Researching DS Surgeons in MN

[nosnhojm]

I've been lurking the DS message boards for ~3 years, but haven't taken the plunge yet. I'm a 33yr old male, 390 lb, 6'2". I actually went in for a consultation with Dr. Buchwald at University of Minnesota about 3 years ago, but at the time decided to give one more attempt at dieting/exercise...which did result in 60 lbs lost...and then regained. I'm now taking another look at getting the surgery and am curious if anyone on these boards have used surgeons from Minnesota? Dr. Buchwald is now retired, so it seems like my choices are either Dr. Ikramuddin or Dr. Leslie.

For some reason it is difficult for me to get over the mental hurdle that the benefits (quality and quantity of life) outweigh the risks and tradeoffs. I know I won't ever lose and maintain without the surgery, and I know my current quality of life isn't great...but I'm scared of the potential complications, the burden and responsibility of maintenance, and the potential long term risks like osteoporosis and anemia. And yet, no one has ever told me that they wish they hadn't gotten the surgery.

I have a 4 year old daughter that I would love to be more active with. At her daycare, when I come in the room all the kids say "that's a big daddy" I'd also love to fit comfortably in a single airplane seat!

 

[GirlFriday]

Hi and welcome! I am a newbee here. I am 10 weeks out from a DS and have lost 57.3 pounds. I have to tell you that even this soon after surgery, my life is changing. The benefits outweigh the risks. I wish I had done this 20 years ago. I can't tell you anything about surgeons in MN, but I can encourage you to seriously consider having the surgery. It is amazing how much better I feel.

 

[southernlady]

Welcome @nosnhojm

Just keep reading...you will find that about 99% (and that is a number straight out of my butt with NO scientific basis at all) are GLAD we had the DS and would do it again in a heartbeat. For most of us, the ONLY regret is not having it done SOONER.

Yes, I have osteoporosis...but then again, I could just have easily gotten it while morbidly obese. I have almost EVERY SINGLE uncontrollable risk factor. The ONLY one I did NOT have pre-op was being low weight. I am not low weight, just much lower than before

As far as anemia.. yeah, but that is managed by 1) watching my numbers like a hawk and 2) getting infusions when needed.

The thing is, both osteo and anemia can happen to you even without weight loss surgery. You need to do a pros/cons list...

 

[Larra]

Hi and welcome!
Yes bariatric surgery of any kind is major surgery and carries risk. But in addition to considering the risks vs benefits of the surgery, consider the risks of surgery vs the risks of doing nothing. You have done your best with diet and exercise, and in the long run I think it's a good thing, psychologically, for you to be sure that the one last diet attempt didn't work. Not surprising, as the long term success rate for dieting for people who are MO is less than 5%. But it was something you needed to do.
You are already well aware of the quality of life issues of being MO. But being MO also carries a lot of health risks even without any comorbidities, and of course those comorbidities may well be in your future in 5-10 years if you don't do something about being MO. The damage to your joints, liver, pancreas, etc is cumulative. We start out with reserves and at some point those reserves get used up and then the arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, etc show up, but they were developing all along.
the surgeons you have named have good reputations. I hope you will carefully consider ALL the risks you face, not just the risks of surgery, and make the decision that is right for you.

 

[OldBroad]

I am 12 weeks post surgery and down 58 lbs. I am still getting used to eating very low carb and taking lots of supplements. It is not easy, but I expect the benefits to far out-weigh (pun!) the costs.

I envy your youth. That should count a lot in terms of the surgery being a lower risk and the greater years of improved health afterwards being a benefit. Just don't fool yourself into believing that the surgery is a quick, one-time fix. The commitment to careful eating, intensive vitamin and mineral supplementation, and frequent monitoring of your blood levels of critical nutrients is life-long.

Good luck in your research and decision-making.

 

[newanatomy]

Hello and welcome. I hope you are able to have your reservations/issues addressed here on this site. Glad to see you taking the plunge into joining the forum.

 

[DianaCox]

By the way, you SHOULD be concerned - because this is not a "set-it-and-forget-it" surgery. None of them are, but the DS can hurt you faster if you don't pay attention. If there is a chance that you are not up to the task, don't do it!

OTOH, once you get the hang of eating the DS way, taking your supplements as second nature, and being mindful of what is needed to maintain the lifestyle properly, the concerns and obsession with the practicalities lessen, and the benefits of health and eating lovely things (steak! bacon! shrimp! avocado! nuts! mayonnaise! salad dressing! BUTTER!) that taste good, are good for you and make you feel like you are not living in dietary deprivation vastly outweigh the minor inconveniences of maintenance.

 

[Munchkin]

Buchwald was my surgeon way back when. He trained Ikramuddin and he has gone on to do the surgery LAP where Buchwald was open only. Just like most everyone else, my only regret was not doing it sooner. I was a lifelong fatty and after more than a decade of 'normal' I can say it was worth it to me.

If you hang out on the net, you can find all kinds of horror stories about every kind of WLS. Take everything with a grain of salt and remember many of the people who post the most are posting because they are having problems. For every one of these folks there are 100 of us doing just fine.

 

[nosnhojm]

Are there any men on these forums that have had issues with osteoporosis and/or anemia? Just curious, since in the general population osteoporosis is more common in women...so does that also skew the DS population?

Also, what are your thoughts on CC length? I think Dr. Ikramuddin does 100 cm, but wondering if anyone on these forums has anything longer (e.g., 125 or 150)...and is there a difference in their labs or supplementation requirements?

And lastly, what should my EWL be for DS? If I'm doing my math correctly, I am currently 390lb @ 6'2" = 51 BMI, and 'normal' would be 195lb (25 BMI). So EWL for DS is (80% * (390-195)) = 156lb lost? That would put me at 236lb, which is really about as low as I would want to be.

I probably should create a new post for these questions, since they don't relate to my original post

 

[nosnhojm]

Also, are there many people of my age (or younger) that get the DS? I've seen a fair amount of DS veterans that are 10-15 years out...but I'll be living with this for 40+ years.

 

[brooklyngirl]

I had my DS almost 2 years ago at 35 and there's plenty of us youngins (yes I still think of myself as one!) I think there are probably more in the Facebook groups? If you're on FB, search for Duodenal Switch Patients. There are quite a few groups, but I think that one has the least amount of stupid people

 

[GirlFriday]

While I am a newbee with only 11 weeks experience. I am 41 years old, and I will also (hopefully) be living with this for 50 - 60 years.

 

[GirlFriday]

Oh this place definitely has the least amount of stupid people.
I could tell stories about stupid people in other places, I won't because it would be a waste of time.

Plus this place feels like home - only without the sandwiches.

 

[DSRIGGS]

Are there any men on these forums that have had issues with osteoporosis and/or anemia? Just curious, since in the general population osteoporosis is more common in women...so does that also skew the DS population?

Also, what are your thoughts on CC length? I think Dr. Ikramuddin does 100 cm, but wondering if anyone on these forums has anything longer (e.g., 125 or 150)...and is there a difference in their labs or supplementation requirements?

And lastly, what should my EWL be for DS? If I'm doing my math correctly, I am currently 390lb @ 6'2" = 51 BMI, and 'normal' would be 195lb (25 BMI). So EWL for DS is (80% * (390-195)) = 156lb lost? That would put me at 236lb, which is really about as low as I would want to be.

I probably should create a new post for these questions, since they don't relate to my original post

Going to answer several of your questions.

First off I am 6'2 and was 361 and I weigh 189. It is actually a good weight even though I was 6'2, 220 and all muscle when graduating high school. I was very athletic...like you I said a higher weight would be good but honestly I like my weight now but need to put some muscle back on so will probably get to 200-205. My suggestion is not to get hung up on final weight. You will settle in where you do and it will be good.

As far as anemia and common channel length. I have a 100cm CC and if you read my other posts you will notice that I may need revised which would be 150. Last October I spent a week in the hospital with everything low including bp, heart rate, total protein, albumin and was non iron deficient anemia... All due to severe malnutrition.

So CC length, make sure your DS surgeon foes the Hess method where the intestine is measured to determine optimal CC length. One size really doesn't fit all and it should be tailored to the individual.

Regarding that issue I am currently on CREon which is a pancreatic enzyme to aid absorption. It works and popped be back in range for everything quickly. I am waiting to hit the two year mark which is Round the time that a ds patient gets to the point of maximum absorption that they will achieve. At that time I have to determine with my surgeon if revision to a 150 cm CC.

Regarding choice of surgery, DS is the way to in my very biased opinion.. And that is after everything I just told you. If you like to eat the ds allows you to do so and it has the best long term weight loss/maintenance and comorbidity resolution.

I don't know about Minnesota ds surgeons but there are very good ones in several places around the country.

Good luck

 

[DSRIGGS]

BTW the trade offs are very minimal Imo. Yes you have to take vitamins which is no big deal. It takes a while to figure out what foods you can eat but honestly I can eat pretty much anything and a ton of it. The benefits farrrr outweigh any downside.