If I had known then what I know now about my DS...

[jessgnc 167]

I want to hear from you! I'm going through with a modified, less extreme version of the DS! I've done my homework, grilled my doctor and his nurse for multiple hours and I'm prepared for this 100%. I have no fear of committing to Vitamins, diet or anything else.

Still, I'm dying to learn from personal accounts. So DS post-op people...what important things did you learn that you wish someone had warned you about beforehand?

[Berry78 4,261]

Have you done the math for how much the Vitamin supplementation will cost? I've heard it can be $150/month just for vitamins!

Other than that, I don't know much about the procedure. Guess I have some homework to do

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[Kaylamh 144]

The Vitamin kit I got was 125 for 3 month supply! Some have to be replaced periodically, but it's worth it for what you'll save in food

I wish I had really known how much better I would feel after even 40 pounds of weight loss.

The DS has its quirks (lots of burping for me) but it's so worth it!

[Berry78 4,261]

Good to know my source was wrong

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[summerset 5,265]

Good to know my source was wrong

I think it depends. I could spend easily 150 bucks on supplements/vitamins a month if I wanted to I guess. There are expensive and less expensive supplements after all.

[jessgnc 167]

Have you done the math for how much the Vitamin supplementation will cost? I've heard it can be $150/month just for vitamins!

I have and I asked my doctor! Since I'll be doing a modified, my body will have more time to absorb nutrients. I'm also a picture of good health (+100 or so pounds) so I'd only need drugs to keep me healthy, not to fix old issues. I was told I could expect $60-$80 per month on pills, which is less than I had budgeted for this.

[jessgnc 167]

Good to know my source was wrong

I think it depends. I could spend easily 150 bucks on supplements/vitamins a month if I wanted to I guess. There are expensive and less expensive supplements after all.

Totally this. My office has certified nutritionists on the team who help find the right pills and combinations. They have a small shop on site where they sell things almost at cost (their money comes from surgery, not pills), but they also have a white paper for anything you can buy at costco or Amazon for less!

[Kaylamh 144]

Yeah it definitely depends on the brand, and the office. My doctor also has a store on site, with the same prices you could find online.

[jessgnc 167]

Yeah it definitely depends on the brand, and the office. My doctor also has a store on site, with the same prices you could find online.

You're in NC! I just saw your doctor and we go to the same place! I see Dr. Sharp!

Edited January 31, 2017 by jessgnc

[Kaylamh 144]

@@jessgnc small world! I love Rex hahaha

[ChaosUnlimited 559]

I found this board when I was looking for information on the DS surgery, then I saw @jessgnc and @Kaylamh go to the same surgery center I chose! Nice to meet you both, and I hope to some day Celebrate my success here!

I thought I knew what I wanted to do, the gastric sleeve, until I met with Dr Sharp and he explained the DS. Now I'm not sure. Hoping to learn more info from people who have had the surgery already before I make my decision.

[Kaylamh 144]

@ChaosUnlimited just do it. You'll thank yourself later when you don't regain every pound like many many sleeve patients do. The malabsorption helps make up for our "human" moments when we just don't make the best decisions.

[summerset 5,265]

On 18.2.2017 at 5:14 PM, Kaylamh said:

You'll thank yourself later when you don't regain every pound like many many sleeve patients do.

It's not like regain is impossible with the DS though. No 100% guarantee for any procedure out there when you look at the studies.

[Kaylamh 144]

@summerset no, it's not impossible, but it's definitely less likely, especially if you stick close to plan. I'm just basing that info on what my surgeon told me. He recommended it for me because of the long term stats associated with it.

[ChaosUnlimited 559]

My surgeon also discussed the stats with me, which is what gave me pause about just doing the sleeve. This is hard work, for any of the surgeries, and I want it to be a one and done kind of thing. I lost a lot of weight by doing weight watchers and high impact exercise several years ago. I thought I would never let myself backslide like I have, but I did. So I don't rule it out with the surgery either, but the DS gives a little more security against weight regain. I do realize that any of the surgeries will require a high level of compliance with the diet and exercise to be successful long term.

I'm leaning toward the DS, but the thought of changing the way my gut works by moving my intestines around is terrifying to me. My husband is worried about it too and is hoping I choose the sleeve only. I still have time to research and decide, but for right now, I waffle back and forth as to what to choose.