Guest guest Posted June 24, 2001 Report Share Posted June 24, 2001 Dear friends-- I'm starting to feel a little confused and would love answers from post-ops. I'm about 120 pounds overweight. I've decided, I think, to have the lap ds because of the things I've read about a more normal digestive system, a more normal quality of eating and better results in terms of weight regain. But in order to have this surgery, I'm going to have to travel out of town and the whole process is very scary. Also, I've noticed that most people who have the ds have much more than 120 pounds to lose and that this surgery is considered "extreme". Is that correct? And, to put it directly, all this talk about flatulence and "smelly poop" is a concern. Are we talking about something temporary? Are we talking about gas that's uncontrollable? BM's throughout the day? I mean, all poop smells. And if you're just going at home...well what's the difference. The idea that it would be so toxic that you've got to take medicine to counteract it is a little weird. As for the big concern with ds--taking vitamins--I have no problem with that. Would someone please give me a hint as to whether I'm pursuing the right or wrong option? Or at least a little insight? Many thanks, Belinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2001 Report Share Posted June 24, 2001 Belinda, Yes, you are correct! All poop smells! After surgery it just smells a little worse! For me personally, it is not too bad. I normally go in the morning 2 or 3 times in a couple of hours, and then I'm finished for the day. When I go out, I take a little calgon perfumed spray bottle with me 'just in case.' All WLS surgeries are a little extreme. Just continue your research and do what is the best for you! Good Luck! Kim B. DGB/DS Dr. Anthone 4/18/01 -64lbs in 9 1/2 weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2001 Report Share Posted June 24, 2001 In a message dated 06/24/2001 3:49:02 PM Central Daylight Time, bchulin@... writes: << I'm about 120 pounds overweight. I've decided, I think, to have the lap ds because of the things I've read about a more normal digestive >> Belinda, I was about 130 pounds overweight. As you will see in my stats below, I have lost about 102 pounds and seem to have stabilized there. I had thought of losing about 15 pounds more, but I am actually wearing a smaller clothing size than I had felt was my goal. I have decided that if I don't lose anymore I will be fine with it. The last 15 pounds may have just produced more wrinkles to make me look older anyway. I still weigh a lot for my height but most people say I look like I weigh about 30 pounds less than I do. So back to the point. I did not have as much to lose as some and the ds did not put me into any underweight category. I know Dr. Hess will not even consider surgery for anyone less than 100 pounds overweight so I am guessing his experience has told him this is only a problem if there is less than 100 pounds to lose. As far a bms, smells, and gas, everyone is different. However, even if individuals have a problem early post op usually within a year it all gets a lot better and is quite manageable. The supplement they talk about taking to reduce smells is just a mineral type supplement that helps reduce the odors. I have never had any need to do anything extra in this department except carry ozium with me and burn candles in my bathroom Dawn--Chicago metro--south Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH BPD/DS www.duodenalswitch.com 267 to 165 5'4 " 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2001 Report Share Posted June 24, 2001 Belinda- Ask away- this is the place. I'll try to address your concerns below, ok? Hugs, Liane >But in order to have this surgery, I'm going to have to >travel out of town and the whole process is very scary. Also, I've >noticed that most people who have the ds have much more than 120 >pounds to lose and that this surgery is considered " extreme " . Is >that correct? Not exactly.. I have met DS patients with BMIs of 38, 39, 40... I felt like a whale with my BMI of 60, because I'm even twice as bad off as my fellow surgery seekers.. I think we notice what we feel is unusual.. I know I'm not the only DS postop with a starting BMI of 60.. but who did I notice? All those " little " BMIs, lol.. >And, to put it directly, all this talk about flatulence and " smelly > poop " is a concern. Are we talking about something temporary? Are >we talking about gas that's uncontrollable? BM's throughout the day? >I mean, all poop smells. And if you're just going at home...well >what's the difference. The idea that it would be so toxic that >you've got to take medicine to counteract it is a little weird. Belinda, many of the Postops don't take devrom.. I may not always need it.. but right now I do (I'm not quite a month postop). Gas is affected by what you eat, just as preop- we just need Beano, Gas-X, and/or activated charcoal a little more than the average Joe. I'm not too long postop, but I've noticed that my gas is worst in the evenings around 9p to 12a- if you work days, you're ok. I work nights, so I'm going to try to figure out a solution, lol.. my patients deserve the best of me.. My BMs are also regulating fairly quickly. The uncontrollable part passes very quickly. Right now I have 2-3 BMs in the AM, fairly close together, and 1 in the evening (around my gassy time). Like I said, it depends on what you eat a lot, too.. and if it worries you.. they actually sell underpants with " flatulence-absorbing pads " in them. To me, yes, its a drawback.. but I had incredibly gassy days and some smelly BMs preop, too... Besides.. I'll never top the story of my first preop BM in public.. lol.. it was too funny.. > As for the big concern with ds--taking vitamins--I have no >problem with that. Would someone please give me a hint as to whether >I'm pursuing the right or wrong option? Or at least a little insight? > Belinda.. If you didn't have doubts, I'd be worried. I worried about all of these things before making my mind up, too.. and I'm an RN, and knew a lot about what to expect, nutritional ramefications, etc. I worried until I found answers to my questions... but I always came back to the DS. Why? You listed a lot of the reasons. Here's another one: * the RnY does not bypass much of the small intestine.. I already have a slow metabolism. Take a slow metabolism, a tiny stomach, & a slightly altered digestive tract, and what do you get? With me, I was afraid my metabolism would further slow down, and I'd be left still obese, yet sentenced to a restricted diet of tiny amounts. I could get a revision to a distal RnY, but I'm still left with a tiny tummy and a verrry slow metabolism. Plus, I belong to a regional group that is mostly RnYs.. the subject of revision came up lately, and in our group, 5 have been revised. 2 lost weight, 2 stayed the same, & 1 lost only a little. I cannot IMAGINE going through the pain of abdominal surgery AGAIN with little hope of losing more weight. Finding the correct surgery for you isn't easy, and I wish you luck. If you have questions, ASK- its what we're here for! Hugs, Liane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2001 Report Share Posted June 24, 2001 belinda: i am a preop with a bmi of 41/ i was thinking of asking dr ren the same question. i would be really bummed if i couldn't have the ds. it seems like a great surgery. i was just thinking today while at a barbeque..with the ds i will still be able to eat these foods but in smaller quantities, with the rny i may not. as liana discussed i was afraid that the rny would not work for me because the dr would only bipass double my bmi which would be 80 cm. i heard this is on the low end of proximal. i don't want two surgeries. the ds would be it.. well..just thought i would share. cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2001 Report Share Posted June 24, 2001 As someone who has been known to clear the men's room in 3 minutes from my BM as a Pre-surgery candidate...I have no fear for any " smelly " BM's afterward. Gawd! Now I've done everything on the internet...I'm talking about my BM's! LOL Re: frank discussion needed In a message dated 06/24/2001 3:49:02 PM Central Daylight Time, bchulin@... writes: << I'm about 120 pounds overweight. I've decided, I think, to have the lap ds because of the things I've read about a more normal digestive >> Belinda, I was about 130 pounds overweight. As you will see in my stats below, I have lost about 102 pounds and seem to have stabilized there. I had thought of losing about 15 pounds more, but I am actually wearing a smaller clothing size than I had felt was my goal. I have decided that if I don't lose anymore I will be fine with it. The last 15 pounds may have just produced more wrinkles to make me look older anyway. I still weigh a lot for my height but most people say I look like I weigh about 30 pounds less than I do. So back to the point. I did not have as much to lose as some and the ds did not put me into any underweight category. I know Dr. Hess will not even consider surgery for anyone less than 100 pounds overweight so I am guessing his experience has told him this is only a problem if there is less than 100 pounds to lose. As far a bms, smells, and gas, everyone is different. However, even if individuals have a problem early post op usually within a year it all gets a lot better and is quite manageable. The supplement they talk about taking to reduce smells is just a mineral type supplement that helps reduce the odors. I have never had any need to do anything extra in this department except carry ozium with me and burn candles in my bathroom Dawn--Chicago metro--south Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH BPD/DS www.duodenalswitch.com 267 to 165 5'4 " 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! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2001 Report Share Posted June 25, 2001 Thanks to everyone who addressed these personal issues....I'm feeling less panicky. Best, Belinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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