Considering surgery?

[Guest guest]

This is for anyone considering this surgery.

I haven't posted since my first week after surgery. ly, I have

been too busy feeling good.

This has been a 5 year process to get the actual surgery. I got lost

in the paperwork shuffle, and at times really wondered if it was all

worth it.

I had surgery on December 17th. At that time I was on 14

prescription drugs for various problems. Final weigh-in before

surgery was 381 lbs. Even though I was that heavy, my doctor opted

not to do a dystal (sp?). That means I did not have a large amount

of small intestine removed, as is usual in a case of someone my size.

Within 4 weeks I was off insulin and blood pressure meds. Within 6

weeks my list of prescription meds went from 14 to 3. I hadn't slept

through a night in years due to apnea. I was unable to use a CPAP

machine. In about 2 months I was sleeping though the night, and

actually feeling rested (I have been told my snoring is MUCH lighter,

and I am not gasping as I was).

These things might sound odd for accomplishments, but I am able to

take a shower. For years I couldn't reach everything, nor stand long

enough to finsh a shower. I was one step away from a wheelchair, in

fact, I had to use the motorized carts at the grocery store. If I

tried to walk, two aisles had me sweating like a pig, in so much pain

I was in tears. Now, I can go to as many stores as I want until my

money runs out. Walmart used to be a no no, now it is a go GO!

I have no problems with any food with the exception of a super

sensitivity to sugar (I had diabetes, so what is the difference?

Besides, sugar was one of the things that helped get me where I was

in the first place), and soda has to be in a glass with ice (to cut

it), and more flat than fizz. I have had no complications other than

a drippy drain right after surgery (annoying and messy, but that was

about it).

Life changes? I have to take 2 Flinstones vitamins with iron, 3-6

Tums (depending in the amount of calcium in them) a day, and a shot

of B-12 a month (I opt for the shot, but there is a daily pill). Oh

yeah, I have more energy than I can every remember having.

So what are my results so far? I have lost over 100 lbs in the 19

weeks since surgery and a foot, yes 12 inches, around my waist. I

still have a way to go, but I think this has been a hell of a start,

don't you?

So if you are considering gastic bypass surgery, count this as a

success story in the works.

Boogie

12/17/03

381/276/???

[Guest guest]

Thank you Ray I needed to hear that from someone who has gone through this. I

will do my best. I promise.

Chrisitna