Postop

@Mikeyy It's a big decision and a lifelong commitment. You're right. You definitely want to do your research because you want to "think twice and cut once". BPD/DS, DS = Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch also known as Traditional Duodenal Switch or duodenal switch. BPD = Biliopancreatic diversion. Not DS. MGB= Mini Gastric Bypass. Not DS RNY = Gastric Bypass. Not DS. SIPS, SADI = single anastomosis duodenal switch. Not DS. Have you been to dsfacts? It has tons of information on what's what concerning the DS.

@Mikeyy The difference is the malabsorption. With the DS, it's lifelong and much more than the RNY. It aids in keeping the weight off. Plus, you need to take many more vits/minerals and take in a lot more protein due to the malabsorption (e.g. I eat every couple of hours and average 125-150mg/day of protein).

@disco stu Gummies and chewables aren't recommended as we just don't absorb enough from them. However, some do take them. Just ensure they're keeping your numbers up. If not, you'll want to switch from them. BTW, I suggest keeping your blood reports from preop onward. It's really helpful to be able to look back at where you were before surgery (preop) as this might help you later on if you develop an issue. A quick example: at about a year out I had terrible itching. No one could figure out what it was. Finally, a UK DSer friend, asked what my zinc was. I told her the number and that it was in the normal range. She asked what my preop zinc number was and it was much higher (also in the normal range). She said to try and bring it up to the preop number. She was right. I've never had an itching issue since. And, of course, its very important to keep all post op bloods to compare & look at trends.

Not necessarily. It's the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch that's done nowadays. The biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) alone used to be done, but it turned out there were some really tough side effects to it. Make sure you're talking about the BPD/DS (biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch). Have you spoken with Dr Nottle? He's in Queensland, I believe, and is known for doing the conventional (not SIPS/SADI/single anastomosis) BPD/DS.

@disco stuSo glad I could help. Just make sure that your Costco calcium is citrate. We don’t absorb carbonate well . And you’re absolutely right about why gelcaps don’t work for us, we just don’t absorb the oil well enough. Ooh, 9 is good for your calcium. I almost never get that high, I’m always in the 8s and you’d freak if I told you how much I take each day 🙃 Feel free to ask anything , we’ve all been through it and like to pay it forward. Plus, I sometimes have issues and there are a couple of DSers who had their surgery a few years before me so sometimes I need their input.

@disco stuGlad you posted as we need to get your numbers where they should be. As I'm almost 14 years out, this is a problem many of us have faced. 🙂 Regarding the green ovals: That's what I thought they were giving you. I could tell by your low number . Assuming you have had the traditional DS, these green capsules do nothing for us. You need to take dry Vitamin D3 (aka cholicalciferol). You must take it singlely. By that I mean only D can be in the pill or capsule. Some come as A and D together. That's no good for us. We also can't take gel caps, at all . That Rx you're being given is not for DSers. It won't work. Too many doctors don't realize that Rx blows right through us. You must take a pill or capsule for better absorption. You can find Biotech D3 online. They sell 50,000iu doses. Start with 1per day . If that doesn't pull your numbers up go to 100,000iu (2 pills per day). That's what I take. Others take 150,000 or more, if needed. You'll need to experiment to see how much you need. We all tweak constantly. Also, no chewable anything . At almost a year out you should be doing pills, if you can. Again, better absorption. Where are you with your calcium? Are your numbers good? Are you taking citrate or carbonate?

@disco stu You say you got a Rx from your doctor for Vitamin D. Are these green oval capsules?

Congratulations 🎈

I remember they found a ton of ulcers when they did the endoscopy. It was a complete surprise to me. That set things back until they were treated. Once I was cleared, I then learned my surgeon was going away the day after my surgery and he wanted to reschedule. I was very upset and cried on the phone. Several phone calls later, I was able to convince him I was fine with his partner doing the postop work (especially since both were actually going to be in the operating theater). When in doubt; 😢, lol

OK . I'll resend it.

Sent you a PM.

I was just looking back at my weight chart I kept & found it. It took 8 months till I got to the 150s. (I never had a target weight). I kept losing and got to the 120s at 16 months. I also suggest you look at the Ayoola practice in Denton if you're considering the DS. He does the full DS and has been doing it for a long time. I'm sending you a PM as well.

I'm almost 14 years out from the traditional DS and don't have chronic diarrhea. I'll get diarrhea if I eat too much junk and/or sometimes from antibiotics. A round of Flagyl is helpful for that. You learn what to eat when to forestall problems. For instance, I'll eat ice cream but I'll do it at home. But what I love about the DS is I eat every hour or so. Salami, McDonald's, nuts, cheese, etc., Just tons of protein. Reflux can be an issue with the sleeve. Talk with your surgeon.

To add to dsdesigna's post: Take your vitamins and minerals everyday. You're making a lifetime commitment to this Get your bloods taken when and how often your team says you should Keep a copy of your surgical report Get your pre-op blood report and all post-op ones (You never know when they will help if you are having an issue) Get a pre-op Dexa bone scan so you have a basis for comparison

4 to 6.

@Glamgirl I'm sure you'll clean out OK .

@GlamGirl1967 I've had a couple. The main thing I've found is it takes longer to get cleaned out than a normie so starting earlier is a good idea . I did the pills the first time but was told no on the second. I think it had to do with possible kidney side effects. I sent you a PM as well.

@vjsI've had similar issues which have, thankfully, quieted down in the last few years. How much D3 and calcium citrate are you taking? What is your PTH? Do you have osteo issues?

Not unless and until your blood results say you need additional supplementation. I take 2 Multis a day. But I also take 35-40 other vitamins and minerals as my blood work shows I’m malabsorbing them and need to supplement.

You only have to take them separately when you supplement them along with multis. Multis are ok. I’m just referring to when you have to additionally supplement . You can take them with other vitamins (at the same time) but they can’t come in one pill (eg a combo Vit A and D pill)

There are loads of these things you learn over 13 years. 😀 I sent you a PM.

We just don't absorb them well. I know people who've tried vitamin patches. It's a no go. The DS is such a delicate balance to get things that work fo us . For instance, did you know that when/if you supplement Vit A it must be palmitol, retinol or acetate? No beta carotene. We don't absorb it well. Also, the Vit A must be by itself . By that I mean no combo Vit A and Vit D pills. They often come that way.

If you're having the traditional DS, I'm afraid patches don't work. You might look into returning them and purchasing tablets or capsules (not gel caps as we don't absorb the oil).

I've never told anyone other than my immediate family (and medical professionals, of course). Remember you can't unring the bell. Plus you can always tell later on.

I know DSERS who have used half and half or cream with their cereal. It's fine.