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I had Roux En Y Gastric Bypass weight loss surgery on May 17, 2010. Since then, I have learned many things through experience, research and nutritionists.
I wanted to have a place to share that knowledge. After all, knowledge is power! Also to have a place where others can add their own insights.
Please feel free to ask questions!
No topic off subject!
Have a question, tip, want me to add your website?
Send me an email. There is a form at the bottom of the page. I would love to hear from you!
Gtube for pending ERCP 5/11
Because of the Gastric Bypass, getting an ERCP led to some complications. I couldn't get the tube down my throat, like the non-WLS patient would. So the bariatric surgeon placed a non-working feeding tube into the bypassed part of my stomach.
It was annoying, I couldn't go swimming! It was in for the entire summer.
It is now out and the hole has closed up entirely.
125lbs gone, no more feeding tube.. YAY!
Looking at the picture, the hole was down to the left. It has completely closed up and just looks like another laproscopic war wound :)
I should have convinced him to do some lipo while he was in there poking around. LOL.. riiiiight.
This is me down 100lbs, 11 months after surgery.
Is Bariatric surgery for everyone? NO!
It's simply just a tool like Weight Watchers.
It does NOT replace hard work.
This is my lowest weight since 1984.
Update of past 6 months.... 4/17/11 (11 months post op)
Things were going great after last post. I got a job working from home, taking incoming calls from Sprint customers. Getting paid to talk on the phone? YES!
Towards the end of October, started to get a pain in my side. I went for a gall bladder ultrasound because at this point, I had lost 70 lbs and it was bound to crap out. Ultrasound showed nothing bad. So then I was send for a HIDA scan. (2 1/2 hours of not moving HELL!) The last part of the scan they injected me with particulates. It showed that I only had 4% use of my gall bladder. This was on a Tuesday, by Friday (11/12/10) I was at the Hospital to get gall bladder removed. I really wanted to wait until we got back from NJ, but they were afraid I would go septic by the time I got back on Nov 28th. No such luck. Surgery went fine and they kept me overnight for good measure.
Even though I had just started a job, I took 2 weeks off to go to NJ for my nephews Bar Mitzvah. Mazel Tov! He was awesome! Had a fantastic time! Anthony stole the show by dancing on the club cubes. He really got his freak on. Even though I had surgery a week earlier, the pain was minimal and really didn't stop me from doing anything.
After getting back from NJ, towards the end of November, is when things started going wrong. Still had pain in my side, just like before gall bladder removal. Also a tearing, burning feeling in the pit of my stomach. Went round and round with Bariatric surgeon, GI doc, ER docs, etc. It was always 'here, take this pill.. oh? that didn't work? try this one..that one had bad side effects? then take this one' REALLY???! No one was getting to the heart of the matter.
I now have a new GI doc who is great. He is originally from NJ as well, so we speak the same language. Out of all the docs I have been seeing lately, he is the ONLY one who figured out that I now have an enlarged, fatty liver. He feels that it got this way BECAUSE of the weight loss surgery. My liver thinks that my body is starving and is hoarding away fatty liver cells. Great.. (eye roll)... So I like this doc a lot, but he is also scratching his head trying to figure out the cause of the pain. He is trying to get me in on a special study at Missouri Baptist for post gall bladder removal pains. Keep your fingers crossed!
So now 11 months out from weight loss surgery and I FINALLY hit 'Onederland' YAY!!! Actually down 105 as of today (4/17/11) The last 5lbs just flew off. I hope it continues this way! My original goal was to get down to 180. The surgeon pointed out that I would still be 'obese' at that weight. Blah. So now I am aiming for 150. Realistically I will stop at whatever weight is right.
I am now considered obese, instead of morbidly obese. wooot! I also am no longer diabetic, off blood pressure meds and my triglycerides are down around 131 after being close to 500 for 2 decades. Just need to work on raising HDL which is still too low.
Towards the end of October, started to get a pain in my side. I went for a gall bladder ultrasound because at this point, I had lost 70 lbs and it was bound to crap out. Ultrasound showed nothing bad. So then I was send for a HIDA scan. (2 1/2 hours of not moving HELL!) The last part of the scan they injected me with particulates. It showed that I only had 4% use of my gall bladder. This was on a Tuesday, by Friday (11/12/10) I was at the Hospital to get gall bladder removed. I really wanted to wait until we got back from NJ, but they were afraid I would go septic by the time I got back on Nov 28th. No such luck. Surgery went fine and they kept me overnight for good measure.
Even though I had just started a job, I took 2 weeks off to go to NJ for my nephews Bar Mitzvah. Mazel Tov! He was awesome! Had a fantastic time! Anthony stole the show by dancing on the club cubes. He really got his freak on. Even though I had surgery a week earlier, the pain was minimal and really didn't stop me from doing anything.
After getting back from NJ, towards the end of November, is when things started going wrong. Still had pain in my side, just like before gall bladder removal. Also a tearing, burning feeling in the pit of my stomach. Went round and round with Bariatric surgeon, GI doc, ER docs, etc. It was always 'here, take this pill.. oh? that didn't work? try this one..that one had bad side effects? then take this one' REALLY???! No one was getting to the heart of the matter.
I now have a new GI doc who is great. He is originally from NJ as well, so we speak the same language. Out of all the docs I have been seeing lately, he is the ONLY one who figured out that I now have an enlarged, fatty liver. He feels that it got this way BECAUSE of the weight loss surgery. My liver thinks that my body is starving and is hoarding away fatty liver cells. Great.. (eye roll)... So I like this doc a lot, but he is also scratching his head trying to figure out the cause of the pain. He is trying to get me in on a special study at Missouri Baptist for post gall bladder removal pains. Keep your fingers crossed!
So now 11 months out from weight loss surgery and I FINALLY hit 'Onederland' YAY!!! Actually down 105 as of today (4/17/11) The last 5lbs just flew off. I hope it continues this way! My original goal was to get down to 180. The surgeon pointed out that I would still be 'obese' at that weight. Blah. So now I am aiming for 150. Realistically I will stop at whatever weight is right.
I am now considered obese, instead of morbidly obese. wooot! I also am no longer diabetic, off blood pressure meds and my triglycerides are down around 131 after being close to 500 for 2 decades. Just need to work on raising HDL which is still too low.
Weighing in... 10/27/10
I haven't really written anything or updated my notes lately. As of
yesterday 10/26/10 I am down 70lbs since surgery on May 17th of this
year. My triglycerides were over 450 for years, 3 months after surgery
they went down to 194. Expecting even better results next month for 6
month follow up lab work.
I started a new job a few weeks ago. Had to get a picture ID badge. HOLY HELL! I have seen pictures of myself and in the mirror (obviously) but was still blown away. I couldn't believe that was me! No more chipmunk cheek pictures for me!
WOOT!
I started a new job a few weeks ago. Had to get a picture ID badge. HOLY HELL! I have seen pictures of myself and in the mirror (obviously) but was still blown away. I couldn't believe that was me! No more chipmunk cheek pictures for me!
WOOT!
Post-surgery notes 5/29/10
Nah, its not that bad. Things were crazy right before the surgery and
then shortly after. Its tapering off now and things seem to be getting
better.
Two days before surgery on the 17th, who should happen to visit but AUNT FLO.... grrrrr... However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I went in for the surgery and everything went well. I had to be in ICU for a day because of the sleep apnea. Tracy in the ICU was a GODSEND!! It was like hanging out and being treated by my sister in law. They are even of the same vintage. Then they moved me down to a regular room.
Thats when issues started... It was over 80 degrees in the wierd shaped room. The nurses were awesome, but terrible at cleaning rooms. I was there from Tuesday thru Thursday and no one cleaned the room, changed the sheets, would give me new gowns.. NOTHING.. I had blood on pillows and sheets because I'm a bleeder.. There was blood in the bathroom, on the floor in the room, etc. Just horrible.
I was supposed to get out on Wednesday but my lab work was not looking good. They wound up doing 2 blood transfusions and then letting me go on Thursday. Thats the blessing in disguise of Aunt Flo.. I think if she had come later, after the hospital, things would have been bad.
Friday after the surgery I felt GREAT! Was walking all over the house dancing with my MP3 player. Later that afternoon is when things started getting icky. I had bad bad bad pain in left side, we thought it was gas. So we called the doc on call. Also, I couldnt take the lortab. Liquid vicadin... blech... So I asked him for Tylenol 3. Was much better. But I still had the pain in my side.
I go in Monday for my 1 week post op. My stomach is a massive bruise all across it. Stretching the staples. I thought it was normal because of all the work they did inside. Nope... doc maybe missed an intramuscular bleed or something? So he made a drain incision for the blood to come out. Working well.
Everything otherwise is going well. Adjusting to being a non smoker and re-learning how to eat.
Going back to doc on Tuesday to check on incision. I am going to really point out about the bulge in my side and how its getting bigger and warm... ugh.. :)
Two days before surgery on the 17th, who should happen to visit but AUNT FLO.... grrrrr... However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I went in for the surgery and everything went well. I had to be in ICU for a day because of the sleep apnea. Tracy in the ICU was a GODSEND!! It was like hanging out and being treated by my sister in law. They are even of the same vintage. Then they moved me down to a regular room.
Thats when issues started... It was over 80 degrees in the wierd shaped room. The nurses were awesome, but terrible at cleaning rooms. I was there from Tuesday thru Thursday and no one cleaned the room, changed the sheets, would give me new gowns.. NOTHING.. I had blood on pillows and sheets because I'm a bleeder.. There was blood in the bathroom, on the floor in the room, etc. Just horrible.
I was supposed to get out on Wednesday but my lab work was not looking good. They wound up doing 2 blood transfusions and then letting me go on Thursday. Thats the blessing in disguise of Aunt Flo.. I think if she had come later, after the hospital, things would have been bad.
Friday after the surgery I felt GREAT! Was walking all over the house dancing with my MP3 player. Later that afternoon is when things started getting icky. I had bad bad bad pain in left side, we thought it was gas. So we called the doc on call. Also, I couldnt take the lortab. Liquid vicadin... blech... So I asked him for Tylenol 3. Was much better. But I still had the pain in my side.
I go in Monday for my 1 week post op. My stomach is a massive bruise all across it. Stretching the staples. I thought it was normal because of all the work they did inside. Nope... doc maybe missed an intramuscular bleed or something? So he made a drain incision for the blood to come out. Working well.
Everything otherwise is going well. Adjusting to being a non smoker and re-learning how to eat.
Going back to doc on Tuesday to check on incision. I am going to really point out about the bulge in my side and how its getting bigger and warm... ugh.. :)
Pre-surgery notes...5/15/10
Wow, has this been a long, hard journey! I am so glad that its finally
almost here. I am sure everyone on FB is too, LOL, probably tired of
hearing me talk about it! Too bad, don't you know by now that I dont
shut up???
Just a few things that I wanted to say because I have received lots of messages/emails regarding this surgery..
Some of them have been supportive, informative, worried, cautious or just down right against it. SO I am going to start with the negatives and then end on a positive.
To those who are against it, think it's the easy way out, wont work, diet and exercise should do it instead of surgery, etc. Here is what I say to all of you...
I am sorry that you feel the way that you do, support is what I need right now. Not negativity. This is a decision that I did not make lightly nor am I am doing this for personal appearance. Between sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, GERD, not to mention just being overweight, I am at risk for bad things to happen.
This surgery is just a tool. It's not the answer. It's not the easy way out either. Along with making the decision to have this surgery, I am also committed to giving up some comfort foods. The size of my stomach is being reduced from 40-50oz down to about 1-2oz, I have to make sure that anything I put inside of me is beneficial. I also have to commit to taking nutritional supplements for the rest of my life. There are risks (other then surgical) such as malnutrition and dehydration that I am very well aware of. All of this has been taken into consideration and the pros far outweigh the cons. Hopefully I can get you to flip to the supportive side.
To those who are all for it... Here is what I say to you..
Thank you so much for understanding what I have chosen to do. If you see me falter along the way, slap the crap out of me!!! LOL I really don't see that happening. For everything I had to go through to get to this point, I will absolutely NOT screw up this opportunity.
I have chosen to make all of this very public for several reasons. By telling everyone how I am progressing and losing (in a GOOD way, weigh? lol!!!) , I am keeping myself accountable. For all that know me personally, I aim to please. Plus if someone else has had this surgery, needs support, thinking about getting it done, etc, I am here.
I think that sums up just about everything at this point. Wish me luck and hopefully the next time you see me, you will be seeing less of me. :) I also have a blog of all of this, if you would like the web addy, just let me know.
Thanks so much!! Fingers crossed and off I go...well, almost. Need to be at Des Peres Hospital (www.despereshospital.com) at 5:30 am Monday morning. Shower the night before and that morning with antibacterial soap, NPO after midnight and surgery starts at 8am. They will have me sent up to ICU after the surgery. Not sure how long I will have to be in ICU but probably released from hospital on Wednesday.
Just a few things that I wanted to say because I have received lots of messages/emails regarding this surgery..
Some of them have been supportive, informative, worried, cautious or just down right against it. SO I am going to start with the negatives and then end on a positive.
To those who are against it, think it's the easy way out, wont work, diet and exercise should do it instead of surgery, etc. Here is what I say to all of you...
I am sorry that you feel the way that you do, support is what I need right now. Not negativity. This is a decision that I did not make lightly nor am I am doing this for personal appearance. Between sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, GERD, not to mention just being overweight, I am at risk for bad things to happen.
This surgery is just a tool. It's not the answer. It's not the easy way out either. Along with making the decision to have this surgery, I am also committed to giving up some comfort foods. The size of my stomach is being reduced from 40-50oz down to about 1-2oz, I have to make sure that anything I put inside of me is beneficial. I also have to commit to taking nutritional supplements for the rest of my life. There are risks (other then surgical) such as malnutrition and dehydration that I am very well aware of. All of this has been taken into consideration and the pros far outweigh the cons. Hopefully I can get you to flip to the supportive side.
To those who are all for it... Here is what I say to you..
Thank you so much for understanding what I have chosen to do. If you see me falter along the way, slap the crap out of me!!! LOL I really don't see that happening. For everything I had to go through to get to this point, I will absolutely NOT screw up this opportunity.
I have chosen to make all of this very public for several reasons. By telling everyone how I am progressing and losing (in a GOOD way, weigh? lol!!!) , I am keeping myself accountable. For all that know me personally, I aim to please. Plus if someone else has had this surgery, needs support, thinking about getting it done, etc, I am here.
I think that sums up just about everything at this point. Wish me luck and hopefully the next time you see me, you will be seeing less of me. :) I also have a blog of all of this, if you would like the web addy, just let me know.
Thanks so much!! Fingers crossed and off I go...well, almost. Need to be at Des Peres Hospital (www.despereshospital.com) at 5:30 am Monday morning. Shower the night before and that morning with antibacterial soap, NPO after midnight and surgery starts at 8am. They will have me sent up to ICU after the surgery. Not sure how long I will have to be in ICU but probably released from hospital on Wednesday.