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Oh that makes me so sad. I remember meeting Michelle and Don years ago when they did one of their RV tours. She was instrumental in helping me get healthy (and to stay that way).
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
Hi I am 6 years out I found out with my stomach problems that I had a hernia It was small but it pushes up.in my chest. However my surgeon stated its not big enough to remove but its very uncomfortable.
Don also included this obituary for Michelle (her photo didn't cut and paste here, for some reason, btw):
* * * * * *
Michelle Anne Curran, 69, passed into the arms of our creator on 2/16 at 10:05 PM at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, WA. At her side were her husband Don and son Ben.
Michelle, born 10/15/49 in Vallejo, CA the only child of William and Jeanne McClelland. She is survived by her husband, Don, son's Donovan and Ben Read, step children Kristopher and Michelle Curran, 3 grand and 5 step grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
She was the founder and president of Vitalady, Inc. providing support, information and encouragement to those having and seeking bariatric (weight loss) surgery.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested you donate to Cascade Animal Protection Shelter, Sumner, WA or other not for profit animal shelter in her name.
A memorial service will be held at Hill Funeral Home 217 E Pioneer Puyallup, WA 98372 (253) 845-1172 on Monday 2/25 at 2:00.
Frank talk about the DS / "All I ever wanted to be was thin, like that Rolling Stones dude ... "
HW/461 LW/251 GW/189 CW/274 (yep, a DS semi-failure - it happens :-( )
(cross-posted from the general forum - Michelle was so helpful to so many of us DSers with her advice and the bariatric products of VL specific to our WLS needs)
Just received this incredibly sad and stunning news of Michelle's sudden passing from her husband Don ("Vita-Guy"), via group email to the VL community .. Please keep him in your prayers .. 
* * * * *
I am sending this to Michelle's old friends and people most important to her. She died due to an infection in her lungs which could not be controlled. I hope you will all remember her for the love she shared with the bariatric community. It is our intention to continue her mission at Vitalady. Don C * * * * *
Frank talk about the DS / "All I ever wanted to be was thin, like that Rolling Stones dude ... "
HW/461 LW/251 GW/189 CW/274 (yep, a DS semi-failure - it happens :-( )
People often come to this forum and others only when they are having a problem and seeking information and help. So, sometimes the "bad" gets more press than the good. In reality, most of us live very happily and successfully with the DS. You also need to consider the negatives of what you are living with now - being MO and all that means every day of your life, maybe also living with miserable and potentially deadly comorbidities like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, etc.
We see new people wanting to revise from VSG to DS all the time. Early results are good (for most people) with VSG, long term, some are successful, a lot are not. The DS has the best statistics of any bariatric surgery for percentage excess weight loss, for maintenance of that weight loss (a big problem with VSG) and also for permanent resolution or maximum improvement of almost all comorbidities. You have the good fortune to be in the LA area, and thus close to Dr. Keshishian, who is one of the best DS surgeons in the country. A consult with him would be a great way to learn more about the DS and ask any questions about the possible negatives, and a consult doesn't commit you to anything.
More info coming to you in a pm, so be on the lookout for it.
Larra
Hi. I'm also working to revise from the VSG to the DS, and I have so many questions. I see a lot of good, but I'm more worried about the bad. I hear and see so much about bad gas and umm... other issues.... Can you shed some light on these areas?
Two things. I came out of the DS sensitive to lactose. It eventually went away but any type of milk or ice cream gave me a lot of gas. It lasted about 6 months, I used lact-aid and frozen yogurt to get around those limitations. It wasn't so bad that everything gave me gas.
You also might go on a heavy dose of probiotics. Sometimes this is just an imbalance in your gut biome. You should discuss with your Doc about a round of flagyl which kills off most of thegut bacteria giving you a chance to repopulate with healthier bacteria leading to less gas.
Although at a month out things are always a little unpredictable and a lot of the things that go wrong in the first couple of months just go away.
Pete
HW 552 CW 198 SW 464 4/15/13 - Lap DS by Dr. Philip Schauer - Cleveland Clinic.
Carbs, high fiber grains, SA and raw veggies can give me a horrible gas.
Read about high FODMAP foods. Most on that list can give me really bad smelling plus painful gas. Avoiding high FODMAP stuff then try to add one at a time.
I hate having gas and the pain it can cause.
I can eat some veggies but well cooked. Some I still have to avoid, like beans, onion and garlic. No matter how well I cook them, try digestive enzymes, it is not worth for me.
SA - sugar alcohols, even small amount in chewing gums, or chewable vitamins can give me bad painful gas.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
Been trying all different types of food. I am not able to just stick to dry meats and shakes! , it's just not realistic for me.
What are all the different types of food you've tried? Please provide specifics so DS vets can help troubleshoot.
Thanks for all your replies.. That is a good plan Eliza. I guess it's just the reality that these operations don't change the root cause , the food addiction and DS forces me to deal with it or suffer the consequences and it is a haaaaard lesson!
