Siobhan OLeary
Where to begin....
I have struggled with my weight forever. I have been overweight since the day I was born, and it just continued from there. When I was 16 I decided I didn't want to live like this, dieting, lossing, gaining, up and down. So I started researching WLS. At 18 I saw Dr. Rubenstein about WLS. I went through the entire process for clearance and researching between the lap-band and the bypass surgeries. At the last minute under my surgeons guidance I chose the lap-band surgery. This decision was based on my age, the fact that lap-band is less invasive and that I wouldn't have to monitor my vitamin in take etc... being that I wanted to have children in the future. My starting weight was 450lbs. I got down to 400lbs by the dats of my surgery. After the surgery I lost 20lbs over the next few weeks. After that.... I LOST NOTHING. I had the lap-band for 4 years and had three adjustments and although I did not gain any weight I did not lose anything either. I then, 4 years later, had the lap-band removed. Following this I blew up like a tick putting on 40lbs in 8 months. Throughout this time I went through the clearance process AGAIN and in more depth to qualify for the RNY gastric bypass. I have now lost 20lbs in 2 weeks and need to lose about 20 more before having the bypass surgery which I am schreduled for on the 18th of August 2008 with Dr. Vohra in Hewlett NY! And here we are... on opti-fast liquid diet for another week and a half with crossed fingers that the Dr. will do my surgery and I will have enough time to recover before going back to work in a school with 5 year old children with Autism, who kick and pinch and could potential hurt me if I am not healed. So.... cross your fingers for me and let's hope for the BEST!!! :o)
I was able to lose another 10 pounds before surgery and my Dr. was thrilled. I had my surgery on Aug 18th as scheduled.
Everything went great! Stayed in recovery longer then necessary only because the hospital couldn't get any one to transport me. When I finally got up to my room and was able to see my mom and fiance I was soooo happy. I wasn't in too much pain and was happy to feel the relief that surgery was over. My mom was wonderful and was able to stay with me all three days. She kicked my butt lol meaning she kept me motivated and walking every hour. That was the best thing, walking actually made me feel better. Showering and washing up made a huge difference also, really picking up my spirits and just made me feel much better. I was able to leave the hospital on the evening of the third day and I was thrilled to get out!
After the hospital I had two weeks of chicken broth and jello which was not easy! One week after discharge I went to the Dr's office for a follow-up. At this appt my staples and drain was removed. This would turn out not to be a good thing but at the moment I felt like a million bucks! I felt normal and free. I felt great!!!!!! I saw the nutrionist and the surgical coordinator and couldn't wait to get going with my new life. About four hours later a very scary thing happened. I got up from my chair to use the bathroom and noticed my shirt covered in blood when I went into the bathroom I realized the vertical incision right above my belly button had opened up and was bleeding. It looked like a stab wound and I didn't know what to do. I called in my fiance who then called my Aunt (an RN) and she was able to tell him wheat to do and to calm me down. IT turns out that it is not a big deal and the in two weeks it will be healed it is just something that could have been avoided if the Dr had looked more carefully and my incisions before removing the staples. Once I got over the initial shock of it I was okay. A home care nurse and my fiance change a packing and dressing on it everyday and there is no infection. Today on the first day of my fourth week from surgery, it is half healed and looking great. Watching it heal before my eyes has been kind of neat, I just wish it didn't delay my return to work.
I am now on yogurt, cottage cheese, etc... soft foods. I am having a hard time watching everyone else eat but I am learning to adjust to my new life as a thin person! I have lost 20 pounds since my surgery making it a grand total of 50 pounds!!!
THE SURGERY IS ALREADY THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE FOR MYSELF!!!! I feel better then ever!
Here is the updatse:
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