Lisa's Hope

Thanks to all for posting. It is so nice to hear from people that are actually at goal and maintaining! I sure hope to get there before my 2 year anniversary! All of you look awesome!

Thank you Lynda. I'm still fighting it. Spasm medication I'm on helps when I do get one. Still taking prilosec twice a day as well. I wish by some miracle it would just go away.... :/

OH my goodness. This is the first time I've read this thread. So sorry you had to go through this. How are you doing? I hope you are better!! I'm 19 months out and leaks can happen even up to 1 year. It is rare but it does happen. There was a gentle that took NSAIDS and drank alcohol and ended up with a leak at one year. We just have to be so careful and do everything the Dr's say but sometimes like in your case you did everything right and still ended up in HELL as you said. Praying for you and I hope you are doing better.

Thanks for commenting. Did you have the sleeve revised to gastric bypass? I guess I'm just so afraid to do this. My can eat and I do have it under control somewhat but my problem is esophageal spasms caused from the GERD.. well, they aren't really sure if that is the cause but most likely.

Hey Mary, There are two people on here that have had this done because of GERD. I too had my surgery in May 2012 and have terrible GERD and the same thing with the Pyloris not closing like it should. My surgeon wants to do RNY on me as well but I've said no. I can eat though and keep things down. I still take PPI's and carafate. Also, I'm having esophageal spasms which are horrid!! Hurts so bad. I can eat though and I'm not losing anymore weight. I wish I was!! I had EGD's which showed gastric reflux, bile reflux, and gastrits. There are two other people I know of on the May 2012 Sleevers on facebook that are having issues with relfux and may have to revise. I'm scared too. I don't want to do this but in your case which is worse than mine, you may have too. Go to gastric bypass complication forum and you can read the thread by Niki who had bypass from sleeve for this issue and another girl.. not sure of her name either but there are threads there. It may be "GoldenGirl"..I'm sorry.. I'm just not sure. Hope you get better. Keep us informed how you are doing.

I remember reading your blog. I hadn't had surgery at that time. I'm 18 months out. I still have yet to get to goal even after losing 128 pounds. I will get there though. Nothing happening with the weight loss though since 1 year. I was sleeved on May 21, 2012. I've had some problems with GERD, bile reflux, and esophageal spasms. Not fun at all. Seems alot of people that were sleeved at the time I was is having problems with this. So good to know you are doing well. Thanks for your blog. It helped me alot when I was pre op! Merry Christmas!

You look amazing! Congratulations!!

Yeah I'm sure I would feel better if they could get my bp up too! Also, a little side note, it seems as if my kidneys are shutting down now...no urinating and they hurt and they've taken a urine spec but no word on it yet...also, we have a major storm coming in tomorrow so if I don't leave sometime in the morning/early afternoon I may not get to until Sunday evening. Which is fine but not optimal...I'd take well over not well any day i just miss home and wish I was there. Plus my daughter is with me and she needs to go home to her own family. My husband is having to work because I've taken all of his vacation days this year and he has none left. He worries about me too while I'm here and he's not. Oh well, I rant too much these days in the hospital...I'm sorry! Like I said before, I'll just take it one step at a time... You don't rant too much! That is what we are here for. We have a ice and snow storm as well coming in right now. Where are you Niki? Sorrry to hear about this kidney thing. I just know that everything is going to be ok. Still praying for you. Hope things are better today.

I've never heard of that before. What exactly did they do? What happened to the sleeve?

You have been through so much. I often think of you and how you are. I'm going through the same terrible GERD issues and very PAINFUL spasms. Did the surgery work for your GERD. Does that feel better? My surgeon is pushing me to do this RNY and I'm fighting it. Hope you feel better and are on your way to a 100 percent recovery.

While "fantastic" wasn't the first word that came to mind, I am still appreciative that they are both treatable! My doctors did test me for thyroid but not the Addison's until I went to a cardiac doctor then got referred to an endocrine doctor. But I also didn't know that with one usually comes another, so thanks for that. Hopefully things will turn around for me soon. Niki, I too have thyroid issues. I have been diagnosed with "Graves Disease". In 2007 I had my thyroid ablated because of hyperthyroidism. Now I take synthroid to regulate things. They can give you synthroid and your blood pressure and heart rate will rise and you will feel so much better. I was hyper so I my BP and HR were too high and that is why they had to kill it. So now I have a dead gland in my throat! lol You having hypothyroidism, it is easily fixed and with meds. I hope that is the case. Graves Disease is a autoimmune issue as well. Wishing you the best. I know you are on the road to recovery. You will feel better once they start giving you meds. Did the Dr. say they would start you on synthroid? Hi Lisa...they actually haven't technically told me what the disease/disorder is but that's because they're putting it on the back burner until I can get the Addison's disease and the blood pressure issue taken care of. But they did tell me that when they do they'll start me on Armour. So I don't know much about any of this until my docs appt on the 11th. Right now I'm just trying to get out of this hospital. Thanks for the well wishes! You're welcome! I'm not doctor but I would think they would start you on those meds now to help your BP and HR. Armour is good as well. Actually heard the sides effects are less and it works better for some. I'm sure you are ready to get home. I would ask the Dr. about this though if I were you. Just a suggestion. It may help you get out sooner if they can get your BP up. Looking forward to reading your post that you are home! Take care

While "fantastic" wasn't the first word that came to mind, I am still appreciative that they are both treatable! My doctors did test me for thyroid but not the Addison's until I went to a cardiac doctor then got referred to an endocrine doctor. But I also didn't know that with one usually comes another, so thanks for that. Hopefully things will turn around for me soon. Niki, I too have thyroid issues. I have been diagnosed with "Graves Disease". In 2007 I had my thyroid ablated because of hyperthyroidism. Now I take synthroid to regulate things. They can give you synthroid and your blood pressure and heart rate will rise and you will feel so much better. I was hyper so I my BP and HR were too high and that is why they had to kill it. So now I have a dead gland in my throat! lol You having hypothyroidism, it is easily fixed and with meds. I hope that is the case. Graves Disease is a autoimmune issue as well. Wishing you the best. I know you are on the road to recovery. You will feel better once they start giving you meds. Did the Dr. say they would start you on synthroid?

So happy for you Niki! You're on your way to better days!!

Thinking of you Niki. Praying for a good outcome!

Thank you so much for the kind words and thoughts...I really appreciate it! I'm hoping that Tuesday will bring some answers and relief! I will keep you posted! Thinking of you Niki. Praying for good results and answers on Tuesday.

Thinking about you Niki! I'm glad you posted today. I sure hope things get better for you!! I go tomorrow to see another Dr. I usually see my surgeon for everything but tomorrow I'm going to see a gastroenterologist about my severe Gerd and spasms. I going to show him all the tests that I've had which states severe bile reflux, gastritis, spasms. Hopefully, he will try and help my spasms with botox. That is what I'm aiming for!! I need help from someone! You would think all of this crap I'm going through would push my weight loss but noooo I can't have it that good. It won't budge. Please keep us informed. Praying for you!

It is ok Nickie. That is what this forum is here for! ASK away! We may not be able to answer you correctly but I will try to help! I do think you should see someone. I'm happy you don't have a fever. When I was talking about a leak, I thought you still had your fever. It is a very good sign you don't. Good luck and let me know how you are doing! I will follow this post and don't you think you can't come here and ask questions because you can!

Oh my goodness! No, you can definately have a leak even a year out. Not likely that far out but you can. I've read of a couple. You are mostly safe after 6 to nine months. You must go to the ER if you are still having fever. Do you hurt in your shoulder or anywhere on your right side? I worry about this for you. I so don't want to scare you but this is something that has to have immediate attention.

I would think you have an inbalance somewhere. If you haven't had your labs checked, please do that. You need your B12 levels, Vitamin D, potassium, Calcium, magnesium and complete CBC workup. I'm not a Dr so I'm just going by what I've been having checked every 6 months. I'm sure your endocrinologist checked your thyroid?? TSH? T3 T4? I'm surprised they didn't do a complete blood workup on you? Did the cardiologist do a stress test, echocardiagram? I just noticed you said you were a nurse. I'm sure you know all of this. Hope you feel better soon!!

I think you have a leak. I would definately see your surgeon right away. I'm not sure why the Dr's you are seeing are saying they don't know what is going on. If you have liquid outside the stomach, that is most likely a leak. Not trying to scare you but please see someone ASAP. God Bless honey!

Thinking of you. How did your surgery go?? Hope you are on your way to a full recovery! I may be facing the same surgery. Please let us know how you are when you are up to it! God Bless!

Wow... sorry you are having so many problems. I don't like the Protein powder either but I really like the ready made shakes. I really do suggest that you try to at least drink your calories so you won't get sicker! I recently started buying the "Six Star" Protein Shakes from Walmart and they are cheaper than most. 4.98 for a four pack. I like mixing the French vanilla with a little coffee and maybe adding some creamer. It is really good over ice. The chocolate is good too. I would also suggest that if you can help it don't exercise if you aren't able to give your body the protein it needs to function. If you aren't getting enought protein, the heart suffers. I too had my gall bladder out in March. I'm 18 months out and I have severe GERD and esophageal spasms but I am able to eat but I've noticed my GERD is worse since the surgery. I have bile reflux as well. My stomach hurts all the time. I go to see a gastroenterologist on Tuesday. Hope he can suggest something! What does your surgeon say? Has he done an EGD to see if everything is ok? Hope things get better for you. Please try to drink you calories if nothing else! God Bless

I think people are just trying to be nice. When we had this surgery, surely we knew that people were going to notice. I'd lot rather get compliments for my hard work than be invisable to people like before. I've lost many pounds in my life time and I've always welcomed the compliments. Getting them always encouraged me to keep doing well. There is no way we can lose weight and NO one notice. I guess I'm wondering how it would be if NO one said anything at all. I'm 18 months out and very close to goal. Believe me the compliments will stop and people will begin to accept the new you as "normal". I say enjoy this while you can. Just my opinion. I have to ask. Didn't you realize before you had this surgery that people were going to make comments? Of course we all have this surgery to be healthier but the change happens so fast since the weight comes off so rapidly in the beginning that people are going to notice. I may be different than most but I don't mind the attention.

Before surgery, I said to myself that I didn't think I would want plastics. Now, I know I need it. I really need a tummy tuck and breast lift so badly. I'm so envious looking at pics of people that have had this done and how much it has changed their appearance. It would be such a blessing to have breast and a tummy that doesn't sag. The front of my body looks so wrinkled and deflated. I use to think it was about envy and vanity. But now I know it is a very important part of this journey. I'm still very happy with what I've accomplished but just wish I could have this surgery. Some are having this done at a lot less weight loss than me and with a 128 pound loss you can just imagine how I look underneath my clothers. I am still paying on my wls so I definately have to get that paid off. I sure don't want to wait that long but I have no choice. Oh well, maybe one day. Thing is... most that are having surgery, insurance pays for it. NOT my insurance of course!! Our premium is 1300 dollars a month that my husbands employers pays but they won't pay for anything like this. Not fair! But oh well most of the time life isn't fair.

I've noticed myself getting slack lately. Not sure if it is the time of the year or just ALL the stress I'm under right now. I can't seem to lose anything and haven't since May. Tried the 5.2 diet and I've not been able to stick with it. Got on the scale this morning and I'm up 2 pounds. I know that doesn't sound like a lot but I know if I don't change something, I will continue to gain. I have to admit I've become addicted to coffee with all those yummy flavorful creamers you can put in it. I like iced coffee (expresso) more than anything and I'm addiced! I try sugar free and it just isn't the same so here I am again. A sugar addict. Sugar was always my downfall when I was 294 pounds and I can tell it is getting its claws right back into me again. I have to do something. Also, not to forget that coffee is bad for my stomach lining and reflux I've been having so many issues with lately. UGH... It is like being addicted to crack!! I really need to break this cycle. I feel awful. I want to get to goal so badly. I have to start logging my food again in my fittness pal and eating more regularly. I can go all day just on Protein shakes and coffee and eat one meal at night. It isn't healthy for me and it is making me gain. I'm so glad you all are here. It helps me so much to read post and know I'm not alone. Not much support anywhere else. Thanks for being here!!