rroberts
I have had such a weird journey so far. My first two weeks were wonderful. I didn't have any issues, I didn't have any additional medical problems and I was losing on schedule. Then I started not being able to drink and then not being able to eat.
As it turns out, to date I have had three endoscopies. My first, Dr. Walton didn't think I had a stricture - but Dr. Broussard had him balloon anyway - just in case. But I DID have an ulcer at the 2nd anastamosis, below my new pouch. That brought a bunch of new medications on board trying to resolve the ulcer. I did better for about a week but started having issues again. They did a 2nd endoscopy, with ballooning, and I did better for another couple of weeks. A few weeks later, we did it all over again, without the ballooning, but my ulcer had healed.
Since the 3rd endoscopy (about 3 weeks ago now), I have felt much better! I don't know if it was just a "time" thing - I have hit my 3 month anniversary and think I have turned the corner. I am still learning to eat, since I haven't really been past phase 2-soft foods. Everyday is a new wonder with finding something new that I can eat. I went on a binge where if it didn't come back up, I was going to eat it. I have stalled in my weight loss, but I am okay with that for now.
I am beginning to really get my strength back. I will push myself to start my exercise (like a good girl) and to push my protein intake up. I have actually found that I can eat a few things I would never have thought I could. I know most patients cannot handle beef, well I apparently can, as long as it is ground beef. I had a hamburger stew at work last week and it settled well in my pouch. It was wonderful! And I ate (oh my) VEGGIES! Veggies were always a sore spot with my nut and I! We had a managers meeting at work last week and it was cold so I made a huge pot of chili and was able to eat some of it! It was so good! The beans are good protein and my pouch was in good humor!!
I have had a lot of "WOW" moments since I started this journey. It is funny when I realize it is a "WOW" moment. The first time I realized I was "full" was only a couple of weeks ago since I had not really eaten because of the stricture/ulcer. I felt like I had a rock in my chest - then it hit me "this must be that full feeling". I got into my mother's car to move it, and I didn't have to move the seat backwards!
I am just so happy that I have lost almost 80+ pounds so far. I know that some of those were because of the bout of dehydration I suffered through in August and then the stricture/ulcer period. But now my work begins! I feel much better, I am off all my pre-surgery medications. My knees feel loads better than they have in years! Now, the tush feels like heck because I have no cush, but THAT is something I can live with!
More later! Good luck to all!
By the way, my BMI on my last weigh in was 38!!!! Who knew!!!