Down & Dirty of DS?

I understand at first it hard to swallow the vit and you big up over time........... what kind of regime was your initial vit intake in the beginning?  Thanks Donna

For the first month I took Celebrate chewable vits.......that's what I had been taking for the previous year. Starting about a month out, I started gradually worked into Vitalady's plan. I've always had problems with large pills, so I use Upcal powder for my calcium and still use an adult chewable vitamin,

Two other quick things that other vets have said that I just think should be added is that you should have your labs drawn in advance so if you are low on any vitamins it can be corrected pre-surgery. For instance if you are a low iron person get your iron up ahead of time and it will help to "prevent" issues right away after your surgery as long as you stay vigilant on your vitamins.

Second big thing that I've heard and what I am doing with my primary doctor, is I found someone who was willing to learn about DS. I went in, told her what I was up to, my second visit she had studied all about the DS and had ordered my labs to test to see where I was now so she can help me as much as possible. You need a doctor to work with you and finding one in advance especially if you're going to Mexico is highly advised.

I've had some wonderful and amazing folks share with me privately what their DS experience was, and I highly recommend you go read some of the stories on dsfacts.com because while no one can tell you what YOUR experience was like there are a bunch of stories of the down right nasty dirty things that happen.

The best part? I've never read a single story of someone a few years out that totally regretted it. Of course I haven't looked over on the failed wls board yet. The DS is a very strong tool. Good luck!

Can't wait to get mine.

Brenda~

Yes there have been some very amazing people who have read out to me and privately shared information and I am grateful.  Thank you and Good Luck.  Donna

I will be 12 years out in March.  Things change over time.  My malabsorption still works well but I am lactose intolerant and if I eat carbs it is very very unpleasant in terms of gas - and anybody who tells you "oh you can just avoid them" is just not being realistic over the long term.  With all due respect to those who are two years out,  three years out.....that's still very very new.  Long term DS life is very unstudied.

You can count on unpleasant odor from gas and poop.  Count on it.  And you will experience bloating,  sometimes quite unpleasant. Count on it.

You will also have to be VERY vigilant about supplements,  vitamins,  and getting your bloodwork done fairly frequently.  You are likely to have calcium and iron absorption issues,  and you may need iron infusions.  My need for them didn't even start until I was 3 years post-op.

Thank you this was the info I needed.  Were you good about taking your supplements?  Or regardless if I take my iron I could still need an infusion?  Since you have 12 year under your belt would you please send a friend request I am not sure how to send it and I would be grateful if I could run things by you.............  Again thank you Donna

No, sorry,  I will not send anything...information here is to be shared by everyone, so everyone can benefit.  There is no need to discuss DS issues in private here.  The whole point of this board is to help people who are reading along.

Yes,  many DSers need infusions no matter how much or what type of iron they take orally.

And yes,  I have been extremely vigilant about supplements and bloodwork,  and have been extremely aggressive about my doctors and medical care.

I get iron infusions 2-3 times a year.

Thanks!!!

This experience is entirely different for each person. I'm 5 weeks out and have had NO diarrhea--none. In fact, I only poop about once a week and it's a totally normal poop--doesn't smell any different from before surgery. I have no gas, and thus far there doesn't seem to be much I can't eat. That may change over time, but overall, I seem to be very tolerant. I take my vites 4 times a day--big handfuls each time. Those go down just fine but it took me 4 weeks to be able to do it--and burping afterwards sucks because you can taste the vites. It sucks having so little room in my tummy--I'm full after two or three bites and the feeling of being full is sometimes a little uncomfortable--even if I eat really slowly (3 bites over an hour). I can drink carbonated drinks (though I avoid them with meals because they take up too much room with the bubbles) and I drink with meals. I'm never hungry thus far--that's pretty annoying too. I know it sounds great but it's a chore to eat now and that's no fun. But that along with the lack of tummy space will get better in time.

I have two other friends who have had the DS who have similar experiences to me as far as the gas and pooping and eating are concerned. Though I hear of stinky poop and really foul smelling gas, pain in recovery, and discomfort for a while after, I have had none of that. In fact, a week after surgery I was up and running around feeling fine. I went home from the hospital and slept normally on my tummy or side in bed. My kids were all over me without any discomfort. There was no pain whatsoever.

I hear of people (one of my friends included) who end up feeling pretty bad for a few weeks--diarrhea early out is normal. They sleep in reclining chairs after surgery because it's uncomfortable to sleep otherwise. Also, I never took any pain meds after the second day in the hospital--many are on pain meds for a few weeks on and off.

The experience we each have with this surgery is as varied as the personalities on this board. And there is no predicting how awful or rosy it will be. I was totally prepared for the worst. And I got pleasantly surprised. I hope you have such a great experience as well!

You're only 5 weeks out!  You're not even close to being recovered....and things will change over time....let's see how things are at three years,  5 years,  9 years....5 weeks is really not enough to know anything about how your longterm DS life is going to be/feel.