ObesityHelp

I had gastroplasty surgery done in 1992 but have had a unsuccessful weightloss with the surgery. I have been searching for information on this previous surgery with anyone else who was unsuccessful and to my surprise there were so many in the same situation as me. During my researching I have gotten information on revisions of this surgery. I checked into this for quite some time now and have also gotten in touch with others who have and are getting this operation done. It is abit more difficult as the doctor has to go about the previous scarring and the staples and other things. So I have been hesitant about this and then the other day I finally called the doctor and I am on the waiting list which is September but if the doctor opens a Friday clinic the time would be pushed up a bit earlier. I am looking forward to this and am hoping that the insurance will go through with no problem. Being overweight most of my life with the ups and downs I have had about all I could take. I could stand to lose 100 pounds and still I would be up there in the pounds but it would be on the healthier side and I could live alot easier with that. So now that I have made the initial phone call it is just a waiting game now. I am praying for things to go my way and I will just have to wait and see. I will keep everyone posted on my journey to my hopeful new future.

March 9th,2003...I have had my app't with the surgeon on the 4th of this month...and all went well...I have just about completed all the requirements for the surgery...and yes, I am real nervous about this....this time around....with this being a revision I know that the surgery is more complicated due to the previous scar tissue...of which I had talked with the surgeon over this...and Yes, I did have question of this topic....and he reassured me that it can be done....I have my pshyc test on the 2nd of April...and that is the last of the requirements needed... and then it will be the waiting game of the insurance company....I had my sleep test on the 6th of March...and I should be getting the call from the doctor for the results of this...as I did speak with the doctor that gave me the test and he did say that my snoring was waking me up...but the doctor will give me the exact details of this....this is all for now... and will keep you updated on this journey......
May 30th, 2003...All of my papers have been mailed in to the insurance office...2 weeks ago...!!!! So now we are just waiting upon them now...as I have my fingers crossed for the approval...this has been a long journey and I can see as to why they have you go through all of this process...It is a major step for one to do...and with all of this...I continue learning about this...I belong to various groups..and I read about "their" problems....as some are major and some are just being lacks with their supplements..."BUT" yet these are major issues that one going through with this has to learn...and willing to make a sacrifice to and a commitment too...So my advice to anyone would be to do their "studying" about this surgery first...and learn all the pros and cons first...and to read the personal testimonies of others...and learn of their expericences...
June 3, 2003...I got a phone call from the doctor's office this morning telling me the good news...My insurance approved the surgery for the revision...It had only taken the insurance two weeks to approve this....My surgery date is set for August 11th and my pre-op is for July 21st...so now I will prepare myself for this date...and keep learning all that I have to....as I go to the support group in my area...and have been for the last 8 months...and yes, you do learn allot by going to them...I will update more news when I get it....

July 20th...tomorrow is the day!!!! I am trying my best to keep myself busy...as I am scared..but ready... I now need to get my hospital bag ready...and get ready for a "ceremony" tonight... I shall report in as soon as possible when I get back...Until then..My the Lord be with everyone going through the same...and keep all safe...

August 21,2003....I am finally able to update my file now...Where to start??? On the day of surgery everything went fine..and I was up and walking around in the afternoon...As I knew that I had to since I have a history of bloodclots...Right up until the night I started to have a pain in my left shoulder and worsened until I could not move at all from pain...this ended my up in the ICU for 3 days with all kinds of testing...never finding the cause..after all of this...I was needing oxygen and could not walk without getting out of breath...finally being released on Saturday evening...I was still in pain and it just seemed to worsen...unable to lay down at night time due to pain I managed until my app't the following Tues...Letting the doctor know what was going on and the pain that I have been going through I told him "there is something wrong!!!" but he insisted that the pain meds need changing...I did ask him that I would rather get to the source of the problem instead of covering it up...But then he gave his "theory" so I went home with the "new" meds...of course for the first two days it worked!!! But then I started to loose all of my energy...and then my legs and arms muscle began to get into a "spasm" feeling...All this time I was following my diet to a "T" Getting my protein in and liquids..and Nauseaus ALL the time...The following Tuesday 8/5 as I went into my app't AGAIN with the lose of 23.5 pounds finally talking with one of the interns..and letting her know all that was going on...she went back to the doctor in letting him know my report...when the doctor came in he took one look at me...and KNEW that something was wrong...so he said that he will admit me in the hospital for a 48 hour "WATCH"...and started an line of testing...first the ct scan,ekg,xray...the ct scan came out adnormal so a swallow test was order...there they found TWO leeks....one from the new stomach to the old one...and the other where they bypass and put the intestine to the new pouch...UPON finding this immediately I was taken off all foods by mouth...ending out with a pic-line (duel) because my veins were collapsing...I was put on TPN and lipids right up until yesterday 8-20-03 I had another swallow test and it showed that the bypass leek healed 100%...and the "fistula" healed 70%...So they let me go home today the 21st and am on an clear liquid diet until my next app't 9/2...So right now this has been a rough road...as I am still looking for the light at the end of the tunnel...as I am sure that I will be getting there soon...and to all that wrote and sent their prayers...I want to thank you all..and will keep in touch now..and will let you know how the next app't turns out...
February 15, 2004----I am now down to 196.1 !!!!! Finally under the 200 mark...but...(always that word) I have a hernia right from where I had the by-pass surgery...I will be needing another surgery but the doctor would like for me to wait until I get nearer to goal...of 160 so that I can get the upper ps done along with the hernia fixed...that way the insurance will pay for the both...that is if I can wait...the hernia is really hurting especially when I eat...I am getting to the point of just drinking my protein drinks...and even at times that will activate the hernia...so we shall see...my nauseaunous is still there but going away slowly...and my hairloss seems to be going also...I just can believe that I have any hair left..."How much can one lose???" In general for the most part I am now doing good...just one more speed bump to tackle now...the hernia...Also I am still on my blood pressure meds...as that has not seemed to go down even with the lose of 67 pounds...but I can live with that...as my mother has HBP...my breathing is so much better and in general my activity is healthier...I will continue with this journey at a slow pace...and will keep this update with the hernia repair....

August 20,2004---It has now been just over one year and I have lost a total of 80 pounds...It has been a rough year...in and out of the doctor's office...My hernia is real big now...but I have to wait for the doctor to come back as he is on a sabbatical leave...and even when he does come back no telling on what is going to happen...I have checked into other doctor's but it is hard to get another doctor to take over one "others" mistake due to lawsuits...I understand and am just praying to find a doctor...I am on protonix now as the nexium just wasn't lasting to its next dose...I have had alot of different test done and I have no ulcers in the stomach...so they don't know what is causing this pain...the nauseousness is still here and I still take phenergan when absolutely needed as it puts me to sleep...I do feel so much better with the weight off...but what a journey it has been...I pray that when I can get the hernia fixed my road will be paved...Until next update...my prayers to all...

September 20,2004--I am still waiting for my doctor's app't to fix my hernia...things are going slow...and I have been remaining at 185 to 190....also I am having my blood levels tested next month and see how that is going...should be going well as I feel okay in that area...well let you all know how things are going when I get there...