4 years post-op

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Well on 5-17-02, I too had the miracle surgery with Dr. R in Statesville. It

was the beginning of the rest of my life.

It has been the most wonderful experience. Sometimes, I questioned my sanity

but never the why of having it done.

I didn't have any significant recovery problems and was back at work within 10

days feeling on top of the world.

I had a budding of energy from the first day and have continued to have only a

budding. I tell myself that I would not

have even the small amount of energy I have now if I had not had the surgery.

After three years, I was able to discontinue my blood pressure medication. I

still take all the other meds. I had fibromyalgia and arthritis

before the surgery and still have them. My thyroid problem has not improved but

my attitude has. I have had to have my gall

bladder removed, an arthroscopic knee surgery and a total knee replacement. I

would not have been able to have the knee

surgeries if it had not been for the MGB. I recovered from the knee surgeries

faster than the surgeon expected.

Since the MGB, I developed rheumatoid arthritis and am on more severe meds. If I

had not had the MGB, and still developed the

RA, I probably would be bed ridden by now, but am not. I am working pretty much

full time. I get fatigued by the end of the day and

am in a fair amount of pain but am able to make it. I don't think I would be

able to do so if it had not been for the MGB.

I have all the fond memories of the orange stuff, pooping like a baby, small

meals, dumping only a couple times and learning that it was not fun,

eating small meals, drinking Gatorade, taking handfuls of supplements every day,

and the uncertainty of what foods may sit like a rock.

I have delighted in being able to say, I used to wear a size 28-30, but now am

in a 4. I enjoy shopping where I never did before. Have ahhed at how my feet

lost weight and my ring fingers too, of having to have bracelets cut down to 7

inches from 8-9 inches. Enjoyed running into people I hadn't seen for months or

years and reintroducing myself to them. My favorite was at my son's Eagle Scout

Ceremony this spring. His father and his grandmother came up for the

ceremony.. Thinking I was just the person at the sign in table, both introduced

themselves to me. That alone made the surgery worth it.

Without the surgery, I may not still be alive, if I were, I would not be very

ambulatory, nor able to work or to enjoy my children and my hubby. I still have

medical problems but am able to cope with them much better than I would or could

have. I enjoy all that the MGB has brought me especially the new lease on life.

I was a slow loser. At 6 months, and 40 pounds I was asking about a revision. I

was told to be patient and wait till 12 months had passed. I did and I lost

more weight. Hitting plateaus for weeks, but slowly chugging along a pound or

two a week on the average. About 20 months ago I hit 140. I have ranged

between 139 and 144 ever since. I weigh every morning. I know we aren't

suppose to, but I enjoy getting on the scale now. There are days when I can

eat almost a half sandwich or 1/2 of what I used to eat but for the most part,

it is much less. I watch what I eat and the amount. I stay away from things

like ice cream.

If I want some, I will have a tablespoon and be satisfied. That is pretty much

it for anything that I shouldn't eat. I can have a tablespoon and be satisfied,

much more and I will have all the symptoms of dumping. So I just tell myself to

stop. I guess I am learning moderation. I must fess up to having had one

hersey's Kiss or 5 M & M's most every night before bed. No more, but without that

small amount I feel deprived. I don't do many other things with sugar .

I thank Dr. R and his staff, all the list board people who through the years

have answered my panicked questions and been there to support me.

I will be glad to answer any questions or be a contact, just email me.

Surgery 5-17-02 weight 311

today weight 141 and holding.

janebrenton

(931)827-4181

3430 Highway 49

Dover TN 37058

www.commonsenseconsulting.net