[ChuppyGirl]

Hi DocSanae,

yesterday I met with my surgeon and he told me couple of facts, I want to verify them

1) he has noticed with all the old gastric banding patients who have switched to gastric by bass that their WL rate is slower than the patients who have done the by pass directly. Does that have to do with the body has got programmed to the starvation mode in the first WLS, so the motabolic rate gets slower?

2) is it true that with the RNY WLS it is expected to lose 50% or the total excess weight in the first 9 months, and another 50% of the remaining weight in the next 9 months (for me I have 90 kg extra weight so I'm supposed to lose 45kg in the first 9 months, then 22.5 in the next nine months and after that it will be beyond the honeymoon stage and then all will be dependant on how good I am in losing the rest!)

3) he refused to request a blood work for me he thinks it's too early!! he recommended after 6 months of the surgery date! is that true and if not can you tell me what are the tests I need to do I can go to any private lab and request whatever tests I will PM with the results is that OK?

He was a bit cold with my total WL kg's, was my score that bad??

Thank you

Hanadi

[DocSanae]

Hi Chuppy,

Now, let's see.

1) Could be. I don't think there is comprehensive data though, on such a comparison or of any comparative study.
BUT...it may be due to something else. You need to ask yourself, why did your banding fail? Keep in mind, weightloss surgery in whatever form, is a tool and only a tool. Ultimately, it is going to be the patience and stubborness to make the right choices with food both in portions and in balance that will keep you at goal. If you can do this, you will be successful, whether it be banding or gbs or whatever. If you go back to your old eating habits whatever your choice of surgery is, eventually, your weight will creep back up. That's why so many of you who've had the surgery are scared that they will regain their weight. You need to keep a dilligent watch over yourself the rest of your life. SO...it may be that with patients who've had revision from banding, that it's just that it's harder for them to change their eating accordingly.

2) NIH's guideline for successful gbs says maintainance of a loss of 60-70% of their excess weight for over 10 years. The usual theory is that you lose 50% of that in the first 6 months, 25% (half of the remainng excess weight) in the next 6 months, and the last 25% in the next 6 to 12 months, the total "honeymoon" being 18-24 months. So, the endpoint is basically the same as your surgeon says. Don't fret or panic if you don't lose the way it's generally said that you should lose. Everyone is different, and you will eventually get to goal, so long as you work dilligently on yourself.

3) I don't think it's too early to get a blood lab done at 3 months, you are in a starvation mode, so you need to be aware of the level of your vitamins and minerals since the symptoms of their deficiency may take time to appear, so better to be sure your levels are fine. If you think that you've been slacking with your supplements, you need to be careful. You could ask your family dr to run a lab exam for you, and in that case, your dr can tell you if you are doing fine or not. Ask for your blood count, routine standard lab plus vitamins and mineral levels including calcium. It would be better for you to have your labs done and the results interpreted by a dr who is in personal contact with you because he/she can explain to you in person, and will also have access to the standard normal range data of the specific labs. I do not think any lab will run a blood exam for you without orders and directions from a medical doctor, it would be against the law of any country that has comprehensive laws regarding professional capacity and licensure.

Your weightloss is going fine, don't worry about what your surgeon said. Your body will make it in its own time, not in the timeline you have in your mind. Keep in mind, you need to take life on its own terms, life is not going to come to you on your terms. It's hard, you'll get impatient, both with yourself and others, over and over, but work on being patient, it is all going to be worth all your trials and troubles.

(((((((((((HUGS))))))))))

[fr1endly2]

JUST wanted to let you know my surgeon didnt do blood work on me till after the first 6 months! SO i wouldnt worry on that, unless there is a problem that needs addressing. ALSO your looseing fine and i wouldnt worry about what he said.
NO two people loose the same no matter what the circumstances. JUST enjoy and the weight will come off.

hugzzzzzzzzzzzz

[ChuppyGirl]

Doc Sanae and Lisa,

Thank you very much for the clarification. I will take the shot today and will visit the family doctor and ask him/her to request the blood work testes and will keep you posted.

I'm in a hurry will catch you later.

Love ya all :*
Hanadi

[Pillows]

Hanadi...the only reason I had bloodwork done already was because there were a few symptoms of problems there so I just went to my PCP and requested to have it done. I don't actually know if my surgeon even knows that I had any of it done. I don't go back to him until sometime in october or december...I think...hmmmm. Best of luck sweetie.
Janae