Hello All:
My name is Eric W and I am a DS patient that was switched by Dr. John Rabkin in late August 2008. I am a 52 year old husband and father or two grown sons. I live in NE Washington State on Lake Roosevelt. I am coming to this site with the hopes of gaining knowledge, information, and support to help me save my life and get on track with a vitamin and nutrition regimin that I can learn and follow.
The bottom line is this. Since my procedure in 2008 I have not had a daily vitamin or protein intake or regimine. I went from 450 lbs pre-op to a low of 240 a year or so later (I'm 6' 1"). I have put 40 of that back on in the last two years but have held around 280 for over a year. I am fully aware of the commitment and obligation that came with my procedure and it was explained to me fully. I got a normal batch of vit's early on but had a lot of stomch discomfort trying to take them. With time I eventually quite trying and I never really got an understanding or really got my arms around the who vitamin thing and how it relates to the DS. I live in a town of 1500 or so with Spokane Washington being my closest major city. I have found no providers there that really even understand what the DS procedure is. I do see an endocinologist lately but I'm sure he doesnt fully understand as he writes me oil based D to take once weekly.
So, I am on a mission to get on top of my health and try to figure out this web of vitamin stuff and how it relates to my digestive system. My hope is that those of you with better knowledge and understanding will help me try to get to that place where I can be actively managing my own health. I am a quick learner and have a solid understanding in many other areas of life and business but I swear this vitamin management thing is like cryptonite to me.
I will have full labs done this week and will be scheduling to see Dr. Rabkin this month as well. I look forward to meeting and learning from any of you so inclined. I too have spent a lifetime of service to others though in this case I am probably a better example of what not to do at this point. I am glad to offer any help though I dont have much to offer on this topic at this time.
Thank you for taking time to read this, it is hard to openly admit such a catastrphic failure of such a wonderful gift (DS surgery)but I fear if I dont that I will not properly get my new direction started. Time for me to shine light on this and start driving the bus instead of just riding for free. Take care. Eric W