Bariatric Surgery

June of last year, I went to AGMC for my bariatric surgery.  It was not as tough physically as I thought it would be.  My family and I showed up at the hospital at 7:00am for a 9:00am surgery.  My husband wanted to write messages to the surgeon on my belly with a Sharpe, but I would not let him.  They did all the pre-op and gave me a blood thinner shot that made my arm feel like it was on fire.  When I went into the operating room I was very nervous, but within a few minutes my surgeon was there and he surprised me by being energetic and asking if I was ready for my procedure.  Believe it or not he made me feel very comfortable.  Before I knew it I was asleep.  When I awoke in the recovery room I was hurting.  I woke up saying ouch, ouch.  I remember the nurse telling me that I needed to wake up more before she could give me any more pain meds.  You better believe I woke up fast.  It is something going into a surgery not hurting and coming out hurting.  The wait was several hours before I saw my family.  I didn't get into a room until 3:00pm and that is when I saw my husband and mom.  When I looked at my belly I had five small holes and a drain tube.  The surgery was done laproscopicly.  Within a few hours I was up walking and going to the restroom.  I have to tell you the pain medicine was knocking me for a loop.  After this surgery I was on an all clear liquid diet for a day.  Then moved to a liquid diet.  Overall it went fast, but was a very hard concept to handle at the time.  Only drinking 2oz of something at a time is difficult, but doable!! I did it.  I also had to drink constantly to get enough fluids into my system.  by day two-three I was aloud to have broth.  Chicken broth is good, but I will never ever try beef broth again.  GROSS!!!!  My surgeon was great.  He visited every day and so did his nurse and the dietitian.  I was discharged on day three to home.  Only to be readmitted two days later for dehydration.  I only stayed in the hospital for a day, being pumped up with fluids.  I felt like a million bucks after that.   Don't get me wrong I did ask myself why the hell I put myself through it, but within two weeks I was back holding my kids and getting watered down mashed potato's.  That was the best thing I have ever eaten in my life!!!  The hardest part for me through this experience was more mental than physical.  My youngest was only 5months old and was having breathing problems.  The day I came home we had to 911 him to the hospital.  He has been diagnosed with asthma since then, but to be having problems with him and me just home from the hospital was a bit more than my nerves could handle.  Thank goodness for our extended family support system and our great neighbors!!!  By the way by me two week follow up visit I had already lost 18 lbs.  The weight just began to fall off. OK, guys give me some feedback what more do you want to know.  Give me some ideas.
Lea

Taken a month and a day after my surgery
Clothes were already fitting better!!

Pre-Op Testing

For starters, I had to go through a six month supervised weight loss program. If you have been reading all the blogs you are aware that I lost 35-40 lbs. during that time period and became pregnant with my son. Things were then put on hold. During my six month supervision, I was fortunate enough to see the surgeon each month and the dietitian each visit. The dietitian had helpful hints on how to eat better and healthier. Remember this is a life changing event not just a quick fix.


After having Blake I no longer wanted to have bariatric surgery. I visited the same surgeon to have him fix a hernia that had developed after my pregnancy. The surgeon convinced me that I needed to lose 50lbs. for him to safely fix the hernia. So, the fastest way to lose that much weight was to go ahead and have the bariatric surgery. My insurance had already been approved so I had to complete all the great pre-op testing. The pre-op testing included a sleep study, upper GI, barium swallow, EKG, breathing test, ultra sound and a lot of blood work. I also had to get a copy of my annual pap to the bariatric office. Insurance, like normal, covered most, but we did have a large amount of out of pocket expense to pay for. The procedures that bothered me most were the barium swallow/cookie swallow, where I almost threw up and the sleep study. I didn’t like being away from my family and no one enjoys sleeping away from home. The tests did show a number of things I had no clue about. The ultra sound showed a spot on one of my kidneys, I had multiple large stones in my gallbladder and I had sleep apnea. No wonder I was always tired and could sleep 10-12 hrs. each day. At this point I began using a C-PAP machine. I don’t have to use it anymore. Sleep apnea is no longer an issue. After all the testing I was cleared for bariatric surgery for June.

Next to come-My Bariatric Surgery Experience.

Lea
 
 

New Years Eve 2004

 

Kids Play

     When D was old enough to run and have play dates at the park, I remember being depressed because I really couldn't keep up with her.  Mike always had to be with her while I usually stayed home or sat on a park bench.  Mike and I talk about a time when D ran from me in a parking lot and he thought he was going to have to run past me to get her.  Thank goodness she had long hair then or I would have never caught her.  I couldn't fit on swings, tired easily and lets not forget about the physical aches and pains that I had.  I wasn't able to give D baths, because of the pain it caused my back.  even when I first had Blake I wasn't able to give hims his tub baths the pain was to much to bare.  That was then.  Now, is a bit different due to the weight loss surgery. 
     I can now fit on the swings.  When we go to the park I swing next to D and I can follow Blake around without tiring out.  Last month when we went to get ice cream for the kids we let them play at a little park.  Blake went up to the top of the play yard while Mike was still helping D.  Mike is still trying to play and keep an eye on both kids as he has done in the past.  Mike yelled in a panic thinking Blake was going to fall down the fireman's pole and get hurt.  to Mike's surprise I had climbed the side of the structure and was waiting for Blake at the top.
     I now can give the kids baths without any problem or pain.  Also, I enjoy bike riding with the kids and have been known to put the kids in the power wheel and run alongside them around the neighborhood.  At the beginning of summer this year the kids, Mike and I went on a  crazy 20 mile bike ride.  The physical change and increased energy that I have experienced since my bariatric surgery is amazing.
Hope you are still enjoying, Next to come, My pre-op experience, getting ready for bariatric surgery.
Lea

The Kids and I on our 20mile bike trip through Akron