I finished my schooling and am officially working in my chosen field as a medical assistant!!! I got my certification and I'm working in a critical care pulmonary office. I'm absolutely LOVING it!! And even though I can look at myself and see the weight loss, and I can see my diabetes and blood pressure are normal now, I still have a hard time believing I'm physically able to do my job and do it well. Yet here I am....doing the d@mn thing!!!

I have a CT with contrast on the 29th because my bariatric surgeon thinks I have a distal hernia (if you look at my stomach in my pic, you can see that area poking out a little). And I have my complete hysterectomy scheduled for March 6th. If the CT confirms the distal hernia, that will also require a surgery, but I have no idea when that will happen. I'm hoping before the hysterectomy because the hernia repair can be done laparoscopically (I think) but I have to have an abdominal hysterectomy because the fibroids are way too big to come out laparoscopically and I have to have EVERYTHING removed because I tested positive for the BRCA cancer gene (will need all of my breast tissue removed at a later date, but my insurance will cover reconstructive breast surgery, so YAY for a free boob job).

This last 50 pounds still won't leave me, and it's absolutely driving me crazy. No matter what I do, I can't get it to go. I'm hoping the hysterectomy will help a little because the fibroids are so big, they're making my uterus the size of a 16 week pregnant uterus. They also said the hysterectomy should help somewhat with my PCOS, since that's likely what's preventing that last 50 pounds from coming off. So here's hoping this is end of my weight issues and the last of my surgeries!!!

Edited November 23, 20232 yr by SleeveToBypass2023

Congrats on the job and you look amazing! Sorry to hear of more surgeries for you but I hope you feel better soon. Thank you for the update!

Congratulations, so well done. Your resilience is epic, I hope you know that.

Congratulations on achieving your study & work goals & normalising your BP & diabetes. Whoo hoo! Though I am sorry you will be facing more surgeries.

Okay, have to admit, I too wondered much weight I’d lose if I had my fibroids removed. Though they’re not as large as yours, cause me no issues (a benefit of being old & past it LOL!) so are leaving them for now.

Don’t know if you’ve had a contrast CT scan before but they are crazy weird. After they inject the contrast you get a warm feeling a bit like a hot flush over your body (though mine was just in my abdomen & my ears), you feel like you’re peeing yourself but aren’t & my eyes rolled back in my head. It only lasts a few seconds but a crazy ride for those 10 seconds or so.

You are looking fabulous. Your joy shines from the photo. I never realised that I would get so much from this surgery either. You have so much determination you will get to your goals.

21 hours ago, Arabesque said:

Congratulations on achieving your study & work goals & normalising your BP & diabetes. Whoo hoo! Though I am sorry you will be facing more surgeries.

Okay, have to admit, I too wondered much weight I’d lose if I had my fibroids removed. Though they’re not as large as yours, cause me no issues (a benefit of being old & past it LOL!) so are leaving them for now.

Don’t know if you’ve had a contrast CT scan before but they are crazy weird. After they inject the contrast you get a warm feeling a bit like a hot flush over your body (though mine was just in my abdomen & my ears), you feel like you’re peeing yourself but aren’t & my eyes rolled back in my head. It only lasts a few seconds but a crazy ride for those 10 seconds or so.

I have MS and have MRIs with and without contrast twice a year, so I'm used to it. It used to be a crazy 10-15 seconds but now I'm used to it lol

Congratulations! You look fabulous and we can hear it in the tone that things are going great for you, regardless of the coming surgeries. the hysterectomy will certainly help- I had mine in November of last year, and it has made a big difference. So glad you are doing well!

4 hours ago, Sigh said:

Congratulations! You look fabulous and we can hear it in the tone that things are going great for you, regardless of the coming surgeries. the hysterectomy will certainly help- I had mine in November of last year, and it has made a big difference. So glad you are doing well!

What did it help with? The extra weight or the PCOS? I'm excited to have no more visits from the monthly enemy lol

On 11/23/2023 at 7:06 PM, Lily2024 said:

Congratulations, so well done. Your resilience is epic, I hope you know that.

That's so sweet of you, thank you so much!!! ❤️

I'm so glad that work is going well! You look fantastic and all professional!! I hope it continues to be awesome...

I am so sorry you have the BRCA gene. I had a cancer gene panel done this summer due to the endometrial cancer I had. I found out I have the CHEK2 gene, which is lower risk than the BRCA gene, but still high risk enough to consider an elective mastectomy. I've considered going that route if I have to have a boob lift post weight loss... I saw the oncologist this morning to talk about taking a round of tamoxifin to reduce my risk. It was informative!!

It is possible they could do both the hysterectomy and the hernia repair at the same time if the doctors are in the same system. GYN surgeries often coordinate with other surgeons so their patients only have to go under once. You will be shocked at how light your pelvis feels post surgery, I still marvel at it! I love not having that monthly visitor, I didn't really understand how much energy it was taking for me for 2 weeks out of the month. And my iron levels stabilized really nicely post surgery. If you need any support don't hesitate to message me! I found recovery from the hysterectomy similar to my DS surgery, though I was sore longer with the hysterectomy...

Having those fibroids gone has been a huge help!

Thank you everyone!!! I'm actually excited to get these last 2 surgeries because my stomach will no longer be the size of a 16 week pregnant person, free boob job (kidding...kinda lol ), no more monthly enemy, no more PCOS issues, no more cancer concerns, and NO MORE HEALTH ISSUES!!! I'm speaking that into existence, because after these last 2 surgeries, I will have had 9 surgeries in 2 years. That's just too much. My body will practically be brand new by the time I'm done LOL