Update, 8 months out and...

I know I don't write here much. Never did, really, and don't have much of a profile. But I thought I would update all my fellow-Marchers on my progress, and set backs. I have lost 109#, and I am 21# from goal. Every part of my life has changed from the better. I re-started my public relations business, and signed a $50K a year contract for 15 hours a week work! My marriage has improved, I have so much confidence, I am even a better parent! I feel like a teenager. Setbacks: I spent the first four days of my Thanksgiving vacation in the hospital with a bowel obstruction. I was in Phoenix (Hi, Happy Girl) and luckily close to my sister's surgeon's hospital, Scottsdale Shea. They have a great bariatric practice, and they were able to fix me up without too much trouble. This involved a G-Tube into my remnant stomach that had distended. The g-tube went between my ribs, through my chest wall and through the muscle! Oh, the pain! It was truely worse than the pain of the bowel obstruction! Anyway, just a warning, if you are in pain for more than a couple hours, get to the emergency room. Don't let just any doctor mess with you, either. Call your surgeon or demand to see someone familiar with WLS. our bodies are so different now, even X-Rays and CAT scans can confuse doctors. The ER docs thought I had a hernia, because they didn't know what they were looking at! Well, I'm all better now, and I ended up having a great vacation. I shopped in all those great Phoenix stores and bought out the size 10s! As far as the skin goes, my doctor and I think I will be ok. I was only obese for four years, and things seem to be going back where they belong pretty nicely. Well, except for my arms, but hey, I can wear sleeves! Anyway, I am doing great, even with a little setback. My measurements are 38-28-38, and I am getting more attention than I ever imagined possible. I am glad to see so many Marchers doing so well. I'll try to get pictures soon. Take care of you and good luck on the rest of your journey! Lee 266/157/136

Gosh, Lee, glad to hear you got through that ok. What were your symptoms so that we can keep an eye out for it? How does a bowel obstruction occur and is there any way to safeguard against it happening? Anyway, so glad you're ok and good to hear from you! Can't wait to see your new pictures! Maureen

Hi Maureen! Thanks for your reply. The signs of a bowel obstruction, at least MY signs were: extreme cramping like abdominal pain for more than 2 hours. The pain came in sharp waves and doubled me over. It stopped for about 30 minutes, then got much worse. It is a pain like no other, really, you won't mistake it for anything else. As for how to prevent it, you can't. My doctor says there is nothing you can do, it either happens or it doesn't, and there is a 25% chance it will happen again. Sigh.

Good to hear from you Lee! I would love to see some updated pics when you get a chance. I'm sorry to hear you had to cope with the bowel obstruction though. I am always so afraid of these sorts of complications on down the line. Take care and do let us know when you get new pics added. I can't wait to see! Dina