Doctor has proposed Duodenal Switch

That does not describe me at all. I have one giant movement first thing in the morning and I'm done for the day. It's been this way for about 11 or 12 years. The stool is loose, but not a big deal, and stench is very dependent on what I eat. If I eat clean and including probiotic foods, it's not much at all. Learning what to eat is key to how your body reacts. Nutritional health is something you'll want to be plugged into. Docs, nutritionists and dieticians usually are clueless, so we learn from each other.

Thank you for this reply!! Yes - when the PA was describing this issue, it surprised me how "big" of an issue she made it seem (and yes -- I believe that, to those for whom it has become an issue, it is very significant); but I kept thinking, this has to be something people learn to deal with! If you eat the "right" foods things will work better...when you eat the "wrong" foods, yes, there will be more issues, in every sense! I only recently posted on this website but had been "lurking" for a long while...it's definitely seemed like people here (especially post-op, experienced, veterans, etc.) have their finger much more accurately on the pulse of good advice, good foods, good routines, etc. than the nutritionists and dietitians we see in the hospitals. Thank you!!

I have pretty regular bathroom habits. First thing in the morning and then usually once about 11 am after I finish my 2nd diet soda (yes it's that regular, to the point that I do not to schedule meetings until after I have my mid morning poo...hahahaha (J/K).

I actually have to take stool softeners about every few weeks (for a couple of days) because out of no where my poos will get hard.

With that said, I am 11 years out. The first year was a learning curve (it is this way with EVERY surgery). YOu will have to learn what you can eat and what you cannot. Some of your go to foods now, may set off a gas attack post op.

At 11 years out, and still maintaining my weight loss..I'd have the DS again in a heartbeat!

Yes, this sounds more realistic! Especially about the learning curve....and I agree, that ends up being the case regardless! I've known friends/coworkers who've had the sleeve or the Roux-en-Y, and they suddenly go from eating a carb-heavy diet to a protein-heavy diet and their BM's are (to them) all kinds of whack-a-doo. I especially appreciate the sentiment that so many others have shared...that given the chance, again, you'd have the surgery in a heartbeat. :) It is reassuring that so many have found this to be such an effective tool in their weight-loss journey. Thank you.

I have the opposite problem. I take 2 magnesium and 7 senna pills a day to have "normal" poops. I do go about three times a day. 1-2 time after being awake about 1 hour, then again in the late afternoon. I would say my poops are a little softer than before surgery but still solid logs! If I eat too many carbs at once I get diarrhea and gassy. I haven't found that problem with fatty foods. It took me about a year of trial and error before coming up with what worked for me. I also worked with my surgery team and a gastroenterologist very closely. This surgery is amazing and very much regulated with intake. It's also about moderation. I love chocolate. Chocolate everything. I don't deprive myself but I don't eat it daily anymore, I eat smaller portions of it as well, and it's still amazing. I love this surgery and would do it again in a heartbeat. You do need to be very proactive and focused on doing what's right for you. I am very on top of my labs as well as taking vites. You have to be your own advocate and willing to do so. I wish you the best of luck! This surgery is worth it.

Yes! I appreciate you reiterating the necessity of being, personally, on top of labs and taking vitamins/supplements, and not just relying on the doctor and his practice to be taking care of that for me. It sounds like while everyone may have had, or have gone through, similar post-surgery experiences in term of what they can eat and how it changed everyone's bathroom habits, each person has their own "learning curve" and have had to figure out for themselves what works best (and what not to do). And I am so glad to hear that it's worked in the long-term for you -- that's definitely the biggest reason/most attractive feature of this surgery for me! Yes, I agree that I want to lose as much weight as quickly as I can, but even more important is the ability to keep it off in the long run. Thank you!!