Re: New member with some questions - HELP!

Posted July 22, 2001 · July 22, 2001

At 1:51 PM -0400 7/22/01, B. Standard wrote:

>Hello everyone!

>

>I just signed up...

>

>I have been researching the various options for WLS and find the DS the most

>appealing for a number of reasons.... correct me if I am wrong, but here is

>what I *think* I understand about the procedure:

>

>I would still have a real stomach but it would be smaller, I would be able

True.

>to eat a normal meal only it would be smaller than what I eat now (rather

>than only 3 bites of food with some other procedures),

True.

>I wouldn't have the " dumping " if I ate sugar,

Probably true, unless you really gorged on sugar, and remember that

everybody is different, and everybody has a different tolerance

level. But, if you got discomfort, it probably wound not qualify as

" dumping, " anyway.

>wouldn't have as much nutritional deficiencies as

Aye, there's the rub! You would have about the same nutritional

deficiencies as with the distal RnY, but more than with the proximal

or medial RnY. ( " Distal " bypasses more intestine.) This applies to

most everything but iron and Vitamin B-12. With the DS, you would

have a distinct advantage over the RnY because of retaining the

activity of cells in the stomach near the pylorus which secrete

" intrinsic factor " necessary for metabolizing Vitamin B-12, and also

for having an abbreviated length of duodenum which absorbs iron--but,

for many DS-ers, not enough to avoid having to take iron supplements.

>I would still have part of my Duodenum to absorb some nutrients,

True.

> I would keep the pyloric valve,

True.

>it can be done Laparoscopically, and

True. But, so can the others.

>it is reversible except for the making of the smaller stomach.

If you go into WLS expecting that you can " always get a revision if

it doesn't work out, " forget going in at all. Revisions are tricky,

and the mortality and complication rate for revisions is a good deal

greater than for the original surgery. That, having been said, the

DS is, in principle, reversible, except for the smaller stomach.

Being almost three months out, I can honestly tell you that I do not

miss the lost stomach volume at all. I can still eat satisfying,

albeit much-reduced, amounts of just about anything that appeals to

me.

>Am I right? These

>are the reasons I would prefer the DS over some of the other options.

>

>I am on two other WLS lists and most of the people on them have had the RNY.

>I don't like the thought of having a pouch instead of a stomach, I don't

>like the " dumping " thing, I don't like the only being able to eat three

>bites of food at mealtime,

Or, having to chew a piece of meat 20 or so times before swallowing

so that it will not block your anastomosis (slit from the pouch to

the intestine). Or not being able to eat crunchies like celery for

similar reasons.

>and I don't like the vomiting thing. However, I

>have a huge sweet tooth. And some of the RNYers have tried to talk me into

>getting the RNY as the dumping would prevent me from eating sweets. But the

A Procrustean antidote to the craving, to be sure.

>RNY just seems so much more drastic and permanent to me. It scares me.

It should.

>

>But what I am wondering is if I do get the DS will I still crave sweets as

>bad?

Probably, yes. Though many of us find that things that we once liked

now seem way too sweet, and we either avoid them naturally or, in the

case of liquids, dilute them.

>If I do eat them will I not loose weight?

Since you will absorb almost 100% of simple sugars, you will lose

more slowly if you eat too many sweets. But, most folks get away OK

with a spoonful or two of ice cream or a chocolate every now and then.

>I am terrible at following a diet. I have never had any long term

>success with any of them.

That's why we're all here.

>Do I have

>to be 100% committed and sure than I can follow the suggested meal plans in

>order to have the DS be a success for me?

The more, the merrier. Remember, ANY of the WLS procedures are ONLY

TOOLS. It is how you make use of them that will determine how you

will lose and maintain target weight.

>I am definitely willing to give

>the meal plan my greatest effort, I'm just afraid I will fail yet again.

There's always Overeaters Anonymous. But there are also a lot of

helpful folks on the <DS_Post-op_eating > list who

will be there to help you.

>I'm scared to change my body if my eating habits will sabotage the whole

>thing. I have tried over and over again to get off the sugar and just don't

>seem able to do it. In that case would it be best to have an RNY?

Only you can make that decision, .

Good luck with whatever you choose.

--Steve

--

Steve Goldstein, age 61

Lap BPD/DS on May 2, 2001

Dr. Elariny, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Virginia

Starting (05/02/01) BMI = 51

BMI on 07/17 = 43 (-49 lb)

Posted July 22, 2001 · July 22, 2001

-

I too had a huge sweet tooth preop.. everyone told me that it would

change- and it has! I was a serious chocoholic (even though I found

out that taking enough magnesium stopped the cravings.. I didn't take

it), ate it daily. Since my switch, I still like chocolate & sweets..

but I don't want them. Seriously. I have had a little sugary stuff,

but the only sugary thing I drank/ate a lot of (and that was recent

postop, when I couldn't tolerate much) was frozen coke Icees.. mostly

for the fluids. I've also cut back on them since I've felt better &

better.. I may still get one.. but my hubby drinks half or more.. I

usually use a spoon to eat the diluted ice on top.. then give him the

syrupy bottom part. Even when I crave carb-loaded veggies like corn,

mashed potatos, etc, I still eat the protein first, without even

thinking about it. Believe me, the DS is far superior to the RnY, &

you'll have fewer problems postop with protein & vitamin

malabsorption. You are correct about the info you've gleaned from

your research. Stick with the DS- it'll be worth it in the long run.

oh- and as for losing even eating sweets.. I don't think you're alone

in not being able to totally give up sugar.. but I don't hear too many

folk not losing because of it. Anything in moderation. I know &

understand your fears, because I had the same ones! Trust me..

everything works out. The only serious committment you'll have to put

in is to follow your required vitamin, mineral, & protein intake. If

you take your vites, consume the protein, & drink plenty of fluids

(pref. water), you'll do just fine. Feel free to email me directly if

you have specific questions, ok?

As for Dr Dennis , Jr.. He's great. He was my first choice for

surgery, but due to possible loss of our insurance coverage, we

switched to Dr. Booth's LifeShape clinic because they could get me

into surgery more quickly. If I had not had constraints on my

insurance, I would have waited for Dr. .. but I warn you- don't

wait for an email response.. I got one about a week before my consult

date. Just print out the patient info worksheets and mail or fax them

on into the office, then call to ask for a consult. His office works

faster via telephone or fax.. they're behind on email, probably

because they get so much of it!

Good luck on your WLS quest, & keep us updated!

Hugs,

Liane

lap DS 5/30/01

Dr. Warden

-43 lbs as of 7/20/01 =)

> But what I am wondering is if I do get the DS will I still crave

sweets as

> bad? If I do eat them will I not loose weight? I am terrible at

following

> a diet. I have never had any long term success with any of them.

<snip>

> I live in Georgia and I am considering Dr. Dennis in Marietta

as the

> surgeon. I have not made an appt with him yet, but did send an

email to his

> office about a week ago

Posted July 22, 2001 · July 22, 2001

,

I echo what Liane said here. By far the ds is the best way to go. Im 8

months out and still have sweets every day only not like I had them pre opt.

I can pass on them and dont crave them like i used to. I much prefer

protein foods and always without thinking, start eating that before I touch

anything else. I eat the potatoes and corn and things like that after Ive

consumed much of the protein......

Guess what? I dont know if this is scientific or not but to jump start

getting off a plateau, my husband eats 2-3 donuts and loses a pound the next

day! Fats tend to do that! I think you would be much happier in the long

run with the ds than having to worry about the band coming lose, digging

into your stomach wall, and perhaps making you sick and unable to eat after

awhile (from some of those who had it done and got a revision later to the

ds)

But the choice is yours and I support whichever procedure you choose!

Judie

Re: New member with some questions - HELP!

> -

> I too had a huge sweet tooth preop.. everyone told me that it would

> change- and it has! I was a serious chocoholic (even though I found

> out that taking enough magnesium stopped the cravings.. I didn't take

> it), ate it daily. Since my switch, I still like chocolate & sweets..

> but I don't want them. Seriously. I have had a little sugary stuff,

> but the only sugary thing I drank/ate a lot of (and that was recent

> postop, when I couldn't tolerate much) was frozen coke Icees.. mostly

> for the fluids. I've also cut back on them since I've felt better &

> better.. I may still get one.. but my hubby drinks half or more.. I

> usually use a spoon to eat the diluted ice on top.. then give him the

> syrupy bottom part. Even when I crave carb-loaded veggies like corn,

> mashed potatos, etc, I still eat the protein first, without even

> thinking about it. Believe me, the DS is far superior to the RnY, &

> you'll have fewer problems postop with protein & vitamin

> malabsorption. You are correct about the info you've gleaned from

> your research. Stick with the DS- it'll be worth it in the long run.

> oh- and as for losing even eating sweets.. I don't think you're alone

> in not being able to totally give up sugar.. but I don't hear too many

> folk not losing because of it. Anything in moderation. I know &

> understand your fears, because I had the same ones! Trust me..

> everything works out. The only serious committment you'll have to put

> in is to follow your required vitamin, mineral, & protein intake. If

> you take your vites, consume the protein, & drink plenty of fluids

> (pref. water), you'll do just fine. Feel free to email me directly if

> you have specific questions, ok?

>

> As for Dr Dennis , Jr.. He's great. He was my first choice for

> surgery, but due to possible loss of our insurance coverage, we

> switched to Dr. Booth's LifeShape clinic because they could get me

> into surgery more quickly. If I had not had constraints on my

> insurance, I would have waited for Dr. .. but I warn you- don't

> wait for an email response.. I got one about a week before my consult

> date. Just print out the patient info worksheets and mail or fax them

> on into the office, then call to ask for a consult. His office works

> faster via telephone or fax.. they're behind on email, probably

> because they get so much of it!

>

> Good luck on your WLS quest, & keep us updated!

> Hugs,

> Liane

> lap DS 5/30/01

> Dr. Warden

> -43 lbs as of 7/20/01 =)

>

> > But what I am wondering is if I do get the DS will I still crave

> sweets as

> > bad? If I do eat them will I not loose weight? I am terrible at

> following

> > a diet. I have never had any long term success with any of them.

> <snip>

> > I live in Georgia and I am considering Dr. Dennis in Marietta

> as the

> > surgeon. I have not made an appt with him yet, but did send an

> email to his

> > office about a week ago

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

Posted July 22, 2001 · July 22, 2001

Re: New member with some questions - HELP!

> -

> I too had a huge sweet tooth preop.. everyone told me that it would

> change- and it has!

That's great! Why do the sweet cravings lessen after the surgery? No one

has explained that to me yet.

I was a serious chocoholic (even though I found

> out that taking enough magnesium stopped the cravings.. I didn't take

> it), ate it daily.

So if I took Magnesium now even without the surgery would it help with the

sweet cravings?

Since my switch, I still like chocolate & sweets..