Webbie
Dec. 2004
I am a 34 year old mother of one wonderful 8 year old son. I am ~ 5' 'ish and approximately 225 (BMI = 43.9). I am looking into having surgery and had originally thought of the BPD/DS and then changed my mind to the RNY and now I am thinking about the DS again. I know the surgeon I have picked has a great reputation and has been doing the RNY for years with a great track record and has just started doing the DS this year. That is one of the reasons I am again thinking about the DS.
Sep. 2005
I have since decided to go to Brazil for the DS.
I have contacted Dr. Marchesini and sent him my records and have contacted my family doctor to get the labs done.
If I get the date I want, I will be having surgery on Dec. 21st. Dr. Marchesini said it was available but he hasn't received all my labs yet. It will be a bummer to not be here with my son for Christmas but he will be at Daddy's house this year and he'll have fun with the other side of his family.
I have to figure out how I'm going to get him to school the week I leave because he'll have one more week before his break. All the family , including his Dad, live 75 miles away so it's not really convenient for any of them to get him there and back 5 days in a roll. I don't know what I'll do. My mom says she has to go to Brazil with me that's the only way she can be comfortable with me going (she's always been over-protective) but I may need her to get him to school. I don't know if I'm brave enough to go alone and I'm usually a pretty tough one when it comes to things like that.
One more thought before I stop...my son told me the other day that he didn't want mommy to lose any weight, he likes me soft. I hope he'll adjust alright when mommy starts shrinking!
Dr. M said I can have Dec. 21st, Yay!
Also, spoke with the school and my son can miss that week. I wish he didn't have to miss but at least that means I won't have to go to Brazil by myself!! Now I need to talk to his daddy and step mom and see if they will keep him for 3 weeks and help him keep up with the work he will need to do. I sure will miss him...I will be gone for 2 1/2 weeks and gone through Christmas too! I'll make it up to him though after I lose some weight I will be able to take him to the water park and other places I've not been able to allow myself to go to. He'll love that!!! Currently he only gets to go when his step mom takes him! I can't wait :D
Oct. 2005
Well...I've sent for my passport...sent my medical records and filled out the form he required and sent it...had my pre-op labs drawn, chest X-ray completed...and bought 2 round trip tickets to Curitiba and sent my itinerary to him. I still have to send the pre-op lab results and my pictures to Dr. M...after I get my passport and have my tickets, I will send for the Visa's for mom and me. I will have to have the upper GI and Abdominal Ultrasound done down there. I guess that's just about it. I'm sure I'm forgetting something but that's enough for now anyway. With each step I get a little more nervous. So far the biggest step that has made me the most nervous was buying the tickets.
My son and I were watching a plastic surgery show about a pair of ladies that had the DS done and were having PS to fix hanging skin, bat wings, etc. and my son looked at me and said "you need weightloss surgery mommy", this from the sweet little boy that had said he liked me soft just about a month ago! He means well though. He told me his step brother asked why his mommy was fat and I'm sure that bothered him.
Until next time...Ciao!
Well, it's been about 2-3 weeks from last post. I found out my iron is really low. It's 22, lower limit is supposed to be around 50 I think. Some signs of anemia on Blood Cell Profile and all the usual iron deficiency findings. Dr. M wanted me to get an upper GI to rule out bleeding there but my gastroenterologist said he'd rather check lower. So...ended up with a colonoscopy. Boy, that was fun! Found out everything was just fine and at least he said I shouldn't need another one until I'm 50, that was good news. I got the Demerol/Versed knock-out so that was very good but I do remember about 2 seconds after he had just begun the procedure and let me tell ya...that hurt...I came up off that table but then didn't remember anything after that point, Thank GOD! That was very unpleasant! Anyway, I got my binder through the mail today. It seems very flimsy, I'm worried it won't work very well...I guess just wait and see.
I finally took my before pictures but I can't bring myself to post them just yet. Maybe I'll be able to once I lose some and want to show off how far I've come.
I was going to hide the surgery from my son until after I had it done but he's catching things here and there from my mom and me talking that he knows I'm planning on doing something along those lines but he hasn't put together the 'vacation' to Brazil with all this weightloss surgery talk. I want to keep it that way. I wouldn't want the little guy worrying over Christmas and New Years.
Nov. 2005
Well, I believe most of my ducks are lining up now. I had a Fed-Ex thing hanging on the doorknob saying they have a package for me that needs my signature on it. That would be the passports with the Visa's in them (hopefully). I think if they weren't going to give the Visas they would have called or something to request more info. So, I guess I just have to sit back and wait now. I think each minute is getting longer and longer. I can't wait to do this and get the hard part over with. It seems as though the hard part will be about 3 months long. Recovery will be tough but it will be worth it! I will be leaving on Dec. 18th. That's about 5 weeks away...ugh...that seems so far!!! I guess if you look at the whole picture it's not that bad. I mean, I started seriously looking (making appointments and such) into WLS over a year ago. Know you can say I'm getting down to the wire now. Just 35 more days left before I go to the airport! -S
Well, I'm still here waiting. I decided I would like to set my personal goal at 130 but would love to hit 115, I'm only 5 foot tall (5'1" if I stand up really straight). I think 130 would be more realistic.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I couldn't stop thinking what next years dinner would be like. Alot of the conversation was about my surgery. Of course most of it was concern that I might be making a big mistake. Why do people think I would make this decision lightly? You'd think I flipped a coin to decide to do it and then drew the doctors name out of a hat or something. Don't get me wrong, I expect concern from family and friends but...I guess I'm just sort of getting tired of it. I better just learn how to live with it for a while and get ready for the post op comments, huh?
I have 24 more days to go, 21 days until I get on the plane!
Woo-Hoo!
Dec. 2005
Getting alittle bit scared but very excited and nervous too...summed up that equals STRESS.
I just have 2 more weeks before I leave to go to Curitiba, 2 1/2 weeks before surgery! Just 8 more work days (I get 2 days off in there, just left over vacation time to take before the end of the year) WooHoo!
I am so going to miss my son, who, btw just turned 9...my goodness where does the time go!!! I have wished this year away. I knew from Dec of last year I had made up my mind to do this and it went very fast. Seems like only a couple of months ago! But now I'm down to the last couple of weeks...they'll probably take longer than the whole year did :)
Anyway...I don't really have anything new to say and probably won't journal here until after the surgery so...see ya then! Ciao!
~~~~POST-OP!!!!~~~~
Dec. 2005
(From Brazil)
Well...I made it. The first few days sucked to high heaven but like having a baby, I'm sure it will all be worth it. I can say this now as I'm 8 days out. I don't think I could've said it a few days ago!
The pain is getting much better but now I'm feeling yucky. I don't know if it's related to all of this, you'd think it was but, my mom is here with me and she is feeling the same way. Maybe sympathy? Maybe a stomach bug?
It's so hard to make myself eat anything at all and I'm having a really hard time even getting in fluids. I'm lucky to get in one bottle of water. I've tried going down for breakfast and lunch but just couldn't eat anything. My usual day right now consists of a couple spoonfuls of strawberry yogurt for breakfast, a half of a hard boiled egg (no yolk) for lunch and the last couple of days I've had a couple bites of baked cinnamin apple.
One lady that was here left today. She had her surgery the same day as mine (the 21st) and she was looking really good and ready for the flight. I'm actually glad I have to wait. I don't see the sisters (that had surgery the day before mine) much, I think they are too busy shopping and having manicures and pedicures. They are also planning on having their teeth whitened, last I heard anyway. I feel like I could do a little more now if I had more food and liquids in my system.
I saw Dr. M yesterday. I told him about being so dizzy and he said I needed to either drink more gatorade or pedialyte or I needed an IV. He also suggested coconut water, yuck! I can't stand any of these things. Back home I can handle gatorade but here is tastes and smells funny. I don't know if it's made differently here or if it's just from the heightened senses I have right now. The water even stinks here, to me anyway. That's enough for now...I don't want to scare anyone off :-D
Here is an email I sent to some friends that sums things up in a nutshell (albeit a large nutshell)...
I went to the doctor today and in 12 days I've lost 17 lbs!
It's not been without hurdles though. The two days after surgery I hurt so bad I almost wanted to die. The next few days I had pain AND a lot of nausea. I had that feeling like when you wake up too early in the morning and you've got that nervous empty tummy feeling that feels like your stomach is just sitting there like a rock, I guess in a way it was.
I wasn't allowed to have anything by mouth for the first 3 days, not even water. But I tell ya what...I didn't want anything either! After my leak test (x-ray while swallowing milky stuff, maybe barium?). I was allowed to eat jello and pureed chicken soup. I had about a spoonful of each.
Now at 12 days out my pain is much better. I can sneeze and get out of bed by myself now :). I had about an ounce of grilled chicken so far today. I'm a little slower on eating than the others but I'm making progress. The others are eating circles around me but I'll get there.
The food is awful here. I'm sure it's just because I'm not used to it and my smeller is working overtime and everything stinks, even the water! My mouth is nasty. If I could brush my teeth 5 times a day it wouldn't be enough so watch out when I get back...I hope it gets better!!! When I brush my tongue I heave and that's uncomfortable so I can't get it as clean as I'd like, yuck!
I'm sure when I get back there I'll eat better. I'm already craving things like...chicken and dumplin's, chili with cheese and crackers, tuna salad sandwich, etc...
Enough for now, gonna take a nap!
Jan. 2006
Well, it's been 3 weeks now and I'm down 25 lbs! Yay! Still getting nauseous but mainly just in the mornings. I hear that'll get better in the next month...hurry up month!
People have been asking why I choose to go to Curitiba for this. Actually I didn't choose to go to Curitiba as much as I choose Dr. Marchesini...he just happens to be there. I really think Dr. Marchesini is one of the best Duodenal Switch surgeons in the world. If I could've had insurance pay for me to go to one of the best American surgeons like Gagner or Rabkin, I would've done that but that just wasn't going to happen. But I'm confident that Dr. Marchesini ranks right up there with them. If it was just a matter of money I would've gone to someplace closer but I just knew he was the doctor for me and I was right. Dr. M is the most considerate, kind, caring, sweetest man I've ever met! He told me that if I EVER needed anything to just call him. He gave me his home and cellphone numbers and said that he doesn't work the way American doctors do...you don't call the office or the nurse you call him directly. He does have a private nurse named Durval and you can call him if you just don't want to 'bother' the good doc but he encourages you to call him if you have any questions.
All in all I made the right decision, I don't ever regret picking him but it sure would have been nicer if he was closer! Traveling sucked!!! And I hated being so far from home!
'talk' more later! -S
Mar. 2006
Well, it's been 3 months and I'm down 46 lbs!!! Yay me!!! That's a little slower than some but I'll take it!
I'm feeling much more normal now and can eat anything I want...well, with certain side effects anyway ;)
I have been very gassy lately...too many carbs. It hits in the afternoon so it must be lunch that's doing the most damage. For you pre-ops out there, if you're reading this...you can hold it in, it's not like you have to evacuate right then and there!
Anyway...things are going great and I'm so glad I did this!
Until next time......
Jun. 2006
I am no longer Obese!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow! I am amazed! I love the results from this surgery so far!!
Any 'issues' (and I use the term loosely) I have are SO worth it!!
I have developed a hernia at the bottom of my surgery site. It's about the size of a large grapefruit.
Other than that I am doing great! I have energy, I love the changes in my body...just a little sagging skin so far..., I can do routine things without stopping to catch my breathe or without sweating profusely and I am just generally happier than I've been in years!
Yay for the DS and Dr. M!!!
Tchau!
Jul. 2006
I went to my doctor yesterday and he told me he has gotten my chart out a couple of times to get my surgeon info for other patients of his!!!
He said he told them "...at first I wasn't thrilled about her going but I've heard her story of how it went and how happy she is about it all...".
I think this is great! I didn't think about it at the time but once I got home I thought I should've told him to give anyone that is serious about it my phone number or email addy! I might just call him and tell him that.
WooHoo! Because of my experience more people are hearing about the DS!!!
Sep. 2006
Well...down 4 lbs this month...slowest month yet, but I don't mind. Sometimes I can't help but wonder 'Is this it?'...just out of habit of the previous life. But actually I like where I am now. My BMI is now at 25.5...I'd say that's a keeper, wouldn't you? Now the little devil on my other shoulder says "will it quit when it's time to stop losing?" I just can't win for losing! ;) In the span on one day I go from worrying I'm not losing enough to being worried of losing too much. I guess there's just no pleasing me!
Oh well, I am very happy with me right now...just need to get the tummy and hernia fixed and I'll be on cloud nine!
I know you've probably heard about the 'girls' deflating on down the torso but I wasn't expecting what I saw in the mirror today!! My bum has decided my knees need extra padding on their back sides and is already on his way down there!! Hey! You! Stop, right there! You belong up here under my gnobby butt bones where you are desparately needed! I expect a full retreat and will see you soon, or else!
It's getting late and I'm getting a little weird...I'll update again soon! Tchau!
Later the same month...;)...
Well, I currently weigh 136. For me a BMI of 25 is 132 so I'm only 4 lbs from that. A BMI of 19 would be 101. I personally think I'd like to hit about 120-125 which would put my BMI around 23. I've lost 89 lbs so far and I would be perfectly happy here if I didn't have this belly. It's the last place I'm losing. It doesn't help that I have a very large hernia that sticks out almost all the time now. I should be getting that fixed around February or so and of course I'll be getting the TT then also.
I am just so thrilled with this whole experience with the DS (and Dr. M!), I couldn't be happier!
