Considering a revision to the DS from a VSG. Can you talk to me about your experience?

I would like to strongly encourage you to not feel like a failure. I had a band to DS revision three weeks ago and am already terrifically pleased with my DS! Seriously, I don't care what anybody says -- there is something about how we metabolize food that contributes to obesity. I was in a car accident in August and had to be in a hospital and rehab facility for 3 weeks.During this time the staff prepared all my meals. I ate high protein, low carb 1400 calories and STILL managed to gain weight, there was no food sneaking or underestimating of calories consumed, plus I even very seldom ate all of the 1400 calories provided each day - -many days it was closer to 1100 or 1200. So, it is clear that my body needed the malabsorbtion component of the DS. 

For the 3 years I had the band, I ate less than anyone else I shared meals with (and no snacking) and I was rewarded with minimal weight loss and then it stopped and I started gaining, despite intense exercise.

I love the more normal eating pattern of the DS. I could never do the RNY -- seriously, I eat just plain old normal food that I grew up eating, not lowfat, low calorie everything. Just real food! It is such a nice to not be penalized with weight gain from eating normally.

Thank you for replying.  Even though I was extremely careful about counting my calories, I stopped gaining weight.  I think I developed very disordered behaviors with my calorie tracking and consumption, and I would beat myself up any time I ate more than 1200 calories.  I lived on 800-900 calories.  Despite all that, my weightloss just stopped and started creeping back up.  Then, the truth is, I stopped counting and started gaining more. It became too hard to starve myself any more. I am excited to experience normal eating without guilt and shame with the DS.

I am excited to experience normal eating without guilt and shame with the DS.

AMEN! When I had my DS, my major focus was, of course, on losing weight. Losing my guilt and shame turned out to be a major NSV for me.

Congrats and best of luck to you!  What a way to start the new year!

Yep I'm a two-parter and am pretty happy with my revision.  Very little change in my eating style from when I was only sleeved, but I've lost nearly 40lbs so far (I'm a little over 5 months out).  The DS is a simpler and more effective revision that getting an RNY.  You don't want yet another surgery further down the road when you start regaining following a gastric bypass.

I've not had any complications at all and pretty much had a text book recovery.  I follow the rules and get in well over 100g protein a day and I'm following the Vitalady program of vites.  It's not that hard to follow compared to having to be way more cautious with what you eat.

With RNY you'd have to do low fat as well as low carb, plus you shouldn't eat and drink at the same time (which you can with the DS).  Plus you can't take NSAIDs with RNY, which while you may not need them right now it's an option I'd like open to me should the need arise in the future.  Also look up dumping on youtube... that really doesn't look like fun at all.  About 40% of RNYers experience dumping.

Hi Pippin,

I am a VSG to DS'r also. I had my VSG in 2007 with Mark Pleatman also, whom I see was your surgeon. I was also self pay and had to travel for the VSG. In August 2011, I was revised to DS by Dr. Ranjan Sudan at Duke in NC. Again, I had to travel for the DS but thankfully insurance covered the DS surgery,

Please do not feel like a failure. I did also for a long time but finally realized I did not fail the VSG, it failed me. I lost about 120 lbs with the VSG, and regained about 50. It was not the right surgery for me to begin with. My Pre VSG weight was 325, and I had insulin resistance, PCOS, etc. I really needed the metabolic advantages of the DS.

I did have very severe, rare complications from my revision. My complications were caused by severe internal scar tissue due to previous abdominal surgeries. I developed infectious necrotizing  pancreatitis, and spent several months in the hospital, time in rehab, and all together 6 months out of work. That being said, I knew going into the DS that the scar tissue was severe and that it would be a difficult surgery. I was fortunate to have an extremely skilled surgeon who was able to complete the surgery; I have heard of others with this condition awakening from surgery only to find out that their sugeon could not perform the operation once they were opened up on the table (because they felt the surgery was too difficult due to the scar tissue).

Even with the complications, I know the DS was absolutely the right surgery for me.  I am now 142 pounds, and finally at a normal bmi. My eating really hasn't changed much from VSG to DS, I just now have to make sure I take in even more protein. I do get pretty bad gas/bathroom issues if I overdo it on sugar or flour, so I don't do it often. Of course, you have to be much more diligent with your vites with the DS.

Please feel free to PM me if I can help you with any concerns as you navigate this process; I felt very alone when I was going through this process as there were not many who had done VSG to DS revision with a 4 year gap in between the stages! My biggest regret is that I did not have the DS to begin with, and that I waited so long for a revision. I applaud you for your courage in coming forward to seek answers.

Hi Teetser,

It was nice to read your story. Thanks.  I'm glad you are doing well. 

Back when I started on this board, it was said that there was a certain synergy in getting the sleeve and gut portion of the DS performed at the same time.  I always wondered about that.  Being a two-parter, with years in between, can you give me your opinion?  I realize that in your case, you spent time in the hospital, which probably influenced the time it took you to loose the weight. 

Thanks, Jenny

first congrats on your 100 lbs lost, that is hard work, don't focus so much on your 60 back.  I am a ds revision, while i was a band to ds and not vsg i can  give you some revision info.  i had the band for 8 years i lost over 200 lbs to 127 lbs. the last 2 years i started having some severe problems with the band, eventually losing the band permanently, leaving me with permanent irreversible damage.   I didn't want the ds, rny was not an option for me and i didn't want to gain the weight back.....ok i will have the ds, best thing i ever did.  i was a mess with the band but living like that i had lost my sense of normalcy, i know this is not your issue, but it is to tell you the ds is really a great surgery if you will get your blood work, take your vitamins and take care of yourself, you have to.  i have a great quality of life now years after ds, and i am at 123lbs i eat like a normal person, best decision i ever made.    good luck to you