Where do I start?

[her1981 448]

I feel like the VSG surgery really saved my life, not just because it's helping me to lose the weight I couldn't lose on my own, but because it uncovered a couple of health problems that had gone unnoticed in my regular checkups, even pregnancy.

During my vsg, the surgeon discovered a tumor on my stomach. They sent it to oncology and it was malignant. It was on the portion of my stomach that was removed, so it's no longer an issue, but I shudder to think what would've happened had I not sought the vsg.

Then, during the pre-op testing they discovered a staghorn kidney stone on my left kidney. I had to see a urologist and the stone is so large and the "horns" are so long that I have to have surgery to have it removed. The doctor wants me to get down to about 250 pounds so that he can safely do the surgery. Luckily, it hasn't damaged my kidney. Again, what would've happened if I hadn't gotten the vsg?

I also have gall stones, but the surgeon decided to leave my gallbladder as long it's not bothering me.

So, I'm grateful for my sleeve, but "angry" with my body. But then if I hadn't gotten so fat, I wouldn't have known about all these issues. I'm in a fog and feel overwhelmed by all of this. Can anyone relate?

[Mom26 313]

So glad they uncovered your other health issues. Scary to think what may have happened if you didn't pursue WLS.

Best wishes!!

[Sophie74656 1,572]

well it's good they found the tumor.

be careful with the gallstones. I had them years ago and I was told that the stones could clog the ducts to the liver and get infected and cause huge problems. Not to mention the attacks were incredibly painful (compared to child birth)

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

So, I'm grateful for my sleeve, but "angry" with my body. But then if I hadn't gotten so fat, I wouldn't have known about all these issues. I'm in a fog and feel overwhelmed by all of this. Can anyone relate?

Your response is right on. Always remember that, despite your anger, feeling betrayed by your body, frustration and whatever fears, you are better off. The negative emotions are a small price to pay.

To answer your specific question, yes, a few times through the years. The best I can suggest is not to dwell on the surprises; you don't want to see yourself as an invalid or victim. I imagine that you'll be following protocol due to the malignancy. You'll be taken care of for the rest. In between focus on losing weight and enjoying being yourself.

Laurie

[IncredibleShrinkingMan 437]

Well, it was while I was recovering from my first colonoscopy that I found out I had a polyp, and knowing that weight can be a promoter to many kinds of cancer that I decided there was yet another really good reason to get this done. On the same day, my dad found out that he had some stomach malignancy as a result of a procedure that resectioned his stomach many decades ago. Because of this pedigree, I will now have both an upper GI and colonoscopy each year, and I'm only 31. In that sense, I imagine that the surgery will keep me apprised of things that would otherwise have eluded me.

[her1981 448]

@ I'm 33, so I was just blown away.