Lap-Bander seeking info for revision decision-Sugar FREE?

I am a bander and looking to revise. Trying to decide between the RNY or DS. I am worried about the "dumping" that I have heard about. What happens if you "dump" in public? Is it possible to hide it? or is it really THAT bad? 

Also, what about Sugar Free sweets? I have a sweet tooth but I can curb it with sugar free candy...but will that also make you dump?

Depends.  Only approx 30% of RNYers dump.  I do not generally dump.  I can eat real sugar, and I do on occasion.  I have had mild episodes of racing heart and feeling hot and then the "carb coma" where I just need to lay down, but it was only once or twice and it was after I ate way too much of a dessert.

Regarding SF candy:  I can only tolerate a small amount of the "fake" sugars.  They do not play well with my insides and suffice it to say I can "clear a room" about 30 minutes after I eat them, so I stay away from the SF products.

Some people dump all the time and it ranges from mild to severe, and it isn't just on refined sugar. 

Don't let dumping alone be the deciding factor for the type of surgery you choose.  Research VSG, RNY and DS and look at pros and cons for each and success/failure rates.  Choose what will provide you with the best outcome for your needs and fit your lifestyle best.  Then find the very best doctor that does that surgery.

For instance, if you need to take NSAIDS, RNY is not for you. (that is just an example of the research you should do-not a single deciding factor).

Wishing you the best!

Kim

thanks for your info! It looks like i need to hang around these sites a bit more often to get as much info as possible.

 

Sometimes I do dump, and some people can tell, but they usually don't know it's really dumping, they say oh you got hot flashes? LOL  bec i do get hot, flustered, shaky and then I have to go and lay down.  Several times I have had to leave work and by the time I get home, I feel better! D-oh!

Catalina,

True dumping is really relatively rare; according to the program at Duke University, only about 8% of the RNY population suffer from what is known as dumping syndrome. It is more common for people to have issues with it during the first 12 to 18 months and it becomes less of an issue for most as their new 'intestinal system' matures. 

I have experienced it twice, eating walnuts of all things. That said, I could feel it coming on, so it is likely that if you do experience it, you will start to feel uncomfortable and that uncomfortable feeling will become more and more intense until the full weight of the dumping syndrome hits. It 'worst' of it normally lasts about  15 to 20 minutes and then ebbs away.

Sweets can be addressed to a certain extent with sugar free items, but you would want to be aware of and monitor the amount of sugar alcohols you ingest because they are known to trip up those who are sensitive to carbs. 

For me, I normally had problems more often when I had something that had a combination of carbs and fats.  That's not as much of an issue now, but my system was very sensitive during the first few months post op. It's not that I would have 'classic' dumping that would consist of cold sweats, cramps, nausea, diarrhea, etc..., but I would more often have symptoms of what I called a 'food coma.' For me a food coma would mean that I'd feel bloated and a bit nauseous, then very sleepy. 

I have friends that have had the DS and they have adverse reactions if they have too many carbs, so you can have some sort of adverse reaction with either type of surgery.

I hope that helps some. 

All the best,

I just wanted to add that it's not just RNY'ers that have a tendency to dump.  My dad had the VSG (sleeve) and he dumps.  It wouldn't surprise me if there are some dumpers that had the DS, also, but I don't know of anyone personally. :)

Good luck on whichever choice you make!!
Jen

I am a dumper. And unless I say something, most don't know it. They think I'm having a hot flash (and I'm in menopause). I do occasionally get the diarrhea portion of it, but it only lasts a short time. I can eat sugars to a certain point, but don't often, because they slow the weight loss. I also dump on HIGH carb foods. I have also rarely dumped on fatty foods. I'm RARE! Would I give it up for the band? No. I had a Band first. for 2 yrs 4 months. I was extremely nervous about dumping. The first few times it happened was all it took to teach me not to eat certain foods. I can not eat cheerios. But I can eat Life, and a friend of mine can't. No two people have the same "can't eat/can eat" list. And if I really want cheerios, I can do half a serving.

Another thing some people contribute to dumping, is eating to much.

That said. Unless I don't want people to know, I'm pretty open. My church and family know I had a RNY, and most of my friends.

Sugar free sweets are ok for me if they have less than 13 grams of sugar alcohols. There are people that don't have issues.

I too have a sweet tooth, but most days my protein bars for snacks is more than enough to hold my sweet tooth in check. Honestly I find now, things are to sweet.

teri

i too had lap band 9/09 lost 80lbs in two years which i hated, everyone thought i was just over eating, but the darn band just didn't work, it leaked and caused a dilated pouch, anyways RNY was the best for me, i am losing about 2-3lbs a week, which i never did with the lap band and i actually can drink lots of water which i never was able to with the band, i feel much better and of course to my luck, i don't dump, i cant tolerate a lot of sweets like before but i love that part, and the heart palpitations are just as if you get high blood pressure feeling for me, so i stop what ever i am eating and watch very carefully what i eat, carbs make me nauseated at times so that helps too.

wish you much luck but i will say that for me i am all for the RNY,  and regret wasting time with the lap band. i have a friend at work who had the sleeve, he is doing terrible with it, he can eat EVERYTHING, and he does, so if that is a problem for you that you may come across, then choose RNY, no matter what, you will never be able to eat the same amount again.

i was told by my nurse that people who had the band and then went to RNY can actually tolerate more food than the 2oz that others have, i guess its due to the pouch being so scared from the band! not sure.

good luck, and keep us updated on your decision