The truth about my malabsorption is sinking in.....

Over the past few days, I've been responding to a number of posts about common channels, different kinds of WLS pouch / sleeve size etc. In doing this, I've been reading my surgical notes again and again and the scope of what was done is really starting to sink in. Add to that the way some of my labs were starting to head south and the reality of how my digestive system now works is finally becoming clear.

Holy molie! Am I going to starve to death? LOL!!!! I'm not seriously worried about that, but when the reality of what has changed really sinks in, it's a big deal. 

The thing that really struck me is that my small intestines were 730 cm long! MOMMA MIA that's a long small bowel! No wonder I had a hard time keeping my weight down! But now, I don't have 430 cm of that 730 ever seeing anything of the food I eat, it's completely bypassed. So the food I eat is only passing through 41% of the small intestine it used to pass through. Not only that, but of the 300 cm of small intestine I'm still using, only 125 cm of that has the benefit of the bile I produce to digest the food I'm eating. 

I'm a real logic and facts kinda guy and when I see understand the real numbers of what I now have it's incredible. I have only 17% of the small intestine I used to have working at it's full capacity and 24% more that's somewhat able to absorb nutrition without the benefit of my bile.

All this says to me; no wonder I can eat like a horse and not gain weight, no wonder I need to supplement with so many vitamins and so much iron!

I'm not complaining about this in the least, I think it's wonderful because I love to eat and I don't mind taking the vitamins.

This all just finally completely sunk in over the last few days; it's been a real epiphany.

Still love, love, love my DS 

Kerry

Thanks for this info Kerry.  I've been reading some posts about calcium deficiencies and bone loss, and the malabsorption component of the DS is really sinking in for me too. I'm still excited about getting the DS, but it has tempored my enthusiasm just a tad... made me a little nervous.  You mentioned some of your labs were heading south - how are they doing now? Is it manageable with the supplements? Were you able to tweak what you were taking to get things headed in the right direction again?  There's no doubt that this is a major anatomical change, and your information helps me understand what it all means.  Thanks! 

I've only had two sets of labs done and I had only two markers that were headed in the wrong direction; Ferritin / Iron and D3. They were both still in the normal range and just moved a little in the wrong direction. I won't know if I've reversed the trend for another couple of months when I test for those markers again; but I'm not worried about. I can take all kinds of iron without any problems and I've doubled my D from 50,000 to 100,000 IU. I'll know more in another 2 months.

I sure hope I didn't worry anyone by posting this, that was not my intent. It's just finally really sinking in as to why I can and should eat so much and why it's so important to keep on those labs and take those supplements!

Kerry

Thanks Kerry!  No, you didn't worry me with your post.  I was already nervous - just pre-op jitters I guess!  It's good information, and from a perspective that's not usually presented. Usually all we hear about is the length of the common channel, not what we started with and what gets moved around and left!  Very interesting!  I've bookmarked it for future reference.

And I'm glad you're labs are good!  You're doing fantastic!!!!!!!  

How many sleeps now lovely Laura?

Too many for me to worry my nuerotic little brain about, unfortunately, but at least I'm scheduled!!!!   Any sign of a date yet for you?

I'm having my consultation on the 19th so I'll have my date scheduled then...whooooooooo

Thanks Kerry.

Hi Kerry,

Thanks so much for sharing this. I don't think it is scary- it is powerful and something we all consider at one point or another.

The DS is so amazing and mind boggling in many ways. I think you being further out and more experienced makes the epiphany even more accurate.

I am a newbie and all though I ponder the big picture a lot I am sure down the road the realization of it all will hit even harder.

Bless ya & glad you are happy & well. L  

Well, it's not that I didn't know about it, I just never really looked at the total package and what kind of a % of my small intestine was bypassed. I knew it, but never really realized the scope of what had really happened.

It's all good; it's just the scope of what I have now compared to what I had before never really occurred to me before.

Kerry