Just getting started (Nervous)

[deehibbert79]

Hi all.. I am new to the boards and new to the idea of surgery. In August my doctor sent in a referral and I just heard today it is finally out of medical review and I have been approved for the DS. I am worried about this because everyone I know who has had surgery has had the RNY. So the DS is such new territory for me. Anyone have any advice, ideas, or maybe a how I did story? I would love to know. I am so anxious and I know nothing abou tthis surgeon who will be preforming it. The surgeon I wanted doesnt belong to my HMO group.. Dr. Ara Keshishian is who they put me with. So Anyone know of him? Okay enough questions for one post..lol.. Thanks in advance for your answers.

[Joanne]

You struck gold there with Dr Keshishian. He's one of the best DS surgeons in the country. Make that the world.


My first recommendation is to read everything on the DSfacts website. www.dsfacts.com

It's normal to be nervous, but the more you learn the easier it becomes. The DS is FAR superior to the RNY in terms of effectiveness and long term weight maintenance. The malabsorption is powerful, which will help you maintain the weight loss, but in turn you have to be super disciplined about your vitamin supplement and lab follow up.

You have a lot to read on the dsfacts website, and there are plenty of people here to help you.

I had my DS two years ago at age 46, and it was the best decision of my life.

[deehibbert79]

Thanks Joanne. that is great info and I really appreciate it I will definately read up.. Your right it's alot of info. I am so glad these support systems exist. It makes me feel better just knowing there are others out there who know what I am going through.

[Joanne]

The members of this board have been priceless to me in so many ways. Learning about and preparing for my DS, followed by the physical and emotional aspects of massive weight loss, and then the more long haul type things of living with the DS, labs, supplements, etc.

Welcome to the community!

[Heather]

Congrats to you on your approval for DS and that you have a well known excellent DS surgeon. I have not had a DS but have been around long enough to know if I could go back in time, and had a DS with your surgeon I would have been one lucky girl. Good Luck with everything.

[Deleted]

Welcome! Have you read the website www.dsfacts.com yet?

As we get the new site up and running, you'll see more of people's stories and such. We'll have some type of blogging spot available for that.

[Paula]

Hi and welcome

Im having my RNY revised to a DS in February, so I understand what you are talking about when you mention being nervous. In all honesty, I wish I would have gotten the DS the first time around...rather than going with an RNY that ultimately didnt work out for me. Its not that uncommon either, from what Ive gathered. As Joanne was saying, you are going to be in excellent hands with Dr. K.

[Sandra C.]

Making the choice to have the D.S. was the best thing I did for my health, preventing the need for future hip and knee surgery, hopefully help prevent more cancer with weight loss, most normal eating, and food choices of any of the possible surgeries. My surgeon said it was the Cadillac of all the surgeries. The surgery itself lasted 4 hrs. Later that night they had me up walking. The next day I was roaming the halls, and home the day after that. With no complications to set me back, my recovery was easier than I expected. Tylenol was all I needed once I was home. Only 2 incision spots hurt a bit from deep stitches, laproscopic incisions glued closed. Pain levels less than I expected compared to my hysterectomy . My weight began to drop quickly which encouraged me to walk for exercise, lots of walking is suggested for post surgery recovery. Pre surgery I had arthritis hip pain with every step, now no pain with any thing I want to do at the gym!! I like being able to eat foods most like my pre surgery diet( not the junk)- Atkins high protein foods are our mainstay and always have been. My whole family can eat the same foods as me all the time, now I have completely healed on the inside. Like they say the surgery is a "tool", meaning it is a useful part of helping your weight loss along with wise food choices,vitamins and exercise for life. Its a lifestyle change if you want success with weight loss for a lifetime. There are still things you need to do to be proactive about your physical and mental changes that occur with extreme weight loss. Guidance in these areas comes from support meetings with others going through the surgery like you, your doc will recommend, and on line connections with other D.Sers here. Cheating with too many carbs, or sweets will destroy all the good of any of the surgeries. I am rarely hungry since the part of the stomach producing grehlin is removed. Having hunger gone from my life is a complete change for me, I love it!! I found allowed replacements for my pre surgery favorite foods like chocolate bars and vanilla shakes, never feel deprived. Its easy to eat protein first, the most important food for us, veggies and fruit second . The number of vitamins and supplements are easy to take, and not really as many as I thought there would be. I like to keep a daily journal to pre plan my days foods, protein numbers, fluids and carbs.there are minimums to have daily, since you do not absorb all you eat with malabsorbtion of D.S.( fats are OK, not absorbed) Listing the vitamins too helps me remember to take them. We vacationed in Orlando, eating at many Disney restaurants. There were numerous options on all the menus for me to choose from, and the chef would come to our table to discuss how I wanted things cooked if I wanted. Pre surgery I usually gained 10 lbs+ on vacations eating out. This time I lost 5 lbs. I still can't believe my activities at the gym, and relaxing around the pool in a bathing suit and shorts, enjoying my new energy and figure after only 4 months.

The main plusses for the D.S.--- I am enjoying my choice for D.S., no dumping syndrome, continual down ward weight loss, with less chance of regain than the other surgeries, eating steak, bacon, sausage, turkey, chicken,pork, fish, shellfish, eggs, cheese, yogurt, fruit, veggies, crackers, oat meal,SF frozen yogurt, and protein drinks, so far. 80% of fat not absorbed. Freedom to choose my own diet from a wide variety of choices ,all easily accepted by my new system is the best. I have never had one thought about having chosen the wrong surgery- no regrets, ever. Any questions you may have all along the way can be asked and answered on this site. Everyone is so helpful here!! ;-)

[bearmom]

Oh wow did you get lucky! The DS is really the platinum standard for WLS, and many have to fight for it, or self pay if they have Tight Wad Insurance, like me. And Dr K has many loyal fans for good reason.

Like others said, read at DSfacts, and read here, and you will get lots of great info that will have you feeling as ready as you can feel for surgery.

[sherbearmama]

You're so very lucky to have the privilege of working with Dr. Keshishian. I've heard nothing but positive things about him.

I just had my DS 3 weeks ago. I was really scared that recovery would be awful. But I've been pleasantly surprised. In the hospital I had no pain (I didn't even use the morphine pump after the 2nd day) and I didn't get nauseous or throw up or have diarrhea. I did get my period super early the day after surgery but that's pretty common. When I got home, I felt really scared and anxious because I'd heard that I might have really bad loose stools, nausea, vomiting, and pain. So I spent the first 2 days making myself sick--I didn't have ANY pain but I was just sick to my stomach with fear. The doc then prescribed an anti anxiety medication and from then onward I was golden. By the end of the first week I was feeling pretty good and wondering why I wasn't in any pain. The second week (day 8 or so) I was doing so well! Mornings were tough because I was having trouble adjusting to a lower blood sugar levels so I would take a glucose pill first thing before I got out of bed. But during the day (other than being tired) I was feeling back to normal. Most of my scabs (I had it done lap) were healed before the 2nd week was up and I could bend over, sleep on my stomach (from day 5!), and walk as much as needed. Now that I'm entering into my 4th week I don't have much fatigue anymore , mornings are still a little rough for the first hour, but I'm totally back to my old self. I still can't eat much and the acid reflux is something I'm working to get rid of--but I never thought I'd feel "normal" so quickly!

In part, I attribute it to the fact that I was exercising regularly preoperatively, and that I lost about 25 pounds before I had the surgery. That had to help somewhat--I also loaded up on protein in the weeks prior to surgery.

I'm still struggling with vitamins and protein shakes just don't appeal to me, but overall, I would say this has been a great experience! I'm glad i chose the DS! The veterans here on this site are great guides in this journey--they're invaluable!!!

Wishing you the best of luck on YOUR journey.

Cheers,
Sheri

[pktwatch]

I m still kind of new, 3 months out of DS surgery but i must say that for me it was easier than expected. At first you are very limited to how much and what you can eat but believe me it is enough and I was satisfied. Now i can eat more, both in volume and choices and to date I have lost about 55 pounds.

You made the right choice, congratulations!