N. J.
1-20-10
Update I am 6 years postop I have lost over 200 lbs. Last year I had some complications
One night last March March 8, 2009 to be exact.
I started to experience severe stomach pain and nausea vomiting I couldn't keep anything down not even liquids. My husband took me to the ER where we were for over 17 hours. The Doctors discovered I had a bowel obstruction and an internial hernia. The pain I was experiencing was due to a complication that arose from my original gastric bypass surgery that I had 5 years ago. Apparantly my "old stomach (pre gastric bypass) got twisted around my "new stomach". As a result, they had to remove 70% of my old stomach and part of my small intestine. Nonetheless, this was a major 5 hour surgery that had a few complications along the way the doctors discovered my stomach had perforated & I was septic. Had we waited any longer to operate it could have been fatal.. This surgery really did 100% save my life.
I spent 2 weeks in total in the hospital 6 days of icu. It was a long recover I came home with an open wound which took a few months to close up I had a wound vac.
Since the surgery I have recovered and am doing well. However since June of 09 I have put on about 50-60lbs at a rather rapid rate. I am looking to have some sort of a revision also hoping to have some adhesion's removed. My GI doctor has told me my pouch is still rather small however the opening may have been made bigger, which could be causing the rapid weight gain.
The rest of my story is below.
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I am 26 years old and I thought about having this surgery for many years. I finally decided to take the plunge. I have been over weight basically most of my life. I was never teased or shunned due to my weight problem. I was always a popular girl. I always had tons of friends. Even though I am overweight I still go out every weekend with my friends. I have always been very outgoing. I never let my weight stand in my way. I love my life now but Im gonna love it even more when I am thinner.
I have been on a lot of diets. I also went to 6 summers of weight watchers camp which I loved. I have also done, Atkin's, Slim fast, Weight Watchers. I even went to a diet doctor where diet pills were prescribed. I lost about 80lbs but gained it back over the course of 5 years.
I looked at it this way, I'm not getting any younger. I don't have any health problems so far, but who's to say if I don't have this surgery I could develop health problems a year from now or 2 years from now. So I'm gonna do it.
2-02-04 I got my surgery date today its February 11, 2004.
I am one of the lucky ones I decided to have WLS in December. I went to my Mom and my some friends and said I am gonna have Gastric Bypass. They said OK we support you. I met with Dr. Beaton on January 8th and I got my date Today. I had my mind set on having the surgery in the month of February. It is finally happening. Like I said before I am very lucky, that it all came together so quickly and easily for me. I know from reading so many peoples stories, on here that some people have to fight to have this surgery.
2-03-04 I just had my pre-testing done. It was fast over with in 1 hour. My pre-testing was easy a simple blood test and an EKG. I also met with the anesthesiologist. 8 more days, I Can't wait!!!!
2-09-04 2 days to go. I can't believe its right around the corner.
2-10-04 Well less than 24 hours and my life will be totally different. I can't wait to get started. My Mom and Best friend are coming with me to the hospital. I think they are more nervous than I am. I have the easy job I will be knocked out.
2-15-16 I got home from the hospital yesterday. I am home from the hospital... I had my open RNY on wed. The doctor released me after 4 days. 2 days were spent in ICU the 3rd in a regular room. Everything went perfectly!!!!!!
The worst pain I experienced was when I was waking up from the anesthesia. When they were moving me to the Bariatic bed from the operating table. I became belligerent and I was crying and cursing saying "what have I done." I woke up in recovery with a tube in my nose. I started pulling at it right away. The nurse came over and removed it right away. I was in so much pain at that point. They then hooked me up to the Morphine. Which I could click on every 6 minuets. Before I knew it I was waking up in ICU. I was so out of it but then I saw my Mom and My best friend.
The next day I was up and walking with the Psychical therapist. I wasn't in as much pain as the day before. The nutritionist came to see me and spoke to me about the diet I would be on.
I gotta say I thought I would be in much more pain. Don't get me wrong I am incredibly sore and have a little pain here and there. And my staples are starting to itch all 51 staples I can't wait to get them out. I haven't been sick yet, I have been able to handle every thing I have eaten thus far.
2-18-04 Well, It's officially the one week anniversary of the surgery. I am doing well. I have been able to keep everything I eat and drink down. The hard part is getting all the protein in. I was a picky eater to begin with, so my protein choices are limited. I'm trying though. It doesn't seem like there are enough hours in the day to drink 64 oz of fluids.
I would say the hardest part is sleeping. I have to sleep propped up with tons of pillows I still have the staples in my stomach. Its beginning to get uncomfortable. I can't wait to sleep on my side or on my stomach. Hopefully with in the next week I'll be able to. My staples come out on the 23rd I can't wait. So far no regrets.
2-27-04 So my first numbers are in and I am down 34.7 lbs in 16 days!!! I am so excited. I didn't think I was loosing but I am!!!!
I know a lot of people think that having the surgery is a quick fix or the easy way out. But it isn't. WLS is a life altering decision. It takes a lot of work on our part. Our pouch is just a tool to help us take off our excess weight. We have to do the work our selves.
3-10-04 well, tomorrow is going to be 1 month from having the surgery. I have lost 48lbs. I am excited. I gotta say it has been easy for me. I was back to my old self by the 2 week mark. I even went out on Saturday night with my friends. It was the first time I really tried on my clothes since the surgery. I could totally feel a difference in my jeans and especially my shirts it was a fabulous feeling, it’s only gonna get better.
So I went out with my friends Saturday night and it was great they totally noticed a difference in me. I hadn't seen then since before the surgery. I am lucky I have great friends who are so supportive. (Then there are gonna be some other friends who aren't supportive. Those friends I haven't told them about the surgery. I figure one day I will just shock the hell out of them)
I think what helps is going into this we a positive attitude. Before surgery, I said to myself I will only need 2 weeks and I will be up and about. And I was. I refused to give into the little pain that I did have. Once I got my staples out it was smooth sailing.
As for food I think food is more of an issue now than it was before the surgery. Everything I am eating is becoming so repetitive. However I know as the months go on I will be able to add more things to my diet. I'll be honest it is hard trying to get in all the protein and fluids. I am definitely getting better with both. I guess it is like anything else in life, just take things one day at a time!!!!
3-15-04 I am now I'm my 5th week. I just weighed myself and I am down another 5lbs, for a total of 53!!
I think the hardest part is finding food that I like to eat and food that will not give me problems. I have come to learn the hard way that I cannot eat chicken. It doesn't seem to agree with me. I look at it this way, We are similar to baby's we have a new stomach and like babies we are going through different stages with food.
I refuse to be on a specific diet. I didn't have this surgery to go on Atkins or South Beach. I believe that diets are what made us fat to begin with. I want to eat like a "normal person" But small portions. Portion control is the key.
As for everything else I am doing fine with. I am walking every day, some days more than others.
3-28-04 Well, I had my 6 week doctor’s appointment the other day. I am now down 66Lbs. I will go back to my doctor again in 3 months. Seems like a long time, But things are going good with me. Dr. Beaton told me that there is nothing that I cannot have. Just make sure it's a right portion and that I chew chew chew!
I still haven't experienced dumping. (Thanks G-d) I have thrown up a couple of times but I had to make myself throw up. I can't seem to eat chicken it doesn't sit well with me. I find the moister the food is the easier it goes down.
I finally found a protein shake I can actually get down without gagging. Nitro Tech Chocolate swirl which has 30 grams of protein. The other shake is Pure Protein Banana cream, which has 35 grams of protein. I have one shake a day I might start having 2 shakes a day. Just to make sure I am getting enough protein. I have no problem getting in my fluids. I drink about 70-90 oz of fluid a day sometimes more than that. I drink a lot of herbal tea.
I am also taking Biotin 2500mcg a day which is supposed to help prevent hair loss. I haven't had any hair loss so far I hope it stays that way. I am also taking my multi vitamin and calcium.
I am happy with my results thus far; I can't wait till I am able to see more of a difference in myself. People are noticing the weight loss. But I guess because I look at myself every day I am not able to see it as much. I do feel a difference in my clothes, especially my jeans.
I am hoping to lose 100lbs by my birthday which is May 13th. I'm almost there. Wish me luck.
4-9-04 Well I am officially 2 months out. I am now down 77 pounds. It amazes me that the weight is coming off this quickly. I couldn't be happier with my results thus far. My only regret is that I didn't have the surgery sooner. However I know I wasn't ready then.
The past 2 weeks I have gone out with my friends and I did drink. My drink of choice was a dirty martini. I drank a lot of water while having my martini. I didn't get sick I was fine.
I get a lot of questions from people asking me what am I doing to make the weight come off so quickly. All I can say is As for food I have had a hard time finding things that I like to eat I am a very picky eater. ( I should be anorexic lol) I have a protein shake every morning. (Nitro-tech chocolate Swirl which gives me 45 grams of protein. That is for a 15oz can.
My doctor told me there is nothing I cannot have. I know a lot of people do strictly protein and limit their carbs. I however try to get as much protein in as possible which is hard to do. Each day it gets a little easier. But I do eat carbs. I want to eat like a "normal" person. I watch the portion sizes and stop eating when I am full or before I am full. I have no appetite what so ever. I eat because I know I have to. Not because I want to
As for exercise. I don't exercise as much as I should but I do walk every day, I try to take the stairs rather than the elevator. I have gone swimming. Next step is to dust off my exercise bike and start using it.
Here is a list of foods that I have tried. (The ones with a star next to it I never ate pre-op)
Lox w/ cream cheese.
*chef boyardee (it goes down easily because it is so moist) n
Ritz crackers with peanut butter and sugar free jelly
eggs (poached it stays down the best when they are poached)
*corned beef hash (broadcast brand)
Egg salad. With light Mayo and a bit of mustard.
I have had beef from beef and broccoli it was very tender.
*Shrimp with lobster sauce
*Shrimp scampi
boiled shrimp with a little cocktail sauce
salmon baked with a soy sauce marinade
*talapia fish (I think that's how its spelled) It was OK not great.
mini bagel chips
*canned chicken with a little mayo. ( i ate that in the early stages I haven't been able to tolerate chicken since. so I avoid chicken
chopped spinach
*Chopped frozen broccoli with a little velveta cheese on it.
turkey slices
ham slices
Lobster bisque soup
*Velveta cheese with Ritz crackers
guacamole
fat free re-fried beans
I had 1/2 a hot dog no bun.
chili
cheese burger (I am only able to eat 1/4 of it)
Mashed potatoes
*Canadian Bacon
Baked Potatoes
*Cheese off pizza bagels
Some days things work for me others they don't. If something doesn't agree with me, I wait a week or so and try it again. It is a day to day thing. I can't stress it enough, I don't think I will ever stop learning about life after gastric bypass. Each day brings something new.
4-20-04 I am now down 84 pounds. I am going into my 10th week as a post op patient. My scale is broken so I have to invest in a new one. I have become a scale whore. However, I think its a blessing in disguise that its broken. I can't weigh my self everyday.
Each day seems to be getting a bit easier. I having an easier time with food. I think its because I am chewing my food better and eating slower. Chewing the food is sooo important. It makes such a difference. So does getting in enough fluids. I am now drinking over 100 oz of water and fluids a day.
I am happy the weight is coming off I still don't see a huge difference in my self. However I did go shopping this past weekend and I bought jeans and a pair of crop pants that were a size smaller. And a skirt which was 4 sizes smaller. I was so excited. I am hoping to lose another 16 pounds by my birthday which is coming up. That would bring my total to 100 pounds. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
I think my some people are getting sick of hearing me talk about WLS. I can't help it, it has consumed my life but in a good way. It is truly a life altering change. I can't help but talk about life after WLS. sometimes I think some people are thinking (my g-d doesn't she ever shut up about this). That is what is so great about this site. I have met some truly fantastic people on here, especially in the chat room or on the message boards. If you haven't visited them yet you should. It is a comfort to me to meet People who have been through this and experiencing the same thing as I am. It is important to have someone who has been there and someone who can relate to your experience(s). I don't know what I would do without Obesity Help. It is a great support system.
5-2-04 So I am now entering my 3rd month post op. I have to say for being 3 months post op I feel great! I have so much energy. I am starting to see a difference in myself. I can see it in my face. I now have a collar bone, it is visible now. I can totally see it in my clothes. I have been shopping several times. I automatically reach for a 26/28 force of habit kind of thing. But then I get a size or two smaller and it fits. I even bought a pair of jeans that were 4 sizes smaller, as well as a skirt.
Most people notice the weight loss. Then of course you have those few people, who wouldn't pay you a compliment or acknowledge your weight loss if their life depended on it. What can you do? The reality is there are people like that.
This past weekend I had to parties, to attend in one day. The first was a sit down 4 course luncheon. I just had the entree, which was salmon and mashed potatoes. I had a few bites ate till I was satisfied. I of course skipped the desert. The party later that day was a buffet, not many things I could eat but I was fine with it. I ate what I could and made the best of it.
I know a lot of people worry and ask the questions can I drink after surgery. I have drank since surgery. I go out every week some times more than that. I do drink but I don't over do it. So yes you can still be a social drinker after surgery. I went out last night had 2 drinks over the course of the night and I was fine. Just pace yourself, that is the most important thing.
As for my food issues, I still don't have much of an appetite. However I know that this phase will so pass. I still only eat cause I have to. I do however, now notice a full feeling. Up until recently, I had stopped eating before I was full. Because I was so worried about getting sick if I ate to much. I get the full feeling after another 3 bites of what I was eating before. It is not the kind of full feeling like you are gonna explode, but it is an I'm satisfied full feeling. I simply put my fork down, and throw the rest out. It is truly mind over matter.
It really is about self control and how bad you really want this. And I want this, I have come to far to look back now.
5-13-04 Well, today is my Birthday, I am now 27. I haven't lost any weight in like a week or 2 but I'm OK with that. I know my body is just taking a break, But I am still losing inches. I can feel my clothes getting bigger by the day. Its a great feeling when you can take your jeans off without unbuttoning them.
I have been exercising more and more. I walk every single day. I have been Doing crunches, riding my exercise bike walking. It feels great to work out, after a workout I feel like I accomplished something. I am contemplating joining a gym, or maybe curves. But for right now I will continue workout at home.
As for food, I am starting to try new things. I still can't do chicken it just doesn't sit well with me. I have been eating homemade chili, its really good it u add some cheddar cheese in it. I am starting to notice that my taste buds are changing. I am able to eat things that are a bit more spicy. When I was Pre-op I couldn't stand anything Spicy. I totally noticed this especially when I eat the chili.
Other wise things with me are going great. I can't wait to see what the next few months are going to be like. I can't wait to see how I will look this time next year!
