My Gastric Bypass Journey

I'm on day 8 post op from my gastric bypass and wanted to share my experience.

My battle with my weight has been a life time battle, I've never been slim, I was morbidly obese as child and as the years went past my weight was matching my age so at 18 I was 18 stone and up it went.

My mission for surgery started ten years ago, at that time I can say now was not the right time for me to have surgery but to me it was the answer to everything and in 1999 I had what was called in those days stomached stapling.
From start to finish it was a horrible experience. In the hospital the staff lacked empathy for me and obviously thought I did not have the right to complain about pain etc as I had got myself there and there was no one to blame but myself. As a result of this I discharged myself from hospital (Chelsea and west minister) after 5 days and got my husband to drive me home to Suffolk where we were living at that time. My experience in the hospital had really made me nervous of the whole experience and from the day I left the hospital I never saw any one regarding my surgery.

As the years went past I'd lose a few stone then gain it back plus a few more pounds. I did have restriction in what I could eat. Chocolate, Ice-cream, Full Fat Coke, Cheese Puffs, all the things I loved still slipped down like a dream and I could eat these in huge amounts. All the stuff that was good for me, Rice, Meats, Chicken, Vegetables, Fruits, all ended up with me being in severe pain and throwing up. It was clear something was not right and after 9 years I visited my doctor and told him how miserable I was and I was also in severe pain, taking huge cocktails of pain killers every day just to get me though the day. His advice was to refer me to the specialist in our local hospital, St James in Leeds and to see what he advised.

I had my appointment with him in February last year (2007) and he decided initially that he needed to see what was going on with the surgery that I had had and arranged for me to have a barium meal from which he hoped to be able to see what was going on. Unfortunately the results where that he could not see anything at all, certainly nothing that resembled any kind of stapling. He said that he felt the best option for me was to have a gastric Bypass but he could not guarantee what he would until he went in and saw what had actually been done. I was nervous about it due to my past experience but was also happy as it might be the answer to everything I was going through.

I had another appointment arranged for April 2007 to finalise everything for the surgery but days before that appointment I discovered I was pregnant so all bets were off until 6 months after I delivered.

My baby boy was born in November 2007 and I started to count down the 6 months till I could get my appointment with my surgeon.

I had that appointment in May this year and it was arranged that I would have surgery but that I had to see the dietician and if she was in agreement then put my case to the panel to see if they would fund my surgery. I saw her in the august and at first she refused to give a yes to the surgery as she felt my diet was not suitable at that time.. I was very a grazer. Over the next month I made changes and on the next visit I had lost a few kilos and she was happy to put my case to panel who agreed to fund my surgery.

My last visit to my surgeon was September the 1st and during that appointment my surgeon set the date for my surgery which was to be November the 19th... I remember thinking at that time that it seemed so far away. I was given a diet that I needed to follow 10 days prior to surgery that was aimed at shrinking my liver which apparently was even more necessary as I had had previous surgery and it was very likely that my stomached would be stuck to my liver and by following this diet it would shrink it and would help reduce bleeding.

Time passed and suddenly the operation was a month away and our lives were turned upside down as our baby became very ill and spent a week in hospital and we had weeks of hell as we fought to find out what was wrong with him and before I knew it there was 10 days to surgery and I was not even sure I would be having the operation due to my son’s illness. He was in a bad way, feeling very unsecure due to our separation and I was concerned how he would cope if I was to leave him again to go into hospital. All my friends and family told me how important it was for me to have the surgery and reminded me that these chances don’t come around easily and that my son was going to be perfectly ok with his dad and family and that I’d only be away for 5 days. Almost reluctantly I agree... all the while still nervous of my previous experience.

The day of surgery arrived and I was called to be admitted for 4 o’clock.

As soon as I arrived on the ward I was amazed at how much of a difference I felt in my treatment. I was treated with respect and the nurses were wonderful at helping me with all my needs and dealing with all my medications. Not once did I feel uncomfortable or experienced any negativity from the staff. They were kind to me from start to finish.

As I was wheeled down to surgery in my two gowns, one front and one back I remember thinking that already I was so hopeful that this would be the resolution to my life time of weight problems and my heart suddenly did not feel so heavy. I was very nervous, thinking was I going to be the one of the few that has problems during surgery, what was he actually going to do and more importantly what was he going to find. Kissing my husband and baby boy goodbye was very hard, there were tears but this was the beginning of a new life.

On waking up after surgery I was not in pain, was actually more bothered by the tubes for the drains and the tube coming out of my nose. I had my morphine pump which I could press as I needed more painkillers but I was surprised at how good I felt. I was confined to my bed for the rest of the night. Early the next morning the consultant came to visit me and explained what had happened and what he was able to do. He had found that there was a band in my stomached from the previous surgery that should have been around the top of my stomach but that it was actually around the bottom which explained why I was in so much pain after eating meat etc as I was able to eat it but it had difficulties getting out of the stomach. This made it clear all the pain I had felt for 10 years where I would suffer even 5 or 6 hours after eating something as it was having difficulties getting out of the stomach and I would end up vomiting for hours and hours. He also found that I had two huge hernias the size of grapefruits as well as up to 30 tiny ones. He had repaired the two big ones and told me with time and plenty of exercise to strengthen my muscles they should sort themselves out… I had no idea what so ever that I had a hernia never mind as many as I did have. He then explained that I had basically now got a brand new gastric bypass but that he had to reroute the bowel even further down due to the state of my stomach and that I would need to take extra supplements as I would absorb even less of my food than the average bypass.

Later that morning I had my nose tube removed and the bigger of the two drains that I had removed also and I felt so much better. I got out of bed, had a nice wash and hardly felt like I had had such major surgery at all. I did not feel hungry but I did feel thirsty and made big use of the sponges they gave me with ice cold water to wet my mouth with and copious amounts of lipsol which were so needed as everything was totally dry. I had a steady stream of visitors through out the day which I found surprisingly tiring but was so happy to see my little boy even though he was very confused as to why I could not hold him and cuddle him as he has known all his life. I had a brilliant night, slept through out apart from the times when the nurses came to do their regular checks through the night. Still having this positive experience that I had felt since I walked through the ward doors the day before my surgery.

I had my barium meal the next afternoon and after it was confirmed I had no leaks I was allowed my first sips of water and was never so grateful for a ice cold bottle of Evian that my husband had so considerately had in the freezer fro me. I felt nervous drinking it but did not experience any problems at all and after eating half a soggy weetabix the next morning I was allowed home.

So here I am 8 days after my surgery and I have nothing negative to tell you. I’m sleeping well, taking things easy, still spending a lot of time lying down in bed and resting, not pushing myself in anyway. I’m eating my pureed food but because I have to, not because I want to as till now I have not felt hungry even once yet. This is a huge achievement for me as prior to surgery I used to think about food every day and if I was not eating it I was preparing what I was going to eat or shopping for huge supplies of chocolate and cakes and coke.

I’ve had the most amazing support from my wonderful friend Nina who is a member here. She has given up her days to come and sit with me and my little boy while my husband is at work so she can help with everything I need and everything my son needs. She’s cooked for our whole family and done things far and beyond I could ever have imagined. She has taught me not to be ashamed of my weight and to be open about my problems. I’ve talked more openly to her about my issues than to any one and will never forget the support she has shown me. I no longer feel ashamed of my size but am so looking forward to this next stage in my life. I have a dream, a picture in my mind of my one year old son running around the park and me being able to chase. That used to an unrealistic dream, now I can see it becoming a reality. I’m on the way to finally having a life.

Oh and of course the best side effect of this surgery is that 8 days post surgery and I’m down a stone already!! No words can explain how that feels.

 

Gastric Bypass My Experience

this was a reapeted post

 

congatulations and well done, things can only get better for you now just take things easy. x

 

Very interesting story, well done on getting it sorted it must have been sheer agony for you for such a long time...xx

 

Hi Alia and welcome to minis. thank you for sharing your story. and congrats on your op. you will find lots of help and support on here i wish i had found this site pre op but like you only found it after i had had the bypass done.

sounds like you are doing well only 8 days post op just try to rest and take things easy. look forward to following your progress x

 

Hi and a big hello!! Its great to hear from someone that has had previous wls and the problems arising from it, it makes me so much more grateful for my operation and the lack of problems that I have had - hope that makes sense!! One things for sure next time Im feeling a bit sorry for myself with a bit of trapped wind I will have a quick read of your problems and give myself a virtual kick up the bottom. Im so glad that you got the problems sorted out, its sounds as if the op has worked well for you!

 

Hiya! Glad you are feeling so well and congrats on starting your new life. It is a shame that your journey has been so long and painful but the final outcome is what matters!

Wishing you a speedy recovery. Keep us updated on your progress. Well done with you weight loss so far. also, very nice writing chick...

 

Hiya Alia, nice to meet you, another Leeds lass. Was Mr Pollard your surgeon too? Were you on Ward 63 in St James?

I had mine done on the 22nd October at st james with Mr Pollard. it would be nice to share stories.

Welcome to minimins, and i look forward to following your progress.

 

Hi Alia, welcome to mini's! You have an amazing story, thanks for sharing with us all

 

Hi Alia and welcome.
A very moving and inspirational story, many thanks for sharing it.
Best of luck on your new journey to a new you. :hug99:

 

Hi there

Yes Mr Pollard did my surgery and I was on ward 63 and I had an amazing experience, the nurses were all wonderful and so kind to me. I'd love to share our experience and if you would like to chat on MSN my address is [email protected]

hope to hear from you soon

 

Good morning every one.

I'm feeling good again today. My staples have been bothering me so I called the district nurse yesterday to come and see me as they were n't due to be out till tomorrow. She said it would be fine to take every one staple out as they were ripping the skin slightly. Unfortunately at the top of the scar it came open slightly so I'm having to take extra care not to do anything at all. Its really frustrating when I feel so well but I have to look at the big picture and realise that its only for a few weeks and thats nothing in the grand scheme of things.

I'm just thinking what to have for breakfast as I'm having trouble fitting in all the proteins and carbohydrates that I'm supposed to be having as I just don't feel hungry at all. If any one who has been through the bypass could give me some advice on how to eat enough to get all the nutrition I need then that would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi Alia

Its been really interesting reading your story, I wish I had documented mine down somewhere as I have virtually forgotton certian bits and I would love to remember it forever!

I was done by Mr Pollard too, at the Spire in Leeds. Great man, I'll be forever grateful to him.

Keep updating your story, and I bet you now feel brilliant now you have those dreeded staples out!!

 

He is amazing, very direct and does not mince his words.

You have had an amazing weight loss, I hope mine is as successful, well done!!

 

Just wanted to say That was a Very Inspiring story, and I wish you all the very best with your weight loss, You really do deserve it!!

 

Have emailed you Alia.

 

w/b alia, my sweetpea...it is an honor to be ur bestest friend and a member of the great family!

AND I KNOW U WILL SUCCEED...and ur past dreams will be a reality...thats why HE brought us together!

 

Thanks wobbles I've replied

 

With your help I will. You and your mum finally taught me not to be ashamed of who and what I am and to be able to talk freely about my weight issues with out becoming so embarrased... thank you hunney, you've been an inspiration to me :superwoman:

 

Day 10

Hi every one, just a quick update.

Food wise everything is going really well, I've never felt sick or had problem with anything that I've had (pureed or liquid). I still have n't felt hungry and still not thinking about food so its all pluses along the way.