I wasn't going to post about it, but this is way too much fun not to share.  It's taken me a couple of years, but I'm finally living my life.  I *do* things every single day, I'm feeling better than I have in my entire life!   I had such an awesome night last night, I just have to tell you guys about it.  In true fashion, I'm going into details, so you know that this is going to be a long-assed post.  Get a nice cup of Joe and make sure you don't have to pee before you get started, I tried to shorten the story, but I didn't want to leave anything out about my night of wow's. 

One of my best high school friends was in town last night from Orlando and I met him at a Broad Ripple club called, "The Jazz Kitchen."  There were live bands playing in two rooms all night, as well as a stand up comedian who was funny as hell, that I wound up getting to know pretty well by the end of the night.  I ran into several people that I had gone to high school with, and I cannot tell you how much fun that was!  Jason was with a group of about 15 of his sister's friends, so there was plenty to talk about. 

I guess the reason I'm posting about this is because I felt N O R M A L all night long.  I didn't worry about being fat, I didn't worry about being thin, I just WAS.  I wore the same blue dress that I wore for the DS BBQ so that I wouldn't be hot, I'm glad b/c we spent a better part of the evening outside on the patio.  I had sooo many wow's I can't even begin to tell you guys.

First, about my friend Jason.  We've been very good friends since we were 15 years old.  We don't always keep in touch, but it doesn't change our closeness once we hook back up when he's in town from Florida.  Jason is my little bro and I love this guy so much.  I never let Jason see me in the years that I had gotten to my largest.  I always had an excuse.  I can't tell you how freeing it is to now jump on the opportunity to go out with him when he's in town.  He was drowning me with compliments all night long about how great I look and about how I've improved with age.  He kept pointing out men that were checking me out, wow, ME?  Really?  The man is golden as far as I'm concerned.

In the group we were with, there was a girl that we had gone to high school with.  She looked me up and down and said, "Dang girl, look at how hot you grew up to be!"  We were talking about our lives with the group, and after I told them I was a stay at home Mom to three kids, she exclaimed, "Well damn, aren't you just the hottest MILF I've ever met!!"  I about died on the spot!  No one believed me when I said I have an 11 year old son in middle school, they all said I looked too young to have kids that old.  I'm assuming they were just being nice, but I enjoyed it none-the-less.

Several different men asked if I was married and after saying yes, they were respectful but said that it was too bad.  (One even asked if I was maybe in the thinking process of being single!  Lol!  I told him that I was quite content, thank you!)  I'm thinking that felt pretty nice.  The comedian and I ended up hanging out quite a bit, and I'm not sure what made him say it but he told me that I was one of the funniest chics he had ever met.  He asked me if I'd join him on stage for his comedy act, I respectfully declined and said that I can only be funny when I'm not trying!  I should have done it, but I felt shy all of a sudden when he asked me.  Jason agreed and said that he's always loved how funny I am.  Really?  I didn't know that people thought I was funny.  That felt pretty damned good!  At the end of the night John (the comedian)  said, "You are one beautiful woman, make sure to  tell your husband that he is one lucky man, and that he's got some stiff competition if he goes effing things up with you!"  It was so fun to feel desired again, even if he was only just being nice.  I've been with my husband for 14 years, and rarely have men said anything to me since I've lost my weight b/c I'm usually with my hubby and kids. 

To add to my novel that I've already spewed, I met a woman last night that I really connected with.  I'm sure the fact that she also has children helped us to talk, but we had some really candid conversations.  This girl has long blonde hair, six foot tall, GORGEOUS as the day is long, and I swear I have a girl crush on her now.  (Well, YKWIM).  About 2 hours into hanging out, she turns to the comedian guy (they have been friends for 20 years) and says, "John, when you told me earlier how amazing this girl was, I wasn't so convinced.  I'll tell you what though, you were DEAD on, this may be my favorite person I've ever met!"  She was telling me that women typically want nothing to do with her, that they completely snub her, and say shit about her behind her back.  She said I was the first person in maybe all of her life that she felt was actually genuine.  I was asking her questions about how to read people's cues, as I just don't really have this filter after all of these years of being obese.  She was the only person that I talked to all night about my WLS, and I only told her b/c I was explaining that I had only recently been experiencing the girls snubbing me thing.  We exchanged numbers at the end of the night, and we were talking already on our way home!  LoL!

Okay, I swear this will end soon (See Shani, I can be brief!  Lol!)....I didn't pay for a single thing all night long!!!  Jason bought my appetizer and several drinks, and then random people were buying me drinks all night long.  I *actually* got not only buzzed but pretty hammered...it took a couple of shots of Rumplemints to get me really going, but WOW, I was tanked!  It was so fun being out there, having great conversations with random people, and feeling completely, 100% normal. 

I crawled into bed at 3:30 am and the kids were absolute gems and let me sleep until 9.  I don't feel hung over at all, and after lunch we're heading to my Mom's for the day to be pool bums.  Same thing we did yesterday. 

Okay, my point?  I'm out there you guys.  I'm riding bikes, swimming, and taking walks, going to parks and enjoying time with my old friends.  On my drive home I was feeling quite grateful that I feel now that  I'm just normal.  Wow.  Normal.  It's been a long journey, but I honestly feel like I'm there guys.  I think I'm liking this new life of mine. 

So I'm having a grateful kind of morning this morning and I've been doing some reflecting as I get going for my day.  Yanno, 2 years ago I wasn't a happy person.  I can honestly say today that I *am.*  Losing weight is not the thing that makes me happy, having my life back....a real life this time around is what makes me happy.  I have so many things to be grateful for, I feel my life is blessed.  Having my OH family has been an experience that has been unmatched in my lifetime.  You all are simply the best.

I'd like to take this time to properly thank three people that have been the key to my success with the DS.  I have lost hundreds of pounds in my lifetime, but had never learned to keep it off.  With the help of my DS and the advice of these three amazing women, I can truly say I feel like a success, and that my success will continue because of the plans I have in place.

First to PattyL, your advice to new post-ops about staying the hell away from carbs and sugar until they get to goal hit home with me as a pre-op.  You said, "Why chance it, lose the weight first, and then when you're at goal figure out what makes you gain weight.  It's only a sacrifice for a little while, not the rest of your life."  I took your advice to heart and have only had to watch carbs intensely for the first 8 months to get to my goal weight of 145 pounds.  Since then the only carbs I've had to be wary of have been the ones that cause me gas issues, such as white flour and milk. 

That brings me to Carolyn.  Your advice on your magical maintenance plan (MMP)made me learn to be aware of my weight.  It took me two years to have to actually USE the MMP, but just 6 days of lower carbs this week took me from 142 back down to 138.  I have chosen these two weights as my low and high.  If it hadn't been for you, Carolyn, I would've never thought to keep such close track of my weight.  In the past, I'd lose weight and spiral out of control gaining tons of weight before realizing what I had done.  I feel so prepared to have a plan in place.  I feel secure knowing that I am in control of my weight, which gives me freedom to know that I don't have to work my ass of ever again to get my weight under control.

Last, but by no means least, Vitalady.  I couldn't be where I am without you, Michelle.  You helped me design a vitamin plan, you answer all of my questions (patiently), and provide support that is unmatched.  When my protein tanked you didn't belittle me for having slacked with my protein shakes, you just held my hand and told me to add them back to the plan.  Eight weeks ago when we discovered my protein malnutrition, you told me that I could get better on my own without the TPN feedings that my surgeon said I would have to go on if I couldn't get protein levels back up.  I started back on my protein shakes immediately and have been drinking 5-6 of them a day.  And you, of course, were right.  I have my life back.  THANK YOU for being my rock in this journey to better health.  Keep doing what you're doing, because without you many of us would be lost, deficient and basically screwed.

My weight has been up, it's been down (way down), and now I've finally settled RIGHT where I want to be.  Don't know how I got so lucky, but today I so pleased with where I am.  Today I am celebrating being normal.  Today is simply wonderful.

Lori

I hope these links will help you like they have me.

Should EVERYONE have the DS?

Insurance says DS investigational: a how-to manual

A MUST READ- More about Small Bowel Obstruction! I


Hey new-ops and soon to be new-ops, some info to h

Wanna know if your $hit's gonna stink after the DS

Bathroom Issues - Dina McB

DS is not an "eat anything you want" surgery

SITES TO BOOKMARK THREADS FOR NEWBIES


For The Vets: What's Your Thing? Tell What You Kno

Some of you newbies and DS wannabes PISS me off. L

Okay, I'm ready. Let's get our list of tips on how

Do not forget to visit DSfacts.com as well as duodenalswitch.com. 

 
Frequently asked questions from Pre-ops and new... [Edit Post]
on April 8, 2008 10:15 am
Published
All of us have been pre-ops, or maybe you still are now.  We all have a million questions in the pre-op phase, but it's so easy to forget the answers once we've actually had our surgery.  There are so many crazy and confusing things that happen to us after we get our DS's.  Each of us have very different journey's, but in the beginning we all seem to have many of the same questions, concerns, and fears.  I have started a list of frequently asked questions and have weighed in on each of them with my opinion.  Please keep in mind that I'm not in the medical field and the following should not replace the advice of your surgeon or doctor...these are just the things I've learned along my journey by either reading or experiencing first hand. 

Is my poop going to stink, and/or am I going to get gas with the DS?

Well, yes.  We're human.  Poop NEVER smells good, and we all get gas,I don't care who you are.  I do believe that the smell changes after the DS, (as it does with ANY malabsorbtive procedure...just look at the RNY board or talk to an RNYer, they complain of this problem too) but it hasn't been something for me that has been uncontrollable. 

Ways to control gas and smelly poo after your WLS

I have found an air freshener that clears any "bad smells" that may happen called Body Fantasies, Cotton Candy Fantasies.  (Found at Walmart, Walgreen's and other similar places too).  There are also internal deodorizers like Devrom, Innermint, and of course there is always Flagyll.  We each have to find what works for us, no one person will be the same.  In the end, the thing that works the VERY best is watching for the trigger foods that give you gas and avoiding them if you need to be somewhere that having a bout of gas would cause you problems.  As a pre-op, beans, chili, and spicy foods gave me noxious gas.  As a post-op, those still get me sometimes, and white flour is an additional gas maker for me as a DSer.  I only eat it in the evening hours when I'm home for the night.  Often it is rumored that DSers have diarrhea for life.  This is *NOT* a normal condition after the DS and if you have diarrhea after the first few weeks post op, you should be talking to your surgeon ASAP about what to do.  Dr. Hess suggests taking 1 -3 teaspoons of Metamucil to add bulk to your stools and help to cut back on the frequency of them.  On the other side of the coin, if you find you lean toward constipation, there are things you can do for this as well.  You can take the full dose of M.O.M before going to bed as a first resort.  If this doesn't work, try upping your fat intake for the next couple of days.  (Add extra butter to the things you're eating, Lil' Smokies, pulled pork, kielbasa, KFC chicken, crab legs dipped in butter, popcorn swimming in butter and so forth).  Another remedy that people talk about using is Magnesium Oxide.  You can take 1,000 mg at bedtime and see if that will work for you.  Metamucill can also be used to keep everything moving if constipation is an issue. 

This hurts so much!!!!!

There is no doubt about it, this surgery hurts!  You've just had your stomach cut open (whether you had your surgery open or lap, this is a big surgery) and it is definitely going to take you time to recover.  I know that we all want to be normal quickly, but having a large portion of your stomach removed, your intestines rerouted, your gallbladder, AND your appendix removed. This is a HUGE- GIGANTIC surgery!  For sure!  You are going to have pains, and you are going to have weird little "ghost type pains" that are all of your nerves reconnecting, and things are going to be hard for some time.  Some of us heal more quickly than others, but we all take time.  The best thing you can do is take plenty of naps, stay hydrated, take your vitamins as religiously as humanly possible while your stomach is still swollen, get in as much protein as you can, and take lots of little mini walks throughout the day.  Walking is hard at first, but it does help us heal more quickly which is awesome!!!

***If you are having pain that concerns you, do not hesitate to contact your surgeon, night or day.  They are not going to get mad at you, they want you to be safe too.  If they didn't want middle of the night calls they could have been an accountant....it's their job and they're there for you when you need them, no matter how small the issue. 

How will I break my carb addiction?

I think it's important before even having your DS to make a lifelong commitment to getting in your daily protein.  Protein first is one of the most important rules with the DS.  Sure, that bag of potato chips might be screaming your name much louder than your plateful of protein, but if you can't finish your protein, then you have to make yourself a promise that you won't touch the potato chips.  (Or whatever carb is there screaming your name).  Protein first is a *must* after you get the DS.  If you can eat your protein and you then have room left over, it's okay to have the carb(s) that you want so bad.  By the time you've eaten your protein there won't be a lot of room left for the junk anyway.  Always try to only have a small portion of carbs while in your weight loss window and still trying to lose.    Our chemistry is changed when we focus on protein in our diets.  When you eat protein and fats, your body is satisfied longer...when you eat carbs your body craves food sooner and you'll typically crave another carby food because your chemistry is thrown off balance.  The DS doesn't have to be a "diet" but you will have to make some sacrifices at times if you plan to reach your weight loss goal.  Keeping your carbs low, and your protein and fat high will help the chemistry of your body to fight off carb cravings.  It is better to stay away from carbs as much as possible during the weight loss phase of your journey.  You've had this huge surgery to change your life, take every opportunity to make this work for you.  It may be hard at times for some, but once you adjust to your new way of life, it becomes much easier.  The weight loss phase isn't going to be your forever, but it *is* the key to whether you will reach your goal or not.

Stalls, weight bouncing back and forth and the such...

I've been a member on this board for almost a year and a half.  I've seen JUST about every single person talk about or experience a stall.  We all have different types of losses, but many of us seem to lose in "chunks."  There were times when I would lose steadily throughout the month, and then there were times when my weight wouldn't change for three weeks.  After those three weeks, a loss always came...and usually it came hard and fast!  My losses each month always looked good in the end, no matter what pattern I lost the weight throughout the month.  There were many times during those stalls that I'd look like I was actually gaining as the numbers would bounce between 6 pounds up and down, but like I said.....the stalls were always followed by a loss.

We all have things that work for us to break a stall.  Val likes her Krispy Kremes and Caesar Salad to flush things through, Haley likes crab legs in tons of butter and then buttery popcorn, many are big fans of KFC fried chicken to get things moving.  (I'm one of them).  Another thing that breaks a stall for some is to have 2 or 3 higher carb days to shake their body up and then they go back to low carb, high protein, high fat.  Another thing that can really help is to up your fluids and really push them.  Try to drink double what you normally do, water is an amazing thing!

I think as SMO and MO individuals that we are so used to having success with our weight loss only to gain back, that it has become a pattern that makes it impossible for our brains to process that we are going to succeed.  Keep reminding yourself that you took the plunge and went for the strongest and best WLS available to us today, and believe that your DS *is* going to work.  There is so much truth to the power of positive thinking.  You've done your research and you chose this surgery because you felt it was the best fit for your life.  If you hit a stall, drop your carbs to under 50 grams a day, up your protein and water, and watch the magic happen!  Work the rules of the DS, and your DS will work for you!!!!

What are the rules of the DS?

In my opinion, there are very few rules to living with the DS.  Here are the ones I live by...

#1 You must have your labwork done every 6 months or every year (each surgeon is different on this) for the rest of your life....NO MATTER WHAT!!!  There is no way around this.  Labs tell you and your surgeon or PCP where your vitamin levels are.  With the degree of malabsorbtion that we have with the DS, this can mean the difference between life and death, losing body parts or keeping them.  I'm not messing with having things go badly for me after doing something so drastic to have a normal life again!  I want to live because life after the DS is sooo good.  The DS has given me what genetics slighted me.  My surgeon recommends yearly lab work, I'm choosing to go for my lab work every 6 months to always be on top of the game.  In addition, I have started my own file for my own copies of my labs to watch my vitamin levels and the trends that my levels are following.  Also, Gina has shared a wonderful spreadsheet with me that I will be able to plug my numbers right in and look at my results all in one place!  Thanks Gina!  You're awesome!

#2 Vitamins are a forever commitment after the DS.  Each person has to decide what their own vitamin regime will be, and labs will dictate much of what you take over the years.  You need to read and learn as much as you can about the vitamins that your body will need for optimal health, and you need to stay up on the latest information as we all figure things out.  (One of my biggest reasons that I plan to hang on OH over the next, Oh, I don't know.....70 years!)  I take my vitamins 7 times a day.  Some think that this is not manageable, but for me it's a cinch!  If I'm eating, I'm taking vitamins.  If I'm taking vitamins, I'm eating.  These two things go hand in hand.  When it is time to take pills, I just dump the compartment that it's time to take into my hand, and it's totally fool-proof.  I typically grab my pill reminder anytime I walk out the door to make sure that if I'm gone longer than planned that i have my pills with me.  I also carry a one week pill minder in my purse that has tons of calcium and multi's in it, just in case I didn't bring my big pill container.  This is the system that works for me. 

****Important****  THERE WILL NEVER BE A TIME IN YOUR LIFE AFTER YOUR DS THAT VITAMINS WILL NOT BE IMPORTANT.  This truly is a matter of LIFE AND DEATH.  Just because you THINK you're getting all you need from your foods because you maybe have the perfect diet, I promise you that it isn't so.  I for one, like having all of my arms and legs, and all of my innards functioning correctly.  I value my life and vitamins are not something that you can become lax on just because you don't feel like doing it anymore. 


#3Protein, protein, protein!  Protein is a building block for MANY functions of our bodies.  After the DS we DO NOT absorb all of the protein we eat, so it's important to shoot for 100 grams of protein or more a day.  Of course for many new-ops, that number is hard to hit.  Some of us are able to do it, and some of us aren't.  So long as you get 30 grams of protein by 30 days, 60 grams by 60 days and 90 grams by 90 days, you should be fine!  Always STRIVE for more, but don't come down on yourself if you can't get more.  It's okay to not be perfect in the beginning, you're starting out with a new life and it takes time to adjust.  My suggestion is to find a protein drink you can tolerate and try to get 2-4 of them in everyday until you can eat the protein from all of your food.  My favorite is Champion Nutrition Pure Whey Stack, chocolate is my favorite flavor.   Vitalady has lots of sample proteins on her website and I recommend having several already waiting for you when you get home from the hospital to try and see what suits you best.  Don't spend a ton, just have enough to sample and get you through a week or two, and then when you find the one you like, order it pronto! 

#4Low carbs. This one is most important during the weight loss phase of your journey.  The DS really is an amazing surgery and works quite well for most of us.  Carbs really are the nemesis during the weight loss phase of your journey.  Keeping them low will get you to goal faster, and by keeping them low you're also keeping cravings at bay.  Our chemistry changes when we keep our carbs low, and doing this after the DS is relatively easy.  When you focus on getting in all of your protein, there is little room for much else for many, many months.  If you start getting a taste of carbs early out, the carbo man or sugar slut can take hold of you and prevent you from getting to your goal.  I haven't been perfect about avoiding carbs through my weight loss phase, but I've done pretty good.  I stayed under 50 grams a day from day 1 through 2 months, I stayed below 75 grams of carbs from months 2-4, and I stayed below 100 from months 4-6.  At 6 months out I could see that I needed to start upping my carbs to SLOW my loss, and I've been eating around 200-300 grams of carbs a day since then.  This will vary for everyone....you have to find your own comfort zone.  LadyDi and Patty L made a ggod point  to me when I was a pre-op that has always stayed with me. They said something like, "Make the commitment to stay as low carb as possible until you reach your goal.  When you're at goal, you can start toying with carbs then.  At that point you'll already be thin and you can watch your scale closely.  If you see your weight creeping up, cut back on the carbs."  It's that easy.  The weight loss window is said to be between 18 months to three years.  It's an easy commitment to make to have a lifelong freedom with eating.  You can cut back on carbs, and doing so will help you to reach the goal we all so desire to be at.

I'm scared I will I lose my hair....

This one hits close to home for me.  My hair thinned from about months three to five after my DS, and then I had to have a hernia repair during my fifth month post op. After the hernia repair, my thin hair started falling out in clumps instead of strands.  The stress of 2 surgeries in 5 months time, in addition to a huge weight loss in a short amount of time did me no favors.  If there was anyone that wasn't going to lose their hair...it was me!  I was getting 90+ grams of protein by my 6th day out from surgery.  By the end of week two, I rarely got below 100 grams of protein and never ever under 90 a day.  I always got in my 64 oz of fluid from week 2 on, and I even took Biotin, Selenium and Zinc.  I was doing everything the way I was supposed to, to avoid hair loss.  But I still lost.  Ten days out from my hernia surgery in Dec. I bought my first wig.  I loved it!  It didn't look perfect, but it looked better than staring at my practically bald scalp.  If you'd like to know more about buying a wig, check the blog posted 2 below this one and I have info there.  I wore my wig from Dec 14th until April 2nd when I went and got a very sassy and short do.  It looks pretty okay too!  Now that I have lost my hair, worn a wig for months, and now have had to have my hair cut extremely short, ask me if I'd do it all over again.  Go ahead.  HELL YES!!!  I'd do this every single year of my life to be free from obesity.  Hair is JUST hair and it's GOING to grow back eventually.  Now I get to start over with a new crop of hair and I'm really enjoying it!  The bonus is that I'm thin enough now to pull off a short hair cut for as long as I need to.  I would've never done this at my highest weight! 

What about loose skin?  I don't wanna have loose skin........

Okay, chances are, if you are big enough to qualify for WLS, and you then have WLS, you're going to have some loose skin.  It isn't normal for skin to stretch the way we've stretched it when we are MO or SMO, and it's impossible to think that you're going to have a perfect body without some type of plastic surgery in your future.  Some of us have a lot of loose skin, some of us only have certain problem areas, and many go on to live a normal life with their loose skin without issue.  I for one, would rather have loose skin and go on to live a long healthy life, than to have continued being MO and having skin that fits me perfectly, but dying young from my comorbidities.  I've never heard of anyone dying from having loose skin.  Believe me, it's WELL WORTH the trade off.  Something that I'm doing until I'm able to have an abdomnioplasty is wearing Spanx.  This is a hose-like undergarment that goes from just below my bra to the mid thigh.  These are very comfortable, moveable and breathable...and it really helps to tame all of the loose skin in my mid-section.  You can also get an identical product made by the same company as Spanx at Target.  The line there is called Assets.  These really help to slim me and feel confident with my excess skin issue. 

Have I broken my DS?? I haven't lost weight in XX amount of time.

Refer to the stalling question above.  And also, chances are that you're not going to be the person that breaks their DS.  I know that we all feel insecure at different times in our journey's, but if you feel like things aren't going well with your DS, sit down and make a list with two columns.  One side listing what you're doing right.  The other side listing what you may be doing wrong.  Then you need to re-evaluate what you're doing and figure out why things aren't working.  If you're doing everything right and you're stall just won't end, have some patience.  Chances are, if you're eating low carb, high protein, and high fat, you will eventually see progress.  Be patient with your body, you're going through a lot.  Your body is changing at a rate that it has probably never seen before. 

Is this going to get better, EVER??

Yes, but not right away.  You need to give yourself the gift of 4-6 weeks to recover.  (This time varies by each person, and whether you have your DS laparascopically or open.  Mine was open and I felt pretty good around 2 weeks, but I still needed time to adjust and get used to my new routine). Take care of yourself and take time to adjust to this new life you've been given.  The DS is a blessing, and if you follow the simple rules it can set you free from your obesity.  During your recovery you need to really focus on you.  It's okay to not be a super-hero during this time, no one should expect you to be normal yet.  My routine went something like this.  Wake up around 8am.  Take vitamins, eat protein rich breakfast, take a walk to get the food to move down, I would try to drink at least 12 oz of water during and after my breakfast, and do incentive spirometer.  If I felt like taking a shower, I would do that.  If not, it was back to the recliner in my bedroom for a nap.  I set my alarm to make sure to wake up and get started all over again.  I'd wake up, take vits, eat protein lunch, walk, do incentive spirometer, and try to drink 12 oz fluids.  Sometimes I'd feel like hanging with the kids, sometimes I'd head back for another 1-2 hour nap. Then I would usually do a protein drink around 4 in the afternoon and take my vits.  Back out for another walk, trying to get in 12 oz fluids and doing my incentive spirometer.  I was usually ready to eat some more protein or another protein shake by 7 pm and would be trying to drink the remaining amount of my fluids through the evening hours.  I would get in one more protein snack around 10 pm and then when that had digested I'd take my bedtime vits and head to bed.  It *is* a full time job, but if I can do it, I promise anyone can! 

 If you feel like things are never going to get better, just come onto OH and look at all of the post ops that are living life to it's fullest.  It *DOES* get better, just believe that it will....and in no time you'll be chugging along like the rest of us.  There really is a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it isn't shining brightly for you right now. 

In closing....

Try to relax and enjoy this amazing ride!  Try not to worry about every little thing that is happening, or not happening.  You're going to have good days and bad days, some of us will get to goal and some of us won't, in the end we are all just striving to have healthier lives than we have/had as Morbidly or Super Morbidly obese people.  I'm always happy to help anyone in any way that I can!

Great links for more info on the DS......................

Carolyn M is an RN on our board that has had the DS.  She has LOTS of great info posted on her profile as well.  Here's the link....

http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/spadequeen_10/

(Thank you Anne S for these great links!!!)

dshess.com (be sure to look at the patient blue book, LOTS of valuable    info there!!! Also there is a great PowerPoint presentation as well!)

Dr. Husted (animated DS)
(look for animation link - scroll down)
http://johnhustedmd.com/switch.htm

Dr. Ungson (animated DS)
http://www.drungson.com/eng/obe/swi.htm

Dr. Smith (streaming video image)
http://tinyurl.com/y6ey9y

Dr. John Rabkin (gives an excellent speech with PowerPoint presentation, and explains the pros and cons of the Lap Band, RNY (gastric bypass), vertical sleeve gastrectomy, and the Duodenal Switch
http://www.paclap.com

Dr. Buchwald (text description)
http://www.university.fairview.org/Clinical_Services/Weight/ c_126333.asp

Cornell University in NYC (text description)
http://tinyurl.com/2odovv

Dr. Kesheshian (click "procedure image")
http://tinyurl.com/y7w3ab

Dr. Cirangle (description)
http://tinyurl.com/y27ejl

Dr. Baltasar 
www.bodybybaltasar.com

A Website Dedicated to the Duodenal Switch ONLY
http://www.duodenalswitch.com/procedure/procedure.html

More great links courtesy of Blackthorne:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/WeightManagement/tb/ 4162
http://www.americansurgical.info/abstracts/2006/28.cgi
http://www.breasthealthonline.com/cgi-bin/mwf/topic_show.pl? tid=10392  
http://www.mgwater.com/calmagab.shtml
http://www.dssurgery.com/generalinformation/comparison.php  
http://sri.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/12/2/115.pdf  
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=13 60120  
http://www.harvardmagazine.com/on-line/050465.html  
http://www.nature.com/ncpcardio/journal/v2/n11/full/ncpcardi o0349.html 



Here are some links to interesting posts that have been on the DS board lately as well...
SITES TO BOOKMARK THREADS FOR NEWBIES

Okay, I'm ready. Let's get our list of tips on how

Let's do a poll: Do you drink protein shakes?

Lori


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is everything I can think of for now.  Of course I'll update when I come up with other questions that are asked frequently.  Always open for suggestions to things I should add to this blog as well! 

Lori

    Print Recipe

Crustless Asparagus and Bacon Quiche

Preparation Time:

10

Total Time:

30

Number of Servings:

8

Next time you have company service this festive brunch dish.  SCHWAN'S Sliced Ham (#492) can be substituted for the Fully Cooked Bacon Slices in this recipe.

 

Buy the Schwan's® Ingredients

Ingredients

2 Tbsp.	bread crumbs
4	eggs
1 cup	half & half
1 cup	whole milk
1 cup	frozen Asparagus spears, thawed and cut into 1/3 length
1 cup	Fully Cooked Bacon Slices (#811), thawed and chopped Buy this ingredient
1 cup	shredded Pepper Jack cheese

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. Spray a 10-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray and sprinkle evenly with bread crumbs.

3. Whisk eggs, half and half, milk, salt and pepper together.  Stir asparagus, bacon and cheese into the egg mixture.

4. Pour mixture into the pie plate and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the top is golden and egg is set in the center.

 

Print Recipe

After a long winter of troubles that were directly related to protein malnutrition (unknown to me until June labs were drawn), things are really falling back into place.  My weight is hovering between 135-138 instead of 116-118.  I can't tell you what a relief it is to have gained some weight back.  It is hard to see myself in the mirror sometimes right now as I adjust to the "new" me again.  When I was horribly thin, I couldn't "see" it in the mirror.  It's just like when I was fat and I never saw myself as fat as I really was.  Point being, I had gotten very thin and my eyes were used to "that" as my norm, now that I've put on 20 pounds I'm having to adjust to the new look.  I'm not bitchin', I sure don't look "bad" just different.  I wore my bikini to Mom's the other day and really felt insecure.  I'm working very hard to accept that this is not only a healthy weight, but that it looks good on me too.  I'll get there.  I'm working on it.

I've been off of Opium now for almost a week.  I'm currently on a round of Flagyl b/c going off of the Opium completely was really hard on my intestines, I went to straight diarrhea for 48 hours. Sleeping was hard at first but I'm adjusting now.  I knew that it wouldn't be easy to come off of an addictive medication like Opium, so I just pushed through and I'm glad that I did. I didn't want to rely on it anymore...or have to be even more addicted to it down the road and try to wean off of it.  Now with the 14 day round of Flagyl and Metamucil I've added back to my diet, I'm getting along just fine.  My bm's are formed again, and my round of Flagyl ends in 6 days.  I'm working hard to eat the right foods, I think I will always struggle with fueling my body the right way.  Brain surgery would've been easier/more effective than weight loss surgery.  The DS gives us so much freedom to eat, but for me some foods do come at a cost.  I *can* eat  anything but white flour or any excessive amount of milk can really wreak havoc on me.  Cravings are hard to overcome, all I can do is just keep trying.  Life with the DS is really forgiving as far as weight gain, but the gas and/or frequent bm's that some foods can give me make eating those foods rather unappealing. 

Starting on Friday of this week I will be stepping down from the dicyclomine.   I take it three times a day and will be working down to just 2 times a day.  If that goes well, I'll take away another dose of it a week or two later.  I'm still taking Metamucil and Chia seeds to help keep productive, formed bm's.  Sometimes the detective work can be a pain, but I NEVER regret my DS, NEVER!!! 

I am reaaallly trying to avoid this revision.  I'll get it if I have to, but I realllly don't want to. 

Lori

If you've been keeping up with my story at all, you know that this has been a strange winter for me.  For no reason whatsoever, I dropped to an all time low weight of 116 pounds.  I stopped having periods for months, became very weak, I was even lethargic at times, was having heart palpitations, swollen feet, ankles and legs, and had to start on heavy medication for intestinal issues.  (Too many frequent BM's, Gastro doc put me on Opium and Dicyclomine, worked like a charm, btw).  After seeing my PCP, and my GYN, my DS surgeon referred me onto an endocrinologist when we discovered that my thyroid levels came back low, in range, but very low.  All of my symptoms were pointing to hypothyroidism.  I have waited now for two months to get in with this endocrinologist and yesterday was finally the day.

In the 2 months leading up to the visit yesterday, I also had my 2 year labs drawn which showed my albumin and protein were both below the range.  I never in a million years thought my protein was going to be an issues as I was getting 100+ grams of protein a day from food.  Please notice that food is in bold because this was the first time since getting my DS that I wasn't having protein shakes on a daily basis.  My numbers tanked without the protein shakes. Once my protein numbers dropped, all of my vitamin levels followed suit.   The same symptoms that made my surgeon refer me onto the endocrinologist, COULD have been from protein malnutrition.  On the advice of Vitalady, I started back on 4-6 protein shakes a day immediately, and have been doing so for 6 weeks now.  I have not changed any of my vitamins, Michelle felt that as my protein numbers increased that the other numbers would follow right behind.  I get my labs retested tomorrow.  I don't need to see them to know that things are going MUCH, MUCH better! 

The first thing that changed when going back to having protein shakes was the swelling in my feet, ankles, and legs almost went away immediately.  (Still comes back when I'm doing way too much).  My energy has begun to return as the weeks have passed, daytime naps are no longer necessary for me to get through a day, I've even been doing some walking in the evenings!  I had gotten to a point in the winter when being awake longer than 8pm was a struggle!  My weight is back up in the 135 range, it's a perfect weight for me!  I've stopped taking the digestive enzymes and my weight has stayed up even without them.  The heart palpitations are gone, muscle weakness has disappeared and my period returned on July 12!!  I didn't even have to go to the endocrinologist to know that protein was the problem all along.  I have even weaned completely off of the Opium (just 2 days now) and I'm doing a round of Flagyl to get my guts back in line. 

So, back to the endo doc yesterday.  (I weighed in at 138 pounds  at her office!  Yay!)  She walks in the room perplexed as to why I'm even there.  I told her the above story and said I was still exploring the possibility of a revision to my common channel.  (Of course I had to show her a diagram of the DS and explain what a common channel was).  I told her Dr. Inman wanted reassurance that my low thyroid levels weren't the real problem before continuing with the idea of a revision.  So, the endo drew some blood to retest my thyroid, free T4 and T3 and she did one other test too that I can't remember what it's called.  She said she also suspects that I have solved the problem on my own, and didn't feel I'd need to have a follow-up visit. 

So, the moral of this story is, I will never stop drinking protein shakes again.  My anatomy is altered and with my short 70cm common channel, it's become apparent that this is what I'll have to do to live my healthiest life.  When I was losing weight, protein shakes helped me to curb my appetite for carbs so I would lose weight  and now when I needed to gain, protein shakes helped me build a foundation of protein to allow my body to reach a normal weight again.  I cannot say enough how different my life is now.  I still have to work the intestinal thing out, so I think it's time to meet with a new gastro doc and see what they can do for me.  I have no intention of living my life on a medication that the pharmacist has to get out of the vault to dispense for me if I can avoid it. 

So, all in all, things are looking up and if I can solve the intestinal thing, I'll be avoiding a revision all together.  I can't tell you guys what a relief all of this has been.  I'll be back to update with lab numbers when I do the re-draw tomorrow morning. (Should have results late next week).   PLEASE don't let yourself get protein malnutrition, it sucks big hairy balls, believe me!!! 

Lori

The day of the DS bbq at my house on July 11th was my 2 year anniversary.  What better way to celebrate your surgiversary than with 60 good friends??!!  I have been trying to come up with something to say, but to describe these past two years would have to be in the form of an e-book, pretty sure none of you really wanna hear it!  Lol! 

It's been so amazing going from a size 26 pants to size 4's, and from 4X shirts to XS or Small!  Buying clothes off of the sales rack rocks, apparently not many people wear this size, or the stores over-order the smaller clothes, either way I'm not bitchin'!  My mobility amazes me at times.  I still have awful pain some days with my scoliosis, but I'm amazed at the distance I can walk these days.  I mean really, 5 miles feels like a long time but hurts WAY less than just a simple trot through the grocery store used to feel being MO.  I'm constantly amazed at the things this surgery has changed for me.  I have to say that my favorite part of being thin aside from better health, is the reaction my kids have to me.  My oldest son is no longer embarassed when I am around him and his friends (not that he would've ever SAID anything).  I'd even go so far as to say he's proud of me, he even lets me hug him in front of his friends!  Lol!   My 7 year old daughter admires me, tells me how pretty I am and says she wants to look just like me when she grows up!  My youngest son was 2 when I had surgery, so he'll never even have memories of when his Mommy was fat.  Simply cool, can't describe it any other way!

Overall, the past two years have been one blessing on top of the next.  Sure, I've had some speedbumps along my path, but I'm getting through them.  I will not allow myself to be the victim, as if these things are just happening to me and I need to lay down and accept them.  It is what it is, and I stare my troubles down and figure them out.  I still am not sure if I'll be getting a common channel revision, I'm going to try to avoid it if I can.  I am drinking 5-6 protein shakes a day to get my protein back up to snuff, Vitalady thinks if my protein comes back up that my other numbers will also fall back in line.  When your protein levels suck as bad as mine did last month, it's like the floor has fallen out from under your house and there's no foundation holding you up.  I have gained 14 pounds (yay!) and am holding steady around 130, my period has returned after months of not having one, and my energy is getting better and better!  I am getting labs drawn again this week, and I am sure that things are taking a turn for the better.  I am meeting with an endocrinologist for the first time tomorrow.  Pretty sure she may fall over when I tell her how many vitamins I take.  I'll cross that bridge tomorrow.

I am so grateful for my DS, and have zero regrets about having it done, even when things are looking kinda bad I still love my DS.  If I hadn't had the DS, I'd be taking meds for diabetes by now, and who knows what else.  I'm cool with the trade-off! 

I'll keep you all up to date as things progress with my possible revision.  Thanks for being here for me, you all mean more to me than I can describe in a simple post.  If I EVER start talking about feeling as crappy as I was feeling this winter again, could someone please kick my ass and remind me to hit the protein shakes again??  I don't know what I was thinking ever going off of them in the first place!!!!

Hugs,

Lori

Well, I still don't have all of my 2 year labs back, but I am feeling so great!  I have started back on 5 protein drinks a day in addition to protein from foods and I can really feel my energy returning.  Dr. Inman's nurse said that if my protein levels don't come up by this next month when we redraw my labs, that I'll be going on TPN.  Scared me straight!  Back to protein drinks I go!  Hopefully getting the whey back into my life full swing, there will be a significant change in my protein and pre-albumin numbers!

I'm getting really excited about the DS BBQ at my house on July 11th!  I hope we have beautiful weather, but even if we don't we're going to have a great time!  I need to make a list of all of the things I need to do in the weeks to come and get crackin' at the list.  I love having get-togethers and just don't do it often enough.  Sure wish the money tree in the backyard would start producing something, it would really help to have extra funds to entertain!  I'm so energized by social functions, I'd have a party once a week if I could afford it!

I will post as soon as I get all of my lab results back.  Fingers crossed that the worst news has already come in and the rest of the labs have just stayed the same.  Pipe dream, I know...but a girl can wish!

8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded 
4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded 
3 eggs 
1 teaspoon garlic powder 
1 teaspoon basil, optional 
Toppings of your choice *

Mix the cheeses, eggs, garlic powder and basil well. Line a 16-inch pizza pan
with parchment paper or nonstick foil. Evenly spread the cheese mixture in the
pan, almost to the edge, making it as thin as possible. Bake at 450º 15-20 minutes
until golden brown. I suggest checking it after about 10 minutes. If it's getting very
dark on the edges and top, turn the oven down to 400º and continue baking until
brown all over and no longer pale on the bottom. Pat off any excess grease then
add your toppings. Keeping the oven rack in the center position, put the pizza
under the broiler until the toppings are hot and any cheese you added is
melted and bubbly, about 4-5 minutes.

Makes 8 servings 
Can be frozen
yummy

* You may want to sauté your mushrooms, peppers and other vegetable toppings
before using because the pizza will only be baked briefly with the toppings on. I also
recommend pre-warming any meat toppings as well. I put all of my toppings, except
the sauce and cheese, in a big skillet and heated them up together.

I was in serious shock, because I wanted pizza forever!  I've tried the low carb crust
with the Parmesan cheese, while it was good it doesn't compare to this one.  I did some
calculations on the carb and protein stats:

The entire Pizza is:

20g of carbs: for the crust and sauce that I used.  I used a pack of Mozzarella and
half pack of cheddar for the crust.

119g of protein: Just in the crust alone!  The whole bag of cheese that I used had
7g of protein per serving.  There were 8 servings in a bag.  That's 56g of protein!  
The crust also has 3 eggs which is 6 grams of protein an egg.

So Just the Crust and Sauce alone is 20g of carbs and 119g of protein!  I used
Trader Joes Three Cheese Pasta Sauce.  It has the least amount of carbs I've
seen per serving!  Only 4g of Net Carbs per 1/2 cup (all I used) and 3g of protein.

What I added to my pizza to make it even higher protein:

Since I don't eat pork, I found this spicy Italian sausage from Kroger.  The entire
roll (which I used) is 80g of protein and 4 g of carbs.  I also put 17 turkey
pepperoni on there which was another 9g and a serving of turkey bacon which was
2g of protein.  So the toppings in itself added another 106g of protein!

So The entire Pizza was 24g of Carbs and 228g of protein!

So divide that into 8 Slices that is 3g of carbs per slice.
And 28.5g of protein per slice!  I will take that any day!...lol!

And the pizza itself is extremely filling.  I ate one slice, and I ate another one
about 1 1/2 later.  Seriously one slice can be your lunch and you would be just fine.  
This pizza also has copious amounts of fat beyond belief!  There is so much fat,
but who gives a rats ass!!!  Here is a pic of my Pizza:



Here is the link to the lady who thought about the Idea: KUDOS TO HER!