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Topic: RE: I'm feel like I'm on the island of misfit toys...
Hi Lisa,
Whenever we dare to do something different, some metaphysical scientist(S) will embark on telling us how it could effect a change in the cosmic rays and or refer to the Mayan Calendar of doom! In retrospect these soothsayers may perform a valuable service. They come to test our level of commitment. If you notice, the more tentative you feel, the more pessimistic they sound. If they succeed in discouraging you, be grateful. You didn't have the moxie to make it in the first place. This is good information to have. It means you need to go back and tune up your intention or let go of what's holding you back. On the other hand, if you're determined to succeed in spite of these killjoys, then you most certainly will.
If you need some inspiration I would suggest that “proofs in the pudding" read the “my journey" section for the MGB’ers and you will get a thousand reasons why people went with the MGB. I would look at how their lives used to be and then ask myself if I had a choice to make a difference would I take it?
Essentially they way I would look at it is do I feel I deserve to make a difference to myself? What will I do when this change occurs? And how will I use it to create positive attributes to myself and others around me. If you feel this help you then you have a choice. Bernard Shaw had it right when he said “Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself".
Regards,
Napoli
Topic: RE: Help! I am desperate to find answers...
Low protein may hinder healing.
However, I had an open wound for 2 years. It never healed, then I had surgery to fix a hernia, a TT, and to cut away the tissue that wouldn't heal.
My TT scar opened in a couple of places. Then I had some skin die, and 2 more opened places months later, around on the sides.
I had surgery again to remove the tissue that would not heal, and restitch. The ones that opened months later were opened more, cleaned, and packed with saline gauze twice a day.
I never had an infection show up on any cultures, and I had many cultures. No pus, no infection.
I had poor blood flow in the abdominal area, probably due to obesity all those years.
I would guess the problems on the suture line are due to poor circulation, and the skin healing without the tissue beneath being healed first.
You need to take massive doses of dry D, like 50,000 IU per day for a while, and lots of calcium, taken twice a day to allow max absorption. B12 can be given in an injection once a week by you or a nurse or doctor.
Have you tried probiotics for the bowel troubles? May help. Also you might should take flagyl for a couple of weeks, in case you have a bacteria overgrowth in your bowel causing the diarrhea.
Best wishes.
However, I had an open wound for 2 years. It never healed, then I had surgery to fix a hernia, a TT, and to cut away the tissue that wouldn't heal.
My TT scar opened in a couple of places. Then I had some skin die, and 2 more opened places months later, around on the sides.
I had surgery again to remove the tissue that would not heal, and restitch. The ones that opened months later were opened more, cleaned, and packed with saline gauze twice a day.
I never had an infection show up on any cultures, and I had many cultures. No pus, no infection.
I had poor blood flow in the abdominal area, probably due to obesity all those years.
I would guess the problems on the suture line are due to poor circulation, and the skin healing without the tissue beneath being healed first.
You need to take massive doses of dry D, like 50,000 IU per day for a while, and lots of calcium, taken twice a day to allow max absorption. B12 can be given in an injection once a week by you or a nurse or doctor.
Have you tried probiotics for the bowel troubles? May help. Also you might should take flagyl for a couple of weeks, in case you have a bacteria overgrowth in your bowel causing the diarrhea.
Best wishes.
Topic: RE: Help! I am desperate to find answers...
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Hi,
I agree, get your labs checked by Dr. Rutledge and see what he suggests. Also I agree with the salt. You need the salt to help with hydration. Are you drinking enough water? You didn't mention it and you need a lot of that also.
Osteoarthritis is something that can be handed down through the family. Do any of your family members have it? I have a little myself but not like my mom. Her hands were terrible.
Keep us posted on what he says. Sometimes, however, Dr. R can be hard to get. My advice is to call him and keep calling until he answers.
I agree, get your labs checked by Dr. Rutledge and see what he suggests. Also I agree with the salt. You need the salt to help with hydration. Are you drinking enough water? You didn't mention it and you need a lot of that also.
Osteoarthritis is something that can be handed down through the family. Do any of your family members have it? I have a little myself but not like my mom. Her hands were terrible.
Keep us posted on what he says. Sometimes, however, Dr. R can be hard to get. My advice is to call him and keep calling until he answers.
Clueless about weight loss and weight loss surgery of any kind.
(deactivated member)
on 1/21/12 1:50 pm, edited 1/21/12 2:15 pm
on 1/21/12 1:50 pm, edited 1/21/12 2:15 pm
Topic: RE: Help! I am desperate to find answers...
Im sorry youre having these problems and although I havent had the surgery, I have done some research about it so I will chime in until someone more experienced can give their input....
First of all, have you spoken to your surgeon? I see where you mentioned seing other specialists but having now more experience with this surgery, your own surgeon might have some data for you or at least be able to make some recommendations. If that doesnt work, I wouldnt hesitate to try to contact Dr Rutledges office and see if he can make any recommendations just based on your symptoms, All they can do is say no but its worth a try.
Secondly, I would recommend posting your most recent lab results and a list of the vitamins you take (including mg and brand etc) as there are many people here that can look at your results and tell you if theres something you might not be seeing. ALSO I noticed that the vitamins you seem to be deficient in (Iron B12 and D) are also the 3 big ones that you cant get from a run of the mill tablet so be certain to post what type of Iron, B12 and D you are taking so we can help you make sure youre taking the right kind you also need to post WHEN you are taking those vitamins because lets say youre taking your iron and your calcium at the same time, well that would be your first problem, even if youre taking your iron say in the morning with cottage cheese (which contains calcium), thats going to cause you to not absorb the iron so its not just about what youre taking but WHEN and WHAT WITH.
Also, are you getting enough salt? I remember from watching some youtube videos about the mini gastric bypass and salt that some people were having some of the symptoms you describe dry mouth, dizzyness, joint pain with a low salt intake. I would at least look at those videos and see if that might be a simple thing to try. The salt issue isnt just for newly post ops....Invest 8 min watching this (there are plenty of salt videos in dr rutledges files on youtube but this one mentions how its a long term concern and at least it might resolve a small part of the problem.
http://www.youtube.com/user/DrRRutledge#p/search/0/52X_mYk1r V0
Im sure if you post your most recent labs, vitamin regimen (what, how much and when) and a sample of what youre eating in a given day (what, how much and which meals you are taking with which vitamins) and a list of any other meds youre taking and when, you will get lots of direction from this group. At least it will be a good place to start and might even solve your issues.
Best of luck to you!
First of all, have you spoken to your surgeon? I see where you mentioned seing other specialists but having now more experience with this surgery, your own surgeon might have some data for you or at least be able to make some recommendations. If that doesnt work, I wouldnt hesitate to try to contact Dr Rutledges office and see if he can make any recommendations just based on your symptoms, All they can do is say no but its worth a try.
Secondly, I would recommend posting your most recent lab results and a list of the vitamins you take (including mg and brand etc) as there are many people here that can look at your results and tell you if theres something you might not be seeing. ALSO I noticed that the vitamins you seem to be deficient in (Iron B12 and D) are also the 3 big ones that you cant get from a run of the mill tablet so be certain to post what type of Iron, B12 and D you are taking so we can help you make sure youre taking the right kind you also need to post WHEN you are taking those vitamins because lets say youre taking your iron and your calcium at the same time, well that would be your first problem, even if youre taking your iron say in the morning with cottage cheese (which contains calcium), thats going to cause you to not absorb the iron so its not just about what youre taking but WHEN and WHAT WITH.
Also, are you getting enough salt? I remember from watching some youtube videos about the mini gastric bypass and salt that some people were having some of the symptoms you describe dry mouth, dizzyness, joint pain with a low salt intake. I would at least look at those videos and see if that might be a simple thing to try. The salt issue isnt just for newly post ops....Invest 8 min watching this (there are plenty of salt videos in dr rutledges files on youtube but this one mentions how its a long term concern and at least it might resolve a small part of the problem.
http://www.youtube.com/user/DrRRutledge#p/search/0/52X_mYk1r V0
Im sure if you post your most recent labs, vitamin regimen (what, how much and when) and a sample of what youre eating in a given day (what, how much and which meals you are taking with which vitamins) and a list of any other meds youre taking and when, you will get lots of direction from this group. At least it will be a good place to start and might even solve your issues.
Best of luck to you!
Topic: Help! I am desperate to find answers...
Has anyone had a similar experience to this? Do please read through to the end (I know it is long but I am desperate).
Before I tell my story, just let me say that I do not ever regret having an MGB after trying the Lapband first. I lost the weight, it has stayed off, and the MGB is Sooooooo much easier to live with than the lapband. I do not want to discourage anyone from the MGB, I think it is one of the best options available, and I fully believe the problems I am about to describe are not at all typical.
And yet I am hoping someone else may recognise what has been happening, and possibly even have some information or advice that could help me.
My story:
I had the Lapband put on in 2004, when I weighed 138kg (304 pounds) and had given up hope of losing weight ever. I lost about 30 kgs in the first year and then started having major reflux problems which I battled for another year, but loosening of the band was letting me put on weight. My surgeon (in Australia), was closely associated with Dr Rutledge at CLOS, and was at the time introducing the MGB in my city where no one else was performing it. He is very highly respected in bariatric surgery and has an impeccable track record.
In 2006 he suggested the MGB but cautioned me to think very carefully about it as it was new-ish, and he had only done 4 of them before. He had been trained by Dr Rutledge, made me read all of Dr R's patient materials, and he told me that 2 of the four he had done had developed extremely unusual complications that he and Dr Rutledge had been unable to attribute to the surgery itself.
I decided to do it, had the surgery with an open wound (laparoscopy was not possible because of adhesions) and then something leaked and had to be fixed 2 days later. I suffered other complications because of this leak, and a long stay in hospital because the surgery wound was compromised by the leak and dehiscence occurred which took two months to heal.
Nevertheless, I settled in to life with the MGB and never ever had problems with eating different foods and pretty quickly worked out which foods caused dumping and so avoid them. I lost another 30kg and am still very happy with the MGB.
Here is the problem. 2 years later I had major loose skin issues and chose to have a breast lift and a full body lift. One minor area of the suture line over my sacrum broke down with dehiscence, but eventually healed. Then a full 12 months after that surgery, I started to form ulcers on the scar line around my hips/waist that wept fluid continually, were connected to small hollow pockets in the tissue deeper down, and never healed. Surgery was performed to debride them, and they were left as open wounds to ensure those pockets closed up. These ulcers never formed any where else - my breast scars were perfectly fine.
SO, it has been 2 years since the first ulcer came up, and to this day they continue to form, or old ones break down again; I have had periods of diahorrea that last 3 months; I have had joint pain; a dry mouth for 6 months; nasal sores; red eyes; and the list goes on. I have been seen by dermatologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, infectious disease specialists and immunologists. The verdict is I must have some non-typical, unnameable overactive immune disorder, that no one knows how to confirm or treat. I have to live with the symptoms.
My deep down belief is that this is related to malabsorption issues from my MGB. I have ongoing problems with deficiencies in iron, B12 and vitamin D. I have adjusted my diet and take supplements but they never seem to improve. Now I am developing osteoarthritis in my fingers and toes and I am only 43. I am taking supplements for those but can't be sure I am absorbing them well enough. I just don't know who to turn to for help or answers. I have even thought of trying to email or write to Dr Rutledge but can't be sure he would see my message or care to reply.
Maybe someone has experienced something similar? I am at the end of my tether.
:(
Before I tell my story, just let me say that I do not ever regret having an MGB after trying the Lapband first. I lost the weight, it has stayed off, and the MGB is Sooooooo much easier to live with than the lapband. I do not want to discourage anyone from the MGB, I think it is one of the best options available, and I fully believe the problems I am about to describe are not at all typical.
And yet I am hoping someone else may recognise what has been happening, and possibly even have some information or advice that could help me.
My story:
I had the Lapband put on in 2004, when I weighed 138kg (304 pounds) and had given up hope of losing weight ever. I lost about 30 kgs in the first year and then started having major reflux problems which I battled for another year, but loosening of the band was letting me put on weight. My surgeon (in Australia), was closely associated with Dr Rutledge at CLOS, and was at the time introducing the MGB in my city where no one else was performing it. He is very highly respected in bariatric surgery and has an impeccable track record.
In 2006 he suggested the MGB but cautioned me to think very carefully about it as it was new-ish, and he had only done 4 of them before. He had been trained by Dr Rutledge, made me read all of Dr R's patient materials, and he told me that 2 of the four he had done had developed extremely unusual complications that he and Dr Rutledge had been unable to attribute to the surgery itself.
I decided to do it, had the surgery with an open wound (laparoscopy was not possible because of adhesions) and then something leaked and had to be fixed 2 days later. I suffered other complications because of this leak, and a long stay in hospital because the surgery wound was compromised by the leak and dehiscence occurred which took two months to heal.
Nevertheless, I settled in to life with the MGB and never ever had problems with eating different foods and pretty quickly worked out which foods caused dumping and so avoid them. I lost another 30kg and am still very happy with the MGB.
Here is the problem. 2 years later I had major loose skin issues and chose to have a breast lift and a full body lift. One minor area of the suture line over my sacrum broke down with dehiscence, but eventually healed. Then a full 12 months after that surgery, I started to form ulcers on the scar line around my hips/waist that wept fluid continually, were connected to small hollow pockets in the tissue deeper down, and never healed. Surgery was performed to debride them, and they were left as open wounds to ensure those pockets closed up. These ulcers never formed any where else - my breast scars were perfectly fine.
SO, it has been 2 years since the first ulcer came up, and to this day they continue to form, or old ones break down again; I have had periods of diahorrea that last 3 months; I have had joint pain; a dry mouth for 6 months; nasal sores; red eyes; and the list goes on. I have been seen by dermatologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, infectious disease specialists and immunologists. The verdict is I must have some non-typical, unnameable overactive immune disorder, that no one knows how to confirm or treat. I have to live with the symptoms.
My deep down belief is that this is related to malabsorption issues from my MGB. I have ongoing problems with deficiencies in iron, B12 and vitamin D. I have adjusted my diet and take supplements but they never seem to improve. Now I am developing osteoarthritis in my fingers and toes and I am only 43. I am taking supplements for those but can't be sure I am absorbing them well enough. I just don't know who to turn to for help or answers. I have even thought of trying to email or write to Dr Rutledge but can't be sure he would see my message or care to reply.
Maybe someone has experienced something similar? I am at the end of my tether.
:(
Topic: RE: I've been APPROVED!! And my surgery date is set!!
Sharie,
Thank you SO much for your advice!! I actually looked in my closet, and I think I have everything from size 16 to 28. Luckily, I'm a classics kind of gal, so at least my clothes haven't gone out of style. Regarding WalMart jeans....girl please (smile), I'm going to be tickled pink to be able to BUY clothes at WalMart instead of a specialty store!! (btw, I use to work for a major clothing manufacturer, and we used the same factories as WalMart & Target, so the quality of workmanship is the same, if not better. Also, a little consumer advice...My daughter worked at a trendy clothing store that a lot of teens shop at, and when I compared the "trendy store's" products to WalMart & Target, WalMart & Target had better fabric and construction quality on a lot of their items.) I know you didn't ask for that, but I think all consumers should know this. LOL
Thank you SO much for your advice!! I actually looked in my closet, and I think I have everything from size 16 to 28. Luckily, I'm a classics kind of gal, so at least my clothes haven't gone out of style. Regarding WalMart jeans....girl please (smile), I'm going to be tickled pink to be able to BUY clothes at WalMart instead of a specialty store!! (btw, I use to work for a major clothing manufacturer, and we used the same factories as WalMart & Target, so the quality of workmanship is the same, if not better. Also, a little consumer advice...My daughter worked at a trendy clothing store that a lot of teens shop at, and when I compared the "trendy store's" products to WalMart & Target, WalMart & Target had better fabric and construction quality on a lot of their items.) I know you didn't ask for that, but I think all consumers should know this. LOL
Topic: 1/21 Saturday Morning in Round Rock, Texas -- Be there or be square!
WHAT: OH Rox Round Rock Support Group Meeting
WHO: EVERYONE IS WELCOME
WHERE: IKEA Round Rock Restaurant
WHEN: Saturday, January 21st
TIME: 10:30 am
WHY: Because we all need a little support sometimes, and who doesn’t want to hang out with a lot of positive, motivational, supportive and FUN people.
See previous posts for more information:
If you are from Austin/Round Rock -- Check this out!!
OH Rox Round Rock Support Group Meeting
You are welcome and encouraged to bring before and after pictures, as well as pen, paper, questions, thoughts, and ideas.
OHRRR is really looking forward to making a difference with this group in 2012!
Looking forward to seeing you there!
WHO: EVERYONE IS WELCOME
WHERE: IKEA Round Rock Restaurant
WHEN: Saturday, January 21st
TIME: 10:30 am
WHY: Because we all need a little support sometimes, and who doesn’t want to hang out with a lot of positive, motivational, supportive and FUN people.
See previous posts for more information:
If you are from Austin/Round Rock -- Check this out!!
OH Rox Round Rock Support Group Meeting
You are welcome and encouraged to bring before and after pictures, as well as pen, paper, questions, thoughts, and ideas.
OHRRR is really looking forward to making a difference with this group in 2012!
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Topic: RE: I've been APPROVED!! And my surgery date is set!!
Giving God all the Glory
Congrats!!! I'm so happy for you. When it comes to clothes, my cousin that had the surgery suggested to me the same thing. Go to a consignment or goodwill store. But what I did instead. I was a size 22. I wore those 22's till I was able to pull them down without unzipping them. I found a size 20 in my closet that I couldn't fit in before surgery and started wearing them. When they got to the point that I couldn't wear them anymore I went out and tried on clothes at that point I was able to wear a size 16. First new thing I had bought. When it comes to every day clothes I still wear the 20's with a belt. Buy a Good Belt. I wear it all the time. I lost more in my waist than in my rear and legs, of course. And I kept all my T-Shirts for every day. I can wear them around the house and to the grocery store. It doesn't matter how big a t-shirt is. When it came to clothes for Church. I have maybe 4 shirts that are church clothes and look good on me with one pair of black pants that I wear over and over, with a belt.. I wear sweaters because they stretch and you can wash and dry them and they go back to normal or shrink. I don't want to buy too many clothes until I am at the weight I want to be. But I do want to look nice for church. And as for every day I will wear baggy clothes. Plus I don't mind wearing WalMart jeans.
Topic: RE: I've been APPROVED!! And my surgery date is set!!
Y'all! I am still on cloud 9!!
((Funny story, I was doing my laundry tonight and folding my undies. I held them up and looked at them and said "GOOD-BYE SIZE 12!!"))
I also started worrying, What about clothes??? Then I thought, "Clothes?? Who needs clothes???" (kidding) I read an article back in November when this whole process started about the "truth's" about gastric bypass". In one part, the girl says "Don't go out and buy new clothes, when they are only going to be too big in a couple of weeks." She suggested Goodwill and consignment shops. I don't know about the Goodwill's in your area, but the ones in Winston Salem have some good stuff. Also, we have a bunch of cosignment shops in the nicer areas of town that carry name brands and good quality stuff.(you just have to weed thru the higher priced stuff) Although, I hope I can get down to a size 8. My daughter went thru a Jackie O' period and all of those outfits are still in her closet. I just hope she doesn't come back home to clean her closet out and decide to go thru it again, LOL. She always got the best deals at The Loft and Ann Taylors. I don't know how I will act getting to shop in normal stores again!!
Thanks again everyone...and please keep me in your prayers!!
((Funny story, I was doing my laundry tonight and folding my undies. I held them up and looked at them and said "GOOD-BYE SIZE 12!!"))
I also started worrying, What about clothes??? Then I thought, "Clothes?? Who needs clothes???" (kidding) I read an article back in November when this whole process started about the "truth's" about gastric bypass". In one part, the girl says "Don't go out and buy new clothes, when they are only going to be too big in a couple of weeks." She suggested Goodwill and consignment shops. I don't know about the Goodwill's in your area, but the ones in Winston Salem have some good stuff. Also, we have a bunch of cosignment shops in the nicer areas of town that carry name brands and good quality stuff.(you just have to weed thru the higher priced stuff) Although, I hope I can get down to a size 8. My daughter went thru a Jackie O' period and all of those outfits are still in her closet. I just hope she doesn't come back home to clean her closet out and decide to go thru it again, LOL. She always got the best deals at The Loft and Ann Taylors. I don't know how I will act getting to shop in normal stores again!!
Thanks again everyone...and please keep me in your prayers!!
Topic: RE: I've been APPROVED!! And my surgery date is set!!
Lisa that is AWESOME!
I will be praying for you and your surgeon. Good Luck! Keep us informed!
Lisa T
Louisville, KY
I will be praying for you and your surgeon. Good Luck! Keep us informed!
Lisa T
Louisville, KY
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