Why I chose the Duodenal Switch over weight loss meds, gastric bypass and gastric sleeve

In this video, "Choosing the Duodenal Switch over weight loss meds, gastric bypass and gastric sleeve" I talk about why I decided to get weight loss surgery over taking medications (for me personally), the weight loss surgery options I had available and how I decided on my procedure.
I support all weight loss efforts... whether it is a specific diet, weight loss surgery, weight loss medication or some other effort. I do not think there is a best way for all, but I do believe there is a best way for us individually and it is our responsibility to learn what that is or has to be for us. Which ever path you choose, you can be successful and I am rooting for you!!
00:54 Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional
01:21 If you want information about WLS, the best thing to do is take your full medical history to your provider or a WLS center for an information session.
02:30 normal anatomy and digestion
04:55 Lowering the body's set point with surgery and why I decided to alter my anatomy with WLS over taking Weight Loss Meds at this point.
07:57 Options I had for WLS
08:03 Gastric Sleeve
10:59 Gastric Bypass
15:23 SADI (Was not available as an option with my insurance/provider)
16:52 Duodenal Switch
23:28 study about weight loss surgery successes and outcomes over a 20 year period
25:29 Researching your Weight Loss Surgeon
♡ IG: / wakeupbright
♡ FB: / loveaprillauren
♡ Website: www.wakeupbright.com
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♡ Podcast: wakeupbrightwithaprillauren.b...
♡ Contact Info: www.wakeupbright.com/contact
#Aprillauren #weightloss #weightlosssurgery #duodenalswitch #Wakeupbright #losing200lbs #gastricbypasssurgery #rny #gastricsleevesurgery
DISCLAIMER
I do not share my experience to give you a template for what to do or what not to do in life, fitness, food or with weight loss. I share in hopes of inspiring others to start, start working towards a healthier and happier life by taking ownership of where they are and where they are going. Quick fix solutions along with guilt and shame based marketing schemes lie.There is not one right way for everyone, but there is a right way for you and you worth doing the work to figure that out. I encourage all to seek guidance from medical professionals, dietitians, therapy and vetted fitness professional as needed.
♡ Links included in this description might be affiliate links.

[@AprilLauren]

Hi beautiful people! I just want to stress... this video is about me making my best choice for me at this point of my life and in my weight loss journey. The way you choose considering your needs, medical history and with your medical providers is the best way for you... whether that is a weight loss surgery, structured diet, not a structured diet or weight loss medication. You can do this! You can live a healthier happier life, by not giving up and continuing forward. Sending lots of love your way!! (The information I share is filtered through the lens of my needs, understanding, experience and things my surgical team stressed with me for me.)

[@AprilLauren]

The full Q&A is still coming! I just wanted to start with this video.

[@peacefultarot]

You're doing a great job and I look forward to all you have to share. ❤❤❤

[@LaPenserosa1]

Those kind of perspectives are invaluable! Being able to compare and contrast an individual viewers need vs. seeing what you chose. It really helps in thinking thru the process! Thank you for sharing so openly about this experience! All the love and continued success in your healing journey ❤✌️🤲

[@elizabeths8416]

Sweetiest girl! So good to see you always going for your dreams with a positive approach!! I love you ❤ and I am asking you to please not regret doing things at your own pace, how old are you now? You are still SUPER young and you can and WILL have ALL of your kiddos!!!! ❤❤❤ (Can't wait to see you playing with them and your beautiful family, so I won't: I am seeing you doing that just now, and it's lovely! Much love).

[@user-tp5bz8ym5b]

As a nurse practitioner, I applaud the way you educated yourself on your options and your procedure! 👏

[@CHSwildcats19]

The malnutrition factor is HUGE and so important to talk about - thank you! My daughter had a modified Roux-En-Y, not for weight loss but because she had severe gastroparesis (the bottom half of her stomach was completely paralyzed) and she has struggled post-surgery to get enough nutrients. Her surgeon made her pouch more than twice the size of WLS patients and she was very nutritionally deficient for more than a year. I don't know how patients who have the smaller pouch manage it! You need to be very very dedicated to hitting your protein goals and replenishing your vitamins and minerals - I am so glad you emphasized that

[@monaejackson3011]

As a 26 years old chronic over eater but always so head strong on “doing it myself” , you really touched my heart in the middle when you thought back to 2017… thank you for sharing so openly April. We love you and I am sending prayers ❤

[@heidiiiiiiii]

The change in the way you talk about your journey is great. Being able to get professional help and sticking with a plan will yield big returns. Lack of sponsorships and challenges is so refreshing when watching such a personal journey.

[@heidiiiiiiii]

The sit down of these videos is great.

[@KS-op5hb]

I am not on a similar journey but I just wanted to say that I am highly confident that you are helping lots of folks! All of this stuff is overwhelming and I am sure talking through how you made your decision will help guide others toward their right answer.

[@alison2649]

Honey don’t fret- your audience ALSO has put the weight back on. Your audience has also been gaining weight since we were all last together. You don’t need to disappear from KZbin because you’ll always have an audience one way or another

[@marlene1708]

I'm glad you did so much research before making a decisions. You made sure you were well informed to what was best for your body. Its good to see that you took everything very seriously and thought of long term effects for yourself.

[@AprilLauren]

Thanks Marlene! It's such a serious choice and path to take, I'm so grateful for my surgical team and how they helped me from that first meeting and then through out as I had questions!

[@Kindahush]

This is such a great live, April! It's almost 15 years since my WLS, and your research is so impressive. Your best years are ahead! 🎉 I'm happy you're back on KZbin!

[@AprilLauren]

Thank you so much for your encouragement!! That is so wonderful that you are 15 years post op!! I'd love to hear more about your experience. I really love hearing about other people's experience! 💚

[@eastonmartin5342]

I find it helpful too. Post op is not studied enough.

[@ChereeLS]

Doesn't it feel so freeing to start making your way down this path! I know you must have and still are doing a lot of work to learn, fight through the unknown, fight any negativity and KEEP GOING! It really resonated with me when you said that you learned that you have been afraid to take steps at times in your life because you might fail, but in not taking steps it ensured failing. I am going to think about how I can use that in my own journey. Thank you for sharing your journey! God be with you! 😁🙏

[@DanEMO592]

Great video! Talking to my endocrinologist today about WLS for the very first time.

[@AprilLauren]

Thank you! Sending lots of love and positive vibes your way.

[@katiesilverberg8109]

Long time follower- so happy for you my love!

[@marlene1708]

Can you do a video about going back to work and normal life? How your routine changed? Things you can no longer do? Etc

[@AprilLauren]

I LOVE that idea!! Yes! I will. It will probably be mid-July or early august before it goes live though! Just because of the cushion I have.

[@lroy13]

I’m so excited for your journey. I’m 2 years post op from a VSG (sleeve - I did lose all of my weight, 115 lbs, and have been at my goal weight for a year) follow your clinics rules, don’t rush the steps and you’ve got this. I still eat like I did at 6 weeks post op 90% of the time. So glad you made this choice, keep your confidence, you’ve got this!!

[@CK1000ism]

This was a very informative video. It also was very vulnerable on your part. Wishing you continued health and progress in all aspects of your life!

[@AprilLauren]

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement! ❤

[@suzanne296]

Girl I am so happy for you. You are beaming with hope.

[@doe4638]

I ❤ that you did this. You are so strong and sometimes we all need a little help. Stay strong and stay blessed

[@nymeriasandsnake]

yess, thank you so much for this video. my doctor wants to do a duodenal or a SADIS and i'm so glad i get to see your journal and know what lead to your choice

[@Yolduranduran]

I have had weigh issues since I was a pre- teen, I am now in my mid 50s. I cannot believe that I have had to deal with this for so many years. Will I have to deal with it for the rest of my life? Probably. I do not give up and I realize that it is very complex and not just about food. Thank you for sharing your journey it gives me hope. God bless you.

[@NSkrobis]

Thank you for sharing everything April. You are appreciated and loved!!!

[@kirstenholder7270]

Your journey is your journey, and what you are doing now is do helpful to people who have been in your shoes. Thank you for sharing.

[@chrisscinta1973]

I really enjoyed this content. I’m not a candidate for WLS but this was so informative. Good luck on your journey. I’ll be rooting for you!

[@SanaSana_626]

I started watching you from the beginning of your journey. We are on similar paths and I’ve always resonated with you ❤ I struggle with fertility and have been down that road. I’m so happy for your progress and wish you all the best! I’m in the process of getting the sleeve, hopefully within the next month. Looking forward to more updates!

[@mspoofycat]

Thank you so much for making this video! I was hoping you would tell us about this. ♥

[@HealthAtAnyCost]

So much to say, April. I had an RNY in 2001. Lost 100 lbs in 4 months, then a total of 210 lbs at 14 months. It took 10 years to gain it all back (I freaked out being so small and got scared.). I again did diets and blah blah blah, you know the routine. I snuck food, cheated, hoarded food, hid food and then in 2022, I weighed 405 lbs. BMI 76.5. After complications from COVID, was put on Trulicity (I am 63 years old and have been diabetic since I was 35) for a year, then started Mounjaro 9 months ago. I am a super-responder and have lost 230 lbs and still going down. My BMI is now 31.0 My labs had been horrid and now are pristine. Okay, got that out of the way. This is NOT about GLP-1s. I promise. After my Open RNY, I was meticulous with all the supps they told me to take. Yet, today, because of the RNY, I give myself a B12 injection every month. Every 4 months, I have 6 iron infusions (long-ass IV sessions with iron pumped through my veins). I have osteopenia (bone loss) from no calcium absorption and am now on Fosamax... super-calcium we hope absorbs. I cannot absorb Vitamin D and was so low on D, the doctor gasped and repeated the test thinking there was a lab mistake. No mistake. Once again, I was put on super-supps. The RDA for Vit D is 400-800 iu a day. I have been taking 50,000 iu (you read that right) 4 times a week for YEARS now and my D barely stays in the low-normal range. Care providers flip out seeing how much I take... until I tell them I had an RNYGB. "Ahhhh," they say, understanding immediately. I have had 4 incisional hernias from the Open (incision from stem to stern) RNY surgery (many years apart). I did have my gallbladder out, but that was unrelated to the weight loss. They used to take the gallbladder out with most RNYs, but apparently they don't anymore. I am all for getting that sucker outta there. Gallstones suck and hurt like crazy! With all my different surgeries after the RNY, the total is 10. And gee, I have a zillion adhesions inside my belly and have an on-again, off-again bowel obstruction. Wonder why. I have kicked myself a thousand million times for not having the DS. I looked into a DS Revision, but the pouch was still fine. The stomas were stretched, however, but because the pouch was good, insurance denied the revision. The DS was really popular back in the olden days, but the surgeon I chose (a surgeon in the practice that did Carnie Wilson's RNY... that has since failed, too) did not do DS. We didn't have social media back then, but we did have newsgroups and we exchanged info there like today's social media. I have stayed friends with many of those who also had surgery in the late 1990s, early 2000s, and I will say, the DSers have faired FAR better than we RNYers. Alllllll that said, I am in your corner cheering you on! You did good, darlin'! I am thrilled for you.

[@celinacoombs4367]

April, thank you for a very informative video. This would be a great resource for anyone interested in getting or just knowing about the various weight loss surgeries available.

[@Elsa_318]

Hello April🌼 Thank you for the video and info. April everything happens for a reason (no regrets) and in God’s perfect time🙌 Blessings 💜💜💜

[@AprilLauren]

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement Elsa!

[@cathy2142]

Agreed. Maintaining weight loss is hard for me too. My husband and I made changes in lockdown 2020 and he lost 40 i lost 50 and maintain closer to 45 lost now after years. I tell him every single day we are either gaining or losing based on our food/exercise choices.

[@jlrbhj]

Very educational!

[@AprilLauren]

💚💛💚💛

[@nataliawilliams6904]

Thank you for sharing!❤

[@rae979]

I woupd love to see your new home and if you still garden etc.All the best in your future WL & nutritional journey xx

[@autumthacker5688]

Thank you for posting this, it was very good information. I sit and cry when I listen to you talk about your weight journey because I have struggled since I was about 12 with being obese. There were comments made to me growing up that I’m sure were not meant to be harmful about weight but I believe they affected me. There was also the constant teasing at school which didn’t help. It’s just been a terrible battle my whole life. Sometimes I really do t know what to do but it helps to know you dont struggle alone thanks so much for sharing!!

[@AprilLauren]

Aww, it makes me sad that listening to me makes you cry. I’m sorry it reminds you of your struggles. I’m happy it makes you feel less alone. We are not alone in our struggles. Thank you for always encouraging me and lifting me up. I’m sending lots of love your way! ❤️❤️❤️

[@autumthacker5688]

@@AprilLauren oh I’m sorry you took it that way I didn’t mean you made me cry it’s just that I can relate to how you feel. Sorry if I brought that out wrong 🤦🏻‍♀️. I still do appreciate you sharing though!

[@gailstorm8622]

Great video, April. Very interesting. I like your drawings.

[@notcountingsheep3361]

You can always spot the people who are going to end up like Alexandra Rodriguez, absolutely nowhere.

[@janetsanchez2025]

Very helpful ❤

[@TiffanyBush]

I love hearing about your weight loss journey and am here for it but also would love to know how you and hubs are doing outside of your surgery. I understand, especially with the issues you had before with people, want to be more private in that aspect. I’m still watching whether you share more or not. Also, I am wondering about the dogs. Do you still have both? I don’t know if I missed it but it seems I have only seen 1 in your videos. Hope they are both doing well! ❤

[@marilouo4321]

last 6 minutes, the best

[@kristensaenz6421]

I was going to ask if you were treating the depression alongside the surgery. I hadnt heard you speak about treating it until the end of this video. I had heard you say that when you fall into depression you gain weight like your first video and when you came back recently. I'm so glad prozac is working for you and you know what triggers depression for you. Are you also doing talk therapy? All 3 tools together (surgery, prozac and talk therapy) will have on a good path soon! Well done❤

[@jetjegoesdutch7933]

And i am rooting for you sweet April.. 🥰😍🤩😘❣

[@eastonmartin5342]

April. I suffer from clinical diagnosed anorexia (no menses over 3 month, fat less than 15%, blah blah). Please keep sharing your journey. It’s been 20 years since the worst point, one key for me is I have to weigh myself weekly and have targets if too low/high. Never past a week weigh in tbh.

[@Aurorafitgirl]

Nice summary. Good to see you doing well and feeling better. Hope to see your Hawaiian adventures & scuba 🤿 🐠 🐟

[@umayasin6775]

❤❤❤ good to have update from you❤❤

[@AprilLauren]

💚💛💚💛

[@joweir4428]

You made the right decision, an ex friend of mine got the bypass and never lost more than 40lbs she swings between putting it on and taking it off x

[@ladybirdlee3058]

People don't understand DS surgery because it is rarer. Very few surgeons know how to do it or want to do it. It is good that you found a surgeon who was well versed in DS surgery. I looked into it many years ago and did a ton of research and decided to get the VSG instead. I knew with DS I would lose all my weight but the long term vitamin deficiency issue scared me from choosing it.

[@AprilLauren]

The malabsorption is definitely scary. I have heard so many good things about VSG

[@SuperAblabla]

It’s really interesting to hear you POV. I am also currently preparing for wls and I was pending between gastric bypass and sleeve but I decided to get sleeve surgery. A dangerous risk of bypass is also hypoglycemia and I really didn’t want to risk that. There’s been a study that up to 10% of patients develop this 10 years post op. It’s difficult to treat and is extremely lowering your quality of life. Since I’m just 27 and have a bmi of 42 I decided I would be fine with a sleeve. I’m hopeful to have the surgery in early September 🤞🏼

[@ByeByeBelly]

My BMI is the same, I'm on mounjaro. Good luck to you

[@tinak8081]

Great video! How much did you lose this week? KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

[@AprilLauren]

Thank you!! :) I shared my six week update and weigh in on Monday. Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJjVlJWNarJ7qbM. I lost 4.8lbs. Starting with this week, I'm only sharing one weekly weigh in. I was trying to catch up the videos so I wouldn't be so far ahead of what I am sharing. (It took me a while to muster the courage to share again.)

[@tinak8081]

@AprilLauren sorry I did watch that one when it came out. I now understand this was a separate video. You're doing great, and I appreciate your posting. I'm a week post surgery and can't imagine making videos as well. You're doing great! I'm so excited every week to see your success since you are weeks ahead of me. Inspiring me to keep going!

[@AprilLauren]

@@tinak8081 oh no need to be sorry, I wasn’t super clear I was shifting into one weigh in video a week. 🥰 Thank you so much for your encouragement and kind words. ❤️ How are you feeling? Week one is a rough and tough week with so many emotions.

[@lwk4229]

This was so interesting. It is so important that you are speaking to your experience. I’m cheering you on!

[@jenniferdavis6608]

Ive researched that the Duedenal Switch is also best for those with high blood sugar. Ive been trying to figure out what insurance pays for it. We have United and they only pay for the sleeve, ive known 8 people who have had the sleeve and they all only lost 10-15 lbs and started gaining weight right back after that. So i dont wantt the sleeve, it doesnt seem succesful to me. Hoping to find an insurance that will cover the switch! 🤞

[@rutflores3482]

I know what u mean, my problem is all in my head to. All my weight problemas.

[@Cdrewbloch]

Hi April! Not sure if you’ll see this but quick question for you if you do - when y’all lived in Fayetteville, which track did you run at? I’m moving there soon and looking for one. Thanks!

[@AprilLauren]

Aww, I hope you love Fayetteville. We love it here, but we sure do miss North Carolina. The track I went to was called Hedrick Stadium. 😍

[@Cdrewbloch]

Thank you!!! ❤

[@andrealauren6645]

💜💜💜

[@AprilLauren]

💚💛💚💛

[@gypsyheartsouls]

Amazingly good explanations. Go well Darlin!

[@Explain_This_To_Me_Please]

You left out that tricare prime does not approve ozempic or any other of those weekly shot options. You didn’t have the option. You couldn’t even get approved for ozempic or wegovy or zepbound out of pocket because you do have tricare prime.

[@AprilLauren]

Out of pocket you don’t have to be “approved” because you are not using insurance. In that case, I would not go to a military facility… but no one can stop you from going to a doctor out of pocket and getting a weight loss medicine prescribed. Just like some people go to weight loss surgery center out of pocket and pay out of pocket for WLS instead of going through the insurance approval process. You also assume I only have one insurance. I spoke of prime specifically because of the medical records system the military hospitals use. I’ve lived in four states the past five years… it’s convenient my records are all in one place accessible to new providers as we move so much. This video was not made to cover every single thing. Hope this helps. 😊

[@staceyalarcon4027]

Doing an elimination diet and then slowly introducing foods back into your diet is the gold standard for discovering food allergies and intolerances. So what are you doing is the best way. The food sensitivity tests aren’t accurate and could lead you to eliminating a food that you do not have an intolerance to.

[@stacysavage6408]

I at 72# down in a year from sleeve. I'm still 203 and still have a lot to go but I'm stuck! It's so frustrating when you're doing what you should be doing.

[@powderandpaint14]

Have you tried intermittent fasting? Basically not having breakfast. Also talk to your surgery team, see a dietitian if you can.

[@momstruction]

❤ ❤ ❤

[@AprilLauren]

❤

[@kattiderouchie4988]

❤❤❤

[@paulabailey9791]

I believe that the duodenal switch and modified duodenal switch allow people to use NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Gastric bypass does not allow use of those drugs.

[@AprilLauren]

That is a big factor! The increase in probability of developing ulcers as a complication are part of that. I should have said that. currently it’s recommended that I not use them. However, I know that I can eventually in moderation.

[@nowwhat1434]

Great video. Happy for you and hoping you get the kids you want.

[@suzanne529]

❤

[@SuperAblabla]

There’s a great page where you can actually calculate your excess weight and it gives you the approximates for each surgery method. It’s called bariatric surgery education. I think you calculated it wrong because I did the same mistake. So the excess weight begins with every pound that’s above the lowest healthy bmi. You don’t begin the excess weight calculation at the overweight bmi.

[@Emma-ql2lv]

We’re not any google images you could’ve shown? I can’t imagine drawing these surgeries 😂

[@AprilLauren]

There were and for VSG and RNY they made sense to me, but got the Sadi and DS they only show the new routes and that was confusing for me so I drew them out for myself, haha.

[@simoansays4820]

I understand your content is centered around your weight-loss journey and parts of the rest of your life. I am curious though- are you mentally always unhappy and stressed about your weight? Do you experience any peace, comfort and self acceptance as you go about your daily life?

[@LeilaLaughsAlot]

I think you’re doing great God knows why you chose to do the surgery this time God is good always you will have your babies Don’t over think that part of your life God will make it happen You need to have healthy relaxed body🙏🏽❤️ and everything will fall in to place

[@imperfectstillworthit]

4:53 As far as I understamd fasting would be a non invasive way to lower your Body setpoint as well - weightlossurgerys are succeasfull because they simulate, or better said force you to fast. I understand that fasting can be extremely challanging, but if you are considering WLS I'd highly recommend to get informed on the benefits on fasting - for example through Dr. Jason Fungs Channel. Good look and sucess to anyone struggling with weightloss - there is hope and a way that can work for you! ❤

[@cathy2142]

Dont kick yourself if you cant get pregnant. God decides and His ways are best. Its not really up to you❤

[@darkroots64]

❤