Postop

Sorry to hear what's been going on. Have you thought about going to the support group meeting at Lenox Hill? There's often a SIPS patient or two there. Maybe they could help you out. .

Yes, it's why we have bloods done so often. Some do it yearly, some every 6 mos. That way you can catch issues and tweak your vitamins/minerals, Iron, etc.

Please keep a close eye on your bloods. You're very new to the DS and as the years go by the supplements generally increase. Yep, same for me. I take two chewables multivitamins a day, though, and the calcium. I had a DS. I'm always a bit confused when I read about the tons of Vitamins people are taking - I really don't take tons of vitamins at all. I was originally going to have the sleeve as well. I opted for the DS in the last month of my 6 month supervised diet, because I was concerned about keeping weight off. I had surgery on October first, and I honestly feel great. Good luck to you, no matter what you choose to do, and congratulations on your decision to take charge of your health.

Very common. I was only one of a few DSers I know who didn't have taste changes (with me it's only been salt). Several people I know spoke of things just tasting "eh" where once they loved them. I'd say most I know keep many of those taste changes. Some can go back to liking things they now find distasteful, but if I think back to all the posts I've read over the years, I still know people who won't drink coffee when they once loved it. Wish I could give a more definitive answer, but it seems to be a very personalized thing.

I can't answer re: the staples. I do know I had them and stitches. I didn't have a drain. Some surgeons use it, others don't. Some have you wear a binder (mine didn't) others don't. Some put you in ICU (mine didn't). Just depends on the surgeon. As for the Protein. It was hard for me, but YMMV. The rule of thumb is 30 grams in 30 days, 60 grams in 60 days, etc. I couldn't make that for anything. I was at 50 grams at 6 mos. and that was drinking at least 1 Protein shake a day. Then things loosened up and I was able to eat more. But everyone is different. You might be able to eat a lot. But if you can, don't fret. Just ensure it's protein and you'll be OK. I didn't love Protein shakes but I drank them. I liked Muscle Milk and Myoplex the best. They came in premade 4 packs. I never used powder. BTW, I looked at the ingredients of the Pure Protein Shake. They are low sugar so that's good. They're very high protein. While that's good in a protein kind of way; when things are very high protein, they're often very dense. Give it a try postop, and see if you can live with it. The Vitamins are a lot. I won't lie. Certainly in the beginning there were many fewer than I take now. It's all based on your blood work. That's why it's so important to do it annually or semi-annually (depending on your doctor's preference). Concerning chewables, we only used them in the very beginning. We then moved on to Centrum. Might I suggest a Dexa bone density scan before you have the DS? That way you have a good baseline. Also, keep all your bloods from preop on. That way you can watch trends and be your own best advocate. (I have them all and it's helped me). If you PM me your email addy, I can send you the docs. my surgeons and bariatric team distribute to new patients. Might give you some more ideas.

Congrats.

Hey, thanks. I'm sure you'll have success. I will PM you with the info.

I've had a bison burger.

One of Dr. Ungson's associates has taken over for him. I can't tell you much about him. I'll PM his name to you if you want; people are slowly beginning to have the DS done by him and posting about it.

Everything went into the blender. Tuna, chicken, etc. The only thing that didn't was scrambled eggs.

I eat a lot of nuts. But as you can't and don't care for tuna, here's what else I eat a lot of: cheeses meats (with the fat and/or skin) deli meats Greek yogurt eggs Can you eat seafood?

Hey, thanks. You've just started your great journey. You'll love all the NSV like (you mentioned) walking up stairs, parking all the way across from the supermarket just so you can walk, housework without tiring quickly or aching, shopping wherever you want, passing a store window and smiling...

Hey, thanks. You will, too. Any more questions or any paperwork you want (I have everything my surgeons & DS nutrit. gave us) just let me know.

Hi, I was incredibly nervous, excited, nuts, before my DS. I locked myself out of my apt. twice the week before surgery. "I think my biggest hang up is being so restricted later in life when it comes to diet...." Why do you think you'll be restricted? I'm not. The DS is the least restrictive (food-wise). I go out to eat (and get 1-2 more meals with a doggy bag). I eat fast food. I eat junk. I just do it differently than before when I binged and binged and binged. BTW, no one (other than my immediate family and physicians) know I had the DS. No one. Not friends or colleagues. You can tell if you like or you can keep it to yourself. It's your choice. I had and have reasons why I don't tell. It's really a very personal choice. I pay it forward online and go to a support meeting 3-4x a year. Even 10+ years out, it all still helps. I can help others and get help when I have an issue.

Hmm...I never heard of the 1 year coffee thing, but if that's what your surgeons want then I'd abide by it. As for nerves, the week before my DS I locked myself out of my apt. twice. That's how nuts I was. Regarding the liver shrinkage, my surgeons only require 2 days of liquids prior to surgery. They feel that is enough to shrink the liver. I ate up until then with no issues. Had the full DS in about 4.5 hours. If, for some reason, Dr. Coates only did the sleeve, make sure you can come back in 6 mos. and have the switch done. Concerning barfing: I was a barfer. I threw up a couple of times a week for about a year. But I was the exception. I don't know any other DSer who did so. Nausea meds. should help you. I never took any. The RNY is very different than the DS. Our issues are generally different. As for telling anyone about the DS, no one other than my immediate family and physicians know. I go to a support group 3-4x/year and use the 'Net to help gain and give support. So feel free to post any questions or issues.

I was in the hospital for 5 days. It was supposed to be 4, but I ran a slight fever. The surgery took 4.5 hours, which was pretty normal. It was a straight DS. No GB or appendix removal. Best of luck. You're about to join us on the Dark Side.

Glad to hear you are home.

Yeah, but you're the one working it.

I remember when you were starting out. Well done!

Oh, in-law issues. Now I get it. Thank you.. But, there are no legal issues.. Only issues with my husbands family. They are not supportive of anything I do and should not shock me, its always been this way

Sorry to hear about the legal issues. But glad to hear the WLS process is going forward.

What are your ferritin levels like?

A virgin DSer can expect a 12-18 mo. window (on average). Unfortunately, I can't say on a 2 step DSer. Have you asked on any other boards where there may be some? They could probably give you a more true to life answer.

You've got a good window to get the weight off. Just try and do what you can and use it as best as possible. Good luck.

I sent you a PM.