dawnvsg

I was asked if I could post my story here, so here it is. If you make it to the end, I applaud you! I began researching WLS last January. My sister, age 33, had a heart attack Sept. 09, and then a triple bypass 2 days before Christmas 2009. My mom told me that we have a family history of heart disease before the age of 40. My 40th birthday was only 8 mths from that time. So about a month after her triple bypass I heard my husband talking about how a co-workers wife just had WLS, the sleeve. I never even considered looking into WLS. I always was one to say that you could do it on your own, just eat right and exercise..it's simple. BUT..after living my life at 354 lbs for at least the last 10 years, I realized that I could NOT do it on my own. I went to an Orientation on Jan. 25, 2010. By March 2010 I was approved by my insurance company and given a date of 4-16-2010 for surgery. At this point, I had been diabetic for 2 years (Type 2), and had just been put on high blood pressure med's 2 mths before surgery. I was noticing how my knees ached and hurt, especially after riding in the car and having to push up to get out of it. I rarely did the dishes, because I couldn't stand out there long enough to get them all done. When I did do dishes I would wash some, then go sit at the computer for awhile, then go back and dry them. There were times when I was cutting up meats (for pizza) that I would take everything to the table and sit down to do it. I remember laying on my side in bed, and literally not being able to put my arm behind me and touch the bed. I snored something terrible. My husband told me that I would stop breathing at times and he would lay awake waiting for me to breathe again. I called once to go in for a sleep apnea test, but I was too uncomfortable w/the idea of staying the night at the hospital and someone watching me all night, so I cancelled and never went. Whenever I went to the grocery store, I would always get a cart, even if I only needed a few things. I would tell my husband that my purse is too heavy, so I like having a cart..when I actually just needed that cart to lean on, because my back would be killing me just walking through the store. I always got so mad when my husband would park far away from the store, instead of driving around to find some place close. So, everything happened so quick. I was scared to death. At the hospital, just before being pushed into the operating room, I almost backed out. The only thing that kept me from getting up and leaving was the fact that I figured we'd be charged some big bucks if I did. Oh..just to mention, I did have a 2 wk preop diet to follow. I had to purchase high Protein foods from my surgeons office, and was only allowed to eat that for the two weeks, and it sucked..tasted horrid. My surgery was a Friday morning. It only took about 1 hour. I woke up to a few nurses saying my name..and hitting me on the arm. I wondered what the heck they were hitting my arm for. They asked me if I was in any pain, and what my number is..1 out 10..10 being the most pain. I said my number is a 10..I need pain medicine. They told me that the IV had quit working, and they were trying to find a vein to put in a new one..and as soon as they did, they would give me medicine. My husband was brought in to sit next to me. I kept falling asleep..and then the machine (I guess that keeps track of your oxygen) would keeping beeping. A nurse would hurry in the room and tell me to take nice deep breaths. So I would start breathing deeply..the machine would quiet..then I'd fall back asleep..only to have the same thing happen again. They asked my husband a few times if I had brought my CPap machine with me (I've never been diagnosed, nor have a machine). I guess I should have pushed for a sleep apnea test before surgery. That whole first day I primarily slept. My husband sat by me the entire day. When i was awake I was given a cup with ice chips to suck on or eat for that first day. I had to have shots in my belly because of the diabetes (didn't want me swallowing pills). The shots didn't hurt at all. I was up and walking in the hallways that first day. I had 6 incisions, no drains, no catheters. No staples, just steri-strips over the incisions. The next morning the surgeon came in (not mine, but another one from his office) and said all my stats were looking good, that there was no reason to do an upper gi..(leak test). He told me if I could handle the liquid pain med's (instead of in my IV) and hold down some Protein drinks, I could go home that day. I had no problem getting in the protein drinks, and the pain med's worked fine. I was discharged by 5pm that day (only 1 night in the hospital). The only thing I would suggest bringing is chap stick..my mouth was so dry. For that first 4-6 weeks my mouth was always dry. I would keep a glass of Water by my bed to drink when I'd wake up in the night. I also had a funny metalic taste (bad breath) for awhile. It made even my water taste funny. I've always loved water, but couldn't stand it that first month. After that everything returned to normal though. I was regretting having the surgery for a short period of time at about 3 weeks postop. I was just so mad that I couldn't eat what I wanted to eat. I would see my family eating pizza and want it so bad. I actually, when noone was looking, ate a bite of pizza..chewed it up really good..then spit it in the trash. I did that a few times. Seems silly now..but then..it made me feel better. Now..I am thrilled that I had surgery. So much has changed. I feel so much better. I remember reading a quote somewhere where someone said "I didn't know how bad I felt, until I felt good"...that makes so much sense to me. I think we get used to how we are feeling, and think of it as normal. Now that I feel so good, I realize how not-normal my life was before surgery. My husband just told me today how worried he was about my health before surgery. He was afraid he was going to lose me at an early age. I have a terrific husband..always been supportive and loving with me. Here are some of my stats. I have weighed 354 for at least 10 years. I lost 14 pounds during my two week preop diet, so I was 340 on surgery day. I lost 14 lbs the first week after surgery. At 2 mths postop I had lost 63 lbs, 3 mths postop I lost 77 lbs, 4 mths postop I lost 84 lbs, 5 mths postop I lost 98 lbs, 6 mths postop I lost 105 lbs, 7 mths postop I lost 115 lbs, 8 mths postop I lost 123 lbs, and next week i will be 9 mths postop, my grand total so far is minus 127 lbs. I have so much more energy now. I was wearing a size 32 jean, today I am wearing a between a 16 and 18, depending on the jeans. I am 5ft 5 inches tall. I can stand behind my husband and wrap my arms around him, my stomach no longer gets in the way. I can lay on the bed, only lifting my head..and see over my stomach. I can see my toes. I can bend and paint my toes. I can sit in the chair and cross my legs, no needing to use my other hand to help my leg up. I can walk around the store forever and not get a cart, and not have my back hurt at all. I purposely park as far from the store as I can. I no longer wonder what I'm having for the next meal. Many many positives. There are times I wish I could eat more of something that I love. But that feeling doesn't last long. I have found that I can eat a bit more now that I could before 6 mths postop. Not much though. Instead of 1-3/4 of a meatball..I can not eat 2-3/4 meatballs. The one thing I'm finding difficult right now, is friendships. I've had a few friends tell me that they don't want to hear about my weightloss anymore. Its difficult, because I don't feel I have anyone to talk to. I don't feel like they understand (or even want to hear) how difficult it is to get used to all the changes. Everything has changed. I still walk into the store and go right for the size 32 jeans, and the 4x tops. I just don't see myself as being smaller. I am getting alot more positive attention from strangers. I've always been outgoing and talkative, but now people are actually talking back, and looking me in the eye. Ok, I've rambled on and on. If theirs something you are curious about, please ask!!

Well thank you to all of you who responded. I'm so happy to know that my story helped some of you. I know I did TONS of reading and learning before surgery, and I still am. It's just now I'm searching for all the posts from people at least a year out, to learn what life will be like then for me. I see far fewer people posting though that are farther out. I am keeping this in mind, and plan on sticking around to continue helping others if they have questions. Thanks again for taking the time to respond!! I added a picture that was taken today of me. Before at 354, and today at 225

Just a little FYI...if any of you are on Facebook..you can look me up under 'Dawn Vsg'..I have before/after pictures on there.

Yep..you're not alone w/that metallic taste..and it will go away!! And thank you so much for saying I'm cute. What girl doesn't love to hear that?!

Well thank you..I appreciate it! And thanks for reading the WHOLE thing..lol Ya, I've only lost 4 pounds so far from month 8 til month 9. This coming Sunday I'll be 9 mths postop. I'm hoping to lose at least another pound by then. Kinda frustrating to see only 4-5 lbs for the month..but I'll take it. I've heard it starts coming off slower the closer you are to goal. I'm at 227 today..and hoping to get to at least 170..so I didn't figure I was 'closer' yet..lol

your welcome! and thank you for reading!

a pic of me before and a month ago

Hi! I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Dawn, and I had the sleeve 4-16-2010. I have lost 127 pounds so far in 8-1/2 mths. I was wearing a size 32 jean, and weighed 354 lbs. Today I am wearing a size 16 jean and weigh 227 lbs. Best decision I ever made was having this surgery. I feel wonderful, and would recommend anyone thinking of WLS to look into the sleeve. Research all the surgery types and decide what is right for you. I love the choice I have made in having the sleeve.

Okay..I hope this works! Here are a few pictures of me. The one is me before surgery at 354 lbs, and 8mths postop in a size 18 jean (size 32 jean before). The other picture is various pictures of me before surgery..and me now.

Thank You! And yes..I am understanding of how my weight loss may be making her feel. Even my friends give me the vibe that they don't want to hear about my loss. I thought that's what friends were for though..to be there for each other. I find myself very much alone with noone I can talk to. There are so many changes going on with me, but yet I don't have anyone to discuss it with. I guess I feel I've been there for my friends w/everything they have been through, so just because this has to do with weight...they don't have to be there for me? I know that wasn't what you had implied at all..just how I'm feeling right now. The message boards are great, but I really wish I had someone who has went through surgery and lived close by to get together with and talk one on one. I need a friend..LOL

Oh i totally know what you mean about the clothes, and that moment of panic. Looking at these size 16 jeans I have..I've noticed how short the length of the zipper portion is..compared to my 32 jeans. So weird to hold them up and look at them..because they look way too small for me. I remember looking at the more fashionable jeans in 16's and smaller, wishing I could wear them, but knowing I would never wear them..then surgery..and now 8-1/2 mths later..OMG..amazed! I told my mom that I am wearing a size 16 jean, i was so excited..what does she say? She says..'Well..were they womans..or were they misses?'...because she wears misses. I sense that she's getting a bit jealous that I am closer to her size now. Many little comments, so i don't even mention weight to her anymore.

Thank You! And I would love to add some pictures for you all to see, but I cannot figure out how. Any tips on adding them? I see the link to add image, but you need to know the URL of the image..I can't figure that part out.

Thank You! My goal is to weigh 170, and then see how I'm feeling, and how much farther down I can go. So I need to lose another 57 lbs to get to 170. Doesn't sound like alot, when I've already lost 127..but I know (from hearing others stories) that it gets harder to lose the weight the closer you get to goal. Hmm..the best part about losing this much weight..just has to be my improved self-esteem. My husband got tired of hearing me call myself fat all the time, and put myself down. Now..I am always joking w/my teenage boys that all their friends are gonna wanna flirt with me because I'm so hot..lol I am no longer diabetic..or have high blood pressure. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about 2 yrs before I had surgery, and I just got put on high blood pressure med's 3 mths before surgery. I'm no longer on any med's other than for my thyroid. That was the main goal of having this surgery..to get off those med's and to add years to my life. I no longer snore at night too..which is wonderful! It seems so unreal to me to have changed this much in this short of time. I am so happy..but its all so emotional too. I go in the store shopping for clothes and go directly for the size 32 jeans..which i wore before surgery. I still don't see myself as being smaller. I never would have imagined I could be wearing a size 16 jean already..unbelievable.

I would suggest you go to another surgeon who has done many VSG's. Surgeons will always push for what they are most comfortable with doing, and obviously he isn't familiar enough with the sleeve. I was scared of having surgery also. I am married, with 3 boys. I had the sleeve 4-16-2010..and have went from 354 lbs to 227 lbs currently..and feel fantastic! It's a scary decision to make at first, but one that has changed my life already. Best of luck in your decision..but don't let ONE surgeon be the voice for all.