the VGS, but that was before I knew about the DS.  When I went to the WLS seminar I heard it mentioned, but at that time I was gungho for the band but according to what the doc said I was too big for it and figured RNY was for me.  When I came back to research again, I felt the VGS was the way to go. 

I have hypertension, diabetes (on my way to insulin trying a second oral first), asthma and sleep apnea.  I also have PCOS and have had 4 unexplained miscarriages which have lead my doctor to stick me in the you just need to lose weight category in order to have a successful pregnancy.  I know that DS would be a tool and since my main reason for losing weight would be to be a mother, I feel that since this tool is always going to be there when and if I do ever get pregnant, I would still have it to help be get back on track after the baby.

I just need to speak to the surgeon about it more since he said that I had to decide which one I wanted.  I see him in two months.  He's giving me two months to quit smoking. 

If anyone has any tips for quitting please please share, my husband smokes too so not buying them is not an option for me.  I've been placed on bupropion to help but 2 weeks on that and still have every urge to smoke.  Bought som lozenges and well instead of sticking one of them in my mouth i choose a cigarette. 

Sometimes I feel like I am doing too much at one time.  Trying to eat better, lose weight, stop smoking, take care of a female issue and have surgery. 

Lina, it does sound like the Ds is a great choice for you esp since you are diabetic. In addition to having the highest percentage excess weight loss and best maintainence of that weight loss of any wls, the DS also has the best results for resolution of type 2 diabetes. And recent info on diabetes and RNY has come out to show that many of the people who seem to have their diabetes gone with RNY have it return in a few years, so the rate for type 2 diabetes resolution with RNY is much lower than previously believed. With the DS, the rate of resolution of type 2 diabetes is 92 - 98%, depending on what study you read, and return of diabetes years later is rare.

The DS also has the best rate of resolution for both hypertension and sleep apnea. I don't know statistics for PCOS, sorry.

Unfortunately I can't help with the smoking issue, though I agree with your surgeon that this is important, not just for your overall health but also for healing, but internally and externally, and for prevention of problems with your operated on stomach in the future.

I have been on this forum for over 7 years and never heard of your surgeon. The DS world is small enough that those of us who have been around for awhile know who the players are. I am concerned that when he told you to come back with your decision, he meant between RNY and VSG and didn't envision you choosing the DS. You may need to choose a different surgeon.

Larra

I live in PA and my surgeon is at Temple Hospital in Philadelphia.  I am not sure about the past, but I know he is currently doing DS as there was just a new flash posted on the hospitals website in regards to him performing one on a patient and it's being done lap.  He also never said there wasn't one that I can't do and when his office checked my insurance coverage they check for all procedure codes including DS.  :)   I think I will call tomorrow just to be on the safe side though.

http://bariatric.templehealth.org/content/news.htm?inCtx4news_id=32&inCtx4view=24

That would be great news to get another DS surgeon.  When you see him, ask who he learned it from.  

We look forward to seeing how your experience goes with him!

Hi Lina

Like you originally I was going to the doctors for the band but he said it wouldn't do me any good with my size. I have type 2 diabetes and am waiting for the results of my sleep study ( I can already tell them I have the sleep apnea). After going to the support meeting and meeting my doctor and doing my own research I know the DS is for me. I was also diagnosed with PCOS but went to a wonderful fertility clinic and after 4 tries with drugs we did get pregs with our daughter and that was 5 years ago, so keep up the hope it will happen. I am 2 appts away from sending all my paperwork to insurance co for approval. 

Take it one step at a time, and it will help with the next thing. 

Hi Michelle

Congrats! I love PCOS success stories.  :)

I've seen folks about our size or bigger that have had the band so maybe it's a surgeons preference not to do it.  I know everyone's experience is different, but after reading some of the stories of the band and knowing that I have THE worst luck, I am sort of glad it is not an option (at this surgeon's office) for me.  I wanted it for gradual weight loss but at this point with my health getting worse each time I go to the doctor's I don't have gradual time to waste any longer.

Keep me posted on your journey.

Sorry I missed your post Val. 

I just confirmed w/ Dr. Meilahn's office he does do the DS.  When I meet w/ him at the end of January I'll try to remember to ask him who he was taught by. 

When you go meet up with your surgeon, take this list of questions with you (I printed mine out).  It is off of the DSFacts.com website.

http://www.dsfacts.com/Questions-To-Ask-Your-Surgeon.html

Congrats! I just hit 5 months post op and down 70 lbs! Good luck!

misty