Recent Posts

patrina6
on 2/4/14 12:16 am - phoenixville, PA
Topic: Happy 10th anniversary!!

Just popping on to wish my fellow 2/4/04 peeps a very happy 10th! It's been a long, strange trip! I'm finally on the losing side again, having gained back more than half my initial weight loss. I hope you are all living life to the fullest!! Xo!

keal19
on 8/21/13 10:57 am - Clarion, PA
Revision on 08/12/13
Topic: 9+ years post op, difficulties eating meat...resolution (I hope!)

Hello!

Some of you who are more active on here may remember that in early July submitted a post asking if anyone had a similar experience.  I was having issues eating any types of meat.  I felt horrible after eating any type of meat and the feeling would last for hours!  


I saw my surgeon on July 9.  She decided to begin running some tests, but believed that the issue might be related to GERD.  She put me on prilosec twice a day and scheduled me for an endoscopy, which she wanted completed within the next week. On July 15 I had the endoscope done, as requested and while it did show moderate acid reflux there was no narrowing or obstructions, he was able to go right through the esophagus to the pouch to the first part of the limb.  No problems.

She then ordered an upper GI and wanted it done within the next two weeks. I scheduled my appointment for the Upper GI on July 24.  Had the test done (I hate that barium crap) and the next day got a call that there was a problem, appeared to be a possible twist in my intestines and I needed a CT scan done that day or the next.  So, I went back to the hospital and drank all the new thinner "berry smoothie barium" only to find out that I couldn't have the test done that day because I had just had the barium the day before and I couldn't have the test until the following Thursday.  I was annoyed and frustrated--the hospital was tripping over themselves in apology and gave me lots of freebies that day--but I was annoyed because .  I do however, feel sorry for the person who allowed it to be scheduled when I had the Upper GI at the same hospital the day before, they likely got their head written up and should have.

So, on August 1 I went back to the hospital, drank more of the 'berry smoothie barium' (still disgusting in case you were wondering) and had the iodine injection for the contrast (that just feels weird).   I finished the test, got myself something small to eat and drink and went out to get my car.  While waiting for the car, I got a call from the nurse, telling me not to leave yet.  The doctor was on her way back to the hospital and wanted to review my results.  There was definitely some distension and Dr. Hamad wanted to look at it and might want to see me that day.  So, I waited to see her and she told me there was a definite kink in the intestine.  She wanted to do laparoscopic surgery to see exactly what was going on and repair it so that I began feeling better. I got the usual warnings that it could be switched to open and while it was likely I would go home the same day as surgery, there was a possibility that I could stay 1-2 nights.  We set a date for August 12 and she put me on a soft food diet until the 7th and then I was on clear liquids until my surgery on August 12.

Surgery went smoothly--from what I can tell anyhow.  It was done laparoscopically and the procedure lasted about 2 hours.  She fixed a kink in the jj anastomosis and repaired a suture that had come out.   I was discharged the same day (thankfully!) and have been on clear liquids since then.  She informed my husband that I could resume soft foods when I felt able. She also told him that I should expect to feel more sore on my right side, as that is where the work was done (she wasn't lying!)   I've tried very small amounts of soft foods over the last few days and nothing feels very well at this point, so I'm mostly having liquids.  I feel much better at this point and while not hungry, I am ready to be able to chew something!  

I go to see her on Tuesday and hope that I am released back to work.  

I wanted to thank everyone who offered advice and words of wisdom.  That is truly one of the main reasons I LOVE this community, people are kind and compassionate.  

I am using this as a starting over point and believe that I can lose the weight that I have regained, wish me luck!  :)

Michelle

 

keal19
on 7/17/13 12:05 am - Clarion, PA
Revision on 08/12/13
Topic: After all this time--I can't eat meat!

Hello anniversary friends!  I hope that many of you have had better success than I have since February 2009.   Despite gaining back much of my weight, I have absolutely no regrets about my surgery, as crazy as that sounds.  

Lately, I have been having a different problem.  For several weeks, I was not feeling well after eating.  It took me several weeks, but I finally realized that if I had a meal with meat, any meat, I didn't feel well.  I  tried it all, beef, chicken, turkey, seafood, pork and all with the same result.  So I avoided meat as much as possible and realized I needed to do something about it.  I called my surgeon's office, who got me scheduled for an appointment in a week's time (not sure if that was luck or if that was a need to see me quickly).   So, I saw my surgeon last week who put me on prilosec, as she believed I might be having issues with GERD, she told me to avoid any caffeine, citrus or acidic foods and she ordered me to have an EGD (endoscopy)  to see if there was any narrowing or problems with my pouch.  I had the EGD on Monday and there was nothing.  No ulceration, restrictions, narrowing or obstructions.  He was stumped.  He plans on talking with my surgeon so I am waiting to hear from either of them for my next step.  I haven't even tried any meat since last Friday, as the little bit of meat I did try didn't go well at all.  I will post more when I have more information, but wanted to share that the EGD showed nothing.  I also had lots of blood drawn on Monday, so we will see what those show.

 

It's very, very frustrating.  I was wondering if anyone else had anything similar happen.

 

Michelle

patrina6
on 2/4/13 3:41 am - phoenixville, PA
Topic: Happy 9th anniversary!
Well another yr gone by! Seems like yesterday we were all getting ready to change our lives for the better. Still trying to lose the gained weight. A little at a time is ok as long as it's in the decline!
Hope everyone is doing well!!
insideout
on 1/12/13 4:50 am
Topic: RE: lucky number 7!..happy anniversary everyone!

Yes how time flys..I too have gained some weight but I feel good with it. Will be getting on the ball soon.

 

Ms. R.
on 9/8/12 9:20 pm - Pottstown, PA
Topic: RE: Copper Deficiency and Vitamin D
I also get the Iron Infusions.  I have had 2 courses 9 treatments to date and nothing holds.

EVERYTHING else is good though.
Its been a journey.

Ms. R.
on 9/8/12 9:18 pm - Pottstown, PA
Topic: RE: lucky number 7!..happy anniversary everyone!
HI Patrina,

I remember you from the Phoenixville group.  Do they still meet? 

Shawna
Its been a journey.

Blueberry250
on 4/30/12 4:11 am
Topic: RE: Help...please, I need to find a doctor and support in ocean county NJ, I am completly out of control
Hi Trudy,

I know you posted this a while ago but in case you ever look back at this, I found my doctors through Healthgrades (www.healthgrades.com/find-a-doctor) because you can search by area and it is easy to use.  You might find some that are covered in your plan and maybe some that will point you in the right direction.

Good luck!
keki60
on 6/30/11 1:36 am
Topic: RE: lucky number 7!..happy anniversary everyone!
 And Happy New Life to you! can you believe its been this long? I hope everything works put for you

take care
kelly

patrina6
on 2/5/11 9:30 pm - phoenixville, PA
Topic: RE: lucky number 7!..happy anniversary everyone!
you have such a great attitude! awesome!

so right about the past; life's too short to dwell on heartache!!

good luck to you!
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