No regrets and so thankful for this forum
Hi all:
I haven't posted a bunch but have been reading regularly for about a year. Because I have learned so much from other's experience I thought I would share a bit of my journey.
Grew up in ON and moved to BC 25 years ago. Moved back to ON in late 2011 and started the WL journey in early 2012 when my new family doctor asked me: How can I help you lose weight? I had never been asked that question before and it was so helpful.
I have pictures of myself pre-teen and I am a regular sized kid. In early teens turned to food for control. Was active and athletic in high school and beyond. Was always able to do what I wanted to do physically and thankfully had no health issues, except the obvious - obesity. And this nasty habit of eating junk, junk and more junk and not really wanting to examine why. Oh, and sleep apnea. In the last 3-4 years I slowed down, not able to do as much. Wanted to do less and less. New family doctor said BP was rising and he wondered about diabetes. I had always said 'I am fine, being fat isn't affecting my mobility, health and quality of life'. Gosh was I ever in denial.
Referral to Bariatric Network was made mid 2012 and I attended my orientation in Sept 2012. Younger and much skinner (lol) sister came with me and it was an eye opener. The nutritionist who was showing bags and bags of sugar demonstrating how much was in foods I was eating was a real eye opener. Even Skinny Sister was shocked. After that I went to HRRH for my appointments and met the surgeon, Dr. Sohi, early on. He explained the surgery and told me that he wanted me to get to 160 pounds. He was also surprised that I weighed 360 pounds because as I have heard all my life - 'you carry your weight so well'...nice way of saying 'you aren't as fat as the scale says you are!' LOL
Finished all appointments, including heart stress test (a long morning but no sweat, really, it isn't). I didn't have to have sleep test as I already had a CPAP machine so was cleared to go. Started OPTI Jan 11/13 for 2 weeks. Didn't have any issues, liked the chocolate better. Did go off program once and kicked myself in the ass and got back on track. Really had to look at why I was doing this and ensure it was what I wanted. It was!
Surgery at HRRH was Jan 25th and I cannot say enough good things about the whole process. From the moment I got to the hospital until discharge 2 days later I had excellent care. Ok, there was one nurse who was a bit cranky but not an issue. Walked into the surgery room and had a bit of a look around and then the team got right to work. I was out quickly and woke up in recovery - little pain. Got moved to my room about 5 hours later. Nurses were excellent - yes, they came during the night to give me pain meds and take BP - all part of the job. Who can sleep in a hospital anyway, right? My room was busy with other emergencies so I hunkered down and slept a lot, walked a lot, had my cell phone (with charger) to stay in touch and hung out in my hospital gown for 2 days. Had some family visitors but was really ok on my own because I wanted to rest. Got a lot of paperwork to read and honestly, didn't look at it until home. NUT came to go over my discharge plan on the same day as surgery and I was still pretty out of it but she left a lot of good written info.
Discharged on Sunday, a little later because of higher BP. Went to sister's to recoup for a week and then home. First week was mainly getting meds and vitamins figured out and eating a bit at a time and SIP, SIP and SIP water. I am just over 10 weeks out and this is what I have learned
- this surgery is an amazing gift and opportunity - it isn't easy but who said that things worth having are easy
- take it one day at a time and if necessary, one meal at a time - plan ahead if you can
- track what you eat (I am not always good at this but am working on it every day) - if you don't know what you are eating then it is hard to know if you are getting the right amounts of what is needed
- a support system is key, whether family, friends, co-workers, here or wherever - yes, this is an individual journey each bite at a time but it takes a village to get it done
- this forum is exceptional; I do intend to join one of the coffee groups to meet some more folks
- be gentle with yourself - you will fall down, maybe dump, have pain, perhaps even wonder what the heck you have done - this will pass. As the weight comes off you can do more and more and that means you want to do more and more!
Ok, I sound like I am lecturing so will get off my soapbox. I also want to say thank you to all who post, and in particular the vets - you don't always know that your words help - but they do!!
Happy Tuesday, Carolyn
Glad you did so well in surgery, Carolyn, and it sounds like you really have it together!
I'm also very grateful every day for this forum. Such a great place for support!
Referral to registry: Oct 21, 2011 Orientation (TWH): Feb 22, 2012 Surgery: Nov 7, 2012
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