Bronx Bariatric Support Group
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Hey everyone!
October 13, 2010 1:57 am Hey all...I didn't realize that so many wonderful people have joined the group! I guess it's time for me to be more active. I guess we can begin by introducing ourselves because I can't tell you how important support from this community has been for me throughout my WLS journey.
Be the first to leave a comment.As I may have already said, my name is Liza and I have been overweight my entire life. Honestly, it never affected my self esteem because I had a great support group of family and friends, never lacked boyfriends or male attention, but my weight began to become a problem as I started getting older (I'm now in my 30's) and it started affecting my health. I started suffering from high blood pressure, and was on medications for over 8 years. I had gallbladder problems which led to its removal, started getting asthma, and a whole host of other aches, pains and ailments. I was just plain old sick of being fat! My cousin's wife decided to get the Lap Band and once I saw her weight loss, I decided that I was going to think about WLS as an option. I started doing research on the web, and read countless blogs from people who had done all types of WLS. One thing that stood out to me was that not one person, even those who had suffered complications, regretted their decision! I started researching WLS programs and on a whim late one Saturday night, emailed a surgeon and he responded back immediately! I knew that it was a sign. He invited me for an orientation session at his office, and that was history! I really liked him, his staff and what I liked most was that it was a program that included nutrition classes, support groups, sessions with a psychologist and regular visits with the doctor for health screenings. I felt that I was learning a lot about WLS (I had chosen to do the gastric bypass) and a lot about my self and what strategies I needed to have in place for my long-term success. The whole process was really exciting and I did get a little nervous before my surgery but I wanted it so bad!!! I wanted to be the "after" so I could look better and get off the blood pressure medication and just start a whole new life. My surgery was on 2/1/10 and it pretty much went off without a hitch. I went home 2 days later and a week later I went to my first follow up appt. and I had lost 22 pounds! I was so excited!! But then as the days went on I started to get really sick and I could not hold anything down. I started vomiting blood and next thing I knew I was in an ambulance. After a whole weekend of tests, they found out that my intestines had twisted, and I had to have emergency surgery, where they had to remove the blockage and cut quite a few inches of my intestines. I woke up in ICU and had quite a few grave scares over the course of the month that I was in the hospital. I had a huge open wound, had started getting fluid buildup in my body all the way up to my lungs, and had a blood clot in my leg. It was the single most scariest time of my life! On a daily basis I didn't know if I was going to live or die, and my family was devastated. They finally released me after a month and I literally could not walk, had to be in a wheelchair, could not breath, had to have oxygen 24/7, and did not eat for over a month. I had a nurse that came everyday to clean and dress my wound. But you now what? After a couple of weeks, I started getting a little better every day. My wound started healing, I was able to eat soft food, little bits at a time, I could walk with the walker, the fluids started leaving my body. Six weeks after my return from the hospital I was back at work. My recovery was slow but now I'm doing great physically! I'm down 144 pounds (33 pounds I lost before my surgery, 111 pounds since my surgery 8 1/2 months ago) and feeling great! I am truly a new person...and guess what? I would do it again in a heartbeat!!! I would never have lost all this weight on my own. I needed this surgery and have no regrets. For those of you who are thinking about having surgery, it is a very personal decision, and only you know what is right for you. If you choose to go ahead with it, don't let anyone discourage you. I had family members who were against it at first, especially when I was suffering from the complications, but I did what I had to do for ME! If you choose not to have the surgery, then you can do what you have to do to lead a healthier lifestyle, get more exercise and change your diet. I put down all the good, bad and ugly from my perspective but I do that, not to scare you, but to let you know that there are risks. Not everyone experiences complications, I just happened to be one who did. But I got through it, physically and spiritually and I am proud to be here, a lot healthier and able to offer support! I'm looking forward to hearing your stories so bring them on! |
