Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

It's been a long time now since I had the gastric bypass. I've lost 187 pounds. I lost most of the weight in the first couple of years. I slowly regained some (70 pounds) beginning about 5 years out because I had trouble with my knees and couldn't exercise. I've lost the regained weight in the past couple of years by just gentle walking several times a week.

I'm no longer obsessed with eating and just eat for nourishment. I weigh myself about once a month. I stopped going to my support group because of the distance after the first couple of years. I lived about 4 hours away from where I had the surgery done. There was a 2 years wait list to see a surgeon closer to home.

One thing I regret about not going to the support group is that I became complacent about keeping up with my mineral supplements. Now my kidneys are damaged and I need a transplant. The transplant surgeon tells me I need a panniculectomy before I get the kidney transplant. I couldn't afford the plastic surgery and didn't want to jump through all the hoops to get it covered. But now, since I've been told there's a medical reason for doing it, I'm starting to look into it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, kcuster83 said:

I hope the best for you.

Question: What does the panniculectomy have to do with a kidney transplant?

Well apparently all the skin is in the way of the kidneys. So it would complicate the kidney surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Katt 2002 said:

Well apparently all the skin is in the way of the kidneys. So it would complicate the kidney surgery.

ohhh ok, well at least now it will likely be covered by insurance.

good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not sure exactly what caused the kidney damage. But I had been very lax with taking my Calcium supplement. I have something called oxalate nephropathy. I had calcium oxalate kidney stones about 5 years after my surgery. Then last year I had a very bad UTI which took over a month and 3 different antibiotics to cure. That might have been the thing that really caused my kidneys to fail. Or it might have been the fact that I switched brands of the liquid calcium I was taking and the new brand was not good. Anyway, I wound up in the hospital with a severe calcium deficiency and had to have IV calcium. And my kidney disease went from stage 3 to stage 5 in 6 months.

Anyway, I gave up on the liquid calcium supplement and now I take calcium in pill form from the pharmacy to make sure I'm getting the amount I need. I mistakenly believed that the liquid form would be better for me because of the D/S but I learned that it's more important to get your supplements from a USP approved source.

There is a study that shows that oxalate nephropathy, which is rare, can be caused by fat malabsorption, I think ultimately, that is why my kidneys failed.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks so much for sharing your story! We hear so seldom from people so long after their surgery, and it's particularly good to hear from someone who managed to keep the weight off. So sorry to hear about your kidney issues, however--and thanks for letting us know what can happen. Wishing you the best.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Hoping for a 100% recovery for you. I was wondering what your blood tests revealed, and were you deficient in minerals and if so, what minerals? I have had family members who have had serious kidney damage but it wasn't due to lack of minerals and/or Vitamins. One drank a ton of dark colored diet soda and that caused it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not sure if the Calcium deficiency was the cause of my kidney troubles or just happened concurrently with them. But both problems are connected to oxalate nephropathy which is rare. When I got the diagnosis, I did research and learned that oxalate nephropathy can be caused by fat malabsorption which is the main feature of the Duodenal Switch gastric bypass I had 20 years ago.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you so much for sharing your journey! I really hope you have a fully recovery and get what is needed for your kidneys! You should be blessed with only health and happiness!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×