Been a VERY long time

[Jenn]

Hello all,

It's been forever since I've been around here. I can't believe how much time has passed yet it feels like yesterday in some ways. I am now 3 years, 7 months post-op. I miss you guys like crazy and I often think about coming on and then the day slips away but I remember all too well how much I was on this site the year I was researching and the following year after surgery. I was on this site more times a day than I imagine even the most obsessed tweeters and facebook fans!

How are all you guys doing? I imagine there are tons of newbies that I don't know.

[Teamkitty]

Hi Jenn!

Glad to see you and New York back in the DS House! How are you doing? You and I had our DS at almost the same time. As you'll see here, I'm having a few issues with D and Iron but doing basically great. Hope it's the same by you.

TK

[Jenn]

I am good. At my lowest weight of 157 and sadly it is only because I started smoking again. I had stabalized at 185 and quickly dropped 30lbs from smoking. Sad but true.

[Shrinking]

Good to see you back on the board. Hang around a bit.

This board seems to have a number of long-timers who share what years 4, 5, and beyond are for them. We're always learning on this path, since there are so few who came earlier. Share what you've learned so far....

[Teamkitty]

Congrats on the loss... sorry about the smoking tho. One struggle at a time tho. It hits me hard right now because my uncle is in the ICU dying of lung and throat cancer from smoking. But, man, is that a difficult one to give up! Until they intubated him Thursday, he was still smoking, despite chemo, radiation, etc.

[Crazeru]

Welcome back Jenn!
You were on quite a bit when I started here late in 2007. Good news about the weight loss and bad that it came with smoking, but you are getting in your protein and labs?

[AmandaLeigh]

Hi Jenn!

I've missed you!

[Jenn]

Hey all!!! I am glad to see so many still around and about.

Last year when I checked my vitamins I was good except with B12 which they supplemented in the liquid form. I can't say I am perfect but I often remind myself what Melanie once said. She wisely said in response to people's desire to be perfect with their vitamins which results in not taking them at all, that it is better to be imperfectly taking them consistantly then not taking them at all. So with this, I don't freak about cutting my doses of calcium as much as I freak out about remembering to take it every day. It is better to take a day's worth in one dose than not take any dose at all. Again, I am not perfect with even consistancy but I am working on it and luckily my labs are Okay. This isn't to say this will last so please, remember to take your vitamins ... as much as you can!

My weight is currently 155. Lowest I've been since grade school. I am currently fighting my insurance company in order to get the abdominoplasty but I am irritated with my plastic surgeon's insurance person as she isn't listening to me and is fighting my insurance company and not keeping me up to date on things. I really want the entire overhaul. Financially, I don't know how I am doing this.

Otherwise, life is great! I suffer with gas pains often, randomly. I can't figure out what causes it because it is random. I have to take a lot of gas x for it and often painkillers to dull the pain. This is my only real side effect of the surgery and I am more than okay with the trade off.

It will be 4 years in July and I can't believe it!

How bout the rest of you guys???

[jpcello]

Originally Posted by Jenn

Otherwise, life is great! I suffer with gas pains often, randomly. I can't figure out what causes it because it is random. I have to take a lot of gas x for it and often painkillers to dull the pain. This is my only real side effect of the surgery and I am more than okay with the trade off.

Hi Jenn -- pain should not be a trade-off. Gas shouldn't cause the kind of pain that requires a painkiller. I have to say I experience alot of gas but I know exactly what causes it. You need to find out what is causing the gas to ensure that it is indeed random. You might want to keep a food diary to see exactly what is causing the gas and to see if the pain is indeed from the gas or not from something else.

Good luck with your PS fight. Some plastic surgeons don't want to be bothered with insurance companies so you might want to find a surgeon who specializes in WLS patients, as they are more experienced with insurance issues. Just a thought.

[DS2000]

Just want to add to what Janet said - you should not be having "gas pain" that needs painkillers. You need to find out what is causing this kind of pain. I think you should get to the bottom of that issue before you do your PS. What if the issue is more serious than gas, requiring surgery (who knows)....would be a shame to do all your PS only to have to get opened up again...

I'm just doing a worst case scenario but it's worth it to get to the bottom of your pain before moving forward.

Also Jenn don't wait a whole year to have all your levels checked, especially if you are contemplating PS. Get them checked asap so if you need to work on anything, you'll have time before your surgery. Pay particular attention to PTH, iron levels (incl ferritin), Vitamin D, calcium...

...also I'm sure you know this but smoking increases your surgical risks.

Also Jenn about the calcium intake, just to save you some money...it does not make sense to take a whole day's worth at once because you can only absorb so much at a time. That's why it's important to take it 3x a day.