Re: unusual symptoms and How much I can eat

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 06/10/2001 8:57:22 AM Central Daylight Time,

peabean@... writes:

<< My goal was to be under 200 pounds and buy clothes in the regular size

department. >>

Deborah,

I too feel many of the same things about this surgery as you do. When I got

below 200 lbs., I told myself that if this surgery keeps me under 200 easily

the rest of my life, I will consider it a huge success!

Dawn

4/27/00

Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

BPD/DS

www.duodenalswitch.com

267 to 165

size 22 to size 10

have made size goal, weight goal may need to be adjusted.

no more high blood pressure, sore feet, or dieting!

[Guest guest]

Hi all!

Two topics caught my eye this morning and I thought I would share my

experiences.

First, I thought I had overdone the goodies at a New Year's Eve party. I

was 17 monthes post-op, well below my goal weight and feeling great

generally before the party. I had ferocious digestive symptoms, severe

enough to make me reach for the trusty Imodium several days in a row. I was

freezing cold, thought I had overworked my muscles from a hike up a

mountain, and was just miserable. After 9 days of this hell, and losing 18

pounds I couldn't afford to lose, I went to see my doctor. To make a long

story short, I was really sick. I had contracted a nasty organism

(Camplyobacter) from a friend's new puppy. Some antibiotics and lots of

fluids later I was just fine. Moral: Never assume prolonged diareahha and

cramps are just the result of your surgery. Get help!

Second, on the amount of food my stomach can hold now, nearly 4 years

post-op. The quantity I can eat is about 80% of what I used to eat. I have

no trouble eating a " normal " size meal. I can enjoy Thanksgiving dinner,

have a burger and soda (no fries - too much trouble with excess fat

afterward), eat a plate of my favorite pesto at a booth at our county fair,

and go to an " all-you-can-eat " retaurant without feeling like I am wasting

my money because I eat so little. (I also no longer feel so self-concious

about how many times I go back to the food, another story entirely.) I just

can't eat two burgers witha shake and extra large fries.

What truly amazes me is the freedom to eat what ever I feel like whenever I

want to without the guilt and worry over weight. I must say I am able to

truly enjoy eating for the first time in my life. I am not worried about

losing or gaining weight. I am not worried about what others are saying

about what I am eating. I am just able to eat as my genetically slim

husband does, only concerned about what do I want and how hungry I am. This

remains a daily miracle. When some have criticised my decision to lose

weight via BPD, I reflect on the joy it has brought to my life and the

release from the hell of obesity. I would do it again in a heart beat. I

only wish I had found it sooner.

One other thought on goal weight/size. When I tell someone how much I weigh,

they are very surprised it is so much given my size. The reason is the 20

or so pounds of extra skin I still own. When I subtract that estimated

amount, then my weight and size match the expectations of the charts. Try

to not get hung up on the numbers. It can make you crazy.

My goal was to be under 200 pounds and buy clothes in the regular size

department. I reached it and then some! I walked 3 to 4 miles regularly

before surgery and continue that today with many longer day hikes into the

wildland parks that surround my home that I could'nt have managed before

BPD. Focus instead on what you want to do that you couldn't do before. My

focus was a backcountry hike at Bryce Cayon National Park. 10 months

post-op, my husband and I spent 3 glorious days hiking 24 miles through

those formations and canyons at 6000' plus in elevation. I would have been

lucky to hike across the parking lot at that elevation before surgery.

Deborah

Dr. Anthone

BPD/DS 09/24/97

BMI 54

weight 307

size 28/30

current: BMI 26

weight 154

size 10/12

[Guest guest]

..Deborah wrote in part:

Focus instead on what you want to do that you couldn't do before. My

focus was a backcountry hike at Bryce Cayon National Park. 10 months

post-op, my husband and I spent 3 glorious days hiking 24 miles through

those formations and canyons at 6000' plus in elevation. I would have

been

lucky to hike across the parking lot at that elevation before surgery

Amen to that Sister! Especially the parking lot-- I'm lucky to get across

a parking lot at sea level these days! I have two goals: one to go on a

pack trip into the back country of Sequoia National park on a horse. and

Second, to go to England, south of France, and Switzerland and walk all

over the place-- want to wear out at least one pair of shoes doing it.

Nan E. BMI 71 and pre op.

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