Recent Posts
Topic: RE: Why didn't I do it sooner...
Stop thinking about it. JUST DO IT! I am a week post-op and would do it again. There is nothing to fear,
You became a member on my surgery date.
You became a member on my surgery date.
Topic: Why didn't I do it sooner...
I haven't even had WLS yet but after seeing some of the pictures and reading some of the bios my regret is not having the gumption to stick with all the work and get WLS sooner.
I keep thinking to myself...I could be thin by now if only....
I keep thinking to myself...I could be thin by now if only....
Susan001
on 4/26/09 7:44 am
on 4/26/09 7:44 am
Topic: RE: Anyone else out there that isn't enjoying their WLS?
I'm a newbie (in the research stage) and want to let you folks know out there how invaluable your criticisms of WLS are to me; even more valuable than those singing the praises of WLS. I am considering the Lap band. I have a consult date but I'm not exactly certain I will go through with the procedure as of today. I'm carefully weighing all of my options (pardon the pun).
When considering surgery, all possible complications should be given some thought; and your input is going right to the "horse's mouth", so to speak. Although I am truely sorry for your suffering, I am thankful that you chose to share your suffering with the rest of us.
I have a good friend who had the RNY about eight years ago. She and her daughter got it done at about the same time, by the same surgeon. They both lost over a hundred pounds and they both gained back all the weight, starting at about the five year point. They had no pre-op care to speak of and zero after-care. Do you know she recommend her surgeon to me, without hesitation? Even though, in my eyes, that's a failure rate of 100%, she highly recommends him. It doesn't matter, he no longer performs weight loss surgery; nor does anyone else in the area except two specialized bariatric centers of excellence which offer ONLY comprehensive care. The "quick fix" "cut and run" operations are out of business around here.
My reason for relating this is the reason she recommends her surgeon: She truely believes she failed, not her doctor, she did, end of discussion. That's how us fatties think; it's our knee-jerk reaction to blame ourselves for everything. The truth is, the medical profession failed HER! Now she not only is back to being obese with all the health risks, but has a laundry list of complications that are a direct result of her (failed) WLS. But because she was briefly thin, she will forever hate herself for re-gaining the weight. I don't want any of you suffering from WLS side-effects to blame yourselves, it's probably not true, and besides, it's pointless.
I say it was the medical profession that failed so many of you; especially those that had WLS many years ago. Today, they are a lot more careful about who can have WLS and they have made many improvements to all the different techniques. Pre-op and post-op care is stressed, and if it isn't, you should find a place where it is. That being said, someone will land in that 1% of patients who have this or that complication. Some will not loose any weight, some will gain all their weight back in a few years and, yes, some will actually die (not probable, just possible).
Especially to young folks with a BMI that's not that out-of-whack, and few or no co-morbidities considering WLS, please weigh the risks very carefully (pardon the pun again).
When considering surgery, all possible complications should be given some thought; and your input is going right to the "horse's mouth", so to speak. Although I am truely sorry for your suffering, I am thankful that you chose to share your suffering with the rest of us.
I have a good friend who had the RNY about eight years ago. She and her daughter got it done at about the same time, by the same surgeon. They both lost over a hundred pounds and they both gained back all the weight, starting at about the five year point. They had no pre-op care to speak of and zero after-care. Do you know she recommend her surgeon to me, without hesitation? Even though, in my eyes, that's a failure rate of 100%, she highly recommends him. It doesn't matter, he no longer performs weight loss surgery; nor does anyone else in the area except two specialized bariatric centers of excellence which offer ONLY comprehensive care. The "quick fix" "cut and run" operations are out of business around here.
My reason for relating this is the reason she recommends her surgeon: She truely believes she failed, not her doctor, she did, end of discussion. That's how us fatties think; it's our knee-jerk reaction to blame ourselves for everything. The truth is, the medical profession failed HER! Now she not only is back to being obese with all the health risks, but has a laundry list of complications that are a direct result of her (failed) WLS. But because she was briefly thin, she will forever hate herself for re-gaining the weight. I don't want any of you suffering from WLS side-effects to blame yourselves, it's probably not true, and besides, it's pointless.
I say it was the medical profession that failed so many of you; especially those that had WLS many years ago. Today, they are a lot more careful about who can have WLS and they have made many improvements to all the different techniques. Pre-op and post-op care is stressed, and if it isn't, you should find a place where it is. That being said, someone will land in that 1% of patients who have this or that complication. Some will not loose any weight, some will gain all their weight back in a few years and, yes, some will actually die (not probable, just possible).
Especially to young folks with a BMI that's not that out-of-whack, and few or no co-morbidities considering WLS, please weigh the risks very carefully (pardon the pun again).
Susan001
on 4/26/09 5:14 am
on 4/26/09 5:14 am
Topic: RE: What have i done
I'm not a doctor, and I haven't had WLS yet, but I know from experience that some people go through post-sugical depression regardless of the procedure. It's simmilar to post-partum depression and has to do with your body's response at the chemical and hormonal level.
I remember after my hysterectomy I was so depressed I thought I was loosing my mind. I told my doctor how horrible I was feeling only after months of misery and a large weight gain. His response? He said, "I thought you might suffer post-surgical depression". I wanted to ask him why he hadn't warned me, but instead I just asked him why I was so depressed. After all, it was an elective surgery and all my prior symptoms had thankfully vanished. By all accounts, I should have been happy with the results. Instead, all I wanted was to turn back the clock and un-do what I had allowed them to do to me. I hated the way I felt and the way I looked, post-op. I was convinced it had been a huge mistake. I know better now, I'm 100% glad I did it now (hind-sight being what it is).
It seems that if you are pre-disposed to depression prior to surgery (and sometimes even if you aren't), the trauma, blood loss, anesthesia and pain medications involved with surgery all have the potential to slam you right into a major depression. THIS CAN BE LIFE-THREATENING; so please, get some help.
Hope you get through this alright; there is help available, all you have to do is ask.
Good luck.
I remember after my hysterectomy I was so depressed I thought I was loosing my mind. I told my doctor how horrible I was feeling only after months of misery and a large weight gain. His response? He said, "I thought you might suffer post-surgical depression". I wanted to ask him why he hadn't warned me, but instead I just asked him why I was so depressed. After all, it was an elective surgery and all my prior symptoms had thankfully vanished. By all accounts, I should have been happy with the results. Instead, all I wanted was to turn back the clock and un-do what I had allowed them to do to me. I hated the way I felt and the way I looked, post-op. I was convinced it had been a huge mistake. I know better now, I'm 100% glad I did it now (hind-sight being what it is).
It seems that if you are pre-disposed to depression prior to surgery (and sometimes even if you aren't), the trauma, blood loss, anesthesia and pain medications involved with surgery all have the potential to slam you right into a major depression. THIS CAN BE LIFE-THREATENING; so please, get some help.
Hope you get through this alright; there is help available, all you have to do is ask.
Good luck.
Topic: RE: What have i done
I PROMISE IT WILL GET BETTER!
The surgeons often joke that they "only operate on your stomach, not your brain", but honestly I think our brains take longer to adjust. PLEASE talk to your doctor. The surgery is just the beginning - you need all the post-op support available. You've had huge life changes - a 10 month old AND bariatric surgery?! If you're depressed and need meds - take them. Talk, talk and talk some more. Be kind to yourself, my friend.
The surgeons often joke that they "only operate on your stomach, not your brain", but honestly I think our brains take longer to adjust. PLEASE talk to your doctor. The surgery is just the beginning - you need all the post-op support available. You've had huge life changes - a 10 month old AND bariatric surgery?! If you're depressed and need meds - take them. Talk, talk and talk some more. Be kind to yourself, my friend.
Topic: RE: I am Ron lester the actor that was 508lbs. You might know me from Varsity Blues
Mary Ellen What you just wrote helped me so much- I am trying to prepare myself for a productive WLS- I am trying to put myself in some type of frame of mind so I know how to adjust... THE BABY- is awesome- I have raised a bunch of little babies and I know how to do that! Now what did you do when you went to families for dinner or ate out. I was thinking about just ordering mashed potatoes or something soft- then at folks for dinner it will probly be ok I can pick or choose and not make a big deal- See I do not want alot of attention brought on to me - buy this WLS- Attention enough has been paid to me from being the "big ole gal." I am truely thankful for this WEB site it has helped.
Lora Luv
Topic: RE: Regretting the DS
Surgery June 3rd, 2008
My Specs: Height 5' 5.75" | Highest weight 265+?lbs | Surgery weight 241.9 | Now 154 lbs | CC length 150cm, stomach 3oz
Added: Neck/Chin/Lower face lift Nov 23,2010- Skin only
I had the ds 10 months ago, and was miserable! BUT now i'm not ; )
I just had to learn to adjust to my new smaller tummy. I got mine taken down to only 3 oz. Once i got over that, things have been great! I can't imagine having the VSG ... or the restrictions for RNY. I can eat normally now and am pretty much back to normal!
My doctor opted to give me a longer common channel, at 125cms, so that i hopefully wouldn't have malabsorbtion issues with vits, but yet would still keep the weight off.
also, i had horrible heartburn issues. I remember being in elementary school with tums by my bed at night because i'd wake up with heart burn every time i turned over. Aparently, my surgeon said i had a huge hiatal hernia...it was fixed when i had my DS, and i have NOT had ANY heartburn/acid reflux since! that alone was almost worth it!
I think if you have acid problems after surgery it can be as simple as the foods your often eating, to how late at night you eat them...to actually having overactive glands in your stomach. Everyone's journey is different!
I just had to learn to adjust to my new smaller tummy. I got mine taken down to only 3 oz. Once i got over that, things have been great! I can't imagine having the VSG ... or the restrictions for RNY. I can eat normally now and am pretty much back to normal!
My doctor opted to give me a longer common channel, at 125cms, so that i hopefully wouldn't have malabsorbtion issues with vits, but yet would still keep the weight off.
also, i had horrible heartburn issues. I remember being in elementary school with tums by my bed at night because i'd wake up with heart burn every time i turned over. Aparently, my surgeon said i had a huge hiatal hernia...it was fixed when i had my DS, and i have NOT had ANY heartburn/acid reflux since! that alone was almost worth it!
I think if you have acid problems after surgery it can be as simple as the foods your often eating, to how late at night you eat them...to actually having overactive glands in your stomach. Everyone's journey is different!
Surgery June 3rd, 2008
My Specs: Height 5' 5.75" | Highest weight 265+?lbs | Surgery weight 241.9 | Now 154 lbs | CC length 150cm, stomach 3oz
Added: Neck/Chin/Lower face lift Nov 23,2010- Skin only
Topic: RE: Regretting the DS
Well, I know that the intestinal bypass part is only partially reversible if someone is having absorption issues, but I don't know exact details. I believe (and veterans can chime in here if I'm mistaken) that they can go in surgically and adjust the length of the common channel, which is where absorption actually happens after the switch. A longer common channel gives more opportunity to absorb.
Hope she gets it figured out soon. How much has she lost? Is she having any malnutrition issues or vitamin deficiencies? Who was her surgeon? How long ago did she have the surgery?
Sorry to fire questions at you, but I'm asking because this is the only DSer I've heard of who is seeking revision since I started researching. I'd like to be as informed as possible before I make my final decision, so any details you can give me would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I'll give her a call! I know she had it done in the Detroit area. At Christmas she was drinking those high sugar creamers in her coffee because her doc told her he didn't care what she was eating to get the calories in. He just wanted to stop the loss.
I never asked how much she weighed at her highest but is had to be getting close to 400. I kown when she hit 365, some how my mom found out. So, it would be ABOUT 200. She should be willing to tell me know that she is so thin. I should know when she had it done because she called all us sybling to get history for the surgeon, old age here.
I will get back after I get ahold of her. She has cancled her land line which I knew by heart for 30 years.
Hope she gets it figured out soon. How much has she lost? Is she having any malnutrition issues or vitamin deficiencies? Who was her surgeon? How long ago did she have the surgery?
Sorry to fire questions at you, but I'm asking because this is the only DSer I've heard of who is seeking revision since I started researching. I'd like to be as informed as possible before I make my final decision, so any details you can give me would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I'll give her a call! I know she had it done in the Detroit area. At Christmas she was drinking those high sugar creamers in her coffee because her doc told her he didn't care what she was eating to get the calories in. He just wanted to stop the loss.
I never asked how much she weighed at her highest but is had to be getting close to 400. I kown when she hit 365, some how my mom found out. So, it would be ABOUT 200. She should be willing to tell me know that she is so thin. I should know when she had it done because she called all us sybling to get history for the surgeon, old age here.
I will get back after I get ahold of her. She has cancled her land line which I knew by heart for 30 years.
BAND REMOVED 9-4-12-fought insurance to get sleeve and won! Sleeved 1/22/13! Five years out and trying to get that last 15 pounds back off.
Anne S.
on 4/17/09 11:48 am
on 4/17/09 11:48 am
Topic: RE: Regretting the DS
Hi Mike,
Have you been on Prevacid or any of the other prescription meds for overproduction of acid at all since 2002?
Just curious, as I've been on and off them for a while now.
When I'm off of them, some days I wake up with acid-stomach. It's an awful feeling. A morning protein shake clears it up right away, though.
Were you given Prevacid (or the like) early out?
Thanks,
anne
P.S. Sorry to hear you're going to have your entire DS undone. I hope your weight doesn't come back. Looks like you'd lost lots.
Have you been on Prevacid or any of the other prescription meds for overproduction of acid at all since 2002?
Just curious, as I've been on and off them for a while now.
When I'm off of them, some days I wake up with acid-stomach. It's an awful feeling. A morning protein shake clears it up right away, though.
Were you given Prevacid (or the like) early out?
Thanks,
anne
P.S. Sorry to hear you're going to have your entire DS undone. I hope your weight doesn't come back. Looks like you'd lost lots.
Learning about the DS? An excellent resource is www.dsfacts.com
For scientific studies about the DS and more, "friend" me, and then click on my profile. Best of luck on your journey.
Topic: RE: Regretting the DS
I think you answered appropriately ScopioMama. Good for you. You know the facts.
KAREN W.
I LOVE MY DS!!!!!
STRIVE TO BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE AND DO THE BEST THAT YOU CAN.
Check out www.dsfacts.com and www.duodenalswitch.com for all the accurate information on the great DS, and find surgeons in your area or around the country or out of the country.
I couldn't have done without all the great peeps on this board. 
SW: 234.5 CW: 157 GW: 140 - ish
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