Re: the truth about the RNY {{Sherry}}

August 22, 2001

In a message dated 8/22/01 8:26:26 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< Dr.'s telling

me that they THINK it's IBS isn't good enough. Someone should have ran some

tests long ago! Anyway, with all of this going on, I have decided to go with

the RNY. I am fearful of possibly regaining weight later on, but I vow to be

as careful as humanely possible. It can be done. I know people that have

been post ops for years and doing very well. This has been an extremely

emotional week as I'm sure you could understand being ill, postponing of

surgery and changing my surgery but I really do feel that I cannot risk the

severe bowel problems of the DS. I do respect all of you who have gone with

this surgery. I still think very highly of it but please don't rip apart all

of the people who have decided to go with the RNY. >>

Sherry: I totally agree with you that other things should be RULED OUT

before the doctors go telling you 'oh, it's just IBS'. AND, even if it is

just IBS (and hopefully it is because you wouldn't want more serious colon

problems), if the diahhrea, etc. is so bad now it ***could*** be equal or

worse after the DS. Problem is no one can really guarantee any way, you

know? If a surgeon had a way to really tell perhaps the decision would be

easier based on more solid information of what your post-op lifestyle would

be like......

I'm so sorry to hear about your bowel problems. I have IBS (ruled out other

serious IBD, etc. with a colonoscopy, abdominal ultrasound and ctscan) but

was always constipated. I didn't experience diahhrea. Hence, my bms post-op

are extremely regular (once-twice in the a.m. upon waking) and pretty firm by

now (they were really loose in the first 3 weeks post-op but not

uncontrollably so).

One thing I would STRONGLY caution against: MAKE SURE YOUR SURGEON PERFORMS

A PROXIMAL RNY!! He/she may assume since you wanted a DS that you would be ok

with a distal RNY. I would strongly caution you against that surgery because

you'd be subject to malapsorption problems, diahhrea, gas, etc. like the DS

but also not be able to get enough nutrients in (unlike the larger stomach of

the DS). I mean, you would think that since you have problems with diahhrea

that the surgeon would provide you with a proximal -- BUT, he/she may NOT and

you DON'T want to live with a distal RNY --- just as you wouldn't necessarily

want to live with the malapsorptive problems of the DS.

Another suggestion: Have you tried all options to help alleviate the

diahhrea? Like increase in fiber intake, acidopholis, charcol, etc? IF

those things work for you pre-op perhaps they would work for you as a post-op

DS. I'M NOT saying you have to have a DS but just saying that people who

have experienced diahhrea, etc as post-ops have tried various methods to

alleviate these symptoms and had success.

I wish you the best on your journey. I think it's great that you're getting

further testing. Please, I just strongly advise that you make it very clear

to your surgeon that you are interested in a proximal RNY and no distal

procedures whatsoever. :)

all the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

January 25, 2001

Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC

pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45

now: 225 (yahoo - goin' down again! LOL)

August 22, 2001