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Post by silverplume on Jun 11, 2014 12:57:11 GMT -5
Hello,
This is the first Website where I have found any information on the loop duodenal switch surgery. I am grateful to have found it!
I had this surgery 4 weeks ago. I too thought I was getting a slightly different version of the original DS (not a completely different type of surgery). I had never heard of duodenal switch before going for the consultation with the surgeon. I feel a little scared and disappointed that I didn't get the surgery that I thought I was getting. I now wish I had traveled and had the original DS now that I am finding out more truths about this surgery. The surgeon who performed my surgery is the only surgeon who does this in my area. My only way of getting information about the surgery was through the surgeon. He suggested that I do my research on the Internet. I did, but I didn't realize that everything I was reading about duodenal switch surgery didn't really apply to the loop DS he performed on me. I feel that surgeons should be better held accountable about the distinctions between the two surgeries. I am not sure how to go about trying to get that implemented. Does anyone have any ideas?
I am concerned too about the possibly less malabsorptive properties of this surgery, that could result in slower/less weight loss than the real DS. Also, I have had reflux almost daily since the surgery.
I would love to hear from others who have had the surgery for a longer time period than me to see how things have gone for them since I don't know anyone personally who has had this. I am anxious but still hopeful that this surgery will help me reach my health and weight loss goals.
Thanks! silverplume
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Post by michelehei on Jun 11, 2014 21:58:31 GMT -5
Hello to all!
I had a SADI almost three years ago. I lost 70 pounds very, very slowly. It took over a year to lose the weight. This was my second wls. I am 5 feet 9 and I hang around 155lbs.
I pretty much eat what I want making protein my priority. I had a vertical banded gastroplasty in 1997 and was able to maintain a 100 lb. weight loss for many years... however I was exercising for hours and hours every single day. This is the first time in my life that I have been able to maintain a weight loss with only one hour of exercise every day.
I take one multivitamin daily and my labs have been just fine. Initially I was taking all the vitamins recommended for the DS and then around 9 months out, I came across a gentleman that had a 250cm cc and he was many years post op. He told me all he took was a multivitamin. I finished the vtamins I had bought and since then have been taking one centrum silver chewable every morning.
Please ask me any questions you would like. I am happy to share my experiences with this surgery over the past (almost) three years.
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Post by goodkel on Jun 12, 2014 2:02:49 GMT -5
Welcome silverplume!
We're still learning about your surgery ourselves. But, we'll help you all we can. It would also help those who come after you if you would share your own experiences.
Thank you for offering your help, Michele!
I am concerned about your vitamins, though. What labs have you recently had? Do you have a hard copy of them? I am distrustful when anyone says that their labs are "fine." More often than not, they are fine for people without malabsorption issues, but not for us.
"Fine" does not reassure me. It makes me nervous.
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Post by silverplume on Jun 12, 2014 17:20:53 GMT -5
Thank you very much for your post, michelehei. It's very helpful and reassuring to find someone who has had this surgery and lived with it for 3 years. Thanks also for allowing us to ask questions.
1) Did you choose the SADI knowing that it wasn't the same as the duodenal switch? If so, what made you decide on this surgery?
2) Do you think that since you only have to take a multivitamin that means that there isn't the same amount of malabsorption as there is with the DS? That kind of seems like a reasonable assumption.
3) Did you ever have reflux after your surgery? I am hoping that the reflux that I am experiencing will go away after a few months.
4) I need to and am hoping to lose more than 100 pounds. Do you think you lost 70 pounds because that is the amount you needed to lose and got to your goal weight (and you had already lost 100 lbs!). I hope that makes sense. I guess I am a little worried that I won't be able to lose the amount I need to lose because I had this surgery and not the DS.
5) How do you feel 3 years out?
Thanks again!
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Post by silverplume on Jun 12, 2014 17:34:52 GMT -5
Thank you, goodkel, for the warm welcome.
I appreciate any help I can get in learning about this new surgery.
I am only 4 weeks out and I won't see the surgeon until the 6 month mark to get my blood work done.
This is what I have experienced in this short period of time:
The surgery went well. I vomited several times after surgery, which is unusual for me but it sounds like it is not uncommon with WLS. I spent two nights in the hospital and I felt ready to go home when I was released. I feel fortunate that I didn't have any complications from the surgery. At four weeks, I feel better than I did before the surgery. I have knee problems, so I am not able to walk for any period of time yet. I go to an orthopedist tomorrow. I have heard about injections that help lubricate the joints. I am ready to walk! I have been doing exercises with an elastic band and some light yard work. I still feel weak which I am guessing is due to the small amount of calories that are being consumed at this point. Is that "normal"? I do have reflux almost daily. The surgeon prescribed a coating medication, which I later found out rendered the thyroid medication that I take to be not as effective. I have experienced weight stalls already and I wonder if it is due to that or the fact that I am not able to walk for at least 30 minutes a day yet? At 30 days, I lost 28 pounds. When I weighed today, I was up 2 pounds. I am getting at least 65 grams of protein daily, with the help of Muscle Milk and Isopure. I consume 64 - 80 oz. of water daily. Currently (at 4 weeks), I am taking Bariatric Advantage chewable vitamins. I am told that I will add Calcium Citrate at 6 weeks along with fiber. Any thoughts from the veterans?
Thanks.
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Post by michelehei on Jun 12, 2014 18:44:20 GMT -5
Hello Silverplume,
I am happy to answer your questions and please don't hesitate to ask more!
1. I flew to Montreal to have surgery with Dr. Gagner. I called many bariatric surgeons when I started thinking about a revision and at that time my husband and I decided that Dr. Gagner was the guy for me. I went to Montreal thinking I was having the DS. Most of the surgeons that I talked to mentioned to me that because I had the mesh band with the previous VBG surgery that I would have massive scar tissue. My husband is a neurosurgeon and he knows what it's like to operate with scar tissue. Before I went into surgery we talked to Gagner and said we are leaving the decision up to you...we asked him to do the safest surgery. I wanted to come out of this surgery alive with no complications....and that is exactly what happened. The mesh was intertwined with all of my organs and so I am very grateful that he was able to do what he did.
2. I believe that I do not have the malabsorption that the typical DS'er has. Therefore I only need the one multivitamin.
3. I have had reflux since my first surgery. I was taking nexium for years and about four years ago switched to Dexilant and now I am also taking an evening dose of Prilosec. I am not sure if your reflux will subside...mine did not.
4. Well...as you know our bodies all respond differently to these weight loss surgeries. If you read the boards there are many people that have reached goal weight and many who have not. I am 57 years old and I would say that 155 pounds for a 5 foot 9 gal is a pretty good weight. After my VBG I was maybe 15 lbs lighter than I am now and yes I would like to be 15lbs lighter but that just isn't happening. I am ecstatic to be able to maintain my weight loss at 155lbs. without much effort. I am crazy for cake, ice cream and cookies and if I want them, I eat them. I still get on the scale amazed that I'm not gaining weight. This surgery is truly amazing. After two years I still am not use to waking up everyday and weighing the same and being able to wear the same size clothes. It's a dream come true.
5. After 3 years out I feel wonderful! I was on my way back up to 250 lbs and thankfully Dr. Gagner was willing to do my surgery as a lightweight.
This surgery is a tool and if you are non compliant there is a way to gain the weight back. Remember that protein is the most important part of the meal. And I exercise every day..something that I think is very important after this surgery.
Please ask me more questions! I learned so much from the vets on this board and I am so happy to help you in any way that I can!
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Post by goodkel on Jun 13, 2014 1:26:28 GMT -5
Thank you, goodkel, for the warm welcome. I appreciate any help I can get in learning about this new surgery. I am only 4 weeks out and I won't see the surgeon until the 6 month mark to get my blood work done. This is what I have experienced in this short period of time: The surgery went well. I vomited several times after surgery, which is unusual for me but it sounds like it is not uncommon with WLS. I spent two nights in the hospital and I felt ready to go home when I was released. I feel fortunate that I didn't have any complications from the surgery. At four weeks, I feel better than I did before the surgery. I have knee problems, so I am not able to walk for any period of time yet. I go to an orthopedist tomorrow. I have heard about injections that help lubricate the joints. I am ready to walk! I have been doing exercises with an elastic band and some light yard work. I still feel weak which I am guessing is due to the small amount of calories that are being consumed at this point. Is that "normal"? I do have reflux almost daily. The surgeon prescribed a coating medication, which I later found out rendered the thyroid medication that I take to be not as effective. I have experienced weight stalls already and I wonder if it is due to that or the fact that I am not able to walk for at least 30 minutes a day yet? At 30 days, I lost 28 pounds. When I weighed today, I was up 2 pounds. I am getting at least 65 grams of protein daily, with the help of Muscle Milk and Isopure. I consume 64 - 80 oz. of water daily. Currently (at 4 weeks), I am taking Bariatric Advantage chewable vitamins. I am told that I will add Calcium Citrate at 6 weeks along with fiber. Any thoughts from the veterans? Thanks. While it might not fix your knee problems, losing weight will certainly help. You are weak because you are still recovering from surgery, your body has plenty of fat to use as fuel instead of food. That is kind of the point... Don't take Prilosec or anything similar within two hours of taking your thyroid meds. I had to increase my levothyroxine dosage by .25 mcg post op. I take them at bed time and the Prilosec in the morning. So, yes you may need an increase in dosage, but definitely take any type of acid reducer at a different time--two hours separate at minimum. Why are you waiting to take Calcium Citrate? You can dissolve it in water if the pills are too much for you. B-12 can and should be taken sublingually; under the tongue. You can do that now. What I have read about Bariatric Advantage vitamins is that they are over priced and insufficient. Save your money and take a good multi like Centrum, or a generic equivalent twice a day instead. Walmart's Equate brand is good as is Costco's Kirkland brand. Why are you waiting six months for your first labs? The general standard is every three months for the first year, every six months (except for deficiencies) during the second year. It is not a stall until you have gone at least 4 weeks without a loss. What you have experienced is your body replacing its glycogen stores. Perfectly normal. Your body is just replacing water weight. You are still losing fat. Walking around the house to get your own drinks and "meals", etc. is absolutely what you need to do. If you can walk around the block, even better. But, you are only 4 weeks out. Don't push the exercise. You will lose weight now without it. Really.
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Post by silverplume on Jun 13, 2014 18:57:56 GMT -5
I just have to say how grateful I am for the ability to get knowledge from both of you. It feels like I am getting a present! It's so helpful to be able to ask the experiences of those who have gone through this process before me.
Michele, thanks for explaining your process of going with the loop surgery.
I was afraid that I didn't word my question about the weight loss to you in the proper way. I didn't word it the way I intended. I would be ecstatic also to be at your height and weight and very content with your total weight loss. I think what I was attempting to say is that if I lose 70 pounds, I will still be considered very overweight. I am fearful that this surgery won't give me enough malabsorption to be able to get to goal (which is 155 also!). That was the purpose of my question. Forgive me for my awkward wording. Your outcome and the happiness you feel is very encouraging. I am really happy for you and everyone else who has been so successful! It's motivating too.
Thanks for letting me know about the meds you are taking for reflux. Do those pretty much keep the reflux in control?
Right now, I am only able to eat protein and it's a challenge to get in a minimum of 65 mg. I know that will change and I will be able to add vegetables soon. I feel like I am being compliant in every way except for the exercise. I went to the orthopedist today and got cortisone shots in my knees, with hyaluronic acid injections to follow in a couple of weeks. He said at this point, he doesn't want me to walk. He would prefer that I do the elliptical, swim or cycle. I need to look into a fitness membership. Thanks again for being so open and answering my questions. If you are still game, I am sure I will have more as things progress.
goodkel,
I hope that getting more weight off will help my knees too. I have heard other people say that has helped them. The nutritionist who runs the class at the hospital is where I have been getting my information about exercise, vitamin intake, etc. They don't start us on calcium citrate until 6 weeks. I forgot to mention that I started the B12 sublingually right after surgery. Another question: they are still allowing us to drink water with food. I will find out how to space the water and food at the 6 week class. Is that something you all were already complying with at 4 weeks? I've seen different ways of drinking. How do you do it? Do you drink water all the way up to your meal and then wait for 1 hour after eating, or do you stop drinking for (how many minutes) before eating and then how many minutes after your meal?
Thanks for the information about the vitamins, the Bariatric Advantage are pricey.
The surgeon said that he didn't need to see me for 6 months. I thought that seemed like a long time too. Do you think I should just go to my primary care physician to get lab tests sooner?
Thanks also for letting me know about the weight loss. For some reason, I think in the back of my mind (after so many years of losses and regains) that the surgery works for most people, but I will be one of the ones who doesn't lose weight. I will work on becoming more positive!
I'm glad you think that I don't need to push the exercise at this point. We have lots of stairs and our house is on a hill, so I do get some exercise. I used to like doing the elliptical and I think I will look into getting my old bicycle fixed.
With gratitude, silverplume
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Post by silverplume on Jun 13, 2014 19:15:03 GMT -5
Oh, one more thing. Did either of you concern yourselves initially with calories or just the protein grams? I am tracking my food on sparkpeople and it gives me the caloric total. If I keep the calories too low, will it slow down the weight loss? Should I worry if they get too high (and what is too high). I'm also eating quite a few grams of fat.
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Post by michelehei on Jun 13, 2014 22:04:54 GMT -5
Hey Silver,
As far as your weight loss, I really cannot say. But please...don't expect these pounds to melt away. This is a process. You will have many weeks or maybe even months where you don't lose. Don't get discouraged...the weight will come off. It's not a race. Focus on protein, drink a lot and stay away from carbs... that would be my best advice to you. And....if you can get in the pool...get there!!
The first year is when most of your weight is coming off...to optimize your weight loss...like I said... stay away from carbs and get moving. I never really counted calories however I am a fish lover and I don't like red meat very much. I would watch your fat intake to an extent but don't drive yourself crazy over it. Just remember we don't have that malabsorption that the regular DS ers have so we hang on to more calories. Protein shakes and protein soups were my go to safe snacks and I tried as hard as I could to stay away from carbs. Later on you can be more lenient with yourself but right now be strict. I know....easier said than done. Just do your best!
The dexilant and the Prilosec are working for me. Occasionally when I eat late at night I wake up with heart burn and take liquid antacid and tums. I recently had an upper endoscopy because I was worried about Barrett's Esophagus and fortunately everything looked good.
It sounds like you are doing a great job thus far. Keep up the good work and get moving! I'm here so any more questions are welcome!
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Post by Pam (Silverplume) on Jun 14, 2014 10:04:52 GMT -5
Michele,
I appreciate the guidance with what to eat and the exercise. And, the encouragement feels great too! I love salmon and I've been eating tilapia. I marinade the salmon in Allegro and grill it, and for the tilapia, I use the olive oil spray and brown it a bit on each side, then I sprinkle on parmesan and brown that a little too. In a couple more weeks, I will be able to add more foods for more variety.
Silverplume (Pam)
For some reason, I had to reply as a guest instead of a new member.
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Post by Pam (Silverplume) on Jun 14, 2014 11:43:01 GMT -5
goodkel, I hope that getting more weight off will help my knees too. I have heard other people say that has helped them. The nutritionist who runs the class at the hospital is where I have been getting my information about exercise, vitamin intake, etc. They don't start us on calcium citrate until 6 weeks. I forgot to mention that I started the B12 sublingually right after surgery. Another question: they are still allowing us to drink water with food. I will find out how to space the water and food at the 6 week class. Is that something you all were already complying with at 4 weeks? I've seen different ways of drinking. How do you do it? Do you drink water all the way up to your meal and then wait for 1 hour after eating, or do you stop drinking for (how many minutes) before eating and then how many minutes after your meal? Thanks for the information about the vitamins, the Bariatric Advantage are pricey. The surgeon said that he didn't need to see me for 6 months. I thought that seemed like a long time too. Do you think I should just go to my primary care physician to get lab tests sooner? Thanks also for letting me know about the weight loss. For some reason, I think in the back of my mind (after so many years of losses and regains) that the surgery works for most people, but I will be one of the ones who doesn't lose weight. I will work on becoming more positive! I'm glad you think that I don't need to push the exercise at this point. We have lots of stairs and our house is on a hill, so I do get some exercise. I used to like doing the elliptical and I think I will look into getting my old bicycle fixed. With gratitude, silverplume Read more: weightlosssurgery.proboards.com/thread/8587/single-anastomosis-duodeno-bypass-sleeve?page=1&scrollTo=130505#ixzz34dHhA8n1
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Post by silverplume on Jun 16, 2014 9:52:53 GMT -5
Michele,
Do you take probiotics?
Thanks, Pam
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Post by michelehei on Jun 16, 2014 10:34:11 GMT -5
Hi Pam,
No I do not. I take the multivitamin in the morning along with the Dexilant and a stool softener. Then in the evening I take another stool softener with the prilosec.
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Post by goodkel on Jun 17, 2014 2:03:45 GMT -5
goodkel, I hope that getting more weight off will help my knees too. I have heard other people say that has helped them. The nutritionist who runs the class at the hospital is where I have been getting my information about exercise, vitamin intake, etc. They don't start us on calcium citrate until 6 weeks. I forgot to mention that I started the B12 sublingually right after surgery. Another question: they are still allowing us to drink water with food. I will find out how to space the water and food at the 6 week class. Is that something you all were already complying with at 4 weeks? I've seen different ways of drinking. How do you do it? Do you drink water all the way up to your meal and then wait for 1 hour after eating, or do you stop drinking for (how many minutes) before eating and then how many minutes after your meal? Thanks for the information about the vitamins, the Bariatric Advantage are pricey. The surgeon said that he didn't need to see me for 6 months. I thought that seemed like a long time too. Do you think I should just go to my primary care physician to get lab tests sooner? Thanks also for letting me know about the weight loss. For some reason, I think in the back of my mind (after so many years of losses and regains) that the surgery works for most people, but I will be one of the ones who doesn't lose weight. I will work on becoming more positive! I'm glad you think that I don't need to push the exercise at this point. We have lots of stairs and our house is on a hill, so I do get some exercise. I used to like doing the elliptical and I think I will look into getting my old bicycle fixed. With gratitude, silverplume That "Guest" thing is just a temporary Proboards glitch. Real guests can't post anywhere on this forum. Always, no matter what surgery you have, water is much more more important than food. If you don't have enough room to get in at least 64 ounces a day (more if you sweat), you give up whatever food you have to to make room for hydration. Dehydration is dangerous and can send you to the emergency room very quickly. Meanwhile, you have plenty of fat to fuel your body and vitamins to provide nutrients. When you have a sleeve, there are no restrictions against drinking with meals because you still have a pyloric valve that prevents liquids from flushing food out of your stomach. Drink before, during, and after if you'd like. That "no drinking with meals" rule is an RnY requirement as, with no pyloric valve in the pouch, liquids will flush out stomach contents prematurely. It does not apply to us. Period. Considering the very limited number of vitamins you are taking, I definitely wouldn't wait six months to see if they are enough. Vitamin deficiencies are not only dangerous to your health, they can slow your weight loss. There is a lab template at the link below for tracking your own labs. You can create a list for your pcp of labs to be drawn. weightlosssurgery.proboards.com/thread/8800/lab-templateExercise is good for you, but it must be reasonable for your state of health or it can do more harm than good. You had MAJOR surgery and it will take awhile, months, to fully heal. Pushing yourself to do too much too soon can slow your healing, your weight loss, and possibly cause physical damage. Until you are able to consume an adequate amount of protein, your muscles can't heal properly from a strenuous workout routine.
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Post by goodkel on Jun 17, 2014 3:03:13 GMT -5
I am creating a thread for Silverplume's posts under a Study posted in the Data section. As her questions do not pertain to specific points in the study, I am starting a new thread with them here where they should be more visible.
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