3 Weeks post-op. My Story

[ScoutCR 126]

Hello, I am currently 56 years old. I started this journey to Bariatric Surgery 1 yr ago when I was told that I had Chronic Kidney Disease. I never thought of myself as a big guy, but people all the time said to me that I was a big guy. When I was told that I had CKD my kidney GFR was only 28. The Dr told me that I would be on dialysis within 5 years. That's when I started taking my health seriously. I looked into my options and found that Bariatric Surgery had a lot of health benefits besides weight loss. I also have diabetes, high blood pressure, in addition to the kidney disease. I had also had a stroke when I was 50 years old and was determined to resolve my health issues so I applied to the Bariatric surgery program at UPMC in Pittsburgh. UPMC is 2 hours away from my home in MD, but it is so highly rated that it was worth the effort to have my surgery there. I received pre approval from my insurance to get the surgery but I had to do 6 months of supervised diet and take every test that you can imagine (I know that people who have done this surgery know what I am talking about) after doing an endoscopy the Dr told me that I also had Barrett's Esophagus which was another health problem that the gastric bypass should help to resolve. I did my 6 months and my Dr submitted my paperwork to the insurance but a question came up because during the 6 month diet I had lost slightly too much weight my BMI was a point to low, so the approval took 2 months, but they did approve the surgery on that first submittal letter. My Kidney DR had helped my cause by also submitting a letter saying that this surgery was medically necessary. I got the call that my surgery had been scheduled for the end of March 2018, but I had to postpone because of my work schedule. The surgery was rescheduled for April 26, but the surgery schedule slipped and I had the surgery on April 27. The surgical team at UPMC is first rate and everything went smooth and trouble free. They said I would be in surgery at 7:30 AM and I was there at 7:30 AM, they said I would be in recovery at 12:30 and I woke up at 12:35. I think that is amazing! I was to my room at 5:30 and was up walking at 11:00 PM. My surgery was on Friday and I was released on Sunday at noon. Everything went like clockwork. Now I will say I was in pain. When they first gave me Water I panicked because it would not go down but the nurses said that it was normal and I had to keep trying and eventually water would go down. My recovery I think is going extremely well. I had a blood test 4 days after my surgery and my GFR was 63. My kidney Dr says I can live the rest of my life with a GFR between 45 and 48 so I already consider the operation a success. I only wish that my diabetes and blood pressure had been resolved, but I am still on some of my medicine. My surgeon says to give it time and it should resolve in time. I can say that my health is already better and I am looking forward to the future after all it has only been 3 weeks after surgery and I am still eating puree as of May 21, 2018.

BTW, I am in technical sales. I love my wife who has supported me all the way, my motorcycle, and traveling. My motto is keep on going the best is yet to come!

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

Congrats on your success to date! Very inspiring!

[Em_Jay75 81]

Wonderful story. I wish you all the best and off those meds soon!! Keep on keeping on [emoji1377]

[ScoutCR 126]

Thank you! I am glad I found this site and the people here!

[psychnurse1 30]

We are almost surgery twins ... I had my surgery on the 26th.... I’m a nurse and went back to work just under two weeks. My blood pressure has already removed ( actually did so before surgery ). No arthritis pain and more energy. I’ve had no trouble getting g liquids or soft foods down. I’ve lost 33lbs so far. 20 was presugery on the two week liquid. I’m almost back to weight I was before husband died last May. Gained so much weight in last year.