POSTED UNDER Duodenal Switch Reviews
Finally Decided to Have DS Surgery - Millburn, NJ
UPDATED FROM jamy208
1 year post
So happy with my decision!
jamy208May 30, 2017
OK, so I know I have been totally remiss and I dropped the ball on updating my review. So I'm going to update you now. I'm almost 18 months post op and I feel fantastic! Not only did I meet my own personal goal weight at 10 months PO, I went well below that weight. My starting weight at the time of surgery was 274 lbs, I'm now 133 lbs! That's a total loss of 141 lbs! I'm a size 2/4. Absolutely amazing and exceeds my wildest dreams!
I do want to clarify, however, that I did not have a traditional DS surgery. I had a Loop Duodenal Switch or SAD-I (Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileostomy). Which is the DS with only one Anastomosis not 2 as with the traditional DS. This version of the surgery is now the preferred method of my surgeon and many others because studies show fewer instances of malnutrition and diarrhea. There is a longer common channel which means more absorption of food than with the traditional, 2 Anastomosis DS. I'm actually so glad that I did not have the traditional DS because I've had excellent results and fewer post surgical complications and deficiencies.
I get my bloodwork done every 6 months and address any deficiencies. Right now my only concern in Iron. I'm taking vitamins and supplements 4 times a day. This is absolutely a must. You must commit to supplementation or this is definitely not the surgery for you. But it's really not a big deal. It's just a part of my life now. I take multivitamins, calcium citrate, iron, Vit. D and Vit. A. However my iron is still low so my metabolic doctor just referred me to a hematologist and I'll likely have to get an infusion. That being said, absolutely, totally worth it to feel healthy again. Be able to move around without a whole extra person on my frame. People don't even recognize me. I was at a neighborhood block party from my hometown over the weekend and multiple people walked past me and didn't know who I was!
I eat pretty much whatever I want but obviously much less of it. I do have to be careful with certain carbs as they make me feel bloated. I can eat small amounts of pasta, but not a whole meal of it. Certain fatty foods will make my stool softer and may result in "oil slick" type bowel movements. I focus on protein and try to get 60+ grams per day. I start my day with a protein shake or bar and try to get the rest of my protein through food throughout the day.
Finally I want to say that my surgeon is so skilled and wonderful that I believe wholeheartedly that God sent me to him. I had a relatively complication free recovery and I've felt fantastic with no issues. I would recommend anyone considering weight loss surgery to go see Dr. Michael Bilof at Garden State Bariatrics in either Millburn or Toms River NJ. I'm going to try to post some photos now. Feel free to ask any questions, I'll do my best to answer.
I do want to clarify, however, that I did not have a traditional DS surgery. I had a Loop Duodenal Switch or SAD-I (Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileostomy). Which is the DS with only one Anastomosis not 2 as with the traditional DS. This version of the surgery is now the preferred method of my surgeon and many others because studies show fewer instances of malnutrition and diarrhea. There is a longer common channel which means more absorption of food than with the traditional, 2 Anastomosis DS. I'm actually so glad that I did not have the traditional DS because I've had excellent results and fewer post surgical complications and deficiencies.
I get my bloodwork done every 6 months and address any deficiencies. Right now my only concern in Iron. I'm taking vitamins and supplements 4 times a day. This is absolutely a must. You must commit to supplementation or this is definitely not the surgery for you. But it's really not a big deal. It's just a part of my life now. I take multivitamins, calcium citrate, iron, Vit. D and Vit. A. However my iron is still low so my metabolic doctor just referred me to a hematologist and I'll likely have to get an infusion. That being said, absolutely, totally worth it to feel healthy again. Be able to move around without a whole extra person on my frame. People don't even recognize me. I was at a neighborhood block party from my hometown over the weekend and multiple people walked past me and didn't know who I was!
I eat pretty much whatever I want but obviously much less of it. I do have to be careful with certain carbs as they make me feel bloated. I can eat small amounts of pasta, but not a whole meal of it. Certain fatty foods will make my stool softer and may result in "oil slick" type bowel movements. I focus on protein and try to get 60+ grams per day. I start my day with a protein shake or bar and try to get the rest of my protein through food throughout the day.
Finally I want to say that my surgeon is so skilled and wonderful that I believe wholeheartedly that God sent me to him. I had a relatively complication free recovery and I've felt fantastic with no issues. I would recommend anyone considering weight loss surgery to go see Dr. Michael Bilof at Garden State Bariatrics in either Millburn or Toms River NJ. I'm going to try to post some photos now. Feel free to ask any questions, I'll do my best to answer.
Replies (3)
May 30, 2017
Thank you so much for this update. I can't tell you how helpful it is to me. I just committed to converting gastric sleeve to DS yesterday, as my sleeve failed. My surgery is next month. I couldn't sleep at all last night because I'm so nervous! More about life afterwards than my surgery. I don't want to be limited in what I can do.
I have a question about the SADI for you - do you know the length of your common channel? My doctor said my common limb will be between 150 to 200cm, and my Alimentary limb 150cm. Does that sound about right?
You are a brace soul. Thanks again for sharing.
May 30, 2017
My common channel is approximately 300 cm. This helps with absorption of food and fewer issues of flatulence and diarrhea. I would discuss the SADI with your surgeon and see what they say. It was a great choice for me.
July 8, 2017
You look wonderful and sound very happy!
Can I ask some questions? How tall are you? I'm 274 currently, so just curious!
Also, what made you decide on DS? I had decided on the sleeve myself, but after doing more research, I'm thinking the DS may be better. What helped you make your decision?
Thanks!
August 25, 2017
Sorry for the late reply. I just saw your question. I'm 5'6". I had initially decided on the sleeve. Mainly because I thought my only 2 choices were sleeve or gastric bypass, and I knew for sure I didn't want the bypass so I decided on the sleeve. Then I was browsing my surgeon's website and I saw the Loop DS listed under procedures. I started researching it as well as the sleeve. I found a pretty high occurrence of weight regain in sleeve patients. Including a close friend of mine who actually referred me to Dr. Bilof. Then I discussed it with him and he highly recommended it. And said if he himself had to get weight loss surgery, the DS would be the one he'd get. So that's when I made my decision. And I'm so glad.
Replies (1)