I've got a DATE!!

June 12, 2006 is my lucky day! School's out for teachers on June 9, then I'll be headed up to NYC to get my DS. It's been over a year since I decided I wanted WLS, specifically the DS. I just hope that insurance approves it now. They submitted my paperwork yesterday. Keep your fingers, toes, eyes - anything you can cross - crossed for me! Bronwen

Bronwen, It is all crossed for you. Why did you decide on DS and why NYC? I'm just courios. See you lighter. Joanne

Thanks! I appreciate your well-wishes. I'm so excited I can barely sit still, and I've got 4 months to go! I chose the DS because I wanted a restrictive operation with malabsorption like the RNY, but I didn't want the pouch, stoma, and dumping. With the DS, I get to keep my pyloric valve, so I won't dump, and my stomach will be reduced, but not to a teensy pouch. The malabsorption is similar to the Distal RNY - more than the regular proximal RNY. I chose Dr. Gagner in NYC because of his reputation for doing the DS Lap. Also, there isn't a DS surgeon in Delaware. I figured if I had to go out of state anyway, I'd go to the best. Bronwen

Congrats Bronwen, I wish you well. Is there any truth to the rumor about DS WLS. That you could have diarreha (sp) for the rest of your life? Please tell me it is not true!! I had the proximal RNY WLS by Dr. Irgau & Dr. Wynn on January 26, 2004. I have lost 180 lbs, never dumped and have had awesome labs every time. I follow the rules. I am recouping from bilateral knee surgery and am doing awesome. I am way ahead of schedule due to my good nutrional levels, vitamins, exercise program and overall good habits I have developed since WLS. Determination for a healthy lifestyle has been my goal. I'm off all meds. Life is good. God bless my new life. I wish you the best on your journey. Elissa

That's great that your surgery has worked for you, and that you've worked your surgery. That's our goal, right? As far as lifelong diarrhea goes, there are those that confuse the DS with the old JIB - jejuno-ilial bypass - where that was a lifelong consequence. Believe me, poop is a never-ending topic on the DS board. We seem to be of a scatological bent there... The consensus is that the poop is a little softer than regular, but not liquid. It isn't frequent, like diarrhea, but at normal intervals, like a normie. And, there's rarely any constipation It's conjectured that the softness is due to the high fat content, as DSers malabsorb about 82% of the fat they eat. The one downside to the DS poop is that it's stinkier than normal. But honestly, is there ever any poop that doesn't stink? Sorry to take this post down the poopy path! I'm happy for you that you're breezing through recovery. My grandfather had a knee replaced 10 years ago, so I know it's not easy. Bronwen

Congratulations and good luck with everything.

Bronwen.........CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will keep my fingers, toes, and my eyeballs crossed for you...ha ha!!!! You are in my thoughts and prayers! Take care you lucky girl!! shaughnessy

Good luck Bronwen..................Keep us posted on your journey as, this isn't a procedeue that a lot of people seem to be getting. Bonnie S

make it happen...catch your dream

Best wishes to you!! Gigee