Postop

Response deleted.

They tried to pp me. I cried so they didn't.

I gained over 30lbs. from the initial appt. to the date of surgery. Needless to say they weren't thrilled w/me. But I got it together and have worked hard these last 9 years. I believe you can, too.

The first few weeks after surgery we crushed them & put them in unsweetened applesauce. We also tried plain yogurt.

Done.

My DS nutrit. states that as well. No food, drink (Water is OK), or pills for 1 hour before and after. That's how I've been doing it for 9 years+.

I went in 2006 & 2007. It was a great time.

DS Facts lists 3 in MI.

I eat all of those (except almonds but that's b/c I'm afraid for my teeth). I also like pumpkin seeds.

Looking forward to reading about the changes you experience.

I always eat thick crust. Only one piece, spread over a few hours. I can't do more. However, this past weekend I had thin crust for the first time since WLS (9 years ago). I was able to eat almost the entire piece and then a few hours later another. I still prefer thick crust.

I sometimes miss the fact that I was able to have more distance from people. Today, they can get up really close; whereas before it wasn't possible.

Welcome. Glad you're here. When I began researching WLS (about 10 years ago), I called the large hospitals in my area with bariatric programs. They had evening seminars. I went to three of them and was able to learn about the different types of WLS and then schedule appts. with surgeons for consults.

Only walking till April of 2012. I didn't need to. So that was about 7 years out. Then I realized my muscles were doing nothing and I started having osteo. issues. I began lifting weights in April of 2012 and I love it. In fact, I'm recovering from wrist surgery and can't do it again till the surgeon says to and I really miss it.

That's a tough one. With a high BMI a DS is quite effective. You have 75% of the stomach removed & then the innards are rearranged so you malabsorb. This helps to keep the weight off. However, there's also a ton of vits/minerals required (I take 40+ pills per day); 100-125 grams of protein/day; blood tests every 6 or 12 months (depending on your bariatric team); probably a yearly Dexa bone scan, etc. So you need to factor in the costs (esp. the vits/minerals as you'll be doing them for life) and whether you're compulsive enough to stay on top of it. To be honest, though, after about 6 mos. it becomes rote. If I didn't take my vits/minerals I'd feel weird. As a matter of fact, in 2008 when I was in the hospital for gb surgery they wouldn't let me take them and I felt as if I was in withdrawal. There are great things about the DS, but also some difficult things. You need to definitely do the research to see what you can live with and what is a deal-breaker. I wasn't the person who had WLS and said, "Greatest thing I ever did." I'd say it took 2.5 years postop till I realized this had been the right choice for me. I needed to figure out my stomach, bathroom, etc. It's a very personal decision to have WLS and then to decide which one. All have positive points and negative points. Start here: DS Facts. I can also give you some forums where you'll find us DSers hanging out.

Most like to give gb meds postop.

I have no problems eating out. I just order Protein & take home the leftovers.

Yes. Even thought they gave me Urso after my WLS. Three years later; horrid pain and the gallbladder had to come out.

Sorry for hijack. Take a look here on DSfacts.com. They've vetted him concerning the DS.

Yes, I'm aware of them. If you have a DS, you need to be compulsive with taking your vits/minerals. I take 40+ a day. While not everyone takes as many; we all take a lot. You also need to have blood tests (1x or 2x per year as your bariatric team recommends). You may need a Dexa bone scan every year or two (many women have it over 40 anyway, but many DS surgeons want their patients to have it to check how the Calcium is being absorbed). While I wouldn't say Vit. A is the main culprit, some people who don't supplement enough have had night blindness issues. Generally, they go away with proper supplementation, but that's why the blood tests are so impt. as you usually need to tweak your vits/minerals each time you have the blood tests. More DSers I know have Vit. D issues and need to often increase their supplements. Remember, DSers take much higher doses than the avg. person. For example, I began on ADEK as my supplementation (you can look it up). Then went to 5,000 iu Vit. D/day, then 10,000 iu, etc. I'm now at 150,000 iu/day. That's pretty much the high for DSers I know. So, while deficiencies can occur even if you supplement regularly, it's most impt. to stay on top of everything. That's how you catch it early and can get to work on it. If your surgeon doesn't do or recommend the DS, you might want to speak to one who does like it better and see if you can speak to any of his/her postops. I see you're in CA. Have you thought of the Rabkins or Keshishian? DSfacts.com has also vetted Jossart. Oh, and regarding your Vit. A question, I've took 40,000 iu/per day (palmitate; as palmitate and retinol are the ones DSers absorb best) for many years and about a year ago pushed it to 50,000 iu/per day as my numbers were still normal; however, they had trended down a bit.

I eat a slice a couple of times a month or every week if I feel like it. It takes me 2 sittings to get down the entire slice, though.

Sounds like a good plan. I kept a diary for the first 6 mos. till I knew how much Protein was in what, etc. It worked well for me. Later on you keep it in your head. It becomes 2nd nature. Keep up the good work.

Some people revise from the sleeve to the DS. Some revise from the sleeve to the gastric bypass. Some are perfectly happy with the sleeve alone as it does the job for them. It's hard to say whether or not you should have a DS. You need to know yourself. Can you keep a good count on your calories, etc. and watch what you eat? Because while your stomach is definitely smaller after the sleeve it does stretch somewhat as time goes by (never to its original size, though). If so, the sleeve should work well. If you're like me (a binge eater) & want to eat every 1-2 hours (Protein pretty much in the main) and worry about keeping the most weight off possible, then a DS might be right for you. However, the DS has cons along with the pros. It takes a lot of work: many, many vits/minerals per day for life, yearly or twice yearly blood work, there can be malodorous gas and/or stool (most of us watch our eating in public carefully and/or take a probiotic to keep this under control), etc. After a lot of research and decision making I felt it was the WLS for me. But it's a very personal decision and all WLS have positives and negatives.

Sounds like good planning. I hope they come through for you.

Sounds like decent planning.