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SleeveToBypass2023

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SleeveToBypass2023    1,495

SleeveToBypass2023
Posted

So I found out I have a uterine fibroid the size of an avocado and one the size of a jumbo egg (12cm and 6.5cm), and my uterus is apparently huge (the size of a 14 week pregnancy, I'm told). Well today was my follow up appt and I was told that my fibroids are so big, the only option I have is an abdominal hysterectomy (they are causing issues with really heavy bleeding all through the month, not at specific times for my period). We're looking at about 5 weeks out for the surgery. Apparently this is going to be a MAJOR surgery, and my doctor said I will have to do nothing, just at home, for 2 weeks at minimum but prefers me to take 6 weeks. WHAT??? 6 weeks??? She said since it'll be abdominal and not laparoscopic, it'll be 2 days in the hospital, a lot of pain, inability to sit up or do much walking during the first 2 weeks, then very slow going for the next few weeks after that. I mean...what???

ALSO... there's a part of my stomach, just above my belly button, that has always kind of stuck out. No matter what I do, it doesn't go down or get smaller. There's not really any pain, but I always thought it was because I was fat. But I've lost a lot of weight and it's still there. The gyn said it might be a hernia, but my bariatric surgeon never mentioned it during the surgery. If I have a hernia that was never found, I'd like to get it fixed. If it's not a hernia, I'd like to figure out what it is. It makes me look pregnant, and it really bugs me. The part below my belly button is my (apparently) huge uterus and fibroids. The part above my belly button is....who knows.....

I'm just mentally worn out. I really thought I was done. I thought everything was going well. I don't have pain, I work out all the time, I'm thrilled with everything. And then.....boom. More crap. UGH..... This isn't a bariatric complication, so I'm very thankful for that. But I mean, SERIOUSLY??? More crap??? Sigh.... By the time I finish all this, I'm practically gonna have a brand new body. So at least there's that....

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Sigh    152

Sigh
Posted

Hugs…

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SleeveToBypass2023    1,495

SleeveToBypass2023
Posted

Here's what I was talking about with the part of my stomach above my belly button sticking out. Not sure why or what it is. If you push it, it's a little uncomfortable but that's really about it.

1.jpg

2.jpg

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New To This23    43

New To This23
Posted

59 minutes ago, SleeveToBypass2023 said:

Here's what I was talking about with the part of my stomach above my belly button sticking out. Not sure why or what it is. If you push it, it's a little uncomfortable but that's really about it.

1.jpg

2.jpg

Lipoma? When I read your story and now that I see the picture I was thinking possibly a lipoma. I remember an episode of Dr. Pimple Popper where a lady had lost a lot of weight, and she had this bump on her back, I think it was her upper back. She had gone to a GP who was no help, eventually, she made her way to the show, and Dr. Lee removed it. Her previous excess weight made the lipoma blend in , but as she lost more and more weight, it just stuck out more. Definitely get it checked out for peace of mind though.

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SemperVeritas    23

SemperVeritas
Posted

Been following along with your ups and downs and really feel for you with this latest development... it's been a lot!

I too have a "B" shaped belly, so I was curious what you meant by it sticking out. When I saw the pic the first thing I thought of was diastasis recti. I saw a picture of a pretty thin lady that had it, and her stomach made that same pronounced shape. Good luck finding answers and with your next surgery!

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SleeveToBypass2023    1,495

SleeveToBypass2023
Posted

1 minute ago, SemperVeritas said:

Been following along with your ups and downs and really feel for you with this latest development... it's been a lot!

I too have a "B" shaped belly, so I was curious what you meant by it sticking out. When I saw the pic the first thing I thought of was diastasis recti. I saw a picture of a pretty thin lady that had it, and her stomach made that same pronounced shape. Good luck finding answers and with your next surgery!

I've had it for YEARS. I thought it was because of my weight, like "well, I'm over 400 pounds. Of course I have a big belly" but as I've lost weight, it's not going away and looks more pronounced. Whether it's because it's getting worse or just because I don't have a big belly anymore, I don't know. But I'm hoping I can get some answers and get it fixed.

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Arabesque    5,674

Arabesque
Posted

Snap. I just found out I have two fibroids too & a small cyst on one ovary which they found by accident doing an abdominal CT. But because I’m menopausal & have no symptoms, we’re going to leave them alone unless something changes. One benefit of being old - wry smile! I’m sorry it means another surgery for you & long recovery. Though an end to the heavy bleeding & maybe a reduction of your bulgy bit will be a blessing.

All the best. Keep us updated.

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ChunkCat    87

ChunkCat
Posted (edited)

Ugh, I'm so sorry that you have to have another surgery! I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago (cancer) and the doctor is right, it IS major surgery and man do you have to for real do nothing...and more nothing...and get really good at rolling out of bed and not clenching your abdominal muscles for things! The recliner was my best friend, along with a small pillow to brace against my tummy and an abdominal binder helped a lot! Oh and post partum underwear because you don't want anything tight on your tummy...

Feel free to message me if you want some tips for surgery and recovery...or just to vent. I had reproductive issues for years before the cancer. I don't do nothing very well so I had to take up diamond painting and adult coloring books to keep my brain occupied. But, like with bariatric surgery, you only get one chance to heal well so best to go along with it. You have had so many other procedures I can't imagine this will keep you down for long. I was upset I had to have one, but now I am honestly soooo glad. It is fun to pack for travel without period gear! LOL I was one of those women who would bleed for months on end and no longer dealing with that is a huge relief...

Edited by ChunkCat
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SleeveToBypass2023    1,495

SleeveToBypass2023
Posted

36 minutes ago, ChunkCat said:

Ugh, I'm so sorry that you have to have another surgery! I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago (cancer) and the doctor is right, it IS major surgery and man do you have to for real do nothing...and more nothing...and get really good at rolling out of bed and not clenching your abdominal muscles for things! The recliner was my best friend, along with a small pillow to brace against my tummy and an abdominal binder helped a lot! Oh and post partum underwear because you don't want anything tight on your tummy...

Feel free to message me if you want some tips for surgery and recovery...or just to vent. I had reproductive issues for years before the cancer. I don't do nothing very well so I had to take up diamond painting and adult coloring books to keep my brain occupied. But, like with bariatric surgery, you only get one chance to heal well so best to go along with it. You have had so many other procedures I can't imagine this will keep you down for long. I was upset I had to have one, but now I am honestly soooo glad. It is fun to pack for travel without period gear! LOL I was one of those women who would bleed for months on end and no longer dealing with that is a huge relief...

Thank you so much!!! I have to put it off until I finish my medical assisting program, but we're looking at January or so for the surgery. So just a few more months and then no more period!!! I do have an appt with my bariatric surgeon in Oct to see if that bulge just above my belly button is a hernia or not. If not, then we have to figure out what it is. But I can still work out without pain, I'm still incredibly healthy, and all in all I'm happy. I just want the rest of this nonsense to be finished. I never want to have another surgery, yet as I say that, I know I'll eventually have my skin surgeries lol But I actually WANT those, so maybe that'll be different.

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heatherdbby    66

heatherdbby
Posted

have you mentioned the sticking out part to your OB/doctor?

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SleeveToBypass2023    1,495

SleeveToBypass2023
Posted

59 minutes ago, heatherdbby said:

have you mentioned the sticking out part to your OB/doctor?

Yes. They said it looked like a possible hernia, so I have an appt with my bariatric surgeon (he also repairs hernias) and he's going to take a look at it.

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Go To Topic Listing POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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    • BeanitoDiego

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      I weighed 199 pounds (90 kg) this morning! I felt accomplished and happy, and celebrated by going to the gym to lift some weights. Hoping everyone else out there is making progress, whether you are pre- or post-op 😊
      Today is 7 weeks and two days post-op for me. I've been through two stalls already, but I am sticking to the program. I want long-term success from all of the sacrifice and pain. You all know I mean!
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    • BlSm12

      BlSm12

      Okay so, as of yesterday my insurance company contacted me direction to say, that I was approved and have completed all the required items on the "To Do List". so, I should be getting my appointment next week for meeting with the Anesthesiologist. I'm very excited/nervous, but extremely happy too. 
      · 2 replies
      1. New To This23

        New To This23

        Congratulations!!! I see you live in Ashland, when I was in High School drama club we went to the Shakespeare Festival there. I hope to go back one day!

      2. NickelChip

        NickelChip

        Congratulations!

    • BeanitoDiego

      BeanitoDiego

      Tomorrow will be 7 weeks since surgery. Yesterday i found that I was able to finally drink more than a sip at a time. I am SO grateful! I have always loved drinking water and it has been my primary beverage for most of my life; losing the ability to drink a lot of it was my first post-surgical regret. Being able to drink more than a tiny sip at a time makes me feel so much more normal.
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      I've also been using resistance bands and stretching. I'm not quite ready for twisty yoga stuff yet. Or jogging. I did do a 10+ mile bicycle ride last weekend with a friend to a coffee shop where I had a cold decaf coffee with half and half. That was another activity that made me feel kinda normal.
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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BlSm12

      BlSm12

      Does anyone know, how long it takes for Medicare to approve surgery?
      · 3 replies
      1. aravenclawrebel

        aravenclawrebel

        I think it depends entirely on what guidelines you're being referred under. I had that kind of insurance through the state as a low-income person for 10 years and even though I was over 400 lb for 10 years they denied me. All based on the fact that I did not have diabetes. I switched insurances once I was offered a different kind of coverage from work and was approved within two months

      2. New To This23

        New To This23

        Medicare or Medicaid?

        They both have a serious of hoops to jump through before you can meet the surgeon. After you meet the requirements and as long as you do not run into any gatekeepers, the surgery will be okayed by your insurance pretty quickly after the surgeon clears you. One other consideration is when the clinic will actually schedule you for surgery THAT can take awhile depending on how backed up they are.

      3. New To This23

        New To This23

        *series on serious

    • NickelChip

      NickelChip

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