jennyn
My story began in August 2000. I was at about 240lbs and decided on gastric bypass. I did a lot of research and I stayed on these boards but I was surprised at how easy the process was for me. Looking back I know I did not receive enough info and support before and after the surgery. I was approved by my insurance company by the end of September and had my surgery in January 2001. Unfortunately, things did not go as I anticipated. During surgery my spleen was nicked by a staple, which resulted in a splenectomy and a week in ICU. I had to have 3 pints of blood and my heart rate was elevated. I finally went home after 8 days but ended up with an abcess where my spleen was. I had to have a drain tube inserted in my back for 2 months. I wasn't able to really move around until April. I had alot of trouble eating, keeping anything down. I was nauseated most of the time.
All in all I got down to about 170 and couldn't seem to lose anymore. Then more problems set in. We had recently moved out of state and I sent to a dr. for my labs, no biggie I thought. Suddenly I get a call at work telling me to get to the dr office immediatly. I'm thinking "crap, I've got something really wrong", turns out that my hemogloban had dropped to below 6 and they couldn't believe that I was still functioning. I ended up with a transfusion, twice to get my numbers up. That lasted about 9 months and my numbers steadily declined. I went thru a colonoscopy and a ton of other tests trying to figure out what was wrong. I ended up with a complete hysterectomy at 42, in the midst of trying and hoping for another baby! :(
It still didn't work, my numbers didn't go up. Finally I was sent to a Hematologist. It was determined that my body was not absorbing iron. I ended up with an iron infusion and so far everything has been good. Except I have regained most of the weight.
