My Journey - What a trip!

Hi guys, After I made my post about hitting onederland, I received a couple of emails from our fellow posters asking me what I have gone thru, and I how I got to this point.  After writing it, I felt it might have some good insight for those of you leading up to surgery, and those just barely out.  This board has been a huge support for me, so I hope I can return at least a little bit of the favor. A little background, I am 26 and am pretty young for having this surgery.  Not the youngest, but definitely young.  I have been morbidly obese since I was about 10.  I started this journey at 354 pounds, and hit 199 today, 9 months post surgery. For me, the decision was a long time coming.  I had two cousins who went thru the surgery, and I saw their lives completely change for the better within a year.  Then a family friend died at the age of 40 when I was on the fence about doing the surgery.  He was a big man, and it scared me straight.  I had one minor complication.  About 5 days after surgery I had a sharp pain in my rib cage.  It would go away and then I would come back to it.  Eventually it got too painful so I went to the ER.  Luckily the nurse that saw me had RNY just a few years before and knew that my drain had somehow wandered into a place it shouldn't have been.  She just took it out a day early and the pain was all gone.  All in all my surgery went great.  The nursing staff was great, and they made me walk walk walk just as often as I could.  I had my mom fly out to hang out with me for the first week, and it was much needed.  It wasn't that I was incapable, just uncomfortable. I had never had surgery before, so I was pretty nervous...especially about anesthesia.   When I got there the morning of my surgery I was just trying to stay composed.  they put some tubes in my arm, then the drug guy showed up and wheeled me to the operating room.  I hopped up on the table and he said he was putting some oxygen on my face.........3 hours later I woke up in another room.  It was that simple.  you will be nervous beforehand, but believe me you will have nooooo idea what happened. As for what I could pass along.  First thing I would suggest you have already started to do.  Research research research.  Read this board, read everything you can.  You must be prepared after surgery for what you are getting yourself into.  Throw out all of your food right before you go in and only restock with foods you know you can have post surgery.  I was not hungry in the least for 3 months, but I did have CRAVINGS!  Also, find a support group in your area.  Your friends and family will be supportive, but only people who have had it done will understand...and you will NEED that because your life is about to change soooo dramatically I can't even begin to tell you. Positives: energy out the wazoo those airline seats are roomy! Size 54 pants with stretch to 36 slimfit.  Yeah...that happened. being noticed by the ladies my shirt stays tucked in now....sun up to sun down I love being in photos! I have girls who like to lunch with me just because we can pick on one plate I bought a bike!  An honest to god bike and use it all the time! No more sleep apnea.  I sleep like a baby now, every night. General health - everything about me feels better and looks better For the first time in my life, I am looking forward to summer. Biking/Fishing/Camping.  I want to do it all. My confidence level has soared.  It is amazing. Jealous coworkers.  Nothing ****** off a coworker like being the fat guy who passes them. Cons: Skinny butt syndrome.  That thing gets sore quick! Give up on trying to drink a glass of wine and not getting drunk.  It hits me like a freight train every time. Set aside some cash for some clothes.  It takes a little while, then its like a rushing river of trying to keep up.  Believe me, its a good problem to have, but one you should be aware of. I am so excited for you to begin this amazing journey.  I am only 9 months out, and I know there is a long road ahead of me, but for the first time in my life I feel like it is a road where I can take the wheel.  Good luck!!!!!

Congratulations! I'm 21 and just had the surgery 2 months ago this Wednesday and I definitely see why you're happy. I'm down from a 48 to a 42 (and that's getting loose) and down 73 pounds since I started my diet before surgery (liquid pre-op thing). Yeah, you're young, but I got you beat on that area, but I wasn't about to be fat for the rest of my life or even 5 more years.

Good post!

Great post Nick.  Very enjoyable reading and very informative.  I am really happy for you.  Keep up the terrific work!!

Great post, Nick. Very inspiring as it appears to me you've done everything right with regards to eating right and exercising. Keep up the great work! Biking is a blast isn't it? Boner