6 Month Anniversary!!!!!!!

Well today was my 6 month anniversary!! Good news is I'm down 76 pounds and 71.25 inches!! Bad news is I had bloodwork done last week and not only am I still anemic. Prior to WLS I've never been anemic in my life! But 15 periods since February will do that to ya!! The worst part is that my Lupus has reared it's ugly head and is back with a vengence!! My ANA was the highest the lab and the doc's office has ever seen. Funny too cause I feel pretty good. I have been in remission for 15 years, prior to surgery. So now I'm waiting on a new (insurance) referral to my Rheumatologist now to start up treatment again. The price we pay for being lighter on our feet!!! Happy thoughts, Va 232/156/130 26 pounds from my goal 4 pounds under my surgeon's goal

Va - Congrats on your wonderful weight loss. I'm so sorry to hear that your lupus has come back to haunt you. It's amazing that you feel so good and at the same time it's coming back to bite you in the butt! I know what you mean about being anemic - I have been anemic since having my baby 18 months ago. I just had an endometrial ablation performed about 5 weeks ago. Don't know if this may be an option for you since you're having so many periods, but I was having a period every 2 weeks or so and I'd bleed heavy for about 8 days. I haven't had a period since my procedure (not that this happens for everyone, but 85% of patients never have a period to speak of again!). Since I'm through having kiddos and had my tubes tied with my c-section, this was an excellent option for me. The procedure was great - I was in and out in a couple of hours - was under a general anthesia for about 40 minutes. Just thought I'd mention it to you. I'll be thinking of you as you begin your fight. Be well, think positive and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers! -Wendy 319/262/150?

Thanks Wendy, I've been thinking hysterectomy but if everything is healthy I really think having the ablation done is a good option. My PCP is wanting me to go on the Depo shot and I'm kinda of afraid of that. I've heard many tales of folks gaining weight while on Depo. I guess it's just time to ask for a referral to a gyno!! Get an expert opinion!! Thanks again!! Va

I'm so sorry that you are having Lupus problems now! Your autoimmune system seems to have kicked into overdrive! I am praying that your body settles down and starts doing what it is supposed to. I went for my 6 month exam today and was NOT anemic for the first time in ages! I think the focus on protein and nutrition is paying off for me. My B12 and calcium were OK too. My liver enzymes were a bit high, but he did not seem concerned. It has been an amazing 6 months for me. I finally broke the 150 barrier. I tried on a size 10 dress today and did not buy it because it was too big! That just amazes me! I am so much more mobile than before surgery, but I really don't feel that much different or see that much difference in the mirror. I'm not sure if my eyes lied to me before or now (perhaps some of both)! But I know there must be a drastic change, from all of the comments I am receiving from others. And my old clothes sure don't fit any more! I still have a fear of regaining the weight. My appetite is definitely returning, along with cravings. So far I find that it does not take a huge quantity of food to satisfy me though, so I hope that will be the key to maintaining. This is sometimes a bumpy road, but I would not turn back and change it. The surgery has definitely improved my life in so many ways. Just imagine what we will be thinking in another 6 months!!! Joy -63 lbs

Hi Va: Congrats on the weight loss. Maybe your lupos will settle down once your weight stabalizes - I hope so. I had many bad periods for about a year and finally told my gyn. He put me on birth control pills and I went back to being normal. I stayed on for 2 years. I hope you get things worked out. Louise 231/155/150 - only 5 more pounds to goal!!!!

Va, I want to start by saying that getting to know you over the past six months has been such a blessing to me and has enriched my life. I am truely inspired by you. I am sorry to hear of your Lupus given you fits. I will also be saying a prayer not only for that but for the anemia also. You are such a strong women. You have done so good in your journey. You have come through so much since your surgery back in March. I can't imagine being only 26lbs from your personal goal of weight loss, I still have 50lbs to go. Thxs, for sharing all of these experiences with us. I know that I feel closer to you and comforted by your kind word that you have bestowed on me through the months. Remember: This too shall pass. Shannon The Irish Lassie 266/190/140

Thanks Shannon, You're always a quiet voice of reason in the cacophony of noise I experience during those times of trouble. Thanks for being such a good friend! You're always in my prayers! {{Hugs}} Va

Thanks Shannon, You're always a quiet voice of reason in the cacophony of noise I experience during those times of trouble. Thanks for being such a good friend! You're always in my prayers! {{Hugs}} Va

I'm sorry to hear about these results. Because you feel so good, I am hopeful that this is a temporary artifact of the huge changes we're going through. Recently I have found that I can eat steak. Can you get in any beef to help with the anemia? Gano 271/181/and still reluctant to set a goal

Gano, I actually eat a lot of beef, steak, roast, hamburger and also take Rx iron supplements. I'm supposed to take the RX three times a day, but they make me so constipated that I can't stand myself!! Since this latest blood work though I have been taking them twice a day and increased my Senna. My PCP put me on Provera for 10 days to try to give my body a break from having constant periods. Even that only slowed them, a couple of hours before my next dose was due, I'd start bleeding again. Now she wants me to take the Depo Provera shot, I'm afraid of that because of the ANA results. Things that don't bother "normal" people will make my Lupus flare. So I'm considering waiting this "problem" out until I see my surgeon, my rheumatologist and a gyno. Between all four of them maybe we can come up with an answer I can live with. Va 232/154/130 -78 pounds -71.25 inches