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Last Friday, I had my second EGD where the nice GI Dr. stretched my now called stricture to 17mm.  I had high hopes and was able to eat a few things without getting sick but it was very short lived.  I returned to Dr. Boyce and he sent me for another Upper GI but this time I was to eat hamburger with the barium on it.  I ate two bite and they were stuck.  The Dr was dumbfounded and didn't understand.  I drank more barium and then some water and THEN sat there for an hour and still nothing it all was still stuck.  

I got a call from Dr. Boyce's office today and they have scheduled me for surgery on Dec. 23rd.  I can't remember what the procedure is that he told me he was going to be doing .... some sort of plasty.  Anyway, I will be in the hosptial for at least 3 days - long enough to miss Christmas.  :(

I don't have much else to say, other than I don't want to have more surgery.  I sure don't want to be in the hospital on Christmas but I need this fixed and if I have to have this done I need it done before years end because we have defineately met our out of pocket max with insurance.

Well, it has been a rough two months since I was revised to a DS.  I was just too overwhelmed to even attempt blogging about it!  And to be honest, I am still out of my mind... but I need to put it down here cause people are asking.

My 7hour revision from RNY to DS went with out a hitch.  Dr. Boyce said everything went well and he couldn't have asked for anything better.  That was good to hear!  Well after a day I was very nauseaous and instead of getting to go home on day 3 it turned into day 5.  I was allowed to go home only after I was able to drink most of my 64ozs for the day.  Then after I got home the next day I realized that I could drink almost 30ozs and then I had bad pain in my chest and would have to throw up to get the pressure to go away.  So back to the hospital I went.  It was determined after an Upper GI swallow test that my sleeve was swollen shut going into my intestines.  The test showed that my sleeve was shaped like a beek - pinched off at the bottom.  

The Dr. said that he felt like I must be susecptable to inflammation and that it would have to resolve on its own.  So after sitting in the hospital for almost another week with just IV fluids, I was going crazy!!!  I asked to go home and they contacted home health so that I could go home with an IV.  When I got home I had lost 16lbs!!!  YEAH!  Oh and before I left the hospital they gave me a picc line in my arm for the fluids at home.  In the other arm, I had developed phlebitis and it hurt worse than anything!!

When I got home at almost 2 weeks post-op, I got put on TPN and immediately gained 5lbs!!!  I was on the TPN for almost 2 weeks.  Towards the end of that time, I started trying to drink.  When I was able to get my 64ozs in they pulled the picc line!  Yeah!

I am still at about where I was then.  I am not able to each much solid foods with out them getting stuck and most but not always throwing up.  So last week, I had a EGD (scope) and the kind Dr said that the bottom of my stomach is almost swollen shut.  He stretched it and said that it would require at least 2 more stretchings to hopefully resolve my problem....

WHEW...  I don't think I left too much out.  Its been tough not being able to eat food or accidently put something in your mouth and then having to throw up.  So at this point I can't tell you whether or not this revision was the right thing to do.  I do hope that one day ... VERY SOON .... I can tell you that I love my DS.   I am in therapy trying to get a grip on the hold that food has on me.

Someone talk to me!!  Give me some feedback!

Hugs,

jenspen

Well, since my last post I have gotten insurance (UHC) approval to be revised to the DS.  I am scheduled for surgery on Sept 22, 2009 at 6am.  I am excited to finally get this over with and I can only hope that this is the answer.

I was having problems getting down solid foods, reflux, and weight gain.  I had no idea what the problem was and to be honest I just thought it was me.  After two Upper GIs, I found out that it was not just in my head.   I had a hiatal hernia, stricture, and a kink in my intestines - just to name a few issues.  YEAH!

I will check back after my surgery to let you know how life is post-op AGAIN...

Hugs,

jenspen

Well, what a difference another year makes.  Very long story short.... I am seeking a revision.  I have a hiatal hernia that my pouch is half way up through my diaghram and a stricture at the bottom of my pouch going into my intestines.  I am having problems eating dense foods and I am having heart burn acid issues too.  I also am in dire need to take NSAIDS for my joint pain.  OH and I am not even going to mention how much weight I have gained back!!!!!

Another long story short, my surgeon and I have agreed to revise me to the BPD-DS and are awaiting to see what my insurance company says about it.  At first it was approved and I had a surgery date of Sept 1st but I got a phone call yesterday stating that they had reneged on the conversion to the DS.  My surgeon is going to try and talk to them and get it approved or I can self pay for the DS.

Hollar back at me and tell me your thoughts...

Well, I am offically one year out and the last year has been such a blur!  I am so proud that I have gotten 115lbs off.  I honestly feel like it has been a dream.  Pinch me. 

I am eating pretty much what I want to eat with eating my protein first.  Good or bad, I have about 15lbs more to go to my goal.  Who knows if I am going to get those off but I will keep trying.  I am happy to say that I am wearing size L pants and XL shirts (to cover my bat wings) and a size 12 to 14.  This is all down from 3XL to 4XL and a size 28.

Of course, I am scared to death that one day I will regain.  My plan is to keep on track and continue my eating as I am doing now.  I am not depriving myself of much.  I have a piece or two of sugar free chocolate each day.  I make myself good tasting protein shakes that I have tried to drink in place of ice cream milkshakes.  I do have no sugar added ice cream at times.  I pray that I can keep this weight off.  I recently had the privilage of seeing an intutituve counselor.  He says he doesn't see me gaining the weight back.  So, I am going to go with that!

I wouldn't change a thing other than I wish we'd have done this whole thing sooner.  Lee has been a wonderful support and he has done great too!  So if you're reading this, drop me a line to say hello.  I miss you all.

Hugs,

Jenspen

I am starting a new support group that will be meeting on the 1st Monday of each month at 6pm at Park West Hospital in the Grubb Room in the cafeteria. 

Please come be a part our group.  We'd love to have you!!  We need you just as much as you need us!!

Well, I thought I'd write a line or two about my tail bone removal... 

Quick history for those that are not aware of the pain in my butt.  Colby (my second & LAST born son whom is almost 3 years old) "dislocated" my tail bone during his birth.  He was 10lbs and 5ozs. 

I pretty much refused a c-section and hired a Doula ahead of time to assist me with his birth.  I had developed the dreaded evil gestational diabetes and we knew that he was getting large but my Dr wouldn't induce early because there was no reason....  Mmmm I beg to differ!    Long story short.. He came fast and he was to say the least a tight fit coming out but did so successfully without any tearing on my part.  He had a long scraping bruise down his shoulder and arm that were due to it rubbing down my tail bone.

I tried many treatments for my terrible pain all to no avail.  These included:  *internal* physical therapy, chiropractic work, and caudal epidural injections.  I was told by the nice PT that my tail bone was just flitting back and forth in there like loose change.  After conferring with at least 3 surgeons I found one that was willing to remove it.  And that is just what I did...

I have a couple of inch incision between my top butt crack.  He removed over two inches of tail bone and relayed to me that the cartilage was broken and it would not have repaired itself.  Well HELL, you'd thought that if it *could* have repaired itself it would have in the almost 3 years that I suffered with this!!  So, there you go... it's gone.

Yeah, it's been about a month now and the pain is some better.  It is worse if I sit for long periods of time but I have to say that it is better.  I don't regret the removal and in time the pain might be completely gone. 

Below is the email that I sent to my "Loser" friends explaining my ordeal...
*******************************

Well, I am finally home after a extra night due to dehydration, low blood pressure and a bad headache.  I am sore but I hope in time it will be worth it. 

I was finally able to talk them into giving me IV fluids.  I just don't think they understood that I couldn't drink enough to catch up.  Plus, I was taking lots of pain meds and it kept me asleep on my face in bed and I can't drink if I am sleeping.  Then they wanted me to drink PowerAid and I didn't want to... 15g of sugar!!

The Dr that did the surgery said that the cartilage was broken and was literately just laying in there.  I haven't figured this one out ... but he said that he had music playing and once he cut it open the loose broken part would move or jiggle with the beat of the music.  My question... was the music that loud or did they have the music box sitting on my back??

I had to make the hardest decision of my life - to put my beloved Lillie to eternal sleep today.  She was the best dog ever and at 17 years old was doing as well as a dog of her age could.  This past weekend something happened and she was not able to see and just wandered around in our home like she was lost.  Her hearing was also gone as well as her balance. 

I don't think I have ever cried for so long and so hard and today I am almost numb.  My face and eyes are in such pain but it doesn't compare to how broken my heart is right now.   I know in time I will feel better and I can only hope that I can understand that it was the best for her.  Lillie will always be missed and loved.  Rest in Peace, Lillie -  April 1991 to May 17, 2008.

I have said this before but it is worth repeating.  The transition from pre-op to post-op eating is a difficult one that takes time to get use to.  What I mean by that is, you have to adjust to the rules of your new eating ... the rules of eating that we have to abide by for the rest of our lives.

Too Fast
Too Dry
Too Much
Wrong Food

It was really hard for me to do all of these rules when I was fresh post-op.  I could do one or two but all of them together were hard to do.  And really if you think about it ...  none of us had good eating habits to begin with and the surgery is not going to change that immediately. 

In my experience, I suffered with clumping for a little over 6 weeks.  I honestly think it took me that long to figure it out...  how to eat & what to eat.

You are going to have to experiment with food and be very conscious of your eating behavior.  Make sure and document what is happening and what you have eaten.  I'll bet you'll find a pattern... I did.  In my case, chicken and eggs really bothered me but most of all what got me was STRESS. 

I was stressed when I went to eat.  Stressed cause I wanted to lose weight NOW, stressed that others were eating "good" food and I wasn't, stressed cause I didn't know if I was eating the "right" food, stressed cause I didn't know if I was going to get sick, stressed cause my kids weren't eating what I fixed them, stressed JUST BECAUSE you name it.

So... my advise is to learn fast by trial and error and know that you are not alone.  Second, Pre-ops do lots of research and know what you are getting into with WLS.  Don't get me wrong - I wouldn't change a thing!!    If you are informed and have support you will make it through this tough time and be stronger for it.

One last thing... Clumping is a vicious cycle. Once I had a problem with it - it would snow ball. I am sure that my esophagus got irritated and when that happens it is very necessary to give it a rest. So, if you clump or get sick (throw up) you need to make sure and do 24 hours of liquids after that. When it got bad for me I went back to all liquids for 4 days per Dr. Williams' orders.

Hope this helps.

Hugs,

Jennifer
-112lbs
8-8-07
 

PS:
Thank you Sarah, Andrea, Krystal and Dr. Williams for helping me through my clumping issues!  You all are the best!

If you've started out in pursuit of your goal
And you've really tried with your heart and your soul,
but somehow things got out of control---
START OVER.

When you've tried your best to do what you should
And you thought this time that you surely would,
But once again, you didn't do good---
START OVER.

When you've worked so hard to follow a dieters way
And you fought to win a victory each day.
But one more time you went astray---
START OVER.

When you've tried so hard to yourself to be true
And do the things that you know you should do,
But once again you failed to come through---
START OVER.

When the road to success seemed much too long
And each temptation was oh so strong
And once again you gave in to wrong---
START OVER.

When you've told your friends what you planned to do
And trusted them to help you through
But soon discovered it's up to you---
START OVER.

When you know you must be physically fit,
But your hope seems gone and you're stuck in a pit
That's not the time for you to quit---
START OVER.

When the week seems long and successes few
And at weigh-in time you're feeling blue,
Remember tomorrow is just for you---
START OVER.

To start again means a victory's been won
And starting over again means a race well run
And starting over again proves it can be done
So don't just sit there---
START OVER

~~ Author Unknown ~~