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9-12-07

I talked to my mother yesterday.  I called her to update here on my progress towards the DS.  She was happy to hear I am moving in a forward direction and finding out what all needs to be done before we go to Mexico.
My mom told me she has a lump/knot in her left breast and has to have it looked at. There scheduling her for a Mammogram "asap" she has to get her records from her last mammogram to compare with this one. I pray the lump is just a cyst and not cancer.  My mom lives in Texas and it's times like these I wish we were closer to each other.  My mom is a very strong women. She had a heart attack last year and her biggest complaint was she couldn't get the work done she wanted afterwards.  She has such a strong mindset. She doesn't do sick well at all.  I wish I had her get up and go attitude at times.

 If your reading this and your a spiritual person please say a prayer for my mom. 

9-11-07

Well I finally heard from Dr. Ungson today.  He sent a list of the tests I will have to have done here at home. I will just have to fax all the results to him once I am done.

The tests are as follows:
Cardiologist report
Neumologist report? ( he cant spell english well) Pulmonolgy sounds right
Blood testing ( cbc, Lipid panel, Complete metabolic Panel, VIT 1.25 d,  PTH, PT, PTT, Calcium, Blood Type and RH and Thyroid Function )

9-11-07

Ok I thought I would share some research I have done regarding the DS.
Here are some links to some very interesting information. I will add more as I learn more. ( the links will take you directly to the site if you click on them)
 
http://duodenalswitch.com/procedure/procedure.html  this site has information and is a must read!!!!!
 
www.duodenalswitch.com  this is a informative site and has the most up to date list of surgeons

http://www.nyp.org/news/hospital/884.html this site is about a study of the DS verses the RNY

http://www.asbs.org/html/patients/bpds.html this is a brief history and summary of the DS

http:/surgerybariatric.net/  this site is a links site and offers many links for researching

http:/www.hopkinsbayview.org/bariatrics/docs/nutrition_dds.pds  this site offer nutrition information and more A MUST SEE!!!

http:/www.answers.com/topics/duodenal-switch  this link is informative and list advantages and disadvantages

http://johnhustedmd.com/  This site show animated diagram of what happens with each WLS.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/09/060922095040.htm   this link is a interesting study

 

9-9-07

Well I have been researching the DS-Duodenal Switch. I have wanted the RNY for the past 3 years and thought it would be the best WLS for me. I didn't know what the DS was till I found this forum because here in Oklahoma no surgeons perform the DS and it was never discussed by any of the doctors or in the support groups.

I was noticing on the main board all the people who were having revisions.  There are many resons for the revisions but alot of them seem to be due to health problems that come from having RNY and weight regain.  I am self pay with no insurance so I need the WLS that will require the least amount of problems possible after WLS. I am also such a high BMI that I want the WLS that offers the best success for that and the DS is the best for high BMI's.

I have discussed this decision with my family and I have showed them some of the research I have done and they also feel it is the best choice for me.  My husband and kids like the fact that the DS offers a more normal lifestyle as far as eating after WLS. 

I have a great family doctor and should have no problems keeping up my blood work / labs to keep a close eye on the mal-absorbtion that the DS if famous for. I am Anemic and will be discussing prier to WLS how me and my doctor will handle that. 

I have met some DS'rs on this forum who have answered numerous questions and I have learned so much from them.  I have so much to learn about Mexico and traveling there.  I have to get passports and save up money for expenses. My mind is always on having this surgery and the money I need to save up for it.

THANKS to everyone who has been there through out this decision process and listened to me and offered me advise. Yall are great!!!!!!

9-6-07

Well I am gonna quit smoking. I have to do this for surgery and I just need to anyway. I did quit back in 2004 when I was going through the RNY approval process and in 2005 when I was denied by insurance for the surgery I lit up that day. I was so stupid. I used the nicotine patch before and thats what I am using again. This time I WILL NOT start smoking again.

I was trying to learn Spanish earlier this year and I am gonna get back to the Spanish tutorial on my PC and learn some more before I go to Mexico for my WLS.  I know there are some basic words it would be good to know. I am using the Rosetta Stone program and it is a good way to learn a second language. It is time consuming but I think the more Spanish I learn the better off I will be in Mexico.

9-2-07

Ok I am bored silly tonight and thought I would list the things I want to be able to do again. I have seen this on other profiles and thought I would make a list of my own. Here it goes!

1. Do things without becoming winded and tired-- at 425+lbs somethings can be difficult. It would also be nice to be weighed anywhere I go.

2. Shop for cloth in a store-- currently I shop online catalogs or ebay.

3.  Go somewhere without people staring at my belly area or feeling like I am embarrassing who ever I am with because people are staring-- this is really my biggest insecurity from being super morbidly obese I have actually had a few episodes where I have been called names or made fun of in public by adults. Cruel world we live in. No no one has ever said they were embarrassed to be with me Its just how I feel. Yes I am Insecure.

4. Not feel like I need to put myself down before someone else does--I don't really know why I do this but I have done it most my life. I suppose it is insecurity. I don't think losing weight will change this but I need to work on it anyway. I need to build up my self confidence!!!!!!!!!

5. Feel pretty and sexy!-- I suppose this is what all women want. I haven't felt sexy or pretty in years. I miss it and I miss the confidence that comes with it.

6.  Sleep all night long--I have to raise up and roll over when I shift sides at night. I wake up to do this. It would be nice to just roll over in my sleep.

7. Work again-- I want to get up and go to work and feel like I contribute to my family financially.

There are many more things I want to do. The usual stuff like sit in a booth, go to the movies and fit in the seats etc.  I think most of us want the same things. Were really not all that different I suppose.

9-2-07

I have great family! They are so supportive of me. My mother and step father have offered to help me pay for WLS and my father has offered to buy my plane ticket to Mexico. How nice of them. My mom is so scared I am gonna die. I wish she wouldn't worry about that.  She means well. She loves me and only wants to help. I dont know how much money she will be able to put towards my surgery she said she would pay for the whole thing if I financed it. WRONG!!!!!!!! That would be nice but I cant accept that kind of gift and I really don't want me or her to pay extra for financing unless it was a "HAVE TO" situation. I will pay my part and accept help but I don't want her taking on this burden herself.  I explained this to her and she understands how I feel.  So she wants me to have this done around December2007 no later than March 2008.  Sounds like a very reasonable goal. I hope to be posting I have a date in the next few months! That would be great!

I can't name a single person in my family who doesn't support my decision to have WLS. My children are a little scared but that is to be expected.  They think mom is just fine the way she is. Kids you gotta love them. My boys are the best.

My husband is liking the Duodenal Switch the more we research it. I have been told Dr. Ungston in Mexico is very good and I have looked at his web page and the cost would be about $15,000 after it is all said and done. I have not contacted his office yet because I am still researching and haven't full decided yet but I like everything I find out so far. I will need to see if my doctor will be able to take care of me after the DS. I don't know if the bariatric surgeon in Tulsa will take care of DS people afterwards because he only performs the lapband and RNY.  So I may need to find a aftercare doctor who is educated on the DS if thats what I choose to have done.

8-29-07

I am researching the Duodenal Switch. As I get closer to having all my money saved for my WLS I am weighing all my options. I don't know anything really about the DS and am learning more. I want to make the best WLS choice for me. I have been lurcking around the DS board and have asked a few questions. Nice folks on that forum.  I really wanted the RNY but I am wondering if that will be the best for me. I want the surgery with the least amount of problems afterwards since I am self pay and not insured.  I wish there were some support groups around my area for the DS. 

8-20-07

I have been sooo busy I haven't had much time for OH lately. Things are going well the last 2 months have been a roller coaster ride.  We have gone into buisness for ourselves and we are learning so much.  Life is good and I am so looking forward to getting the money for my WLS all saved up.  The kids are back to school and my time is a little freed up and I hope to be able to spend a little more time on OH.

6-11-07

I have been working out in the pool everyday for a week. I have to swim around the out edge of the pool 75 times to have swam a mile. I am up to 1/4 of a mile so far. I can almost do this without getting winded. YIPPY!!!
By this time next month I want to be doing the full 75 laps.  I have always loved swimming.  I have so enjoyed having a pool to be able to get into anytime I want. My sis comes over and works out with me and when she can't come my son Isaac works out with me. It keeps me motivated to have someone doing it with me. 

I haven't got any money saved lately. Things keep popping up. I hope in September to get some saved. Things with my hubby's truck have taken money and school is gonna start again soon so that takes up money.  I need to win the lotto! Oh first I would have to buy a ticket and I don't have any money for that so I guess the lotto theory is out of the question. LOL