My Experience Thus Far

Aug 25, 2009

Of course, I was horrified with what I seen. My friends, family members and medical staff kept telling me that "I'm not that big." My BMI said that I am, it was 44! So, I had all the necessary medical testing done to have my surgery. I did alot of research about they procedures and decided that gastric bypass was the best choice for me. I really wanted it done laproscopically, but I settled for open instead. My surgeon has plenty of experience and is part of a Center of Excellence,  so I felt better. I went in for my surgery on July23, where the hospital and staff was awesome upon my arrival. I couldn't believe that this was really happening, that I was actually going to have the surgery! I still can't believe it sometimes. I was afraid that I was going to have a positive pregnancy test and they would send me home. I felt that if it was negative, then I was meant to have this surgery. (You know how things like that happen when you make big plans.) When I came out of surgery, I was in alot of pain. I was out of it. I kinda remember my family being there with me off and on, but I mostly remember the nurse taking care of me. She kept asking me why I did this to myself. That is still stuck in my head. HOW DARE HER! I got my own room that evening and it was hard. My family was there to help me with EVERYTHING. My husband never left my side, except when I made him go eat. He's the best. Although I was in alot of pain and hated being connected to the IV and heart monitors, each day got better. Each day after surgery gets a little better. I'm always looking forward to tomorrow and so thankful for today. Walking is a very important part of recovery, it moves all those gases around, helps you lose weight, and your recovery progress a little more. I'm blessed that I haven't got sick from the foods that I've tried. I am sticking to the diet and sugar free recommendations. I was sent home from the hospital after 5 days with 16 staples in my tummy. Within the week, under my staples was infected. I didn't have a fever and was not sick, but the area was gettting red. On Aug. 2nd, I was back in the hospital on an antibiotic IV drip. I hated being connected to the IV again, but it was making me better. On Aug. 4th, my infection finally festered and ruptured. They removed some of my staples, cut me open(while I was awake, with no local anesthetic), cleaned out the area, and packed it with gauze. I was sent home that afternoon with good antibiotics and we were to take care of my open incision ourselves, with the help of a home nurse of course! Tomorrow is the third week with my nurse. She is very knowledgable and a great help. My wound is almost completely healed and I've lost 26lbs! I walk twice a day, get in all my protein, fluids, and vitamins, and write down all of my meals. Getting all that stuff in the first week or two was really hard. You just gottat keep trying. I want to be healthy and NORMAL. I can't wait to sleep on my tummy again. I have my down days when I'm frustrated with all this change, but I don't give up. I won't give up. I'm going to get where I want to be because I know that my family isn't ready to give up on me either. I'm so blessed.and thankful for it

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