Mariam T.
October 2008
Oct 22, 2008
I am 20 months out from my RNY and I feel wonderful. I have lost 125 lbs and I also had plastic surgery in May of this year...I had a belt lipectomy and breast augmentation.
I did have a couple of significant problems though. Last August my gallbladder went bad but the hospital kept misdiagnosing it and sending me on my way with pain meds...by the time they figured it out, it was the end of January and then I had it out on March 4th 2008. Unfortunately, I had develpoed an addiction to the pain med they were giving me (loritab liquid). So I was then getting ready for my plastic surgery...hoping for a June or July date but with the addicition, we decided to do it right away (because plastic surgery is painful and I would need an opiate for pain). I had my plastic surgery in May and then I went through a medical detox after that recovery. It was tough but so worth it and now I feel just great. I would do it all over again...but try to be a little more proactive in my medical care...the gallbladder thing should have been caught earlier.
I did have a couple of significant problems though. Last August my gallbladder went bad but the hospital kept misdiagnosing it and sending me on my way with pain meds...by the time they figured it out, it was the end of January and then I had it out on March 4th 2008. Unfortunately, I had develpoed an addiction to the pain med they were giving me (loritab liquid). So I was then getting ready for my plastic surgery...hoping for a June or July date but with the addicition, we decided to do it right away (because plastic surgery is painful and I would need an opiate for pain). I had my plastic surgery in May and then I went through a medical detox after that recovery. It was tough but so worth it and now I feel just great. I would do it all over again...but try to be a little more proactive in my medical care...the gallbladder thing should have been caught earlier.
February 2008
Feb 24, 2008
Well, I am one year out and I feel pretty good. The only problem I have had is that my gallbladder has gone bad...I will be having that out next week and I think after that, I will be feeling great. I have lost 116 pounds...and am probably a little too thin but that is really from the gallbladder problem...I am nauseated most of the time. Other than that though, I feel wonderful. My hair loss was very substantial and has finally stopped. But it did get very very thin. It is coming in now and the new growth is about an inch long...so I have a ways to go :-) All in all it was all worth it and I would do it again in a minute! My surgeon was beyond wonderful and I only wish he was still on my insurance so I could be following up with him in the future. Your surgeon is one of your most important choices, so be picky!
May 23, 2007
May 23, 2007
I saw my Dr. yesterday and I may have a stricture (where scar tissue builds up on the outlet from the stomach) I am going in on Friday June 1st for an endoscopy and they may have to stretch that opening a little...this last week I have not been able to eat comfortably and even drinking is getting hard. I have also thrown up some. I still feel pretty good though and this is a minor problem that is fixable.
May 13th, 2007
May 13, 2007
Well, I have not updated in a while but I am doing good. I am almost 12 weeks out and I have lost almost 60 pounds. I feel wonderful and have no more sleep apnea and am no longer borderline diabetic...even my blood pressure went down and it was not the high in the first place...I was just the average 120/80ish and 2 days ago at the doctor I was 104/68! WOW. I still have to be careful what I eat, but I can eat meat and salad, cheese, nonfat milk, just recently eggs, very few fruits, some vegies. The big thing I have to be careful of is esting too fast. If I am chatting away and lose track of what I am doing, and then eat a couple bites in a row, I will definately throw up. But other than that, life is good. Very little depression (some but minor) and am adjusting to new shape...lots of skin which is disappointing, but am down 4 sizes! I would do it again in a heartbeat! If anyone has any questions, please feell free to ask!
Mariam
Mariam
Update
Mar 04, 2007
Today I am 12 days out and started my "soft" diet 2 days ago. I seem to do OK with some things...cottage cheese, canned peaches and pears (no sugar added juice of course), tuna and even small crackers (which I am allowed to have). But last night I had a chicken salad which only had things I could have but I think I had some sort of blockage...was sick all night with a horrible stomach ache. I feel better this morning but have only had water so far. I have come to the conclusion that it was the actual chicken, which was chicken breast (white meat) and I think even with the plain yogurt and LF mayo, it was just too dry. So, I will stay away from that for now. Other than that I have felt wonderful...wishing I could do more than I can. I will see my doctor in 2 days so we will see what he says about things.
Home from the hospital
Feb 23, 2007
I am going to try to journal here as much as possible as I dont have it in me right now to actually write it down...and I want to rememeber everything.
I had my surgery on Tuesday at 8:30am and was released on Wednesday evening about 8pm. At the time I thought it was too early but it is so much better to be home in my own bed! I am very sore and and am doing my best to get all my liquids in. My breakfasts have basically been cream of wheat with applesauce and some yogurt smoothie, lunch has been the unjury chicken broth (I can get in almost 4oz and that is about 10 grams of protein) and dinner is some creamed soup, V8 juice and more yogurt smoothie. I am noticing that if my pouch is too empty, I feel nauseous, so the last couple of nights my husband (who has been so amazing through all of this!) has gotten up with me anywhere from 3-5am to make me something light to eat (usually broth) then I feel better and go back to bed for a few hours.
I had a wonderful doctor but I did not have the best hospital experiences. I was having such anxiety attacks from the moment I walked in and that did not help and the staff was not really understanding of that...except for this wonderful CNA...He was beyond fabulous!
I have been walking about a half mile each day, maybe a little more but I have had a very hard time with the gas from the surgery. Finally yesterday I was able to burp and today finally passed gas....which helps ease some of the pain and bloating. I have 5 very small incisions from the laparscopic surgery which are very bruised around them, although they are healing nicely. I went into surgery at 8:30am and did not get out of recovery into my room about 4. They did not give me enough pain medicine and I was crying beggin for some pain medicine...which they finally gave me when they got a hold of my doctor. My oldest daughter came to see me as I got into my room and she talked to me alot and was giving me chapstick as I was crying for my meds...she was very sweet in trying to take care of me. Definately take chapstick...your lips are so chapped after surgery and it is a lifesaver!
Tiday was the first day I felt weak...very weak but alot of the posts have suggested maybe dehydration which could be true so I am trying to drink more. I also did not start my multivitamin until today...just forgot. It is a chewable so I just chew and chew then drink some water with it.
I have to be careful not to get too far behind on my pain medicine. I keep thinking I can go longer but then it takes too long to get a hold on it. Probaby best to stay on top of it for the first 7 days then try going longer without it. Thank you to everyone who so quickly replies to all of my posts looking for help and answers...you have all been a huge help!
I had my surgery on Tuesday at 8:30am and was released on Wednesday evening about 8pm. At the time I thought it was too early but it is so much better to be home in my own bed! I am very sore and and am doing my best to get all my liquids in. My breakfasts have basically been cream of wheat with applesauce and some yogurt smoothie, lunch has been the unjury chicken broth (I can get in almost 4oz and that is about 10 grams of protein) and dinner is some creamed soup, V8 juice and more yogurt smoothie. I am noticing that if my pouch is too empty, I feel nauseous, so the last couple of nights my husband (who has been so amazing through all of this!) has gotten up with me anywhere from 3-5am to make me something light to eat (usually broth) then I feel better and go back to bed for a few hours.
I had a wonderful doctor but I did not have the best hospital experiences. I was having such anxiety attacks from the moment I walked in and that did not help and the staff was not really understanding of that...except for this wonderful CNA...He was beyond fabulous!
I have been walking about a half mile each day, maybe a little more but I have had a very hard time with the gas from the surgery. Finally yesterday I was able to burp and today finally passed gas....which helps ease some of the pain and bloating. I have 5 very small incisions from the laparscopic surgery which are very bruised around them, although they are healing nicely. I went into surgery at 8:30am and did not get out of recovery into my room about 4. They did not give me enough pain medicine and I was crying beggin for some pain medicine...which they finally gave me when they got a hold of my doctor. My oldest daughter came to see me as I got into my room and she talked to me alot and was giving me chapstick as I was crying for my meds...she was very sweet in trying to take care of me. Definately take chapstick...your lips are so chapped after surgery and it is a lifesaver!
Tiday was the first day I felt weak...very weak but alot of the posts have suggested maybe dehydration which could be true so I am trying to drink more. I also did not start my multivitamin until today...just forgot. It is a chewable so I just chew and chew then drink some water with it.
I have to be careful not to get too far behind on my pain medicine. I keep thinking I can go longer but then it takes too long to get a hold on it. Probaby best to stay on top of it for the first 7 days then try going longer without it. Thank you to everyone who so quickly replies to all of my posts looking for help and answers...you have all been a huge help!
I am nervous!!
Feb 17, 2007
Well, I am 3 days away and I am sooooo nervous! :-) I am ready as far as having my vitamins and food and help for when I get home, etc... but I am suprised how nervous I am. My doctor gave me a prescription for atavan to help with anxiety but it really does not help so I am done with that. I have researched this for so long and put so much into this, I will not change my mind...I know for my health issues alone this is the right thing...I am just plain nervous!
I HAVE A DATE!!
Jan 19, 2007
My date is set! February 20th, 7:30 am!!! I can not believe this happened so fast. My insurance gave approval in 2 days!! My head is spinning!
Will have a date soon!
Jan 16, 2007
Well, I completed my nutrition class last week and then had my psych 2 days ago and my surgeon consult today....tommorow is my endoscopy (which I have been dreading...I am scared to death!) but then I am done with all of my pre-op requirements. I am hoping to have a date here very soon!
NEW INSURANCE!
Jan 03, 2007
Well my new insurance is now in affect so I can start moving a little faster toward my goal. I have my Dietician/WLS class on January 10th, my surgeon consult on January 16th, my Endoscopy on January 17th, and my Psych consult on January 22nd. I am really hoping to get my date set by the end of the month and hoping for about the 3rd week of February...we shall see....
