# Weight loss surgery dopers: I'm coming! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 4, 2006, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246 "2006-04-04T13:31:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/41 "2006-04-10T13:49:45Z")
\*\*norinew \*\* - how is what you’re having done different than the band (which is what I have) or the bypass? Will you have food restrictions (other than common sense ones)? (as in with the bypass, processed, refined sugars are a big no-no) ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/42 "2006-04-10T14:01:12Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > \*\*norinew \*\* - how is what you’re having done different than the band (which is what I have) or the bypass? Will you have food restrictions (other than common sense ones)? (as in with the bypass, processed, refined sugars are a big no-no) Well, what I’m having _is_ technically “gastric bypass”, but it’s _a_ gastric bypass, not _the_ gastric bypass, if you get the distinction. IOW, there are three different gastric bypass surgeries that I know of: the proximal Roux-ey-Y (often abbreviated RNY), the distal RNY, and the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (sometimes called the distal bypass with duodenal switch). Here’s the diff: **Lap Band** relies solely on restriction of how much food you can eat at any one time by, you know, putting the band around a portion of your stomach, therefore making it hold less. **Proximal RNY** relies _mostly_ on restriction of how much you can eat, but _partly_ on malabsorption. It gives you a stomach pouch that begins at about 1 oz. and slowly stretches to 2-3 oz., plus rearranges your intestines a little, so that the “common channel” where food and digestive juices mix, meaning that you absorb _fewer_ calories than you take in. **Distal RNY** gives you a slightly larger pouch (2 oz to start, stretching to 4-5 oz.) and a slightly _shorter_ common channel, allowing the malabsorption to play a larger (heh) roll. **BPD/DS** gives you a 4 oz. stomach, which stretches to 8-12 oz. over time, but a _much shorter_ common channel, and relies much more on the malabsorptive component. As for restrictions, once I get off of liquids and soft foods (the first couple of weeks), I’ll have to _always, for the rest of my life_ focus on protein first. What else I can and can’t have is up to my body, and there’s no way to predict what I’ll react badly to. Only experience and experimentation will tell. It’s a good idea to avoid most refined carbs, especially during the rapid weight loss phase, as about 90% of calories from carbs are absorbed, whereas only 10-20% of calories from proteins and fats are absorbed. So, fewer refined carbs=maximum weight loss. After I reach goal, it all depends on how my new tummy handles carbs. They could really bother me, or not. As you can see, they all have their advantages and drawbacks, which is why it’s a highly individual decision. All right, class, that’s enough for today. You’re all dismissed. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/43 "2006-04-10T14:02:59Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > \*\*norinew \*\* - how is what you’re having done different than the band (which is what I have) or the bypass? Will you have food restrictions (other than common sense ones)? (as in with the bypass, processed, refined sugars are a big no-no) With an RNY, simple carbs (sugar, refined flour, polished rice, etc) are no-nos, as well as fats. Dumping (unpleasant gastric distress) can occur on either or both; I personally dump on sugar alone. My wife dumps on fat. Some don’t dump at all, and with those that do dump, once your body adapts, you might stop dumping. The basic diet is a low carb one. Pick up any low carb diet book, go past the induction chapters, and there you go, your diet. I do on occasion eat white starches, and I also have been known to eat fatty stuff every so often. I don’t make a habit of it, and my tastes have changed. For example, the idea of eating corned beef hash makes me queasy, but it’s in my head, not my gut. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/44 "2006-04-10T14:12:19Z")
**VunderBob** , did you have a distal or a proximal? Howsabout the wife? Now that I’ve learned so much about all of it, I’m fascinated by it, and want to hear everyone’s details (yep, even the TMI stuff). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/45 "2006-04-10T14:22:00Z")
> [@Veuve\_ClicquotNJ](#): > > Someone on the online support group was asked “So…how do you eat now that you don’t have any intestines?” :eek: Yeah, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, especially when it comes to weight loss. When I was dieting, I ended up telling people I was losing weight by cutting out sugar and processed foods, and by eating lean meats and lots of veggies. If I said I was doing Atkins, people always asked if I got sick of eating just bacon and fried eggs. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/46 "2006-04-10T14:25:07Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > If I said I was doing Atkins, people always asked if I got sick of eating just bacon and fried eggs. Y’know, I’m evil enough that if anyone said that to me, I’d feel obliged to reply that I eat bacon, fried eggs _and_ rude little people who spout off without knowing what they’re talking about. But that’s just me. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/47 "2006-04-10T14:36:59Z")
\*\*VunderBob \*\* - I understand that about the bypass, my question was ‘how is **norinew** ’s procedure different’ from what you or I had or is it just another name for the RNY? ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/48 "2006-04-10T14:43:34Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > \*\*VunderBob \*\* - I understand that about the bypass, my question was ‘how is **norinew** ’s procedure different’ from what you or I had or is it just another name for the RNY? I hope my post answered that. If you want more info, just ask. I’ve been investigating this so long, I probably know more than the surgeon! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/49 "2006-04-10T14:49:18Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > **VunderBob** , did you have a distal or a proximal? Howsabout the wife? Now that I’ve learned so much about all of it, I’m fascinated by it, and want to hear everyone’s details (yep, even the TMI stuff). 😉 I guess it was distal. I asked the surgeon, and he said he bypassed 140 cm, which is right on the dividing line between the two types. Both of us had it, and we’re both -100 lbs at least. I’m at -110, she’s a little more, but has a longer way to go. I’m not sure what you want in the TMI department. My only longterm intolerance (foods that cause me troubles not related to dumping) is stringy meat of any type. White meat poultry is the worst, with tough beef a close second. Dark meat poultry, and really tender beef like tenderloin is fine. Adolph’s meat tenderizer will be your new friend, BTW… Ask away. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/50 "2006-04-10T14:53:39Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > \*\*VunderBob \*\* - I understand that about the bypass, my question was ‘how is **norinew** ’s procedure different’ from what you or I had or is it just another name for the RNY? The DS has a much less radical treatment to the stomach than I had, and the intestines are structured differently. Her procedure relies more on the malabsorbsion than mine does, but it happens in both. FWIW, the DS is the most complicated of the surgical types. Also, one of the side effects of all WLS types is gas, but the DS patients have it the worst. Beano is everyone’s friend… ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/51 "2006-04-10T14:56:40Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > The DS has a much less radical treatment to the stomach than I had, and the intestines are structured differently. Her procedure relies more on the malabsorbsion than mine does, but it happens in both. FWIW, the DS is the most complicated of the surgical types. > > Also, one of the side effects of all WLS types is gas, but the DS patients have it the worst. Beano is everyone’s friend… I have several post-op friends for whom ginger and peppermint both work very well in curbing the gas thing. ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/52 "2006-04-10T15:08:54Z")
I am almost 18 months out & chicken is still a 50/50 proposition for me, yet strangely, I can eat beef without a hitch. No one believes me, but I’ve not had anything with over 7 grams of sugar per serving since my surgery. I’m scared that I’ll dump - and even worse, I’m scared I _won’t_ dump, which would give me the green light to eat sugar. So - I just assume the worst. There are plenty of SF & no sugar added products out there, and the upside is most of them aren’t that good, so I don’t overindulge 😃 Other than the above-mentioned chicken, I’ve had absolutely no side effects. I’m just starting to have my PS consultations, which other than the approximately $30K it’s going to cost for factory modifications, I’m hoping will go off without a hitch as well 😛 VCNJ~ ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/53 "2006-04-10T15:19:10Z")
I had awful post-op “gas” but I was told tradtional remedies won’t do much as the gas wan’t really in the digestive tract, but in the body cavity itself\*, and would dissipate with massage and exercise. So I spent day two lying on my back and rubbing my stomach (ever so gently) \*this may be unique to the banding procedure ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2006, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/54 "2006-04-10T15:22:09Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > I had awful post-op “gas” but I was told tradtional remedies won’t do much as the gas wan’t really in the digestive tract, but in the body cavity itself\*, and would dissipate with massage and exercise. So I spent day two lying on my back and rubbing my stomach (ever so gently) > \*this may be unique to the banding procedure That’s gas related to the surgery itself, and only lasts a couple of days. My reference is to digestive gas. Depending on what I eat, I could audition as an extra in the remake of **Blazing Saddles** … ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/55 "2006-04-11T00:27:09Z")
The gas in the body cavity thing is common to all abdominal surgeries, I think. I had it after my laparoscopic surgery, and it was worse than the pain of the surgery itself. I have a bad shoulder from a fall, and the gas went right to that shoulder and set it on fire. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/56 "2006-04-11T01:42:50Z")
As promised, here are some shots, before and after [May 10th, 2005](http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/VunderBob/atgrad3.jpg) , a month before surgery. [Tonight](http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/VunderBob/10apr06-229lb.jpg) , -110 lbs. Sorry that all my t-shirts are too big. That was the clingiest one I have and it still looks big on me. This one is me right around Thanksgiving, trying on my [suit](http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/VunderBob/suit4.jpg) that fit me when I had surgery. It’s a trophy now… ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/57 "2006-04-11T01:45:38Z")
Wow, **VunderBob**! Congratulations on a job well done!! ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/58 "2006-04-11T01:56:51Z")
Since I occasionally drone on about my gastric bypass, I thought y’all might be interested in some [pics](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7285600&postcount=56) I just posted in another thread… ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/59 "2006-04-11T01:57:51Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > they ended up putting her toenails in esophagus and it costs her a _fortune_ to get a pedicure. . .I’m gonna puke! But then you could literally throw up your toenails! 😛 d&r ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246/60 "2006-04-11T01:59:21Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > Since I occasionally drone on about my gastric bypass, I thought y’all might be interested in some [pics](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7285600&postcount=56) I just posted in another thread… I’m such a dumbass. That was meant for the MMP. :smack: Oh, friendly mods… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-surgery-dopers-im-coming/351246.md?page=4)