Scuppy

I have struggled with my weight for most of my adult life.  I have been on most every diet you could think of.  About 6 years ago I worked with a nutrition coach and a personal trainer for well over a year.  I worked hard.  I only lost 16lbs.  At some point I became so frustrated I decided I'd never make my goals and I gave up the diets and the personal trainer.     I had a hysterectomy at 26 years old, back surgery at 40, I have sleep apnea and have slept with a cpap for almost 20 years, I had high blood pressure and all the meds made me sick, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and was having issues with extreme inflammation in my face, neck, hands and ankles.    Two years ago I decided to start a healthier lifestyle and gave up all artificial sweeteners, caffeine, grains, dairy, sugar and processed foods.  I did this for 4 months never cheating.  I ate only fruits, vegetables, meats and drank only water and used essential oils.  I lost 3lbs in 4 months.  So.....I gave most of this up too.  Two years, even before my surgery, I still don't do the artificial sweeteners, only drink water with a hot tea maybe once a month, very few grains and no processed foods.   But even with this I wasn't losing weight and I didn't feel good.  I had started seeing an Internist instead of my GP because they had no clue what was going on in my body.  My internist was able to get my hormones under control and had me on a thyroid medication that helped some but the inflammation in my face and neck was so bad it was causing daily headaches.  So not knowing what else to do she sent me to a new cardiologist.  He did several tests.  They showed a mild stiffening of my heart and of course uncontrolled blood pressure.  He was the first one to suggest bariatric surgery to me.  I went home and thought about that and called his office back to see who he would recommend if  I were to proceed with it.  He recommended Dr. Mike Williams.  I then called my Internist to see what she thought, she told me it wasn't a good idea it was an excellent idea!  I asked her the same question and she also recommended Dr. Mike Williams.  From that point on I began to research bariatric surgery and learned that almost every co-morbidity I had could possibly be resolved by weight loss and the only hope I felt I had was in the surgery.  So I proceeded, making my appointments and less than a month later I had been cleared and approved by insurance and was scheduled for surgery September 18, 2014!!!   My surgery went well with a hernia also being repaired.  I followed my doctors plan and was doing well except for an excruciating pain in my very low right side.  My doctor sent me for a scan which they called and said was appendicitis so I was back at the hospital 3 weeks after my sleeve for what everyone thought would be an appendectomy.  My wonderful doctor met me at the hospital and when I was waking up from surgery the nurse says, "you are going to want to wake up sweetheart, do I have a surprise for you!"  I could hear everyone talking about how "rare" these things were and I didn't know they were talking about me.  Apparently the doctor that did my hysterectomy 28 years earlier had taken my appendix out and never told me.  What I had was a growth of scar tissue and fatty tissue that was pulling on my colon causing the pain.  It looked exactly like an appendicitis on the scan and once it was removed I had no more pain.  I had had pain in that area for years so I'm happy its out!  Its called Epiplocic Appendagitis.   I do feel the extra surgery set me back some.  I had already started walking on the treadmill before I had the second surgery but then had to take another 2 weeks to recover before I felt like walking again.   Oh, the great news?  I was able to come home from my gastric sleeve surgery OFF my blood pressure medication and my blood pressure has been PERFECT since my surgery with no meds!!!   So, that is my story so far.........I look forward to what the future brings for my health! 
 
UPDATE:  Its December 8th, I'm almost 3 months out, I haven't lost any weight in several weeks now and I'm feeling frustrated!  My hair is also falling out at an alarming rate.