lawc2315
Introduction
Nov 14, 2006
August 7, 2007
Thank you God for answered prayers, I am happy to say we are now back home in the DFW area (Sachse) to be exact. When I was going through the process of getting approved up through 8 months post op we lived in Lubbock. Talk about feeling like I was cut off from the world. Of course I had turned into a hermit , so that was my fault. I am thrilled to be back home and close to my family and friends, especially my grandson.
How do I feel now? Did I make the right decision?
Well I am sorry to disappoint anyone if I am not off the charts with the "OMG, it's the best thing I have ever done for myself". Don't get me wrong, I am loving the weight loss, I am feeling pretty good about the way my body is looking, and I feel like I do look pretty healthy, but I just feel like it would be irresponsible of me to not be honest and say, there is a price, and it may turn out all cherries and whip cream for some, but it's been a little bumpy for me. At first if you would have asked me would I do it all again? I most likely would have said I wish I would have at least tried the lap band first, and if I ended up cheating my way through it, then I would have at least given it the old college try. Then possibly moved on to Gastric Bypass. Now that things are settling down a bit, things are getting better I am happier with my decision.
Complications/General Complaints:
I did have some complications with my innitial surgery which made it necessary for an additional surgery 3 days after the first to anchor my esophagus down. From what I understand my esophagus was floating up into my chest cavity. They figured this out because when I did my barium swallow the day after surgery it was not passing through normally. I also developed a deep chest cold. I started having panic attacks at some point in the hospital which lasted around a week after I was released from the hospital. Those were horrible, I had never had one before then. The only way I can describe the panic attacks was imagine yourself having these spells where you feel like you are burning up from the inside out, then combine that with what reminded me of intense post partom depression and voila`, you have hell on earth. I was 212 lbs at the time of surgery, and in terms of most weight lost patients, I was on the small end of the obesity spectrum, I was in good health, and I didn't do well at all with surgery. I realize not everybody has such a hard time, but I never thought I would do so bad. If I hadn't gotten the deep chest cold, I believe I would have done much better.
I had really hoped that one change the surgery would bring about was help with an increase in my energy level, but I still fatigue easily. I do need to do a better job with my sleeping and eating habits, getting in plentry of protein/water, getting more hardcore with my vitamins, and excersising regularly. Another big issue I am having is gas and IBS, (OMG), I can't get too far from a toilet. If they could only hook something up to me, I could supply Texas. I am hoping this will improve. By the way, they weren't lying about the foul smells . Another thing I struggle with is the fact that I have had my internal parts rearranged, and there are things daily that remind me of that. I live daily with nausea, gas, and IBS but as time passes it does seem to get better. I am learning what makes me feel bad, and what doesn't seem to bother me at all. Some things that would make others sick, don't bother me a bit, and other things that wouldn't seem like a big deal, (a bowl of cereal) make me so nauseas I feel like dying. I have had 2 episodes in the last month of intense upper abdominal pain, just under my rib cage. 2 trips to the ER, (ct-scan, x-rays, sonogram, bloodwork have shown nothing out of the ordinary with the exception of my liver enzymes being way up. I rarely drink or take aspin, HEP panel came back negative. I called the Dr's office, the nurse said that it was normal in the first year for liver enzymes to be out of whack. I am just wondering if my gall bladder has something to do with all of this, but they said they saw no stones. As much as I want to have my plastic surgery, I wonder if I should hold off and make sure losing my gall bladder is not imminent. It would really suck to have this tummy tuck I have been dreaming about for the last 15 years, just to need to have surgery to remove my gall bladder anytime soon afterwards. So I am a little torn.
Plastic Surgery:
Just this past weekend one of my husbands friends told me I looked fantastic, and 10 years younger. I predict after I get all my plastic surgery done, I'm gonna look pretty smoking hot. I am trying to make some final decisions on which procedures and who I want to do my first round of ps, then its all just a matter of scheduling it. My husband can hardly keep his hands off, it's really getting annoying (lol), but I love it at the same time.
So just to clarify, I am happy with my weight loss, I knew I would pay a price for that, I chose to take a chance. There is just no way with a good conscience I can say to someone, yes do it, it's the best thing. I still don't know what future health issues I may face because of my choice, and I can't be a part of encouraging someone to risk their life, or quality of life unless they were in such bad shape that it was their only hope for a better future. I know most people do not want to hear it, but I suggest making every possible effort to try and figure out a way to get your weight under control on your own. Right after sugery I really wondered what the hell I had done to myself, and struggled and prayed for God to forgive me for messing with his work. Things are better now though, and if I can tackle the fatigue, gas, and nausea I will be pretty darn happy.
Goals:
I will try and get some new pics up soon.
November 14, 2006
My name is Lisa, I am a married, 38 yr. old mother of 2 (Brittany 20 & Cody 15) and grandmother of 2 (Braylen 2 yrs.)
Home for us is the Dallas burbs, but we currently live in Lubbock due to a job relocation for my husband. I am scheduled to have surgery November 27, 2006. I am currently in the process of trying to make a final decision on which surgery I want. My surgeon does both the Lap-Band and Lap-RNY.
So far I have been pleasantly suprised with the process of getting approved for my wls via the insurance company. I have heard many people complain due to the barriers and red tape that some people face with regards to insurance coverage. I guess I was prepared for a dog fight, but it hasn't been bad at all for me. For my approval I had to do a sleep study, get a pre-op clearance from my primary care Dr., a psych & nutritional evaluation, and create a list that showed a timeline of diets/results.
I guess I have steadily put on weight over the last 15 years. I now weigh 212 lbs at 5'3 3/4. It's funny, although I am technically obese, I think many people ( my mom included) think RNY is too drastic of a measure for me only wanting to lose 90 lbs. I am an unsuccessful dieter, I am obese, and I am just not convinced that a lap band will work for me , I'm a carb/sweet eater, I am not a binger. That being said I am currently racking my brain, reading and researching whether I want go with The Lap Band or Lap-RNY. I am leaning towards RNY because I just feel like that is whats going to work best for me with my food issues. You know that still small voice inside, the one they tell you to listen to. Unfortunately that same voice keeps reminding me of every negative side affect that can occur too (re-routing what God put inside of you, malabsorption of nutrients leading to osteoporosis, metabolic bone disease, my body eating away at my own muscle, short bowel syndrome, gall bladder issues, etc. So I answer myself back - I plan on being vidulent in regards to my supplements, taking in plenty of protein, including at least a couple protein shakes daily, and I do have full faith in my surgeons ability. But what if down the road I am sorry, and my quality of life has been stripped away by my own doing. I have joined various yahoo groups to try and help educate myself, some are pro bypass, others pro band . The bandsters talk about how sickly all the RNY people look, with their sallow skin, sunken features, and let's not forget that fresh off chemo look (hair falling out), and oh the latest is how some are sporting charcoal underwear because they exude raunchy odors. So I have gone back and forth for like 2 months now. I know people who have had this procedure, mostly all are doing great, one that has had a terrible time of it (my aunt). So here it is, I want RNY, I just don't want to suffer long term bad effects. I guess it is just a chance I have to take.
So suffice to say, I don't think I am the only person who has felt this way, but I choose to be open about it, perhaps others down the line will read this and it will help them, if for no other reason to give them something to relate to.
So I have choice to make ....
Lap Band - Much less risk of complications all the way around, from surgery to post - op complications, and no long term supplement/protein requirements, no re-routing the intestines. All positive, but a feeling that I might not be succesful. I have just heard of too many people that lose about 40 lbs and stall.
Lap-RNY - Much more complications post and pre -op, tied to taking supplements/protein for ever, re-routing the intestines. I do feel like I will be successful with this option, oh yeah, and charcoal panties to boot... lol (Lord help me)
