- Name: Julie R.
- Username: Sarabande4
- Location: Ludington, MI, USA
- Member Since: 6/17/2006
- BMI: 20.6
- Post Op
- Surgeon: Paul Kemmeter, MD
Photos
I'm Not In Any Photos Yet.
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Surgeon TestimonialPaul Kemmeter, MDMy first impression of Dr. Kemmeter was that he had a great sense of humor. I live in a lovely Michigan resort community, and when he walked in to meet me, he said "You're supposed to STAY in Ludington during the summer, not leave it!" He also grew up in a resort community, and that gave us something easy to talk about. He was very competent, and has done over 800 lap surgeries. He has only done about 9 lap DS's though, but told me that he would never do anything to me that he wouldn't do to his own sister. He took all the time I needed. He was impressed with my knowledge of the DS and told me that I was the ideal patient - young, healthy, educated about the process and motivated. PLUS - he promised he'd try to fit me into his schedule before the second week of August, and he DID! Member Interests
- Arts - It goes without saying, based on the above
- Travel - I love to travel! I have been to Europe, to 45 states and to Mexico. A
- Pets - two dogs, a cockatiel and a goldfish!
- Music - I am a professional pianist. I also sing, play guitar, mandolin and fiddle.
- Volunteerism
- Teachers - I am a K-12 vocal music teacher in Baldwin, MI. Keep music in our schools!
- Gardening - Perennaials, herbs and veggies
- Reading - Voracious reader - my tastes are eclectic
Latest Surgery Support Comments
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I heard someone take
a spot on the bench.
It was you!!!
Congratulations on
being a loser!
kp
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Well, Julie - IT IS
OVER! Welcome to
the Loser's bench -
we all moved over to
give you a seat!! I
pray everything went
well and you will be
on your way home
today.
Click here for the surgery support page
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Welcome to my little corner of cyburbia! I am a 40-something mother of three, pianist, teacher and choral director. I had the duodenal switch with Dr. Paul Kemmeter of MMPC in Grand Rapids on August 9, 2006. This day changed my life forever, freeing me from almost 30 years of obesity and self-destructive eating patterns, and enabling me to do tasks and activities I haven't been able to do in years. I have lost 146 lbs, am below goal weight, and wear a size 2. I feel absolutely fantastic, have had no complications and have turned into a MAJOR clothes hound! Please take the time to read my blog detailing my journey, and I am always happy to answer any questions, any time!
TWO YEAR SURGIVERSARY on August 9, 2008 3:18 pm
Two years ago today, I headed into surgery knowing in my heart that I'd just made one of the best decisions of my life. I sometimes worried at how much faith I'd placed in this surgery, and my doctor, but I just knew I was going to make it work, and I did. Two years ago today, I could barely walk up a flight of stairs. Now I can run them. Two years ago today, everything hurt, now nothing does. Two years ago today, I weighed 268 lbs and wore a size 22. Now I am 120 and wear a size 2. Two years ago today, I was in a destructive, toxic, alcoholic relationship. Now, I am strong-minded and free, and dating a man who treats me like a princess. I am healthy, energetic and happy. I am so terribly grateful for this surgery that my eyes well up as I type this.
I went to an art fair this morning and celebrated my two year success by eating an elephant ear. I told the man that sold it to me that it was my "once a year elephant ear" and he commented on how I was so skinny, I could probably eat them once a day. Maybe I could, but I'm not going to push it. I eat mostly what I want, and I can really put some food down! I do stay away for the most part from white flour and simple carbs, but usually have a small bit of something every day. My gas issues have been GREATLY reduced by using probiotics and only eating modest amounts of simple carbs.
I have had a bump or two on the road, but minor ones. I had an internal hernia repaired in June. This can happen to ANYONE who has lost weight, or even had a baby, because of the extra free space in the abdomen. I had problems with anemia, and have had iron infusion. I had an allergic reaction to the first two, but the third one did the trick, and my hemoglobin and ferritin are both normal now. Best of all, after starting on 50 k IUD of D every day (100 k for the first month) my D levels are NORMAL! My A is normal too. I couldn't ask for more, could I?
To anyone contemplating or about to have this surgery - just do it. It's the best thing I ever did. Keep a positive attitude that you WILL make this work for you. You will need to undergo some changes, in lifestyle, and mindset, and please understand that from the get-go. Don't worry, they are only minor ones, and you WILL be able to eat normally again! Life is grand, for sure. Blessed be.
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Twenty Two Months and back in the OR on June 7, 2008 1:16 pm
About a week and a half ago, I experienced the worst abdominal pain I'd ever had in my life. It started out very diffuse and centrally located throughout the abdomen. The pain radiated right through to my back. I was unable to sit, stand, or bend. I was terrified. I went to the ER, and my blood pressure was 169/105. I normally have very low blood pressure. I could not even hold still long enough for them to put an IV in me - they kind of had to follow me along as I paced up and down the floor. After an IV push of Dilaudid (thank you JESUS!) the pain subsided enough so that I was able to settle down. The pain began to localize to the general area of the mid-lower right quadrant. A CT scan was performed and the doctor told me they saw "lots and lots of stool," some pockets of fluid in my abdomen and some lower pelvic thickening. They suggested all this pain might be from constipation, and sent me home. Right.
I contacted my WLS surgeon and he wanted to see me. He didn't examine me for more than thirty seconds when he stated that he felt this was right in the spot where internal hernias occur and wanted to go in and look around with the laparoscope. He said that these are very commonly misread on CT's, and that your average radiologist doesn't know what he's looking for. In true Dr. K fashion, he had me scheduled for surgery within three days. I did some research on internal hernias. They occur fairly frequently in individuals who have had lap surgery, especially those who have lost a lot of weight. The new free space vacated by fat becomes a spot for the bowel to loop or twist. They are easily corrected, but can be devastatingly dangerous if they are not. Dr. K. fixed the hernia, took down some previous adhesions and took some photos of my lower pelvis to bring to my ob-gyn. I am sore, moving a bit slow, and tired. I am having another iron infusion on Monday, and I hope that'll help me bounce back a bit faster. I am so very grateful that I did not accept the ER doc's word on this CT scan, and that Dr. K knew exactly what I was talking about.
A word of warning: If you feel that the pain you are experiencing is out of the realm of what a doctor is suggesting, it probably is! Continue, as a DS'er, to be proactive about your post-op care. Be aware of what can arise, and don't be afraid to insist that someone else take a second look!
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21 months on May 10, 2008 10:39 pm
I had an iron infusion today. Despite the fact that I had been taking Repliva for six months, my ferritin remained very low, and I was referred to an oncologist/hematologist. She felt that an iron infusion was the best route for me, and got me scheduled for one immediately at my local hospital. It was a six-plus hour affair, because this doctor is very careful about preventing allergic reactions. I was given a bag of cimetidine (Pepcid) first, to prevent any GI disturbance, then was given benedryl and decadron IV (decadron is a steroid). After completing those, I was given a test run of the iron by IV push, with the nurse monitoring my vitals every five minutes. I sailed through with flying colors, so I was given the full bag of iron. I slept a great deal of the time, both the Pepcid and the Benedryl made me sleepy. I did develop some hives immediately afterwards, but I took some more Benedryl and they resolved. I have to have two more infusions over the next four weeks. The doctor feels it is likely that I will have to have them once a year for the rest of my life. I still consider it a very small price to pay for being thin.!
After a meeting with my surgeon's office, I am also take 100,000 IU's of Vitamin D for a month. After being retested, and if my D looks better, I will go on 50,000 IU's.
I have had some weight rebound, which is a good thing, according to my surgeon. I am in about the 125 range. I don't want to be any higher than this though.
All in all, I can't be complaining!
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Eighteen Months and Just Struttin' Through Life on February 10, 2008 5:27 pm
At eighteen months out, my weight remains stable, despite eating an embarrassing amount of food. I worry about how much my stomach has stretched back out. I range between 117 (too thin) and 125. I was 120 this morning. The wide weight range scares me, but I've found that it is definitely cyclical and I'm just trying to roll with it. I do not notice a huge difference in how my clothes fit - sometimes when I'm in the upper range, my tummy feels rather bloated and my pants might fit a bit tighter in the waist. I always seem to wander right back down to the 120-122 mark though. I've quit obsessing about it.
Gas is still my only negative issue - but I've learned that 1) Probiotics really DO help and 2) activated charcoal helps. I'm still holding off on resorting to Flagyl, but I'm going to be standing up in a wedding in Texas in April, and will probably go on it in preparation for that, as I'll be staying at my best friend's house with lots of other family members.
I am being retested for my vitamin levels next week, and I suspect the news will not be good on my D and my iron, but I'm just going to go ahead and start taking the 100,000 iu's a day of the D, per Vitalady's recommendation. I don't care what my surgeon's office says. I'm also going to start tanning this week.
With all that boring stuff taken care of, I just wanted to add that I am still filled with incredible joy and gratitude EVERY SINGLE DAY of my life for the opportunity to have had this surgery. I will never take for granted the changes that have occurred. I still am in awe of my increased energy, mobility and confidence. I feel like nothing is insurmountable now, and I surely do wish that I could aid every single individual out there who is suffering from this terrible disease of obesity. It's Black History month, and my students are studying about the Underground Railroad and African American spiritual music. I'm teaching them the spiritual "Free at Last." The words go.....Free At Last.....Free At Last.....Thank God Almighty....I am Free....Free....at last! Yup - that's like it is. Sing it with me now!
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Almost 17 months and still losing? on January 2, 2008 6:44 pm
Well, I was surprised to see, after a week of holiday eating, that I weigh 117 pounds. I am still within the normal range in weight charts, but I think I'm looking a bit scrawny. My mother spent the holidays trying to feed me and convince me to go see a metabolic specialist. I still feel that I have a rebound in my future, based on my current eating habits, and I'm keeping a close eye on things. I am certainly NOT body dysmorphic. I have not convinced myself that I am a fat person or anything like that. I know I am thin - I do not look emaciated. I want to give this a few more months before I talk to my surgeon about going on Creon. I am due to have labs redrawn here soon to check on my A, D and iron, and I'll know more then.
I definitely poop more with sugar/flour, which I think has contributed to my recent weight loss. I wonder if, as my malabsorption increases over time, if I will poop less frequently, and thus gain a bit of weight back.
I went to a formal event for New Year's Eve, and felt like Cinderella at the ball. I wore a long black velvet skirt and a gold off-the-shoulder evening blouse, high heels and (lo and behold!) fish net stockings!!! I felt so dainty and petite. I danced the night away, the first time since losing weight, and had such a nice time. I hopefully will post a picture soon.
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Archive
My Story
Hello to all listees! I am a 45-year-old mother of three (two in college and one in junior high) who has been considering WLS for a long long time.
I recently moved to beautiful Ludington from the downriver Detroit area, and feel blessed that I am able to live in such a gorgeous part of the earth. I teach K-12 general and vocal music in the tiny community of Baldwin, right smack in the middle of the Manistee National Forest. Besides the aforementioned three kids, I have a fiance' Kevin, two dogs, a cockatiel and a gold fish. My youngest, fiance' and pets and I are all crammed into a tiny apartment in Ludington, patiently waiting for my house to sell on Grosse Ile. In the meantime, we have a great view of Lake Michigan! I also direct a church choir, am a professional pianist, and head up a folk music group in Ludington (I also sing, play fiddle, guitar and mandolin). I am also a reading fanatic, love gardening, bicycling and the outdoors. Life is rich for me, and I'm a happy, funny, grateful individual. Truly, aside from constantly short finances and my weight issues, I'm a very blessed person.
I have struggled with my weight since age ten, when my parents decided that I was getting chubby (I wasn't) and put me on the infamous "egg diet." Remember that? This started me on a course of parental and self-abuse and hatred. I was required to step on the scale every day in front of my family. Some days, my parents made me put on a swim suit so I could show my siblings how "fat" I had begun. I so distinctly remember my 12-year-old brother howling with laughter at this humiliating act. If I lose weight, i was "rewarded" by being allowed to buy some new clothes or go to a dance. If I gained weight, I was punished and grounded. My dad used to sometimes come up to my bedroom at 5 am, put the scale down on the floor, and say "get up and get on the scale - I'm going out of town, so Mom wants you to weigh in early." My parents watched every bite I ate. I was not allowed to eat what my siblings ate. If my mom "was bad" on her diet, then I could be. Needless to say - I began sneaking food. When I babysat, I'd clean out their cupboards. I was always amazed at how much food other people kept in their houses!
Do you want to know the sure-fire formula for making a child obese? Do exactly what my parents did. It works - I tell ya! I've been through counseling to deal with this abuse, and I realize now that my parents were merely doing what THEY felt was best at the time. I'm in a good place about my anger and hurt in regard to this, but it sure is tough to break the food addiction that ensued. My self-esteem goes up and down with my weight gain and loss.
I lost about 70 lbs. two years ago, through a combination of Atkins and daily exercise. I had to work out one-two hours a day. I was really feeling great. Once I moved up north, the stress and long hours of my job (good stress, but stress nevertheless) and those cold Lake Michigan winds, prevented me from getting the exercise I so very much needed. And once I started on an upward cycle, I just couldn't seem to stop.
I've now gained almost all of the weight back. I think I weigh about 250. I am only 5'4. I have tried every diet known to man, including a life-long abuse of over-the-counter diet pills and Phentermine.
Today is my first orientation at Michigan Medical PC in Grand Rapids. My insurance has already approved me. I really hope to expedite this and have my surgery before school starts up on August 23. Wish me luck!
Blessings to all of you who have so freely shared your stories on this board.
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