medicgeek10

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3 years out... AND LOVING IT...

I am currently working 2 jobs, 7 days a week... I couldn't have done this before the DS...

I currently have a Motorcycle... Boy would I have look bad before the DS if I had been on a Bike back then.....


I am maintaining at 270lbs... I should be exercising... but with my work schedule that has gone on the back burner for now...

I would like to lose another 50 lbs and one day once I quit working so much I will try that with exersice...

I hope those thinking about surgery will research it and Do it...

It is life changing..

I am No Longer Diabetic... Even better than the weight lose...

Da Geek

Here is a reply to a question on the DS Message board about the WORST Experince from my DS surgery... thought I would post it here for posterity...

Da Geek....    (this IS NOT an April Fools ) 


04/01/07

Post Date: 4/1/07 7:55 am

Good Luck and Congrat's.

I will be 2 years post op Sept 6th 07, I would do this again IN A HEART BEAT, WITH OUT PAUSE, WITHOUT REGRET!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For me... the Tube... was Not a Problem... fact My WONDERFUL surgeon (Dr. Maynard, Conyers GA.) was talking to me and and said.. "Are You ready for me to pull this out  on 3...? I was like... Yep.. Go for it.. and started to catch my breath and hold it when he said Oh.. Ok.. well LOOK AT THIS.. and was holding the darn thing up in the air ... never even knew he pulled it... 

No, for me.. the worst part... well let me give you some back ground on myself... I USE to be a Paramedic... when I was going through training one of the things that was talked about that medics would be doing in the field in the near furture was what is called Chemical Paralysis (sp)  (I am ALSO the WORLS WORST SPELLER)  WELL... one of the things about this procedure is that when you chemically paralyze someone one... the are FULLY AWAKE AND ALERT... BUT they CANNOT move a muscle... NOT ONE

  I mean... they CANNOT BREATH, BLINK... ANYTHING... so we would joke about the possiblities of this... 

well that came full circle for me... My surgery went PERFECT (thanks Dr. Maynard ;0)  I don't remember recovery, I woke and (what I remember) in ICU.. there was a team of folks around me... the beautiful and sweet red head PT tech, as I was told would be there.. (well they left off the beautiful red head part) and I was told I would be expect to stand up at that time my Dr. Maynard. 

Anyhow, she had me sit up... I of course hurt but was in good spirits and happy. I started to stand after I sat up for a min. and the PT tech wasn't ready for that... she said.. Wooo Cowboy.. hold on..   anyhow.. I laid back down and rested... the Resp. Tech put my CPAP on me and there I was with a NG Tube down my nose and my CPAP on ... well.. the problem with that is.... THERE IS NOT A GOOD SEAL with the NG tube in place...

This was around 6pm...  around 9pm (I think that was the time... not sure..) 

I awoke to the mose horrific experince of my life...

  I remember a few things... I was awake, it was like I had a pair of yellow glasses on... EVERYTHING had a yellow hue to it. there was NO ROOM round my bed, there were so many people there... I couldn't talk, I couldn't move, I couldn't breath, I couldn't move my eyes, but my mind was PERFECTLY LUCID...

   I remember my eyes started to tear up... that was the ONLY thing that I could do... the Doctor started talking to me at that point... I assumed he say the tears and realized what was going on. he told me what had happend. that my O2 saturation had fallen DANGEROUSLY low at the atrerial level when they had done my last Blood Gas. 

  I was on a vent... but it was like I wasn't breathing... lack of sensation...

then the Dr. ordered a drug to be pushed... then I was out... 

I woke up the next morning to find my hands tied down, I was SCARED, I couldn't breath... THANKFULLY the respitory tech was there when I woke up... I went BEZERK... I was pulling at the restraines... I was SLAMMING my feet on the bed.. I was trying to talk and couldn't ... 

I knew what was going on... I have worked with vented people before.. but had never been vented. the tech told me that I was breathing... I was mouthing I couldn't breath. he explained that the vent was breating for me... not to fight it... that I needed to relax.. (LIke YEA... EASY FOR YOU TO SAY)  (of course I HAD SAID THAT SOOOOOoooo MANY TIMES TO Pt's before myself)  he explained that I was breathing... that it didn't feel like I was breathing because of the tube in my throat whichs means I couldn't feel the air moving in my airway.

He stated he was waiting for the blood gas results to remove the vent tube... thankfully it took about 15 mins.. but THAT WAS THE LONGEST 15 MINS OF MY LIFE... 

I was in the hospital for 8 days because my White Count was elevated, it ended up that it was because of my main blood line they had in my neck and the way my body responded... 

I lost 40lbs in those 8 days..

I have lost 170lbs to date...

I would like to still lose about 40 to 60lbs... I was at 425lbs at my heaviest, I am at bouning between 265lbs and 255lbs right now..

I would do IT ALL AGAIN even knowing what it was like and what would happen if I had to too get where I am today..

I have a LOT of gas now... but it is also worth it... In fact I just ordered devrom and will be trying that to see if it helps..

I have found that I am the cause of ALOT OF FOLKS HAVING A RELIGIOUS EXPERINCE when it comes to mens rooms now...


I can't tell you HOW MANY TIMES... I have heard...  HOLY SH!T,  JESUS CHRIST!!! OH...MY... GAWD!!!!   HOLY MOTHER OF MARY!!!! 

WHEN I have had to use public rest rooms... but ya know what... I DON'T CARE... I am in a size 38 to 40 pants and a 1x to 2x shirt... down from a size 56 pants and 6 x shirt... 

I hope this helps you prepare... this is not a noramal experince for folks.. but hey... you ask...and this is my story... 

I hope you the best... and that you are as happy as I am...

I cannot tell you the joy in this ... the better feeling.. the better sex... better sex drive... 

BUT THE BEST OF ALL... this even SUPRISED MY SURGEON...

from the moment I woke up in ICU... my blood sugars have been normal..

I was talking 60 units of Lantis a day AND advandement TWICE a day (which is actually two meds in one for diabetes)  

and to this day... I EAT WHAT I WANT... and my blood sugars are normal...

so no more co morbiditys..

and oh yea... DID I SAY BETTER SEX...               

WELL good luck... go for it.. it IS ALL WORTH IT....



Da Geek
KI4MPP

WOW!!! Here I sit, one year after my WLS, DS what a gift, I have lost 160lbs so far, I have 65 more pounds to go, I am between 260 to 265lbs… I feel so much better. It has been no picnic, in the sense of dealing with my internal demons,

The tool, the surgery which worked great. It does as described. I have had many blessing. The first noted and most awesome one is that I am NO LONGER A DIABETIC… Heck I have not had to take any shots or pills since I came out of my surgery. My knees NO LONGER HURT… I LOVE TO WALK… because it just doesn’t hurt any more…

I have issues… but heck… that is what got me up to 425lbs anyhow… right? SO, I am trying to keep my head level and in the game. I have support, this website is one of the GREATEST resources out there. It is a wonderful tool to help, the chat area, the forums… a priceless tool.

Keep the hope and no matter what you go through… the results is worth the trip, the tears the gut wrenching moments the doubt the fear… all of it is part of the experience that betters you once you come out the other side….

I pray you will keep and follow your heart, knowing what you do will be for the better, for yourself, your family, your friends. DO IT. RESEARCH IT, make YOUR choice. TAKE CONTROL, make the decision and take control. You can do it and you will be thankful you did.

You need to research and find a surgeon you trust and has a good track record that has a program in place to set you up for success, to follow you, to support you… to be there for you…

You needed to remember… NO MATTER HOW HARD THIS MAY BE… it is “ABOUT YOU” it HAS TO BE bout YOU!!! No matter what has happen in the past, no matter what you feel about yourself. Help yourself, follow through with this journey, you CAN’T know how happy you will be once you come out the other side… I still have issues like I said… I still struggle with depression, food… myself…. But… after WLS… it just isn’t the same… I just is better… even at its worse… it is different… it is MORE MANAGABLE…

I pray you success in your search and journey, May God Touch you and you know his love. That you are worth this journey, and you DESERVE this, you NEED to love yourself and help yourself…

Peace, Love and Success.

DA GEEK

02/19/06

Well... it has been 5 mos (soon to be the six month mark) and I go see my surgeon tomorrow. I have been on a roller coaster ride. I am fighting depression... it is weird... it isn't like it use to be.. BUT... it still sucks... I still screw up with my eating... I am fighting over eating... I have to to stop this... I am not exercising like I am suppose too.

I am down to 280lbs, well let me clarify... I have been down to 280lbs.. I am about at 285, I am such a loser... I know better... and I just keep defeating myself. I am getting depressed over our financial situation and my ability to never to seem to find A BETTER PAYING JOB!!!!

My Sweet wife is such a trooper... to put up with me and my failures... my moods... my inconsistancies... Why do I have to be so freakin lame... the way I am is not how I want to be. I am the only one that can change this... and yet I just screwin it up...

I am SO THANKFUL FOR THIS SITE... the DS forum...and all the folks there... I get so inspired from reading stuff there... Darcy T, always good for a laugh and some wonder insight... from herself, her husband and family...

Dx E in the mens forum and all his knowledge and insight... he is ALWAYS SO HELPFUL...

and I just couldn't mention folks on OH without Boss N'Gagi, This man is SUCH A HOOT... I had to actually copy and paste some of his post to my wife because they where just too go to pass up... This man has led such a blessed life... I am sure he has had his share of pain an misery... but what an attitude and ability to so effortlessly make people laugh... and to read his porfile.... what a way to live a live by proxy that I would love but never achive... financially speaking... WOW... I would so love to just hang out with him for a week end... go camping... or do something that would be just so much fun...


well.. I just started a new schedule this week... it really sucks.. Sunday nite through Thursday 7pm to 4am... the good news... I get a lunch now... SO... what did I do with my first lunch break... I walked... it was good.. I walked our large parking lot TWICE... I feel good ... I will try to walk the parking lot ever day... I will see how it goes... I won't if it rains I guess... but even when it is could I should be able to walk at least one lap.... but I hope to build upon what I am walking now...

well.. gota get back to work...

Geek Out...
KI4MPP

Here is something I wrote and was posted/published on my Surgeons website....


www.samabariatrics.com/poetry.htm

11/29/05 06:21am

Wow... it is almost 3 mos for me now... I have lost a total of 108lbs... I lost 40lbs before surgery and 68lbs since....

Broke down on Black Friday and bought some new clothes... UNBELIEVABLE.... I was wearing a size 56... last friday.. I bought a pair of blue jeans (it has been like 15 years since I wore jeans... AND.... get this... they where a size 46.... UNBELIEVABLE... a 46...
I dropped 10 sizes...

I was also wearing 6x shirts... and some where tight... well, we got 2 4x shirts.. AND THEY ARE LOOSE ON ME!!!!!

WOW... it is SO GREAT NOT to have knee pain anymore... and Diabetices is gone...

what a WONDERFUL thing this has been for me...

9/9/05

what can i say after that!!!! cept's my girl, the love of my life, my eternal partner. Thank you my love, for being who you are

your Lover,your spouse but most of
'MY BEST FRIEBD!!!!

I WILL COME BAK LATER CLEAN THIS POST, BUT THEN AGAIN AFTER READING HER WONDERFUL WORD I MAY JUST BNEED HER TO KEEP THESES UPDATES GOING.... HEHEHE

9/08/05

This is MedicGeek's wife, Tammy, updating. Don't worry he is doing wonderful but his IV had caused some numbness in one hand and his normally terrible keyboard pecking is even slower and filled with all kinds of extras letters. He was in surgery Tuesday, 9/06 from 7:00 am until about 1:50 pm which is when I got the call from Dr. Maynard who was very pleased with the way it went. Doc bragged on how good the liver looked and that all the work MedicGeek had done before to lose 45 pounds really showed once they opened him up. I had been told to expect a 6 -8 hour surgery and they were expecting some extra challenge with lesions from his previous hernia surgeries but that wasn't the case and Doc said that his surgery was actually the fastest one yet.

He was sitting up within a few hours and walked a short ways in ICU before I talked to him on Tuesday about 6:00 pm and he was in good spirits and no pain. I was in the process of making an audio tape for him to listen to when I got a call at 10 pm that there was a problem with his CO2 levels. They had put him back on the ventilator. The nurse said that he was getting disoriented and I asked if he knew they were going to do that and he said no. I knew how upset that would make him. I was told that Dr Maynard
was in the hospital in surgery and would check on him before he leaves. I called the ICU at 11:30 pm when I hadn't heard anymore and after the run around I was basically told it was wait and see. I had a very long terrible night. In the morning I got a new nurse who was equally uninformative, I felt evasive and uncompassionate. I was 75 miles away and needed info and wasn’t getting it. I took care of the details at home, dropped kids off to school without letting them know there were any changes. Called the hospital again at 8:00 am and was told he was still on vent and the pulmonologist would be in to look at him soon and make a decision. Nurse had no idea when the doc would be in to look at him and seemed to be less than interested in talking to me. I called Dr. Maynards office and told them my feelings about the nurses and the whole situation. They said to sit tight they’d make call and call me right back. I became quite distraught and decided that I had to be there with him to see what the heck was happening. It was very hard for me not to be there to begin with but I had to work and we have 3 children, the youngest with autism. I called work and told them I wouldn't be in and got grief from my supervisor which was good because it made me mad and got me off the fear and tears. However, I was still very upset and a kind friend from church gave me a blessing and another drove me to the hospital and kept me distracted and comforted during the what would have been an endless journey in Atlanta traffic. The Drs office called back while we were driving to tell me that they were going to take him off the ventilator.

My cell phone rang when I got out of the car in the hospital parking lot and it was my sweethearts voice bright and clear asking me where I was. He was off the ventilator and had walked 2 times while I was driving there. It was a wonderful sight to turn the corner in the ICU and see him sitting up in a chair, good skin color and his eyes clear and blue and smiling. What a relief. He looked so good. Doc had tried to prepare me for all of the tubes that would be coming out of him but it was still a sight to see. I’m glad the kids weren’t there, it would have alarmed them. After I had a chance to sit with him, talk with him and touch him I felt much better. I had brought a few comforts from home most importantly his laptop. He clearly remembered the tube going back in and being chemically paralyzed and intensely disliking that feeling of not being able to communicate or move. He had several cuts on both lips and dried blood. He thinks that his cpap mask was put on too tight trying to secure it over the NG tube and restricted the air rather than helping to increase his air flow causing the problem with CO2 exchange.

I was immensely relieved when Sharon showed up, we had met her during pre-op. She is an ICU nurse and a former bariatric patient and I like her style. She would have been working Weds morning but had a dental emergency and had to take ½ day off. I felt I could leave him in her competent, communicating and compassionate hands. If she hadn’t been there I would have brought up my suitcase from the car that I had packed to last for 3 days and camped out. I knew I had my family and my church family to handle the needs of kids if needed and I would worry about work later.

We have talked several times on the phone today and he is doing great. Today he reports that he walked 5 laps around ICU in the morning and 6 laps in the afternoon and sat up in his chair for 2 –3 hours at a time. His spirit is positive and he is in very little discomfort and trust me he wouldn’t be just saying that. I love my eternal companion but he can be a wimp when it comes to pain and he’s the first to admit it. I am so proud of him and all of his hard work to get to this point although I never encouraged this because of my fears, but I never discouraged him either. His happiness is paramount and I support him and I’m his biggest cheerleader and buttkicker, right dear?

He was moved from ICU to a private room around 3:00 pm, He got his command center set up and is just waiting on the fart. As soon that happens the NG tube comes out, then the grape juice test, then pureed foods then home! We are shooting for Sunday or Monday to bring him home. I have learned much from reading many of the profiles and messages on the website and am very thankful to all of you. More to come….

8/18/05


Well Yesterday was my "Sign on the dotted line, so you won't sue me if you die day" at the surgeons office... I am SO EXCITED... it is getting so much closer to my date.. Sept 6th, I will be in the hospital for 6 to 7 day.... I am having a OPEN DS procedure I know this will make my so different.

I am so thankful for my Surgeon and his Staff they are just wonderful folks. They have all points covered and make sure your fully aware and participating in this process because they care so much. They show that they have such a Vested interest in this whole thing.

So Now I have my pre-op stuff on the 26th, I think it is... Then.. the big day... the Doc has given my direction for getting ready for the surgery.. that I will have to drink stuff and "squirt" stuff.. (lol) got to make sure "dem" pipe's be cleaned out from both directions.. I know we don't want NO lil particals of "stuff" getting loose when Doc is doin his thing..

well I will update as more becomes available, gona get my laptop setup to prepare it for when I go.. I hope I am well enough to get on line and update from the hosptial bed... that would be kewl..

I can type stuff while I am suckin down morphine or demerol, that should be an interesting Read...hehe

Peace, Out

E

08/11/05


Well, ALOT HAS HAPPENED since I last wrote here... I am SO PLEASED with my surgeon and his WONDERFUL staff... Donna and Kinsley, are just awesome... Donna, I love her to death... she is a No Nonsense Lady, that I am VERY HAPPY is on MY SIDE, ( I WOULD NOT want to be on Donna's bad side ;0) Because Donna is a heck of a fighter.. she will fight for you and do EVERYTHING within her power to help you, as long as you are doing your part. I couldn't ask for more than that. Her and Kingsley are just SWEETIES... I mean that from the bottom of my Heart...

Another BIG SWEETY is Dr. Maynard himself, when I started investigating this process and going to support meetings and ask questions (boy did I have a lot of those), One Night at a support group meeting, Doc said he wanted me to schedule an appt to meet with him again, Well.. Me Being me, and heck .. the reason I am at a point where I have to have WLS in the first place is the way my brain, emotions and mental self works. I have ADHD to boot. So when He said he wanted me to schedule an appt. I thought the worst... sorta my self preservation mode kickin in, I was thinking they where going to tell me they wouldn't / couldn't do the DS for me.
I was afraid too because of the Employment / Insurance situation I have been dealing with, I have an HMO (which NO ONE SEEMS to want to take) AND it is hard to find Doctors that will preform the DS because (In My Opinion) it isn't a quick turn around like the RNY and from a business standpoint... doesn't allow for the NUMBERS of surgery's because it is more involved and takes longer to preform. Not allowing for a greater Profit margin.

So when we had our meeting back in Feb, I was VERY apprehensive and concerned they where going to tell me that they would not take my case for some reason.

It was the furtherest thing from that, They (Dr. Maynard, Donna and Kingsley all met with me this day) we sat down and after each of them talked with me and discussed their concerns and my questions we had a much better understanding of each other.

When I mentioned that Doc was A BIG SWEETY... I Ain't kiddin, I am six foot tall.. he makes me feel small... He is a BIG GUY.. I am not sure how tall he is.. but it has to be over 6'4'' but when we got done with our meeting.... and I was getting ready to leave.. I reached out to shake his hand...

And... He took my hand and shook it, then Pulled me in and gave me a big ole Bear Hug... it was a real suprise, let me tell ya. But I was a REAL example of the kind of Human Dr. Maynard is. He is VERY CARING, he wants ONLY the best for his patients, I know that is why he has the staff that he does, they take VERY GOOD CARE OF HIM... AND his Patients. I have seen that office staff at work, they do EVERYTHING within their powet to make sure Dr. Maynard is kept Happy, and from what I have seen, what keeps Dr. Maynard happy is making sure his Patients are taken care of in the best possible way.

I cannot say enough about the wonderful people and all that they have done for me. To help me on my Journey with this life changing event. Looking out ONLY FOR MY BEST INTEREST.

I am scheduled to surgery Sept. 6th 2005 they have been fighting for me all the way, and up to bat for me, Patient with me, supportive of me, and my quriks and questions.. and pestering them about all kinds of little things... I am so thankful for them and their attention to detail and support.

As my date draws closer, I am looking forward to this more and more... I am probably a fool, but I am NOT nervous.. I am anxious though... BUT... only for the date to arrive and complete this task.

what I AM nervous about, worried with, is, the financial issues I have and how this be of even greater trouble or burden from my family and I during this time.

I am hoping against hope that I will have more energy, and a better out look on my life after I have had my surgery AND lost my weight, reached the goal weight I desire, I know this ISN'T magic pill or bullet, I know there will me a lot of work ahead, that this isn't a quick fix. I just need to get beyond this proceedure and survive the difficulties that will follow from a financial point of view, then to enjoy life again, not to be embrassed from myself, my family, to be a better Father, Husband, Person.

Until next time.... Peace and Love .


PS - Happy Birthday to the Love Of My Life