potpieiii

I was sleeved on Oct. 1st and did good for the first week. The second week I started to go downhill ...quick. I had extreme pain in my lower back and right side near my ribs. I just assumed it was gas pain combined with my already low pain tolerance. Finally, the pain got so bad, and so constant, I checked myself in to the Emergency Room at the nearest hospital. There, they discovered I had blood in my urine, and ordered a CT Scan. Almost immediately after the CT Scan, the doctor came back and told me they discovered blood clots in a very unusual place: the arteries going from my spleen and my liver, as well as my lungs. I spent the night in the hospital and the kept me on an anti-clotting drug called Coumadin, and dilaudid for pain. They paged my surgeon who came in first thing the next morning to tell me he had been brainstorming with numerous other doctors on what went wrong and what could be done to save my life. He told me the hospital I was currently at did not have the team of doctors nor the medical equipment necessary to help me. So I was immediately transported by ambulance to another hospital in Denver. To say the least, I was TERRIFIED. Immediately upon arrival at the new hospital I went straight to the ICU where my husband and grandmother were waiting. They spared no time in getting me prepped for the first of three surgeries to remove the clots. I remember only bits and pieces after that. Mostly just the extreme pain, and fear. I remember being so weak, and my husband and grandmother stayed by my side the entire time. (Backstory: my grandma raised me, so she is more like my mom.) My husband brushed my hair, held my hand while they poked me endlessly with needles, and even brushed my teeth. One memory I have was right after my second surgery, and being so afraid, so I asked my grandma to hold my hand. Thanks to God and my team of doctors, upon completing the third surgery, all blood clots (with the exception of the one in my lung) were removed. I was then able to get out of the ICU and into a private room. Then the hardest part began: finding out why this happened. Every day for two weeks they drew blood two, sometimes three, times per day; sending the samples to various places around the country for testing. Finally, they found the answer. I am part of 2% of the nation that is a carrier for a genetic mutation/blood disorder called Prothrombin 20210a. I'm 31 years old and have never had any symptoms. But the only way of knowing about this genetic mutation would have been for me to have genetic testing done prior to surgery (which is extremely expensive and most health insurance companies do not cover that). Also, six years ago I had surgery to remove my gallbladder and had ZERO issues. The moral of the story is this: There are risks for any surgery. It's not my surgeon's fault, it's not my own fault. It it what it is. Would I go through the surgery now, even knowing about my blood disorder? I would have to talk to my surgeon to see if, knowing my problem, there would have been any precautions that could have been taken to avoid me almost losing my life, or see if my surgeon would even think I could be a candidate for the sleeve surgery. Bottom line is, I'm happy to be alive. I'm happy to be blessed with so many people that love and care about me. Just know that no matter how much planning we do, there are always risks involved.

Thanks everyone! :-) I definitely learned to listen to my body and if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

Count me in! Newbie though, just sleeved on October 1st. CW 255 Goal for Thanksgiving 245 Here goes!

I'm 31 years old, 5'7". Date of surgery: October 1st, 2013 HW 291 SW 278 CW 258 So far I haven't seen any difference in my clothes though. :-( So that troubles me.

You go girl!!! Congrats!! You look beautiful!!

I'm 12 days post op and feel pretty horrible. I have terrible gas pains, feel weak, and struggle to get my protein in. My doctor has me on clear liquids for 3 weeks post op and I just can't stand the clear liquid protein drinks. On the bright side I've lost 25 lbs. But its hard to be happy about that when I feel so terrible. I just keep wondering "when does it start to get better?".

Omg wow! You are inspiring!! Good job walking!!

I'm 10 days post op and my doctor has me on clear liquids for 3 weeks post op. So far the only protein drink I can find that meets the requirements my nutritionist has given me (less than 15g carbs, more than 11g protein) come from Isopure. And I LOATHE Isopure, every flavor. I'm worried that my complete lack of energy is coming from my lack of protein, but I just can't seem to make myself sip something so horrible. So I've just been focusing on keeping hydrated. But I think I'm sabotaging my own recovery. Does anyone have any alternatives to Isopure? Or should I be ok for another week and a half just staying on top of getting my liquid in? I'm starting to get really depressed about this whole situation. :-(

Wow that's awesome! How long ago was your surgery?

I just ordered to unjury chicken broth right now. I hope it gets here quick lol! That sounds lots better. I ended up taking the Isopure back to Vitamin Shoppe and they were cool about it and refunded me for every bottle as long as it was unopened.

I just got a sample of that. But I wasn't sure if I could use that yet til I talk to my doctor on Monday. I'm hoping that will work and taste better. :-) Thanks!!

Congrats!! Looking great!!

Does it go away? I know I'm not physically hungry, but seeing commercials for food or hearing about food is driving me crazy! I am only 2 days post op, and really wasn't expecting this to be such a constant challenge. I know there is no way I could actually eat a cheeseburger right now, but I'm still craving it like crazy. Is anyone else experiencing or has experienced this?

Thank you everyone for your input! I'm now 4 days post op and its getting easier. Weird how the last 4 days has really made me come to terms with my addiction to food.

Hello :-) Everyone is doing amazing and you are all so inspirational! I'm 31 years old, and 5'7". My highest weight was 290. I did a 10 day pre op liquid diet and on my date of surgery (which was Oct. 1st) I weighed 278. I haven't weighed myself yet since I'm only 4 days post op. Figured I'll wait til my first post op appointment on Monday to see if I've lost anything yet.

That is awesome to hear! How long ago were you both sleeved?

Congrats!!! You look fabulous!!!

Was sleeved on Tuesday, October 1st. Just got home from the hospital late last night, so today really feels like my first day at home. I must say, the one thing I miss most about actually being in the hospital is the iv pain killers. My right side is where my largest incision is, and, according to my surgeon, is the incision they pulled my stomach through, and it is just really REALLY painful. I know everyone's different, but about how long did it take y'all to start feeling human again? Anyone else have this kind of pain post op?