DESPERATE for reminders why i should have the DS

Just ask yourself if you can maintain your weight loss on good habits and self control - because the restriction of a sleeve or an RNY are going to disapear over time.  Then it's just you and the battle of trying not to gain that weight back.  And every year it gets harder the older you get.

I knew that the RNY or sleeve would get me to lose the weight, but that I would not be able to keep it off.  Been there, done that so many times.  I knew that the malabsorbtion was what I needed.  Matter of fact, I told my surgeon to leave my stomach alone - just do the lower half of the surgery.  Because I can get the weight off, but I can't keep it off without a lot of help.  The DS is the only tool that I know of that provides this most effectively.

Simple question really.

It's normal to get cold feet leading up to, and even have regrets immediately following.  Next week I will be 6 months out.  I honestly do not find the DS life all that hard to live.  It looks a lot more difficult on paper/internet than it actually is.  As long as you're committed to eating right (high protein, low carb), drinking water, taking your vitamins/supplements and follow-up care you'll do fine.  I must say, I much prefer my life now than what I had before the DS.  Thanks to this surgery I don't have high blood pressure, knee pain, back pain, GERD, or sleep apnea anymore. 

Hi, AJ I was just wondering since you are six months out, Did you start out with the

Vitalady program?  Surgery for me is next month, and I think Im going to start there.

Depending on labs I would like to work my way down to the centrium multi, and add

in the others I need, for cost reasons.  I was just wondering what you do for your vitamins?

Most likely, you'll need at least A, D, E & K; probably B12 and copper with your iron.  I get mine from Vitalady still at 5 yrs out.  I order enough for a year at a time.  Shipping was free if you ordered $300.  I do get my multi's & calcium from Sams, others biotin, selenium, folic acid, etc from Walmart or GNC depending on sales.

ETA:  The main reason I had the DS was to cure my diabetes, which it did.  My bp and cholesterol are now normal and no presc meds for those.  I do take a presc for potassium.  I take lots of vitamins, but my body does better with vitamins than it did with all the presc meds I was taking.  With the DS I don't have to diet.  If I go up a few pounds, a couple of days w/o carbs and sugar and the weight drops back down.  I love meat, fish, cheese... what's not to like about eating the DS way? 

really appreciate your take!

Here's the situation ... no matter what surgery (or non-surgical option) you choose, you WILL HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES.

Period.

You have to eat right, you have to take supplements, and you have to get labs done.

Complications arise when people don't do what they need to do. 

I'd also say, don't stress about things that haven't happened. Yes, it's good to be prepared but sometimes you can do more harm than good.

I know that I'm not "normal" compared to other people but I don't feel, in any way, that my life is difficult or unmanageable. I have my supplements to take every day, I eat protein first, and I don't shy away from fat. I am healthier now than I've ever been. I never get sick. I could NOT have done this without my surgery. It saved my life. 

My last on this ... I'm worth the effort.

thank-you!

You want the full DS because it keeps on working. It changes the way your body deals with food, forever.

---Judith, 9+ years post-op, zero regain

Do it!

Is it a tough journey post-op? Yes, I am two weeks in and its not easy. Is it better than having edema, fatty liver disease, high cholesterol and diabetes? Absolutely.

Taking supplements and minding what you eat is so much more valuable than the alternative, which is to do nothing and pass away young. Sounds like you have people who love you! Ultimately I did my surgery for me, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't also for my husband and family; so we could live happy and more fulfilling lives together.

Its easy to look at the potential complications of the DS and get scared, I think we've all done that. But just remember they are *potential* complications. You may have a couple, you may have none. That's true of any surgery.

All in all a DS means a better-quality and longer life than your current lifestyle. It means getting to go places, do things, love your family in new and fun ways, and shop normally for clothes!

Think about how limiting your lifestyle is now, and then think about how much better you'll feel with the weight off! Yay!