Re: Hi I am new

April 24, 2001

:

There are problems with any major abdominal surgery, and this definitely is major. And there are more with the DS than with the RNY. But the main problems which seem to come up over and over are not those which seem specific to the DS. Problems occur with anesthetic. The DS is more complicated than the RNY and the surgery takes longer. Consequently problems are more likely to occur.

There is a group of problems which occur due to blockages. These are far more likely with the RNY but they occasionally do occur with the DS. There are problems due to blood clots. I believe this would be equal with either surgery. Those are the major surgical complications. As you say, there are long term complications which are specific to the mal-absorption. This is more common with the DS but also can happen with the RNY, the more distal the more likely. Other problems which can be serious include leaks which can occur with either surgery. These usually occur along suture or staple lines though they can occur elsewhere as they did with me. Fistulas are possible with either surgery. Failure of the wound to close properly is possible, I'd expect about equal with either surgery.

As to frequent BMs or smelly gas this can occur with either surgery though it is possibly more common with the DS. Temporary hair loss possible. It will grow back. There's a lot of debate as to whether this is due to the rapid weight loss or the anesthetic. It's probably some of each. Various significant aches and pains can occur with either surgery. And of course as you mentioned the vitamin and mineral deficiencies are possible with either surgery, more with the DS but it is common with the distal RNY as well.

There are lots of possible problems. This surgery should be a last resort. If there is a diet, an exercise program, a pill you haven't tried which you believe has a chance of helping, try it first. But if you feel like my wife and I did that everything else has been tried, this surgery can save your life. With all the risks and with the major problems I had, my wife and I would do it again in a heart beat.

Regards.

Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fartSan , TX, 60 years oldSurgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch340 starting weight, currently 250http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html

Hi I am new

> Hi, I am fairly new and just starting to research the DS. I have an > appt. on Friday with Dr. . I have been to many individual > web pages and the DS web pages and they have been very helpful in > explaining the procedure. I haven't seen much on post-op > complications as they are related to having a DS. I am aware of the > mal-absorbtion issues and other surgery related issues, but I am > wondering is there any thing specific to the DS that I should be > aware of. I know I will have frequent BM's but that should subside. > Is there anything I am missing. I have been lurking on the DS Post-> op problem site and don't think that I have come across anything that > couldn't happen with other WLS. Any input would be great. Thanks, > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------->

April 24, 2001

:

There are problems with any major abdominal surgery, and this definitely is major. And there are more with the DS than with the RNY. But the main problems which seem to come up over and over are not those which seem specific to the DS. Problems occur with anesthetic. The DS is more complicated than the RNY and the surgery takes longer. Consequently problems are more likely to occur.

There is a group of problems which occur due to blockages. These are far more likely with the RNY but they occasionally do occur with the DS. There are problems due to blood clots. I believe this would be equal with either surgery. Those are the major surgical complications. As you say, there are long term complications which are specific to the mal-absorption. This is more common with the DS but also can happen with the RNY, the more distal the more likely. Other problems which can be serious include leaks which can occur with either surgery. These usually occur along suture or staple lines though they can occur elsewhere as they did with me. Fistulas are possible with either surgery. Failure of the wound to close properly is possible, I'd expect about equal with either surgery.

As to frequent BMs or smelly gas this can occur with either surgery though it is possibly more common with the DS. Temporary hair loss possible. It will grow back. There's a lot of debate as to whether this is due to the rapid weight loss or the anesthetic. It's probably some of each. Various significant aches and pains can occur with either surgery. And of course as you mentioned the vitamin and mineral deficiencies are possible with either surgery, more with the DS but it is common with the distal RNY as well.

There are lots of possible problems. This surgery should be a last resort. If there is a diet, an exercise program, a pill you haven't tried which you believe has a chance of helping, try it first. But if you feel like my wife and I did that everything else has been tried, this surgery can save your life. With all the risks and with the major problems I had, my wife and I would do it again in a heart beat.

Regards.

Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fartSan , TX, 60 years oldSurgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch340 starting weight, currently 250http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html

Hi I am new

> Hi, I am fairly new and just starting to research the DS. I have an > appt. on Friday with Dr. . I have been to many individual > web pages and the DS web pages and they have been very helpful in > explaining the procedure. I haven't seen much on post-op > complications as they are related to having a DS. I am aware of the > mal-absorbtion issues and other surgery related issues, but I am > wondering is there any thing specific to the DS that I should be > aware of. I know I will have frequent BM's but that should subside. > Is there anything I am missing. I have been lurking on the DS Post-> op problem site and don't think that I have come across anything that > couldn't happen with other WLS. Any input would be great. Thanks, > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------->

April 24, 2001

:

There are problems with any major abdominal surgery, and this definitely is major. And there are more with the DS than with the RNY. But the main problems which seem to come up over and over are not those which seem specific to the DS. Problems occur with anesthetic. The DS is more complicated than the RNY and the surgery takes longer. Consequently problems are more likely to occur.

There is a group of problems which occur due to blockages. These are far more likely with the RNY but they occasionally do occur with the DS. There are problems due to blood clots. I believe this would be equal with either surgery. Those are the major surgical complications. As you say, there are long term complications which are specific to the mal-absorption. This is more common with the DS but also can happen with the RNY, the more distal the more likely. Other problems which can be serious include leaks which can occur with either surgery. These usually occur along suture or staple lines though they can occur elsewhere as they did with me. Fistulas are possible with either surgery. Failure of the wound to close properly is possible, I'd expect about equal with either surgery.

As to frequent BMs or smelly gas this can occur with either surgery though it is possibly more common with the DS. Temporary hair loss possible. It will grow back. There's a lot of debate as to whether this is due to the rapid weight loss or the anesthetic. It's probably some of each. Various significant aches and pains can occur with either surgery. And of course as you mentioned the vitamin and mineral deficiencies are possible with either surgery, more with the DS but it is common with the distal RNY as well.

There are lots of possible problems. This surgery should be a last resort. If there is a diet, an exercise program, a pill you haven't tried which you believe has a chance of helping, try it first. But if you feel like my wife and I did that everything else has been tried, this surgery can save your life. With all the risks and with the major problems I had, my wife and I would do it again in a heart beat.

Regards.

Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fartSan , TX, 60 years oldSurgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch340 starting weight, currently 250http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html

Hi I am new

> Hi, I am fairly new and just starting to research the DS. I have an > appt. on Friday with Dr. . I have been to many individual > web pages and the DS web pages and they have been very helpful in > explaining the procedure. I haven't seen much on post-op > complications as they are related to having a DS. I am aware of the > mal-absorbtion issues and other surgery related issues, but I am > wondering is there any thing specific to the DS that I should be > aware of. I know I will have frequent BM's but that should subside. > Is there anything I am missing. I have been lurking on the DS Post-> op problem site and don't think that I have come across anything that > couldn't happen with other WLS. Any input would be great. Thanks, > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------->

April 25, 2001

> Hi, I am fairly new and just starting to research the DS. I have

an

> appt. on Friday with Dr. . I have been to many individual

> web pages and the DS web pages and they have been very helpful in

> explaining the procedure. I haven't seen much on post-op

> complications as they are related to having a DS. I am aware of

the

> mal-absorbtion issues and other surgery related issues, but I am

> wondering is there any thing specific to the DS that I should be

> aware of. I know I will have frequent BM's but that should

subside.

> Is there anything I am missing. I have been lurking on the DS Post-

> op problem site and don't think that I have come across anything

that

> couldn't happen with other WLS. Any input would be great. Thanks,

>

,

Hi. Just wanted to say WELCOME Aboard! I see Joe Frost covered your

question quite well about complications so I just wanted to say in

spite of all the possible complications I think (although probably

biased) the DS is the surgery that will give you the most " normal "

life after. I think this is a huge point to consider as well. I am

6 1/2 months post-op and had no complications. I have lost 86 lbs

and I feel amazing! I can eat anything without getting sick ever! I

always eat my protein first as this is most important and I take all

of my Vitamin/Iron/Protein supplements! I have been given back

life! I wish the same for you and anyone in our " shoes " ! If I can

be of any help please Email me! Best of Luck!

Your WLS Friend, Kjay

March 14, 2005

In a message dated 3/14/2005 6:34:50 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Briwoods1@... writes:

> but there is no way I have Hyper cause

> I have gained 20 pounds, very tired and my hair is falling out. They

> said I have low levels.

low levels of what?

Find out what your labs were for:

TSH

Free T4

Free T3

Cindi

March 14, 2005

In a message dated 3/14/2005 6:34:50 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Briwoods1@... writes:

> but there is no way I have Hyper cause

> I have gained 20 pounds, very tired and my hair is falling out. They

> said I have low levels.

low levels of what?

Find out what your labs were for:

TSH

Free T4

Free T3

Cindi

March 14, 2005

>

> Just wanted to say hi and ask a few questions! I am newly diagnosed

> and have couple questions, tomorrow I will take my idodine pills for

> my uptake scan. What is this for? What are nodules? . . . Anyway

> what do you suggest I ask my doc when I get together with him after

> the test results etc.

> Thanks

> Bernannda

________________________

Bernannda,

A nodule is a growth on the thyroid gland. It can be " hot " or " cold " .

It can consist of a solitary nodule or be composed of multiple

smaller nodules. If the nodule is " hot " it is producing hormone.

These types of nodules are almost never malignant. If it is " Cold " ,

then they have to do additional tests to see if it is malignant. I'm

surprised that they give you iodine pills - since the test I am

thinking of involves having radioactive iodine being taken up by the

thyroid, I don't think they would want to let you have radioactive

iodine in your home. In any case they watch to see where the iodine is

going. In most cases that I have heard of they give you a radioactive

iodine injection prior to the scan. If the iodine is taken up by the

nodule, then it is hot, if not, it is cold. The treatment for each

type and size of nodules varies.

I had a single very large hot nodule that was surgically removed.

They took out one lobe of the thyroid, the isthmus and part of the

remaining lobe - so not much tissue left. In spite of doing that, it

took 4 years before I was put on any replacement.

Also, because the nodule I had was " hot " , it made my TSH low - and

technically I was hyperthyroid - but when I had the nodule I gained

weight and exhibited many other other hypo signs.

Perhaps your doctor suspects you may have a nodule. It will be

important to find out if it is hot or cold, how large it is and ask

what options there are for treatment. You may not agree with any of

the treatments - but you can deal with that when and if it happens.

Winona

March 14, 2005