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Congratulations on your success and finding ways to use your "tool" to stay a success.
It's true that normal is different for different people. For myself I look back at my eating pre-DS and would never call that normal. Quantities were big and overeating common. I agree completely that keeping the weight loss required a substantial change in most of my eating habits. The initial weight loss phase, for me, gave me some time to reset some of my worst eating habits and menu expectations.
So when I say normal I mean I can go out to a restaurant, or a friends, have a varied plate and be done with a single, regular portion, not heaping, plate. I "can" eat pasta, potatoes, bread but now only do it in small quantities and take a pass many times.
I usually think that when people ask about "normal" they mean are there foods they can never have again or is the post-op diet super restrictive forever. And while we each might have our own personal demons to avoid certain foods, physically there is nothing we can't have in moderation or on a special occasion.
Candy, cookies, cakes are rarely indulged in because I know they have consequences that I need to be prepared for but with the holidays upon us there will be a few occasions.
Watching my weight carefully is just a part to life now. Like many people that have never had a weight problem. As I fluctuate 5 or 6 pounds above wherever I happen to be hovering at the moment then I switch my diet to fewer carbs and more protein. Eating into the strengths of my tool. As part of my watching I've occasionally done WW for the group support, the emphasis on tracking, and the public weekly weigh ins. I can do that on my own but sometimes it's easier to be a part of a group. I just don't often hit their assigned point goals but I make progress so no one cares.
I'm 6.5 years out, labs are good but I watch for trends and make adjustments before anything gets out of whack. Spent a couple of years around 230 to 240. Pushing back as I approached 240. In the past year or so I've gotten down to around 210 and am hovering there for now. (I'm 6:1, started at 464).
A new normal is a great way to put it. Thanks for the update and the thought provoking discussion. :)
Pete
HW 552 CW 198 SW 464 4/15/13 - Lap DS by Dr. Philip Schauer - Cleveland Clinic.
Sorry you are having to go through this. I've seen Dr. K in California will often consult remotely maybe something your current baratric doctor could try and set up since they don't do the DS or you could reach out directly.
Are you thinking that lengthening the channel will relieve some of the symptoms like the gas and the extra BM's? Doesn't seem likely to help the stomach pain but they might see something like adhesions when they are in that would account for the stomach pain
With the EPI do you have any indication that lengthening the channel will help? My quick overview was that you would be on the creon or something like it no matter what to replace the enzymes no longer being produced by the pancreas.
Do they have you on a different diet to lessen the EPI symptoms?
Lastly, and sorry I have no answers for you just questions, when you say you had malabsorption issues but your labs were good was it the frequent BM's you were thinking of or something else?
Pete
HW 552 CW 198 SW 464 4/15/13 - Lap DS by Dr. Philip Schauer - Cleveland Clinic.
My A1C regularly tests at 4.2 now also, a year out from the DS. No dr has seemed overly concerned, and I don't really have any hypoglycemic symptoms. Unless you're passing out it might be OK!
At what point, if any, do these numbers usually drop into the normal range? Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was the primary reason I had the DS so I am very keen to see my liver function tests all be good. Thanks!
I suggest you find a DS surgeon to talk to. You may have to travel but you need an experienced DS surgeon. I do know that my DS surgeon (Dr. Hazem Elariny in Fairfax VA) has done at least one CC lengthening. Try reaching out first via email/phone.
I will not even attempt to provide advance on this but I'm so sorry you're dealing with all of these issues.
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
I am sorry to just now be getting back to you. I have had other health problems, some making this so much worse. I appreciate your help. My CC is 90 cm. My original doctor is in CA. I am in West KY. There is one DS doctor 2.5 hours from me, but with my health problems, I cannot travel much. I have been to him several times over the last 4 years, and he has not been able to help me. He has only done 2 lengthening of CC, and that concerns me. His bedside manner is pretty scary too. I need to find a more experienced doctor if I ever get to where I can travel better. I have tried a lot of websites looking for a more experienced DS doctor. But they give so many doctors that do not do the DS surgery I get lost. I just posted a more updated question. But I can't find a good experienced doctor list. Thanks!
on 11/18/19 8:04 pm
I agree. If I don't eat a lot of carbs I lose weight, and carbs definitely cause gas and bloating. We all make judgement calls.
I am sorry to just now be getting back to you. I have had other health problems, some making this so much worse. I appreciate your help. I tried the link, but it gives so many doctors that do not do the DS surgery. Every website I have been on is like that even though I ask for DS surgeons. There is one 2.5 hours from me, but with my health problems, I cannot travel much. I have been to him several times over the last 4 years, and he has not been able to help me. He has only done 2 lengthening of CC, and that concerns me. His bedside manner is pretty scary too. I need to find a more experienced doctor if I ever get to where I can travel better. Thanks!
I had a DS surgery in 1/2013. Everything went well until 10 months later. At 135 lbs., my doctor said I was losing too much weight. I am 5'3" and at my worst, got down to 99 lbs. Ever since I have tried to eat more, I have had bad stomach pain, and more than the extra expected bloating, gas, frequent bowel movements, and also very urgent BM's. But it is mostly not diarrhea. I got up to 115 lbs. and stayed there a couple of years but still had all the problems. I have malabsorption problems, but my labs have always been good. I do have to keep an eye on my iron.
In April, I had to deal with C-diff for 6 months. I went down to 88 lbs. I am now at 104 lbs. Outpatient tests after c-diff show I have EPI. It is not curable. Your pancreas stops making the enzymes needed to break down your food, medicine, etc. so your body can't absorb it. I am on Creon 24,000 units 13 times a day. I am sick of being sick all the time.
Is this a possible reason to have the lengthening of the common channel done? I have always thought you only did that if you had bad labs.
I know that surgery won't cure the EPI. But today I had a bariatric doctor, (he only does sleeves and bands), say that the surgery doesn't always cure malabsorption issues. I do not have a DS surgeon close to me, and that is causing even more problems.
dustycroy · 1 replies · 352 views