Female Going Crazy

I was HORRIBLE about taking vites/medications in my pre-op life. When I decided to have this surgery, I changed my mindset about them. They are now NECESSARY for me to live a long healthy life--which was the whole point of having WLS anyway, but are particularly crucial with the DS surgery. It's been surprisingly easy for me to do my vites as a post-op. I have a one-month vitamin organizer. So I sit down once a month and fill up 30 days of daily vite holders. I just take one day's vite holder with me when I get up in the morning. I don't have to THINK about it. I set calendar alarms on my cell phone. Alarm goes off, I take the appropriate set of vites. My vites/Rx meds are broken down to 5 times a time. The largest batch is 9 pills (including Rx's), the smallest is only 2 pills. For the most part I take 4 pills when I first wake up, 2 pills two hours later, and then I have lunch/dinner/bedtime doses. It's not something I THINK about, I have the pills with me wherever I am and I take them when my alarm beeps. So much easier than I feared it would be as a pre-op!

I can totally relate to your feeling of powerlessness. I definitely felt that way too. The DS has changed my relationship with food completely. I actually enjoy food differently. I savor it and I feel satisfied by it in significantly smaller amounts. This has been the easiest weight loss I've ever had--with the stipulation that I make concious choices for the highest protein/lowest carb possible 99% of the time I feel confident about losing down to my goal weight and keeping it off because of the peer-reviewed research studies that demonstrate DSers lose the most and have the least regain long term.

Sarah...thank you so much for your feedback and support.

Susan--
You remind me of myself.  We are almost the same age and have a similar amount of weight to lose.  I have never had the lap band though I toyed with the idea at one time.  I understand your frustration and desire to be a normal weight.  Like most people on this forum I have tried almost everything to get there.  Long term success that will fit into my life style has always seemed to elude me.  I have tryed and failed so many times I struggle not to just give up and stay fat, but I just don't want to spend the rest of my life like this.

I have researched every option out there until I'm blue in the face and am finally sure the DS is for me.  I have not had the surgery yet but am working on it.  I know having the DS requires a life-long committment to taking my vits and getting my labs done, and I am prepared to make it. 

I am doing everything in my power to prepare myself for success before I get into the OR.  I take vitamins everyday faithfully and have taken considerable time educating myself about the DS.  From what I've read here and elsewhere much of the success hinges on mind-set.  You can change your thinking about taking vitamins if you really want to.  There are alarms on cell phones or alerts on your computer to help remind you if you need that. 

I guess it boils down to how badly you want to lose weight and keep it off while staying healthy.   For me taking vitamins everyday is a small price to pay for a better life and I am absolutely certain the DS is the way for me to get there.

I wish you much luck with whatever you decide.
Lisa

About vitamins . . . I was pretty bad about taking them during the first 6 months.  I probably only took them around 30% of the time, at least I was always one of the type to take a lot of them, but still obviously not enough.  By around month 4, I was feeling VERY tired, somewhat listless, my memory wasn't quite as good as it should have been, concentration wasn't quite as good as it should have been . . . nothing like dementia (not even close), but there was a difference to how I normally was . . . & that's with still taking at least one dose of most everything I should have been.  I hadn't been taking K or iron, but that was through ignorance, not realizing I should have been vs just not taking them because I wasn't being compliant.  Going into WLS, we all have vitamin reserves stored up in our body, so basically, I depleted mine within 4 months while still taking a total of a around 8 vit's/ day.  I got to around 80% compliant during months 4-6 & my 6 month labs showed some definite deficiencies.  That kicked my ass in gear.  I am now 95% compliant - I honestly forget to take 1 - 2 doses out of 28 for the week, but I don't think that's too shabby.  I also am one of the type to take double doses of lots of them, so I know if I forget the occasional dose, it won't be as bad on my body.  In any case, you truly need to committ to them b/c you will cause yourself serious injury &/ or death if you do not comply - how much you don't comply will depend on how much you mess yourself up.

If you are pretty confident (let's say there's a small voice of doubt you'll be 100% compliant, but you will be AT LEAST 80 - 90% compliant), I would say that you could get the DS with a long common channel length (eg, 150cm) so that you absorb more nutrients than the average DSer.  Then, be one of the types to take A LOT per dose, several times/day so that if you miss the occasional dose, you'll still LIKELY be ok.

This isn't optimal advice about the DS, but I do think it's realistic feedback, imo.  Optimally, don't get the DS unless you're 100% confident you will take your vit's.

Hi Susan
I remember you from the lapband board. I had the band in Jan 2007. I did good for about a year but then went downhill from there.

Last year around this time I had had it with the band. The surgeon was no help so I took it upon myself and checked into the DS.

I remember sitting infront of my computer and thinking why was I so stupid and wasted the money on the band. My insurance was not going to pay for another surgery.

I knew I could not afford the surgery being done in the states so  I contacted Dr. Marchesini in Brazil, and he answered so many questions for me and encouraged me. By July I was on my way to Brazil with my daughter.

I can't tell you how glad I am everyday that I did this. I marvel at this surgery constantly.

What is so amazing to me is, I can actually sitdown to eat and enjoy every single bite. When I get hungry I eat something, just think about it.....

"When you are hungry you eat" real food no less.

With the band??? All the foods you should not eat, go down very easy. But the ones you need to eat get stuck, made me slime, PB, I'm sure you know the routine.

So the thing with the vitamins in my opinion is just no big deal. At least not to me. I do 2 weeks ahead at a time so all I have to do in the morning I take that days out and the go with me wherever I go. Not really that hard.
It's a matter of routine. But like everyone impressed upon you, You have to take the vitamins, it's your health. Why go through all the stuff having the surgery if you are going to be skinny and very sick and/or be dead. That does not appeal to me at all.

Do like I did, I read here for several weeks even months, I researched like crazy and then decided on doing it. But talking to people here and reading will help you to see if this is for you or not.

Good Luck, I really hope it works out for you.

Inge

I recently revised from RNY to the DS. I had an extra, permanent band on the top of the stoma, and it caused a lot of the problems that I see with band people - esophageal erosion, vomiting, etc.

The band sucks. Almost every doctor I've talked to has said they are surprised insurance companies still cover the bands because of the failure rate. It's restrictive, but it doesn't prevent you from eating anything sugary. If you can't get in digestible proteins (like meat) because of the restriction, what will you do? More than likely you'll make the wrong choices. Even with RNY I found myself having to eat soft carbs because I was throwing up the good stuff.

I have many friends who ran out and got the lap band after they saw how much I lost with RNY. One had the band literally break and needed a second surgery. Another woman, a diabetic, is still a diabetic and still chunky. 

I wish you luck no matter what you decide.
Adele

Not here is where I am going nuts.....I want to be thin. All my life I have been chubby. I want to know what it feels like to be normally weighted. I want to feel sexy, confident and beautiful.......
I just want to feel AVERAGE. I want to fit in a size 12-14.....I don't need to look like TWIGGY.....

Beauty comes in all sizes, sexy comes in all sizes and more importantly confidence comes from the believe in yourself, your worth. Your worth should not be determined by the number on a scale or a piece of clothing.  I guess I am concerned if all of your longing is tied up in a size or being normal. I have been thin and I have been morbidly obese over the years several times. Our lives do not suddenly become perfect because we lose weight.

What losing weight does is help control medical problems that are caused by are worsened by obesity. Sleep apnea, glucose intolerance that can lead to type 2 diabetes, joint issues, urinary incontinence from a morbidly obese abdomen pressing on our bladders, back pain where it is in relationship to a large abdomen pulling the spine forward ad out of alignment. High blood pressure.  Breast cancer and other malignancy that are more prevalent in obese individuals.
You mention sleep apnea yes that will usually improve. Knee pain if you have not already damaged the joint beyond repair may improve as you take the fat load off it.

OK lets be honest I have learned to eat around this band and I am holding about 205 pounds. My goal weight is 135. 
You have admitted that you are out eating your band. You know what to do if you want to acheive your goal with the lapband. So start first with eating the way you should and see where it gets you to. Give it your honest best try, again this is where self-worth comes in, you have done your best!!!. Then if you do not acheive your goal you will know you did your best and I would advise anyone to consider removal of the band and look at a seperate surgery. If you can no longer live with the band restrictions and want a more "normal" relationship with food I would suggest the DS as the best choice for anyone needing wls. Having surgery for the right reason and knowing you are worth having your health both physical and mental back.

Afternoon Amanda.....Wow....great reality check. I had to sit long and hard with your message.

I want it all....At 54 years old...I want it all....I want to be healthy, strong, fit, beautiful, desirable, sexy. Yes, above all I want health. I want to stop taking crestor for high cholestrol and high c-reative protein. I want my knees to heal....extra weight .....I want that spliting headache in the morning gone from sleep apnea. I want to live...truely live.....the weight stops me big time.

Yes, I have learned to eat around the band.....I really can't eat solid foods due to the rescrition are hard to toleratate....like meats, carbs fruits and veggies. I can eat mushy foods they go down better. Then the other issue is the lump in the stoma area....that's always a lot of fun....then the PB's thats even more fun.

I have given this band  4 years of an honest good try. I want help. I can not do this on my own.
I have such high esteem in all areas of my life....but my weight issues. And the weight issues occupy 80% of my life. I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I thank you again for your post. I need to look at this surgery very very closly.....especially the vitamins part. I have a hard time in swallowing pills always had. You know Amanda....I wish that someone could just tell me what the permenat solution would be and that I could live happyly ever after.....duh....dream world.

Well, I am just gonna move forward.....and explore and ask questions....thanks you have made me critically think.......Hugs

Hi Susan...I will admit that something, well many things, bothers me here.  Vitamins following any of the WLS procedures are vital, just as taking medications pre WLS are.  If taking supplements are going to prove difficult for anyone following surgery then they should not opt to have weightloss surgery.  I have had a very difficult time this last few months as my labs have dwindled down low and its a daily battle to regain the levels.  I am not non compliant nor have I been, I had a recent health battle that left me unable to hold down many medications and my supplements.  Its a long and yes...very painful battle to regain these levels and issues.  My recommendation is to definately put into perspective the compliance of taking daily supplements before stepping into having ANY weightloss surgery, especially the DS.  This is a link that was given a few months back that I think is very important and most definately eye  opening. 

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/4009470/PLEASE-help-me- scare-the-CRAP-out-of-a-DSer-who-is-not/#top

Please dont take this as more than just an eye opener....

This link put the fear of God in me.....I certainly can see how taking these vitamins are the key to health. I know myself. I do not think that I can keep to that at all. I could for a while but then I know I will begin missing days...this has been my history. I have to really think this out but more so....thanks for the info.