How could I forget? Today is my 5-year surgiversary!
... or as my brother Gary called it, my gastiversary. The day I was reborn. Five years ago, I was waiting to get my life back. More than five years ago, I made the big step to have gastric bypass surgery, the best decision I have ever made. I was, at my heaviest, 355 pounds. I had spinal arthritis, degenerative disc disease in my back, two arthritic knees, arthritic feet, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure. I was probably going to be diabetic soon if I didn't lose weight (because it runs in the family). The blood pressure was under control with medication, but my father had hpb and that led to kidney failure and dialysis, so if I didn'****ch things, I was headed down that path too. I was literally crushing my bones under my weight. My pain doc told me I'd be in a wheelchair if I didn't lose weight. He said, "Make a choice, your life or the wheelchair."
I choose life.
Five years ago, I sat in the hospital pre-op, waiting for surgery, having to get IV potassium because it was low (they had given me antibiotics for a UTI over the weekend that gave me the runs). I was supposed to have surgery first, at 7:30 a.m. But then this stupid nurse came in and told me I wasn't going to have surgery because my potassium was low. I started crying and got all upset. I was all alone. I had no family or friends with me on the day or surgery; a coworker had dropped me off at the hospital door. I didn't have money on me or a cell phone, so I didn't know how I would get home. The other person waiting saw how upset I was and asked what the problem was, and through my sobs, I tried to tell her. Finally, another nurse came in, and told me I would still have surgery, but I had to get my potassium up (a much better communicator than the first nurse). And let me tell you, IV potassium really hurts! I was still so upset, that finally, the anesthesiologist came up and authorized some versed to relax me (I wasn't nervous at all when I got in there, until this episode ... but the IV potassium really hurt and I was very upset and annoyed at their staff).
About noon, my potassium levels were OK for surgery and I was taken done to the operating room, where I met Dr. James Foote at last. He said, "Are you ready?" I said, "Let's get this done." And that's how I really felt. I had waited more than year for my surgery, and now four more hours than expected.
A few hours later, I came out of surgery a new woman (inside at least). I spent two days in the hospital because I had a "heart glitch" as they called it ... an unexplained rapid heartbeat. So they kept me an extra day, got my potassium up again and finally sent me home. And then I started losing weight.
It took me three years to get to goal, which was to lose half my weight. I got down to 167 (I started at 347 the two weeks before surgery), and have since pretty much stayed between 170-174, although lately I've been going up to 180 for some unknown reason ... I think some of it is water weight because I can see my legs swell up and the weight is 4-5 pounds overnight. And my pants still fit me just fine.
My main problem has been lack of exercise. My right knee still hurts a lot, and while I'd like to start walking more, it hurts to do a lot of walking. I've been trying to get on my little exercycle, but I've been extremely depressed about a lot of issues in my life (work, finances, the death of my friend) that I've slacked off ... I know, no excuse. I would love to get back in the pool, because I really miss my swimming, but my finances keep me from rejoining the Y ... maybe after the first of the year.
This surgery has been a lifesaver. Taking the weight off has put a half inch back on my height because the disc compression has been halted. Can you believe it? I was 5-3 1/2 when I started; I'm now back up to 5-4. I was able to have my knee replaced (which they really didn't want to do when I was obese); unfortunately, I still haven't gotten the benefits from that surgery yet. I'm still hopeful after the revision of the first surgery (that's been six months). I don't have high blood pressure; my blood sugar is fine.
The best part is meeting all of you. I have gotten so many new friends, enriched my life because of you. A lot of my success is due to you.
So celebrate 5 years with me.
(Hey, I enjoy one beer or two a week!)
I choose life.
Five years ago, I sat in the hospital pre-op, waiting for surgery, having to get IV potassium because it was low (they had given me antibiotics for a UTI over the weekend that gave me the runs). I was supposed to have surgery first, at 7:30 a.m. But then this stupid nurse came in and told me I wasn't going to have surgery because my potassium was low. I started crying and got all upset. I was all alone. I had no family or friends with me on the day or surgery; a coworker had dropped me off at the hospital door. I didn't have money on me or a cell phone, so I didn't know how I would get home. The other person waiting saw how upset I was and asked what the problem was, and through my sobs, I tried to tell her. Finally, another nurse came in, and told me I would still have surgery, but I had to get my potassium up (a much better communicator than the first nurse). And let me tell you, IV potassium really hurts! I was still so upset, that finally, the anesthesiologist came up and authorized some versed to relax me (I wasn't nervous at all when I got in there, until this episode ... but the IV potassium really hurt and I was very upset and annoyed at their staff).
About noon, my potassium levels were OK for surgery and I was taken done to the operating room, where I met Dr. James Foote at last. He said, "Are you ready?" I said, "Let's get this done." And that's how I really felt. I had waited more than year for my surgery, and now four more hours than expected.
A few hours later, I came out of surgery a new woman (inside at least). I spent two days in the hospital because I had a "heart glitch" as they called it ... an unexplained rapid heartbeat. So they kept me an extra day, got my potassium up again and finally sent me home. And then I started losing weight.
It took me three years to get to goal, which was to lose half my weight. I got down to 167 (I started at 347 the two weeks before surgery), and have since pretty much stayed between 170-174, although lately I've been going up to 180 for some unknown reason ... I think some of it is water weight because I can see my legs swell up and the weight is 4-5 pounds overnight. And my pants still fit me just fine.
My main problem has been lack of exercise. My right knee still hurts a lot, and while I'd like to start walking more, it hurts to do a lot of walking. I've been trying to get on my little exercycle, but I've been extremely depressed about a lot of issues in my life (work, finances, the death of my friend) that I've slacked off ... I know, no excuse. I would love to get back in the pool, because I really miss my swimming, but my finances keep me from rejoining the Y ... maybe after the first of the year.
This surgery has been a lifesaver. Taking the weight off has put a half inch back on my height because the disc compression has been halted. Can you believe it? I was 5-3 1/2 when I started; I'm now back up to 5-4. I was able to have my knee replaced (which they really didn't want to do when I was obese); unfortunately, I still haven't gotten the benefits from that surgery yet. I'm still hopeful after the revision of the first surgery (that's been six months). I don't have high blood pressure; my blood sugar is fine.
The best part is meeting all of you. I have gotten so many new friends, enriched my life because of you. A lot of my success is due to you.
So celebrate 5 years with me.
(Hey, I enjoy one beer or two a week!) 
You desrve champagne.
Happy Surgiversary to you, my sister from another Mother. May the next 100 years...give or take a few maybe...be happier than the last 5 have been. You have been an inspiration to many of us. You have shared many words of wisdom to many along the way on our journeys and I appreciate it. I also am glad for the close friendship that we have shared. I am glad that you are a part of my life.
Much love and many hugs to you....
Much love and many hugs to you....
It's not what you gather, but what you scatter
that tells what kind of life you have lived.
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