Westexan
I had LAP RNY September 22, 2005 at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas. My surgeon is Dr. Todd McCarty, recommended to me by a friend who is a colleague of his at Baylor. I could never have expected all Dr. McCarty and his staff have done to help me get a good start. Everything is available through his office--psychiatry, nutrition, insurance info... Look for a doctor with a support staff!
My surgical experience and recovery went extremely well. I never even got scared. I was just chatting away with the anaesthetist when he put me out. (Guess I wasn't as interesting as I thought!)
As for pain, I had very little; though there were a few days in the second week I had a deep, sharp, tugging pain on the left side. Dr. MeCarty said it was in the area of a deep stitch, so I guess it was just healing and shifting. This was startling after so little pain, but it was only for a few days, and only really hurt getting up and down from sitting or lying positions.
FIRST WEEK:
1--Food tasted different right from the first. The broth and jello tasted wonderful--as if I had never tasted them before.
2--I learned the meaning of satiety. Within just a day or two I noticed that after drinking or eating I was satisfied and didn't want any more to eat. If my favorite food had been in the room, I would not have wanted it. I had never had this experience before. Something besides having a smaller stomach was definitely going on.
3--The absolute best change of the first few days was a complete surprise to me: I was suddenly FREE from all the stress of being an obese person. I had no idea prior to surgery how much worrying I did about what to eat or not eat, what to wear, how I looked, what people thought, if they were staring, etc., etc,. etc. I had such faith this would work, that all that stress was lifted from me from the very beginning. What a relief!
TWO WEEKS: 25 pounds lost
Check-up went very well. Everyone thinks I am doing fine, incisions healing well.
Surprises this week:
1--Flying to Dallas, I could buckle my seatbelt easily! Previously, this was a struggle, and a couple of times, I had had to ask a flight attendant for the dreaded seat-belt extension.
2--After my check-up I stopped at a restaurant for lunch and had soup and crackers and felt fine. It felt good to be eating out for a change.
3--Biggest surprise this week-- I got on the plane to go home, and the flight attendants were serving drinks. I noticed there was quite a bit of room between me and my tray table, so I tried opening it. In the down position, there was STILL room between me and the tray. I had not been able to use a tray table in many years. These little things that make you feel like a regular person are such a joy!
SIX WEEKS--Nov. 8--45 pounds lost
I was feeling great. I could breathe better, wear smaller clothes. People are starting to notice. I had lost this much weight many times in the last 30 years, though, so my friends didn't say much. They probably didn't want to make too much of this in case it failed like everything else. Blood tests showed my iron was a little low, so I am supplementing it now with an OTC tablet.
Like many post-ops, I have had some foods and even liquids that wouldn't stay down. I believe this is usually because I don't chew enough, eat or drink too fast (which will put air in the pouch and make you burp, too), or consume too much. When I really concentrate on the small bites, chewing well, and stopping as soon as I begin to feel full, I keep my meals down. Another danger is eating with other people. During conversation, I sometimes don't pay attention to all these things as well, and I am more likely to make a mistake.
NOVEMBER 29--Happy Birthday to me! 52 pounds lost.
CHRISTMAS DAY--Just over three months out--Merry 62 pounds!
JANUARY 12--70 POUNDS LOST! A nice and not-so-round number.
I recently attended a meeting in our city council chambers, and for the first time, I could use the little fold-up desk attached to my chair.
JANUARY22--four months and 72 pounds. The weight loss has slowed down but it keeps going. I am having to buy smaller shoes. I hadn't thought about having fat feet before--yikes!
FEBRUARY 14--80 POUNDS! I can cross my legs comfortably.
FEBRUARY 22--five months today and 82 pounds. BMI has gone from 51.9 to 38!
MARCH 21--6 months/90.5 pounds! I'm a happy gal.
MARCH 25--I had sunglasses on today, and a neighbor I have known for 20 years didn't recognize me. WOW!That was fun. Here's a surprise: I am a horse rider and my cowboy hats are too big! I never knew my head was fat! Ha!
APRIL 4--Unbelievable! I never had high blood pressure, but it was slowly creeping up--in the 120's or 80. TODAY--103/67! Also 95.5 pounds lost.
NOVEMBER 26--Down 147 pounds and feeling great. Blood pressure at 90/60 and resting heart rate of 47 to 49. Feeling fabulous and looking good 14 months out.
MARCH 22--18 MONTH ANNIVERSARY (surgiversary?)! I am below my goal--I weigh 136; goal was 150) and actually thinking about gaining back a few pounds. I think I am a bit thin, though my BMI is normal at 24. I have lost 164 pounds and couldn't be happier with my result. Feel great and am surprised how much I enjoy cooking now. It must just be that there is no stress related to food. Wow! This is really great.
About Me
Before & After
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