|
|
Post by Gail R on Dec 2, 2014 14:57:28 GMT -5
I have lost 20 pounds since the heart surgery and it is not mostly water weight. I am trying to force in protein to keep my heart muscle and other muscles from being diminished. Incidentally, I worried that I had permanently stretched my stomach, but it has shrunk down to a point that I can't take in much food at all. I wished I had stocked up on good protien snacks before surgery but ran out of time. Advice: make sure to have a stock of appetizing proteins before something like this. Your sense of taste and smell go through changes. My kids are pretty good about picking up things for me and I am finally lucid enough to make requests.
I forgot to say, I ended up having six bypasses! The surgeon said that if it weren't for the fact that I was so healthy and had a long life ahead, he would have left a couple of them.
I also want to thank those who suggested I pursue transfusion or infusion. I did have a blood transfusion before surgery. Thank you DS.
My ferritin had plummeted to 9. They say it is in normal range now but I will try to get to my hospital labs online and pursue more treatment. I am up to a larger prescription dose of ferris fumerate.
I am feeling better everyday and at a faster rate than I imagined.
|
|
|
|
Post by nursemelanie on Dec 2, 2014 15:51:06 GMT -5
This is wonderful to hear! I'm sure that you will get your labs straight, now that you are "in control". To hear a surgeon say "you have a long life ahead of you", must have been sweet music to the ears.  Is the 20 lb weight-loss a good thing at this point, or will you want to put that back on? Thanks for the update! |
|
|
|
Post by Simba on Dec 2, 2014 18:35:31 GMT -5
Gail, sounds like you are doing great. My father was a quintuple CABG and I was ther when they reversed his anesthesia, never want to see that ever again. you and I have the same ferritin, I am on proferring forte- 2 pills a day, a prescription iron which is absorbed very well. wishing you a speedy recovery.
|
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Dec 2, 2014 20:05:12 GMT -5
Gail, sounds like you are doing great. My father was a quintuple CABG and I was ther when they reversed his anesthesia, never want to see that ever again. you and I have the same ferritin, I am on proferring forte- 2 pills a day, a prescription iron which is absorbed very well. wishing you a speedy recovery. I think you mean proferrin….but anyway, many DSers do not absorb any oral iron no matter what. Myself for example. So I get iron infusions (now feraheme) 2 or 3 times a year and that does the trick. |
|
|
|
Post by nursemelanie on Dec 2, 2014 20:58:33 GMT -5
Gail, sounds like you are doing great. My father was a quintuple CABG and I was ther when they reversed his anesthesia, never want to see that ever again. you and I have the same ferritin, I am on proferring forte- 2 pills a day, a prescription iron which is absorbed very well. wishing you a speedy recovery. I think you mean proferrin….but anyway, many DSers do not absorb any oral iron no matter what. Myself for example. So I get iron infusions (now feraheme) 2 or 3 times a year and that does the trick. NYB, I'm going to be seeing my new pcp on the 15th and then she will send me to a new hematologist. My iron sat is super low. Do you suggest just going with whatever the hemo suggest, or in your experience, is there one I should request. I have felt so lethargic for so long with this, I'm all about getting it right the first time and skipping the trial and error route, if possible. Sent from my SM-N900T using proboards |
|
|
|
Post by Simba on Dec 2, 2014 21:05:58 GMT -5
Gail, sounds like you are doing great. My father was a quintuple CABG and I was ther when they reversed his anesthesia, never want to see that ever again. you and I have the same ferritin, I am on proferring forte- 2 pills a day, a prescription iron which is absorbed very well. wishing you a speedy recovery. I think you mean proferrin….but anyway, many DSers do not absorb any oral iron no matter what. Myself for example. So I get iron infusions (now feraheme) 2 or 3 times a year and that does the trick. yes the RX, proferrin forte, extra g in there thanks for the catch on the typo |
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Dec 2, 2014 21:27:18 GMT -5
I think you mean proferrin….but anyway, many DSers do not absorb any oral iron no matter what. Myself for example. So I get iron infusions (now feraheme) 2 or 3 times a year and that does the trick. NYB, I'm going to be seeing my new pcp on the 15th and then she will send me to a new hematologist. My iron sat is super low. Do you suggest just going with whatever the hemo suggest, or in your experience, is there one I should request. I have felt so lethargic for so long with this, I'm all about getting it right the first time and skipping the trial and error route, if possible. Sent from my SM-N900T using proboards Stay away from iron dextran. Ferrlecit and venofer are both okay and equally effective, but they are long infusions and you have to do several, for example 4 infusions over the course of a few weeks. A few years ago I switched over to Feraheme (when I started going to my current, wonderful hematologist) and never looked back. Lower rate of adverse reactions, and it's a 5 minute push infusion. One infusion and I'm done for at least 3 or 4 months. And it's done right in my hematologist's office - for ferrlecit and venofer I had to go to the hospital or oncology clinic for infusions and it took hours. I don't know about your insurance, but my insurance covers the Feraheme at 100% with no pre-approval. I just pay my regular office visit co-pay. |
|
|
|
Post by nursemelanie on Dec 2, 2014 21:36:56 GMT -5
NYB, I'm going to be seeing my new pcp on the 15th and then she will send me to a new hematologist. My iron sat is super low. Do you suggest just going with whatever the hemo suggest, or in your experience, is there one I should request. I have felt so lethargic for so long with this, I'm all about getting it right the first time and skipping the trial and error route, if possible. Sent from my SM-N900T using proboards Stay away from iron dextran. Ferrlecit and venofer are both okay and equally effective, but they are long infusions and you have to do several, for example 4 infusions over the course of a few weeks. A few years ago I switched over to Feraheme (when I started going to my current, wonderful hematologist) and never looked back. Lower rate of adverse reactions, and it's a 5 minute push infusion. One infusion and I'm done for at least 3 or 4 months. And it's done right in my hematologist's office - for ferrlecit and venofer I had to go to the hospital or oncology clinic for infusions and it took hours. I don't know about your insurance, but my insurance covers the Feraheme at 100% with no pre-approval. I just pay my regular office visit co-pay. Yes, I suppose that's what it will boil down to...what insurance will cover. I think I will look into that ahead of time. Mine surprised me and covered my sleeve to ds with no problem at all and at 100%, but I have to go through hell just to get dexilant covered for my gerd. Here's hoping Feraheme will be on their "list"! Thank you, NYB. |
|
|
|
Post by Gail R on Dec 2, 2014 21:44:22 GMT -5
I have been trying to lose 25 pounds of regain for quite a while so i can get PS. This is NOT the right time to do it when I need to build up heart muscle. ...
|
|
|
|
Post by Girlrocker on Dec 3, 2014 12:09:46 GMT -5
Gail, this is SO good to hear, on all fronts! Yikes, 6 bypasses???!!! That makes my oops, you had 3 hernias not 1 total chump change I'm just so glad you are ok. And what great news to hear about the resiliency of your DS! I know you've been struggling for awhile with that 20# regain, and that at over 5 years out the surgery still works. You're right about how key protein is in healing from any major surgery, as it's what builds muscle, tissue; but especially the heart, what a muscle that is! Your health, future looks very bright, and I have to say, again, your kids are fantastic. |
|
|
|
Post by OnMyWay2Thin on Dec 3, 2014 13:17:19 GMT -5
Gail, I am in awe over your posting and spirits right now! Way to go, Gail! Having just seen my mother go through this (and she was intubated for two weeks and still unconscious at this stage you are at, by the way), I can't believe you are already where you are at! I'm so impressed with you, keep getting stronger, and you will be in better shape all around when you get through this challenge. As my mom said, it took 78 years for her heart to have problems, now she has another 78!
Keep working on your strength, you're a definite rock star!
Kelly
|
|
|
|
Post by aflame on Dec 6, 2014 10:13:03 GMT -5
Congratulations on a successful surgery. *hugs* It's inspiring to read that the DS has made for an easier recovery. My aunt had a quad. bypass a while back, and she recovered extremely well too. She hasn't had WLS, but it's wonderful to know that DS'ers stay so on top of their health that it positively impacts recovery. 6 bypasses is pretty major surgery, and i agree with your surgeon that it's going to add so much to your life, not just even more years to a healthy life but also improved quality of life. *hugs again* Thank you so much for sharing. Wishing you continued success. p.s. point noted re: importance of protein. i am sorry if you mentioned it already, but may i ask how much protein you've been consuming since surgery? have you upped it from the 120 gm requirement to promote healing? |
|
|
|
Post by OnMyWay2Thin on Dec 6, 2014 10:30:40 GMT -5
Gail, my mom has lost 20 pounds since her heart surgery in August. I think it's because she's being more careful of what she eats which you have always been. Either way, she's happy about the loss so losing is definitely a big possibility when you are recuperated!
|
|
|
|
Post by goodkel on Dec 6, 2014 15:17:22 GMT -5
I have been trying to lose 25 pounds of regain for quite a while so i can get PS. This is NOT the right time to do it when I need to build up heart muscle. ... I've had two surgeries since my DS and both times I lost a substantial amount of weight. It happens. You ARE in a good position now to concentrate on protein both to strengthen your heart and keep at least some of that loss. |
|
Is the 20 lb weight-loss a good thing at this point, or will you want to put that back on? Thanks for the update!
