Michelle C.
Been thinking of this for a couple years now, anout having the gastric bypass. I have been on all kinds of diets and pills with no change.
I am a 37 year old mother of 6, grandmother of 1 and a new wife of one year. I finally got the courage to talk about it to my family doctor. to my surprise he was on board with it. My doctor faxed all my medical conditions to Ohip (ontario health ). Thinking it would take months for a response I thought it would never get it done.
That following wednesday we heard back from Ohip asking what surgery i wanted, we faxed back right away. Still thinking this would be months or ever years away it did not help with my anxiety. Well one week later I recieved a call saying that the consult was approved and would be hearing from Michigan in a couple days.
I recieved the phone call (felt like winning a million) I see the Dr on May 23rd. Can anxiety get any worse. I am so afraid he will say n o way and on the other hand afraid of the surgery its self .
I have told a few close friends and my family knows. Seems though that now that i want to better myself everyone thinks i am not over weight and i am a beatiful person inside.
The inside of me is screaming to get out. Being 260 plus is over weight , I am the first one to admit that.
If anyone has had surgery or is going through the first steps with Dr Marshall and the Bi-county hospital in Michigan , would love to hear from you. Think knowing that I am not alone would help.
Today is May 15 th hopefully the beging of a new (healthy) life for me
Michelle in Windosr
May 23....
Met Dr Marshall, he is so down to earth friendly and very honest. Was scared at first that he might say no to having the surgery done (you never know). Everything went well he wanted me to start doing a protein supplement meal and start pre-opt classes . That was easy.
June 4 th ... the begining off my journey starts. The first class at Henry Ford (warren) was awsome Sally Green who host the classes is amazing. I was still nervous and not quite sure this was for me. Sally changed all that, after the meeting (class) I knew it was for me. Classes are every monday for 8 weeks whats another 8 weeks to a whole new me. I waited this long.
During the next 8 weeks I went for pre-opt tests ( stress test, sleep apnea, pulminary, and of course the sugar levels blood work) . Oh and the dreeded head check (lol) with Dr Kay, she just wanted to make sure I would manage my anxiety after surgery the way I am now. I passed the test.
Dr Kinner the internal medicine doctor, makes sure all your meds are taking and ups them if necessary. I had to go on iron and blood pressure meds to help along my diabetes meds. The big test was keeping down my sugar levels (not that easy). Since i had to what a few more weeks to see if they would stay level or go down. I had to wait 4 weeks to do another test. Longest 4 weeks of my life.
August 22
I went to my family dr for blood work and asked the nurse to call me once the results were in. So for the next week I tried not to go anywhere did nto want to miss the call. Life by the phone is not recommended.
Sept 27th. I could no longer wait , so dialed up the drs office . The nurse said they just recieved some results back but not sure if mine was there and that she would call me back. Five minutes later she was on the phone my levels dropped 4 points (yahoo). I asked her to fax them over to the hospital so Sally could fax the to the right place. Not even 10 minutes passed and the phone rings, its my surgeons office telling me to get out my date book. Kim said i could have 2 dates sept 7th or 14th . September 14th the day to a whole new begining. Now the fear sets in.
Sept 7th..
Lori (my operation buddy) and I go for our pre-admission . the hospital staff are all so friendly . We sat with the nurse and dr for atleast an hour going over everything. One week to go and counting down.
August 14th .. THE BIG DAY.
Did not sleep well the night before everythign goes through your brain a million miles a minute. We leave early just in case there are border problems. Arrive at the hospital early but they still take me in and get the paper work done. I was told that Dr Marshal was ahead of schedule and i would be going in earlier or so they thought. I get called in to change into the hospital gown and get the IV going. Not going to happen, my viens kept popping oput the IV not good. Well they kept trying and were so gentle about it all. Then the one Dr says we are goign to have to do a CENTRAL LINE .. (no way). That increased my anxiety a 100 percent. They let in my husband and girls to see me off before doing the CL. They then move me to another room and the Dr tries 3 more times to get it the IV to stay in my arms no way it was happeneing. So here it goes He was so wonderful about it and told me what he was doing , had me laughing . Told me i would feel some pressure and bam he was done thatnk goodness. I was out a minute later. I do not remember anythign of the recovery room just being wheeled into my room. Seeing my husband and girls everythign must of went well . that night was the best rest I had in years (thank you drugs) I do remember getting one shot of insulin that night. Morning of this journey ,Blood drawn and another shot of insulin. Breakfast came in and she asked if i wanted Apple or cranberry juice are you serious I can have juice. After breakfast i go for my first walk (steps). The rest of the day I try to walk as much as possible but not over do it. Each day Dr Marshall and Dr kinner come in and check on me. That would never happen in ontario ( sorry to say but true). Sunday morning come along and Dr Marshall asks if i want to go home. Would have loved to go home but the gas pains were bad and did not want my kids seeing me in pain. Dr Marshall gave me meds for gas, then he says he is goign to take out the central line. Are you kidding me does he even know what he is doing (lol). He only cut me in five place and play with my organs on friday. I was just so nervous he just put alittle perssure on my collar bone and bam it was out. That was releif I could finaly move my neck around. I found and a scale and weighed myself gained 5pounds what the heck. well duh all the gas they but in you and IV all weeknd of course you will gain some. Oh let me tell you about the staff on the floor, not even sure i can express it. Every single nurse is so amazing Sharon and Mary Ann i bet were born to be nurses. They were like big sister takign care of me I could ask them anything. Even the housekeeping lady would ask me if i needed anything more ice pillows whatever. I would recommend Herny Ford (macomb) to anyone.
Sept 17th.... Journey to a whole new me!
Boy was the ride home rough good thing they gave me a pillow to bring home. I gald to be home and the kids were happy to see me. They set up the couch for me with extra pillows and a side tbl for my liguids. To many stairs to walk up first day home. I try to get in all my liguids and just relax do not want to push it. I get up every hour to walk the house I did to circles around kitchen dinning room and back to couch. I said on the couch for the rest of the week (hubby moves around to much).
Ok now do I buy a scale or foget about it. I journied out to walmart and bought a cheap 5 dollar scale just incase I had to throw it out the door.
2 weeks post op..... I now have to hold up my panys when I am walking the kids think it is funny aaand are amazed they can see the differnce already. OK here it goes I need to buy a belt never owned one in about 5 years. Well my daughter Cassie cons me into buy in pants too, I go and get some size 20s well oh my goodness they are too big. I tell her to get some 18s they fit how weird is that. I was a size 23 when I started this journey, how could I drop 3 sizes already . Cassie then hands me a couple shirts 1 is 1x and the other 2 are xlarge you have got to be kidding I tell her I normaly take 2x or 3x. Mom just try them on she says, wow they fit. So I buy it all good thign it was a cheapy sale.
Sept 10th. 1rst post op visit
Well I step on the scale at the office , Yes baby I am down I should have written the weight down but was 2 excited. The Dr says he is happy with the weight loss this far and asks how i am doing with my diet. I start the first of my B12 shots yummy. I move along to the 4th step of my diet adding in more meats, raw veggies.
Oct 21rst.. Shpping trip 2.
My girls walk me to the regular clothes section. I tell them I cannot buy anything here. Yes you can mom just try somethign on. Well they hand me all kinds of things to try on. Holy Cow size 16 pants No Flipping way , but they fit perfect. Never in a million year if someone said I would be wering a size 16 again would I have believed them.
Oct 25... First time i see Family Dr
I thank my Dr for sending me to Dr Marshall and the program at Herny Ford(Macomb). He is amazed at how well I am doing. I get my 2nd shot of B12. and then he asks me question abotu how everything went. I told him I would recommend it to anyone he was pleased.
Oh wait the scale my friend now a days... My weight 217 (NO WAY) I weighted 272 when I started. Then the nurses in the office asked me all kinds of question and told me how good I looked.
They could not believe the results I am having.
********* inches I have lost ********
measurements before surgey... Waist Hips neck Arm Leg
50 52 17 15.5 27
measurments as of oct 22 43 46.5 15.5 15 24.5
17 inches lost forever anyone want them (lol) just kidding.
No matter what surgery you choose for yourself this is life changing and something not to take for granted. Everyday I make sure i get in enough protein as I can take my vitamins. I walk everyday even if I do not feel like it. Glad I finally took the step to talk to my Dr about surgery never be afraid. Life is a journey and only you can choose the right path even if it does make pit stops along the way.
