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  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member KidEmerson's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    08/04/2017
    Surgeon
    (REVISION SURGEON) Dr. Ian Soriano (Upenn)
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Last Activity
    01-28-2018 02:15 PM
    Posts
    51
    Said "Thanks" 6 Times
    Was Thanked 17 Times in 10 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default The Best Worst Year of My Life

    Hey Forum!

    It's been a very long time since I've updated. On 12/19/2016 I had the Gastric Sleeve. Unfortunately there were serious complications that resulted in 2 revision surgeries and 4 procedures in attempt to correct the complication. I'm not here to bash the surgery or surgeon, mistakes happen. I made the choice to get the sleeve and it resulted in complications that led to the absolute worst year of my life. However, the clarity, the results, the peace of mind, and the journey was the most rewarding experience of my life. Weight loss surgery is NOT the easy way out. If you asked me to do it all over again I'd say to you "Let's start today!"

    My complication was a "stricture" of the narrowing of my esophagus and stomach connection (This is not the technical term lol). Basically, I couldn't tolerate anything. No liquids, no foods without throwing up. I developed Los Angeles Grade C Esophagitis which could have led to cancer of the esophagus. I also developed a sliding hiatal hernia that had to be removed. To make matters just a tad worse, there was so much scarred tissue that my new surgeon had to remove because it was making matters worse.

    Today, I am healed physically and I look GREAAAAAAT!!! OH MY GOD!!! I feel like a model lol, I make corduroys look amazing. However, my mental health struggles are pretty intense and that's what I wanted to talk to you about today. If you or someone you know that is a candidate for bariatric surgery and they suffer from depression, bipolar disorder...Wait, I sound like a damn commercial. Lol. Anyway, if you have a psychological disability, I'd like to encourage you to TAKE ACTION as early as possible as it relates to medications, any extended release medication you take is going to have an impact, if you take medication for bipolar disorder be sure to monitor your response. Everyone is different but the recovery from bariatric surgery does not follow the MIND BODY SPIRIT path, it is BODY, SPIRIT, and MIND path that becomes priority.

    The mind, is the final and most challenging phase of recovery because you are readjusting your thoughts, feelings, and perception of who you are. The cool thing is everything improves, you just need to allow your mind to adjust to it. Regardless of what your religious beliefs are, know that you are connected to the earth, the energy, the resources, the direction of life is all at your fingertips. I know this sounds trippy but you are going to be given the life you always envisioned and that means you're going to have to do the work. Get into therapy, get into yoga, bike riding, walking, embrace the new you and burn that energy! You have to take on new hobbies and activities.

    I always was into cycling but now I ride my bike like a nut, I am transitioning from animal sources of protein to plat based. I incorporated the use of essential oils in my everyday activity. Take advantage of what mother earth is offering you because what we couldn't see when we were overweight is going to be blindingly obvious and it will be intimidating. So, just remember to take it slow, be nice and courteous to your health care providers, and pay attention to your body. Hopefully you won't experience the pain and suffering that I did.

    I am excited for you and your journey! Live baby Live!




  2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  3. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member Ann2's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Ann2
    Surgery date
    08/18/2014
    Surgeon
    n.a.
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    6,630
    Said "Thanks" 5,839 Times
    Was Thanked 5,052 Times in 2,720 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 3,616 Times
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Re: The Best Worst Year of My Life

    Oh, Kid Emerson -- this is a GREAT post.

    And "I make corduroys look great!" is the funniest thing I've seen in years.

    So happy for you that you're making all of this work together for yourself.

    Very best wishes to you for the future. Congratulations!



    Consult: 235 lbs
    My and doc's preop diet: 216 -19 lbs
    M1 postop 205 -30
    M2 193 -42
    M3 184 -51
    M4 174 -61
    M5 167 -68
    M6 162 -73
    M7 156 -79
    M8 151 -84
    M9 148 -87
    M10 146 -89
    M11 144 -91
    M12 143 -92
    M13 142 -93
    M14 140 -95
    M15 139 -96
    M16 137 -98
    M17 135 -100

    First Surgiversary post

    Second Surgiversary post

    Third Surgiversary post

  4. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member KidEmerson's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    08/04/2017
    Surgeon
    (REVISION SURGEON) Dr. Ian Soriano (Upenn)
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Last Activity
    01-28-2018 02:15 PM
    Posts
    51
    Said "Thanks" 6 Times
    Was Thanked 17 Times in 10 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: The Best Worst Year of My Life

    Thanks!!!! Weight Loss Surgery was THEE best decision ive ever made!



  5. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member AnnieG's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Annie
    Surgery date
    10/05/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Ryan Heider
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Last Activity
    11-29-2020 11:18 AM
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    1,572
    Said "Thanks" 3,565 Times
    Was Thanked 1,143 Times in 760 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 271 Times
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Re: The Best Worst Year of My Life

    Quote Originally Posted by KidEmerson View Post
    Thanks!!!! Weight Loss Surgery was THEE best decision ive ever made!
    Congratulations on making it through so much, and coming out wonderfully! I agree about the meds. I'm only 3 months out, but my "crazy meds" were my larger concern. Fortunately I have been able to tolerate them well, since they are first thing and empty stomach. It's a physical change (brain rain) that goes with body stressors that complicate that part.

    You do look fabulous! Well done, and a great share.
    Annie
    [I]HW: 240 lbs SW: 199 lbs GW: 140 lbs

    1 MO = 167.0 2 MO = 156.4 3 MO = 148.4 4 MO = 140.6
    5 M) = 136.0 6 MO = 130.0
    1 YR = 122.0 2 YR = 140.00 2.5 YR = 139
    Happy with my weight; happy with my size; over-the-moon with my health!

  6. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    12/12/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr Landerholm
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Last Activity
    02-13-2018 09:44 PM
    Location
    Pacific Northwest
    Posts
    1,334
    Said "Thanks" 9 Times
    Was Thanked 457 Times in 339 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 138 Times

    Default Re: The Best Worst Year of My Life

    So glad you have found so much success and are over all of your complications!!

    I am interested in how they treated your LA grade C esphogitis - I am over 6 years post sleeve and was just diagnosed with that on Friday! I find out my biopsy results next week, but the diagnosis is clear. There was talk of surgery, maybe even revision to bypass etc etc - just curious to hear your experiences. thanks!
    308# 12/1/2011 Start of Preop Diet
    300# 12/12/11 Lapband to Sleeve revision
    158# Feb 2013 - GOAL lost 150# 14 months post op
    150# 10/14/2013 - Plastics Dr Sauceda in Monterrey Mexico; removed 5.5# of skin
    140# Apr 2014 - maintaining 168# weight loss currently. Very happy with my sleeve and plastics results!

  7. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  8. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member KidEmerson's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    08/04/2017
    Surgeon
    (REVISION SURGEON) Dr. Ian Soriano (Upenn)
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Last Activity
    01-28-2018 02:15 PM
    Posts
    51
    Said "Thanks" 6 Times
    Was Thanked 17 Times in 10 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: The Best Worst Year of My Life

    Thanks!



  9. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member KidEmerson's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    08/04/2017
    Surgeon
    (REVISION SURGEON) Dr. Ian Soriano (Upenn)
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Last Activity
    01-28-2018 02:15 PM
    Posts
    51
    Said "Thanks" 6 Times
    Was Thanked 17 Times in 10 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: The Best Worst Year of My Life

    9 times out of 10 they'll likely convert to a gastric bypass in order to prevent Barrett's Esophagitis which is cancer. My esophagus was a complete nightmare, it looked really bad so my revision surgeon first removed a sliding hiatal hernia and cleared up some scarred tissue but that didn't have much of an impact. I was converted on August 4th and honestly, that was the best thing they could have done, I don't have anymore GI symptoms and I no longer have acid reflux. The only downside was some of the medication I take gets broken down in my small intestine now so the response to the meds are almost instantaneous and sometimes that's a little scary.

    In my case, the surgeon chose to keep part of my stomach intact so I do have some use and that's why every now and then I'll get a little acid refluxy but it doesn't last long.



  10. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member Christie13's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Christie
    Surgery date
    11/03/2016
    Surgeon
    Dr. Wright
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Last Activity
    09-12-2019 04:13 PM
    Posts
    5,169
    Said "Thanks" 978 Times
    Was Thanked 2,940 Times in 2,192 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1,465 Times
    Blog Entries
    97

    Default Re: The Best Worst Year of My Life

    Glad to hear that you are doing better. I remember how hard you had it in the beginning. Even though complications are relatively low for this surgery, when they are happening to you and are abundant it is of no consolation. I am so happy you had your revision and are doing so well now. And good on you for feeling so foxy!!



  11. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member KidEmerson's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    08/04/2017
    Surgeon
    (REVISION SURGEON) Dr. Ian Soriano (Upenn)
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Last Activity
    01-28-2018 02:15 PM
    Posts
    51
    Said "Thanks" 6 Times
    Was Thanked 17 Times in 10 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: The Best Worst Year of My Life

    Thanks! yeah I'm pretty hot now, lol!



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