Question??

Hi. I was talking to my mom yesterday and she started asking me questions about the surgery that never really crossed my mind. If any of you know the answers, please fill me in so that I can tell her and put her mind at ease a little more. What happens to the unused portion of your intestines? When things are not used, they sometimes disintegrate, is this what happens? Also, what happens to the portion of your stomach that is not used? Has anyone heard of any longterm complications from anyone that has been post op for many years? Thanks for all of your help in advance.. Rhonda

Okay Rhonda, I'll tell you what little I know about this being I just talked to my Dr. about the portion of the stomach that is not being used. He stated the stomach is still attached and in use. It still helps produce acids and juices that are needed, being used to help digest and break down foods in the form it is use to. Now as for the intestines I would think the same because I don't think they remove any part of it only reroute it. They use to totally remove the bigger part of the stomach but saw it left no room for problems or revisions. I think the DS remove the bigger part but don't quote me. Go to this site and it will show you all of the procedures and a diagram of what it looks like with a history. www.duodenalswitch.com Hope this helps!!!

Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it. Rhonda

Okay Rhonda, I'll tell you what little I know because I just talked to my dr. last week about this. He stated that the stomach is still in tact producing acid and juices that is much needed, and it helps to break down foods and also help with digestions in the normal sense. There but not used to it's fulliest protential. Now as fore the intestines I think it's about the same but don't quote me on that, I didn't think to ask that one but it would be a great question to ask in the future. I don't think they remove them just reroute them. There is another site that I visit and it tells how the procedures are done and have diagrams to show also. It is: www.duodenalswitch.com I hope this helps you and your mom.

The unused portion of your intestines is attached to the unused portion of your stomach. Redd is right. It just keeps chugging along producing acids, etc as if it is still connected to the rest of you. The unused intestines are connected back to your "new" digestive line and the juices, etc flow back into the intestines and are elimated just as they always were. My question to my Docs was why doesn't the old stomach keep saying it is empty and hungry.....It just doesn't. You won't even know it's there, how weird is that? It is a tad magic, I think. The only longterm "complications" that I know of are that you must take your vitamins, calcuim, get lots of fluid and proteins in FOREVER..... There is always the possiblity of malnutrition esp if you don't MAKE yourself eat right. It is very tempting to just quit eating and drinking altogether......trust me..... Smooch, Arlies

Sorry Rhonda, I posted twice but my computer is acting this morning so I posted twice forgot what I said the first time.

I believe I've heard what others have posted. I did have an "empty feeling" in old stomach but it was not hunger- for a few months. A couple of times I felt like there was a huge gas bubble. I rubbed my hands over it an sure enough it was gas. I will tell you that after WLS you can't hold either methods of elimination as well as before. When you get the signal you have to GO ASAP. (from my experience) If you hold BM a few minutes while you find the bathroom if you are away from home, I get nausated. But this passes as soon as you go. Eat fiber---and drink liquids; you don't want to get constipated. This is more uncomfortable than normal. Ive spole often with two frineds how are 10 and 5 years out from WLS. They have no problems.

Thank you so much for your help in this matter. I am anxious to get this surgery done and over with and begin my NEW and improved life!! Rhonda

The first question seems addressed already so I'll chime in on the second one. I am 3 years post-op but this is a surgery that you must live with for the rest of your life. You can't lose the weight and "forget" that you have a different digestive system. Once a WLS patient, always a WLS patient. Malnutrition is a real problem if you don't take your supplements and conciously maintain adequate protein. Bloodwork on a regular basis is a must for the rest of your life. Complications are as varied as the people who have WLS. We are more prone to bowel obstructions, hernia, anemia, and other issues related to our new plumbing. Elesha LapRNY 2/26/02 288/165