Re: Questions for 1+ years POST-OP's

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/30/01 9:41:27 AM Pacific Standard Time, joefrost@...

writes:

<< It was recommended that I lose 10% of my body weight (about 35

pounds) before the surgery to avoid abdominal compartment syndrome. I

didn't. I got it. I'd make more of an effort.

>>

Joe,

What is abdominal compartment syndrome, and how does losing weight

pre-surgery help to avoid it?

Thanks,

Dawna

[Guest guest]

:

>>When did you have WLS?<<

November 29, 2000. That is only 4 months, not 1 year plus but I choose to

answer your questions anyway.

>>Who did the WLS and where are they located?<<

Mine was done by Dr. Welker in Portland, Oregon but he is currently

on a sabbatical and doesn't know when or where he will resume surgery.

>>What type of WLS did you have?<<

The lateral gastrectomy with duodenal switch, commonly referred to as the

DS. Any name for the DS that surgeons creatively come up with is simply

another name for the same thing. The DS surgeries are all done basically

done the same way.

>>Was the WLS open or lap?<<

Lap. Though I had complications and further surgeries which had to be done

open.

>>Any regrets about having WLS?<<

Absolutely not.

>>Anything you would do different if you could start again?<<

Yes. I would exercise before the surgery more. I tried but didn't stick

with it. It was recommended that I lose 10% of my body weight (about 35

pounds) before the surgery to avoid abdominal compartment syndrome. I

didn't. I got it. I'd make more of an effort.

>>How much have you lost total?<<

80 pounds in four months.

>>Have you kept all that weight off?<<

Yes, but I'm still in the losing process so the question probably doesn't

really apply.

>>What advice would you give someone thinking about WLS?<<

This surgery should be the last resort. If there is a diet or exercise

program you haven't tried, try it first. This is MAJOR surgery. It carries

a risk. I felt that I was bulletproof and almost died a couple of times. I

was in the hospital two months and had seven surgeries. I'm in great shape

now other than a bit of residual weakness but the risk is there. Don't take

this (or any) surgery lightly.

>>Do you have children?<<

Yes, 4. But none live with me.

>>Do you want to have a child or more children AFTER WLS?<<

No. I could say something clever here but I'll settle for No.

>>What did your surgeon tell you about having children post-op?<<

Not much risk. I'm a male so am at very low risk from becoming pregnant.

And my wife (who also had the surgery) has had a total hysterectomy. We've

already had our families and enough is enough!

>>Are children possible post-op with both the DS and the RNY?<<

Absolutely. Though with either it is high risk if within the first 12 to 24

months, depending on which surgeon you listen to. The demands on your body

while you are actively losing the weight are high. The demands from

pregnancy are also high and those high risks should not be taken

simultaneously. Many surgeons require child bearing aged patients to sign a

contract to not get pregnant for a year or two following WLS.

I hope this helps. I can highly recommend the DS over the RNY for two major

reasons. First, the success is better with the DS. People tend to lose

more of their excess weight and keep it off better according to every study

I've ever seen - and I've seen a number of them. Secondly, the quality of

life is better with the DS. There are virtually no limitations on what you

can eat with the DS while there are lots with the RNY. There isn't the risk

of food getting stuck in the artificial opening between the pouch and the

upper intestine in the DS as there is with the RNY. Life is good with the

DS. It's good with the RNY compared to carrying around the excess weight,

but IMO better with the DS.

Regards.

Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fart

San , TX, 60 years old

Dr. Welker

340 starting weight, currently 260

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html

Questions for 1+ years POST-OP's

> Hi All,

> I'm a pre-op. I have my first consult with Dr. Vanguri in Baltimore, MD

on

> 5/10/01. He does the DS open. Although, I'd really like to have the DS

done

> lap...we will see! I'd like to hear from you seasoned post-ops out

there...

>

> QUESTIONS:

>

> When did you have WLS?

> Who did the WLS and where are they located?

> What type of WLS did you have?

> Was the WLS open or lap?

> Any regrets about having WLS?

> Anything you would do different if you could start again?

> How much have you lost total?

> Have you kept all that weight off?

> If yes, how?

> If no, why not?

> What advice would you give someone thinking about WLS?

> Do you have children?

> Do you want to have a child or more children AFTER WLS?

> What did your surgeon tell you about having children post-op?

> Are children possible post-op with both the DS and the RNY?

>

> Thank you for taking the time to answer all of the above questions. You

are

> truly an ANGEL for sharing your experience to help and benefit others!

> Hugs!

>

> jvaszil@...

>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

> Hi All,

> I'm a pre-op. I have my first consult with Dr. Vanguri in

Baltimore, MD on

> 5/10/01. He does the DS open. Although, I'd really like to have

the DS done

> lap...we will see! I'd like to hear from you seasoned post-ops out

there...

Hi. I had the BPD (precursor to the DS) almost exactly 10 years ago

with Dr. Wittgrove in San Diego. (Incidentally, he now only does the

RNY. Unfortunately.)

> QUESTIONS:

>

> When did you have WLS?

April 17, 1991.

> Who did the WLS and where are they located?

> What type of WLS did you have?

see above.

> Was the WLS open or lap?

Open -- no one was doing it lap 10 years ago.

> Any regrets about having WLS?

None whatsoever.

> Anything you would do different if you could start again?

I'd have the DS if it were available. I'd make sure to take

supplements designed for malabsorbers every single day and get my

blood work done at the recommended intervals. (I was cavalier about

all that and developed severe anemia -- once diagnosed and properly

treated, I was fine.)

> How much have you lost total?

120 lbs.

> Have you kept all that weight off?

Yes.

> If yes, how?

You can read my story at

www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Sharon/sharon.html

My starting weight was 320 lbs. Within a year of surgery, I stopped

losing at 220. I maintained that weight effortlessly for several

years. About 7 years out I noticed that i was a little heavier -- my

range was about 230 - 240. It wasn't a big deal to me because I

wasn't morbidly obese.

About a year and a half ago I started paying attention to some

niggling health problems and decided to greatly simplify my diet to

see if my troubles could be food related (allergies or food

intolerances). Eating only protein, vegetables, little fruit, nuts

and seeds, herbs, and olive oil for 3 months caused me to drop 30 lbs

(I had no idea I'd lose weight). Over the past year I've lost 10

more. I've also started training for a triathlon, so I've probably

lost an additional 50 lbs of fat and gained 10+ lbs of muscle. Last

time I got my body fat tested it was 25.8% fat -- and it's probably

less by now. When I had surgery, I was wearing a size 28/30 -- today

I wear a 14/16 (loosely!).

I did discover that I am very sensitive to dairy and wheat, so I eat

very little of those now, emphasize protein and vegetables, and the

rest takes care of itself.

> If no, why not?

> What advice would you give someone thinking about WLS?

Think about it VERY VERY carefully. It's a life-changing decision.

You will have to be mindful FOREVER about your supplements and

aftercare. You need to know the surgery and your body very very well.

And choose your doctors carefully. And educate them if they don't

know about your specific surgery.

> Do you have children?

No.

> Do you want to have a child or more children AFTER WLS?

Yes.

> What did your surgeon tell you about having children post-op?

Not a problem -- wait at least 18 months to 2 years post-op, and do

it in consultation with your surgeon and ob/gyn so they can keep

track of your body's needs. The baby will take what it needs to be

healthy -- you as the mother need to be extra careful to take care of

your body!

> Are children possible post-op with both the DS and the RNY?

Yes. In fact, Dr. Wittgrove did a study on RNY post-op pregnancies,

which you can find on his website at www.gastricbypass.com. But it

shouldn't be any different, really, for DS.

> Thank you for taking the time to answer all of the above

questions. You are

> truly an ANGEL for sharing your experience to help and benefit

others!

> Hugs!

>

> jvaszil@m...

Sharon

sharon@...

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Sharon/sharon.html

[Guest guest]

Hi Joe,

Just reading this post and came across a term I don't

know, could you tell me what, " abdominal compartment

syndrome " is? Thanks, Angel (pre-op, First consult

with Dr. Hess 6-28-2001)

--- Joe Frost joefrost@...> wrote:

> :

>

> >>When did you have WLS?<<

> November 29, 2000. That is only 4 months, not 1

> year plus but I choose to

> answer your questions anyway.

>

> >>Who did the WLS and where are they located?<<

> Mine was done by Dr. Welker in Portland,

> Oregon but he is currently

> on a sabbatical and doesn't know when or where he

> will resume surgery.

>

> >>What type of WLS did you have?<<

> The lateral gastrectomy with duodenal switch,

> commonly referred to as the

> DS. Any name for the DS that surgeons creatively

> come up with is simply

> another name for the same thing. The DS surgeries

> are all done basically

> done the same way.

>

> >>Was the WLS open or lap?<<

> Lap. Though I had complications and further

> surgeries which had to be done

> open.

>

> >>Any regrets about having WLS?<<

> Absolutely not.

>

> >>Anything you would do different if you could start

> again?<<

> Yes. I would exercise before the surgery more. I

> tried but didn't stick

> with it. It was recommended that I lose 10% of my

> body weight (about 35

> pounds) before the surgery to avoid abdominal

> compartment syndrome. I

> didn't. I got it. I'd make more of an effort.

>

> >>How much have you lost total?<<

> 80 pounds in four months.

>

> >>Have you kept all that weight off?<<

> Yes, but I'm still in the losing process so the

> question probably doesn't

> really apply.

>

> >>What advice would you give someone thinking about

> WLS?<<

> This surgery should be the last resort. If there is

> a diet or exercise

> program you haven't tried, try it first. This is

> MAJOR surgery. It carries

> a risk. I felt that I was bulletproof and almost

> died a couple of times. I

> was in the hospital two months and had seven

> surgeries. I'm in great shape

> now other than a bit of residual weakness but the

> risk is there. Don't take

> this (or any) surgery lightly.

>

> >>Do you have children?<<

> Yes, 4. But none live with me.

>

> >>Do you want to have a child or more children AFTER

> WLS?<<

> No. I could say something clever here but I'll

> settle for No.

>

> >>What did your surgeon tell you about having

> children post-op?<<

> Not much risk. I'm a male so am at very low risk

> from becoming pregnant.

> And my wife (who also had the surgery) has had a

> total hysterectomy. We've

> already had our families and enough is enough!

>

> >>Are children possible post-op with both the DS and

> the RNY?<<

> Absolutely. Though with either it is high risk if

> within the first 12 to 24

> months, depending on which surgeon you listen to.

> The demands on your body

> while you are actively losing the weight are high.

> The demands from

> pregnancy are also high and those high risks should

> not be taken

> simultaneously. Many surgeons require child bearing

> aged patients to sign a

> contract to not get pregnant for a year or two

> following WLS.

>

> I hope this helps. I can highly recommend the DS

> over the RNY for two major

> reasons. First, the success is better with the DS.

> People tend to lose

> more of their excess weight and keep it off better

> according to every study

> I've ever seen - and I've seen a number of them.

> Secondly, the quality of

> life is better with the DS. There are virtually no

> limitations on what you

> can eat with the DS while there are lots with the

> RNY. There isn't the risk

> of food getting stuck in the artificial opening

> between the pouch and the

> upper intestine in the DS as there is with the RNY.

> Life is good with the

> DS. It's good with the RNY compared to carrying

> around the excess weight,

> but IMO better with the DS.

>

> Regards.

>

> Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fart

> San , TX, 60 years old

> Dr. Welker

> 340 starting weight, currently 260

> http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html

>

>

> Questions for 1+ years

> POST-OP's

>

>

> > Hi All,

> > I'm a pre-op. I have my first consult with Dr.

> Vanguri in Baltimore, MD

> on

> > 5/10/01. He does the DS open. Although, I'd

> really like to have the DS

> done

> > lap...we will see! I'd like to hear from you

> seasoned post-ops out

> there...

> >

> > QUESTIONS:

> >

> > When did you have WLS?

> > Who did the WLS and where are they located?

> > What type of WLS did you have?

> > Was the WLS open or lap?

> > Any regrets about having WLS?

> > Anything you would do different if you could start

> again?

> > How much have you lost total?

> > Have you kept all that weight off?

> > If yes, how?

> > If no, why not?

> > What advice would you give someone thinking about

> WLS?

> > Do you have children?

> > Do you want to have a child or more children AFTER

> WLS?

> > What did your surgeon tell you about having

> children post-op?

> > Are children possible post-op with both the DS and

> the RNY?

> >

> > Thank you for taking the time to answer all of the

> above questions. You

> are

> > truly an ANGEL for sharing your experience to help

> and benefit others!

> > Hugs!

> >

> > jvaszil@...

> >

> >

> >

>

----------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

[Guest guest]

Angel:

Abdominal Compartment Syndrome is swelling and sometimes an accumulation of

fluid in the abdominal compartment which puts pressure on your organs and

shuts them down. This is a very high risk for those of us who are grossly

obese as there isn't much extra room in there to begin with. The swelling

and accumulation of fluid can be deadly. Dr. Welker and Dr. Deveny at OHSU

had to open me up and drain fluid from my gut. There was no operating room

available nor time to get me to one if it had been. They did the procedure

on my bariatric bed in the intensive care unit. Dr. Welker said that had

they not drained the fluid and given the swelling some space I would

probably have died within minutes.

Those of us who are morbidly obese have chronic abdominal compartment

syndrome all the time. But the swelling causes acute abdominal compartment

syndrome. You do NOT want acute abdominal compartment syndrome and losing

10% of your body weight prior to surgery is a very good preventative

measure.

Regards.

Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fart

San , TX, 60 years old

Dr. Welker

340 starting weight, currently 260

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html

Re: Questions for 1+ years POST-OP's

> Hi Joe,

> Just reading this post and came across a term I don't

> know, could you tell me what, " abdominal compartment

> syndrome " is? Thanks, Angel (pre-op, First consult

> with Dr. Hess 6-28-2001)

[Guest guest]

> QUESTIONS:

>

> When did you have WLS?

12/7/00

> Who did the WLS and where are they located?

Dr Herron of the Mt Sinai practice in NYC

> What type of WLS did you have?

BDP/DS

> Was the WLS open or lap?

Lap then Open for Complications.

> Any regrets about having WLS?

None

> Anything you would do different if you could start again?

I think if I had the original surgery open I might not have had the

complications. So I wouldn't hesitate to have the surgery Open.

> How much have you lost total?

60 lbs

> Have you kept all that weight off?

N/A I'm still losing...

> If yes, how?

> If no, why not?

> What advice would you give someone thinking about WLS?

To be honest with yourself and pick your surgery accordingly.

> Do you have children?

Yes

> Do you want to have a child or more children AFTER WLS?

NO, Thanks

> What did your surgeon tell you about having children post-op?

We didn't discuss it.

> Are children possible post-op with both the DS and the RNY?

Yes

HTH,

Vickie Hewitt

West Chester/Exton PA

Aetna USHC PPO approved me the day it was submitted.

DS Surgery w/ Dr Herron 12/08/00

Pre-OP Wt. 283.5 BMI 47.2

03/30/01 Wt. 223 BMI 35 -60.5 lbs

[Guest guest]

> QUESTIONS:

>

> When did you have WLS?

01/25/2001

> Who did the WLS and where are they located?

Dr Gagner/Dr. Quinn assisting of the Mt Sinai practice in NYC

> What type of WLS did you have?

BDP/DS

> Was the WLS open or lap?

Lap and I wouldn't have it any other way! I didn't have any complications,

though and recovered well from it.

> Any regrets about having WLS?

None

> Anything you would do different if you could start again?

I wouldn't do anything differently.

> How much have you lost total?

I'm now 272 - down from 307 pre-op, so that's 35 lbs so far.

> Have you kept all that weight off?

I'm still losing... and the scales really haven't gone back upwards!

> What advice would you give someone thinking about WLS?

Research and prepare, chose one's surgeon carefully and try to adhere to a

high protein diet BEFORE surgery so you can get the 'hang of it'.

> Do you have children?

Yes - two ages 4 and 2

> Do you want to have a child or more children AFTER WLS?

It is very possible.

> What did your surgeon tell you about having children post-op?

We didn't discuss it, but from what I've read it is totally possible after

BPD/DS (and RNY).

> Are children possible post-op with both the DS and the RNY?

Yes. But, I had a friend who had the RNY with Dr. Pomp and he advised her

NOT to have children because of the possible risks --- (she already has two).

All the best,

laparoscopic BPD/DS with gallbladder removal

Dr. Gagner/Dr. Quinn assisting/Mt. Sinai/NYC

January 25, 2001

63 days post-op and still feelin' fab!

[Guest guest]

Dear Joe,

Thanks for the education! I started out at 397 lbs and

am down to 383lbs through a low fat, low carb (just

plain good sense) diet. Now I'm glad I started that! I

did it just because I figured it wouldn't hurt to have

a few lbs off before surgery. Guess you proved that

right! Thanks again and I'll keep working on it wntil

my surgery. Angel

--- Joe Frost joefrost@...> wrote:

> Angel:

>

> Abdominal Compartment Syndrome is swelling and

> sometimes an accumulation of

> fluid in the abdominal compartment which puts

> pressure on your organs and

> shuts them down. This is a very high risk for those

> of us who are grossly

> obese as there isn't much extra room in there to

> begin with. The swelling

> and accumulation of fluid can be deadly. Dr. Welker

> and Dr. Deveny at OHSU

> had to open me up and drain fluid from my gut.

> There was no operating room

> available nor time to get me to one if it had been.

> They did the procedure

> on my bariatric bed in the intensive care unit. Dr.

> Welker said that had

> they not drained the fluid and given the swelling

> some space I would

> probably have died within minutes.

>

> Those of us who are morbidly obese have chronic

> abdominal compartment

> syndrome all the time. But the swelling causes

> acute abdominal compartment

> syndrome. You do NOT want acute abdominal

> compartment syndrome and losing

> 10% of your body weight prior to surgery is a very

> good preventative

> measure.

>

> Regards.

>

> Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fart

> San , TX, 60 years old

> Dr. Welker

> 340 starting weight, currently 260

> http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html

>

> Re: Questions for 1+ years

> POST-OP's

>

>

> > Hi Joe,

> > Just reading this post and came across a term I

> don't

> > know, could you tell me what, " abdominal

> compartment

> > syndrome " is? Thanks, Angel (pre-op, First consult

> > with Dr. Hess 6-28-2001)

>

>

>

>

----------------------------------------------------------------------

>