Question:
I am 10 months out and had numerous complications...

and unfortunatley still going through the mill, so to speak. Let me start off with the good news, as I haven't posted anything since November or December. In April of 2002 I weighed about 340lbs. By September 18, 2002, my surgery date, I was down to 310lbs. I'm now fluctuating between 195lbs-210lbs. So in all since April 2002, I've lost 130lbs-145lbs, it boggles the mind!! I'm incredibly thrilled about that. It's been so much fun this summer putting on my shorts, t-shirts and tank tops, etc...from last year, and seeing how HUGE they are, and how "fluffy" I was (LOL)!! And the reactions of my neighbours starting in mid-May til now, does wonders for my ego!! One of my neighbours, had a bet with another neighbour that it was me they saw, not my sister (who weighs about 170lbs), so again ego boost, my self-esteem, which was little or none pre-op, is coming back in full force, and despite the complications, I would do it again. In October of 2002, I had my first of three wound infections. When I came back to the hospital with a second wound infection, my surgeon admitted me, and started me on two different antibiotics. Well I was also taking cumiden (a blood thinner) post-op, because I had 5 blood clots in my lungs in April, which did go away BTW, my doc wanted to be on the safe side, so I was told to take cumiden for 6 weeks post-op. The one IV antibiotic I was on just happened to make cumiden 5 times stronger. There is a blood test that they do, called an INR, to test the thickness of your blood, your level should be between 2-3 while on cumiden, mine went up to 10, so I had to get a plasma transfusion. I also had a couple of stricture problems, ulcers, and Irritable bowel sydrome made worse due to surgery, it is the one risk you take when having WLS. Between October and February I was readmitted 8 or 9 times. I had a terrible time eating anything for the first 5 months post-op. By the end of February I improved quite a bit, but my body was very weak from all of the complications. I started to regain my strength and then at the beginning of June I got kidney stones, they went away, and then came back 2 or 3 weeks later. They are gone now, but I'm still getting blood in my urine, and pain in my kidneys and bladder. I don't think the kidney problem is a post-op complication, but I think due to the complications I did have, it may have made me more susceptable(?), to infections, because I'm now on antibiotics for bladder and kidney infection. My urologist is sending me for a spinnal CT, as he thinks I could have a disc disease that is affecting my kidneys. I wanted to know if anyone else has had a similar experience with post-op complications, and how long did it take for you to feel yourself again, full of that post-op energy which seems to have bypassed me, and feeling physically that your body is stronger (a lean, mean, weight loss machine!!LOL) I really appriciate everybody's support, even if you have no answer. BTW, due to the extreme exhaustion from my complications etc... I just didn't have the energy to participate the way I would have liked to. Well take care and thanks in advance, Hugs, Marie    — Marie K. (posted on July 20, 2003)

July 20, 2003
I'd don't have any answers to you, but wanted to offer my best wishes in a full recovery!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 21, 2003
Hi Marie, sorry to hear the hard times you had to experience. I don't have no answerd for you either. I will pray for your recovery. Keep the spitit up. ~Hugs
   — Tove Annelise H.

July 22, 2003
I have no answers for you but what a courageous woman you are! Sorry to hear you have had so many problems. Try to keep your spirits up and maybe make some plans for better days ahead. Think of something youwould like to do that you couldn't before and keep that as a goal in your mind. It seems as though you are really trying hard to stay in charge of your health care - keep at it and be your own best advocate. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
   — Deborah F.