Hello, newbie in the house!

Hi all long time lurker here hehe ! I have a few questions for the vets. A little about me: I'm 25 with two little ones (3 yrs and 10 mths). I weigh 324 per my last Dr's vist which makes my bmi 54ish. I am going to my seminar on 6/6 and I am hoping to have Dr. Crookes perform my surgery. I started this process once back in nov 2011, but then I found out I was preggo. I started back this process back in apr 2013 and its been taking forever to get the referrals that I need. I have been suffering from gallstones, terrible foot pain, a protruding disk, and stenosis in the lumbar region. I have been visiting a therapist for post-partum depression and for my eating habits. I have also been seeing a nut. The thing is I have been researching wls for almost 3 years. I started out wanting the lapband until I found out a lot of disheartening facts about it. I spoke with my cousin who has had the ds and I started to research it... but now I'm not sure how I feel about it. I know it has the results as far as keeping excess weight off and supposedly the diet is supposed to be the most normal of all surgeries. Now here is the question. When I look at vites, bites, and exercites I see that many of those that are over a year out still do protein shakes and bars instead of having true meals. Why is that? And a lot of ds'ers find themselves with gluten and lactose intolerances. Is this the new found norm for the ds population? I also seen an article on the gluten free craze and it stated that most gluten free foods is just as bad for you than regular food. It also suggest that perhaps it wasn't good for you at all bc of the extras that are added to make it taste better. What are your thoughts on that? Those are the questions that are haunting me the most. Sorry my post is super long and thank you so much for your help easing my mind.
Adia

Yes, some peole continue to use protein shakes and similar products. Many don't. For most of us, this is a matter of personal choice (there are exceptions). I, and many others, prefer to get our protein from real, tasty food. There are many good sources of protein, and one of the big advantages of the DS is that, since you don't have to worry about fat content, you can use all of them. For example, you are not limited to dry white meat chicken. You can eat the dark meat, the wings, whatever part you like. You can use well marbled cuts of meat or lean meat, as you prefer. You can eat all sorts of cheese, and bacon, and ribs, etc etc.

Also, you are not limited to low fat methods of cooking for the same reason.

Regarding lactose intolerance, yes, it's very common with both DS and gastric bypass. We tolerate cheese just fine, but not milk itself. Speaking only for myself here, I do ok with milk in small quantities, but I probably would not do well with a large glass of milk.

Gluten - this is a confusing area. We aren't truly gluten intolerant like people with celiac disease. It's just that for most of us, eating foods high in gluten, like wheat flour, will cause gas and/or bloating and diarrhea. Each person has to learn what foods work well for him or her and which ones don't.

My own opinion is that the DS diet is by far the most normal of any of the bariatric surgeries. No matter what operation you have, you will need to make dietary changes of some sort. It is unrealistic to expect your weight and comorbidities to change without something about you changing as well. I think, given your bmi and the effects your weight are having on you that the DS is a great choice.

Larra

Hi Adia!  Welcome aboard!  Larra gave you some good info.  Let me give you some tough love. 

Three years - it's time to make a decision. 

One comment so many say on this board is that they wish they had done this sooner.  Your health can't wait forever.  I'm gluten sensitive but it is  sooooo worth the price to be healthier.

Always remember a message board is going to be populated by quite a few newbies who are trying to figure things out and some people who are having problems and looking for help.  Then there are a few of us oldies who stop by to add some balance to the group.

For MOST of us, postop life is sort of like Atkins with a handful of vitamins.  Our diet is protein and fat centric and the evil step child is sugar, carbs.  The great thing about the DS is that we can eat and remain normal looking.  Many of us oldies would like to still lose weight.  But we are talking 20 or 30 lbs...  Nothing like pre-op.  We look normal and the DS doesn't rule our lives anymore.  I CAN eat anything...but I shouldn't.  I know my DS, we are old friends.  Personally, I have never thrown up yet and I have found nothing that I'm intolerant of enough to give it up.  I also don't wear Depends and I've never had an 'accident'...yet.  I don't have much more gas than I did pre-op but what I have smells worse.  I'm almost never sick and I'm in great health.  Most of the DSers I know IRL are pretty much like me.  We either have no issues or have figured out ways to deal with them.

In the beginning, it's a real adjustment.  A balancing act.  The DS just takes over your life.  But after you learn to deal and lose the weight, MEH, no biggie.  There are exceptions.  Some people have a hard time coping with the malabsorbtion, some have psychological issues, and you run across one now and then who loves the drama and just needs attention.  Dsers can still get sick.  We get all the diseases everyone else in the normal population can get.  And everyone dies from something.  At least most of us won't die from being overweight.  And that's where almost all of us were heading pre-op.

The supplements are doable.  I would much rather take a bunch of vitamins every day than prescription meds for all the issues that accompany morbid obesity.  And as you age, it only gets worse.  I didn't want to be the fat old lady in the scooter.  I saw the DS as my chance to cheat fate and get as much of a do-over as anyone ever gets.  And it worked.  I look good for my age and I'm in better shape than lots of 30 somethings.  I can do anything I want and I've rappelled down cliffs, kayaked the Amazon and rode a horse across Mexico.  Much better to be able to outrun the scooter than to need one.  And for the first time in my life, I can say that I get 'hit on' at least once a week.  Pretty cool for an old bag!

So what should you do?  Ask yourself one simple question and you will know the answer.  What does my future look like if I continue as I am?  Is that the life you want to live?

I wanted to let you know that reading your reply made me cry. It is a happy cry.

Over the years I had thought about wls but I never seriously looked into it. The last couple of months I finally realized that life wasn't going to improve while I gained weight. I have a daughter and I honestly want life back. I was thinking about RNY or DS and have been researching. I have started reading these posts to try to find out more from people who have had DS and this reply pretty much helped me make up my mind. I have done lots of reading but you just seemed to be the tipping point for me. Thank you for responding to someone because it ended up helping me.

One more thing.  You are still young and very attractive.  I hope you don't let fat take what's left of your youth.  Life is to be lived to the max!

And I don't do protein shakes because I don't like them.

I am so grateful for all of your responses. Normally I am pretty sure of myself and I have been up until now. I just have a fear that I going to be trading one set of problems for the next. I am young and I have two beautiful babies that I want to live for and it kills me slowly not being able to parent them they way I want. I feel like I have to sit on the sidelines in my OWN life and I'm finished putting me last. I do understand the respinsibilities that comes along with wls such as lifestyle change. I'm just hoping surgery is the catalyst that will move me forward. Besides who doesn't want to be one hot mama ! I want to thank you all for your many post and helping us newbies stay sane and calm. I not sure if you all understand how much your responses to posts mean to some of us... thank you dearly

Welcome!  You may be talking about my eating habits with the shakes and bars. I've never been a foodie and shakes and bars are just easier and require less attention. I've found a few things I like over the years and I just stick to them. They work for me. You'll find your own comfort zone. Enjoy the ride!  

--gina

Your blog made me cry.  I, too, suffered post partum depression (24 years ago), and I remember those painful, dark days.  I hope you are finding relief with your therapist.

I am only a month out from my DS, but when the nerves started getting the best of me pre op, I started telling myself, "how many Mondays have come and gone when you were supposed to start that diet for real?  I've been unsuccessful dieting and changing my lifestyle thus far, why do I think its gonna happen now?".  And the most hard-hitting, for me, "if I'm still where I am today in one year, that will be really self-defeating.  And sad, and too much to bear".

I happen to think you're doing a great job!

Patty- thank you so much for your awesome attitude!! When I am feeling scared and doubtful about my upcoming surgery I'll then run across one of your posts and I am sooooo ready for the surgery!!! You are such an inspiration to me!!! You make this "huge" surgery and lifestyle change totally do-able! Thank you, thank you!