I got tired of hearing that. Tired of being a joke. Tired of being the loser.
I am 18 years old, soon to be 19. I had my surgery on June 24th, 2009. Lap Gastric Bypass.
This wasn't an easy descision. I have high blood pressure, and that is about my only ailment from obesity at this time, but my weight didn't hurt me physically, it hurt me emotionally.
I have always tried to be the happy one. I tried to always pretend that I'm on top of the world, that I never let me weight hold me back. I have friends who support me, and they make it seem like I'm just like them.. when I'm not. I secretly hated myself, hated what I had become. I felt like I could do anything with my life, go anywhere. But, this one thing was holding me back, and after years of trying to take care of it, WLS seemed like the best fix.
So, I just graduated high school in top 10%, and everything was ready to go. 2 weeks before surgery, my surgeon told me I need to lose 10 pounds, and I got kind of scared. I wasn't sure I could do it.
Luckily, after numerous fails during the 2 weeks, when the day came I was 11 pounds lighter, and I had the surgery.
I woke up in the POST-OP care room with a gas mask on. I remember looking around, and seeing a few other people in beds. The only thing I remember is having a blinding white pain on my left side. The nurse was so nice and caring, I never saw him again, or even spoke a real word to him, but I wish I could thank him. I slowly pointed to the pain, and he asked if it hurt alot, I nodded, and he gave me pain medicine and told me everything was going to be alright. I'm usually "macho man", but I'd like to give a shout out to the great people at this hospital.
After 4 hours of being there, they informed me that my blood pressure had shot up to 185 (I dont remember what the 2nd number one) and they kept me there to make sure I'd be ok. They wheeled me to my room, where all I could remember was that my mouth felt like a desert. I looked like I was dead to my mother, because my mouth was open and completely dry. I felt like choking everytime I breathed. Luckily, I got some water to rinse my mouth out with every 20 minutes, but no swallowing.
I didn't sleep well that night. I hear people are walking and no pain after their surgeries, I really hate you! I was in alot of pain! I had my drain, and left side pain which was intense.
The next day, I slowly sat up and walked around just a bit. Each day got better and I was drinking and eating a little, and I had never thrown up once, luckily.
Finally after 4 days and 3 nights, they let me go home. It hurt to walk still, but I did all I can because I know how important it is.
Each day has gotten 10x better than the day before. I wake up less feeling like crap, I get more sleep, and now that they removed my drain, I feel 20x better. I get cramps on my left side when I walk, but other than that I don't really have alot of pain.
Today is my 1 week out of surgery and I saw my surgeon.. 10 pounds lost since the surgery. WOW! one week and already 10 pounds. I'm excited.
I just want people to know that I wasn't some ruined kid. I have friends and family that love me, and my weight is only an issue to me. I rarely got teased growing up (other than my awful brothers), and people respect me for who I am now, but let's face it. I'm a monster. People who don't know me look at me as a failure. They think I'm not a good person, or that because I'm overweight I'm not a good person to be around.
So, I had this surgery for my health, my future, and so I can start gaining the respect I deserve from people I don't know.
Other than that, I'm really excited to keep losing weight ^^ I was 462 at my highest, 451 the day of surgery, and 441 a week later. I can't wait to see how well I'll do considering I'm a male, and very young. My surgeon believes I can lose 250 in one year, but I think he is setting the bar a little high, so I'm going to shoot for 200, maybe.
Thanks, and I'll keep you guys updated
- Slick
"..but you're really sweet, and funny!"
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