Scalpel Surrender - my journey through gastric bypass surgery - ThinnerTimes

kellygubser · 08-01-2008, 12:50 PM

This is where I will chronicle my story if it is alright with everyone.

I have not had surgery yet, but have started the process with the Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery in Davenport, Iowa. They are really our region's only Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, as recognized by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

That held a lot of weight (pun sort of intended) with me, as I have viewed the operation as a silly, risky, extreme measure in the past. Taking it much more seriously now, I wanted to find the best place around to do it.

I will probably dual post a lot of things here and on my blog. Although, probably more will go here because you all simply understand in ways my friends and family never will.

I have been posting a few things on my blog that I will pull into here shortly just to catch things up.

kellygubser · 08-01-2008, 12:52 PM

I originally posted the following on my blog June 16, 2008:

Quote:

I have not made any appointments with doctors. I have not scheduled anything. I have not committed.

However, I am now very open to the possibility of having the surgery I have totally blown off in the past as unnecessary and too risky.

It is coming down to the facts that I cannot exercise self-control over what I eat for extended periods of time, do not exercise, and am simply getting worse physically.

I am encroaching on the 400 lb. mark as I write this, where 10 years ago I was just under 300 lb. — if that wasn’t too heavy anyway. I have plantar fascitis, a painful foot problem. I have lower back pain that affects everything i do, including walking and standing in a hunched to the right kind of position. I have a pretty major umbilical hernia that has been repair twice before.

These are the things that I know about. I suspect that I have high blood pressure, some form of diabetes, sleep apnea, and probably some other dangerous conditions that are making an impact on my life.

I am also turning 35 in a few days and have a two year old boy. If I don’t do something soon and do it well, I am not going to live a full life and do the things I want to be able to do with my children.

I don’t have the energy or strength I need to do my work well, both at church and at home.

Enter the gastric bypass. I now know several people who have had the surgery and it has had a tremendous impact on their lives!

I have talked at length with a few of these people. I have watched an actual surgery taped live on Genesis’ website (and was impressed), and have registered for an informational meeting in July at Genesis. So, I am open to the possibility…if not seriously considering the option.

We’ll see what happens.

kellygubser · 08-01-2008, 12:54 PM

I originally posted this on my blog on July 30, 2008:

Quote:

Since my first post, I attended the informational meeting. It really did not have any new information for me, but was the program entry point. I made my first appointment with the clinic immediately after the meeting.

At my first appointment, I met with one of the nurses and went over my medical history in detail. They took my “before” picture, weighed me in at 396 pounds (for a BMI over 50), and took my blood pressure (which was high, but not too bad).

She described some of the process for us. Based on my history, I will be doing a sleep study to determine whether or not I have apnea. I am sure I do.

I will have a number of other work-ups and meetings before ever meeting the surgeon. Tomorrow I meet with the team dietician for some individual evaluation and coaching. Should be good.

I guess I have decided to move forward. I believe this is what I need to do. I am only now beginning to fathom just how much change this will involve, although i know I will never fully know what it will be like until I go through it. But just the extreme changes in eating habits are going to mess with my head big time. That’s OK. Good, in fact. But it is going to be really, really hard.

Amy supports me. We have told her parents and mine. They are supportive as well. I have to change. I am going to.

CiCi · 08-01-2008, 12:59 PM

Welcome, Kelly! Good to have you with us. I have learned SO MUCH from this board. Amazing people with great information and caring attitudes.

Looking forward to hearing more from you!

kellygubser · 08-01-2008, 01:01 PM

I wanted to get some "before" pictures of how I look right now posted, you can see them in my gallery on here or at my blog. Here are the posts there:

My 35th Birthday
10th Anniversary Trip to Chicago
Taste of Chicago
Madison, WI Mall
Wisconsin Dells Waterpark
Wisconsin Dells DUKW Ride

kellygubser · 08-01-2008, 01:03 PM

Wow, Traci,

What a great weight loss in just a few months. Amazing!

I am trying to prepare myself for the hard stuff. What was the hardest part for you so far?

Godsblessedme · 08-01-2008, 01:47 PM

welcome Kelly! i love the way you put your words together i'm sure you will do wonderfully with the surgery it truly is life changing and you'll begin to realize "ooh i shoulda had this years ago" welcome to TT

Grammy O · 08-01-2008, 04:19 PM

Welcome Kelly!

I just had my surgery on the 21st of this month. With all the information that is on this forum, I read and read and read and read everything here and anywhere I could get information from. I can honestly say that I was ready for this surgery and well informed. The people on this website are fabulous, willing to share their journey, good and bad, so that others can learn from them.

I am doing well and fell well too! I wish that I would have looked into this surgery a long time ago. But now I have a healthy life to look forward to.

kellygubser · 08-01-2008, 06:51 PM

Awesome, GrammyO! Glad to hear it!

Are you still on clear liquids? My first 14 days will be. Then they will let me start adding milk and purees for like 3 more weeks before starting soft foods.

Now that I have made some resolve, I am getting anxious to get'r'done!

Today, though, we scheduled a sleep study for 8/17. They want to know if I have apnea. I am sure I do, but not sure why i need to do it. It may help with getting insurance approval, I suppose.

kellygubser · 08-11-2008, 09:02 PM

Well, I had my evaluation today. We'll see if they lock me up in a padded room here in a few days.

The bright part of the office visit is that I have lost 11 pounds in the last 11 days or so since my last visit! I was really thrilled about that. I have not been eating perfectly, but certainly better than normal. I have been drinking a lot of water, too.

Any of you have difficulty drinking enough water? I fear dehydration when mowing the lawn and working out. Is that going to be a problem?