Amy M.
Yesterday it's been 5 years since my surgery. I couldn't be happier!!! I started at 240 lbs the day I went in for surgery. This morning I'm 126. I've lost just under 1/2 of my weight! I will admit that it has NOT been without problems though. IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING THIS SURGERY, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT SCHWABELE-AT-AOL-DOT-COM. I have no problem answering ANY questions regarding the surgery or related to it. I want EVERYONE to experience what I have (minus the problems).
I have maintained my weight within 5 pounds since April 03 (9 months after surgery) except for a brief period when I was between 145 and 150 or so (not sure of the exact weight, but I went from a size 6 up to an 8 and sometimes a 10. For some reason, I'm back down to a 6 and even a 4 sometimes (last week I actually tried on and fit into a pair of size 2 leather pants!!!! AMAZING!!!). I don't diet, I don't exercise, and I eat whatever I want...literally! The thing is, I don't WANT lots of stuff. I used to hate fruit. Now, I love it! All kinds! I didn't do anything special, my tastes just changed on their own! I still eat chocolate...in fact, every day! I just don't WANT very much.
Like I said, it hasn't been without problems. I do still "dump" sometimes, though less frequently as time goes by. Maybe because I know better what I can and can't eat. I dump when I eat ice cream or too much chocolate (generally not when I just eat a little chocolate. I can't eat a whole candy bar without dumping, but I can eat half). I can't eat flour tortillas. They become gum and sit in my pouch and do nothing forever! Steak is hard, too. But then again, steak was hard to digest even before the surgery. I had acute bleeding gastritis many years ago and have been dealing with stomach issues for ages. The surgery didn't change that, it just made the pains that I get less frequent and shorter-lived, though just as severe as they used to be.
Another problem I have is low B12 levels. Sub-lingual tablets don't work for me. I have to get a B12 shot every month. Yuck.
The biggest problem I face is low blood sugar. I didn't have any problem with my blood sugar before. Now, I have to eat frequently (which they say is healthier anyway) and I have to keep sugar tablets with me. I have dropped into the 40's maybe 5 times in the last 5 years and it's not fun. I have no idea why I have this problem now but didn't before. If anyone knows or can speculate, please let me know! It usually only happens if I have something sweet for breakfast and nothing else for about 3 hours. I can have sweets for breakfast (donuts, etc) but I have to follow it with protein within a couple of hours or I'll drop. Once I start dropping, protein doesn't help. Only sugar, but I have to follow it with protein. The faster the better, once my sugar level stablizes.
If someone reading this knows more about blood sugar levels than I, and thinks I'm doing something wrong, feel free to write me and give me advice. This is what I have found works for me but I'm certainly open to other suggestions. A doctor has never treated me for this.
That's all for now. Anyone with questions or comments (nice ones only, please!) feel free to write me. I'd be glad to talk with you.
Best of luck to everyone!!
Amy