Before & After DS with Sarah, losing 165 pounds!
August 27, 2019Why I Decided to Have WLS
I have struggled with my weight for most of my life. As a young girl, I developed much faster than most of my elementary class and this made me look larger than most of the girls in my class. I dealt with kids teasing me because of my weight, and I started to not like myself or how I looked so I would binge eat, abuse alcohol, and use relationships as a solution to deal with my inner insecurities. Up to this point, I was a very active kid, and I modeled at a local department store, however at 12 years old, I broke my leg roller-skating and I started to become sedentary and my weight started to gain at a rapid rate.
In high school, I weighed 160 pounds at 5'7" and by the time I was 21 weighed over 220 pounds. At 39 years old and 3 kids later, I weighed 325 pounds. Through the years I tried many fad diets including the grapefruit diet, starvation, Weight Watchers, Phen-Fen, and many different diet pill solutions. In the end, I ended up gaining all the weight and then some back. I struggled with endometriosis, anxiety, PTSD, and finally in 2007 a partial hysterectomy and the removal of my gallbladder.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and diabetes, and I had to make a drastic decision about my health. My primary physician sent me to a cardiologist and he suggested weight loss surgery. I started to look into it and contacted Dr. Dennis Smith's office in Marietta, GA in 2006, however, I started to have fears about the surgery and all the tests I had to go through, so I changed my mind for two years.
Before & After DS with Sarah
OH Username: Suryka
Total Weight Loss: 165 pounds
Surgery Type: Duodenal Switch
Date of Surgery: 10/15/2008
Surgeon's Name: Dr. Dennis Smith
My Surgery and Post-Op Life
In 2007, a co-worker of mine had the surgery and we discussed the types of surgeries and her journey. I then decided to start my journey again, this time following the plan of Dr. Smith. Dr. Smith was very strict about what he expected his patients to go through prior to surgery.
I had to go to a cardiologist for a stress test and sleep study, to a gastroenterologist to have an endoscopy to view my stomach and esophagus, to a phycologist to take a test about any patterns or changes of transference of addiction (which the study showed I had PTSD and a risk of transfer addiction), to a nutritionist to do a 6-month nutrition plan and a plan of action after I have the DS surgery, a letter from my PCP stating that she would continue to follow my progress after the surgery. I was my PCP's first patient that had WLS and in these 10 years we have both learned so much from my experience.
I also had to attend 3 support groups and this was how I found ObesityHelp.com and utilized its forums pre-op and post-op, and was able to be of service to others researching and undergoing WLS.
I had my WLS on Wednesday, October 15, 2008, without any hitches and everything went as planned. I was met by Dr. Smith's team and they explained what I could expect throughout my surgery and what my family could expect. His nurses and surgery staff were very informative and cleared any reservations my family had.
I was given an IV through my PICC line and then some meds to help me relax, and that is all I remember. I woke up in recovery where my family was standing by to say "hello." Dr. Smith came by to talk to me to let me know how the surgery went, what size my stomach was, and that they did not remove my appendix as it was too hard to reach.
My surgery was performed laparoscopically and I had 7 bandages covering my abdominal area. I didn't have any pain associated with those areas. I was told that my stomach went from the size of a football to the size of a golf ball at 70cc (2.5ozs) which is the same size as a 1st stage baby food jar. I didn't have much pain in the beginning and only used 7.4 doses of morphine, which I thought I would use much more.
My first night at the hospital was a bit uncomfortable, not because of the pain, but the bed was too soft and was too high off the ground. The bed I was in was for obese patients and it inflated every time I moved. I occasionally had pain meds after the morphine pump was removed after the first night in the hospital by my choice since the pain was not miserable. It was more of a crutch to assist me to sleep. I would wake up every hour on the hour to go to the bathroom or the staff would come and check up on me. I didn't have any problems with keeping foods down at all. I started out on 50cc of water and then was moved up to 100cc the second night in the hospital.
I was given protein drinks, broths, and pudding during my stay, oh and a lot of Crystal Light which we snagged. There was no way I could eat all the food in front of me, nor was I going to try. I did get a bit gassy and I didn't like the hiccups as they put pressure on my abdomen.
Once out of the hospital and home, I had to learn to eat again like a baby, back to basics. I started with liquids for the first few days and then was moved onto pureed foods and smoothies for two weeks. Then I slowly moved up to baby food introducing my body to different vegetables and meats. I believe it took me six months before I could eat a steak, and I learned to remove bread and pasta from my diet.
At 10 years recovery, I still don't eat too much bread, pastas, or rice. I have learned to put protein, vegetables, and fruits first.
At two weeks out, I started feeling sick and my heart rate was really high. My doctor instructed me to go to the hospital to get checked. We discovered that I had low potassium which was caused by the DS and malabsorption. I have struggled since then with my potassium and on numerous occasions have had to have potassium infusions at the hospital.
At five years out, I was becoming weak and my hemoglobin was very low. I was sent to a hematologist where it was discovered that I have Vitamin Deficiency Anemia which is also another malabsorption caused by the DS. I go in a few times a year to get my ferritin checked and when it falls down to 100, I am given an Iron infusion to make red blood cells.
This is the first year I have gone a full year without needing an infusion, however, I will have to do this for the rest of my life. I am unable to take Iron by mouth as the rerouting of my intestines has cause malabsorption of many vital vitamins and minerals.
A Special Milestone / Non-Scale Victory
10 years ago I made the decision to undergo the Duodenal Switch Bariatric Surgery to lose weight for a healthier life. I had struggled with my weight since I was in my early teens, turning towards food as an outlet to curb anxiety. In my 30's my top weight was 325 pounds, had just been diagnosed with diabetes, lost my gallbladder, and my body was slowly crippling, so I underwent the surgery. In just two years after the surgery, I lost 185 pounds, my energy level was up, within the first month my diabetes was gone.
I have a wonderful group of friends and support that also had the same surgery and through the years we continue to discuss the good and the bad results.
Since having my surgery, I have guided and mentored many people through their decisions in the same or similar surgeries, some have gone through it, some have lost weight just by following my post-surgery diet. I have lost two friends that had this surgery for post-related issues, which keeps me mindful that it was not a cure-all.
I have transference of addictions. When food was no longer an issue, I turned to alcohol, which finally I surrendered into a 12-step program. I have been successful in learning about myself and why I use substances for my anxiety and issues, whereas now I have a God of my understanding and a great fellowship for support and friendship.
Some learning lessons from the DS are, I didn't take my vitamins through the years as my doctor instructed, and this has caused many vitamin deficiencies. My potassium, vitamin D, A, and E are all very low. I also got Iron deficient anemia where my body doesn't make red blood cells on its own, so I will forever have to have iron infusions a few times a year.
I tell my story for anyone that had the surgery or anyone considering this form of weight loss, as yes, there is a great side that we lose weight, however it is not a crutch, we still need to follow a positive approach to eating and following our doctor's directions on nutrition, attending support groups, and watching for transferring addictions.
Traveling was a hardship as I always had to use the seatbelt extension which was humiliating and having to sit next to someone I didn't know brought so much shame. Within a few months, I had lost enough weight and was able to sit in an airplane without the seatbelt extension. This was such a huge milestone. I didn't have the fear of sitting next to someone or having to purchase two airline seats.
Within the first year, I noticed my collar bones in my neck and my pelvis bone in my abdomen. This was so exciting. I couldn't even remember when the last time was that I felt these bones. To this day, I love to feel these bones as a reminder of the time I didn't even know they existed on me.
When I started my WLS journey, I worked at a desk in a sedentary position. I didn't have much energy and could barely walk up stairs without huffing and puffing. Just 2-1/2 years ago, I started on a journey to become a truck driver. This was something I would have never even thought of achieving when I was overweight, jumping in and out of a tractor-trailer, opening the hood of my Peterbilt, climbing underneath my trailer checking my brakes, and airlines, and sweeping out and unloading my trailer at receivers.
I have been working over-the-road since January 2017, and I have found a way to eat balanced healthy meals out on the road. I have a microwave on my truck and can bring home make meals, and I go to Subway and get salads and low-calorie sandwiches if I don't have meals with me. Many truck stops now carry yogurts, protein shakes, fresh fruits, and nuts for a healthier lifestyle for truckers. I say if there is a will, then there is a way!
How has ObesityHelp.com been a part of your journey?
I am so grateful for all the information that ObesityHelp.com has offered to me during my WLS journey. I was able to research the different surgeries and read stories from other people going through the process and have been through the process.
I remember when I was going through the insurance approval process, there were many other members going through that at the same time. We were all posting on the boards and asking questions from those that had already been approved. This was so motivating and helped alleviate the fears. We were cheerleaders for each other. When someone got approved they would share their joy on the board, and even when someone didn't get approved we were there to support them through their journey.
I utilized the forum a lot within the weeks coming up to my surgery. After my surgery, I would ask the veterans what their experience was like. Everyone was so helpful and honest. I needed to hear their honesty and vulnerability. It also allowed me to share in the same manner when someone asked me for my experience. I shared only what I went through, or what a friend may have shared with me. I had a few friends that have died during and years after the surgery. This is scary, however, it is a reality of this surgery. It keeps me mindful that we must stay diligent and not to be complacent.
I still use this site today when I hit roadblocks or just want to come on and read the boards or share my achievements. I have learned too much here and am so glad that after 10 years I can still be of service to others, and continue to grow.
Share Your Before & After Success!
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