Melva
My 4th year anniversary after WLS
Feb 15, 2010
I can't believe it's already been 4 years since I underwent this life changing surgery. I can remember the prep before, then checking in the morning of surgery, only to be bumped until noon because I needed to have a filter put in. I have a blood clot problem, and this needed to be done before the surgery. I needed and wanted this surgery so badly that I paid cash. I had saved up for 3 years. Knowing I needed it, I was still scared for my life, but I also knew I had no choice. I weighed in for surgery at 385#'s, I felt if drastic measures were not taken, I would not live to see my baby boy's graduation from high school The date the doctor gave me for surgery was on my grand daughter's birthday, and I made them change it, in case I died in surgery. I know that's crazy but that's how I felt. I had and still have my best friend and co-worker, Sarah, and my daughter, Madinah, who have been there to support me through it all. I truly know I would not have made it without either one of them, and today Sarah is still hanging in there to support me through any challenge I have either personal or professional, She is the coach I chose for the Becks prep.Anyway, enough of the history. The surgery was a success. I left the hospital 2 days post op, went home, followed all the rules, took sips and swallows, and drank protein drinks as much as I could. After a week and a half, I thought I had a gas issue. I walked , took gas ex, and calcium chews. I walked and walked and walked, but what I thought was gas only got worse. It got to the point where I couldn't eat or drink for a whole week. I called the doctor who was on call for Dr Juarez, and he had me take a pill that should've settled my stomach if it was gas. After a day with no relief , I went back to the hospital where the surgery was done and told them the issues I was having. They admitted me immediately. I could not pee until they ran 3 liters of fluid into me. They ran every test you could think of, only to tell me everything was negative. Finally, they did a CT scan of the entire abdomen. That's when the doctor came in and said, "You have a huge blood clot in your liver". All I could do is cry. I have been a nurse for 30 plus years, and I knew the mortality rate for acute liver damage was greater than 80%. I was so depressed. All I could think is I have screwed myself up , and now my kids are not going to have me here. There is no way to describe my dismay at that point. I went to the ICU where I was closely monitored and I was put on Coumadin and Heparin (both blood thinners) simultaneously. I was there for a week, when I realized I was going to live! I vowed to never put myself in that position again.
Now, here is the update. The first 6 months I was down 100 plus pounds, and I continued to lose weight for an additional 6 to 12 months I have lost a total of almost 200 pounds since then.
When I first had the surgery, I thought to myself , why did I do this? I was miserable, and would have never ever done this to myself if I would've known I would feel like this. I joined a support group, and heard from my peers that I was not alone. If it were not for the group and my support at the house, I would have been totally depressed.
Back then, when a friend asked me if I was happy I had the bypass I quickly told them no, it was the biggest mistake of my life. Now, after 2 years and all the weight off, I am proud to tell anyone I would do it all over in a heartbeat. I can now walk without backache, buy clothes at a regular store, get on the plane and not have to be looked at as if I needed to purchase 2 seats , and to top it off, I can fasten my seat belt and not have to tuck it under my belly to hide it from the stewardess. The two most important things to me are to be able to walk up the bleachers to watch my son play games at school , and take my grandbaby, Tiah, anywhere she wants to go, without fussing at her because I was so obese, tired and short of breath.
Right now, I feel my life has just begun. I am happy, can move without pain, my kids have me as their mom and I enjoy taking them everywhere I can. I never made it to my goal weight but so what! I look good and I feel even better. I have gained maybe 10 pounds from my lowest weight. I would like to lose a little bit more, but more importantly, I refuse to gain back what I have lost. I would advise anyone with the issues I had to JUST DO IT, its so worth it for many, many reasons. The recovery period was not uneventful , but let me tell you I would do it again in a heartbeat, It is worth it to be here with my family.
I want to say to everyone that has supported me, thank you so much You helped me save my life and I love you and I can never repay you for the priceless support you have given me.
Again thank you.
Melva
Starting Weight 385
Current Weight 210
Goal ---------------180
6 Comments
About Me
Gilbert, AZ
Location
27.8
BMI
Surgery
02/15/2006
Surgery Date
Jan 29, 2006
Member Since
