Re: Considering Surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi -Party-of-7! (lol, What would you like us to call you?)

Welcome to the group.

I'm not a revision...DS is an original surgery for me. Unfortunately

weight regain with the RNY is more typical than not. SUCKS!

You mentioned a concern about " gastric " problems. I thought I'd talk

about some of that...as it generally concerns all DSers.

1. Dumping syndrome isn't a problem with the DS.

2. We eat normally, chew our food normally, tolerate a wide range of

foods, meats....

3. Becoming lactose intolerance is sort of a 50/50 shot.

4. Your " stools " will stink. Plus, the stink has an ability to HANG

around longer than normal folks stinky stools.

5. Gas...also has a HANG around power.

6. Loose urgent stools usually settle down after the first few

months. Beyond that...there almost more complaints about

constipation rather than loose stools. Talking large amounts of

calcium can cause constipation. So what I'm trying to say is: You

will find a large range on this subject. Any where from I'm

constantly going crap to I'm having problems going crap to I'm

perfectly normal. (ME...I had many more problems with diarrhea

before surgery).

Gas (ya know everyone has Some daily gas..that is normal): Excessive

gas and Excessive loose or constipated stools can largely be helped

with diet changes. For example...eating fats or taking magnesium can

help with constipation. Limiting fats and taking extra calcium can

help with loose stools. Limiting sugars, breads (simple carbs)

glutens.. can help excessive gas.

I guarantee you will have bad or embarrassing moments due to gas or

stool odor or an urgency issue....you have to compare that to living

EVERY MOMENT thinner rather than in an obese body. Plus...haven't we

all had embarrassing Gastric moments even before WLS??? Moments

happen and they are not exclusive to DS.

I'll relate a little story: When I was about 1 year post op we went

on a vacation with 3 other couples (family members) We spent a lot

of time all together in a van traveling around. I was eating a whole

lot of new foods and of course I was very aware of any gas issue...so

when I felt any gas I made sure I " held " it until we were out of the

van..then I'd just try to be " down wind " Every once in a while

someone would walk into my " cloud " lol. But for the most part not a

problem. Want to know what everyone was griping about?...My brother-

in-law kept farting and it was GAGGING bad STINK! He did it while we

were all locked in the van, in restaurants, while he was upwind...lol

We would all gag, hide our noses in cloths...GRIPE LOUDLY. He would

just say " sorry, I can't help it " . So it wasn't a DSers " gastric "

system that was giving folks fits! Plus on that trip I ate like a

horse and came home Weighing less than when I left while my husband

gained 10 lbs.

Hugs

Jo

>

> Hi!

> I'm considering a DS-revision with Dr. K. I'm completely confident

that

> he is the right surgeon, but I would love to hear some of your

> experiences. I had RnY about 14 years ago and lost nearly 100

pounds.

> But, now 5 babies and all these years later I am yo-yo dieting

again

> and spiraling out of control. I went to Dr. K initially to see

about a

> hernia repair and tummy tuck. I had no idea there was a revision

> available. But, I am still trying to get my head around the whole

> idea. Because, when I had my RnY it was intended as " the last

thing " I

> would ever do (as far as drastic weight loss measures). So,

basically

> I've spent the last 14 years struggling to keep the weight off. I

> enjoyed about two years of a honeymoon phase but then had more

children

> and figured that was why I was struggling with weight again. But

now

> my " baby " is 4 and I'm 60 pounds overweight!

>

> My main concern is that other than being unable to maintain a

healthy

> weight - I don't have a lot of " gastric " problems and I'm afraid to

go

> in there and mess things up! I'd especially appreciate comments

from

> others who have had RnY and then DS-Revision so I can get an idea

of

> what to expect. Thanks for your comments!

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info Jo!

The gas & stools description were helpful - and pretty much what I have

heard and expected. To be honest, I'm pretty stinky even with RnY,

especially after eating sugar. So, I guess I can live with that!

A couple of questions...how long ago did you have your surgery? What

was your weight loss like and how successful have you been at

maintaining your desired weight? I really appreciate the info...

I'd love to hear from more of you out there - especially " revisions " .

Thanks so much!

[Guest guest]

Every time I've ever talked to a RNYer about " stool odor or gas " they

pretty much have a stinky story to tell also. So given the better

weightloss stats with the DS and the Better eating ability and no

dumping syndrome..FOR ME The DS won hands down in my mind.

I Will be 8 years post-op next month (Feb. 19th). Before surgery I

was SQUEEZING into a size 26 refusing to buy a larger size. Post DS,

At my lowest I was wearing a size 6...that lasted about a year. Then

over two years time I floated up to a size 10. I have been there

ever since. So that means for the last 4 years I have been stable.

The only " dieting " thing I do is " try not to Drink tooooo many

calories. " I have no doubt if I would " eliminate " all " calorie "

drinks, within a year I'd be in a size 8. Sugar is key in weight

gain.

During the first year Eating is more of a challenge...but it gets

better every day. Believe me when I tell you...I eat more than my

husband does. Tonight at dinner I had...3 pieces of fresh baked hot

pita bread with a dip, A Brie stuffed 8 oz fillet mignon steak with

burgundy/mushroom wine sauce and steamed veggies. I drank hot green

tea with lemon and 1 pkg of real sugar, and Ice water. I was

completely full, yet not STUFFED. My husband is always saying " I

can't believe you eat like that and you don't gain weight " I look at

him (usually with my mouth stuffed full of food) and say " maybe

because I had surgery? " lol

I take " taking my supplements & doing my follow-up labs " very

seriously. It keeps me healthy and feeling better, stronger, younger

at 51 than I did at 30...honest.

Pat is a VGB to DS revision..and to take a constant quote from her " I

love this surgery! "

Hugs

Jo

>

> Thanks for the info Jo!

>

> The gas & stools description were helpful - and pretty much what I

have

> heard and expected. To be honest, I'm pretty stinky even with RnY,

> especially after eating sugar. So, I guess I can live with that!

> A couple of questions...how long ago did you have your surgery?

What

> was your weight loss like and how successful have you been at

> maintaining your desired weight? I really appreciate the info...

> I'd love to hear from more of you out there -

especially " revisions " .

> Thanks so much!

>

>

>