So Sad!
A dear friend of mine passed away today.
Karen had DS surgery in 2003. She was over 400 lbs prior to surgery. She lost over 200 lb from the surgery but her body could not absorb vitamins or minerals at all. She could never get her vitamin levels up - lost bone mass, suffered a heart attack, lost her teeth, went into premature menopause and ostioperosis. She lived in constatnt pain.
She found out later after many specialists that many of her issues existed prior to her surgery, but the surgery only magnified it. Unfortulatly, any issue Karen ever had was blamed on her weight and no one ever bothered to look any further into things b/c - "the weight caused it".
As I persue my own surgery, I had not hold her yet b/c I was afraid she would try to talk me out of it - now I wish we could have had the opportunity to sit down and talk to talk to her.
Lesson here - know yourself and your health before you have any type of surgery - don't ever let someone brush things off as a "weight" issue - check - double check - and triple check.
If Karen's death help one person ask the right question - then it was not in vain.
Karen had DS surgery in 2003. She was over 400 lbs prior to surgery. She lost over 200 lb from the surgery but her body could not absorb vitamins or minerals at all. She could never get her vitamin levels up - lost bone mass, suffered a heart attack, lost her teeth, went into premature menopause and ostioperosis. She lived in constatnt pain.
She found out later after many specialists that many of her issues existed prior to her surgery, but the surgery only magnified it. Unfortulatly, any issue Karen ever had was blamed on her weight and no one ever bothered to look any further into things b/c - "the weight caused it".
As I persue my own surgery, I had not hold her yet b/c I was afraid she would try to talk me out of it - now I wish we could have had the opportunity to sit down and talk to talk to her.
Lesson here - know yourself and your health before you have any type of surgery - don't ever let someone brush things off as a "weight" issue - check - double check - and triple check.
If Karen's death help one person ask the right question - then it was not in vain.
Who says you can't win for losing! Gracy 
HW/SW/CW/GW
286/242/196/150
My jouney has led me to this amazing place known as onederland....now that I am here I refuse to leave - EVER! ~ July 28, 2010
Adios to the BIG 9-0 look out 100 here I come!
HW/SW/CW/GW
286/242/196/150
My jouney has led me to this amazing place known as onederland....now that I am here I refuse to leave - EVER! ~ July 28, 2010
Adios to the BIG 9-0 look out 100 here I come!
Gracy72,
My thought and prayers go out to you, your family and of course Karen's entire family.
You are correct in stating, LEARN YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY BEFORE having ANY surgery. The most routine procedure could go wrong, because something wasn't diagnosed.
I think this is another reason insurance companies have put "so many constraints and hoops" one has to go through before they have this operation. Yes, it's a pain in the A55 - but in the long run, if it catches something that could be deadly, it's all worth it.
Know we're here to give any support we can.
My thought and prayers go out to you, your family and of course Karen's entire family.
You are correct in stating, LEARN YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY BEFORE having ANY surgery. The most routine procedure could go wrong, because something wasn't diagnosed.
I think this is another reason insurance companies have put "so many constraints and hoops" one has to go through before they have this operation. Yes, it's a pain in the A55 - but in the long run, if it catches something that could be deadly, it's all worth it.
Know we're here to give any support we can.
Good Luck on your Journey !!
Tom
“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight” The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Tom
“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight” The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Sorry to hear about Karen. My thoughts & prayers go out to you & her family & friends.
She has already had an impact on others as she has reminded all of us to do several things:
1. Don't let doctors brush things off - it happens all too often!
2. Don't put off doing the little things in life like talking to a friend
In your case she may have tried to talk you out of it but friends mean well and the final decision is up to each one of us. I hope you feel you have a bunch of friends on this site that are alwyas willing to listen if you find you have questions or concerns in the future. I know I am grateful for the many people on this board that has helped me.
Vicki
She has already had an impact on others as she has reminded all of us to do several things:
1. Don't let doctors brush things off - it happens all too often!
2. Don't put off doing the little things in life like talking to a friend
In your case she may have tried to talk you out of it but friends mean well and the final decision is up to each one of us. I hope you feel you have a bunch of friends on this site that are alwyas willing to listen if you find you have questions or concerns in the future. I know I am grateful for the many people on this board that has helped me.
Vicki
Oh, Gracy, I am so sorry to hear about your friend. It is so true that we have to take our health into our hands because sometimes we do need to question and re-question even the expert docs if we feel that something else may be going on. Thanks for taking the time to post this, since it is a great reminder for each one of us to really understand our own bodies.
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