6 1/2 Month Update

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone! I wanted to send everyone my 6 1/2 month update. It's 2 weeks

late because we were on vacation, so here goes....

I had my MGB done with Dr. Rutledge on 12/29/00, I was 269 lbs (highest ever),

surgery took 30 mins and I was out of DRH in 22 hours (it would've been sooner,

but my dh overslept that morning - hee hee). I had high blood pressure (2

meds), severe arthritis (my doc was ready to do a double knee replacement on me

and on meds), enlarged heart, and borderline diabetic. I was very depressed and

basically, I felt like doggie dodo 99.9% of the time.

I am sooo very happy to report that my high BP is gone with no meds, my

arthritis, while still around, is very manageable with meds only once in a

while, the enlargement in my heart is no longer there and all sugar levels are

normal. I have lost 90 lbs and now weigh in at 179 lbs and feel wonderful. I

have lost a total of 70.5 inches and I fit into a size 14/16 right now. The

only complication I have had is I had to have my gall bladder removed (6-26-01;

lap - thank you Lord!!!!) and some adjusting of my thyroid medicine twice. I

had all the bloodwork done at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months and it has all come

back with no problems. I plan on having all the bloodwork repeated and an

endoscope done at 1 year.

I want to thank everyone that said prayers for me when I had my gall bladder

surgery. It went wonderfully (for a surgery) and they did an EKG on me before

surgery because of the heart problems. That was when they found no more heart

irregularities. I was thrilled! My surgeon was a doll and he very sensitively

expressed some of his concerns about the MGB and bile reflex. We talked about

it for a while and I gave him my information on bile reflux with the MGB. He

said he could see that I was well informed about the possible risks and he said

to keep in touch and let him know if I needed him for anything else. I was off

my feet for about 2 days, a little tired on the third day and back to normal

(whatever that is) by the fourth day. We left on vacation on July 1st and I

felt great.

While we were on vacation in New Hampshire, I achieved 2 goals that I had set

for myself for this trip. I was finally able to water-ski for the first time in

well over 15 years. What a rush! It was such a wonderful feeling to be

progressing instead of regressing in my activity level. I also hiked up Mt

in the Ossippee Mountain Range. We went up over 2000 feet (and I mean

UP!) to a spot I think they called " Old Baldy " . The trail was almost 2 miles

long in each direction. The view was spectacular and I had such a feeling of

gratefulness and thankfulness over-take my soul when we reached the top. I have

not been able to walk on a flat surface that far for over 15 years, let alone up

a steep, rocky terrain like this mountain had. Next year, we might train to go

up Mt. Washington. Now that'll be a hike!

After we left New Hampshire, we went to Woodstock, NY and stayed with Tommy

Bover and his wife Darlene for 2 1/2 days. What great people they are! We had

a lot of fun with them and boy, does Darlene know how to cook! Tommy has his

work cut out for himself with great food like that around all the time! We took

pictures and I will be sending them to Trish to put on the website. Thanks

again Tommy! You and Darlene are the greatest! We love you both!

Well, that's all my news for the day. Thank you everyone for your encouragement

and support through the last 6+ months. What a great group!

Hugs to All,

Peggy in Ohio

269/179

12/29/00