I would like to give you a bit of background on my previous weight history. I have struggled with my weight since I was 10 or 11 years old. I was never considered truly overweight, always just slightly "chubby". I was always told that I have such a pretty face, and that I was such a "big" girl. At the time, I don't think that those people meant it in any harmfull way, but it hurt just the same. I wanted to become a model, and I was encouraged by my family. I was always told at 5'9", and 125, that I was beautiful, but too big by all of the agencies. I started becoming extremely strict with my food intake, and I lost 13 pounds, putting me at a scary 112. My mom became afraid of how thin I was, and told me that my modeling would have to stop (I was 14yo). I stopped the extreme dieting, and I gained back the weight and then some. I was 15, and 140. I became very self-concious of my size, and began dieting again. I tried exercise to extremes, Weight Watchers several times, prescription pills, over the counter weight loss remedies, herbal remedies, Atkins, all with some if not lots of success. I would always lose the weight, it was keeping it off that was my enemy! This trend continued for the next 17 years. After having two beautiful daughters, I was definitely in the "obese" category at 210 lbs. I went on Atkins for the first time after my second daughter was born. I lost the weight rapidly, and I loved this diet. I always felt full, and I saw results quickly! I got down to 145lbs, and started modeling again, since it was my passion! I was a plus model this time (31yo, sz 10), and the pressure to be extremely thin was now off. I loved it! I stayed at this weight for almost two years. Unfortunately, when I went in for routine blood work, they found that the Atkins food plan was creating havoc on my liver. My liver function test was extremely poor, and the Dr. told me to go off of this eating plan immediately. I did, and in one year, I gained 110 pounds. My body did not know how to handle a "normal" food plan anymore. Even if I ate low fat foods, I still ballooned. I was scared, and I was feeling aweful! I tried everything in my power to lose the weight, but I was starting to feel the effects of the weight on my joints, lungs, bladder, and mind. I needed help, and I needed it NOW. That's when I made an appointment with my PCP, and where my journey begins........
November, 2005: My jouney begins. I went to my PCP provider, and requested information on WLS. He was very supportive about the procedure, and said that he would be happy to send a referral to the Obesity program when I am ready. I told him that I am ready NOW, and he asks me some information regarding my medical history, etc., and he tells me that I should hear from the program soon. A few weeks later, I saw my PCP again for an unrelated issue, and I asked him if he had sent the referral. He stated that he did, but that he had gotten it back, because he did not figure my BMI on the paperwork, and they would not approve it unless he did so...ARGH. He said that he would send the paperwork back that day, and that I should hear from them soon. I was skeptical to say the least, because I had heard so many horror stories about how long it takes to get a referral. To my surprise, I got a phone call from the Bariatric Options Program just two days later. They had scheduled me for the orientation for the program and were calling me to let me know the date (only one week away).
December 2005: I went to the Bariatric Options orientation, and I was a bit disappointed. I felt like it was a bit skewed toward the negatives of bariatric surgery. I tried to keep an open mind, and I believe that the reason they do this is to discourage those that are thinking the surgery is the "easy way out". They gave us lots of information about the procedure, as well as the 24 week program that we will have to complete before we are able to have the surgery. They informed us that we would have to provide a detailed diet log that states all of the past weight loss attemps/exercise over the last 5 years. They required we have at least 6 months of past effort in that time. We also had to turn in a detailed questionairre about our health history, as well as our upbringing, emotional health, weight growing up, etc. The coordinator informed us that we would hear from her in two to three weeks if we were accepted into the classes based on our responses/weight/medical history. I weighed in at 257. That put my BMI just over the required 40. Two days before Christmas, I heard from Kaiser that I had been accepted into the program, and that it would be starting January 25th. I was SO happy! It was the only Christmas present that I had really wanted, and I was so blessed to have gotten it!
January 11th: I went for my Bariatric Options physical today. They weighed me again, and I weighed in at 265 EEKS (My highest weight ever). I was very sad that I had put on weight over the holidays, but I was happy that soon I would be in the program, and starting a new way of life! The rest of the physical went fine, but they decided to put me on cholesterol medication since my blood test results came back so high (Cholesterol was 285).
January 13th: I went for my metabolic study today. It consisted of breathing into a tube/machine for 5 minutes. The technician explained that the purpose of this study is to find out how many calories I burn at a resting state. They will use the results of this study to customize our eating plan.
January 25th: First Bariatric Options class. All time high weight of 267
July 12th: Done with my 24 week Options classes. I lost a total of 55 pounds during that time. I am now waiting for approval and the call from Pacific Bariatrics. Ended the program weighing 212
July 24th: Surgical/Internist/Psychiatric consults in San Diego. I was given approval by my insurance company, the internist, and the psychiatrist. Unfortunately, since my BMI is currently only 32.6, Dr. Rumsey wants to wait a while to see if I can continue to lose the rest of the weight on my own. I am very disappointed to say the least. I explained that I have lost and regained the weight more times than I can even remember. I usually don't have too much difficulty losing the weight, it's maintaining the loss that is the true struggle. I understand his concerns, and I respect his opinion 100%. He will re-evaluate the situation again on September 7th. Weight 216
August 28th: My VERY good friend Kelly just had her surgery this morning. I have been told that she is doing very well. I am so very happy for her and so proud! I can't help but feel a bit sad that I am not going through this process with her. I hope to be getting my surgical approval next time I see Dr. Rumsey. I have gained 13lbs since the end of the program. I am terrified that the Dr. will get upset at this, but at the same time, know that this is exactly what my problem has always been. I have been so down, since ending the program, and I struggle with the hunger. I have begun attending the support group meetings again, in hopes of getting myself back on "track". Weight 230
September 7th: I had my second consult today with Dr. Rumsey, and I was approved for surgery...WOOHOO. I guess the weight gain is what he was looking for to see if I was going to be able to keep it off on my own. What a shock, I wasn't ;o). Well, I should be getting a call to schedule my surgery within a week, I am so excited!
September 14th: I got "THE" call today. My surgery date was scheduled for Friday, September 22nd. Wow, that will be my new b-day....a new start on life! I am so very excited, but also a bit nervous. The only thing I am truly worried about is wondering how badly I will miss the foods that I love. I am sure the benifits will far outweigh any feeling of wanting a particular food that I cannot have, but I still wonder. I guess it's just the fear of the unknown that is getting me. I know that I am in very capable hands, and that I will be in much better health by next year!
September 21st: Well, today is my pre-op day, and my hubby and I headed down to San Diego to stay the evening since my surgery is at 7:30AM. I am on an only liquid diet today, and I have to take my "Milk of Magnesia" to prepare for surgery. I am really unsure when the best time to take it is, since they say it can work in 30 minutes to 6 hours. I decided to take it at noon, since I will be at my pre-op visit in San Diego at 1:30. That gives me the best chances of being near a potty and not on the freeway when it "happens" lol. During my pre-op visit, I was fitted for a tummy binder, weighed, asked my shoe size for the foot pumps post-op, and we went over my health history as well as an medical allergies/anesthesia concerns etc. By the time I was done with this appointment, it was already 3:30, and the nurse asked me if the Milk of Magnesia had worked yet....NOPE. So, she told me that if I do not have a BM by 4:30, I have to take another dose. Well, we went and checked into the hotel, and I had my dinner of broth, and Jello, and still nothing. I took the second dose at 4:30, and by 6:30, still nothing. Feeling a bit panicked by this, I ended up taking a THIRD dose at 6:30. Things FINALLY began moving at 8:30. WHEW.....and boy did they move! I was miserable! I ended up going every 15-30 minutes for the whole evening until the next morning.
September 22nd, 2006: SURGERY DAY! We arrived at the hospital at 5:00AM for IV insertion etc. I was still going potty at the hospital while waiting for my surgery. This was creating a tremendous amount of anxiety for me, since I was afraid they would cancel my surgery because of this, or they would go ahead with the surgery and I would end up having an "accident" while asleep. When my surgeon came in at 7:00, he asked how I was feeling, and if I was ready for the surgery, and I told him that I was still having BMs from last night, and he told me to get up and go one more time prior to surgery, and then don't worry about it. He said that with as much as I had already gone, it would be fine as far as the surgery goes, and that I would not have an accident, because the anesthesia shuts down the bowels for 4-5 days. I was SOOOO releaved! They nurse then came in and started my IV, and put the pressure pump boots on my feet. That created even more anxiety for me, since I am extremely claustrophobic, and never like wearing shoes, especially ones that are squeezing my feet. I started to feel a bit panicky, and just then, my anesthesiologist walked in. He asked how I was doing, and I told him that I was terrified! He said there was nothing to worry about, and that I was in great hands. He was a very kind man, and said that he would fix me a really great cocktail when we get into the OR to help with my nerves. I asked him if he could make it a double, and we both laughed ;o). I then was wheeled into the OR, and I was asked to scoot onto the OR table. I did, and then they introduced the whole surgery staff, and he said any questions, I said "no", and he said "ok, time for that cocktail". He gave me the shot into my IV, and I was intantaniously fine. No nerves, just layed there looking around. He then said it was time to take a nap, and put the mask on my face..................night night!
12:30: I woke up as I was being wheeled into my hospital room. I remember hearing them talking to my hubby, and telling them that I had to have an open procedure because my tummy muscles were too tight to extend my stomach enough to see the organs. I remember being in VERY MINIMAL pain. I was so happy to see hubby. I slept most of the rest of this day, but I did get up to walk around three times before calling it a night. The first time was bad, extreme nausea, the minute I stood up, but I was determined to walk. I walked the short way around the nurses station, and then back to bed. The next two times I went the long way, and very minimal nausea. Then off to bed....woken up every hour to two hours by the nurses checking my vitals, and asking about my pain. Pain was about a 7 out of a 10 most of the time throughout the night, until they gave me the toradol injection. That would bring it down to a 4. Very managable!
