Question for the pros

rcarper, you replied to my post rather than to the OP's post, so they may not see this (see that your post is indented coz it's a reply to mine).

I never had a problem.  On average, I go once in the morning.  On occasion, I skip a day of going all together.  And sometimes I have 2 in a day.  Gas is easily controllable.

I honestly have never understood the warnings about the loose stools and gas -- as I don't see it being a problem for most.  Well -- loose yes, but never uncontrollable.

For most of us, it all depends on what we eat, meaning this is something you can control. If you eat a lot of the wrong thing, meaning carbs, you will have smelly gas and nasty stools. Too much fat can also cause loose stools, though how much is too much probably varies from person to person. The DS does not involve any work on your colon and does not cause incontinence, unless by this you mean at "accident" from eating the wrong foods. I would guess that the poor soul who needed a revision had more of a problem than that, and this is far and away the exception and not the rule.

But I'm amazed, and that's the most polite way I can say it, that your surgeon thought and apparently still thinks a VSG would be adequate for someone at 507 lbs. It is NOT your fault that you are not progressing further with a purely restrictive operation.

and I would just add that while the surgeon is concerned about a stool problem, right now you definitely have a weight problem, with all that means for comorbidities, poor quality of life, and shorter life.

Larra

I have no issues with loose bowel movements.  They are soft but they are not diarrhea and they are not a problem.  I go1 or 2 times a day.  Not an issue at all.

I have gas and probably have more than the average DSer because I have complained about it on here from time to time.  It is not a serious issue but a mild inconvenience.  It is manageable and would not be a deciding factor for me when choosing this surgery.

This surgery can help you lose massive amounts of weight.  More than you ever thought possible.  You can still eat.  You can still eat a lot.  It is miraculous.  Simply miraculous.  I never thought I could ever be this thin.  I never thought I could ever be a normal weight and still enjoy food.  It is so amazing what this surgery does for you.

Don't get distracted by talk of bowel issues.  It is very minor in the grand scheme of things.

Gas X strips are awesome. Before I had surgery I had a BM every 4 - 5 days, after I go every day sometimes 2 - 3 times a day usually loose. I am still learning what I can and can't eat so I have had diarreah a couple of times. Stay away from sugery liquids like slurpees and soda drinks. My digestive system works better now than before surgery.

heck, you're in NYC.  Don't think twice.  Go see one of the top DS surgeons and you'll do fine.

I am 10 days out.  I have loose stools and liquid stools.  Depends on what I eat.  I also get plenty of time warning and have had only a couple accidents.  At least they were at home.  My surgeon tried scaring me with the loose stool speach also.  I already knew about it because I researched the DS until I was blue in the face.  Personally I would rather have loose stools than be unhealthy.  Even being just 10 days out I am staying out of bed a lot more, I  have lost 22lbs, I have little more energy.  I haven't gotten sick once.  The DS is the best thing I could have done for myself.  That's what you need to decide.  Is it really for you or not?  Like already said.  Everyone is different.  I was expecting the worse and was blessed with little pain, controlable stools and ability to eat and drink.  Good luck on you adventure.  I wish you the best. 

I am 10 months out. I have a bowel movement about every other day. It is not diarrhea. It is soft. I barely ever fart.

For those who've questioned my surgeon and the decision to do the sleeve first, the DS was my surgeon's plan all along. Due to my initial size and my comorbidities, he would not do it in a single procedure. His plan all along was to do the sleeve first, have me lose 150 lbs, and then the DS. I, of course, was hoping that the sleeve would be so successful that the second stage would not be necessary. But, it's just not working out that way for me.

I see JG had Michael Gagner as their surgeon. Gagner pioneered the DS - the first guy in the world to do it. He's no longer at Weill-Cornell NYP, but my surgeon Dakin, and Pomp who assisted in my VSG, they were the bariatric team there. They wrote the book, so to speak. I have every confidence that my surgeon made the best decision for me to do this in steps because of my particular issues, and I understand that may not may not be the best for others.

Sorry, I just read your last post....  must have missed it the first time around....   I'm very familar with Pomp and Gagner, just didn't know Dakin as part of the group...  has he still been doing the DS's lately?   What hospital is he out of now?  (I like to keep track of the local guys)...
thanks,  Mary