When I get scared...

 If you read enough of our posts and blogs, you will notice that we do have lives outside of our homes.   We have careers, we travel, we take cruises and fly on airplanes.   We go out clubbing or contra dancing.  We work out, walk our dogs and ride motorcycles.     We date, we dine out, we go to benefits and amusement parks.   Since my DS, I have been to California twice, Boston and NYC, been on a cruise, and Texas three times.   Does any of that sound "less social" to you?     I'm probably in the middle to far end of gas issues - meaning that I'm a bit touchier than say, Nicolle.    I have just learned to be careful most of the time.    If I want to endulge in something fart-provoking, I do so when I know I'm not going anywhere.   I am not chained to a toilet, nor do I ever feel deprived.   when I have to be careful of my diet.    I have learned what my triggers are - I know that I can eat dark chocolate till the cows come home, but one slice of Texas toast is asking for trouble!    

However,  my life is now infinitely superior to what it was a pre-op.   I was far more "chained" to home then, because of my lack of mobililty and embarrassment at my size.    With my five-year anniversary coming up here in August, I still take a few moments every day to reflect with deep, deep gratitude on my good fortune in finding the DS.

Thank you so much Emily, Becky and Julie!  Your encouragement was a blessing to me tonight!  Mel_ga

 HAHA  Julie!  me too!  I can eat chocolate forever with no issues but bread...UGH!!!!!!!!  I do eat bread sometimes but it always has consequences.

I think people tend to be more afraid of this stuff pre-op because it's an unknown... even on my days where I DO have issues it's not that big a deal...so what?!  even people with NO surgeries get gas and dhr occassionally...its called being a human. :)

Okay, honestly the first two weeks, I was scared I'd have permanent diarrhea. Once I got into soft foods and my body started adjusting to it's new configuration, that cleared up and I'm fine for the most part. I tend toward constipation now and had to add fiber to my diet to help.

The only food at this point that I have tried that can send me into the bad cramping bowel issues is regular milk. I came out of surgery lactose intolerant. So I added lactaid pills to my daily collection and drink lactaid milk. No biggie.

Good luck.

Liz

You've gotten great responses to your questions and I'm tracking right along with them. I started out very close to your BMI and have a regular 100cm common channel. I have to intensively manage my carbs and gut bacteria to insure I don't have toot issues but you really just get into a routine and find ways to overcome. 

Welcome!

--gina
  

Mel-Ga

I am sorry I added to your fears instead of encouraging .. that truly wasn't my intent

My answer had the opposite effect and I wouldn't want to hurt anyone by scaring them more, uggh

I was so scared before my surgery, I understand needing to hear the good things

I missed the boat in my response but what I was REALLY trying to say is that I DO love my DS and would do it again in a heartbeat!

I was just rambling on (which wasn't helping you), but truly it's on me when I eat junk!

It's a 100% ensorsement LOL 

it's diet related

so I should have just  said that!

Loretta

Thanks everyone!  I am already lactose intolerant so I always have to take my lactaid pills with dairy stuff!

Loretta, thanks for understanding!  I am an anxious person so I am trying to make myself think aoubt the good stuff and not worry so much about the stinky stuff. lol  My dog suffers with gas so I can always blame her or my little boy that does not mind having gas anywhere, even church. Ugg. lol

Hijack (sorta, kinda): This thread got me thinking (Noooo!!), is there a correlation between what your bowels were like pre-surgery and what they are post-surgery? Meaning, if you had issues with loose bowels and gas before surgery, would it be the same, or worse, after having the DS?

My other thought was about lactose intolerance. Before my RNY I had no trouble with milk. Now? Oh my hell, just kill me! I drink milk and I'm running for the toilet, puking up my shoes. I wonder if my problem with milk is pouch related and would end with having the DS?

Just wonderin'

Lynda, I had IBS pre-op, now I am constipated enough so I have to take a minimum of two fiber tablets daily. Pre-op I was able to not use them at all or if I did, it was one EVERY OTHER day, maximum.

Like others, except for milk, my gas/rumbling bowels are in porportion to how many carbs and WHAT carbs I've eaten.

LI: Pre-op I drank whole milk and always have. Post-op, I came home and the first time I had a protein shake was also made with whole milk. Good Lord Almighty, I paid for that one. Bad & painful gas, my tummy was swollen, and when I did go, it was the "runs".

So now I take Lactaid pills daily and use Lactaid Milk. Most milk based products don't bother me but I haven't attempted whole regular milk and probably won't for a few more months. I hope I am not LI forever, that this too shall pass but if it is permanent, I'll deal with it.

Liz

I echo what pretty much everyone else has said.  If I eat "clean" (low carb) I don't fart.  If I throw in some carbs there may be some farting - the level of farting is in direct proportion to the level of carbs I've eaten.  It is NOT uncontrollable farts - if I was not at home I could get my ass to the bathroom.  I don't eat carbs at work for this very reason, I don't want to have to find a bathroom or interrupt my workday to go farting in the bathroom.  It also makes it easier to eat less carbs if I am not eating them at work.

I do NOT have diarrhea - I am one of the DS'ers that struggles (mightily) with constipation and I have to take a number of things just to make sure I CAN go.  When I do have to go there is no more waiting around until later - when I gotta go, I gotta go.  Not that I can't make it to the bathroom, just that I must listen to my body and go when I get the signals.

I would have my DS done yearly, if needed.  Seriously.

I was NOT a lightweight, by any stretch of the imagination.  However knowing what I know about my body and my metabolic issues I would NOT have the VSG b/c I KNOW I would gain my weight back, period.  In addition I had Type II diabetes and the "switch" portion of the DS is what cures it or send it into remission.  So if you have diabetes or are borderline, that is something you are going to want to keep in mind.