HAVE YOU HEARD THIS

I heard yesterday that a new doctor in charlotte is only doing gbs with the size of the pouch about fist size. He will not do it any smaller. He said there has been to many problems with the small pouch. That is what I have the small one. They said at the hospital it is the size of a 50 cent. Think they are finding out alot of new things about gbs now. So soon I hope they can fix me. God bless all and hope all is well. Have a blessed day amy

Amy I haven't heard anything about this. I would suspect that if he only did fist size pouches that the weight loss would be even slower than with our small pouches. You would be able to eat more and would take longer to fill yourself up. Also, if you were having trouble adjusting and re-learning the proper eating techniques it could lead to a weight regain much quicker than the smaller pouches. I too have a small pouch, as we have the same surgeon, but I think after talking to the many people at my support group that they(the pouches) are all about the same size. My support group has people whose surgeons are many and varied in the Charlotte, Hickory, Raleigh and Concord area. The only ones whose pouches are small are the ones that chose the gastric banding. This leaves their old stomach as large as it was, but regulates the amount that can go in by the band. In my prayers today I was told that your spirits would be lifted up and the long process to recovery would begin. Take time, God loves you and only wants the best for His children. Larry

I guess all doctors do things differant. Thank you so much for all the nice things you say and do. I really do think I will get better. I ate a whole sweet tater with butter on it last night. And kept it down. For me that was so wonderful. God bless........... Amy

Hi Amy, I'm so sorry you've had such a hard time...I pray too that you will be able to be healthy and find answers for the problems you've struggled with. I don't know about the larger pouch...I wonder how the size of the pouch affects complications. I've had none whatsoever, and know a few other of Dr. Melkonians patients who have not only success with the surgery, but would not have done it with any other doctor...this includes me. I find I can eat about 800 calories in three meals and get the required protein with only a small supplement. The surgery has been miraculous for me and I wouldn't change anything at all...I just have to make sure I do my part and pray that the success continues. Best of luck to you. Jamey

I don't think I would change anything. I just get mad some time frome being so sick. I stay so sick. I am scared I will loose my job. Alot of times I am so weak I can't even get up out of my bed. My 20 year old son will have to pick me up and carry me to the living room. That breaks my heart that I have to depend on my kids so much. I should be taking care of them. But I know I am going to get better. I think I am already. Amy

Hi Amy, Are you sure that the surgery is the RNY gastric bypass? With a pouch that large sounds more like a DS... The Switch leaves you with more intestine bypassed but with a stomach that is 4-7oz as apposed to the 1-2oz with the RNY. Did you catch the doc's name?

no I didn't get his name. The lady said he was new. I heard all he does is gbs. But people I talk to always has horror stories to tell me. Every one always has a friend that died from it and they just have to tell me all about it. I don't want to hear that . Not right now after being so sick. The nurse at the ER was telling me about her friend that died on the table. Are they trying to scare me? If so it worked........... Have a blessed day Amy

Hi Amy, It seems to me that with RNY, the size of the pouch would not be a primary factor in complications. If I understand it correctly, complications come more often than not from leakage and from the connection between the pouch and the intestine, correct? If that's true, then I would think you'd have the same potential complications regardless of size. I also agree with the others about the potential for drastically slowing weight loss and increasing the potential for regaining. I haven't responded to one of your posts before, but I wanted to let you know that I think of you often and hope that all of your issues work out soon. Best to you! Lisa

Thank you so much. I think right now I am just looking for anything. I want to know what is wrong with me. It has been 1 whole year now. I want to feel good. And I think with all the good and sweet people on here praying for me has helped me 100% The other night I ate a whold med. size sweet tater with butter for dinner. That was a real big deal for me. And last night for dinner I ate a 1/2 of a piece of cheese toast. And late last night I ate a whole little green apple. God has heard all of us. I thank everyone with all I have in me. God bless all. Thanks for caring Amy

Hello All, I also am a Melkonian person, and I am so glad I am, he has saved my life. I agree with the others, the bigger the pouch the slower the weight loss, and also you could have the same problems with a larger pouch. I have often wondered Amy, where is your nutritionalist ? Has he or she not been able to help with your food intake problems? Although I have seen the doctor 2 times since my surgery in March, I have meet with my nutritonist ( Allyson) several more times ( about every 4 week ) ,,, she gives me a list of foods to start, and helps with any problems I have had, when I have had issues, she has asked that I back off and wait awhile before trying again, not only that but she calls and checks on me , I call her, I feel as if she is a friend more and more every day, she has offered to go food shopping with me, she has been wonderful and for me a big part of my sucess. I have done everything thing Melkonian and Allyson has told me to do , I workout 5 days a week, I am very careful about chewing up my food, and I am very picky about my form of protein. I have prayed for you often and worried about you so much. I just do not understand, why some of us, are the lucky ones and others have such problems. I have a friend who has a friend , who started smoking the day she came home from having her surgery and she , had food problems,,, do you smoke ? Are you able to drink water ? if so how much ? do you still meet with nutrionist ? and if they are no help , find another. Just remember this Amy, we here at OH family board , love you , and want want you to get better, and also you have others that would be crushed if anything happen to you , your kids. So please try to eat , if sweet potatoe and butter goes down, try it with a little cottage cheese, there are so many ticks out there to get the protein. Take care of yourself and keep trying to eat, even if it is a bite here and there,,, Good Luck