1 year out

I'm only 3 weeks out, so I'm not eating a ton of carbs yet. I haven't had any diarrhea for about a week a half -- which seems like a miracle because that's all I was having since my surgery. Funny how you can get excited about BMs. 

As far as smell, I guess it'll get worse once I introduce more carbs into my diet, BUT I've been using an essential oil in the toilet before each BM, and it seems to help. (You just add a few drops in there and it creates a sort of oil film across the top of the water that traps the smell. Same idea as Poo-Pourri, only cheaper.)

Wow - congrats to you. I know what you mean about the "ideal weight". I know I have a lot more to go than you for my ideal weight (47 lbs), but it just doesn't seem as important anymore. I feel good and doing things I have never done or haven't done in many years. Keep it up and congrats again!!!

Con,   My bowel movements aren't bad at all as long as I don't overindulge in carbs or a few other items that do it like spinach for some reason.  Don't feel like people are avoiding the question.  It's just that different foods have different effects on people so it's hard to say if you eat this or avoid that you will be fine.

What I have learned is that early out, there are days where you feel you are are actually pooping your way thinner.  Then you start to adjust your food intake - ie.increase protein, add in a bit of carbs, increase your fat intake until you find the right spot between solid stool and an oil slick.   You then start figuring out how your body reacts to certain foods and only have them when you know you will be able to spend time in the bathroom and stink up the house if need be.

You also learn to do the courtesy flushes in public washrooms and I swear by the one drop product to mask the smell in the bowl.

At the end of the day, the risk of smelly bowel movements is not, to my mind, or from my experience, a valid reason not to proceed with the DS.   I would much rather have smelly farts than take the chance of tossing my cookies on a daily basis because of dumping. 

As for vetted surgeons in your area, start a new topic and ask for recommendations from the vets.  I am in Canada so I can't offer you names but I know the vets on here have lots and lots of knowledge on who to go to in what parts of the States.

Best of luck with whichever surgery you choose.