My Story

Feb 22, 2010

My story is really not different than anyone else. I have been gained weight little by little since I was about 7, with the exception of a few periods where I worked hard at losing. I had distant interest in Bypass surgury, but up until a couple of years ago I had no insurance. I had switched jobs, but ended up with Health Partners again. Only this time, WLS was an option. As soon as I discovered I was covered, I made an appointment with my primary and began the journey. That was Christmas Eve, 2002


August 1
I am now in my month of surgury. I have counted the days that I will have to wear my boring dress clothes for work. Most of my work clothes don't fit anymore and I can't find my size even at the Big and Tall Store. Besides, I don't want to spend money I don't have on clothes I won't need. I have my pre-op on August 8, one week from today. Man, it is coming fast.

So far everyone has been supportive. I did get some very ignorant comments from some empathy wannnabees. For instance, one co-worker said: "I understand why you have to eat so much. Obese people have a huge stomach and it takes so much more food to get full." This coming from someone whose sister had WLS. Someone else challenged the whole idea of "playing God" with your body...that I should just accept the way God made me. Yeah, okay...whatever you say. (Instead you want to play God, right?)

My best analogy is that I have become physically bankrupt. I have seen all the credit counselors out there, but the debt is so great that I just can't pay it off without declaring bankruptcy. If I don't discharge this debt, they (Grim himself) will come and take my house.

August 7 - - Tomorrow I will have my pre op physical. First thing in the morning I go to radiology and have a gall bladder ultrasound. My wife is a nurse and I have been asking her what to expect. Her answers don't satisfy me. I said to her, I am just going to wear a loose fitting shirt that I can lift up for the ultrasound. She told me that they will probably put me in a gown. "Really?" I said. "How would that make it easier for them to see my gall bladder?" My fears at this point (one week countdown to surgury) are not about the surgury. My fear is that Al Quada will attack and screw up enough stuff for me to postpone this. I also can't stand the way I get treated like a prisoner in the hospital. Hopefully they know how to treat me with some dignity. Oh well, this too shall pass. I have no fear about surgury at all, and that concerns me a bit. I say BRING IT ON.

I have told nearly everyone who I encounter on a daily or weekly basis what I am doing. Virtually everyone is supportive. I haven't told people I only see every few years. I have to have some enjoyment at people's reaction. Last night someone from my high school years called me out of the blue. I didn't really know her but she was tracking down the class of '83 because they are planning a reunion. The twenty year reunion happens to be on the same day as my surgury. Go figure.
"Let me know if you do a 25 year reunion" I told her.

I am perplexed at all the WLS people who have been told by their surgeon that they have to lose weight before the surgury. I don't understand that. Mine said nothing. I mean isn't that what the surgury is supposed to help you do? Isn't that like a doctor saying I want you to clear up this infection before I prescribe antibiotics. Don't get me wrong...I'm just trying to understand all this.

I've been planning some last meals. I am probably gaining weight at this point. On my last day we are having Thanksgiving as a family, since I will kinda miss out on those festivities this year. Plus, it will be a real THANKSGIVING where we thank God for opening doors, forgiving our tresspasses, and for the new life coming our way. This is so paramount to the transition. This surgury will affect my wife and kids nearly as much as me.

It made me cry one day to have to lie to my kids at an amusement park by telling them I was just too afraid to ride the roller coaster.

Can I just add a few pet peeves?

1. When Valleyfair charges me full admission and tells me they do not discount chaperones because they have no way of knowing whether the chaperones are going on rides. Um, I'm the 400 lb guy...how hard can that be. I should be able to sue them for charging me full admission and then refusing me on the rides.

2. When I go to the doctors office and know I am about 100 lbs over the maximum capacity of the office scale, and yet without fail the nurse asks me to step on the scale. WAKE UP SISTER! Duh!

3. Not knowing if a restaurant has tables and/or booths. I wish there was an obesity restaurant/services directory. Oh well, that will change soon. One time we went out with a couple friends. The restaurant had two booths open, but we ended up waiting 45 minutes for a table...because of me. ARRRRGH.

August 8 I started the day at the radiology clinic getting a so called "gall bladder ultrasound". Which to the radiology clinic comes back "complete abdomen scan". It was painless yet very uncomfortable. Later in the day I went to my clinic for the rest of my physical. This turned out kinda bad actually. FOUR lab technicians each poked me 2 or 3 times and no one could find my veins. The next day they sent me to the hospital's lab. I had to wait over an hour, but they got me the first time.

August 11, my clinic calls me to state that my bloodwork showed an elevated liver function and they want to rule out hepatitis so they need another blood test. I drank about a gallon of water and headed back to the clinic because I had my kids with me. TWO different techs each tried about 7 times. Nothing.

August 12, went back to the hospital before work. They got me on the first poke. Go figure. I'm waiting to hear about those results. Barring any further problems, I'm good to go.

On the 8th as part of my physical, they did an EKG. It showed an abnormality. The doctor said that it appears that it could just be related to my size as the offending pattern was not consistant throughout the rest of the test. He did say he would talk to a cardiologist about it and get back to me. It's now Tuesday so I am assuming that is not a problem.

Today (12th) The hospital called with the formula "instructions and speech" Make sure you have a living will...yikes. That is kinda sobering this late in the game.

After consulting with a cardiologist my doctor asked if I would be willing to undergo a heart stress test. Wednesday I took off work early and reluctantly agreed. Apart from nearly fainting and a super sore back after laying still on an ironingboard for 20 minutes straight, it went fine. The result was good news. Strong heart with no blockages.

FRIDAY AUGUST 15!!! The day I became reborn. Surgury went absolutely perfect. Recovery was as expected and I was discharged on Sunday morning. My biggest problem now (Monday August 18) is fighting some sort of infection. I am on Percacet, which, by the way, is wonderful. But a fever creeps in between dosages. I went to see the surgeon today. He said my incision looks good. No discharge. But now we are thinking perhaps cellulitus as my leg was bright red and hot. He put me on an oral antibiotic, but so far I'm still in the same cycle. Hopefully this will resolve quickly because I think it is hindering my progress. Otherwise, I feel fine. No problem tolerating meals yet. No nausea, except for about 15 seconds of it everytime I swallow my percacet.

August 24 - - It has now been one week plus one day. I have been off pain medication for several days now. I have had no fatigue. I have not thrown up yet. I am still on antibiotics for my leg, which has shown very slow improvement. Tomorrow I get me staples out. I have not had problem drinking cold liquids, (nor carbonated). My biggest problem however, is insomnia. I am still as yet uncomfortable sleeping on my side. I have to sleep on my back which is difficult. Other than that, I think I want to go back to work early cuz I am going nuts.

Posted on the Message Board:
It will be exactly two weeks from the day of my surgury to when I return to work. Funny thing is, I was ready to return last week. I'm going nuts at home, so I am doing projects around the house, like putting up a fence. It is for the sake of people who think I am nuts that I haven't returned to work yet. Yes, I had major surgury, however, my surgeon has stated over and over that there is no limit to activity and whatever I can do is great. There is no way I can un-do what the surgury did. For those who say, "you need to take it easy" I say "WHY?". This is therapy-free surgury. It's not like spine surgury. It's not like have to learn to walk again. If part of the recovery comes from attitude, I am way ahead of the curve. I feel absolutely great and have so pretty much since I left the hospital. I started this journey at 430lbs. I'm no lightweight (hehe). I am now down to 391, give or take 20lbs (really!) Every scale in the dang hospital is different. I know for sure I am down at least 20 lbs. My advice to those about to go through the door--get on your feet right away and get active. I haven't listened to those who say "Paul, you just had major surgury, you need to take it easy" The hardest part for me is the psychological break from bustin loose to KFC or BK or ordering pizza late night. I'll get over it cuz what a thrill it's been to fit into some of my favorite old shirts. Keep positive on both sides!!!!!!!!

September 5th (Three Weeks POSTOP)
I don't know how much weight I have lost. It really doesn't seem to be going very fast. I have been able to fit into some older clothes, but I'm not really feeling the weight come off like I thought I would. I am retaining fluid and I don't really understand why. I feel great and have decent energy. Just wish I could fast forward myself a few months.

October 6 --
I met with the surgeon for follow-up. I am now down to 362. Because there have been so many different calibrations on three different scales from when I started this journey, I am not exactly sure how much I have lost. I did weigh a few days post-op on the surgury clinic scale (and have used that one since) I was at 407 then. I am going round this off to 417 as my surgury day weight. So therefore, I have now lost 55 lbs!!!!!
Everything is going great. No dumping syndrome ever. No intolerance of any food. Energy level coming back. No complaints!

October 17 --
Does anyone else have problems with scales? I just joined the Y and according to the scale there I am now down to 323. I just don't get it. I may NEVER know how much I weigh.
OKAY, I must say I have been doing okay, but have discovered a couple of new things. First of all, since I started exercising I find myself hungrier than ever. This really scares me because even if I eat I become hungry again in a few minutes. I am limiting myself to stuff that is light and filling, but I seem to have lost that comfortable satisfied feeling. Also, for the first time since surgury, I was unable to hold two separate meals. One was FRIED chicken (Banquet) the other was Chinese with rice. It could be that I simply ate too much (as in the Chinese) but I think I just couldn't digest the fried chicken. Otherwise, no problem. I attended a conference last week and there was tons of food. It was kinda hard but I did okay with it. One of the banquet servers kept wanting to bring me different food since I "hardly touched" the wonderful meal. She just didn't get it. I had already told everyone at my table about my surgury, so they understood.

I'm wondering now how the holidays will fare? My favorite Christmas cookies, egg nog, turkey, ohhhhhh, life is great ain't it?

November 6, 2003
I read my chart that Dr. Jacobs sent to my primary and I have a better record of where I started, so I made some measurment corrections. My surgury was August 15, 2003. I had a followup with Dr. Jacobs on October 6. Following that visit, Dr. Jacobs sent a summary to my primary. I am going to share it verbatim here:
Surgery Clinic
Paul comes in to see me today six weeks following gastric bypass surgery for severe obesity. He is doing quite nicely with a 55 pound weight loss since his surgery. His weight today is 362 pounds and a body mass index is 55kg/m2. He was 417 pounds preoperatively with a BMI of 63 kg/m2. Hi is taking a multiple vitamin with iron and calcium supplement. His incision is healing nicely. I went over diet and activity instructions for the coming ten months and his next visit with me will be in August of 2004. He will follow up with his primary physician at 6 and 12 months postoperatively for a B12 and iron serum level to be checked. He will call if he has any questions or problems. IMPRESSION: Doing well post gastric bypass.

So there you have it. Just in case you were wondering what the behind the scenes lingo is. But as of today my weight is 333, which means that I am down 84 lbs.

Here is a sort of funny story. Health Partners for next year decided to conduct a health survey where they will offer a copayment discount if you complete it. I answered the questions honestly. Questions about activity level, nutrition, weight, etc.
My results were: You need to lose weight. You are not getting enough calcium, but you are doing great on your exercises.

It was amusing to me.

January 22, 2004--My Birthday.
Well, I was really hoping to be down breaking the 300 lb barrier by my birthday...actually by new years, but my birthday seemed better. I didn't quite make it, but as of today I am down to 305. I'm happy about that I guess. Tomorrow I visit my primary for my first six month check up (well 5 months anyway). I have to say that I have never experienced dumping. I have only up-chucked twice since August (apart from when I was sick) and that was totally due to over eating. There is no food I cannot tolerate. I can eat anything from steak to chicken to pasta to sunflower seeds, to sweets if I dare. My weight loss has slowed but still progressing, and that could be due to a few extra snacks now and then, but it could also be just a natural plateau. I don't feel like I am missing out on anything, but did get angry a few days ago when I was in a town I used to live in and went to a favorite rib restaurant and could only eat a few bites after paying 10 bucks for the smallest meal. Coffee has become a great friend. The darker blacker the better. No cream, no sugar...just robust n black. It actually helps curb hunger and gets my butt moving for the day. Another favorite has become hot spices. I can't get enough. No, I cannot tolerate peppers...they wreke havoc on my lower intestines, but I love powders, tabasco, anything with a kick. I think my taste buds have turned over a new leaf. I now like green olives with pimentos...something I couldn't stand before. Ramen noodles cup of soup (best flavor is chile lime shrimp) is a GREAT lunch at work. I know these things are half a days supply of sodium, but the calories check out, it fills me up for hours, and I watch my sodium for the rest of the day. It's working for me.

All in all I am happy and the only regret I have is not meeting Dr. Jacobs 3 or more years ago. I bought some tickets to valleyfair today, for July 18. I have to be able to go on some rides!!!!! I am wondering if I get down to 250 if that will get me on the rides. Looking forward to it.

March 12, 2003
7 months now. I have to say it's been a great ride so far. My blood work in January came back with two or three things a bit out of whack, but mostly good. High Iron...due to taking Iron in my multivitamin. Corrected. Low Sodium...due to taking water pill, and high bilirubin...don't know why.

I have finally broken the 300lb barrier, but went through the mother of all plateaus. Feeling good. I discovered last night that I can find my size at Wal-Mart. Everything from shirts to pants to shorts. I went from being too big for the big and tall store to shopping at WalMart. That alone made my day. I am waiting for rebate to come in the mail, then I will be buying my first bike in about 25 years. I can't wait. NO REGRETS at this point, other than I wish I had done it sooner. I am in pursuit now of regaining my life.

July 19, 2004
It has been a few months since I have updated. Yesterday I had the most wonderful day. The weather was absolutely perfect as I took my kids to ValleyFair. I was able to ride on almost every ride that I wanted to. The Steel Venom I missed the size max by no more than 1 inch, but every other intense ride was open to me. No dirty looks from staff, no comments, no questions, etc. I didn't feel stared at by kids. I didn't hear kids whispering "mom, look at that guy". It was worth it. On the other side of the coin is this major plateau I am in. It seems like the scale has stopped at 270 for months. The surgeon did say that the average weight loss would be 60% of the excess. Well, that has been achieved, so I am average. But I am not content with that. I refuse to call this the end.

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