6 1/2 weeks Post-Op

Mar 11, 2010

I have lost 50 lbs, and mostly I am excited about 'feeling emotionally better'. I was a mess after the surgery; Jan 22nd. Since there were complications; My Journey has been a roller-coaster ride!
I was scheduled to have RNY with Dr. Wasser in NJ on Dec 8th, 2009. I had done quite a bit of research & really wanted to have the DS surgery, but my military Insurance (Tri-Care) would not cover the DS. Out of desperation, I started calling military medical facilities to see who had Bariatric surgery, and if any military doctors did the DS. I received a call back from Dr. Martin from Madigan Army Medical center at Fort Lewis, WA. (That is where we were stationed before moving to NJ 3 yrs ago & where out 4 yr old was born).
I found out that Dr. Martin had introduced the DS surgery at Madigan aprox. 6 months prior, (May-ish 2009). After our conversation, he was willing to check his surgery schedule & I was given a surgery date for the 18th of Dec. which was eventually changed due to the OR holiday schedule to a new surgery date of; Jan 22nd. I canceled my RNY surgery & started planning for airfare & a home-care plan for our 3 children - as my husband is deployed to Iraq for a year. My mom was able to plan a flight out from Oregon to stay with our children while I went to WA state for surgery. 
Long story..short, During my surgery the staple gun misfired - so my 4 hr laparoscopic went to an open 7 hr surgery. I also had an umbilical hernia repaired & my gall bladder taken out, along with fixing/suturing any leaks during the surgery. I was in the hospital 5 days, and after being released I ended up with a 104 temperature & a large red rash across my back down to my thighs. I was readmitted into the hospital with an infection inside the drain site. Given large/ huge doses of Antibiotics in the hospital and 2 days later was released with more large doses of Antibiotics. 
It was very difficult being away from home & my family. I was in a depression and wondering why I had made the choice to have this surgery that had taken everything out of me (emotionally & physically) & taken me away from my family.
After another week on antibiotics I finally had the staples removed & the drain had cleared & was also removed. I had another swallow test & had to wait until my Dr. was done with his day of surgeries o read the x-rays to see if he would release me to fly home.
Finally I was on my way home!! It was a long flight - I had a starbucks protein smoothie in the transfer airport, but was blessed to have wheelchair escorts the whole way!
It took me a few weeks to get over being overwhelmed by the events that happened, and finally I am seeing hope and sunshine for the days ahead. I've been figuring out that God has a hope and a plan for my life & I get to use my experiences as my testimony in What God has done to get me through the obstacles in my life.
My scar is finally healed over & I am getting close to being under 200lbs. I’m still working to figure out the vitamins, and what foods if any bother me. 
One day closer to being a healthier me!

0 Comments

About Me
Location
23.9
BMI
DS
Surgery
01/22/2010
Surgery Date
Apr 30, 2009
Member Since

Friends 64

Latest Blog 12

×