amanda D.
Revision
Jun 17, 2014
Well, here we are not quite 3 years out and I'm going in for a revision. I started having horrible problems with reflux to the point my 20mg omeprazole turned into 60mg and TUMs. Nothing helped. Went into a gastroenterologist here in Oregon last year, had an EGD done with some not so great news. The valve at the opening of my stomach isn't functioning properly. He claims it's a hereditary disorder that should have been caught when I had my surgery in 2011, obviously it wasn't. The gastro doc was talking about putting magnets around the opening that it would fix it, I wasn't so sure about that. So I let it go for a year. Things got WORSE.
Richard (my husband) decided a couple months ago that he was going to enter the bariatric program in Salem, yay him! I decided, what the hell lets see what they say. I was referred out to a doctor in Portland as Salem Clinic doesn't do revision. I met with Dr. Halpin the day after my birthday (May 19th), on the 23rd I went in for another EGD. This time the results were...well they weren't the best lol. 2 ulcers, faulty valve (duh already knew that) and a big hiatal hernia. Surgery now scheduled for July 2nd, 2014.
Best part about it being rushed like this, no 6 month wait like last time. Another good thing, Sleep Study done a couple weeks ago showed I no longer have obstructive sleep apnea, apparently losing 120# is a good thing lol. Still had to see a Psych and Dietician. On top of that I had to go to a welcome group, which I guess was the same thing as the very beginning of journey seminar, a physical therapist, the medical doctor twice so far, and a pre-surgery class. I'm currently on day 2 of my pre-op diet, which is different than last time, this time I can eat from a list of food, but have to have at least one shake, then 2 days prior is full on liquids only. To hell with that, I just started full on liquids.
Now that all of that is said, I have to admit I am terrified. I never wanted the bypass, EVER. I was afraid even then (3 years ago) that I would die. This time around, I have horrible anxiety about it. I don't remember feeling so apprehensive the last time. I'm healthier now, in spite of being anemic. My heart is in tip top shape, hell even my blood pressure has been around 90/55, I don't know why I'm so scared. It's not like i haven't done this already. Two weeks will be here before I know it and I'll look back and think "Really? You were all worked up over nothing!"
A time and place for everything
Apr 14, 2011
After leaving El Paso with these feelings of complete loss, I took a week to process all of it, and realized that not all facilities are the same, I have now found a hospital in Flagstaff that will do the RNY (not my first choice, but right now I am desperate for anything to help me). They have been super helpful with the early stages, and even knew that since I was coming from out of town they would make the most of my trip to Arizona. I have to go to yet another seminar *eyeroll* and they scheduled me the following day to meet with the surgeon for pre-op so I don't have to make another trip out there for it since i live nearly 5 hours away. (I guess that's the good thing about living smack dab in the center of New Mexico, just about any border is 4 to 5 hours away lol).
So far my impression of them is beyond amazing! I have been speaking to Betsy through email all week and feel more confident there than i have felt about anything in this whole process.
So here's to getting back up on the horse and hoping for a smooth road so I can stay on schedule with getting my surgery this summer when I wont have to worry about getting up to get my kiddo to school, or picking up her and her friend everyday after school. I can just be selfish and focus on ME for once
