Question:
Surgery Types & Regrets- Comment Not Question
Every few days a new question pops up about regrets post surgery. This is one of the reasons the research is so very important. Those of you seeking NEED to know that there is more out there than just the RNY. I'll repeat that this is a very personal choice, and I have absolutely NO PROBLEM with whatever surgery type someone chooses, but PLEASE make sure you know what's out there before you get carried away by the excitement and take the first procedure you learn about. I have not had a single moment of regret, and I'm 15 weeks out tomorrow. HOWEVER, I had a BPD (biliopancreatic diversion) 2/3 of my stomach was removed and my 'common channel' was shortened. I lose weight by restriction and by malapsorbtion. I can eat anything I want, though I continue to 'retrain' myself to make smarter food choices. I push protien and get my water and supplements. Some foods I cannot eat in abundance becuase of gas issues, but moderation seems to work with just about everything. Yes, my loss is slower than those who have had the RNY, yes, I get a bit more gas than others, and yes, it's a VERY invasive and extensive procedure, but after jumping through all the hoops and learning MASSIVE amounts about the RNY, the band and the BPD, I am completely satisfied with my choice, and in the end, that's what it's all about. Being happy with your choice and regaining health by losing the weight. Good luck everyone, and God bless! ~Peace — Joscelin (posted on September 15, 2002)
September 15, 2002
I agree with you. There are alot of different surgeries, and I have chosen
the DS also. I am going to Brazil on Monday, and surgery will be Thursday.
I have been researching this since the first of the year. I read about
all of them, and the DS is a chance at a "normal" life, what ever
that is. But you have to do research, research, research! Go to
Amazon.com and buy some books, scour the internet! But check them all out
before you make this great big decision. Jackie
— Jacklyn C.
September 15, 2002
And, one more thing. I think when people find out more about the DS, there
will be alot more people wanting it!
— Jacklyn C.
September 15, 2002
I agree that people should look into all the surgeries before deciding. I
looked into DS and chose RNY because, for me, the issue was late-night
binge eating. I didn't eat a lot at every sitting during the day and I
wasn't a big snacker or sweets eater. But, I needed control over the
VOLUME I could take in when carb-driven binge-eating hit me hard. I wanted
the restrictive aspect of RNY more than the malabsorption aspect (which
scared and still scares me a bit, even as an RNY). Gotta keep up with our
supplements either way, don't we? I didn't go for the band because I just
didn't like the idea of having a port floating around my stomach, and I
noticed there were a fair number of revisions from VBG to RNY (please don't
jump on me, "band" folks, I know it works for many people but I
was afraid that, with my binging habits, I'd be one of those people who'd
wind up eating around the band using soft stuff like ice cream and mashed
potatoes).<P>One "regret" I do have -- sort of -- is that I
wish my RNY had involved stomach transsection, not stomach stapling.
Transsection means the total separation of the stomach from the new pouch,
not just stapling between the two. Though my surgeon used 8 rows of
staples -- say, do I get a volume discount from Office Depot with that? :P
-- I've since read more about the procedure and have a nagging, small
concern that someday, oh please I hope not, I might need a revision down
the line if I ever get a SLD (staple line disruption). SLD doesn't
necessarily happen 'cause you eat too much and "break" your
staple line due to "bad behavior," though I imagine it can happen
that way. Apparently, it can also happen because the body, in some cases,
just flat-out rejects staples as foreign objects, and silently works to get
'em out of there in the long run. It's not a common problem like hernias,
most RNYs will never experience it, but now I think stomach transsection is
the better RNY procedure. Just my non-M.D. 2c!
— Suzy C.
September 15, 2002
Happy RNY here! I can eat ANYTHING! in limited quanties. Including sweets.
Too much sugar and I feel YUK, for 20 minutes or so. This is GOOD, those
foods helped make me MO... I didnt want the D/S since as you state 2/3 of
your stomach was removed. All of my parts are still in there if ever
needed. Besides the higher malabsorbtion risks with the D/S frightened me.
My surgeon does very few of them for this reason. Given all this I made the
right choice for me and am glad you did for you! WLS SAVES LIVES!!!
— bob-haller
September 15, 2002
I wanted to add, I now eat volume wise what other thin folks do. I watched
this on our cruise. I thought EVERYONE pigged out cruising, but thats not
the case. MO folks do but thin people eat normal quanties with one dessert.
I am glad I am one of them.<P> The RNY cant eat but a single egg is
only temporary!
— bob-haller
September 16, 2002
I do agree that it is very important to research the different types of
surgery and choose the one that is right for YOU. I have noticed, though,
that RNY tends to get bashed a lot on here by folks who don't have an RNY.
I don't know if it makes them feel more secure in their own decision to
list out the "evils" of the other surgery or what. It is almost
like they are trying to recruit others. Kinda weird! I am like Bob and--at
goal--eat like a "normal thin person." I do every once in a while
have a lapse and try to go back to eating less healthy, then my dumpometer
kicks in and I go back to "the program." I am thrilled with my
results and wouldn't change a thing. As far as folks with the
"other" surgeries: Congratulations and more power to you! Just
don't speak for me when you list the evils of RNY. I am a thin and happy
camper! =)
— ctyst
September 16, 2002
Hi, my ame is bonnie. I too had the ds and feel the same way you do. But
your post hit an area that I do have some concern with. I think I am
loosing weight slower than an RNY and am constantly beating my self up,
something I thought I would not do anymore post surgery. Do you have any
info on the rate of weight loss w/ DS. will I be able to get to a goal
weight of 145. I started at 333 on dec 4 /02 I am about 240 now. I keep
being my dr's nutrionist saying I only have a year to make this work. well
if that is the case, I have failed once again and then i do get a bit
depressed and wonder if I did make a mistake by not getting RNY
— BB B.
September 16, 2002
Julie, you are so right about doing enough research before you make your
decision. However, I must add, that due to some insurances, and to the
lack of choice in doctors (either not in insurance plan or only 1 does WLS
in your area), some WLS patients are stuck with the type of surgery they
can have. Also, while doing my research, I found alot of local doctors
that did open, not lap. I finally found my lap surgeon, but have heard of
others that did not have that option. I also considered the adjustable lap
band but only until I found out my insurance would not pay for it.
— Cindy R.
September 16, 2002
Cindy, I hear you on the insurance thing! I started out wanting the
RNY,(researched my buns off!) until I learned about the DS, switched my
studying and got gung ho on the DS.. my surgeon quit doing the DS 2 weeks
before my initial consult. When she met me, my weight was 50 pounds more
than I thought. I was told I was not a safe candidate for the invasive
procedures. We went for the band (I thought I had no other choice so I
resigned myself to not getting the surgery I wanted.) I studied the band
BIG TIME. My insurer said NO to the band, and NO to an appeal on said
band. It was then that my surgeon (wonderful and talented woman that she
is) said she'd do the BPD for me if it was what I truly wanted. *stops to
breathe* So you see.. been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. *G* I
cheer for every one of us who achieves SOME form of surgery to battle this
life sentence of obesity. Now if only the insurance companies would wake
up and smell the.. hmm..smell the.. flowers! Yes, flowers! (since some of
us can't tolerate coffee anymore..LOL). Thanks for making a great point
Cindy.
— Joscelin
September 16, 2002
I totally agree with you. I wanted the BP first off, however my insurance
would not cover the after care cost of the program the Doctor perfroming
it, required. I did proceed with RNY, and I think you just make
"your" surgery work for you, ya know? Research is a MUST. I
cannot stand it when I read stuff that says "nobody told me"
(whether WLS or anything in life!). Nobody SHOULD have to tell you
anything, you should research anything (including that Edsel you may have
purchased!) and be responsibile for yourself (i.e. McDonalds Hot Coffee!)
:)
PEACE
— Karen R.
September 16, 2002
Research can do a lot for you. I came to weight loss surgery thinking I'd
have a lap band... at that time, they weren't doing it in the US. So I
lost some weight, gained it and more back and then looked again. The FDA
had approved it by then for use in the US. I met a doctor in my area and
didn't like him. Then I decided I wanted a BPD/DS ... but I needed a new
doctor. I met Dr. A.. and did a lot of research on the RnY.. and decided
the open RnY would work perfectly for me. I'm so glad I did it. Sugar is
my main problem, along with quantity... so its been good to me so far. I
haven't had more than 1/2 teaspoon of any kind of sweet.. I'm too scared.
but that 1/2 teaspoon of Grand Marnier Creme Brulee would have been worth
it... yum! This is a great post.
— Lisa C.
January 29, 2003
No matter what surgical choice you desire... the most important point for
all WLS patients is it needs to be OUR choice! NOT the choice of our
insurance company.
I had the BPD D/S and this was the only surgery I wanted to have. I had
many many reasons for my choosing the BPD D/S after intensive research of
all options. And thank God I could choose any of the surgeries I wanted
because my insurance was willing to pay for any of them.
This is not always so with so many insurance companies ...limiting the WLS
community to having what they dictate.
It's MY body and no one should tell me what procedure I MUST have for the
convenience of a greed-driven industry which is just what the insurance
industry is driven by.
I live happily and healthily everyday.. MORE then happy with my decision to
have my BPD D/S. I am so alive and content and satisfied with my world and
the place food now has in it. :)
Whatever surgery you have...bless us all. To finally be free from the
prison called Obesity.
This is Life!
— Pamela C.
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