jess0185
My story is very similar to most people that are on this page. A little bit about me now, I am 22 years old and married to the most wonderful man in the world! We live in Kenosha,WI with our two fur-babies Mia and Chloe! We have been married for almost 2 years and have been enjoying every minute of it! However, I have always been overweight! I was diagnoised obese at the age of 7 by my family doctor. It's been an uphill battle ever since then! I finally maxed out at 380lbs right before surgery. I was miserable in my own skin. Turning 21 and being 350 lbs isn't a self-esteem booster. You can't go to the clubs your friends want to go to because of the fear of the unknown!!! After a couple of doctor visits and discussions, I decided to start my journey through Weight Loss Surgery! I did my research through my insurance company first and found out that I would have to have my surgery done at the Medical Center Of Excellence that they had chosen. I didn't have a probelm with this except the hospital was 45 minutes away! However, worth every minute of that drive! I went to the free information seminar in July and found out that I was required to do the 6 month supervised diet. I completed that in the beginning of December and had a surgery date within 3 days. My insurance was very easy to talk to. I got approval in 2 days!!!
The morning of surgery was a little chaotic. My mom and brother were here from Alabama to support me through my life changing operation!! Let me just tell you I have never been admitted to the hospital, never had an IV, never broken a bone, NOTHING! I was a little nervous, but just like my wedding day....I knew i was making the right decision and that I was going to be OK!....Well, I checked in at 9 am...Surgery was scheduled for 11. When I got there they did blood work to make sure I wasn't pregnant and then put my in a holding area and got me changed. My family came in and we sat....and sat....and waited....and sat....Surgery was delayed and they didn't come get me until 12:30. My mom and brother had a flight out at 5pm that night and the airport was an hour and half away! So as soon as they moved me to the next holding area away from family. Everyone left except my husband!!!
While in the holding area the nurse came in to put in my IV. I was a little scared, but they num you now before they put it in. Because of my weight and veins, it was slightly difficult. She tried to put it where they had drawn blood earlier but said my vein was too deep! So she then had to put it in the bend of my arm which didn't hurt, but very hard to manage because I couldn't bend my arm! I layed there for a little bit longer and they came and put my compression booties on! Next thing I knew...1:30 I was being wheeled to the operating room!.
I was still awake when they began wheeling me to the room! They gave me some medicine to calm me but not to put me to sleep. I was calm alright. I shimmied over on the operating table, put my ankles in these jelly cuffs, put my arms on these boards and Sleepy Town I went. I didn't count backwards, I was just gone. I remember waking up in recovery telling the nurse I had to pee. I wasn't given a catheter or anything so she went and got a bed pan. I raised up and layed on that thing for what felt like forever and nothing ever happened. I kept falling back asleep and would awake to the nurse yelling at me....Take deep breathes Jessica...Come on now Deep Breathes!!! I don't remember being taken to my room on the 4th floor, but I do remember waking up to my wonderful husband and 2 friends bringing in a huge balloon that sings "Don't worry, Be happy" when you tap it and some flowers. The first day was kind of a daze because I was in and out all day. I finally had to pee that night and called for some assistance. They brought in a portable toilet and put it next to my bed. I went and boy did that feel good. When they came back I asked how I was supposed to wipe... I had an IV in one arm and the pulse/oxygen on the other finger. One nurse whom I didn't like that all said " Just do it like you would normally" yeah cause I am going to be able to bend over at and wipe. I finally said forget it and just got up and back in bed. Once the nurses left, my husband got some feminine wipes and cleaned me. Another nurse came in and asked why I wasn't using my morphiene pump. I said I wasn't hurtiing. The only time I would hit it is if I was about to get up . She told me I better stock up because it was going the next morning. So the next day I was up walking through the halls, they took my IV out, and I didn't have hardly any pain. I was discharged on the 2nd day to come home!
Once I was home I just layed around really and wondered through the house. No real exercise because I was still adjusting. My Wonderful husband was there for 2 weeks everytime I moaned! I am still sleeeping in the recliner because I am very uncomfortable in bed! My husband will sleep on the couch just so I don't have to be alone. I stopped smoking 24 hours before surgery so I have developed a nice cough that really pulls on my stomach. So far recovery has been easy and the pain hasn't been too bad. Each day seems to get a tad bit better. I am back at work now and the pain is a little worse from sitting in a office chair all day instead of a plush recliner! I have lost 22 lbs in 2 weeks so I know it's working. It has been a little bit of a battle getting in all my liquids and protein. I just ordered some that I really like so that should be a little bit easier! I am sure everyone has a little problem this early out finding stuff they like that way they can get it all in! I will be starting walking everyday soon. We got 3" of snow the day I wanted to start so it's being delayed just a little bit! I believe that is my story up to date, but I will check in and post updates through my journey!! Please write if you have any questions or comments!!! Love to you all!
