Today marks my 1 year to date since I had my surgery. I thought this would be a great time to share some of my experiences during my first year.
At the beginning of this crazy journey, I weighed 333 lbs. I was on a downhill road to what I was sure was an early death. I had been diagnosed with sleep apnea, diabetes, could barely walk, I was a mess. Just doing regular daily things like taking a shower, going to the store, tying my shoes was a chore and wore me out! I knew I had to do something and I had to do it fast.
I had tried dieting, I was on weight watchers, I tried Atkins, I tried just eating healthy, but I was on the yo-yo string and going up and down. It wasn't working. I started doing my research on bariatric surgery, the different types, the pros and cons, what was safest, what was most effective? I finally decided I wanted to have the gastric sleeve so I scheduled my appointment for the seminar in Oct of 2015.
After the seminar I got all my paperwork turned in, submitted my program fee and in January of 2016 I began seeing the nutritionist at KC Bariatric. My insurance required me to go on a 3 month diet, at which time I could not gain any weight. I had to at least maintain where I was at.
After my 3 month diet, I had to see the psychiatrist for a psych eval I guess to make sure I was clear in my head and could make this decision and stick with it. I think my psychiatrist was crazier than me! One of the first things he said to me is, "I feel like you are a very angry type of person." I just laughed at him and asked him why he would think that? I am one of the least angry type of people. (Maybe it was the red hair?). Anyway, I went home and told my husband what he had said and asked him to come with me to my next appointment, which he did. And sure enough, that crazy man said it again, I am an angry person. This time it was my husband's turn to laugh at him. This guy clearly does not know me. He wanted to schedule more sessions and was making it a recommendation before I could get cleared for surgery. I told him Id see my own therapist, I didn't want to see him anymore.
From May - July 2016, I had test done, got clearance from my other doctors and finally got the call that my surgery date was scheduled for August 31, 2016. I was to begin a 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery. I was dreading that part!
I had my 2 week pre-surgery appointment and my doctor asked me if I was ready to start the liquid diet. I cringed and told him not really but I was going to do it so I could have this surgery! Then he tells me that we can get by with only 1 week liquid diet! I was so happy I left that appointment and went out to eat to celebrate.
The liquid diet was hell, I hated the protein shakes, I literally had to gag them down. The first 3 days were the worst! I was so hungry! Like starving! I wanted to eat something so bad! But I stayed with my liquid diet, even when my family brought home KFC fried chicken for dinner one night! (That about killed me!)
And then finally, the day came, surgery day. I was excited, nervous, scared, all the emotions. This was the day I was going to change my life forever! I attempted to do a video pre-surgery, but I had already been given some drugs and I was a little out of it, so it might be amusing to watch!
I started a blog at another location shortly after my surgery, however, I had some issues with the company that wanted to overcharge me for that blog so I stopped. I did get a few post in however that I want to share here. The first one I want to share is about the emotional rollercoaster that no one warned me about that would happen shortly after surgery. Click <HERE> to view that post.
And for the rest of that blog in my first couple of weeks you can click <HERE> to view.
Here is a video I did at 3 weeks out from surgery...
Its crazy looking back at these videos and how far I have come since then! Here is a video gallery of some photos over the past year....
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| Sept 9, 2016 |
At the beginning of this crazy journey, I weighed 333 lbs. I was on a downhill road to what I was sure was an early death. I had been diagnosed with sleep apnea, diabetes, could barely walk, I was a mess. Just doing regular daily things like taking a shower, going to the store, tying my shoes was a chore and wore me out! I knew I had to do something and I had to do it fast.
I had tried dieting, I was on weight watchers, I tried Atkins, I tried just eating healthy, but I was on the yo-yo string and going up and down. It wasn't working. I started doing my research on bariatric surgery, the different types, the pros and cons, what was safest, what was most effective? I finally decided I wanted to have the gastric sleeve so I scheduled my appointment for the seminar in Oct of 2015.
After the seminar I got all my paperwork turned in, submitted my program fee and in January of 2016 I began seeing the nutritionist at KC Bariatric. My insurance required me to go on a 3 month diet, at which time I could not gain any weight. I had to at least maintain where I was at.
After my 3 month diet, I had to see the psychiatrist for a psych eval I guess to make sure I was clear in my head and could make this decision and stick with it. I think my psychiatrist was crazier than me! One of the first things he said to me is, "I feel like you are a very angry type of person." I just laughed at him and asked him why he would think that? I am one of the least angry type of people. (Maybe it was the red hair?). Anyway, I went home and told my husband what he had said and asked him to come with me to my next appointment, which he did. And sure enough, that crazy man said it again, I am an angry person. This time it was my husband's turn to laugh at him. This guy clearly does not know me. He wanted to schedule more sessions and was making it a recommendation before I could get cleared for surgery. I told him Id see my own therapist, I didn't want to see him anymore.
From May - July 2016, I had test done, got clearance from my other doctors and finally got the call that my surgery date was scheduled for August 31, 2016. I was to begin a 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery. I was dreading that part!
I had my 2 week pre-surgery appointment and my doctor asked me if I was ready to start the liquid diet. I cringed and told him not really but I was going to do it so I could have this surgery! Then he tells me that we can get by with only 1 week liquid diet! I was so happy I left that appointment and went out to eat to celebrate.
The liquid diet was hell, I hated the protein shakes, I literally had to gag them down. The first 3 days were the worst! I was so hungry! Like starving! I wanted to eat something so bad! But I stayed with my liquid diet, even when my family brought home KFC fried chicken for dinner one night! (That about killed me!)
And then finally, the day came, surgery day. I was excited, nervous, scared, all the emotions. This was the day I was going to change my life forever! I attempted to do a video pre-surgery, but I had already been given some drugs and I was a little out of it, so it might be amusing to watch!
I started a blog at another location shortly after my surgery, however, I had some issues with the company that wanted to overcharge me for that blog so I stopped. I did get a few post in however that I want to share here. The first one I want to share is about the emotional rollercoaster that no one warned me about that would happen shortly after surgery. Click <HERE> to view that post.
And for the rest of that blog in my first couple of weeks you can click <HERE> to view.
Here is a video I did at 3 weeks out from surgery...
Its crazy looking back at these videos and how far I have come since then! Here is a video gallery of some photos over the past year....
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