Channel Length Meaning/Loop DS

On January 10, 2014 at 7:38 PM Pacific Time, HKFandora wrote:

I would like to know what does it mean to have a longer or shorter channel length? I noticed doctors may vary as to what size they use. 

 I am still in research stage and have looked into the loop DS as I am in the possible revision stage. Although on paper a full DS makes sense the high malabsorption/30 vitamins a day is something I'm still trying to swallow, no pun in intended.

So I thought to myself the RNY requires less vitamins although according to advise on here not as much but close however I have a friend ten years out with good labs and nowhere near thirty, not even ten pills. It would appear that a longer channel might allow of more absorption if comparing the RNY. 

The decision is somewhat hard because I'm hearing conflicting information regarding vitamins. So, while reading I noticed a DS'er suggested on a loop DS that having the full DS surgery with possibly a longer channel would make a difference but I'm uncertain as to what difference that was and what it means. 

Is your friend tracking her own labs (getting hard copies and checking for herself) or is she basing good labs on what the doctor tells her?

Also is she getting a complete set based on what is known now, such as K, PTH, etc or just basic lab work? See this list for the list of labs and targets based on what we know we need:  http://www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/VitaLadysLabsandT argets_11-2009.pdf

With that asked...

I have a 175 cc (ALSO wi**** was shorter) but I am a lightweight. I don't take 30 pills a day and I CAN say my labs are fine. I just got a copy of my 3 year labs and other than having to adjust my K (which IS normal but very low normal), my D which is trending DOWN (it WAS 112 and changing nothing is down to 89) but still normal and my iron which is also normal BUT the low end of normal. MY surgeon would have told me all was fine but with a hard copy I see actual numbers and can watch for trends.

The downside of a longer common channel...maint is MUCH harder.

I'm not sure to be honest. She's not as deligent as I am. So the doctors normal might not be my normal. I decided that I will request for a longer channel and I'm okay with the trade off between less malabsorption shorter time. I am thinking a channel of either 150 or 25 more or less but definitely a little bit longer than 100. Can you tell me how long it took you to get from your surgery weight to current? Can you share your vitamin regimen?

What's in parenthesis? It's blocked, has asterisk. The word that starts with the w.  Weight loss? 

I fixed it...

As to the word that starts with a w? May be the link I posted to a PDF. If you like, I will PM you with the link.

After the sentence where you said "I have a 175 cm channel ( ALSO ____ was shorter) I wanted to know what was shorter? 

Also Im a "lightweight" as well not as light as you were hence the reason I'm interested in longer channel. 

You must have your 'adult content' filter on. The software ran 'wish' and 'it' together, and starred out the last four letters because that spells a bad word. (*grin*) I've forgotten how to turn the filter off, but things will make more sense if you do.

Ooo.. Thank you. I was truly trying to figure out what she meant. Lol. 

Common channel length has much less to do with rate of weight loss, or initial weight loss, as it does with maintenance.  It doesnt mean much to me to hear someone say they have a long common channel and lost 50 pounds in 3 months.  Dont forget people with sleeves and RNY can lose a lot initially, too.  It's what happens at year 3 and beyond that you should look at when deciding.

From the research that I'm reading it does matter as well as the length of the alimentary channel.   Still all results are individual. I just like hearing from actual people and their varying experiences although I might be different and may have totally different results. 

Of course it matters.  What I was saying is that you need to look at how far out from surgery people are.  The same person who is happy with their weight loss at 3 months might have a lot of regain in 3 years.  The common channel length plays less of a role in the RATE of weight loss, but is very important in maintenance.