TRICIA'S STORY(her progress journal & photos follow her story)
Note: If you are at my website because you or someone you know has experienced seizures after having gastric bypass surgery please contact me. I have talked with a physician and have some direction to give you.
I went from a 334 pound healthy mom of four, to a scared 203 pound woman who doesn’t understand what’s wrong. I feel like I have let my family down and that everyone around me is suffering. All I know for sure is that I would rather be 334 pounds and have my life back, then suffer from seizures and other complications from a surgery that wasn’t fully explained to me in the first place. This is my story.
I started my quest for a gastric bypass in 2002. I had done my research ( so I thought) and knew that is what I wanted because I was so overweight and unhappy.
Before the surgery was approved, I had to attend a six month nutrition course. I started the class in February of 2007. At the end of the classes, nothing was really explained to me. All they focused on was what I could eat after the surgery. When I had my appointment with the surgeon he spent about five minutes looking at me and said, "Okay, I think you would be a good candidate for the RNY gastric bypass." He didn’t really offer any particulars about the surgery itself. I did ask him about the lap band, but was told that surgery would not do what I wanted it to. That was the last he spoke of the lap band procedure.
In January of 2008 I was approved for the surgery. I had no health problems to speak of. Basically, I was a healthy fat person. I weighed 334 lbs., did not have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol. My surgery was scheduled for February 2008. I was on top of the world!
After the surgery I was more active than ever. Best of all, I felt better about myself. But, soon I started to lose weight really fast – too fast! I lost all my energy, and I began to feel sick every time I ate anything! It even got to the point when I hated to eat because I knew I was going to feel sick afterward.
In May of 2008 I had my first seizure, which caused me to pass out. I was shocked to learn what had happened. I didn't understand how all of a sudden I could start having seizures! I went to see my gastric bypass surgeon. He assured me that it had nothing to do with the surgery.
I went to a neurologist, He ordered an EEG and MRI. They came back negative for epilepsy – or anything else for that matter. The doctor did not have an answer about why I was having seizures. After that, I started getting headaches. They seemed to get worse and worse everyday. Due to the seizures, the DMV stated that I was no longer allowed to drive and that my license had been suspended. My Primary Care doctor recommended that I stop working because my headaches were getting more intense and more frequent. By June of 2008, I pretty much stayed in bed, no energy, headaches and feeling sick all the time. I could only manage to get out of bed a couple hours a day to spend time with my kids. I was literally WASTING AWAY!
The next seizure I had was worse than the first. I hit my head on cement and had to have stitches. Again, I went to the gastric surgeon. I was worried about how fast I was losing weight. It didn’t seem normal to lose 90 lbs. in 5 months! He commented that patients who have had bypass and are now exercising regularly, tend to lose weight quickly, that’s why they have the procedure – fast results. Only thing is, because of the headaches, lack of energy and seizures, THAT I HADN’T EXERCISED AT ALL!! He asked if I was taking my vitamins. I said, “Yes, faithfully”. He asked if I was eating. I told him I was, but very little because everything I eat makes me sick. He assured me, again, that everything was fine.
I went to see the neurologist who not only changed my meds, he increased the dose. He had no answer for me either. I had another seizure at the end of September. I went back to the neurologist who ordered another EEG and MRI. He also increased my meds, again! This time he told me that he was about 95% sure the reason I am having seizures is because of the gastric bypass surgery, but at this time, there is no research as to why this is happening to people!
So here I am. Feeling like there is no hope for me. I thought this surgery would make me happy and that I would be healthy. I was healthy BEFORE now I’m NOT! People, like me, who get gastric bypass aren’t given all the information about what it does to your body. What your body CAN’T do after, like digest food properly. I take my vitamins like I was told, but the pills aren’t enough to make my body work the way it should.
Catherine and I will keep you updated on my progress.
Tricia, 26
California
After having a seizure At the job Down 110 pounds, too soon!
that required stitches I had to quit due
above my eye. to my ill-health.
BELOW IS A JOURNAL OF TRICIA'S SYMPTOMS AND PROGRESS
Monday Oct 20, 2008
Today was my first consultation with Tricia.
The following are the health issues she has been living with.
- Headache: Has throughout day on daily basis since May
- Nausea: After every meal since day of surgery
- Bowel Movement: Has not had one for 2 weeks( will see doctor to check for obstruction)
- Leg Tingling: Constant tingling throughout intermittent days for last few weeks
- Energy During Day: Low & needs to sleep about 3 hours during day
-Hair Loss: Excess hair loss daily
- Seizures: 3 Grand Mal Seizures (May, July, September)
- Dizziness: 1-2 times a day when stands up everything fades to black
- Medications
1. Tylenol With Codeine: 4 times a day for headache
2. Percocet: 1 time day for headache
3. Keppra: For Grand Mal Seizures. I will update only if she is taken off of this.
Tuesday Oct 21, 2008
Tricia Begins NutritionByCatherine Nutrition Plan
Thursday Oct 23, 2008
Headache: Feel some relief
Nausea: None
Bowel Movement: Still none.
Leg Tingling : None
Energy During Day : Improved & slept only 1 1/2 hours during day
Medications
-Tylenol: Decreased need (took 2 today)
-Percocet: None
Monday Oct 27, 2008
Tricia finally had 2 small bowel movements today.
Monday Nov 3, 2008
- Headache: Still experiencing
-Nausea: None
-Bowel Movement: Intermittent
-Leg Tingling: Still experiencing
-Energy During Day: Getting Better
-Hair Loss: Has decreased
-Seizures: None
-Dizziness: Very Rare
Monday Nov 10, 2008
- Headache: Moderate
-Nausea: None
-Bowel Movement: Every 2-3 days
-Leg Tingling: Still Experiencing
-Energy During Day: Napping Less
-Hair Loss: Continuing to decrease
-Seizures: None
-Dizziness: None
Monday Nov 17, 2008
- Headache: Decreasing More
-Nausea: None
-Bowel Movement: Every 2-3 days
-Leg Tingling: Still Experiencing
-Energy During Day: Increasing
-Hair Loss: Continuing to Decrease
-Seizures: None
-Dizziness: None
November, 2008 Update
Tricia experienced one of her seizures.
Tuesday, Feb 10, 2009
GREAT NEWS! Tricia has NOT had a seizure since November. This is good news because she was having them every 2 months. It has now been 3 months since she has had one.
