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Hey You! You know I'm thinking of you both. Keeping you in my thoughts all day today. Keep me posted. Sorry that you all are going through this again. Give him my best and my hubby wants me to say that he's praying for you as a caregiver. His walk wasn't as long, but his been in your shoes. Love <3

I've lost 92 lbs since April. I've have two ruptured discs in my back for more than 14 years. My PPC and I have controled that with medication. I also had a torn tendon in my right foot, which is almost normal with the weight off. My question is, has anyone noticed changes in their gait - the way they walk - which has affected your level of activity? I awoke last night to severe pain in my left upper glut/low back area and pain in my left leg. I ache almost constantly. I literally would like to run again soon. I used to be a runner. And the pain is keeping me from all out exercising. So have you noted changes in you gait? AND do you have suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Wow - some of you have done AMAZING!!! I'm actually six months out but due to complications I was on a 3000 calorie a day feeding tube diet for two months. So in four months of weight loss I'm at 77 lbs but still have a very long way to go. I am having a hard time fitting my workouts into my schedule (new promotion) but have started lifting 3x week. My building is three flights of stairs up and I just run up and down those now as often as I can, Feeling better each month! You'll have great success - enjoy the vaca.

I told anyone who asked. I had complications and was unable to work for 3 months but I told my supervisors, my colleagues and friends. When I did this I found that MANY, many people have had the surgery too and were willing to share their experiences with me.

Thinking of you both

For the PICC line, watch the nurse change the dressing, I walked my husband through it after I watched the nurses and it just needed to be changed weekly. I had a feeding tube for little over two months - but mine was inserted through the abdonminal wall to the intestine not down my nose. I could easily hide it under my clothes although I was" feeding" 16-22 hours a day, consuming 2100-2600 calories a day - thus no weight loss. My doctor is very cautious and had already removed the drains and tubes thinking there was no leak and tried to talk me into reinserting the feed tube to make sure my nutrition stayed on track - but I refused. Having it in had an emotional impact that I couldn't explain, having it out gave me mental strength. I have eaten steak, refried beans, tilapia, tuna, soups, yogurt, etc. I can't eat a lot - 3 oz at a time but I believe the natural protien is superior to the medical feedings for making me feel better and exercising. The hole will heal (doc promises) and it gets better daily. Your boyfriend's will too. I hope that he tolerates the stents. It is a very weird feeling but I had one in stomach and another anchored in esophgus (sp?) which is why it effected me so. I researched stents and they will help him eat and drink while leak heals. Again, good luck!!! Best wishes to you both.

My leak is still not healed although CT shows it to be microscopic in size. I am eating - I eat anything I want and work to get 50+ protien grams each day. Some days are obviously better than others and I HATE the slow eating mainly becausse hot foods are cold by the time I get to the 20 minute mark. Yes the fistula formed where the drain had been - funny the drain never drained anything so it was removed. The drain line formed the fistula. I think its interesting too. My body found a way. Of course, if drainage amounts change or pain develops the doctor says that I'd have to have more surgery (I've had five including putting stents in and then taking them out) and I also had a bile leak from the liver - they caught that one first (from gall bladder removal) but that healed within three weeks. My original surgery was April 25 - but the feeding tube kept me from losing weight - so I'm just starting my journey.

Hi there - you're very supportive and its great that you're asking questions and insisting that he keep going back. I too had/have a leak. Mine was caught about 10 days out - abscess had formed. They inserted a drain near the stomach and inserted a feeding tube directly to the small intestine, NPO. My doctor told me straight up that a stomach leak can heal on its own but can take up to six months. We tried the stents and I woke up from surgery vomiting and continued for 48 hours - when they removed them. My body has formed a fistula from the stomach leak to the surface of my stomach - it leaks very little and guaze bandage once daily catches everything. Some people tolerate stents and others do not. It sounds like your boyfriend does not. As I said, I didn't either. Good luck - keeping you in my thoughts.

You can do it. I was only allowed popcicles for more than 8 weeks. When will you be able to eat? From experience, the idea of eating is much more attractive than actually eating. Remember, once you can eat to go nice and slow and you'll be amazed at how quickly you're full. For me there is a wide disconnect on how I used to eat and how I can now (even though its just Phase III foods so far). Good luck!!!

I choose to have the sleeve surgery to help me become more healthy and active.Quite frankly, as I worked toward my next career goal, I was tired of seeinglooks of disgust as "the first impression." People accept me and myexpertise once they get to know me and my personality wins most people over -but those looks. And honestly, to achieve my goals I was going to have to bemore active. It wasn't possible at my current weight. I had my initial surgery on April 25, 2011. Vertical sleeve went smoothly thedoctor said. Problems occurred when they tried to take the gallbladder. Itresulted in a tear on my liver which allowed bile to leak freely into theabdominal cavity. A second surgery to repair the bile leak was performed 3 dayslater. Drains were inserted. I was sent home on the seventh day in thehospital. I want to say that the nursing care was top notch. I'm a good patient- not a complainer - and these men and women were outstanding in every way. I was at home for two days when I spiked a fever and had terrible abdominalpain. Saying this, I gave birth to four children, two without pain medicationand I would rate that pain at a 7. This was a 6. Wonderful husband took me toemergency (with divorced parents awaiting my arrival). They completed a CT scanand I was admitted. It seems I also had a gastric leak. Wow! My doctor said Iwas literally like one in a million. Another surgery was performed to clean theabscess that had formed on the outside of the leak. Drains were repositioned anda feeding tube was inserted through abdominal wall to small intestine. Theyalso inserted a PICC line. Skip ahead - end of June, my husband provides multiple IV medications each dayincluding flushing lines, feed tubes etc. The bile leak has healed and thedrain tube for that was removed (and healed quickly.) However, the doctor wantsto try stints for the stomach. I go in for surgery and two esophagus stints areplaced in me. I awake in recovery vomiting. The vomiting continues for twodays. Since I have taken no food or drink by mouth since my original surgery, Iam throwing up bile or just dry heaving. Another two days and they remove thestints. Instant relief. Doctor releases me and says I can have full liquids. Itake advantage of this and work as many wonderful new items into my diet aspossible. I begin soft foods a week ahead of doc's schedule but that egg whiteomelet with mushrooms was too good! They removed the drain tube for the stomach July11 and the PICC line on July 14just in time for my daughter's wedding on the 15th. I danced and was so happy -no visible signs of the journey. Today I still have the feeding tube althoughit is precautionary. I've lost 31 pounds to date. This week, the first withoutfeeding, I should begin to lose. I don't know that I would make the same decision again - but I've been toldI'll be happy in a year. I have started to apply for my next career move. I amso thankful for my husband. He meant "in sickness and in health..."and cared for me gently and completely. I am thankful that I've gained newfriends. I am thankful that I was able to attend my daughter's wedding and thatshe married an awesome man. This is my story - abbreviated. I hope that it helps others and I hope thatsomeone can recognize the struggles and chat with me.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;">