D. Watkins

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I went in for my 6 week check up and I explained to my surgeon that I was having a lot of headaches and dizziness since I started the blood pressure medication. I wasn’t feeling good at all and felt I was going backwards. The week before I felt so good. I had some sores pop up on my belly and didn’t know where they came from. Also, I told him the pain I was having when I was in the hospital before was still there and seemed worse when I‘d lay down. He examined me and when he felt around my lil pouch I just about flew off the table the pain was so bad. He felt I had developed an ulcer and was going to schedule me for an EDG the next morning at 9am. He sent me to the hospital to have labs done and said he’d see me in the morning.

I got a call and was told I needed to be in the hospital NOW they would have to postpone my scope because was potassium was only 2.3. I was really scared and didn’t understand but it explained why I was feeling so yucky. They started me on IV fluids and gave me 8 bags of potassium before it finally got to 3.5. I had the scope Sunday morning and he confirmed I had an ulcer. All I could do is cry, he assured me this was something that happens often and I did nothing wrong.  He was concerned I was regretting my surgery, I have absolutely no regrets the only regret I have is going to the ER in my hometown and not driving the 4 hours to see him sooner. I spent the whole weekend in the hospital and he sent me home with medication for the Ulcer and potassium to take.  The good news was I had lost 42lbs! I will follow up with him in a month. Next update is going to be all good/positive things. I just know it!

Today is the lowest I have been since my surgery. I have had problems with protein shakes and my surgeon suggested I try these 3oz bullets which contain 42g of protein. I was so thrilled that I could get my protein in 3oz and wouldn't be gagging them up like I have been. Well I have been taking them a week and every day it gets harder and harder and now I am gagging every swallow. I want so badly for this surgery to work. I've not been able to tolerate any kind of food which is ok for now because I don't feel hungry. But now I am back to not being able to tolerate my protein, All I can take in is water, tea and until now my protein. Every day I feel weaker and weaker. And today it is taking all I can do just to walk around the house. I don't see my surgeon for another week and at this point I am not sure what to do or try. All I've done all day is cry because I feel so helpless. 

This has been the hardest thing I have ever done and I pray to god everyday it will get easier. Sadly it seems to be getting harder. I don’t put anything in my mouth unless my surgeon’s office knows about it. I am going to try and get in my protein and maybe tomorrow it will all change. I hope so anyway.

It's been a few weeks. Surgery went ok.. Well I knew going in I may have to have open. This is what happened. Dr Applebaum tried for 2 hours working through a lot of adhesions but had to open me up. So when I came to I was one sore puppy! However, I got myself up that night walking and continued to do so. I knew he did everything he could to try to keep from opening me up so I am ok with the 12in incision he left me.  I didn’t have much pain really at all. I was just so freaked out that I had no hunger. I still kind of giggle when someone says’ Are you hungry? I don’t know if I am hungry.. I don’t feel hungry or full ever. Let’s see one week post surgery I went to have the G-tube and every other staple removed! Woohoo, I was doing so well the removed ALL my staples (wasn’t expecting that) and oh god… that tube (deep breathe) glad it is over with.   

The day after having my staples removed we were involved in a car accident… yea.. freaked me out! We were very lucky. No damage to the incision. Just lots of cuts bruises everywhere else. No breaks though! They totaled my mother’s car and she too was bruised pretty badly but nothing to serious.  

I am doing well for the most part, just trying to get in all the fluids and protein. I came back home today so I know it’s all smooth sailing from here on out. Feels so good to be home and feels even better to be a loser!  Thank you all for all the kind words and support. I love my OH family, thanks for getting me through this.

My youngest son called me today to tell me he would be flying in for my surgery. I've always been very close to him and since he's moved away I don't get to see much of him. That truly made my day. Now I am more anxious for my surgery because now it means spending time with him too!

It's getting closer to my day. At first I was terrified, then I found these wonderful boards and after my last visit to my doctor I was completely at peace with my surgery. Now I am a complete wreck again. I think I am reading too much. I read a post earlier about complications from wls and boy it scared the heck outta me. I like these blogs… it’s like having a conversation with yourself. I’m trying really hard to get over what I read.  I know I need to have a positive mind and I am really trying. Maybe I need confession or maybe I just need to go pray. I’m just going to do both. I pormise I'm not crazy just scared.