New to the Forum

Hi everyone. My name is Mimi J, and I am from sunny northern LA! I have been on this site for quite a while, but I didn't know there was a forum like this one. I always try to search for other members with BMI over 50, but it always messes up. lol Anyways I would love to meet anyone and everyone on here. I think it is awesome that you all share your journies, and everyone on OH is so inspiring. I am praying to have my surgery in February 2012 so maybe I can inspire and be as successful as everyone. Feel free to add me or message me because I love meeting new people. Thanks and God bless :)

I'm have been a lurker for some time and I guess I'm new here too lol!!

Hi Mimi I am fairly new to this forum as well.  I know what you mean I have tried to search for members with a BMI over 50 but it seems to find members with BMI under 50. 
I am hoping to get a surgery date tomorrow/  Good luck to you on your journey.

Hi Mimi!
Nice to see you here. I guess you know who I am, since you friended me, LOL! I just got approved for my Duodenal Switch surgery, and they should set a date for it to be done the first half of next week.

I am surprised, now that I found this forum, that everyone isn't getting the DS surgery here, since it has been specifically found in studies to be the most effective surgery for people with BMIs over 50.Why have you guys chosen other surgeries?

I mean, to everyone their own, but I am curious why you made the decisions you did.
Lisa

Hi Lisa. How are you? Thanks for being a friend. I chose RNY because my doctor told me that would be the best surgery for me. I was researching the DS, but I went ahead and chose the RNY because I feel I need the restrictions that come with the bypass. I am still going to research the DS, and maybe I will change my mind before my surgery. I have researched RNY for the past 10 years, so I am pretty knowledgable about that surgery. Why did you choose the DS if you don't mind me asking?

For me I choose the RNY because I am a diabetic. I am older and need to get the diabetes under control.    Plus I like the restriction of RNY.  I am amazed at how much food a DS'er can eat.   For me I am not sure that would be good,   I am just thankful I now have coverage for WLS 

I chose the DS because I like the idea of NO dumping syndrome. I will have a fully-functioning but alot smaller stomach, which is more natural than a pouch, and less likely to get strictures.I like how the strong malabsorption will do a lot of the work for me. I will be able to eat more, and more types of food, and still lose weight.

Since the malabsorption doesn't change over time, It can be harnessed again at any time my weight should begin to creep up. I simply cut out the carbs again, and I will lose again. I really like this feature, because I know people who have lost and then regained on the RNY.
 
I like how the part of the stomach that is removed, secretes Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, so the messages going to my brain when I am hungry will be a lot less. I like that the statistics show how co-morbidities like diabetes and sleep apnea are cured a higher percentage of the time with the DS. The National Institute of Health recommends the DS for patients with a BMI>50.

I like a lot of things about this surgery better, that is why I was surprised when  I saw that everyone with a BMI over 50 isn't choosing it instead of other surgeries. 

Lisa

I did not go with the DS because I had no real co-morbidities that i was looking to resolve, ive been fairly successful at getting the weight off in the past (keeping it off is a whole other question) but I did not feel i needed the strength of the DS to get me to my goal. Im very young (relatively) and I wasnt willing to commit to such a life long rigorous vitamin schedule and supplements and all that. I dont believe that BMI is the controlling factor of why someone should get a DS. It is not a joke - and for a population of generally impulsive, noncompliant patients (with diets etc), only a select few should really have this surgery. Thats my personal opinion.

Not to mention the diet the DS requires. I regularly check out the daily thread for what people are eating - not for me.

If I had been trying to decide between a DS and a RNY - my decision would have been 100% DS though. I am a firm believer in the pyloric valve, and being able to take NSAIDs is a huge blessing.

Hi Mimi,

Welcome to the best board on OH! I hope that you get your surgery in Feb, but please come back and ask any questions that you have, or share anything at all.

:Danni

Welcome