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It has been months since I have posted an upadat, sorry about the delay. Things have been good, I have surpassed my goal weight, I am not at 125lbs (total loss of 295 lbs.) and would like to gain 5 pounds or so, I feel as though I don't ant to lose anymore and am kind of worried that I won't be able to stop. Any suggestions? I really never have an appetitie, when I do feel like eating something it is fruit or raw veggies I don't do ell with things that taste bad, can't tolerate them so I am looking for something tasty that will help me atlaset gain muscle. Any input would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Kim

Wow, it has been forever!!!

After I got out of the hospital I was back and forth, in and out of the hospital, total of 28 days in the hospital over a 6 week period. I had an infection and misc. stuff going on, it was a HORRIBLE recovery, no other way to explain it. The two massive open wounds that I had to deal with for 2 months did not help either.

Now, a year and a half later, I couldn't be better... I have lost a total of 176 lbs, I currently weigh 143 lbs down from 320. Life is so much better and clothes shopping is great and I am looking forwrd to spending more time enjoying life and less time worrying if today is going to be the day I have a heart attack from being overweight. I know it can still happen but I have more of a chance or a longer life now.

I haven't really had any further complications to speak of since I "recovered". It was a looooooong road but so worth it now!

Hello everyone, just thought I would share my story with everyone. I had a VGB in February of 1999, weight previous to surgery was 311, after 18 months I was down to 167, was the best thing I ever did!!! In 2004 I had started to regain weight after a complete hysterectomy, didin't know what was going on but I just chalked it up to "I failed the surgery" and just dealt with it. Massive weight gain followed, stopped smoking in January of 2006, more and more weight followed. When I finally went to a surgeon to inquire about WLS in August of 2007 my weight was 314. They did a test to see what was going on in there and come to find out the band from the original VBG was INSIDE my stomach, how did it get there? I have no idea but, now it was very important that it come out, miracle I was still alive and the doctor wanted to act fast. I had RNY on September 10th and was released from the hospital Wednesday, September 19th. I went to my mother's house for a couple of days and I am finally home as of last night. I went into surgery on the 10th with the knowledge that I would possibly have to have the surgery open instead of Lap due to scar tissue. I woke up and my first thought was "Oh my God, what have I done", the pain was terrible, and considering the fact that I had had 12 misc. surgeries in the past 13 years I thought I knew what to expect, but, the pain was horrible. It was obvious to me that they were not able to do the procedure laproscopically. Having a great support group, when I woke up they were all there to tell me how the surgery went. The first comment was that they had to do the surgery open and that I had an incision about 12 inches long, starting at my breast bone and stopped right above my belly button, I had kinda figured that considering the pain level. They also said that the surgery was a success, however, it lasted 6 hours, they had to remove the majority of my stomach (about 80%) and that I had 2 hernias that were repaired. I had a drain tube in the left side of my stomach and one in my belly button. Did I say that I was in pain? Over the next couple days I just laid there, getting my regular dose of demerol every 2 hours and trying to remember why I was there. On the third day I wanted out of the bed, so I had them take out my catheder so that I would have to get up and get moving, back to "normal". I started walking, feeling better with each step. However, still taking every dose of the demerol. By this time my veins were mush, 7 IVs and terrible pain with each dose, however, the pain in my abdomen was worse obviously because I kept asking for that pain medicine. Time flies, by now it was Thursday or Friday and they sent me for my Upper GI to make sure there were no "leaks" which was the surgeons greatest concern. I drank the nasty stuff and had the Xrays taken, great news, no leaks!!!!! By Saturday, which was good, I was up running around the ICU and feeling good, they took a new Xray to make sure everything in there looked good, but, the barium from the GI was not moving through my bowel as it should, they had me drink some Mineral Oil, I don't even need to tell anyone how terrible that was, didn't really have any effect though. Lots more Xrays. By this time my IV had gotten so bad that I couldn't take it anymore, I had them take it out. Now I was on my own, I had to make sure I kept up my drinking and stuff like that, getting my pain shots in my hiney now. Sunday, new Xray, barium still not moving and the Dr. talks to me about the fact that they may have to do a second surgery to "fix" the problem with my bowel. At that moment I lost my spirit and will to recover, the depression was extreme, I just laid there for the next couple of days wallering in my own misery, thinking that I can't go through another surgery. By this time they has started a new IV and they changed the pain medicine to something different called Dilata? The stuffed knocked me for a loop, but, I slept without a problem. Monday the Dr. orders 2 enemas, this took the last bit of pride I had left and tossed it out the window, I had completely given up and had lost sight of why I was doing this. Test shows that the enemas didn't do any good, the barium was still there. So, I just laid there and let the depression take over, and it did! I had another Xray Wednesday morning, Wednesday night, about 8pm, mind you I haven't even heard from the doctor since the day before, so I have laid there and just becoming more and more depressed, he walks in and says "Well, the barium has finally started moving and you can go home." I said "tonight" and he said "yes". I don't think mentally I was ready for that, my eyes lit up and I started packing it up. My husband took my to my mom and dad's house where I would stay for a couple of days, I really didn't want to be at home alone just yet. I was so glad to be out. My mother took great care of me, she was the master of the blender, trying to find things that I could drink and enjoy, there wasn't too much that I did like but I got it down. I had to sleep in her recliner and did so uncomfortably, I have a horrible backache. My parents tried everything to cheer me up, but to no avail, the depression is intense. My husband picked me up from my parents house yesterday, Friday Sept. 21st. and I am home. I slept in my bed last night (most of the night), had to move to the recliner this morning because of my back. Still have no desire to eat or "drink" anything, but, I am forcing it. The depression is horrible, can't seem to kick this, it is like the doctors took my will and tossed it away. I just keep reminding myself of the weeks previous to the surgery, the stories I read, and I read ALOT, of all the people struggling after surgery with misc. complications, thinking the whole time read their stores that I would go through all of that just to be able to have the surgery, it would save my life. I am reaching, streaching for those thoughts, trying to remind myself of why I did this. As I sit here I am still trying to recover from the anestesia or the drugs, I am in a "haze" of some sort, hoping it will go away soon, after all it has been almost 2 weeks since surgery. Still in pain, but minimal compared to the first week. Trying to get my spirit back, I think this is what is holding me back the most. I have my follow up appt. tomorrow, yes on a Sunday, hoping they will remove the last of the 2 drainage tubes. I will update tomorrow some more after the appt. Kim