ObesityHelp

Well. I had duodenal switch but I had similar fears. I had no complications and did really well. No rollercoaster just a wild ride from all the changes.

Good luck.

 I'm 17 days post op and I found surgery and recovery to be one of the hardest things I've ever done.  I researched for a year before having the surgery, attended support groups and talked to others who had the surgery.  Even given all that preparation, I was still surprised by how much pain I had post-op (for about the first 5 days, then it got much better).  

The psychological and behavioural changes are intense post-op...at least for me.
I don't regret having the surgery since I had very clear and compelling reasons to go for it.  Not having the surgery had consequences and risks, too, and these ones were not ones that I wanted to tolerate.

Everyone has different pain thresholds, responds to change differently and has unique social supports available to them.  Its hard to say what your experience will be like.  It is a risk because there are several unknowns.  Make sure you are clear about your compelling reasons to go ahead with the surgery, if you decide to do this.

Best of luck with your decision!

I had the gastric sleeve and I could not be happier. Everyone is different and you never know what the outcome is until you go through with it. Today's WLS is not the same as the WLS of yesterday years. However, you do need to do your research, find out why you believe you eat what you eat and what has made you gain weight, and then see what surgery would come closest to providing the tool you need to help you lose weight.

From my experience, I wouldn't say I experienced anything traumatic, there was just an adjustment period for the first couple of months. The body experiences some type of shock because there is a dramatic difference in what you eat preop & postop. Then there is some hair loss, bouts of tiredness, adjusting to the new regimen of trying to get all your protein, water & nutrients although you would rather not be bothered.

At the end of the day, you have to remind yourself of why you are pursuing WLS in the first place. I'd rather experience these moderate temporary inconveniences than continue to shorten my life and add multiple health ailments because I refuse to take advantage of help that is available.

Best of luck to you!!!!

 The emotional part varies a lot from person to person.  The toughest thing for me has been going out to eat and watching others with big plates of food that I liked before, but can't have now.  I might be able to have small amounts of most things later, or not.  Also right now a lot of things just don't taste good at all.

As to giving up foods forever RNY and the DS are malabsorption procedures and from what I read both are quite sensitive to carbs/sugars.  RNY patients tend to get dumping, while DS patients tend to get diarrhea.  Patients with VSG (sleeve) can have these problems, but don't always, or even most of the time.

Post surgery your taste will probably change and there may be foods that you no longer tolerate.  It varies a good deal from person to person.  Some lucky ducks come out with no intolerances and can eat anything.

I had my sleeve at the end of 2011.  For me eggs feel like I ate bricks, ground pork made me feel ill, and (at least for now) beef and chicken don't taste good.  I've read that the meat might taste fine again in a few more months.  I was told that rice is a no, never food because it expands in the stomach and it is painful.  My surgeons nutritionist included pasta too, but some seem to tolerate pasta, at least in the small amounts that one can eat after getting in one's protein.  For now I'm not supposed to have any grain products.  I was told to not add them until 6 months out.

And about the cereal and milk?  Yeah, that is a problem.  Most surgeons advise that you don't drink with your food to avoid vomitting.  Maybe a long timer could chime in on if they have been able to eat that...I wouldn't depend on it.