Born in Missouri

Hoping for some more music links from you guys...

I had my bypass in 2018. Many foods still don't taste the same. My sense of smell and taste never really returned. That alone is worthy of mourning.

I have a problem getting enough Protein and calories. I am currently suffering from anemia (my hemoglobin had dipped to 5.2 at one point, requiring hospital admittance and blood transfusions.) The cause was determined... two ulcers slowly bleeding out.

Eating is a chore... very little pleasure left.

Yes, the ulcers were definitely the culprits. I had an EGD (upper scope) to confirm it. I was slowly bleeding out. The weekly IV-iron infusions haven't shown any rapid results. I've been told that this is a slow process and could take weeks, if not months, before my labs are in ideal ranges. My hemoglobin is no longer in the fives. It is only in the eights, but that's progress.

I am still dragging. No energy. I am a food pantry volunteer. I also provide transportation to at least three families who don't have a car. A homeless man named Gordon relies on me to help him with enough Water and protein-rich canned food for the week. My husband keeps telling me that I can't help anyone unless I help myself (heal) first. It's hard for me to do that. It was during one of these pantry trips that I passed out in the parking lot (while in the lineup car queue for assistance). I hadn't been diagnosed at that point, so it was quite scary. Fortunately, one of the families I pick up for was with me. Who knows what would have happened had I been alone...

I have other conditions that helped to mask the problem. For one, I have Hashimoto's, a common thyroid disorder. I was used to being fatigued from that. I am also a chronic pain patient and take heavy doses of morphine, so I am used to being in pain (and anemia hurts.)

My daughter is a PharmD and two of my three sons are M.D.s so I have plenty of support and knowledge in my corner. My primary doctor is also my youngest son's medical school classmate. She is like a daughter to me... Which just goes to show that a person can have all these medical types in your life... and STILL succumb to something like this.

I'm so happy that you guys were able to use the site to honor your journey through music. My only mistake is introducing you to something that is definitely addictive... but in a good way, I think. What's so wrong with being creative and having a little fun in the process?!!

There are many ways to tell one's story. I found a website that allows you to write your own lyrics, pick the kind of music you want and... create a song. Try it! I've already found other bariatric patients who have composed their own music there. Suno.com

After you create your own song, post it here!

I had an incarcerated umbilical hernia a year or so after my gastric bypass.

The hernia (protruding abdominal tissue) became trapped (incarcerated) and, so, could no longer be pushed back into the abdominal cavity. This reduced the blood supply to the section of my trapped intestine which was not only painful but would have resulted in tissue death if nothing was done.

Infection could have then spread throughout my abdominal cavity, causing a life-threatening situation.

I had emergency surgery to treat this problem. The surgeon used a mesh, I believe.

This was not something I was able to ignore. The pain was unrelenting. Nothing relieved it. I knew I had to go to the ER.

1. Iron Deficiency and Anemia 10 Years After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Severe Obesity

2. Iron Deficiency After Gastric Bypass Surgery

3. Risks of Bariatric Surgery: Anemia

4. Anemia After Bariatric Surgery: More than Just Iron Deficiency

5. Hematological Disorders following Gastric Bypass Surgery: Emerging Concepts of the Interplay between Nutritional Deficiency and Inflammation

I had a gastric bypass about 6 years old. Fast forward to today. I was recently hospitalized with severe anemia (hemoglobin 5.2). I had to have emergency blood transfusions. I'm still receiving weekly IV-iron infusions (8 weeks). I am also deficient in several nutrients despite taking my bariatric Vitamins. My bariatric surgeon figured out the reason for the anemia. Two ulcers detected by an EGD (upper scope). I was slowly bleeding out. At one point, my family thought I was falling asleep... when I was really passing out. Anemia hurts. Your whole body aches. Recovery is slow... the fatigue is unreal but I'll get there.

Do your research locally. I found a very competent bariatric surgeon close by. He even taught other surgeons how to do many of the procedures.

Being far from home, especially when things seem so new and different, is probably not a good idea. It sounds like you have your heart set on these two doctors. May I ask why?

Have you fulfilled all the pre-op requirements (usually insurance carrier requirements)? The requirements are often different depending on the insurance company, the doctor---maybe even the state. (Michigan must have many fine doctors to chose from.)

I'm starting to equate my gastric bypass with my four childbirth deliveries. I know I was there and went through everything, but I have a hard time remembering all the details.

I just know that I am happier, healthier, and a lot thinner after having my gastric bypass. My only ongoing complaint is that my sense of smell and taste never returned to my pre-surgery status.

Maybe that was it... the hostile environment around here. I didn't like the in-fighting among people who should have been more supportive of one another and nonjudgmental. Some people just gave off toxic bully vibes, while others insisted on being the center of every conversation-- plus being the only voice that mattered. Who needed that?!

It appears that many of those folks have moved on or were escorted to the door. At any rate, I look forward to reacquainting myself with the site, and to making new friends who may benefit from the support of those of us who may have relevant bariatric experiences to share.

I left this site abruptly two years ago (I no longer remember why). Has anyone else disappeared and then returned? I think I was curious. Did I still need the support of like-minded people who'd be able to empathize with any issues that surrounded my gastric bypass? I think I also miss the socialization. Can anyone else relate?

Sadly, I need to refresh myself with the settings and the how-tos of the site. Forgive me if I accidentally break bariatricpal while trying to reclaim my "skills."

I, too, read your entire post. Never apologize for too many words or thoughts. We get it. Like some of the others, I wish I had something comforting to say that would be of benefit to you. All I can offer is my empathy for your struggle. I have a sparkly magic wand, but it no longer works. I got cheated by those stupid Dollar Store people!

Are you afraid that you won't wake up? I often look forward to the anesthesia. Silly, I know. I play this game with myself. I will myself while they are about to put me under that I refuse to "fall asleep." I always end up in the recovery room, diappointed that I lost. It is so instantaneous. You are out before you can even think about it. My issues are with being strapped down or my movement being restricted in any way. (A history of childhood sexual abuse.) I always request that I not be strapped to the table until AFTER I am unconscious. That's just my thing.

Perhaps your fear is with all the prep and questions asked of the nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist. Admit to them that you are anxious. Sometimes they can give you something ahead of time to reduce that anxiety. Play a more active part in your experience. Be honest about your worries. I would never downplay or discount anyone else's fears. I have plenty of my own fears. Some of them are irrational, some less so.

I hope I have been helpful in some small way. I also hope that when you return you will let us know about how your experience turned out. The thing that brought me back to this site is the caring and understanding by people who've been where we've been and understand/empathsize with our struggles.

I have them. All of them. I can afford to have them as well. I understand the differences between calcium citrate and Calcium carbonate. I use sublingual B12, etc. My daughter is a PharmD. Both of my sons are MDs. I often have vit D levels in the single digits, which is why I've been given 50,000 units of vit D by my endocrinologist. I'm lax on my anti-depressants as well. I'm not sure why it's this way. I know I should be taking them. I just don't feel motivated. I doesn't help to come here and not be honest. I know I should make the effort. Why did I go through all this just to endanger my health at this point? My current weight is about 189. I have yet to reach my goal of 150, which was probably unrealistic. All that skin and the kangaroo pouch from four pregnancies are here to stay. Don't get me wrong. I consider pregnancy-related scars and bulges to be the price a woman pays for amazing children. I hope that doesn't sound too corny. I fear I am rambling. I have not logged in here for a while. I even had to refresh my memory as to when I got my surgery.

I don't enjoy eating anymore. The only thing I can seem to eat or even taste is

Campbell's Vegetable Soup. I am not keeping up with my Vitamins. I weigh

around 180lbs, down from 303. I don't regret getting my bypass but I thought I'd

be at a different place.

Have you been tested for Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

I didn't know what weight goal to set for myself. Initially, I came up with 130, but after considering that I've had four children and that my body has been through a lot, I asked my doctor for his opinion. He came up with 150.

I honestly don't know how much I weigh now because I haven't weighed myself in over a year. I no longer "track" my weight and I am better off for it. My body has its own schedule and I'm just along for the ride.

What I hear is... I am trying so hard. That's the best any of us can do. Don't be so critical of yourself. Be happy about your all of victories (little and big) and don't dwell on the other stuff. You will have good days and not so good days. Make the most of them all!😀

Do you have any known thyroid disease? I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and I noticed that I had similar symptoms (that got worse) post-gastric bypass. Perhaps there is no correlation, but it's one possibility.

Let common sense be your guide.

Which procedure did you have?

Are you aware of which forms of Vitamins and minerals to take and which are most readily absorbed?

On 10/23/2019 at 8:25 PM, Arabesque said:

I’m sorry you are having this experience. Deciding to have WLS is not easy and you should expect your team to be supportive and encouraging. Everyone in this forum will tell you there is no one size fits all (no pun intended) in this process though I can see benefits in a general introduction to the basics of the process in a group class before your individual appointments.
Yes, in Australia it is different and each doctor has their own requirements. Mine requires his patients to visit a dietician before surgery and regularly for at least 12 months post surgery. A much younger friend went to a different doctor and only had to see a dietician once. She is struggling post surgery with her food, trying to take the easy route of takeaways and frozen meals & wonders why she is in pain & vomits a lot. My doctor also recommends therapy but considers each patient’s weight gain/loss history & personal history before making the recommendation. He said I didn’t need to but provided a list of therapists I could see if i wanted pre or post surgery.
My dietician isn’t very good but better than the one I went to years ago who told me I didn’t eat enough. Consequently I put on weight seeing that one - thanks a lot. This one asks what I eat (I just tell her my basic menu), what I weigh and that’s it. Five minutes & I’m gone. No information about calories, macros,... I rely on my own research ( God bless google & this forum) and a friend who had the surgery 12 months before me.
Be patient, keep calm, breathe deeply when attending meetings with your team and follow the steps. Keep up your own research & this forum. Don’t let your frustration with this pre surgery process hinder your surgery. You won’t regret it. Good luck.

Wow, seeing that you're from Queensland, triggered a memory of one my first penpals some 40 or so years ago. I can still remember her name (Christine Crump) and where she lived (Townsville).

Tell these cogs what they want to hear so you can move things along. Believe me, they are pathetic nobodies in the big picture.

I hate that these ego-starved "professionals" are dragging you down, and making you feel unsure of yourself.

Trust your own better judgment and remind yourself that you know you and they don't! Get a good raincoat and let everything they say roll off of you. Feed yourself a daily dose of positive affirmations (no matter how corny) to counteract their barbs.

You sound like a sensible and centered person. Don't let others make you feel less about yourself or your goals. And keep coming here. Vent, vent, vent.

I am also currently boobless. And to think my breasts used to be overflowing with breastmilk, so much so that I donated a lot of my milk to a milk bank at a local children's hospital.

Give your body time to correct itself. Losing 112 pounds sounds about right to me. Rejoice.

I've lost over 130 pounds since June of 2018. We all lose at different rates. I still suffer from body dysphoria, though. Still see a fat person. Still shop for a fat person. Still wear large, baggy dresses that a fat person might wear. How about you?

I've never been knowledgeable about bra-buying either. I don't want to spent much and I rather hate the idea of looking like I have booby assets that I do not. I'm not terribly troubled by the lying aspect about it, but I do feel uncomfortable walking around with a flat chest with an ill-fitting dumpty-lumpy garment that doesn't even look natural. Looking foolish is worth than appearing flat chested.

Would anyone be able to recommend an inexpensive bra that doesn't look like a Madonna reject? I've also hated the feel of wearing undergarments, period. If I had my way, I'd go totally commando but I find it trashy to wear a dress without a proper slip. Go figure.