Lab results

I had my labs done on Thursday and got a call Friday from the doctor.  They were going to leave me with "everything is normal" but I wanted numbers.  Here they are: B-12: within normal range Protein: 6.9 (normal range is 6.0-8.5), a bit low but still within normal range. Iron: within normal range LDL:(bad cholsterol) 64--my cardio wants mine below 70 HDL:(good cholesterol) 40--needs to be above 35 WBC:(white blood count) normal, despite the ongoing infections in my incisions. There were more tests done but these are the ones I was most concerned about as a post-RNY with coronary artery disease. Also, I have been on a blood pressure med for 10 years as part of my heart attack prevention regimen. I never had hypertension, though.  I have been monitoring my own BP and even the smallest dose of the meds made me bottom out to as low as 80/54,  so I stopped taking it a month ago.  I can now have an exercise stress test on the treadmill.  They have to do it chemically when you're on BP meds.  Once that is done on January 30, and if things are ok, I can start going to the gym to work on my remaining problem areas.  With my histrory of coronary artery disesase, I have to get clearance from my cardio before starting any exercise program.  We don't anticipate any new problems so I am extremely pumped about all of this.  A great start to a healthy 2008! Another good thing is I got my steroid injection for my tailbone pain so now I can sit comfortably.  This surgery has truly changed AND extended my life by YEARS and I wholeheartedly believe I would not be here today if I hadn't done it.  I would have the gastric bypass every year if that's what it took. God Bless. KathyG

Great News...Keep up the good work (and it is WORK)  You have accomplished many of your goals and should  be very proud of yourself. Ellen

Kathy, Congradulations!!! Glad to hear all is well.You are smart to look at the bloodwork #'s yourself. Sometimes you can catch things before the Drs. Great start to 2008. Keep it up.  See you lighter. Joanne

Fantastic!!!!

Yes, I was very pleased with my results, despite being a slacker with the chewables and losing my bottle of B-12 for a couple of weeks prior to the tests. I have been having some pretty significant issues with suture rejection after the TT/BR.  Ended up back at Danyo' s office tonight so he could remove the rejecting suture that was causing agonizing pain and infection under the right breast .  After three 5 day courses of Keflex and one 5 day course of Bactrim, I still had horrible infection, swelling and redness, so I finally decided to make the trip to Greenville so Danyo could have a look.  What I can't figure out is why my WBC(white blood count) was not elevated after having such bad infection for so long.   I don't consider it a wasted trip since he didn't find any more stitches under there.  Turns out it was a pretty large abscess.  I had taken a hot bath prior to leaving for that appointment and it literally blew up in the bathtub.  Just about made me pass out.  There was enough exudate pouring out that my bath water was clouded. That's no joke either.  I finished pushing and massaging to get as much out as possible, until it started running clear.  Probably 20cc or better.  I drained the tub, sanitized it with bleach, and showered off.   I had been in so much pain for 2 weeks prior to this event, and became so very depressed that everyone was concerned for my emotional health.  The relief I felt after draining this thing is indescribable.  I got to the point where all I could do was just lay on the affected side to immobilize that breast so it wouldn't move at all.  I dreaded having to get up for food or bathroom or to let the dogs out.  I cried off and on all day from the pain.  Just breathing was painful since the skin moves as the chest expands.  Having an abscess is one of the most painful experiences I have had in this journey.  I am glad it's over now.  It will still be weepy and he said to continue to massage and push any fluids out, keep it clean and covered and it should heal soon.  Praise God....I was in the worst pain ever last night and prayed for relief all night. I am sorry to be so graphic but this might help someone else.  It is not common for someone to be allergic to absorbable sutures but it DOES happen, so I wanted to explain my experiences as candidly as possible.  Dr. Danyo has been an absolute angel through all of this and I am still very happy with my new look.  The scars will be hidden for the most part so it's all going to be ok real soon.  Anyone who might be experiencing a similar reaction to sutures can contact me if they want to. KathyG

Kinda raised the Ewwwwwww  factor on that one hon!  LOL It's good to be graphic with these things.  Keeps everyone else on their toes and lets them know what to look for when necessary. I'm glad you got some relief finally.  I've been thinkin about ya.  Lets just hope that this is the last little speed bump you'll have and you are well on your way to a full resovery.

Thanks Dee...sorry about the EWWW factor but honesty and candidness is really important to me, even if it's gross sometimes. The "things" are much better today so I expect to be back to normal very soon.  Gotta get a year round job now....hurting for the lot rent.  OUCH.  Living on Social Security makes for some pretty heavy penny pinching, ya know   TTYL. KathyG

Congratulations Kathy. Despite me taking my meds, and I get B-12 shots, because my hemotologist decided that is what he wanted me to do, mine are still low. Even with the shots every month. My iron is borderline. But keep up the good work.

Thanks Christie. I am always amazed when my labs come back normal because they tell you to expect absorption problems.  My husband is now 3 1/2 years post Open RNY and has never taken any supplements and always has normal labs.  Weird. Update on the goofy sutures...getting better every day.  I do know that as long as there's an area of my incisions that remains open, there's a suture under there trying to come up.  Pulled another inch long piece from the left rib area last night.  There are still many red and sore areas in the abdominal scar and the breast/nipple scars.  But nowhere near the abscess point.  Joanne told me she is still pulling her sutures from hernia surgery a long time ago, so I will probably be at this for awhile.  I just want the soreness to stop. KathyG

Kathy, I feel so bad that your going through this.  How long was it before your body started rejecting the sutures??   I just had surgery with Dr. Danyo on the 11th (he is such a sweetheart) and am a frequent lurker on the plastic sugery site and they talk about that all the time.   I wish you the best and you'll be in my prayers for a speedy recovery. Dee