Nick P.
Journey update
May 05, 2008
Hi Rob!
For me, the decision was a long time coming. I had two cousins who went thru the surgery, and I saw their lives completely change for the better within a year. Then a family friend died at the age of 40 when I was on the fence about doing the surgery. He was a big man, and it scared me straight.
I had one minor complication. About 5 days after surgery I had a sharp pain in my rib cage. It would go away and then I would come back to it. Eventually it got too painful so I went to the ER. Luckily the nurse that saw me had RNY just a few years before and knew that my drain had somehow wandered into a place it shouldn't have been. She just took it out a day early and the pain was all gone.
All in all my surgery went great. The nursing staff was great, and they made me walk walk walk just as often as I could. I had my mom fly out to hang out with me for the first week, and it was much needed. It wasn't that I was incapable, just uncomfortable.
I had never had surgery before, so I was pretty nervous...especially about anesthesia. When I got there the morning of my surgery I was just trying to stay composed. they put some tubes in my arm, then the drug guy showed up and wheeled me to the operating room. I hopped up on the table and he said he was putting some oxygen on my face.........3 hours later I woke up in another room. It was that simple. you will be nervous beforehand, but believe me you will have nooooo idea what happened.
As for what I could pass along. First thing I would suggest you have already started to do. Research research research. Read this board, read everything you can. You must be prepared after surgery for what you are getting yourself into. Throw out all of your food right before you go in and only restock with foods you know you can have post surgery. I was not hungry in the least for 3 months, but I did have CRAVINGS! Also, find a support group in your area. Your friends and family will be supportive, but only people who have had it done will understand...and you will NEED that because your life is about to change soooo dramatically I can't even begin to tell you.
Positives:
energy out the wazoo
those airline seats are roomy!
being noticed by the ladies
my shirt stays tucked in now....sun up to sun down
I love being in photos!
I have girls who like to lunch with me just because we can pick on one plate
I bought a bike! An honest to god bike and use it all the time!
No more sleep apnea. I sleep like a baby now, every night.
General health - everything about me feels better and looks better
For the first time in my life, I am looking forward to summer. Biking/Fishing/Camping. I want to do it all.
My confidence level has soared. It is amazing.
Jealous coworkers. Nothing pisses off a coworker like being the fat guy who passes them.
Cons:
Skinny butt syndrome. That thing gets sore quick!
Give up on trying to drink a glass of wine and not getting drunk. It hits me like a freight train every time.
Set aside some cash for some clothes. It takes a little while, then its like a rushing river of trying to keep up. Believe me, its a good problem to have, but one you should be aware of.
I am so excited for you to begin this amazing journey. I am only 9 months out, and I know there is a long road ahead of me, but for the first time in my life I feel like it is a road where I can take the wheel. Good luck!!!!!
For me, the decision was a long time coming. I had two cousins who went thru the surgery, and I saw their lives completely change for the better within a year. Then a family friend died at the age of 40 when I was on the fence about doing the surgery. He was a big man, and it scared me straight.
I had one minor complication. About 5 days after surgery I had a sharp pain in my rib cage. It would go away and then I would come back to it. Eventually it got too painful so I went to the ER. Luckily the nurse that saw me had RNY just a few years before and knew that my drain had somehow wandered into a place it shouldn't have been. She just took it out a day early and the pain was all gone.
All in all my surgery went great. The nursing staff was great, and they made me walk walk walk just as often as I could. I had my mom fly out to hang out with me for the first week, and it was much needed. It wasn't that I was incapable, just uncomfortable.
I had never had surgery before, so I was pretty nervous...especially about anesthesia. When I got there the morning of my surgery I was just trying to stay composed. they put some tubes in my arm, then the drug guy showed up and wheeled me to the operating room. I hopped up on the table and he said he was putting some oxygen on my face.........3 hours later I woke up in another room. It was that simple. you will be nervous beforehand, but believe me you will have nooooo idea what happened.
As for what I could pass along. First thing I would suggest you have already started to do. Research research research. Read this board, read everything you can. You must be prepared after surgery for what you are getting yourself into. Throw out all of your food right before you go in and only restock with foods you know you can have post surgery. I was not hungry in the least for 3 months, but I did have CRAVINGS! Also, find a support group in your area. Your friends and family will be supportive, but only people who have had it done will understand...and you will NEED that because your life is about to change soooo dramatically I can't even begin to tell you.
Positives:
energy out the wazoo
those airline seats are roomy!
being noticed by the ladies
my shirt stays tucked in now....sun up to sun down
I love being in photos!
I have girls who like to lunch with me just because we can pick on one plate
I bought a bike! An honest to god bike and use it all the time!
No more sleep apnea. I sleep like a baby now, every night.
General health - everything about me feels better and looks better
For the first time in my life, I am looking forward to summer. Biking/Fishing/Camping. I want to do it all.
My confidence level has soared. It is amazing.
Jealous coworkers. Nothing pisses off a coworker like being the fat guy who passes them.
Cons:
Skinny butt syndrome. That thing gets sore quick!
Give up on trying to drink a glass of wine and not getting drunk. It hits me like a freight train every time.
Set aside some cash for some clothes. It takes a little while, then its like a rushing river of trying to keep up. Believe me, its a good problem to have, but one you should be aware of.
I am so excited for you to begin this amazing journey. I am only 9 months out, and I know there is a long road ahead of me, but for the first time in my life I feel like it is a road where I can take the wheel. Good luck!!!!!
One Week To Go!
Jul 22, 2007
Well, just one week before I get my guts chopped up! I am trying to prep as much as I can now. Get everything cleaned, and get rid of the food I shall not eat again...well for quite awhile anyway.
This weekend I had my Goodbye Party for my belly. I ate a beautiful big ribeye and then I went to my favorite restaurant in the world to enjoy an amazing dinner. Then I drank as many mojitos as I could stomach. It was fabulous, and now I am ready.
Can't wait!
This weekend I had my Goodbye Party for my belly. I ate a beautiful big ribeye and then I went to my favorite restaurant in the world to enjoy an amazing dinner. Then I drank as many mojitos as I could stomach. It was fabulous, and now I am ready.
Can't wait!
One Week To Go !
Jul 22, 2007
Well, just one week before I get my guts chopped up! I am trying to prep as much as I can now. Get everything cleaned, and get rid of the food I shall not eat again...well for quite awhile anyway.
This weekend I had my Goodbye Party for my belly. I ate a beautiful big ribeye and then I went to my favorite restaurant in the world to enjoy an amazing dinner. Then I drank as many mojitos as I could stomach. It was fabulous, and now I am ready.
Can't wait!
This weekend I had my Goodbye Party for my belly. I ate a beautiful big ribeye and then I went to my favorite restaurant in the world to enjoy an amazing dinner. Then I drank as many mojitos as I could stomach. It was fabulous, and now I am ready.
Can't wait!
Approved!
Jun 27, 2007
Approved!!!! It has been a long road to get here, but today I found out that I am approved and set my surgery date and everything! I had to prove that I was overweight for most of my life at the last minute. I ended up making an excel spreadsheet and a graph to go with it just to see if the overboard route would work. 2 hours after they got it I was approved!
Now a class and some more labs and another meeting with my surgeon and I am all set to go. In the end it will cost me about $1500 more than I had anticipated, but I reckon that dollar for dollar there is no better investment I can make!
Now a class and some more labs and another meeting with my surgeon and I am all set to go. In the end it will cost me about $1500 more than I had anticipated, but I reckon that dollar for dollar there is no better investment I can make!
One Week To Go !
Well, just one week before I get my guts chopped up! I am trying to prep as much as I can now. Get everything cleaned, and get rid of the food I shall not eat again...well for quite awhile anyway.
This weekend I had my Goodbye Party for my belly. I ate a beautiful big ribeye and then I went to my favorite restaurant in the world to enjoy an amazing dinner. Then I drank as many mojitos as I could stomach. It was fabulous, and now I am ready.
Can't wait!
This weekend I had my Goodbye Party for my belly. I ate a beautiful big ribeye and then I went to my favorite restaurant in the world to enjoy an amazing dinner. Then I drank as many mojitos as I could stomach. It was fabulous, and now I am ready.
Can't wait!
