Weight loss

Am I doing something wrong or is it just hard to get a fax to go all
the way to Brazil? I'm trying to fax my lab results and some other
things that he needs, to the following number....011 55 41 322-4960.
That's the number he has listed on his FAQ page so I'm sure it's
correct...Am I supposed to add something to it in front or back? I
don't have a great scanner, so I'd rather fax them instead of
scanning and emailing. Any suggestions??
Lisa
Oct. 2

Look for acidopholus in your local health food store.
Carole
cappuheaven <isatumathis@...
Thank you all for your replies and words of wisdom, it is reassuring
to know, what is happening to me is normal at this stage, of the
process. Please, can anyone tell me where i can buy the acidopholus?
Hope that will help me out.
I tell you all....having this message board is a blessing!
Isha....now, not so down and depressed...and retiring the scale for
a month!

Hi Chantal,
To convert US dollars to Reals just multiply by 3. $1 = R$3 (approx.)
Doc M does do revision surgeries from RNY to a version of the DS. There are
several people here on the list who have had revisions. The cost for a
revision surgery is $4500 USD (or 13,500 reals) plus the hospital (another
$4500 or 13,500 reals).
IMHO the DS is a far superior surgery to the RNY. However I don't know if a
revision will solve your problems or not. Hopefully some of the people here
who have had revisions will reply.
My concern would be if Doc M would be willing to perform surgery on some one
with a BMI of only 28 or 29. I know it doesn't seem right to think that you
would have to get MO again before having surgery. I honestly just don't
know how Doc M would handle that. My suggestion would be to email him.
Clear Skies,
Dave in Ohio
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch by Dr. Marchesini in
Curitiba, Brazil
July 6, 2004
Highest Weight: 450lbs (BMI 72.6)
Surgery Weight: 377lbs (BMI 60.8)
Weight on September 6: 305lbs (BMI 49.2)
Total loss on September 6: -72lbs

I learned quickly the word for Ice. It is GELO but it is pronounced J-LO.
Just like the singer. And I would call down to the resturaunt every day and
ask for "MICE J-LO". That is the words for "more ice". Before my surgery I
was really diabetic and I was paranoid about having water after the surgery. I
had a long conversation with Dr. M about it. I was TRULY paranoid. However,
I did not suffer at all with out the water after the surgery. They do give
you plenty of IV fluids. AND I did take my chapstick.
Deborah

Sad to say we have never had a family get together. I would give my eye
teeth for that kind of family. My mother was German and committed suicide
in 1954 after she found Hitler killed her entire family and she had what
they now call survivor guilt. My father remarried in 1957 and at the time
we were thrilled cause he married the mother of my best friend. But after
45 years of her favoring HER children, HER grandchildren and HER great
grandchildren and her still trying to run the family with an iron hand we
will do anything in the world to avoid being in the same room as her. He
allowed it to happen because she ran him too. She even tried to stop my DS
because while she educates and pays for her children, grandchildren and
great grandchildren with private school and pictures on the wall etc my
family gets nothing but she still tries to run things with her "iron fist".
My brother calls us orphans who don't have the luck to be orphans. My
daughters absolutely detest their step grandmother and have already
announced when she goes they will not go to her funeral. I'll go probably
out of respect for the fact that my father once loved her but sadly will
breathe a sigh of relief. Sorry Lisa...you touched a nerve. My one regret
in life was I never had a grandparent or cousin or relative to join our
family for Thanksgiving or Passover or other family occasions but we just
never observed a holiday. Enough of complaining. You get the gist. I
think part of the reason we all spent our time roaming the globe was to
avoid ever accidentally being in the same country as our parents. W

Ask your doctor for a diagnosis and see if you can wait to have the gall
bladder out next month. An ultra sound usually picks up stones although Dr.
M found 9 that my ultra sound never picked up. I lived on Pepto Bismol the
year before my DS and thought it was just a lot of indigestion. Hopefully
you won't have an attack before you have it out during your DS but don't
wait for the emergency. Maybe something can be done to keep you comfortable
for the next month. I know people take Actigal to prevent stones from
forming but I have no idea if there is a med that prevents them from moving.
An attack usually means the stone moved into a bile duct or some such thing.
My fingers are crossed for you. W

Morgan,
I have nothing else to say except ME TOO!!! My sister and parents
are horrified at how much hair I have lost. Thank God it was so
thick to begin with. If this keeps up I am going to have to get a
wig.
-Hugs and support
Andrea
D/S with Dr. Marchesini on 5/5/04
204/138/100

Awww that is so sweet of you to say. Thanks!
As far as what I am doing on a daily basis, I'm sure it isn't that
much different from anyone else. I try to make sure I get all my
protein in and take a daily multi-vitamin. My labs just came back
and all was well, so I guess I am doing OK. Here's what I normally
eat in a day:
Breakfast - Isopure Zero Carb Protein shake with 1/4 pint of 1 or 2%
Milk. Before I started drinking the shakes, I would have 1 scrambled
egg with cheese and ham, cottage cheese w/ fruit, or peanut butter on
rye toast for breakfast. Switched to the shakes becuase I was
worried abotu not getting enough protein in, but didn't want to add
an extra calories to my day.
Lunch - 1/4 to 1/2 Sandwich (depending on how big it is and how much
I can fit in) Usually roast beef & cheese or grilled chicken & cheese
or a cheeseburger patty melt. I usually try to shoot for some sort
of meat & cheese combo. Cheesesteaks (just eat the filling) are good
too. I always try to eat the sandwich on a wrap or lower carb bread
if I eat the bread at all.
Dinner - Either leftovers from lunch or anywhere from 2-4 oz. of lean
steak, chicken, pork, shrimp, scallops, or crab. Plus a few bites of
salad and side like mac & cheese if I can fit it in. I find a great
dinner for me is a grilled BBQ chicken drumstick, 1 spoonfull of Mac
& cheese, and a bit of tomato/cucumber salad. I try to eat a
different meat at each meal so I don't get tired of anything.
I don't really snack that much, but when I do, I usually have a few
grapes or some other fruit. Honey roasted peanuts are also a good
snack for me. Once in a while I have a few spoonfulls custard or ice
cream after dinner. Last night was my dad's b-day so I had cake and
ice cream!!! It was soooo good lol. I also keep a Luna or other
type of protein bar in my purse all the time so that I have
an "emergency meal" in case I am hungry but can't get to any "good
food".
I track everything I eat through fitday and usually average between
600 and 1000 cals per day. I try to shoot for lots of protein
(anywhere from 50 - 100 grams) and a good balance of fats and carbs.
If I have a high carb lunch for example, I will try and make sure I
have a lower carb dinner.
As far as exercise goes I haven't really done any yet. I am planning
to start soon though. I do make sure I try to walk more than I used
to and now take the 3 flights of stairs up to my desk instead of
using the elevator all the time.
Hope this helps you out. I'm interested in hearing what everyone
else does as far as diet/exercise and their good food ideas too.
Andrea
D/S with Dr. Marchesini on 5/5/04
204/138/100

Okay guys, I've been expecting the hair loss, but I didn't know it
would be anything like this! I have really thick hair, so up to now
I've not been worried - but it's getting thinner and thinner by the
day! I eat very well, I had the RNY not the DS and I've lost less
than 40 lbs. - and yet the globs and globs of hair keep coming.
WHY!!! If this lasts another couple of months I'm afraid I'll go
bald! So, I guess after all that whining, all I want to know is when
I can expect it to stop?
Lots of love -
Morgan
05/04/04
172/135/110

Hi,
I am worried about my gallbladder. I had it tested last month
because I have been having pain on my right side under my upper ribs
that radiates around to my upper back. I sometimes also have a heavy
full feeling in my chest around the breastbone. Those are classic
gallbladder symptoms. The ultrasound I had and the CT of my upper
abdomen were all negative for gallstones, thought my liver enzymes
were elevated (that is what prompted the CT and the Ultrasound). Now
you can have a fatty liver when you are obese so we just chalked it
up to that.
So this morning my pain is pretty uncomfortable, not terrible, but is
really hurts. It comes and goes in waves. Yesterday I had some milk
and I usually don't drink it and I am thinking that is what set it
off.
I am worried that I am having an attack. I hear you can have lots of
them over several months and be fine. But I also know you can have a
major attack that requires surgery. I am leaving for Curitiba in 32
days. I am trying to hang on until than. DR M will remove the
gallbladder than that will take care of my problem. I need some
advice. Should I have it checked out. I am afraid to see the doc
because if I do They just might say lets take it out now. I can't
have surgery NOW!!!!! I have to go to Brazil!!! BOO HOO, I have
nightmares of something preventing me from going and I want to go
sooooooooooo badly. I already have my airline tickets!!! I sent off
for my Visa also. I am so ready to go!
I do not need to have gallbladder problems now!!!
Robin G
10/26/04 33 days and counting!!!!

I am from Canada. Would you be able to give me the prices in Reals
instead of US dollars.
Here is little info about me.
I had a RNY on January 3,2003. I have lost a total of 86. Now am
gaining 2 to 3 pound a month. I don't eat pasta, rice. I don't drink
pop. My diet consist of meat and veggies, some bread, lately I
started to drink whey powder in the morning which contains 25g of
whey, 10g of dextrose, and 5g of ground flax seed in a 8oz cup of 2%
milk. As soon that I drink it. I feel the dumping symptoms. I feel
like I am going to pass out. These feelings last about 25 minutes.
For several hours after, I feel dizzy and high like when you put the
oxygen mask on for the first time. Any time I drink juice I get a
headache on the left side of my brain that last about 15 minutes. I
don't know if this is normal. These symptoms only started when I
started putting the weight on. I have heard that some people that
had this RNY got a DS switch and they were a lot happier with the
results.
I am 5'6" tall, my initial weight was 260lbs and my lowest point was
165, now I am 174lbs and climbing. Would this DS surgery be better
for me?
Please don't mind the misspelled words or sentence structure and I am
French and English is my second language.
Please reply. thank you
Chantal Cook

I've always wanted to see Arkansas ..... LOL, too funny Lisa.
Everyone take funny pills last night?
Candy
06.03.03

My RNY hernia was repaired by a plastic surgeon. They are usually the ones
who do it although many general surgeons or Bariatric ones also do them. W

Many of you folks have had your DS sugery. I am still fighting my
insurance company and the state of Texas for mine, since they were
my employers.
I am learning a lot as I go along but I need help. I need YOUR help.
Please consider joining a new group which I have named Texas Action
for Obesity. It's going to set goals and actions throughout the
state, hopefully set up chapters, and will involve you in meeting
your legislators and getting commitments from people to make action
take place in Texas for people who need it desperately.
I have some initial ideas but this will be an open group for you to
contribute your time and effort as much as you are willing to.
Together we can do something to get Texas to join the rest of the
world.

White cheese is more easily digested in the beginning because of the
possibility of lactose intolerance. Think of things like Muenster cheese or
string cheese or Mozzarella as opposed to the very yellow sharp cheddars,
etc. W

How long was it after surgery before we stop wearing our "dressing"
altogether? I mean with nothing on it except the binder.
Oh Yes Dr. M suggested in his diet suggestion to eat more "white Cheeses"
...Now what is a "white cheese" exactly? and why "white cheese"??
When some go back to the PS 18 to 21 months later ....
How is it that a PS surgeon fixes Hernias ....? or with some finds two or
three to fix...? I didn't think PS 's dealt with Hernias.... someone please
enlighten me..
Konstantin

Thank you all for your replies and words of wisdom, it is reassuring
to know, what is happening to me is normal at this stage, of the
process. Please, can anyone tell me where i can buy the acidopholus?
Hope that will help me out.
I tell you all....having this message board is a blessing!
Isha....now, not so down and depressed...and retiring the scale for
a month!

Hi Robin,
Yes they do provide hospital gowns but by day 2 I gave up on the gowns and
just wore my boxers. I think that your PJ's will be fine.
Yes your husband can stay in the room with you. If you get a room like mine
there will be a couch that can be used as a bed. If you get a room like
Mike or Wendy had then there will be a room attached to your room where he
can sleep.
On the floor I was on the patients were all either Doc M patients or new
moms.
The leak test is done after you pass gas. For most people its on day 3 or
4.
After surgery you won't be allowed anything by mouth until you pass your
leak test. For most people they only have 1 or 2 more days in the hospital
after the test. After I passed my test Durval brought me bottled water.
That night I had some chicken broth and jello. I had jello and chicken soup
the next day (the chicken soup is dreadful).
I had my surgery on Tuesday at 3pm I was back in the room by 7pm. I went to
the bathroom by myself by 9pm. The next morning at 8am I gave myself a
shower. Durval will change your dressing for the first time right after
your shower.
People do typically drink bottled water. I don't think there is anything
unsafe about the water there. I did drink some of it, and mom cooked with
it. But better safe than sorry.
The food in Curitiba is absolutely amazing. The BBQ places are fantastic.
The food fair was some of the best food I've ever had. The restaurant in
the hotel is top notch.
Clear Skies,
Dave in Ohio
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch by Dr. Marchesini in
Curitiba, Brazil
July 6, 2004
Highest Weight: 450lbs (BMI 72.6)
Surgery Weight: 377lbs (BMI 60.8)
Weight on September 6: 305lbs (BMI 49.2)
Total loss on September 6: -72lbs

You mean you didn't get ANYTHING by mouth for 3-4 days. That sounds
so terrible. My mouth would be like a cotton by the first day!
Could you even suck on Ice chips? I don't mind doing with food, but
WATER??? Do you go nuts wanting water?
Robin
Already Thirsty just thinking about it!!! UGH

Thanks Robin....most of the reasons you gave pertain to me but it is
interesting just the same. As I said I presume there were medical reasons
so it is not something I ever dwell about. Was just curious. It could also
be that I was simply so fat that they didn't want to fool around finding the
correct spot to go in with a needle. Your post was interesting. Thanks. W

Hi,
Do they use hospital gowns there or can you wear your own jammies!
My DH is coming also, he is allowed to stay in the room with me right?
What other kinds of patients are there?
When do you get the leak test?
What kind of stuff do you eat while in the Hospital?
When can you take a shower and wash the hair?
While in Curitiba should I only drink bottled water?
What about the Hospital water and Ice?
What about the food there? Do people need to worry about stomach
troubles after eating the food and drinking the water?
Thats it for now, though I am sure to come up with something else
later :-)
Robin G
surgery 10/26/04 leaving in 33 days!!!

Isha.....it is almost guaranteed that someone will write the message you
wrote in their 3rd or 4th week post op. You have hit the dreaded first
plateau. You will lose. It may take a week or two until the scale drops or
you may be one of the unlucky ones that takes a few weeks. But...if you
have a short plateau it may be just a pound or two and if you have a long
plateau it may be a really big drop. It is too soon to know how your body
will react. You won't like my advice....stay away from the scale for 2-3
weeks minimum. It is hard to do I know but those people who weigh
themselves very seldom don't have the mental miseries that people who get on
the scale a lot do. You will go many SMALL regains in the next year. So
much depends on time of the month, if you had many bowel movements, if your
body is holding fluid, etc. that you will find your body frequently
fluctuates. THIS IS NOT A WEIGHT GAIN. THIS IS A TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT. I
honestly am not trying to belittle your feelings. But every single one of
us has been where you are and 100% of those who have been on the scale
somewhere between weeks 3 and 5 could have written your email. Isn't it
disgusting? We think we are unique and we are in many ways. But when it
comes to post op blues we are all the same. Stay away from the scale and
good luck. I promise the scale will drop. W
P.S. I just reread your post. If I interpreted you correctly your scale
number went up but your body fat went down. Isn't that what really counts?
As far as missing food and the bathroom. Again, we all could have written
your message. Go back and read some people's journals and see how they feel
at one month post op compared to 6 or 9 or 12 months post op. We're with
you because those of us post op have been there and those pre op will see
how you feel this very minute so they can know they, too, will go through
all the mental HE**. It ain't the easy way out. W

Hi,
From what I have been reading and I read about this stuff
constantly! I think you might just be going through a weight loss
plateau (sp?). Or maybe you need more protein? There are a lot of
really good helpers here who know more about this than I do as I am
still PREOP. I hear there are things you can do about the gas and
odar also.
Glad you came by and posted. Keep posting and let us know how you
are doing. You will get all kinds of good advise here.
Congratulations on your surgery and Good Luck
Robin G in St. Louis
DS surgery 10/26/04 Leaving in just 33 days!!!!!!

Hi Isha,
I am sure others can reassure you better than I can, I think men
look at things through different eyes than women. You know, Left
brain, right brain...
From my point of view, let me point out several things.
You are less than a month post-op. It's too soon to be concerned
about the rate of weight loss. David Shriver, who had his surgery
the same week as me, only weighs once a month. Not a bad idea,
because water weight can cause fluctuations of 5-10 lbs (at least in
my body)
At about 4 weeks, your digestive tract is still healing. Gas and
loose stools will get better sometime between 2 and three months out
(for most people) You may want to cut back on the foods that cause
you gas. Most people get gas from milk (lactose) during the first
two months, and some become lactose intolerant for a longer time.
An excellent resource on post-op eating for DS patients is on Dr
Simpson's website:
http://drsimpson.com/postdiet-ds.php
I understand the "head hunger" that you must be experiencing. I find
myself wanting to put someting in my mouth all the time. But the
foods I crave are all foods that give me gas or loose stools (LOL)
so after I have experienced the painful bloating, embarrasing gas,
and frequent trips to the bathroom a couple of times, I stop eating
those foods, or I eat them in small quantities, and with some
protein. I am hoping the negative reinforcement will permanently
change my habits. My daughter invited us for our and son-in-law's
birthday yesterday, and I had one bite of cake! LOL! Pre-op I would
have had two pieces with Ice cream on each piece.
I am now almost three months post op. It does get better. For me,
sometime between 2 and 3 months I started to feel more normal, and
my insides started to feel less sensitive to certain foods.
Hope this helps,
Mike Adams
Surgery 6/30/2004
Dr Marchesini
SW / CW / GW
450 / 362 / 250-210

OK - I went back to my album after I posted and now it let me
rearrange the pics. Totally weird but in keeping with Murphy's law
I should have expected it to work after I posted for help!

Hey gang,
I'm hoping that Dave or one of the other photo gurus can help me out
here. I posted a new 4.5 month pic in my album (Andrea - here on

In a message dated 9/19/04 9:00:14 AM, isatumathis@... writes:
Ok, first, some DEEP BREATHS!!
I had the same thing so dont worry,.it will pass!
I lost at 1st but at 4 thru 6 weeks it stopped altogether and I gained 3
lbs!! I was getting afraid it stopped altogether but think- arent you eating
much
less? How could you NOT lose? Your body has been thru ALOT- it needs time to
adjust. Do not despair.
Now, at 7 1/2 weeks it has picked up again nicely and I am losing again.
People are starting to notice too! So, hang in there. There will be plateaus but
dont get stuck on them. Just do your water, walking and vitamins and it WILL
HAPPEN!!!!
Margie

Bev....I am surprised to hear that supposedly you started something. News to
me and ignore anyone who says differently. I simply saw the apple/pear
discussion as the same as a straight hair/curly hair discussion which I even
said in my comments. No matter what one has we are jealous of the other
side because of the grass is greener type of mentality we all have. And if
I contributed to anything by my comments I simply think some people maybe
are overly sensitive. I sure hope my comments right now are not
contributing to bad feeling but I wanted to say in public that I saw nothing
wrong with your comments or subsequent discussion. It made me realize, in
fact, that I am not the only one who yearns to be the same size top and
bottom. I am not the only one that has to make a choice when buying clothes
between one part of a garment being tight and another part of the garment
being baggy. We are all here because we are in the same boat and if we
don't like the boat we have a right to complain. So recuperate, build up
your iron, enjoy your final days in Curitiba and keep getting stronger and
learning how to use your new insides. Don't worry about anything else. W

Hi all. I had my surgery with Dr. M on August 25th 2004.
My pre-op weight was 291lbs, 10 days after surgery my weight was
278lbs, 3weeks post op, weight 271lbs, body fat 54%, i weighed in
this am 2 days before my one month date, i am up to 273lbs,49%
bodyfat.
Help! i am freaking out....at this point so far, i have been having
buyer's remorse..i am wondering if it was worth having the DS, i
have been having some very, very foul smelling gas that even scares
me! i am anxious in social situations because of my bowels and
gas.....does it ever get better? I take 1 immodium and gasX before i
go to work, it helps sometimes, but does not completely control the
gas, any sugestions?
Second Problem...weakness...I have been weak and occassionally
lightheaded since the surgery, i do try to get in my water and i
drink a protein shake everyday, has only 24 grams..but very
difficault for me to do more than that...i will keep trying. I did
get my vitamins yesterday, my question is, i got the 'vitamin
shoppe ' brand called women's ultramega, only problem i found out
after i got home, was that it is time release...i believe i read on
one of the boards, that we should avoid time release pills...should
i buy something else that is not time release?
third problem(need a shrink for this one!) I miss food, i did not
know how much food was a part of my life, i am having a very hard
time not being able to eat! I guess the doctor operated on our
stomach's not our heads, and i will have to find a new friend, new
hobby, new distractions and find new ways of dealing with my
problems instead of turning to food.
Sorry this was so long...but had to share....
Isha in maryland..feeling depressed..hopefully this too shall pass
Open DS Dr. M Aug.25 04

Sorry you had to deal with the emails while you're recuperating. I may be
offending some here, but jeez, talk about kicking someone when they're down! I
know it's easier said than done, but ignore them and take care of yourself.
Hopefully, you'll be well on your way to recovery soon.
Janice

Bev..........
don't worry about it.
you obviously did not mean to offend anyone.
just put your energy into healing.
blessings.
joanne

Hi Everyone,
Durval picked me up at 8am and off we went to the Hospital, for my
Blood transfusion.. Poor Durval! He spent his day off, of which he
rarely gets, with me, and I felt so sorry for him. He insists he
likes to work and it was nothing, but I felt bad. Finally got out of
there about 5, so I am staring down the short end of a nap.
I took a ride over to Angelino's w/Tracy and her Husband, who I
enjoyed meeting. They didn't have any motorized carts for this tired
puppy, so I came on home. There's no way I can walk thru that store
on my own power right now.
I have gotten several private e-mails taking me to task for starting
a controvery re belly vs pears. Normally, I am a very patient and
loving person and not much fazes me, but the timing of these notes
has left me feeling little else but annoyance.
If ya'll want to read back to my original post re the subject, I
only said Dr. M told me I should feel lucky I have alot of
subcutaneous belly fat, that I will loose it quicker. Mine is not
the kind of fat that is 'bad' for the organs... We've all read the
data/information on the variious shapes of our bodies. No matter
what shape we are, the good news is it can be fixed!
Please folks, no more e-mails on the subject. Thanks
As far as the IV's... I am not the average patient coming here. I
came with a dangerously low blood count, so IV's have been given to
me outside the hospital to get me started back to health. The
transfusion today is sure to do that!
If I've offended or caused pain to anyone by these discussion, I
apologize.
Bev

Lisa..I was there by myself for 10 days. The first week there were lots in
the hotel and 2 in the hospital with me. The second week there was one in
the hospital but then she left and I was in the hospital alone for a week
and then 3 days in the hotel. It was lonely. I admit it. But Durval and
Dr. M. really visited me a lot and Leandro at the front desk was nice to me
when I was in the hotel. It could have been worse. I just wish I had had a
computer because I was stuck in my room. My wheel chair didn't fit through
the doors or into the elevator and I really was stuck. At least if you are
there alone you'll have more mobility. Hopefully you won't be alone. Do
you know if Dr. Cavalcanti has any PS patients there when you are there? I
hope Wendy A pops up but if she doesn't ask if anyone is going then for PS?
Good luck. W

Darling Bev - I'm keeping you place in my heart well visited these days. Sure
hope the transfusion works. This low iron thing has us all very concerned.
Hugs, Sherry
"Beverly F." <jestersmom2003@...
I had my checkup w/Dr. M this afternoon, and he was very pleased
with my progress, re the surgery. He is still very concerned about
my iron count, so in the morning, Durval will take me back to the
Hospital for a blood transfusion. We discussed the whole gamet of
blood, and I feel very comfortable getting some blood here. He, and
I, think it will help me alot.
Kate and Dawn came home today, from the Hospital, and had been to
the grocery store, as I was returning from Dr. M's.
I have a busy day tomorrow, and I'm pretty wiped from the Dr. Visit,
so I will say goodnight to all of you.
Hugs,
Bev
Sherry Head
High 290 1/13/04 Pre-op 260.5 8/28/04 192.0 Total Loss 68.5 Weekly loss/gain
2.0
Diabetes cured
I has met the enemy and he is us! - Pogo

Hey Group,
I had my checkup w/Dr. M this afternoon, and he was very pleased
with my progress, re the surgery. He is still very concerned about
my iron count, so in the morning, Durval will take me back to the
Hospital for a blood transfusion. We discussed the whole gamet of
blood, and I feel very comfortable getting some blood here. He, and
I, think it will help me alot.
Kate and Dawn came home today, from the Hospital, and had been to
the grocery store, as I was returning from Dr. M's.
I have a busy day tomorrow, and I'm pretty wiped from the Dr. Visit,
so I will say goodnight to all of you.
Hugs,
Bev

Wendyyyyyyyy.....where aaaaaarrrrrreeeeeeeeeee youuuuuuuuuuuuuu????
Ya'll...I'm getting worried about my switchsister Wendy A? If she
doesn't get to leave next week (and I'm fearing that because she
hasn't been here for a while if I'm not mistaken), I'm going to be
there POST OP ALL BY MYSELF!! Has anyone else experienced that?
Lisa
Oct. 2

Hello Stanka -- from windy Chicago,
Hi there and I do hope you have weathered your
terrible storms OK??? Yes as far as I know your own
insurance should cover this as it is NOT a re-existing
condition. And it "tongue-in-cheek" couldn't possibly
be related to surgery as it happened 5+ months later!!
So you are probably covered! BUT different nasty
insurance companies may disagree!!
Good Luck and keep on loosing --l ooks like you
are sure winning that race! Bravo --over 90 lbs too!
Super healing hugs!! Gloria in Chicago
Surgery 12/09/03 293 lbs.
9/09/04 --- 202 lbs.
Learning is a Life-Long process which keeps us young
in heart and mind!

Hi Joanne,
Im a little late in posting here but I too have problems with low blood
pressure. Even at my heaviest weight (261) I always ran a low BP and now at
(155) it's still very low as is my blood count about 32-34 I think. My doctor(s)
never seemed overly concerned about it and I was never treated (medically) for
it. I would like to know what causes it because it has always been a mystery to
me especially since high BP runs in my family.
Good luck
Renee
classsi_fied <bjrfromwa@...
had an appt with the dentist today for a root canal.
they always take my blood pressure before beginning.
it has been running about 89 over 59 or about that.
today..........it was 87 over 36.
yes, THIRTY SIX.
needless to say no dental work was done i was sent home and to bed.
ratzafratz.
joanne

Hi Lisa,
I think I can field this one.
David and I were SMO (supermorbidly obese). We both got 65cm CCs.
There were others there who had less to lose who got 75s.
I had actually asked for a 60cm CC, but Dr M felt that a 60cm CC
would be risking possible protein malabsorption.
Of course, the determination of CC length is not an exact science.
Everyone's body is different. Pre-op, we all have different lengths
of small intestine, and each person's intestine has a different
level of "efficiency." There have been people who had a 100cm CC who
lost weight rapidly, and people who had 75cm who stalled and did not
reach goal.
The best course of action in my opinion, is to discuss this with Dr.
M and come to an agreement based on his experience and
recommendation, along with your goals.
Mike Adams
Surgery 6/30/2004
Dr Marchesini
SW / CW / GW
450 / 364 / 250-210

Wendy....you are my SWITCH SISTER! Where are you? I hope you are
doing okay and everything is coming together for you. I know how
excited you are and I looked forward to us being switched together!
You and I are the ONLY ones booked for the two weeks I'm there.
Please tell me you're getting it together and just busy making it all
happen. Did you sell your car? Please let me know. I'm concerned
about you and hoping you are making progress. Anyone heard from
Wendy A.??
Lisa
Oct. 2

Does anyone know how Dr. M determines what length your common channel
should be? If you lose more weight with the shorter common channel,
wouldn't everyone want the 65 instead of the 75? Just curious if
he's told any of you why or how he determined your CC length??
Lisa
Oct. 2

Hi,
I mailed off my stuff for the Visa! Boy...Visas are expensive!!
I hope to get it back soon! Things are falling into place here! I
have my passport, my airline ticket, and the money for the hospital
and Dr, ready to go! When should I wire the money for the Hospital?
I want to be sure it is there on time.
I am sooo excited.
Robin G
Leaving St. Louis 10/22/04 for DS Surgery 10/26/04

HEHEHE!!! That was very funny Dave! I needed a good chuckle this
morning!
Thanks
Robin

You are the weakest link. Goodbye
Clear Skies,
Dave in Ohio
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch by Dr. Marchesini in
Curitiba, Brazil
July 6, 2004
Highest Weight: 450lbs (BMI 72.6)
Surgery Weight: 377lbs (BMI 60.8)
Weight on September 6: 305lbs (BMI 49.2)
Total loss on September 6: -72lbs

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Mike's excellent post about Mole sauces gor me thinking. Although my
stomach revision surgery was back in January, my appetite is tiny and
I wasn't getting enough calories. So I started watching the Food
channel to see if anyting could stimulate my appetite (nothing did).
There is a show where the hostess goes to various locations and
attempts to limit her food spending to $40 per day. She was in Los
Angeles once and found a Mexican restaurant with an Oaxacan chef who
specializes in moles. I went on the Food channel's website and found
the restaurant for those of you who either live in LA or are planning
to visit. It's Guelaquetz Palms Restaurant, 11127 Palms Blvd., Los
Angeles, CA, 90034 TEL: (310) 837-1153.
I also buy Mexican ingredients online at a site called
www.mexgrocer.com and sure enough, they had a whole slew of mole
sauces. Not all of them have chocolate in them. As far as I could see
they had at least 3 different types of mole and many different
brands. I ordered a few of them because so far I can eat everything
except chicken and eggs. Maybe this will allow me to keep them down.
Carole

Bev, when I first saw what the seroma was draining I related it to the fat
melting out of my body .... which, I guess it is ..... after I got home it
became more like a milky fluid and then almost clear .... seems to be just
about stopped now ..... Thank goodness!
Lori K
07/29/04

Oh Lisa!
I am sorry to hear about your children being sick. Did you have it
also? I hope you don't come down with it. I know having a sick baby
is terrible, but 2 at the same time is really really bad. I hope
they get well soon. I hope your trip plans are not messed up.
Robin G

Hi K
I wouldn't worry. I have read stories of people having channels as short as
50cm who live healthy lives. I believe that Dr. Baltazaar in Spain does
50cm CCs. Doc M has done CCs as short as 50cm as well, but he now prefers
the 65-75cm length. Also remember when talking about lengths you have to
take into consideration how the bowel is measured. Is it stretched tightly
across a ruler? Is it measured in a flaccid state? If it is stretched how
stretched is it? All of these things are subjective.
Doc M is a world class surgeon who has done hundreds of DS's. We just have
to trust him. After all if we didn't we wouldn't have let him cut us open.
If worst comes to worst you can always have a revision to lengthen your CC.
Clear Skies,
Dave in Ohio
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch by Dr. Marchesini in
Curitiba, Brazil
July 6, 2004
Highest Weight: 450lbs (BMI 72.6)
Surgery Weight: 377lbs (BMI 60.8)
Weight on September 6: 305lbs (BMI 49.2)
Total loss on September 6: -72lbs

Bev,
I am glad you are doing well. I hope you enjoy your iron coctail!
Did they leave an IV in you (called a Heplock or saline lock) or do
they have to just restart a new iv site? I am just curious what
their protocol for this is. Do you have drainage tubes?
Anyhow, I hope you are feeling great!
Robin G
DSing Oct 26th

I just read this post on the duodenalswitch group .... well I understand
most of it ... but then the part where he mentions the common channel should
never be shorter than 75cm has got me pretty nervous ..especially when Dr. M
has given me a 65cm channel.
Has anyone else got a 65cm channel? and are they doing alright? ...
Seeing stuff like this causes butterflies in my stomach.
Konstantin
Look up the paper published by Dr. Scopinaro at duodenalswitch.com.
You will see that his procedure (Bilopancreatic diversion - BPD) -
which was the forerunner to the D/S (or duodenal switch, technically
the full name is Biliopancreatic Diversion with a Duodenal Swich, or
BPD/DS) - has been largely abondoned throughout the world due to
it's unacceptable percentage of life-changing and life-threatening
complications. Most modern surgeons consider it too risky for even
the super morbidly obese. The procedure is so malabsorptive that up
to 1/4 of the patients experience some combination of the myriad of
diseases and syndromes associated with the procedure - serious,
terrible, screw-up your life issues, like combinations of lupus,
crohn's disease, stomatic ulcers, metabolic bone disease, peripheral
neuropathy - bad stuff that can't easily be fixed once you screw
your body up.
The BPD/DS (or D/S) was designed (successfully so) to avoid these
problems. If your common channel is of proper length (NEVER shorter
than 75cm.), and you utilize proper supplementation and lifelong
testing, you as a D/S patient can lose massive weight, maintain
weight loss, and be HEALTHY. If you think your life as an obese
person couldn't be worse - you need to research how it ends up when
YOU are one of the statistics that is seriously screwed up by the
Scopinaro Procedure - DON"T MAKE AN UNSAFE CHOICE!
Wishing you well -pretty concerned that your surgeon still casually
recommends this procedure.
Mike

Most surgeons don't require a soft stage. My daughter's surgeon was Dr. Elariny
and he wants his patients to be eating a full solid food diet within a week of
surgery. Dr. M is also the only surgeon I know of who wants you to eat low fat.
Most of the others say pay no attention to fat grams, just keep your carb grams
between 55 and 65 per day during the weight loss period. Others say that if you
get your 70 grams of protein every day, you can eat whatever you want to after
that. Confusing isn't it?
Carole
stephenie <ladywolfone2000@...
Hi everyone, I read your posts every day, but I myself dont post
much...but thought i would give an update....Insurance might be
paying for my surgery, do not know for sure...If anyone remebers I
tried LAST november for a lap band(glad I dint, cus I found out
about the DS)the surgeon at that time(well his office staff) called
me on Jan 7th and said my insurance denied me, because thier was an
exclusion, I have been talking to our HR person all this time, about
changing our policy, so that it would be included, she(hr. person)
told me last month that they were thinking of changing companies in
the new year, and for me to talk to the city treasurer, because she
is the one that decides all the insurance things, and to tell her
that i wanted this surgery included in the policy. So I talked to
the city treasurer and she said it WAS on our policy, so I told her
what happned to me, she said I gaurentee you, it is in our policy,
so she sent me to the man who sold her the policy, he got out the
handbook(which for some reason I can not get a copy of) and it says
in black in white, that we are covered...I threw a small fit, and he
called the main office and talked to the office manager...the office
manager did a search and can find no record of it anywhere, no files
at all, nothing stating an office visit was paid for, I tend to
belive him, because I had got a bill from the first surgeon stating
insurance woudnt pay and that I had to pay for the visit)anyway the
office manager said they had no record of anything, he also said
that if I had been denied because they had stated it was excluded
(when it was not)that they themselves could get in trouble..I fill
he was being honost with me.Anyway the long and short of it, is now
I have a orientation class with a doctor in ohio. then I will get
all the info that they want and then have an appointment with the
surgeon, and he will then send all the info into insurance and we
will see if i am covered...
this surgeon does not do the stiches that Doc.M does, which I wish
he did, he also dont have you wear a binder, which i will anyway.I
hear tell he also does not have you do a liquid diet, then soft
stage for very long at all, matter of fact he has you eating
regular, he says you can eat anything as long as it is not beef, as
that is to hard to digest...but since reading this board, I AM going
to wear a binder, for as long as I can stand it, hopefully for 3
months!! And I am going to do the soft stage...but I need to know,
how long does Doc M have you on the differnt stages? On the liquid
stage is it clear liquids only for 2 weeks, then other,liquids(like
yougert) for 2 weeks, then on to soft?I just threw in the number 2
couse im not sure of the time frame....I just think by reading the
differnt boards that I would need to do the differnt stages, so that
my tummy would have more time to recuperate..I mean I do not want to
eat a piece of chicken and have it open up the stiches, cus they
were not closed yet...if that makes since...
Also it seems like no one (doctor) can agree on anything, some say
fat is your friend, others say no fat, or as low fat as you can
get...What is Doc. M's stance on this....the reason I ask is I like
fried turkey nuggets, and that would be a way for me to get in
protein. Well this is getting realllly long so i will let yall go,
so you can rest your eyes now!! LOL
steph

I wish we could get it in Miami, but Mexico isn't really represented in the
cuisine of Miami. We have a lot of very authentic Cuban food and lots of the
cuisine of South America (including a couple of Brazilian restaurants). But we
only have one decent Mexican restaurant in this big city other than the usual
Taco Bells. I should hunt for mole online.
Carole
Mike Adams <vectorlaser@...
"deidre_carbone" wrote: chicken in mole sauce; What is this?
A. Rick Bayless, host of the PBS series Mexico One Plate at a Time
and author of the companion cookbook (Canada, UK) sums up the
classic Mexican sauce in a little less than two pages. He says the
mole, derived from the Aztec word for sauce, is the national dish of
Mexico, as important as the Thanksgiving turkey is to Americans, but
served more frequently. Unlike the American characterization of mole
as a "chocolate sauce", the chocolate is almost incidental; mole
(and he refers to it consistently as red mole) is essentially a red
chile sauce with tomatillos that is thickened and enriched with nuts
and seeds and augmented by various spices.
Mole is a variety of sauces in Mexican cuisine. In English, it often
refers to a specific sauce more properly called "mole poblano".
The most popular kinds come from the Mexican states of Puebla and
Oaxaca, and there is an annual national mole fair in the town of San
Pedro Actopan in the Milpa Alta borough of Mexico's Federal
District, on the southern outskirts of Mexico City.
Mole poblano, whose name comes from the Mexican state of Puebla, is
very popular in Mexico. Mole poblano is prepared with chilis,
spices, unsweetened chocolate, and a variety of other ingredients.
Various stories exist about its invention, but none are generally
accepted. Mexico's national dish is mole poblano de guajalote, or
turkey prepared with mole poblano.
Mole can be bought ready-made from local markets or supermarkets. It
comes as a kind of paste or powder that can vary in colour from deep
black to green or even yellow depending on the ingredients used. In
modern supermarkets and corner-shops mass-produced mole is sold
either canned, in glass jars, or in cubes that can be dissolved in
water.
Mike Adams
Surgery 6/30/2004
Dr Marchesini
SW / CW / GW
450 / 365 / 250-210

Hi Lisa,
The binder I have used is the Dale Bariatric Binder. Its not the same thing
as the abdominal binder. 60 is the smallest size they make in the bariatric
binder, but you can adjust it as small as you want. My incision is about
10-12" long running from right below my sternum to about 3-4" above my
navel. My binder is about 2 or 3 inches longer than my incision.
Get some ear plugs or noise canceling headphones for that plane flight.
Believe me it can be very loud.
Clear Skies,
Dave in Ohio
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch by Dr. Marchesini in
Curitiba, Brazil
July 6, 2004
Highest Weight: 450lbs (BMI 72.6)
Surgery Weight: 377lbs (BMI 60.8)
Weight on September 6: 305lbs (BMI 49.2)
Total loss on September 6: -72lbs

Hi Tracy,
Deep breaths! You'll be fine and before you know it you'll be in Doc M's
very kind and capable hands.
Oh and BTW there are ceiling fans in all the hospital rooms.
Clear Skies,
Dave in Ohio
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch by Dr. Marchesini in
Curitiba, Brazil
July 6, 2004
Highest Weight: 450lbs (BMI 72.6)
Surgery Weight: 377lbs (BMI 60.8)
Weight on September 6: 305lbs (BMI 49.2)
Total loss on September 6: -72lbs

Wendy,
What Calcium are you taking that is 500mgs ?
I am looking for anything to stopp taking 8 pills a day.
Konstantin
I am fine with calcium and last month had a bone scan to compare it with the
one from 4 years ago. But I take it 4X a day spread out. No way could I
take it all at one time and I think people who do are foolish. It isn't
just the number of pills we take but also when we take them. There are some
very specific rules that I have learned over my time here and listening to
the opinions of people who have had many different surgeons. We get the
best of all worlds. We have our excellent doctor but we also get to pick the
brains of other excellent doctors. Post menopausal women should have at
least 1500 mg a day and 1800 to 2000 is better for most. I cannot speak for
men and what their number should be although men also can be subject to
osteoparosis. W

had an appt with the dentist today for a root canal.
they always take my blood pressure before beginning.
it has been running about 89 over 59 or about that.
today..........it was 87 over 36.
yes, THIRTY SIX.
needless to say no dental work was done i was sent home and to bed.
ratzafratz.
joanne

I am fine with calcium and last month had a bone scan to compare it with the
one from 4 years ago. But I take it 4X a day spread out. No way could I
take it all at one time and I think people who do are foolish. It isn't
just the number of pills we take but also when we take them. There are some
very specific rules that I have learned over my time here and listening to
the opinions of people who have had many different surgeons. We get the
best of all worlds. We have our excellent doctor but we also get to pick the
brains of other excellent doctors. Post menopausal women should have at
least 1500 mg a day and 1800 to 2000 is better for most. I cannot speak for
men and what their number should be although men also can be subject to
osteoparosis. W

I was ordering my Dale Binder that you all recommend and was a little
puzzled? Aren't the incisions a couple of inches above the belly
button and upward 6 or 8 inches? Is the abdominal binder going to be
much lower than that? Am I thinking about the wrong binder all
together? Please tell me if the abdominal binder is the right one.
Also, if my abdomin is 54ish around and my waist is 47"....is the 60"
one the one that I want?
Thanks ya'll. I ordered my bucky and eye mask as if I'm going on
with my plans of leaving the 28th.
Lisa
Oct. 2

Oh your poor babies. It just seems so sad when young children and annimals are
suffering. They can't begin to understand what's wrong. I will pray that they
heal quickly and are tootally out of pain and back to normal so that you can
leave for Brazil with a clear conscience about leaving them.
Carole
Lisa Cooper <lcooperett@...
My babies (10 month old twins) have been SO SO SO SO SICK! They have
a virus called Coxsackie virus. They have been in horrible agony
since last Friday...well...one of them since Friday, the other one
since this past Monday. They have, literally, a mouth FULL of
ulcers! Swollen lips, swollen tongue, festered blisters on their
lips....and ulcers on every inch of their tongue. AND fever of 104!
The only way they rest is when they are doped up on codeine and
between doses, they scream in pain! Supposedly a headache and body
aches are common, too, but they are too young to let me know that,
obviously. ANYWAY....they are JUST NOW starting to look right in the
eyes again but they are a long way from being well. It's supposed to
take 4 to 5 days of the horrible pain and 8 to 10 days of the ulcers
healing. They have been held and consoled for the last 5 days
constantly. They wake up 2 and 3 times a night EACH! They have to
be healhty and on their good schedule and sleeping right before I can
leave them with my Mom. I'm supposed to leave in 12 days!!
Everything is kind of up in the air as far as my date. I'm exhausted
and so sad for my babies and cry every day watching them in the pain
they are in, so if I have to reschedule....it won't be a
problem....however, I'm sure you all know how disappointing that will
be. Please pray for my babies to get well...they are so little to be
going through this...and if all works out for me...that's just a
bonus.
Just checking in....
Lisa
Oct. 2

My babies (10 month old twins) have been SO SO SO SO SICK! They have
a virus called Coxsackie virus. They have been in horrible agony
since last Friday...well...one of them since Friday, the other one
since this past Monday. They have, literally, a mouth FULL of
ulcers! Swollen lips, swollen tongue, festered blisters on their
lips....and ulcers on every inch of their tongue. AND fever of 104!
The only way they rest is when they are doped up on codeine and
between doses, they scream in pain! Supposedly a headache and body
aches are common, too, but they are too young to let me know that,
obviously. ANYWAY....they are JUST NOW starting to look right in the
eyes again but they are a long way from being well. It's supposed to
take 4 to 5 days of the horrible pain and 8 to 10 days of the ulcers
healing. They have been held and consoled for the last 5 days
constantly. They wake up 2 and 3 times a night EACH! They have to
be healhty and on their good schedule and sleeping right before I can
leave them with my Mom. I'm supposed to leave in 12 days!!
Everything is kind of up in the air as far as my date. I'm exhausted
and so sad for my babies and cry every day watching them in the pain
they are in, so if I have to reschedule....it won't be a
problem....however, I'm sure you all know how disappointing that will
be. Please pray for my babies to get well...they are so little to be
going through this...and if all works out for me...that's just a
bonus.
Just checking in....
Lisa
Oct. 2

Tracey,
You are in such good hands here, hon. Durval was here twice today to
see me and these men have such an amazing worth ethic and dedication
to their patients.
It will be nice to meet you... Kate and Dawn are probably coming
back to the hotel tomorrow.. Durval told me they passed their leak
test, and are doing well.
Have a good trip!
Bev

WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Everyone,
I have been leaking/draining now for a few days and feel like a
butterball turkey! It's oily..
It's beautiful weather, and I wish I could get out and take a walk,
but Durval just called to say he is coming over to give me an IV of
Iron. I won't be going anywhere today, but tomorrow I get the
stitches out and get weighed. I can feel some weight loss, so I'm
anxious to see if it's closer to MY prediction, or Dr. M's! <G
Lynn, Dawn's friends, was here yesterday afternoon, and said both
Dawn and Kate are doing fine. Hopefully, they will back at the Hotel
tomorrow.
I'm sending my best to those folks in Alabama (I used to live in
Huntsville) and others in the wake of Ivan. What a terrible season,
so far, for hurricanes, and another one brewing.
Ciao
Bev in Curitiba

Oh my, I have discovered all about the yips. If I didn't have some
Xanax my two assistants would have their rears yapped by now. I had
planned & packed for cool Brazilian weather - the 10 day forecast is
for hot and rain. Now I'll probably sweat to death in the hospital. I
will be requesting a fan I'm sure. I always feel my nerves and
anxiety in my stomach.... I have made many trips to the bathroom
already today. I have that fight or flight feeling---- my dear,
darling husband gets to see the fight part and I am getting ready for
the flight---- tomorrow night at 7:45 p.m. And to top it all off I
CAN'T FIND MY BUCKY! I just needed to blow off a little steam to
folks who understand. God bless you all.
Tracy (in TX)
Yipping and yapping until switched on 9/21/04.

W,
I am curious.... can the body actually absorb that much calcium
at one time..? have your tests shown your okay on calcium?
Konstantin
I take calcium 4X spread out throughout the day Lori. I could never take
all of mine at bedtime. I thought most people spread theirs out since I
take 500 mg at a time for a total of 2000. W

Darlene,
That's great news - I'm so happy for you. Now you can relax for a little
while...until you start stressing over your surgery. But don't feel too bad. I
haven't gotten tickets or visas yet, either, and my surgery's a week before
yours (wasn't yours originally scheduled for earlier in October?). I'm still
waiting to hear from Dr. C about my mother's PS before I can make final
arrangements. I hope he doesn't wait too much longer, or I may end up having to
reschedule.
Janice
10/20/04
In a message dated 9/16/2004 8:24:12 AM Eastern Standard Time,
stormy918@... writes:

mornin yall!! God is soooo good!!! I have a "fatty" tumor in my
kidney. ok....I'm fat....that doesnt surprise me lol Doc says it has
prolly been there all my life..such sweet relief..Thank You All for
the Prayers and Good Thoughts!! I guess now I can say that my switch
date is tenatively Oct 28. I am really readin about the vitamins and
supplements...I need to start buyin some things..OH! and I guess I
need to get our tickets and visas...we have passports. oh
well....I'll wait till the last minute like I always do
lolol...wouldnt be any fun if I werent frantic.....
48 and Fat but gonna be
50 and FABULOUS.....healthy too
Darlene in Tx

FYI, as common as a cold is, the virus' that cause colds are
multitude and always genetically changing. Scientists are unable to
keep up with how fast they change.
Thought I would just share that little tidbit David. LOL
Deidre

Robin, have you sent that list of meds to DrMarchesini. I would send
him that list and see what he wants you to continue up until your
surgery date and what he wants you to discontinue and when.
Ultimatley he should decide what you need pre-op since he is operating
(eg the aspirin which is and anti-coagulant, which I never have seen
him recommend)
Just a thought.
Deidre

Hi Everyone,
If we can find a cure for obesity I don't know why we can't find a cure for
the common cold. *sniff cough sneeze*
Clear Skies,
Dave "coughing sneezing sniffling and achy" in Ohio
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch by Dr. Marchesini in
Curitiba, Brazil
July 6, 2004
Highest Weight: 450lbs (BMI 72.6)
Surgery Weight: 377lbs (BMI 60.8)
Weight on September 6: 305lbs (BMI 49.2)
Total loss on September 6: -72lbs

Bev,
It is good to hear you are doing well. I am so excited to hear about
your progress. I am excited that I will be in Brazil in 37 days.
Robin G
DS on 10/26/04

I am starting again, I was posting this question before and lost it
somewhere, I hope I don't post this 2 times. It is early and I am
not awake yet.
I am taking a load of pills preop as recommended by my pcp, I am
reading so many posts here and in other groups about taking meds,
vitamins etc. I am getting crazy with all the info.
I have noticed a lot of nausea lately, I am thinking it is from all
the pills I am taking. I worry that it will not go away and even get
worse after surgery. I don't know what to do about it.
Here is a list of the meds I take now:
in am:
1 nexium
with Breakfast
1 Zoloft 100mg
1 Buspar 30mg
1 Multi vit
1 extra folic acid
1 b-12
later in day:
1 biotin for hair
1 zinc for hair and skin
1 81mg aspirin for preop
In PM:
1 Zoloft 100mg for a total of 200mg
1 Buspar 30mg for tatal of 60 mg.
1 flax seed oil capsule for misc.
I feel like I am already taking a boat load of pills. I don't know
how I would fit anything else in like Calcium etc..
Does anyone else have the nausea like I do? It is getting
frustrating. I have tried taking before meals, during meals, after
meals, even on empty stomach (which is usually worse!) I can't seem
to get away from this nausea that attacts me out of the blue during
the day.
Robin G
Confused in St. Louis
DSing Oct 26th

That is great Deb. What a relief. I am so happy that you got good
news. I'll gladly join the others in doing the hoppy dance for ya!
Andrea
D/S with Dr. Marchesini on 5/5/04
204/138/100

Joining you in the great big hoppy dance! Hugs, Sherry
Deborah Powell <Nightsewer@...
I had my colonoscopy and my
endoscopy and guess what? I AM GOING TO LIVE. A long and happy
life.
Sherry Head
High 290 1/13/04 Pre-op 260.5 8/28/04 192.0 Total Loss 68.5 Weekly loss/gain
2.0
Diabetes cured
I has met the enemy and he is us! - Pogo

I am doing the great big hoppy dance. I had my colonoscopy and my
endoscopy and guess what? I AM GOING TO LIVE. A long and happy
life. The doctor told my hubby that my stomache and colon were in
perfect shape!!!! He says that he doesn't know where the positive
reading in my stool sample came from but everything inside was is
great shape.
I say HURRAY. Now I can get on with my life. I just knew in my
heart that everything was going to be ok inside. They still can't
tell me WHAT it is that is hard except that it is "probably" a
hematoma. So I am just going back to Curves and get on with
whatever it was that I was doing. (Now what was it that I was
doing?) Oh yeah, new shelves in the sewing room.
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I just know that
is what made everything turn out so good. Even Ivan has just gone
the other way. Good for me, bad for New Orleans.
Thank you again. I love all you wonderful people.
PS. has anyone in Brazil heard about Dawn from Valrico, Florida?
How is her surgery going?
Deborah Powell
86 pounds lighter
1000000000 pounds happier

so hard
Margie,
I like soybeans(edamames)either the frozen ones and I steam them with
a bit of salt or the roasted ones that come with salt. They have lots
of proetein for a small amount and they dont taste anything like the
soy in milk or protein drinks.
Deidre

Hi Vicki, sorry to get back to you so late. To make a long story
short, i was stuck in Sao Paulo for 3 days, got home last
wednesday.My internet was down for the past week, got hooked up
today.
I returned to work on friday, had a very difficault time, very weak
and lightheaded, not sure how i made it through the 8hrs! Everyday
things keep getting better. I am now researching what vitamins to
buy, plan to buy them this weekend.
I am a bit concerned about my incision, the lower half of it....the
scar is much wider, noticed it 5 days ago, it does not look infected
and i have not had any drainage for the past 4 days.
I weighed last friday ...now at 271...about 20lbs since surgery! How
about you?
Isha

Hi Folks,
I continue to make good progress, altho my eyes are bothering me
just a bit, so I haven't been online much, the past couple of days.
It could be the after effects from anesthesia, or ??? Dr. M says
it's nothing to worry about, it will improve soon. It's
bleariness,more than anything.
Durval was here last evening to change my bandages and said both
Dawn and Kate had done well, in surgery.
Diane left a few hours ago for home. We had breakfast together this
morning, and I'll surely miss her. She left in good spirits.
I hope everyone else is doing well.
Hugs from Curitiba
Bev

I' don't get it...
So two seperate faces dissolved at the same rate as one face?
huh! Do you think that crushing it would help the dissolving process?
Konstantin
Maybe so Andy =) So, I did a lil experiment LOL I took a whole citrical and
another broken in 1/2 and dropped em in water to see which melted quicker
and
they seemed to do so at the same rate. So I dunno if it matters but the pill
is
so hard to break my pill cutter wont do it so I bite it. Yuck I know but it
seems to have no taste. So now I am alternating between whole if I am
hurried
or biting and swallowing 2 pieces if I have time. Not sure tho if it matters
but hey it couldnt hurt! LOL
The things we do! LOL
margie

In a message dated 9/10/04 9:24:50 PM, mrandybaker@... writes:
Maybe so Andy =) So, I did a lil experiment LOL I took a whole citrical and
another broken in 1/2 and dropped em in water to see which melted quicker and
they seemed to do so at the same rate. So I dunno if it matters but the pill is
so hard to break my pill cutter wont do it so I bite it. Yuck I know but it
seems to have no taste. So now I am alternating between whole if I am hurried
or biting and swallowing 2 pieces if I have time. Not sure tho if it matters
but hey it couldnt hurt! LOL
The things we do! LOL
margie

Darlene,
I hope that everything works out okay this morning. You're in my thoughts and
prayers.
Best Wishes,
Janice

Hi everyone, I read your posts every day, but I myself dont post
much...but thought i would give an update....Insurance might be
paying for my surgery, do not know for sure...If anyone remebers I
tried LAST november for a lap band(glad I dint, cus I found out
about the DS)the surgeon at that time(well his office staff) called
me on Jan 7th and said my insurance denied me, because thier was an
exclusion, I have been talking to our HR person all this time, about
changing our policy, so that it would be included, she(hr. person)
told me last month that they were thinking of changing companies in
the new year, and for me to talk to the city treasurer, because she
is the one that decides all the insurance things, and to tell her
that i wanted this surgery included in the policy. So I talked to
the city treasurer and she said it WAS on our policy, so I told her
what happned to me, she said I gaurentee you, it is in our policy,
so she sent me to the man who sold her the policy, he got out the
handbook(which for some reason I can not get a copy of) and it says
in black in white, that we are covered...I threw a small fit, and he
called the main office and talked to the office manager...the office
manager did a search and can find no record of it anywhere, no files
at all, nothing stating an office visit was paid for, I tend to
belive him, because I had got a bill from the first surgeon stating
insurance woudnt pay and that I had to pay for the visit)anyway the
office manager said they had no record of anything, he also said
that if I had been denied because they had stated it was excluded
(when it was not)that they themselves could get in trouble..I fill
he was being honost with me.Anyway the long and short of it, is now
I have a orientation class with a doctor in ohio. then I will get
all the info that they want and then have an appointment with the
surgeon, and he will then send all the info into insurance and we
will see if i am covered...
this surgeon does not do the stiches that Doc.M does, which I wish
he did, he also dont have you wear a binder, which i will anyway.I
hear tell he also does not have you do a liquid diet, then soft
stage for very long at all, matter of fact he has you eating
regular, he says you can eat anything as long as it is not beef, as
that is to hard to digest...but since reading this board, I AM going
to wear a binder, for as long as I can stand it, hopefully for 3
months!! And I am going to do the soft stage...but I need to know,
how long does Doc M have you on the differnt stages? On the liquid
stage is it clear liquids only for 2 weeks, then other,liquids(like
yougert) for 2 weeks, then on to soft?I just threw in the number 2
couse im not sure of the time frame....I just think by reading the
differnt boards that I would need to do the differnt stages, so that
my tummy would have more time to recuperate..I mean I do not want to
eat a piece of chicken and have it open up the stiches, cus they
were not closed yet...if that makes since...
Also it seems like no one (doctor) can agree on anything, some say
fat is your friend, others say no fat, or as low fat as you can
get...What is Doc. M's stance on this....the reason I ask is I like
fried turkey nuggets, and that would be a way for me to get in
protein. Well this is getting realllly long so i will let yall go,
so you can rest your eyes now!! LOL
steph

Kate called from Curitiba, groggy but doing fine.
Kathy P

Hay Darlene!
I hope all goes well with the test. I am thinking good positive
thoughts for you. Good Luck! Hugs!!
Robin G

I just wanted to remind everyone about what Darlene is going
through. Please say a prayer for her whenever you can tonight and
tomorrow. She called yesterday and was really worried about her big
test this morning and then the results that she will find out
tomorrow morning(Wednesday) about the mass on her kidney. Her
husband is out of the country and she needs our prayers tonight and
especially tomorrow when she goes to the doctor to discuss the
results. She feels the outcome is going to be bad. Let's pray not.
We love you, Darlene.
We're here for you.
Lisa

You are to wonderful to give me all this info. I found just what I
wanted. Thank you so much Dave!!
Robin G
switching Oct 26th

"deidre_carbone" wrote: chicken in mole sauce; What is this?
A. Rick Bayless, host of the PBS series Mexico One Plate at a Time
and author of the companion cookbook (Canada, UK) sums up the
classic Mexican sauce in a little less than two pages. He says the
mole, derived from the Aztec word for sauce, is the national dish of
Mexico, as important as the Thanksgiving turkey is to Americans, but
served more frequently. Unlike the American characterization of mole
as a "chocolate sauce", the chocolate is almost incidental; mole
(and he refers to it consistently as red mole) is essentially a red
chile sauce with tomatillos that is thickened and enriched with nuts
and seeds and augmented by various spices.
Mole is a variety of sauces in Mexican cuisine. In English, it often
refers to a specific sauce more properly called "mole poblano".
The most popular kinds come from the Mexican states of Puebla and
Oaxaca, and there is an annual national mole fair in the town of San
Pedro Actopan in the Milpa Alta borough of Mexico's Federal
District, on the southern outskirts of Mexico City.
Mole poblano, whose name comes from the Mexican state of Puebla, is
very popular in Mexico. Mole poblano is prepared with chilis,
spices, unsweetened chocolate, and a variety of other ingredients.
Various stories exist about its invention, but none are generally
accepted. Mexico's national dish is mole poblano de guajalote, or
turkey prepared with mole poblano.
Mole can be bought ready-made from local markets or supermarkets. It
comes as a kind of paste or powder that can vary in colour from deep
black to green or even yellow depending on the ingredients used. In
modern supermarkets and corner-shops mass-produced mole is sold
either canned, in glass jars, or in cubes that can be dissolved in
water.
Mike Adams
Surgery 6/30/2004
Dr Marchesini
SW / CW / GW
450 / 365 / 250-210

Hi Robin,
The Dale Bariatric Binder comes in 3 sizes. They are 60", 72"-84", and
82"-94". If your waist size is under 60" I would order the 60" one. If its
between 60-80 then I'd order the 72"-80" one.
The model numbers are DAL818 (60") DAL819 (72"-84") DAL820 (82"-94")
I ordered mine from Medical Supply Group http://tinyurl.com/3hpnc
Clear Skies,
Dave in Ohio
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch by Dr. Marchesini in
Curitiba, Brazil
July 6, 2004
Highest Weight: 450lbs (BMI 72.6)
Surgery Weight: 377lbs (BMI 60.8)
Weight on September 6: 305lbs (BMI 49.2)
Total loss on September 6: -72lbs

I don't think it does. I've used it for years. Before we could get it in the US
we could import it from Canada and that's what I did. I have a huge sweet tooth
and use lots of it. I'm not reacting to it. Besides saccharine is mildly
carcinogenic and aspartame slows down weight loss. Stick with Splenda.
Carole
saipanmom <jkrdrmom@...
Hi,
What is splenda? I know it is some kind of sweetener, but I didn't
know it had side effects. What are the side effects?
Robin

Kathy, there has been a re-thinking about the amunt of protein a DSer needs. Dr.
M says we need to eat the equivalent in protein of a 10 oz. steak, or 70 grams.
It makes getting our protein a lot easier. One of my favorite ways of doing it
has been to mix a scoop of vanilla Unjury in diet Snapple orange. Now Crystal
Light is making an orange flavor and I'll try that. I hate the bars though.
Thank goodness there are other sources of protein other than meat since I'm
still throwing up meat and poultry. All seafood has been just fine so far.
Carole
Kathy P <saintsnsinners@...
Becca,
How far out from your surgery are you?
You need to be eating as close to 100 grams of protein a day as you
can as soon as you can!
You have to fool yourself with "sweet meats" ie.:
chicken in mole sauce;
baked beans, the sugary maple kind;
piccadillo (easy version=ground beef cooked and drained mix in some
catsup, some raisens chopped green peppers and onions and cinnamon
and hot pepper if you like)
and MY personal favorite is bbqued pork that I make up in large
amounts and freeze in individual portions and I eat it for a quick
b'fast!
You get the idea, protein PLUS something sweet. If you have meatloaf
then add that piquant sauce using catsup chinese mustard and brown
sugar to dip it in. Or chicken nuggets and honey dipping sauce.
Also, VERY eggy (almost custard) french toast with real maple syrup
and lots of crispy bacon, crepes with cottage cheese in and
strawberry jam on top, with a slice of ham to nibble in between
sweet bites.
That's how many folks get their protein in.
For sweet treats I personally cook with a combo of:
A)herbal sugar substitutes (stevia);
B)some chemically sugar subs, I use the pink stuff (SweetnLow)
because I feel it has less harmful side effects than Equal or
Splenda but YMMV on that.
C) I eat "good" sugars like raw cane, molasses, etc. I've been
known to eat a big bite or two right off the mexican raw sugar that
comes in a cone shape!!!! dried fruits are a great option too for a
nonprotein snack
And last but not least.......
D) real white sugar. If I want it I eat it , but only after I've had
my protein.
Hope this helps a little

How do you measure for one? I have found some sites, but they don't
say how to measure. I have seen a few sizes, but I want to get the
right one that will also be adjustable. I am leaning toward the Dale
Binder.
Thanks
Robin G

Wendy,
I'm sooo happy for you too!!! At least I'm not having GERD, just
ulcer type twinges in the actual stomach. Its an hereditary
thing!!!!
Kathy P

Becca,
How far out from your surgery are you?
You need to be eating as close to 100 grams of protein a day as you
can as soon as you can!
You have to fool yourself with "sweet meats" ie.:
chicken in mole sauce;
baked beans, the sugary maple kind;
piccadillo (easy version=ground beef cooked and drained mix in some
catsup, some raisens chopped green peppers and onions and cinnamon
and hot pepper if you like)
and MY personal favorite is bbqued pork that I make up in large
amounts and freeze in individual portions and I eat it for a quick
b'fast!
You get the idea, protein PLUS something sweet. If you have meatloaf
then add that piquant sauce using catsup chinese mustard and brown
sugar to dip it in. Or chicken nuggets and honey dipping sauce.
Also, VERY eggy (almost custard) french toast with real maple syrup
and lots of crispy bacon, crepes with cottage cheese in and
strawberry jam on top, with a slice of ham to nibble in between
sweet bites.
That's how many folks get their protein in.
For sweet treats I personally cook with a combo of:
A)herbal sugar substitutes (stevia);
B)some chemically sugar subs, I use the pink stuff (SweetnLow)
because I feel it has less harmful side effects than Equal or
Splenda but YMMV on that.
C) I eat "good" sugars like raw cane, molasses, etc. I've been
known to eat a big bite or two right off the mexican raw sugar that
comes in a cone shape!!!! dried fruits are a great option too for a
nonprotein snack
And last but not least.......
D) real white sugar. If I want it I eat it , but only after I've had
my protein.
Hope this helps a little

It's a tough language because of pronunciation that's totally different than
ours. Although ours is just as w