Postop

Sorry for hijack. Take a look here on DSfacts.com. They've vetted him concerning the DS.

Yes, I'm aware of them. If you have a DS, you need to be compulsive with taking your vits/minerals. I take 40+ a day. While not everyone takes as many; we all take a lot. You also need to have blood tests (1x or 2x per year as your bariatric team recommends). You may need a Dexa bone scan every year or two (many women have it over 40 anyway, but many DS surgeons want their patients to have it to check how the Calcium is being absorbed). While I wouldn't say Vit. A is the main culprit, some people who don't supplement enough have had night blindness issues. Generally, they go away with proper supplementation, but that's why the blood tests are so impt. as you usually need to tweak your vits/minerals each time you have the blood tests. More DSers I know have Vit. D issues and need to often increase their supplements. Remember, DSers take much higher doses than the avg. person. For example, I began on ADEK as my supplementation (you can look it up). Then went to 5,000 iu Vit. D/day, then 10,000 iu, etc. I'm now at 150,000 iu/day. That's pretty much the high for DSers I know. So, while deficiencies can occur even if you supplement regularly, it's most impt. to stay on top of everything. That's how you catch it early and can get to work on it. If your surgeon doesn't do or recommend the DS, you might want to speak to one who does like it better and see if you can speak to any of his/her postops. I see you're in CA. Have you thought of the Rabkins or Keshishian? DSfacts.com has also vetted Jossart. Oh, and regarding your Vit. A question, I've took 40,000 iu/per day (palmitate; as palmitate and retinol are the ones DSers absorb best) for many years and about a year ago pushed it to 50,000 iu/per day as my numbers were still normal; however, they had trended down a bit.

I eat a slice a couple of times a month or every week if I feel like it. It takes me 2 sittings to get down the entire slice, though.

Sounds like a good plan. I kept a diary for the first 6 mos. till I knew how much Protein was in what, etc. It worked well for me. Later on you keep it in your head. It becomes 2nd nature. Keep up the good work.

Some people revise from the sleeve to the DS. Some revise from the sleeve to the gastric bypass. Some are perfectly happy with the sleeve alone as it does the job for them. It's hard to say whether or not you should have a DS. You need to know yourself. Can you keep a good count on your calories, etc. and watch what you eat? Because while your stomach is definitely smaller after the sleeve it does stretch somewhat as time goes by (never to its original size, though). If so, the sleeve should work well. If you're like me (a binge eater) & want to eat every 1-2 hours (Protein pretty much in the main) and worry about keeping the most weight off possible, then a DS might be right for you. However, the DS has cons along with the pros. It takes a lot of work: many, many vits/minerals per day for life, yearly or twice yearly blood work, there can be malodorous gas and/or stool (most of us watch our eating in public carefully and/or take a probiotic to keep this under control), etc. After a lot of research and decision making I felt it was the WLS for me. But it's a very personal decision and all WLS have positives and negatives.

Sounds like good planning. I hope they come through for you.

Sounds like decent planning.

I cook every couple of weeks (on Sunday). It takes several hours. Then I have weeks of hamburgers, steak, turkey burgers, lamb chops, etc. for dinners. lunch is either tuna or I buy something inexpensive like a cooked chicken and cut it up. Breakfast is yogurt, cheese, eggs or nuts so that doesn't take planning.

Yes I still have sleep apnea and high cholesterol. Hopefully in the next few days I can get a hold of the insurance company and see what can be done. I'd never wish them on you, but in this case they may actually help you out. They're impt. for the ins. co. to see and realize you're still having these issues that can and will cost them down the road if they don't pay for your DS.

With the DS it's multiple times per day. You need to do so to keep healthy.

Do you still have any co-morbidities?

I don't own a scale or I'd live on it. In the first year postop, I only weighed when I saw my surgeon. Nowadays, I weigh about once a month.

I had to crush everything. I mixed it in applesauce or yogurt (of course, at that time I could barely eat a tsp.)

I was lucky in that it was only 2 days of liquids. But I ate a lot of Jell-o. Is that permitted on your plan (not red, or similar colors, of course)

Physically, you'd most likely start to feel discomfort if you ate too much. Mine is around my breastbone. You might also barf. 9 years post DS, I still have much bigger eyes than my stomach. Other times I feel like I want to eat but feel too full to do so. That's the best description I can give you of how it works for me.

Very interesting plan. I'd be able to meet up at a support group a couple of times a year. Unfortunately, I doubt I could commit to more.

You're welcome. Anything else we can help with just ask.

No one knows I had the DS, either. As for flying, here's what I do. Obviously, I eat no carbs that day (honestly, I don't eat them during the day much, anyway). When I want them I eat them I do so in the evening so I can have my gas, etc., in the privacy of my home or hotel room. I'll sometimes eat what they give me on the plane, but I often bring tuna, roast chicken, stuff like that. Then I know I'm getting more than enough Protein and am able to eat constantly which if you go by the airline's food; it's only when they want to serve you and you're on a long flight. Oh, and always have tons of nuts with you. I also always carry certain things: I always carry a small vial of perfume in the back pocket of my slacks. It's a small metal atomizer and I fill it w/perfume. That's b/c I find my gas lingers in the butt of my pants much more than it did before I had the DS. When I know I can't hold in the gas or smother it in the seat (or at work against a wall; you get good at smothering gas, lol), I spray the butt of my pants quickly to mask the smell. If that won't pass through the TSA, you can just use a small clear spray bottle you find at the drugstore. Those should pass the TSA. For the bathroom. I use Citrus Magic orange spray. They also make small spray bottles and I use them in all public bathrooms. I carry it in my backpack & I don't have to worry about 'going' in public. Not sure about that passing through in your carry on with the TSA so I'd use the perfume atomizer in the bathroom. It should clear the smell up well. Oh, and I'll also say (if there's a person waiting in line for the bathroom), "You might want to wait a minute or two before you go in."

Do you mean flying right after the DS? Or do you mean flying, in general, as the years go by post DS?

Probably the same stuff you've heard before: Vitamins/minerals/protein are for life. Same with blood tests & other tests your doctors say you need. Ensure you want to make the time and financial commitment. Plus, really know your self. Are you compulsive/anal/conscientious enough (take your pick) to do it all? This isn't meant to scare you off. By no means. The DS offers the best chance to lose the most & keep it off. But it requires work and isn't always easy. There are positives and negatives. But the payoff can be great.

Hi, Let me address the dining out issue. It's not difficult. I promise. First of all, the salad dressing isn't often a problem. I get Russian. It's catsup and mayo. I eat that all the time (catsup everyday with my meals and mayo in my tuna). Remember, fat is not a problem with DSers. I also order pretty much whatever I want (bread/pasta/rice being the exception b/c I don't really want the carbs; it's way too filling & I'd never fit in the required Protein if I ate it as my stomach is too small). Shrimp with butter sauce, steaks, hamburgers, roast chicken, chicken alfredo (I usually don't eat the Pasta but the sauce is great). I'm a very picky eater, though. My DS friends eat a lot of different things. I just named some of the basics. Keep in mind DSers don't count calories. We watch sugar grams & simple carbs. Plus, I also always have extra for later. Meaning I almost never finish the meal at the table so I bring it with me: either home, or back to the hotel room for a snack (some people do finish it all, though, so don't worry if you are one of them, YMMV) . I try to get a room w/a refrig. but if not it stays well enough for when I eat again.

Not much to add in the way of advice as the previous posters have made some good points. Just one thing, with the gastric bypass the malabsorption lessens greatly after the first year.

Welcome. I can't speak to the tumors, but wish you well. As for just DS advice, my biggest is take all your vits/minerals. And have your bloods done when your surgical team requires.

It gave me the best chance of losing the most & keeping it off.