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Thank you for your response. My doc didn't want to do plastic surgery until I got closer to my goal -- which never happened. And my belly -- it's not so much hanging skin. It is more like a pregnant belly.
if you aren't going to reach your original goal and are satisfied with where you are,there is no reason to wait for a reconstruction.
the plastic surgeon will use liposuction,muscle suturing and contouring to get rid of whatever is causing the big belly. They will then remove the extra sling and tightly suture the skin to your new shape.
I've had several colonoscopies since my DS 16 years ago. The gastroenterologist is aware I had the DS and I think the first time I went I brought him a copy of my operative report and just simply explained to him my new anatomy. Other than that, I've had no issues related to the DS.
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
I do understand the concern with being at your goal weight before plastic surgery. I had my plastic surgery consultation on the one year anniversary of my RNY. I was six pounds over my goal weight when I had the tummy tuck a few months later.
I lost that weight during the recovery from plastic surgery. I continued to lose another fifteen pounds during the remainder of that year.
What they do with the tummy tuck after removing excess skin is tighten up all of the muscles that hold your belly in. It is sort of like lacing up a shoe.
Mine was eleven years in February. If I gain more than 10 pounds over the weight when I had the tummy tuck, my stomach will start to stick out like a pregnancy again. As long as I keep my weight under control, it stays flat and tight.
Real life begins where your comfort zone ends
Thank you for your response. My doc didn't want to do plastic surgery until I got closer to my goal -- which never happened. And my belly -- it's not so much hanging skin. It is more like a pregnant belly.
I really believe that weight loss surgery gives us back our health and plastic surgery restores our self-esteem. Have you considered a tummy tuck operation?
Real life begins where your comfort zone ends
My shape will never be the same as someone who didn't lose 150 lbs. It is hard to find flattering clothes for the no-butt, big-belly body. I like Not Your Daughters Jeans. How much is the round belly the excess skin, my age, lack of exercise, weak abdominal muscles, a few beers now and then, whatever? I've tried shapewear like Spanx and didn't find it helped that much.
It sounds like you have more than the average shape issues. I'm not sure what you mean by bloated, but maybe run it by a internal medicine doctor? Ascites is excess fluid in the abdomen and causes bloating and exaggerated belly, and it is associated with liver problems, bile duct issues, and other things.
Hi all: I haven't visited here in a very long time. But I thought maybe someone else has experienced this. I lost around 100 pounds with my DS. My weight fluctuates from 180-200 periodically. I'm okay with that because my health is good.
My question is about my belly. It seems ALL of my excess weight is in my belly. I can go extreme low carb and while I will lose weight -- the belly stays large. For instance -- when I weight 190, I have to wear a 2X or 3X top while my daughter who weighs 240 can wear an XL. It is super frustrating. And it has been this way for years and years. I did have a hernia and that was "repaired" back in 2008. Not sure if it actually was repaired or if I have another one at this point. But even after the repair -- my belly stayed huge. I literally look pregnant.
Yes, I do feel bloated. Obviously, after carbs is the worst -- but like I said, even when I am extremely low in carbs -- I feel bloated and belly is huge.
I've read about "leaky gut" and different types of detox things, but has anyone else had this issue and did you solve it?
Thank you!
Debbie ~
Certainly discuss this with the doctor, as there are a number of different bowel preps available, some of which are a lot friendlier to those of us with a small stomach.
If does not seem to be an uncommon problem for the normal prep procedures to yield an inadequate cleanse with the DS. The first time my wife had it done after her DS, the doc didn't believe that she had followed the directions. Talking about this at our support group, which is primarily 10-20 year DS vets, others had had the same experience, and what they had worked out was to do two or three days of the clear liquid diet prior to the day before bowel prep. This last time, we discussed this with the (new) gastro doc and he provided a low volume prep product. We also worked out for her to do a soft/liquid (not specifically clear) diet two days before with a bottle of mag citrate that evening, followed by the clear diet and bowel prep the day before and that seemed to work well for her.
So yes, there does seem to be some differences with the DS, and of course, most docs are unfamiliar with it, so it is best to prepare them for it so at least they are in the loop if they don't like what they see (I warned you....!)
1st support group/seminar - 8/03 (has it been that long?)
Wife's DS - 5/05 w Dr. Robert Rabkin VSG on 5/9/11 by Dr. John Rabkin
I am due for my 10 year colonoscopy. I had my ds 6.5 years ago. Do I need to alert the procogist about the DS? So few doctors understand the surgery, I am curious what others have experienced.
Thank you in advance.
Blessings
Julie
yes you should let them know about your altered anatomy.
