Re: + Follow Up Does anyone have info on fobi?

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all of you who replied, especially with so much detailed

information. It's extremely helpful and I appreciate it.

First of all, I'd be proud to sit next to any of you on the bus!

The things I am hearing and reading confirmed my initial

understanding - that the odor and BM unpleasantness is something that

may occur immediately post-op, generally adjusts itself to normal

(i.e., even normal s**t doesn't smell like roses) after a while

(seems to be about 6 months for most), and can often be mitigated or

minimized through some dietary adjustment (lactose, fats) or by using

products like Devrom or Beano.

From other reading - I see that this isn't something specific to

BPD/DS, it's an equal opportunity annoyance for RNYers, too,

especially the more distal ones.

Also, the question of chronic BM problems in the long term has been

minimized since the " DS " was added to BPD, and since the common

channel was adjusted to about 100 cm. The additional length of the

channel still allows good weight loss and also allows improved

absorption of certain nutrients, meaning - inter alia - less BM and

odor problems in the long term as the nutrients that would otherwise

cause problems are, instead, properly absorbed.

The odor emanating through the skin sounded like an urban legend (at

least as far as being a side effect of BPD/DS), and I guess that's

what it is. I can understand the reasoning, perhaps this indeed does

occur in certain severe disorders, but I didn't see any testimony

about it happening with a lot of BPD/DS patients.

As far as bad breath, you also have to take into account the

possibility of ketosis, which is most probably occurring at least in

the immediate aftermath of the surgery, when we are concentrating on

protein and losing weight fast. If the Atkins-ers can handle it, so

can anyone else. S'Mints, anyone?

As far as Fobi, I am getting the impression - from your reports and

from what I've read - that it is an extraordinarily complex and

complicated procedure with results and an outcome that don't really

justify all the trouble, as far as I can tell. Seems to me equally

effective (at least, and even better) outcomes can be obtained, with

a far better post-op quality of life, with BPD/DS. Including being

able to eat like a normal person, including keeping weight off in the

long term. Fobi also doesn't save you from the same BM/odor syndrome,

to the extent that it will make an appearance. And all that extreme

restriction, including the dumping that's built into RNY in general,

seems so punitive, I would only be able to understand choosing it if

there were really no other viable alternatives.

Okay, please, if I'm wrong, set me straight.

Thanks again!

Aviva

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all of you who replied, especially with so much detailed

information. It's extremely helpful and I appreciate it.

First of all, I'd be proud to sit next to any of you on the bus!

The things I am hearing and reading confirmed my initial

understanding - that the odor and BM unpleasantness is something that

may occur immediately post-op, generally adjusts itself to normal

(i.e., even normal s**t doesn't smell like roses) after a while

(seems to be about 6 months for most), and can often be mitigated or

minimized through some dietary adjustment (lactose, fats) or by using

products like Devrom or Beano.

From other reading - I see that this isn't something specific to

BPD/DS, it's an equal opportunity annoyance for RNYers, too,

especially the more distal ones.

Also, the question of chronic BM problems in the long term has been

minimized since the " DS " was added to BPD, and since the common

channel was adjusted to about 100 cm. The additional length of the

channel still allows good weight loss and also allows improved

absorption of certain nutrients, meaning - inter alia - less BM and

odor problems in the long term as the nutrients that would otherwise

cause problems are, instead, properly absorbed.

The odor emanating through the skin sounded like an urban legend (at

least as far as being a side effect of BPD/DS), and I guess that's

what it is. I can understand the reasoning, perhaps this indeed does

occur in certain severe disorders, but I didn't see any testimony

about it happening with a lot of BPD/DS patients.

As far as bad breath, you also have to take into account the

possibility of ketosis, which is most probably occurring at least in

the immediate aftermath of the surgery, when we are concentrating on

protein and losing weight fast. If the Atkins-ers can handle it, so

can anyone else. S'Mints, anyone?

As far as Fobi, I am getting the impression - from your reports and

from what I've read - that it is an extraordinarily complex and

complicated procedure with results and an outcome that don't really

justify all the trouble, as far as I can tell. Seems to me equally

effective (at least, and even better) outcomes can be obtained, with

a far better post-op quality of life, with BPD/DS. Including being

able to eat like a normal person, including keeping weight off in the

long term. Fobi also doesn't save you from the same BM/odor syndrome,

to the extent that it will make an appearance. And all that extreme

restriction, including the dumping that's built into RNY in general,

seems so punitive, I would only be able to understand choosing it if

there were really no other viable alternatives.

Okay, please, if I'm wrong, set me straight.

Thanks again!

Aviva