What WLS procedure do you think this is?

Hi guys! A friend of mine has another friend who just had a WLS procedure, and for the life of me I can't figure out what procedure she's talking about.  She gives me updates on the woman, but she can never remember the name of the procedure.  Eventually we are all supposed to go out to lunch together, but it the meantime it's driving me a little bit crazy trying to figure it out!  So here are some clues; what procedure do you think it is? 1. It was performed by a Dr. in Fresno who is supposed to be very famous; she says people are coming from all over California to have him do their surgery. 2. It's not RNY or Lap Band 3. It's supposed to be different from most WLS because he doesn't remove the intestines (? I'm not really sure about this one, because what procedure does remove intestines?  Maybe my friend means the stomach?)  because he says they are there for a reason and shouldn't be removed. 4. At three weeks out, she can already eat things like mashed potatoes (I guess a lot of people can, I'm jealous!   ) 5. She is not supposed to drink protein shakes, even in the very early stages, because she is supposed to get all of her protein through food. 6. She is supposed to only eat three times a day, with no snacks in between, even though she is only a few weeks out. 7. She is reporting that she doesn't feel full when she eats.     I just can't figure it out based on the details she's given me.  But then again, I am certainly no expert!  Anyone have an idea?

Maybe gastric sleve or DS?  I don'k know of any that removes intestine, just bypasses it. -Donna

Humm.  This is a puzzle.  Could be DS.  I know my RNY I still have all my intestines and old stomach only they are bypassed  AND my surgeon wants us to get all our protien from food and so does Dr Fobi ( my mothers dr) some are just strict that way.  Maybe the VGS.    At three weeks out she may not feel full either if she is still numb.  I cant wait to find out which this is

Yeah it sounds like the gastric sleeve that my cousin had.  But she can't eat very much in one sitting at all, she gets really full fast.  With the sleeve they don't need the vitamins because nothing is bypassed and there is no malnutrion that happens. But then I ain't no expert either. If you find out let us know. DIane

Hi honey, glad to see your happy face on line again.  You must be doing well I hope.  xoxoxoxxoxoxoxo  I hope to see ya soon

I live in Fresno and just had my RNY last week.  There are two major groups here in town, and one of them has "the really famous doctor."  I had my surgery done by this group, and the protocol that you listed (mashed potatoes, no protein shakes, not snacking) sounds exactly like what the group advocates/requires.  My understanding is that they only do RNY proximal and LapBand.  I'm thinking that the part about removing intestines was just a misunderstanding or something.  I'll bet she had her surgery by Dr. Higa or Dr. Boone at ALSA here in Fresno.  Just my guess as a local.  :)Michelle

A mystery indeed.  I agree with Michelle that it does sound like the practices and beliefs of ALSA medical. They do not believe in protien suppliments and they do begin to add foods in fairly quickly. I traveled a little over 3 hours to have my surgery performed by Dr. Boone. I was off liquids at my one week follow up and was allowed "pureed" at that time. By 5 weeks out the diet was add things slowly and nothing (except the usual things we aren't supposed to eat) was forbidden. They say Protein first, vegitables second, fruit third. drink, drink, drink. What I'm not sure about is I thought they only did RNY or Lap Band but I could very well be wrong. The procedure does sound like the DS or gastric sleeve. I too am no expert.  Looking forward to getting this one figured out. Sue

Hey guys!  OK, I met the friend today, and guess what?  It WAS a plain old RNY!  My friend kept telling me that it was some different kind of surgery, that she didn't know what it was called, but she just knew that it wasn't the same thing I had.  Well lo and behold, she was wrong, because it was an RNY with Dr. Higa!  The woman did seem to think she'd had some kind of really unusual procedure, though, so that must have been why my friend was confused.  I think the woman is doing really well, although she's feeling a little stressed because she doesn't feel she's had specific enough instructions.  And my friend was totally right that she's not supposed to drink protein shakes, and at 1 month out she can already eat things like bread and rice.  It's just so interesting how different doctor's instructions can be.  Although she is NEVER supposed to drink alcohol again.  Think I'll stick with Dr. Coates and small amounts after one year!  I've got to have just a little shot of tequila when I get together with the girls!  LOL!