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On 8/16/2017 at 6:20 AM, Mieko Tominaga said:

Hi guys! It is my first time ever posting.

I am wondering how you felt before and after surgery? I am doing the Standard Duodenal Switch and am quite nervous. My surgery date is October 23, 2017. I wanna know about pain levels, how was walking after?, complications, how long was your hospital stay?, do you regret the surgery?....etc.

Also what's one thing you wish you knew before doing this? What advice do you have for me?

Thank you all! <3

Hi Mieko,

I am about 5 days post op. I had a Mini Gastric Bypass. I have had 3 other surgeries prior to this one (c-section, gallbladder, ovarian cyst) so it wasn't my first rodeo... but I was still a bit nervous. For me, it mainly just felt really surreal. The great thing about anesthesia is that you close your eyes.. then you open them and it's done! There is no concept of time so it feels like it happens in a blink.

Day 1: When they brought me back to my room I was suuuper groggy and tired for the rest of that day. I was still able to walk around and I didn't have any pain at all, really. I did have a LITTLE discomfort from gas bubbles but it was so minor and I just went hard on Gas-X strips to make sure it stayed that way. I walked a lot on the first day, it was easy to do and it felt nice to get out of my room. The first night was very hard to sleep. Not because of pain or anything.. but I would just randomly wake up every 45min or so. The IV was annoying and the drain made it uncomfortable to move certain ways.

Day 2: All of the grogginess was gone, I felt alert and more like myself. I had to drink a lot of Fluid on this day so the gas was a lot more uncomfortable and caused a little pain but it wasn't awful. Still did my walking and sipping etc. By that evening I had my leak test and they removed my drain and IV (honestly the IV was the worst part for me) and they let my husband and I walk around the mall for about an hour that was across the street. Walking in the mall was pretty difficult that day. It was easy to walk, but walking at a faster pace was nearly impossible. I took a lot of breaks. That night, they gave me a Valium and I slept like a baby.

Day 3: Woke up early feeling fantastic and ready to head home. Used an abdominal binder to help with the bumps in the road along the 9+ hour drive home. IT WAS A LIFE SAVER. I highly recommend it for the first few days after you leave the hospital. I was in a little pain when I got home... probably from the long ride even though we stopped every hour or so. That night was awful. I couldn't get comfortable no matter how many pillows I wedged underneath myself.

Day 4: I hardly got any sleep and woke up sore from all of the adjusting and readjusting all night. I was tired all day and just altogether not a happy camper. I didn't walk as much as I should have but still managed to drink what I was supposed to. Still wasn't hungry, didn't miss food. That night I took a suggestion to wedge pillows on either side of me to help prevent the urge to roll over.. it worked! I slept great.

Day 5: OHHH what a difference one day and a good night's sleep can make. Day 5 was a breeze. Went shopping, did some light cleaning, cooked dinner for the family. I missed food quite a bit more this day. Not really cravings or hunger.. but it just felt wrong that I hadn't eaten anything in so long. I missed chewing I guess? lol I LOVE to smell food but I don't have much of a desire to eat it. Water went down so much smoother today and the Protein Drinks weren't as much of a chore. Slept fine, was even able to get rid of most of the pillows.

Day 6: That's today! I woke up feeling fine. Drove today for the first time, no issues. Bumpy roads don't bother me anymore. Sick and tired of sweet stuff. Sweet Protein drinks, sweet Vitamins, sweet popsicles... I'm a bit grumpy today, woke up feeling like ''am I skinny yet?'' but I'm doing what I have to do and drinking down this protein and counting down the days to eating a real meal... to be continued...

I had 0 complications and my hospital stay was 2 days. I don't regret the surgery because I know that in the long run all of this will be worth it. It isn't fun at first but I know it gets better. These feelings will never be as bad as how I feel being fat.

A few things I wish I knew or I'm glad I knew:

1. SOME people have gas pain. SOME people have nausea. SOME people have acid reflux. Don't be afraid because of someone else's experience. We are all affected differently and there is no point in stressing about things until they happen.

2. DO NOT let people project their fears on to you. MANY MANY people will tell you not to do this or not to do that because *insert scary reason here*. For me, it was about which procedure I chose and where I chose to have it. There were fears about mal-absorption etc. I chose that procedure because it was the best fit FOR ME. I and SO GLAD I didn't let them talk me out of it. Another one was about the fact that I decided to have it done in Mexico. I had AMAZING care in Mexico and if I had to do it again, I'd go to the same place. Just trust yourself and the decisions you've made and the research you've put in. Don't let people's fears sway you.

3. Don't go crazy having all of the things you'll miss eating. It seems like a good idea.. and it probably wouldn't hurt to do it once or twice.. but don't go overboard. All the weight that you'll put on from doing that (even just 5lbs) will be weight you'll have to lose and you'll probably regret it. Having this surgery isn't the end of eating. There will be times where you can enjoy a cheat day.

Now that this is the longest post ever I think I'm done. Sorry its so long lol

I'm do glad it wasn't serious! Thanks for the update

Any update?

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Having mine Saturday (8/12) in Juarez. Anyone else?

Yay! Congrats!

I hear you. Stay positive, they've done this many many times. In and out and then you get a fresh start.

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Do you still have an appendix?

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So exciting! I imagine a lot of people don't get much sleep the night before lol.

Sent from my SM-G935V using BariatricPal mobile app

After reading my previous posts again, I realize that I misspoke. I am aware that it is in comparison to VSG (while previously I said RNY). Since VSG was my first choice, I still mentally compare the two.

As for the GERD issue in general, I'm not going to worry about it. I am not "blind" to the fact that side effects exist. There are things I don't like for every single procedure. We all have to pick what works best for us. I understand what you're saying that the risk is lower in RNY, but I'm not getting RNY. You mentioned before that it is a ''not rare'' side effect but I'm not entirely sure how accurate that is.

"Bile Reflux Esophagitis (< 1% of patients)" - (http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/mini-gastric-bypass-surgery.html#Downsides-Main)

Also, I don't think I'd ever think that something that is cheaper is better? I'm not sure why you think that about me but ..ok. If money was the only thing I was thinking about here, I'd have a few cheaper options.

PS: I'm sorry if it seemed like I was creating a competition between RNY and MGB. That wasn't my intention. I was just curious to know how they are different.

BMI: 47 Size: 22W

Wow in only 16 days! That's really great. I'm happy for you. I really appreciate you sharing with me. This will help a lot. I'll check out the FB group right now.

Awesome! I have mine scheduled for next Saturday. I would love to keep in touch and watch your progress. I've read a lot of info saying that the MGB is a great option to avoid GERD so I'm feeling pretty confident. Is there anything I should have or know to be prepared? Were you able to get around at all in the days after your surgery? Did you use Gas-X strips to help with the gas pains?

How is your recovery going?

Very interesting! Thank you for sharing!

I'm having the same procedure done in Juarez on the 12th. I completely understand your nervousness, but you will be fine! Just think, by this time next year you'll be feeling amazing and living your best life.

Thanks, JohnnyCakes! I'll keep you guys posted for sure.

They aren't saying the Omega Loop isn't a mini bypass. They're saying it's a newer version of the Mini Bypass. I will just have to dig deeper. But either way I'm pretty set on what I'm doing anyway. (at this point*)

From what I've been told, there was a mini bypass that had problems with reflux and then they came up with the Omega Loop which is supposed to solve those problems.

How strange, I was told the mini bypass had less chance of GERD than RNY. Thanks for sharing! (looking into that)

Thanks for your perspective, Berry! I really hadn't thought of it that way. I do live in a very large metropolitan area so there are a few people who do the procedure near me from what I've found. I think it was really smart to make your decision based on that. Another reassuring thing for me is that I don't live very far from Mexico (where I'm getting my surgery done).

Now that you've made me aware of another name for the procedure, I was able to find more useful information and I feel a little more comfortable with the idea.

Its very strange.. I've been looking into WLS for the past 4 years and felt like I knew all of my options.

So, I was convinced the procedure I wanted was a gastric sleeve... then I did some research and decided that a gastric bypass was the surgery for me. I get a phone call today from JoAnne at BeLiteWeight to schedule my surgery (8/12/17!!!!!) and she mentions a MINI gastric bypass???? I have no idea what this is and it's not as easy to find info on it. Has anyone had one? Is there anything you can tell me? Help!