Surgery was 12/19/14 - down 124 after revision from lapband

[tenoradm 2]

HI all, I had a lapband in 2009 and lost nearly 100 pounds but started having problems. If it was even close to providing any restriction I was sick, could not sleep well if at all and had to have it backed off multiple times. I had been doing well and was frustrated that I could not get any further and because it had to be unfilled most of the time was gaining a portion of the weight back. I had multiple health issues in addition to weight including diabetes, heart issues with previous heart bypass and multiple stents. I had the revision to gastric bypass on December 19, 2013 because I had to get the weight off to stay alive and did not want to have to possibly do another revision so opted to get the gastric bypass.

Eleven days post op I had a follow up visit with my surgeon and everything looked good but I was feeling awful that day. They noticed and checked me over a little more before I left. On my long drive home I started feeling even worse and by the time I got home I had taken nitroglycerin spray three times and was having no relief. We ended up calling 911 and an ambulance came (they are basically across the street from my house) and informed my son that they would have to use full lights and sirens and to not attempt to follow closely because I was likely having a heart attack. When we got to the hospital I was taken to the trauma room where a team of probably 12 was waiting. Each did there assigned task and in a couple minutes I was headed to the cath lab where the Dr. and team were waiting for me. One of the assistants asked the Dr. if he could give me something for the pain and the Dr. said no - and that he would take care of it. A couple minutes later they asked what my pain level was and it dawned on me that the pain was gone. They had opened the right coronary artery and placed a stent. I had just had a heart attack which they classified as moderate and with some damage to the bottom of the heart. The next day, they said the entire heart had resumed normal function. I was referred to cardiac rehab and allowed to resume work duties from home in two weeks. This Wednesday, June 11, I will have completed the cardiac rehab. It is amazing what I can do now compared to what I could do before surgery last year. It is thought that taking me off aspirin for the surgery allowed a small clot to form and that caused the heart attack.

Back to the surgery. I tolerated the diet as planned fine and if anything have more issues getting enough food and liquid every day. I feel full and satisfied when I eat and rarely allow myself to even have a taste of anything not in my prescribed diet. I have to do this to live so I stay well motivated. Today, I weigh in at 241 - down 124 pounds in a little less than six months. It is so good to buy clothes at a normal store - something I have not been able to do in many years - probably 25 years since I could do that. With Cardiac rehab helping to get me moving on a regular basis and the bulk of the extra weight off, I am off all diabetic medication, almost completely off cholesterol medications (my LDL is now 23 - I had to ask the doc if that was even OK and found that normal goes all the way down to 0). I do not see my cardiologist again until August - he is going to be surprised to see so much less of me. I was at the Dentist last week and the assistant gave me a hug. That was really nice.

My only complaint - I cannot seem to eat chicken in any form, regardless of how moist, even in Soup, it just does not work and doesn't want to stay down. The doc says wait a month and try again and that almost everyone has something they have an issue with. For me it is chicken.< /p>

Anyhow - though it was about time I posted here. I read so many and have been encouraged but often do not take the time to post.

Looking forward to getting my first number on the scale to a 1!

[tenoradm 2]

Wow - I saw my post and realized that picture I had posted could use an update. Only have head shot available right now - but here it is.

[barbb3 115]

Wow! What a journey you have been on! Congratulations for really turning life around and taking charge! Major kudos to you!

[tenoradm 2]

My weight loss is slowing down - I guess that is just the way things go but now down to 230 for a drop so far of 135 pounds. I was also able to eat chicken for the first time since surgery with no problems a couple days ago so I am happy about that.