Re: Better Life

[Guest guest]

Hi & welcome! There are quite a few of us on the list now!

You will love the Grads, it's the absolute bestest list of all!

in NJ

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> Hi all! I'm new to the graduates group but I've been on the OSSG

group for over a year now. I had an open RNY on June 4th, 2002. I

was 285 on the day of surgery (297 at my highest weight) and I'm now

145.

>

> I had problems early on---my pouch was very sensitive so I couldn't

eat much of anything, and the things I could eat I could only eat

little bits. I couldn't eat meat comfortably (except ground chicken

or ground beef) for about 6 months, now I can eat any meat with no

problems. Two months out, I developed pancreatitis---which was very

painful but it cleared up soon after and I haven't had a re-

occurance. 6 months out I was having problems with my gall bladder---

they did ultrasounds, bloodwork and a HIDA scan and only found sludge

but that seems to have worked itself out because I haven't had

> any pain since December. The first 4 months were rough since my

pouch was so sensitive, I lost most of my weight in those first 4

months, but once Thanksgiving came around, I was able to eat most

foods with no problem, except I have to stay away from fatty stuff or

deep fried stuff because it causes me to dump badly. Sugars don't

really bother me anymore (which I kinda wish I didn't know, LOL!) but

I do have some lactose intolerance.

>

> I don't believe the WLS exhanged one set of problems for another---

yes I did have some complications early on, but my life is now

better, happier and much healthier!! My major problems pre-op were

terrible back and joint pain from carrying all that weight, my asthma

was terrible, I had plantar faciitis which made it nearly impossible

for me to go anywhere, I had no energy and terrible stress

incontinence (I have had 5 kids, so that was part of that problem)

and I am hypothyroid which is part of the reason why I got so heavy

in the first place--no matter what I did, I kept gaining weight, I

> couldn't lose weight if my life depended on it (and it did!) Now,

at 145 pounds, I have none of those problems anymore----they are all

gone--well, except the hypothyroidism, but its much easier

controlled. I am happier now than I've been my whole adult life---it

IS like a dream to me. Now, if only my hair would grow back as

quickly as it all fell out---things would be perfect, LOL! Not only

did this surgery save my life--because I was headed to some more

serious co-morbidities if I didn't lose weight, but it helped

> to totally improve my life--so yes, I do have a better life now!

>

> :-)

> Open RNY June 4th, 2002

> Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery

> Dr. Sonpal

> 285/145/where ever my body decides to stop!!

>