2 years and doing terrific!

May 04, 2009

On April 23rd I celebrated my 2nd anniversary since my original gastric bypass. It has been a wonderful 2years yet they have been the hardest 2 years of my life. I had numerous complications since my original surgery that left me with the inability to eat more than a few bites. I could maybe get 30 ounces of fluids in during the day. I have had 13 hospitalizations and 8 major surgeries not to mention outpatient testing and or procedures. There were many days I thought that this would be how things would be for the remainder of my life. I depended on a feeding tube for nourishment, constantly battling dehydration and protein malnutrition which wrecked havoc in my body. But, amazing as my God is I still worked both my jobs and functioned as best as one could under the circumstances. I have terrific friends and family who came to my side and supported me , prayed for me and loved me. I also have an amazing Bariatric Team in Hope Bariatrics out of Sewickley PA. My surgeon Dr Micheal Felix and his partner Dr. Geoffrey Wilcox stuck by me, supported me and did everything they could to improve the situation. The past 6 months were filled with the knowledge to save my life a reversal might be the only option. I had long talks with Dr. Felix and he knew this was something I did not want to do, but in my heart I knew I would to stay alive. But, he promised me that he would do one more exploratory surgery and then if this was ineffective to find the cause I would have to resolve myself to a reversal. Feb. 19th 2009 I went in to surgery not knowing what the outcome would be but, "I had trusted my unknown future to my ALL KNOWING GOD". I had prayed with a friend the night before surgery that God would literally "smack" Dr Felix in the face with the problem and that there was no mistaking it and that it would be fixable. And my awesome God heeded the prayer of this undeserving woman and did answer that prayer exactly how I prayed... The small bowel was twisted, the pouch had shifted over and was embedded into the liver cutting of the anastomosis...my sweet dear friend Dr. Felix was able to undo the bypass and reconstruct it again. It is now almost 11 weeks since the surgery and I am now able to eat everything in small amounts. The feeding tube is the next to go and I am hoping this will be by the end of the summer when I am truly stable.During this time the word HOPE became my lifeline. You must hang onto HOPE. Even if the siutation on Feb. 19th did not turn out successful, I would still have HOPE because I have an awesome GOD.And He would have carried me through as He has for the past 2 years to continue to live with the limitations I had.He would never leave me or would He ever forsake me...He promised that in Joshua 1:9 I have had an incredible journey...if there is anyone out there struggling please feel free to write and I will try and lend you some encouragement....You guys out there in Pittsburgh know that Dr. Felix and Dr Wilcox are the best as well as their team esp Cindy and Denise....I am indebted to all of them....  Patricia Patton

Another great verse is this Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord."They are plans for good and not for diaster,to give you a future and a HOPE!" It doesn't get any better than that...trust me...there was never a diaster here...I have grown spiritually, professionally and personally.

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