CrazyCatLady

I had just discussed this topic with fellow vets. All of us are at least 2 years out, and finding that we need a support system, but not finding the surgeon's groups helpful (as mentioned before, often seems to be a handful of folks with the same issues, etc). I would love to start a group for postops who are beyond that 18month honeymoon period, but not sure how to go about making it a helpful group as opposed to more of the same .

I had my sleeve in Mexico. The three abdominal radiology studies I have had in the States have all elicited comments from physicians about how small my sleeve is. I am not sure whether that was due to my particular surgeon, or my "very elastic" gastric tissue (my surgeon's commentary postop).

MichiganChic! Thank you so much....I could have written your post. We must share an inner monologue narrator (Mine is Janeane Garofalo, I swear!). I'm 5'7. I lost from 322lbs down to 175lbs (most days). The lowest I ever got was the day after giving birth to my son, I was 169lbs. Per BMI, I am still fat at 26.2. I wear Large scrubs (cause I have a huge pannus), and a size 12. I constantly feel like I am a BIG FAT FAILURE, and that I look worse now at this size that I ever did at a size 26. Unlike your doctors, I constantly get hounded to lose more weight. As a type 2 diabetic, my endocrinologist wants me in that sacred 'NORMAL' zone of 19-24 BMI, which I can't seem to hit for the life of me. My insurance offered to pay for Weight Watchers, since I obviously need it per the required health survey results. I just wanted to applaud your courage in speaking your thoughts. Thanks for showing some of us that we're not alone.

I had a patient come through my ICU recently that was nearly 4 years out, and her gallbladder had decided it was 'done' rather spectacularly, while she and her husband were on a cruise to renew their wedding vows. I have seen literature where post-op gallbladder complications can arise as far as a decade postop. Remember, the sleeve as a standalone procedure is still relatively 'new' in this country, we're still learning

I am coming up on three years postop. I have been evaluated by two separate plastic surgeons, both who suggest they can remove 5-8lbs of tissue from my abdomen alone (the one said 11lbs total with brachioplasty and a 'total body lift'). My goal weight was 185, and I have hovered between 170-175lbs for the past 18 months, even after pregnancy. I had a major complication after my sleeve (a usually-fatal portal vein thrombus), which has had lifelong consequences. At the same time, I constantly battle pressure ulcerations under my pannus, a nigh-unkillable yeast growth in my bellybutton, and the constant stress ill-fitting clothing. I would be self pay for any plastics, as even with my issues, my insurance doesn't pay for it. I did appeal, but my appeal was denied. So I have contented myself to another 30+ years battling infection and discomfort. I am glad you made it out of your particular complication in one piece. As an ICU nurse, I have seen my share of those who share your fortune....and those who do not. Thank you for sharing your story.

My hubby went down with me on his green card, no issues. They just wanted to see it and his regular (Canadian) passport.

I am two years postop...went from 46DD to a 36B. Yes, you read that right. Finally had to go to a "specialty" lingerie store to get fitted. I had a pladtic surgery consult - surgeon says I'd most likely be a 34B-A once all the sagging leftover tissue was removed. Seriously, I have to wear 2 bras most of the time because I just have empty sacks for breasts now. This has been the most depressing part of my surgery journey. Think I'll go cry in my ( cup now.

I was a type 2 diabetic prior to surgery 2 years ago. I had been in "remission", so to speak, not needing medication or treatment, up until about a month ago. I am now back to needing medical management. I was sincerely hoping to be one of those "cured" diabetics, but I guess it just wasn't in the cards for me.

I would rather have a great Mexican surgeon (which I did!) than an incompetant US surgeon. Having worked in a surgeon's office, I can tell you....you will never get 100% accurate stats. There is so much blame shifting to other professionals, the patient's compliance or body habitus, etc. Realistically, getting surgery complication stats are like asking your partner about how many previous sexual partners they have had - do you trust them enough to believe the number they are giving you?

I had been an active participant on VST up until a few days ago - just wanted to fill you in as to why. I was sleeved on April 16th with Dr Aceves in Mexicali, MX. Surgery went well for me and I had no major complaints, just the standard issues (drank part of my methylblue leak test on first day post-op too fast, got horrendous gas pain, etc). Was discharged on April 19th, where I drove the 4+ hours home myself. Felt fairly decent the first week out, though had some odd sensations : my abdomen would become puffy and painful if I consumed watered juices or Protein of any kind. I could feel stomach-like sensations in my upper left abdomen, I had some extensive soreness, However, I have a very high pain tolerance and just soldiered on. Thursday the 26th was the first day post-op I actually felt "good". Went for a walk, helped cook for family, was up and around. Laid down for a nap in the afternoon and was woken up by nagging left flank pain. As the night progressed, my left flank pain spread to both flanks, I developed dull low abdomen pain, my core body joints ached, I just felt terrible. Couldn't sleep, paced the floor most of the night, pain worsening. I kept rationalizing that I was probably just oversensitive. Finally, at 2 in the afternoon, I told my husband I just didn't feel right and that I was going to the ER. By this point, I was convinced I had either a kidney stone or a kidney infection - the left flank pain was stabbing and painful, my urine was tea colored and concentrated, I was so nauseated that I could hardly sip anything. But here's where things get fun: Because of my recent surgery, the ER doc decided to order a full abdominal and pelvic CT scan with oral and IV contrast (choking down that contrast was terrible). After many hours of waiting, the ER doc comes flying into my triage bay with that bad-serious look they get, and tells me, "You have a very rare (but not entirely unknown) complication of gastric surgery - you have a large blood clot partially blocking your portal vein at the hepatic junction. The radiologist on duty called the Head of Radiology at home to read your CT, and what he said to me was, "Is this patient now dead?" WTF - what we learned in nursing school is that PVT (portal vein thrombosis) is a condition that is generally not compatible with life. I admit I cried, rather ingraciously. I was admitted to the hospital friday night and am expected to be here a few more days, Since my admission, new things keep cropping up. My pancreatic enzymes are all out of whack. My nausea is barely controlled with IV push Zofran. They moved me up to dilauded for pain management....this is huge, I normally don't even take Tylenol! Over the last 24 hours, I started spiking cyclical fevers, my white blood cell count keeps going all over the place. I now have rebound pain in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen, so the hematologist suspects acute gall bladder attack - I'll be getting an abdominal ultrasound shortly. Two morals of the story here - complications can happen to anyone. I happened to have surgery out of the country, so I am certain someone will bring this up, but portal vein thrombi are rare birds no matter what. I have been in contact with Dr Aceves' office and they have been supportive through the entire process. Second - always follow your Spider Sense. If you don't feel right, get checked out. I could have died at home. Heck, I'm not out of the woods yet - hematology tells me I will need agressive management with blood thinners for the next 6 to 12 months, and there are no guaranteed outcomes. Just wanted to pass along were I've been. I will let you know more as I know more. Only good part of this? Abdominal CT showed my sleeve as perfect, no leaks or issues...just very tight

I got pregnant at 11 months postop, after a decade of infertility. No IVF, just figured we'd try on a whom and BAM! Pregnant on first cycle, lol. I am 18 weeks, lost 12lbs first trimester, then have regained 3lbs after MD threatened to put in an NG tube, grr...had to start eating simple carbs. Prior to getting pregnant, weight had been stable for 3 months. Nutrition hasn't been a problem, but holy crow...the all day long morning sickness has! Never had any nausea while pregnant with daughter 13 years ago.

It's been a few months since I posted; however, I remember reading the pregnancy threads with interest as a pre-op. Prior to my surgery, I had been infertile due to PCOS for many years, to the point of having less than 5 horrible, irregular periods each year. I had my sleeve done April 16, 2012, my weight on surgery day was 296 (down from 312 before preop dieting). By March 1St of this year, I had been holding steady at 180lbs since Christmas, with not much luck in losing more. I am 5`8 for reference. Around 220lbs, without medication, my periods returned with clocklike regularity - to the point of starting during the same two hour timeframe in the morning. Wow! In late March, I started losing weight without any other changes....and then found out I was pregnant. I knew within about a week of conception due to the onset of gutwrenching morning (read: all day) sickness, followed by crushing fatigue. This has been a total change from previous pregnancies at higher weights, which were much less symptomatic. As I had a major, life-threatening portal vein thrombosis after my sleeve surgery last year, requiring hospitalization on a Heparin drip, I called my hematologist with confirmation of pregnancy at 4 weeks. He placed me on Lovenox injections to be continued through my entire pregnancy and for a handful of months post delivery. Finding a OB who would take me on as a post Bariatric patient was a challenge. My normal OB chastised me, staying bariatric patients are incapable of carrying healthy pregnancies (which is patently false, by the way), and refused to care for me. After many interviews, including one with a midwife who told me I was fat and shouldn't gain more than 10lbs through my pregnancy, I found an intelligent OB who is attentive and knowledgeable regarding the unique needs of expecting post bariatric moms. I am currently 11 weeks, and pregnancy has not been kind to me. I have been on prescription antiemetics in order to stop vomiting, now IV Iron infusions due to anemia. I've lost a few lbs, now holding at 174. My injections had to be doubled due to already forming a clot in my leg. However, that being said....I yearly believe my sleeve gave me a chance for one last pregnancy. A chance I wouldn't have had otherwise.

I wanted to add my two cents. Prior to surgery, I had PCOS and infertility. My periods were never consistent, days varied....if they came at all. Went years without using chemical birth control, no pregnancies. Fast forward to a year post op...periods come like clockwork, down to the time of day I start. I take zero meds for PCOS management. Best of all, I got pregnant the first month we "tried", no outside help needed! So yes, if fertility is your goal...

I don't know how your experience has been going, but my OB has no idea what to do with a post bariatric patient. I tried two different dieticians, and they are stumped as well. The best answer I could get from a colleague from L & D was to try for at 15% increase in calories over what you customarily consume for the first two trimesters. A meal replacement supplement may be a good start, just watch the sugar

Didn't want to crash your thread..but want to wish you luck! I had my surgery with Dr Aceves 11 months ago - my experience was fabulous. As a RN and as a bariatric patient, I can't say enough good things about Dr Aceves, Dr Campos, and my whole experience at Hospital Almater. Best wish for a speedy recovery!

8 months out yesterday, my total lost comes to 127, lost since surgery is 111. I had been about 5 lbs lower, but I had a reaction to a vaccine, causing my adrenals and pancreas to overload...resulting in rapid, uncontrollable hypoglycemia. I now have to eat every 2-3 hours in order to stay functional, and I had to increase my carbohydrate intake in order to keep my blood sugar up. I have been at roughly the same weight for 6 weeks now. My PCP would like me to lose another 25lbs, but I don't know how doable that is. Before surgery, I was in a size 4x. Now, I am between XL and L. It's funny - I thought I was prepared to deal with my loose skin. However, I feel even more self-conscious now at 185lbs than I ever did at 312lbs. I have taken to wearing long compression sleeves under my scrubs, as my 'batwing' loose skin hangs down my arm under my sleeves, gets caught and is painful at times. My thighs ripple and jiggle under my clothes...I'm seriously considering some Spanx to hold things in a bit better. I am still having difficulty eating. On any given day, I will have at least one 'meal' where the food will not agree with me. It's never the same food, so I am having difficulty narrowing down what the cause is. I'll chew a bit or two thoroughly, and then get that 'oh dear God, it's stuck in my chest, I feel like I'm going to die' feeling for almost 30 minutes, where I become diaphoretic, nauseated, my pulse drops, etc. It's very distressing. I'm not sure what to do about it....but I have become very fearful of eating. I tend to avoid it and agonize over it. I have exactly one food that does not give me issues, and that is string cheese - resulting in me eating 2-4 pieces of string cheese every day. This is not good, but I'm not sure what to do about it. I am glad everyone is doing so well. Hoping the holidays find ya'll blessed.

As someone who had a massive post-op portal vein thrombus (clot), and as a nurse, I can tell you that there is ALWAYS a chance for clots post-surgery. Check with your surgeon as to their particular anti-thrombic plan. Plan to walk, walk, walk as much and often as you can during that post op period, make no excuses. Even with perfect care, things can happen, and that is certainly an aspect to come to peace with prior to surgery. Make no mistake - this is major surgery. As a side note - if you are on ANY form of chemical birth control, you need to discuss with your surgeon and PCP the possibility of going off of it several weeks prior to surgery. Despite discontinuing my method (weeks prior to my surgery date), my medical team now believes that was the catalyst that caused my body to form post-op clots. As far as leaks, perhaps someone else can chime in regarding their experiences.

Ever since my weight approached (and subsequently dropped below) 200lbs, I have had periods of multiple weeks where weightless halts. But often, I notice body changes despite scale inaction.

I loved them pre-op. Post op....my abdominal tyrant hates them. Your mileage my vary.

I have never met my protein goal in the 6 months since surgery. My goal is 80g per day...I have hit 55 a couple times with substantial effort. I have yet to find a protein shake of any type that does not give me the sharts. I am lactose and soy intolerant since surgery, so any dairy or soy is off my list. I have tried egg white, brown rice, and hemp proteins mixed in water, with no luck. In fact, most liquids give me uncontrolled diarrhea. I have seen two GI physicians to try to get resolution, but no luck. I have a few limited dietary proteins that I can tolerate. In fact, about the only thing that doesn't give me issues is popcorn...and even that, only about a cup's worth. I wish I could bump up my calories, but 700 is about the most I can get on any given day. While I appreciate the weight loss, I still regret this surgery, nearly half a year later. I have lost my hair and my health. My body is catabolizing my muscles to the extent that I barely have energy for work. I haven't been to the gym since pre surgery. This is not what I expected life to be.