cyndirene
I am stil here
Oct 04, 2008
I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!!!
Oct 26, 2007
I will update after I see him on Monday to post my surgery date for the hernia repair and tummy tuck.
IT'S BEEN A ROUGH RIDE
Sep 10, 2007
September 11, 2007 -
Wow, so much has happened since I have posted last. My ulcer progressively became worse and my pouch ruptured. I was admitted to Lourdes because Dr. Argotte was going to do an EGD because of my excessive nausea. I have had and EGD monthly up to May. When he did the EGD, he found that my pouch had ruptured and attached itself to my liver. He woke me up from the EGD and told me that he had to take me to surgery to repair the pouch. I asked him when he would be doing this, thinking maybe the next day and he told me "NOW". This was at about 1:00 PM. So, he gave me 2mg of Dilaudid and I passed out!Anyway, I woke up at about 9:30 PM on a ventilator. I was in surgery for approximately 6 hours. He repaired my pouch with only a 1.5 ounce capacity after removing my ulcer. He removed the remaining stomach that just sits in your abdomen and produces gastric juices and he clipped my vagus nerve which tells the digestive system to produce more digestive juices. I had a central line in my chest, and On-Q catheter in my incision with numbing medication, two JP drains in my abdomen and a tube down my throat. But I made it and Dr. Argotte had saved me. I remained in the hospital for about 7 days. So basically, I was a new post-op gastric bypass patient. I had to start everything over, with the liquids for 10 days and progressively move my diet along. I kept having pain around my incision and Cleo and I thought maybe it was a neuritis from the surgery. It was so painful but I just kept going. In July, I went to Ohio to visit my parents and family and my abdomen began to swell under the incision, the pain was almost unbearable. It was hot to the touch. I called Dr.Argotte's office and spoke with Cleo and she advised me to come to the office when I got in on the 19th from Ohio. Thank goodness my aunt had a bottle of Vicodin (pain meds) from a previous surgery. That is was got me through my visit. It did not make all of the pain go away but it helped. I got off the plane in St. Louis and my daughter and son-in-law drove me to Dr. Argotte's office. He admitted me immediately to Lourdes hospital. A lab person came in my room to draw blood, could not get it, sent someone else in to try but my veins are not too good from all the IV's and surgery that I have had in the past 9 months. So, she said, we will leave it to the midnight shift to try. In the meantime, my fever was 101.5 and on the rise. My nurse came in and I had a high speed come apart and told her that I hurt so she gives me 50mg of Demerol which would usually knock anyone out. All it did was make me feel drunk and it did not help my pain. So a different nurse came in and I was furious. I told him that I was hurting so bad and was so sick. The pain meds were not working, they have not drawn blood and Dr. Argotte was waiting on my bloodwork to see what my white count was. By this time I was crying. So, he got on the phone to Dr. Argotte who ordered me a Dilaudid PCA pain pump and immediately someone came in and drew my blood. At last, my pain was under control. Dr. Argotte came in and told me he was going to aspirate (remove the fluid from my abdomen). So, I said okay, go for it. I withdrew about 160cc's of pus from my abdomen and then ordered 6mg of Dilaudid. He told me that he had to open my abdomen and clean it out. The pain medication was given and by that time I didn't care about anything. He injected my abdomen with Lidocaine to numb it and cut open my incision. He totally cleaned out my infection which thank god was only in the subcutaneous tissues, not in the abdominal cavity. Well,with this infection, the incision cannot be closed so it was packed with a wet to dry dressing which is gauze soaked in saline and then pack it in the open wound, then placing dry gauze over that and tape it down. I was in the hospital for 9 days, on Vancomycin ( which by the way blows your veins and makes everything smell like crap) and another type of IV antibiotic. I was so lonely in the hospital and was going stir crazy. I am thankful for Dr. Argotte's skills. He said that this infection was bizarre, his words, because they do not know how I got this. Beats me buckwheat. So, I am sent home with the instructions of how to pack this wound. Home health came 2x a week and the rest of the time, I was packing this wound 2x a day. Well, it is finally closed. However, it is swelling back up again and sore. I had a follow-up CT scan this past Thursday and I am seeing Dr. Argotte on this Thursday. I have a sneaking suspicion that the abscess is back. I don't know why I am getting this. I am a germaphobe. I use dial soap to bath with and wash my hands a gazillion times a day. As Dr. Argotte says - "It's bizarre".
Anyway, on a lighter note, I have gone from 278 to 163. I'm loving it. I am stuck right now and not losing but I believe it is because I am not getting enough protein in and not exercising at the health club. I hope to be able to get back and lose another 30 pounds. Lots of loose skin but that can be dealt with in another year. I need to get healthy first. I can honestly say that I don't regret my surgery. I would have never been able to lose the weight without it. Unfortunately, there is that small percentage of patients that have postoperative complications. But I will make it through it and get well. I love the fact that my husband tells me how pretty I am and that I look so much healthier. I am looking forward to going back to work and buying lots of new clothes. I love the fact that I don't have to go to the plus size department anymore. I no longer have diabetes or hypertension either. So, that's what has been going on with me. I'll update after my visit to Dr. Argotte on Thursday. 115 pounds lost so far -
Will I ever be able to eat real food again?
Mar 22, 2007
I'm Finally There
Mar 17, 2007
Well, here I am back to square one. I cannot hold down solid foods. I can drink Crystal Light, eat sugar free pudding and no sugar added applesauce and Ritz crackers. I saw Dr. Argotte this past Thursday and he said my opening to the intestine may be closing up again because of my ulcer healing or that the ulcer is the cause of me throwing up solids. Anyway, he wants to do an EGD in two weeks to check how the ulcer is healing and if, in fact, the opening is closing. Of course, he told me if it gets worse this coming week, to call the office and have the EGD scheduled for the 23rd. I have lost 60 pounds now. It feels so good to have this weight off!!!! I am excited because I have gone from a 4X to a 1X in 2 and 1/2 months!!! Hopefully, this ulcer is healing and I will be able to eat soon. I am not getting in enough protein and fluids. I am trying with the protein shakes but it came back up on me yesterday. I tried 1/3 of a South Beach protein bar, which was a big mistake!!!! That really made my stomach hurt and I threw it up. Dr. Argotte told me to imagine that I put on a 60 pound long vest and walked all day, up and down stairs, go to the grocery store, etc... that it was it was like before the weight loss. I could not walk far or shop for long because of my feet, ankles, knees and hips hurting from carrying around that 60 pounds. I am able to walk pretty well now. I have gone from 278 to 218!!!!! My goal is 135 so I still have a way to go but I'm working on it. My husband is noticing the changes in my body also and is very happy that I have done this. No more insulin shots, no hypertension meds - it's great!!! I'll update soon about my ulcer situation. Hopefully it will be good news!
I'm Finally There
Mar 07, 2007
Today, I tried a piece of sausage to try to get a little bit of meat in me and boy that did not stay for more than 20 minutes. I'm so tired of throwing up. Basically I am surviving on yogurt, Cheerios, crackers and applesauce. I am about 9 weeks out from surgery and it is really hard for me to eat. I am told though that it will get better. I certainly hope so. On the lighter side, I have lost a total of 55 pounds as of today - yeah!!!!! I can really tell the difference when looking in the mirror. That's what is keeping my attitude somewhat positive. I am just hoping for the day when I can actually eat a small meal and keep it down. That's all for now.
I'm Finally There
Mar 05, 2007
I'm finally there
Feb 27, 2007
2/27/07 - I had my EGD on 2/23/07. My ulcer is not yet healed. Dr. Argotte had to dilate the opening to my intestines because is was closing up. That is why I was throwing up. That night I made the mistake of eating two pieces of popcorn chicken and was throwing up alot. Then I had a small glass of skim milk and I threw that up as it soured on my stomach. That was a first. So, on Saturday and Sunday, I ate very little and had alot of stomach pain. I have had some bleeding of the ulcer evident with black tarry stools. I spoke to Heather in Dr. Argotte's office and she said that it could be from him dilating the opening. Today I am feeling good. No stomach pain and I was able to eat yogurt. It is staying down so I feel that maybe I am on the road to a good recovery. My weight is now at 225. That is 53 pounds that I have lost in barely 8 weeks!!!!! I can really tell the difference now and will have to update my pictures. I have not tried to eat meat or fish yet. I may wait a little longer to try that. I ordered a new pair of jeans. I used to wear a size 28. I ordered a size 24 and they are too big!!!! Yeah! It is so nice to see myself shrinking!!!! Well, I'll keep you updated on my progress. It looks like I am turning the corner and things are going to be much better!! Thank you Dr. Argotte!
I'm finally there
Feb 20, 2007
I'm Finally There
Feb 19, 2007
Hello everyone - well, I am not doing too good. I had developed an ulcer that started bleeding alot on 1/25/07. I was hospitalized, had an EGD and was sent home on Carafate tablets, Pepcid and Protonix. I have steadily gotten worse and now cannot eat any food due to vomiting. Dr. Argotte told me on 2/15/07 that he needs to do another EGD to see what is going on. He feels that the swelling in my pouch is blocking the food from going into my intestines so I guess he will have to dilate that opening. I am pretty miserable but am now down to 232 pounds. I weighed 278 when I began my journey so that is 46 pounds! I hope we can get this ulcer resolved. I have also developed an abdominal wall hernia. Maybe my insurance will cover my tummy tuck when he fixes it when I lose alot more weight. Anyway, I am trying to stay positive and I totally trust Dr. Argotte to get me on the road again. That's all for now. I will update again after my EGD this Friday, 2/23/07.