Have a surgery date...2/26 and some questions

I think the nurse you spoke to is quite thoughtful and I give her a thumbs up, which is rare for me, because I don't normally support the medical community.  Sorry, I've seen too much greed and ignorance regarding medical providers on these boards the last 5+ years.

Anyway, I think I would talk to a vetted DS surgeon over someone who already has a prejudice against giving the DS to lightweights. A good DS surgeon will talk to you about lengthening the common channel to reduce some of the malabsorption, which will lessen potential gas issues and perhaps because you're a LW you don't need as much malabsorption.  I know of less than a handful of DS patients from these boards who have issues with diarrhea and yet the medical community still preaches that DSrs will have trouble. I've taken my own surgeon to task over these statements and he says they have to mention it as a possible issue, not that he sees it a lot either. Gas is controllable by low carbing and avoiding gluten and some sugar alcohols. I have a few gas issues ay night but I think mine may be because I have celiac disease and may have damaged my small intestines by eating gluten when I shouldn't have. I am able to control it throughout the day and most evenings with no problem.

What vetted DS surgeons are in your state or close to you?

--g 

There is a Dr. Buonomo at Abington Hospital and the only one around. I'm in the Philly suburbs.

Please tell me what your vitamin and supplement regiment is for you.

With the RNY I have to take calcium citrate 3x day which I will do with meals and a multiple bit with iron at bed. And also B12 which I will prob do with monthly

Ah, I see. The program there in Abington is the one calling the shots on LWs having the DS. It's might not Drs be Bonanni or Dr G (Antanavicius). Dr Bonanni studied with my surgeon here near DC and learned to do the DS from him. You might want to look at Dr Greenbaum in NJ. I understand he is out for a few weeks with a shoulder injury but should be back shortly. Dr Peters is also still listed on www.dsfacts.com but he passed away last year.

--gina

Does a longer channel mean you can eat more making regain more possible?

It just means you might malabsorb less nutrients and fat, and have less chance of issues absorbing your vitamins. Your sleeve and you control how much you eat.

 

Regain would be possible regardless of common channel length if you eat too many carbs.  That is also why you may see RNYrs fighting regain so quickly post-op. Their "common channel" is something like 400cm.  
On average with a 100cm DS common channel, DSrs malabsorb 50% of the protein they eat, 80% of the fat and 40% of complex carbs....we can absorb 100% of sugars and simple carbs.  My understanding, and RNYrs please correct me, they malabsorb about 50% of the protein but only on the first 2 years and I don't know the percentages for the other elements. I'm thinking they malabsorb fats and oils too, and they can dump on it. So, they have to take dry vitamins like a DSr does....dry vitamin D3, A, E and K or they get malabsorbed and go through too fast to be absorbed. 

What's a "dry" vitamin?

Why doesn't anyone answer my question about the supplements DSers are taking on a daily basis ?

I take Vitalady's DS plan with the approval of my surgeon and his dietitian....I've been tweaking it according to my labs since one year post-op. I'll post a link to it as soon as I get back on my desk top computer.

Dry only means not in oil. Not the squishy little football shaped capsules. Dry powdered vitamins.

Ok, here we go. Links to Vitalady's various plans. You start here and adjust according to your labs.

http://www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/VitaladysPre-op_i deas_11-2009.doc   
http://www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/VitaLadysLabsandT argets_11-2009.doc
http://www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/ProgramPRNY2-2010 .pdf -- RNY
http://www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/ProgramDRNY_ERNY_ BPDDS3-2010.pdf -- DS

 

 

This has been a great thread. Very informative.