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I had my DS almost 18 years ago and I have been constipated exactly 3 times. My "poop" schedule is based solely on what I put in my mouth the day before (but have definitely experienced your "20 minute" scenario). My malabsorption is clearly still working because, depending on what I eat (TMI) I can see the results - fat is definitely my friend. I've learned over the years exactly how my system will react to food. I have the same experience with spinach (the worst of the leaves). For me high fiber is what's hard to digest and process. So I choose those foods wisely and also add a scoop of fiber to my morning beverage when I take my AM vitamins. I also take a daily probiotic.
I have 100% convinced malabsorption is what makes DSers successful. That's why people who have just the sleeve struggle. Even with the side effects (for me osteoporosis and iron deficiency anemia) I would not change a thing.
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
I too have failed. I really believe that I will not succeed until I deal with my compulsive eating addiction. It is 100% more persistent than any WLS.
His experience sounds similar to mine. Constipation left my vocabulary the day I had surgery.
I have had dealings with both Drs Rabkin and Keshishian, the two docs here in CA experienced with this revision (if you aren't talking to one of them, you should be...) I have seen a few come through our support groups over the years with the RNY/DS revision (including a couple of double revisers - Lapband to RNY to DS) and they overall seem to have done well.
Any revision tends to be less powerful than a virgin procedure (my simple minded way of looking at it is that our stomachs start out being able to hold 32-64 oz, but after WLS and even some years of adapting/stretching, they maybe hold 6-8 oz, so there is a less significant difference than with the original WLS - we have gotten used to living with a smaller stomach and adapted to it - sometimes over-adapted.) However, the DS is metabolically stronger than the RNY or VSG, so does tend to give better overall results, and most particularly, better regain resistance.
Your mention of not following up is a bit of a concern - the DS is somewhat fussier on that than the RNY (which can be fussy enough as it is.) So, you need to commit to keeping up with annual labs/follow ups to stay on top of any changes that occur in you. Some get into real trouble by letting that slide with the DS, but those who keep up with it and make appropriate changes maintain a high level of health and good weight over the long haul - I see many in our support group who are in the 10-20 year range and living well.
Your best bet is to talk to the doc on your specific concerns - both Dr. R and K have been in the DS business for around 20 years, so they know well what it can and can't do, and how to tailor it to fit different cir****tances. If anyone has seen someone else in your situation, it would be them.
Note - this all applies to the "traditional" BPD/DS, the newer, simpler SIPS/SADI/"loop DS" is a somewhat different animal that may or may not work as well for you - it's newer, so the jury is still out on it.
Good luck, whichever way you go!
1st support group/seminar - 8/03 (has it been that long?)
Wife's DS - 5/05 w Dr. Robert Rabkin VSG on 5/9/11 by Dr. John Rabkin
No worries Janet, it was just me and another gal who was getting surgery in a few days. Come on thru this week if you can!
My H had the DS for diabetes ages ago. His biggest surprise, his lifelong battle with constipation ended. I told him it would but he had to see it for himself! He loved his surgery. He wasn't fat so he got the best of all, he could eat as he pleased, no more diabetes, and no more constipation!
Careful with taking too much kratom - the side effects can be dangerous. Try camomile, valerian, and lemongrass for a herbal tea. And it isn't a vitamin - but I am into melatonin (more info related to product here https://www.vitaminexpress.org/uk/melatonin-supplements) now to help me relax and sleep if I have been up with the baby.
Also, try valerian root. You can get it in extract form in pills.
I never heard of the glitter product before so I may have to give it a try. The transit time is probably one of the most important parts of my general wellness feeling each day. It's probably my biggest surprise from wls.
Now you know why your surgery was so effective and why you can eat things like fruit and still maintain.
They actually sell glitter capsules you can take to see your own transit time.
I have had no doubts for years that some people absorb more of what they eat than others. And transit time is a big part of that equation.
I think it also has to do with rate of gastric emptying.
My DH, a Norma has really slow gastric emptying.if he eats a lot, he wo t be hungry again for 10-12 hours.
pre wls, I always needed my three meals a day, regularly.
post wls, my gastric emptying rate was tested and showed that I have very rapid gastric emptying. It was in the range of abnormal rate of emptying.
Though I no longer feel hunger, I feel a "need" for fuel about every 2-3 hours. I am usually looking for real, dense protein sndam satisfied by that
i dont recognize any one food coming thru and usually o first thing every morning and often the need to go wakes me up. Occassionally I will go again a smaller Amy in the evening. Very occasionally .
