Becoming a Healthier Me Gastric Bypass Part One

Hospital Stay & Pain -

After ten years of trying to get approval for weight loss surgery along with the past six months of dieting and participation in the bariatric weight loss program at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, I finally had my gastric bypass surgery on Monday, June 17th. 

I must admit that the first 24 hours I doubted my decision to have the surgery.  The pain was excruciating.  Nothing seemed to relieve the pain.  I finally realized that much of the pain was gas pain due to the surgery itself.  Most people are able to walk up and down the hall after surgery to help eliminate the gas, but I was unable to walk due to extreme weakness, passing out when I stood up and my bad knees.  So the gas continued to build up inside of me causing my abdomen to feel as though it was tied up in knots and someone twisting the knots tighter and tighter.  Tuesday morning I asked if I could sit up in the chair to sleep.  This helped somewhat and I was able to alleviate some gas through small belches.   It wasn’t until early Friday morning, June 21st that I finally was able to pass gas.  I wanted to sing the Hallelujah chorus!  I felt like I had just come back from the dead!  LOL. From that day on I continued to feel better each day and gain strength.

 It may seem strange to openly talk about gas, but it is a natural “habit” and when one can no longer pass the gas that is built up in the body due to the surgery then it is most uncomfortable.  If you have any type of surgery and they suggest that you walk to help eliminate the gas I implore you to listen to the nurses; they know what they are talking about and truly want to help you to feel better. 

 Overall I had great care in the hospital.  Everyone was kind and helpful.  My surgeon, Dr. William Strodel is the best!  Really – he was chief of surgery and the most experienced surgeon on staff.  Two of the nursing assistance had the same surgery and they kept assuring me that it will be worth it in the end.  

I know they are right – I have my eye on the prize down the road – Becoming a Healthier Me!

Stay tune as I continue to journal about my experience with Gastric Bypass Surgery and Becoming a Healthier me!

Part 2 - Happy Birthday!
 

Update on Becoming a Healthier Me

I cannot believe it has been a month since I last posted an update! Where has the time gone? Since my last post I have met twice with my surgeon and other medical professionals. My surgery is scheduled for Monday, June 17th! Yes, in just a few days! I have been on what is called Stage 2 Liquid Diet for two weeks which will continue for another two plus weeks. Stage 2 Liquid Diet consists of the following:

Liquids: Water, Crystal Light, Sugar Free Jell-O, decaf tea or coffee, broth or bouillon, and regular V8 Juice.
Protein Drinks: 60-80 grams a day – To replace my 3 “meals”.
Snacks: 2-4 a day – sugar free pudding, light yogurt with 8 grams or less of sugar and low fat, fat free or low fat cream soup.

I thought I would miss “eating” or chewing, but I don’t! I am doing quite well with this diet. Maybe it’s because I can still eat chocolate! My protein drinks are chocolate and my puddings are mostly chocolate! My taste buds are happy little campers! HA-HA!

Total weight loss from my heaviest weight is 50 lbs. I’m wearing some clothes that I wore 3 years ago! The other day Jim said, “That dress looks familiar.” I said, “It should - I wore it three years ago!” Jim tells me all the time how proud he is of me. He knows how hard I have worked - especially how hard I have worked to finally get the insurance to pay for my upcoming gastric bypass. It’s taken 10 years! So never give up people! Keep praying - If it is the Lord’s will it will happen – in His time. Just hang in there and persevere!

I should be in the Hospital about 3 days then transferred to a nursing facility close to home until I can get up or out of chairs and the bed by myself. I will be cut open from the sternum to the belly button and will not be able to use my stomach muscles for a while. I also will have to give myself injections of blood thinner for about 10 days after surgery to help prevent blood clots. This will certainly be a new experience for me in more ways than one.

Someone asked me the other day if I am looking forward to the surgery. I told them like an expectant mother – Not really looking forward to the pain of delivering a baby but looking forward to the life altering experience that motherhood brings. I’m not looking forward to the pain of surgery and recovery, but I am looking forward to the life changing experience that will occur due to the surgery. I’m looking forward to becoming a healthier me!

Yes, each day I am closer to my main goaol – Becoming a Healthier Me!

Thank you so much for your continued prayers. They truly are greatly appreciated!

Update on My Journey to Become a Healthier Me

It’s been a while since I wrote an update on Becoming a Healthier Me.  This past month has been a whirlwind with various medical appointments, tests etc….  My journey towards gastric bypass began July 2012 then a little “hiccup” with my insurance stopped the process for a short time.  After my insurance “hiccup” was solved I was able to get back on track in January 2013 to continue with the six months process towards gastric bypass surgery.  

I have had many people ask why the process takes so long.  I can truly see why Geisinger Bariatric Program is six months long.  They want to make sure we receive all the “tools” we need to assist us in becoming a “healthier me” as well as stay healthier for our lifetime.  Some of the “tools” that Geisinger Bariatric Program provides are:

1)      One on one counseling with a registered nutritionist throughout the six months and for life. 

2)      Monthly support groups (for life)

3)      Bariatric Surgery Patient Education Classes (with education notebook and book):

a.       Personal Responsibility

b.      Changing Lifestyle

c.       Building Support

d.      Managing Stress

e.      Setting Goals

f.        Eating Styles

g.       Getting Active

h.      Body Image   ,.

4)       Full medical evaluation, tests, and psychological evaluation.   

5)       Each professional staff member you see is available through phone, emails or personal appointments. 

6)      Life time appoints anytime you need to recharge or regroup to keep you on track with your weight loss and maintain your new weight for life.  

Of course I have an extra added benefit as well.  I have wonderful prayer partners that will continue to encourage and lift me up in their prayers.  

After going through the above program, I have reached the final step prior to surgery – this Friday, May 17^th I will meet with the surgeon who will perform the surgery.  They have assigned the most experienced surgeon for my gastric bypass.  Please continue to pray for my progress and process.  Upon meeting the surgeon I will then receive the date for my surgery.  Two weeks prior to surgery I will be on a liquid protein diet that will continue for the next 2 plus weeks after surgery until certain foods will slowly be introduced to my “new” much smaller stomach.  To learn more about the bariatric program and the different types of procedures please visit:  http://www.geisinger.org/services/bariatrics/index.html

I have not come to the decision of gastric bypass lightly.  This journey for me has been 10 years in the making.  I am 100% ready for the surgery to assist me in becoming a healthier me.  I know that the surgery has its risks and that it is a helpful tool in aiding me to lose the unhealthy excess weight.  I say

it is a helpful  tool because I know that if I do not utilize the other “tools” they have provided me through the education class that I can easily put the weight back on.  So gastric bypass surgery is NOT an easy way to lose weight!  Just look at the surgery itself – it changes your organs/inside of body drastically!  But for me it is the only way to lose the amount of weight needed to help me to become a healthier me.  

I will update you once I receive the date for me surgery.  Please continue to pray for me as I continue my journey to Become a Healthier Me. 

So many blessings – I’m doing the “happy dance”!

 

First, an update on my weight loss journey:

On Friday, March 29^th I had a 5 ½ hour medical evaluation at the Geisinger Medical Center Bariatric Program.  Together with the medical evaluation, Jim and I are also participating in a research study on how bariatric surgery affects family members.   I am also participating in a research program regarding genetics and liver/metabolic diseases.  So many tests, procedures, surveys etc….   Jim and I had to fast for 12 hours then we had to drink “special” water then continue not to eat or drink for 5 more hours!  Yes people – that is 17 hours!!  Needless to say we were extremely tired and a bit weak.  But we did it! 

Now here is a prayer request:  If I lose another 10 lbs by April 19^th I should be right on schedule to have surgery in June! 

I had been on a stand still for about 6 weeks in regards to my weight loss so the dietitian suggested I substitute a protein drink for 2 meals.  Oh, thank you!  The scale is finally moving once again!  So breakfast and lunch are protein drinks and then a healthy meal for dinner (mostly a protein and salad). 

Now for some awesome and exciting answer to prayers! 

Jehovah-Jireh - God has provided:

1)      Prayer Request: I had mentioned on facebook that our living room floors have needed to be replaced ever since we moved into our mobile home.  The company we purchased the mobile home said they would fix the floors when spring came around; well two years later and the floor is still not fixed and worse than before.  I mean floors caving in and having to cover the floors with thick plywood so we don’t fall through!  The company will not do the work – partly our fault we did not have it put in writing before we purchased the home.

Answer:  A group of men from our church will fix and replace our floor!  They will also fix and secure our ramp coming into our home and hopefully connect an outside faucet so we can water our outdoor plants.  For 2 years we have had to fill up jugs from the bathtub and go in and out of the house to water our plants. 

2)      Prayer Request:  Our 1995 car gave up the ghost. 

Answer:  Through generous donations the Lord has provided Jim and I a 2002 Mercury Villager Minivan (under 73,000 miles).  

So praise the Lord for his gracious blessings!

JEHOVAH RAPHA - The Lord our Healer

1) Jim - Surgery hopefully 3rd or 4th week of April: pray it WILL help him and not get worse.  Surgeon said that if Jim does not have the surgery that he will be in a wheelchair in 3 to 4 years - if he has the surgery he has a 50 % chance of being worse.  So it's either 100% of getting worse or 50 % - So Jim will have the surgery.   He will wear a back brace for quite a while after surgery and have physical therapy too.  Will NEVER be able to take stairs again.  A few steps but no more stairs.   Life for Jim has changed completely since last year.  Pray for Jim as he continues to learn to ask for assistance as well as learn to live with his various challenges. 

2) Me -  My psychiatric evaluation for surgery is today, Wed, April 3rd.  Then on April 19th I meet again with nutritionist. I am to be 10 lbs down by then to get the green light for surgery.  Then in May I meet with the surgeon (which they-Geisinger Hospital will give me the most experienced surgeon). Surgery hopefully scheduled for June.  May 3rd I have 3 more appts too.   All appointments are and tests are for the surgery.

Our God is good... all the time.  We are humbled and blessed by His marvelous grace, mercy and love each day.  Thank you for your continued prayers.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”   Psalm 28:7

My "Bucket List"

I have been struggling with my lack of weight loss as well as eating when I am not hungry.  I continue to ask myself why I seem to sabotage my journey to become a healthier me.  The answers are not always simple or clear as I continue to ask the Lord to reveal areas in my life that I still need to work on and make positive lifelong changes as well. 

I will not beat myself up or give up! 

I have been working on my Weight Loss Goals or my Weight Loss Bucket List.  I have to set Goals for both the study, Winning the Battle of the Bulge, by Mary Englund and for my Pre-Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Class.  I started to make a list of things I desire or want from my weight loss journey.  I am in the process of breaking these down and turning them into short/medium/long term goals.  I thought I would share this list with you as I call it My Bucket List. 

My Bucket List

I want to feel well.         

I want to be a healthier me.       

I want to walk without assistance.

I want to be able to have the gastric bypass surgery and insurance pay for it as well as the plastic surgery for excess skin when needed. 

I want to be less tired due to carrying all this weight.

I want to wear nice/attractive clothes.

I want to shop for clothes at a “regular” store – not plus size.

I want to be able to sit anywhere and not worry if I can fit in the chair or at the table/booth.

I want to go anywhere without worrying about my size/health.

I want to hold a child or pet in my lap.

I want a lap.

I want to take care of my personal needs.

I want to see my feet when I look down.

I want to tie my own shoes and put on my own socks.

I want to be able to trim my own toenails and pain my toenails.

I want to be able to swim in public without stares and looks of disgust. 

I want to sink when I am in water – I know this is strange but I cannot sick due to BMI.

I want to be able to clean my house on my own without difficulties or a wheelchair.

I want to be able to stand to clean.

I want to be able to stand to do dishes.

I want to be able to stand to cook and prepare food.

I want to plant a garden.

I want to tend to my garden/flowers.

I no longer want to be the fat sister - daughter – cousin- mother-grandmother-wife –aunt - friend.

I want to be able to stop my medications:

                For:      sugar     heart/blood pressure   muscle relaxers   pain meds.  Restless legs     neuropathy        asthma      GERD     IBS       sleep apnea

I want to slow down the progression of my chronic illnesses – especially osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia

I want to take walks.

I want to go hiking.

I want to sing again.

I want to be able to lead bible studies.

I want to be able to help others with chronic illness/pain.

I want to visit my sister in NC by myself via train etc…

I want to take day trips.

I want to walk on the beach.

 I want to shop on my own – without wheelchair or scooter.

I want energy.

I want to look into the mirror and be able to be proud and say, “You look pretty good for an old gal!” 

I want…….a normal life…. I want my family, friends and most of all, my precious Savior to be proud of me.

Most individual’s bucket lists are more “exotic” - like bungee jumping, hot balloon ride etc…  Mine is what most people consider everyday living. 

I have heard and read comments from people that all fat people are lazy, and want to be fat.  I don’t know about other people – but this fat person is not lazy nor desires to be fat.  I want to be active – I have many things against me for why I am not active.  It is exhausting carrying around all this weight 24/7.  Lazy?  You just try to see how far and how much you can accomplish in a day carrying around an extra 100 or 200 lbs!  As for wanting to be fat – I did not ask for it – but yes, I have made unhealthy decisions along the way – unfortunately for me those unhealthy choices coupled with my chronic health issues and genetics have all hindered me and aided me in becoming a morbidly obese person.   

There is a thin person underneath all this fat just screaming to come out to live life to her fullest!  I am in the process of rescuing that thin person – but it takes time – but she will come out and live a full life once again!  I need you prayers and encouragement along the way – not your criticism.