What a slap into reality..

Well for those of you who didn't know, I passed out the other day while cooking dinner for the family. Thank God my DH was there and was able to help me not hit my head when I fell to the floor.  I called the Dr. and had my appointment today and got a slap in the face into reality.

I have always been honest with everyone that I was NOT the best at taking all my vitamins.. I take them when I remember to, but not every day as I am supposed to. Well I started to have some vision changes this morning and told Dr. Vierra this while at my appointment this afternoon and letting him know what all was going on with me lately, (feeling dizzy a lot, and passing out the other day) this is what he said.

"I think that we should schedule another surgery to reverse your bypass"  I didn't know what to say, I just sat there, tears swelled up in my eyes, and I almost couldn't breathe. All that was going through my head was, I didn't go through all of this, and wait this long to have the surgery, go through all the recovery and everything else I have gone through physically and emotionally for him to tell me that we should just reverse it now..   I was SHOCKED and SCARED..

He gave me a box of tissues and asked me if I was okay, and I told him NO, this is not what I want.. I don't want to reverse this, medically I needed this and now you say like nothing to reverse it. I didn't understand, he was concerned for me.. I guess in younger people there is a higher risk of having vitamin deficiencies that can lead to Ir-reversible brain damage, etc. WOW  (I am already having some of the symptoms) OMGoodness. I didn't know that this could happen so soon after my surgery, and now I am showing signs of it, and if I don't take this seriously,  things can go so terribly wrong.   I cried even more..

He asked me if there was anything else going on, and I told him about my Pop dying and me going to Tucson for the Memorial Services for my Gram and Pop,  and that I was just under a lot of stress and that I have been dealing with depression lately, and I have let that take over me and not done what I KNOW I should be doing because I told myself that it would be okay if I skip a day or two.. 

Well let me tell you that is NOT the case.. If I don't get this under control, he will schedule the reversal, and all of what I have been through will be for NOTHING.

I want EVERYONE to take a look at my MISTAKES!! I don't want you guys both pre-op and post-op to know how very important it is to take ALL your vitamins EVERYDAY.   I DID know that taking your vitamins was important, but I DIDN'T realize that it was so important this soon out...

I have to go back to see Dr. Vierra next Wednesday.. I am not sure what he is going to tell me, but I pray I show him how much this means to me..

So please please please.. Don't make my mistakes.  This is so very important from the day of surgery on..  I have learned my lesson and am taking this slap of reality seriously..

As hard at it is to display my mistakes for all to see, if I am able to help ONE person learn something from my mistake, then it was worth it..

Please pray for me, think good thoughts, send ju ju, what ever it is you do, I could really use your support..

Lots of Love & Hugs,
    ~Jenn~

Wow!  Thank you for sharing this!!!  I'm glad your husband was there to make sure you didn't injure yourself and I'm so glad you went to your doctor!!

It's so important to understand that once you make the commitment to WLS you making a commitment to take your vitamins every day for the rest of your life.  Once you have consistently denied your body the nutrients it needs the damage that takes place to your organs and brain is sometimes irreversible and/or very difficult to correct.

Even though I was taking all my supplements as my surgeon directed, I was still iron-deficient when I had my blood tested...so now I double up on the multi-vitamins and iron.

Your body has been surgically altered.  Even at a 'normal' weight, you are not normal as for as your stomach is concerned. 

Please, PLEASE, PLEASE take care of yourself and renew your commitment to your vitamins. Carry them in your purse, do what you need to do....take care, your family needs you!!

Monica,

Thank you so very much for your honesty and support.. I now know how important EVERYDAY is.. I will commit myself to taking my vitamins, and will not take another day for granted..

Hugs,
Jenn

I carry a liitle pill organizer (you can get them at the drug store or pharmcay section) There's a little compartment for each day of the week, and every Monday I put each day's vitamin's in its little section.  I carry it in my purse, and it comes in handy on the weekends when I'm on the go.

Go pick up a cute girly one, that usually motivates me to do something if I can be fashionable and cute.....it also works with exercise. If I have a cute outfit to wear I'm more likely to go run.  :)

Please. Take. Care. Of. Yourself.

 

 

Thank you Monica.. I will...

Hey, Jenn--

I'm not going to blow smoke up your skirt--you f___d up.  You are so lucky that Dr. V gave you that wake up call.

Just remember, he can't operate on you if you don't hold still! 

You have a great tool--use it.  Take your vitamins and supplements RELIGIOUSLY.  You owe it not only to yourself, but your entire family.

I know you have been under a lot of stress due to the loss of your beloved grandparents, but they wouldn't want you to endanger your health this way.

Hugs and gentle kicks--

Thanks Lynn...  Yes my Grandparents wouldn't want me to endanger myself this way.. Message was heard LOUD & CLEAR.. 

Thank you for the gentle kicks.. I know I screwed up..   I am  not going to let my depression or life problems get in my way from now on..  It is a new start.. I just have to get it done no matter what comes up..

Thanks for being there for me, and caring enough to gently kick my A*s...

Hugs,
Jenn

 Wow Jenn.  What a wake-up, huh?

I think there are several doctors out there that do NOT give their patients enough information, or at least emphasize strongly enough how vitally important it is to take vitamins, calcium, proteins, etc. FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE starting the day after surgery.

I blame the doctor as much as the patient.  The program I went through (the most comprehensive I've heard of with 20+ hours class time/10% weight loss required prior to surgery) put the fear of god into me that I would DIE if I didn't do as they preached.

So, don't beat yourself up for what you didn't do......go forward and make it a GOOD habit to always take your vitamins and meds each day, just the same as you brush your teeth or wash your face.

It might help you to use a weekly pill container like I do where you put all your daily pills in the box once a week and keep it where you will see it FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.  I also keep my calcium in a small candy contianer next to my chair so I remember to chew my calcium three times a day.

Good luck sweetie - YOU CAN DO THIS!

Thank you so much hun for your response.. You are right.. I met and had my surgery with Dr. Vierra within 3 months, and knew that I needed to take my vitamins, but didn't realize just how important it was to take them EVERYDAY starting the DAY YOU HAVE SURGERY.. 

The only thing I had to do before surgery was attend a 30 min nutrition class (that didn't even talk about post op stuff) See a Psych Dr. who met with me for 5 min. And do my labs, x-rays, and ekg.. 

There were no classes required, nothing..  This by no means is any excuse for me not taking my vitamins the way I should, but I agree that this needs to be part of the screening for WLS... 

I am going to the Vitamin shopp and GNC to find one big enough for all my pills.. I have a little one, but does NOT hold all that I have to take in a day..

Thanks again.. I appreciate your help and words of encouragement..

Hugs,
Jenn

HI Sweetie-
Lots of Hugs coming your way.  But, honestly, I really like your doctor.  It sounds like he was giving you a good reality check, and got your attention.  Getting a reversal is not something a surgeon takes lightly, and does not want to do it.  I have been a religious vitamin taker for years, so it not something I miss.  that being said, I have been lax lately on everything. 
So PLEASE take your vitamins.  I do not care it they taste nasty, or you don't like them.  Take them until you find something you like.  Vitamins are no-negotiable.  You definately want to be around for your husband and kids.  Check out Vitacost.com for good pricing once you find something you like. 

LOVE YA!!!
Leann