Postop

You're right. I went online via computer & it was good. I'll check w/my iPad in the near future. Thank you.

When I go to it all I see is a list of other forums.

Best of luck.

Hey, congrats! April is a good DS month.

Welcome. Sent you a PM.

Best of luck!

Welcome. Just curious if you're having the full DS or the SADI. I'd say it took close to a month till I was able to function. I was just exhausted. Took about 6 mos. till I felt about half my energy back & then at 9 mos. I felt like myself.

Welcome. Who is your surgeon?

dsdesigna spelled it out pretty well. What is a typical eating day like for you? If you're comfortable, you can post it.

Buyer's remorse is something many of us experience. (I know I did). This isn't to lessen what you're going through. It's just to remind you things will get better and that you have something that will allow you to: NEVER count calories again; Not diet; Eat and eat and eat (protein) should you desire it. (I do.) I'm sorry you're suffering now. I hope I can make you see some of the good coming your way. BTW, you and I have almost the exact same stats.

That's interesting b/c my UK friends never heard of it (or the SiPS procedure) till I mentioned them. Perhaps b/c they're DS vets & they aren't as up-to-date with what's available?

"I am trying to be prepared as much as I can..." Every DS surgeon loves to hear that. Being a bit 'anal' is always good for a DSer, lol.

Hello. Always glad to welcome another to the Dark Side.

Hi, I take a ton more than you will have to right now (40+ per day). So my list wouldn't really apply much to you at this time. If you PM me your email addy, I will send you the info. my bariatric team gives DSers for the first few months. It has menu options and vitamin/mineral/iron/protein shake info. Also, I've attached Vitalady's basic info. She also has a vit. pack which is a good place to start. Once you begin having bloods drawn, (postop) you'll tweak your vits, etc. every 6 months (or yearly if your surgeon only takes bloods yearly). My surgeons' Vitamin schedule is different than Vitalady's, but looking at both should help you out. Vitalady Basic Vit & Mineral Guide for DRNY, ERNY, BPD & DS.pdf

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.