Frustrated- Need Reassurance
Please come visit the DS board. As Judi and Amy mentioned, you really should research ALL your options before you go under the knife. The DS has the very BEST long-term, maintained weight-loss stats, especially for those of us with a starting BMI greater than 50. It also has the best stats for resolving or preventing co-morbs like diabetes and high cholesterol.
If you're not really losing on 1100 calories a day, your metabolism is way too efficient---just like mine was. My DS 'fixed' that for me---my body no longer tries to hold on to each and every calorie. (And it allows me to eat very well, too! *grin*)
www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ds/
www.dsfacts.com
Email: [email protected]
If you're not really losing on 1100 calories a day, your metabolism is way too efficient---just like mine was. My DS 'fixed' that for me---my body no longer tries to hold on to each and every calorie. (And it allows me to eat very well, too! *grin*)
www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ds/
www.dsfacts.com
Texas
Erik Wilson, MD *Email: [email protected]
UT Houston
6700 West Loop South, Ste 500
Bellaire, TX 77401
Phone: 713-892-5500
Fax: 713-871-0071
Daryl A. Stewart, MD *
Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas
Denton Surgical Group
3321 Colorado Blvd.
Denton, TX 76210
Phone: 940-382-9429
Tammy,
My name is Sophia and I had the RNY in 2006. I started out at 455 this was a wonderful journey but I had to work for every single pound that I lost. I worked out 6 days per week 2 hours per day and ended up around 282 and stopped losing weight. the pounds slowly started creeping back on and I ended up at about 351 on 12/01/10. Well thanks to alot of people on the DS and Revision board I was able to make an informed decision about my revision. I was revised to a DS on 12/08/10 and I am down to 277 now which is the losest I have been in years. As a matter of fact I haven't been this weight since my early twenties. I am so happy that I have my stomach back an I am able to eat real food that keeps me satisfied all day long.
I know your surgery is right around the corner but please do some research you will not regret a thing.
Sophia
My name is Sophia and I had the RNY in 2006. I started out at 455 this was a wonderful journey but I had to work for every single pound that I lost. I worked out 6 days per week 2 hours per day and ended up around 282 and stopped losing weight. the pounds slowly started creeping back on and I ended up at about 351 on 12/01/10. Well thanks to alot of people on the DS and Revision board I was able to make an informed decision about my revision. I was revised to a DS on 12/08/10 and I am down to 277 now which is the losest I have been in years. As a matter of fact I haven't been this weight since my early twenties. I am so happy that I have my stomach back an I am able to eat real food that keeps me satisfied all day long.
I know your surgery is right around the corner but please do some research you will not regret a thing.
Sophia
Thank you all for your kind words and reassurances. I see people dropping weight like it is nothing on their pre-op diets and it had me worried!
Let's see if I can answer some of the things thrown out. Dr. Syn in Lubbock. I actually had a very good friend use him and have great results. Unfortunately (or fortunately??) I am restricted to surgeons & facilities that meet the ASMBS Bariatric Center of Excellence status. And since I've been disabled and on SS since 2002 (I was an English teacher in a former life!), my insurance is Medicaid, and not many doctors take Medicaid for this kind of surgery because the reimbursement is low.
I feel lucky to have found Dr. Faulkenberry and his wonderful staff. I had a patient advocate walk me completely through the process, which took exactly a year from the first consultation to the pre-op appointment. Within that year I did a 6 month PCP supervised diet, had psyche counseling, had an echocardiogram that revealed my RA has damaged my heart (it isn't just a bone disease!) and had to be cleared by a cardiologist for the systolic disfunction. What that means is that the left side of my heart is stiff and so it doesn't expand with blood when it fills up, so it doesn't pump out the full amount of blood, therefore my heart has to work extra hard when I exercise. It doesn't take much to get it pumping at this weight and with that problem. I've also worked with a nutritionist for a year, who, upon seeing my food logs was only able to give me the advice to 1)cut out condiments like ketchup/BBQ sauce 2) limit dairy intake 3) quit trying to eat less than 700 calories a day because I am doing more damage than good.
My exercise physiologist is great. She has worked with me to devise modified exercises. All of the professionals at Southwest Bariatric have been extremely hands on. I don't feel as if I have been rushed at all. I feel as though they know everything about me. They know I have sleep apnea, asthma, Sjogren's, RA and that I am bipolar. I am considered high risk and I feel they've taken every precaustion to make this a safer experience for me.
Dr. Faulkenberry does not do the DS. I don't know why. He and Dr. Fass are currently pioneering/mastering something called the spider surgery for sleeve patients, using only one incision for all the tools that are mounted on a 'spider' base. My appointments with him have not been rushed. I have kept a notebook of extensive questions and we went over every single one. We have also went over all the risks--and he was blunt. No candy coating at all. He also warned me that I may have to be in ICU after surgery, depending on how things go. He assured me that I would not leave the hospital until I was physically ready. I really trust him.
His record is impeccable. Both of my local bariatric surgeons cannot claim that. One was even suspended from doing surgeries because of alcohol use. He just moved from where he was to here. I think it is very important to research the doctor and hospital. An essential resource I used was Dr. Oz's YOU The Smart Patient. Everyone should have a copy. I can't stress how much info I gleaned from it and all the tips on how to research your health care professionals, suggestions for what questions to ask, etc. Here is a link- http://tinyurl.com/3vxcsqa
Again, thank you for the support. I was really vulnerable this morning and you all sure helped.
Let's see if I can answer some of the things thrown out. Dr. Syn in Lubbock. I actually had a very good friend use him and have great results. Unfortunately (or fortunately??) I am restricted to surgeons & facilities that meet the ASMBS Bariatric Center of Excellence status. And since I've been disabled and on SS since 2002 (I was an English teacher in a former life!), my insurance is Medicaid, and not many doctors take Medicaid for this kind of surgery because the reimbursement is low.
I feel lucky to have found Dr. Faulkenberry and his wonderful staff. I had a patient advocate walk me completely through the process, which took exactly a year from the first consultation to the pre-op appointment. Within that year I did a 6 month PCP supervised diet, had psyche counseling, had an echocardiogram that revealed my RA has damaged my heart (it isn't just a bone disease!) and had to be cleared by a cardiologist for the systolic disfunction. What that means is that the left side of my heart is stiff and so it doesn't expand with blood when it fills up, so it doesn't pump out the full amount of blood, therefore my heart has to work extra hard when I exercise. It doesn't take much to get it pumping at this weight and with that problem. I've also worked with a nutritionist for a year, who, upon seeing my food logs was only able to give me the advice to 1)cut out condiments like ketchup/BBQ sauce 2) limit dairy intake 3) quit trying to eat less than 700 calories a day because I am doing more damage than good.
My exercise physiologist is great. She has worked with me to devise modified exercises. All of the professionals at Southwest Bariatric have been extremely hands on. I don't feel as if I have been rushed at all. I feel as though they know everything about me. They know I have sleep apnea, asthma, Sjogren's, RA and that I am bipolar. I am considered high risk and I feel they've taken every precaustion to make this a safer experience for me.
Dr. Faulkenberry does not do the DS. I don't know why. He and Dr. Fass are currently pioneering/mastering something called the spider surgery for sleeve patients, using only one incision for all the tools that are mounted on a 'spider' base. My appointments with him have not been rushed. I have kept a notebook of extensive questions and we went over every single one. We have also went over all the risks--and he was blunt. No candy coating at all. He also warned me that I may have to be in ICU after surgery, depending on how things go. He assured me that I would not leave the hospital until I was physically ready. I really trust him.
His record is impeccable. Both of my local bariatric surgeons cannot claim that. One was even suspended from doing surgeries because of alcohol use. He just moved from where he was to here. I think it is very important to research the doctor and hospital. An essential resource I used was Dr. Oz's YOU The Smart Patient. Everyone should have a copy. I can't stress how much info I gleaned from it and all the tips on how to research your health care professionals, suggestions for what questions to ask, etc. Here is a link- http://tinyurl.com/3vxcsqa
Again, thank you for the support. I was really vulnerable this morning and you all sure helped.
I'm just gonna buzz your ear for a second. Back in 2000, I was 412+lbs. Don't know how large I really was, couldn't find a scale that went that high at the time. I had the RNY and a year later, had a revision; basically just made my pouch smaller. I lost down to 236lbs. I was doing well, but the losing had stopped by year two.
I was exercising at the Y and eating right etc. And slowly, the weight came back. No matter what I tried, the weight kept creeping up on me. Back in 2006, my original surgeon suggested I get a DS revision. But, he didn't perform it. I was 350 at the time. I didn't want to do anymore surgery, so I opted out of finding another surgeon etc.
2007 rolled around and I was down to 285lb. Mainly because I got sick and had to have my gallbladder taken out. During all this time, I had never dumped etc. So, old eating habits came back. I admit that.
I did my research and found a surgeon far away from me. I was willing to go to the next state; mainly because 1- I was becomming diabetic AGAIN. and 2- I was tired of my weight being an issue in my life.
On August 8th 2008, I had a DS Revision. That's 3 count them THREE WLS. And I'm finally in a place where I feel comforitable with myself and my weight. I may not be a size 10 or smaller; but I'm happy where I am.
The diabetes is a non-issue. I feel good and I really don't wish 2 let alone 3 operations on anyone. It' gets riskier with each one.
The RNY wasn't aggressive enough for me. It didn't have the malabsorption that I needed to lose weight. I still have restriction 3 years out and I take my vitamins and protein and hydrate like ANY WLS person should. No matter what their choice was or is.
I also am on diability. Medicare/medicaid. Everything was paid for, I did my homework and found a surgeon who would do the surgery and was skilled in revisions. It limited my choices; because of the Medicaid etc. But it all worked out.
I'm just letting you know that research is your friend. I know you are close to your surgery date. But, it doesn't help to see what ALL of your options are, be it DS or VBG or RNY.
In 2000, I didn't have the option of the DS. It wasn't covered by Medicaid/Medicare. And only one surgeon in my area was doing it. For me, I wish I had the DS first and could have avoided 2 more operations. BUT, that's neither here nor there.
Just wanted you to know, you have options. Even though it may seem like you don't.
www.dsfacts.com a good place to learn. Also visit the VBG and DS boards here on OH.
"Think twice...Cut once."
Dana
I was exercising at the Y and eating right etc. And slowly, the weight came back. No matter what I tried, the weight kept creeping up on me. Back in 2006, my original surgeon suggested I get a DS revision. But, he didn't perform it. I was 350 at the time. I didn't want to do anymore surgery, so I opted out of finding another surgeon etc.
2007 rolled around and I was down to 285lb. Mainly because I got sick and had to have my gallbladder taken out. During all this time, I had never dumped etc. So, old eating habits came back. I admit that.
I did my research and found a surgeon far away from me. I was willing to go to the next state; mainly because 1- I was becomming diabetic AGAIN. and 2- I was tired of my weight being an issue in my life.
On August 8th 2008, I had a DS Revision. That's 3 count them THREE WLS. And I'm finally in a place where I feel comforitable with myself and my weight. I may not be a size 10 or smaller; but I'm happy where I am.
The diabetes is a non-issue. I feel good and I really don't wish 2 let alone 3 operations on anyone. It' gets riskier with each one.
The RNY wasn't aggressive enough for me. It didn't have the malabsorption that I needed to lose weight. I still have restriction 3 years out and I take my vitamins and protein and hydrate like ANY WLS person should. No matter what their choice was or is.
I also am on diability. Medicare/medicaid. Everything was paid for, I did my homework and found a surgeon who would do the surgery and was skilled in revisions. It limited my choices; because of the Medicaid etc. But it all worked out.
I'm just letting you know that research is your friend. I know you are close to your surgery date. But, it doesn't help to see what ALL of your options are, be it DS or VBG or RNY.
In 2000, I didn't have the option of the DS. It wasn't covered by Medicaid/Medicare. And only one surgeon in my area was doing it. For me, I wish I had the DS first and could have avoided 2 more operations. BUT, that's neither here nor there.
Just wanted you to know, you have options. Even though it may seem like you don't.
www.dsfacts.com a good place to learn. Also visit the VBG and DS boards here on OH.
"Think twice...Cut once."
Dana
Tammy, I get that you feel comfortable with your surgeon and his crew, that you have some limitations on options due to Medicaid, that you are close to your date...etc.
But I also get that you are starting with a high bmi, that you, or I should say your body, is unable to shed weight even on only 1100 cal/day, and that you will probably always have some limitations on your ability to exercise due to RA. The RNY has just a little caloric malabsorption and works mostly via restriction, meaning by limiting your caloric intake. You are already doing this yourself, and not losing much weight. While RNY works well for some people and I'm not trying to criticize you or anyone else, I really, really doubt that it's the solution you need.
It isn't too late til you're under anesthesia. Take the time now to learn more about the DS. The DS creates both significant malabsorption and metabolic changes, along with moderate restriction. This combination of benefits creates the most effective wls presently available for both percentage excess weight loss and maintainence of that weight loss. It also has the best rate of resolution of almost all comorbidities, AND would allow you to safely take NSAIDs, which you can't do with RNY for the rest of your life.
It sounds like you would need to travel to get the DS, but you're already facing travel anyway.
This is a decision you will live with for the rest of your life. I hope you will recognize that you DO have options, and that you owe it to yourself to learn everything you can about all your options before making this big decision.
Feel free to pm me if you would like to read some articles about the DS.
Best wishes with whatever you decide.
Larra
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