Well I had gastric bypass surgery Jan 2003 by Dr. Dellinger @ UW Medical Center in Seattle WA. I first me Dr. Dellinger in June 2002 when I was transferred from Good Samaritan hospital in Puyallup. At that time my weight was 750lbs.I was on oxygen 24/7, used a cpap and was really weak. I was still able to walk but barely, it was very exhausting and I was basically bed bound. I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, pulmonary problems, fluid retention. After the month of June in the hospital I was transferred to a nursing home for physical rehabilitation because I was too weak to go home. I recieved my approval notice in December 2002 and my surgery was scheduled for Jan 24, 2003. I was readmitted to UW Medical Center Jan 16, 2003 @ 665lbs. My surgery went ok as far as I know. I was on a ventilator for almost 3 weeks in ICU after my surgery. Which for me is kinda disappointing because unlike a lot who have had their surgery I have no memory of my time after my surgery except for what I was told. After ICU I was moved to another floor until March 10. 2003 when I returned back to the nursing home. After surgery my body swelled up to 850lbs partly Ithink cause my kidneys failed and they had to put fluid on me to get them running again. My incision was also reopened and left to heal from the inside out when I left UW it was 19cm long 11cm wide and 6cm deep. Just before I left they put a wound vacum on but in April I received a letter from DSHS saying they would no longer pay for it. My wound is still open today(June 25, 2004) but is barely the size of a dime. When I came off the ventilator I had severe pain in my feet and was unable to stand. Oddly enough that was the pnly pain I felt at the time. I was unable to walk for about a year. When I came home in September, 2003 I came home in a wheelchair not sure if I was gonna be able to walk again. I have a foot drop or drop foot in my right foot and wear a plastic brace to walk. That is paralysis of my foot. I can't move my toes or move my foot or feel anything with it. In October my parents paid for me to join Bally's and to have a personal trainer who helped me overcome most of all fear and to be able to walk again in January 2004. It's exciting to be able to walk again, something I thought I'd never be able to do but I still get anxious and nervous walking, especially when I'm in open spaces where there's no walls or a hand (my parents) to grab. I think I'd feel more confident with the security of having a cane but my trainer doesn't believe I need one. My life has changed so much for the better since having my gastric bypass surgery, roux en y. I no longer need oxygen to breathe or a cpap to sleep with at night. And I am currently at 477lbs. I have come along way considering I probably should have died and am very greatful for my surgery and the work of my surgeon, his team and all the medical staff that helped take care of me during my stays in the hospitals and the nursing home. I wasn't afraid to have my surgery I was at peace with myself and my decision. I think the hardest part for me was not being able to communicate verbally and getting extremely frustrated and not being able to speak when the vent came out. The last time I lost weight was during my January check up. 17lbs since November 2003. I struggle still with eating too much I don't know how to fix that except to sleep but I also know sleeping all the time isnot good for me either. If anyone was thinking about having the surgery I whole heartedly encourage you to look in to it. It's changed my life for the better. I actually feel happy now.
About Me
Before & After
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