Reversing the DS part only

I am 6 weeks and 2 days out now. 

My surgeon just wanted the money.  Never even called back this week when I had the contraction pains.  I called his ofc the next day spoke with the LVN.  She told me something I have found out cannot happen with this.  I'm very concerned.  He said he does not do reversals?  I said "Well what if someone's body doesn't handle it well (as mine is not)", then we put you on a feeding tube or whatever we need to do to get the nutrition in you. 

My labs were great before the surgery (as late as one week).  My potassium dropped this week (quite a bit)  caused a few issues. 

I believed in my surgeon and his ofc stafff "way" too much.

I have pains on and off throughout the day in my abdomen.  Things that should have stopped haven't. 

What do you mean about the DS'ers that have gone before, Have they passed?  This is a fairly new surgery in WLS.

I am very worried of what I will be like 2 yrs out and too weak to have the surgery reversed? 

I am not a carnivore, I am a herbivore.  I prefer greens over meat.  I struggle with that even with the protein.  They assured me it will be no problem.  Some protein shakes I throw up.  I just ordered Unjury to try it.

The Surgeon's LVN thinks I'm Lactose intolerant. 

6 weeks out, 2 additional hospital stays, Gastro Dr's who know this surgery (one brought in another one very familiar with this surgery) are worried about the inflammation and the fat intake as related to my colon issues.

I just keep trying every day to make it through the day.  That's all I can do.

This is affecting my whole life - work and personal, in a negative way. 

I am trying to find the answer best for me.:-)

Did you do any research into the DS before going under the knife?  Any at all?

As everyone has chimed in and noted the DS is a MASSIVE surgery and it will take at least 3 months to get your gastrointestinal tract back to optimum functioning. During that time you will experiment with food sources and guess what...the ones your body rejects give you severe gas pain, flatulence and diarrhea as well as vomiting.  You are very likely to be terribly lactose intolerant and fat will cause your diarrhea to initially get worse.

You need to look at protein powders and start drinking at least three a day with la co-free milk.  Snack on cheese, bacon, scam bled egg's, soups of every description but based on meat.  Get onto Fitday and start a food journal and aim every day for at least 60g of protein eventually building up to 100gs by 6 months out.

As for supplementation....forget it until the end of next month. If you GI tract is still healing and you are unable to manage much orally then you need to slowly add your supplements.  Please go to Vitalady and get her DS starter pack.  It is all easily absorbed by our rapid transit. 

One month out you should be drinking and keeping your fluids up, nibbling and wondering when you will be able to stand even looking at food again and feeling like a bus full of axe murderers  has been over to your house.

Now behave.  You're demanding to be well right now and it isn't possible. You must be kind to your body and not be seeking a revision until you have had time to heal.  One month is not enough time and this surgery is ******g awesome! I have lost over 200lbs and I moaned constantly my first month out. If you tried to revise me now I'd bite off your kneecaps! 

Speak to your surgeon. Simple...just do that.

Kirmy,

You made me laugh... That's a good thing...

I did research but not enough.  We will see how this next month goes.

HERE, HERE Kirmy!!

What do you mean about the DS'ers that have gone before, Have they passed?  This is a fairly new surgery in WLS.

They haven't passed out of this life, just off of this board. Sadly, most of the long-term DS vets don't post here much.

Reversals can be done, but they're extremely rare. Lengthening the common channel is a little more common, but again, rare. There are other things to try first, like adding pancreatic enzymes to boost absorption, etc.

Sadly, there are some surgeons out there who are only interested in taking your money. Who is yours?

Deep breaths! 

Is potassium the only thing you are low in?  Are you taking diuretics or blood pressure meds, which have the same effect as a diuretic?   If so, this may be contributing to the deficiency.  If you are having diarrhea, then that would be contributing as well.   Are you taking a potassium supplement?  Being so new out, eating a banana would be futile because you would fill up too quickly.  A supplement may help replace what you are losing. 

In the beginning, I could not stomach any protein that was supposed to be mixed with milk.  I started using Syntrax Nectar lemonade and mixed it with Crystal Light lemonade.  Alone, the Syntrax lemonade was not that good, but mixed with Crystal Light lemonade, it was a drink I could stomach and gave me lots of protein.  If you are having trouble with milk based protein supplements, you may want to try Syntrax Nectars.  They now come in individual Grab 'n Go packs and I found them at my local Vitamin Shoppe.  You can try the lemon and a few of the other ones without making a commitment to a huge jug of protein. 

Regarding a reversal - if you are having major issues, then it seems normal (to me) to look at your options.   However, since you just went through so much getting the DS and it is so new,  you may want to see if you can figure this out so that it becomes manageable.  If you are losing too rapidly and having major issues with diarrhea, there are enzymes that can be given to increase absorption.  If you are lactose intolerant, there are ways to work around and manage that. 

My suggestion would be to not give up or give in so quickly.  There is always an adjustment period.  I had weird stuff happening for the first several months post op and had several 'what have I done????' moments.  It took a while to figure out what was going on.  In the end, it all worked out.  In the meantime, it may not hurt to get a second opinion. 

Hang in there.

Sharon

I don't take any offense.  It is what it is.

Why don't you want to let us know who your surgeon is? Others who use him may be of help but until you tell us, we won't know.

Why not post your latest labs and results...there are plenty here who can help.

And why not explain your gastro issues...it might help us understand.

Liz

When I am at the Surgeon's next week, I am getting my med records.  I will know what the length of the common channel etc.

 Good God...you're six weeks out!    ALL of us had fat go right through us in the beginning.    All of us had gastrointestinal ups and downs.    You need to be focusing on fluids right now.    The key to the amount of protein you should be taking in is by how many days you are post-surgery, i.e., if you were 45 days post-op, you should be taking in approximately 45 grams of protein.   If you can get more in, great.    I think you have a lot of reading and researching to do, something you should have been doing pre-op.

For what it's worth, I am six plus years out, busy with my life and thanking God every day of it that I had the DS.