Hello

[galaxygrrl]

@galaxygrrl only 3 vitamins a day?

Yep, a DS specific multi, an iron pill and a vitman D. I do these calcium chews that are more like candy, so they don't count. ;-)

 

[southernlady]

Yep, a DS specific multi, an iron pill and a vitman D. I do these calcium chews that are more like candy, so they don't count. ;-)

I honestly believe you are short changing your Vitamin needs. But as long as you are following your labs and the trends and getting the full DS panel of labs every time.

 

[Susan in Tennessee]

Yep, a DS specific multi, an iron pill and a vitman D. I do these calcium chews that are more like candy, so they don't count. ;-)

You must be a unicorn!

 

[galaxygrrl]

I honestly believe you are short changing your Vitamin needs. But as long as you are following your labs and the trends and getting the full DS panel of labs every time.

My PCP actually has the DS and I met her at Dr. Rabkin's group. We have done my blood work every 3 months. I do what she says.

 

[Susan in Tennessee]

But you ARE checking your levels yourself right and comparing one draw to the next set you have run? You get copies and keep at home or have access to online? I hate to say it, but just because she's a doctor is no guarantee she knows all about the needed vitamins. Overall I'm sure you're very lucky to have her, but please keep track yourself and remember the advice here is "tried and true"!

 

[galaxygrrl]

But you ARE checking your levels yourself right and comparing one draw to the next set you have run? You get copies and keep at home or have access to online? I hate to say it, but just because she's a doctor is no guarantee she knows all about the needed vitamins. Overall I'm sure you're very lucky to have her, but please keep track yourself and remember the advice here is "tried and true"!

Yes, we go over my labs in great detail. Guess I'm a unicorn I rather be a Dragon - is it Sunday yet for Game of Thrones. ;-)

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Hi there..I just jumped on this research train a little over three weeks ago. I want to gift my daughter a sleeve surgery, and help her become the person she has always felt she is..on the inside. Our insurance covers bariatric surgery, however I have the consumer driven high deductible plan..so surgery would be $7800 plus hospital fees. One of my friends had surgery in Mexico and pointed me in this direction. Cost was a factor, but time more so. We have to be on a six month plan, being followed by primary care, etc. I thought I found so many great options..until I started reading more and more about how scandalous these dr's, facilitators etc are. So..here I am..someone shared this link with me..and I'm researching still. My daughter is 18, amazing and really wants this surgery!

Your daughter needs to try to understand the malabsorption vs malnutrition thing:

•Malabsorption is what makes the DS work better than anything else.
•Malnutrition is what happens when you don't follow the rules.

But, as a mom, I understand the mom-concerns. In fact, my daughter is 42 and might be ALMOST old enough for the DS...lol. My DS was almost 12 years ago. Back then, I heard nothing...I'm pretty sure...about supplementing copper or zinc or other lesser known nutrients. So there may be trace things we are missing now that we haven't yet recognized.
On the other hand, my RnY friends have suffered many complications and my sleeved sister is on her way to regaining it all...not to mention the problems I still have because of the band.

All bariatric surgeries are permanent in one way or another. Keep researching. Best of luck to you.



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[Spiky Bugger]

So, here is my take on this FWIW. The sleeve works for some people, but a lot of people it does not work for. And definately have your daughter look at this page. http://www.paclap.com/downloads/comparing-options-for-WLS.pdf The Sleeve fails alot of poeple.

My life is very normal. I take 3 vitimans in the morning and need to eat a little more protein than others. Besides for that, it's fine.

So, the only reason I feel so strongly about this is a sat in a weight loss group and there were two people with sleeves who had gained 80% of their weight back.

I think the way to think about this is what is the risk and what is the reward of the sleeve vs. the DS. The way I thought about it was this.

Sleeve
- Pros
- Less invasive
- No supplements

Cons
- 50% of the people gain their weight back
- Some people are not happy and are getting revisions to the DS
- At WLS groups, people were mixed on their reaction to the surgery

DS
- Pros
- 90% of the people keep 85% of their weight off over 5 years.
- Everyone I talked to who had it were very, very, very happy. They loved it.
- can eat a very high fat, high calorie diet

Cons
- Vitimans for the rest of my life.
- blood work once a year
- Need to manage the bathroom issues a littiel more.

I hope this helps your daughter make an informed decison.

Once a year for lab work?

I'd be institutionalized with that plan...at least in assisted living.

Here's a reason: I moved and changed primary care providers. She was gobsmacked over my Vit D regime. She asked if
I would consider taking Rx Vit D for three months. I said I'd take it for three WEEKS, if she'd give me tbe order for lab work right then. She did...I did...and 3 1/2 weeks later she called and said, "Thanks for humoring me. But go back to what you were doing. Right away."

If Vit D can tank fast enough to prompt that call in less than a month...waiting a year might cause a really big problem.

Now I'm going toPM you re loans!