ObesityHelp

Wow just did my BMI and cannot believe it, but my weight is now in the normal range. I began with a goal of 130 which I have not seen since I was 11 and felt I would be very happy at that weight. My doctor agreed this was a reasonable expectation, and now I have passed below it. 

The changes are amazing in my health I am off ALL medication except vitamins, no CPAP, can actually walk up two flights of stairs and still breath, and so much more. Even the hair loss has stopped, boy do I love my RNY!!!!  I wear a size 6 comfortably and have even picked up a few things in the juniors department (I could not shop in juniors even when I was one). I love the way I feel and look and I refuse to make a new weight goal. If I stopped today and never lost another pound that would be just fine with me.

Now I will be entering an even more difficult journey. To think and to keep everything I have learned since surgery in the forefront of my mind so that as I leave the honeymoon behind I can build walls and a roof that will set on the strong foundation I have begun. I know I am rambling but before I stop I just want to say thank you thank you, thank you to everyone here at OH. Even if we never spoke or answered one another’s posts I learned so much from everyone here and just being able to come hear and read about others who have had the same problems and fighting the same battles is and will continue to be such a source of strength and support to me. I truly do not know if I would have even continued this journey after my first insurance denial if it was not for the wonderful people here!!

I realize that there are little in the way of standards and every physician is different, but I find it shocking to me that a surgeon who routinely performs a procedure that is know to cause metabolic deficiencies does not follow his patient’s labs more closely. 

I did a tremendous amount of research prior to having my RNY. One thing I did was dicuss potential complications and deficincies with husbands cousin who is a hematologist/oncologist and asked him what should be followed for labs. I was surprised and pleased when I compared my surgeons lab orders to his recommendations and they matched exactly. My labs were done pre-op, 3 months post-op, 6 months post-op, and will be done again at 12 months post-op. After that I think it will be yearly. Here is a list of what I have done:

Vitamin D Hydoxy level (vitamin D25)
Vitamin B 12
Folic Acid Serum (folate level)
Thiamine (B 1)
TSH
Uric Acid
Vitamin D
Vitamin A
Ferritin
Iron
Iron Binding Capacity
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
CBC without diff
Lipid Panel (done at pre-op, 3 months and 12 months only)

I did have a Hgb A1C pre-op but unless you are a diabetic does not have to be done again. Among other things the CMP include protein level, potassium, calcium, as well as BUN and creatinine (for kidney function). Other labs can be ordered depending upon specific preexisting medical conditions.

6 months since my RNY and with only 15 lbs to goal time for a me update.  I see my surgeon on June 16th and hope my iron level is back up, having no complications, and feeling wonderful!!!!! When I checked my BMI it was 28.3 and I no longer qualify for bariatric surgery. Clothes are a size 10/12 and M/L depending on the style.  Amazing since pre-op wore a size 2x or 22/24. Wish the hairloss would stop!! That is the only thing I hate about having had my RNY!! Keeping my fingers crossed that it will stop soon!!!!

Shopping is difficult now. I am trying to get  away from the baggy style of the past, but I have to re-learn what will look good on me and have new areas to hide (bat wings and tummy). Does not help that I really don't like the styles available in "affordable" (ie Goodwill) clothing and since I am still loosing cannot afford the "good" stuff. Eating well and very little in the way of food issues. The only thing s I have some trouble with are hanburgers and hotdogs. Hmm going to make the summer BBQ's a bit difficult. I have a few episodes of mild dumping, and a few vagal reactions, but overall am so happy and wish I had not let my fears rule and done this years ago!!!!