Rose Reinhart
January 5, 2007. My 1 year 'surgaversary'. There is so much that has happened in the past year. I am really starting to feel 'better'. I suffered from extreme fatigue for 'months'. After a series of blood tests, it was decided by my PCP to have me take a sleep study. Come to find out I have sleep apnea. I was given a CPAP and I am now not nearly as tired.
I have lost 127 pounds and have gone from a 3X to a small/medium. I am very blessed that I do not have a lot of 'hanging' skin. It has shrunk as I have. While I now weigh 146 pounds, I still see myself as a large woman. I am beginning to think that that will never change.
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My weight loss surgery journey began March 6, 2005........the morning of my heart attack at the age of 49. After a heart catherization and a BIG SCARE, I decided I needed to talk to my PCP about weight loss surgery. Dr. Dashottar was GREAT. She recommended the surgery group at Magee and the process started. I weighed 253 pounds at this point.
Because of insurance requirements I needed to be on a physican-supervised diet for 6 months. During that time, I met with Dr. Dashottar monthly. We were both surprised that my weight CLIMBED during this 6 months. Between no more hormone replacements due to my heart attack and the heart medication, I gained 15 pounds.
I met Dr. Eid, my surgeon, in July at the gastric by-pass workshop. He, too is GREAT. He has the most delightful accent and very knowledgable. The worst part of the workshop was getting WEIGHTED in front of a group of people.......it was AWFUL and I was the smallest of the group.
In addition to the 6 month of 'diet', I also needed clearance from my cardiologist for the surgery. Dr. Rubin was VERY supportive. He believed that the surgery would help not only my heart; but my overall cardio-vascular health.
Robin from Dr. Eid's office called December 8, 2005, with a DATE. Decmeber 23....OH NO!!!!!!!! My family had a FIT.....no surgery right before Christmas.....Robin was able to change the date to January 5.....what a way to start the New Year!!!!!!! A new year and a new me :-)
The 5 days of clear liquids as the 'bowel prep' went better than I thought. After all the 'junk' during the holidays my 'insides' were glad for something less bulky. It was amazing to me what effect only clear liquids had - LOL
The morning of January 5 finally arrived. It seemed that once they called my name that it was a flurry of activity and a blur. Although the 'weighing' was (and is) very clear......a new 'high' for me.........273 pounds. Something that I am NOT proud of.
I awakened in the recovery room and I HURT..........BAD.....This pain was different than any other after surgery pain I've had. It pulled and it BURNED.....Not only did I hurt but I had waves of nausea.....All I could think was OMG, what have I done!
I was moved to my 'room'. My family came in to see me....I told them to LEAVE. I HURT and I was nauseous and just wanted to be left alone.....even the morphine pump didn't help the pain and the more morphine I tried the more nauseous I got. Dying wouldn't hurt this bad.
I eventually got over the nausea and was able to walk the halls and go back and forth to the bathroom. I still hurt - even with the pain medication. But I did begin to think that I might live. I was discharged from the hospital on Sunday and headed home to my own bed (yeah right) and my dog (oh yeah).
One of my puncture sites killed me. I had two children, a miscarriage, and several other surgeries and NOTHING hurt like this. It was a burning/searing/pulling pain that never went away. Even the pain medication didn't help. About two weeks after my surgery the pain mysteriously 'went away'. Since that time, I have felt great and the pounds have just 'melted'.........
During this process there are several things I have learned not only about the surgery; but about me as well. This surgery is not for the faint of heart. It is a life-altering event. Yes, the compliments are nice and buying new clothes is nice and even the energy and the 'healthy new you' is nice. But the surgery is on your 'stomach' not on your 'mind'. The issues that you had with food BEFORE are still with you. Your 'body' can only do so much - it's the mind that really control what goes into your mouth and onto your hips.
I didn't realize how difficult it would be to slow down when I eat and the necessity for 'little bites'. I have spent more time in PAIN and throwing up because I either ate too fast or tried to swallow a bite that was too BIG.
People ask me if I miss food. Hell, yes, I miss food. I long for a Brownie Batter Blizzard and a piece of pumpkin pie. I would kill for a piece of prime rib (beef is a no-no for me - my new stomach doesn't tolerate beef - a real problem for a girl from the upper midwest). I crave a piece of Meat Lover's pizza and a cold beer. I would love a glass of wine and a piece of warm bread and cheese. These are just a few of the things I 'mourn'.
