Dody T.
Post-Op Finally!
Oct 26, 2009
I am finally on the road to being healthy! My surgery was 10/19/2009. It has been difficult but I know the rewards are well worth it!
My surgery was at 7 am on Monday the 19th and I was home by noon on the 21st. I had laporoscopic surgery and did not have any drainage tubes.
Thanks for everyone's support!
I am currently trying to consume my protein which is difficult because I no longer want my protein shake I loved prior to surgery. So I am heading to the doctor's office to buy unflavored Unjury protein powder to add to my shakes. I only have sharp pains occasionally where my stomach is which feels like trapped gas. It goes away but comes back now and then.
I gained 13 pounds after surgery due to swelling. This is coming off soon, so I am not counting it as weight gain.
0 comments
My surgery was at 7 am on Monday the 19th and I was home by noon on the 21st. I had laporoscopic surgery and did not have any drainage tubes.
Thanks for everyone's support!
I am currently trying to consume my protein which is difficult because I no longer want my protein shake I loved prior to surgery. So I am heading to the doctor's office to buy unflavored Unjury protein powder to add to my shakes. I only have sharp pains occasionally where my stomach is which feels like trapped gas. It goes away but comes back now and then.
I gained 13 pounds after surgery due to swelling. This is coming off soon, so I am not counting it as weight gain.
My old posts
Oct 21, 2009
9/28/2008
I did not have the surgery because it was not covered by my insurance in 2002. I spent a lot of money just going through to the nutritionist and psychologist then. Although I did not post this, my mother died in August 2001, a year before my first post to this site. She died due to complications with her heart. Just two months prior to her death, she had triple bypass surgery and was very weak and sick. I was dealing with depression resulting from a loss of my best supporter.
In 2002 I had my gall bladder removed. I dealt with gall stones and the pain since 1996. I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2002 because of excessive thirst and losing weight. Looking back I do not know why my doctor did not notice this because I was surprised that I was losing weight when my eating habits did not change. This is a symptom of having diabetes. Well for the next year I battled depression and attempted suicide. I did not manage my diabetes or take my medicine for years. This may have contributed to what happens next.
Fast forward to 10/2006. For the year leading up to this date, I was suffering from extreme pains in my right arm, neck and jaw every day. I went to the hospital (via ambulance) one morning because I thought I was having a heart attack. The pain was so severe that nothing they gave me would stop it. I was given and EKG and CT scan and they found nothing. I was given a lot of morphine and something to make it work more effective. I was then discharged because they could not diagnose me. I stood right up and the nurses thought I would fall because of the amount of morphine in me. They were amazed I was still awake. Well the pain persisted and I took vicoden every 4 hours all night long and say in my recliner. Eventually the pain subsided but then I had boughts of it every time I walked or did anything to exert myself. My primary care could not diagnose and suggested it was something with my nerves and wanted me to see a neurologist if the pain persisted. I went back two months later thinking it must be in my head because no one can find anything. I kept thinking about my mother and how she had the same pain when she had heart attacks and thought maybe it is a result of my depression or psychological. I changed my diet (I went up to 320 pounds) and lost 50 lbs. The loss was mainly due to lack of energy to even eat. I pushed myself to exercise through the pain knowing I am getting healthier. I finally insisted on seeing a cardiologist about a year after dealing with the pain that caused the hospital visit. I needed to know if this was in my head. Once I had the stress test they admitted me to the hospital for a catheterization the next day. Then I was told I had 5 blockages and needed triple by-pass surgery. I had this surgery 2 days after the stress test. I knew my life was cut short if I survived the surgery. My heart was diseased from the blockages.
Present - I tried to lose weight. The first 4 months of this year I took my calories down to 1200-1700 calories. Exercised 4 days a week for 45 minutes with cardio or circuit training. I also incorporated walking 4-5 days / week during my lunch break. My cholesterol went down and my A1C has been below 6.5 since my triple bypass surgery. I take my medicines religously. I lost 20 pounds in 4 months. I got to 254 pounds. However, I was working out so much I could not sustain it and burned out. I now have gained 10-12 pounds (fluctuates). I have resumed working out. My goal is to get back to 4 days a week and casual walking during lunch. I have been dealing with so much back pain (I can be washing my hands and it will go out). It hurts to stand. I barely get on the computer because it hurts to sit. When I am home I am laying to keep pressure off my lower back. I feel depressed and useless. Especially since Autumn is my favorite season.
I have seen a surgeon at southeast bariatrics and plan to have surgery by end of year of first of next year. My insurance covers 50%. I will be getting the gastric by pass. My new PCP does not support this because she is not sure about how I will do since I have heart disease. If my cardiac workup looks good and my endocrinologist is on board then I will have the surgery that will be most successful long term for me. Next I have to come up with about $4000 to pay before a surgery date can be scheduled. I am excited but nervous about money. My husband lost his job in 2004 and we are still trying to come out of debt. However, my first priority is my health so I can be in a position to maintain comfortable living and have a job should I lose my current job (plus I may not be hired if I do not have good health). I will be able to pay my debt but I have to be alive to do this.
My goal is to lose 85-115 pounds. I am currently 268 pounds.
12/23/2002
Last Thursday (12/19/2002) I met with a surgeon regarding WLS. He was very straight to the point and went over everything. The assistants in his office were very nice and put me at ease. I was so nervous my blood pressure was high (this scared me more because I usually have a good blood pressure).
I told myself that I would not write anything personal, but I figure this is a great place to vent out some feelings since I feel real comfortable here. So here goes...
Last night my niece asked me to go out to a Karaoke bar to sing and have fun. My niece, who is 25 years old, gets a lot of attention because she is very attractive. Recently, she appeared on a local television variety show and now wants me to be on the show. She talked to me on the way home about the reason I do not want to be on the show-my weight. She told me that I am really talented and one of the most beautiful women she knows. I told her that I know I am not ugly, but I am not what most people want to see. In addition, I do not want to hurt the shows ratings. She told me that she understood how it feels to be overweight (she was a size 14 at her heaviest for about a year). She stated that she gets comments from people now that she is a size 4/6 (not sure of her size but she weighs 115) where they say, "Wow you look better without all that fat!" Anyway she seems to think that I am self-conscience about my weight & she does not want me to think all my problems will be solved with weight loss.
I know that everything will not be wonderful after weight loss because weight loss will not solve everything. I told her I am uncomfortable being 282 lbs. and have developed these insecurities (not by choice) after being obese all my life (I recall being a size 14 in 6th grade). I told her that I do not care what others think about me, but I also know the harsh reality of my weight. I am not going to put myself in a position to be humiliated because I have been humiliated all my life. She would never do anything that would make her feel uncomfortable.
At this point in my life I am ready to make a change to feel better physically. I know that I will need support to help with all the emotional baggage that has come with a lifetime of being obese. So much damage has been done to my self-esteem that one trip home from a Karaoke bar won't correct. It makes me sad to think about the person I could have been and also the person I am destined to be. Either way, I have accepted my journey in life and realize that my happiness must come from within. My niece supports my desire to have WLS and she will always be there for me.
My goal is to lose my excess weight and have a renewed energy for living. I can't imagine what it would be like to have energy again and be able to run, play sports, and clean my house without pain.
Thanks for listening.
11/8/2002
I have been overweight all of my life and I am tired of being unable to do normal tasks without ‘giving out’. My goal is to lose 65-75 % of my excess weight so that I can have an active life style. I have been married to the most wonderful person for a little over 4 years (no children). I recently was weighed and discovered I lost 20 pounds. I thought I was gaining because my clothes fit tighter than they used to. Maybe I had my weight wrong. I love spending time with my family and enjoy going out with my sister to Karaoke bars to goof off.
A few days ago I met with my PCP to discuss WLS where I learned I was weighing 280 lbs (a week before I was 288 lbs). I asked for a referral and he quickly gave me the OK to meet with a surgeon. I will have my first meeting with Michael Melkonian in December!
It has taken me over 4 years to take this first step to see my PCP-I was terrified. It took so long because I kept trying to lose the weight on my own.
I am always on this site reading and learning. Everyone is truly an inspiration & I thank you for sharing your stories with me & everyone else considering WLS.
0 comments
I did not have the surgery because it was not covered by my insurance in 2002. I spent a lot of money just going through to the nutritionist and psychologist then. Although I did not post this, my mother died in August 2001, a year before my first post to this site. She died due to complications with her heart. Just two months prior to her death, she had triple bypass surgery and was very weak and sick. I was dealing with depression resulting from a loss of my best supporter.
In 2002 I had my gall bladder removed. I dealt with gall stones and the pain since 1996. I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2002 because of excessive thirst and losing weight. Looking back I do not know why my doctor did not notice this because I was surprised that I was losing weight when my eating habits did not change. This is a symptom of having diabetes. Well for the next year I battled depression and attempted suicide. I did not manage my diabetes or take my medicine for years. This may have contributed to what happens next.
Fast forward to 10/2006. For the year leading up to this date, I was suffering from extreme pains in my right arm, neck and jaw every day. I went to the hospital (via ambulance) one morning because I thought I was having a heart attack. The pain was so severe that nothing they gave me would stop it. I was given and EKG and CT scan and they found nothing. I was given a lot of morphine and something to make it work more effective. I was then discharged because they could not diagnose me. I stood right up and the nurses thought I would fall because of the amount of morphine in me. They were amazed I was still awake. Well the pain persisted and I took vicoden every 4 hours all night long and say in my recliner. Eventually the pain subsided but then I had boughts of it every time I walked or did anything to exert myself. My primary care could not diagnose and suggested it was something with my nerves and wanted me to see a neurologist if the pain persisted. I went back two months later thinking it must be in my head because no one can find anything. I kept thinking about my mother and how she had the same pain when she had heart attacks and thought maybe it is a result of my depression or psychological. I changed my diet (I went up to 320 pounds) and lost 50 lbs. The loss was mainly due to lack of energy to even eat. I pushed myself to exercise through the pain knowing I am getting healthier. I finally insisted on seeing a cardiologist about a year after dealing with the pain that caused the hospital visit. I needed to know if this was in my head. Once I had the stress test they admitted me to the hospital for a catheterization the next day. Then I was told I had 5 blockages and needed triple by-pass surgery. I had this surgery 2 days after the stress test. I knew my life was cut short if I survived the surgery. My heart was diseased from the blockages.
Present - I tried to lose weight. The first 4 months of this year I took my calories down to 1200-1700 calories. Exercised 4 days a week for 45 minutes with cardio or circuit training. I also incorporated walking 4-5 days / week during my lunch break. My cholesterol went down and my A1C has been below 6.5 since my triple bypass surgery. I take my medicines religously. I lost 20 pounds in 4 months. I got to 254 pounds. However, I was working out so much I could not sustain it and burned out. I now have gained 10-12 pounds (fluctuates). I have resumed working out. My goal is to get back to 4 days a week and casual walking during lunch. I have been dealing with so much back pain (I can be washing my hands and it will go out). It hurts to stand. I barely get on the computer because it hurts to sit. When I am home I am laying to keep pressure off my lower back. I feel depressed and useless. Especially since Autumn is my favorite season.
I have seen a surgeon at southeast bariatrics and plan to have surgery by end of year of first of next year. My insurance covers 50%. I will be getting the gastric by pass. My new PCP does not support this because she is not sure about how I will do since I have heart disease. If my cardiac workup looks good and my endocrinologist is on board then I will have the surgery that will be most successful long term for me. Next I have to come up with about $4000 to pay before a surgery date can be scheduled. I am excited but nervous about money. My husband lost his job in 2004 and we are still trying to come out of debt. However, my first priority is my health so I can be in a position to maintain comfortable living and have a job should I lose my current job (plus I may not be hired if I do not have good health). I will be able to pay my debt but I have to be alive to do this.
My goal is to lose 85-115 pounds. I am currently 268 pounds.
12/23/2002
Last Thursday (12/19/2002) I met with a surgeon regarding WLS. He was very straight to the point and went over everything. The assistants in his office were very nice and put me at ease. I was so nervous my blood pressure was high (this scared me more because I usually have a good blood pressure).
I told myself that I would not write anything personal, but I figure this is a great place to vent out some feelings since I feel real comfortable here. So here goes...
Last night my niece asked me to go out to a Karaoke bar to sing and have fun. My niece, who is 25 years old, gets a lot of attention because she is very attractive. Recently, she appeared on a local television variety show and now wants me to be on the show. She talked to me on the way home about the reason I do not want to be on the show-my weight. She told me that I am really talented and one of the most beautiful women she knows. I told her that I know I am not ugly, but I am not what most people want to see. In addition, I do not want to hurt the shows ratings. She told me that she understood how it feels to be overweight (she was a size 14 at her heaviest for about a year). She stated that she gets comments from people now that she is a size 4/6 (not sure of her size but she weighs 115) where they say, "Wow you look better without all that fat!" Anyway she seems to think that I am self-conscience about my weight & she does not want me to think all my problems will be solved with weight loss.
I know that everything will not be wonderful after weight loss because weight loss will not solve everything. I told her I am uncomfortable being 282 lbs. and have developed these insecurities (not by choice) after being obese all my life (I recall being a size 14 in 6th grade). I told her that I do not care what others think about me, but I also know the harsh reality of my weight. I am not going to put myself in a position to be humiliated because I have been humiliated all my life. She would never do anything that would make her feel uncomfortable.
At this point in my life I am ready to make a change to feel better physically. I know that I will need support to help with all the emotional baggage that has come with a lifetime of being obese. So much damage has been done to my self-esteem that one trip home from a Karaoke bar won't correct. It makes me sad to think about the person I could have been and also the person I am destined to be. Either way, I have accepted my journey in life and realize that my happiness must come from within. My niece supports my desire to have WLS and she will always be there for me.
My goal is to lose my excess weight and have a renewed energy for living. I can't imagine what it would be like to have energy again and be able to run, play sports, and clean my house without pain.
Thanks for listening.
11/8/2002
I have been overweight all of my life and I am tired of being unable to do normal tasks without ‘giving out’. My goal is to lose 65-75 % of my excess weight so that I can have an active life style. I have been married to the most wonderful person for a little over 4 years (no children). I recently was weighed and discovered I lost 20 pounds. I thought I was gaining because my clothes fit tighter than they used to. Maybe I had my weight wrong. I love spending time with my family and enjoy going out with my sister to Karaoke bars to goof off.
A few days ago I met with my PCP to discuss WLS where I learned I was weighing 280 lbs (a week before I was 288 lbs). I asked for a referral and he quickly gave me the OK to meet with a surgeon. I will have my first meeting with Michael Melkonian in December!
It has taken me over 4 years to take this first step to see my PCP-I was terrified. It took so long because I kept trying to lose the weight on my own.
I am always on this site reading and learning. Everyone is truly an inspiration & I thank you for sharing your stories with me & everyone else considering WLS.
About Me
Mount Holly, NC
Location
35.4
BMI
Surgery
10/19/2009
Surgery Date
Jan 13, 2001
Member Since
