RoseSA

I also had the BPD DS after having had the band. I however had the band fitted about 6 years ago and after a year I had to have it removed. It became infected and I almost lost my life. I had a gaping open wound for 6 months. After that healed my gap suggested I have WLS again and my answer was NO, never again. I had suffered a great deal of pain and went through a bout of depression - all related to my failure. The fact is, it was not my failure, it was beyond my control - apparently when my first (only) fill was done bacteria entered the port area. Anyway, after that all happened the weight just piled on again, I comfort ate and very soon I was back to 133 kgs. I went on a eating program with my GP, tried everything I had tried before and nothing worked. Then my daughter got married and I was horrified at myself in the wedding photos, I stated hating myself again. About 18 months later my daughter fell pregnant and I started thinking about WLS again. When my granddaughter was born I knew I had to give it another go. I wanted to enjoy her, play with her on the floor, run with her on the grass, I just wanted to see her grow up. At that point I was diabetic, suffered from high blood pressure and high cholesterol - I was a walking heart attack. I asked my doctor for a referral (I certainly did not want to use the same surgeon as before) and he suggested "a centre of excellence in bariatric surgery". What an amazing place, what a difference to my first attempt. The surgery took place on the 23rd of February last year, almost a year ago. The few weeks leading up to my surgery I just like you wondered why I was doing this, something could go wrong during the op, something could fail again or I might not lose weight. For me my biggest fear was that I would not make it through the 5 hour surgery. I decided I needed to say certain things to my loved ones and that was when I decided to write each one of them a letter expressing my love, gratitude and I also outlined my reasons for going through the surgery. I wrote to my husband, 2 daughters, my sister and 2 beet friends (they are my support group). The good news is that I did make it through, I won't lie it was tough but not half as bad as I imagined. Before I was discharged from hospital I was off all my chronic medication and I basically only take my Vitamins and supplements as prescribed. I am so happy and proud of myself. I have lost 45kgs to date, feel and look wonderful and yes I am enjoying my granddaughter to the fullest. The greatest feeling is when you see someone who hasn't seen you in a Wahike and they just can't believe it's you. So I cannot tell you to worry because I think it's part of the process, just do everything that the professionals tell you to do. Shrink that liver with your liquid diet, keep to the eating plan after the op 100%, don't take chances. Believe me when I say it will all be worth it in the end. Best of luck and hang in there.

You will eventually work out what specific foods give you gas and the runs. I did have a few accidents so be careful when breaking winds initially. Sugars don't effect me as much as fats. With my op they removed my gall bladder so I cannot digest fats at all. Basically you will see the fat floating on the surface of the water after flushing (after a bowel movement which will normally be very loose and may even be liquid).

Hi I had the DS in February and had 2 drains, they removed one before I was discharged and I went home with one. I won't lie for me the drain was the worst thing about the whole procedure. I had it in at home for another 4 days and it was removed when I went for my first post op appointment. My husband emptied it mist of the time because it is quite awkward to get to on your own. I never had staples. My surgery was done laparoscopically and the small incisions had disolvable sutures. Everything healed very well and once that drip was out I felt like a new person. Actually when you see what drains it is quite a relief that the liquid is not left inside of you. With regard to the Protein, initially I got the protein in by having protein shakes and smoothies, made use of Peanut Butter and powdered almonds to up the protein. 8 months down the road and my rule is get the protein in first and if there is space for anything else then go ahead with veggies etc. When I first saw what Vitamins I had to swallow from the second week I panicked but it was not bad at all. At first I had my medication with warm tea I just couldn't do it with Water. Now it has become like second nature. I take 2 large Calcium tablets, a multi Vitamin, Vitamin D and thyroid meds in the morning, and then at night Iron and my HRT. I also take vitamin b12 everyday in the form of a spray orally. Good luck with your surgery and hang in there, when you are feeling down (and you will once you realize how little food you can eat) please know that it gets better and that life will normalise. You get used to your new eating program. Once those kilos stop dropping off it ís worth every pain you nay experience.

Hi Dee1402' I will private message you but just wanted to wish you well. I had some trouble with my drain as well and my second week was not as good as the first , I think it was because I was alone in the day. Best wishes, RoseSA

I hope all goes well. I had my DS procedure in February and recovered exceptionally well and have been very pleased with the results. What does SIPS stand for, if I am correct it is a relatively new procedure which allows more absorption?

Hi Dee, Your partner is obviously scared for your safety and sometimes there is a fear that you may find that your renewed enthusiasm (as you begin to drop the weight) may affect your relationship. David probably told you that you might even lose friends as you are no longer the "safe fat friend" . I will be quite honest eating out does become a challenge BUT you will overcome it. I am lucky that alcohol did not play such an important role in my life, I always seemed to be the designated driver so I am used to not drinking. To date since my op I have had the odd sip of my husbands wine. What really helped me is that I met with someone who had the op about 2 months beforehand. prof Van der Merwe's team are great but quite honestly they have not been down our road. Whereabout do you live? I would be happy to meet with you over coffee/tea (just started coffee again recently). I leave for Spain on Wed 20th May and will be away when you go in. You will get thru this, don't fear and your partner will come around in time. My email address is: rosemary@mweb.co.za

Hi Dee1402, I am also from South Africa. I really wish we had support like this closer to home. I had the BPD-DS procedure on the 23rd February at the Waterfall City Hospital under the supervision of Prof Tess Van der Merwe. I am not sure where you are having your op bumpiness was very successful and I have not looked back. I understand how you are feeling right now. It is a major operation and unfortunately it carries some risks, but follow all your doctor's instructions and everything will go well. I had some bad days leading up to the surgery. I was scared of being under for so long and more than that, that I would not come out of the surgery. it was a silly thought because I have had many procedures and never experienced any complications. I am 53 and I had convinced myself at a point that I was to old for this. My advise is that you should rather be over prepared so that when everything goes according to plan you can relax with the knowledge that you "did it" ! The night before you might feel like backing out, I did feel that way but with the support of my family I persevered and I am so glad and so proud of myself. Just short of 3 months post op and I am down 20kgs, and no longer need any chronic meds for diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure. I have not felt this well in years, You hang in there and do this one for you, you will not be sorry. I am here if you have any questions. Rose (live in Joburg)

Today is really my first day of normal eating (according to the programmer set out fir me) but I have been eating normal food for about a week. After my op I was on liquids for about 10 days, then went onto pureed foods for the next 2 weeks and then onto soft foods for the following 2 weeks. I was considered morbidly obese and had a BMI of 53 which us why I went for the DS procedure. My weight loss has slowed down a but in the last 2 weeks but I have not excercised much, just mainly walking. Hang in there it will happen, sometimes I think our fat does not want to leave us. Important to be positive and remember all your Vitamins and supplements.

I had the DS op on 23 February and to date I have lost 13 kgs from the date of the op, 15 kgs from the start of my pre op liquid diet. However, I was told not to worry to much about what the scale says. Are your clothes fitting loosely?

Hi everyone, I am new to the group. My name is Rosemary Mann and I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. I am having a BPD-DS on the 23rd Feb. I'm not new to WLS. I had a band fitted 5 years ago and initially things went well. However, after my first fill a bacteria had sneaked into the port area. After several more surgical procedures to drain abscesses that formed the band was removed and I was left with an open wound for about 6 months thereafter. What went wrong? Well I don't think I did my homework, the surgeon was not professional and the after care was non existent. After 5 years I have plucked up the courage to give it another go. But, this time I have done an enormous amount of research, I am working with a centre of excellence under the guidance of one of the leading endocrinologists in the world, Prof. Tess Van der Merwe and I am ready for this journey. I look forward to reading about everyone's experiences.