DS or Sleeve? BMI only 39.2

It is a tough choice.  I considered DS because of a prevalence of diabetes in my family.  I had already been diagnosed with PCOs.  I went with the sleeve because I know that I'm really not good about taking pills consistently and that is a bigger deal with the DS.  

I busted my butt...worked out a lot, kept to around 800 calories.  And I did get down 100 pounds.  But honestly I couldn't keep it up.  I had some personal stuff going on and I was cold all the time, hair falling out, low energy.  My food choices slipped.

I've gained about 28 pounds in 7 months and now I'm questioning my decision.  I do plan to get some blood work done to check out hypothyroid/adrenal fatigue.  I have a lot of the symptoms.  

I asked about getting tests around the 6 month point when my weight loss had already slowed way down even though I was still being compliant and the PA at my surgeon's practice said that it was "outside their scope of practice".  Uninsured and no money for about a year.  When I did talk to the PA again around 1 year she said I should still be losing, but I stalled out hard around 8 months, then recommitted with intermittent fasting and walking 6+ miles a day to get the scale to move again.  But then when I went back to "normal" the weight started back on.

I'm glad I'm healed up, not big complications.  Glad to still be under 200, but so sad to have this much regain so soon.  It is just tough to deal with being so big and still on small child size portions.  I want it off, and then on the other hand I worry that if I restrict hard again, that I will gain even more back if I can't maintain strict low calorie/high protein forever.

DS! Dr. Smith is good. I know several ppl that have had their DS by him. I'm pretty sure one of them had BCBS Federal but I'm not sure if being a lightweight will make a difference on insurance covering.

Ronnie

I was a lightweight who had the DS, and will admit that I have often asked myself this same question.

The DS requires a lifetime of supplementation.  It requires diligence every day with a commitment to protein and hydration.  And go a bit overboard with sugar or simple carbs, and I pay for it in the bathroom.  

I am 5-7, and started around 240ish lbs.  When I got to 170-180, I thought that I could be very very happy at that weight.  My goal was never to be skinny and have plastics...my labs were trending poorly, and I knew I had no self discipline to make the necessary changes to better my health.  I had no comorbids going into surgery, but I knew I was on my way to developing health issues if I didnt start taking better care of myself.

There have recently been a lot of posts from people who had the sleeve, who are looking to revise to the DS.  These situations reenforce to me, that I made the right decision getting the DS the first time around.  I don't have to worry about regain; I don't have to worry about diabetes and other comorbids; I don't have to worry about having a second surgery, finding a surgeon capable of doing it, and trying to come up with the money to pay for it!

If you can commit to the DS lifestyle, then I would urge you to skip the sleeve and get the DS.  I will never know if the sleeve would have been "enough" for me.  But I do enjoy the piece of mind knowing that I don't have to worry about it any more.

Oh, and I do enjoy my current weight of 135 lbs!

THANK you so much for your reply - and WOOHOO on 135!  That is 3 pounds less than I was when I met my husband and was wearing a size 8!  I was told by Dr. Macik that I would see an end weight of 175 - I am currently 252 and 5'8. This puts my BMI still at overweight...I was not very thrilled about going through surgery to still be classified as overweight.  Having MS requires me to already take a medications, so adding a few more doesn't mean anything to me, LOL!  My biggest fear in this is that I do the sleeve and don't lose any weight since I have struggled for years to get my weight down.  6 months on Atkins and I lost 10 pounds...and that was at induction phase.  I also have no thyroid now so I am on thyroid meds...I know it isn't my thyroid.  Getting the weight off for me has become more important because of my MS. Yes, I hate being fat and not being able to wear "normal" clothes, but more importantly I need to get this weight off so I can move better and be able to play with my kids.  Now I am crossing my fingers that my insurance doesn't argue :) Thanks so much for the inspiration and advice!

 

Paula

I had a vsg 3 years ago and after losing 98# the weight loss just stopped. I was 98% on plan,seriously,and still couldn't lose. I lost 6# in the lat 6 months before I converted to the DS portion.

I have started losing again and feel confident I will get to goal. My metabolism was whack also.

I am with you that I did not want to have surgery and still be obese. That was not good enou for me. I want to be in the normal category .

Knowing what I know now, my best advice to you is to go straight for the DS if you can determine. Your insurance covers DS.
Gl

I had the sleeve in 2008..... Getting the DS on the 12th because of regain :(  Go straight to the DS for the most weight loss! IMHO

 

Hi 2rotten4u,

Sometimes this kind of question gets rather partisan as people naturally defend their own surgeries and choices. That is not my intention in any way. You absolutely need to ask lots of questions and be your own advocate. I am a very satisfied Sleever but I know that the DS can be a more powerful tool for some people.

I just wanted to remind you that everyone's metabolism and medical history are unique. You mentioned that you are on meds for MS. Is there any way to know where in the digestive tract those meds are absorbed or how they would be affected by surgery? This is not something that you want to be a surprise after surgery. ( I am fascinated by DS but was told that my medical issues did not allow for malabsorptive procedures).

As a counterpoint, I want you to know that being less mobile does not need to keep any surgery from being successful. I really needed to convince my surgeon to take a chance on me but I have lost almost 100 pounds while using an electric wheelchair full time. I lost of the weight in 6 months and have maintained for a year so far.

You can be a success but do find out a little more about your specific meds so that you know exactly what will work for you.

All the best

 

Well, duh, this is the DS board she is asking questions on,. Why wouldn't we be partisan ?

You bring up a good point about knowing where her MS meds are absorbed and how the DS will effect that.  2rotten4, you need to check this!

As far as your success with the sleeve....I would suggest that no one rely on sleeve results after one year.  Too many people have future weight gain.  I think you are still in the honeymoon phase.

2rotten4u, there is nothing wrong with checking out the sleeve forum to see how others have done.  But I will caution you to only look at the results from posters who are say 3 years and beyond out.  You really need to look at long term results, and this is really where the DS blows away the competition.

I was a BMI of 36.9 wt 190 5ft at surgery when I had my surgery 7/30/12. now almost 1 yrs out 120-125. I used Dr. Stewart (RIP) I am a Diabetic I went to see him for the Sleeve with his help and  OH. I decided to go for the DS Think twice and cut once is my motto. He told me he could do the sleeve and I would be diabetic free for a few years and  I would be back for the DS. So with discussing and thinking I took his advice and went with the DS and have loved every min of it. yes my labs are all over the board but it was still the best decision I have made.