I will start by introducing myself I'm a 44 year old woman that found myself standing at work and feeling a awful pain in my lower back hip area. This resulted in to seeing a spine specialist who order an MRI. Scan to notice I had a huge tumor crushing into my spine. I had open back surgery in March of this year which when the doctor started he told my husband and parents that my number L-5 crumble in his hands nothing there. He fused the L-4 to L-3 and took bone marrow spray. When I woke up from surgery I immediately knew something was wrong with my left leg. Since this I now have major nerve damage to my left leg and I'm in worse pain now more than before surgery. Chronic pain every day every minute. I went got a second opinion but was told there is nothing they can do for me. I felt hopeless feeling that I'm going to be crippled if this continues. This is when on my own doing thought of weight surgery. I figured I have lost 45 pounds since surgery if I lost 70 more this would benefit my back ,lifting the weight of my spine. When I meet with my weight doctor he agreed this would help me. I have been attending my office visits and weigh in for insurance request been a long journey. And just received word that I'm scheduled for surgery this Friday. I am very nervous anxiety always happens the what ifs.. before being cut on or open up. But I did have a nuclear stress test done in hospital that was intense because I couldn't exercise I was giving iv in my arms to induced like I was climbing mountain to check my heart if i could handle surgery also require before surgery. I was very sick from the iv meds. the next day as it left my body. I have already stop my food intake since Monday when I received call but I've been real sick because I take pain management for my chronic back issues and no food on my stomach not been fun. I will keep you posted as days get closer and surgery. Updated on 10 Dec 2014: Updated on 17 Dec 2014: It's been 6 days and I'm still having trouble swallowing water and my pills for chronic pain. It hurts really bad. I've been able to have a popsicle but takes me 30 minutes to consume. Since weight on lady Thursday my weight was 201 pounds I'm 192 as of today. I haven't been able to get to this weight before even being on phentermine. Before only to 199. I'm going try to drink more sips of water today it's just very hurtful feel it all the way down. My back issues and leg is not helping I'm trying to stay ahead of pain but it's like putting a lot marbles in a bag that is empty. Updated on 7 Mar 2015: I'm sorry for long delay but I was very sick. I was not and could not eat anything. My parents and husband took me to the ER. They run many test one of my test was to drink dye while being ex ray they where checking to see because I couldn't eat and vomiting everything up if my hernia repair or something else might be wrong. I ended up 2 days in hospital lots op potassium and fluids. My hernia repair was ok and nothing wrong with sleeve stomach. I decided then when I got home ok it's time to bet this. For every time I got sick I drank and so on. Now today I'm better. Still pushing through Updated on 18 Mar 2015: Beth, Nice to meet you. Where to start. It has been a long road. My journey I weigh in at 201 when I woke up from surgery I was told he repair my hernia as well as sleeve surgery. It was difficult to swallow the sipping of water was awful. The kept me on morphine for about a day. I had discussed prior to surgery with my doctor about all my pain management. He did not want to mix or change what I was on since it was the strongest medience. I was on Horizont which is for my major nerve damage which is a huge horse pill and two more pills. I was already concerned about Taking the pills on a tiny stomach but my doctor stated oh you will be ok. Well that was not true. When I got home I hurt all over back never stops like yours. I could not drink sips it was awful. I was coating my pills with jello to swallow. I was very sick because pills on empty stomach. I was unable to drink which according to what they want you to be at was not happening and I was very behind. When I went for my one week check up the nurse said ok let's start shakes. This never happened for me. I couldn't. I couldn't even lick. A spoon of soup or broth. Very very sick. Nothing stayed down vomiting everything. Which meant pain management coming up. Then pain pain chronic pain same as you day in day out. I couldn't eat. This went on for several months deathly sick. It got to point that I was so sick and weak couldn't stand in shower couldn't walk stayed in bed slept alot. My husband and parents said enough I had lost all color was dieing Was living with out food because my new stomach would not allow me to eat. This trip which since my open back surgery marked number 20 in less than 1 year. I finally felt like some one wanted to help me. I was there for 2 days loading fluids they checked my hernia and stomach for possible leaks I had to drink this awful dye while being exray. Very thankful Nothing was wrong. This doctor change my pills to patch. When I got home every time I got sick I made myself drink and eat. Up until today same. I eat small bites two spoons to be exactly. Ever few hours. My food Intake not theirs. I had to find out what work for me. A lot hard time finding out. As of today I'm Down to 159 pounds since open back all together close to 100 pounds lost. It's hard to be excited when you deal with chronic pain. It's still there I'm hoping when I do reach 130 maybe I will feel relief. Uncertain I can't exercise so all coming of slowly on its on. Updated on 28 Jun 2015: Its been a long hard road and I'm now down to 127 pounds , what I thought of having the surgery to get rid of the pain has not work our for me, just had a third opinion and the doctor is saying the reason I can not get rid of the on going pain is all my hardware screw are sticking out into my nerves as well as sewed into my nerves, this is looking like another surgery for me in the future to correct what the surgery doctor before did not do correctly, I'm heading in tomorrow morning to see if I'm healed enough to remove screw or redo screws, I'm 6 months from when I had my surgery, I really feel like skin and bones, its a good feeling at times, especially when you notice you pick up a pair of jeans and there size 5 or wearing a small I never thought I would be this size, now if I can get the inside to match the outside I would be doing great, This is a hard journey but you can do it, you will have to retrain your mind to not be focus on your next meal and to find a hobby that takes the place from eating, its been a challenge learning to eat the things I can, I found cheese and crackers work good but not good for other, stopping you up and slowing your colon down, I drank a lot of sweet tea it works well for me, I don't drink sodas anymore and I eat tuna sandwiches, I eat very small amounts a day like 5 meals a day, you will be sick a lot in the beginning and you will find yourself throwing up a lot in the sink or where it lands, all in all I've got use to my new eating habits but it is very strange I can only eat standing up for some reason? sitting down makes me sick, I'm hoping that this will change in the future so I can sit and enjoy a dinner with my husband again at a restaurant, I did have to do this on my own, figuring out what work for me, after surgery didn't get much advice for weight lost surgery doctor, but every person is different, it is a life style change and it works, now my challenge of getting all this to work for me and my on going every single minute chronic pain under control I will be doing great, good luck to everyone and I'm hear if you need support , Updated on 8 Jul 2015: My doctor has expressed an urgency to have surgery today (open back again), this will be my second open back surgery, but I have to hold off until the end of the month so I can get help from my husband, he stated that my screws are too long and my hardware has been put in incorrect along with fused incorrectly as well as the mold he use to create a bone has taken on a life form of its own and is growing rapidly, I'm uncertain of the outcome and the doctor is wanting me to be open to possibly of this working for me and taken away the pain and fix all the problems nerve damage etc, he says there is no guarantees but I must go thru with surgery because if I don't I could possible be cripple the stability of what the doctor did before is bad, and I'm not looking forward to being down another 3 months. Updated on 14 Jul 2015: Well I just got word that I now know what is growing inside my body and I'm scared more than ever, its called infuse and it is in the spinal canal growing. This will be part of what he will attempt to get out of me on my next surgery coming up 31st along with removal of hardware that was put in incorrectly for open back surgery, I'm praying that my insides catch up with my outside, I did the sleeve surgery to help myself with weight and to take the weight off my back so once this is done I'm praying this is the answer I've been waiting for and it all comes together and not worse for me, the doctor already stated because of my life and pain the way it is it will be a longer healing process for me it took 9 plus weeks to even come around but this time the doctor has order home health nurse and possible therapy at the house which I'm hoping I will be able to do thus this far I have not been able to accomplish. Updated on 14 Jul 2015: I always here you look like nothing is wrong with you because I have been successful with my sleeve surgery, but I'm lucky to even be standing, and it is uncertain the stableness of what is inside me. This photo was taken coming back from church Sunday its hard to whip the pain off the face to smile wanted to share. Updated on 27 Dec 2015: It has now been one year since my sleeve has been done, I'm down to 115 pounds. I've never been this tiny I'm wearing a size 1 to 3 in clothes, I have tried to gain alittle weight but seems like impossible. I'm very happy the weight is off I could not image caring that weight of the 167 pounds lost that almost two people. My health is still bad with dealing with ongoing chronic pain and my back pain is still the same after now having a 2nd open back surgery that happen in July this year, my doctor said that he found 9 things wrong with me from the first surgery doctor and it was very important that I had my surgery for I was looking at being paralyzed and possible still face that. Its been hard and everyone ask if I'm enjoying my weight loss haven't been able too much because of the pain I deal with my mind is on other things, it only comes to me when I put on my clothes I used to wear and I can't wear them anymore swallow me whole. I have attached a few pictures of my weight loss, the outside looks good but the inside is in a lot of pain. Updated on 16 Jan 2017: It's been a very long road but worth every ER visit and doctor visits, I'm still dealing with chronic pain daily and could not even imagine caring around that extra 187 pounds that I had on me I would be in my bed unable to move. After having the sleeve done it took a very long time to adjust my mind set on not eating like I use to, my stomach was basically brand new and everything I put in either like it or did not it's been rough because before I made my decision on the sleeve surgery I was caring around so much weight I never thought I would ever be this skinny I don't really think of it much other than I'm happy I don't weigh close to 300 pounds. I'm down to 115 pounds I have kept my weight there in between 115 to 120 size 1 to 3 in clothes. I would say that I have learned a lot about my mindset they way I use to look at food compare to they way I look at it today. I use to think so non stop on what my me as long was going to be and shoved so much in. I have learned not to worship food only eat when I feel hungry and several small meals.
Looking to get back to my Post Army weight, feeling better, and looking better. My main goal is to feel better. I'm really more focus on that issue. Currently dealing with high BP, aggravated bone spur, sleep apnea, and typical fatigue for someone overweight. My goal is to reach 245lbs, currently 340, but Dr. believes in can achieve 225lbs. I think a good medium would be 235lbs. In all whatever it takes to feel better and have a better life. I'm prepared for the severe life change, which at this point a severe life change has to take place with or without surgery. Updated on 24 Apr 2017: I'm not as scared as I thought I would be. Good thing! God is good! I would like to share this experience with anyone who is about to take this journey, and thanks to all the Vets who have shared their insights.
Today will be day one of my 1 week liquid diet. This Texas girl here loves her Southern food & anything noodles or cheese so not having a big plate will be a change. Looking forward to not having those cravings. I bought Isopure protein powder & clear protein drinks. The powder is Strawberry Cream & barely tastes of Strawberry but 2 scoops is 50 grams of Protein. I dont expect to be hungry with these. I am extremely excited for this journey. We will be going to Decatur, TX for surgery with Dr Stowers. Preop is Monday 10th Updated on 4 Oct 2016: First day was really bad. My stomach was not happy & wanted food so I had stomach pains bad. Today is MUCH better. Im a little drained feeling but all in all I feel good. I picked up some Premier Protein shakes which are in a box of 12 & they are making things easier. They taste pretty good Updated on 6 Oct 2016: My surgery is Tuesday.... that being said we are traveling that direction to stay with family this weekend & we got tickets to go to the State Fair in Dallas. How am I gonna do this? Ive been low on energy & light headed with some dizziness. When I went to the grocery store I spent 2 hours taking my time not to move too fast & by the end I was so sweaty lol Updated on 12 Oct 2016: Im so happy all this is done & I can start my new life. Not gonna lie after surgery yesterday it wasnt so bad but today I am pretty sore & swollen. Updated on 15 Oct 2016: Im getting a little better everyday. The CO2 gases have really gotten aholf of me & it feels worse than having the Flu muscle pains. They are mostly in my shoulders now. When I take deep breaths, drink, It gets a little more painful. I will be happy when that resides because Im not having near as much pain in my belly. The hernia they removed near my esophogus tends to give me problems as well. Makes it hard to drink with both of these healing but Im drinking anyway. I am so thankful & Blessed to be going through these "dilemmas " cause I see light at the end of this tunnel. Im down 13 lbs & it hasnt been 2 weeks yet from the beginning of my liquid diet. Liquid diet I lost 8. After surgery I lost an additional 5 lbs in 4 days. So about 1 lb a day :) ???? Updated on 17 Oct 2016: Anyone else know any tricks to this?? Night time is the worst. It goes away for a minute if I rub in certain places but comes right back. I havent yet had a bowel movement & surgery was 6 days ago. Im wondering if that might help if I get someone to pick up Milk of Magnesia for me Updated on 20 Oct 2016: I was having trouble with CO2 stuck in my shoulders & chest. I hadnt had a bowel movement in 6 days so I had my husband pick me up some Milk of Magnesia. I went three times a few hours after taking it & I swear more air came out of me that day than in my whole life added up. Next day my pains were reduced alot. Since then My pains are all gone. I have lost 15 lbs total. Since my BMI was 35 then I wont have as drastic of changes than others. I have been wearing shirts I havent worn in ages due to my belly looking Preggo. My ankle/achilles heel had some pain & I couldnt figure out what was wrong but since surgery Those Pains Are Gone!!! Its the little things & Im so happy Im able to see these little things & stay positive thru this plateau. Updated on 3 Nov 2016: I am feeling lighter everyday. Ive had trouble this last two weeks with nausea. I think this may be due to me not taking the Omeprazole I was provided for keeping acid down in my new tummy. Ive been taking it & today I am feeling less nausea. Its been difficult getting enough water & protein in my diet when everything makes you sick. Updated on 27 Jan 2017: I feel like a whole new person. I just had my 3 month check up & all my vitamins were good. The doctor wants me to up my protein & workout now to build muscle. I have lost 65 lbs & with that was some muscle of course so they want me to try to gain 10 lbs of muscle while I lose. It's totally doable because up to now I have only been losing & not added in much exercise. Updated on 13 Apr 2017: Feeling more normal now. 6 months post op Apr 11th... still feels weird but loving the new body
Okay so my expectations are to lose weight it's me time ! So gonna have the gastric sleeve done late July and hoping for tummy tuck and boobs later as soon as I get to my goal. Then I would like to be able to wear panties the correct way. I've had to wear them backwards since I had my second child I have excessive amount of skin / fat layer that hangs down. I love my nipple but want boobs to touch in middle I've always even in high school wore sports bras can never find a cup that fit them just right. I'm nervous about being put under for my gastric sleeve procedure I'm just nervous is all Updated on 8 May 2016: I'm wondering how do you determine what size breast implant to get and every one says silicone is loud ? Just curious future planning ???????? Updated on 22 Jun 2016: I have one more dietian visit then insurance will be billed and hopefully on to surgery date I've lost 10 pounds and it's gone back and forth but at all my appointments I've met the required stuff so yay me ! Hopefully next up date will be better but it's almost here. Updated on 22 Jul 2016: So I'm getting close less than 2 weeks ???? I'm so excited I can't hardly control my self I'm ready to start a healthy me or healthier I should say so recap been on a almost 7 month journey I'm have the sleeve done and it's gonna forever change my ways of life. Very thankful for a supportive husband & kids. I told my sister in laws and my whole family knows but my biggest bullies are my father and mother in law. Am I wrong for not telling them ? Maybe then again maybe not. I will write a review on pro op procedure the swallow barium ! Until then hope you all are blessed Updated on 9 Aug 2016: Well as of today I am one week po and doing great 27 pounds down and as of now a pound a day lost. Loving how I feel. I'm still taking pain meds and feeling a bit nauseated every morning lots of things bother me smell wise and so I take zofran the dr prescribed me. But over all very happy with the out come Updated on 12 Aug 2016: So 30 pounds down in just 2 weeks we t from 305-275 and I feel great still super sore in the belly area but I'm happy wouldn't change it for nothing. God is good and I'm changing getting healthy and smaller Updated on 31 Oct 2016: So here I am 2 months out and able to eat what I want but not liking eating most items. It's Halloween I had couple pieces of candy and my stomach was tore up after words so I learned my lesson. I'm having a hard time getting my protein In also I started school again for the first time in 14 years. Lots going on with me Updated on 31 Oct 2016: Updated on 28 Dec 2016: Updated on 28 Dec 2016: Updated on 28 Dec 2016:
So, I have begun my journey.I went & met w/my surgeon, prepared to have lap band. To my surprise, my surgeon informed me that he feels the sleeve is the best option for me now I am scared to death & wondering if I should go through w/ the surgery cause it's SO perminate. How is life 5-10 yrs later? Updated on 27 Oct 2015: So, my surgery is scheduled for Friday, November the 13th---I know that might be a bad day..Friday the 13th-but I hoping number 13 to be a good luck thing..lol My Upper Gi is scheduled for the day before (the 12th)--- I am scared to death now of the sleeve procedure--I picked up my pre-prescriptions and there are MANY nausea pills...so I am thinking, I should anticipate severe nausea and vomiting after wards....Is this so? also, with the pain pills, can you take them and hold them down right after surgery? I don't wanna hurt....and my surgeon talked like I could go back to work in a week ( I have a desk job)--does that sound right as well? I need some SOUND advice and some reassuring....PLEASE I'm not so worried about being put out, i'm more worried about the pain afterward... I have NEVER had surgery on any part of my body....I have however, had 4 babies---2 grown now and still 2 at home... but that's the extent of it... Updated on 3 Nov 2015: I'm a divorced single female in her mid-forties with 4 children--2 grown and 2 at home. I've been overweight since I had my first child, and I have steadily gained weight since. In my many years, I have lost and gained a couple of small adults. After giving it much though , I have chosen Dr. Scott Stowers to perform my sleeve procedure, (which I have scheduled for Friday November 13th, 2015). I feel extremely scared and alone... I spoke with my best friend and she does not believe this was the right thing to do..I have 2 sisters and I have NOT told them and wasn't going to tell them (I was having the surgery) until I seen them at Thanksgiving. However, things have changed and I have to tell my sisters this coming Sunday..My only comfort in having to tell them is my surgery is already paid for (and i mean the funds are on hold on my cc). My oldest sister is a RN and VERY opinionated and has said for years she is against the bariatric surgeries. I am in tears daily----So I am reaching out here... I am getting very discouraged and wondering if I have made the right life choice..I wish the surgery day would hurry up and get here so that it is done and over with.
