penneynurse
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Nearly 4 years....some changes are needed.

May 23, 2012

Well, here I am almost 4 years post op. While I still consider myself a success, I have seen that some bad habits have crept back. I saw Dr. Baker due to a 25lb. weight gain over the last year. He said I would be an excellent sclerotherapy patient. So my first treatment was in April, they measured my stoma at 21mm, with the target being 12-15mm. So food was passing with no effort into my intestine. I had one round of injections of an irritant that would cause some swelling and firming of the scar tissue at the anastomosis. Round 2 was May 11, my stoma measured at 16mm and he figured the end result would be well within the desired range. That weekend, I had my first honest-to-goodness "stuck" after being so hungry that I ate a beef stick and was nauseated for nearly 12 hours before forcibly ralphing up the beef stick I had eaten earlier. Time to relearn how to CHEW thoroughly! I am hoping to re-lose some of my gain.
I wondered if I had done anything wrong to cause this and Dr. Baker said it could be that I don't form hard scar tissue and he was glad I came to him after regaining 25 lb. rather than 50 or more. I am trying to refocus on protein drinks and protein first, but the main thing is CHEWING!
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3 years now....

Aug 05, 2011

Today is 3 years since I had my RNY and I am still extremely happy with it, and still feel the same as last year...I'd do it again in a heartbeat! I have maintained my weight within 5 or so pounds of my lowest, and the only prescription medications I take are insulin (although much less than at my highest weight), Cymbalta and potassium. Blood pressure is consistently normal, and I am feeling great! Last August, I went to the OH conference in Cincy and had a blast dancing and hanging out with new friends. I am so thankful to all the doctors, support staff and online friends who have helped me in my journey!
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HAPPY 2 YEAR SURGIVERSARY TOOOO MEEE!

Aug 06, 2010

Well, 2 years have flown by since my life has changed for the better, and I must say I STILL love my RNY! Time and time again I tell people I'd do it again in a heart beat! I am still holding steady at 149-151 lbs., NO blood pressure medicine, NO cpap, NO cholesterol medicine, NO pain and 1/3 of the insulin I needed before surgery. I have canoed, kayaked (and tipped over without getting stuck in the kayak--that was always my fear that I'd be stuck in it), worn a one piece bathing suit (without a skirt) in public, and all kinds of other firsts. My labs are all within normal limits except for my stubborn ferritin. I am having a uterine ablation next month hoping that stopping the monthly carnage will help a bit. But overall, I am much better off than I was 2 years ago.
Thanks to Dr. Foote and the staff at Lakeshore Health Partners and any and everyone on this site that has given advice or an encouraging word.
I am going to the conference in Cincy in a couple of weeks, hope to see some familiar faces there!!
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One Year Labs!

Aug 06, 2009

Just got my one year lab results...EVERYTHING is within normal limits!! My former doc saw them at work and said I am now officially a healthy individual, something I did not consider myself one year ago. My ferritin and K+ are on the low end of normal, but my ferritin is 17, an improvement from the 8 it was at my 6 month check, thanks to 4 iron supplements daily. I was so excited about not having to take medication anymore; now I take more pills than ever! Only my cymbalta and potassium are prescription.
How does this compare to other postops vitamin piles? Thought it would be interesting to take a photo...

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Happy Surgiversary to Me!!!!!

Aug 04, 2009

Wow...one year already, it sure did fly! I want to list a few "wows" and positive changes I have experienced in this past year...in no particular order, I'm just doing this off the top of my head:

*Prettier underwear!
*No more cpap
*No more sore feet (I can actually wear heels and flip flops!)
*I went canoeing last week, something I would NOT have attempted this time last year!
*More confidence, although I am still uncomfortable when people compliment me.
*Cereal with milk, brownies and ice cream have become eeeeeevillllll.
*I still want to giggle when I zip up size 10 pants in the dressing room!
*I am still offended by fat jokes.
*I have butt bones that are annoyed by bleachers, picnic tables and hard chairs
*I can sit on my husband's lap
*I have tried (and gagged on) more protein drinks in the last year than I ever thought I could. Still not my favorite.
*Padded bras rock!

I would not give this back for anything, and if I had to do it all again, I would in a heartbeat! I am so thankful and happy. I love my RNY!
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Almost 10 months out!

May 23, 2009

June 5 will be 10 months since my surgery. I have gone from 230 lb. to 157 (give or take a pound) and from a size 22W to a 10! I feel good, other than low iron fatigue, but all in all no regrets. My loss has slowed way down, I'm kind of stuck playing with the same couple of pounds back and forth. If this is where I stop, I will still be grateful. I would like to lose another 10-12 pounds. I just have to laugh every time I think that, it just seems absolutely crazy that I need to lose 10 lbs. Can't remember the last time I was ever able to say that!
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6 month post op visit

Feb 10, 2009

Yesterday was my 6 month post op visit, I saw the dietician with a group and saw Nancy the PA. My labs are all good except for quite low iron, she recommended talking to my primary doc about iron infusions. Other than that, I am 164 lb., BMI 27.7 (down from 39.3) and have lost a total of 7 inches from my waist and nearly 9 from my hips! Woohoo! I have managed to get into one size 12 pair of jeans, the rest are comfortable 14s. I bought a medium fleece jacket yesterday! That has NEVER happened! I would be beside myself if I could manage to lose another 20 lb, we'll see what happens!!
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3 month post op

Nov 12, 2008

I had my 3 month post op appointment with Todd and Christine. The new building is very nice and the store had lots of good-looking stuff! My weight today is 179 (down 51 from my heaviest) and I've lost 4 inches from my waist and 8 inches from my hips! Woohoo! After, I went out for lunch with Caryn (SixCs) then got a haircut and color. I'll try to get an updated picture up soon.
Still, no regrets! I still love my RNY!!

Size 14 jeans, baby!!!

Nov 08, 2008

After a couple weeks' stall, the scale is moving again! 180.2! I go Wednesday for my 3 month appointment. I got my labs back: Hgb/Hct, platelets, potassium, iron, ferritin, calcium all low. I'm sure by the end of the week I will be gagging down some supplements. I bought size 16 jeans two weeks ago, and today am wearing a size 14 that I bought the other day. I finally got new scrubs for work, went from an XL pants to M and from XL top to L (medium was just a hair snug). I am waaaaay happy!!

Six Week Post Op

Sep 22, 2008

Scale at Dr. Foote's office said 191.5 (his has been consistently 3 lb lighter than mine at home)!! Today's BMI is 33, down from 39.3 to start. They will take measurements at the 3 month check up in November. All is going well, got the ok to advance on food...I'm still afraid of chicken, it's gotten stuck twice now. Maybe I'll just have to keep trying. Size 20s are a thing of the past, 18s are baggy, but not quite into 16s yet. NO REGRETS!!!

About Me
MI
Location
26.3
BMI
RNY
Surgery
08/05/2008
Surgery Date
Oct 14, 2007
Member Since
Friends 37
Latest Blog 33
3 month post op
Size 14 jeans, baby!!!
Six Week Post Op
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