First Physical Since Surgery

Well, I had my first physical since my surgery in December.  Granted I wi**** could have been done when I was at least one year post-op, but I was due so I got it over with.

Results:

Overall, I am in good health (not including my chronic pain issues.)  I've lost a total of 123 pounds from my all time highest and 109 from the date of surgery.  I've hit a stall recently, but oh well it was to be expected at some time or another. 
My doc asked me if I was pleased with my surgery and I told her the truth "NO!! "  Her reply to that was "Do you want to be skinner?"  So I had to inform her that It's not what you're thinking, I had the surgery to see if we (me and all of my many other doctors) could find out the cause of my chronic abdominal pain.  So far we haven't but still working on it!!  They are thinking it's Lupus so I'll be back for more testing in a few weeks and re-testing my ANA level.  I look at the weight loss as a side effect not my main purpose of the surgery.  But I will admit I do like how I feel and the fact that we've decreased my dosages on my heavy duty CII narcotics

As for labs, they were OK, some better than others, others showed SIGNIFICANT improvement and others the same (as they've always been - due to other issues) and one that we are gonna need to keep an eye on.

Results:

Overall, my fasting glucose is on the low side (as usual for me) at 69 (we're hoping that as I add more potassium rich fruits to my diet it'll improve or I'll have to make some more changes to my diet with my surgeons approval.)   My potassium is STILL low at 3.3 mEq/L (don't think it'll ever change with all of the chronic N/V/D I have and have had for years), which leaves my chloride level high at 109 mEq/L (because my body is compensating for the low chloride level.)  My LDL cholesterol is DOWN a whopping 97 points to 139 mg/dl and the HDL cholesterol is holding steady at 50mg/dl (same as last time.) My H&H  is on the borderline of being low, still haven't started Iron pills yet, I'll find out next Friday at my 6 month post-op visit with my NP.

Darn,  I didn't bring the other pages of my LFT's and Thyroid Panel results with me.  I do remember that my Liver enzymes are good, but my problem is with my TSH which is LOW!!!  I'm gonna have to do more lab work on Monday and my PCP will have my surgeons NP go over the results with me next Friday at my 6 month appointment. 

Other than that all is well with me (if you overlook the nasty Chronic Abdominal Pain issues with the N/V/D and low grade temp that I have learned to live with for 11 years now.  ) therefore I can say I got somewhat a good bill of health  - a few things we need to keep an eye on, and one MAJOR improvement!!! 

Wonder what it'll be like in another 6 months????

Well, I've killed enough time, gotta get some work done and make a few phone calls before a Director gets in here.

 

I hope they can figure out your pain issues soon. Now at least you that throw out that old chestnut-doctor solution for everything -- "you need to lose weight."

Thanks for being honest with your doc.

Not all of us have surgery so we can fit into size 0 clothes (LOL! -- I don't think there are a lot of us on BMI>50 who have that as our main goal).