Question:
has anyone ever had DS sugery and gained back the weight ?

I'm also curious to weather your stomach can return to normal size allowing you to regain all the weight.    — TANGIE B. (posted on August 25, 2000)

August 25, 2000
hello, my doctor told me there is a 20 percent failure with wls which is still pretty darn good odds compared to conventional diets. The reason he told me for weight gain after surgery was the ability to overeat and eventually stretch the small pouch back out. My surgery date is nov.13 and after going thru somthing like this I definely plan on sucess*smile*
   — Cindy B.

August 25, 2000
I have not heard of anyone gaining back all the weight lost after a DS though many people have gained some weight back (like a few pounds up to maybe 15 or 20-certainly not back up to the pre op weight) The stomach does stretch out after a period of time allowing for the consumption of a normal size meal or more. But remember that the primary mechanism of weight loss with the DS is malabsorption so that even if quantity consumed is increased, so is the amount of malabsorption increased, almost like cancelling each other out. With the RNY, the primary mechanism responsible for weight loss is restriction so conceivably there is the potential for late weight gain if the pouch capacity is increased (which of course there is some stretching over time) Since most RNY are proximal there is very little malabsorption at all so over time the amount of fod taken eat is more important than with the DS. But I would rest assured that both the DS and RNY have fantastic results no matter what the primary weight loss mechanism. I take comfort in the fact that I will never again weigh 375 pounds or even close to it and try to just be at peace and let the operation do it's thing. Please be aware that there are other reasons for weight gain that have nothing to do with the type of operation, size of the stomach or type of or quantity /quality of food you eat (like medications, diseases, age, gender, activity levels, etc) Hope this helps!!!!
   — Fran B.

August 25, 2000
I have not heard of anyone gaining back all the weight lost after a DS though many people have gained some weight back (like a few pounds up to maybe 15 or 20-certainly not back up to the pre op weight) The stomach does stretch out after a period of time allowing for the consumption of a normal size meal or more. But remember that the primary mechanism of weight loss with the DS is malabsorption so that even if quantity consumed is increased, so is the amount of malabsorption increased, almost like cancelling each other out. With the RNY, the primary mechanism responsible for weight loss is restriction so conceivably there is the potential for late weight gain if the pouch capacity is increased (which of course there is some stretching over time) Since most RNY are proximal there is very little malabsorption at all so over time the amount of fod taken eat is more important than with the DS. But I would rest assured that both the DS and RNY have fantastic results no matter what the primary weight loss mechanism. I take comfort in the fact that I will never again weigh 375 pounds or even close to it and try to just be at peace and let the operation do it's thing. Please be aware that there are other reasons for weight gain that have nothing to do with the type of operation, size of the stomach or type of or quantity /quality of food you eat (like medications, diseases, age, gender, activity levels, etc) Hope this helps!!!!
   — Fran B.

August 25, 2000
This website might explain the DS for you: <a href="http://www.mywls.com/Duodenal_Switch/duodenal_switch.html">Duodenal Switch</a>. Also, there are a couple of mailing lists where you can get good answers to this question: <a href="http://www.egroups.com/group/OSSG-Revision">WLS Revisions</a> and <a href="http://www.egroups.com/group/Graduate-OSSG">WLS Graduates</a> (for patients one year or more post op). Good luck to you!
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 25, 2000
I know of several that have gained all their weight back plus some. I also know of those that are 3 and 4 years post op and are doing beautiful. i believe the key is follow your post op instructions. Like my Dr said to me "if you continue to take in the same amount of calories on a daily basis you will not loose" makes sense to me, I believe that is where we have to break the cycle of eating when we think it is time instead of when we are hungry. I have also heard if you drink diet soda you will stretch the stomach back out. I will have my surgery in September and will try to follow the guidelines as closely as possible. I sure do not plan to go through this to have no benefit from it. My e-mail is [email protected]. I wish you the best of luck.
   —  emma lavonne G.

August 25, 2000
Tangie... simply put, this does not happen. I questioned my surgeon relentlessly about this and out of all the DS surgeries he has done, the MOST regained of late was 8 lbs in his patients. The medical reports indicate that this is a moot issue and not a concern. You would have to try and try and try with all your might to deliberately sabotage this type of WLS.
   — Kris S.