Don't Want to Fail - 2nd Chance

On July 8, I am scheduled to have a DS.  I am so afraid of screwing this up.  I attempted weight loss surgery before, lost some weight and, gained it back.  

I've been reading about the surgery... the risks have me a little concerned but, not enough to turn back now.

I'm hoping for some advice and tips at this point of the process... about 4 weeks from surgery, through 4 weeks after.  The first time, I literally went to the doctor and was approved in less than a week.  This was before the age of nutritionists and counseling and support groups.... I was on my own.

Please share with me what you did that worked and what you wish you'd done.

Thanks for the support.

Okay guys... maybe I'm just anxious.... 17 views, no responses.  Please help.

What are you revising from?

My best advice is to stay totally vigilant and avoid every carb you can till you are 10% below goal.  Then figure out what you can add in without gaining.

What did you have before and who is your surgeon?

I am revising from an RNY is 2002... having the DS this time.  My surgeon was Dr. Glorsky.

The best "tip" I can give you is to find a surgeon who has extensive experience specifically with RNY to DS revisions. the surgeon you have listed has the DS listed as something he does on his page here, but I've never heard of him as a DS surgeon, let alone as someone doing the RNY to DS revision, and I've been on this and other DS websites for over 7 years.

Revising RNY to DS is very complex, and the highest risk bariatric surgery being done. I'm not trying to scare you or talk you out of it, just saying that it requires a very skilled and experienced DS surgeon, not someone who only does the DS occasionally. Your surgeon must take apart your RNY, put your stomach and intestines back to their original state, and THEN do the whole DS. The risks of serious complications are higher working in areas that are now scarred, and with some of their blood supply having been disrupted by past surgery. The rate of leaks and other serious complications are higher with this type of revision.

If you haven't already, ask your surgeon very specific questions about how many DS's he has done, how often he does them, and esp how many RNY to DS revisions he has done and what his complication rate has been. If you don't get the right answers, it's time to find a different surgeon. The delay will be worth it.

Larra

I haven't heard this from anyone on the site but my Doctor told me that losing some weight before the operation was a good indicator of how you will do after the surgery. Even if it is just a little. I'm not sure if that is just his view of the world or there was some study that he was quoting. Still every advantage helps. Try and work the pre op diet as best you can.

Post op - my advice is to take it slow the first several weeks. Don't try and push to eat more than you are comfortable with.

There aren't a lot of DS's done where I got mine. I have found more support on line. 

It helped me to read through the archives. Alternately making me happy and then scaring the pants off of me. At least it helped me frame some of the questions I had post op. 

Have a safe surgery and a speedy recovery.