ObesityHelp

Weight Loss Surgery Directory

By Location By Map

Amy R.’s Posts

Amy R.
on 6/14/12 10:59 pm

Heidi your posts always help me - no matter what you are going through or what you have to say you are always very articulate and challenge me to a new (and better) way of thinking.

Don't regret too much my dear. You help way more people than you can imagine as you work through any regrets=)

Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. ~ unattributed

Amy R.
on 6/8/12 8:05 am, edited 6/8/12 8:15 am

Topic: RE: 5 1/2 yr post-op.. fibromyalgia, severely anemic, or both???

Hello from a Ferritin level 4 (2 weeks ago). My oxygen saturation is 3%.

I am having some of your issues. I just went through 2 weeks of iron infusions every other day. They are going to re-check my levels in 2 weeks. I have been diagnosed with pernicious anemia for over 2 1/2 years (I am about 3 1/2 years post op).

I take the sublingual B-12 and the slew of other vitamins recommended for RnY's, but I had kind of a "mutant" procedure and will never produce enough intrinsic factor to generate blood manufacture at the appropriate level. I am down 2 pints of blood as I write, and my last transfusions were in September (2 units). I have been scoped inside, outside and upside down and am not bleeding anywhere. I have had so much blood transfused over the last 3 years (due to the anemia and other health problems) that they do not want to do any more transfusions if humanly possible due to the risk. I was diagnosed with FM 13 years ago when it was rarely heard of and even more rarely diagnosed. My first spinal fusion was in 2007 - I will be fortunate to get through 2012 without another one. I have degenerative disc disease, which never stops - the degeneration just continues at whatever rate until you pass away.

I have been extremely fortunate with choices of doctors.

So I know your pain (literally). And I know your frustration. I am working on studying this whole mess with help from outside resources as my docs tackle everything with whatever they can do. Not many docs know about vitamin therapy, especially about how essential high (or what look to be high to them) B12 levels are to our health. My docs have been on a learning curve with me, and thank God they are mostly open to it.

So, no answers from me. Just want you to know you are not alone. It is extremely frustrating to not know what is causing particular sets of symptoms. You get your hopes up that if a certain malady is the cause, then you will certainly feel better when it is treated. Then it is treated and nothing changes for the better with your physical symptoms.

I hope you find your answers. This is such an individual journey for all of us. Take as much good care of yourself as possible.

Oh, and if you need Vitamin D, take a good dry D3 supplement. Go outside to play - but if you're post op, don't count on the sun anymore for the upkeep of your Vit D levels. Doesn't work that way for us post-ops. =)

Edited to add: The next step for me is something called Epogyn (sp?). It is a hormone that is given via injection. Of course now that I type this I can't remember which it does, but it is thought to help jump start either iron or blood production. Don't have time to look it up right now but you may want to google it or check with your doc. My understanding is that it is relatively new - but like I said, I cant check my resources at the moment and could be thinking of something else entirely. All I know is that it is the next step for me as determined by my nephrologist. Good luck to you.

Amy R.
on 5/29/12 7:24 pm

Topic: RE: Looking for insight please!!

Have you had WLS and have had regain? Or are you just doing this in lieu of the surgery?

Amy R.
on 5/29/12 7:23 pm

Topic: RE: 1 week post op... not losing

Not trying to be rude - but are you kidding me?

Your body is still recovering from a major insult (the surgery). Stop even THINKING about your weight and just work on getting your liquid and/or protein in. There is NO WAY you can have the surgery and not eventually lose weight. Don't stress yourself out. You really might want to consider staying off the scale for the most part during the honeymoon period if you are gonna do this to yourself.

Don't surgeons talk to patients pre-op any more? Sheesh.

Hang in. It'll be okay. Actually it'll be better than okay but you have to have *some* patience.

Amy R.
on 5/29/12 7:20 pm

Topic: RE: Most horrible feeling :)

Welcome to what happens when you pouch gets too full. Hang in, it'll pass.

Amy R.
on 5/29/12 7:44 am

Topic: RE: back after 4yrs out

I knew someone would have the link!!! Thanks Hala!

Amy R.
on 5/28/12 8:03 pm

Topic: RE: back after 4yrs out

Hi Nina, welcome back=)

There used to be a "Back on Track Together" Forum, but I can't seem to find it now. You may want to look for yourself though because that has helped many in your situation.

I did find the "WLS grads" Forum though and Dawn has a continuing thread on Accountability for every day of the week, plus there are sporadic posts from those in your situation. That link is:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/wls_grads/

Best of luck to you as you continue your journey. You can do whatever you set your heart to!

Amy R.
on 5/28/12 11:10 am, edited 5/28/12 11:12 am

Topic: RE: Failed RNY - DS Revision Questions???

Because I mentioned the "thing that cannot be named" - a certain WLS board that spun off this one. You may not have been a member when it happened. Not trying to stir the pot, but there are some posters here who have certain questions that I feel are addressed in better detail and by more posters than those on OH.

If you don't get it, or remember it, that's probably good. The people to go to here on OH are Ms. Batt and Valerie, and of course the DS board.

Amy R.
on 5/27/12 12:42 pm

Topic: RE: Failed RNY - DS Revision Questions???

Preacher,

There have been many RnY to DS revisions that are extremely successful. Keeping in mind that NO surgery type lets you eat white carbs in excess, if you want to know more about this particular revision, you should visit the DS Forum here or, if you would like to PM me, I can suggest some alternate sites -one in particular that can probably help you greatly.

Hoping this post won't be moderated, but it probably will. So if you see it you may want to PM me right away.

Best of luck to you in your journey.=)

Amy R.
on 5/21/12 7:52 pm

Topic: RE: what happens to your quality of life

Have you talked to your surgeon about your seeming inability to lose the recommended amount of weight?

I too have severe pain issues pre-op and couldn't seem to lose the optimum amount of weight required for surgery. My surgeon worked with me and we were able to come to a satisfactory compromise.

I lost only some of the weight he normally required pre-ops to lose, and because he took my debilitating pain into consideration that was okay with him. He did the surgery anyway.

As long as you have breath you have hope. Give it a shot - anything is worth a try at this point isn't it?

Amy R.
on 5/16/12 8:03 am

Topic: RE: Is It Really So Hard?????

I agree Heidi, but pretty much only for the "good news" type posts.

Like the other poster, there are times I open a thread and either don't know the answer or my answer has already been given. When that happens I rarely leave what would be a redundant post.

But the happy/good news posts are great, there is joy in seeing others do well and it encourages me to keep with my own program. There is always room for one more "Good Job" or "Great News" in any thread though.

=)

Amy R.
on 5/14/12 9:01 am

Topic: RE: cymbalta after RNY

I take Cymbalta, and I have been on it for almost 2 years (I am about 3 1/2 years post op).

It works well, but not as well as what I was taking before which was a combination of Wellbutrin and Prozac.

If it's helping, I would definately continue it. I have never heard of it causing ulcers, and since one of the reasons I had my mutated RnY was because of chronic non-healing ulcers and what they did to my pyloric valve I think they would have clued me in if ulcers were a side effect.

Oh, and don't get too used to the "high" effect - it wears off within a couple days=)

Best of luck to you in your journey.

Amy R.
on 4/28/12 4:02 pm

Topic: RE: would you "do it all over again"?.......

Without a second thought! My surgery gave me my life back=)

Amy R.
on 4/27/12 8:32 am

Topic: RE: Fear of ... being on TV. EEEEK! I'm going to NYC!

20/20 couldn't have picked a better, more 'real' voice. They have stumbled upon someone who will not only "tell it like it is", but who has lived it like it is.

Enjoy your experience - and thank you for once again speaking up for all of us!

Amy R.
on 4/18/12 3:39 pm

Topic: RE: Help me understand this new diet with feeding tubes....

Having been in several involuntary relationships pre-op with various NG tubes, I literally thought I had mis-read this. Are people really that desperate?

And personally, I think the docs offering this service should be sanctioned. NO ONE in their right mind would go through 2 weeks with an NG tube just to lose 20lbs, and I think it's unethical that it's even being offered.

Pathetic. Reminds me of that mesh-on-tongue thing that
Beth posted about a while back. I pray for these people. I really do.

Amy R.
on 4/16/12 8:35 am

Topic: RE: You might have tried eating less? (Gee, thanks.)

But she just had it in March of this year, how could that happen if nobody does it anymore due to the risk. And what exactly IS it? What gives it the "mini" part of the name?

Sorry, still not understanding.=(

Amy R.
on 4/15/12 9:34 pm

Topic: RE: You might have tried eating less? (Gee, thanks.)

slight hijack: I've heard/seen this term quite a bit more in the last several months than I did when I first had my surgery so I guess I'd better educate myself.

Under your surgery type Lisa it says "Mini-Gastric Bypass". What exactly is that and how does it differ from a standary RnY?

Thanks=)

Amy R.
on 4/12/12 8:10 am

Topic: RE: How long are you really waiting to drink after eating?

mmmmmm lemon water - my favorite. Just fresh lemon juice and water=)

oh, and to answer the original question. I usually wait the 30 mins but there have been times when I didn't pay enough attn or just didn't want to wait. Most of those times I wish I would have waited because it now makes me uncomfortable to eat/drink at the same time. The one exception is the very occasional glass of wine with dinner - I sip that through out the meal.

And on the protein shake part. I make my shakes REALLY thick, and I do try not to drink anything right after them since they help keep me full that way.

Best of luck to you on your journey=)

Amy R.
on 3/27/12 3:57 pm

Topic: RE: Not following post-op diet. At all.

If you don't have the sense to call your surgeon's office and clarify what they consider soft foods (you say you don't know what the soft foods are), at least have the sense to get in all of your fluids.

You are messing up your new insides when you screw around with stuff like solids, knowing damn good and well that is not the path you should be on. It WILL effect your weight loss and eventual attempts at maintenance. Hopefully you won't do anything that is gonna actually put your staple line at risk through your ignorance - but that's only a hope considering the tone and content of your message.

What you REALLY REALLY need to concentrate on right now though is fluids. I can guarantee you will end up back in the hospital if you don't stay hydrated and it can become serious very quickly. There is NO excuse for not getting your fluids in. It's hard for all of us, but I was told that for the immediate post-op period it was actually more important that I got in as much water as possible than it was to eat a spoonful here or there of protein, or even protein shakes if they fill you up so much you can not drink liquids.

The question I have (besides wondering myself if you are a troll) is, How hard do you want to make this? And Why? Some of your earlier posts state that you're young. Young is no excuse for ignorant, especially when you have a little one depending on you to be well. Do you have any idea what it would do to her to have you actually die because you thought it was "cute" to basically do whatever and eat whatever you wanted?

Why don't you try putting your daughters welfare before your own. She needs a mommy. That would be you. Do what you are supposed to do, including following surgeons instructions to the letter, so that she doesn't have to deal with the consequences of your selfishness in the form of your untimely death.

We are all here to support you and want you to succeed, but good God woman - if you are for real it's gonna take more than participation in an internet forum to get you to where you need to be.

Now go be up front with your surgeon so they know what you've done, get your questions answered and clarified (not just here on OH. We all have different surgeons with different protocols. You need an understanding of your surgeon's standards), get off your a$$ and start getting those liquids in. The only way you will learn to tolerate more fluids at a time is when your body gets used regular increases. Make a list of every little thing you must do each day and check it off as you get things done. Or do whatever works for you. For crying out loud, just DO something and get started down the correct path.

Best of luck in your (hopefully soon to be modified) journey=)

A Moderator has deleted this post.

Amy R.
on 3/22/12 8:24 am

Topic: RE: Carnie Wilson Has Band Surgery???

"LIKE", Gina.

Amy R.
on 3/22/12 8:20 am

Topic: RE: WLS is not always the cure. So there. Go Carnie.

Best of luck to her. Haven't walked in those shoes (yet). Meaning I have re-gain, but not nearly that much - it bounces around between 20 and 25 lbs.

I wish we all knew, or knew someone who knew, how to bottle success. Until then I guess most of us will just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

It's just sad that even after learning (not until post-op for me) that there is no magic in surgery, people feel compelled to continue having more.

Amy R.
on 3/22/12 8:13 am

Topic: RE: Need someone to talk to....may seem silly, but devastated

You are not whining at all. It must feel horrible to have that piece of your journey stolen, especially after all you went through.

No answers for you - hope you can get some that help - but wanted you to know that are definately not just complaining. That would be a huge blow to the psyche to many post-ops and even non-ops.

Amy R.
on 3/22/12 8:09 am

Topic: RE: taking prilosec after rny

Not sure what pumps you're talking about since you don't mention your surgery type - but I have an (admittedly mutated) RnY and at 3 1/2 years post op have been taking proton pump inhibitors on and off since surgery with no problems.

Not sure what's okay for other surgeries though -

Amy R.
on 3/20/12 3:05 pm

Topic: RE: Protein Shakes

I take extra selenium and my hair is thicker than it has been in 20 years....don't believe everything you hear. It's good that you came on to ask the questions.

I will now step aside and let the vitamin and protein experts answer your questions. Best of luck to you on your journey=)

Amy R.
on 3/20/12 8:26 am, edited 3/20/12 8:26 am

Topic: RE: Protein makes you feel Full??!!

Heidi's got it.

I can go several hours between meals when my meal is "just" a protein shake or a small piece of beef, chicken or fi****'s the carbs that I seem to digest in a New York minute.

Having said that, you'd think I'd learn wouldn't you? But at 3 1/2 years out, it is still physically harder for me to eat dense protein than anything else. And I have the dreaded 20lb "bounceback" weight to show for it.

=)