Thinking about DS

Aside with all of the great advice you are receiving here in regard to bathroom issues and supplements is for you to take a good look at the RNY and VSG boards here.   You will notice a MUCH higher satisfaction rate with the DS than with other surgeries.    We DS'ers, as long as we stay away from massive consumption of processed starches (in my case mostly white flour) and take the CORRECT amount of vitamins based on our labs, are a tremendously happy bunch.   You're not going to see us on here whining about "head hunger" and feeling left out of life because our friends are enjoying food while we have to chew ours to much and not drink with our meals.     We don't have to cut our fats and eat squirrel-sized portions of things.   I am 6.5 years out, maintaining well (I'd like to lose five pounds after my holiday carb extravaganza and long, cold, non-exercising winter) and I eat like a normal small person.  99% of the people who meet me would never know I've ever been MO or had WLS.    

I also want to add that often your surgeon's post-op requirements are often not accurately geared to what our true nutritional needs are.   They have a habit of undersupplementing, especially in regard to our fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K AND the micronutrients that must accompany them such as zinc and copper) and calcium    This has caused many of us, although being compliant with their recommendations, to fall into a malnourished state.   If you are going to be a successful DS'er, you really want to keep in touch via outside forums to make sure that you avoid this situation.    If you'd like any links to other forums besides this, please message me.

Essentially, the three big DS rules for success are 1)  Take a couple of handfuls of vitamins every day (you'll get used t it); 2)  Get at least 100 grams of protein in a day (and for some of us it's more); and 3)  Stay away from white flour and other processed carbs.   Corn syrup is the devil for me!

Good luck.

Hello!  I am trying to do some research on the DS WLS and found this comment quite helpful, thank you.

Oddly enough, Dr K is going to be my surgeon as well.  We have talked about this procedure and I am most interested in this over the other options, however my concern is the vitamins.  Dr. K said I should expect to pay at least $100 each month on vitamins, which seems like a huge amount to add into my monthly expenses.  I would assume that he was right on the mark with the cost, but I still have to ask if this is correct and if you  have found an alternate, cheaper way to go about getting your vitamins? 

There is no doubt in my mind of how important these nutrients are so I am simply trying to get a handle on what to expect.

Thank you for any advise you can offer.

I am coming up on the 3 month mark, so I am by no means a vet.  But I am very glad I chose the DS.  However, it requires you to be diligent with protein and supplements.  If you don't eat enough protein or take your vitamins every day, you will end up in a world of hurt.  So you have to be honest with yourself.  When you get the DS, you HAVE to commit to swallowing handfuls of pills every single day for life, and commit to getting around 100g of protein every single day.  You can read the Bites/Vites/Exercites thread everyday to get an idea of how some DSers eat.

As for the bathroom issues, they vary from person to person.  I am one that can tolerate everything.  Some people have a lot of trouble with lactose or gluten, but I can eat it without any problems.  If I go a little overboard with carbs, I just have an extra trip to the bathroom that day.  It's not diarrhea though.  But I watch what I eat more closely on the days I work, or if I will be going out just because I cannot stand using public bathrooms.  So it kind of keeps me in check.  My gas is totally controllable too.  I am NOT a farting machine.  I don't even think my gas is any different than pre-op other than it stinks more.  But I didn't fart around people pre-op, and I don't fart around people post-op.  Simple as that.  But it's the roll of the dice.  You may be one that has to eliminate certain foods from your diet to avoid issues.  

The bad....well, sometimes I wish I could just eat a bowl of cereal for breakfast instead of always eating eggs or sausage, etc.  The cost is also high.  Vitamins, protein, all the meat I buy, I have labs coming up, etc.  It all adds up!  And somedays I feel like I'm taking pills all day long!  

Nativenewyorker,

I live in Utah as well, however, my surgeon is Daniel Cottam at BMI-a center of excellance.  I had a revision from the crapband to the DS on Oct 22, 2012-the best decision I ever made for my health!  I has to self pay-$13.5K.  Dr, Cottam is not yet vetted but to date he has preformed over 100 DSs.  My recovery was very smooth and I went back to work in two weeks.  I started at 255 (39 bmi) and thus far have lost 60 lbs.  I have never shart myself.  I have one or two large bms every morning-thats it.  You must commit to protein, blood work and vit regimes.  I use the pre packaged vitalady for DS.  It costs about $80 per month-well worth it.  After doing much research referenced by Larra above (my life saver BTW) I was a believer. Best wishes on your decision!

 

Dr Cottam is actually my new surgeon. He is wonderful. I'm torn between a sleeve and DS. DS is so invasive.

I would defer to Dr. Cottam.  He is a huge proponant of the sleeve.  With a bmi at 30 it may be a great option.  I had gained and lost so much so many times I really needed the malabsorption the DS offers.  The sleeve is retriction only.  There are many light weight who have had the DS and have been very happy with the results.  You can add the second part of the DS-the switch in a second surgery but remember the cut once rule.  You will have scare tissue to contend with due to your band placements.  I truly believe the DS is the best WLS option out there-hands down.