Some of the things they don’t tell you
Recently I’ve been having some stomach discomfort in the middle of the night and I figured it was that I’d eaten more than I should and I was overfull and maybe it was tugging at the band. Ok, I didn’t have a clue but I assumed I was responsible. Last Thursday morning about 2am it started again. I was doubled over in pain and thought.. “wait a minute.. I didn’t overeat.”
When the pain didn’t go away in an hour or so I began to be concerned. Not only didn’t it go away, but it was getting worse. It got so bad that I asked my husband to call an ambulance. They arrived in about 30 minutes, took one look at me and said, “you need to come with us.”
I won’t bore you with all the details of going to the hospital, being transferred to another hospital, getting sent home, having it happen again, going back to the hospital, getting transferred to another hospital again and all to find out I had gallstones and need my gall bladder out. The problem was when I went to the hospital the first time, they tested my blood and then when I went back the next night, they tested it again. It turns out that I have a fatty liver and one doctor told me in his best technical terminology, “your liver function tests are off the planet.” Then he left with no explanation.
Next day a specialist came in and patted my leg and said that everyone with a gastric band should be told about fatty food and not losing too much weight too fast. When you get the band your liver copes just fine with the fats you’re eating but if you lose a lot of weight, your liver stores what it can’t process inside itself. Nobody said that to me. I’ve lost over 50 pounds since the first week in November and I should have lost no more than 25 and my liver would be fine. What to do?
Who knows? The best advice I could get was to not eat any red meat for at least 5 days and no more butter, cheese, cream or ice cream. I should eat as many raw vegetables and fruit as I can hold. It would be best if I juiced the veggies and fruit because I could get more nutrition that way.
So that’s what I’m doing. So far the veggie juice that I’ve crushed through this fancy dancy masticating juicer tastes like liquid shit but I’m drinking it and licking the glass. I’m being so good you’d think I was running for Ms. Lapband.
If you have a band and nobody has told you about liver problems or the propensity to get gallstones, listen up. Don’t lose more than a pound or two a week (less than a kilogram) and go lightly on saturated fat.
I’ve got 16.5 kilograms (36 pounds) to reach my goal. I can’t wait. I’m ready for new boobs and a tummy tuck but I can’t consider that until all the excess weight is off and my liver is stabilized.
April 11th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I am so sorry you’re going through this. Weight loss surgeries scare me because I know they haven’t found out all the way this will affect people in the future. I’m a fan of weight loss shows (Biggest Loser and Celebrity Fit Club). I wonder if the people who lose quickly on there also go through the same health issues. Take care of yourself, and get better soon!
April 11th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
I’m not at all upset by what’s happening. Look at me “before” and look at me now. I have more energy and excitement about life than I have had for 20 years. It’s a teeny setback but I’d have the surgery again 10 times over. Weight loss surgery isn’t a free ride to thin. All it does for me is make me feel full when I eat and I’m not always hungry.
What it doesn’t do is deal with the emotional eating that we all do from time to time. You know, when a pack of oreos and a gallon of milk will heal any hurt? The band keeps me from eating the whole pack, though!
April 11th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I’ve lost 86 pounds & still do the emotional eating. Over the last six to nine months, I’ve gained enough that the biggest clothes I had are a bit snug. Emotional or boredom, I cant’ tell you which right now.
Back to you, you look fantastic! And, I know for the most part you feel great! Congrats on the loss! I should’ve said that in my first post. Forgive my rudeness
But, being told you need a gall badder removed and your “liver function tests are off the planet???” That would’ve freaked me out.
I will admit that I’m not a fan of the surgeries. I’ve heard & read enough stories that just scare the bejeezus out of me. I’m just a big chicken.
Am new to this entrecard thing, so forgive me if I don’t check back here for a response in a timely fashion. Other blogging (personal) sites I’ve been on are a bit different. Am still feeling this out.