Re: my revision

[Guest guest]

Hi All:

Today is one month since my revision and I thought I would fill you all in.

To those who have been posting and wondering about me, thanks, and I am

sorry it has taken me so long. Lets just say that it has been quite an

adjustment from my original DS in 1999. I have also been going through a

very rough time emotionally and physically as I got a herniated disk in my

back about 5 days after I got home from the hospital, lost a very dear

friend, almost lost my Mom-again, and I got a bill from my 1999 surgery and

I have to pay $4000.00 within 30 days-ouch, as I

didn't expect it. I am sure I will have to pay that for this surgery also.

Not good since I am sending my daughter off to college. I am so sure that

this next month is going to be better, it has to, as it can't get any worse.

The surgery went fine as Dr. Gagner only needed to redo the intestines. My

stomach was 170cc, which I guess is about 5.5 ounces-pretty good for 19

months post-op. My intestines grew, and he told me they where longer than a

normal person who didn't have a DS. No wonder I was gaining. He took me down

to 50 cm, and said even if it grows back, it will never be as long as it was

again. God, I only pray he is right, as my body appears to be very weird. He

says I am his very first DS revision- boy am I the lucky one or what-LOL. He

didn't touch my alimentary limb, as he apparently discussed me with Dr.

Hess, and other surgeons, and felt it would not make a difference. As for

the weight, at 11 days post-op, I was down 19 lbs, BUT I was dehydrated, no

IV's for me although, as I have horrible veins, and had the darn thing

placed in my foot for surgery-after what seemed like a million pokes from

the anesthesiologist so as I pushed the fluids my weight went back up 8

pounds. I sat there for what seemed like forever, but today at 1 month I am

down 18 pounds and holding. I still have a about 7 pounds to go before I get

to the weight I was at with my original DS, but I am starting to get back

into my old clothes, which makes me so happy. I cannot wait to get back to

my water aerobics class, as I can tell my back and legs were more toned when

I did them.

As for the hospital stay, Mt. Sinai is still the same. The night I was

suppose to get real food, I fell asleep, woke at 8:00, only to be told they

forgot to give me a tray. I walked down to the canteen with my husband only

to find a Tuna sandwich and yogurt, which the though of make me sick. I was

told everything was closed, so I would have to have Jell-O or juice-again.

In the morning let me tell you, I was up early sitting at the edge of my bed

waiting and asking for my breakfast.

I am still sore if I bend over far, but only where the bigger incision is.

The biggest adjustment is spending so much time in the bathroom.OH MY GOD,

it is horrible at times. When I go to a store, I at least visit the restroom

2 times. I have the worst-loud BM's imaginable, not to mention smelly gas. I

have been taking the Devrom, which does seem to help the smell. I usually

cannot pass gas without having a orange oil spill, so every time its to the

bathroom just to be safe. I am now lactose intolerant also. I take pills, or

avoid dairy, as it gives me the worst stomach ache and gas. Onions do the

very same thing to me. My family was really starting to avoid me, and very

getting angry at me for the horrible smells, but I am trying so hard to

figure out what I can have and can't. What a price I have to pay to be

healthy. I know everyone is different, and having experienced my common

channel being both 100 and 50, let me tell you for me it is like night and

day. I much prefer the 100, but it just didn't work for me. I have had many

days so far that I have regretted doing this, where as with the 100, I NEVER

once did. I know I have a lot to figure out yet, and I am sure it is all

going to get better.

Hugs to all,

Patti

I forgot to mention that before the revision, I was having a hard time

eating food, getting it to stay down, but in surgery Dr. Gagner found

adhesions, removed them and I can eat good now, as long as it isn't too

fast.When they did the endoscopies, they didn't see anything wrong, so I

guess a lot of good did come out of the revision.