Whit
Hi,
In 2002 I had RNY surgery in Northern California with Arron Baggs at Mills-Penisula Hospital. I lost 110 pounds and enjoyed health and happiness for about 5 years. Then slowly the weight crept back on. I exercised, watched what I ate and really tried to stop the gain. Nothing worked.
Fast forward to 2012 I have gained 80 pounds. I was miserable. Osteoarthritis, dumping, shortness of breath... I could barely walk up a flight of stairs.
Last April I rejoined this site for support and started to reserch..do I have a surgical option? I met with a local Bariatric Surgeon who said yes he could help me. He wanted to go in tighten up my pouch, fix my hernia, and ulsters and maybe shorten my intestines. He said with allot of work I could lose all 80 pounds. Wow sounded great right? I had all of the tests he required, met with both a Nutritionist and a Psychologist. Then I had a follow-up with him. He said everything looked great and I could lose about 40 pounds...what? what happened to the 80? So I started to look into alternate options. I was told about the DS. I contacted the Dr. to discuss my interest in this surgery. While he is a vetted bariatric surgeon he did not recommend revision from RNY to DS. That I would end up 85 pounds and need to wear dippers...I call BS.
I started looking into RNY to DS revision (dsfacts.com). I met with Dr. Rabkin and just knew this was the choice for me. Unfortunately he does not take my insurance. 8/29/13 I flew down to met Dr. Keshishian who told me the gain was not my fault, that RNY failed me. Wow what a concept. My whole life I have been blaming myself. What a waste of energy.
His office of fantastic women submitted to insurance mid September and after a little back and forth with BCBS I was approved mid Oct.
I had revision surgery 12/10 from RNY to DS. The amazing Dr. Ara Keshishian in CA was my surgeon and I traveled from Nor Cal to So Cal for the procedure.
This surgery is nothing to take lightly. I was in the hospital 3 weeks. While in the hospital I developed a leak and had a second surgery. I went home with 3 drains and a feeding Tube. Recovery was slow and I was NPO for 8 weeks. I was out of work for 14 weeks total.
4/10-I am now about 4 months from surgery and am finally going to have the Feeding Tube removed. I still get most of my nourishment from Protein drinks food is still an issue. I can only eat about 2-3 Oz and after about 3 pm my stomach will not tolerate anything solid. It just comes back up.
I have lost about 60 pounds so far and only have about 35 more to go. I am feeling better and almost normal I just wish I could eat more. All in good time.
5/24- So I am almost 6 months out and down 71 pounds I am feeling much better. Food can still be a problem in the evenings but I have 2 breakfasts and a bit of lunch. I supplement with protein drinks (one in the morning and one before bed) I do not have issues with rice, bread, or a bit of pasta but I really do not eat much more then a bite or 2 when I do indulge...need the space for protein. I had lactose issues but stayed dairy free for 3 weeks and now I can tolerate most it. I am loving Crab (its in season in SF) canned chicken with tons of mayo and pickles, string cheese, soup, the inside of enchiladas, avocado oh and I can not forget flavored Greek yogurt.
7/13/13 I am now 7 months post op and down 86 pounds. I have 2 more to reach healthy BMI and 6 to reach goal. At my 6 month check-in Dr K. told me I did not need to lose any more weight. He is very pleased with my progress to date. I still have days where I can not eat. I also get nauseous some days . I am supposed to wean myself off the PPI (Protonix) and take a liquid Antacid to coat my stomach in the mornings. Over all I feel pretty good.
12/10/14 I can not believe it has been 2 years. I have not kept up and I apologize for that.
My current weight is 117. BMI of 18.9. the lower end of normal. I have been stable at this weight for about 4 months.
I still struggle to get in enough protein some days. My Lab s were trending down at 18 months but with the exception of D, which is very low, still in normal range.
I still start the day with a protein drink. I have another breakfast a couple of hours later. I have a snack, lunch, another snack then dinner. I can not always eat dinner. It's like my stomach says "no more" so I will have another Protein Drink. All meals and snacks are protein based. Cheese, eggs, meats. I eat carbs and try to keep them under 80.
TMI- I do not have bathroom issues. I go in the AM once and thats usually it. Once in a while I will need to go again in the afternoon. If I become constipated I add coconut oil and coffee to my morning drink.
I would like to gain 10 pounds but am content to let my body decide when that should happen.
