A Complicated Mess...BTW, Howdy!!

Hi, I'm Melinda, and my nickname is Mikey. I'm 40 years old, and just landed here from finally getting through Hepatitis C treatment. I am considered "cured", or 0 on an SVR test. I was born with it, and was given up for adoption at 5, and always picked on for having a big belly but skinny arms and legs. My adopted Mom and I didn't find out about the Hep ****il I gave blood in H.S. The fact that I had it was the reason for an enlarged belly, due to an enlarged liver.

Well, finally coming out from under 5 treatment regiments spanning over 15 years, and coming up cured, I am massively over weight, with some edema issues, and have decided to go for an RNY surgery for weight-loss. My family is very encouraging and helping me be positive about this. About 6 months ago, during my last treatment, I was hovering around 375-380 lbs. I recently have started walking our new puppy, and been pushing away from the table and backing off of my servings as well. I'm now down to 329. Which surprised the heck outta me. I hover around 53% BMI. I have cirrhosis from the Hep C.  I've got sleep apnea and use a c-pap. I'm on gut meds, finally off of pain meds, and take AD's as well. And I'm also diabetic. I'm nervous about losing too much, or plateauing during my 6 month diet thingy. (yes I speak fluent thingy...LOL)

Has there been anyone else that has had other body complications like Hep C? I want to know I'm not alone.

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Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.  ~Teddy Roosevelt~

I just want to say "welcome!" And also--what's losing too much? I weigh 243 today and am having RNY on 5/2. I hope to lose down to 140 pounds....

I think with all of your co-morbitidites, RNY is a great chance to get your health back on track.

That's exciting that your Hep C was cured with the new drugs. Awesome really!

Welcome! This is a great resource for information, everyone here is very nice.  I wish I had answers for your questions, I know there are surgeons that specialize in patients with co-morbidities (mine does).

I know getting a RNY with Hep C can be done, have you found a surgeon in your area yet? 

We have a whole hospital dedicated to bariatric surgery. And yes I have found a surgeon. 

Welcome!

So glad to hear you are on the mend. 

I would imagine that if your doctor is comfortable with you having the surgery, then it's safe for you.  How awesome that you have made some changes that have resulted in a lot of loss already!  I didn't have medical issues but I wanted to encourage you and wish you all the best!

Welcome Mikey!  I don't have Hep C, but I did have a BMI of 51.5 before surgery.  I WAS type 2 diabetic and HAD sleep apnea and was on a C-Pap as well.  Im just 8 months post op and my life has COMPLETELY changed, for the better I might add.  

I am so glad that you found us here, because this place has been a life-line for me in the process.  I started hanging around a few months before surgery, and now they just can't get rid of me (no matter how hard they try ).  I'm sure someone here will have know something about Hep C and RNY, or they point you in the right direction.

Welcome, pull up a chair and stay a while!

Great job on starting your weight loss. You have co-morbidities besides the Hep C that could be greatly helped by having RNY. _ Sleep Apnea and Diabetes particularly. Many (not all) Patients come off their diabetes meds before they leave the hospital. You can't change what's been done to your body by the Hep C., but having the most healthy body you can to work with, I am sure would make you feel much better.

The idea of getting down to a significantly smaller weight when you have so much to lose is hard to put your head around. It happens, it happened to me. I remember in the beginning I was like, 'I just want to be smaller and healthier'... I am smaller and healthier, and have lost 100% of my excess weight. I don't know if I saw that coming.

Best thing is have a consult or two and talk to some Docs. I would also consider going to a "Center of Excellence", by virtue of that designation, it means they have more experience under their belt, and supports in place. Opinions from more than one surgeon could be useful too....

Good Luck and welcome, Golden Bear

Welcome, Mikey!  I'm sorry you have had such a rough way to go for so long.  It's good that you realize the importance that weight loss is for your good health.  

My best friend had Hep C and has been declared cured, too.  One thing that she just recently discovered when she had a bone density test, is that she now has osteoporosis as a result of the Hep C.  Her bones are in horrible shape.  She is currently undergoing treatment for the osteoporosis from a rheumatologist.  If you haven't had a bone density test since being cured, maybe you should consider it.

I didn't have hep c but was on insulin and byetta for diabetes. Also had sleep apnea and needed supplemental oxygen at night. Started at 281 but only stretched to 5' 2". Today with lots of hard work I am down to 129 even with excess skin. I am off all diabetic meds with an a1c of 5.1 and no more cpap or oxygen. It was the best decision I made for myself. Make sure you are comfortable with your surgeon and the supporting staff like the nutritionist and nurse practitioner. Keep on establishing healthy habits like you are doing. Great going on starting the journey doing things to change your habits now. And so happy for you finally overcoming hep c. Losing weight to a normal bmi will hopefully stop any further damage to your poor liver! Keep on checking in.