Postop

You are lucky. I had 2 days of liquids; although that isn't as tough as some other DSers who go for weeks on liquids or milk.

I ate 1/2 sandwich [during my first year] for lunch some days. Once in a while some chips. I kept the carbs very low during that 18 mo. window to maximize the 'honeymoon' period. Anything w/sugar was under 6 gr./serving.

Agreed. The DS is a different animal.

If you watch your eating, you shouldn't suffer from diarrhea often. I have 4-5 movements/day. This is my norm. [some have a lot fewer.] If I eat junk; then I 'go' a lot more. Same thing can happen when I take medication. They all seem to affect my stomach. When I use the word diarrhea, it generally means 'going' a lot. Not runny stool. Doctors define it as runny stool or going many more times than normal. So I just wanted you to know which definition I was using. The malabsorption is still there. It's probably not the same as it was (the body fights hard to get back it factory-original, but it can't). I eat Protein whenever and however much I want. If I want to lose weight, I eat even more & up the fluids. I also eat some carbs and junk (but that's at my home since I know there will be more 'going' and gas).

That is different than most DSers I know. Have you tried magnesium or coconut oil for the constipation issues? Do you eat a lot of fat?

Sounds good!

Sounds like the SADI-s. I know several people who have had it done at Lenox Hill Hospital. They seem happy with it. I'd say the farthest one out is about 18 mos. and things are going well.

Try not to weigh. Wait till you go in for your first surgical visit. I didn't weigh at all the first year (except when I saw my surgeon). That way I didn't see the ups/downs/plateaus. Take pics and/or measurements every 3 mos. or so. That will help chronicle your weight loss and give you something great to look back on.

Hi, Welcome to the Dark Side. How's the recovery going?

I chose the DS for the most weight loss & least chance of regain. I needed the malabsorptive element. I'm extremely organized and knew I could handle all the work that comes with having a DS. I think all the WLS are miracles in themselves. It's a very personal choice to decide which is right for you.

Oh, yes. The rule of thumb (my surgical team never told me this but many others do) is 30 gr/protein within 30 days; 50 grams at 50 days, etc. That wasn't me. Some people can eat way more earlier. It's very individual. I was not one who could eat a lot. I didn't eat 50 grams till 7-8 months out. I did drink a shake everyday; for 2 years! I just couldn't eat enough. Today, lol. I can eat and eat and eat. Not all at once, mind you. For instance, Breakfast might be 3 scrambled eggs w/butter and cream cheese plus bacon. That would be at least 2 sittings. Every meal is at least 2 sittings for me. For others; it's 3. For other people; it's 1. I've heard the more money aspect as well. It's also a shorter time on their feet. My 1 step DS took 4.5 hours. No appendix or gallbladder removal. No adhesions. Just a standard DS. Most people I know are anywhere from 3.5-5.5 hours for the 1 step DS. However, my friends who have been SMO (in the US and Europe) have traditionally gone the 2 step route and I can see it making sense concerning safety. You don't want to be on the table one minute longer than you have to; say my surgeons. Great job documenting everything. I'm that way. Incredibly organized. It's a requirement to be a successful DSer. I'll PM these to you.

They like you to wait at least 18 mos.

With the DS you can eat all the Protein you want. I know some surgeons feel a 2 step DS is safer. If that's the reason, I can't argue w/the surgeon. However, if you want a 1 step and it's safe; I'd push for it (I had a 1 step). You're reasoning is sound. If you get too thin, ins. cos. are reluctant to approve the 2nd stage of the DS. I had to really push for the DS. I was told the RNY was enough for me (this was before the sleeve alone became so popular). I didn't go back to that surgeon. Another said basically the same thing. I brought in my accordion folder w/all my DS research, etc. It impressed him enough that he agreed I would do well with it and be compliant. Does it have to be that surgeon? Can you come to NYC? Those records are yours. You should be able to get them and/or have a new doctor get them. Wish I could help re: the weight loss preop program; however, it wasn't done when I had my DS almost 10 years ago. If you don't find the answers you need here, I've PM'd you with another site that has a lot of DSers. They can help you out with this and about your policy. There's especially one girl who knows a lot about insurance.

Welcome. Always glad to meet another (soon-to-be) DSer. Happy to hear you have your vits. ready. Hope you have someone to help you out around the house the first week or so. As for me, I was nuts, crazy, excited & panicked the week prior to surgery. I even locked myself out of my apt. twice. The best story I can recall is this one: about 5 days prior to surgery I was eating everything in site. As a matter of fact I'd just bought a box of Yodels (like HoHos for east coasters). At 9PM that night, my surgeon called & told me to stop eating all that junk. I said how did you know? He said he knew me well enough. It was shocking but very funny. The fact that he did that still blows my mind. I have a couple of funny postop stories (in the hospital) but I'll wait till you're done and dusted.

You sound as if you have your info. and research together. Definitely bring it w/you. I brought a giant accordion folder with everything I'd found and learned about why I wanted the DS. I'd even bring a large pill holder if you have one; to show you're ready to comply with the requirements. Perhaps a Protein book illustrating how much protein is in each food. Just as much as you can do to show your doctor you feel the DS is the right surgery for you. Mine didn't feel I needed it. I did.

Congrats! And thanks for a good meeting, everyone.

Yup. BloomingLotus is right. I had to do it, too.

Hey, thanks. I'm sure you'll do it, too.

Sounds pretty normal to me. I was nuts, excited, scared, anxious and hyper before my DS.

It does play w/your emotions. I was happy, excited, terrified, nutty...I locked myself out of my apt. twice the week before surgery.

Hope to make it.

I don't blame you. I didn't want to go for a revision either. You see too many of those. I came in w/an accordion folder that convinced them I was 'anal' enough to keep up with all the vits/minerals/protein requirements.

Interesting position. I have to assume he's had some issues with patients. I have a 100 cc. That's the standard for many surgeons. However, some do 75; some do 125 or 150. They often base it on the patient.

Yeah, sometimes it happens. You get a fever in the hospital. It only lasted a couple of days & then they let me out.

Mine was lap, too & I was only supposed to stay in the hospital for 3 days. Had a fever, though, so they kept me in for 5.