countrygirljess
I'm not really sure where to start & I may come back & edit later, but I'll get going here. I have always been overwieght, as long as I've been alive (I was 8lbs3oz at birth). I have done diets, but none longer than about 8 months (I lost 70 pounds once!!!). I even did the "divorce" diet when I was 23 also, losing about 50 pounds. BUT the weight never stayed off and I usually gained back more than I lost. After I went back to school, got a great career and was completely independant for 10 years, I met the love of my life, David. We married in June of 2010. I have two beautiful step daughters and a life some people would love to have...except I weighed 260 pounds (I am only 5'3"). In February 2012 I had a full physical done. My doctor put me on ANOTHER blood pressure medicine (I was on one already). I freaked. For about 5 years I had been doing some research on WLS, once even attending an "orientation" that my surgeon offers. I even called my insurance once to see if they covered the procedure. Back to February 2012, I came home from the doctor determined to do something. I talked that night to my husband about the surgery and with hus support called my insurance company the next day. YAY!! hey cover 80% with max out of pocket $2500!!! BUT I had to be on a 6 month "medically supervised" weight loss program! DAMN!! SO, here I go. My husband & I went to the orientation for people wanting the surgery within the next week & was on my way! My surgeon, Dr. Dennis Smith is located in a Bariatric Center of Excellence, so I had much to do to even get him to "approve" me. BUT I knew I wanted him to do it & that he would provide me with the best care. I filled out his application and about 3 weeks later, I was approved. BUT that was only the beginning. I had to see my PCP every month for 6 months for my insurance and for my surgeon I had to get cardiovascular clearance, pulmonary clearance, a psychiatrist, a gastroenterologist for an upper egd), a full blood workup (14 vials), and an ultrasound of my gallbladder.
Here I will insert that in the meantime, I had a family, a home, and a very intense career going on. AND in late August we lost my step father suddenly due to a stroke. Although he was not overweight, this was a big impact on me, I KNEW I had to keep going and get healthier for my family.
SO, we get to October & I am finishing up the last details, like a visit to the dietician (another surgeon requirement), About 2 weeks before the surgery, I start pushing for a date. I am a retail manager and it is Christmas time!!! AND then I got it..October 30th. WOW!! It is here!! WOW!!! Here I go.....
Surgery is on Tuesday, so on Thursday I go to a "class" for post op food expectations & meeting with the dietician (again). I meet 3 people having surgery around the same time I am, one even the surgery before me on the same day, but they are all having the sleeve (I had RNY). I left that class completely overwhelmed, thinking "What have I done?". BUT on Friday I had a long day of more preop stuff and my mom was going with me, so I had to keep going. Friday morning was class again for surgery and pre-op information, then meet with Dr. Smith for some surgery details & questions. Then Pre registration for morning of surgery and one last blood lab test. Had my "last supper" at Longhorn on Saturday night, then a day of liquids, then Monday clear liquids and a PICC line placed (gone too far to look back now),
Tuesday morning, 9am I am in registration & headed to pre op. Rolled into the OR, this will start working in a few minutes (anesthesia), next thing I know I am in recovery, hot as hell and miserable!! LOL...
Moved to my room where my mom & husband follow me in. This will be my home for 2 days. Day of surgery I was pretty out of it, don't remember too much, but not really much pain. Day two, good, walking, but in the late evening...GAS!! It was so bad, I cried! Day 3-OVER the hospital, ready to go home!! FINALLY at about 4PM I got the okay from Dr Smith to go home.At 6pm, I started saying, I'm ready to go!! By 8PM I was home & boy was I tired!!
Now I am 6 days out...TBC....
