7 mo. update....

So sorry I haven't written much lately but things have been hectic. As you know, tomorrow is Mardi Gras so I have to get back to all my preparations. I went to 3 parades on Sunday and stood with the kids in tow for over 7 hours to catch trinkets and beads. There would have been no way I could have done an hour of that 7 months ago. I may be sat in a lawn chair about 30-40 minutes (not continuously) that whole time. I thought for sure I would be paying the price for that today but not a sore muscle, backache, nothing. Today, is my 7 month anniversary and I am down 87 pounds. My starting weight was 225 and I weighed in at 138 this morning. I couldn't be happier about this. My surgeon's goal weight for me is 110 (I'm only 5 feet tall), but I think 118-125 is more realistic for me. I am 46 years old and have given birth to 4 children (whi*****ludes a set of twins!) so I know that certain things aren't going to ever go back to the way they once were. On my 6 month check-up I was able to ask about my "unusual" DS plumbing since the gastro doc said he had never seen a DS like mine. The explanation is that since I had to have a second surgery due to the scar tissue blockage that occurred a few weeks after my original surgery, my surgeon created another "opening" when he redid the surgery. As luck would have it, the blockage eventually cleared itself up and "reopened". If we had waited long enough this would have prevented me from having the 2nd surgery. But, there would have been no way to know if or when that could have happened. So, when the scoping and dialation was done in December, the gastro doc was surprised to find "extra" opening with the scope. The original opening (now that I have two), doesn't hinder or enhance the surgery itself. It's not a "blind loop" to worry about according to my surgeon, just a bit odd but shouldn't pose any problems or complications in the future. Each day I feel better and better. The protonix is a big help with the nausea and ulcers. I still have to eat slower than I sometimes do. I probably do not get in enough fluids as I should but I try each day to do a better job. The weight loss has definately slowed down but still going down. Hit a 3 week plateau after my 6 mo. check up but doing okay now. I want to thank everyone here for all their support and concern. I still read all the posts because I always learn for everyone on here. Even those that disagree with the decision to have a DS. My sister lives in AZ and asked me today to help her research and guide her with pursuing a DS for herself. I will be relying on my dear friends here to help her in her journey. So, any one with info for a WLS-friendly PCP in the Phoenix/Mesa area please let me know. She has UHC HMO and needs all the help she can get in trying to go out of network/area and a PCP that will recommend WLS (more specifically DS). I promise to try and get an updated picture soon. I was hoping to do that at the century mark so I only have 13 more pounds to go. I cherish all of you for your friendship and support. Rhonda DS on 7/7/04 225/138/110??

First off,let me congratulate you on an awsome weightloss.Then to say that everybody's decision as to what surgery is best for them is a very personal decision.No one has the right to judge anyone for their choice.I will be having RNY because that is what I can get my insurance to pay for, and let me tell it was not easy to get anything approved.My surgeon was awsome in working with me to get approval.So I am going to do the best with this surgery as possible and know it was the right choice for me.

I hate to be ignorant, but what is a DS? I do not know any other type of surgery except for RNY and Lapband!!

Please take a look at www.duodenalswitch.com and some of the profiles in particular Melissa Mermaid's in the "duodenal switch" (DS) forum on ObesityHelp if you are still in the research stage and haven't made up your mind on which surgery is best for you. You can get to that forum through the main entrance on the left there's a drop down menu with various other types of WLS procedures. I hope you have a chance to research all your options and are not under the impression that the only surgeries available are Lapband and RNY. You are not being ignorant when you ask about something that you aren't aware of. If it weren't for my being in the same boat as many others, I wouldn't have known about the DS (duodenal switch) but someone on the main board expalined some things to me and I did extensive research after that. Good luck in your journey. Let me know if I can answer any other questions you may have. Rhonda DS on 7/7/04 225/138/110??