Why I do it

Well, I don't intend to debate my posting style with you.  What I do works for me.  If you don't like it, don't read it.

And no, I don't care what surgery you have had -- past tense.  If you've made your choice and it isn't the DS, I move on -- nothing for ME to see here -- unless you post lies about the DS.  Why would I waste any more time or energy on someone who is a lost cause to me?

One of what I consider the cruelest lies being perpetriated by RNY and Lapband surgeons, and the sad sick pre-ops on themselves, is that they need to get into a "healthy relationship" with food.  That's just crap, for most people.  I believe that for most people, at the heart of their "unhealthy relationship" with food pre-op is an abnormal satiety issue -- a MEDICAL, not psychological or moral issue. 

The DS removes the majority of ghrelin-producing tissue from the stomach, reducing the abnormal cravings that many of us suffer, even after we have eaten "enough."  The sleeve mechanically limits the amount of food a DSer can eat at once -- and the smaller volume provides a clearer signal to the vagus nerve.  Food remains in the stomach to be churned into chyme and is released into the duodenum NORMALLY in a discrete bolus, a little at a time, rather than falling out a stoma into a section of intestine which was not designed to come into contact with stomach acid, resulting in marginal ulcers and dumping.

The specific instestinal reconstruction of the switch almost instantaneously cures type 2 diabetes in most cases, and in 98+% of the cases overall AND lasting 15+ years.  RNY stats aren't nearly as good -- and in some cases, the diabetes comes back when they gain weight, which almost never happens with the DS (and of course the DS regain rate is far lower as well).  Insulin metabolism is corrected by the DS, and for many of us, sweets lose some of their appeal, because after a few bites, they just taste too sweet (not everyone feels this, but a lot of us do).

Thus, many of us find that our relationship with food changes as a result of the DS, because our insulin metabolism is corrected, the ghrelin is gone, and the cravings are more often for PROTEIN than for carbs.  I do not feel like I had to change much of anything about my diet deliberately -- I just eat what I want the majority of the time, and what I want now seems to be the right foods, in the right amounts.  Nothing very hard about that.

For you, your relationship with food was about satiety.  I was never hungry before surgery.  I didn't know what hunger was.  I didn't get to 439 pounds by walking around hungry at any point in time.  And for most MO individuals, although certainly not all, it is about getting a healthy relationship with food and learning that food is not a crutch.  It doesn't make you feel better emotionally.  Quite the contrary in fact.

So continue to spread your word, but I would hope that people would read what you say, read what people with other surgeries have to say, discuss with their physician the many options and then make the decision on what is best for them.  I guess I just disagree with you that there is a cookie cutter surgery for everyone.  There isn't in my opinion. The DS works for you.  The RNY works for me.  I know lapbanders who are incredibly successful.  I even work with a woman who had WLS 17 years ago.  In the stone age back then, all they did was staple off your stomach and then put a permanent band around the part of the stomach that was left.  17 years after her surgery she actually wound up having to be scoped because of some problems around the band.  But she has maintained her weight loss.  Again, it's what works for the individual and how you use what you have. 

It's not just about whether you can "work your tool" -- some people can, and more power too them.  It's also about quality of life.

Hunger and cravings are different.  I had inappropriate craving for food, even when my stomach was "full."  The DS pretty much fixed that.  It's much easier to not eat when you don't feel the (biologically-driven) craving to eat.

With my RNY, my cravings went away almost as soon as I woke up from surgery.  I remember by the 3rd day home I did feel a craving.   I wanted protein.  Once I got some protein type pudding from my doctor and started to eat that, the cravings disappeared.  The head hunger of missing my food was very much there.  But that passed in time.

As for working the tool, that is just an expression people use.  My quality of life is great.  I eat what I want, when I want.  I eat like a "normal" person.  Although I hate that description.  I don't sit and eat bags of candy or cookies.  That is very unhealthy.  Protein sources, fruits, veggies make me happy.  I have alot more energy, and get up and go eating healthy.  Don't get me wrong, put a birthday cake in front of me and I'm having a piece.  But that is just the thing.  Everyone else is just having one piece too.  A piece of cake, a couple of cookies, and yes even the occassional alcoholic beverage are all part of my life.  As well as I'm afraid my diet soda's.  They are just not good for anyone.  But I admit it, my name is Stephanie and I'm a diet coke addict.

And now I must go to bed.  It is tax season and I have corporate returns waiting for me.  I better get some sleep.  I don't think there is enough coffee or diet cokes to keep me awake and thinking tomorrow without trying to get a decent nights sleep.

I would imagine that this kind of badgering is her style in court.  Steph....she will never get her intonation and how she comes across here. I have never been against the DS myself and in fact supported her when she came on the boards.  I am not against a DS and never have been.

I also believe that no matter what type of WLS you have you have to work it. DS'er claim that they can eat all these calories and no restrictions.....this is something that I do not believe as I have personally witnessd it. It just might take more time to show up than other types of WLS unless they relearn a new relationship with food.  WLS no matter what is a tool and it does not exclude the DS. Lifestyles have to be changed regardless.

OH is not a courtroom and there is no reason for her to talk to you or others like she has. Although she is trying to make point about the DS and as LuLu says "pimping it"...that is fine, but I really hate to see her be abusive to people. I applaud you for your intelligent bantering!

Good luck with the dreaded tax season!

My point in posting, which you know I never do;  I almost never come to the board anymore either.  However I was trying to make the point that the name calling on both sides of the issue is inappropriate and childish.

Ms. Cox has her opinion on WLS.  I have my opinion on WLS.  For me, after much research and discussions with my surgeon, who performs all types of weight loss surgeries, DS, RNY, Lapband, etc.  I made the decision that some of the side effects from the DS was not something I cared to live with.  My insurance would have paid for whatever I wanted.  This was my choice in conjunction with my doctor.

I think intelligent debate is great mental stimulation.  Debate your point with the person who is counter to your opinions.  But debate them, on both sides, in a mature, adult manner.  Present your arguments and then let everyone make up their own mind.

Will Ms. Cox be swayed from her opinion.  I highly doubt that could ever happen.  So instead of everyone attacking (on both sides) let those with other types of surgeries post the pros and cons of their surgery.  Perhaps Ms. Cox could post some of the cons of DS. I don't think she will because I don't believe she thinks there are any cons.  There are some. But it is her right to believe there are not and for her there might not be.  I'm just saying give a fair and accurate picture for all the surgical procedures and then let the individual decide what is best for them.

As I said to her, there is no cookie cutter surgery that is perfect for everyone.  We are all individuals with different needs.  Potential WLS patients must not just listen to Ms. Cox or myself or anyone for that matter.  They must listen to all sides of the equation and then make an informed decision.  A decision on what they can live with for the rest of their life.

No matter HOW you try to characterize my presentation of correct information about the DS, the fact is, more and more medical publications support my contention that the DS provides SUPERIOR weight loss, SUPERIOR maintenance of weight loss long term, SUPERIOR cure for type 2 diabetes, SUPERIOR long term health and comparative lack of malnutrition, etc.  So you go ahead and believe whatever you want -- I will continue to encourage pre-ops and potential revision patients to thoroughly research the DS option before making their decision about which surgery to have.

You and your ilk -- almost ALWAYS post-ops who are having to live with the effects of your surgical choice -- seem to be possessed by the need to find something wrong with my postings.  You always fail, and the controversy helps promote more dissemination of this information, so by all means, keep it up!

Are there negatives to the DS?  Of course -- there are negatives to all of the surgeries.  And I always direct people to read about the DS lifestyle on the DS forum, where we discuss the benefits and issues, including how to deal with them.  But the DS negatives need to be compared to the positives, and the ease with which the negatives can be avoided, and the superior outcome possible.  Take your supplements religiously, get your blood work done regularly and adjust the supplements as necessary; eat lots of protein.  If you can't commit to that, you have no business getting a DS.  If a particular food gives you problems with gas or loose stools, don't eat that food, eat it in moderation or eat it when you don't mind dealing with the result -- it's not that hard.

Ms. Cox, I think it is wonderful that you encourage and enlighten people with regard to the DS. As I stated, RNY, Lap Banders, etc. should do the same with regard to their surgical choice.  Pre-ops should know all the options and all the pros and cons of each surgical procedure.  Then, and only then can they make the decision of what is ultimately going to be their lifestyle choice in the future.

But as I also stated, I find it offensive both from you and those that have attacked you, the argumentative nature of  what should be constructive conversation.  I agree, the more people attack you, the more "drama" there is, the more people will read what you have to say.  Is that the most constructive way to get your point across?  I think not.  I think it is devisive and possibly counterproductive to the ultimate goal of educating pre-ops on their weight loss choices. I believe they miss what you are saying and just tune in to see the drama unfold.

Frankly, for me, I'm done with this banter.  I've had my say, as have you and I respect the fact that you and I will just continue to disagree on the delivery of the message.

I agree that it is helpful when post-ops of all surgery types post about their experiences.  Pre-ops benefit from knowledge of all surgeries.

As for your opinion, your being offended, etc., about my posting style, I couldn't care less what you think.  Period.  Really.  And frankly, I think that anyone who would be turned off from learning about the DS by reading these threads probably has no business getting a DS in the first place -- they need a surgery that doesn't require thinking (not that there is one, but the consequences of not being mindful about the very straightforward requirements of the DS can be more severe).

Just for clarification, because I'm annal like that, I'm not offended by your post with regard to the DS.  As you state, I could care less. I'm very secure in myself and in my choice of surgery. Do I understand why others may feel offended? Sure.  They are feeling attacked because of your wording for the choices they have made.They want to defend themselves and their surgical choice.  You are stating facts as you have researched them and I think everyone should do the same. Personally, as the saying goes, at least for me. "sticks & stones". What I am offended by, however, is the language on both sides of the aisle and the mud slinging that has gone back and forth, ie, you called me stupid face so I'm going to call you a poopie head.  I mean really, should adults act this way.  I think not.

This is a support network and behavior like I have seen from EVERYONE should be unacceptable.  i left this site quite a long time ago and only browse every now and then. I have not posted at all because of ill mannered people who were frequenting this site and who were not here to educate, get education, give or get support but were only here to malign others and cause problems and drama.  I was one of the recipients of some very evil deeds and for no other reason then I disagreed with someone.

I would never have even read your post because it has nothing to do with me if not for the chaos that resulted from it.  I find it rather ugly when grown adults resort to childish, high school antics.  I would have hoped that by the time we all become adults we could get past that. But, alas, I'm afraid human nature often times doesn't allow people to look at a complete picture.  They look at narrow visions of their world and are never open to exploring other possibilities.  And so after viewing the chaos of the last several days, I did feel compelled to respond, if only to chastise everyone for their poor behavior.  Unfortunately, I can't take the mother out of me and my son is too old for me to scold any longer.

And on that note, I have a client who has arrived and I must get back to work.