Question for Bearmom

I am new to the board and came across one of your responses:

"My own DS journey has been amazing, but if you read from others who are now free of diabetes and metabolics disorders (like me!) it is inspiring. I hope you visit us on the DS board soon!"

What type of metabolic help did the DS give you?

I an currently seeking revision for multiple problems dilated pouch, severe iron deficiency and the list goes on and on....

Thanks,

Chris

My previous PCP diagnosed me with "metabolic disorder" after monitoring my exercising, and dieting (whi*****luded meticulous counting of calories, and breakdown of everything I ate, and time and type of exercise).

She had actually concluded that previous to evaluating all of that, but we sort of wanted to know I wasn't missing something obvious, and I think she wanted to be confidant I wasn't actually neck deep in denial of horrible eating habits, and the weight really wouldn't budge without surgical intervention.

She said metabolic disorder was contributing to the fact that I was in early stages of diabetes, and that it was also related to my PCOS, which I've read of MANY others having issues with prior to the DS.

I don't fully understand how the DS resolves it, as I don't know how much is chicken, or egg - meaning I think some of it is resolved because the weight has come off, but some things were immediately better, and helped the weight come off. Like diabetes is often resolved immediately, before significant weight loss, and studies show that even if the weight comes back, the diabetes does not return. If you regain with the band or RNY, the diabetes usually returns.

I no longer have the PCP that talked to me about the DS and metabolic disorder, but I'll see if I can find any medical studies that can clarify. You should also ask on the DS board, as there are many who have posted about having these same problems resolved.

I should have also added, that if you are looking at a revision to the DS, that should help with the iron issues, as that's more of a problem for the RNY (although DSers have to supplement too, just different ones).

I'm sorry your having so many issues with the RNY. I hear that a lot, and I always feel bad, since we all came from the same place as obese people trying to get our lives back.

Revisions are trickier than new, virgin WLS, so you may want to ask on the DS board as well about the best revision surgeons, since you don't want any old surgeon for a revision, and they are so well informed.

Thanks so much for your reply!

I too have metabolic disease/malabsorption - and feel so crappy every day. I do take my vitamins and eat as instructed but have consistently regained weight. I have had 4 blood transfusions and get a weekly iron injection for anemia.... I began looking into revision after an UGI showed pouch dilation and came to this board to see what others thought about the DS surgery and have found nothing but good things!

I have consulted with Dr. Greenbaum (heard great things about him here) 

I have an appt with a psych on the 19th my PCP for PE and the nutritionist on the 29th --- I need to forward all documents and then go from there.....

Fingers crossed - thanks again for your time!

It sure sounds like your taking the right steps so I hope it works out for you. I had anemia prior to surgery, so I still supplement iron, but when researching surgeries, thought that might me another issue for me, in that I wouldn't be able to keep up with the iron if I had RNY.
I can honestly say the worst part of the DS is taking supplements daily, and it sounds like your already used to that, so it should be a breeze for you. Good luck!

Thank-you so much!