rachele

What a complete and udder @sshole. :angry I don't know how you kept from ripping his head off. The comment about the cakes is off the hook. I think you should go back to him and calmly tell him that his comments were inappropriate and rude. He acted in a manner that was purposly hurtful and that is not acceptable, by anyones standards. How would he feel if you had said those things to him about oh, lets say, erectile dysfunction? You did not ask for his opinion, you just wanted to let him know. He accused you of something that is not true because you are overweight. Since the cakes are all gone, it must have been you. Thats what he is saying and that is blatant prejudice. Arrogant Pr!ck.

True on both parts, I think. We are planning on having a DS baby whenever I get the go ahead from the doc (1.5 years for him), I already have my bandster baby (see avatar). And, considering they are both life saving operations, and surgically alter something to correct a problem, I think you are correct.

I don't know how to post pics but here is a link to a before of Randy. He was 329 pounds. He lost 100 pounds, 12 inches in his waist and 5 shirt sizes. I think that is a BIG difference.His struggles are the same as ours. Whatever it is, is working just fine. http://us.tv1.yimg.com/tv.yahoo.com/images/he/photo/tv_pix/fox/american_idol_photos/randy_jackson/idol.jpg

DS Bypass removes part of the stomach. I don't mind because it was stretched out like a deflated balloon. And the DS is much more malabsorbive (is that a word?) than the RNY. These were part of want I ~liked~ about the proceedure. The extra malabsorption makes regain a bit harder, and less likely. I've got 2 out of 3 covered, band and DS! I am down 63 pounds since the end of November. Trading obesity for malabsorption was a fair trade for me. I take: 1 Iron 2 Multi Vitamin 2 ADEKS (dry water soluble form of vitamins A, D, E, K. These vitamins are usually absorbed in FAT. Since I DO NOT ABSORB 80% of any fat I eat, its important to take a water soluble form) 5 calcium (which is twice the normal dose that EVERY woman should be taking. So I take 6 pills and 4 chewables. And sometimes bypasser levels end up being much better that others because they assume they are getting what they need from their food, and thats not the case. Bottom line, I've had both. If I had it to do over, I would have gotten the DS first. I still recommend the band, but just not to EVERYONE. It's just not for everyone. Alot of the things said here about bypass is antecdotal, like I stated in another post recently, but I guess that is to be expected from a lapband board. I know when I had the band, I always heard storys from the bypassers about bandsters being able to fill and unfill themselves if they wanted to eat more and things like that. Which we all know is bunk. Just like alot of the stuff said about bypassers is.

New Sho, I hope this is it! I'm glad things are working out and your band is in tip top shape. Good job getting another doctor!

No advice, just wanted to say that is hilarious! PF! OMG!:heh:

Dawn, I concur. Noone ever accused bypassers of being retarded and unintelligent. Stinky, yes, but we are all stinky at one point or another. I apologize to the O.P. about how this got off track. I think it is a real shame that someone tried to discourage you. I know how it feels and I've been through it with the band and the bypass. I shouldn't have hijacked your post because one poster makes me nuts. (Not you, Dawn. I think you are a very sensible lady.) I need to learn what the ignore feature is for. Good luck in your journey and I hope the scale fairy visits you often!

Even though I feel like doing this, I don't think I have. I have responded to post that Dody has made several times saying things such as "when bypass fails, and it will" or stating that people over 60 who have bypass have a life expectency of 2 years, or that you have to be cut "wide open" to have bypass" to which she ignores. If you looked at some of the things she has said, it's enough to make the Pope lose some religion, and yes, I am fed up with it. I guess that really is my problem, maybe you are right. I will go look for a remedy for that. :speechles And I had my band for over 3 years. I was already revised to bypass in November. I always thought I would never consider it either till I was faced with the decision. The rest is just a rant, not directed to anyone in particuliar. I want you all to see beyond what you are seeing. I know some people get it, but just be happy with what you have and live and let live. No matter how many storys there are about someones brothers sisters wifes cousins bypass, there are just as many storys about the band. There are hundreds of thousands of people who are successful with bypass (which is more than just RNY), same as there are successful people with the band. One of my favorite cyber friends is Robin (aka Coffeewench), she has had her band well over 6 years I think, and did the lap band commericials you see on TV. She is the definition of lapband success. I have no hard feelings against my band, it served me well. It did not cause the medical condition that caused it to come out. But just because my band had to come out doesn't mean it will happen to everyone. And just because I had a DS bypass doesn't mean I am retarded and living life on the edge, putting filters in my panties (never heard of this) and offending everyone with my farts and poops. As fat people, we have lived with enough discrimination our entire lives. It's a shame we still discriminate against each other depending on what surgery we've had. Just because someone doesn't have a band doesn't mean they are unintelligent, stinky and shriveled. I eat like a normal person (because I have the DS), which means sugar if I want it, because DS'ers don't dump, I don't have a pouch, so I don't get blockages and ulcers. I eat more now than I did with the band. And I love being able to eat a sandwhich and eggs again. I am happy. And really, thats all that matters. That each of us is happy and hopefully satisfied with our choices.

Then you have choosen the correct surgery for you. We all got the negativity before banding, back when I had it done, it was really, really bad. But like someone here said "Ride your own ride". You'll be great.:biggrin1:

I agree that bandsters and bypassers have different needs, and you shouldn't be subject to what you were at that support group. No surgery is one size fits all. I had a band and now have a duodenal switch bypass. It's amazing to me that so many people here talk about how bad bypassers are but throughout this whole thread, with a few exceptions, the trash talk has abounded. And Dody, you are one of the worst offenders. And with the medical backgroud you have people think you actually know what you're talking about, and in reality, you are clueless. Everyone here says that the unbanded should stay to share their experiences, but I guess that only means if you didn't revise to a bypass. I have consistently been offended and overlooked alot of post, to save drama. The day of my revision surgery when Sue posted about my recovery immediately the post turned into a "do you know how many people die from that surgery" post. If you don't believe me, look it up. Now that, bandsters, is some REAL support. Before you all go trashing someone elses choice in surgery, maybe you should remember how it feels when someone trashes yours. We all have the same goal in mind. And while we are at it, where is the proof about this skin issue everyone brings up. Thats like saying if you over inflate a balloon, it won't be as stretched out if you let the air out slowly. Sorry! Doesn't work that way. It all has to do with heridity, amount of weight lost and the individual. I hope none of you ever have to eat your own words, because for some of you that would be one bitter meal.

I don't think that I could consider a surgery that many doctors are not willing to do anymore.. Hi, Jo Ann. I just wanted to clear that up real quick. It's not that the Dr's are not willing to do the DS, they are just not trained to do it. It is a more complicated surgery, and required more learning, which most surgeons are quite happy with the status Quo if they are making money with the RNY. For some people (myself included) the DS has many, many advantages over the RNY. I'm not trying to sell you my surgery, I just wanted to say before you decide please do some research on the pros and cons of both, RNY and the DS. The DS still has the highest rate of EWL and the lowest rate of regain. I don't regret revising from the band to the DS, not for a minute. Good luck, and I'm very sorry about your band. I know how it feels, I've been there. Rachele

Dody, what do you mean by this?? I know that you certainly must not mean that all bypass will fail, but that sure is how it sounds, huh? I guess if I were stereotypical I could make the same remark about the band, seeing that I had to have mine removed, everyone probably will. Right? "after bypass has failed, and fail it will" This is ridiculous. This isn't even a which surgery is better post, yet you have managed to one handedly curse all bypassers to failure within 3 years. I'm sure for every one person that "fails" with bypass there are probably 10 or more that have had success. Stop Generalizing, OK? -Offended xbanded Duodenal Switch BYPASSER come see me in 3 years

Gall Bladder was much worse! I had mine out when I was 25 and it was full of stones I guess as a result of yo/yo loss and gain.

I got them, too. Wore them to a Christmas Party, everyone loved them. I paid $20.00 at Walmart for them. Yep. Walmart. Same shoe.

Vera, I'm so sorry. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Rachele

Scar tissue blocked the tubing to my band. No fills in or out! I decided to revise to the Duodenal Switch. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck. If you decide to go with a bypass you should check out the DS, it is head and shoulders over the RNY.

You look so beautiful! Keep up the good fight, I'm pulling for you! You CAN do this. I only wish I had been half as determined as you! :clap2:

Hey Dee Dee! Tell your sister GNC will take it back if she has the receipt. Just tell them she is not satisfied. There may be some rules, but I've taken Protein powder back that was disqusting. Rachele

Definately a Bobby Pillow. They rock. And once the baby can support their head, a Bumbo Seat. I would have paid $100 for that thing. It helps them learn to sit up faster and my baby loved hers. No matter what, thats what all new babys are getting from me! Here it is: http://www.bumboseat.com/adwords/bumbowords1.html

Time to change your name, girly! You look great!

Hi Vera! Wow. I wonder if mine will fall out eventually? I know it wouldn't cause a staple line rupture because the stomach heals and seals, but now I am curious. I thought they'd stay in forever. I'll ask my surgeon when I go to my 3 month Feb. 21.

I just went into a bitch fest with someone over there not long ago. I swear the lady was psychotic. Some people over there just don't want to hear anything but cotton candy and butterflys. You didn't do anything wrong.

Melati~ This is a real good description explanation of the Vertical Gastrectomy (its says Vertical Gastrectomy is the same as the Gastric Sleeve): <TABLE id=AutoNumber20 style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#111111 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=782 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=632 colSpan=2> <CENTER><TABLE id=AutoNumber21 style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#111111 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="98%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">Vertical Gastrectomy most effective for morbid obesity</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=150> <SCRIPT>toolbar();</SCRIPT> <IFRAME border=0 name=I6 marginWidth=0 marginHeight=0 src="http://www.womenfitness.net/toolbar_left.htm" frameBorder=0 width=150 scrolling=no height=2425>Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.</IFRAME> </TD><TD vAlign=top width=493> Procedure Advantages Disadvantages Complications Post-Op Dietary Plan According to a year long study, while all types of obesity-related surgery are risky and a last option for most obese people, particularly older patients, vertical gastrectomy is preferred over three other methods (especially for those over 50). The stomach is the digestive organ that is connected between the esophagus and the small intestine. food enters the stomach through the esophagus where it is broken down and then transferred to the small intestine where the nutrients are absorbed. Vertical gastrectomy (surgical removal of all or part of the stomach.) removes up to 95 percent of the stomach and leaves behind a thin tube-like stomach roughly 2 ounces (60 milliliters) in volume. The other three types of surgery in order of the average amount of weight loss that resulted were Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, in which most of the stomach is sectioned off by a line of staples and part of the small intestine bypassed to inhibit the absorption of calories; duodenal switch, in which a large portion of the stomach is removed and the small intestine rearranged; and lap-band surgery, in which a silicone band is placed around the upper section of the stomach to shrink the stomach's size and slow the exit of food. The Vertical Gastrectomy is a reasonable solution to morbid obesity (BMI greater than 60Kg/M2). It can usually be done laparoscopically in patients weighing over 500 pounds. The stomach restriction that occurs allows these patients to lose more than 100 pounds and in many patients more than 200 pounds. This weight loss allows significant improvement in health and effectively "downstages" a patient to a lower risk group. Once the patients BMI is lower (35-40) they can return to the operating room for the "second stage" of the procedure, which can either be the Duodenal Switch, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or even a LapBand®. <CENTER><TABLE id=AutoNumber139 style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#111111 height=21 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%" bgColor=#c0c0c0 height=21>Procedure </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER> The Vertical Gastrectomy procedure is also called vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, Greater Curvature Gastrectomy, Parietal Gastrectomy, Gastric Reduction and even Vertical Gastroplasty. The excess stomach volume is removed, not left in place. This possibly eliminates most Ghrelin hormone production and helps to reduce the sensation of hunger that people have. In this gastric restrictive procedure the stomach is segmented along its vertical axis. To create a durable reinforced and rate-limiting stoma at the distal end of the pouch, a plug of stomach is removed and a propylene collar is placed through this hole and then stapled to itself. Because the normal flow of food is preserved, metabolic complications are rare. Vertical banded gastroplasty may be performed using an open or laparoscopic approach. The stomach that remains is shaped like a banana and measures from 2-5 ounces (60-150cc) depending on the surgeon performing the procedure. The nerves to the stomach and the outlet valve (pylorus) remain intact with the idea of preserving the functions of the stomach while reducing the volume. Note that t </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Actually it comes out much faster, in 4-8 hours. All food digest (it doesn't really "rot" per say, because the enzymes break it down) in the intestines, mine just doesn't digest as long. Thats why the stench is worse because it is kinda half way digested. Ugh. Too much information....

I only stink when I have a BM or flatulance. :faint: Not walking around, Thank God!