richrich k
YUP! I HAD GASTRIC BYPASS!
01/01: Put myself on the waiting list for gastric bypass consult. My weight today is 459.
12/02: I finally got my date to see Dr Brams the Karen NP... My weight today is 314.5
12/18/02: Met with Gastric Bypass coordinator/NP Karen and met with Dr Brams. Both think I am a good candidate for surgery. Both agree that I should be able to have Lap. I am now set up for 3 appointments with the nutritionist, 1 with the psychiatrist, 1 with ultrasound. Plus I need to attend the support group meetings. They say that I should be having surgery in about 5-6 months. (May or June of 2003, if everything goes according to schedule and I am doing what I need to do!)
1/03: Met with nutritionist, Leslie. Went well, wants me to start exercising and eating different foods. Also attended a support group meeting, this was quite an experience. I listened to people talk about being overweight and then becoming a totally new personal almost overnight. Its kind of scary, but exciting at the same time.
1/03: Met with Dr Gian, Psychiatrist. She cleared me for surgery telling me that I have no abnormal psychiatric conditions.
2/03: Had ultrasound, the tech says my gallbladder will need to come out. Apparently 50% of gastric bypass patients will have there gallbladder removed, so I am part of the 50%. Support group meeting canceled. Met with nutritionist, Leslie again. She wants me to continue what I am doing.
3/03: Met for my third visit with nutritionist. She recommends me for surgery. Attended a support group meeting this month. Things seem to be moving along very quickly. There is so much to be done to be “cleared" for surgery. I am doing my best to get them done as quickly as possible. Dr Brams, Karen NP, Dr Gian, Leslie the RD and the radiologist all confer that I am a good candidate for surgery. My information is all sent to Tufts today, now its just a waiting game!
3/13/03: I was approved for gastric bypass today. Tufts approved me on the first letter. No fight or anything. THANK YOU! I will have surgery on 4/28/03. Please keep me in your prayers, as I keep all of you in mine. I am crossing my fingers for a LAP procedure. The MD says it will start out LAP, and could turn into OPEN if there is a problem.
I AM SO EXCITED TO SOON START MY NEW, HEALTHY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!
I also found out my Dr Brams was deployed, my new surgeon is Dr Paresh Shah.
4/15/03: I went for my pre-op tests today. I got an EKG, blood work, had a physical, met with the anesthesia nurses, met with the nutritionist for pre and post op teaching and met with the NP coordinator for pre and post op teaching.
4/17/03: My partner and I went shopping for all of my vitamins and stuff today. I went to Walmart and found the Flintstones Complete for $6.50/bottle with 150 tablets. I bought 3, they were on clearance. I also bought the Caltrate 600 Plus it was $5.97/ bottle for 60 tablets. I bought some cheap generic bottle of Tylenol as well, 500 tablets of 500mg each for $4.96. Oh and I bought some Mag-Citrate, $1.24/ bottle. (You know what that is for… Fun, Fun, Fun with pre-op!)
4/18/03: Today I went and bought my protein drinks. I purchased three canisters of Whey Protein Powder (Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry) from GNC and they were on sale for $17.99/ canister. I also bought some b-12 sublingual, $6.99/ box of 30.
4/26/03: (2 days before surgery) I washed my abdomen two times with Hex-A-Cleanse. Last meals. I went out to Vinny’s in Boston and got baked clams, caesar salad and lasagna. Then I went and got some Chinese food, then some sushi then a chocolate shake. I cant eat anything after 10pm tonight, so I wanted to get my cravings out one last time! Now starts the clear liquids only. I have Cran-Grape juice, Sprite, Water, Crystal Lite and Bullion all ready to go.
4/27/03: (1 day before surgery) I woke up early to wash my abdomen with Hex-A-Clense. I still have to do it one more time tonight and tomorrow morning. I went to Walmart and bought a new scale to weigh myself. I went to Blockbuster and got some videos. My partner is away enjoying Greek Easter and I’m here with my friend Ryan and her new gf Kaye. I also took my measurements and a final preop picture. Ill list them at the end of this update. Ill post the picture of me once I get it on the Internet. I drank the Mag-Citrate at noon. I have only gone to the bathroom one time since, much less than I thought. Still only drinking clear liquids. I am dreading the inevitable. My bowel will soon explode I’m sure. I’m sure you enjoy that one! That stuff packs a punch so I’m told.
Weight: 294.5 lbs (I had to loose 20lbs before surgery, DONE!)
Neck: 19.5 inches
Chest: 51.5 inches
Belly: 54.25 inches
Waist: 54.5 inches
Buttocks: 52 inches
4/28/03: I left for surgery around 5:30am, my mom and partner are took me. I did not sleep much. I am very, very nervous. I finally got into the preop room around 6:30, and got on a stretcher... I had to put a Johnny on.. I met with DR Shah, the anesthesia MD and the nurses. The PA that I met questioned my decision to have surgery and asked if I was really tried everything to loose weight. I was so pissed. Normally I would have smart ass answer, but since I was going to have her helping in the OR, I wasn't about to piss her off. I got wheeled in around 8:15am. I looked around and saw everyone all gowned up and waiting for me. I started to think about how each person in that room was going to have full control over my life the entire time I am under. The last thing I remember is them asking me to change slide over to the operating room table and take a deep breath through an oxygen mask.
I woke up in the PACU and it was like I was looking through a straw that you drink out of. I was so nervous and anxious. I looked at the nurse taking care of me and felt a hard rub on my chest. I asked him if I was okay and if he would make sure I was protected. I was so scared and so nervous that I had no control and that I would die. This was one of the worst feelings I have ever felt.
The off to dream land again.
I woke up in my room, according to my partner it was 4:45pm. I had family and friends around me. My partner kept pushing my morphine so I kept falling asleep. I could barely see who was in the room and what was happending around me. I I thought that Molly Shannon was my nurse and that she was going to try and make me laugh- but she didnt. I was kinda outa it and kept trying to pull up my johny and stuff. But Shaun just pushed that damn button and then I was off to dreamland...
When the morphine was finally out of my system long enough to know who I was, I actually got out of bed and walked that night. My surgeon said that everything went textbook perfect. My Gallbladder came out too. Took about 4 hours. But it was done Lap, so I am extra thankful for that.
5/1/03: I was discharged today. Came home. I was in a lot of pain the last few days and I am still in a lot of pain. I took Roxicet once the morphine was taken away (at my request). I have still got tons of gas pain. It comes and goes though. I rumble for a while then nothing sometimes. The gas pain is located in both of shoulders and my abdomen. I’m having all loose stools. My temps are good. My pouch feels very crampy.
I started on the Designer Whey Protein Drinks. I bought Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry. Word of advise get rid of Vanilla. I add 3 spoons of Equal to my drinks, its makes them taste better. Im not all that thrilled right now. I am kind of pissed I did this to myself. I hope my feelings about it change! I have no desire to eat anything at all. The thought of food makes me ill. When people eat around me I could vomit.
5/9/03: I ate my first meal today, one egg with some cheese on it. I ate about 1/3 of it and was totally full. This is off since I could eat one whole dozen just a few weeks ago and still be hungry. I tolerated the egg well. It feels so weird when the food goes down, like its just sliding. I have to wait 30 minutes to eat after my last drink and then wait 45 minutes more to drink once I am done. I don’t have too much trouble doing that, as long as I start drinking once I wake up. I can only swallow about 15cc of water at a time. I fill up instantly.
5/30/03: I have now lost a total of 43.5 lbs. I am down to 251 lbs. I am now feeling kinda hungry on and off through the day. I am down 5 belt loops.
I have yet to dump, I am very lucky in that sense. I have been frothing all the time....... I have more spit in one day than I have did in years. Its driving me nuts. I have heard that warm water will help, never tried it though. Diarrhea has almost all gone away. Thank God it was starting to kill me. I have no trouble getting at least 64 oz of water a day. I am now eating about 3 oz of protein. I am also able to nibble on a veggie too now. Oh and I am now only drinking 2 scoops of Designer Whey...
8/16/03: Well hello to all that have followed me through my journey and those that are just now getting to know who I am. I am now Post-Op 3.5 months and have lost a grand total from 4/28/03 until today of 83lbs. I feel and look awesome (if i do say so myself...) I am down to 211 and I cannot remember ever feeling so good. I have no trouble eating. I get three meals a day. Its hard for me not to snack though. It kills me, I love to snack. I occasionally have a handful of cereal or a Fruit2o Ice. Don’t tell my nutritionist though. I am now wearing a size 38 pant, but I could get myself into a 36. I don’t remember ever being that size. I had to buy a new pair of shoes bc my feet lost weight too! I was a size 13, now I’m wearing a 12. I still wear the same belt, just with new loops, so that I can remember being HUGE. I am now down 12 belt loops. I am no longer having a protein supplement, although I may need to start again. Its hard to get enough protein in a day. I started to try some Protein Bars occasionally. I still froth occasionally, no diarrhea. I did have my first experience with dumping, after having a little bit of ice cream. I WILL NEVER EAT NORMAL ICE CREAM AGAIN, I thought I was dying. I had diarrhea, vomit, headache, increased heart rate, drowsiness and anxiety all at once. I thought I was dying. I now think that surgery was worth it. I am feeling great overall.
9/4/03: 204 is my current wt, and I am down 90.5 lbs in 4 months and 1 week. I am still loosing wt, I cant believe that I bought a pair of size 36 inch waist pants. I can get into 35's but I they are still a little tight. I am still wearing my same old belt bc it reminds me daily that I struggled. I am occasionally having some constipation, but I just need to drink more water. I am doing great with my vitamins, taking them every day.... I know a lot of people don’t do that, but its important. I had my first drink of alcohol and I got drunk form a shot of Rum in some Diet Coke.... My tolerance is totally gone. People tell me that I look like I’ am 15 years old, I got carded for an R rated movie! Also my scars don’t look bad at all, everyone says they cant even tell I had surgery. I am thinking about a tummy tuck, well have to see about that when I get closer to goal. My surgeon wants me to loose another 20 lbs and get down to 184, well see! OH and I don’t have a double chin anymore! Its so nice to have a thin face, It makes me look totally different. My jewelry falls off my hands, I have had to get it resized a few times ...My wedding ring was a 12 and now a 8.5. even my shoe size is down to a 12 (from 13!)
9/29/03: I am now down to 199lbs. I cannot believe I am no longer in the 200's. I will be starting a new job next week so I went to The Gap and Old Navy to look for some new cloths. I am so excited to say that I am now down to a wst size of 34! I was totally shocked, in fact I only tried on the pants to see how tight they would be, and instead they are just normal. My shirt size is a medium now as well. I cant believe it. I use to wear a 3xl, now a medium. I still don’t see myself as someone who is not overwt. I look in the mirror and cannot believe it. I had some lab work done recently and I am also happy to report that I am doing great. All my values are normal. I am very meticulous about my vitamins. I am thinking about hiring a personal trainer when I move.
11/8/03: I am off to Mexico, cannot wait to show off my new body. I am down to 194. I cannot believe it. Sometimes I look in the mirror and I don’t recognize myself. I am wearing a size 34 pants now. NOTHING fits me anymore. I love the fact that I have to hope things will fit me, and that I can wear things that are form fitting. Its terrific.
11/24/03: I now down to 185. Things are going well. Mexico was totally awesome. Had a great time, met lots of nice people. I have to say I am glad that I had the LAP procedure. I don’t think I would have taken my shirt off had I had it done open. No one can even tell I had the procedure and no one believes me if I say I have lost well over one hundred LBS. So, Ill say it again, I have lost 130 lbs! Oh and I lost 9 lbs on vacation, isn’t that crazy? This is the best thing I have ever done for myself.
4/29/04: One year post op. I am down to 174lbs. I feel like a completly different person all-together. Its a good thing, and worth it. I have had no problems what-so-ever that are really all that bothersome. I do have occasional constipation, bc I occasionally have trouble remembering and getting enough liquids. I do find that snacking is the most difficult habit to break. I am trying to chew orbits gum to help curb that craving. My pants size is now a 32, and I was a 54!!! My shirt size was a 2-3 xl, now I am in a medium. As for extra skin, I do want a body lift. According to my surgeon, my insurance will not cover it bc I do not have enough to have to have it removed. It would end up being a mini procedure, maybe extremem makeovers will pay for it? ;> ??? My mom and I might apply, we are still talking about it. I guess I am most happy that people are shocked, and often do not believe that I was ever heavy. I dont want to have anything to do with my old identity... which stinks when I look at my wedding pictures and stuff. I cannot get away from it. Its good to have them around though bc it keeps me in check. I am religous about my flintstones multi vit one a day, and my calsium 1500 mg per day, although I ALWAYS forget my b-12, so I am hopeing to have that soon as an injection per month or something, so I do not forget any longer. I love to hear from people, I had no idea I had such a following. Please keep the emails coming, and I am glad that I am able to help people, if I can.
3/30/05: Its been a while since I have updated, but so many emails keep showing up in my inbox asking for an update... so here I am. A lot has happend in the last year. My partner and I adopted a baby boy from Latin America and we named him Liam. He is happy, healthy and full of life. He is now about 10 1/2 months old. We are on the waiting list to adopt another baby as I am writing this update, so lets all keep the prayers and crossed fingers coming.
I am scheduled for a tummy tuck which will take place on April 8, 2005 by Dr Robert Feins of Manchester New Hampshire. He recommended a donut lipectomy, but I think I will have better results having a full tummy tuck this year and a thigh/but lift next year. My current weight is between 177-179lbs, occasionally I tip at 180... but one good trip to the bathroom and I am all set.
For vitamin supplements, 4 calcium daily, 1 flintstones, 4 fibercon chews daily. I find that the fibercon chews are the only way to actually keep me regular. I have a new obsession with Starbucks, and I LOVE the iced chai. If you want to try my special drink blend here is how to order it~ iced venti chai, 9 pumps chai, 5 pumps sugar free vanilla, skim milk and lite ice. I think I could live off of these drinks. I think its better than eating junk food.
I am eating great, protein and a veggie or protein and a fruit... and I occasionally will throw in a starch like some rice, but not all that often. Overall I feel great!
4/15/05: I think I am doing well... I had a full tummy tuck performed about a week ago, they apparently took about 6 pounds of excess skin and fat from my abdomen. The pain is totally unbelievable! 410 our of 10. I need my partner to get me in and out of bed and bring me to the bathroom. I have to wear a compresion garment for atleast six to eight weeks! My incision is HUGE, it starts at my left hip, travels down to right about move penis and then right back up to my right hip. It, I am told, will fade with time. I am in so much pain, I am taking percocet every three to four hours, and motrin ever three to four hours in-between. I need four pillows under my leggs at all times to keep myself from feeling like my incision is going to pull apart. From what I can see, it looks totally different. I have a new spot for my belly buttom, but I am happy to report that my original belly button was saved... just pulled through a new spot on my body. I have scar midline under my belly button showing were my old one was located on that skin. I cant shower for ten days, I cant stand up without help, I feel like an invalid. I hope this is worth it in the end! The Tummy Tuck was $6200.00 cash!
5/02/05: I am happy to report that I have been able to be off percocet, but I stil use motrin three times per day bc the pain is really shitty! When they did my tummy tuck, they tightened the muscles from right below my ribs, all they way down to my genintals and then pulled down my skin over it.. and removed the skin. I cannot believe how different I look aleady. My abdomen is so flat, I cant believe it. And tight! I am so happy I did this! My current weight is 174lbs.
9/15/05: My partner and I adopted yet another baby, number two for us, a girl named Naomie-Aaliyah Jennifer K-S.. from the same orphanage that we adopted Liam from, but a different birthmother. Her DOB is 5/11/05, she is so pretty, healthy and full of life- just like her big brother. We could not be happier, but we ARE DONE! This is it for us, two kids is plenty! They are exactly one year and one day apart, so we have our hands full.
10/22/05: I have started to have my dental work done. Prior to start, I had a few cavities, a broken tooth with white bonding in the front added on to make a full tooth, and another tooth turned crown. Both in the direct from on the upper mouth. I feel like my teeth are stained and uneven. So, I had two root canals done on both teeth in the front, then two postings done with steel posts, a cleaning and I am now waiting for my new calender year to start so I can finish up after the firs to the year! Oh and my current weight is 175lbs. I began at a high of 329.5 prior to surgery, and 294.5 day of surgery and I have maintained 170's on the low end for most of the time! I am so happy. I have a wonderful family, my partner is great and my kids could not be better. I am so happy to also have such supportive friends Momo, Heather, Karen, Crystal... u are all so wonderful!
11/19/05: Ever wake up and feel like you are the same person you were before your weight loss, and then look in the mirror and almost feel like you still seem to look like that person. It seems to be stronger than ever lately for me. I feel like I look HUGE, I know in my head I am not, and the responce that I recieve when I go out is so wonderful, no one can tell that I have had gastric bypass, or a tummy tuck! Its odd, because they NEVER would have given me the time of day prior to surgery, infact they didnt. They just looked the other way like I was trash- maybe its just the gay world?
1/30/06: Kids are great, Naomie has been running a fever, but fine otherwise. Work is good. I am still at 174lbs. I find that I need to take a colace AND four Fiber Tabs daily to make sure I use the bathroom and without dying in there. I almost always remember to take my vitamins, i do forget occasionally, but I am human. I had zoom bleaching done on my teeth two weeks ago (the fast, one day ten shade lighter on your teeth deal) and I had my two front teeth ground down to little post's to accecpt two brand new crowns. So hopefully no more gap, my teeth with be straigh, white, normal size and shape and pretty. I am getting the temporary teeth out tomorrow am and I get the new crowns put in tomrrow as well. I am so excited. All total my teeth work, minus my insurance will cost approx $3,000.00. My current weight is 174 and I feel great, occasionally run down... but I think that is bc it is winter, and I am cooked up with two kids all the time. My sweet tooth seems to have come back, so I need to get back more on track with the no sweets thing. I have started to enjoy going out more. My relationship with Shaun could not be better. I love him so much, he has always loved me for who I am, not what I am or what I give him. My kids are awesome, my son is so smart! My daughter is gonna walk any day now I think. I have begun to think about my last plastic surgery that I want to get. I want my ass lifted and back pulled down, basically a reverse tummy tuck on my ass! They call it a thighplasty, but there is no actually cutting of my thigh, its a continuance from my sides were the tummy tuck stopped. I think this surgery is just under $6000.00, so I need to start saving! I wanted to have it this April, but I dont think that will happen, I think it will have to wait until next April 2007, I can wait, and be patient! Oh, and I booked a cruise! I leave this October 2006 from San Diego to Mexico for almost ten days!
9/12/06: Still going pretty good, stuggle to not eat sweats and overeat in general on a daily basis... but I have maintained my weight loss and I am happy! Love to shop for cloths that are not plus sizes (I am now a medium at A & F, they never made cloths i couild wear before!)
2006-2010: I had a full belt-lipectomy procedure done. I have two children now. I am divorced. I am back in school working on my masters.
10/16/2010: Well hello, its been a while! I am back, I am interested in finding out more information on the ROSE procedure, to help me loose some of the weight I have gained back... I am not back up to my old self, but I am afraid I am going to. Anyone have any suggestions let me know! PLEASE! My current weight is (I am to embarrassed to tell.)
7.12: moved into new house in the woods, I swear I hear the theme to Friday the 13'th each time I have to run to my car and its outside, dark... or if my son asks me to hold his hand because he is scared, what do I do, I clench my daughters hand! Little do they know Daddy is a big girl when it comes to Jason! Accept I would not wear heals in the woods.... that's just not practical. Weight, Ht, I dont take them anymore, I was diagnosed with Body Dis-morphia D/O, obviously... i think I will always see the old me reflection no matter what I do... SO, why the revision surgery sought, its prophylactic, and I have been cleared for take-off, just gathering numbers... exchange rates, and then I will step away for a few, and return, trying hard to blend. I will need to travel abroad for this procedure, but that is okay, I have my RN, I am BC in four area's and Im working on DNP... I know how to read between the lines... If anyone needs a referral, ask... I will say this, in India, you can get a full mouth of veneers, a face lift, lasik eye, and lipo while they are banding your RNY in a 90 minute procedure, the exchange rate is insane. I spent 10 days here- new baby? and only spent $36 usd... NO CUT in Quality and Precision, trust me I did not have my body cut in half to have visible scarring or never wake up..... the pain, was worth it when I see my belly button my mom and I where once attached via.... It has just been moved up 11 inches- yes 11-14 inches of skin vertically and it was paneled- so I do not know the length, but my MD says it will go to good use, someone is walking around with my shed skin- yucky, but good for you for surviving whatever trauma got you in that place, and I will keep you in my prayers.
About Me
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
