fletch

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Well it was one year ago today that I had the RNY.  I have lost 145 lbs and feel the best I have ever felt!  I have experienced very little side effects and food intolerances.  Of course I stay strict but I do indulge in small amounts of "no-no" foods from time to time.  I guess I am lucky that I can tolerate them.  I think the key to success is to follow the doctor's orders and dietary guidelines to a tee for the first 6-8 months.  I have religiously taken all supplements for the last year and have not had any negative blood work.  Again I am a firm believer in compliance with what the post op guidelines are, especially the first 6 months during the "honeymoon" period.  This is when the body is healing and going through MAJOR changes.  I do experience "Late Dumping"  resulting from high sugar intake every now and then.  To explain, this is where the sugar causes the pancreas to produce a large amount of insulin and crashes the blood sugar.  I get a pounding heartbeat and weakness.  Bloodsugar drops to ~50-60.  I just take in protein to stabilize it.  I have also had a bout of irregular heartbeats diagnosed as PSVT and SPVC.  I had to be put on a Beta Blocker and it controls it pretty good.  Of course the cardiologist could not technically link it to the RNY but off the record he told me that my heart was accustomed to beating for 300+ lbs so hopefully it will go away after time.  I did have an angiogram which came out crystal clear in August so thats a good thing.  I also experienced some muscle atrophy in my left leg from the rapid weight loss.  4 weeks of Physical Therapy took care of that.  Thank God for insurance.  Bottom line- I have no regrets.  I can do things now that I could not do before and I can be an active Daddy to my kids and not just a lethargic father along with a healthy husband and not a spouse that is a liability!!!  To anyone thinking about the WLS, it aint easy, dont let anybody tell you it is but if you can make it through the first 6 months you will be rewarded. 

Well its been 6 months since my surgery.  Just did my 6 mnth Dr visit and everything is great.  No complications up till now (knock on wood)  I have lost 118 lbs.  I feel like a new person with a new lease on life.  No more meds and no more CPAP Machine!  I have tons more energy!  I can cut my own grass, walk golf courses, and do things that I couldnt do in the past.  I have a whole new wardrobe now with brands of clothes that you find in GQ Magazine(they dont make them in Big&Tall).   I can eat normal healthy foods and really havent experienced any intolerances or dumping.  It has been 110% better than I was expecting.  I hope to post more pics soon. 

2 weeks post op and started phase 3 today.  Added tuna and red beans to my diet.  No problems yet!  I am very happy to be able to add things with consistency and TASTE!!!  I have lost 33 lbs so I am real excited about that.  I have experienced a couple of post op regrets but nothing major.  My success shown on the scale pulled me through and I remind myself that its very early post op so the best is yet to come!!!

Well I am now 4 days post-op.  I will say that I am doing 100% better than I had predicted I would be after the procedure.  Surgery was 7AM Tuesday, it took about 2 1/2 hours.  I was home at 430PM Wednesday.  The first 12-16 hours after the surgery was tough.  Mostly from the main incision pain(6 Lap incisions total) and Lap Gas, but nothing as bad as I had thought it would be.  I am on phase 1 until my 2 week post op appointment.  So now just learning my new setup and walking twice a day.  No regrets!