Kinda of Freaked Out

Ok I am kinda freaking out.  I keep hearing about the long common channel that Dr. Anthone uses...
Is this true?
How does this affect weight loss?
Do I have any say in how long he leaves my common channel?
Will I not be able to lose all of my weight with a longer common channel?
Why does he leave such a long common channel?
(I knew nothing about this when I met with him... or I would have asked!)

I am really concerned - I want to be successful and lose all my weight.  I am willing to eat the DS way but don't want to have to "diet", if that makes sense.  I was just reading another Dr. Anthone's patient's post and was kinda worried that would be me in about 5 months (provided I get my DS soon).  I mean her NUT is telling her to eat low fat and low carb - isn't that like an RNY diet??

Any help here would be really appreciated!!

First of all, don't worry about what the NUT said. MOST of them say the same damn thing. We are all used to hearing RNY advice from our nutritionists. Our standard response is to:

1. Smile
2. Nod
3. Think, "You stupid twit".
(Repeat as necessary)

Plenty of people have had excellent success with longer common channels. Check out the lab rat data at http://www.epursimuove.com/ds. You can sort by channel length or by surgeon and see how people have done in comparison with others.

Thanks for the steps on dealing with the NUT!!

And super thanks for the lab rat data, that was really helpful!!

I have a 150 cm CC which is what Dr. Anthone uses as well. I'm down 95 pounds in 7 months -- I don't think I'm doing poorly.

I look great, I feel fantastic, my Dr. is very pleased with my progress and I'm healthy.

The longer common channel is generally used to lessen the bad side-effects of the DS (like gas) and increase absorption of nutrients. It is NOT a bad thing.

The case you are referring to is unusual and not typical. I wouldn't worry about it. I initially did a bit of a freak out about the longer CC before my surgery because I was concerned I might not lose all my weight then I sat back and realize my Dr. is the expert on this. Not me.

I trusted him to do a good job and he did. The rest .. it's up to me. My efforts make my results. 

If you want to insist on a smaller CC he might do it. Or you might have to find another surgeon. Personally, looking at lab rat data those with longer CC's lose as well as others with shorter. There are plenty of people with shorter CC's who haven't lost all their weight which to me indicates that the CC is NOT the defining factor.

ETA: I don't diet but I am careful about what I eat. I do eat a fairly low-fat diet and eat only 3x a day. I eat this way because it is what my body prefers.

You are doing great!!!  Thanks for posting, your points were well made and I am certainly taking them  into consideration!

I had not really thought about common channel and had not know how long others were...so the lab rat data was helpful - as is all the people that have posted!  I just heard "Dr. Anthone's long common channels" and freaked out!

Something I didn't mention and it may be specific to me, or not. I don't have gas issues. I can eat all the carbs I want and not get gas like MANY other DS'ers. I attribute it to the longer CC as that was the intent.

Thanks for adding that.  Its good information!

I think at first it might be smart to stick with low-fat and don't go crazy with carbs until you figure out how your body deals with the changes.  Another thread today talked about some people who cannot 'eat all the fat they want'.  My nutritionist knows the DS very well and told me not to worry about carbs (so my body doesn't freak out in the beginning) and to eat low-fat.  I know I'll figure it out once I'm healed and find the balance my particular body needs.  That may be more fat, that may be less fat.

My doc recommended a 125cc for me, but I'm going to talk to him more about this.  Just have the conversation and tell your doc your concerns. 

I think what happens is we're so used to no diet ever working we are sure that WE are going to be the one's to break the DS......I believe that whatever we're given we can figure out our balance and make it work with much greater ease than we did before.  More like a 'normal' person.

Take a deep breath and keep talking!!

I didn't really take into account how far out the person was...the long timer's talk about fat this and that and I was forgetting that they have had their DS's for awhile now!!  Balance is the key, you are so right!  And to find that I am sure it will be trial and error.

And yeah I am assuming that I am going to be the ONE who broke her DS! 

Thanks!!

Resumes breathing

I think it's so hard to really, constructively take in all the information we're getting without feeling overwhelmed.  Plus, we're so sure that being overweight is all our fault (thanks society) we're sure this will fail and be our fault too!

It's an extremely overwhelming process.  You're doing great though and asking lot's of great questions.