shar S.
6 month follow up
Oct 13, 2007
I can't believe 6 months has passed since my surgery. It has really been quite a ride. I have now lost 102 pounds and I can't believe it. I am just now really noticing big chnages in my body. I can do things that "others" take for granted...I can walk without getting short of breath, I can cross my legs, I can drive with the steering wheel in a normal position, I can use the regular sized public restrooms, I can fit into chairs and booths, I can wear clothes that look good and I don't buy things just because they fit. Most of all, my daughter is proud of me. Teenagers always seem to be ashamed of their parents, right or wrong. Well, now my daughter does not have to be ashamed of the way I look. And neither do I.
EAting is sometimes uncomfortable for me. I never get to the point where I am too full. If anything, I eat less than my capacity. I still have some issues with textures and sometimes I just don't want to swallow foods that I feel are not soft enough, or foods that I can't chew down into tiny, mushy pieces. I haven't eaten any nuts, popcorn, fresh veggies and i only tried a salad once. Some day I will be brave enough to eat different foods.
One thing that has helped me so much is this board. The OH forum has been a lifesaver to me. i want to thank everyone who has helped me with answers to my questions. Many of my concerns were answered just by "lurking the boards." The support of my April surgery forum (The A-Team) has been the most tremendous support system.
Life is good. I look forward to enjoying it more, the closer I get to goal...which is a long way off. But, I am going to do my best to get there.
EAting is sometimes uncomfortable for me. I never get to the point where I am too full. If anything, I eat less than my capacity. I still have some issues with textures and sometimes I just don't want to swallow foods that I feel are not soft enough, or foods that I can't chew down into tiny, mushy pieces. I haven't eaten any nuts, popcorn, fresh veggies and i only tried a salad once. Some day I will be brave enough to eat different foods.
One thing that has helped me so much is this board. The OH forum has been a lifesaver to me. i want to thank everyone who has helped me with answers to my questions. Many of my concerns were answered just by "lurking the boards." The support of my April surgery forum (The A-Team) has been the most tremendous support system.
Life is good. I look forward to enjoying it more, the closer I get to goal...which is a long way off. But, I am going to do my best to get there.
My Surgical experience
Apr 21, 2007
I had a revision of a VBG to a RNY on April 4, 2007. Turns out the surgery was a blessing in disguise. My surgery took 8 hours and my surgeon said I was the worst case he has ever had in his surgical career. Ittook him about 4 hours just to make his way through my abdomen. Once he got there, his assistant told him to "just close her and turn back." Thank G-d he didn't. My liver was in such bad shape. It was fused together with my stomach. The surgeon had to cut away every single adhesion that was holding my organs together....and this was before he could even start the bypass. When he finally achieved this, he was unable to do the RNY as simply as he usually does. The tried a vertical sleeve gastrectomy but that wouldn't work so he removed 3/4 of my stomach and was able to accomplish the RNY that way. He gave me a 1 oz tummy. He broke 2 instruments trying to get into my abdomen. And, miraculously, he did the entire job laproscopically. He is amazing. I am so glad he din't give up on me. He told my daughter that I could have been dead within a year becasue of the condition of my insides. Everything was strangulating and stuck together! The surgeon now calls me his bionic woman.
I was released 48 hours after surgery, which in my opinion was way too soon. Sure enough, I was readmitted 12 hours later. I had developed a rash on my back during surgery and it turned out to be shingles. My breathing was shallow and quick and a pulmonary embolism was suspected. Although the cat scan came back negative, my blood levels for a PE were sky high (4000 vs 200) so I was treated for a PE with the blood thinners. I also had pneumonia and fluid overload around the heart. I was released 5 days later. Now, 17 days post op, I am still very sore but recuperating. I am progressing slower than most because of the extensiveness of my surgery but I am getting there. I can't wait for all of this to over so I can live a healthy life. Oh, after 17 days I have lost 23 pounds!
I was released 48 hours after surgery, which in my opinion was way too soon. Sure enough, I was readmitted 12 hours later. I had developed a rash on my back during surgery and it turned out to be shingles. My breathing was shallow and quick and a pulmonary embolism was suspected. Although the cat scan came back negative, my blood levels for a PE were sky high (4000 vs 200) so I was treated for a PE with the blood thinners. I also had pneumonia and fluid overload around the heart. I was released 5 days later. Now, 17 days post op, I am still very sore but recuperating. I am progressing slower than most because of the extensiveness of my surgery but I am getting there. I can't wait for all of this to over so I can live a healthy life. Oh, after 17 days I have lost 23 pounds!
