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Name: Lori M.
Username: lmullins
Location: Humble, TX, USA
Member Since: 1/3/2007
BMI: 19.1
Post Op
Surgery Type: RNY (01/31/07)
Surgeon: Adam Naaman, M.D.

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Uploaded on 2/2/09 6:43 pm	My best friend Shannon and I Uploaded on 6/26/08 7:08 am

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Latest Surgery Support Comments

Comment by LMILOW on 1/29/07 8:22 am

Hey Lori, I am wishing you the very best. I know that all will go wonderful. You just sit back, and relax enjoy the Honeymoon.

Comment by Cira S. on 1/29/07 12:49 am

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! Wishing you all the best an uneventful and speedy recovery.

Click here for the surgery support page

lmullins's Blog
lmullins's Blog

2 years
on February 2, 2009 8:27 pm

Wake up call!!!! I have not been the best steward with all that God has given me to share and although my surgical trials have been many...I shouldn't be silent about the risks and the rewards. My blogs were regular in my first year post op, but I have "fallen off the wagon"...I know there are so many who read these blogs and learn from our experiences, so I will do my best to update everyone here as much as I can. Last weekend marked my 2 year anniversary. I will still say that having this surgery was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. The road has not been easy, but in hindsight I'd go through it all over again to get to this place. Not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally also. I have learned so much through everything I have been through. What have I been through some may ask?!? Well to get the long version you would have to read my blogs from last year, but in adding to that, I finshed off 2008 with a total of 5 unrelated surgeries. 4 of which were related to issues caused by the gastric bypass... bowel obstruction/ hernia repair April of 08, hemorraghed April of 08 from previous surgery, incisional hernia repair Nov 08, and finally a sphincterotomy in December of 08. Since most of the bigger surgeries were elaborated on in previous blogs I will address only the last surgery, the sphincterotomy. This surgery was the result of almost 2 years of lose BM's...basically what happened is that I developed a fissure or tear in my rectum. For several months of the last year I would have problems or pain that I thought was hemmoroids, but being a "lady"'...I chose not to seek medical care. In November the pain became horribly excrucitaing so I finally broke down an saw a specialist. Had the problem been addressed sooner it likely could have been fixed with medication, but mine had become so severe it required a surgery. Sooooo my advice was and still is, when something comes up please do not blow it off as no big deal. Both my bowel issues and my rectal issues could have been taken care of as smaller issues but becuase of lack of attention and/ or just assuming..."oh this must just be how it is after a gastric bypass"...they became big issues.

So two years post op, here are my stats:

High weight 242 lbs
current weight 115 lbs

My daily truths:
My weekly range is anywhere from 114 lbs to 118 lbs and I have stayed in this range for one whole year now. I still have days where I am not happy eating at all, and others where I am a ravenous beast. For the sake of complete honesty, I am not the best eater...I do not drink protein shakes nor do I eat my proteins first anymore, but I do try to get as much protein in as possible. I still do not drink sodas as a regular practice but may have a small one once or twice a month. I really enjoy fruit but I equally enjoy chocolate. I weigh myself at least twice a day for fear that if I don't know EXACTLY where my weight is from day to day I might regain and lose control. I still look at my body and am disappointed in what I see. I am happy with my body fully clothed, but naked disgusts me. I do not plan to have a TT at this time. The body I see is the one I will have to live with. I have a greater sense of confidence but do not like to openly discuss my weight. Most people think I'm too skinny, but I am PERFECTLY happy this size. To a person who has been overweight their whole life there is no such thing as "too skinny"....and I guess that about sums up my random thoughts for tonight. Until next time

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Update on me
on June 26, 2008 8:07 am

It's been awhile since I blogged, so I'm here to check in today. Janie says I need to update my page and think she's right. :-)
I added some new photos today so everyone can see what my lil 19.8 BMI self looks like now. I still can not believe that the lady in those photos is me. Do I feel skinny, ennhhh, not really. It's all mental I guess. Reading everyone's posts on OH prior to surgery prepared me for the mental challenges that were coming, but now that I'm here it's a wierd place for me. I'm a woman of faith and I know that God is in complete control. I started reading a book recently called "God's Guarantee to Heal You"...at first when I saw the title I thought...interesting, but a lil late don't ya think...but knowing it was God's timing I started reading the book and quickly realized that this book was not so much about healing as it was about our faith in God and in his word. The Bible says that that we all have a measure of faith, and to accept salvation, some of us even more, but it's also a fruit of the spirit...and something that should continue to grow in the life of the believer. The stuff I have been through physically has helped me grow in faith, and seeing God move in my life the way he has recently only helped my faith and trust in him to increase. The weight loss journey I have been on has been a scary ride that has had it ups and downs...sometimes it felt like I was soaring through and doing everything right but then there were days where it all seemed so complicated and nothing was going my way. The end seemed so far away. Isn't that so similar to our Chrsitian walk and our faith in God? It's amazing how God draws paralels in our life. I am at a happy place weight wise, this is a weight I can't recall ever being..I was younger than 11 for sure, but I feel amazing. Sure I have my "down" days, but I got on this ride called weight loss surgery knowing full well it wasn't always going to be easy. Some people ask, with all that you've been through would you do it again knowing what you'd face? And to that my answer is still a resounding YES! I make the comparsion to the high blood pressure and the long term effects of that on my heart, the heavy breathing when doing any sort of aerobic ativity, the pain in my feet from the bone spurs and just the hatred for the body I was in, and still I say YES YES AND YES.... I wouldn't trade this for the world. I love my new body and the happier person I have become. My faith in God has increased and my love for him grows with each day. I thank God for allowing me the opportunity to get my life and my health in check and to alive today. I can't wait to see what's next!!!

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Bowel Surgery & Hysterectomy
on April 17, 2008 4:57 pm

Hi everyone. I am finally well enough to log in and update. It's been a rough week and a half.
The surgery was last Monday 4/7. When I arrived I was determined that they'd be able to find eveything and get me all fixed up and I was right! When they went in to look laproscopically at the bowels they were able to locate an inflammed portion of the bowel and decided to convert to an "open" procedure. Once they got in they found a herniated area with approx 10-12 ft of bowel wrapped around itself, knotted, and in pretty bad shape. The bowel was losing color and some of it was obviously overworked. They pulled all of the bowels out, got them untangled, removed a lot of scar tissue and put everything back in it's place. Immediately they were able to see a positive change in the color of the bowel and considered that part of the surgery a sucess. They proceeded from there with the hysterectomy and were able to remove all of the cancer with that surgery which they also completed as a "open" procedure. All together surgery was 4 hours long. When i woke up I was told the good news. I was intubated with an NG tube going from my nose into the stomach to prevent my stomach or bowels from working too hard during my recovery. I stayed pretty sedated for the first two days but by Tuesday I was able to get up and go for a little walk. That night my surgeon came in and advised that my hemoglobin count was a lil low so they'd be watching me for signs of internal bleeding. Being the eternal optimist, I just knew things would be fine. Wednesday morning at approx 5 am, the nurse came in for my vitals and my blood pressure was 79/46 and my pulse was 128. Within 15 minutes my blood was being taken and within 30 minutes of that my surgeon called and said that I'd be headed to the OR for them to go back in and stop the bleeding. My hemoglobin was 6. So back in I went, and after 2 units of blood and 2 hours of surgery the bleeding was stopped and I was back on the road to recovery. That second surgery made the recovery twice as hard, but with an incision approx 12-13 inches long running the length of my abdomen I couldn't have expected recovey as quick as my previous lap surgeries. So slowly Thursday afternoon they began removing the NG tube, central line (added to give me blood during my second surgery) and getting me weaned off the morphine pump. By Saturday I was eating light amounts of food and Sunday night I was able to be released. Each day gets easier, but it will be a long recovery. I am VERY excited that they were able to fix everything at once and even more grateful at the opportunity to get healthy again. My weight is dangerously low, now at less that 120 lbs on my large 5'5" frame, and I look very sickly and fraile. I know that I am on the road now to a full recovery, but to those of you out there reading this who have "issues" with your bowels or your tummy that you blow off and pretend don't exist just because you prefer being thin over being overweight, please consider your health. I personally allowed my Dr. to blow this bowel issue off for too long, and I thought myself at times that I was just being too whiney, but at the end of the day I knew my body better than anyone else could have and I continued to push the issue until they finally found and resolved my issue. Some may not be so lucky...my bowels were dying off and I'm sure in time could have become a fatal issue.
Thank you to all of you for your messages and emails or concern and love. You guys are wonderful .

Here's to good health and a long and productive life!!!

Lori

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Update on me - Surgery
on March 18, 2008 9:58 am

Some may or may not know that I was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer. I am also still struggling with bowel issues that have gone on for about 8 months now. Below is a recent post to a message board that gives an update on my condition as of today.

RE: Monday Morning Weigh Ins
Response from Lori Mullins at 8:44 AM PST on 03/17/2008
Humble, TX – RNY (01/31/2007)

Hello, and long time no... (well, I can't say see) so let's say...Long time no write...

My weight is continuing to go in the wrong direction, but there's not much I can really do about it at this point. The Dr's think maybe I have scar tissue adhering part of my bowel to the abdomen, but they can not determine for sure until I have surgery on 4/7. So, until then I just grin and bear it.

Here are my stats

HW 242
LW ? 125-127 possibly
CW 124

RE: Monday Morning Weigh Ins
Response from Janie M at 7:39 PM PST on 03/17/2008
Zeeland, MI – RNY (01/22/2007) – Jon L. Schram, M.D., F.A.C.S.

I'm sorry to hear that the weight keeps dropping (did you ever think you'd hear that?) Is it that you're just not hungry, does it hurt to eat? I hope they find something out on 4/7. Please tell me again what type of surgery you're having? You'll be in my prayers. ***HUGS***

RE: Monday Morning Weigh Ins
Response from Lori Mullins at 9:55 AM PST on 03/18/2008
Humble, TX – RNY (01/31/2007)

It actually hurts my tummy to eat. It's not daily, but weekly I'll go through these waves of issues. It's been going on for so long that I forget what normal feels like. About 15 minutes after I eat on random days (we've tried to narrow down foods types or other factors and nothing is consistant) but anyway, on random days about 15 minutes after I begin eating my stomach (it's actually my bowels) will begin with these awful sloshing and spitting noises...it's very water park in full action-ish...but it HURTS! Anyone within 15 feet can here the noises and with the noises comes intense pain, you can actually watch the food/ gas moving through the bowels like an alien is moving in my stomach. The only relief is had by pushing very hard into my left side (stomach area) or going into the fetal posiition. I can't sit or stand comfortably, and I break out into cold sweats, and dry heave or get foamies. This goes on in waves for 2-3 hours until the pain and noises subside (which puts me right to sleep) and then for a day or two afterward I am very nauseous. Just as I begin eating normal again for a couple of days, the episodes will return. It all began last summer when I had the small bowel obstruction, but now there is no sign of an obstruction. The general surgeon I'm working with now says that there is a possibility that scar tissue could have built up around and adhered a portion of the bowels to the wall of my abdomen to cause this or I could have bowels stuck in a herniated area in my abdomen...What we are doing on 4/7 are two surgeries. My GYN will do the hysterectomy to remove the cancer, which has only minimally invaded beyond the cervix, and a general surgeon will go in and "explore" my bowels to try to find out what is going on there. If he can't locate a problem he'll send me to a professor at Baylor who understands the risks and side effects of gastric bypass and see if he can figure out what's going on. As som eof you may know, my surgeon retired, BUT even if he hadn't my hysterctomy is being done close to home so I found a general surgeon out here who's not necessarily a gastric bypass surgeon, but can do whatever is needed to run through the bowel system. So that's what's going on.

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Nearing my 1 year surgiversary
on January 17, 2008 10:06 am

It's been some time since I last posted. To be honest, it's been mainly because I'm not sure how I'm feeling or how to express what I feel these days. My weight loss has been great, but there seem to be some lingering issues that must be worked on. The person in the mirror is different, but the person inside is still the same. I've always been happy with who I am inwardly, and I don't think that's something I will lose with any amount of weight loss, but at the same time I struggle with the attention. I've always been a very happy go lucky, glass is half full type person. Nothing gets to me and nothing brings me down. My faith is increasingly strong and my trust in my creator is what drives me. I have a great life, and a wonderfully supportive loving husband along with two amazing children. But still....I find myself 108 lbs lighter today and the attention being drawn to the outward me is something I'm not used to yet. I feel like everyone who sees me is drawn to the outward appearance and feels the need to discuss their thoughts, ideas, concerns, and either admiration or lack of for the new body I have. Having spent my entire life drawing people's eye and attention away from the flaws in my large body and frame, now suddenly all of the attention is being drawn right to it, and I have a feeling of insecurity. It seems most of my friends and family think I am much too thin, but I am not sure how to feel about it. In fact I just wish I could scream out really loud to the world one time "Can't we just talk about something else???????????" and be done with it. When I was big, people were too fearful of addressing my weight issue until I said I was having surgery and then it became a time for everyone to share how they "truely" felt about my weight and how happy they were that I was getting it under control. Now, it seems the world world thinks it's comfortable or much easier to voice their opinions because "by golly she's not fat anymore, she must enjoy talking about her weight"...But that's not true. I had this surgery to get my life back, I had it to get healthy and yes I did want to look good and feel better about my body, but there was SO much more than just that. So I find myself near my 1 year anniversary questioning, where is the stopping point, what's a healthy new weight to stop at, what looks good, do I even know or understand what looks good, am I overlooking something becuase I want so much to be thinner? There are so many questions in my mind daily about my own idea of what a healthy weight will be for me. I have come to the idea that where my body finally stops losing weight is where it will stop, if people don't like that, then too bad. It's my body, can't I be happy with it? So maybe I need counseling or maybe I'm just a normal person who has lived their life in a large body and wants to be healthy happy and thin. I am 5'5" tall weigh 133 lbs and wear a size 4 pants and a small shirt. Yes, I am small, but what i see in the mirror is obviously not what everyone else sees. I am taking all my vitamins, eating well and taking good care of myself, and am happy with the person I am. Please stop pressuring me to fit some image you have of what looks good on me. I guess that just about sums up my thought life. Who knows...

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