Failure

 I am SO afraid that I am going to fail at this. Not when I have surgery.... many years later. I'm afraid people will be like... "wow she had surgery just to lose a small amount of weight and now she can't keep it off".   I was doing this for my health... Heart, type 1 diabetes and familial hyperlipidemia.  (I know the diabetes wont go away but it should reduce my insulin needs which are quite high.)  I guess the malabsorption doesn't last much longer than a year... so, wont my high cholesterol come back?  Which in turn will continue to hurt my heart.... I have 2 more months to go on physician monitored diet and then Im good to go. I've done everything else.  Is it just normal cold feet?  I didn't post this in the main forum cause I feel like people tend to be very harsh with those trying to figure things out but I would love to know your thoughts... Thanks!

I would say that's an absolutely normal fear! I know we started a discussion a few weeks ago about this, and came to the conclusion that we all knew how to gain weight, and we all knew how to lose weight by the time we got through this, but we're all learning as we go about how to maintain weight!

Hang in there - and hang in here. We can talk through anything.

Actually - realizing you have a FEAR of it is good!  It's those that think the surgery will fix them forever and think they can eat anything want from here on out that end up in trouble - no, it doesn't work that way.

Your malabsorption will last to 18 months, maybe a bit longer.  I think mine lasted about 2 years. 

That is the time when you start learning and incorporating good eating habits into your day-to-day life.  When its time for maintenance, it will be normal to you - and you'll recognize and WANT to make the right choices!

Never fear to ask a question here.  That's what we're here for.

Surgery, if it is DS or RNY, is likely to help greatly with your diabetes.  I'm thinking it is type 2 that the cure rate is so good but I think it is also a great help with type 1.  My high cholesterol went away.  We have some folks who are still on cholesterol meds because theirs is from family, not food. 
You will certainly lose weight when you have surgery.  The trick, we have found, is keeping it off.  Establishing good eating habits while you are in the honeymood period helps but one way or the other, you still have your "tool", your smaller capacity.  Yes, you can eat around any surgery.  That's why many of us vets hang around, getting the support we need and staying honest to the journey. 
Certainly, talk to your Dr about your specific concerns and the chances for improvement.  but also know you have a support group here to help of folks who are making it work long term.

Yeap, your fear is normal....

To address your concerns from the DS point of view:
Type 1 diabetes...you are right, it will get better as in needing less insulin but never go away...you don't make insulin so only a pancreas transplant can cure that.

High lipids...mine are genetic, always ran high unless I was on lipitor (none of the others worked). So knowing I was headed for surgery, in Oct 2010, I stopped them. my pre-op cholesterol was well over 240 on no meds bu****ching my diet (I was low carbing because I AM a type 2 but WAS on an insulin pump and metformin). The first lipid profile after my DS was 189...no meds and three months out...my last lipid profile, my total cholesterol was 179 on no meds and we eat FULL FAT everything we can. In fact, I cook with bacon grease in my veggies and slather REAL butter on everything I can.

The DS keeps it's food malabsorption longer than the RNY...not saying it doesn't come back some but we will forever malabsorb food (at least the long term vets out there still are). Malabsoprtion of viamins is forever on both the RNY and DS.

DS'ers figure their food intake this way:
60% of protein is absorbed
20% of all fat is absorbed (in fact we need lots of it for many of us to stay regular and not get constipated)
60% of complex carbs
100% of simple carbs such as sugar

When you figure the math, we can eat close to 3000 calories (focusing on protein and fat) and still absorb less than half of it. http://www.dsfacts.com/ds-math.html

With that said...if it's genetic, it could still run higher than you want which mine is doing at 179 (my husband also had the DS 5 weeks before me and his is running 139 eating the same meals), but 179 is STILL lower than the cutoff for medication.

Make sure you check out all your options.

Liz

If you are having RNY or DS, you will lose weight during the malabsorption part.  Now keeping it off after that is entirely up to you.  It is not a fix all forever.  During the losing period you will hopefully get into better eating and exercise habits that you will continue the rest of your life.  Are we perfect - NO.  We are all going to eat things we like or want but you need to make sure to get right back on track.

My biggest advise is to stay connected to a support group, either here or in person.  If you have RNY, do not drink 30-45 minutes after you meals.  Follow the rules.  Get plenty of protein(100+ per day - not 60 - 70) and use Protein drinks.  Track your food especially in the beginning so you really know what you are getting and you don't have to try and remember because a couple of bites here and there are very easy to forget about.

I think all of us worried about being the failure.  It is a good thing to worry some.  Like Liz said, study all the different types of surgery and make sure you get the right one for you.  Gina(MajorMom just posted what her surgeon uses to best see what type would work for you and your eating habits).

Linda

 Thank you for all your insite and support. I really appreciate it.  My surgeon wants me to have the RNY but I'm sure part of that is because the DS isn't a covered surgery. I have looked at the DS. My mom had the DS but I think RNY is a good choice for me.  I just want so much to do this for life. To be healthy. to be strong... to be less tired.... I want to play with my son and do things with my family.  Thanks again for all your support. I'm going to try and find major mom's post.

Thanks again!

Here's a link to the post - http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/wls_lightweights/4544323/Good-Morning-Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock/

make sure you take the time to be sure you're getting the surgery that's right for YOU - what works for the rest of us relates to us.  You need to be sure what YOU need, and we'll all support you with whatever choice that is.