Rogerepp
I am married with 2 teenage kids. I have been obese most of my adult life. I was very athletic as a kid and all through college. After college I stopped the athletics and started working full time. The weight just piled on. There is a history of obesity in my family, but I was always able to avoid it by being so athletic. I have been on every diet known to man.....you name it, I've been on it! I have always been very healthy up to this point. I do have sleep apnea and had a little hypertension due to the sleep apnea. Never any diabetes. I just decided that if I wanted to live to see my grandkids one day, that I'd better do something. So I did a lot of research and chose Dr. Alan Wittgrove to do my surgery. I am very nervous about it, but know that I need to do it, so here goes!
My surgery was September 19, 2006. It went very well. No problems, no surprises, just as smooth as it could possibly go. The post op went very well too. My only complaint was the hospital bed....it was so uncomfortable! I had some pain, but it was easily controlled with some morphine and the "On-Q" pump. I was up and walking that evening. I walked like a fool for the next two days. Then I was released to my brothers house nearby. I walked everyday. I drank only the protein shakes and lots of water! Everything went down great.....no leaks, throwing up, or anything! After that, I went home and started eating soft proteins and all that has gone down well too. The only thing my new stomach so far does not like is eggs. I used to be able to eat them, but not anymore! They just didnt go down well, and I felt a little sick when I ate them, so I just dont eat them anymore....not a problem! I developed gout in my left foot about 2 weeks after surgery. The uric acid levels spike after gastric bypass, so somtimes you can develop gout. It was very painful, and I couldnt walk for a few days, but its all gone now.
I am now 1 month post op and am down 30 lbs. I am still doing great. I am not hungry like I used to be, its really amazing. I get tired in the afternoons, so I take naps. It takes a good 6 weeks or more to recover from a major surgery. I am looking forward to the future......a future that may not have been there had I not taken this drastic step. It's a very personal decision...and it took MANY years before I would even consider this. My advise to anyone considering bariatric surgery is to find a VERY experienced surgeon who has an excellent track record. I will keep you posted!