SunshineSleeve

I've carried too many pounds since I was 14 years old trying to escape a childhood of abuse. Those pounds were the wall I put up to protect myself, but long after the child abuse ended, the wall of fat remained. Over the years I've gone the Weight Watchers route (minimal success because I hated the weigh in), Jenny Craig (moderate success, but I got bored with the meals), OptiFast (liquids only? You're kidding!), Atkins (wildly successful but gee I missed bread), and Meridia (very successful until the FDA took it off the market) to name but a few. The fat always came back!

Late last Summer (2011) after a couple of painful but productive years of therapy, I started to think about why I was keeping that wall of fat up around me. I'd faced my childhood demons and survived the showdown, I was in a stable marriage (my 1st, his 4th) and had developed the sort of female friendship I'd previously only imagined existed. I felt stronger emotionally than I ever had, and ready to face my weight head on. So I started to research the various weight loss methods available to me, including bariatric surgery.

By late September 2011 I was 99% certain I wanted to proceed with the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. I'd found a local hospital and doctor with a proven track record, and my research indicated this particular doctor had substantial success with the VSG. Having done my due diligence, and feeling confidant of my decision, I called the Bridges Center for Surgical Weight Management, to schedule my attendance at their informational seminar for the first week of October.

That evening I listened and took notes as the doctor and Bridges spokesperson discussed the various weight loss surgeries. By the end of the evening I was 100% comitted to the VSG and ready to get the insurance and doctor/hospital balls rolling. The following morning I phoned my insurance company to find out how many hoops they'd require me to jump through. Next came a call to my primary care provider to meet and discuss the required 6-month pre-surgery diet. Luckily my pcp was able to see me the following day, thereby avoiding any unnecessary delay. I guess it didn't hurt that I was pretty insistent about getting in to see him. Just as I was insistent with Bridges to get things going on their end.

By the time 6 months was up I'd received my Cardiac clearence, Pulmonary clearence, Diet clearence, Sleep Apnea clearence, and Psych clearence. I'd lost 30 some pounds, read nearly every book on the subject of successful weight loss following VSG and had joined one of the several on-line obesity forums. I had also created a large portfolio of positive verbal affirmations and photos and had posted several around my home and on my computer for reinforcement. I was so ready that had the insurance company called to ask if the doctor/hospital could get me in sooner, I'd have jumped at the opportunity!

I can honestly tell you that since that first evening informational seminar at Bridges, I have not had even a momentary doubt about this surgery, or my decision to finally and forever get rid of this fat.

My surgery was April 19th 2012 at 09:30am at St Luke's Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona and my surgeon was Dr Daniel Fang. I couldn't have asked for a better doctor/hospital experience. From check-in to discharge St Luke's runs a tight ship, and Dr Fang is fabulous to work with as well. I was in the hospital overnight, in large part because I'd asked my husband Keith to kick my ass if need be, to keep me from laying in bed. I wanted him to push me to get up and walk ... not that I needed much pushing. Even after he'd gone home that night, I was out of bed every 2-3 hours walking around the surgical floor. The more I walked, the better I felt, and that meant I'd be able to go home the following day. Right on plan.

The first few days at home were all about discovering how to sit and sleep comfortably, and what and when to eat. As expected, I was on clear liquids for the first week before transitioning to full liquids. I have to say here that having our Tempurpedic Adjustable bed was a Godsend! I could not sleep on either side and sleeping flat on my back was also out. Having the upper part of the bed raised just a few inches did the trick! Not only could I get into and out of bed unassisted, I could sleep easily on my back with the additional help of two bed pillows under my knees. Thankfully, my husband is really easy about things like this, and the bed's still raised two weeks post surgery.

Today I saw my surgeon for my first post-op appointment. He was very happy with my 15-pound post surgery weight loss (43 pounds total since I began my WLS journey). He cut me loose for driving and exercising, and gave me the green light to advance to "mushy foods" ... woohoo! Tonight my husband made me a scrambled egg for dinner and it was delicious!

I have a very long way to go in my journey, and I believe I'm well prepared. I'm not under any illusions that the road ahead will be easy. I know better. But I also know that the alternative is much, much worse than anything I will encounter in the coming months and years. I deserve a healthy future, and it's completely within my power to make it happen. I'm on my way, and the road ahead doesn't frighten me, it actually excites me. This isn't a diet. It's a change of lifestyle - for the rest of my life.