Big Guy Nervous about Post op - ThinnerTimes

johnedezz · 09-06-2004, 05:09 PM

After 9 months of red tape I have finally got insurance approval for surgery for 9/13. I had a few bumps in the road but I am on my way. A few questions/worries....

I weigh around 450 lbs. and am a diabetic that was diagnosed to be a storer of fat like a bear in hibernation. I am very concerned about functioning on my own in the hospital and at home. I am concerned that the hospital will not have gowns my size, the beds will be too small, being able to get up and down from bed and chairs, walking around the hospital halls without falling that kind of stuff. Also, I'd like to know if anyone out there was my size and how they coped with the hospital stay and recuperation afterwards. Did you need a special bed or chair to help you out? I have 6 weeks off from work...will that be enough time? How soon after surgery did you start your walking regimen and what was your starting distance/time.

So many questions, a week left to get some answers.

sandi · 09-06-2004, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnedezz

After 9 months of red tape I have finally got insurance approval for surgery for 9/13. I had a few bumps in the road but I am on my way. A few questions/worries....

I weigh around 450 lbs. and am a diabetic that was diagnosed to be a storer of fat like a bear in hibernation. I am very concerned about functioning on my own in the hospital and at home. I am concerned that the hospital will not have gowns my size, the beds will be too small, being able to get up and down from bed and chairs, walking around the hospital halls without falling that kind of stuff. Also, I'd like to know if anyone out there was my size and how they coped with the hospital stay and recuperation afterwards. Did you need a special bed or chair to help you out? I have 6 weeks off from work...will that be enough time? How soon after surgery did you start your walking regimen and what was your starting distance/time.

So many questions, a week left to get some answers.

Hi John, welcome to the forum ...
You've come to the right place!!!!

Although I'm a gal, I WAS almost in the same weight category as you, I was 422 pounds when I went in for surgery, I had the same fears as you did, but, I can tell you that they DO have a gown, that we were told that Dr. Callery designed them for his larger patients, and MAKE the nurses find one for you, they had to track one down for me, then one of the nursing assistants in ICU, her name was Shirley, found me an extra for when I took my first shower, they're plenty big, and they wrap all the way around so that nothing shows when we're walking the halls, and they DO make us get up about 2 hours after we're good and awake in the unit, but, they don't make you walk alone, they always have someone with you!! The chairs are also larger, the beds are extra large for us patients who are larger. I know that there will be more of the guys pop in here and make you feel at ease as they come on and read your post!
This was the best thing I ever did for myself!!! This surgery gave me my life back!!! In 7 weeks I've lost 54 pounds, I'm also diabetic as you are, storing insulin to the max, I've gone from 88 units of insulin at bedtime, a sliding scale of insulin before meals, 2 glucophage in the am and 2 in the pm, 1 Avandia in the am, down to ONLY 34 units of insulin at bedtime, PERIOD!!!!!!! All that in only a short period of time!!!!! Even my blood pressure at times is within normal limits.... All I can do is thank the Lord AND Dr. Callery, and ALL of the wonderful support of everybody on this forum!!! Again I say John, you've come to the right place!!!
Welcome!!!!! And hang on tight, you're in for the ride of your life, and what a ride it is!!!!

Bigdave · 09-06-2004, 06:36 PM

I just got home yesterday and I weighed 416. I thought everyone was very nice and the ICU nurses were great. They do make you walk pretty quick after surgery. The ICU beds help you stand up and that was a great help. I actually thought the regular beds were a little bigger and a little more comfortable. For me, the binder isn't as effective as it is or some people but I still wear it and you will find what works for you.

I wouldn't be completely honest if I didn't tell you the first few days are HELL. I was not prepared for feeling so crappy.

I've had to pile up pillows to simulate the beds at the hospital but everyday so far, seems to be a little better than the last.

BTW, the gowns fit!

Best to you!

johnedezz · 09-06-2004, 08:05 PM

Thanks for your reply......you make me feel more at ease about the hospital stay. Did you have problems getting out of easy chairs from a sitting position after surgery? I have one big easy chair that is quite low. That is concerning me since I have problems now getting up. Any helpful hints would be appreciated.....

Bigdave · 09-07-2004, 07:21 AM

Low chairs are definately much harder to use. Take it real slow and try to use your legs.

sandi · 09-07-2004, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnedezz

Thanks for your reply......you make me feel more at ease about the hospital stay. Did you have problems getting out of easy chairs from a sitting position after surgery? I have one big easy chair that is quite low. That is concerning me since I have problems now getting up. Any helpful hints would be appreciated.....

I got a wedge pillow, I put my pillow on top of it, my hubby found it at Bed, Bath and Beyond in Santee, that seemed to help a little for sleeping right out of the hospital, some people rented a hospital bed, others rented a recliner to sleep in... some have no problem at all getting in and out of chairs OR the bed, it just really depends on the person.... use your binder though, it may help you better than it helps others, mine helped me while in the hospital, once I got home, it didn't help that much.... take it one day at a time, and each day WILL get better, but you can count on the first week or so, being pretty much the "week from HELL" as Christina calls it!!!! GOOD LUCK!

BobCo61 · 09-07-2004, 03:48 PM

Hi John,

My name is Bob, and I had surgery almost 2 years ago, on October 1, 2002.

Boy, how time flies when you lose a couple of hundred pounds.

My experience was that my all time high was 571 and I lost some weight pre-surgery. A good thing for several reasons. Losing weight will reduce the size of your liver, so the operation will be somewhat easier, and also if you need to be put in a cat scan, you will fit.

Surgically, it wasn't a big deal. They have a bariatric bed, very large gowns, and a good staff. ICU was fine. And the one day on a "regular" floor was ok, too.

I returned after about ten days, for three more weeks of hospital fun. I had a leak and an infection. Luckily, although both can be considered life threatening, I'm still here.

For at home, here is my suggestion... Get a recliner. Beg, borrow or steal one. You won't feel comfortable in a bed for some time... and the recliner is the only way to go at home.

Here is the other thing I did that helped me.. (in addition to stocking up on some foods and having a clean house!)

I got my friends to babysit me in four hour shifts, during the day and evening.... so I knew I was taken care of. It really helped. They could help with food, etc., and I didn't have to worry about too much.

I don't think the pain is debilitating (I had open). But, you do feel weak. So, I think it's good to have some people around, especially when it's time to take a shower, etc.

I also was determined to wipe my own butt. That worked out for me as well... thanks for loritab...

Right now, I'm at 300 even, (a loss of 271.. what I would consider successful if my weight never went down another pound!!!) and training for the L.A. Marathon. I've been playing around with the same ten or fifteen lbs for the last six months, but with my training, the numbers are going down again.

My goal is to hit 250 or 240, and start consults for my tummy tuck. After I've finished the marathon.. walking, of course.

John, if you need any other info... let me know.

Bob

johnedezz · 09-08-2004, 08:33 PM

It looks like I have some shopping to do........ It's all good. Thanks for all the advice. All of you are truly inspirational to me as I prepare for surgery. I have been eating less the past couple of weeks and trying to lose some weight but I don't think that I have lost much. As a diabetic with bad knees, the cards have been stacked up against me for years. Have you heard of anyone not losing weight with the surgery?

Woody · 09-08-2004, 08:44 PM

Hi John. Your fear of not losing weight is not uncommon. Fear not. It is a physical impossibility NOT to lose weight with this surgery. You will lose at least 1/3 of your current weight. A lot depends on how you handle things after the surgery as far as exersize and food choices. The only people that fail with this surgery are the ones who make poor food choices after losing the weight.

I started at 350 and lost roughly 120 pounds. I had surgery in April of 2002. My weight now fluctuates by 5 pounds on either side. It's important that during the "honeymoon" period (up to 6 months after the surgery), we learn new and healthy eating habits.

You will be successful if you follow the advice of your doctor and his staff. It doesn't hurt to do some reading as well. Try a "google" search using "gastric bypass surgery" as your criteria. You would be amazed at the amount of information available to you should you choose to pursue it.

Blueyz · 09-08-2004, 08:57 PM

John,
Good luck with your surgery. You will do just fine. All of your worries and concerns ae normal. You are in the best of hands with Dr. Callery and Dr. Potts. I hope you have a speedy recovery...take care