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Topic: RE: When are you hungry?
I've learned a bit from surfing around reagarding our metabolisms. Its a strange thing, but true that we really did some damage there. I also think there is DEFINITELY something with the hunger. Even if I ate it knawed at me. There were really no answers from the doc, but the low blood sugar dips that are associated with the surgery along with the metabolic differences...it wasn't surprising that there are hunger issues and there are! Even some of the wls revision doctors have discussed the insatiable hunger issues and relate it to the metabolic difference and other chemical changes within our bodies after we got this surgery. I got help. Medication isn't always exactly the most healthy thing, but its mild. Nothing damaging and I am SO glad to be rid of the insatiable hunger! Once in awhile I still get it but It also goes away. Ask your doc about those sort of alternatives.
"Never act until you have answered the question 'What happens if I do nothing?'" - Robert Brault
"Love is borne from soul to soul on the wings of words." - Rudolph Steiner
Elizabeth M 
Topic: RE: Hyperparathyroidism
My Doc says my Vit D is in the norm range. Probably needs to be higher, but, I am O.K with it for now.
When I get the results of the dexa scan will no more about what is going on with my bones & stuff.
When I get the results of the dexa scan will no more about what is going on with my bones & stuff.
Marilyn C (Bearlady)
Topic: RE: Dexa Scan/Shrinking Woman Here!!
I was only taking 2 multi's a day for awhile due to cost.
I now take that along with my iron script
Vit c
Cal/Magnesium Liquid
Potassium
Zinc
Vit A Once in awhile (not everyday)
I don't have money for all that I am suppose to be taking, but, with the anemia problems had to get back on the iron & vitC.
Will find out next week how bad the osteoperosis is.
Some of the shrinkage is due to that spine fracture & some is from the desinigrating
disk, some is from the osteoperosis. I will get some back after surgery, but, not
all of it.
I now take that along with my iron script
Vit c
Cal/Magnesium Liquid
Potassium
Zinc
Vit A Once in awhile (not everyday)
I don't have money for all that I am suppose to be taking, but, with the anemia problems had to get back on the iron & vitC.
Will find out next week how bad the osteoperosis is.
Some of the shrinkage is due to that spine fracture & some is from the desinigrating
disk, some is from the osteoperosis. I will get some back after surgery, but, not
all of it.
Marilyn C (Bearlady)
Topic: On The UP Side of This (and then I'll shut up)
Yes, there are very real and serious consequences to this surgery if we fall short of remaining vigilent caregivers of our own health. Even when we are vigilent, there appears to be medical issues associated with malabsorption, a direct consequence to the restructuring of our entire gastro-intestinal systems. Ok, now what? On the upside - I'm going to stick my neck out a little further and identify Joanie as the one person on this Board who seems to have gotten it Right. She had the surgery, lost the weight, and is maintaining her weight loss; much more importantly, she is living a balanced life, physically and mentally. Not so in my corner - I fight the demons of food obsession and emotional overeating every day. I suspect this will always be the case for me. So, if you are like me, you are testing the waters, eating sugar (in some form or another) every day - not only will this mean weight regain, but again more importantly - I am messing with my endocrine system, I am experiencing extreme highs and lows in my sugar levels. Is this healthy? Nope, no way. I could live with my 20 lb. weight gain (God willing that's all!) if I could experience the lovliness of balanced living - make the demons die in my head, make the feelings of self-loathing disappear forever. Yes, yes, I know - find a good therapist. I have but there are no guarantees that whatever pain we are experiencing - in our minds, our hearts, our bodies - will ever disappear. So I will try to speak for myself here - I MUST stop looking to food for comfort. It does not comfort me. It destroys me. I wish you all great peace and joy in your hearts and in your lives - you mean the world to me. And I leave you with a James Dean quote: Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today. Love, Reenie
Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.
Topic: Connie!
Hi Connie, you might want to contact this woman - I found her post on the December 2003 Board:
"My five year anniversary is this month. I lost 110 pounds but have gained 50 back. I am currently anemic and have had a colonscopy to try to find the reason why I am losing blood. I am scheduled for a EGD on Thursday. I am concerned that the EGD will do damage to my surgery. My gas... doc was surprised that I had the surgery. He then went and checked my chart. Anyone else had this problem?"
"My five year anniversary is this month. I lost 110 pounds but have gained 50 back. I am currently anemic and have had a colonscopy to try to find the reason why I am losing blood. I am scheduled for a EGD on Thursday. I am concerned that the EGD will do damage to my surgery. My gas... doc was surprised that I had the surgery. He then went and checked my chart. Anyone else had this problem?"
Topic: RE: Dexa Scan/Shrinking Woman Here!!
Marilyn, have your doctor do a blood test for hyperparathyroidism - your symptoms are classic, especially the loss of height over a very short period of time. What are you taking on a daily basis in terms of your vitamins and supplements - I mean daily, what are you taking? M.
Topic: Hyperparathyroidism
Connie, has your doctor looked into this (and Marilyn) - first sign is back pain, can become crippling. Caused by accute deficiency of Vitamin D, which causes the thyroid gland to produce an excessive amount of something or other (can't remember) in order to compensate for the lack of Vit D in the system. The medical articles I've looked at today all point to moderate to severe deficiencies in Vitamin D and Calicium from studies of 5-year plus post-gastric bypass surgery. We MUST supplement Vitamin D, daily - and Calcium Citrate - daily. Otherwise, expect your bones to start breaking in another 5 years - Connie, Marilyn - what do your doctors say about this? Love you, Maureen
Topic: RE: Long Way Out, Long Way to Go
From a different Board (February 2004, I believe):
"Thought I'd give a brief update...still working through medical issues. Just diagnosed with my second stress fracture in less than a year (fourth metatrsal in each foot); had a bone density scan which showed 'moderately reduced bone density'; could be osteopenia. May consider switching to calcium citrate, to see if that helps with the calcium. Migraines are back, makes me wonder about the thyroid issues. Some possible calcium/vitamin d concerns...but nothing concrete. Weight continues to creep up, exercise is a struggle now with the boot/immobilization on my foot. Hoping to star****er areobics soon to get some exercise in. I'm beyond frustrated, and at a loss. My weight is becoming a huge anchor around me and I feel like a complete and total failure...."
"Thought I'd give a brief update...still working through medical issues. Just diagnosed with my second stress fracture in less than a year (fourth metatrsal in each foot); had a bone density scan which showed 'moderately reduced bone density'; could be osteopenia. May consider switching to calcium citrate, to see if that helps with the calcium. Migraines are back, makes me wonder about the thyroid issues. Some possible calcium/vitamin d concerns...but nothing concrete. Weight continues to creep up, exercise is a struggle now with the boot/immobilization on my foot. Hoping to star****er areobics soon to get some exercise in. I'm beyond frustrated, and at a loss. My weight is becoming a huge anchor around me and I feel like a complete and total failure...."
Topic: RE: Long Way Out, Long Way to Go
And this one:
"Just checkin in here. It's been a long time but I can see that therer are many of us in the same boat...(slowly sinking). I eat now just like I did as a pre-op. My pouch doesnt even work anymore except that I'm hungrier more often that I ever was pre-op. No food bothers me......its like I never had surgery (except that my Farts stink more).
I think I'm ready for a lap-band. This year the weight is creeping on fast. I gained 5 lbs just last month.
Every morning I tell myself, "today I will eat better" and then by noon I forgot my pledge.
Oh well. My question is: How many of you on this forum, have managed to reach goal and keep it off?"
"Just checkin in here. It's been a long time but I can see that therer are many of us in the same boat...(slowly sinking). I eat now just like I did as a pre-op. My pouch doesnt even work anymore except that I'm hungrier more often that I ever was pre-op. No food bothers me......its like I never had surgery (except that my Farts stink more).
I think I'm ready for a lap-band. This year the weight is creeping on fast. I gained 5 lbs just last month.
Every morning I tell myself, "today I will eat better" and then by noon I forgot my pledge.
Oh well. My question is: How many of you on this forum, have managed to reach goal and keep it off?"
Topic: Long Way Out, Long Way to Go
Hi friends, Elizabeth's post compelled to do some sleuthing at other 'long timer' boards - it's simply dumb practice to deny the health ramifications of our surgeries this far along. Knowledge is power. So I'm going to start posting some info that I find in my investigative work in the hopes that everyone will accept this as positive support from one who cares - I come from a good place, always! Here's something of interest, April 2004 Board:
"All is still good despite the many bumps that have happened and are still happening along the way. I was 350lbs when I started this journey and am now 117lbs. I am having lots of difficulties though along the way. I was in the hospital for reoccurring ulcers and possible fistula on December 4th for 4 days. I was scheduled for an endoscopy but they canceled that because on January 20th I had a grandmal seizure. I've now had four of them and they don't really know why but they believe is is because of the vitamin deficiency that I am having. My vitamin d level is less than 4 and my b12 is 160. The worst part is not being able to drive. They take your license is the state of PA. What can you do. I love being thin and no matter what I'm still a happy camper after almost 5 years. Wow! It doesn't seem that long. Hope you are doing well. I wish I was more deligent about following the protein vitamin thing. I'm learning some hard lessons because I've been a stupid girl. Anyway on that note, I will say good bye."
"All is still good despite the many bumps that have happened and are still happening along the way. I was 350lbs when I started this journey and am now 117lbs. I am having lots of difficulties though along the way. I was in the hospital for reoccurring ulcers and possible fistula on December 4th for 4 days. I was scheduled for an endoscopy but they canceled that because on January 20th I had a grandmal seizure. I've now had four of them and they don't really know why but they believe is is because of the vitamin deficiency that I am having. My vitamin d level is less than 4 and my b12 is 160. The worst part is not being able to drive. They take your license is the state of PA. What can you do. I love being thin and no matter what I'm still a happy camper after almost 5 years. Wow! It doesn't seem that long. Hope you are doing well. I wish I was more deligent about following the protein vitamin thing. I'm learning some hard lessons because I've been a stupid girl. Anyway on that note, I will say good bye."
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