Hi there
I am new to this forum and country. I had my sleeve done in Australia in March last year. I don't regret the sleeve for the weight loss but I am not thrilled about the side affects or how MUCH weight I have lost and the lack of support I am (not) getting - I feel desperate however I feel like I am on my own. Anyway hoping to get some ideas/advise from people who have gone through or going through what I am.
I was 81kgs (178.6 pounds) with a REALLY high cholesterol, back problems (I needed back surgery asap but couldn't because of my weight) and heart problems in our family put me at a high risk - In Australia the BMI for the op is 35 and mine was 32 but with issues/risks they will operate a BMI of 32. I am now 44kgs (97lbs) with a BMI of 17.5 - and that is not the lowest I have been - at one point I was 42kgs (92.5lbs).
I had my surgery and had a few usual problems - dry heaving (can sleeve patients not vomit? as I just get the heaving and no fluid or sometime my spits turns to water and that just pours out my mouth.) This mostly happened if I drank too soon after eating. And then lost too much weight. I had a Dilation done in Sydney before I move to NoCal. When I got to the States my weight continued to drop so I had another dilation here.
My weight has been averaging 45-46kgs but about a week ago I started dropping and am now sitting at 44kgs and am having terrible dizzy spells and blackouts. I eat (along with healthy food) pizza, drink coke, chips, eat chocolate (which I am not a fan of but my nutritionist has said I must go for my life to get my calories up). Nothing is helping. I have cream on my cereal and I make an ensure milk shake with cream - YUCK - just to try and get the calories but still my weight won't go up.
I saw a Biatric Surgeon here and he said I may need to get a feeding tube installed if I can't get my weight up but then goes on to say that it is sore and there is risk of infections etc... He also said he could do a bypass BUT given this op has not been good for me I don't want to risk it any further - and of course he gave me a long list of complications and risks - well you can keep it thank you.
My bloods keep testing perfect. So on paper I am healthy but on the scale and if you look at me I look like a skeleton. I am so scared my organs will start packing up. Is there anyone going through this? It seems like once you have had the surgery and you are "out of the care period" (which is 12 month is OZ) then you are pretty much on your own. I keep speaking to the Biatric's nutritionist who is so lovely but she just repeats herself "You need to get your calories up" - if I could do that I wouldn't be in this position.
Anyone going through this? Any advise and please don't tell me to eat more because I would if I could! (I also asked if stretching my sleeve was an option but apparently it is not)
Thanking you in advance.
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