Not sure how to react?!!!(long post)

Before I start all the info I have put on here is from ObesityHelp.com

Duodenal Switch (also called vertical gastrectomy with duodenal switch, biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, DS or BPD-DS) is performed by approximately 50 surgeons worldwide. It generates weight loss by restricting the amount of food that can be eaten (partial gastrectomy (i.e., partial removal of the stomach along the outer curvature see diagram) and by limiting the amount of food (specifically fat) that is absorbed into the body (intestinal bypass or duodenal switch). This weight loss surgery is more controversial because it has a significant component of malabsorption (bypass of the intestinal tract), which seems to augment and help maintain long-term weight loss. Of the procedures currently performed for the treatment of obesity, it has some powerful and effective components. Due to concerns of possible long-term effects of malabsorption and the technical difficulty involved with this type of weight loss surgery, many surgeons don't perform it.

Advantages of this weight loss surgery:
More normal stomach allows for better eating quality, drink with meals
No dumping syndrome because the pylorus is preserved
Minimizes ulcer risk
Very effective for high BMI patients (BMI>55 kg/m2), but can be done on lower BMI just as effectively
The intestinal bypass is partially reversible for those having malabsorptive complications
Laparoscopic approach is offered by some surgeons

Disadvantages of this weight loss surgery:
Chance of chronic diarrhea, possibly more foul smelling stools and gas. This can be due to dieting intake, but for the most part controlled.
Malabsorption can lead to anemia, protein deficiency and metabolic bone disease in up to 5 percent of patients
Carbohydrates can be well absorbed and if eaten in significant quantities lead to inadequate weight loss
This procedure is the most complex surgical weight loss procedure. As with any of the surgeries listed complications can occur in high risk patients.(heart failure, sleep apnea)

Generally speaking, as the extent or magnitude of a surgical procedure increases, so does the risk of surgery. In regards to weight loss surgery procedures, Duodenal Switch is the most aggressive procedure and as a result, also carries the highest potential for complications.

Potential Duodenal Switch complications include:
Leaks
Blood clots forming in the legs
Pulmonary embolus or blood clots traveling to the lungs
Infection
Abscesses
Bowel obstruction
Pneumonia
Problems with healing at incision site
Additional potential complications include:
Kidney failure
Injury to the spleen which requires removal during surgery
Bleeding

As a result of these complications, some patients may need to spend extra time in the ICU. A patient may also require extra time in the ICU if their health is poor initially.
Some complications of Duodenal Switch are more long term, and may not become evident for some time after Duodenal Switch. These potential long term complications of Duodenal Switch include nutritional and vitamin deficiencies that are generally preventable with adequate supplementation. Deficiencies in vitamin D, vitamin A, calcium and protein may occur which can result in osteoporosis, anemia and poor health in general. Duodenal Switch patients should be dedicated to taking supplemental vitamins and minerals, consuming a high protein diet and having their blood tested each year.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RGB)This operation is the most common and successful combined weight loss surgery in the United States. First, the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch to restrict food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), and the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This reduces the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs. Rarely, a cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) is performed to avoid the gallstones that may result from rapid weight loss. More commonly, patients take medication after the operation to dissolve gallstones.

Advantages of this weight loss surgery:
greatly controls food intake, leading to rapid weight loss
dumping syndrome dumping conditions to control intake of sweets
reversible in an emergency though this procedure should be thought of as a permanent

Disadvantages of this weight loss surgery:
staple line failure
ulcers
narrowing/blockage of the stoma
vomiting if food is not properly chewed or if food is eaten to quickly
weight re-gain is known to happen if dietary changes are not followed long term

Uncommon bariatric surgery risks can include rare complications of leakage through staples or sutures, ulcers in the stomach or small intestine, blood clots in the lungs or legs, stretching of the pouch or esophagus, persistent vomiting and abdominal pain, inflammation of the gallbladder, and failure to lose weight (very rare).More than one-third of obese patients who have weight-loss surgery develop gallstones. Gallstones are clumps of cholesterol and other matter that form in the gallbladder. During rapid or substantial weight loss, a person’s risk of developing gallstones increases. Gallstone formation can be lessened with medication taken for the first six months after surgery.Among other bariatric surgery risks, nearly 30 percent of patients who have weight loss surgery develop nutritional deficiencies such as anemia, osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. These deficiencies can be avoided if vitamin and mineral supplements are maintained as recommended on a life-long basis.

Okay so you are all probably wondering why I have put just these two surgeries on here, well...Im not sure how to react, well not react but I guess just....I dont know!LOL

See I go on to Obesityhelp to read peoples post and if I can help them I tell them my point and what has helped me. BUT the one thing that I get very upset about is the on going continous debate over DS and RNY WLS. Seriuosly I dont think there should bea debate on a weightloss forum of any kind to further upset "newbies" as we all call them, in some people forcing them to check out DS or RNY between the two surgeries. There are a couple particular people, not naming, cause I am not like that, are basically preaching to others that DS is the BEST weightloss surgery out there. Now I am all for ALL different kinds of surgeries to help us lose weight, but STOP TELLING PEOPLE ONE IS BETTER THAN THE OTHER.

Everyone has there reasons for choosing one over the other, and eventhough Statistics say one shoudl help you better than the other for your body or BMI whatever......if you choose one then you choose it for YOUR reasons and not someone else telling you. DSers say DS is better because you dont DUMP like RNYers, but you know what....RNYers more than likely choose this surgery cause we dont want to go back to the ways we were with eating all the junk. That is why some got overwieght, cause we couldnt control our eating. That is one of the biggest arguments. Another one is the so called "diet" that RNYers have to follow. DSers say they dont want to be on a diet because diets have failed them in the past. RNYers have I believe to have choosen the RNY because they would like tolive a more healthier lifestyle of eating. I know personally I choose RNY just for that reason, I dont want to continue to eat the way I was eating, I want to eat healthier. Carbs, sweets were my biggest enemy and for me choosing DS that it a waste to me. Remember this is my opinion, so I wanted to have the "DUMPING" so I know that if I eat too much sweets I will in the end pay for eating it.

Like I said before Im not bias at all, I think any weightloss surgery is fantastic, and ALL WLS have risks and side effects. That is why I posted only the two surgeries on here and the risks and benefits of both.

All I wish is that if you have a strong opinion about a WLS instead of preaching to someone that one is better than the other, just state the obvious of having them jsut research for themselves the options of all the surgeries out there. THEY WILL choose what best suits them, for their body and their lifestyle!

WHAT IS WRONG?????

Okay so seriously, I have no clue what the hell my problem is. It seems like whatever my boyfriend or son do......I am constantly yelling or pissed right off. I am getting so annoyed with them both, but they havent done anything to piss me off. Maybe because my such wonderful friend is in town, but I seriuosly didnt think that my hormones would change this much. Is this the case or am I just having a bad day or two!

I just want to curl up in a ball in cry, but I dont know why I would want to, when my life is so awesome now! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I hate to vent on here and tell you about my problems and what I am feeling, but I need to do it somewhere or I will blow up and it wont be good. I dont want anyone reading this to feel bad for me, cause Im not unhappy, I just cant control my emotions at the moment!!LOL

Lets hope that tomorrow Im not as irrated as I am today!!!!

Thanks for listening!!Love you all
Hugs

Today was AWESOME

Well what can I say except that I just met today some of the most caring, loving, heartfelt people ever. A way while back my friend Jean and I thought that it would be great to meet everyone, so it thenwas decided to have a get together. Lunch was decided adn the place was Montanas in London. That is the short form version!!LOL

So today was that day where alot of us got together and finally meet after months and months of chatting over the internet to finally meet people face to face. IT WAS AMAZING. To see everyone, that has had WLS at the Barix Clinic in MI all come together and have the most wonderful time! Now getting names straight that is my problem!!!! I do remember alot of you that I met, but a couple of you I cant remember at all, its probably because we didnt spend alot of time today talking, but there will be a next time for sure!

I am so grateful to Jean for taking the time to arrange this awesome time and for the few of you how made all those keychains as well, they are wonderful! Its amazing to realize just how wonderful some people can become great friends by jsut talking online! I am so glad to have met each and every one of you and have truly made some long lasting friendships!!

I cant wait till the next outing!!!!

Hugs

PICS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

2 months

So in writing my other 2 blogs just at the beginning of the year, I totally forgot about my 2 months!!LOL, so here are my pics.

I was at I believe around 55lbs lost in total and 39lbs since surgery. Inches are about 10, but I didnt take pre-measurements before surgery stupid me, oh well, so those inches are from 1 month out.

I know I have lost alot of weight and I can tell by certain ways I am sitting. I can finally cross my legs with out having to put my leg up with help ie, my hand bring it up, I also find myself curled up on the couch with easy and very comfy! I love it. My clothes are fitting alot better now, but am frustrated because I dont want to go and buy new ones, cause those will get to small as well.LOL

So as of today I am down a total of 60.5lbs and 46lbs from surgery.WOW....4lbs away from the 50lb mark its unbelievable! I know I keep saying this, but I am truly happy with my life and everyone in it.

Hugs

Kel

New Years 2008

New Years at two of my friends houses! Had loads of fun!

Christmas 2008

These are taken at the Teatero Family Xmas and the Collins Xmas! To see the pics clearer I believe you can just click on the collage

2009 Is my YEAR

Well what can I say....the only New Years Resolution I have only had for the past 5 years has been to LOSE WEIGHT, well all I can say is I KNOW THAT WILL HAPPEN!! So this year I truly believe is going to be one of the best years that I can remember!

So I am going to include some pics from Christmas and New Years to share with you all.

As for an update on me, well.....I DID it, what I was aiming for by Christmas was to lose a total of 50lbs. On Christmas I weighed myself and I was 50.5lbs. I almost had a tear!!LOL Im so very proud of myself for everything I have done. Have the courage to have surgery and not whine at all. I think all the other times I wasnt ready at all, I thought I was but no way looking back now. This is truly a CHANGE of LIFE and there are no oh I will just do it this one time. You have to follow this diet or you are not going to enjoy it at all.

Hugs