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Surgeon Testimonial

Marek Lutrzykowski, M.D.
At almost one year out, I can not begin to express my happiness with Dr. L, Julie and the DS. I had great care from Dr. L AND Julie, was given a pager number in case I needed anything while staying in my hotel for recovery which I used and got a call back in less than 10 minutes!rnrnI have never been happier, healthier or more sure that I chose the right surgeon and right surgery for me. I will scream it from the rooftops, Dr. L is ONE MIRICLE MAN! The level of care was second to none and I would tell anyone interested in having the DS with Dr. L to GO FOR IT!!!
Member Interests

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by kookiez on 9/8/08 5:48 pm
    Hope its all smooth sailing hugs kookie
  • Comment by scotiansunshine on 9/8/08 5:09 pm
    Congrats on your new Boobies!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wishing you a speedy recovery!! Shelley
  • Comment by DS Facts on 9/8/08 4:49 pm
    Happy TATA Day! Good luck with your surgery Randy. I hope you have a very speedy recovery.
Click here for the surgery support page

 

ferretaid's Blog
ferretaid's Blog


Sometimes a little stress
on November 24, 2008 10:29 pm
While I know most girls will think I'm crazy, some of you may be able to relate to my stress. I've never had issues attracting men into my life, even as an 'fat' girl. I've always dated and met men with ease. However, lately has been a little out of control.

The amount of attention I get is just insane. It really bothers me and sometimes brings me to tears. I sometimes feel that men are only nice to me because of the way I look and/or they are 'hitting' on me. Srangers are cheeky and come up to me off the street. Men in cars pull over and ask me for my number. Friends of friends 'friend' me of Facebook and ask me out.

I'm not the type of person to hurt other people's feelings so I always just smile and move on but this is really starting to get on my nerve and makes me feel really blue. I feel like I can't be myself or dress myself and find myself wearing baggy clothing and covering up. This is what I did when I was overweight, why the hell do I still feel like I need to cover my body!!!

I find that some of my female friends are showing a little jealousy and that makes me sad too. I know things will eventuially calm down once everyone around me is used to the 'new' me but I find myself closing myself in with my male friends, hanging on the sofa, drinking beer, watching 'footie' and staying out of the public places I used to enjoy. I find my male friends or my 'boyz' as I call them have been most supportive lately (though they tease me on the size of my new boobs). I just want to be free to be me and not feel guilty or uncomfortable in my new body.

I know it's crazy, it's just how I feel.
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A year and a half later (almost)
on October 29, 2008 8:45 pm
In just over a week, it will be a year and a half since I started this journey. In some ways it felt like it took forever to get where I am now but in most ways, it feels like I blinked and voila! I'm here, where I have wanted to be for so many years. I feel blessed to have this new body and life. I am truly happy and feel great. I eat well and enjoy time with the many true friends I have.

 May'07            Aug'07         Nov'07  Apr'08   May'08    Oct '08
Arm    13 1/2             12.8            12         11          10 1/2    10
Leg     28                    22.5            21         20 1/2    20          19
calf     18 1/2             16               15          14 1/2    14          13 1/2
weist   45                   37 1/2         35          33         31           29 1/2
u. bust 46 1/2             41 1/2        41 1/2    36          34          32 1/2
bust     49                    44 1/2        44 1/2    40         36           38 (post plastics)
stomach   57                49              47          45         40           38
hip       2                     46               45          42         39            38
neck  15                     13               13          12 3/4    12 1/2     12


Some of my favorite foods right now are cheese and crackers, yogurt, pizza, cheese chips (recipe in my blog), fried rice with veggies and tofu, scalops glazed with maple and tuna toasties. Feelin' fine :)

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Support from a friend
on October 24, 2008 10:37 am
This arrived in my in-box this morning. Brought tears to my eyes. I am truly blessed to have the friendships and support systems I have. Much love to all!

I remember when you first decided to start this journey to change your life and how you were feeling. It wasn't an easy decision for you, surgery, weight loss, moving, going back to work, etc. I know you wanted it but there was a lot of hesitation in what changes to make, when to do it, and of course if it was the right decision for the time.
I look at you today and see a very different person. You took control of things, didn't let the pain manage you and fought back.
A few years ago you wouldn't be able to go to the shoppers around the corner, now you spend entire evening s out, walking, standing and though it's not easy the difference is clear. I hope you are very proud of yourself. It wasn't an easy journey, you had a lot of additinal pain and stress.
Today you move better, live more independant, and best of all take a pride in yourself that wasn't always (sometimes but not always) there. You carry yourself with a confidance that was missing years ago and it's very becoming. I am sure that your mother would be proud to see the woman you are today. Not letting the pain rule you and taking charge, making your life what you want it is something many cannot do.
Just wanted to take a moment to say how proud I am to know you.
Love,
Shannan
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Plastics!
on October 21, 2008 7:33 am
On Sep 8th 2008, I went to Toronto Western Hospital for a tummy tuck and breast implants. The doc was fantastic, the nurses were fantastic and I really didn't feel too much pain, with thanks to the great drugs!

3 days after surgery, the doc saw me. He was so surprised at how well I was doing, how well I was moving around and how happy I was. He told me I was his star patient (what a curse!!!) The following week, the drains came out. After a couple days, I had an open wound much like the one I delt with after my DS.

2 weeks of IV antibiotics and there still was not much improvment. my veins continued to collapse and I would need to go to emerg to get new IVs started, the pain in the iv site drove me to tears. I eventuially got real fed up and ripped out my IV. Couldn't stand the pain any more.

As it turned out, it was a good thing (not that I tell any of you to do this!) but I wasn't on the right antibiotics!! I had 2 different infections and the antibiotics were only good on one of them. SO, another 3 weeks of oral antibiotics and the wound is *almost* fully healed.

I'm still super weak and tired but happy :)
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One year later (okay and a few extra days lol!)
on May 20, 2008 7:40 pm
Well, here I am. Last year at this exact moment, I was crawling into my bed at the Drury inn, a morbidly obese person for the last time. I had done all my pooping (lovely bowel prep) and kissed my  Patrick good night. 

I lay in bed, awake, not worried but totally excited to start my new life.  The clock ticked all night long. I couldn't sleep. I wanted to be at the hospital, in my gown with all the good pre-op drugs. I wanted to be in surgery, wake up that new me and begin the rest of my life. I knew I would never again be the fat person I was that day. I knew I was about to begin the rest of my life.
   

Here I am, a year later, down over 120 pounds. I have a new body, a new sparkle in my eyes, a new lust for life, a new home and as of today, a new job. My life has taken a TOTAL about face and I have NEVER in my life been happier than I am today. 

In this last year, I have been an angel to Doron (Zappre) for his post surgery updates, urged my friend Roxx to fight for the DS she so wanted and am now helping another friend along the same path. 

I LOVE my DS, couldn't possibly think of life with any other surgery and I feel like I am worth a million bucks. I am happy, settled and well on my way to that forever happy person I always knew I could be.
  If I had to do this ALL over again, I would do it in a heartbeat. I may have had a few regrets along the way, but I regret NOTHING now. I am sad that I lost a friend during this journey but this was a journey I had to take. I am glad I did, feel stronger than I ever have and am ready to take the world on!   

Thank you ALL, every one of you who have been my friends, my support and my lifeline through this journey. I love you all and am glad that I have you in my life.
  So, as of today I am officially allowed to drink :) I'll be celebrating with a full glass of vodka on Friday and will raise a glass to you all :) Tee hee hee!!   
  
      May'07            Aug'07         Nov'07  Apr'08   May'08 
Arm    13 1/2             12.8            12         11          10 1/2
Leg     28                    22.5            21         20 1/2    20
calf     18 1/2             16               15          14 1/2    14
weist   45                   37 1/2         35          33         31
u. bust 46 1/2             41 1/2        41 1/2    36          34
bust     49                    44 1/2        44 1/2    40         36
stomach   57                49              47          45         40
hip       2                     46               45          42         39
neck  15                     13               13          12 3/4    12 1/2


SO, now I move on. I'm planning a self pay boobie job and tummy tuck. As a pre-op lightweight, I don't have enough extra skin to warrant OHIP to pay for any skin removal so, I will use all the credit in the world and finish this journey on my own. Yup, it's expensive but it's something I have to do in order to feel 100% good about me. I am hoping for a surgery date in Late October or mid November. I'll keep you all updated :) MANY HUGZ!!
 
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My Story

My name is Randy. I'm ready for surgery and ready for a new, healthy and pain free outlook on life. This is really my last hope in being normal again. I Have a ferret named Toot who is my best friend in the whole world. He loves me no matter how fat or painful I am. He makes me laugh.

I am lucky enough to have the world's most awesome friends but have no family. My friends have been my family for a long time and I am so happy to have them!! 

I gained over 100 lbs after being hit by a transport truck on the highway 5 1/2 years ago. I'm still in a lot of pain but believe this weight is contributing to my pains.

Posted by ~~@ Lola @~~

It never ceases to amaze me that one persons reason for getting a particular surgery, is another persons reason to NOT get that surgery.

RNY - I got the surgery so I'd dump and the fear of that would keep me away from sugar.
DS - I got the surgery so that I wouldn't dump.

RNY - I needed the restriction to correct my relationship with food.
DS - I didn't want the restriction because I want to enjoy my relationship with food.

RNY - I wanted/needed to change my eating habits.
DS - I've dieted my whole life -- I want to quit dieting.

RNY - I'm sick of dieting and failing.
DS - I'm sick of dieting and failing.

RNY - I want a tool that I can work.
DS - I want a surgery that does the work.

RNY - I didn't want to be able to cheat the surgery.
DS - I want to be able to 'cheat' from time to time.

RNY - I want to be healthy.
DS - I want to be healthy.

RNY - I didn't want someone cutting off my stomach.
DS - I don't want a blind stomach.

RNY - I don't want to have to eat massive amounts of food.
DS - I want to be able to eat what I want.

RNY - I needed to change my habits.
DS - I've been trying to change my habits my whole life!

RNY - I never want to eat sugar or fat again!
DS - I don't want sugar and fat to be 'off-limits'.

The best choice is an informed choice!


RNY compared to the DS ... This excellent comparison was composed by Hayley F.

RNY – expected weight loss

    * 50-65% expected excess weight loss (percentage varies in opinion – this is the most commonly seen estimate)
          ~ Results may vary
    * Regain
          ~ Possible regain: 50% of weight after 5 years
          ~ 100% regain of weight has been recorded
          ~ Must follow “pouch rules” in an attempt to not regain
          ~ RNY must exercise and diet to maintain weight loss after 5 years

 DS – expected weight loss

    * 85% expected excess weight loss
          ~ Results may vary
    * Regain
          ~ Studies show little to no regain
          ~ 20 lb gain from lowest weight has been recorded
          ~ Highest success rate over 10 year study (78% avg. Excess Weight Loss – EWL)

RNY – have a stoma (stomach made into a pouch – size of an egg)


    * Size: 2 oz
          ~ Stretch to average size of 6 oz in 2 years  (possible to stretch up to 9-10 oz)
          ~ You can eat more as time goes by
          ~ Average after 1 year is 1-1.5 cups of food
    * Stoma: blind pouch
          ~ Doctor evaluation: cannot use an endoscope (to find ulcers and tumors)
          ~ Cannot take Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAID).
    * NSAIDs are: Advil, Alka Seltzer, Aleve, Anacin, Ascriptin, Aspirin, Bufferin, Coricidin, Cortisone, Dolobid, Empirin, Excedrin, Feldene, Fiorinol, Ibuprofen, Meclomen, Motrin, Nalfon, Naprosyn, Norgesic, Tolectin, Vanquish
          ~ NSAIDs are used for arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, back pain, headaches, and general aches and pains. This could develop into a bleeding ulcer and interfere with kidney function.
    * Possible Problems
          ~ Ulcers (Doctor’s recommend taking prilosec for 1-2 years in an attempt to prevent the ulcers)
          ~ Possibility of a staple line failure
          ~ Noncompliance: simply do not lose enough (even with following the rules)
          ~ Vitamin Deficiencies
          ~ Narrowing/blockage of the stoma
          ~ Vomiting if food is not properly chewed or if food is eaten to quickly
          ~ Dumping syndrome and NIPHS/Hypoglycemia
                + No Valves (pyloric valve that opens and closes to let food enter intestines is bypassed) which means food empties directly into the small intestines and causes dumping and NIPHS/Hypoglycemia
    * Dumping: food (most commonly sugar but not necessarily “just” sugar) enters/dumps directly into small intestines and causes physical pain (some people believe this pain enforces good eating habits)
          ~ Dumping varies in degree of occurrence and discomfort
          ~ Dumping symptoms:
                + Nausea
                + Vomiting
                + Bloated stomach
                + Diarrhea
                + Excessive sweating
                + Increased bowel sounds
                + Dizziness
                + “Emotional” reactions
    * NIPHS (insulin over production): “the body overproduces insulin in response to food entering the intestines at a point where food would normally be more digested already - this part of the intestine is not used to coping with metabolizing glucose in the condition it arrives after RNY, and it is suspected that the intestine signals the pancreas for more insulin to aid digestion, causing a MASSIVE overproduction.  The change occurs on a cellular level, hard to diagnose.  Treatment: Removal of half the pancreas.”
          ~ RNY stoma that is created allows food to go straight through the stomach into the small intestine unrestricted so it does not control the flow.  Because of that the body reads that it needs more insulin because the food is moving through so quickly and it thinks there's going to be a lot more food.  With the DS, the normal peristalsis works because the pyloric valve is in place and can control the movement of food into the small intestines.  
          ~ NIPHS/Hypoglycemia is deadly if not corrected

 DS – whole stomach (size of banana)

    * “Whole working stomach” - meaning the stomach’s outer curvature is removed as opposed to making a pouch/stoma.
          ~ Part of the stomach removed is where most of the hormone called Grehlin is produced.
          ~ Grehlin gives the sensation of hunger so by removing most of that section of the stomach a DSer is not as hungry as before.
    * Whole working stomach: no blind stomach.  Endoscope can be used.
    * Can take NSAIDs
    * Do not need to take Prilosec to prevent ulcers.
    * Valves are in tack: no Dumping Syndrome or NIPHS

 RNY – Eating

    * Recommended to chew food to liquid (most important early out)
          ~ Foods need to be thoroughly chewed to prevent blockage (the hole/path leaving the stomach and into the intestine is the size of an eraser).
          ~ To get food unstuck, patients drink meat tenderizer mixed with water.
    * 64 oz of water
          ~ Stop drinking within 15-30 minutes of a meal
          ~ Do not begin drinking after a meal for 1-1.5 hours
          ~ Not encouraged to use a straw (pushes food too quickly through the stomach and can cause gas/discomfort)
    * Low carbohydrates (carbohydrates can slow weight loss)
          ~ Avoid sugars (to prevent dumping syndrome and slowed weight loss and/or weight gain)
    * Low fat
          ~ Foods high in fat can also cause Dumping Syndrome
    * Eat protein first
          ~ 60g of protein a day
    * Water Loading
          ~ 15 minutes before the next meal, drink as much as possible as fast as possible.
          ~ Water loading will not work if you haven’t been drinking over the last few hours.
          ~ You can water load at any time 2-3 hours before your next meal if you get hungry, which will cause a strong feeling of fullness.

DS – Eating

    * 80-100g of protein
          ~ DS patients can on average eat more food than any other type of weight loss surgery.
    * 64 oz of water
          ~ Can drink with meals
          ~ Can use a straw
    * Low carbohydrates (carbohydrates can slow the weight loss)
          ~ No dumping syndrome from eating sugar
    * Eat high in fat
          ~ DS only absorbs 20% of fat (do not need to eat low fat)
                + If a taco has 20g of fat, a DSer only absorbs 4g while a person without surgery or RNY absorbs ALL 20g.
                + When experiencing a “stall” (slowed weight loss/plateau) a DS patient commonly increases fat consumption

 RNY – Possible Issues

    * Vitamin deficiencies: Must follow a vitamin regime for the rest of your life
          ~ Common vitamin deficiencies found in vitamins B12, iron, and zinc
          ~ Calcium must be supplemented for the rest of your life
    * Bathroom issues
          ~ Gas
          ~ Constipation
    * Reversible procedure (Reversals of any surgery is very complicated)
          ~ Revision often performed instead of reversal

 DS – Possible Issues

    * Vitamin deficiencies: Must follow a vitamin regime for the rest of your life
          ~ Common vitamin deficiencies found in vitamins A, D, and iron
          ~ “Water soluble”/ “water miscible” / “dry” vitamins absorb best (in other words get vitamins that are not fat/oil based)
          ~ Calcium must be supplemented for the rest of your life
    * Bathroom issues
          ~ Gas
          ~ Loose stool (Most common in the first few weeks of surgery. Food related)
    * Reversible procedure
          ~ The intestinal bypass is reversible for those having malabsorptive complications
                + revision: lengthening common channel
          ~ Stomach is obviously not reversible (part of stomach was removed)

 RNY - Diabetes

    * 85% cure rate
          ~ RNY does not cure diabetes but puts it in remission.
          ~ Can come back in two or three years--even if the
            patient maintains most of their weight loss.
          ~ Even a small weight gain long-term can cause a diabetes
            relapse.

DS – Diabetes

    * 98 % cure rate for type II diabetes.

 
DS – Myth or Fact
The DS is only recommended for the super morbid obese (BMI over 60) = Myth / Not True

    * To be eligble for ANY type of weight loss surgery, a person has to be 100 lbs. over weight or have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more.
    * BMI’s under 40 have also been approved (usually require a comorbidy/health problem - an example is sleep apnea).

The DS is “experimental and investigational” = Myth / Not True

    * Medicare approves the DS
    * Many insurance companies are starting to cover the DS.
    * DS has been performed since the 1970s

DSer will have a problem when they become old = Not True


    * We wont need to eat as much when we are older b/c our bodies will adapt
    * The little hair-like villa located in the intestines grows longer to adjust to the new digestive system (grows longer to increase absorbtion).

DSer’s gas stink = true

    * The gas does smell. (This is true for the DS and RNY)
    * There are products called air fresheners that a person can use.

DSers may need to wear a diaper = Myth / Not True


    * That is silly

Skin color turns yellow or pallor = Myth / Not True


    * Patients who follow their regular vitamin regime (keep up with blood work) do not turn pallor
    * If someone looks pallor, they could have a vitamin deficiency.  This applies to any type of weight loss surgery.
    * Vitamins and blood work must be monitored for life. For both RNY and the DS.

DSers will have a heart attack from all the fatty food they eat = Myth / Not True

    * Cholesterol levels lower after having the DS.
    * 80% of the fatty food is not absorbed – the fatty food is healthier to eat as a DSer than a person without surgery.
    * If a taco has 20g of fat, a DSer only absorbs 4g while a person without surgery or a person with the RNY will absorb ALL 20g.  Good meal for the DSer.

Dsers don’t need to exercise = Myth / Not true

    * DSer’s are aware of the benefits of exercise (body and soul).
    * Exercise helps in losing weight and maintaining goal weight

 

Not every surgery will be right for everyone. Not every surgery will be covered by insurance. Good luck to everyone and thank you for reading my comparison chart. Hayley F.