New to DS lots of questions!
My name is Lisa and I live in Idaho. I have pretty much decided on the DS . My husband and I are both going to have WLS just at different times but hopefully both will be this year, we thought it would be easier to help each other that way. Our appt with our surgeon is may 1st. Currently I have GERD, insulin resistance, sleep apnea, IBS, and joint pain from a work injury. My question is if anyone out there has IBS and if the surgery helped or made it worse? Currently I am experiencing more constipation and am having some issues with hemorrhoids, oh how fun right? My BMI is 53 and I weigh 302 and am 5 3. I have had some swallowing issues in the past and I like the idea of being able to drink and eat at the same time, as well I have major food sensitivities so a more open plan for eating I think would help a lot. I am gluten and soy sensitive and have been allergic to lactose since I was little, I never outgrew it. I can eat cheese, sour cream and some other dairy but milk and yogurt are really hard to tolerate. I am concerned about whether I will be able to get all my protein in and also about the vitamins. The problem would not be taking them, just making sure I have an idea of being able to afford them. Me and my husband are both disabled so we have a budget that we have to keep. I have read so many different prices for them, I would really like to get a better idea of what the cost will be? And is there anything in particular that I should be asking at my drs appt other then the things I mentioned ? The other thing I don't understand is about the length of intestines they reroute, what is the difference between taking less vs more and do I have any say in that or is it the drs choice at the time? Sorry for writing so much and thanks for taking the time to read and respond. This will be my main support as the nearest person to person support group is about 45 minutes away and with my IBS I have to stay pretty close to home.
Thanks again,
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I might be able to address part of your question. I have ulcerative colitis (an auto-immune disease). My gastroenterologist was very in favor of this surgery. He said that with significant weight loss, I would reduce my level of bodily inflammation, which should help my UC, since it is an inflammatory bowel disease. So far, so good, although I'm only 3 months out. In regard to the intestine, my surgeon and I chose to go with a longer common channel (150 cm) in case I had any severe or long-term UC issues in the future--there would be enough intestine to work with. I probably won't lose as much as some with a shorter common channel, nor should I malabsorb as much, but that is probably good since I already have absorption issues from the UC. Vitamins, protein supplements etc. are expensive. They are NOT negotiable. You must plan and budget them in no matter what. Top priority.
Hope this small bit helps!
Kelly
Hi Lisa,
congrats on deciding to get the ds....one thing you can't get the ds and not take supplements that would eventually be a slow and painful death....this is serious now, don't have the surgery if you will not take your vit/supp. for whatever reason. the intestinal bypass lenght is different depending on the surgeon you use, i believe you are talking about the common channel...this is where absorption takes place (where the 2 limbs meet) the shorter the more malabsorption more potential issues etc. the average cc length is 100 cm. I have a longer length, since i wanted more absorption. the surgeon will usually make it longer but not shorter than he feels comfortable with. cc have lengthened in the last 5 yrs or so, and those surgeons that used to give cc of 60-75 are now using 100-150 or more. so there is no support group around me either, you would be surprised the amount of support you can get here....just ask and everyone will help... good luck to you
Thanks for the info, that makes more sense. I just was trying to figure a actual number to budget for, I could afford 100.00 for vitamins and I figured our food bill would go up because of all the protein. I didnt think I would be able to have too many shakes because of all my sensitivities to things. I am also sensitive to artificial sweetners. I wonder if some of that will go away once my body is back in a homeostasis environment. I know the malapsorbative is a major key but maybe I should start with the sleeve and see how it works. I did notice too how great this forum is, the people here are so nice.
Thanks for the quick response!
Lisa
