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Kimberly's Gastric Bypass Page
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Last Updated
04/20/2006
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As many of you are aware, there have been some major changes in my life over the past 3 years. On March 26, 2003, after many months of prayer and research, I entered Rockdale Hospital and underwent gastric bypass surgery. The procedure I opted for is called the Roux N Y Fobi Pouch Gastric Bypass. My surgeon is Dr. Kermie Robinson and is located in Conyers Georgia.
My surgery seemed to go well but by the next morning I had developed a leak. After the surgery, the tissues where my intestine was connected to my new stomach pouch began to swell. This is common. As the tissue became swollen, a stitch slipped through and a hole occurred. This is not common. Intestinal fluid and water from the ice chips I had been given leaked out into my body and caused inflamation and infection quickly set in. By Friday evening, I was a very sick woman. I was in and out of conciousness and was crying out in severe pain.
Dr. Robinson ordered a series of tests to determine the exact location of the leak and on Saturday he reopened my incision and repaired the leak. My condition improved dramatically and rapidly. I spent the next week and a half in the hospital. Most open roux n y patients are home in 3 or 4 days. I stayed in the hospital 14 days.
Since I had the complications I did, recovery was very slow. I was very limited on the type of food that would stay down in my new stomach.
Today is April 20, 2006. I have lost about 160 pounds the first 11 months after surgery. I met my personal goal of weighing in at 150 pounds on December 29, 2003. I have lost more since then. I have to make a strong effort to stay above 120 pounds now as I seem to vary between 116 - 125.
I feel wonderful and have alot of energy. I am able to eat most anything I want, I just eat a very small amount. I exercise and eat right for the most part, though I do reward myself with treats occassionally. I have done so well since my recovery that I feel I deserve some rewards. Before my surgery, I was in a size 24 womens clothes. I am now most comfortable in a size 4 blue jeans.
On Dec. 6, 2005 I gave birth to my son Brian. He was born 3 months early but this was not because of anything to do with my surgery. He is happy and healthy and smart.
People have alot of questions for me and I will attempt to answer some of them below:
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click Kimberly's Pictures
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Would you do it again? Yes, I would do it again and again. I have no regrets. In fact I am very pleased.
How much can you eat? I can eat about 3/4 cup at a time. If I don't gobble it down.
That is not much food. Do you ever feel hungry? I do not get hunger pains. I get cravings but that is different than hunger. Usually I will give in to a craving and eat one or two small bites of what I want and that has satisfied me so far.
How big is your scar? Because I had an open procedure, my scar is about 3 1/2 inches long. Also because he had to reopen it. People who have the procedure laproscopically have very small scars almost like a puncture.
What happens when you get to the weight you want to be? By that time your body should be taking in enough food and calories to sustain and maintain a normal body weight. If losing too much becomes and issue, you just have to eat more often.
What are foods that you can't tolerate? I can't eat fried foods, too greasy. Also high fat milky things don't settle well. I do eat alot of pasta. There is a restaurant in Conyers called Cafe Milano that makes divine cheese ravioli and I get that about once a week and make about 4 or 5 meals out of it.
Are there any negative side effects of the surgery? After about 4 months, most patients experience some hair loss. This is temporary and is caused by the shock to your system at the time of surgery and lack of iron and protein that you absorb. It usually stops falling out after the 6th month from surgery when your body has stablized and your selection of foods widen. Also, buying new clothes is expensive. :-)
What are the positive things that have come from the surgery? Oh Goodness, where do I start. I look better, feel better, I have tons of energy, not depressed anymore, blood pressure is down. Sex drive increased (though that was never low), I can shop in regular stores. I have met many new friends at the support group and reunited with some high school friends that also have had the surgery. There are so many positives but I guess the best thing is a huge boost in my self esteem.
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