The Good, The Bad and the Reality of WLS - Part 3 - The Bad
The Bad
Gallbladder/Hernia:
One in four WLS patients who go into surgery with their gallbladders intact will have to have it removed afterwards. I fell into this category. I had one full-blown attack just 2 months after surgery – which was miserable – and then had it scheduled for removal. I then had what I thought was another gallbladder attack just before surgery. It turned out to be an intermittent bowel obstruction caused by a small intestinal hernia. So, the gallbladder surgery was moved up & I got both issues fixed at the same time. This surgery was a breeze compared to WLS & plastics. Now all is good.
Anemia:
At about 3 years out, I became anemic. Once iron levels get low it’s really hard to get them back up. My ferritin levels (iron stores) are low too. This makes me tired & it becomes very hard to concentrate. It sucks. But, I’m working with a knowledgeable blood resource (Leona from OH at Humber River) and I’m going to get those levels back up. Dammit! In fact, I had an iron infusion just a few days ago & I’m hopeful I’m on my way to getting this under control. (Note: if you have low iron, don’t take iron sulphates, take heme iron. Google it. Don’t waste your time or money on the other stuff.)
Hypoglycemia:
I get low sugar episodes if I forget to eat, or after eating too many carbs at once. An “episode" may result in some or all of the following: racing heart, sweating, shaking, weakness, dizziness, tearfulness, confusion, temporary blindness & fainting. It’s really awful. I now eat small, healthy snacks throughout the day. I also keep glucose tablets at home, at work, in my purse, in the car etc. My friends & family now know the signs of an oncoming episode & help me. This can be controlled & I haven’t had an episode in months.
Emotional Impact:
Something that has taken me by surprise is the emotional impact of this journey. Like many people who struggle with obesity, I carried with me some baggage from my childhood & teenage years. Denial & suppression were tools that worked well for me, as long as I was able to eat my way out of my emotions. With the removal of eating as a coping tool, I found myself struggling emotionally. I was unable to pull myself out of a blue period in November, 2010. Fortunately, I was not too proud to get help. I went to my family doctor & with the help of meds & therapy, I’m happy to report that I’m working through some issues that, quite frankly, were long past their due dates. I’m feeling much better and good things are happening in my personal life. So, it’s all good and I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. After 16 months I’m now completely weaned off my meds & feel like a new, happy person.
Gallbladder/Hernia:
One in four WLS patients who go into surgery with their gallbladders intact will have to have it removed afterwards. I fell into this category. I had one full-blown attack just 2 months after surgery – which was miserable – and then had it scheduled for removal. I then had what I thought was another gallbladder attack just before surgery. It turned out to be an intermittent bowel obstruction caused by a small intestinal hernia. So, the gallbladder surgery was moved up & I got both issues fixed at the same time. This surgery was a breeze compared to WLS & plastics. Now all is good.
Anemia:
At about 3 years out, I became anemic. Once iron levels get low it’s really hard to get them back up. My ferritin levels (iron stores) are low too. This makes me tired & it becomes very hard to concentrate. It sucks. But, I’m working with a knowledgeable blood resource (Leona from OH at Humber River) and I’m going to get those levels back up. Dammit! In fact, I had an iron infusion just a few days ago & I’m hopeful I’m on my way to getting this under control. (Note: if you have low iron, don’t take iron sulphates, take heme iron. Google it. Don’t waste your time or money on the other stuff.)
Hypoglycemia:
I get low sugar episodes if I forget to eat, or after eating too many carbs at once. An “episode" may result in some or all of the following: racing heart, sweating, shaking, weakness, dizziness, tearfulness, confusion, temporary blindness & fainting. It’s really awful. I now eat small, healthy snacks throughout the day. I also keep glucose tablets at home, at work, in my purse, in the car etc. My friends & family now know the signs of an oncoming episode & help me. This can be controlled & I haven’t had an episode in months.
Emotional Impact:
Something that has taken me by surprise is the emotional impact of this journey. Like many people who struggle with obesity, I carried with me some baggage from my childhood & teenage years. Denial & suppression were tools that worked well for me, as long as I was able to eat my way out of my emotions. With the removal of eating as a coping tool, I found myself struggling emotionally. I was unable to pull myself out of a blue period in November, 2010. Fortunately, I was not too proud to get help. I went to my family doctor & with the help of meds & therapy, I’m happy to report that I’m working through some issues that, quite frankly, were long past their due dates. I’m feeling much better and good things are happening in my personal life. So, it’s all good and I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. After 16 months I’m now completely weaned off my meds & feel like a new, happy person.
OH Certified Support Group Leader for the York Region/GTA Support Group.
Low iron stores? RH?
You sound a lot like me Andrea! Hee
Thanks for all the posts!
Dawn
(who is still working in getting rid of 13 lbs of regain)
Dawn
You sound a lot like me Andrea! Hee
Thanks for all the posts!
Dawn
(who is still working in getting rid of 13 lbs of regain)
Dawn
17+ years post op RNY. first year blog here or My LongTimer blog. Tummy Tuck Dr. Matic 2014 -Ohip funded panni
Windsor WLS support group.message me anytime!
HW:290 LW:139 RW: 167 CW: 139
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