Recent Posts
I was just wondering if anyone has any particular meal plan they follow or can provide ideas to me. I am totally stumped!
I get my vitamins from Bariatric Pal and always buy the liquid vitamins. I highly recommend Buying the Wellesse vitamins. I have the DS and at one time got really sick because I was not absorbing anything at all. I ended up with a PICC line and on TPN for several months. On June 1st my doctor did a small revision which has helped me so much. The problem that I have is that I am back on insulin because the TPN did something to my body. My starting weight was 270 and before June 1st I had gotten to 199. Currently I am fluctuating between 208 and 215. I'm struggling with the fact that insulin can make you gain weight. I am determined to get below 200. Good luck on your new journey!
I Didn't have DS, but RNY, but when I have had periods like that I suggest you eat whatever protein forward things you can tolerate.
I would also prioritize another appointment with your surgeons office if possible. If not your GP.
So hi, my name is Jeff and I'm 9.5 years out on my DS (12 years since the initial VSG). Was 778lbs at my highest recorded weight and I'm presently 255lbs and dropping.
Recently I've all of a sudden started having issues tolerating food. I have to force myself to eat at least once a day minimum knowing that I'm likely going to feel miserable. Doesn't matter what it is.
I'm going to give a rundown of an issue that came on suddenly as I'm not sure if it is due to my DS. Perhaps someone else has had something similar and maybe it is part of the reason for my current issue. I just know that not eating is not helpful and sadly the Ontario government abandoned me after my surgeries in 2009 and 2012. I tried for years to get them to move my file back to the only facility that had any DS knowledge. I never had proper blood work done. And I've had to pick one vitamin over another as my income level is so low I can't afford the full regimen. I don't even get the chance to try and prove how for my case vitamins and supplements are vital the way prescription drugs are for other issues, as a special needs case.
End of January 2021 I was under the weather for a few days and thought it was just food related. Celebrated my birthday, but then thought I had the symptoms of a UTI. Was prescribed antibiotics after a phone appointment with my doctor. Then I began having pain while sitting and we thought maybe it was prostate inflammation so an even stronger antibiotic was given. Each passing day the pain just got worse and worse. Eventually I could only lay in bed and even then the pain was constant. I endured 32 days of misery taking as many low dose oxycocet as I could along with Tylenol to try and numb the pain.
I fell and landed right on my left buttock, which was the painful side, as I was trying to change and I ran out of stamina and blacked out for a moment. The pain was unreal and I clearly burst something as I saw some drops of blood on the floor when I managed to get back up and get to my bed. My mom saw the blood soaked pillow I had under me later that night when she brought me ice and water and I declined to go to the hospital as I said it looked worse than it was. Told her I had an in person appointment with our doctor in a couple days and wanted to see what he had to say. Next day I tried to use the toilet and couple as the pain was just too much. I collapsed in the hall on the way out and my mom came in and found me as she left work early as she just had a feeling.
Shortly after arriving at the ER via ambulance I learned I had necrotizing fasciitis (aka flesh eating bacteria). Just before midnight I was transferred to another hospital and on the OR table. Thankfully when I woke up I learned the bacteria didn't get any vital things below the belt. I lost part of a cheek, and thankfully no colostomy. Though it was a lengthy, painful and ongoing recovery. I still getting recurring abscesses on the right side and on December 24th I actually had to go by ambulance after a new infected abscess flared up to have it lanced.
With so much time spent in bed this year my abdomen muscles are somewhat atrophied, but I was wondering if that was masking symptoms of a gallbladder issue as I would have almost immediate reflux or nausea from eating or drinking. Now that has sort of dissipated a bit, but I'm dealing with diarrhea and my stomach constantly being in knots.
Sorry for the length. I can be a long-winded person at times. I've been thinking of just going on a liquid diet for a bit of just some whey protein shakes for protein, and then water or flavoured water to keep hydrated. I'd just be happy to get rid of the diarrhea and stomach unease. I miss how life was before all this happened. A normal day was using the washroom when I got up, and then being good until before I began my night routine. Feeling like I constantly have to go drives me crazy.
Thanks for those who actually made it through this, heh. I appreciate anyone who might have suggestions, advice, went through something similar, etc.
HW: 750 ConsultW: 735 SW: 701 CW: 395 GW: 235
App: January 2009 re-App: March 2009... OHIP suspends DS, works on proposal with Cleveland Clinic Surgery: October 8th 2009 (8 month process)
Revision to DS on June 5th, 2012.
At Starbucks, is there a waiting period between getting benefits and approval for surgery?
Congratulations, you have an amazing story of perseverance and eventual success.
I'm not a newbie, but an oldie who hasn't been around much in a very long time. :)
Fifteen years ago today, at age 37, I had my DS surgery at 376 pounds (BMI 55.5) in Brazil with Dr. Marchesini. I was self pay. Unfortunately, I was one of those rare cases that developed a complication in the form of a stomach leak, and for a year after my surgery, I ended up in the hospital 4 times and spent about four months in Tampa General (not all at once, but broken up) over the year getting drains put in, having a number of procedures, and almost dying from sepsis when the abcess that had formed in my abdomen burst. Dr. Murr was my doctor at TGH, and he did the best he could, but at the time, he was unfamiliar with the DS.
The next year, Dr. Gagner from Canada moved to Miami, so I started going to him, and he was my savior. I had lost down to about 225 pounds. He did two more surgeries to get me repaired, and at around 18 months out from my original surgery, I was finally fixed. The stent that he placed made it impossible to eat much, and when it was removed, my weight was 200.5 pounds. That was my lowest weight, and it stayed there for about 30 seconds, which was the only time I was just an "overweight" BMI and not "obese." I ended up hovering pretty effortlessly between 220-230 for about 6 years, and that was pretty amazing, except I ended up with about a million dollars in medical bills, and we filed for bankruptcy.
Then in 2013 my husband was diagnosed with cancer, and for the next 2 years, it was a roller coaster of radiation, chemo, and surgeries as he fought 3 types of stage four cancer. He was unable to work. It was extremely rough, and during that time, I gained about 70 pounds due to stress and eating a ton of junk food and soda. As they say, they operated on my stomach and not my head, and way too quickly and easily, I was at 301 pounds again, and there I stayed.
In July 2017, my daughter got married, and I was miserable because I was so unhappy with how I looked. It was hard to find a pretty "mother of the bride" dress, and it didn't help that the mother of the groom was (and still is) like a size 4. When the wedding pictures came back, I was so distressed to see myself so heavy again. I made up my mind to do something, and I got back to basics. Eat more protein, cut back on soda, fewer carbs. I wasn't convinced my DS could still work its magic, but it did. Over the last four years, I've lost 73 pounds, slowly and steadily while dealing with menopause, and this morning on my 15th surgiversary, I weighed in at 228.2. My BMI as of this morning is 33 (down 148 lbs from my highest known weight), and I wear a size 14 on top and 18 on the bottom (VERY pear shaped!).
So my weight now is where many people are when they start their surgery journey. I am not skinny. I'm still overweight. I probably always will be. I dream that I may someday see Onederland, but at age 52, I'm okay if I never do get to be just overweight again, and I know I'll never be normal. I eat mostly what I want. I don't have many tummy issues, except for things with a lot of flour (Christmas cookies!!) and pasta. My health is good. Blood pressure and blood work is normal. I teach middle school, and I walk about 4-5 miles a day, and I go to the bathroom twice in the mornings and sometimes again at night, but not always. I have some saggy skin on my belly and my arms, but actually didn't end up looking as deflated as I feared would happen. I have a wonderful boyfriend and new grandson. Life is so, so good.
If you've made it this far, here's the takeaway from my 15 years as a DSer: I had major complications, and I would still do it again. I would, however, tell Dr. Marchesini to do the damn leak test!! If I hadn't had the surgery, I'd probably easily be over 500 pounds by now. Maybe I'd be dead? I know I wouldn't be able to do my job as well, or chase my grandson, or hike a trail with my boyfriend. I jumped out of airplane on my 50th birthday. I learned how to kayak this summer. I know how it is to live as a morbidly obese person, and living life as a "just kinda fat" person is infinitely better.
Happy surgiversary to me!
Stacie
Well I weighed myself this morning and it said 199 - officially back in the Century Club again after 4 years. I'm almost 4 months post op and lost 32#. My goal was to lose 70 (unrealistic I know but hey...go big or go home)! but I'm really happy with where I am so far. I'm down from an 18 to a comfortable 14 and still looking to lose another 20 or more before we go to Florida in March. The holidays haven't been too bad - yes, I have been nibbling on things I shouldn't but not losing my mind over it. Now that I'm back on track, I will not go through another surgery like this again. My next one will be in 2 years to remove my apron from my tummy area so I at least look decent in cloths.
I broke my wrist (both bones) on my mom's birthday so it's been painful and a struggle to do anything, much less fix myself something to eat but my husband and son have been wonderful - taking me to work, helping me dress and then fixing dinner for the family (daughter in law included). The fixing food has been somewhat of a blessing because I come in the kitchen, look in the frig and see the things that need 2 hands to cook...LOL!
In closing, I just want to say to everyone struggling through the holidays - be good to yourself and do not beat yourself up to bad when you have something you shouldn't. You just get back on that wagon and start again to being healthier in 2022.
Love you all!
Barbara
Barbara McKeown 
It's incredible you eat so many calories and barely weigh 100lbs. I also eat a ton of calories and I'm extremely thin so I'm guessing I'm headed for a similar result. Like you I have no choice but to eat a lot or lose weight.
The cholesterol sounds like it's hereditary to me too, as mentioned above. Please keep us updated. Thx
I am a 53 year old woman who is ten years post DS. I never had high cholesterol my entire life until now. My total is 230 and LDL is 132. I lost 100 pounds and have kept it off. I have to eat constantly throughout the day or else my weight falls too low. I do strictly limit carbs so I eat a lot of meats and cheeses and dairy. I thought that with the DS that I did not have to worry about eating mostly high fat foods. The only thing that I can think of is that my absorption of fats has increased and therefore raising my cholesterol but I am 5'3 and remain between 100-105 for the past few years. I am estimating that I eat between 3500-4000 calories per day. Also instead of having loose or very soft stools they are much more solid and a bit less pale than before.
Has any other Community member faced a high cholesterol issue after DS? I am very confused.
I agree with white dove. BariStric surgery can't overcome all diseases that have an inherited component.
if it is in your DNA to have high cholesterol, you will have it.
