jules32
Let me start by saying hello. I am 32 years old and have been over weight for about 15-20 years. In high school I thought I was over weight but looking back it was maybe 15 pounds. The my life took a turn south. I really put on weight. My high was 315 lbs. That is when my heart doctor told me that I needed to do something drastic. I had done the South Beach, Richard Simmons, Slim Fast, Susan Powders and about 20 other things. I might loss about 15 lbs but then it would come back with another 15 pounds. So I talked to both my heart doctor and family practice doctor and both said that I would benefit from full gastric bypass. That would have been September 2005. I had to write a letter to the insurance and tell my story. I also had to get both doctors to write a letter. It was sent to the review board in December. I got the okay for a consult with Dr. Fisher. I was so impressed with him. He came in and spent about an hour with me talking about how it works and what to expect. He is an amazing doctor. That would have been January. He then ran some test and sent his letter to the insurance. In February 2006 I got a call from the insurance and was told that I had been approved. I don't think I have ever been so happy. I now had a light at the end of my tunnel. I had been told that I would have a massive heart attack by the time I was 35 if I didn't do something. I have three wonderful sons that I wanted more then anything to see grow up, graduate college, and be successful men. And with that news I wouldn't live to see them get in junior high. So I got to see Dr. Fisher for the pre-op and talk about the game plan. It was march when I was given my surgical date. July 17, 2006.
So July 17 arrived and I have to be honest, I don't think I have ever been so scared in my life. I am not one that does well with the knock out juice. The nurse took about 16 times, no kidding there, to get my IV in. My father was with me the whole time and told the nurse she better get it or find doctor because she was not doing it a 18 time. Well... she didn't get it. I had a second nurse, a male who on first look scared me more then she did, came in and made a joke about how he promised he was not Dr. Death and while I was laughing and looking at dad, said done. I turned back to look and sure thing he had it in in one try. My surgery was set for 8:30am. I was taken to say good bye to my family who were in the hall. And off to never, never land.
When I came out of it I do remember telling the post nurse that "what the heck did I do". She kind of laughed at me and said you wont feel that way in two months. She was right. I was in the Bariatric ICU for four days. The first day I can say I don't remember a lot of. I know my family was there with me but as far as talking goes. It would be something out of a Pink Floyd song. I do remember the nurse giving me juice and it tasted so sweet. The next day, 5am in the morning, she came in and got me up for my first walk. I sat on the edge of the bed, that was the first time setting up since the surgery. You want to talk about being dizzy. Then I took my first steps. About 25 of them and I was tiered. I did about 5 of them that morning. Then had my lunch and the nurse asked if I would like to take a shower. You don't know me but I take like two showers a day. That was the words I had been waiting for. She helped me to the shower and told me to keep certain areas more dry if I could. I was in there under the water for 45 minutes. By Wednesday I had walked across the hospital to the support group. If there is one you can go to I HIGHLY recommend it.
I got out on Friday to go home and was given a green pillow to hold on my abes for the ride home. You want to talk about a ride from *^%&. That would be it. I walked everyday, about 8-10 times around the area. Then about two weeks out my kids asked me to go to the park with them. I don't think I really thought it through because the park was about a mile from the house. We started out and before I know it we were there and swinging. I called my mom from my cell and told her what I had done and felt like crying. Before the surgery I would have had to drive or never make it. Now I was there and playing catch with my boys. My one month appointment came and I had lost 35 lbs. Over the next year I lost a total of 127 lbs. I must be honest and say the last 15 that I want to loss are giving me grief.
To those of you who are getting ready to have the surgery remember a few things. Set your goals to be real. Remember to walk everyday, and try to work out 3-4 times a week. Drink lots of water. Find a cool bottle and just have it in you hands everywhere you go. Good luck to you all and keep your head up! ~Jules
