WLS saved my life twice!
Disclaimer: I am a long-time member, but because I am trying to maintain a little privacy, I have re-registered with a different user name.
I had WLS in December, 2007. I have gone from 320 pounds to 160 pounds in 15 months. I feel incredible! Everything is so much easier: walking, climbing stairs, shopping, meeting new people (and not thinking that their first impression is my size). I had hoped that WLS would work for me and it has succeeded beyond my wildest dreams! Even though I would really like to lose another 20 pounds or so ...
WLS saved my life, and then it saved it again.
Around the Christmas holidays I was painting (I could not have done that prior to WLS!) The next day my stomach was sore and when I felt it I found a lump. I went right away to my doc who said it was probably a hernia and I could go to the surgeon and get it checked out. In an effort to avoid surgery, I opted for a CAT scan instead. My plan was, if it was confirmed as a hernia, I would then ignore it until a more convenient time.
Well, the CAT scan did cofirm the hernia, (incisional, due to my WLS) but it also showed a large ovarian mass which I did not know about. Several tests and doctor's visits later, it was cofirmed that it was "highly suspicious" and immediate surgery was recommended. I had a hysterectomy for a borderline ovarian cancer. Biopsies showed no spread. No chemo is needed.
Like many obese women, I had avoided routine GYN checkups due to embarrassment. For the several weeks leading up to my surgery, when all the tests were coming out bad, I was kicking myself and hoping that I wasn't going to die just because of embarrassment. And ladies, once they find something wrong with you and start rooting around, the "regular" GYN exam will never seem embarrassing again!
I am very lucky that WLS saved me, not just once, but twice! And now you can save yourself! If you are behind in your GYN exam, schedule one. Even if you are in a monogomas relationship with a healthy partner and don't need a pap, the pelvic exam may find something that you didn't know about.
Don't die from embarrassment; you all deserve so much better!
I had WLS in December, 2007. I have gone from 320 pounds to 160 pounds in 15 months. I feel incredible! Everything is so much easier: walking, climbing stairs, shopping, meeting new people (and not thinking that their first impression is my size). I had hoped that WLS would work for me and it has succeeded beyond my wildest dreams! Even though I would really like to lose another 20 pounds or so ...
WLS saved my life, and then it saved it again.
Around the Christmas holidays I was painting (I could not have done that prior to WLS!) The next day my stomach was sore and when I felt it I found a lump. I went right away to my doc who said it was probably a hernia and I could go to the surgeon and get it checked out. In an effort to avoid surgery, I opted for a CAT scan instead. My plan was, if it was confirmed as a hernia, I would then ignore it until a more convenient time.
Well, the CAT scan did cofirm the hernia, (incisional, due to my WLS) but it also showed a large ovarian mass which I did not know about. Several tests and doctor's visits later, it was cofirmed that it was "highly suspicious" and immediate surgery was recommended. I had a hysterectomy for a borderline ovarian cancer. Biopsies showed no spread. No chemo is needed.
Like many obese women, I had avoided routine GYN checkups due to embarrassment. For the several weeks leading up to my surgery, when all the tests were coming out bad, I was kicking myself and hoping that I wasn't going to die just because of embarrassment. And ladies, once they find something wrong with you and start rooting around, the "regular" GYN exam will never seem embarrassing again!
I am very lucky that WLS saved me, not just once, but twice! And now you can save yourself! If you are behind in your GYN exam, schedule one. Even if you are in a monogomas relationship with a healthy partner and don't need a pap, the pelvic exam may find something that you didn't know about.
Don't die from embarrassment; you all deserve so much better!
Whoever you are I am so happy to hear that you had happy endings to both stories. The only thing I ever refused to do at my gyn visits was to get on the scale, because I knew it didn't go high enough to weigh me. I'm actually looking forward to my annual check-up in April because my ob-gyn hasn't seen me since prior to my surgery last year!! And yes, this time I WILL get on the scale!
I'm so glad you followed-through with everything - and that you're on your way to recovery.
Kathy
I'm so glad you followed-through with everything - and that you're on your way to recovery.
Kathy
'One shoe can change your life'...Cinderella
I am glad that all went well and you got this taken care of!
I was one of those people that had never gone - I was 27 years old before I went for my first exam and I almost cried going in having a panic attack. I did make my second appointment and am going on friday actually. But I am looking to get pregnant so I figured that I better suck it up!
You are so right though that these routine screenings are here for a reason.
Liz
I was one of those people that had never gone - I was 27 years old before I went for my first exam and I almost cried going in having a panic attack. I did make my second appointment and am going on friday actually. But I am looking to get pregnant so I figured that I better suck it up!
You are so right though that these routine screenings are here for a reason.
Liz
That is so true about the embarressment.
I didn't have a pap smear in about 15 years. I was in a car acccident in August when I called my friend to get the number of her husbands auto body shop and I remembered she worked for GYN Dr. and I said I need a pap smear well she gave me an appt and it was all downhill after that. I had an abnormal pap,then a colposcope showed pre cancer then a LEEP pre cancer and he couldn't get it all so I need a Total hysterectomy and by the time I had that done 8 weeks later I had cervical cancer that was devastating but the best part of the surgery was I had the Plastic Surgeon do a Abdominoplasty @ the same time which took my mind off of the cancer.
All because I was to embarrasssed to go to the GYN and you are so right I am not embarrassed anymore it doesn't even phase me.
I had no symptoms I was past menopause and I didn't think I had to go boy was I wrong
so ladies go get those PAPS done no matter how much you hate them they will save your life. they saved yours and mine
Susan
I didn't have a pap smear in about 15 years. I was in a car acccident in August when I called my friend to get the number of her husbands auto body shop and I remembered she worked for GYN Dr. and I said I need a pap smear well she gave me an appt and it was all downhill after that. I had an abnormal pap,then a colposcope showed pre cancer then a LEEP pre cancer and he couldn't get it all so I need a Total hysterectomy and by the time I had that done 8 weeks later I had cervical cancer that was devastating but the best part of the surgery was I had the Plastic Surgeon do a Abdominoplasty @ the same time which took my mind off of the cancer.
All because I was to embarrasssed to go to the GYN and you are so right I am not embarrassed anymore it doesn't even phase me.
I had no symptoms I was past menopause and I didn't think I had to go boy was I wrong
so ladies go get those PAPS done no matter how much you hate them they will save your life. they saved yours and mine
Susan
I am one of the lucky ones. I hadn't been to a GYN in probably 25 years. I finally went this past December. I had all the tests, including an endometrial biopsy, and all came out clean. Yes, I was very lucky....and very stupid. I could have gotten devastating news. What was I thinking???? Well, the past is the past. And I thank God everyday that he let me slide on this one. But for those of you who are reading this and haven't been to a GYN in many years, do yourself a really big favor and get your butt there. It truly is a matter of life and death.
Thanks for posting. This is some really important stuff!
Eileen
Thank you for sharing your story with us and hitting home the reason we need to go see the GYNO and not be embarrassed by it...
I go for regular check ups but things can change in a heartbeat when it comes to our bodies and in the last year I have learned that very quickly.In ways I am not up to talking about just yet...
Ladies go get in those stir ups it can save your life!
I go for regular check ups but things can change in a heartbeat when it comes to our bodies and in the last year I have learned that very quickly.In ways I am not up to talking about just yet...
Ladies go get in those stir ups it can save your life!
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