surgery

August 12, 2001

The surgery was for a ruptured diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon

john

>

> In a message dated 8/11/01 5:24:58 AM, duodenalswitch@y... writes:

>

> << , the only diarrhea I had was in the hospital, and that was

> mostly from the antibiotics and pre-op bowel prep. Now I have one,

> maybe two a day. YMMV, but I think most DS folks dont have regular

> diarrhea. Most surgeons who cant or wont do the DS will naturally

> recommend Rny. Best of luck, Meli

> >>

>

> Yes, the majority of people do not have diahhrea (or severe

diahhrea) after a

> few weeks post-op. However, the one situation where the DS is NOT

> recommended (generally across the board) involves existing

(previous?) colon

> disease. I remember asking Dr. Gagner about IBS and he said that

was fine -

> but with IBD -- chrohns, ulcerative colitis, etc. and the like -

there is NO

> way he would do the DS. I am not sure what kind of condition

had/has

> that necessitated the colon surgery but if there is a history of

serious

> colon disease, this pretty much *can* rule one out as a candidate

for the DS.

>

> I agree, though, that many surgeons will try to push the RNY because

they do

> not feel so confident about the DS (either in their skills and/or

the

> procedure). Perhaps 's condition now would not rule him out and

the fact

> that he had previous colon surgery really isn't an issue - I don' t

know all

> the details about it. If is really, really set on the DS, why

not

> correspond with some of the top DS surgeons in the country (Dr.

Gagner, Dr.

> Herron, Dr. K, Dr. Hess, etc.) and see what their responses would be

in

> regards to this matter??? At least he could feel more confident if

there is

> a consensus about it that the DS would not be advisable or he could

find out

> that it may be ok in his particular case.

>

> all the best,

>

> lap ds with gallbladder removal

> January 25, 2001

> Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC

>

> six months post-op and still feelin' fabu!

>

> pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45

> Now: 228

August 12, 2001

The surgery was for a ruptured diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon

john

>

> In a message dated 8/11/01 5:24:58 AM, duodenalswitch@y... writes:

>

> << , the only diarrhea I had was in the hospital, and that was

> mostly from the antibiotics and pre-op bowel prep. Now I have one,

> maybe two a day. YMMV, but I think most DS folks dont have regular

> diarrhea. Most surgeons who cant or wont do the DS will naturally

> recommend Rny. Best of luck, Meli

> >>

>

> Yes, the majority of people do not have diahhrea (or severe

diahhrea) after a

> few weeks post-op. However, the one situation where the DS is NOT

> recommended (generally across the board) involves existing

(previous?) colon

> disease. I remember asking Dr. Gagner about IBS and he said that

was fine -

> but with IBD -- chrohns, ulcerative colitis, etc. and the like -

there is NO

> way he would do the DS. I am not sure what kind of condition

had/has

> that necessitated the colon surgery but if there is a history of

serious

> colon disease, this pretty much *can* rule one out as a candidate

for the DS.

>

> I agree, though, that many surgeons will try to push the RNY because

they do

> not feel so confident about the DS (either in their skills and/or

the

> procedure). Perhaps 's condition now would not rule him out and

the fact

> that he had previous colon surgery really isn't an issue - I don' t

know all

> the details about it. If is really, really set on the DS, why

not

> correspond with some of the top DS surgeons in the country (Dr.

Gagner, Dr.

> Herron, Dr. K, Dr. Hess, etc.) and see what their responses would be

in

> regards to this matter??? At least he could feel more confident if

there is

> a consensus about it that the DS would not be advisable or he could

find out

> that it may be ok in his particular case.

>

> all the best,

>

> lap ds with gallbladder removal

> January 25, 2001

> Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC

>

> six months post-op and still feelin' fabu!

>

> pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45

> Now: 228

August 12, 2001

,

Hi ! I have not had the DS surgery yet, but I do have my consultation

with Dr. Herron at Mt. Sinai in

November. I had e-mailed Dr. Herron prior to setting up the appt. to tell

him that I had had multiple

abdominal surgeries (one of them being removal of 17 inches of sigmoid

colon due to diverticulitis -

4 years ago), and he said that did not automatically exclude one from being

considered for the

BPD/DS. Go for it ... go to a reputable surgeon with a good record, and

let him make the medical

decision ... don't choose not to pursue it.

Bye,

Donna

pensiondude@on

ebox.com To: duodenalswitch

cc:

08/12/01 07:47 Subject: Re:

surgery

PM

Please respond

to

duodenalswitch

The surgery was for a ruptured diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon

john

>

> In a message dated 8/11/01 5:24:58 AM, duodenalswitch@y... writes:

>

> << , the only diarrhea I had was in the hospital, and that was

> mostly from the antibiotics and pre-op bowel prep. Now I have one,

> maybe two a day. YMMV, but I think most DS folks dont have regular

> diarrhea. Most surgeons who cant or wont do the DS will naturally

> recommend Rny. Best of luck, Meli

> >>

>

> Yes, the majority of people do not have diahhrea (or severe

diahhrea) after a

> few weeks post-op. However, the one situation where the DS is NOT

> recommended (generally across the board) involves existing

(previous?) colon

> disease. I remember asking Dr. Gagner about IBS and he said that

was fine -

> but with IBD -- chrohns, ulcerative colitis, etc. and the like -

there is NO

> way he would do the DS. I am not sure what kind of condition

had/has

> that necessitated the colon surgery but if there is a history of

serious

> colon disease, this pretty much *can* rule one out as a candidate

for the DS.

>

> I agree, though, that many surgeons will try to push the RNY because

they do

> not feel so confident about the DS (either in their skills and/or

the

> procedure). Perhaps 's condition now would not rule him out and

the fact

> that he had previous colon surgery really isn't an issue - I don' t

know all

> the details about it. If is really, really set on the DS, why

not

> correspond with some of the top DS surgeons in the country (Dr.

Gagner, Dr.

> Herron, Dr. K, Dr. Hess, etc.) and see what their responses would be

in

> regards to this matter??? At least he could feel more confident if

there is

> a consensus about it that the DS would not be advisable or he could

find out

> that it may be ok in his particular case.

>

> all the best,

>

> lap ds with gallbladder removal

> January 25, 2001

> Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC

>

> six months post-op and still feelin' fabu!

>

> pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45

> Now: 228

----------------------------------------------------------------------

August 12, 2001

,

Hi ! I have not had the DS surgery yet, but I do have my consultation

with Dr. Herron at Mt. Sinai in

November. I had e-mailed Dr. Herron prior to setting up the appt. to tell

him that I had had multiple

abdominal surgeries (one of them being removal of 17 inches of sigmoid

colon due to diverticulitis -

4 years ago), and he said that did not automatically exclude one from being

considered for the

BPD/DS. Go for it ... go to a reputable surgeon with a good record, and

let him make the medical

decision ... don't choose not to pursue it.

Bye,

Donna

pensiondude@on

ebox.com To: duodenalswitch

cc:

08/12/01 07:47 Subject: Re:

surgery

PM

Please respond

to

duodenalswitch

The surgery was for a ruptured diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon

john

>

> In a message dated 8/11/01 5:24:58 AM, duodenalswitch@y... writes:

>

> << , the only diarrhea I had was in the hospital, and that was

> mostly from the antibiotics and pre-op bowel prep. Now I have one,

> maybe two a day. YMMV, but I think most DS folks dont have regular

> diarrhea. Most surgeons who cant or wont do the DS will naturally

> recommend Rny. Best of luck, Meli

> >>

>

> Yes, the majority of people do not have diahhrea (or severe

diahhrea) after a

> few weeks post-op. However, the one situation where the DS is NOT

> recommended (generally across the board) involves existing

(previous?) colon

> disease. I remember asking Dr. Gagner about IBS and he said that

was fine -

> but with IBD -- chrohns, ulcerative colitis, etc. and the like -

there is NO

> way he would do the DS. I am not sure what kind of condition

had/has

> that necessitated the colon surgery but if there is a history of

serious

> colon disease, this pretty much *can* rule one out as a candidate

for the DS.

>

> I agree, though, that many surgeons will try to push the RNY because

they do

> not feel so confident about the DS (either in their skills and/or

the

> procedure). Perhaps 's condition now would not rule him out and

the fact

> that he had previous colon surgery really isn't an issue - I don' t

know all

> the details about it. If is really, really set on the DS, why

not

> correspond with some of the top DS surgeons in the country (Dr.

Gagner, Dr.

> Herron, Dr. K, Dr. Hess, etc.) and see what their responses would be

in

> regards to this matter??? At least he could feel more confident if

there is

> a consensus about it that the DS would not be advisable or he could

find out

> that it may be ok in his particular case.

>

> all the best,

>

> lap ds with gallbladder removal

> January 25, 2001

> Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC

>

> six months post-op and still feelin' fabu!

>

> pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45

> Now: 228

----------------------------------------------------------------------

August 4, 2003

Hi Robin,

I haven't had surgery specfically for the pancreas but I have had

three abdominal surgeries: 2 open and 1 laparoscopic. To be

honest, the open surgeries were pretty awful. The second one is

when I experienced my first acute attack of pancreatitis. The one

thing that I can advise though, is to be very sure of your surgeon,

assess his technical skills along with his " people " skills. If you

are very lucky, you will find one that excels in both the art and

science of medicince. My first surgeon was a disaster and I

blame her for most of my subsequent problems. I didn't have a

choice in the matter as it was an emergency so you get who is

available. But my second surgeon was wonderful. I could tell the

moment I first met him that there was something good about this

guy (as opposed to the first one: she was cold, not sympathetic

and very defensive about her skills - should have clued me in).

There are some good information on the web site " MD consult "

about the surgical approach to pancreatitis. Maybe this will

answer some of your specific questions.

I guess the reason I felt compelled to answer your post, even

though I am not giving you good enough information, is that I am

only a year younger than you and have basically said the same

thing as you did in your last sentence:

" I am only 44 and really do not want to live the rest of my life on

drugs. "

This struck a chord with me.

Good luck - I hope you get better answers!

Laurie

January 5, 2004

CJ--Im new here too--my surgery is scheduled for 2-16 and I too am scared. I

am a nurse also and have spent years taking care of bypass patients---and

although most everyone does just great---it still scares me. My surgery will be

done open--mostly because we just dont have any real experienced surgeons in

the lap department---i so wish we did. Ill be thinking of you when your surery

is being done--hang in there---you will be fine---CIndy

January 5, 2004

CJ--Im new here too--my surgery is scheduled for 2-16 and I too am scared. I

am a nurse also and have spent years taking care of bypass patients---and

although most everyone does just great---it still scares me. My surgery will be

done open--mostly because we just dont have any real experienced surgeons in

the lap department---i so wish we did. Ill be thinking of you when your surery

is being done--hang in there---you will be fine---CIndy

January 5, 2004

Colleen, I had LAP RNY on 12-23-03. I was scared also. It is normal to feel

that way, not stupid. So try to keep your mind occupied with positive thoughts

and go in that OR and get a little nap and be done with it.

I had little pain after surgery, actually I can't even complain of pain from the

sites, just the gas. I never had pain meds for anything other than gas. Which

really did not help. As quickly after surgery as possible walk,walk, walk it

really does help get things moving. Good luck to you.

Stef

SURGERY

Hi all, I am new to this group so excuse me if I sound ignorant. My

surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, Jan. 8 and I don't know how

others are but I am scared to death! I am having the laproscopic, so

far anyway as long as things go as planned. I guess what I'm most

afraid of is just plain coming out of the surgery ok. Does anyone

else feel this way or am I just being stupid? C.J.

January 5, 2004

Colleen, I had LAP RNY on 12-23-03. I was scared also. It is normal to feel

that way, not stupid. So try to keep your mind occupied with positive thoughts

and go in that OR and get a little nap and be done with it.

I had little pain after surgery, actually I can't even complain of pain from the

sites, just the gas. I never had pain meds for anything other than gas. Which

really did not help. As quickly after surgery as possible walk,walk, walk it

really does help get things moving. Good luck to you.

Stef

SURGERY

Hi all, I am new to this group so excuse me if I sound ignorant. My

surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, Jan. 8 and I don't know how

others are but I am scared to death! I am having the laproscopic, so

far anyway as long as things go as planned. I guess what I'm most

afraid of is just plain coming out of the surgery ok. Does anyone

else feel this way or am I just being stupid? C.J.

January 5, 2004

Thanks Cindy, good luck on yours too. I'm trying to look toward the future

how much healthier, happier and good looking we all will be!! C.J.

-- Re: SURGERY

CJ--Im new here too--my surgery is scheduled for 2-16 and I too am scared.

I

am a nurse also and have spent years taking care of bypass patients---and

although most everyone does just great---it still scares me. My surgery

will be

done open--mostly because we just dont have any real experienced surgeons in

the lap department---i so wish we did. Ill be thinking of you when your

surery

is being done--hang in there---you will be fine---CIndy

January 5, 2004

Thanks Cindy, good luck on yours too. I'm trying to look toward the future

how much healthier, happier and good looking we all will be!! C.J.

-- Re: SURGERY

CJ--Im new here too--my surgery is scheduled for 2-16 and I too am scared.

I

am a nurse also and have spent years taking care of bypass patients---and

although most everyone does just great---it still scares me. My surgery

will be

done open--mostly because we just dont have any real experienced surgeons in

the lap department---i so wish we did. Ill be thinking of you when your

surery

is being done--hang in there---you will be fine---CIndy

January 5, 2004

It's hardly stupid to be scared when you are undergoing major surgery. I

was not particularly nervous but I had waited 18 months to have my surgery.

I am sure everything will be fine and you will be on the losing side in no

time.

Good Luck and let us know when you get home.

Candi

SURGERY

Hi all, I am new to this group so excuse me if I sound ignorant. My

surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, Jan. 8 and I don't know how

others are but I am scared to death! I am having the laproscopic, so

far anyway as long as things go as planned. I guess what I'm most

afraid of is just plain coming out of the surgery ok. Does anyone

else feel this way or am I just being stupid? C.J.

January 5, 2004

It's hardly stupid to be scared when you are undergoing major surgery. I

was not particularly nervous but I had waited 18 months to have my surgery.

I am sure everything will be fine and you will be on the losing side in no

time.

Good Luck and let us know when you get home.

Candi

SURGERY

Hi all, I am new to this group so excuse me if I sound ignorant. My

surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, Jan. 8 and I don't know how

others are but I am scared to death! I am having the laproscopic, so

far anyway as long as things go as planned. I guess what I'm most

afraid of is just plain coming out of the surgery ok. Does anyone

else feel this way or am I just being stupid? C.J.

January 5, 2004

Colleen Thats normal to be scared mainly when the date just a few

days away.Your Thoughts and prayers will be with you on the 8.Don't

worry though you'll do Wonderful and be losing soon.Just remember

Water intake and walking as much as you can.a friend debkroll 113 lbs

gone

forever.

> Hi all, I am new to this group so excuse me if I sound ignorant. My

> surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, Jan. 8 and I don't know how

> others are but I am scared to death! I am having the laproscopic,

so

> far anyway as long as things go as planned. I guess what I'm most

> afraid of is just plain coming out of the surgery ok. Does anyone

> else feel this way or am I just being stupid? C.J.

January 5, 2004

Colleen Thats normal to be scared mainly when the date just a few

days away.Your Thoughts and prayers will be with you on the 8.Don't

worry though you'll do Wonderful and be losing soon.Just remember

Water intake and walking as much as you can.a friend debkroll 113 lbs

gone

forever.

> Hi all, I am new to this group so excuse me if I sound ignorant. My

> surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, Jan. 8 and I don't know how

> others are but I am scared to death! I am having the laproscopic,

so

> far anyway as long as things go as planned. I guess what I'm most

> afraid of is just plain coming out of the surgery ok. Does anyone

> else feel this way or am I just being stupid? C.J.

November 4, 2004

Wow, are you sure you're getting advancement of a whole inch,

that's 25.4mm. I've never heard of such an advancement, that

would mean your lower front teeth are like hitting your upper

molars. Anyway, there is no reason whatsoever to loose weight

due to jaw surgery. I actually gained ten pounds during my

recovery. Just start throwing high calorie liquids in the blender

and you'll be fine. My typical shake that I'd make during my

recovery was about a quart in total volume, had whole milk, two

eggs, a banana, ice cream, chocolate syrup, maybe some

protein powder thrown in. That right there is pushing around

1000 calories. Two of those a day and you're not losing weight. I

also would throw milk, mashed potatoes, vegetables, meat,

whatever in the blender and make a very nutritious, albeit ugly,

concoction. It's ridiculous that there isn't more information about

how to get the calories you need in a liquid form. Perhaps the

inverse is true in that so few people seem to understand what

makes them get fat. It's calories, always has been, always will

be and it doesn't matter what they come from. Anyway, good

luck, and if you really are getting a one inch advancement, I

would like to see your before/afters when it's all done. My jaw

advancement was only 5mm, but my chin needed 25-30mm,

which so far I've only achieved 5mm from a genioplsty, but I will

be having a secondary genioplasty before long.

>

> Hey everyone. I am getting my lower jaw broken and moved an

inch

> forward in a month. I have had braces on for 2 years and I'm

> finally getting surgery Dec. 1st. It used to make me sick

thinking

> about the surgery, but now I just want to get it over with. But I

> have never talked to anyone who has had it done and I have a

lot of

> questions. I am 110 pounds and I'm taking a weight gainer

> supplement. How much weight should I expect to lose? How

long before

> I should go back to work? What are good things to eat/drink

after

> surgery? How much does it really hurt? Should I stay in the

hospital

> for a night or go home? What other advice can you give me?

Thank you

> so much to anyone who answers my questions.

November 4, 2004

Wow, are you sure you're getting advancement of a whole inch,

that's 25.4mm. I've never heard of such an advancement, that

would mean your lower front teeth are like hitting your upper

molars. Anyway, there is no reason whatsoever to loose weight

due to jaw surgery. I actually gained ten pounds during my

recovery. Just start throwing high calorie liquids in the blender

and you'll be fine. My typical shake that I'd make during my

recovery was about a quart in total volume, had whole milk, two

eggs, a banana, ice cream, chocolate syrup, maybe some

protein powder thrown in. That right there is pushing around

1000 calories. Two of those a day and you're not losing weight. I

also would throw milk, mashed potatoes, vegetables, meat,

whatever in the blender and make a very nutritious, albeit ugly,

concoction. It's ridiculous that there isn't more information about

how to get the calories you need in a liquid form. Perhaps the

inverse is true in that so few people seem to understand what

makes them get fat. It's calories, always has been, always will

be and it doesn't matter what they come from. Anyway, good

luck, and if you really are getting a one inch advancement, I

would like to see your before/afters when it's all done. My jaw

advancement was only 5mm, but my chin needed 25-30mm,

which so far I've only achieved 5mm from a genioplsty, but I will

be having a secondary genioplasty before long.

>

> Hey everyone. I am getting my lower jaw broken and moved an

inch

> forward in a month. I have had braces on for 2 years and I'm

> finally getting surgery Dec. 1st. It used to make me sick

thinking

> about the surgery, but now I just want to get it over with. But I

> have never talked to anyone who has had it done and I have a

lot of

> questions. I am 110 pounds and I'm taking a weight gainer

> supplement. How much weight should I expect to lose? How

long before

> I should go back to work? What are good things to eat/drink

after

> surgery? How much does it really hurt? Should I stay in the

hospital

> for a night or go home? What other advice can you give me?

Thank you

> so much to anyone who answers my questions.

November 10, 2004

Hello,

Lets see....weight loss....hmmm...I have lost 17 pounds in two weeks,

but I am a big girl too. So, I am actually hapy about the weight

loss. But you should not try to lose weight whille recovering.

Foods to eat....mashed potatoes, yams, Malto Meal, cottage cheese,

crushed fruit, soup, mashed beans, mashed pasta, ice cream, pudding,

jello, mashed hamburger, juice, milk, yogurt, eggs with velveeta

cheese on them, Dinty Beef Stew, Chef Boyardee Pasta, clear

broth, etc. I even ate a corn muffin by mushing it up and adding

butter to it to make it mushy.

I have taken three weeks off work and am going back part time. I get

really tired still. But then again, I am 43 and not 16.

I stayed in the hospital for two days. One day in ICU with a tube

stuck down my throat. Then as soon as they had a room for me, they

moved me from ICU. I could not leave the hospital until I could

drink. I drank from a syringe for a few days.

The surgery does not hurt because you become numb as a side effect.

My numbness has not yet gone away, but it has only been 2 weeks. It

takes some time for the numbness to do away.

Hope this helps. God bless you.

>

> Hey everyone. I am getting my lower jaw broken and moved an inch

> forward in a month. I have had braces on for 2 years and I'm

> finally getting surgery Dec. 1st. It used to make me sick thinking

> about the surgery, but now I just want to get it over with. But I

> have never talked to anyone who has had it done and I have a lot of

> questions. I am 110 pounds and I'm taking a weight gainer

> supplement. How much weight should I expect to lose? How long

before

> I should go back to work? What are good things to eat/drink after

> surgery? How much does it really hurt? Should I stay in the

hospital

> for a night or go home? What other advice can you give me? Thank

you

> so much to anyone who answers my questions.

November 10, 2004

Hello,

Lets see....weight loss....hmmm...I have lost 17 pounds in two weeks,

but I am a big girl too. So, I am actually hapy about the weight

loss. But you should not try to lose weight whille recovering.

Foods to eat....mashed potatoes, yams, Malto Meal, cottage cheese,

crushed fruit, soup, mashed beans, mashed pasta, ice cream, pudding,

jello, mashed hamburger, juice, milk, yogurt, eggs with velveeta

cheese on them, Dinty Beef Stew, Chef Boyardee Pasta, clear

broth, etc. I even ate a corn muffin by mushing it up and adding

butter to it to make it mushy.

I have taken three weeks off work and am going back part time. I get

really tired still. But then again, I am 43 and not 16.

I stayed in the hospital for two days. One day in ICU with a tube

stuck down my throat. Then as soon as they had a room for me, they

moved me from ICU. I could not leave the hospital until I could

drink. I drank from a syringe for a few days.

The surgery does not hurt because you become numb as a side effect.

My numbness has not yet gone away, but it has only been 2 weeks. It

takes some time for the numbness to do away.

Hope this helps. God bless you.

>

> Hey everyone. I am getting my lower jaw broken and moved an inch

> forward in a month. I have had braces on for 2 years and I'm

> finally getting surgery Dec. 1st. It used to make me sick thinking

> about the surgery, but now I just want to get it over with. But I

> have never talked to anyone who has had it done and I have a lot of

> questions. I am 110 pounds and I'm taking a weight gainer

> supplement. How much weight should I expect to lose? How long

before

> I should go back to work? What are good things to eat/drink after

> surgery? How much does it really hurt? Should I stay in the

hospital

> for a night or go home? What other advice can you give me? Thank

you

> so much to anyone who answers my questions.

November 18, 2004

You don't say what kind of surgery (just lower, upper & lower, upper,

lower & genio), and that makes a difference.

My advice has always been to take as much time off as possible

without jeopardizing your job. You may look normal on the outside,

but there's plenty of healing still going on inside, and your body

needs you to conserve energy for it to do a good job at that.

I am normally a high energy person, had upper/lower/genio in Aug

2002, felt great from the moment I woke up and had an easy recovery,

but I still took 5 weeks off work (doc approved 7-8 since he says

that's how long it takes the bone to heal, insurance co approved 6,

but I had to go back for important reporting deadlines). I was still

a bit weak, in week 6 I tried to do my old-style mega overtime and I

was sorry I did, as I found out exactly what the body does when it's

under too much stress - I was weak, trembly, my mouth swelled up

inside, etc. Had to take 3 days off just to get back to feeling

relatively normal.

That's not meant to scare you, there are people who go back after a

week or two, but I think it's an important question you've asked so

I'm being as honest as I can. It's easier to go back early than to

have to take more time off work again.

Good luck with your prep,

>

> I am having surgery on December 1st and am quite nervous. I have

> read many posts on the site for a few months. I know that everyone

> is different in healing but I was wondering if I am being realistic

> with going back to work 2 weeks after my surgery. Does anyone have

> any advice for me?

November 18, 2004