Question:
Most of you answering posts are young, younger, youngest; how about 60+ people?
I would like to hear from "older" people who have been successful with weight-loss surgeries. I am a refugee from the early 70s jejuno-ileal bypass facing weight gain. — [Anonymous] (posted on June 18, 2000)
June 19, 2000
Well, I'm not 60+ but I am almost 59. I had open RNY on 2/8/00. The surgery
went absolutely beautiful, no problems or complications. I never had a
pain, discomfort of any kind, not even a twitch. The only problem in the
hospital was what was termed as "withdrawals" from Paxil; I
trembled and shook so badly that I couldn't hardly walk to the bathroom.
HOWEVER, three weeks after surgery I started having problems, LOTS of
problems. I could not tolerate the liquid protein drinks (I tried all
kinds). I threw them up. I called the surgeon's office and his nurse told
me to try Soya protein sprinkled on my food. That worked well for a few
days but then I developed dry heaves and vomiting. Of course the vomiting
sabotaged the protein on food. The doctor eventually decided I had to have
an endoscopy as the lower opening had closed up. In the meantime I told him
I was not tolerating liquid protein and was throwing up the protein that I
was managing to get in. I still had dry heaves, up to 30 times a day,
MISERABLE. I even slept (or tried to sleep) in the bathroom with my head in
the sink. After two months my electrolytes bottomed out. I spent three
nights in one week at the emergency room, taking potassium by mouth because
my levels were so low (that stuff tastes like brine, UGH)! The doctor asked
my how come I didn't communicate that I had problems with the protein!!DUH!
What did they think I was saying when I told them I couldn't tolerate the
protein--THEY WEREN'T LISTENING!! I had to have a second endoscopy on
Easter Sunday, throwing up again with everything I TRIED to eat. Finally
found a protein I could tolerate (Procom), it's great mixed with ice, water
and frozen strawberries. I was off work for three months, was terribly sick
and would never have had this operation if I had known I was going to be so
sick. I have lost 92 pounds which I am grateful for and have gone from a
size 26-28 to a size 18-20 (loose fitting at that). I was told, eventually,
that the dry heaves are caused by stomach spasms and the warmer the water
you drink, the more spasms you have. I don't know why the same nurse
couldn't have told me that when I told her how bad the dry heaves were. My
co-worker had the same surgery and I told her to drink ice water--she's had
no problems whatsoever. I feel pretty good now, I can't eat chicken--throw
it up every time, but most other things go down okay as long as I take it
slow. Don't mean to be a wet blanket or to discourage others, but I feel
everyone should research carefully (I did) and then research some more. No
one ever told me that dry heaves were a "normal" side effect,
they were worse than the actual vomiting. Also, I blacked out twice (I
guess from the low electrolytes) and woke up to find myself lying on the
floor. The ER doctor reported it to the DMV and I had to be re-certified in
order to keep my driver's license. Good luck!!
— Connie G.
June 19, 2000
I had your same type surgery and I would love to correspond with you. I am
currently at least 40 pounds overweight for my heighth. I am 45 years old.
Email me at [email protected].
— pmscom
August 11, 2000
i am 63 years and 10 months old had my surgery june 1999 and would be glad
to answer any questions you may have. email me at [email protected]
provide information as to you age, weight, general health and other
extenuating conditions for a proper reply thank you irwin
— irwin K.
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