Newbie, Getting The DS? Count The Costs Ahead Of Time

 Sia,

I'm so sorry for everything you have been through. It sounds like you've been through hell and then some. I cannot imagine how you must be feeling. Hell, I don't even know how I'd be coping if I were in your shoes.

Your situation just sucks.. (((HUGS)))

((((SIA))))

I don't have much in words other than keep going girl and what you said needed to be said!

Hey girl you know I know how you feel. So I will just say call me when you feel like talking. I knew the man thing and the baby thing was up in the air when we last talked but I thought your gran was pulling through?! I am sorry, you know we could be soul sister twins the way our life has taken the identical paths in the last year. I have not seen aunt flo in six months and no good new either so you know I am raging against the machine right now. SO feel you. I sent you a text on Thanksgiving, did you get it. I am never sure which number is the right one.

Love and Hugs
Kim

Sia, I've missed you. I'm so glad that life is getting better for you. THANK GOD for your post. The DS is not sunshine and lollipops. For some, it's been an easy road. For others, it's still work. There are mental, physical and emotional elements which have to all be addressed one way or the other.

No quick fix here. You may lose the weight, but you still carry the baggage.

Dana

thanks for the post. I've been struggling with my guts for the last 8 weeks...and come here often, daily to feel less alone because I KNOW I'm not the only one struggling with foods....yes, it's only 8 weeks who knows what will happen but I guess I never really did consider this might be like this forever....sigh. I have no regretted having this done yet even when I cant keep a thing down. I build my life around protein shakes on my good days too... maybe I need to just accept that as ok and stop tormenting my body with the food.

Anyway, I know you dont want sympathy so I will just say thanks again and wish you well.

 Your guts will sort itself out. You have to give it at least six months, if not longer. Seriously. I know a vet who puked every day her first year. We never know how our bodies will react, so breathe. And know we're here for you. Much love to you.

Sia, thank you for your thoughtfulness in this post, especially in the midst of dealing with your own pain.  I'm so sorry to hear about what you've been going through.

Up until last week, I puked at least 3x/week after DS.  My legs are swollen, my labs are in the tank, I can't swallow my pills, and I have only been able to drink a protein shake without puking for the past three weeks.  I have acid reflux/GERD that I didn't have before surgery, and my energy is non-existent.  On the up side, I'm skinny as anything and I look fabulous. 

I had NO IDEA that this could happen to me.

I have been kicking myself, wondering what I missed.  I hovered and poured over these boards, read as much research as I could find, interviewed DS vets extensively, interviewed vetted surgeons (and "outed" one on this board for not being a real DS surgeon anymore),  and dug as deeply as I could for over 3 full years before getting surgery.  I never, EVER heard of anyone who was constantly vomiting, felt like crap all the time, and dragged around past the 4-week mark--unless they had an RnY.  I saw that people on the DS board had issues like hernias and kidney stones and fistulas, but those seemed very few and far between.  Some people went on carb binges, and the board would tough-love them back to reality.  There was lots of talk of bacon, cookies, full-fat cheese, and crab slathered in butter!  My DS friends (none of whom are active on this board) don't take their vites, don't do their labs, and eat sugar all day long.  They've stayed skinny and alive for over 5 years, and are going strong. 

I had my success all planned out.  I had  survived five major surgeries without a complication prior to the DS, so I was doing to breeze through this one (I didn't--almost didn't get out of there alive!).  I am responsible enough to take my vitamins and keep up with my doctor's visits, so I was not going to have any problems, I thought.  I was more than willing to give up my quarterly glass or two of wine for a year.  I could take or leave sweets, as long as I could have some potato chips on occasion.  I was a Weigh****chers champion, so counting carbs was old hat.  If I could count carbs, I could count protein grams.  If I could survive the surgery, I'd be home free.  Well, surprise.

To make it so bad for me, I didn't necessarily "need" surgery.  I was generally in good health, and a lightweight.  Everyone I know begged me not to have it, saying that 100 lbs was too much for me to lose and cutting back should do it for me.  Well, maybe I should have listened--given Weigh****chers the old college try again.  

I do LOVE the fact that I've lost almost 70 lbs in 6 months, but the cost for me has been way too high.  If I had to do the DS surgery again tomorrow, nope, I would definitely not.  Next week or next year either, no way.  Maybe I'm a wuss, but this has been miserable for me.

On the up side, I'm diligent about figuring out this new plumbing and working with it.  I'm glad I don't have a job now, because this post DS is my full-time gig!  I'm following all the advice that I physically can, which is much easier to do when I'm not puking my guts up.  I'm going on Creon soon, so I'm hoping that will help with my energy and labs.  I'm accentuating the positive in the situation:  I'm alive, I'm loved, and I'm getting better. I keep confessing that I will soon love my DS.  I hope this is true.

Again, thanks for your post.

Damn woman, I have missed you!  I understand - the past 12 months of so have been really ****** up. The next year has to be better, right? That's what I keep telling myself anyway.

Life can be a real asshole. 15 months post-op and I thought I was golden. While I still got 90% of my protein through shakes, I was okay with that. It was better than life pre-op. Then whammo! I got slammed and now will have to have a plethora of tests because something is just not right in new System-ville. I am back to pretty much an immediate post-op diet until we find out what is going on.  Joy.  Pass the protein shakes, G2, Zofran and acid reducers. And now to find a local doctor who can deal with this. :party:

Much love to you!

Bump.

This is an excelllent post and should be read by all but especially newbies.

The DS (or any WLS) has a cost, for some is is minimal and for others it is huge. 

You can land at either end of the spectrum and you need to be aware of that.

Michele