Pat_Hallam
Four year DS Post Op Review of Patricia Hallam – November 2006
On October 1st of 2002 I entered St. Lukes Hospital, Bethlehem PA weighing 209 lbs. [I was 5’ tall and had various life threatening conditions due to my morbid obesity] to undergo the gastric bypass surgery known as BPD/DS under the skillful hands of the surgeon there, Dr. Kevin Hoddinott.
I had Type II Diabetes and on the day I entered the hospital my HA1C was 11.3 my blood
sugars were totally unacceptable in spite of diet, exercise and medications.
I suffered from various joint pains especially in my knees and hips making mobility painful
and difficult..
My cholesterol was high but controlled by medication.
I had high blood pressure - controlled by medication..
I had fatty liver disease.
I suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome so debilitating that.getting around just to perform
routine activities or travel outside the home took tremendous effort and planning.
I was hypothyroidic and once I put on extra weight it refused to come off through diet or
exercise.
As of November 1st 2006 I can report the following:
I no longer have Type II Diabetes and my last HA1C test was 5.3 (normal) - I do not take any
medication for this.
I no longer suffer from joint pains and mobility is not an issue. I take the stairs many times a
day and walking is not a problem.
My cholesterol levels are normal - I no longer take medication for this.
My blood pressure is still controlled by medication.
I no longer have fatty liver disease.
I no longer have Irritable Bowel issues.
I still have issues with Hypothyroidism but this is being addressed by my PCP (Dr Douglas
Degler) and my Endocrinologist (Dr Marc Vengrove)
I can eat a full range of foods but I focus on getting as much protein as I can with each meal. Protein comes first followed by complex and simple carbs then fats (which are highly malabsorbed) some supplements such as ADE & K need to be taken in their dry form rather than their oil based form. I take a synthetic thyroid hormone, Synthroid which was recently increased to the next highest dose and I take Plendil, Accupril and HCTZ to control my blood pressure. I have been through a number of treatments for H Pylori infection and currently am using Flagyl 500 mg a day prophalactically.
Over the past 4 years I have been learning to deal with the various side affects that sometimes accompany this form of malabsorptive WLS(weight loss surgery). these have been mostly nutritional issues. I was diagnosed in 2004 with osteoporosis and lost an inch in height, I am now 4”11”. I learned that I cannot take any of the current medications for this such as Actonel, Fosamax or Boniva. Trying some of these meds caused me severe gastric upset, and severe muscle and joint pain which lasted for many months after stopping the meds. I have experienced some peripheral neuropathy, hypocalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, and repeated bouts of gastric issues from a bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori.
Helicobacter Pylori aka known as the H Pylori Factor
Specific bacteria that can cause infection of the stomach. This infection can contribute to the development of diseases, such as dyspepsia (heartburn, bloating and nausea), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), and ulcers in the stomach and duodenum.
H. pylori is a fragile bacteria that finds an ideal home in the protective mucous layer of the stomach. These bacteria have long threads protruding from them that attach to the underlying stomach cells. The mucous layer that protects the stomach cells from acid also protects H. pylori. The infection remains localized to the gastric area, and persists unless specific treatment is given.
Since the infection is so common, it is sometimes recommended that no treatment be given when there are no symptoms. These recommendations are changing as more research develops. Increasingly, physicians are treating the infection with antibiotics. Interestingly, one of these antibiotics is a bismuth compound available as a generic drug called bismuth subsalicylate. The bismuth part of the medicine actually kills the bacteria. However, do not go to the drugstore and purchase a bottle of Pepto-Bismol, expecting this to cure the infection. H. pylori is buried deep in the stomach mucous, so it is difficult to get rid of this infection. Several antibiotic drugs are always used together to prevent the bacteria from developing resistance to any one of them. Current medical studies are being done to develop easier treatment programs for this difficult infection. Treatment lasting up to 30 days with repeated rounds of Flagyl are often necessary. Even prophylactic therapy has been helpful in reducing the symptoms of bloating and gas and other gastric discomfort produced by this bacterial infection which is localized to the gastric area only.
I am very pleased with the results of this surgery and although I have some health issues none of them seem to be life threatening or unmanageable. The life threatening conditions are gone and so is the morbid obesity. My weight loss stabilized at about 125lbs during the first 3 years. My recent bout of Hypothyroidism bumped that up to about 130lbs but that is still an acceptable weight.
