Surgeon's Recommendations

I will agree that Dr. Lut's best is the surgery but what we have to remember is that every "body" is different. The physiology may be the same but each body is unique. My case should highlight this point. I had complications unheard of in the history (at least unreported) ( at least I haven't found it yet) of DS surgery. I have been researching myself not taking Dr. Lut's word for it. Since each body differs we must adjust the proffered medical advice to suit our specific needs. This in no way detracts from Dr. Lut or his staff. They are no doubt giving their best advice but it may need to be adjusted to a specific customers situation. Afterall what's the adage "YMMV!"

While it's true it's a YMMV world, there IS something to be said by listening to the vets experience.

To the OP:

Weakness, nausea, weight loss, dehydration and 2 bouts of pancreatitis. The months followiing, i was in ER 8x in 4 months with on and off with severe bloating, nausea etc. Had every test known and nothing significant showed in all my CT scans, mri's, xrays, ultrasounds. met with my surgeon back in august to have him take a look at my labs and belly no suspicions of anything related to the ds surgery. i did have anemia but hemaglobin raised to normal levels with ferrous sulfate 3x day and eventually 2 iron infusions this past november. my last labs showed plenty of ferratin in my blood and normal hemaglobin.

Pancreatitis NEEDS to be address by an endocrinologist NOT your bariatric surgeon.

Normal levels actually need to be at the HIGH end of normal...too easy to slip back under if you are at the low end.

Bloating can be a result of what you eat/drink as well.

Best thing, post your lab results here so the vets can help. Bariatric surgeons are NOT nutritionists and even if they have a NUT on staff, most of what they tell us is best for those who do not malabsorb. Example, MY surgeon's partner saw me in the hospital in Oct...made the comment I needed to eat LOW fat. My fat intake is appropriate for me, any less and I get severely constipated. If I listened to him, I wouldn't be able to go to the bathroom and would end up severely impacted inside.

Liz

 

 

Sorry you are having such problems.  Hope everything gets sorted out and your good health returns.

I'll just comment on the vitamin D - anything that comes with sesame oil won't be absorbed. Oil = fat. We don't absorb much fat. ANY kind of oil emulsion will have the D just leaving your body right along with the oil.

    And that's aside from 18,000 units being insufficient. We take D in 50,000 units at a pop, with some people needing 100,000 units of "dry" D daily.

    I know it's more expensive, but get the dry D from Vitalady and get going on it. The stuff in oil is a complete waste of money for you. This won't solve all your problems, but it will help. I still think the protein is the most important issue, and it sound like you are working on this and going in the right direction, you just aren't there yet.

Larra

I'm not a doctor, but can relate to many of your issues. My hypothyroid Hashimotos condition had me constipated for decades. I used natural fiber foods, like papaya, prunes, oatmeal....... After the D.S. I used Miralax every day, not liking to eat much fat. After my gallbladder removal, all constipation disappeared. Bloating can come with diet- high carb, flour products, yeast breads, cake, fruits, veggies like broccoli, cabbage. Gummy fiber supplements for constipation can cause lots of gas, and bloating... Keep your diet under 50g carbs, try gluten free. I feel so much better doing this. Depression can be responsible for fatigue, and most antidepressants, other than Welbutrin will make you sleepy. Can you take it before bed? If you take anything to help you sleep, there is residual the day after. In the past I have taken Benedril for sleep, but I hated being so tired all the next day. Insomnia is a side effect of antidepressants. I use gym exercise to help burn up my extra energy, and increase endorphins for my depression. Welbutrin is the only antidepressant that wont cause weight gain, or fatigue. Having a therapist to talk to can help with ideas to solve insomnia, and monitor your antidepressants, along with a psychiatrist. You could see a few specialists to handle your issues. I would begin with an internist, who could refer you to specialists in various categories . All the advice of the posts here are from wise D.S. people who have years experience with vitamins, diet, and surgical advice. Be sure to get a variety of opinions from different  types of doctors, beside surgeons. Go to a surgeon, and they are going to solve problems by cutting. In the end, you have to be your own  medical detective., fitting together all the pieces of the puzzle leading to good health. There is never just one solution, nor one Doctor to fix everything. Hope you get some relief soon. 

all my medication i take at bedtime except anxiety meds. i see a psyc dr. regurlarly, am in therapy, and have used my pcp, gastrointeroligist, ob/gyn, hematologist, who all lead me back to the surgeon! i am currently looking for an internist. hopefully i will find one this month..the hard part is finding a provider who understands ds! the only one who knew anything about it was the gastro dr. who just suggests i get a revision and be done with the malabsorbtion. sighs...will this ever end?