Reversal of DS intestinal switch? Anyone?

[Marquis Mark]

This is an article about a study showing life expectancy does not increase after WLS. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-surgery-weightloss-idUSTRE7855YR20110906

The study was done my a doc named Livingston who is anti-DS.

Read that one before. I put little stock in it. Poorly, if at all, researched. One doctor's opinion with little support. May not even be a DS doc.

 

[k9ophile]

@Marquis Mark I think I was responding to a place in me that wants to ensure we always stay real and honest about the DS. I absolutely love this statement in your post. I visit this place at least once a day to remind me that I have to stay honest about MY responsibilities for my health. Plus, I get to *know* some wonderful people who help me keep learning. A special shout out goes to everyone who makes me laugh. Next to my DS, laughter is my favorite way to good health.

 

[DianaCox]

"If anyone has any info on an "old timer" or studies on life expectancy I sure would be curious..."

Look at this: http://www.dssurgery.com/blog/first-ds-patient/

From the attached file:

Survival
During the 15 years of follow-up, 67/1423 died
including 16 (1.1%) operative deaths for an annual
mortality rate of 0.5%. Survival rate at 15 years was
92% , a greater success rate than that reported by
Flum et al8 for a similar series of 3,328 patients after
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) and followed
for an equivalent period. They reported a survival
rate of 88.2% after RYGBP and 83.7% for morbidly
obese subjects without operation. The risk of dying
(EHR: Excess Hazard Ratio) for morbidly obese
patients after OS was 1.2, comparable to the normal
Quebec population.9 Mortality risk has been
reported to be three times greater (EHR:3) for the
Canadian morbidly obese population. 10​

And I'm not dead yet, 12.5 years out.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

.. Bariatric Advantage products are an extra income stream for your doc but they are no good for us. Better than nothing but not much....

'Splain, please.

My numbers were always good...until I tried OTHER products. I find BA calcium easy to take, so I am far more compliant. And in my non-scientific brain, calcium citrate is calium citrate. I'm about to order a couple more tubs of their calcium...why is that a bad idea?

 

[Marquis Mark]

"If anyone has any info on an "old timer" or studies on life expectancy I sure would be curious..."

Look at this: http://www.dssurgery.com/blog/first-ds-patient/

From the attached file:

Survival
During the 15 years of follow-up, 67/1423 died
including 16 (1.1%) operative deaths for an annual
mortality rate of 0.5%. Survival rate at 15 years was
92% , a greater success rate than that reported by
Flum et al8 for a similar series of 3,328 patients after
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) and followed
for an equivalent period. They reported a survival
rate of 88.2% after RYGBP and 83.7% for morbidly
obese subjects without operation. The risk of dying
(EHR: Excess Hazard Ratio) for morbidly obese
patients after OS was 1.2, comparable to the normal
Quebec population.9 Mortality risk has been
reported to be three times greater (EHR:3) for the
Canadian morbidly obese population. 10​

And I'm not dead yet, 12.5 years out.

Thanks, Diane. I really appreciate your encyclopedic knowledge of this stuff. I hope some day to see a 20 or 25 year study! BTW, thank you for advising me to ask for Ferritin, D3, Protein tests. If you look at my post, "How do my First Labs look?" you'll see the results. Your thoughts would be appreciated there, too...

 

[Munchkin]

'Splain, please.

My numbers were always good...until I tried OTHER products. I find BA calcium easy to take, so I am far more compliant. And in my non-scientific brain, calcium citrate is calium citrate. I'm about to order a couple more tubs of their calcium...why is that a bad idea?

Yup, calcium citrate is calcium citrate. I also don't dislike their meal replacements. What I don't like is the vitamins!

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Yup, calcium citrate is calcium citrate. I also don't dislike their meal replacements. What I don't like is the vitamins!

Aha...thanks...on to the ordering.

Speaking of which, @southernlady ...some items from your store go into my Amazon cart, but with others, I get sent to the Amazon site and an empty cart. Does that mean you don't get credit or something?

 

[southernlady]

Aha...thanks...on to the ordering.

Speaking of which, @southernlady ...some items from your store go into my Amazon cart, but with others, I get sent to the Amazon site and an empty cart. Does that mean you don't get credit or something?

Sue, I am not sure. Can you tell me one of the ones that sent you to an empty cart?

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Sue, I am not sure. Can you tell me one of the ones that sent you to an empty cart?

I will try to replicate the event and let you know.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Sue, I am not sure. Can you tell me one of the ones that sent you to an empty cart?

Okay...not much research needed.

I have about five misc items in my BF Store cart right now. I clicked on the BioTech D3-50 and was sent to another Amazon.com screen and on that page, if I add the item to my cart...it goes into an empty cart. It appears to be that SOME stuff gets treated like a purchase through this site and other stuff creates a separate order that may or may not earn "us" any money.

 

[southernlady]

Okay...not much research needed.

I have about five misc items in my BF Store cart right now. I clicked on the BioTech D3-50 and was sent to another Amazon.com screen and on that page, if I add the item to my cart...it goes into an empty cart. It appears to be that SOME stuff gets treated like a purchase through this site and other stuff creates a separate order that may or may not earn "us" any money.

Thanks...I will look into it. But having an item to check helps bunches.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Thanks...I will look into it. But having an item to check helps bunches.

I'm not sure that the items won't all be consolidated at checkout...but it seems odd that some things go into your site's shopping cart and others go directly to an Amazon cart.

 

[Razbry]

I have really appreciated all those who took the time to respond here. Every time someone contributes I find another nugget of information to tuck away. It also pulls me back into focus on my supplementation. It is so easy to drift off. To the OP, my heart is with you. I've been there and it is scary. The mental issues were especially frightening. I remember thinking...so this is what it must be like to be very old (mentally). Do what is right for you, and God bless you.

 

[Poodles]

Wow. I have not been back on here because of dr visits and such, kind of went off the rails a bit. Here are some things that were found.

Neuromuscular disease and wLS:
Dssurgery blog neuromuscular-disease-after-weight-loss-surgery

Looked up Creon, thinking it is used in DSers to slow the bowel. I have taken meds to slow the bowel and take pain meds that slow the system, leads to constipation.

Went to my Urologist, I am having stone issues. She says everyone is different, but the DS definitely makes us more prone to stones. Explained in detail why and how diet helps/hurts. I'm hurting now with a size 3 stone trying to pass.
Kuddos to the calcium citrate advice with meals.
Spoke with anyone and everyone that has an opinion. Pcp, DS doc, DS nurse, neurologist, urologist, nutritionist, friends, and hubby.

In the end, my hubby made the deciding vote.

1) even with all my labs that were checked in normal range, my neuro and urological issues started soon after losing my weight.

2) we have fought, spent thousands, and tried to figure out why I have so many neurological issues. Then to have the top specialist find COPPER is low, makes us wonder how long it has been low. How many of my issues are due to deficiencies? (People with normal guts get deficient, I know, but at least I will have more of a chance.)

3) we don't trust lab work any more. Something is wrong. They don't have the foggiest clue what they are looking for. We would be constantly checking and modifying. Fix one thing, break another.

We have tried to make everything work, and my whole world has gone in circles for the past several years.

I don't think I have rushed into this. I started asking questions last year. 2015 was my worst year.

This past month was just the last straw. Too many IV's, Tpn, shots, etc.

We are both tired. We have chosen to reverse it. Now, we pray it helps.

I promise to post what happens Monday.

Thank you ALL for your encouragement and advice.

 

[DSRIGGS]

Creon is a pancreatic enzyme to aid with absorption of nutrients (protein, carbohydrates and supplements). Your copper, zinc, Albumin and total protein are low because you are malnourished. That is why. You take creon with meals. It is possible to keep of your weight and be healthy. Talk to Ara Keshshian at Dr surgery and get all the information before making a final decision so you can make an informed decision. You have been getting horrible medical advice and are getting ready to make a major, major decision without even realizing you made a decision based on bad medical advice. What does it hurt to take another week and talk to Dr k over the phone before making a decision that won't be reversed? With your obvious poor absorption and lab values numbers you were clearly not given a proper DS but you will never know unless you have your small intestine, CC, and AL measured.