New hear and some questions!

Hi everyone! I am new to the community and realized that I posted to the RnY forum when I am actually having the switch! I cross posted in that forum and this one! Anyways My surgery is about 2 1/2 weeks away and I am looking for any help/support/advice that I can get. From what I understand this surgery is a little more serious than the others? My bmi was 51 at my first weigh in, so my doctor highly recommended this surgery, from what Ive been reading this will cause me to be on a strict vitamin regiment for the rest of my life. I know " is it worth it?" isn't the right question because I know it is, so Im going to go with, "Is it hard to do."   I wanted to know in your honest option what I should expect. I read that malnutrition can be an issue and other things. 

I am so ready for this lifestyle change and am excited to lead a healthier and happier life.   I am 20 years old, but I have struggled with weight my whole life. I am doing this surgery during christmas break and then I have to go back to school that is actually in another state. Im wondering how long you all think I need to heal before I could travel the 6 hour drive back. 

Also HELP! I had to start the complete liquid diet about 3 1/2 weeks prior. I am almost a week in and I am miserable! These protein shakes do no good as far as satisfying hunger, and I am starting to feel like I am choking them down. Any suggestions? I know I can have broth but does anyone know about tomato soup, or sugar free popsicles, or even sugar free gum? I would love to CHEW something! lol I know this is mostly mental but boy do i miss food! But I cannot cheat, my doctor needs me to loose another 15 pounds before surgery and sticking to this diet is the best way to do that. 

Any tips and advice are helpful and welcome! thank you!

I had a far simpler surgery so I can't comment on how hard your vitamin and mineral regimen will be to stick to. I expect others can reply to that and help you.

Re: your protein shakes. Are you using premixed or powders you mix up yourself? I have no idea why but the premixed did nothing to keep me full. The ones I made up myself..with lots and lots of ice which I drank very slowly did far better. Sipping them slowly also helped me. Kinda like a continuous infusion of calories. Drinking them right down didn't help satiate me at all. I was also told to use ones with the lowest amount of carbs possible. More carbs not only give you more calories but they seem to make you you just crave more carbs. Each Drs office has different requirements. I was allowed to add cottage cheese, peanut butter or other non carb things to my shakes till the last few days. I didn't try tomato soup but it sounds like a liquid to me. Sugar free popsicles should be OK and I don't know why you couldn't chew sugar free gum.

I did find the liquid diet got easier as they days went by and by the last few I wasn't thinking much about food more that I wanted "it all over and done".

Wishing you all good luck with your surgery.

I had the duodenal switch (aka DS) and know it was the smartest thing I've ever done for myself. I had reservations about taking daily vitamins, which would be required also if you have RNY (gastric bypass) but there may be more or different ones. 

According to studies the DS is hands down the most effective surgery for losing the weight, and keeping it off. It's also the most effective at resolving co-morbidities, especially type 2 diabetes, cholesterol and metabolic issues. It's the most successful no matter what your BMI is, but there is data showing it's especially good for folks over 50bmi. 

You are young, and thinking about whether you will be OK taking supplements for the rest of your life with the DS is important (although don't let anyone tell you that that would not also be the case with RNY). I now take fewer pills in vitamins per day than I used to take to treat my mounting co-morbidities, as those are all long gone. You may not have many yet as you are younger, but they will come, and they trash your body when they do. 

Don't get this surgery if aren't sure you can be responsible with the supplementation. If you can, it's life changing. I eat more normally now than I did before my DS. I used to have such disordered eating from fretting about getting a speck of fat in my food, and made my metabolism even more efficient than my fat genetics already had. I was not going to lose, and maintain that loss, on my own. I tried for years thinking I could do it. I had good will power, and decent diet habits, but eventually realized I needed surgical intervention. 

My only regret, in total honesty, is not doing it sooner. 

As far as traveling, I self paid for my DS outside the US (rather than get RNY paid for right by home by my insurance) and was on planes for 30 hours post op - that's THIRTY HOURS!! That sucked, but it's doable. 

The liquid diet is also the pits, but one thing that helped me, was knowing that it was not only temporary, but after I was healed I could eat better and more satisfying foods than I had in decades. Instead of those disgusting rice cakes and similar diet crap, I'd be able to eat higher protein, and higher fat, which makes most food more satisfying. I had bacon wrapped prawns and avacado salad for dinner tonight, which is typical. Not a lot, because even at 8 years post op I can eat a smallish sized meal, but I eat YUMMY food that I actually love, and am actually satisfied after. No longer feeling like I need "just one more bite" because it's so good. 

You should ask the surgeons office what they allow on their liquid diet, as I was allowed all the variations of soup, and some surgeons have no liquid diet requirements at all. Just remember as you are chugging down another cup of broth, that it's only for now, and after a few months, you can have prime rib, lobster dipped in butter, etc. 

ose 

Hi there.  

Interesting facts: I am 5'5, started over 350 lbs (57 BMI) and also had my surgery on New Year's Eve.  :-)  I also did the pre-op liquid diet for 3 weeks.  It sucks -- but you can do it.  Like a previous poster, I much preferred to mix my own shakes.  I usually use unsweetened almond milk (30 cal) or unsweetened cashew milk (25 cal) with Nectar protein in Chocolate truffle, Vanilla Bean, or Double Stuffed Cookie.  I used their fruitty flavors mixed with Crystal light in a complimentary flavor.  I also used broth -- it helped me a lot.  I got sick of the sweet and wanted some savory flavors.  I lost nearly 30 pounds on the liquid diet.

I think any WLS (except perhaps the LapBand) is a great tool for success ... and the one that is right for you is completely individual.  I had an RNY without any regrets -- but I have had friends/acquaintances who've had the VSG and DS with fabulous success, too.  I have also seen each WLS fail -- well, not the surgery, but the person's mind/commitment fail -- so keep working on the mind-aspect of it and you will get where you desire.  That said, the DS does seem to be a particularly fabulous option for those of us over a 50 BMI.  It seems your surgeon has your best chance of success at heart.

Good luck!  

Hi everyone thank you! I am feeling a lot better today :) I have my pre surgery diet class tomorow and should pick up some Bari life approved liquids there as well. I am 1 weeks down on the liquid diet and have lost 10 pounds! I have 2 weeks to loose 10 more to be where my doctor wanted me to be. I appreciate all the feed back. This morning I mixed my own shake, added ice so it was smoothie like and it was a huge difference! Thanks for the tips and support everyone!