Re: Re: (no subject) Vita4Life, Gall Bladder & Pre-Op Tests

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/6/01 12:02:53 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< Thanks for responding. I saw Liz at Mt. Sinai. She really painted a

negative picture in terms of vitamin supplements. >>>>

This is really discouraging, Gabby! I don't find the supplements to be that

imposing. I am almost 9 months post-op and here is my daily regime:

early a.m. upon waking (and waiting at least 1 hour before eating breakfast):

chromagen Forte Iron with 2 citrical calcium citrate pills (now - calcium

USUALLY cannot be taken with iron b/c they bind together, but citrate CAN BE

TAKEN with chormagen forte. This is the only exception to the rule that I

know about. It sure makes taking the calcium a LOT EASIER).

breakfast: 1 multi and 1 ADEK with food

lunch: 1 multi and 1 ADEK with food

dinner: 1 ADEK and 2 calcium citrate with food

evening before bed (two hours after eating dinner at least on an empty

stomach): 1 chromagen forte iron pill and 2 calcium citrate pills

I've worked it that the bulk of the pills are taken with meals. This is easy

to remember and convenient. The iron used to be a problem b/c I had to find

a time when I had an 'empty stomach' during the day -- One has to wait 2-3

hours after eating and 1 hr before eating. Then, I decided to take it late

night and then early a.m. upon waking... And, add the two calcium doses at

that time. Calcium is best absorbed at night, so I take the bulk of calcium

in the evening and then one dose in the early a.m. So far, my labs have come

back totally normal with this regimine.

I know that post-op RNY folk must take supplements, too --- Also, if they

would perform a DISTAL RNY on you, you'd be having as many possible

nutritional deficiencies if you didn't take supplements just like the DS!

AND, you may even have more difficulty keeping your body nutritionally sound

b/c of the greatly reduced stomach capacity. ANd, you would not have the 5

cm or so of duodenum available that the DS offers (this is the primary area

where calcium and other key minerals are absorbed).

<<<<<<I am concerned about

something else and please anyone else who is reading this that is post -op

respond. Dr. Herron said that on the average I would have 5-6 bowel

movements a day. Do most of you find this to be true? I am concerned

because I teach kindergarten and there is no way I can run to the bathroom

that often. Also, are the BM controlable? I understnd the smell and texture

will be different but will I still be able to carry on a " normal " life?>>>>>>>

I've found that Dr. Herron tends to be pretty 'pro-RNY in most cases... He

seemed somewhat perplexed that my labwork at 6 months was 'totally normal'

and that I only had 2 bms a day (in the am upon waking)! LOL I went to see

him for my 6 month checkup b/c Gagner was on vacation.

NOw, I know that some people may experience frequent BMs and/or

diahhrea/uncontrollable or extremely odiferous bms. I think that these

problems are due to reactions to what is eaten mainly and don't persist past

the initial 6 mo-1 year adjustment period post-op. I've read that people who

start taking antibiotics may experience loose stools, etc. b/c their natural

flora in the intestines gets out of whack with the antibiotics. This could

happen any time post-op. Or, someone will find that eating a certain food

will cause such side effects. When they stop eating it, the problem subsides.

I personally have NOT had any extreme problems with BM, odiferous stools or

gas. I started out pretty regular -- I had one bm in the early am (around 3

or so - really annoying LOL) and then one upon waking. Then, about 3 weeks

post-op, the early a.m. bm disappeared. NOw, I almost always have 1-2 bms

upon waking (within the first half hour) and that's it. Some days, I'll have

one in the afternoon or evening, but it is pretty rare and definately not the

norm. This may happen due to something I ate or extreme stress (I have IBS

so the stress really does it to me).

I'm not saying that no-one has long term bowel problems that impinge upon

their daily lives... but, I think that this problem isn't as severe and/or as

frequent as is stereotypically presumed. And, it may take awhile but I think

that the problem CAN be solved or reduced to the point that it does not

interfere with daily living. It may be easier for some to get such problems

under control wheras it is a real trial and error for others (there are

products such as devrom, activated charcol, ozium for gas odors; various

meds, acidopholus, etc. to help control diahhrea. I can say for myself that

I was one of the lucky ones that did not experience ANY severe side effects

at all (so far, so good LOL). I realize that not everyone has such a smooth

time of it, but I think that, with support, advice and in time, most people

do go through the temporary rough periods and find solutions that work for

them!

Now, regarding the gallbladder -- I had mine out ONLY because I bitched and

moaned so vociferously about needing it out. Mine wasn't diseased but I did

experience pain and problems as a pre-op. I got a CTSCAn and ultrasound done

(not related to the surgery but because I was having severe abdominal pains

and my PCP wanted to see what was up) and they found HUGE stones (Dr. Gagner

said one was 1 cm!). Since I had pains beforehand and gallstones were

present, I requested Dr. Gagner remove the gallbladder. He was quite

hesitant to, even asking me right before my surgery when I'm on the OR table

whether I was really, really sure I wanted it removed! He was having second

thoughts about it but I maintained my stance. I was SO relieved that it was

removed. I haven't experienced any of the severe pains I had as a pre-op and

now I'm totally certain those pains were due to the gallbladder.

All the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

January 25, 2001

Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC

eight months post-op and still feelin' fabu!

preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45

now: 213 lbs