Hi again Sarah. I forget to mention that I feel the same way you do regarding Lap vs Open procedures. If someone is going to replumb my guts, I want them to do it with their HANDS and with good visibility of my entire abdomen, not just of the area-at-a-time the way it works with lap procedures. It's the same operation on the inside, just a bigger incision on the outside. I consider that a minimal tradeoff for a far higher degree of security--or at least for my peace of mind anyhow! When I was considering the RNY, I specifically picked a surgeon who eschewed lap procedures for those same reasons. I will be having the DS done open as well. The other thing that made the decision easy for me is that people who get lap procedures done, at least with the DS, are under anesthesia significantly longer most times than those with open procedures. I am a high risk for anesthesia and need the least possible amount and time of the stuff. I went through a total hysterectomy, open, over two years ago, that left me with a 14 in*****ision and around 50 staples, plus these two HUGE support suture things. The surgeon could have left off an inch or two on the incision, but the extra cut made things easier and got me off the table faster, so I don't begrudge him that at all. It was one heck of a mess of an operation, and all the docs tell me that in sheer terms of surgery, the DS will be easier on me than that was.

I was hungry too. But at least your not sick all the time. I am 3 months post-op and I can't keep anything down. I'm looking into havinecause its notg the surgery reversed. I have lost almost 100 pounds already. Make sure you continue to drink the water or even crystal light if you need a change. Another good food is Wendy's chili if you are still on the soft diet. I was told that was okay because its not spicy. Good luck and thank God you have your health.

Hi Debbie. Wow, that's a tough row you've been trying to hoe! I'm wondering if you might be someone who would benefit from some kind of revision, to a type of procedure that has higher malabsorption. There are quite a few people who have revised from RNY to duodenal switch because of problems like yours. You can get more information about this procedure, plus there's a very supportive forum, at www.duodenalswitch.com . Are you in any kind of therapy to work on your eating issues? It sounds like you have quite a complex bunch of stuff going on, and I know I'd be a wreck if I were trying to deal with all that stuff and still seeing my weight creeping up after all you've been through! {{{{hugs to you}}}}}

Hi Sarah, I'm preop too, and I, too, am a little worried about becoming a thinnish person locked in a fat skin suit. But health concerns are prevalent, so that's what's mostly moving me forward. I'm in really dire straits healthwise and only going to get worse if I don't act NOW on the WLS front. Have you looked into the duodenal switch as well as the RNY? You can get some really good information on this procedure--which is beginning to look like it might be a better procedure than the RNY for super morbidly obese people in particular but is by no means restricted to those people--at www.duodenalswitch.com .

Hi Jenny, My hair started falling out at about 3 months (I'm almost 8 months out). I did a home remedy on my hair & believe it or not it like a magic potion, it might sound funny or weird but believe me... it works! I have not lost any hair since! Take 2-3 egg YOLKS and mix them with ground nutmeg. Put this mixture all over your SCALP right AFTER you shampoo your hair. Wear a plastic cap for about 30 minutes, then remove it with lots of water (DO NOT SHAMPOO AGAIN) . You may use conditioner after then style as usual. Please try it, what have you got to lose? Also, are you taking biotin and zinc supplements? Maggie