Grandpa-G

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Obesity & Me

Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.

I have battled my weight all of my adult life. I was heavy as a kid, then "thinned down" as a teen and into my early 20's. I was in the Navy and doing exercise each day. After I got married and became more sedentary, the weight just came on. I have never considered myself a "behavioral" eater. I just love food, good food, and lots of food. Most of our family and social activities are centered around food (my wife is Italian-nuf said)

What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?

The other health issues: Diabetes, Hypertension, Sleep Apnea, and general tiredness and lack of endurance

If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?

Running, walking, biking, hiking, generally having energy.

How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

A few very close friends have had WLS and been very successful with it. I've thought about it for years. I always thought, "I'm not that heavy and that's not for me." It was when my Primary Care Physician (PCP) told me he was putting me on insulin for my Diabetes and that if I did not do something about my weight, I was going to die, that I really gave WLS serious thought for myself.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

No problems with my insurance. It was covered in full, with only my routine deductible and co-insurance required as out-of-pocket.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

My surgery was on Monday, 4/19/2010 in the afternoon. My surgeon also did an umbilical hernia repair so I was in surgery a little longer than normal. I had some pain, most of which was more related to the hernia repair than the RNY procedure. That night, after getting back to my room, I was up and walking the halls, taking sips of liquids. I went home the following afternoon (Tuesday 4/20/2010) after I was able to drink liquids, pee, and get around comfortably. My best advice is to get up out of that bed and walk as soon as you can! Bring comfortable clothes (Sweat pants, big sloppy shirt, and comfortable shoes). As soon as you can, get up, get dressed, and walk, sip the fluids, and work on getting your protein drink in...and get out of there as quickly as possible...you will rest and recover much better at home!

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

No complications and nominal pain, most of which was more related to the umbilical hernia repair done at the same time as my RNY.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

I was pretty excited. My wife and I had talked and prayed about my doing this and we both had a very strong peace about it.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

The first few days, I was pretty tired. I believe this is more related to general anesthesia and some of the pain meds. I progressed nicely, walking a little more each day, tolerating my liquids and protein drink a little better each day. It is very hard to describe how your stomach (pouch) feels. It's like I did not have that "full" feeling, but knew when I was full and could not take in any more

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

Less than 10 miles

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

Initially, the first week post-op, it was clear liquids, progress to full liquids. I focused on drinking my protein drinks to get the protein in and stay hydrated. The second week, I progressed to soft foods. Mashed potatoes and gravy (with Unjury protein powder) became one of my favorites. I couldn't eat much, but it sure tasted good! I really got tired of some of the protein drinks, especially the chocolate. To this day, I generally like the unflavored protein powder. I also got "sick" of diet/no sugar chocolate pudding. After about three weeks, I began slowly progressing to solid foods. I had to learn to eat slowly and chew! I never realized how fast I ate before, or how much I ate before. Now at 6 months post-op, I can eat pretty much anything I want. For some reason, I have to be careful with Pasta. I really have to make sure I chew it well. To this day, I've not done Processed Sugar. I've been very "afraid" of dumping. It is also a bit of a psychological thing for me. If I found out I could tolerate sugar (candy, baked goods, etc.) I think it would be easier for me to take a bite here and bite there and begin to gain my weight back. For me taking that bite of candy is akin to an alcoholic taking that first drink. DON'T DO IT!!! I don't feel deprived. I've found there are plenty of No Sugar or No Sugar added products. My wife and I, who both love to cook, have found some great recipes with Splenda or natural sweeteners (honey) and fruit. I'm eating healthier than I ever have in my life!

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

I started walking in the hospital as soon as I could get out of bed. Once home, my wife and I took walks in the neighborhood and I just walked around the house. As both my strength and endurance increased, and the weight "fell" off, I increased my walking to walk/jogging about 2.5-3 miles about 3 days per week. At 3 months out, I added bike riding, doing a good 10 mile bike ride about 2-3 times per week. Today at 6 months out, I go to the gym 5 days per week (M-F) and spend 30 minutes doing Cardio (Treadmill, Bike, Eliptical) followed by 30 minutes of Strength building (Weight Machines, Free Weights, and resistance exercises)...On day's if I miss my work-out, I MISS it. It makes me feel great the entire day...I get up very early (4:30 am) and am at the gym from 5:00 am - 6:00 am. It wakes me up and gives me more energy for the entire day! On weekends, my wife and I are fairly active. We do alot of walking or take those long bike rides.

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

Chewable Multi Vitamin, C, D, Iron, Calcium, Biotin, Fish Oil

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

As I had to learn to eat smaller bits, slowly, and chew, I did have a few incidents of throwing up in my first few months post op. If I swallowed something before chewing it well, or took too big a bite, as soon as I swallowed, I knew it was "bad". It would not pass through the pouch, and had to come back up. I don't think I've ever really "dumped". I've tasted a few things that were very sweet and as soon as I tasted them, I got a little queasy, and immediately stopped eating it. I really try to stay away from processed sugar. My hair was "thinning" and someone from the OH Men's Forum suggested taking Biotin. I've been taking it for a few months and it seems to have helped. My biggest and worst problem, that continues to this day, is GAS! It's loud, it's alot, and IT STINKS!!! I've tried Beeno, GasX, and other OTC products, I've switched to Soy Milk and avoided Dairy, I've tried Devrom. I've tried to determine what foods really cause the gas and don't have a real conclusion. I am currently trying Pro-Biotic Yogurt (Activia) to see if I can regulate a little. I'll post more in a few weeks.

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

All in all, my WLS - RNY was one of the BEST things I've ever done for myself and my family. My diabetes is cured. No meds and consistent fasting blood sugars below 90. No Sleep Apnea. I have more energy than I had in my 20s (I'm 53). I'm healthier than I think I've been my entire adult life. The worst part is the GAS, but I am working on that and even if it's something I have to learn to live with, I can and will!

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

I'm not a "group" kinda guy, so going to the groups at my surgeon's practice is not for me. I've attended a few group meetings with the nutritionist and just don't like it. There are several people in my office who have had WLS. We encourage and support each other. I regularly visit and post to the ObesityHelp Men's Forum. I think this has been one of the most beneficial supports for me. I think it is very important to have some kind of support. However, each individual needs to find what works for them.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

Minimal puncture site scars. I had laproscopic RNY. The puncture site closet to my navel has some discoloration, but that was more from the Umbilical Hernia repair that was done at the same time as my RNY. The scaring is pretty much what I expected. I had a previous Lap procedure about 10 years ago (Galbladder) which is where the Umbilical Hernia came from.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit 202 pounds and have stayed there now for a month. I am 7 pounds from my personal goal of 195 pounds. I would really like to "break" that 200 pound threshold. However, if I did not loose another ounce and stayed between 200 - 205 the rest of my life, I would be ok. I feel and am told, look great!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People notice my weight loss. I get a lot of questions, "Have you lost weight?" "How did you do it?" etc. My favorite response to, "Have you lost weight?" is...NO, it's not lost, I know exactly where it went, and I don't want to find it or get it back, thank you! To the question as to how...for general or casual acquantances, I just say, diet and exercise. I eat small portions and focus on High Protein, low carb, and healthy fresh foods. To me the decision for WLS was very personal and it is a decision that we each must make for ourselves. I have a very supportive wife and we discussed this decision and prayed about it together. There are members of my immediately family that I have not shared my full story with. In time, and when the time is right, I may...I may not...Like getting the surgery, it is my choice!
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