Seeking Advice

Hi Everyone!  I'm seeking advice from my fellow overweight R-Can-Sawyers.  Here's my story.  I'll reach the big 6-0 this year.  I've always been moderately overweight.  I quit smoking about 6 months ago.  Since that time, I have gained approximately 10 lbs per month.  I now weigh over 300 lbs... but hey, I don't smoke.  Dieting doesn't work for me.  I lose the weight then gain it back, plus some.  I'm now considering surgical remedies.  At first I was attracted to the band, but after reading many testimonials, DS is starting to look better.  I currently have a seminar scheduled with the Wellborn Clinic.  I have no idea where to begin or who to ask about what!  Any suggestions?

 I had the sleeve laproscopically done 12/2/09 by Dr Roller in NW Arkansas.  I don't think I could have asked for a more qualified surgeon.  He is actually a teacher of this procedure.  

I absolutely love my sleeve.  I've lost 30+ pounds since my surgery & that includes a two week stall.  I highly recommend the sleeve as it doesn't carry with it the risks that the bypass does.  The DS is typically performed as a second part to the sleeve, IF further procedure is called for.  Most people do very well with the sleeve alone.  

Congratulations on quitting smoking.  That's not an easy thing to do.  Like you, I gained weight (about 40 additional pounds) when I quit smoking & my start weight was 300#.  

Enjoy the seminar.  You will learn a lot there.  Good luck.

Thanks Lynne.  That's what I'm looking for... other people's opinions and experiences.  The sleeve huh?  I haven't really looked into that option yet, but now I certainly will.  Have you had any problems at all since your surgery?  I'm also curious about your diet.  Do you have to give up ALL the good stuff or can you still partake in that occasional bite of pizza or Big Mac?  What about alcohol?  I'm hoping I don't have to make a complete change in my lifestyle, but if that's what it takes, then I'm ready to make that commitment also.  I live in SE AR so Little Rock Dr's would be more convenient to me.  However, I have a daughter that lives in Fayetteville so Dr. Roller is not out of the question either... especially if follow-up visit requirements are limited.  Also, if you don't mind sharing, what about cost for the procedure?

Please, please sign up for Dr. Gibbs' seminar in Little Rock! He throughly covers the lap-band , vs, and bypass proceedures, and discusses the pros and cons of each.  I walked in having decided to have the band, but after learning about both I opted for the bypass. My husband attended his seminar last month and agreed that it was the most comprehensive comparison of the two.  You can find Dr. Gibbs' website and sign up for the seminar at:

http://www.surgicalclinicarkansas.com/

Best of luck to you, whichever one you decide. Go for it! WLS canged my LIFE!!!

Thanks Mommy.   Can I call you Mommy?  LOL  Anyway, you're not the first person to highly recommend Dr. Gibbs.  I will be sure to attend one of his seminars before making this most important decision.  Can you share with me your results?  Thanks again and best of luck to you also.

Ken

Hey Ken!

Sure you can call me Mommy! My name is Lisa. Dr. Gibbs does gastric bypass, verical banded sleeve and lap band. As I said before, I was pretty sure I wanted to go with the lap band, but after attending the seminar and learning the pros/cons, success rates, etc. of each, I opted for the gastric bypass. Dr. Gibbs' entire staff was extremely helpful in working with my insurance company to obtain approval for the proceedure, and answering all ten million of my questions.

Both my daughter and I had surgery on December 3, 2008. It was EXTREMELY easy for both of us! Neither one of us had to take any pain medication after we left the hospital! In fact, I felt so wonderful that I ran around like the Energizer bunny for the first 3 days after I got home...then crashed from dehydration.  I can't say that I wasn't warned though...I just didn't listen to my doctor! It's tough to get in all of your fluids and food servings the first few months because you aren't hungry at all and your little pouch fills up very quickly. This website was my lifeline because the people here are friendly and eager to help you with any questions or concerns. I also attend a support group meeting every month at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, where we share advice, experiences, etc.  In fact, we have a meeting tomorrow night at 6! Check the message board for more info.

My daughter and I each lost 31 pounds the first month, and as of today, I've lost 125 and my daughter has lost 112. I'm actually under what my PCM says my normal weight should be, but it's strictly because my metabolism is still running full speed ahead.  Dr. Gibbs said it generally returns to normal after a year or year and a half.  I'm easily eating 1000 calories a day, but oddly enough, the more I eat...the more I lose. (the metabolism thing, I suppose)

Yes, we can now eat sweets, fast food, fatty food, etc., but any more than a bite is TOO MUCH! We've never experienced the "dumping syndrome", but when we overdo it we quickly become lethargic and will go to sleep at the drop of a hat. Do we still want to eat pizza and hamburgers? YES! But I can honestly tell you that after a year of eating so much less than we used to, chicken and vegetables are just as satisfying as all the bad stuff. We really don't even crave all the bad stuff anymore. If we're tempted then we take a small bite to enjoy the taste, and honest injun...we're satisfied.

Everyone's experience is different, so chat up everyone on this board or read their home pages to gain more perspective.

Hope we'll see you at the  meeting tomorrow night!

Hey Mommy... I mean Lisa:  Thanks for sharing.  Your comments are very encouraging.  I took your advice and I signed up online for a seminar with Dr. Gibbs on Jan. 29.  I also called his office to obtain the information packet.  I wasn't able to talk to anyone, but left a message for reply.  Yeah, I'm just really undecided at this time as to which way I want to go.  I suppose the Dr and his staff will be able to guide me in the right direction.  I just want to get rid of this weight... once and for all.  Based upon the way I've been feeling lately, I think I was better off smoking and eating less than I am currently by not smoking and eating myself to death.  However, I know that's not true.  I've kicked the smoking habit and now I just need help kicking the eating habit.  I still want to be able to drink socially so I hope the surgery requirements don't eliminate that all together.  In my line of business, I am frequently traveling and entertaining so I've got to "maintain my image."  I'm really proud of you and your daughter.  I hope I will be able to share the same success in the near future.  Keep in touch and I'll keep you posted on my end.  Thanks again.

Ken

Hi, Ken!

I'm Wendy, and I had RNY with Dr. John Baker in LR.  If you're shopping LR docs, then either Gibbs or Baker is the way to go.  I hear nothing but excellent things about each, and I personally love Dr. Baker.  He's very knowledgeable and caring, and his surgical reputation is impeccable.  I've lost ~110 lbs since I had surgery in 2008 and I'm now pretty well at my ideal weight.  The first 3-4 months post-surgery were difficult - it's quite a learning curve - but I can honestly say that after that, it got better and better. 

Transfer addictions are a risk that surgical patients face; I think I transferred a lot of my dependence on food to exercise.  I started "running" almost exactly year ago... if you can call shuffling along for 15 seconds and then gasping for breath *running*, LOL.  I gradually built up my endurance and ran a half-marathon in October, woohoo!

As far as alcohol, I indulge in the occasional glass of something here and there.  I find hard liquor upsets my pouch, but I had ulcerative issues before surgery.  Beer has fizzies, and that's not good for us.  Wine is my go-to.  HOWEVER -- you will most likely find that your tolerance is markedly diminished.  ONE glass of wine will get me where three did prior to surgery.  If you find you must drink something (and all surgeons will tell you that you shouldn't), I'd stick with something very VERY watered down.  I know you've got to maintain your image, but you don't want to get too goofy, right?

I hope we get to meet you at a support group!  I used to post here much more often, but my day job got busier and life also intervened... good luck with your decision.  I'm so glad I had the surgery, I feel like a new person.

I'd sign up for Dr. Baker's seminar.  You can register online at:
www.obesity-surgery.net

He is the president of the executive council of the American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (the NATIONAL organization of metabolic/bariatric surgeons).  People have traveled states away just to use him.  (example: Jodi from Arizona who occassionally posts on this board)

He does NOT do the DS (but neither does any other surgeon in the state of Arkansas).  He will review the DS in his seminar (he reviews all surgical options in his seminar or at least he did the last time I went so I assume he still does) and he'll tell you why he won't do it if you ask. 

Good luck!

Wen

Hi Ken,

My two cents - I'm choosing the DS after tons of research, so am going to Dr. Houston in Nashville, TN. However, if I was going to have the RnY, I would go to Dr. Baker in a heartbeat. There's 2 docs in Nashville and one in Denton, TX who do the DS. I'm in NE AR, so NashVegas is closer for me.

Good luck!!

These sites have loads of good info on the DS both pro and con: http://www.dsfacts.com/  and  http://www.duodenalswitch.com/