Obesity Surgery WP Blog

Michele - Thanks for the link, I read your story and though like you say, you
had a
rough start, it sounds like you don’t regret having the surgery. I smiled at
you
stockpiling your vitamins and supplements before surgery because I’m fighting
that
temptation right now. I want to go to GNC and get some things but I keep
reading
that people’s tastes change after surgery. The vanilla protein powder that
tastes
great to me pre-op might taste yucky after surgery.
You look fantastic and you should be very proud of yourself. You have been
through a
lot and kept your composure and your good cheer.
Thanks for sharing your story. We pre-ops crave reading these stories!
(more…)

Hi there. I am 35 days post op (open RNY) everything ahs bee going great.
However, this past Friday, I got hit really hard, with what I’m assuming was
the flu. It practically had me in bed for 3 days. I’ve heard it’s been
going around. Well, I’m feeling much better now, but I’ve got a new
problem. While I was sick, I couldn’t eat anything…one day a got down 4
oz. of applesauce but that was it. Now, I know I need to replenish my fuel,
but I still have no appetite at all, food seems gross to me, and makes me
gag. For the past 35 days I’ve been anxiously awaiting the day that I could
start on soft foods, and that day is today…and yet I don’t want to eat
anything. Obviously, my energy level is way low. I need nourishment. Any
suggestions on how I can get my appetite back?
Jodi
Open RNY 1/30/01
245/ 211

Hi everyone, I have been doing research for the past couple of months
on surgery and I have decided to go ahead with it. My appt. for
consultation is in May and I am really nervous. I’ve been readig
different sites and posts from people who have done it already and
have lost a significant amount of weight. Now my question and my
fear is of the extra loose skin. No one speaks of what to do or what
they have done about this. I don’t want to finally lose weight then
gain another problem of sagging skin. I attribute this to someone
I’ve seen who had folds of skin falling over each other on her legs,
I was sick to my stomach. Please help with suggestions, I don’t want
this to be another reason for me to stay fat…What would I do to
prevent, tighten or remove the extra skin? Would your skin tighten
back as you lose weight? Please help.
Thank You

Hi everyone,
It seems a bit strange to post an 11-month follow-up. I’m not sure
how helpful it will be to others - as by 11 months, most folks have
learned how to deal with the ramifications WLS or have “thrown in the
towel” for good. However, there are a couple of things that might be
helpful to those still early “in their journey.”
Just to give you some perspective - my collar bones stick out a lot.
My ribs can be seen easily when I take a full breath. And, I can push
the hanging skin away and feel my pelvic bones. My bra size has gone
from 46DDD (bulging) to 36D (loosely comfortable). Thank goodness
that we can buy underwire support bras and control top pantihose.
Recently, I select elbow-length sleeves as my upper arms jiggle with
every move. (And yes, I have exercised 5-7 times a week for at least
9.5 of my 11 months post-op. I exercised before that - but not at a
gym.) The skin has shrunk some, but not enough! I have significant
(more…)

This is my first post. I read this list everyday! My husband Don and I will be
having open RYGBP on April 30, 2002. Let’s just say that our insurance okayed
our surgeries within 24 hours of our doctor’s visit (Dr William E. Roll,
Fairfax. VA). We attend staple club meetings (one in Woodbridge, VA the other
at Fair Oaks hospital - where our surgeries will be preformed) and are starving
(lol) for information. As we gather our knowledge, we have found some
conflicting information. A big question is how to take my 80mg of Prozac daily.
Once I read a question on this forum about how to handle the stuff (specifically
Prozac) and recall a reply that the outside (of a Prozac)is gelatinous and will
dissolve as per designed. - - - This just didn’t sit right with me. Heck,
everything going into my stomach was changing and my physiology/anatomy will be
permanently changed. I don’t need my brain to go bazook on me during my
adjustments.
So I called my Nutrition Consultant. Dr. Roll INSISTs on classes with her
before he performs surgery. BTW seems any reputable Surgeon would! Our
(more…)

I had open RNY on January 23, 2001. My bowel was perforated during surgery,
and I became terribly ill with peritonitis. Before I was able to come home I
underwent two additional surgeries, five weeks in the hospital, installation
of a colostomy, a total of 11 days on a ventilator and the experience of
hovering near death for almost a week. I was on IV fluids throughout that
time so I lost a lot of weight. Somehow it did not feel like an
accomplishment.
From the hospital I had to go to a nursing home for rehabilitation–to learn
to use my limbs after five weeks immobilized. Because of the multiple
surgeries my belly was not closed after the third operation. I was left with
a large open wound, 20cm by 12 cm, that had to be dressed three times a day
by nursing staff. They also tried to help me with the colostomy. But the
colostomy malfunctioned; I won’t describe the mess. By the time I was
discharged to home, barely able to walk, nursing the still open wound, and
sporting a leaking colostomy, I was deeply depressed. Zoloft does not perform
(more…)

Hi everyone,
You know, it seems a bit odd to be posting an eleven-month update.
My thought is, “Who in the world cares?” And then I read another
post from a pre-op who wants to know information about what WLS is
all about. And, my compulsive behavior “kicks in.”
So, I have lost 147 lbs in the last 11 months. I have quite a lot of
hanging skin on my upper arms, lower abdomen and thighs. I have a
smaller amount of hanging skin above my belly button and at the
bottom part of my tush. My boobs have gone from 46DDD (bulging) to
36D (comfortable). I have gone from a Size 26 to a Size 12 in
clothing.
In clothes (with a underwire support bra and control top pantihose)
that have 3/4 length sleeves, I look great. Since that is how the
majority of folks see me, I am becoming very comfortable around REAL
people in the REGULAR world. I have become a participant in life
(more…)

Okay ladies I have my 2 week check up tomorrow with Dr. Goldberg,
and need to ask: What did you do about your bra? My incision is so
high into breast area, I know that my bra will cut into the
staples. What did you do? Please let me know.
Lisa A. (WHMC)

Hi everyone, I have been doing research for the past couple of months
on surgery and I have decided to go ahead with it. My appt. for
consultation is in May and I am really nervous. I’ve been readig
different sites and posts from people who have done it already and
have lost a significant amount of weight. Now my question and my
fear is of the extra loose skin. No one speaks of what to do or what
they have done about this. I don’t want to finally lose weight then
gain another problem of sagging skin. I attribute this to someone
I’ve seen who had folds of skin falling over each other on her legs,
I was sick to my stomach. Please help with suggestions, I don’t want
this to be another reason for me to stay fat…What would I do to
prevent, tighten or remove the extra skin? Would your skin tighten
back as you lose weight? Please help.
Thank You

Hi Everyone! My name is Aly Davis and this is my first time posting anything.
March 11th will be my three month anniversary and so far things are going
wonderful.
The only problem I am having is that my body temperature is freezing all the
time. I am constantly putting on extra cloths to try and keep warm but nothing
helps. I was wondering if anyone might know what causes this and if anyone else
is experiencing it. Thanks.
Aly Davis