Gastric Bypass and Gout

Just wanted to provide everyone with an update on my health.  Continue to struggle with hypoglycemia and am just remembering to always carry something sweet with me.  It happened to me today and my son who is 14 was with me, the sweating started and we were standing at a flea market.  Lucky for me, the vendor had coke for sale and I sipped on about 1/4 of the drink and within a few minutes, I was ok.

One thing I have noticed is that a lot of people search on gout and gastric bypass, when they find my blog.  For me prior to the surgery, gout had crippled me and I was suffering on a monthly basis.  It is, without a doubt, the most pain that you will feel on a day to day basis.  It just never ends and the excruciating part is bad, but it just goes on and on.  I remember laying on my living room couch and screaming in pain.  That was before the surgery.  The ABSOLUTE worse gout attack that I had was about a week after surgery and it was beyond comprehension.  But, after that attack, that was it.  I have had a minor flare up here and there but was thinking today that it has been years since I had a bad attack.  I am cured of gout!!!  That was because of the surgery and just for that reason, the surgery was worth it.  Yes, I would give my right arm for the ability to eat a giant banana split or a fudge cake with ice cream but none of that is worth the pain of gout.  So, with reluctance I will trade in those wonderful treats for the absence of gout in my life.

Lastly, the last few years that I have been able to climb rock walls or play ball with my son, it was worth it.  Please understand, you WILL sacrifice A LOT.  But, it was all worth it.  I am now fast approaching 50 and I was able to have my 40's and enjoy it with my children.  

That's all for now. 

8 Years Have Passed

It is hard to believe that it has been 8 years since my Gatric Bypass Surgery at UAB.  I may have mentioned in a previous post that my surgeon left the Kirklin Clinic and University of Alabama - Birmingham(UAB) and I am not sure where he is now.

Now that I have some history with the procedure I can give you some perspective.

I guess the most interesting thing is that about 4 years ago I have slowly started to gain weight and put on about 30+ pounds, that was most disappointing but not totally unexpected if you look at the statistics on this surgery.  At first, it shook me to my core, due to all the pain and things that I had to give up.  But, I have come to terms with it and am just trying to manage.

Another thing I have noticed is that my glucose (sugar) levels are dropping without cause or reason.  They just suddenly plunge and I have had one even when my glucose was around 30 and I blacked out.  I do not have a problem with high sugar, just dropping for no reason.  I still cannot eat anything sweet or drink milk, it makes me really sick.  I still have to watch what I eat and generally snack during the day.

On a positive note, I am taking the B12 injections and went in to have my levels checked.  They were 4 times the normal values, so it appears that my body is now absorbing some B12.  I was told that was not possible but clearly it is from my lab values.  So, that has allowed me to cut back on my B12 injections.  I have not had one in about 3 months and don't intend to take it anytime soon.

Noticed in some of the replies there were doubts about the surgery and if it works.  From my experience, it worked and it completely changed my life for the better.  I made the right decision but never, ever discount the things that you have to give up.  Oh my...what I would do for a giant bowl of chocolate ice cream or a banana split!!!  But, that is not possible and gone forever.

Overall, I am still in good shape and the years that I was able to enjoy made the bypass well worth it. I often wonder what would have happened if I had not had it and I guess I would probably be pushing 350+ lbs and completely miserable, if not dead.

I don't get a lot of views anymore so I quit posting.  If you have questions, post them for me and I can give you the details

Crashed

Very weak over the weekend, had not taken my B12 in a long time. Took my injection and several hours later started to feel better. The thing with a Gastric Bypass is that it is CONSTANT maintenance. Don't forget to take your vitamin and your calcium and every 2 weeks you need a B12. But, it sure beats the hell out of 290 lbs and miserable.

You know, I am going on 3 years since the surgery. You would think someone from UAB would follow up with me. Once I went to my last appointment, never heard back. I did hear that Clements had left UAB but not sure where he went.

I have debated myself on bringing up the other "adult" related material related to Gastric Bypass on this blog but am concerned some kids could read it. I will see if I can come up with some language that would be PG rated on my next posting. I definitely have some stuff to share about that and the significant benefits to men of having GB. But, that is a post for another day.

Gaining Weight

I AM GAINING WEIGHT!!! (5lbs)

It is devastating but true and I don't know what to do. The pattern that was set early on with many meals over the day, due to the fact that I couldn't eat much at each meal is starting to be a problem because now I can eat more at each sitting. As a result, I am eating more often and bigger quantities. Ergo...weight gain. The bigger issue is, I can't stop. Since Gastric Bypass Surgery, I now have a much stronger appetite. I can't control it. I get weak and it feels like I haven't eaten in weeks. I have to eat. My levi's are getting tighter and I can just feel it happening. HELP!!!

I am going to try and dial it back a bit. I will keep you all posted.

Take a look at the graphs for weight loss and, statistically speaking, a weight bounce after the surgery is not uncommon. But, it is depressing beyond anything that I can describe. Not to mention, I am sure that many folks will look at this and think I have lost my mind to put on weight.

Gout and Gastric Bypass

I reviewed my recent visits and found a lot of people wanted to know about gout and gastric bypass. I can count on one hand the number of times that I have had a gout attack after my surgery. I also think that I have connected Turkey as one of my gout attack trigger foods. But, the gout is much much better. That is the upside.

Downside, after the surgery you will probably have one of the worst gout attacks that you will ever have. I could not walk or straighten my leg for days. It was absolutely excruciating and went on for an eternity. Once it cleared up, that was it. I went two years without a single attack. I have also been on allupurinol for as long as I can remember.

I think I posted once before, the only relief to my gout pain was to have a steroid injected directly under my knee cap. It was just horrible.

Nail Problems

I have mentioned several times that my nails have stopped growing and believe that it is because I do not take my calcium on a regular basis. Well, I noticed my toe nails had not only stopped growing but that they were beginning to almost thin and disappear. One was splitting through the center and it is almost as if they are disappearing. They are much thinner and haven't grown in weeks. When I really begin to notice it, I freaked out. I know, I know. I am being stupid, just take your vitamins and I agree. But, I don't do it. But, I promise from this day forward I am going to take the calcium.

I am posting this to let you guys know about my struggles and what I am going through. This blog is here so that people understand what you go through and the struggles that you deal with after gastric bypass.

At some point in the future, I am going to talk about the B12 injections but that is a post for another day.

I also noticed that this blog is getting a TON of visitors now. I am glad that my struggles might help someone one day make the decision on having this surgery. For the new visitors, go back to the beginning of the blog and read the first few posts. It details the struggles that I went through with insurance and then the surgery. Also, discusses the surgeon and the challenges that I had with UAB and the Kirklin Clinic.

Lap Band Problems

I have a friend that had the lap band and ended up with scarring around the band. Lost some weight and gained it back, then had the scarring to deal with. Ended up having to go back in and do the gastric bypass. Insurance would not pay and so it came out of his pocket. Glad that I went with the Gastric Bypass.