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.

Gout Attack

One thing I forgot to mention earlier, I had another massive gout attack in December,2010 and followed by one in February. Huge attacks and not able to walk. Beginning to think that it is the turkey at thanksgiving that trigger it. I cooked another turkey in January and had an attack right after. Not sure, but this seems to be the culprit.

Annual Post!!!

I continue to weigh in at around 190 lbs. and no real change there. I did put on some weight over the Christmas Holidays but quickly lost it. I have stopped taking my vitamins and calcium but continue the B12 injections. I know that I should be on the vitamins but I just keep forgetting. Probably not a good thing. I notice that my nails do not grow (AT ALL) without the calcium.

I continue to struggle with the attacks of what acts like low blood sugar but the doc told me it was Dumping Syndrome. It can come on suddenly and it stops you in your tracks. You will not function once this attack happens. You are going to lay down and you will not have an option. Cold Sweats and no energy. I can't even raise my hand! It last about 30 minutes to an hour. It is horrible. But, only happens occassionally and usually when I eat sweets and most especially sweets early in the morning. I have NO tolerance for dairy. It makes me violently ill, even in very small quantities.

At this point, I have completely adjusted to my new life and new body. It was the best decision that I could have made and now, 2.5 years later --- I do no regret it. Keep in mind, it took me about 18 mos to get to a "I don't regret it" place but I am there now.

Marriage has adjusted and we are still together.

By the way, heard that Clements left Kirklin Clinic - UAB. Not that it matters, but he is an excellent doctor.

Lastly, I stopped going to the gym. But, I am going to pick it back up.

It's Been Awhile

Sorry for not communicating with everyone for such a long time. My weight is now 190 lbs.

I am now in a size 34 pants, haven't been there since I was a teenager. Started to the gym last year and I have continued in that for several months. B12 got really low and so I started injections. Not a big fan but no choice on that. Struggling with the vitamins and taking them "most" of the time. Found some gummies in WalMart that are easier to take.

I have problems with severe diarhea and I take immodium daily that seems to stop it. My biggest problem is severe tailbone pain that seems to be typical of GB patients. I also have severe lower back pain that stopped shortly after the surgery and then started again last year. I continue to struggle with sleep apnea and intend to do a sleep study later in the year.

I can now eat normal sized meals with no problem. But, milk and sweets send me over the edge. I have a problem with early morning meals but that goes away after the first meal. If I eat that first meal fast or sometimes without any reason at all, I get sick. Plus, I can't eat a lot early in the morning.

My wife says I have a different personality and I have changed. Not sure. I am slower to anger and my disposition is a lot more mellow. Last week, I went on vacation and was able to climb one of those fake rock walls at the amusement park. I got higher than my 9 year old son. So, I am in good shape now.

Honestly, the whole surgery thing is a distant memory and now I am just living life.

Exercise

Finally convinced myself to start to the gym today and went this morning for a 30 - 45 minute workout, my first since the Gastric Bypass. Did some light nautilus and then 20 minutes on the exercise bike. I am expecting to be sore. I will keep everyone posted as to my progress. I have noticed that my back hurts constantly and I think that it is muscle deterioation. If my muscles have deterioated past the point of holding up my frame, then it seems logical to me that you could expect to have some pain. Anyways, I am going to try the exercise for a few weeks and see if I can have any improvement.

As a side note, my gout has not bothered me since the last really big attack in the spring.

Still have made my 6 month appointment with Dr. Clements at UAB but plan on doing that today.

Weight is at 200 lbs right now. Total loss around 70 - 75 lbs.

Back Pain

One more item for today, my back is hurting really bad. My lower back and between my shoulders is hurting all of the time. I keep thinking that it is going to go away but it isn't. It hurts when I sit for long times and is better when I stand. But, when I stand up I hurt then too between the shoulders. Totally different pain that when I was large and I hope that it will eventually improve.

Weight Loss has Stopped and Excess Skin

I am now in month 9 after my gastric bypass and my weight loss has completely stopped. I am right at 200lbs and haven't lost any weight since my last posting. I think that this is probably the weight that I will be at and don't think that I am going to lose anymore. I haven't went back to see Dr Clements at UAB, since my last posting. I need to schedule that appointment but just haven't gotten around to it.

Life has pretty much returned to normal. I can eat most of the things that I used still except milk and extremely sweet things. Like Candy Corn for some reason just sends me over the edge. My stomach feels the same and I can eat a normal amount of food with no problem. I don't have the gagging anymore, that has gone away.

I still take the vitamins. I did find Tony Hawk gummy bears in Wal Mart and I eat four of those a day. I have stopped taking the calcium. I know, I know, it is a mistake. I need to be taking that but jeez, it is hard to keep up with it all. I find myself wanting to eat all of the time but am just unable to eat the quantity. I snack all day long and am hungry all of the time. That is a mistake too but not sure how to break that cycle.

I would do the surgery again and am feeling more and more like it was the right thing.

Went last night to take a photo for an ID that I needed. It was very enlightening, I look completely different. Scary almost.

I have noticed a lot of excess skin and it is not pleasing to the eye! None in my stomach but bad around my groin and under my arms. I know that some people have it much worse than I do. Considered an operation to fix it but decided against that. I don't need more surgery and will just wear clothes that cover it.

Sleep apnea continues to be a problem and do not feel at this point that it is going to be improved. I took my Auto-pap card to the center and had it read. It records my nightly apneas and I have showed some improvement but no where near enough to get off of the machine. So, Ambien every night and sleeping with the mask. I hate that but it is just the way it is.