| F A Q |
| BEFORE SURGERY
Can't I just diet? You can! You can diet and diet and diet. There is a reason why the diet industry is making billions of dollars- DIETS DON'T WORK. Don't get me wrong, weight loss surgeons want to make money too but most of them are serious about helping the obese live longer lives. Many people will tell you that all it takes is willpower or "if you would just not eat seconds or dessert, etc". Of course, these are the people that never experienced how it feels to weigh 300+ pounds, be discriminated against, laughed at, unable to fit in seats, etc. If the obese don't have willpower, I don't think anyone does. It takes so much strength and so much power just to wake up everyday knowing how awful society makes you feel. So, if you want to try another diet, do it. If you have questioning thoughts, then maybe the duodenal switch procedure is not right for you (yet!). |
| What if my family is against me having the surgery?
Having any type of weight loss surgery is a serious undertaking. It is very important that you have support so you can have a stress free and uneventful recovery. So what do you do when your family is against the surgery? Many family members are not actually against the surgery but are fearful of possible outcomes and need to be educated about the surgery. It is your job to fill them in on the benefits, possible risks, aftercare and other aspects of the surgery. Once you have decided to have the surgery, help your family realize that you are making the right choice. What should you do if you have tried to convince them that it is a wise choice, but they are still against it? This is always tough, since it may mean not having the surgery if it's a husband or wife that refuses to go along with your decision. You need to stay firm in your decision and make it clear that it is your life that is in danger without the help of surgery. If possible, get a third party involved. A counselor, clergy or friend that will help your significant other in understanding your decision If you are going into the surgery without family or friends, find yourself an angel. On the duodenal switch email list, there are plenty of people that would be willing to help you while in the hospital and afterwards. Never give up! |
| Why do they have to REMOVE part of the stomach in the DS?
The idea of partial stomach removal is a stumbling block for some people who are considering the Duodenal Switch procedure. However, it needn�t be as scary as all that. The DS stomach is left essentially as a smaller version of its former self, with all of the functionality of an unoperated stomach -- just as nature intended it, only smaller. The DS procedure�s partial gastrectomy divides the stomach along the greater curvature, and the part that is removed is nothing more than a mass of acid-producing tissue. Removal of that mass of tissue (and thus the acids it would create) eliminates the danger of ulcer formation, which would be difficult to diagnose and treat if that stomach tissue were stapled off or transected and not removed (left �blind�, as in the RNY procedure). In DS patients, the remaining stomach is very close to "natural". The pyloric valve continues to function normally, and the lower part of the stomach (the antrum) continues its function to churn food into the proper consistency for nutrient absorption in the gut. The DS stomach will eventually (after 18 months or so) expand to hold a small- to normal-sized meal, with weight loss being maintained by the malabsorption component of the procedure. The DS stomach will never go back to its original size. By contrast, the RNY procedure transforms the stomach into a tiny ~1oz. �pouch� with an artificial outlet to the small intestine. The pyloric valve is excluded, along with most of the stomach and all of the duodenum. They are left, unfunctional, behind the rib cage. (Theoretically, in case of serious problems, the surgery could be reversed, and the natural stomach could be used again.) After the DS procedure, there would never be a need for reversal of the stomach portion, since it retains all of its functional anatomy. |
| Will I experience hair loss?
some patients will experience hair loss to varying degrees, usually starting from 4 to 6 months after surgery and continuing for several months. doctors say that the best way to avoid or minimize hair loss is to make sure you consume enough protein, and adhere strictly to your post-op vitamin regimen as advised by your surgeon. Tair. Regardless of how this issue affects you, the good news is that the hair will grow back! |
| AFTER SURGERY
How can I minimize my risk of blood clots? the most important thing a patient can do to prevent the formation of blood clots is to get up and walking as quickly as possible after surgery. |
| Will I have a problem with foul gas and loose bowels There are several remedies that you can use to minimize the problem: � Avoid high-fat foods. This is probably the most effective way to combat the problem. Many people report that they suffer from this problem most when they eat fatty foods. Through trial and error, you will learn what your system can and can�t tolerate. � |
| Will my medications be properly absorbed after surgery?
Most medications, including birth control pills, will be completely absorbed. However, timed-release or coated medications may not be fully absorbed after a distal bypass. A good way to test your pill is to put one of them in a clear glass of water -- if it dissolves in 20-30 minutes, it should absorb well when you swallow it as usual. Remember, as your weight decreases, so may your dosage requirements for some medications. It is important to talk to your primary care physician about all of your prescriptions, and to follow your surgeon�s post-operative instructions regarding those, as well as over-the-counter medications. |
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