introduction

[Guest guest]

Hello! Just wanted to send an email to introduce myself. My name is Stacey

and I had Laparoscopic RNY on 5/21/02. My start weight was 294 and my BMI

was 50.5. As of my one year anniversary, I am down 115 lbs., 29 lbs. away

from my goal weight of 150. My current weight is 179 and my BMI is down to

30.7. I started in a size 30 pants and 4x tops. I now wear 14/16 and L/XL

tops.

I did have a few complications from my surgery. I developed a leak which was

discovered on day 2, had to have a second lap surgery that day to place

drains and a feeding tube and spent 10 days in the hospital " waiting " for

the leak to heal on its own. I spent 5 of the days in ICU due to having a

second surgery and later due to breathing difficulties. I was allowed

nothing, not even ice, until the very last day. After I got home I had to

keep the drains and feeding tube for a few days. I had developed fluid on my

lungs and anemia while in the hospital, so I spent several weeks sleeping in

the lazy boy recovering. It took me about 2-3 months before I was actually

able to say it was all worth it. Of course, now that I have had time to see

all of the benefits and changes in my life both physically and emotionally,

I would do it all again without hesitating. I have a friend who had worse

complications than me that answers that question " where do I sign up? " and I

totally agree with her now.

Anyway, that's my story. I'm glad to finally be able to be a part of this

group and to hear about more of the issues facing longer term post ops. My

biggest issue right now is fighting those old eating habits that are

creeping back up..like wanting to munch on potato chips and snack foods, and

getting complacent about getting my protein and vitamins in. Anyway, thanks

for listening to my story!

Stacey in Alabama