Elode

@@*Lexie* Oh my gosh yes!! I go to our goodwill almost daily. I'm addicted! I'm still dropping weight and I adore our GW so it's a perfect combination for me. I have more clothes now than I have ever had in my life. The only problem I have is finding cute clothes and they're too big! It's amazing!!!

I have been really pushing the fluids these last few days and it has finally seemed to stop! I took my bp yesterday and it was a perfect 121/70, I'm still going to tell my surgeon about it Wednesday just so he knows in case it starts up again. Hopefully this is all I needed.

I never would have dreamed of showing anyone my weight on a scale. I absolutely dreaded weighing in at the DR's office. As if they cared right?!. Scale numbers are the thing nightmares are made of in my world. I think I was traumatized as a child when they would do "health checkups" at school, everyone would get called to the cafeteria and have to be weighed in front of the people standing behind you. Horrible experience!! Not today folks!! I am thrilled to share my scale experience! My starting weight 10 months ago was a even 267 Lbs on the day of surgery. I am now officially over 100 lbs lost (barely). This process has defiantly been a complete life changing experience. I still have a hard time accepting the numbers, it just doesn't seem real so I weight a good 5x in a row just to make sure I'm not delusional Only 5 more lbs and I will be considered "normal" I have never wanted to be more "normal" in my life From morbidly obese, obese, overweight to normal in 10 tiny months! I would do this surgery 100x again if I had to just to have these moments. I'm incredibly grateful. God is good all the time!!

@@bhopeful You have to do what's best for you. I'm sure you like your DR and trust him but he's not living in your body, you are. I'm not big on medications for weigh loss either since there really has never been anything that works long term....ever. If there was we would all be skinny and have no need for surgery.

Yay! Congratulations!

@@Tootsietoes Well that's not pleasant! I hope you get all yours worked out too!

@@Bndtoslv Good luck! My belly gets too full! I think she's doing that so I won't want to drink the coffee! I'm on to her!

@@zackly I just self diagnosed myself, It could be something else but o have classic symptoms. Maybe I just need to breath more!

@@Mandyctr I had my labs drawn about 3 months ago and all was wonderful. I will have him send orders down to draw it all again next week. Iron is one of those vitamins that make me sick. @@Tootsietoes Twitching as in before you pass out?

My mother (a PICU RN) is making me drink 3 cups of water after every cup of coffee.....coffee doesn't taste as good now, too much work!

@@Babbs I'm making a conscious effort to stay hydrated. I get too busy and forget at times and for some reason coffee just fast better than water....it's a vicious cycle! @@Nomorethickchick Tell me about it! I don't take any medications and I really don't want to start now.

Thanks guys. I drank a bunch of water yesterday and I didn't get dizzy. Maybe I am dehydrated between work and school I haven't spent enough time focusing on water. I got into a coffee trap!

Yay! Congratulations! Welcome to the 100's club!

I'm 167.8 goal is 150....right now anyway.

@@KarenLoh That's what I worry about too because most days I'm home alone while the kids are at school and hubs is working. I have a feeling my little Jack Russell wouldn't be too helpful!

@ I always comment before reading! I have to type while its fresh on my mind! Read later lol!!

Congratulations!

It's not a bad idea to share your struggles, just know there are thousands of people on here and you won't always get the best advice, some people will sugar coat everything, some are more blunt and some just give their own honest opinion. Take it all with a grain of salt. Take the parts that will help you and leave the rest. It's nothing to get yourself worked up over. Only YOU can determine how successful you are no matter what anyone says. Cheer up!@@Lopez1628

Everyone is different but that does seem like a long time, if the pain is bad. If you can maybe you should try a belly binder, you can get them at Walmart or Walgreens, it will hold your belly in so its not as painful when you walk, cough, turn ect ..

@@Justme24 That's how mine started but it worse now. Maybe I am a bit dehydrated from drinking coffee. I will run that theory past my surgeon.

@@suitechicguy This is def new for me too. I have passed out before but once was from sticking a toddler that was throwing up charcoal from having her belly Pumped (she got into her brothers seizure medications) and another time when I was holding a patient while she was having a bone tap. Both times I was pregnant so I think it had a lot to do with it.

I've been researching and I found this....Orthostatic Hypotension/Intolerance One of the possible side effects of rapid weight loss after undergoing weight loss surgery is orthostatic hypotension or orthostatic intolerance. These terms describe a significant drop in blood pressure upon standing from a seated or reclined position. Drip in blood pressure causes a decrease in blood flow to the brain. There are several studies discussing this after RNY gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. However, this can also be an issue post Duodenal Switch. The process is still not completely understood but can be due to several factors. Rapid weight loss, sympathetic nervous system dysfunction, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, thyroid issues, cardiac issues, post prandial hypotension (blood pressure lowering after meals due to blood flow shifting to the gut) or medications are all suspected as possible causefor orthostatic hypotension. Symptoms can include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, blurry vision, weakness, fatigue, palpitations, headache, exercise intolerance, intermittent confusion and can culminate to passing out. This can be diagnoses with blood pressure monitoring while positioning change, ECG, laboratory studies, echocardiogram, tilt table test and possibly Valsalva maneuver. There is a direct link between obesity and hypertension. A large number of patients undergoing weight loss surgery are on anti-hypertension medications. Patients need to be followed closely in the hospital and in the rapid weight loss phase post surgery for medication changes and eventually termination of anti-hypertensive medications. Follow up and monitoring with a primary care physician is crucial due to these rapid changes. Dehydration, anemia, and low Protein intake need close surveillance after weight loss surgery. The patient may require laboratory studies to investigate these causes. Treatments may include increasing hydration, protein intake, changing medications and treating anemia. Also, allowing time for the body to adjust to the rapid weight loss if all the underlying issues are within normal limits. If symptoms persist, after all underlying issues are investigated, the patient will need to be diligent with hydration, protein intake, supplements and other treatments. Things that may also help is to slow down in moving from one position to the other, take a moment to adjust to your new position. Compression stocking and increasing salt intake can also help if all other causes are investigated. Post prandial hypotension can be avoided with low carbohydrate and small meals. Also, moderately increasing salt intake can improve symptoms. Posted by Dr. Ara Keshishian at 9:02 AM Labels: Duodenal Switch, orthostatic hypotension, weight loss surgery

@@Rebecca Friesen Wow! I'm not walking out of that office without an answer!

@@VSGAnn2014 Oh good then maybe it will go away. It is weird, and annoying!

@@dede0314 Yay! Congrats!