I am back

Hi all! I am finally back and feeling better. I have many stories to tell and I cannot wait to share with you all. Since my Gastric Bypass surgery on March 12, I have been very busy learning what I can and cannot do with my new body. It has been a journey but I still would not change a thing.


For those who do not know, I had to go back in for a second surgery on March 18 because I was having such extreme pain when I moved. To ensure that I was not having a leak or gas in my old stomach, they went back in to make sure that there was nothing else wrong. After the surgery, it was determined that I did have some gas in my old stomach along with some bruising from the tools on my liver. My body felt like a Mack truck had hit me. I was battered and bruised from all the IV fluids and my stomach was a giant purple pincushion from all the shots of blood thinners. My throat took about a week to recover from lack of any fluids by mouth. You can see the pictures of one of my arms below. It was taken about 2 weeks after the surgery.

I look forward to revealing some of the crazy, disgusting, and somewhat personal information with all of you.

One love of my life...

     The worst part of my weight gain was not about the eating, it was about the drinking. Soda is the devil! Mountain Dew was my drug of choice. If I could have taken it intravenously, I would have. I started every day with the crack of a nice cold green can of goodness. Just sitting here, I can still taste the bite of the carbonation and sweetness of the golden-green honey on my tongue. The nectar of the gods as I call it was my heroin that travelled with me everywhere. Eating out was based on who carried Pepsi products so I could keep constant contact with my drug. I had special cups and straws to drink that misty goodness.
     Learning to stop that habit has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. I am completely carbonation free now. Just because I do not drink carbonation anymore, it does not mean I still do not think about it. Even today, I really wanted to suck down a big green bottle. It is not that I do not want it, I do! However, it was just another thing that kept me fat.
     I had to stop and pay homage to this previous love of my life because it was such a huge part of my weight struggle. It would not be fitting if I did not at least say goodbye to the one thing that stood by my side every day since I was about 18. Twenty-two years is a long time to have a relationship with something. As much as I will miss you Mountain Dew, I blow you a kiss and wave farewell forever.

4 days and counting...

     After going in for all of my pre-op testing this morning, I found out that unless something is wrong with any of the tests, we are all go for my surgery on Friday. Included in my pre-op testing was full blood panel, EKG (to ensure my heart can take it), and a chest X-ray to eliminate the possibility that I may have pneumonia. The check-in nurse also gave me special wipes that need to wipe myself down with a pre-moistened medicated towel that will help prevent any type of skin infection.

     When I completed my stint at the hospital, I went to my surgeon’s office for my last visit before the big day. We went over the surgery again and discussed all issues that may arise during my stay. I will have nothing by mouth starting on Thursday at midnight until sometime Monday morning when I can take my liquid test. Now anyone who knows me realizes that I go nowhere without a cup of something to drink in my hand. It may be the most difficult of everything I have had to do so far. I am be exaggerating a bit there. But seriously, I have to go 4 days without a drop of water? I asked the Doc if I could have ice chips to which I got the response of a resounding NO. Then I thought I might ask him if a drug induced coma until Monday could be an option but quickly changed my mind when I saw the look on his face.

     I have not gotten however, to the best part of my day. As most of you know, I have been on a liquid diet for exactly a week now. It has been rough but it has gotten easier and easier. However, when I had to weigh in today, I had lost 17 pounds in a week! That is just beyond my comprehension right now. Doctor Graham was pleasantly surprised and happy I had lost so much. The Doc said I could end up losing another 10 pounds before the surgery. Wow! What a ride this has been today; I am on a major high! This is exciting and I am ready. I am not feeling as “crazy” as I was last week. Oprah has her “Aha moments” and this was mine today. It is really happening.

     I wanted to post some pictures for reference on my journey. This is my starting weight. I plan to keep everyone updated often.

Support System

     One of the things that my doctor has reiterated several times is that I need to have a good support system to make this surgery a success. I have never agreed more. Our whole family is involved in this process. One thing that the family needs to do is learn to eat and shop better.
     As a family, we have sat down and communicated how this surgery will influence all of our lives. We have discussed how our shopping habits will change and that snack items will no longer litter our pantry. We have already begun to implement some of the changes by eliminating sugar from most everything we eat. This is not too difficult because Rick is a diabetic. Over the last months, we have gradually cut out foods and drinks that were a staple in our home. The boys have all helped in this process by coming up with their own ideas of how to eradicate some of their favorite foods.
     My husband Rick is a Godsend. I am not sure how the Lord allowed this wonderful man to be a huge part of my life. He is my rock. I know that I often take him for granted, I do not say thank you enough, and I am lax at telling him how much I love him. He supports me in this endeavor. However, more importantly he is helping me to ensure I am eating correctly and taking my vitamins. Rick will be preparing most of the meals when I first get home and am able to get moving. He has taken impeccable notes to ensure that I get all the vitamins and mineral my body needs. I could not imagine my life without him.

Decisions

     One of the first things people usually ask is why I chose to have gastric bypass over LAP-BAND®. In many cases for most people, it is a matter of quality of life. After reviewing several different procedures, each had their pros and cons. I will only be discussing two here even though the sleeve is making great strides in competing in this market. The LAP-BAND® and Roux-en-Y were the main two procedures my insurance would cover.
     With the LAP-BAND® a positive and a negative thing for me was the ability to continue to eat anything. It is not a choice for me because I would not want the ability resume my bad eating habits. The thought of having to get a fill with a needle every time I needed one was another downfall for me. Having a port and a piece of plastic in my body for the rest of my life was not my ideal for quality of life. Insurance also played a role because my insurance company will only pay for the surgery once. If LAP-BAND® does not succeed; I am not eligible for a revision. If LAP-BAND® had a better success rate it and possibility of losing all the weight I needed to lose; I may have changed my mind. However, LAP-BAND® is less invasive than gastric bypass and there is less chance of serious complications. Another benefit of LAP-BAND® is there is no dumping syndrome.
     Gastric Bypass otherwise known as the Roux-en-Y has a dramatically increased success rate over the LAP-BAND®. Even with the possibility of complications, gastric bypass has a better success rate because it is a restrictive procedure and a malabsorption process. For me, I wanted the promise of dumping if I ate something wrong. I feel that I need the idea of becoming seriously ill if I do not fuel my body with the correct types of foods. I will never eat the same way again. That was also appealing to me. I have many food hurdles to overcome and it is imperative that I make this drastic move to save my life.
     Maybe looking at my reasons for why I chose the Roux-en-Y can be the exact same reasons why another would choose LAP-BAND® if they needed to make that decision. I did not want to turn this blog into a research paper so a cut short many more statistics and information. Ultimately, my decision was based on what procedure would serve me best for the long term. I hope that I am right.

The Hangover

     “Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum with a small camera (flexible endoscope) which is inserted down the throat” (Medline, 2010). I had this procedure done on Wednesday. The process started at 5:40 am when we walked into the hospital to check in. I did have to wait long before I was ushered back to the pre-op area where they put in an IV and had me remove all clothing except panties. First of all, I have had many IV’s with all of the births of my children and surgeries I have had but Nurse Janet should be nominated for an award of the best IV starter ever. There was very little pain and no discomfort. After another wait, I was finally wheeled into the cold operating room. I was placed on my left side and I remember the anesthesiologist telling me he was giving me something to relax. I remember laughing and joking around then I glanced at my IV and saw the milky liquid in it, at which time I realized I would not be awake too much longer. That was my last thought. When I awoke, I was in a large open room with curtains around me. Once I came out of the fog, I felt like I could run a marathon. The anesthesia appeared quick to wear off and I was moved within 30 minutes from leaving the operating room to a reclining chair where I would wait for the doctor. When Dr. Graham came out, he said everything looked great and my surgery was a go for March 12th. After speaking to the doctor, the nurse and Rick walked me to the car for the trip home where my liquid nourishment was waiting for me.

     I felt good for about the first hour home; I drank my first meal of the day and took my vitamins. Suddenly I became extremely tired decided to lie down to take a nap. That was at 10am. I woke up at 7:30pm with a screaming headache. Since I had not eaten anything, I drank a cup of “liquid goodness” and took two Advil. By 10pm, my headache was gone, I felt much better, and I was sure I was going to work the next day. The next morning I woke up with another headache and a terrible sore throat. I did not go to work. Thank goodness, I had prepared work for that possibility. At about 9 am I received a call from the hospital asking how I was doing. She stated that my symptoms were more than likely an” anesthesia hangover”. I slept the rest of Thursday and finally emerged feeling fantastic on Friday morning. More to come on that…