Questions about DS

[Guest guest]

> This worried me a little. I very

> much prefer the DS, but she made it sound like the malabsortive aspect was

> bad

> for you. I don't mean to suggest that she bashed the DS, but she had the

> RNY

> and she touted it as the better surgery.

>

Carnie is funded by the Alvarado Clinic. Alvarado Clinic performs only the

RNY. Need I say more?

Mich

[Guest guest]

Hello listmates!

I have not posted in months, as I moved and then was out of town, so I have been

way to busy. But I wanted to get back in touch as some of you were so helpful

to me a few months ago, and I wanted to share my good news...

I'm thrilled to say that I *finally* got an appointment for a consultation with

Dr. in Marietta! It's in a couple of weeks. It took me forever just to

get that first appointment. I am planning to have the DS as soon as possible.

I am crossing my fingers that my insurance company will cover it.

While I was on vacation last week and read Carnie 's book, which was

awesome. Have any of you read it? I related to it so much. It was very

healing for me to read. And affirming about having gastric surgery. However,

it was obvious that she was more pro-RNY. This worried me a little. I very

much prefer the DS, but she made it sound like the malabsortive aspect was bad

for you. I don't mean to suggest that she bashed the DS, but she had the RNY

and she touted it as the better surgery.

Also, right before I went on vacation my mom told me that she was not in favor

of my having the surgery. She said that it was " drastic to have someone

rearrange my digestive system " and that " exercise would help me loose weight,

but just not as fast. " I am an adult and it doesn't matter what she thinks, but

no matter how old I am it just feels better to have mom's approval.

So anyway, here's the deal: I very much want this surgery. But I am also

afraid, and hearing from the naysayers makes me afraid that I am possibly making

the wrong choice. I am scared to have the surgery. It also makes me scared

that they will botch the surgery and my mom will be thinking " If she had

listened to me she wouldn't be sick. " It takes a huge leap of faith to trust

someone to rearrange your insides. It is so scary. I want to do it so much

though! So I would really like to hear from those who have had the DS and how

it was for you then and now . . .

What was it like going for the surgery? What did you feel like right before

they put you to sleep? When you woke up? How long were you in pain? Did you

regret the surgery at first? How long did it take to be able to eat again? How

does your post-op eating compare to your pre-op eating? Do you have problems

with digestion, diarrhea, flatulence, etc.? Do you feel healthy? Do you have

more energy? Please just tell me anything you think might be of interest. I

need to get my confidence in the surgery back up. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hi !

You can tell your mom that Judie here is 57 yrs old, had the surgery on Nov

15 and is dang glad she had it done!

I had perfect peace going into surgery......I had NO pain when I came to in

ICU and all the nurses were wonderful to me. Now that its been almost a

year on the 15th life is very different and wonderful. I can eat any thing

I want and know I wont regain. I can have sweets. I can have fats......I

eat very well and get in 80 grams of protein daily easily. I have no

problems whatsoever with digestion. In the beginning I did have gas but

that resolves itself with time. I did not regret the surgery at all.....I

KNEW going in that it was what I really wanted to do!! I feel so healthy

and loaded with energy I have not felt in many years. In fact, I only

require 6 hours of sleep at night now instead of the 8-9 I had pre opt!

Comparing post opt eating to pre opt......hmmmm well I much prefer proteins

now. I can not stand the thought of eating ice cream and that was one love

I had before surgery. I lean more towards foods that are good for me. At

times I find myself passing up candy that I would never have done pre opt!

I love grapes, watermellon and peaches.....fruits I liked before but would

have prefered something sweet over that but now I much prefer the fruit to

processed sweets! I love prime rib and chef salads!

If you have done your research and are convinced that the DS is for you then

by all means get it done. You are doing this for , not for s

mom! (or anybody else!)

I can honestly say that if I didnt have the surgery I might not have been in

good health within just a few years. Life would not have been worth living

if I hadnt of done it!

Hugs, Judie