Patricia F.
I started my journey in August 08. I was 261lbs with arthritis, asthma, apnea, hypertension, spinal stenosis, peripheral neuropathy and was hospitalised in April/May for 2 weeks with a series of TIA's (mini-stroke). I had also learned that I needed to have another (I've had 2) spinal fusion. So after a long discussion with my PC I decided to check out the program at my local hospital. I was also taking 17 prescriptions daily. I was not a happy camper.
So after doing my homework, lots of research, lots of testing and lots of medical consults. I decided the RNY was my best option. Reason #1 being that initial weight loss is very rapid and I needed relief fast.
Fast forward 6 months(had knee surgery Nov 4). I had my RNY Feb2 2009. They tell you about the possible complications for a reason! They DO happen. It was just my luck that it happened to me ;-/ The surgery itself was going fine .... but the surgeon found a HUGE cyst on my ovary. It was 15cm. So she had to call in a GYN to do an emergency ooferectomy. That went fine as well. So I went home 2 days later feeling pretty fine. Until the following day. I woke from a nap feeling awful. HIgh fever (103) pain, unable to urinate miserable... Back to the ER for emergency surgery. The "limb" that was attached to my pouch had twisted and torn an internal hernia. My surgeon went back in again and straightened everything out. Unfortunately because of all the anesthesia an IV meds I had retained a huge amount of fluid. So.. I spent a few days in the ICU with congestive heart failure and fluid in my lungs... yuck.... Finally get home a full week after my original surgery.... and.... start poopin' nothing but blood and mucus... nasty and very painful. Turns out that all of the the IV antibiotics from 3 surgeries in 4 days killed off all the "good" bacteria in my digestive tract and I ended up with colitis. Got more medicine to fix the colitis.... Then... finally on the mend!!
It has now been 9 weeks since my surgery(ies) and I'm feeling good. I started on regular food a few weeks ago and and tolerating most things pretty well. The best part is that I have lost 44lbs already and am very excited about that!!
My point is that even though things can go wrong. It is ultimately your decision on what route to take. I have to say that even with the problems I've had, I believe I made the right decision for me.
Yes I would do it again... It's probably saved my life.
