bumpy ride and regret

All I can say is that you guys are the best!  All of you are truely friends is deed.  I appreciate the rally of support and the good wishes and prayers.  I intend to take every word to heart!  Some of my "down in the dumps" attitude may also be from not being able to attend support groups too.  I had every intention of going but am at this point physically unable to get there.  I am amazed to hear (now that I am in the "boat") how many others have been through tribulations.  I wish I had known ahead of time but I was so pshyched to get this done no one could have stopped me.  On the positive front I am eating, keeping some down and using the heck out of this tube for the sake of protein!!  I am feelin the love guys!!!!  Thanks to all of you!!!!!! Cindy

That's what we are all here for. I have been a member of several forums and I have never found one anything like this one with the loads of support and true care for you from total stranger's. I can understand the regret's you have being that you have been through SO much. But I ( being the positive thinker I try to be ) would have to think that even if you knew what you would have gone through, once you are feeling better and the weight is gone...would'nt you do it anyway...just a lil more prepared Im sure. We all hope that complications dont arise in our surgery's...that's my BIGGEST fear. But Im holding on to my prayers and to my support and using postitive and wishful thinking and I think you have much better day's on the horizon! Have a wonderful night Brandi~

Cindy, I'm so glad there was an outpouring of helpful posts from people who understand your rough road or know people who have gone through it.  I've been lucky to have had no complications since surgery but I just wanted to send you BIG HUGS and tell you if you ever need anything...seriously...ANYTHING or just an ear to listen and ***** about why the heck this happened to you, you just PM me and say the word.  I'm only a call or short drive away for support. Lauren  :)

Wow...what a rough journey.  I have to say that I've had a difficult time but nothing like what you're describing.  I had surgery 8/21/07 and had a tough time with pain and recovery but, made it through.  At 6 weeks post op, I was diagnosed with a stricture and had to have it stretched open.  About two weeks after that, I developed SEVERE abdominal pain and thought my stricture was back.  I was in the hospital for several days and finally diagnosed with an ulcer.  I was on carafate and prevacid and stuck to liquids and did exactly as I was supposed to.  Long story short...after two months and A LOT of upper endoscopies, my ulcers were worse and they recommended surgical revision. Here is where my story differs from yours.  I am a nurse and I KNEW that not everything had been exhausted so, I decided I was going to work out my own game plan and hope the surgeon agreed!  I asked to be treated for H.Pylori even though EVERY biopsy I had was negative and I asked everyone I know to pray.   10 days later my ulcers were nearly gone.  As far as I know...they are still gone although I did start having some pain again yesterday. All I can say is that if you stay positive, which is probably close to impossible to even think of, and ask for help and prayer and REALLY talk to your surgeon and make sure that EVERYTHING is being done that can be...it'll get better. I sincerely hope that you DO get better and that you can live a full and wonderful life.  I will certainly add you to my prayer list!