Heather S.
17 Month Post Op Update
Dec 05, 2010
I haven't been on here in forever. I have gotten many emails asking if I'm any better than my last post (over a year ago now!) Yes, I am much better! I am steady at 130 pounds for almost 4 months now. My diabetes is almost 100% resolved, I'm only on Metformin for my PCOS which also lowers blood sugars.
My Medications Then vs. Now:
Pre Op Diabetic Meds Post Op Diabetic Meds
Metformin Oral Metformin Oral
Amaryl Oral
Actos Oral
Byetta Injectable
Levimir Injectable
Insulin Injectable
Pre Op Thyroid Med Post Op Thyroid Med
175mcg Synthroid 75mcg Synthroid
Post Op Vitamins
Monthly B12 Intramuscular Injectable
Vitamin D Orally Once Per Week
PNV-DHA Softgel Prenatal Daily Vitamin (Can't swallow large tablets)
So as you can see, I've definitely cut out on prescription meds for my diabetes and my thyroid med dosage has gone down 100mcg because my body mass is much lower.
It appears that my stricture has healed itself because I haven't gone in for an Upper Endoscopy since January 2010. I do have quite a bit of loose skin. I would love to have an upper though lift, full tummy tuck, and a breast lift / implants. I am certain I will be using Dr. Sauceda from http://www.medicaltourism.com.mx/ I have heard many great things about him and have met multiple people in my area who swear by him. He is significantly less than a US Surgeon because of the rate exchange.
For those of you with questions about Medicaid Coverage (I have gotten many emails about this). It took the State of Illinois 10 business days to pre-authorize me and my surgery was scheduled shortly after about 3 weeks later. Of course, scheduling varies from doctor to doctor. I have heard that IPA no longer does Pre-Auths and it's a much different process than when I got mine, so I can't really say what to expect, sorry.
I have yet to experience dumping syndrome. I can eat pretty much anything I could eat before, except certain tastes have lost its appeal to me. Such as overly sugary foods like frosting, sugary beverages, etc. I just eat in much smaller quantities of course. Though, I can tell that over time my pouch has stretched slightly, but to me, I am okay with that as that means I get more nutrients from food and not vitamins. The entire purpose of my surgery was not necessarily to lose a ton of weight but get my diabetes under control.
I do have self-image issues, I did lose a large portion of my weight while I was really sick August - November 2009 so I don't view myself as "thin". This may also have to do with my excess skin. I do feel when I have the ability to have plastics done this will be a huge boost in my self esteem. People say I look great but they don't see me naked. I look great IN clothes but not so great without them. I've noticed this is a common issue among my friends that have also has Gastric By-Pass. I have also noticed that men treat me much differently. The ones that flirted with me no longer do, they claim they aren't attracted to me thin. The ones that weren't interested in me over-weight are now flirting with me. Strangers are also friendlier with me and more people are prone to starting random conversations with me now that I'm thin. People really do act differently towards thin vs. overweight people.
Well, that's it for now. Will leave you with a side by side comparison photo of me.
~Heather
Side by Side Comparison Weight Photo:
Left - Ren Fair (220 Pounds) 7-26-09 Versus Right - Halloween (127 Pounds) 10-30-10 :
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My Medications Then vs. Now:
Pre Op Diabetic Meds Post Op Diabetic Meds
Metformin Oral Metformin Oral
Amaryl Oral
Actos Oral
Byetta Injectable
Levimir Injectable
Insulin Injectable
Pre Op Thyroid Med Post Op Thyroid Med
175mcg Synthroid 75mcg Synthroid
Post Op Vitamins
Monthly B12 Intramuscular Injectable
Vitamin D Orally Once Per Week
PNV-DHA Softgel Prenatal Daily Vitamin (Can't swallow large tablets)
So as you can see, I've definitely cut out on prescription meds for my diabetes and my thyroid med dosage has gone down 100mcg because my body mass is much lower.
It appears that my stricture has healed itself because I haven't gone in for an Upper Endoscopy since January 2010. I do have quite a bit of loose skin. I would love to have an upper though lift, full tummy tuck, and a breast lift / implants. I am certain I will be using Dr. Sauceda from http://www.medicaltourism.com.mx/ I have heard many great things about him and have met multiple people in my area who swear by him. He is significantly less than a US Surgeon because of the rate exchange.
For those of you with questions about Medicaid Coverage (I have gotten many emails about this). It took the State of Illinois 10 business days to pre-authorize me and my surgery was scheduled shortly after about 3 weeks later. Of course, scheduling varies from doctor to doctor. I have heard that IPA no longer does Pre-Auths and it's a much different process than when I got mine, so I can't really say what to expect, sorry.
I have yet to experience dumping syndrome. I can eat pretty much anything I could eat before, except certain tastes have lost its appeal to me. Such as overly sugary foods like frosting, sugary beverages, etc. I just eat in much smaller quantities of course. Though, I can tell that over time my pouch has stretched slightly, but to me, I am okay with that as that means I get more nutrients from food and not vitamins. The entire purpose of my surgery was not necessarily to lose a ton of weight but get my diabetes under control.
I do have self-image issues, I did lose a large portion of my weight while I was really sick August - November 2009 so I don't view myself as "thin". This may also have to do with my excess skin. I do feel when I have the ability to have plastics done this will be a huge boost in my self esteem. People say I look great but they don't see me naked. I look great IN clothes but not so great without them. I've noticed this is a common issue among my friends that have also has Gastric By-Pass. I have also noticed that men treat me much differently. The ones that flirted with me no longer do, they claim they aren't attracted to me thin. The ones that weren't interested in me over-weight are now flirting with me. Strangers are also friendlier with me and more people are prone to starting random conversations with me now that I'm thin. People really do act differently towards thin vs. overweight people.
Well, that's it for now. Will leave you with a side by side comparison photo of me.
~Heather
Side by Side Comparison Weight Photo:
Left - Ren Fair (220 Pounds) 7-26-09 Versus Right - Halloween (127 Pounds) 10-30-10 :
Endoscopy Results
Sep 21, 2009
The endoscopy today shows that my small intestine opening is very small. So small he couldn't even fit the endoscope through it. He ballooned it open which then irriated it quite a bit and that revealed an Ulcer on the intestinal wall. He said that is what is causing the constant vomitting and gagging. Gave me a med to take, Zegerid, and to see him in 4 weeks to have another Endoscopy done to stretch it more once the ulcer has healed.
Went to have that filled and IPA doesn't cover it and it's $200 cash at Walmart.....*sigh*
I have been throwing up / gagging since after the procedure....he definately irriated everything.
I hate this, I hate EVERYTHING about this. I hate myself for doing the WLS and wish I NEVER did it.
To top it off, my surgeon, Dr. Siegel, has KNOWN that I've been having issues. I've been telling him for weeks something is not right. He kept insisting it was a normal side effect of the WLS and I'll grow out of it. BULLSHIT! There IS something wrong! I've been in misery for WHAT exactly?!
I am trying to get in to see Dr. Oliphant for a second opinion. My PCP sent over the referral today.
So I have a bad stricture & an ulcer. Yay me...
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Went to have that filled and IPA doesn't cover it and it's $200 cash at Walmart.....*sigh*
I have been throwing up / gagging since after the procedure....he definately irriated everything.
I hate this, I hate EVERYTHING about this. I hate myself for doing the WLS and wish I NEVER did it.
To top it off, my surgeon, Dr. Siegel, has KNOWN that I've been having issues. I've been telling him for weeks something is not right. He kept insisting it was a normal side effect of the WLS and I'll grow out of it. BULLSHIT! There IS something wrong! I've been in misery for WHAT exactly?!
I am trying to get in to see Dr. Oliphant for a second opinion. My PCP sent over the referral today.
So I have a bad stricture & an ulcer. Yay me...
9 Week Update
Sep 20, 2009
So I haven't updated in a few weeks. I have been very busy with my health issues and new job.
I am 9 Weeks Post Op and weigh 180 as of today. So that is a total loss of 47 pounds in 9 weeks. I am now fitting in a size 16 pants and 16/18 shirt.
The biggest problem I'm having is in constant nausea and throwing up. I am really struggling with this and have not been able to keep ANYTHING down for weeks. I am very weak and lethargic and feel like I'm running myself into the ground. Every morning like clockwork I wake up and run right to the bathroom where I spend 15 minutes bent over the toilet gagging and throwing up foamy saliva. (I know, horrible ain't it?!) It hurts so bad after the first 5 minutes and I actually have to give myself extra time to account for that so I don't make Justin & I late for work. Sometimes it happens in the car as well. I just sit there and gag on nothing, dry heaving.
Have I spoken to my surgeon you may be asking? YES! The asshole keeps telling me these two things: "It's normal for the first 6 months." and "If you aren't keeping anything down why aren't you losing weight quicker?" Um....I think I've lost a LOT of weight really quick. Not only that, because I can't keep anything down I also can't keep my Synthroid down for my Hypothyroid so my TSH is all screwed up (confirmed by multiple bloodtests). I feel like my surgeon is scrugging this off as no big deal. But I am not lying when I say I haven't been eatting at all. I am so afraid to eat is crazy. Justin will some times beg me to eat a lil something, I'll do it to make him happy and it either comes up right away or sits and makes my stomach cramp for 20 minutes THEN comes back up.
My 3 year old daughter is now copying/mimicking my "gagging & throwing up actions" which hurts and upsets me alot.
Last Thursday Justin & I were lucky enough to get our lunch breaks at the same time. I decided to be gutsy and get 3/4 of a hard boiled egg that was sliced up at the Salad Bar. I ate it very slowly, over a period of 20 minutes actually. It seemed to settle fine, I didn't feel ill or like I was going to throw it up. Went back to training and they sent us to the next training room over to watch a slide show. We stood up and it was dark in the room. All the sudden I got that weird ringing / disoriented feel and the next thing I know I'm on the floor in a lot of pain with all my co-workers hovering over me. Someone was taking my pulse and said it was very faint and to call 911. I think I may have passed out again because after that I remember looking at Justin and started to cry. What happened was I fainted, fell forward and hit my cheekbone on a cubicle post then fell to the ground landing on my left shoulder blade. My cheek and my shoulder hurt so bad. They said I was out for almost a minute. They tested my bloodsugar, 155, not bad, that didn't cause it.
This is now my 3rd time. First time I had a full seizure at home, second I fainted at Great America after only being there for 45 minutes, and third was at work. My greatest fear is that this will happen, without warning, while behind the wheel. It scares the crap out of me.
So I get the Condell ER via Ambulance, they sent Justin with me. They did an Xray of my abdomen & shoulder, ran bloodwork, etc. They couldn't find any blockages in my abdomen that would be causing me to constantly throw up, no bones broke in my shoulder though I tore all the ligaments and can't rotate it. Justin demanded they do the Upper GI stat so my surgeon sent me to Vista to have that done Thursday at 5pm. It showed a narrowing of my small intestine, so basically where they re-connected my small intestine to my pouch it is too small for food to pass. Small amounts of liquid can but food will just sit for hours and cause me to throw it up. So, now tomorrow (Monday) I am going in for a 2-4 hour procedure where they knock me out and send an Endoscope down my throat to balloon it open.
I pray this helps because I am so hating myself for getting this surgery done. I didn't need it, I'd rather have to take meds for diabetes than deal with all these complications. I've lost my job and now, 2 weeks into my new job I may lose this one too. Monday afternoon I have to call to see if I can come back on Tuesday, they aren't sure if they can exempt Thursday from being an occurrence even though it was Worker's Comp.
I am tired of people saying: "Well hey, you are losing weight and looking great!" Wonderful....I'll be thin, unhappy, and feel like shit.
I only need to lose 30 more pounds and I'm no longer considered overweight, I'll be 150 and at a healthy weight range for my height.
I couldn't do this on my own why?!
For any of you thinking of doing this surgery, take it from me. There is a chance that you will have no complications or you may be like me and have one after another. Everyone is different. I'll post again after my surgery.
~Heather
2 comments
I am 9 Weeks Post Op and weigh 180 as of today. So that is a total loss of 47 pounds in 9 weeks. I am now fitting in a size 16 pants and 16/18 shirt.
The biggest problem I'm having is in constant nausea and throwing up. I am really struggling with this and have not been able to keep ANYTHING down for weeks. I am very weak and lethargic and feel like I'm running myself into the ground. Every morning like clockwork I wake up and run right to the bathroom where I spend 15 minutes bent over the toilet gagging and throwing up foamy saliva. (I know, horrible ain't it?!) It hurts so bad after the first 5 minutes and I actually have to give myself extra time to account for that so I don't make Justin & I late for work. Sometimes it happens in the car as well. I just sit there and gag on nothing, dry heaving.
Have I spoken to my surgeon you may be asking? YES! The asshole keeps telling me these two things: "It's normal for the first 6 months." and "If you aren't keeping anything down why aren't you losing weight quicker?" Um....I think I've lost a LOT of weight really quick. Not only that, because I can't keep anything down I also can't keep my Synthroid down for my Hypothyroid so my TSH is all screwed up (confirmed by multiple bloodtests). I feel like my surgeon is scrugging this off as no big deal. But I am not lying when I say I haven't been eatting at all. I am so afraid to eat is crazy. Justin will some times beg me to eat a lil something, I'll do it to make him happy and it either comes up right away or sits and makes my stomach cramp for 20 minutes THEN comes back up.
My 3 year old daughter is now copying/mimicking my "gagging & throwing up actions" which hurts and upsets me alot.
Last Thursday Justin & I were lucky enough to get our lunch breaks at the same time. I decided to be gutsy and get 3/4 of a hard boiled egg that was sliced up at the Salad Bar. I ate it very slowly, over a period of 20 minutes actually. It seemed to settle fine, I didn't feel ill or like I was going to throw it up. Went back to training and they sent us to the next training room over to watch a slide show. We stood up and it was dark in the room. All the sudden I got that weird ringing / disoriented feel and the next thing I know I'm on the floor in a lot of pain with all my co-workers hovering over me. Someone was taking my pulse and said it was very faint and to call 911. I think I may have passed out again because after that I remember looking at Justin and started to cry. What happened was I fainted, fell forward and hit my cheekbone on a cubicle post then fell to the ground landing on my left shoulder blade. My cheek and my shoulder hurt so bad. They said I was out for almost a minute. They tested my bloodsugar, 155, not bad, that didn't cause it.
This is now my 3rd time. First time I had a full seizure at home, second I fainted at Great America after only being there for 45 minutes, and third was at work. My greatest fear is that this will happen, without warning, while behind the wheel. It scares the crap out of me.
So I get the Condell ER via Ambulance, they sent Justin with me. They did an Xray of my abdomen & shoulder, ran bloodwork, etc. They couldn't find any blockages in my abdomen that would be causing me to constantly throw up, no bones broke in my shoulder though I tore all the ligaments and can't rotate it. Justin demanded they do the Upper GI stat so my surgeon sent me to Vista to have that done Thursday at 5pm. It showed a narrowing of my small intestine, so basically where they re-connected my small intestine to my pouch it is too small for food to pass. Small amounts of liquid can but food will just sit for hours and cause me to throw it up. So, now tomorrow (Monday) I am going in for a 2-4 hour procedure where they knock me out and send an Endoscope down my throat to balloon it open.
I pray this helps because I am so hating myself for getting this surgery done. I didn't need it, I'd rather have to take meds for diabetes than deal with all these complications. I've lost my job and now, 2 weeks into my new job I may lose this one too. Monday afternoon I have to call to see if I can come back on Tuesday, they aren't sure if they can exempt Thursday from being an occurrence even though it was Worker's Comp.
I am tired of people saying: "Well hey, you are losing weight and looking great!" Wonderful....I'll be thin, unhappy, and feel like shit.
I only need to lose 30 more pounds and I'm no longer considered overweight, I'll be 150 and at a healthy weight range for my height.
I couldn't do this on my own why?!
For any of you thinking of doing this surgery, take it from me. There is a chance that you will have no complications or you may be like me and have one after another. Everyone is different. I'll post again after my surgery.~Heather
7 Week Update
Sep 02, 2009
Today marks 7 Weeks Post Op. I have been having a lot of issues keeping stuff down this week, including water. Yesterday morning I was throwing up stomach acid. I left work to see my surgeon's office and they sent me to the ER to have 2 bags (2 Liters) of fluid pumped into me through IV. I feel a little better today but I'm still lethargic. I think a lot of the issue is I can't seem to keep down my vitamins.
I weigh in at 192 today. Yesterday morning I was 190, after the fluid transfer I weighed 195 last night. Now back to 192. *Sigh* Damn water weight!
I think I'm a size 16 pants now, 18's are getting a little baggy around the waste but I think I'm still a size 18 shirt.
That's it as far as my surgery update.
2 comments
I weigh in at 192 today. Yesterday morning I was 190, after the fluid transfer I weighed 195 last night. Now back to 192. *Sigh* Damn water weight!
I think I'm a size 16 pants now, 18's are getting a little baggy around the waste but I think I'm still a size 18 shirt.
That's it as far as my surgery update.
6 Week Update
Aug 26, 2009
It's now exactly 6 weeks post op, I am at 196 pounds, total of 31 pounds lost since July 15th, 2009. The pain has stayed away, so that is great. Still throwing up alot of foods, it's starting to get annoying and I expect to throw up when I eat at this point. I haven't been able to keep down my vitamins so I haven't been taking them so I'm sure my nutrition numbers are horrible. I see my PCP on Friday to go over them. I am still dealing with spotting from having my IUD inserted. I'm hoping that goes away soon. I am going to start using my Ab Coaster to start working on my tummy / mid-section.
Measurements:
July 15th, 2009 (Surgery Day)
227 Pounds
22/24 Pants 26/28 Shirt 46DDD Bra
August 26th, 2009 (6 Weeks Post Op)
196 Pounds
18/20 Pants 18/20 Shirt 42D Bra
2 comments
Measurements:
July 15th, 2009 (Surgery Day)
227 Pounds
22/24 Pants 26/28 Shirt 46DDD Bra
August 26th, 2009 (6 Weeks Post Op)
196 Pounds
18/20 Pants 18/20 Shirt 42D Bra
I Hit Onederland Tonight!
Aug 20, 2009
So I just weighed in at 199.5! Woot!!! 27.5 pound loss in 5 Weeks!
Sooo excited! My clothes sizes have changed a lot too!
Day of Surgery 7-15-09 (227 Pounds)
Pants 22/24 Shirt 26/28 Bra 46DDD
5 Weeks After Surgery 8-20-09 (199.5 Pounds)
Pants 18/20 Shirt 18/20 Bra 42D
~Heather
1 comment
Sooo excited! My clothes sizes have changed a lot too!
Day of Surgery 7-15-09 (227 Pounds)
Pants 22/24 Shirt 26/28 Bra 46DDD
5 Weeks After Surgery 8-20-09 (199.5 Pounds)
Pants 18/20 Shirt 18/20 Bra 42D
~Heather
5 Week Update
Aug 19, 2009
Wow, well today marks 5 weeks since my Weight Loss Surgery. Let's see...I took the antibiotics for the full week and by last Friday the pain was virtually gone! HAH! I KNEW something was wrong, I obviously had a bad infection that was causing the pain. I kept telling everyone that pain wasn't normal....finally we figured out what it was. So, I am feeling great now!
I went to Good Will and bought 3 full work outfits since my old clothes are swimming on me. ALL 6 pieces were Lane Bryant. New it would have been around $400, I paid $28 for it all. I see no point in spending a lot of money on clothes that will only fit for a few months.
I weighed myself last night, I am EXACTLY 200 pounds. So that's a 27 pound loss in 5 weeks. I was a size 22/24 pants and 26/28 shirt (due to my 46DDD Boobs!) the day of surgery.
Drum roll please....I am now a size 18/20 pants, 18/20 shirt (though it's a lil snugger than I'm use to) and I went to Lane Bryant to be re-fitted for bras yesterday and I'm a 42D Bra now! Oh, and I bought some sexy panties at Lane Bryant size 14/16 as a "goal" and they actually fit! So, um, wow! 14/16?? That's like Post High-School size! I haven't been that size since I was 19!
I have noticed I am starting to keep down more foods, my issue has been eatting too much too fast. Or, drinking too soon after eatting.
I start college this upcoming Monday, so excited about that! This Friday I am going to Famous Freddie's in Fox Lake, IL with some friends. Girl's Night Out! It should be fun and I bought a sexy shirt to wear!
My original goal was to be under 200 the day school starts August 24th. It's going to be cutting it close but it looks like I'll barely hit that goal.
Anyways, that's it for now! I'm doing MUCH better, no pain at all. Incisions are completely healed and I'm keeping food down more often.
~Heather
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I went to Good Will and bought 3 full work outfits since my old clothes are swimming on me. ALL 6 pieces were Lane Bryant. New it would have been around $400, I paid $28 for it all. I see no point in spending a lot of money on clothes that will only fit for a few months.
I weighed myself last night, I am EXACTLY 200 pounds. So that's a 27 pound loss in 5 weeks. I was a size 22/24 pants and 26/28 shirt (due to my 46DDD Boobs!) the day of surgery.
Drum roll please....I am now a size 18/20 pants, 18/20 shirt (though it's a lil snugger than I'm use to) and I went to Lane Bryant to be re-fitted for bras yesterday and I'm a 42D Bra now! Oh, and I bought some sexy panties at Lane Bryant size 14/16 as a "goal" and they actually fit! So, um, wow! 14/16?? That's like Post High-School size! I haven't been that size since I was 19!
I have noticed I am starting to keep down more foods, my issue has been eatting too much too fast. Or, drinking too soon after eatting.
I start college this upcoming Monday, so excited about that! This Friday I am going to Famous Freddie's in Fox Lake, IL with some friends. Girl's Night Out! It should be fun and I bought a sexy shirt to wear!
My original goal was to be under 200 the day school starts August 24th. It's going to be cutting it close but it looks like I'll barely hit that goal.
Anyways, that's it for now! I'm doing MUCH better, no pain at all. Incisions are completely healed and I'm keeping food down more often.
~Heather
4 Week Update
Aug 12, 2009
Well, I am officially 4 Weeks Post Op. A nice milestone for today is I no longer have to crush pills and mix them with stuff, which was bothersome to me because I have issues with textures.
I have been on an antibiotic since Friday night for this pain. My surgeon thinks it might be an internal infection that is not showing on blood work. The pain is still very much there, but not a constant pain, same severity though. So I guess that is progress.
However, if I bend, lay on my side, cough, sneeze or throw up it hurts like f'ing hell.
Still having major issues keeping foods that I should be eatting down. I did find the Ranch Grilled Chicken Snack Wrap at McDonalds settled well, I think I ate ¾ of the chicken and barely touched the tortilla before getting full.
The other night we made Meatloaf, Augratin Potatoes, & Sweet Peas. Jason came over and had dinner with us. I had to force myself to throw up 30 minutes later because I think the meatloaf got stuck, it was hurting very badly.
Starting two days ago I’ve been making myself a 4 ounce bowl of Bush’s Baked Beans and those seem to settle well, I can’t seem to eat the full 4 ounces though.
I am sitting at 204 pounds as of 8-11-09 so that’s a total of 23 pounds lost in 4 weeks. My boobs have gone down 2 cup sizes and my clothes are all baggy on me. I refuse to buy new clothes though. I may check out Good Will though.
Friday I’ll be busy on my day off, I see my PCP about my seizure and for 4 week bloodwork at 10am, I see my surgeon for my 4 week check up and pain issues at 11:30am and then I have to take the kids to WIC at 2:30pm. Ugh, so much for a day off! I never can catch a break!
Apparently we are having a Class of 1999 Reunion, I’m interested in going but they are really slacking on putting out the details and it’s supposedly the last weekend in September and September will be a busy month with Ariana’s 3rd Birthday September 15th! We are having her party Saturday, September 12th.
But yeah, I’m hoping to be under 200 by first day of school August 24th….can I do it? We shall see!
~Heather
In the Past 48 Hours....
Aug 07, 2009
Well let's see....the in the past 48 hours I have been to the ER twice and had a full seizure with convulsions.
Okay, rewind to Wednesday Night:
I worked from 10am to 9pm, Justin met me up at the store and we headed over to Lake Forest Hospital ER to see if they can determine why I am hurting so bad. They drew blood and did a CT Scan. All of my bloodwork came back normal, which surprises me because I have not been able to keep down my multi-vitamins in weeks. My CT Scan shows a cyst in my lower left abdomin, as well as some free fluid and some stranding in the tissue. What does that mean? Adhesions in my fatty tissue which is most likely do to him removing scar tissue from my C-Section when inside me. He said to go to my ultrasound Thursday morning as most likely my ovaries are the culprit. Justin told Jason I was in the ER and Jason covered me Thursday. (I love you Jason, thank you for understanding!) ER doctor gave me a RX for Liquid Oxycodone (Oxycotin). Tried filling it at Walgreens, they had none stocked and it'd take a week to come in?! WTF.
Thursday Morning 8am:
I go in for my ultrasound. Low and behold, NO cysts on my ovaries, my uterus lining looks fine, the Radiologist is baffled. He sees nothing wrong with my female organs. So why then am I hurting so badly?! He said at this point an MRI may give a closer look at what's causing this. We leave and head to Antioch Walmart to get some foodstuffs for me and get my pain med filled. My Pharmacist Katie said the stuff is EXTREMELY controlled and she only had 72ml of the 100ml and the RX was only good for 7 days and she wouldn't get the rest in time. So I had it flavored and we headed home to pick up the kids. Got home at 12:30pm I took 2 tsps of the Oxycodone and layed down. I could feel it hitting me within minutes but the pain was still VERY much there.
Got up around 4pm and spent the rest of the day with the kids. Around 9pm I sat down to eat some apple slices with peanut butter. I threw it up immediately. I tried again but took the skin off and it stayed down no problem. Okay, no more apple skin. I log onto WoW, raid for a little bit. Around 12:45am I am sitting at my desk and it hits me. I say to Justin: "I feel like I'm going to pass out." Sure enough, within 30 seconds I went into a full seizure, convulsing in my chair. Justin had no idea what to do. It was over a minute and I was still seizing so he slapped me (Bet he enjoyed that!) and it knocked me out of it. He rolled me over to the couch where I stumbled onto the couch and laid there, shocked and freaking out barely conscious. He tested my bloodsugar, it was normal at 128. So that didn't trigger it. No idea what did, Justin thinks it's the Oxycodone but 12.5 hours later?? I went to bed still feeling dizzy and Justin still worried about me.
Friday Morning (Today):
I had my appt to get my IUD inserted at me OB in Rockford at 1pm. In the middle of having that done my PCP calls back and tells me to go to the ER an get tests ran to find out why I had the seizure. My surgeon also called me back and said he took a look at my CT Scan and said the only thing he can think of is I have an internal infection so he prescribed an antibiotic.
Friday Evening (Today):
Get back to Round Lake, drop off the kids with Justin's parents and we head to Victory ER in Waukegan. Got there, explained the severe pain and the seizure and they look at me like: "WTF do you expect us to do?!" I tell them my PCP sent me and wanted tests ran. So they did bloodwork. As the nurse was taking my blood she asked about my pain meds. I told her LF ER gave me Oxycodone. She had a look of shock and horror on her face. She said: "You do realize that is the strongest legal narcotic on the market and it's really only for cancer patients right?!" I reply with: "No, but if it's so strong why didn't it atleast relieve SOME of my pain?" She didn't have an answer. Thought so. Anyways, the ER doctor comes back, says my bloodwork is fine and that he was prescribing me Depokote for the weekend. I flipped out. Why give me an Epilepsy med (was on Dep for 5 years as a child for Epilepsy) when we are not for sure that my Epilepsy is recurring?! It could have been the pain or the Oxycodone that triggered the seizure. My PCP wants to know for sure. I got pissed that they were refusing to test me and I stormed out.
So, now I have to wait until Monday to see my PCP and try to get in with a Neurologist to get an EEG done to see if my Epilepsy is back. UGH!
This week has been stressful, upsetting, and down right BAD!
My IUD has been implanted and now I'm dealing with cramping and bleeding as well, but atleast it's done with and will take effect by Sunday.
Anyways, thats my 48 update.....never a dull moment. *Sigh*
~Heather
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Okay, rewind to Wednesday Night:
I worked from 10am to 9pm, Justin met me up at the store and we headed over to Lake Forest Hospital ER to see if they can determine why I am hurting so bad. They drew blood and did a CT Scan. All of my bloodwork came back normal, which surprises me because I have not been able to keep down my multi-vitamins in weeks. My CT Scan shows a cyst in my lower left abdomin, as well as some free fluid and some stranding in the tissue. What does that mean? Adhesions in my fatty tissue which is most likely do to him removing scar tissue from my C-Section when inside me. He said to go to my ultrasound Thursday morning as most likely my ovaries are the culprit. Justin told Jason I was in the ER and Jason covered me Thursday. (I love you Jason, thank you for understanding!) ER doctor gave me a RX for Liquid Oxycodone (Oxycotin). Tried filling it at Walgreens, they had none stocked and it'd take a week to come in?! WTF.
Thursday Morning 8am:
I go in for my ultrasound. Low and behold, NO cysts on my ovaries, my uterus lining looks fine, the Radiologist is baffled. He sees nothing wrong with my female organs. So why then am I hurting so badly?! He said at this point an MRI may give a closer look at what's causing this. We leave and head to Antioch Walmart to get some foodstuffs for me and get my pain med filled. My Pharmacist Katie said the stuff is EXTREMELY controlled and she only had 72ml of the 100ml and the RX was only good for 7 days and she wouldn't get the rest in time. So I had it flavored and we headed home to pick up the kids. Got home at 12:30pm I took 2 tsps of the Oxycodone and layed down. I could feel it hitting me within minutes but the pain was still VERY much there.
Got up around 4pm and spent the rest of the day with the kids. Around 9pm I sat down to eat some apple slices with peanut butter. I threw it up immediately. I tried again but took the skin off and it stayed down no problem. Okay, no more apple skin. I log onto WoW, raid for a little bit. Around 12:45am I am sitting at my desk and it hits me. I say to Justin: "I feel like I'm going to pass out." Sure enough, within 30 seconds I went into a full seizure, convulsing in my chair. Justin had no idea what to do. It was over a minute and I was still seizing so he slapped me (Bet he enjoyed that!) and it knocked me out of it. He rolled me over to the couch where I stumbled onto the couch and laid there, shocked and freaking out barely conscious. He tested my bloodsugar, it was normal at 128. So that didn't trigger it. No idea what did, Justin thinks it's the Oxycodone but 12.5 hours later?? I went to bed still feeling dizzy and Justin still worried about me.
Friday Morning (Today):
I had my appt to get my IUD inserted at me OB in Rockford at 1pm. In the middle of having that done my PCP calls back and tells me to go to the ER an get tests ran to find out why I had the seizure. My surgeon also called me back and said he took a look at my CT Scan and said the only thing he can think of is I have an internal infection so he prescribed an antibiotic.
Friday Evening (Today):
Get back to Round Lake, drop off the kids with Justin's parents and we head to Victory ER in Waukegan. Got there, explained the severe pain and the seizure and they look at me like: "WTF do you expect us to do?!" I tell them my PCP sent me and wanted tests ran. So they did bloodwork. As the nurse was taking my blood she asked about my pain meds. I told her LF ER gave me Oxycodone. She had a look of shock and horror on her face. She said: "You do realize that is the strongest legal narcotic on the market and it's really only for cancer patients right?!" I reply with: "No, but if it's so strong why didn't it atleast relieve SOME of my pain?" She didn't have an answer. Thought so. Anyways, the ER doctor comes back, says my bloodwork is fine and that he was prescribing me Depokote for the weekend. I flipped out. Why give me an Epilepsy med (was on Dep for 5 years as a child for Epilepsy) when we are not for sure that my Epilepsy is recurring?! It could have been the pain or the Oxycodone that triggered the seizure. My PCP wants to know for sure. I got pissed that they were refusing to test me and I stormed out.
So, now I have to wait until Monday to see my PCP and try to get in with a Neurologist to get an EEG done to see if my Epilepsy is back. UGH!
This week has been stressful, upsetting, and down right BAD!
My IUD has been implanted and now I'm dealing with cramping and bleeding as well, but atleast it's done with and will take effect by Sunday.
Anyways, thats my 48 update.....never a dull moment. *Sigh*
~Heather
3 Week Update
Aug 03, 2009
Well the pain in my lower abdomen has done nothing but get worse in the past week. I called Siegel's office this morning and he told them to send me in this afternoon.
I went in at 4:30pm and he looked at my incisions, pokes them. Asks if they hurt, I said nope, no pain around my surgery area, it's all lower. So he has me stand up, show him the spot, he pushes in and has me cough. Nope, no hernia. His idea was the same as mine, my ovaries. So he gave me an order for a Pelvic Ultrasound, I have it scheduled for 8am Thursday before work in Vernon Hills.
The constant, throbbing pain is driving me nuts. I'm pretty positive it's cysts on my ovaries flared up. I can't sit comfortably or lay on my left side. If it is my ovaries, PCOS sucks!
Siegel did say, however, that I may attempt to eat whatever I like at this point. No more mushy foods. He suggested soft chicken & fish. I also weighed in at 208 from 227 on surgery day. He said that's normal paced. It seems slow to me.
So it seems I am having a terrible time keeping most soft foods down. I throw up almost everything instantly. I did however, get a baked potato from Wendy's on the way to Siegel's today and that tasted yummy and settled well.
A list of things I've been gutsy enough to try in the last week (Not all in one sitting of course!):
1 Meal: Few nibbles of a Bean Burrito from Taco Bell & a few nibbles of a Cheese Quesidilla from Taco Bell
1 Meal: 4 cubes of watermelon (came back up)
1 Meal: 1/2 Baked Potato from Wendy's
Snack: A few cashews
Snack: A few potato wedges with a lil cheese from Olando's
Snack: 5 Fresh Raspberries
The watermelon seems to be the only thing that I've had an issue with. I think my biggest problem is taking too large of bites / eatting too fast....I dunno....this has been really hard.
Oh, on Friday I am having my IUD inserted for Birth Control. For those of you that don't know. Birth Control Pills are not as effective since you don't absorb as much of it when you swallow it and the Depo Shot causes you to gain weight. So IUD it is!
Thats about it for now!
~Heather
2 comments
I went in at 4:30pm and he looked at my incisions, pokes them. Asks if they hurt, I said nope, no pain around my surgery area, it's all lower. So he has me stand up, show him the spot, he pushes in and has me cough. Nope, no hernia. His idea was the same as mine, my ovaries. So he gave me an order for a Pelvic Ultrasound, I have it scheduled for 8am Thursday before work in Vernon Hills.
The constant, throbbing pain is driving me nuts. I'm pretty positive it's cysts on my ovaries flared up. I can't sit comfortably or lay on my left side. If it is my ovaries, PCOS sucks!
Siegel did say, however, that I may attempt to eat whatever I like at this point. No more mushy foods. He suggested soft chicken & fish. I also weighed in at 208 from 227 on surgery day. He said that's normal paced. It seems slow to me.
So it seems I am having a terrible time keeping most soft foods down. I throw up almost everything instantly. I did however, get a baked potato from Wendy's on the way to Siegel's today and that tasted yummy and settled well.
A list of things I've been gutsy enough to try in the last week (Not all in one sitting of course!):
1 Meal: Few nibbles of a Bean Burrito from Taco Bell & a few nibbles of a Cheese Quesidilla from Taco Bell
1 Meal: 4 cubes of watermelon (came back up)
1 Meal: 1/2 Baked Potato from Wendy's
Snack: A few cashews
Snack: A few potato wedges with a lil cheese from Olando's
Snack: 5 Fresh Raspberries
The watermelon seems to be the only thing that I've had an issue with. I think my biggest problem is taking too large of bites / eatting too fast....I dunno....this has been really hard.
Oh, on Friday I am having my IUD inserted for Birth Control. For those of you that don't know. Birth Control Pills are not as effective since you don't absorb as much of it when you swallow it and the Depo Shot causes you to gain weight. So IUD it is!
Thats about it for now!
~Heather
About Me
Lake Villa, IL
Location
20.8
BMI
Surgery
07/15/2009
Surgery Date
Mar 05, 2009
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
