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elSicomoro · 08-13-2016, 08:42 PM

Long post incoming...

I am now a year post-surgery...did I ever mention I was having the surgery here? I don't know if I did. Anyhoo...

So at the beginning of 2015, I was at my highest weight ever (450 lbs/205 kg), and just a hot mess. I was genuinely worried I would die sooner rather than later. So I was approved for gastric bypass in January, but my insurance company required that I do a 3-month diet before having surgery. In addition, I had to do counseling and go full liquid for 2 weeks before surgery. On June 29, I went under the knife and was at the home the next day...at 410 lbs/186 kg. Recovery was fairly uneventful, and I went back to work 2 weeks later.

It was a real trial and error as far as food. I followed the guidelines pretty well, but tried to jump the gun a couple times...and learned the hard way by vomiting like a motherfucker. I exercised and ate well and was down 160 lbs by January.

Then I started developing some complications, mainly with digesting meat. Then I was also on the road a lot. The only thing I could comfortable tolerate for some time was carbs, which of course is no good when you have this kind of surgery. The issue was that the opening from my stomach to my intestine had started scarring over and was restricting my food intake. After 3 stretches, I was back to eating meat again about a month ago, and now that I'm off the road, the weight is starting to come off again. Just had my yearly followup last week and the doctors are pleased.

Before surgery, I was taking diabetes medicine, cholesterol medicine (I didn't have high cholesterol, but my doctors thought it good given my weight and my long-term heart condition), and some other meds. Right after surgery, I was only taking my heart pill, my anti-anxiety med and Zyrtec. Unfortunately, when I started having the stomach issues, I had to start up on Prilosec AND Pepcid AND Carafate to reduce acid in my new stomach. I'm off the carafate now, and will hopefully be able to drop the other acid blockers next year.

I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat, despite all the complications of the last 6 months (mainly throwing up after eating...oooh, that's fun!). I'm down 3-4 sizes and have more energy than I have in a long time. And I look much better. I will have to have another surgery, probably next year, to remove all the excess fat. Looking forward to that...seriously.

Of course, here's the thing...when you have a food addiction as I do, the surgery is a helper...your stomach will reject what it doesn't want. BUT...you have to learn to deal with the things that led you down that path in the first place. I can't point to any specific psychological or physical issues that necessarily led me down the path. I mean, I've always been fat and food was a source of comfort. It also led in part to two bankruptcies...and it wasn't even good food that much. Just the worst shit!

Ultimately, I'd like to be at 220/100...but if I'm stalled at 280/127, I'm good.

08-13-2016, 08:42 PM	#12
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	Long post incoming... I am now a year post-surgery...did I ever mention I was having the surgery here? I don't know if I did. Anyhoo... So at the beginning of 2015, I was at my highest weight ever (450 lbs/205 kg), and just a hot mess. I was genuinely worried I would die sooner rather than later. So I was approved for gastric bypass in January, but my insurance company required that I do a 3-month diet before having surgery. In addition, I had to do counseling and go full liquid for 2 weeks before surgery. On June 29, I went under the knife and was at the home the next day...at 410 lbs/186 kg. Recovery was fairly uneventful, and I went back to work 2 weeks later. It was a real trial and error as far as food. I followed the guidelines pretty well, but tried to jump the gun a couple times...and learned the hard way by vomiting like a motherfucker. I exercised and ate well and was down 160 lbs by January. Then I started developing some complications, mainly with digesting meat. Then I was also on the road a lot. The only thing I could comfortable tolerate for some time was carbs, which of course is no good when you have this kind of surgery. The issue was that the opening from my stomach to my intestine had started scarring over and was restricting my food intake. After 3 stretches, I was back to eating meat again about a month ago, and now that I'm off the road, the weight is starting to come off again. Just had my yearly followup last week and the doctors are pleased. Before surgery, I was taking diabetes medicine, cholesterol medicine (I didn't have high cholesterol, but my doctors thought it good given my weight and my long-term heart condition), and some other meds. Right after surgery, I was only taking my heart pill, my anti-anxiety med and Zyrtec. Unfortunately, when I started having the stomach issues, I had to start up on Prilosec AND Pepcid AND Carafate to reduce acid in my new stomach. I'm off the carafate now, and will hopefully be able to drop the other acid blockers next year. I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat, despite all the complications of the last 6 months (mainly throwing up after eating...oooh, that's fun!). I'm down 3-4 sizes and have more energy than I have in a long time. And I look much better. I will have to have another surgery, probably next year, to remove all the excess fat. Looking forward to that...seriously. Of course, here's the thing...when you have a food addiction as I do, the surgery is a helper...your stomach will reject what it doesn't want. BUT...you have to learn to deal with the things that led you down that path in the first place. I can't point to any specific psychological or physical issues that necessarily led me down the path. I mean, I've always been fat and food was a source of comfort. It also led in part to two bankruptcies...and it wasn't even good food that much. Just the worst shit! Ultimately, I'd like to be at 220/100...but if I'm stalled at 280/127, I'm good.