Recent Posts
on 7/3/20 8:55 am - NC
We need to form a 20 year club!!! I so clearly remember saying "Yeah, but what will it be like 20 years from now...."
~And I think to myself, it's a wonderful life~ Louis Armstrong
Kate
BPD/DS - 2000 - John Rabkin
273 / 138 / 148
on 7/3/20 8:54 am - NC
It has been 20 years since my BPD/DS, and probably 15 years since I last visited Obesity Help. Thought I'd pop in now that I am officially an "old - timer"!!
Surgery, recovery, and weight loss were uneventful for me, and I remain grateful every day for the opportunity to have this procedure.
Weight / Food: I became obese because I ate too much, and had a very, very unhealthy relationship with food. That has not really changed much, although I do regular battle with those demons. My lowest weight was 138, but I spend most of my time around 155-165. Occasionally, I have popped up to 185, and then have to stop eating carbs to drop back down. I still hate having to manage what I eat. Menopause has made it harder.
Nutrition: Even after 20 years, I have a protein shake every day. If I want to manage gas and loose stools, I stop eating any grain products. Sugar is my big "addiction" - and is really the one thing which will cause me to gain weight. Since it also contributes to my arthritis, I routinely try to purge it from my life.
Medical: I developed osteoporosis (as did my mother and sisters - non surgery). For several years, I took Fosamax, which did nothing. About 5 years ago, I stopped all medication, and my levels have remained steady (low, but not decreasing). I also developed a severe iron deficiency, which only responded to iron infusions. At this point (thank you menopause), I only need an infusion about every 5 years. In the intervening time, my ferritin will drop from about 400 to 50. I have had some success using an oral iron supplement. I have done my labs every year for 20 years, and my levels have been extremely consistent. I eased back on the massive doses of vitamins I took the first 10 years, and discovered that my levels remained steady. I will probably drop back to every 5 years at this point.
Lifestyle: The loss of the weight resulted in a huge increase in my activity level, which in turn, led to quite a number of injuries (apparently, I am just clumsy and awkward, which never had anything to do with my weight....). I currently live on a farm, and raise chickens, sheep, and elderberries - I work outside for many hours a day, and genuinely love my life. I am genetically programmed for arthritis, which has turned out to be way worse than I ever imagined it could be, but I manage it with Celebrex and no refined sugar (when I can).
http://doubleupfarm.com
~And I think to myself, it's a wonderful life~ Louis Armstrong
Kate
BPD/DS - 2000 - John Rabkin
273 / 138 / 148
I'm guessing most of that "not hungry" feeling comes from having a smaller stomach and the reduction in hunger hormones - but you already had that due to your VSG, so adding the DS part isn't going to affect that. It just adds the malabsorption piece. I'm not a medical person, though, so take that with a grain of salt.
The average weight loss with a revision is 20 pounds. No matter what they do, it is not the same as the first weight loss surgery. Having switched to DS, I would expect you to have a lot more weight loss than average. You still will need diet and exercise, but the DS malabsorption should really be a big factor.
Real life begins where your comfort zone ends
Hello everyone,
I had sleeve gastrectomy sleeve more than six years ago with 308 pounds. I managed to lose 130 pounds but it was a real challenge to stay at that weight. I had to follow strict diets and heavily exercise just to remain as it is which was already too much for me. During these quarantine times I had to gave up the exercise and let myself eat more freely. Which led a rapid weight gain and I decided to get a revision surgery. My stomach wasn't stretch so my doctor didn't re-sleeved it during the revision surgery to duodenal switch. It has been 10 days and I'm still on my liquid diet and I'm hungry. After my first surgery I had no appetite for months. But this time i have my appetite with all its might and this really scares me. Is not re-sleeving a common practice? Are there any people like me, if there is how was their process? Because I'm really afraid that I might not lose any weight.
I'm 17+ years post-op. Healthy and living my life (I'm 63). Lost all my weight in about 18 months - 175 pounds and have maintained it. Plastics about 2 years post-op - TT and breast lift. I take my vitamins, eat my protein, drink my water to this day. Get labs done once a year. Currently have osteoporosis and working with my primary doctor (Reclast didn't work and now going to try Prolia). I also have to watch my iron - I rely on infusions - last one was more than 2 years ago and numbers are still go.
Other than that, life goes on!
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
I just wanted to know how everyone's process is going. Before and after
I am very healthy 10 years after surgery. I watch my vitamins and supplement intakes and eat what I should and life is goo.
I am coming up on 20 years post op so I just have a normal life. Well, at least quasi normal...
I also think it may be HOW you are hurting. What products were used? I haven't had plastic surgery yet but I have researched it a lot... I asked a few of the surgeons what they use internally and a couple stated surgical glue and others stated nylon threads. I know for a fact that my body is sensitive to certain adhesives and I am fairly certain I won't do well with the nylon threads. So, it may just take longer for your body to heal as I have heard that it can take up to a year as well to "feel normal".
Maybe suggest seeing your primary doctor to get the second opinion to make sure there are no infections?
Hoping you feel better soon.
I just wanted to know how everyone's process is going. Before and after
