Pam S.
On 10/2/97 I had VBG performed. I lost about 60 pounds and got down to around size 12 or 14. I have had problems since surgery with the foods I could eat and keep down. Unfortunately it progressively got worse. I am unable to eat any fresh veggies or fruit. I can not tolerate any type of meat, chicken, tuna, pork, beef, etc. I cannot eat bread or drink any carbonated beverages. It has gotten to the point where I can only eat and sometimes keep down everything I shouldn't be eating, ice cream, shakes, or any thing that can melt in my mouth. The more it is processed the food is the more likely I am to keep it down. I am gaining weight back rapidly! A year and a half after surgery I began gaining back the weight slowly but surely. But my reflux has steadily worsened and now the pounds are flying on at breakneck speed (or so it seems to me). I have abdominal pain, reflux, my joints are starting to ache again, my feet and back are starting constantly hurt. I am starting to get short of breath much faster than I had been. And the throwing up after eating keeps my throat absolutely raw.
I had been suffering from most or all of this since VBG surgery and despite urging from a friend, who also had the VBG on the same day as I did and suffered from almost none of my problems, I didn't go back and tell my doctor. I lived with it in a silent hell. Of course, my husband and kids knew as did a few close friends. It continues to worsen everyday. I saw my PCP's nurse practioner for my Well Women Check up in July and I finally told her what I was going through. She told me to contact the surgeon who performed the surgery to get this taken care of. I didn't even think of doing that at first, until I developed a sore on one of my toes that wasn't healing.... I panicked. I thought I had developed diabetes (which my mother has). I called Dr. Zahn's office and scheduled and appointment. I saw him on September 5th and he knew everything I was going through!!!! I am not alone. Many of the people who had VBG (which he no longer performs) are suffering much the same as I. He ordered an upper G.I series to determine what exactly went awry. He thinks the top of my pouch stretched creating a pocket where food got stuck and churned instead of going down causing me to reflux. He said I need a revision to the gastic bypass (RNY).
UPDATE: 10/13/00 So much for superstitions! I was APPROVED for surgery today! YAAAAHHHHHOOOOOO!!!! I know my journey was not as long as others but it has felt like an eternity to me. Dr. Zahn's office is closed today so I will call Monday morning to confirm a surgery date. I am so excited! Yippee Yahoo! WOW!
UPDATE: 10/16/00 I have a date! I start my new life on NOVEMBER 14th! WOW! That is 3 days before my 32nd birthday. WOW! What a birthday present. I am so excited. YIPPEE!!
UPDATE: 11/13/00 Well here it is ... 11:00 pm, less than 12 hours and I should be on my way out of surgery and I will be on the weight losing side of all this! YIPPEE!
UPDATE: I am post op! In addition to changing my VBG to a RNY Proximal my gall bladder was removed and a hernia was repaired on the incision from the previous WLS. I have two tubes protruding from the left side of my abdomen, one is a G-tube going to my old stomach, the other is a JP tube going to the new pouch due to a minor complication during surgery. Apparently my NG tube slipped down and was caught in my staple line, they have to take out those staples and remove the NG tube and then restaple my new stomach. I have to drain the grenade shaped bottle on the JP tube every 12 hours. I am not doing really well with pain this time around. I have asked myself several times "what in the heck did I do to myself!" I am not trying to scare anyone one but there is some pain involved with this and you most know that going in. The pain meds are slowing my bowels which are causing pain from having gas, it is a catch 22.
UPDATE: 11/26/00 Where do I begin ?!?!? Unfortunately I had complications. I had to go back in the hospital on Nov 19, I was in the hospital for 4 days. I have an infection in my abdomen. I am on a couple of antibiotics and I have some really icky drainage into my JP tube. My fever has not spiked and I feel like I am getting stronger. I have lost 16 pounds thus far. I am trying to concentrate on getting my fluids in. I am eating okay. I just wish I could get past the fatigue.
UPDATE: 3/26/01 WOW! I finally am down 50 pounds! Man that seemed to take forever. It really only took 4 months, 1 week and 5 days, but who is counting? I still exercise a lot I go to the gym Monday thru Friday and now on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights I am doing hot yoga (which is Great, each class is 90 mins). I am down last official check 49.5 inches. Now that I made the first big goal I made for myself, my next goal is to get to 150, my current weight is 165 (well actually 164 3/4 LOL).
Who would have ever thought I would exercise so much? Not me that is for sure. But this is so those of you considering surgery this is only a TOOL! You have to do the rest, eat right and exercise or it won't work effectively. This is a big step and not the easy way out by any means. My size 14's are now loose on me! YIPPEE!! they are the smallest thing in my closet, however I will wait before I buy anything new. I would rather wear baggy size 14's (oh my gosh can't believe I am talking about myself) than spend the money on the 12's just to have to turn around and buy 10's. My Gosh... this is pure insanity!! LOL!! I love it!!
UPDATE: July 18, 2001 Sorry it has been so long since updating my profile. Yesterday I had a panniculectomy and liposuction done. My plastic surgeon, Dr. Shain Cuber, did a fabulous job! YEAH!! I am very sore ... but I have a flat tummy!
UPDATE: November 14, 2003
WOW! My third anniversary, I can't believe it! So much about myself has changed in those three years. Not only in my body shape and size, but also how others treat me and my relationships. My marriage of 11 years ended, it was hard to go through, but I am a firm believer when one door closes another opens. Since then, I met a wonderful man 6 months ago who now I adore. It was a little hard to talk to him about my previous weight problem since he never knew me that way. But I did get enough courage to show him my before photos and tell him all about the surgery. He was okay with all of it. What a relief!
Anyhow, those of you just thinking about this, have a surgery or recent post-ops...ALL OF IT WAS WORTH IT!!! You get out of it what you put into, eat right and exercise and use the tool you have or will soon be getting. Hang in there you are on a journey of a life time.
UPDATE:
November 14, 2006 - It was been SIX years since my surgery, I cannot believe it. My current weight is 126 which looks great on me, you could see my ribs when I was down at 115, it wasn't attractive at all. I am loving life.
About Me
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
