KimBo36
October 25, 2008
I'm at a strange point. My life is really going well. I'm 38, my son is three years old now and doing great, I'm nearing graduation to receive my bachelors degree, I have a decent full time job, a good hubby....but in the meanwhile I've lost control of my weight and I find myself at 5'3" approaching 180 again (or maybe I've reached it, I've hidden my scale). I have a lot of aches and pains, my back primarily has been pinching my sciatic (sp) nerve and I limp often...I've been to a number of doctors a number of times and just seem to get a run around. MRI's and X-rays don't show anything other than inflammation. I'm going to just blame it on being fat. I'm here on this site today after being away for a couple of years to see what's new in the world of weightloss surgery (if there are any "tweeks" that can be done). I don't think I've gone out of my way to sabbatoge my weightloss surgery...it's been a gradual unraveling. This is my first step to try to get myself back on track and loose about 30 lbs before I find myself at 280 again :( . I keep telling myself that once I'm completely done with school in the spring I will start a workout routine (I do spend a lot of time studying right now...oh, and eating). Off to see what's going on in the world of WLS...any questions, insights or suggestions are welcomed.
Thanks!
2006:I hope no one took my advice to join LWE to exercise :(. I was told that I could cancel my contract with a 30 day written notice...which I did (or thought I did)...and lo-and-behold, a yr & half later, I'm getting collection notices....LeAnn W. lied to me and did not cancel the contract as she stated she would. I'm so sorry if I encouraged anyone else to join and they have had similar experiences :(
April 6, 06 Well it's been nearly 5 yrs ago that I had my gastric bypass surgery. I'd say it was quite a success. I never did make it to the skinny minny I hoped to be, but I average 152 lbs...a little chunky for a 5'2" woman....but it sure beats being 5'2" and 282 lbs!!! I have a gorgeous baby boy who is almost 10 months old now. Between working full time and taking care of a baby I don't have as much time to fret over my weight...which is actually rather liberating, considering five yrs ago my life was all consumed by my weight....best wishes to all on their weight loss journey...
June 10, 05. Hello everyone...I am in my last month of pregnancy. I feel that it's been a pretty good one, despite having my blood pressure spik in the third trimester (often a sign of pre-eclampsia...a potentially devastating condition...I'm being watched for it, nothing so far, thank GOD (yet again)). The blood pressure issue is not related to my gastric bypass...it actually can occur in any pregnant woman. I'm on maternity leave early because of it, but my spirits are good...hubby and I know we're having a little boy, and since I am 37 weeks along, he can come at any point and be considered a full term baby....we are soooo excited, and really can't wait to meet the little guy...the nursery is done, my bag is packed, I am READY for the next chapter of my life to begin. The mommy years! OK, my weight has behaved...I have to attribute it to the gastric bypass though...early in the pregnancy I started to go into a food trance, thinking I "deserved" to eat whatever I wanted...and believe me I tried, and had quite a few dumping events in the bathroom (not morning sickness either)...I did have some food aversions early in the pregnancy and ended up loosing 4 lbs, before I gained anything...the weight gain has been slow, steady, and healthy for the baby...most of my weight gain has come from orange juice...I can literally drink a half gallon through the night...it's one of the few things I can tolerate in good quantity...since becoming pregnant, I have gained about 22 lbs...I'm closing in on the end, that is considered a good gain...on the LOW end of normal (I was told at one point by my mid wife, that my weight gain was text book...I laughed and said that was the first time in my life anyone ever said anything like that to me). Anywho...I will be induced on 6/27 if my baby boy doesn't come on his own by then (in an attempt to try to avoid something called a placential abruption...another horrible thing that PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension) can cause during pregnancy)....I'm hoping he comes on his own before then!!! Keep us in your prayers...
Jan. 11, 05. Hi folks. I am now over 3.5 yrs post op, and 4 months pregnant :). I have put many of my food obsessions on hold and have been concentrating on eating healthier for the baby. Strangly enough, a lot of my early gastric bypass symptoms have resurfaced. I dump easily over sugar...just the thought of some sweets makes me feel nauseous...I am back to drinking protein shakes (since they tell you to get between 80-100 grams of protein in while you are pregnant). I feel great (a little tired, I won't lie), hubby and I are excited about the baby, I also received a promotion at work...Life is good. Best wishes to everyone!
Oct. 8, 04. Just a quick hello. All is well. I'm over 3 years post now. I make sure to take all my vities, and exercise 5-7 days a week. (A quick plug for Ladies Workout Express in North Wilm and Lancaster Pike...Hi LeAnn! I make better food choices than I ever thought I would in my life. I still struggle with food issues...always will...I work really hard not to revert to my old ways...they are always lurking under the surface...and believe me they do pop up from time to time. The battle continues, but the pay off is fantastic. I'm more energetic now in my thirties than I ever was in my twenties. I did *finally* have my rings re-sized. I went to Bob at Golden Time Jewelers in the NewCastle Farmers MKT (also a plug for Bob here, he did a BEAUTIFUL Job). My rings are now size 5 and half. Any they are CLEAN for the first time in well ever. hehe My weight fluxes between 145 and 155. I want to be smaller...but I'm getting comfy in this Smurf Puff of a body so if I can maintain this range, that will be alright. It beats being 280+!! I do remind myself that I still have about 10 lbs of baggy saggy skin hanging off of me. Fight the good fight folks!
Jan. 18, 04. I'm still in the game folks. Nothing really new or different to report. I'm still struggling with the last 10 lbs, but I'm getting used to it. It's not quite the heartache it was in the beginning (of the end of my window of opportunity). I still try every gimmick on the market, and research weight related topics. I haven't found the magic bullet yet, but my search will never end. I still eat lower sugar, fat, calorie foods generally and walk avg. 2 miles 5 days a week. I throw in some extra exercise here and there. I still manage to overeat (like 3500 cal.) a few times a month, but rebound by eating very low cal. the next few days...I guess that's somewhat in the realm of what naturally thin women do?!! My weekly caloric average is right around 2100...I think if I could get it down to 1700-1800 and kick in a bit more aerobic exercise that would help me get (in a hundered years or so) to my goal of 125...as of this morning I'm still 141. I'm very good with my vitamin regime. I still drink way too much diet soda, but have substituted caffeine free for much of it. I still am not ready for reconstructive surgery. If I have at least this much weight off by my 3 year anniversary I will take the giant step of committing to having my rings resized...then after that who knows....maybe new boobies. :)
Oct. 17,03. I've stopped whinning and changed my objective with this whole weightloss thing. I've been weight training and really watching the sugar intake. I'm still new to both, so I can't preach about either yet, but I'm in a better mind set. My goal is to be emotionally and physically STRONG. I've lost 7 lbs of the 15 I gained back. I've been talking to a personal trainer who did my body fat percentage with caliphers(sp)to get a more accurate measurement, and he said I have around 19% body fat. Which he said is pretty good, and that I should shoot for a goal of 15%. He also said that the weight I'm trying to achieve may be a little unrealistic (125) and that for now he'd like me to try for 134 and work on maintaining that for awhile. He developed an eating plan and workout plan for me based on my lifestyle,likes,etc....so tomorrow will be the actual first day of following his training (I've been kinda winging it on my own last few weeks). So, if anyone actually reads this, I'll keep you posted.
Aug. 27, 03. I'm failing. I've developed a new eating behavior that's all new to me. Binging. I was always an over eater pre-op. Ate what I wanted, when I wanted, and how much I wanted. Even did some "mindless" munching. However, now, I'll be chugging along just fine, for days sometimes, than all of a sudden without rhyme or reason, I'll shove as much food as I can into my face. I've had days where I can reach 4000 calories, easily a day pre-op. Or maybe not even that much pre-op. I'm scared to say the least. I have been activily seeking counsiling, but that is not an easy task either. Between, trying to find someone who actually deals with eating disorders, having them accept my insurance, and have reasonable hours (I can't leave work 2-4X a month to deal with the fact I can't control what I put in my face...that's ridicules.) At any rate, I have gained a bit, but I've averaged out and have been about 145 for awhile now. I manage to maintain somewhat by the shear fact there are days that I will eat really low calorie...I still wanted to loose weight, so basically by over eating some days and under eating some days, I'm at a stand still. Maintaining would be OK, if I were doing it sanely. I do still walk 2-4 miles a day 5-6 days a week. Any input or suggestions are welcome.
June 25, 03. I wish I could have stayed in the 120's but the pressure of it sent me straight up towards the high 130's. It took a blink of an eye. It's scarey how easy it is to have it all unravel...and how fast. I've been having a lot of food issues and have expirimented with a few different schools of though on weightloss...including antidepressants. I am currently following a concept called the glycemic index (GI). It, I believe is part of the key as to how I'm gonna whoop obesity. I know it's not a character flaw (obesity), but I know it's a fact of my life that I will have to diligently fight FOREVER. I will never be free of it. Also, I have been diagnosed with hypoglycemia. I've pretty much known for about a year now that I've had it..but finally had it confirmed with a glucose tolerance test. This is another reason for me researching and following the GI. It's a concept I only have a slim grasp on, but am reading what I can get my hands on. It's a system of eating low fat and high quality low glycemic index carbs and moderate protein. I've always seemed to do better watching fat and calories than carbs. I have been able to control my tremendous sugar cravings and hunger when I follow it. The GI is in a nutshell a ranking of carb foods based on how they affect your blood sugar. It has been developed primarily for diabetics but has been found useful in treating obesity. I won't ramble on too much about the GI here but if anyone is interested there are books, such as the Glucose Revolution and websites like the one found on Mendosa.com. Fight the good fight folks!
April 19, 03. I'm breaking in here with an early editorial. I've finally broken into the 120's!!!!!!!!! I'm doing the happy dance. I've been working for months now and FINALLY weighed in at 129 this morning. Lol. TTFN.
April 15, 03. I'm maintaining in the low 130's. My body is fighting me going any lower. I've been trying to switch gears and go into maintaining mode now. I still fight the urge to just sit down and eat a whole box of cookies. That urge will always be there I'm afraid, until good drugs are invented!! Hurry up you scientists!! lol. Anyway, I finally received word that I've been approved for a penniculectomy..whoohooo. I would like to have a mastopexy with implants at the same time, however I'm going to wait a little while. My office is restructuring and I'm not too sure about my position these days (purhapes the source of my cookie fantasies!!..lol). On a positive, I still walk on a regular basis and this past weekend I did my first charity walk. My hubby and I did the Dash for Organ Donor Awareness. I'm also signed up for another walk next week...go me! Lol. Until next month....
March 26, 03. I've been hovering between 130-135 for a month now. I have really been battling the urge to over eat. I have been good at following a food plan and writing everything down in a food diary...and it's worked until this past month. I have had several very stressful things hit at once and those compounded by being snowed in for a half week sent me on an eating frenzy. I think I've gotten a grip and it seems to be an increase in protein (protein bars that taste like CANDY to be exact) that has gotten me back into a similitude of control. It takes an average size person meal to satisfy me at this point. I can't eat a half sandwich and a few Wow chips and feel full. It's very disappointing but I knew the time would come. I guess I'm taking off my training wheels and going to have to BE a thin person and take on all the responsibilities of it. (uh, exercise and healthy diet) Can I do it? I'm feeling confident. I think as long as I keep myself submerged in Healthy living magazines and WLS support groups it will help keep me focused. Folks, things do get scarey...but like I said, without WLS I would have never been able to get a grip on my weight enough to get me this far. I still exercise faithfully and write all that I eat down. I can whomp down 2500 calories EASILY in a day (that's what a 200 lb woman, moderately active, would eat to maintain her weight btw and I'm trying to get below 130!!)...but try to control my consumption to under 2000. I still haven't heard anything about insurance approval for reconstruction...just as well. I want to hold off on more elective surgery until I can prove to myself I can be a thin person :)
Feb. 1, 03. Well, I'm down to 133. I fit into 7/8 petite pants and small tops. That is small enough, but the skin issue is unbelivable. I did have my first consult with a plastic surgeon (Dr. Zabel) Friday. I have been having problems with yeast and irritation because of the skin folds. I will wait to see what the insurance company says before I actually commit to surgery. Even though I feel I am small enough I'm shooting for another 8 lbs...to give me a buffer zone. My body knows I should be about done because I can't seem to eat below "maintenance" level in calories. I will post when I find out more about the reconstructive surgery.
Jan. 1, 03 Hi folks, made it through the holiday with a 4 lb loss. I'm down to 137. I really fought back against the holiday food invasion...lol. 12 lbs until goal. I'm still struggling with the idea of reconstructive surgery. I need it, badly, but honestly I'm afraid. The support group I go to has a plastic surgeon making an appearance this month. I will be asking alot of questions.
Dec. 4,02 I'm down to 141 lbs. I'm now literally half the person I used to be. On 7/17/01(day of surgery) I weighed 282 lbs. Tonight I was out with my hubby looking at formal gowns for his annual Christmas party and I am happy to say I fill out a size 10 black gown with a slit to the thigh...very nicely ;). My newest personal weight goal is to be 125 lbs. Have a great holiday everyone!!
Oct 30,02 We just returned from a cruise to Bermuda. It was great. However, my first day and a half I kicked it in fat girl mode and was feeling pretty sick, and dumped a few times. I was overfilling my pouch, drinking mixed drinks, and not exercising. So late second day I hit the onboard gym, cut out the alcohol, and skipped half of the buffet lines. I felt much better and actually lost 2 lbs!! (Last cruise I went on before surgery, I'd gained 10 lbs.) Anyway, I'm down to 145. Another 10 lbs and I will start talking to plastic surgeons about possibly having a mastopexy (breast lift) and arm lift. My chest is quite pendulous and giving me back pain. If anyone knows what kinda money that involves, could you give me a hint. I've just begun the research process. Thanks
Sept 12,02 Not much new. I now weigh 153. I am 21 lbs from my personal goal. Despite loosing 129 lbs it seems like a lot still. I still am doing my walking routine and have tried my hand at racquetball...once...lol. I would like to get into a couple of games a week. I'm getting curious about plastic surgery. I haven't done any research on it. My arms and chest are pretty bad. I was sitting side by side with my 8 yr old neice on a bench with my arm drapped along the back. She reached into my short sleeve, poked at my bat wing of an arm, crinkled up her nose and said, "ewwwwwww, what's wrong with your arm Aunt Kimmy?"... And as if that wasn't bad enough, she calls her mother (my sister) over to look at it. lol. Ahhh, gotta love kids.... Until next time.
Aug 2,02 I am now down to 160. That is a weightloss to date of 122lbs. I really push myself with the walking and have cut out some of the extra snacking. I have been incrediably busy and active and have much more endurance than I did even as a teen at this same weight. It's been a little over a year now since my surgery. (Date of surgery 7/17/01)
June 23.02 I am down to 167. I walk over 2 miles 4-5X a week at a pretty good pace. I continue to make better choices in food but still have problems with snacking through the evening. I sometimes eat to the point of pain and still dump several times a week because I insist on trying things like icecream. I remember to take my vities probably 85% of the time. My labs came back fine for nutrients (cholesterol's a little high). I have so much energy these days and so much physical ability(for lack of a better phrase). I will have to fight my weight and my love of food for the rest of my life (unless another PhenFen is invented that doesn't have that pesky side affect of death.) But I would have never been able to get this far without surgery. I have had a lot of resentments and anger through out this process but I do have to say I am pleased over all with the outcome.
May 15, 02 I tried Atkins for a week to get things jump started and found that I can NOT tolerate that diet anymore. I am very much lactose intolerant and also have a hard time with the high fat foods you are "allowed" on the diet plan. I don't care for eggs anymore (burned out on that when I did an 8 month stint of Atkins before surgery) and I gag at that thought of an all meat meal. I did stick to the concept for a week. Was nausaeus for much of the time. I went back to my more "balanced" diet (if you call Wow chips and pretzels balanced) and I feel better. I did manage to loose 5 lbs in that week...I was giving the Atkins diet credit for it, but really I didn't eat much of anything to avoid the belly aches. I will always be searching for the perfect diet plan for me. It is something I will never get away from...through it all I keep food diaries (even when I cheat really bad...hehe)I've been walking about 2 miles five days a week. I'm down to 173 and would like to get down to at least 145ish.
May 3, 02 I asked for a copy of my insurance records from BCBS of DE (my health insurance co.) I wanted to up date the section of this website that asks for medical expenses. It just broke things down much more than I care to figure out...nothing on my records is totaled. From what I figured, my surgery was aprox. 16k, however, treatment for my complications were an *additional* 45+K.
April 14,02 I'm very excited about a new Gastric Bypass Support Group I've found. It's through the Christiana Care Group. I went to my first meeting with them yesterday and am very pleased to have found a worthwhile support group. (Unlike the infomercial ,toot a few horns, lacking support for post-op issues, chaotic group meetings I'm used to). The topic yesterday was vitamins. It was very informative and presented by a licensed dietician. There was an open discussion after the presentation. I have changed a few things about my vitamin regime as a result. I have yet to have my labs done to see where I may be deficient so I will be making an apt with my primary tomorrow to have that done. If anyone is interested in the next meeting contact Ellen Clevenger-Firley at 661-3006 at Christiana Care. I believe it will be Monday May 13th 7-8PM and the topic will be Fiber. I am finally in the century club. I am down 102 lbs putting me at 180. My rings have been so loose on me lately, I found a place at the NewCastle Farmers MKT (Bob's *something* Jewelers) that will put metallic ring guards on for you for about 3.50. They have silver and gold tone and I've had several rings done. I'm fitting into regular larges now and have been hitting the GoodWill on Kirkwood hwy and the Thriftstore in Stanton/Newport for some great new cloths. I've been doing well with my eating habits...I've been writing out a daily food plan and that has really been keeping me on track. I've also been pretty good about getting 3-4 days of exercise in at about 30-35 min. Happy Spring everyone! Until next month....
March 15,02 Not much to report. Only down a few more lbs to 189. I thought I'd be in the century club by now. I was really agonizing over this the past few days and decided I'm going to stop beating myself to death. I've been getting fanatic again about counting calories and carbs. I'd go to bed angry with myself if I ate something I shouldn't have and telling myself tomorrow will be better. I have been getting into the same old diet rut of self-hate and anger. I'm not going to do it anymore. I had pre-op dreams of being a nice thin 130ish pounder...but if I have work myself to death exercising and scrutinizing over every damn thing I put in my mouth and obsessing over food...what I can or can't eat....I think I'll be better off as a chubby 190pounder.
Feb 15, 02 I have been on my first horrible plateau. I was bouncing up and down the same three pounds for almost three weeks. The timing was bad too. I have been really getting into a regular exercise routine. I started walking the treadmill and doing nautilus machines at work every day at lunch...I started over 3 weeks ago. I really thought I'd start kicking the weight loss into high gear...then I got stuck on the same weight!! How unjust...lol...maybe it was even the cause?? Just what I need. An excuse to stop exercise...believe me, it doesn't take much. I also have noticed I have to really fight to keep my calories under 1500 these days...ugh... (maybe the exercise is causing that too??...I really need to quite this new bad habit of mine...LOL) Anyway, finally, as of this morning I'm down six pounds. I think (hope) I'm officially off my plateau. I'm down to 193...11 more pounds and I'll be at my 100lb mark. Woohooo!
Jan 26,02 I read the memorial page again tonight (looking for someone in particular...not there) Wow...I try to remember to thank God daily for this new tool of mine. I am very grateful... and it most certainly is NOT the easy way out. I still have to work out the kinks and bugs of how it works for me...but I'm doing pretty well. I've been hitting the thrift shops lately and am able to fit into a couple of 14/16 outfits...that blows my mind. It's been a decade at least since I've seen those sizes. I am now 199 on my scale at home...so I no longer will do the math to coordinate with my Dr.'s scale...I know I'm a nut job...lol. You should see the games I play with my checkbook.
Dec. 30,01 I am delighted to say that I've lost 4lbs over Christmas. I did eat a bit more than usual but I did also manage to stick with my video exercises a few days. I was so shocked by the scale this morning that I had my husband get on it to make sure it wasn't broken. When he said he weighed his usual weight I still got on three more times...lol...my weight now is 204...I think I will make it to 200 by my birthday as I'd hoped. Time will tell...wooohooo...Now I just have to learn to keep this weight off once the loosing is done. That will be the real challenge!
Dec. 19,01 I am now coming to terms with the fact I can eat more than I anticipated. I still have to practice self-control and I am ok with that now. I was very angry that I didn't get the 6-month "honeymoon" phase...but like all things I've come to terms with it. I don't dump (nothing I can't eat through anyway), but I do vomit if I eat too fast/much...and despite being 5 months post op I still manage to do it a few times a month. I do exercise a bit more and find that the folks who say it makes them feel better aren't liars...lol...I do feel better when I exercise. I also lose faster (duh...I told you I'm a hard learn). I am now down to 208 (214 on my scale but I subtract 6 to match what my surgeon's scale says...I like his better!!! lol) I've been doing that for awhile now...so I can say with almost certainty that I've lost 74 lbs...
Nov. 9,01 I finally broke down and bought myself a couple of pairs of pants. My old ones are really starting to look ridiculous. I bought 18/20's thinking they'd be a little tight and I could wear them awhile...welllll...they are actually a little baggy...if you could see the big silly grin on my face you'd know I wasn't at all upset over it. I am now down to 219. Maybe I'll get lucky and be under or at 200 by my birthday Jan 22???
Oct. 20,01 I saw my surgeon yesterday. I am down 53 lbs. That puts me at 228. The nutritionist agrees, I'm able to eat more than their average post op at my phase. She's happy with my food choices though. She'd rather me have a few snacks than feel hungry. I can eat 1000-1200 calories. I should be around 800 at this point.
Oct. 17, 01 I have to say I'm very disgusted with this surgery. I have gotten no "honeymoon" phase. I am hungry ALL THE TIME. I can eat "normal" servings and I have been committed to following all the rules. I don't understand how a transected pouch at 1/2 oz can allow me to eat as much as I can at this point (3 months post op today) I am very disappointed. I really wish I had gone with a more radical surgery. Like the BPD/DS. I will continue to *diet* and loose weight because I'm too embarrassed not to. Everything that I've put my friends, family and co-workers through with this horrible mess not to mention myself...so I will continue to weigh and measure and count calories and fat, just like the good 'ole days...all the while feeling like I'm STARVING to death.
Oct 5, 01 my current weight is 236 I lost the two I gained plus an additional 5. September 24, 01 I saw my primary on the 21st. She was concerned about the lack of sound in my lower left lung.. She asked if I still have a partially collapsed lung (I filled her in with the bare facts of my leak and lung collapse). I told her I did. According to the surgeon it would take a while for it to fully inflate, like months. She was worried that my cough was related to that too, but we tried some allergy meds and it really seems to be helping. She wanted me to call after a week if it didn't help so we could order another...gasp...CAT scan (my innards are going to glow, I swear) Anyway, I've been stressing over the amt of food I can eat at times. I need to chill out. Yesterday I ate close to 1000 calories, today I ate maybe 250 (I will be eating a little something else though). It will all balance out, I guess. I have a hard time remembering my iron pill. I do ok with my calcium and my multivitamin...but that darned iron. I changed things around a bit today and had it with breakfast, instead of trying to remember with dinner. It worked out much better. And I didn't forget my other vits either! I'm weaning myself off of drinking with meals...it was a necessity when I was experiencing all those pains while eating...but it's not now. I didn't drink with my meals today at all. I dump often, although I don't know if it's officially dumping. I vomit, but I think it's more from eating too fast/or not chewing well enough, rather than my body reacting to fats or carbs. Could be wrong though. I vomited twice today and probably a half dozen times this past week. I feel so physically good these days that I honestly forget about the surgery and attack my food like I did pre-op, only to regret it...I'm a hard learn but I'm getting there (hard headed redhead...or just stupid)! BTW I GAINED 2 lbs this week...isn't that a pisser?
September 20, 01 I need to point out that even though I still experience hunger, cravings, etc., they are much more manageable. Now, if I crave chocolate for example, I can go to the fridge, eat a few bites of cold chicken or something and the craving will be gone. Whereas pre-op. I could have eaten a 7-course meal and still would HAVE to have chocolate. I am still peeved over being able to eat so many fries, but I haven't been able to eat anything else in any great volume since then. I do guzzle diet coke like it's going out of style. I did that pre-op also. I used to drink a lot of diet sprite pre also. I don't care for it very much anymore. But I love me some diet coke. Probably explains why I'm up at 1:00 Am posting to this board instead of sleeping...caffeine!! I need to get back on track with drinking water instead.
September 17, 01 I am doing a lot better now with food. I was to a point where after I ate anything no matter how tiny the bite and how small the serving I would have to lie on the floor out of discomfort and pain. I can eat a frightening volume of certain foods...not as scary as pre-op but enough that I am concerned of my long-term ability to eat lots more. For instance I ate half of a small Thrasher's fries this weekend in O.C. Md. (much bigger than a fast food small fry I must add) I don't care what anyone says about my choice in food. I am just alarmed and ticked off that I was able to eat more than 3 or 4 fries I actually could have eaten more than I did but refrained...good old will power, something I thought I'd be given a break from having to use for awhile. Unfortunately all of the old issues are as strong as ever; Hunger, cravings, food fantasy...etc. So much for the 6 mos to a year "honeymoon" phase. I do generally choose protein and green veggies for my meals...(that was my first attempt at fries) but if I didn't want to eat carbs I would have stuck to Atkins, lost and kept off a ton of weight and never had my gut cut wide open and my innards rerouted. I do still have a hacking cough with a lot of mucous...now I can vomit mucous without eating anything at all first. I'm getting a little scared now...I wouldn't be surprised if I'm in a state of walking pneumonia because of my brutalized lung. I am down 41 lbs.
September 3, 01 I get so angry when I hear people tell pre-ops they will "do just fine" when they have concerns about surgery.How the hell do they know that?? Stop sugar coating this people!! I get sick when I think how many times I was told that...not only just by pre/post ops but my surgeon too. No one knows for sure how you will do in this major surgery. Prepare yourselves for ANYTHING pre-ops...don't give yourself a false sense of security. I get ragged on when I try to talk about my leak in other forums on this website...get over yourselves, this is reality. There is nothing I could have read or been told to have changed my mind about having this surgery, but I would have done a lot more preparing for the bad stuff if I wasn't lolled into that false sense of security!!!! Grrrr... Lol. Well anyway my apt was actually pushed back to Friday. I didn't get to see my surgeon he's on vacation or something so I saw one of the other surgeons in the office. He told me the last CT-scan I had (Friday also) showed the infection below my diaphragm was gone but that I still have fluid above it and that my lung is still not fully expanding. He said my body will absorb the fluid eventually on it's own, but will take months. All my holes (from drain tubes...3 holes total) have all healed over and I can now swim. (I've been dying to swim all summer and got to finally at my good friend Nikki's yesterday!!!!) Thanks Nikki!!! I feel ok for the most part but have a lot of mucous and wretch sometimes. I'm cleared for work Tues and am more than ready. I'm down 36 lbs. TTFN.
August 23, 01 I had my CT scan done Tues. It showed "great improvement" so I was able to get the drain tube out Weds. It didn't hurt as much as I thought and I can shower as normal. I just need to keep clean dry dressings on it. I still get diarrhea from the antibiotics and am dumping hard from trying new foods. SF ice cream almost killed me I think. I ate maybe a 1/4 cup and vomited mucous for about 20 min. or so. On the up side I'm down 34 lbs. I'm not quite jumping for joy yet though. I go back next Tues. for another CT scan (the day I should have returned to work). So now I'm on vacation time instead of sick leave (all used up). Oh well. I know a lot of folks who didn't get much sick pay at all. When I have anything worthwhile to update I'll be back.
August 17,01 The leak: The first thing that happened was I woke up in the middle of the night about a week after I was home from the original surgery with a pain in my left side ribs and shoulder. I assumed initially I pulled muscles accommodating the new incision on my belly. After about four days of intensing pain I was in so much pain I could only slump forward in a chair and cry. I called my surgeons office believing I had "retractor pain" as that was the conclusion I made from what I read on obesityhelp.com. I honestly believed I would be told this was normal post op side affect and given a strong painkiller. My father drove me 2 hours to my surgeons for them to check me out. After a discussion and observation from one of the surgeons of my surgeon’s team he determined I needed to be admitted to the hospital for testing. Upon testing it was determined that I had a small "pin size" leak. This was determined through CAT scan and another specialized x-ray that required drinking a substance that made me vomit. (Not supposed to but that's how bad it tasted). Come to find out my new pouch had developed a leak at one point and food substance dripped into the cavity around my diaphragm. I had an inflamed diaphragm as a result. (Which is why I hiccupped so badly the day before). They inserted a drain to help relieve the fluid that now surrounded the diaphragm. This was not so bad. I also was put on a central line (intravenous in your collarbone area) and fed through that line and administered antibiotics and pain control (and a few other things). The nurse who started my first intravenous food bag hooked it up to me cold. I didn't know this, and as a result I felt like my breath was being taken away when it hit my system. I started to hyperventilate and everything started going dark. About five nurses ran in and put me on oxygen. When they took my blood oxygen level it had dropped to 68 (normal is 95-100). They thought I had a blood clot in my lungs and rushed in a portable x-ray. It was determined my lungs were fine at that time. The next time they put a bag on me I was very frightened and noticed a "menthol" type sensation that I commented on. The nurse told me the bag had just come out of the fridge. I had to fight the sensation that I was going to pass out. When I told my mother she angrily insisted they let it warm to room temp. After that I was fine with the intravenous food. As a result of the antibiotics I developed severe diarrhea and a yeast infection. They had to put me on another type of antibiotic for the diarrhea. I had diarrhea several times and had to have the antibiotics changed a few times to help this. At one point my central line became infected, they had to remove it and change to my other shoulder. At the end of the first week the original drain had not drained as much as they anticipated so they ordered a special drain and inserted into me. "The largest they could find". The first attempt was screwed up and they pushed this enormous tube into the wrong direction (since I was awake I could hear them talking about the wire kinking up and going in wrong direction...and DR. told me himself he pushed it in wrong direction) which created so much pain that I screamed loudly and begged God to stop them. I was awake by the way through every treatment and could feel every thing despite numbing solution. After this second tube was finally inserted I was in the most unbearable pain... I hope I never experience anything so horrible the rest of my life. I could feel this tube on the inside compressing against my lungs. With every breath my lung would sort of twitch because I could feel the tube pressing against my lung and this sent waves of pain from my shoulder to my waist and into my left breast. This lasted about 24 hours. I was in so much pain that I began screaming profanity at the nurses and surgeon. They were very shocked as I was very docile through the original surgery and up to that point. They sedated me heavily. About a day later I began to complain about my sinuses giving me a cough. The nurse told me I was just letting every little thing bother me. The next day again I complained that I felt very congested and the nurse (different one) increased my nerve medicine. I laughed when she turned the dial up (something they added to my central line) and said I really do have bad sinuses I'm not making this up. The next day I could hardly talk without gasping for breath. It finally took a nurse assistant reading my unusually low "pulse ox" (something to determine how much oxygen in your blood) to call the surgeon. This girl mentioned it to my nurse, whose response was, "yeah, she's been running low last few days" uhhh...what's up with that??...My family was there and can vouch for that. The surgeon ordered an ultrasound. Come to find out I developed fluid around my left lung (over 2 liters-initially and over 4 liters total) and it collapsed my lung. They rushed me immediately into surgery inserted another drain into me, now my left breast, drained the fluid and reinflated my lung. I was in ICU for about a week. I also have to mention that during this insertion my other drain fell out onto the bed (it was not supposed to). This was a mercy from God. It relieved a lot of pain and discomfort. They left out this drain for about a day. Even though the drain in my breast was very cumbersome it was never very painful. The tube coming out of this new drain was long enough to reach the floor and drained into a very heavy tank that was difficult to maneuver any time I had to get out of bed (for diarrhea, which by the way I defecated on myself many times through this because I was in too much pain to try to get to the bathroom and this left painful burns on my bottom and thighs). They did insert a cath so at least I didn't have to urinate, which I do often anyway, even without a ton of fluid being shot into my collar bone. When I was told that I was having another tube inserted back into my diaphragm area I freaked out. They sedated me and I have to say I had three ladies, I believe two nurses and an x-ray tech hugging me and soothing me. This was very comforting. This third tube was very small and not very painful at all. I still have this tube in despite being home as I still have some fluid and I did develop an infection. I am on heavy antibiotics. This terrifies me. I will go insane if I have to go back into the hospital for this. I was never opened back up and the hole did eventually close on its own because I had absolutely nothing passing through my stomach for about 10 days or so. This allowed scar tissue to build up enough to snuff out the pinhole. In total I was in the hospital an additional 16 days. By the end of the first week I'd lost all patience and was in a horrible state of anxiety and depression. I think this was worse than anything (except the night I was in so much pain) and not managed very well by the hospital. It did not help that I was 2 hours away from my family and friends. I did receive many phone calls, emails, cards, flowers, stuffed animals and occasional visitors. This did help ease things a bit, but despite my appreciation for all of that I was still horribly depressed. I never once felt "why me" or why did this have to happen. I went into RNY with my eyes very wide open. I do admit I was soothed enough by my surgeons pre-surgery answers that I truly believed I would not develop a leak. My surgeon has done this surgery for 8 years and has had only two leaks. I am number two. I am angry it happened, not really at him, I know he is a fine surgeon. However, I do feel it happened for a reason. I am going to actively reach out to others going through this to be their peer and help ease as much emotional pain as I can. Despite having so many friends having RNY I am the only one I *personally* know who had a leak (I've read about others, but no one I know). I felt (feel) very very alone and afraid. I think supporting one another is an important thing. I will support others who have concluded on their own that this surgery is for them, and I will support any post-op going through set backs (and any other aspect of dealing with this d*mned obesity). I am finally home. I have developed a double exhale after a deep breath which I hope goes away eventually. I am still slightly anxious, but I have a wonderful husband, parents and friends and they are making this easier now that I can be with them. I am not in much pain. I have a visiting nurse come and care for my tube daily (my insurance will cover a nurse but not supplies....is that one of the dumbest things you've heard? Luckily I have other people in my life other wise how would I get supplies??? I'm not allowed to drive yet.) I go back to my surgeon’s office Tues. morning for another CAT scan. If all looks good I will have this drain removed Weds. I have lost 24 lbs but believe it could have been more if I hadn't been on intervenes food. I was told that is very high in calories and I have had very little physical movement in over 2 weeks. (I have to add that I was given insulin twice to help counter react the way this supper high calorie food made my body react....I've never been diabetic.) Last but not least, lol, I had worn my contacts to drs office that first day...just knowing I'd be given a pain killer and sent home...so consequently late first week they dried up and one ripped in my eye. A nurse had to dip into my eyes and take them out...of course this small event had me rather upset...lol. Any way, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me.
August 15, I am finally home after my ordeal with a leak (as my Angel Nikki mentioned on my surgery page) I was at the hospital 16 days. I have much to say about it but will wait a day or so until I have my thoughts more gathered. I do want to express my gratitude for the support I received from so many of you folks. It truly helped me through this horrifying experience.
July 26, Well, got my staples out yesterday. I'm doing a little oozing today at the incision. I was told that was normal...still rather disturbing. I am down 13lbs.
July 21, Hi folks! I called my surgeon’s answering service today and explained about the nausea. They called my pharmacy within the hour and got me a prescription (metoclopramide) and I am good as gold...ok, not that good but I feel soooo much better. I'm working on having someone come to my house and touch up my lovely hair-cutting job. It's really not that bad. I've worn my hair very short for many years so it's nothing new to me. Having hair to the middle of my back was though. Oh well...maybe I'll try growing it in again sometime. My tummy is a little tender at the incision but nothing unbearable. I did take half of a pain killer earlier and managed to take a much needed four hour nap. I believe I get my incision staples out Friday. I'll update then. I did get my hubby to take a picture of my "train track" as my dad calls it and will scan it in my system once it's developed. I'll be able to send it to any pre-op curious about it. Take care!
July 21, I am now almost five days post op. I feel awful. I am so nauseous. I can't sleep. This is my first night home. In an insane attempt to feel more comfortable I cut all my long hair off...it took me over two years to grow out. I am so depressed. I am so beside myself. I do not regret the surgery. I know it's my only hope forever loosing this weight. But in the meanwhile, how do I keep my sanity? I have the world’s most wonderful husband. He ran out at 2:00 AM to an all night super market to pick me up some mint tea and s/f popsicles to help with my nausea. The tea didn't seem to help...but the popsicles seem to have at least lessened my severe dry mouth. I knew all of this going into surgery, but it never really sunk in how awful these first post op days are. Thank GOD for my wonderful husband, supportive family and the people on this web site!! Thank you to everyone who sent me well wishes, called and visited me at the hospital. Your kind words of support are deeply appreciated.
July 16, 01 Well...tomorrow is my big day. I'm oddly serene. I'm the kind of person who usually spazes over everything, even a PAP smear. I don't quite understand why I'm so at peace...but it's cool with me. I have done all the preparation I can do. All documents are in order if they are needed (durable power of attorney, living will, etc.)I have cleaned my house. I've stocked up on post-op vities, protein drinks, and foods, my pets are going to be cared for, and my bag is packed (has been for about two weeks now...lol). I'm ready folks!! See ya on the other side!!!!
July 13, 01 I had my pre-op testing done today at Nanticoke Memorial hospital. That is where my surgery will be as well. I cannot say enough about the staff. They were really on the ball. I had my surgeon's required tests: blood tests, EKG, chest x-rays. He also added an extra one for me (CT Scan) because I have a third kidney (yes I'm odd in more ways than one) and he wanted to see just how it was situated before he opened me up for surgery. Oh…and folks...come on, Barium is really not that bad. I had no idea I was going to have to drink it...ignorance is bliss. I have heard so many people talk about how awful it is, I would have been a little anxious over it...but it was a breeze. Mine had a coco nutty taste...not yummy by any stretch of the imagination...but not bad either. Sorta tasted like a very bland pina-coloda, minus booze and ice...lol. I also spoke with my anesthesiologist Every person I came in contact with today at Nanticoke was wonderful! Personable, patient and professional. The hospital itself was very clean and well maintained. I am so glad I had the pre-op testing done there. Even though it's a 2-hour drive for me. I know that all the information my surgeon needs is all gathered together in the hospital I'm going to have the surgery in. I didn't have to run around making appointments and rushing to different buildings, it was all done within a couple hour span. Everyone new what I was there for and didn't have a zillion questions for me. Although a few folks mentioned they knew this person or that, who had this surgery performed by Dr. Smoot and how well they were doing. I just hope my tests results come back OK and I can proceed with my surgery on Tuesday. July 2, 01 My surgery date will be 7/17/01.
June 30,01 ok…I'm having a hard time with the vocabulary of proximal, medial proximal, short proximal, distal, etc. The facts of the surgery I'm having are:30-40cm roux limb100-120cm long limbI'm not sure how all this calculates...but from what I've researched I've come to the conclusion this is a plain old proximal (neither very short nor medial) If I've figured this all out wrong please set me straight...I'm obsessing horribly over this. Thanks. Time for one of my new pills :) :) :)
June 29,01 I had my second consultation today. Was pretty simple. The program director explained to me what I can expect the day of surgery. The surgeon answered round two of my question assault, and an exercise instructor explained to me the importance of exercise. To my dismay I have to wait until Monday to get a date. My husband doesn't understand why three more days is such a big deal to me, but after waiting so long I feel like I'm going to pass out from anxiety...and three days more does not help. I did get a prescription from the surgeon for anxiety to take me through the next month. The one thing new I did find out, or rather clarify was the amount of intestine bypassed. Evidently the 36-42 inches he mentioned during the first consult was the length of the long limb (although he kept referring to that as bypassed intestine too??!) and not the amount of intestine bypassed(duodenum)...which is more like 12-16 inches...a VERY SHORT proximal...sigh...I guess a potential weight gain is better than possibly being malnourished. I understand what is expected of me to be successful with long-term weight loss maintenance and I do feel confident I can fulfill my obligation. (I think...lol). I will update Monday when I get my date.
June 21,01 I just had my annual girlie exam today and got on the Dr.’s scale...I am almost back to 280. If I wasn't lined up to get this surgery I would be in a deep desperate depression right about now. In fact I'm not feeling too great, as it is...God I hope this surgery works.
May 30, 01 I received a call from Barbara Zink today from Dr. Smoot's office. I am officially approved by my insurance co. And although I should feel ecstatic, I'm actually strangely frightened. It's all becoming real to me. I'm sure I will go through a roller coaster ride of emotions over the next few weeks. My second consult is June 29th. Barbara believes I'll be having surgery mid July.
May 18, 01 I had my first consultation today with Dr. Smoot. There were actually three of us (potential patients) and our husbands gathered together for an initial explanation of the surgery itself and their expectations of us as post-ops. They put three of us together to form a "mini support network" which is fine (I'm sure it doesn't hurt that it saves the surgeon time as well)... I was fortunate enough to have met these other two ladies in advance and actually have become good friends with one of them already (whom I met through this web page!) At this time Dr. Smoot performs the RNY proximal (36-42") and he does separate the pouch from the stomach with a cut and staples. He uses four rows of staples. He has just begun to do lap and told me he'd like to perform that on me...I emphasized that I DO NOT WANT LAP!! lol...that is my personal preference. I want to be under anesthesia as short as possible. With open he said it's usually 1 - 1.5 hours...with lap about 3.5...wow...quite a difference. I also want him to SEE EVERYTHING...lol... anyway... the expectation list presented to us included:
Healthy food choices
portion control
zero calorie drinks
exercise (my personal favorite...NOT)
follow up care
support group attendance
Smoot emphasized the importance of obesity as a chronic illness, and even though we get to be the size of a "normal" size person and feel like a "normal" size person that we are actually dealing with the illness of obesity and must remind ourselves that on a daily basis that we are treating an illness...and just because the side affect of fat is gone that we still must fight the disease...(this is not verbatim but you get the idea...lol) I'll keep you all posted. And as usual, please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. I feel networking really is important.
Hi all. I'm 31 yrs old and have been fat for the most part since puberty. I have lost 50lbs a few times in my life. I reached an all time high last year after my wedding...tipping the scales at 282 on a 5'2.5 frame. I have managed to loose a bit but am regaining in leaps and bounds. After doing Atkins (second and longest attempt at that one...8 months) and then Weight Watchers (third attempt) I am probably closer to 260 now (back up from 230). I have decided to not gain back all my weight plus my traditional 20 bonus pounds this time. I am hoping to have the open RNY with Dr. Smoot out of Seaford DE. I have heard wonderful things about him and have been talking to many post ops of Dr. Smoot and other surgeons. I will keep this area updated for folks who may be helped by what I am learning in this process. I have my first consultation with Dr. Smoot on May 18th. I can hardly wait!! Please feel free to email me with any questions or comments.