Severe Constipation: Advice Please

[ProjectMe 909]

@@dsdesigna I'm sure no one meant any harm to the OP...it's just sometimes difficult to tell which forum you are posting in sometimes.

I do have a question out of curiosity regarding the post op/lifestyle differences between DS and GB/VSG. How are the post op/lifestyle requirements different for the DS...besides the fact it is a malabsorbtive procedure which is in common with the GB? I've read just a little bit, but from what I've read Ive seen alcohol as something that can create a serious problem for those who have had DS. But coffee, which someone suggested, seems to create a risk for ulcers just like in other WLS...which is why I choose not to drink it anymore....

[imsoglad56 402]

You read it as hypersensitive and prickly because you fail to understand that bad advice can be lethal.

I make sure my comments are ONLY on the DS forum and are to DS patients because that is my experience and my focus.

The number one cause of death in Bariatric patients is failure to follow guidelines for their surgery. Do you want to be the one that gives bad advice that leads to someones death? I don't. I'll be hypervigilant as long as people insist on giving out dangerous advice. I'm saving lives. What are you doing?

No, I don't fail to understand anything about it. You repeated yourself enough times that I'm pretty sure EVERYONE understands your point. However, if I am asking for medical advice on a forum, I'm not going to follow the advice without significant research into it first. And if I had a surgery that was this different from most everyone else on here, I certainly would be even more vigilant about it.

As for what I'm doing, I'd have to say I'm enjoying most of the interaction on these boards. Regardless of the fact that you feel like you're a special little life-saving snowflake, the fact is that the DS forum is part of the larger Bariatric Pal community. If you can't deal with that fact without acting like a major bitch, then you're probably not going to get as much from the community as it has to offer. And that's sad, because I find the camaraderie to be the biggest help of all, and judging by how knowledgeable you seem to be about your chosen surgery, I feel like that's something you could be a part of.

[woo woo 872]

Serious question: it sounds like you are suggesting that Miralax or other such remedies can cause death for a person that has undergone DS surgery. Is that actually true?

I'm sorry it seems farfetched.

Edited February 4, 2015 by woo woo

[dsdesigna 143]

The DS causes serious malabsorption of fat, Protein and complex carbs. Many Vitamins require fat to be used in the body and because we absorb fat so poorly it means getting the Vitamins and minerals we need to maintain good health is very difficult.

Our diets differ widely from the lap band and the sleeve as they are only restrictive and do not inhibit absorption. Gastric bypass has a mild mal absorption issue but one Multivitamin fixes that.

The DS regime requires two regular chewable Multivitamins daily, 1500 mg of Calcium Citrate split through three doses per day, B-12 sublingual, Vitamins A, D, E and K daily in dry format since the soft gels won't absorb. I also take Biotin and Selenium and prescription Levothyroxin to combat my thyroid issues.

Required bi annual blood tests.

Dietary recommendations minimum 120gm Protein, 100gm Fat, and limit carbs that can cause painful excessive gas.

laxatives cause a disruption in the lining of the large intestine. We retain our hydration through our large intestine. It's bad to do anything to mess with it. Excess Fiber can contribute to dehydration as it takes more moisture to eliminate it from the body. coffee is dehydrating. Sodas are dehydrating. It's alm guaranteed that a DS patient will be in the ER for dehydration within the first three months.

Edited February 4, 2015 by dsdesigna

[ProjectMe 909]

The DS causes serious malabsorption of fat, Protein and complex carbs. Many Vitamins require fat to be used in the body and because we absorb fat so poorly it means getting the vitamins and minerals we need to maintain good health is very difficult.

Our diets differ widely from the lap band and the sleeve as they are only restrictive and do not inhibit absorption. Gastric bypass has a mild mal absorption issue but one Multivitamin fixes that.

The DS regime requires two regular chewable Multivitamins daily, 1500 mg of calcium citrate split through three doses per day, B-12 sublingual, Vitamins A, D, E and K daily in dry format since the soft gels won't absorb. I also take Biotin and Selenium and prescription Levothyroxin to combat my thyroid issues.

Required bi annual blood tests.

Dietary recommendations minimum 120gm Protein, 100gm Fat, and limit carbs that can cause painful excessive gas.

laxatives cause a disruption in the lining of the large intestine. We retain our hydration through our large intestine. It's bad to do anything to mess with it. Excess Fiber can contribute to dehydration as it takes more moisture to eliminate it from the body. coffee is dehydrating. Sodas are dehydrating. It's alm guaranteed that a DS patient will be in the ER for dehydration within the first three months.

Thanks for taking the time to explain. It seems like there are more commonalities amongst the surgeries than differences. I had the sleeve and my program also requires 2 multivitamins, 1200 mcg Calcium, no caffeine, and no carbonation, 60-70 g of protein, limiting carbs, and blood work 4xs/1st yr, twice per subsequent year. B12 is prescribed in the cases of extreme fatigue. Biotin supplements are up to us as biotin is already in the multivitamins but also, has been proven to help regrow hair but not keep it from falling out. But, I did learn more about DS through your post but am not sure if the DS forum should be inaccessible to non-DSers, as we really can all learn from each other...including what does/doesn't work.

Edited February 4, 2015 by ProjectMe

[woo woo 872]

Ok so we are talking about dehydration. Uh huh.

Good to know.

[KShingler82 16]

Please read the reply of the original poster who has taken the advice of veteran DSer's and it has HELPED! Fat is key in a DS diet, rny methods do not work. If you are not educated on the particular surgery why would you give advice?

[catdaddy 232]

I'm sorry that I gave the advice about the coffee. At the time I didn't realize I was on a DS site. That's a poor excuse because with it happening so often and with my length time on BariatricPal, I would know better. I do look more closely at were I'm at before I throw out a response. But alas, we aren't all infallible in what or where we input our thoughts so it'll probably happen again somewhere else. I am sorry again.

Edited February 5, 2015 by catdaddy

[samuelsmom 670]

I try and use olive oil when I cook and that has been a big help to avoid Constipation. I had a different surgery type, so the fat need is not as critical. That being said, lubrication is always good for the plumbing!

[mlleelise 0]

For those that would like a DEDICATED DS forum, here is a link to a GREAT one. It's free and full of helpful info. Hope it helps!

http://weightlosssurgery.proboards.com/board/43/duodenal-switch

[gofran 0]

hello. you know before I got surgery, my doctor said that in order to get things moving and clean out, some bacon or cream cheese would work wonders. That's what I do now. When I feel constipated, I have bacon or cream cheese and wala. hope it helps!

[hikergirl14 80]

Potassium is also important for ensuring that your GI tract is moving along.