When bariatric surgery goes bad...

Tomorrow it's one more surgery for me!

My story is unique.  I can safely say that I am the 1% of bariatric surgery goers that had a seriously bad experience.  I look back now at everything that happened to me in fall of last year and I must say I do NOT have fond memories.  I have calculated that by the end of June I will have missed 5 months of work in a 10 month period.  (I am so grateful to my kind and understanding employers!!)

My journey continues with surgery tomorrow, AKA my birthday - happy birthday to me! :) Side effects continue to impact my life due to the lack of nutrition I received last fall.  I discovered in January an odd bulge on my abdomen.  I was soon diagnosed with double hernia.  It is a direct result of my body not healing properly because I lack of nutrition.  My abdominal cavity did not heal. 

For some this would be a terrible thing.  For me, life happens and I deal with it.  So be it.

Normally this does NOT happen with bariatric surgery.  The main reason I was so malnourished is because of the damage the internal bleeding did to my organs back in Sept.  I sure have learned a lot about our bodies and how they work; how nutrition is important, etc. since all this has happened. 

When I tell people my story I am often told to take vitamins.  I assure you, I pump my body full of vitamins every day - triple the regular dose, by doctors orders.  Doctors check my vitamin levels regularly.  My system is still building up.

Happy to say my hair is growing in thick and my nails are doing ok.  That has been one of the most noticeable side effects.  

Which brings me to tomorrow: surgery to fix my abdomen.  They will mend the "holes" in my stomach cavity and place a mesh panel in my abdomen.  Prayers are appreciated!  I am looking forward to having my "babies" removed (as I have lovingly been referring to the lumps on my tummy!).

Hopefully after this I can get on with life normally!  :)

For those seeking bariatric counsel: 

Yes, it has all been worth it!  Being nearly "thin" is a different life entirely.  I won't say that it makes me love myself more.  I had already discovered how to love myself before surgery.  I truly believe you need to love yourself for your inside.  The outside will NOT effect your love for yourself - I find this is the hardest lesson!  (I feel another post coming on on this topic!)  But the overall healthy feeling, the respect you get when you walk in a room, the increased energy, the cheap clothes, etc., THAT is all super fun!  It's a total blessing!  Not having to worry about emotional eating... It's so worth it.  

Most people who get the surgery I had will not suffer the way I did.  Over all I would advise those who have fought with weight in their lifetime and lost the battle, to go for it.  It's worth the challenges along the way.  And now, in Manitoba, it is a 3 year wait, which gives you plenty of time to mentally prepare for the ton of changes ahead. 

This journey has been QUITE the mental journey!  Addiction transfer is very real.  I have seen people do this surgery in a mentally healthy way, but I've also seen people deal with it in a mentally unhealthy way.  I personally have been taking advantage of the counselling that has been available to me through the program which has been a huge help!  I am doing well, but only because I have spilled my ever living guts out to counselors and been real and transparent, dealing with the hard stuff. 

No further details will be disclosed at this time. :) But I have discovered that I deserve to be healthy and trim and I am also capable of handling the weight loss and food addiction in a mentally healthy way!   

With that I will try and have a good night sleep and tomorrow at 6 A.M. I am off to Boundary Trails Health Centre for repair.  I then will be MIA on the airwaves once again for some time.

Until later!!  God bless!!