K. Joyce Smith
Five Years Post-Op - I can't believe it!!!
Jul 18, 2007
UPDATE: I can't believe it has been 5 years since I had surgery. My life has changed SO much. I've gotten married and had a little girl, who will be 2 in October. Would I do it again? Probably... it truly was hell there for a while, but the problems have worked themselves out and I feel like I'm more likely to live a longer, healthier life and see my daughter grow up now. If I hadn't had the surgery, I'd probably be even bigger and who knows what health problems I might have.
Things you might wonder about...
Weight Gain: During my initial loss, I went down to about 125. That was too thin for me as people were telling me I looked ill. My body quickly adjusted back to 135-140 and stayed there for a couple of years. I have been 140-145 since the birth of my daughter almost 2 years ago. I feel like 140, which is a size 8-10 for me, is my "set point" and where my body is happiest. I try to monitor my weight based on how my clothes fit and not get hung up on the numbers. Even when I feel I've gained too much, a trip to the doctor shows I'm where I should be. Bloating still happens post-op.
There were a couple of times when I was breastfeeding my daughter that my weight went up to 148. A week or so of watching what I ate brought me back down the couple of pounds I wanted. Catching it before it spirals back out of control is my goal.
Eating! I can eat anything I want to, but in moderation. I am able to eat a normal-sized meal... rarely, I can eat what feels like a lot. I have had times when I worry that I have stretched my pouch, but then a few days will come along where I can barely hold 4 or 5 bites and I know I'm still ok. Sugar is my biggest enemy. I'm still addicted to it and go over my limit more than I should. Makes me so mad at myself!! I can easily eat about 12-15 grams at once, which you think would be enough.
It's just a demon I will have to continue fighting forever, I guess. Ice cream is the worst because I can't feel I've gone too far until about 5 minutes too late. I avoid ice cream 99% of the time now.
Pregnancy Post-Op! Oh did I worry when I found out I was having a baby! I was about 2.5 years post-op when I got pregnant and 3 years, 3 months post-op when I gave birth. Could I really do this now?? Turns out, pregnancy was not difficult at all for me! Finding a doctor in this area who knew about pregnancy after bypass was difficult, but I did finally find one who was willing to listen to me and trust me on the research I had done. For example, the glucose test. No way could I drink that whole glass of sugar water!! We worked it out so that I could check my blood sugar levels regularly throughout the day for about a week or so and everything was fine. I did not gain a lot of weight. In fact, I was sick the first 3 months and LOST 8 pounds! After gaining that back, I gained an additional 16 pounds. Immediately after giving birth, I was back to less than my pre-pregnancy weight. I gained back about 10 pounds the year after, while I was nursing, and have stayed there ever since.
The Dreaded Flab!
Well, I have some, but it could be a LOT worse. I have some on my tummy, upper thighs and upper arms. My upper thighs are probably the worst, but none of it is bad enough that I would consider having plastic surgery. Now, my breasts took a double whammy - weight loss and breastfeeding. I might consider a lift at some point, but bras work fine for now. I'm comfortable in clothes and willing to be seen in a bathing suit, so it can't be too bad!
Original Entries
I've been overweight my entire life. Well, since about 2nd grade, but that feels like my entire life. I diet and then get heavier and heavier but I never thought I'd get to this point. I know I just barely qualify for the surgery right now, but I've been having chest pains from time to time as well as trouble breathing and sleeping. I'm at 248 lbs right now and I want to take care of this before it gets any worse. I just don't see dieting working. I'm tired of not being able to do the things I want because I'm either physically unable or feel socially unacceptable. I'm really worried about insurance approval right now.
4/2/02 - My insurance was effective yesterday! I've been told that if I had insurance within the last 63 days then portability would take care of any pre-existing condition clause. I sure hope so - yesterday was the 63rd day. Talk about just skating through! So, I scheduled my appointment with my PCP for April 15th and the initial consult with the surgeon I want for the 23rd.
4/9/02 - I moved my appointment with my PCP up to today and it went really well. It was the first time I'd seen him, so I was a little nervous, but he was wonderful. He said my edema is likely due to my weight but is testing my kidneys & liver just in case. He's also checking my thyroid and cholesteral and is getting the referral all ready for me. The nurse said she'd call in a couple of days with the results. My doctor smiled and said its great that I have some hope again. ::crossing my fingers::
4/22/02 - My appointment with the surgeon went well. Dr. Doxey was very professional and efficient. There was some trouble with my height - they checked it with my shoes on and I came out over an inch taller than I really am. I pointed this out to the nurse and she took 1/4" off, but that is still not accurate. The doctor said he'd take care of it. I hope so, I'm really close on the BMI as it is. They told me it would be a couple of weeks for insurance approval.
5/2/02 - Ok, I'm really frustrated. I called the insurance lady at the surgeon's office and she is still working on approvals from March. It will be "a few more weeks" before she even gets to mine. They are already scheduling into late June and I can't have surgery from about mid-July to mid-September because that is the busy time at my job. It almost makes me want to go to another surgeon, but then I think that would end up taking longer than just waiting at this point. Looks like I won't be having my WLS until September or so...
5/20/02 - I'm approved!! I have been calling the doctor's office and the insurance daily since last Thursday and I finally found out from the insurance that I'm approved. Now I'm just waiting on a date. I didn't have anyone around to share the good news with, so I called my mom and she's not really happy about this. I know she's just worried about me dying or something so I can't be upset with her. Its just that its starting to make me worry too - especailly after I read the memorial page this past weekend. I feel guilty putting her through the worry and its making me question my reasons for wanting this surgery.
11/9/02 - Wow, has it been a long time since I've updated. My surgery date was 7/18/02, but that was only the beginning. I had so many post-op complications and ended up in the hospital 3 more times. I think I spent about 5 weeks in the hospital all together. I was over-sedated after surgery, had acute renal failure, couldn't keep anything down (not even water) and had to be readmitted for dehydration & malnutrition in early September. Things still didn't improve and I ended up going back in to have a feeding tube placed. That was not fun, let me tell you. Around the end September I started being able to eat and drink and then in the middle of October I got the tube out. I feel like things really didn't start happening like they were "supposed" to until that time, so even though I'm technically almost 4 months post-op I ony feel about 1 or 2 months post-op. I read up above where I said I just skated through on getting my approval, but everything caught up to me later. lol Anyway, I've lost 47 pounds so far and have gone down almost 2 sizes. Things are getting easier and easier as far as adjusting to the lifestyle change, but I miss being "normal" when I go out with friends and MAN would I like a Coke. :-)
10/27/03 - I'm apparently not great about updating my site. Now knowing the absolute hell I went through the first few months post-op... I'm not sure I'd do it again. There were a couple of times when my mom and I both honestly thought I was going to die. I definitely enjoy weighing less and being able to do things I couldn't do before, but it was really hard on everyone around me there for a while. I'm down to about 130 pound and have been since May or June 2003. I'm able to eat at least some of anything I want (though I would still love to have more than a sip of Coke!) and already feel like a "normal" person in most social situations. Every now and then I do get frustrated about feeling sick when something doesn't settle right - it seems to happen in spurts. I still burp a lot, but my boyfriend thankfully finds it funny instead of disgusting. I find I do have some aches and pains, which worry me a bit, but all in all I'm much more comfortable than I was pre-op.
12/8/04 - I haven't been here in a long time, but I know two people who are getting ready to have surgery so I dropped in to support them. As for me, well, time is a wonderful thing. The memory of my post-op ordeal has dimmed quite a bit. I remember what happened, but I don't feel the pain or panic all over again when I think about it all. That may be why I feel more like I would do this all over again even considering all that happened. I have since graduated college (finally) and gotten married to a wonderful man. I feel like "me" again, not just a thinner version of me. I feel at home in my body instead of feeling like I'm inhabiting someone else's thinner body. :) I'd still like to get rid of some flab, but I'm not about to go through the pain of plastic surgery. Ouch! Eating feels like a normal activity now.
Things you might wonder about...
Weight Gain: During my initial loss, I went down to about 125. That was too thin for me as people were telling me I looked ill. My body quickly adjusted back to 135-140 and stayed there for a couple of years. I have been 140-145 since the birth of my daughter almost 2 years ago. I feel like 140, which is a size 8-10 for me, is my "set point" and where my body is happiest. I try to monitor my weight based on how my clothes fit and not get hung up on the numbers. Even when I feel I've gained too much, a trip to the doctor shows I'm where I should be. Bloating still happens post-op.
There were a couple of times when I was breastfeeding my daughter that my weight went up to 148. A week or so of watching what I ate brought me back down the couple of pounds I wanted. Catching it before it spirals back out of control is my goal.Eating! I can eat anything I want to, but in moderation. I am able to eat a normal-sized meal... rarely, I can eat what feels like a lot. I have had times when I worry that I have stretched my pouch, but then a few days will come along where I can barely hold 4 or 5 bites and I know I'm still ok. Sugar is my biggest enemy. I'm still addicted to it and go over my limit more than I should. Makes me so mad at myself!! I can easily eat about 12-15 grams at once, which you think would be enough.
It's just a demon I will have to continue fighting forever, I guess. Ice cream is the worst because I can't feel I've gone too far until about 5 minutes too late. I avoid ice cream 99% of the time now.Pregnancy Post-Op! Oh did I worry when I found out I was having a baby! I was about 2.5 years post-op when I got pregnant and 3 years, 3 months post-op when I gave birth. Could I really do this now?? Turns out, pregnancy was not difficult at all for me! Finding a doctor in this area who knew about pregnancy after bypass was difficult, but I did finally find one who was willing to listen to me and trust me on the research I had done. For example, the glucose test. No way could I drink that whole glass of sugar water!! We worked it out so that I could check my blood sugar levels regularly throughout the day for about a week or so and everything was fine. I did not gain a lot of weight. In fact, I was sick the first 3 months and LOST 8 pounds! After gaining that back, I gained an additional 16 pounds. Immediately after giving birth, I was back to less than my pre-pregnancy weight. I gained back about 10 pounds the year after, while I was nursing, and have stayed there ever since.
The Dreaded Flab!
Well, I have some, but it could be a LOT worse. I have some on my tummy, upper thighs and upper arms. My upper thighs are probably the worst, but none of it is bad enough that I would consider having plastic surgery. Now, my breasts took a double whammy - weight loss and breastfeeding. I might consider a lift at some point, but bras work fine for now. I'm comfortable in clothes and willing to be seen in a bathing suit, so it can't be too bad!Original Entries
I've been overweight my entire life. Well, since about 2nd grade, but that feels like my entire life. I diet and then get heavier and heavier but I never thought I'd get to this point. I know I just barely qualify for the surgery right now, but I've been having chest pains from time to time as well as trouble breathing and sleeping. I'm at 248 lbs right now and I want to take care of this before it gets any worse. I just don't see dieting working. I'm tired of not being able to do the things I want because I'm either physically unable or feel socially unacceptable. I'm really worried about insurance approval right now.
4/2/02 - My insurance was effective yesterday! I've been told that if I had insurance within the last 63 days then portability would take care of any pre-existing condition clause. I sure hope so - yesterday was the 63rd day. Talk about just skating through! So, I scheduled my appointment with my PCP for April 15th and the initial consult with the surgeon I want for the 23rd.
4/9/02 - I moved my appointment with my PCP up to today and it went really well. It was the first time I'd seen him, so I was a little nervous, but he was wonderful. He said my edema is likely due to my weight but is testing my kidneys & liver just in case. He's also checking my thyroid and cholesteral and is getting the referral all ready for me. The nurse said she'd call in a couple of days with the results. My doctor smiled and said its great that I have some hope again. ::crossing my fingers::
4/22/02 - My appointment with the surgeon went well. Dr. Doxey was very professional and efficient. There was some trouble with my height - they checked it with my shoes on and I came out over an inch taller than I really am. I pointed this out to the nurse and she took 1/4" off, but that is still not accurate. The doctor said he'd take care of it. I hope so, I'm really close on the BMI as it is. They told me it would be a couple of weeks for insurance approval.
5/2/02 - Ok, I'm really frustrated. I called the insurance lady at the surgeon's office and she is still working on approvals from March. It will be "a few more weeks" before she even gets to mine. They are already scheduling into late June and I can't have surgery from about mid-July to mid-September because that is the busy time at my job. It almost makes me want to go to another surgeon, but then I think that would end up taking longer than just waiting at this point. Looks like I won't be having my WLS until September or so...
5/20/02 - I'm approved!! I have been calling the doctor's office and the insurance daily since last Thursday and I finally found out from the insurance that I'm approved. Now I'm just waiting on a date. I didn't have anyone around to share the good news with, so I called my mom and she's not really happy about this. I know she's just worried about me dying or something so I can't be upset with her. Its just that its starting to make me worry too - especailly after I read the memorial page this past weekend. I feel guilty putting her through the worry and its making me question my reasons for wanting this surgery.
11/9/02 - Wow, has it been a long time since I've updated. My surgery date was 7/18/02, but that was only the beginning. I had so many post-op complications and ended up in the hospital 3 more times. I think I spent about 5 weeks in the hospital all together. I was over-sedated after surgery, had acute renal failure, couldn't keep anything down (not even water) and had to be readmitted for dehydration & malnutrition in early September. Things still didn't improve and I ended up going back in to have a feeding tube placed. That was not fun, let me tell you. Around the end September I started being able to eat and drink and then in the middle of October I got the tube out. I feel like things really didn't start happening like they were "supposed" to until that time, so even though I'm technically almost 4 months post-op I ony feel about 1 or 2 months post-op. I read up above where I said I just skated through on getting my approval, but everything caught up to me later. lol Anyway, I've lost 47 pounds so far and have gone down almost 2 sizes. Things are getting easier and easier as far as adjusting to the lifestyle change, but I miss being "normal" when I go out with friends and MAN would I like a Coke. :-)
10/27/03 - I'm apparently not great about updating my site. Now knowing the absolute hell I went through the first few months post-op... I'm not sure I'd do it again. There were a couple of times when my mom and I both honestly thought I was going to die. I definitely enjoy weighing less and being able to do things I couldn't do before, but it was really hard on everyone around me there for a while. I'm down to about 130 pound and have been since May or June 2003. I'm able to eat at least some of anything I want (though I would still love to have more than a sip of Coke!) and already feel like a "normal" person in most social situations. Every now and then I do get frustrated about feeling sick when something doesn't settle right - it seems to happen in spurts. I still burp a lot, but my boyfriend thankfully finds it funny instead of disgusting. I find I do have some aches and pains, which worry me a bit, but all in all I'm much more comfortable than I was pre-op.
12/8/04 - I haven't been here in a long time, but I know two people who are getting ready to have surgery so I dropped in to support them. As for me, well, time is a wonderful thing. The memory of my post-op ordeal has dimmed quite a bit. I remember what happened, but I don't feel the pain or panic all over again when I think about it all. That may be why I feel more like I would do this all over again even considering all that happened. I have since graduated college (finally) and gotten married to a wonderful man. I feel like "me" again, not just a thinner version of me. I feel at home in my body instead of feeling like I'm inhabiting someone else's thinner body. :) I'd still like to get rid of some flab, but I'm not about to go through the pain of plastic surgery. Ouch! Eating feels like a normal activity now.