Gastric Bypass Surgery

The first time I really took a look in the mirror and realized how truly, grossly overweight I was. I felt complete shock!

I guess its easy to fool yourself into believing what you choose to believe, in my case, that I was actually 'normal', when you avoid mirrors like the plague and hide out in your house 95% of the time. Which means, you never put yourself in those embarrassing situations. However, if you're like the rest of the fat population, as hard as we try to avoid them, those humiliating moments find us anyway.

Like the time I took my kids to the theater and found that I had to sit on the floor because my big butt wouldn't quite fit in the seat. For me, that was definitely a moment not to be outdone by any others. And I'll never forget the time we went to pizza inn for dinner and our waitress had to ask for help to move our table out, because I couldn't fit my size 26 self into the tiny space between the table and booth.

So it's not that I was living in a dream world; I knew I was fat, not just overweight, fat! At 5 foot 7 and almost 300 pounds. I wore a size 26, no mistaking the fact I was fat there! which is why, I never bought clothing for myself, I couldn't stand shopping in the plus size section and on the rare times I was lucky enough to find something I actually liked, it didn't come in big enough sizes to fit me. Id just end up being upset and disgusted with myself. So of course, I didn't go often, if ever. Usually wearing big giant mumu tent like shirts and those hated stretchy pants or shorts around everywhere.

As far back as I can remember my family has been fat. Leading me to believe obesity is hereditary, passed down from generation to generation. A curse of sorts.

The funny thing is, we all started out as normal sized. Until we began having kids. For all of us, my mom, my sisters and I, it seems as if with each child born, we gained a little more weight. Until eventually, ending up where we were, grossly out of shape and fat! We like to blame it on the kids, so we never have to admit that just maybe, it could be because we ate anything and everything we wanted while we were pregnant and after, with no thought for exercise or where we would end up with our bad lifestyle choices. One of our favorite Sunday afternoon activities was getting the family together and going to the golden corral for the all you can eat buffet. Or cooking up a giant meal of fried chicken, biscuits and the works at one of our homes.

Being so fat and out of shape I wasn't able to work, my favorite afternoon adventure when the kids were in school, was heading out to mickey d's for lunch, buying a sack of 99 cent double cheeseburgers and apple pies, and pigging out on the couch while watching jerry springer. Of course washing it all down with a chocolate shake and large Pepsi.

So, there I was, fat, unhealthy and just plain sick. Sick in my body, mind, spirit and sick of myself. One day, I was feeling really down and tired of existing, when my mom made a suggestion that, even though I didn't know it at that moment, would change my life, A weight loss surgery called gastric bypass. Id heard of it before on some tv shows and I knew that Carlie Wilson had went through it and lost a lot of weight.

There was also a man who worked at our local post office. He weighed 500 pounds at one time and had chosen the surgery. He looked so much better after losing over 250 pounds a mere 15 months later, and was in such higher spirits. But still, I admit I was hesitant and scared at first. After all, this was major surgery not some walk in the park we were talking about. But after discussing things with some others who had chosen the surgery and doing some research online. I called the office and scheduled my first appointment. When I went in for the first time I was nervous and scared and totally alone, except for the other 20 or 30 obese ladies who were in there to view the initial film. I noticed there were all ages and nationalities of females, as I'm sure you know, fat doesn't discriminate. There were also quite a few men attending the viewing. We each watched a very informative film on the surgical procedure, risks, complications, the pros and cons of having the surgery and many more interesting things about obesity and its effect on people. I found that the risks to our health were definitely worse if we chose not to have the surgery, and not to lose the weight.

Obesity is the #1 killer of people in the u.s. causing such things as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, which I was already experiencing. The information contained in this film convinced me that surgery would be the right path to choose. I signed all necessary consent forms, went home , prayed and waited for them to call me.

A week later the call came unexpectedly, informing me to come in for my initial exam, which was surprising since I was told it could sometimes take up to 6 months. Doctors usually wont consider you for gastric bypass surgery, unless your overall total body mass index, which is the amount of fat on your body, is over 40%. Which mine was. After that first exam, things went pretty quick. 2 months later, one week before Christmas 2007. I found myself at the hospital in Anderson S.C. preparing to have the surgery. I was extremely nervous at first. Of course, I was about to undergo major surgery and I was alone, 3 hours from my home. None of my family was able to make it down to be with me. But the doctors and nurses were extremely nice and took very good care of me. The operation itself went very well. Once out of surgery, I experienced quite a bit of pain. My biggest problem was the constant throbbing headaches which were brought on by the anesthesia.

Thank the lord for that morphine drip attached to my iv, which I controlled myself. Every time id have a little pain, I'd hit that magic button, the morphine would rush into my veins and viola, pain gone. My mom called me right after the surgery and I can remember telling her,' I cant believe I did this to myself'. I think its because I was in so much pain, and I missed my family I just wanted to be home. But now if you ask me, id say it's the smartest thing I ever did. Of course there are many risks and complications that are associated with the surgery, just as there are with any major operation. Such as the risks of infection in the incision, a possible leak from the stomach into the abdominal cavity, called peritonitis, and a clot in the lung. The doctors take every possible precaution before, during and after surgery, to prevent these complications. Having you up out of bed, walking. Just a few hours after the operation is a way to avoid the clots in the legs.

Also, about one third of people who undergo gastric bypass surgery will eventually develop gallstones and must have there gallbladder removed.

Nutritional deficiencies including anemia and osteoporosis are common. And because of those, you must take various nutritional supplements. Such as chewable multivitamins, calcium, dissolving b-12 for energy and whatever else your doctor may think is necessary. Gastric bypass patients make a lifetime commitment to there doctors. it is mandatory once you have the surgery, to see your doctor every week, every month and eventually, every year for the rest of your life. As complications have been known to develop later on down the road.

Its been a little over a year now since I had the gastric bypass surgery. I can't tell you it's been easy . When I first arrived home I began experiencing severe unexplained pain, which after numerous trips to the hospital. No one came any closer to diagnosing. I couldn't keep any food down for a while and constantly vomited. But that's normal for some people immediately after surgery, I was told.

Slowly day by day its gotten better. I can pretty much eat anything I want now, just in much smaller portions. I can even have a candy bar if I'm craving chocolate. Or at least, a few bites of one, which is all my much smaller stomach can handle. I'm down to 155 pounds, in a size 10. I still cant believe it! I can actually go into any store I choose, I don't have to ask if they have a fat section anymore. And if I see something I like, I can buy it. Cause its gonna fit! My self esteem is through the roof now, I feel better about myself and enjoy dressing up and seeing the appreciating looks I get from my husband, he hasn't looked me like that in years. He has a totally new wife. I even shop for lingerie, something I wouldn't even consider doing before.

More important than the way I look, is the way I feel! Like a totally new person. I have so much energy and can actually get out and do things with my children, things I was never able to do before. And I know that because I chose gastric bypass I've added years to my life. The health problems I had have all but disappeared.

The way in which gastric bypass surgery works with your body to help you lose the weight. Is by making the stomach much smaller. And allowing any food you may eat to bypass the small intestine. Which leads to fewer calories being absorbed by the body, fewer calories absorbed, the more weight you lose.

The surgery is by no means a miracle procedure. Its simply a tool to help you better manage your healthy lifestyle choices. Even if you do chose weight loss surgery, you still must eat right and exercise, and be committed to a healthy lifestyle. Personally, I'm extremely grateful to my doctor and and med health care center in Anderson S.C. for giving me back my self esteem, my health and an opportunity to live a better quality of life in my beautiful new size 10 body.