mousecat88

Definitely. We do sign a release but I don't think it was adequately impressed upon me that someone could have MANY internal hernias. And I never heard the term volvulus before it happened. I feel like at the time, I wasn't really well-informed as to all of the possible complications - at least the rare ones. They only really talk about the rare chance of death during or immediately after surgery. Not the rare complications that can occur years later.

Wow. I haven't logged in here in years. But here I am again, a month out from a small bowel resection, looking at phase 2 protein packs once again... I was formally diagnosed with hypermobile ehlers danlos last year. I just had my first orthopedic surgery on the 5th because of a hip labral tear. I dislocate joints. I am in chronic pain. This has gone on since childhood. But didn't know the real cause of it back in 2018 when I had gastric bypass. I always thought it was from rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. A brief history... I had RNY bypass in Nov of 2018 I had my gallbladder removed and an internal hernia repair January of 2019 In March 2021, I suffered from a full midgut volvulus resulting in open surgery - I was left 11 hrs in the ER with no care and surgery was performed by a general surgeon. Bariatric was not contacted despite my begging. In May 2021, I had an open operation to repair a Petersen's Defect hernia. Present, but missed, during the March surgery. In June 2021, I was hospitalized for a week due to malnutrition from chronic diarrhea. Since 2021, I have had chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain. It's largely gone untreated until... September 2025, I go to the ER and the CT shows that my intestines have flipped from my left side to right. By the time my bariatric surgeon goes in, it has self-corrected. I meet him post-op, and he tells me I have ZERO scar tissue. Which is insane given the number of abdominal surgeries I've had (including a tummy tuck w muscle repair and c-section). My mesentery is extremely floppy. We initially thought that it was that was in 2021 because I had lost 140lbs in 10 months with the initial operation. We now know it's because my body hates collagen. My anastomosis, due to no fault of my own, has stretched to 40mm. It should be 10-12mm. Since September, I have had almost uncontrollable diarrhea daily. Every time my intestines flip, these symptoms get worse. The surgeon suspects they are flipping and self-correcting more often than I realize. He could easily move them, which you shouldn't be able to do. I have tried a number of rx medications for things like IBS, but it is now going to take a resection of the dilated anastomosis and a creation of two separate juncture points to "correct". My surgeon says it may help. It may not. It may create two points that will dilate again in a few years, instead of just the one I have. We don't know. But I have to do something. Because every time this happens, I can very well die. I now have a two-year old as a single mother by choice. That is not an option. There are new staple lines used than there were back in 2018. There are reinforcements that can be used now that we know I have EDS. But I implore anyone that has EDS to have very serious conversations about postoperative complications with their surgeon. Standard RNY procedure is NOT enough. Your risks for leaks, dilation, and dumping are astronomically higher. Decide for yourself if it's worth it. Was I a perfect patient? Absolutely not. Did I eventually drink water with meals? Yes. Did I occasionally have carbonation? Yes. Maybe I took a few too many large bites. But the ramifications in the average patient would be weight regain. Not herniation. Not death. I only have that I can go back and say that it was worth it after March 2nd... when this nightmare comes to an end... or at least gives me a few more good years. Starting weight in 2018 - 276 Lowest weight in 2020 - 111 Current weight in 2026 post-baby - 170

Thanks everyone. Will keep posted. The upper GI is scheduled Feb 16 and endoscopy in 2 weeks. I've eaten fine the last 2 days no issues. It's just... random.

Yeah thats why he suspects the dilation won't help =/ argh.

More surgery for meeee.. I've been vomiting up stuck food a lot... for a long time (several months but it is far more frequent the past 3 months... nearly daily)... went to the surgeon today and they suspect a late term stricture. He said the regular treatment with dilation through endoscopy may not work since I am over 2 years post-op but they're going to try. Appointment on the 27th for the 1st round. They try it 3 times before they go in and "widen" it manually. If it isn't a stricture, they're also checking for a hernia that may have pushed my pouch into the wrong spot or esophageal dysmotility. That test is in February. Sigh. Siiigggh. It doesn't make sense though because sometimes I can eat anything fine and sometimes it gets stuck. I could eat a burger fine, but then cottage cheese gets stuck. I dunno... to be continued... you'd think if it was a permanent narrowing from scarring, it wouldn't be discriminate. I have a history of a hernia and an ulcer so he thinks I am high risk for the stricture. And yes, I still smoke. No, I don't need a lecture on that. Can anyone that's had a stricture give me any insight? Did food sometimes go through and other times it wouldn't?

I have really been considering buying a spin bike. Schwinn and other brands make their own, some for as low as 500$ and you can buy the Peloton app for $12/month. I really like the group setting, though, and I think it may just end up a clothing rack. lol.

I couldn't and still can't drink any whey protein isolate anything. I would get SO nauseous. I relied on soy protein isolate. Options are limited, but still tasty. NowSports is a good brand.

My under bust size measures at a 32" and my bust a 36". I am wearing a 34D (no WAY could a 32 actually fit...), but think a 36D would feel better. I think it will depend on style, etc. I ordered an underwire bra for next month in a 36D and it seems like it will be a good fit. My surgeon doesn't go all the way to the knee or all the way to the elbow so I notice puffiness at my elbows and knees since there is still loose skin there. BUT, still improved. I'll always be self critical...

So, I haven't really been at the gym since September 2019. I herniated a disc in my back and by the time that felt better I had my TT and arm lift. Once that healed, I made it back in a few times and COVID occurred. I am not an at-home exerciser so the gym was my thing. My gym reopened in May (?) but the locker rooms are closed and they are at reduced capacity, so I requested my account stay on hold. Now I've recently had my butt and leg lift and implants, so I can't exercise until September 1-ish anyways. I am really itching to get back. My TT seems all flabby and I want to tone my new booty and get back to spin. Are you guys back in the gym and do you feel your gym is taking good precautions? I just don't see how everything can be properly sanitized. =/ Masks weren't mandatory until we had a spike about 2 weeks ago and now they are, so I won't go back if a mask is required because I panic with them on and would just feel uncomfortable all sweaty in one.

I have no clue. lol. I was just told they were 450cc implants. I had NO breast fat so I still have some loose horizontal skin. He had to suture my pec muscles really tight on the right side so it wouldn't migrate to my armpit. This resulted in the right breast looking wider. I don't think I want a revision, though. Not worth it. Everything is still healing and I have some folded skin at my lower back that looks like a second butt crack (lol) that he will have to fix in 5 months just in-office with Lidocaine. I don't think I would do a butt lift again. I'll post before and after photos of all that in 5 months. lol! I was going to go with 400cc but glad I didn't because then I'd have even more loose skin. My end result is a 34D. I almost wish I went with 500 because maybe it would have filled up ALL the loose skin. I dunno. I had a reduction from a 48H in 2017. That left me at a 46D. Then I lost weight and instead of drooping so much, I had a lot of horizontal skin, which is unusual.

I do want to stress this is only 6 months out so the scars will fade even more. And I haven't used any tapes or creams. Also haven't been working out... I blame covid for closing my gym even though my lazy butt could lift at home. Shhhhh

My arms were the first to go, along with a TT. No regrets. Painless. Super quick recovery. And the scars aren't noticeable unless you walk around with your arms sticking up in the air. Here are my 6 months photos. The only thing that annoys me is he doesn't go all the way to the elbow so scaring wont limit movement so there's a little puff of fat there but I'm sure I'm the only one who notices. I had my legs done last week and it's the same bu my inner knee. But still so much better. Battle scars!

My legs and butt went well. Still have 2 drains in. First 2 days were painful. I get half the staples out next Monday. Here are my pre and post OP implant pics! Just done this morning. 450cc silicone. Owies. Also will see if I can post my pre and post OP arm and tummy..... I am officially DONE.

Heyyyy it's yo girl. Got my arrival time for my butt lift and thighplasty tomorrow at 7:30 a.m., then 450cc silicone implants in-office on the 15th! Thus will conclude the plastic surgery journey. Prior to bypass I had a breast reduction w/ full nipple graft breast lift and full body liposuction. Post-bypass I had bra-line excision, arm lift, tummy tuck, and soon-to-be butt and thigh lift and implants. AMA! I'm officially an expert. lmao. There's nowhere else for them to nip and tuck! $$$$$$$$$$$ He was supposed to email me my before and after tummy tuck and arm lift but he forgot. I will post them this week when I remind him at my follow-up Friday.

I've only tried edibles twice. The first time it did nothing. The second time I took an antacid and ate a bit beforehand on recommendation from someone more experienced and... it kicked it quickly and very strongly.