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Gallbladder problems are not unusual post WLS (any WLS) as the rapid weight loss can trigger it (maybe 10% or so run into it?) Our surgeon routinely removes the gallbladder on his DS patients, mostly since he has a lot of travelling patients, he doesn't want some general surgeon going in there and getting lost in the altered anatomy; in his sleeve patients like me he normally leaves it in unless he feels stones in there while he's working as the risk/reward balance is different.
I agree that your low fat prescription is likely temporary to avoid tickling the GB more than necessary for now, and then you can go back to, or evolve into, a more normal dietary balance. Some DSers we see online go overboard on the "full fat everything" which is fine, to an extent - some take it to the point of triggering additional bathroom, and even septic system, problems. Balance is still a key, and while with a DS that balance point may be biased more toward the fat side of things than normal, there is still a balance point to find. My wife is generally on what one would call a moderate to moderately high fat diet while I keep mine somewhat leaner as I don't have the malabsorption in play.
We haven't noticed any particular difference between her having had her GB removed, and mine still in there. One of those big YMMV things.
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
Good Morning
I am scheduled for duodenal switch surgery on 3/9/23. I am having anxiety issues. I been on tik tok, IG, FB looking at videos, testimonials about the pros and cons. I am nervous about losing to much weight where i look sick. CW 352 my goal weight is 215-230. I more nervous about the post op that everyone says when the regret starts to set in. Any advice for me
Good Morning
I am scheduled for duodenal switch surgery on 3/9/23. I am having anxiety issues. I been on tik tok, IG, FB looking at videos, testimonials about the pros and cons. I am nervous about losing to much weight where i look sick. CW 352 my goal weight is 215-230. I more nervous about the post op that everyone says when the regret starts to set in. Any advice for me
Hello, I too had my sleeve surgery around the same day you had yours. I too did really well for about 5 years and then for me it was my son getting really ill. I had to quit my job to take care of him 24/7. At that time I was depressed and not very motivated and throw in a hysterectomy to throw off my hormones and voila. Weight gain. I am however back up to my original weight and finally got the guts to talk to my surgeon. It's strange but I felt like I was disappointing him in a way. He however was very sweet about it and told me that he is finding that for many people the sleeve is not a long-term solution. He also recommended I have the duodenal switch. So I'll be having mine in a few weeks and it looks like once again we'll be on this journey together. I am so looking forward to it because this time around I have a bad knee, a bad back and recently adopted three young kiddos who need me to be able to get around. It's strange but I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop like something's going to go wrong and I'm not going to be able to have the surgery. At this point I'm just waiting for the date. Congratulations on all you've accomplished it was great to hear.
Tanya
It is. I was at just over 500 when I started my pre-op diet. Had surgery at 464 (with the threat behind me that if I didn't lose enough pre-op they would have to do the DS in 2 stages.)
I spent several years hovering around 225-235 and in the past year or so have slowly gotten down to 196. Do from the pre-op diet I'm down over 300.
Good luck,
Pete
HW 552 CW 198 SW 464 4/15/13 - Lap DS by Dr. Philip Schauer - Cleveland Clinic.
on 1/19/23 5:08 pm
Hey there!
Nope! Today is the first time I've heard of it, so of course had to Google it. Looks like it's still common practice, and recommended, even, so I'm not sure why this didn't come up. It definitely wasn't something I thought to ask, even with all the research beforehand. Since I'm having a surgical consult Monday, I'll be sure to ask him the logic since now I want to know. He also didn't prescribe the blood thinner injections afterwards, though other surgeons at the practice do. For that part, I was told it's up to individual practice.
Ultimately, I went home with painkillers I didn't use, a few anti-nausea pills that also weren't used, and omeprazole. Everything else is supplements.
Thank you for calling this out! I wonder about the experiences of all the other DS variant folks out there!
HW 282, LW 123.4 (8/29/23), CW 144.4
Pre-op-33, M1-12, M2-17, M3-14, M4-11, M5-14, M6-5, M7-6, M8-5, M9-22, M10-6, M11-5, M12-2, M13-2, M14-5
This is a question for you, as well as a general question to anyone who's reading this: did your surgeon put you on Urso (ursodiol) for 6 months after surgery? Mine did - it helps the gallbladder during the massive weight loss phase immediately post-surgery. Everyone I know that had this prescription still has their gallbladder. Bear in mind that I had my DS 6/19/06, and this was my surgeon's protocol for all his WLS patients. I don't know if surgeons still do this.
I'm sorry to hear that your gallbladder went bad. I've heard the pain is awful and I hope it resolves soon.
"Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open." --J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
I'm realy sorry to hear that your operation has been being cancelled due to the COVID-19 spike. It sounds like you're being proactive in trying to find an alternative and I hope everything works out for you. It's definitely frustrating to change surgeons late in the game. Have you considered contacting an insurance broker portland for assistance? They may be able to help you with transferring your pre-authorization and scheduling a new surgery date. I hope that the situation improves and you're able to get the surgery you need soon.
on 1/17/23 5:21 pm
Thanks for your feedback!
Good to know I fit the old ER saying. Well, not so fat anymore, but all the rest!
Appreciate the perspective. I guess treatment could be an option but it does appear that overall, the long-term odds on keeping it are not in our favor. Glad you're able to eat anything now!
Yep, I'm absolutely controlling fat right now. The pain is constant and growing over time but manageable. The moderate fat had been my adaptation of the general post-surgery plan, which all but eliminated everything but lean protein and non starchy vegetables until Monday. Since I'm already running into some deficiencies in my fat soluble vitamins, figured eating a bit more fat would help...just not for the next few weeks, or as you said, post-op for a while. My guess is they'll want this to move pretty quickly.
Have a good night, and thank you for continuing to share experiences for these questions!
HW 282, LW 123.4 (8/29/23), CW 144.4
Pre-op-33, M1-12, M2-17, M3-14, M4-11, M5-14, M6-5, M7-6, M8-5, M9-22, M10-6, M11-5, M12-2, M13-2, M14-5
GB issues are endemic for almost anyone who has been heavy a good portion of their lives. This is why many DSers have the GB removed when they have their DS. I insisted mine be removed. Long standing joke in the ER, fat, female, over 40, presents with abdominal pain. The first thing to check is the GB.
I am just fine without mine and I can eat anything.
The reason your clinic wants you on a low fat diet is to lessen the possibility of GB attacks while you are waiting for surgery. Very painful as you already know. There really is no reason to keep it. You would just be waiting for it to fill up with sludge again. Or stones.
Postop start with lower fat and once you are healed most likely you will be able to eat as before.
