ObesityHelp

55 yr. old male, 6'3",396 lbs. Co-morbidities include sleep apnea, joint deteriation, GERD, chronic back pain, limp when walking and Hypertension. I can't put on socks, easily winded, and fall asleep at work. My regular Dr. says I am a good canidate for the surgery. Consulted with surgeon and received approval from insurance carrier. Sugery date is June 28, 2004.

June 8, 2004 - Had my PRE-OP meeting with Dr. Daryl Stewart.
All went well I think. Lots to keep in mind for my new diet and the first few weeks are very strengent. Must get prepared at home and take this first step to a new life. We visited the hospital and pre-registered and had an EKG, Xrays of lungs, and blood taken for testing. I have lost 6 lbs. which is good. Now just 190 more to go, whew. I am all excited and scared too. Yet I firmly believe in 10 years I will know this was one decision in my life I made that was right. I appreciate all who have sent their support. God bless you.

June 28, 2004 - Went into hospital at 6:00 am and was sedated and taken into surgery. The anesthesiologist was unable to get the breathing tube down past my voice box because the camera used to view the process in my throat was not able to see the voice box. The results was a failure to get the breathing tube into my lungs for the gas administered by the anesthesiologist.
So they took me out into the recovery room of the hospital. I was shocked and very discouraged. The reason given is that I am a big guy with a fat neck. Now please tell me how someone would not know that a patient having bariactic surgery would probably be obese and that typically they would have a fat neck. To me a determination by the pre-op anesthesiologist would have avoided this disaster. I found out this has never happened before. That tells me they dropped the ball in my particular case by not having a pulmonologist on stand-by for obese patients. It has been a very difficult week. I pray that no one ever has to go through such a false start. The bruises on my sternum and swelling on my face was unnecessary. It leaves me wondering how often the "professionals" take their patients for granted. When it is your body and life on the line there is never a routine situation in medicine. When weighed I had lost 16 lbs. since June 8, 2004 that is wonderful since it really hurts to walk with the chronic pain in my left hip.

July 6, 2004 - Now my surgery is rescheduled for Friday July 16, 2004. I am greatly relieved that Dr. Stewart, my Surgeon is bringing his own pulmonologist into surgery to make sure I get my breathing tube inserted properly. It is a great relief. In addition I know the anesthesiologist who worked on me June 28 will be on vacation on July 16, that is good news.

July 16, 2004 - Had surgery at 7:00AM with Dr. Stewart and had no problems with the anesthesia as they had me slightly awake to get the tube into me and off I went to sleep. Surgery was a success and far less painful than I thought it would be. I woke up in recovery and was in my room by 11:00 am. The nurses were great and so patient and helpful. I felt safe and
they attended to my every need. Walking was tough but it helped me heal faster and the pain subsided more quickly.

July 17 - 19 - Walked everyday in hospital and ate the full liquid diet. Went home on Tuesday July 20.

July 21 - 31 - Advanced on my diet to real food in proper portions and all fat free, lowfat and low sugar. I can live like this I think. Went to Dr's office for follow up on Wed. July 23 and I had lost 11 pounds in seven days. Yea.

Aug. 2 - Going to Dr's to get check up and will start driving this week. Will go back to work for 1/2 days for a two weeks.
Still walking everyday. Some hunger before I go to bed which is a bad habit I need to correct not that I have the opportunity. I feel great just no energy, very weak and tire easily. Got to get the energy to go back to work now.

Aug. 13 - The time has passed quickly. Back at work and trying to take it easy and not rush this process as I transition to my new life. My body weight is DOWN 38.5 pounds. IT IS SO GREAT!
Yes I have been nauseaed many times only briefly and some longer as I experiment with different foods. Typically I have been able to eat most anything if I do it SLOWLY. I forget sometimes that I have a tiny tummy now and it quickly reminds me. All in all things are great and I am very excited with the health changes. The edema or water in my ankles has gone away and my breathing is much easier. And generally I can move around much easier. Oh yeh, it feels great. God Bless all you are on the journey.

Oct 7, 2004 Weight is now down 72.5 lbs as of today and I must learn to eat better as I have been taking too big a bite and too much liquid before & during eating. So I have had a little trouble. Now I will adjust my eating to help me eat more types of food. DO any of you have the same problems eating one type of food one day with no problems then eating the same food agian on another day and geting sick? Please let me know your experiences and what you did to compensate. God Bless.

Dec 31, 2004 Well I have begun to slow down now that I have lost 120 lbs. Still have to watch my eating very carefully
and not drink while eating or eat too fast or I get the ole
discharge. Some days I can eat without any problems then other
days are not so easy. I would love to hear your experiences.

July 5, 2005 Now I am down to 187 lbs with a "normal" 23.4 BMI and very nausiated all the time. I struggle to get any protein down and food does not like me. Even water is hard to swallow. So I may have a stricture and I hope to see the Surgeon this week to fix. God Bless all you who take time to view my comments.