Re: : Re: Larry Young, Dr. Husted & Choosing Your Surgeon

August 13, 2001

In a message dated 8/13/01 12:15:04 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< I am definitely leaning towards chickening out after reading all this. I

> was very gung-ho, but now I'm not so sure. It's very scary stuff.

>>

: It IS scary, I know. Having two young children (ages 2 1/2 and 4

1/2) really made me think long and hard (I would have even if I didn't have

kids but the thought of leaving them motherless so young was

heart-wrenching).

I went in aware of all these possible complications and setbacks and I have

experienced a REMARKABLE recovery. I have had little gas, cramps, aches ---

I actually was on a natural (or drug-induced?) high for the first three

weeks. Then, I started to get a little tired. I haven't had any

reactions to foods and eat whatever I want (focusing on protein, of course).

There are many days when I can wonder that I had this major surgery done

since my body has taken to it so well (God willing it will continue ).

I am not the norm --- neither is Larry. Most people experience something in

between. Their recoveries are not totally uncomplicated, unpainful and even

enjoyable but they also do not suffer a loss of life or more serious

complications that require long-term hospitalization. Usually the recovery

involves some diahhrea/loose bowels, gas cramps (which can be rather severe),

shoulder/back and abdomen pain (of course, anything severe or lasting should

be reported to the surgeon and not just 'put up with'), uninterest in food

and perhaps inability to eat different foods, nausea, inability to sleep

properly, moodiness, depression, feeling of helplessness, regret about the

surgery... ANy of these feelings/symptoms can be intermittent and normally

last for the first few weeks post-op, although some can persist for awhile

longer.

I'm sure the above list isn't comprehensive, either. LOL I just wanted to

provide a general idea of what the majority of post-ops *may* experience in

the month or so post-op.

Have you discussed complication rates, etc. with your particular surgeon?

This may help to ease your mind as well. If you know you are the xth patient

that he/she has operated on, what kind of complications he/she has

experienced, what (if any) problems the surgeon can anticipate with your

particular condition/state of health, etc., you may feel better rather than

just wondering about it and letting it eat away at you.

Ultimately, this is YOUR decision. If you have a deep and persistent feeling

that the surgery is NOT right for you or that you are not ready yet, then by

all means you shouldn't jump into something that you have such reservations

about. However, if you determine that you have 'normal' pre-op jitters and

these can be calmed with the information that almost all (if not all) pre-ops

have similar fears/feelings and that most post-ops DO NOT experience such

extreme complications, then I say go for it and we'll be waiting for you on

the other side!

all the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

January 25, 2001

Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC

six months post-op and still feelin' fabu!

preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45 (5 '9 1/2 " )

now: 234 -- Damn, I gained some poundage! It's going to be a nasty plateau,

I'm afraid..... Keep you posted!

August 13, 2001