Almost in Tears, But Thrilled
Good Morning Everyone!
After doing extensive research on some of the benefits of WLS beyond the weight loss, I decided to have a VSG. My primary reason for having this surgery was to stabilize, improve, or put into remission my comorbidities -- Type II Diabetes and Stage Three Chronic Kidney Disease. After surgery, I was told I also have very mild Sleep Apnea, so that's another comorb to try to improve. Weight loss was something I considered a wonderful bonus. That thinking wasn't a problem when I discussed my priorities with my surgeon, my nutritionist, and my psych evaluator.
Yesterday, I had a check-up with my primary doctor (whom I see every 3 months) -- even though I had my first post-op appointment with my surgeon last week. Blood work results came back already this morning and I nearly started to weep when I was given them.
I was taken off my Type II meds while in the hospital. Since returning home, I haven't had a glucose reading over 115. Yesterday, my glucose was at 95 -- I was stunned and so happy. No meds for Type II -- at least not for now.
The numbers that hit me so hard today were my Chronic Kidney Disease numbers. My GFR had dropped to 47 a few months ago. That's about midway in the Stage III range. And my creatinine had gone up to 1.2. That's not horrible for me because I do have a lot of muscle mass, but still, that was the wrong direction. Today's results were amazing.............I'm still stunned and was nearly speechless after hearing my new numbers.
My creatinine level is now 0.90 (range is 0.50 to 1.10) and my GFR is at 60!!!! That magic number 60 puts me into Stage II.............sure, it's the bottom of the range, but it's NOT Stage III any longer.
This surgery seems to be doing for me what my research said it could. I'm so grateful. I love my sleeve.
Oh, and the "bonus" I had considered that weight loss would be..............15 pounds gone!
I feel like I've had a WIN-WIN-WIN.................just wanted to share my good news.
Ree
After doing extensive research on some of the benefits of WLS beyond the weight loss, I decided to have a VSG. My primary reason for having this surgery was to stabilize, improve, or put into remission my comorbidities -- Type II Diabetes and Stage Three Chronic Kidney Disease. After surgery, I was told I also have very mild Sleep Apnea, so that's another comorb to try to improve. Weight loss was something I considered a wonderful bonus. That thinking wasn't a problem when I discussed my priorities with my surgeon, my nutritionist, and my psych evaluator.
Yesterday, I had a check-up with my primary doctor (whom I see every 3 months) -- even though I had my first post-op appointment with my surgeon last week. Blood work results came back already this morning and I nearly started to weep when I was given them.
I was taken off my Type II meds while in the hospital. Since returning home, I haven't had a glucose reading over 115. Yesterday, my glucose was at 95 -- I was stunned and so happy. No meds for Type II -- at least not for now.
The numbers that hit me so hard today were my Chronic Kidney Disease numbers. My GFR had dropped to 47 a few months ago. That's about midway in the Stage III range. And my creatinine had gone up to 1.2. That's not horrible for me because I do have a lot of muscle mass, but still, that was the wrong direction. Today's results were amazing.............I'm still stunned and was nearly speechless after hearing my new numbers.
My creatinine level is now 0.90 (range is 0.50 to 1.10) and my GFR is at 60!!!! That magic number 60 puts me into Stage II.............sure, it's the bottom of the range, but it's NOT Stage III any longer.
This surgery seems to be doing for me what my research said it could. I'm so grateful. I love my sleeve.
Oh, and the "bonus" I had considered that weight loss would be..............15 pounds gone!
I feel like I've had a WIN-WIN-WIN.................just wanted to share my good news.
Ree
Great news! Congrats on the improving health and wishes for many more victories.
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Surgery 10/15/12 - HW-263lbs GW-150lbs CW- 170.8
Hearing your story about diabetes (I have/had that as well) and the Chronic Renal Disease, make me wish I would have tried to push my mother in that direction. She may still be with us today if I had and sometimes I blame myself that I didn't. I'm so glad and proud of what you accomplished in a short amount of time and that your numbers are leveling out and getting better. And you're right..the bonus is that the weight is coming off too hence the numbers changing for the better.
You have my respect for having the courage to do this, to make life better for you and your family...for that I applaud you!
Keep up the great work...You are an inspiration to us all !!!
You have my respect for having the courage to do this, to make life better for you and your family...for that I applaud you!
Keep up the great work...You are an inspiration to us all !!! 
Barbara McKeown 
Thank you very much.
I'm sorry about your mother. Please don't blame yourself. This research that is being done for CKD is relatively new and the groups are fairly small -- often under 500 people. There has been a decent improvement for many, stabilization is more common. The thing that spurred me on were the studies that were showing people who were on dialysis and on the kidney transplant lists making incredible improvements - some to the point of raising their GFR into the upper 70s to even 80s and creatinine well within bounds. I just thought that if I could work my plan with diligence, I'd find that this VSG could give me a longer, healthier life.
On a side note -- your posts are always so uplifting and sprinkled with humor. We need that, whether we're newbies, inbetweenies, or vets. Thanks for what you generously give in your posts!
Ree
I'm sorry about your mother. Please don't blame yourself. This research that is being done for CKD is relatively new and the groups are fairly small -- often under 500 people. There has been a decent improvement for many, stabilization is more common. The thing that spurred me on were the studies that were showing people who were on dialysis and on the kidney transplant lists making incredible improvements - some to the point of raising their GFR into the upper 70s to even 80s and creatinine well within bounds. I just thought that if I could work my plan with diligence, I'd find that this VSG could give me a longer, healthier life.
On a side note -- your posts are always so uplifting and sprinkled with humor. We need that, whether we're newbies, inbetweenies, or vets. Thanks for what you generously give in your posts!
Ree
Thanks! This surgery seems to be more than what it originally was intended for. We are blessed to have this tool available.
Keep us posted on your progress toward starting your own journey.........it's already been a great ride -- and I expect more to come! I will save you a seat on the loser's bench!
Keep us posted on your progress toward starting your own journey.........it's already been a great ride -- and I expect more to come! I will save you a seat on the loser's bench!
Wonderful news! I am so glad that you have had "bonus" events besides the weight loss. The news about your creatine levels is fantastic. The kidneys are so important and once you lose function completely, there is no going back.
As a weird fun fact, I have three kidneys--it is a family mutation from my dad's side. I'm pretty sure it is vestigial and not fully (or maybe even barely) functional. But I like to think of it as my "spare part" and also why this German girl has a really high alcohol tolerance--even WITH the sleeve. LOL.
As a weird fun fact, I have three kidneys--it is a family mutation from my dad's side. I'm pretty sure it is vestigial and not fully (or maybe even barely) functional. But I like to think of it as my "spare part" and also why this German girl has a really high alcohol tolerance--even WITH the sleeve. LOL.
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