One Year Anniversary -my testimony-
This is a long posting so I am apologizing in advance.
Wow! It's hard to believe an entire year has passed since my VSG - revision surgery, so much has changed in my life. I am much healthier and so much happier.
I had no idea that I needed revision suurgery. In 1998 I had an experimental banding put on; there were no ports only a restrictive band. Over the next 1.5 hr I lost about 70lbs, but then over the next 6 years the weight slowly crept back and so did a persisting heartburn. I got used to taking heartburn/acid reflux meds and thought it was due to bad eating choices. But overtime it got worse to the extent that I was choking when I ate, food was shooting up my throat when I slept and I often had to throw-up when I tried to eat. I was miserable. I went to see a doctor who performed an esophagal scope and told me that he was unable to complete the test because of blockage and suggested that I return to my original surgeon because he was unfamiliar with the device that was implanted. I was also sent for a sleep study. I did not have sleep apnea, although I was snoring, but the technician also advised that although I did not have sleep apnea there was something restricting my breathing. This really worried me. In addition I was borderline diabetic, hypertension and my migranes were increasing. I could not walk up a flight of steps without being completely winded, not to mention that I was now flirting with a size 22. I was sent for a MRI and X-ray and told that the band should be removed. My insurance approved my case right away and although I initially had a June 2011 surgery day, I could not wait that long, I was not choking constantly, to the extent that I kept cups and bags in my car so that I could pull over while driving and throw up, if needed. I had my last final for my MA degree on the 28th of April and my surgery was the 29th. I was told that the surgery would take 3hours max (I was scheduled for 7am). When I awoke it was 5pm. I could not figure it out; it was later explained that I had formed a hernia which had metastasized , wrapped itself around my esophagus (squeezing it and causing the choking) and connected itself to my major organs, thus the proceedure that should have taken 2-3 hours took close to 7.5 hours. The surgery team told me they'd never seen anything like my case. My doctor also explained that the persistent heartburn was the symptom that something was wrong and that I was an easy candidate for esophageal cancer, if I had not come to see them. I stayed two nights in the hospital.
My stomach muscles were slow healing and luckily I was able to be off work for 3.5 months, all paid.
Today I am doing well. I feel great, look great and have a much better quality of life. I have gone down a shoe size and am wearing a 12 dress/pants. I have begun running and regularly attend aqua aerobics. When I was my doctor two weeks ago he laid down the challenge to start working with weights, doing lunges, pushups and pull ups and to train for a 5K. -I am considering the later, but have not committed to it yet. I do know that I need to increase my upper body strength because I have none.
Ideally I would like to get to 150 for psychological purposes, but overall I am happy with myself. My doctor seta goal for me of 160, so he is more than content with my progress.
To this day I have not told anyone I had the VSG surgery. I only talk about the hernia and that I have changed my eating as a result of it. As time has gone on I don't feel the need to talk about it. My husband does not even know. My mom and sister found out by default but I was content with no one knowing. I do have dark marks on my stomach from the ports and have had shots to lighten them. I do not have any loose skin. My only complaint is my sagging breast, as I went from a 40DD to a 34C -no fum!! But I am okay with it for now and am not considering implants.
I eat differently and make different food choices. I still have good restriction and do not get very hungry unless my period is due. When I want something sweet, I eat it. I satisfy taste and no longer eat to pass out on the couch. I still take the multi-vitamins, GNC's chewable calcium and hair, skin and nails chewable. Occasionally I will have a GNC lean shake. I try and keep my protein between 50-70 but will have two protein shakes per day if I feel my energy is low. I never loss hair, in fact it's grown, almost to my waist (it was mid back prior to surgery). Mentally, the fat girl 'within' is still sorting things out... It's hard for me to buy new clothes. I still reach for large sizes. Last week I ordered summer clothes from LL Bean size 12 thinking I may be able to fit them by summer, but my size 14 jeans were too big so when I tried on the 12's they fit fine. Perhaps by summer I will be in a 10. I am still loosing and I still weight myself every morning. I also keep a food diary on MyFitnessPal.com and set my goal for 800 but allow myself up to 1200 max. During my period I will go to 1500.
I wish each and everyone of you much luck and success and most important good health. Thank you all for your advise, encouragement, real talk and support.
Wow! It's hard to believe an entire year has passed since my VSG - revision surgery, so much has changed in my life. I am much healthier and so much happier.
I had no idea that I needed revision suurgery. In 1998 I had an experimental banding put on; there were no ports only a restrictive band. Over the next 1.5 hr I lost about 70lbs, but then over the next 6 years the weight slowly crept back and so did a persisting heartburn. I got used to taking heartburn/acid reflux meds and thought it was due to bad eating choices. But overtime it got worse to the extent that I was choking when I ate, food was shooting up my throat when I slept and I often had to throw-up when I tried to eat. I was miserable. I went to see a doctor who performed an esophagal scope and told me that he was unable to complete the test because of blockage and suggested that I return to my original surgeon because he was unfamiliar with the device that was implanted. I was also sent for a sleep study. I did not have sleep apnea, although I was snoring, but the technician also advised that although I did not have sleep apnea there was something restricting my breathing. This really worried me. In addition I was borderline diabetic, hypertension and my migranes were increasing. I could not walk up a flight of steps without being completely winded, not to mention that I was now flirting with a size 22. I was sent for a MRI and X-ray and told that the band should be removed. My insurance approved my case right away and although I initially had a June 2011 surgery day, I could not wait that long, I was not choking constantly, to the extent that I kept cups and bags in my car so that I could pull over while driving and throw up, if needed. I had my last final for my MA degree on the 28th of April and my surgery was the 29th. I was told that the surgery would take 3hours max (I was scheduled for 7am). When I awoke it was 5pm. I could not figure it out; it was later explained that I had formed a hernia which had metastasized , wrapped itself around my esophagus (squeezing it and causing the choking) and connected itself to my major organs, thus the proceedure that should have taken 2-3 hours took close to 7.5 hours. The surgery team told me they'd never seen anything like my case. My doctor also explained that the persistent heartburn was the symptom that something was wrong and that I was an easy candidate for esophageal cancer, if I had not come to see them. I stayed two nights in the hospital.
My stomach muscles were slow healing and luckily I was able to be off work for 3.5 months, all paid.
Today I am doing well. I feel great, look great and have a much better quality of life. I have gone down a shoe size and am wearing a 12 dress/pants. I have begun running and regularly attend aqua aerobics. When I was my doctor two weeks ago he laid down the challenge to start working with weights, doing lunges, pushups and pull ups and to train for a 5K. -I am considering the later, but have not committed to it yet. I do know that I need to increase my upper body strength because I have none.
Ideally I would like to get to 150 for psychological purposes, but overall I am happy with myself. My doctor seta goal for me of 160, so he is more than content with my progress.
To this day I have not told anyone I had the VSG surgery. I only talk about the hernia and that I have changed my eating as a result of it. As time has gone on I don't feel the need to talk about it. My husband does not even know. My mom and sister found out by default but I was content with no one knowing. I do have dark marks on my stomach from the ports and have had shots to lighten them. I do not have any loose skin. My only complaint is my sagging breast, as I went from a 40DD to a 34C -no fum!! But I am okay with it for now and am not considering implants.
I eat differently and make different food choices. I still have good restriction and do not get very hungry unless my period is due. When I want something sweet, I eat it. I satisfy taste and no longer eat to pass out on the couch. I still take the multi-vitamins, GNC's chewable calcium and hair, skin and nails chewable. Occasionally I will have a GNC lean shake. I try and keep my protein between 50-70 but will have two protein shakes per day if I feel my energy is low. I never loss hair, in fact it's grown, almost to my waist (it was mid back prior to surgery). Mentally, the fat girl 'within' is still sorting things out... It's hard for me to buy new clothes. I still reach for large sizes. Last week I ordered summer clothes from LL Bean size 12 thinking I may be able to fit them by summer, but my size 14 jeans were too big so when I tried on the 12's they fit fine. Perhaps by summer I will be in a 10. I am still loosing and I still weight myself every morning. I also keep a food diary on MyFitnessPal.com and set my goal for 800 but allow myself up to 1200 max. During my period I will go to 1500.
I wish each and everyone of you much luck and success and most important good health. Thank you all for your advise, encouragement, real talk and support.
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