1 yr Surgiversary

I haven't posted in quite awhile.  I have been around just not verbal so to speak.

I had my one year "surgiversary"  the 1st of this month.  The year, in some ways, has been the longest in my life, in other ways, it's gone by like a train!

I have learned a lot this past year, about people and myself.   I have now lost 170lbs.  About 20 more to goal.  Then the "skin" problem (Dr says is about 25lbs)  I am happy with my weight loss.  I am still losing just slowly and it seems to hop now.  By that, I mean, I won't move for a week or two, then drop 5 - 7lbs.  My body is continually changing.  Just this week, I noticed a huge change in my legs.  I mean huge!  I don't worry about the scale.  I only weigh when I go to a Dr's office.  The clothes are amazing.  Size really doesn't matter.  I had forgotten this when I was the size I was before.  I have a size M maxi skirt that I love.  It's getting too lose on me now.  That part is mind blowing! 

I have found my path with it.  I work it.  I know, that I have to always stay on top of everything for the rest of my life.  That get's a bit much at times.  For instance, I have a food tote that I take to work with me.  It has my protein, snacks, vits.  Everything I need.  For the first time in this year, I went off and forgot it this past week.  I didn't hear my alarm so I was going crazy fast getting ready, making my protein shake & yogurt.  I sat it on top of the counter (usually, I put it by the door), I had to run back to the bathroom before making my 40 min trek to work.  I walked into the garage and out... Didn't even think about it.  Needless to say, it wasn't a great day without my food and snacks.  The Cafeteria & Vending machines at work are not "DS Friendly".   Let's hope that never happens again!  I have backup vits in my drawer at work, as well as packet of peanut butter - wasn't enough for the day!

Someone asked me if I missed anything food wise.  Only one thing comes to mind: Sushi Rolls.  I can eat literally 2 bites of a sushi roll and am full.  Anymore, makes me sick, the rice somehow get's stuck in my sleeve.  I have to eat those 2 bites very slowly!  I eat Sashimi now.  It doesn't have that Su****hing for me.  Buying a roll is too wasteful.

I am gluten sensitive as well as lactose intolerant.  I can handle Greek Yogurt, some cheese and butter.  I have not had milk for 15 yrs, I knew about that.  I suspect I have always been gluten sensitive prior to my DS.  It's just enheightened now. 

I was not one with Co-Morbities prior to my DS.  I just was fat.  I enjoyed life a lot more. I've never been one to worry, until now.  Too many things have gone wrong.   I had PCOS, took 2 pills a day for it (Metformin), arthritis & diverticulosis (which was dormant for 1.5 yrs).  Mild heartburn -  only occasionally took anything for it.  This surgery seems to have made everything "POP" so to speak.  It threw me into menopause, when my labs from a year ago Feb didn't even show I was perimenopausal, arthritis is worse, diverticuli have more than doubled in numbers.  No one can figure out why this happened.  Does the amount of protein directly affect diverticuli growth in the colon?  As one of the GI Drs I saw, she said the Medical School would love to do research on you!  Who knows?  Have been in the hospital a total of 5 times (17 days one time with a 2 day break in between), multiple trips to the ER.  My deductible was met by March (when I was first admitted in the hospital for Diver).  Last year, I still had deductible left to pay when I had my surgery in Aug.  My medical issues have been overwhelming.  I overproduce acid.  Have had to switch PPI's more than once.  I had ulcers in my esophagus going into my alimentary limb. Changed PPIs, taking 2 different ones to get rid of them.  They went away.  I still overproduce acid.   I had a stricture and a twist in my sleeve (fixed last month).  That was odd, I was able to eat real food up until Christmastime then struggled.  Hence when the narrowing must have started.  I have more tiny tummy days but always get in my protein through supplements.  I am not a foodie DSr.  I really don't eat a lot when I compare others.  I have only had "hunger" pains about 3 times.  Mentally, I really only see food as a means of survival now.  I have found ways to enjoy the things I do eat.  Reality is - I'm not hungry.  My dietician says I should eat at least 4000 calories a day.  I hardly ever get there.  Protein first!!  I have been good about figuring out my supplements.  Iron and I don't get along at all.  Calcium makes me constipated no matter what ratio I take with Magnesium.  I have brought my iron up with food (to the world's amazement) including my Hematologist.  I have some "undiagnosed auto-immune disease" which could be the Diver or something else no one knows.  I have an extremely low WBC count.  The Hema asked if I would be willing to do my labs every 60 days so he can monitor the WBC.  It is pre-C (will not use that word).   We have found out, I am hard to treat now.  My body does not react well to meds.  I have to stay on top of everything!  At times, it's overwhelming and I feel like it consumes my life.  From the food, supplements, meds & upkeep.  My GERD is off the charts, although the ulcers are gone, I have to position myself sleeping up in some way.  Which is hard.  Hence, looking at a recliner or a new bed.  More money down the sink hole.  Would rather spend it on clothes.

I think this is a really hard surgery to go through if you are single without family nearby.  I had to rely on myself way too much.  Friends working, had to drive myself to the ER.  I have no family nearby.  My BFF is several hours away. 

I had roommates for a bit.  Even with poo-pouri claimed the bathroom smell went all throughout the house.  That was difficult.  I have no clue how it is for families. 

I have cried more than at any other time in my life other than when my parents passed away.  I stay positive.  Even if I don't feel good, I smile and go forward.  The good days are getting more plentiful now.  I've changed brands of one of my vits and for some reason have more energy.  It's my multi and has made a huge difference in how I physically feel!  Strange a multi can do that.  It has Chorella and Spirulina which my BFF thinks is making a difference since I don't eat greens the way I used to.

The DS lends itself to being a sink hole for money - kind of  like the ones we see on the news.  If it's not one thing, it's another.  I spend a fortune on food, medicine & supplies (cough).  Other than In & Out Burger or Whataburger, the occasional dining out.  I cook everything at home now.  Everything is fresh & homemade. I have spoken of things which I only thought old people spoke about (bathroom issues, creams & wipes).  Butter alone, I go through a tub and a pound a week.  That's roughly $4.50 a week just on butter, add $1.99 for wipes, add traveling wipes $3.99. (BTW, TP is no longer an option for me), pads $3.   That's just to keep my body running so to speak (LOL!)  

My sense of humor has changed.  I now laugh about things that absolutely were off limits before "me thinking - ooooh gross."  "Now, it's laughing at Al Roker going Commando (I do realize he didn't have the DS.)"  Before, I would have thought, that is "TMI, how could he even thing about bringing that out into the open." 

I am grateful to some wonderful friendships I have made.

Overall, it's been quite the roller coaster.  Bottom line, it was the wrong choice for me!  I will forever regret it. I do believe in this surgery.  I do believe it and the sleeve are the only two that should be allowed by law.  I do believe that there are those who would not be here 5 yrs later had it not been for this surgery.  The weight loss is great, but the issues are too much!  It is a Your Mileage May Vary, everyone is so different.  I wish someone would develop some sort of test to see how one's body will react to it.  If I would have had more things wrong with me before I had the DS than after, I would feel differently.  It's worked just the opposite for me.  I have more Dr's than I have ever had in my life, taken more medications than at any other time in my life.  It's constant!  As much as I thought I was prepared, I wasn't.  I wasn't prepared to have complications (They never have happened to me in the past!), I wasn't prepared well enough for the financial drain this has been as a single person (I thought I was) nor the emotional tole it took on me this last year.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a business meeting.  My stomach had not had a conversation with itself in a long long time.  I just had a protein shake & yogurt before I went.  I'm sitting waiting for the meeting and it starts talking.  This is the part that get's to me.  This was a very important meeting.  The after effects from this surgery nearly messed it up.

The bathroom issues really are too much for me.  I have no clue what the reality is.  I would say, it's probably 50/50 some people are on the go constantly other's are just opposite.  It's misery!  I know I can't do road trips.  I have to stop too many times  That was something I enjoyed.

Thank you all for the friendships and support and being there for me!

I will continue to help people.  For those thinking about this surgery, search out your heart and life.  It is the commitment of a lifetime. It is your journey.  It is your decision.  The most important one you will make in your lifetime!   Simply put: YOUR CHOICE!!!

For all of you all that already have the surgery... ROCK ON!  Keep going - stay focused - keep your labs up - Remember, Protein Vits & Everything else!

All the best for everyone in your journey! 

I'm so sorry you have had it so rough. You are amazingly strong in so many ways. I hope things will even out and you will be able to overcome these incredible obstacles. May year 2 be much much better.

--gina

Thanks Gina!  You have been a blessing.

Year 2 will be much better! 

Thanks for sharing.

Susan

Congratulation on your weight loss, sorry you are having some issues, hope things would even out over time. Hang in there

Thanks for your honest post.   I'm sure it is disappointing to have such high expectations and then have so many negative health issues because of the surgery.  I truly, truly hope things improve for you.  You sound like a very nice person and I hope better things are coming your way. 

Thank you...

You had an amazing Dr. 

Thanks for your honest post.  I can see where you are coming from.  I am 8 months out, and have felt the same way at times.  Our bodies take a really hard hit by this surgery. 

I hope year 2 is calmer, tamer, and more regular for you.  You have been hit with so much already.