Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group
Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.
Hey there guys. For those of you that remember me, its been a while since Ive reported in,
For those that do not know or recall me, my name is Justin. Surgery was 3/3/14. Started at 450 lbs. As of July to now Ive weighed 175lbs. My weight loss is not normal, so if your new, please do not expect these results.
Im pretty much writing to vent, get some advice or insight and to just tell my story
Since my surgery ive had a lot happen. Ill start with the positive. Other than the 275lb weight loss and multitudes of NSVs, my son was born on 9/15/14. He is truly the light in my darkness and brings me great joy everyday. Im very thankfull for my weightloss because I can do so much more with . Im also getting married on the 23rd to a woman who loved me at my biggest and has truly been a godsend and stuck by me when she probably should have left (most others would have).
Now for the bad/negative.. Since surgery I ve had to have my galbladder removed. Been hospitalized multiple times for cardiac, low electrolyte, weakness/malnurishment. All related to the surgery and lack of following the GBP diet. For those of you that are new.....your diet and vitamin regiment are crucial. I was also hospitalized for a bowel perforation at the surgery site. I have also developed severe depression and am recovering from what i proclaim as alcoholism. Thank god for my fiance and immediate family to help me through this all. I am actually at an unhealthy weight. Im 6'3 and wanted to stop at 200lbs. I look emaciated and like a bag of bones. Its gotten to the point that friends/family/coworkers have stopped telling me how great i look, to telling me how unhealthy i look. There was even a rumor at work that I had cancer at one point. Anyways, most of my issues are my own fault. im seeing a counselor and saw a nutritionist to help me gain some weight.
Please feel free to give me any advice. Ask questions. It helps for me to talk about these issues. Thanks to all. Also theres some updated photos in my profile.
For those that do not know or recall me, my name is Justin. Surgery was 3/3/14. Started at 450 lbs. As of July to now Ive weighed 175lbs. My weight loss is not normal, so if your new, please do not expect these results.
Im pretty much writing to vent, get some advice or insight and to just tell my story
Since my surgery ive had a lot happen. Ill start with the positive. Other than the 275lb weight loss and multitudes of NSVs, my son was born on 9/15/14. He is truly the light in my darkness and brings me great joy everyday. Im very thankfull for my weightloss because I can do so much more with . Im also getting married on the 23rd to a woman who loved me at my biggest and has truly been a godsend and stuck by me when she probably should have left (most others would have).
Now for the bad/negative.. Since surgery I ve had to have my galbladder removed. Been hospitalized multiple times for cardiac, low electrolyte, weakness/malnurishment. All related to the surgery and lack of following the GBP diet. For those of you that are new.....your diet and vitamin regiment are crucial. I was also hospitalized for a bowel perforation at the surgery site. I have also developed severe depression and am recovering from what i proclaim as alcoholism. Thank god for my fiance and immediate family to help me through this all. I am actually at an unhealthy weight. Im 6'3 and wanted to stop at 200lbs. I look emaciated and like a bag of bones. Its gotten to the point that friends/family/coworkers have stopped telling me how great i look, to telling me how unhealthy i look. There was even a rumor at work that I had cancer at one point. Anyways, most of my issues are my own fault. im seeing a counselor and saw a nutritionist to help me gain some weight.
Please feel free to give me any advice. Ask questions. It helps for me to talk about these issues. Thanks to all. Also theres some updated photos in my profile.
You have so much to live for. I'm so happy to hear you are turning your life around. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Congratulations on your weight loss, birth of your son and upcoming marriage! I like what Lcat4 said, "YOU are worthy and YOU are enough!!
I am a bit emotional as I write this because your story is my story. I am happily married and a mother to a gorgeous son and my two men are my everything. Please catch a sincere hug for you and your family from mine.
Very briefly:
1. Main surgery on July 22nd 2013 went wrong; had to have 2 revisions and late last year had a fourth to correct some blockage, so four total.
2. Total of hospital stays and medical leaves for all the complications to date; 11 months. I am currently on indefinite sick leave after a 3 week hospital stay in August/September 2015 to treat malnutrition. So I am only 2 years post op but have only been pain and hospital free for about 1 year.
3. Minor difference between us: I did not have great after care support from my specialist nor was there a good bariatric center of excellence for me to turn to. Cries for help and guidance were ignored BUT I am however responsible for not being a well-informed patient, not eating right, not taking the necessary multi-vitamins and becoming a severe alcoholic.
Current Issues:
- Developed Severe Anemia needing weekly iron infusions; started off with 2 blood transfusions.
- Organ failure: Liver is the worst but other organs like my heart, spleen and kidneys are not functioning as they should be.
- Depression: seeing a psychiatrist/psychologist and also on medication to help with this.
- Alcoholism: Stopped drinking months ago of course but the damage was already done.
- Now lactose intolerant so my food choices are limited and if I break away from anything not recommended I suffer greatly. This was a new symptom after the surgery.
- Ugly Skeletal look: I am down to just over 100 lbs but it isnt by choice. Now fighting hard to gain at least 30lbs. I eat round the clock and Im closely monitored but again; its a very slow process especially due to the Anemia.
- Terrible scarring from the malnutrition. Dont know if this happened to you but my mouth was severely inflamed which left terrible scars. Also from the latest hospital stay, I had to have catheters and all types of injections and as my immune system is so low, my skin around any injection sites e.g. my arms, neck, wrists, stomach etc were infected and couldnt heal properly and I have terrible scarring and that will not go away unless I go for laser treatment.
- Others: The unspoken trauma of separation from family, rumors of cancer, financial ruin, isolation as I cant work etc.
I could go on and on.but I would take all day. I just needed you to know that you are not alone and that this too shall pass. I have a great team of doctors now who are battling hard to save my life and I wish nothing but the best for you. My family loves me too and has been very supportive so this has helped quite a bit. Thank you for sharing your story and for your courage We will be fine.
Thanks for sharing your stories.
Now, Justin: it sounds to me like you have had an enormous amount of change in your life in a very short period of time. Even when most of those changes are positive, it can still be overwhelming to have so many changes so quickly. So I'm just going to address two things:
1) In having the surgery, you essentially made a commitment to yourself to accept some permanent changes to your daily routine. These include following the eating plan and taking your nutritional supplements. You must do this if you want to maintain the positive benefits of weight loss.
2) You have to take care of your soul. By that I mean you mental game and your emotions. Very often, it is problems in those two areas that contribute to creating our obesity. The surgery addresses only the physical aspect of obesity. It is left up to us to figure out how to address those underlying issues that lead us to eat rather than feel. You may have become an alcoholic because you were still looking for a way to avoid your emotions.
You have a wonderful support in your new family. Now, I suggest that you find a counselor who can help you figure out how to heal what is non-physical. Here are some things that have helped me, in addition to counseling:
1) Re-educating myself so that I could eliminate negative beliefs and self-talk. You know, that evil bitch who lives in your head and belittles and creates doubt just has to be shut down. Only you can do that.
2) Meditation. This is a benefit because it allowed me to cultivate my spirit, which is my term for my inner Observer--the one who can observe the negative stuff and recognize that it is just "stuff" and not the essential you. Even ten minutes a day of just sitting quietly and observing my breath and my thoughts was beneficial.
3) Emotional coping method that is a quick fix: EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), aka "tapping". This practice is based on accupressure and it is suprprisingly effective. The quickest way to learn this is to search on YouTube for some how to videos. When you are in the grip of intense emotion, it can very quickly make the pressure ease off some, and that makes it easier to get control of your responses to everyday stresses.
I hope this helps you. Please keep posting to let us know how you are doing. :)
Sending a prayer for healing to you both.
You've been offered amazing advice and suggestions on this board from some of the most well-informed members Come back often and share your issues and of course, your victories. We are rooting for you!.
On a happier note - I just looked at your updated photos and WOW! I didn't realize how handsome you are!! (despite the fact that you need to gain some weight.)
JJ