when you have ds..........

Yes, we can most definitely drink liquids with meals, though not right at first. And no, it won't interfere with our weight loss. Other advantages include being able to take NSAID's, no dumping, no laundry list of foods off limits forever, and no food getting stuck.

    It sounds as though the doc at that seminar is pushing the lap band. Lap band works great for some people but it's not for everyone. But the company that manufacturers them doesn't make any money off them if surgeons don't put them it, and a surgeon can place a lap band way faster than he or she can do either RNY or DS, so can do more operations in a day and make more money. Some also make a lot of money on the fills, without which the band doesn't work.
 
    So if you're not sold on the lap band, come on over to the DS forum and learn more about it. And don't stop there, learn all you can about all the options, and then make an informed decision as to what is best for you.

Larra

 I think you have to consider what kind of eater you are. Take a good look, really look because that you have to match that with the surgery. I you don't then the tool is not going to work. I mean if you only have a screwdriver but you need a wrench... you understand? I chose the RNY because I wanted to dump. I am a sweets eater, so I am hoping that the negative re-enforcement will help me break that habit.

 

Hi,

I am not trying to deter you from your decision but, I just wanted to let you know that not everyone who has the rny dumps. I had it back in 1999 and I can eat any and everything, no dumping. So, there is no guarantee of dumping.

Charmed

Hi Charmed!

Just reading all of "Jamies" posts here....and a couple answers to a question I had as well...I am really hoping to find out as much as I can on both the other WLS outside of Lap (which I ruled out with ease early on for myself) And RNY...since you're several year post op....would you share with me (and others I'm sure who'd love to know!)  How things have been for you in the years since?  Have you kept the weight off you had lost? Any plastics?
What do you eat nowadays? Any regrets?  Just anything you can share would be so very appreciated!  Paula

Sure Paula,


Where do I begin, never got to goal, I never dumped but just the smell of food made me vomit and we are talking projectile vomiting. I suffered from dehydration because I just could not get liquids down without vomiting, ever so often I still vomit if the fluid or food does not go down, it gets stuck and I can feel it and it refuses to go anywhere but back up. To this very day their are smells that still just make me nauseous and take prescription iron 3x a day as I am severely anemic.

My surgeon did not have an after care program and I was ill equipped with the necessary information that was needed post op. I never even knew we were not to take nsaids and I have been popping OTC and prescribed them and the like for years. Probably have an ulcer but who knows as they are not able to see whats going on in my blind stomach. I did not understand that I had to take calcium supplements for life, and ended up breaking my foot in 2 places and all I was doing was walking to work. My foot twisted and double crack!

I have been to either to the Doctors office or the emergency room several times because of severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting that does not stop, just recently I was hospitalized for 3days, and no one  has ever been able truly diagnose its just usually labeled as gastritis. I have 2 hernias, I did not  even know what they were just thought I was deformed, lol.

I never got to goal and I battled a gain of 35lbs for 8yrs, eventually adding an additional 35lbs more the 9th year. I am currently seeking a revision. Because I had my surgery back in 1999, I can honestly say, I did not make an informed decision. I never knew there were options other than the band and rny. If I had know that there were other options I would have chosen the DS, it is my honest opinion that I would have faired better overall.
 
My surgeon made lots of promises and told me that this was the best surgery and would get all the weight off. I started out at 460 plus pounds and only got down to 297lbs. My recovery time was a long arduous one, I was on leave from work for 4.5 mos. I swore that I would never have a revision because I had accepted that I was just meant to be a big girl. But, now I am facing a new co-morbidity, high blood pressure and that scares the hell out of me, enough to go under the knife to get it done right this time.

This is my story and I speak for no one else but myself. I tell everyone that I know who considers wls to do their homework first. Know the pros and cons of each surgery and make a decision you can live with. I certainly do advocate the think twice cut once.  Revisions from rny's are usually more riskier than the original surgery and if you can avoid it by all means.

Charmed

wow...my heart just broke for you  to have gone through all of that....I'm so very sorry....I am so grateful you shared it all...but are still alive and kickin' to make a more positive, and hopefully happier move/switch.

  To be honest...I really didn't think to look into DS...I just thought it was an outdated procedure that doctors didn't do anymore....and I didn't want anything outdated of couse :)  But...in the initial little research I"ve begun on DS....I can see that my first thoughts have been so wrong.  And I'm wondering just how many of us end up opting for RNY or lap (although I knew Immediately within the first few minutes of the seminar that that was not going to be for me) merely because our insurance wont cover it? Or we don't know much about it or what little we do know is not really what its all about?  I will have to find out next week if my insurance does cover....if it does...I have this teeny feeling at the moment that it might be more for me...I too, am not a person who can deal with vomitting all the time...and the thought of never having water at meals is a bit stange to me..I could learn to do it, but I really am not happy with that idea....but there are other things that sound better with the DS including being able to see the stomach if needed down the road etc. and I do know a couple of people who seem to always be sick....and I dont need dumping to make me stay away from things.....this surgery alone will be enough for me....its a tool that I am not going to ignore or mess around with.....thats a huge decision to do this in the first place...

I sincerly thank you for your story and send you warm wishes and hugs that you'll get what you need to make yourself happier and more healthy....after all we all work with what we've got at the time right?......I think its a bit like an ex husband....you marry young at the time as its all you know...but as you become older and wiser....you make better choices and are a heckava lot happier!

Charmed is right.  You have about a 50/50 chance at the dumping, so don't put your willpower away in the closet just yet.

Nah, you just heard from a surgeon who doesn't know HOW to do the DS. It's actually expanding in popularity, despite what many RNY salesmen will tell you.

Hi Jamie,
Yes, having the DS allows for drinking while eating.  At first I couldn't drink when I was eating because the liquid would take up all the room in my micro-stomach and then I couldn't eat enough.  I can drink with my meals now just fine. 
Let your husband know that OH has a DS forum where he can get a lot of valuable information on vitamins, protein, and plenty of other things he may experience as a post-op.

OMG I said my fiance! that is funny we are married now (Nov 21) I meant to say my husband is having DS! lol! just read I wrote fiance and thought I'd correct myself now that I am a married betty! lol