charlietuna54’s Posts
Still the best decision I have ever made for
myself! I was right at 500 lbs and growing monthly when I started this journey. Today I am almost 70 years old and I am convince I would not be here if it were not for the DS. Today I float during the year from 280-295. Not sure why I have the gains and the losses but I do. If I were to give anyone considering this surgery some advice I would stress for them to do their research and to realize the surgery is a very small part of the journey. You must be prepared to be diligent in taking your vitamins and supplements daily with out fail. I stumbled here a couple of times and I paid for it. My protein level dropped and my calcium dropped to a point I was losing bone density. I have corrected this but it took time. My iron level dropped and I had to have 3-4 iron infusions to get corrected. And my potassium dropped so low I was actually admitted for potassium IV and other work ups at same time. All this was my fault for getting off track on my regiment. Also start and maintain an exercise program of walking and stretching. And make sure you have a PCP that understands the DS and is willing to monitor your blood levels monthly.
The benefits of this surgery are way too numerous to list them all. Prior to surgery I remember sweating with any exertion and I could never cool off. Today I stay cold and I don't think I have sweat glands. I dreaded booths in restaurants, hated the stares I got when I was out in public, and forget trying to find clothes that fit.
Today I stay active with my wife and grandchildren, I look forward to going to the office, I love planning vacations for the family, and just being alive! If I had to crawl to the hospital to have the DS annually I would have done so.
If you are planning to have this surgery or already have, find a great support group and surround yourself with those who will support you and who you can support. Make sure you are ready to a lifetime of vitamins and supplements and find a great PCP. And most importantly be ready to live life to its fullest abundance
I pray that 20 years from now, you will be just as happy as I am with the decision I made for me!!
May God Bless Each Of You Along This Journey!!
Charlie
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I had DS surgery in April 2020. I too am experiencing low calcium, low protein, low vitamin D and low iron. Working the last year I have finally got my Vitamin D up to normal and my iron, while a little low, my ferritin level is in high end of normal. I am taking BlueBonnet liquid Calcium 3 times a day and iron twice daily, but not with the calcium. I am having protein test later this week. I am praying the protein and calcium is approaching normal. I am working with an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic. I am not sure why yours isn't getting to normal. But know you are not alone. Hopefully You and I will both figure it out soon.
charlie.
Kathy.
I just saw your post from a few months back. I still look at the forums, just not as active as I was in the early years. I found OH to be my greatest resource before, during and after my surgery. I am always open to help others make this life changing decision. There are so many people I want to just walk up to and show them my before and after pictures and tell them there is hope. But I also know I probably would not have been very receptive if someone had done this to me.
If you think I can be of encouragement to anyone I would be happy to share my experience.
I am 64. 14 years out. Been in hospital a couple times over last 14 years but not related to my DS. Once I explain the DS they were great at making sure I got all my vitamins and protein. I am off all my meds. Had severe sleep apnea. Just had a sleeep study 3 weeks ago and still no apnea. I take one prescription and that is potassium. My levels are always low so I take a bunch in morning and afternoon and levels stabilized. Just can't miss a dose. You will be fine. Just make sure your PCP and family is aware of the nutrition needs. I carry a card with all that information. We all have plenty of things to worry about. Don't let your vitamin needs be one of those worrisome issues. Looks like you have had a great 10 year journey. Congratulations.
Charlie.
Where do I start?? This has been a great life since WLS. When I started this journey the Drs had told me I was headed to an early death when I weighed 500 lbs and gaining weight monthly. I am so thankful I had friends that were brave enough and caring enough that spoke w me about the DS. Truly a life changing and life saving procedure.
Prior to DS I was not a happy person and can still remember the pain and health issues. The embarrassment of being overweight. The extreme health issues. Depression. Not being able to fit in restaraunt booths. And the feeling that everyone was watching every bite of food I placed in my mouth. Today I can only remember the good. Being able to buy clothes in "normal" sizes; able to travel by planes without worrying the seat will be too small or the seatbelt won't fit; getting on the floor and play with my grandkids; enjoying time with my wife; working in the yard in August in Florida and not sweating to death; going to Disneyworld all day without getting exhausted; just having energy and getting up looking forward to the day! I really enjoy my life today!!
I still am diligent in taking my vitamins, but still fight to get good labs. The last couple years my iron level has dropped, but doubling up on iron supplements seem to have corrected the issue. Blood pressure is almost to low. Heart rate stays in mid 50s. Sleep apnea cured.
I still see my surgeon at least annually as well as my PCP. My surgeon is located in Celebration, Fl. I can't think of a better name of a town to have started my journey then Celebration, as it has been a 14 year Celebration.
I am so happy this horrible disease is finally being recognized by the mainstream medical society as a disease. People that have never suffered with this disease have no idea how horrible it is. I never could understand how drug addiction and alcoholism was recognized as a disease but obesity was not. I can't tell you how many times I was told if I would only eat "normal" I would lose weight by a skinny person eating a chocolate sundae while telling me. They have no idea!! I still hurt for those I see suffering from this disease. I struggle with the feeling I should go talk to them and tell them of their options, but still remember how I would have felt if a stranger had said something to me.
If you are looking into this journey do lots of research and make sure it is right for you. I would go back every year and have the surgery if it was required. For me it was the right decision. But you have to make your own decision and realize this is a life time commitment. It is not a quick fix. If you are not committed and fail to do what is required you will get in trouble from the malabsorption.
I want to thank those who stuck by me before and during my journey. First of all to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, through Him I was able to gather the courage and strength to make the decision to have WLS and He has been with me throughout - My wife, who is my soulmate and has been my inspiration, my kids who have added so much life to me, my grandkids who have given me a whole new reason for living, my Mom, who I lost in July 2008, she always believed in me and encouraged me to research WLS, my friends who were there before and after surgery, and to ObesityHelp.com. This website established a community that enabled me to decide to go forward with the surgery and provided untold amouint of support to me after wards and even today. While I don't post often there is barely a day that goes by I dont take a few minutes to visit the site.
If you have any questions that I can help with please reach out to me.
No matter where you are on this journey I pray you find the answers, solutions, and cure that is right for you.
Charlie
Those are always an issue but you learn which foods causes the most severe gas and avoid them. Those are very small issues compared to all the health issues I had prior to the DS. No high blood pressure, off all prescriptions except potassium supplements, total cholesterol is less than 100, able to walk long distances without pain or being short of breath, and am able to experience life like I had not been able to I the 20 plus years prior to DS. I can put up with a few small negatives for all of the positives. But I do relate to what you say about long trips. You have to plan. Last year I had a 10 hour day of flights. I drank a lot but are very little from the day before I left until I gotta my destination.
Life is great after the DS. I wish you much success on your journey!!
Charlie
Cannot believe it has been 12 short years. Someone asked me this week how long it has been and I had to think and was surprised it has been so long. Life has been great. Before the DS I had no life outside of work and coming home and going to bed. Today my wife and I have something going every night and we look forward the weekends where we can work in the yard or just go for a long walk.
I had a bout with low iron this year and had to have an infusion of iron and continue to have low potassium which I control with pills. My other blood tests are great and I continue to to have my blood checked every 6 months. (My total Cholesterol is now at 91.)
I am able to keep and play with my two granddaughters age 3 and 5. They wear me out but I am able to get on the floor and play with them. Even looking forward to next week when my wife and I are taking the 3 year old to Disney for her Birthday. Before DS I would have refused to go but now I am excited about taking her
If you are thinking of having the DS I encourage you to do the research and make sure it is right for you. You must be committed to following the diet and vitamin requirements for life and to followup w a Dr that fully understands the DS annually for life. You will be surprised how many Drs have no clue of the DS and will equate it to the RNY. Over the years I have had to educate many.
I would go back through the surgery and all the follow ups again without hesitation.
If you have any questions feel free to email me. It may take a few days for me to get back to you but I will. I wish you all good luck on your journey as we fight this horrible disease.
Charlie
I can Not believe it has been 11 years.... Been the greatest 11 years of my life.... I had a great support team and surgery team and I still follow-up with my surgeon annually. Been having some low iron and potassium issues the last 6 months but I went and had my labs taken this morning and hopefully we got those issues resolved.
This is a horrible disease and I am glad there is a cure. If you are just starting the journey make sure you are committed to a life long commitment of protein and supplements and vitamins. It is a small sacrifice when you consider what you receive in return. Don't give up on your journey. It will be the best thing you have ever done. You will have obstacles and there will be days when you wonder what you have done to yourself, but hang in there as life will be much better on the other side
This past year my wife and I went to Alaska for 2 weeks of fishing and hiking. At 500 pounds there would have been no way I could have even gotten on the plane to go much less do all the walking we did. I appreciate each day I have and will never forget life as it use to be. I now have 2 young grand daughters and love being able to play chase and just lay in the grass and have fun with them.
If there is anything I can do to encourage you or answer any questions, please reach out to me. I wish you much success on your personal journey.
Charlie
Wow...Time flies when you are having fun....Ten years ago today I had my DS surgery and received my new life. For the 10 years prior to surgery I had basically quit living. I had no energy; I would not go to movies or restaraunts because of the fear of not being able to fit in the seats; Walking from my car to my office was an ordeal; How my wife and family stuck beside me during that dark time was nothing but true sacrifice on their part.
Today I am able to walk and run after my grandchildren; travel all over the country with my wife and just plain live again. I have a fishing trip with my wife to Alaska planned for this summer and would have never considered flying before surgery. Without the DS I probably would not be on this earth today. I weighed right at 500 lbs and was 6'-5" when I began the journey. Today my weight will fluctute between 265 to 285 and I am still 6'-5". I lost over 20" in my pant size and even my shoe size decreased from a 16 to a 15. I look forward to each day of life this surgery has given me. I still take lots and lots of vitamins; no longer take any blood pressure meds; my sleep apnea is a distant memory; but I do take Prilosec daily for persistent . The one side effect I do have that I don't like is I am constantly cold. I don't leave home without a jacket or a sweater ever. I even carried a jacket to Disney World in June and was glad I had it with me. I don't pay as much attention as I should to the meals I eat and there are times I pay for not paying attention. My labs are all within normal range except for my iron is a little low and my total cholesterol is too low at 91.
One of the hardest things I found is not going up to people that you know surgery could cure their disease and encouraging them to consider this option. Just yesterday I spoke with a young man who is exhibiting the same difficulties I did. I was extremely tempted to bring the subject up to him but I know I would not have been receptive if someone had spoken with me. I do let people know I had surgery and I have had several call me later to discuss the subject with me. But I let them bring it up first.
If you are considering this surgery I encourage you to do your research not only about the surgery but I think even more importantly research about your surgeon. Make sure it is the right decision for you. Personally if I had to go back and have the surgery again I would be there in the morning. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself!!
If you should have any questions, feel free to contact me. I know I talked to a lot of people before I went forward and am happy to share my experience with others.
I can not believe it has been 9 years since I had the DS. What a gift I received. It allowed me to begin living again. I began this journey at almost 500 lbs, I could not walk more than a few feet without stopping to rest, was on several different meds for various health issues and basically had given up on life. I was wearing a size 62" pants and a 22-24" shirt, today I wear 42" pants and 17" shirt. and I have a very active life style; Enjoying my 3 year old granddaughter, going to Disney World about once a month with her, and traveling all over the USA with my beautiful wife and going on at least 1 cruise a year. I could never do this without the benefits of this surgery. I have my Labs checked every 6 months and I am still having problems getting enough calcium and potassium. Hopefully we will get that solved soon. I have to watch the carb intake (why do carbs have to taste so good?)
I have people that are considering WLS call me every year and I always try to answer their questions as honestly as possible. It is a major surgery and a major change in life, but the positives outweigh the negatives 10 to 1 in my opinion. They all eventually ask me the same question "Would you do it again" My standard response is "If I had to crawl to my surgeons office, which is 150 miles away, and have this surgery done every year, I would." By far the best decision I ever made for myself. It helps a lot having a very supportive wife who I love more than life itself. My advice to anyone considering this surgery is to do a lot of research on the surgery and the effects it will have on your body (short and long term), talk to several that have been on the journey for a while and do extensive research on the surgeon who you choose to help you.
I hope all *****ad this much success no matter what part of the journey you are on. This is a horrible disease that robs too many people of their life I do not post much on the boards but I do look at them several times a month. If anyone has any questions that I can help with, just send me a email and I will get back to you.
Be Blessed
Charlie
My life is so much better. I now have a 18 month old granddaughter who has her grandpa wrapped around her finger and she knows it. I get on the floor and play with her and run after her outside. I would never had been able to have had the ability to do this without the surgery. I try to go on a cruise or 2 every year my wife and I mix in a couple of weekend trips to Disney World or one of the other theme parks. I have the greatest wife in all the world and she stood by me throughout this journey.
My weight varies throughout the year by some 30 - 35 lbs. I have not figured that out as I eat the same year round but I will gain and then lose for no apparent reason. I don't let it bother me because even with the variation in weight I am still down 200 lbs at a minimum.
I still lurk on this board quite a bit even though I seldom post. It provides me with support and encouragement and I am thankful this site has been around since before I bagan this journey. It helped me tremendously in the beginning with all the questions I needed answered and it still is a resource for me today.
I wish all of you on this journey towards curing this horrible disease much success. If I can ever answer any questions or give any support please contact me.
My labs for the most part are great. I have had low potassium and now take potassium tablets daily. I also have low calcium. Just can't seem to get that up where it belongs. My cholesterol stays in low to mid 90's no matter what. All other Labs are good. I take 3 muti vitamins a day, 8 - 500mg Chewable Calcium a day and 2 - 5000IU Vitamin D capsules daily. I get a monthly B-12 injection also.
I go to my surgeon every 6 months for monitoring and labs. I am suppose to go next week. The only food I seem to have an intolerance for is smoked chicken. I can eat chicken any other way and can eat all other smoked meats but for some reason smoked chicken will not stay down. If I eat too many carbs I beleive I can evacuate a 20 story high rise. At least I know I can clear everyone in my house out.... LOL.... I think that is just something we will always have to live with. My wife says she is convinced that is why there is a high divorce rate post surgery....
If you are on the fence about what is right for you, please do the research and get comfortable with your decision. When I finally concluded this was much bigger than I could do on my own the decision was easy.
Let me know if I can ever help any of you. This Board is what helped me through the entire process and even today keeps me motivated. Be Blessed.
Charlie
Charlie
Six years ago this morning I had DS surgery in Celebration Fl with Dr Keith Kim. I had no idea how much my life would change from then to now. On that morning I weighed 500 lbs. Today I range between 260 to 285. I lost over half my body weight. At 500lbs I really had no life. Today I have a great life. This past weekend my wife, daughter and I went snorkeling on Saturday and spent all day Sunday at a Florida Theme Park..Six years ago I would have never tried to do either, much less both on the same weekend. Six years ago I slept using a CPAP and took several different prescriptions from blood pressure to depression meds. I haven't used a CPAP since the night before surgery and I am off all meds except for my vitamins/ calcium etc and a potassium supplement.
I will not tell you it has been an easy road. Makes me mad when someone makes the comment that WLS is the easy way out. Just shows their stupidity. This has been a tough journey and I deal with it daily. But if I had to walk the 200 miles to my surgeons office for him to perform the surgery again, I would be on the road walking now. I would not ever go back to my previous life. . I have to constantly make good food choices, remember to take all of my supplements and exercise.
I will tell you I was scared to death the morning of surgery, but I realized this disease was way beyond my ability to control and I needed medical assistance. Without it I do not believe I would still be living today.
For me this was the best decision of my life. I would not change a thing other than I would have had surgery long before I did. If you are considering this route I encourage you to do lots of research about your options, and then do extensive research of your surgeon. Get comfortable with your decision and then go for it.
If you are on this journey and have any questions, please contact me. I hang out here 3 or 4 times a week even if I don't post very often. Just reading about everyone else keeps me motivated.
By the way..... THE DS ROCKS.... :)
Charlie
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gNPLZYsTzIbTlu8DeZ_T0ZtE0ePwD9AKKJ800
Finally a court does the right thing....IMHO
)I was looking at some of the old pictures of myself, (my preop picture is posted on the profile page) and I don't hardly remember that person. I have been able to participate in my childrens life and my wife and I are closer than we have ever been.
I have to stop myself from going up to perfect strangers who are obese or SO and telling them there is a cure for this horrible disease. I know it is a personal decision and I don't thin I would have wanted someone to discuss it with me..
I still HATE the discrimination that goes on against the MO and SO community. This is a horrible DISEASE and should be recognized by the medical community and society for what it is. I don't ever want to forget the hurt I used to feel by some of the comments and actions that were directed to me.
While I seldom post here I am still come to this website most everyday. It has provided me with so much support over the years and has been invaluable over the last 5 years in supporting me and helping me with research I needed to do.
I am so thankful I chose the DS and I chose the surgeon that I did. Dr. Kim saved my life and I am forever indebted to him. For those of you who are just starting the journey, stick with it, it is so worth it. If I can ever answer any questions or be of support to any of you please contact me My email address is [email protected].
Charlie
Thanks for any help on this.
Charlie
Do any of you know someone that has experienced this? And can I lose the weight again? Have I lost the "window"?
Even though I am upset about the re-gain in weight, I am still thankfull for the almost 200lb loss from my original starting point and would crawl back to the hospital if they told me I had to go back through the surgery or regain all of the weight. I am fully convince this surgery saved my life and tremendously increased my quality of life. I just don't want to go back!!!!
Am I happy with the DS.....YES...If I had to go back every year and lay back on the table I would do it in a heartbeat. It gave me my life back. I have actually been living the last 3 years as opposed to existing.
If I can answer any questions for anyone fell free to email me. I will get back to you. I wish each of you much success as you battle this dreadful disease.
Charlie
