Surgery +5 Days
Weight: 310.7 lbs (-5.9)
BMI: 42.1 (-0.8)
Fat: 45.3% (-2.3)
Neck: 20" (-1)
Bicep: 16" (-0)
Forearm: 13" (-0)
Chest: 56" (-0.5)
Waist: 56" (-0)
Hips: 44" (-1)
Thigh: 26" (-1)
Calf: 17.5" (-0.5)
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
The Surgery - Part One
Annette (my wife) and I were 5 minutes early for my check-in time of 7:45 AM at LDS Hospital this last Wednesday, April 25th. After signing a few forms and being "tagged," we were called back by a nurse a little after eight. She asked a number of questions including my name and birth date. I learned through "much" repetition that my name and birth date were being used as a security check at each step. I wasn't sure what to think when they asked whether I knew my name and birth date — this was before any anesthesia.
We were led to a prep room. Here I was given my hospital formal wear, shaved (not my face), had blood drawn, given my first of four heparin shots (sting!), and attached to an IV drip. Around 9:30 AM, I was escorted to a waiting gurney. I was wheeled down the hall until we reached a waiting room door, where Annette was asked — of all things — to wait.
I got a quick glimpse of the surgery board as I was rolled by; and yes, it did look just like the one on Scrubs. It appeared that I was the third surgery for Dr. Smith this morning. I point this out because I know I was the first to signup for surgery on this day. I was told at the same time that this didn't guarantee me the first open spot and that a number of "medical" factors would determine the order. Sesh! So much for that early bird.
My gurney was stopped below a yellow sign that designated the area as the operating room parking zone. I was left to my own thoughts for a short period. It was at this point that the immensity of the situation began to hit. I was going to be put to sleep, have my abdomen cut open, and my guts rearranged. And, just in case you were wondering, from a reclined position, you can't see the exit signs.
I do feel I was very blessed in the hospital. I felt the thoughts and prayers of my family and friends; and I knew I wasn't alone.
One blessing came in the form of one of the operating room nurses. During some of the wait time, she told me that she had the same surgery, by the same surgeon, just seven months earlier. Now I know that Dr. Smith had performed this surgery hundreds, if not thousands, of times. However, knowing that one of my nurses had just gone through what I was going through — it brought me some comfort.
All quiet quickly disappeared as I was interviewed by another nurse, the anesthesiologist, and the surgeon. A little after 10 AM, it was time to be moved into the surgery room. The anesthesiologist stopped the gurney in the surgery room doors to give me my first dose of medication.
I was moved from the gurney onto a very narrow operating table. The nurses secured my arms to my side in foam. I think I was also belted to the table. I was given another dose of medication. The surgery room had some five monitors around the table. It appeared that a number of them were for the laparoscopic cameras and others for displaying vitals. It was about this time that I thought I heard something about a third dose of medication.
Around 11:30 AM Annette was called into a consultation room. A few minutes later Dr. Smith joined her and let her know that the procedure went smoothly. They didn't need to remove my gallbladder, even though it is very common to do so. He mentioned that he wished every patient was built so well for this surgery — I am not exactly sure what this means, but it sounds good.
We were led to a prep room. Here I was given my hospital formal wear, shaved (not my face), had blood drawn, given my first of four heparin shots (sting!), and attached to an IV drip. Around 9:30 AM, I was escorted to a waiting gurney. I was wheeled down the hall until we reached a waiting room door, where Annette was asked — of all things — to wait.
I got a quick glimpse of the surgery board as I was rolled by; and yes, it did look just like the one on Scrubs. It appeared that I was the third surgery for Dr. Smith this morning. I point this out because I know I was the first to signup for surgery on this day. I was told at the same time that this didn't guarantee me the first open spot and that a number of "medical" factors would determine the order. Sesh! So much for that early bird.
My gurney was stopped below a yellow sign that designated the area as the operating room parking zone. I was left to my own thoughts for a short period. It was at this point that the immensity of the situation began to hit. I was going to be put to sleep, have my abdomen cut open, and my guts rearranged. And, just in case you were wondering, from a reclined position, you can't see the exit signs.
I do feel I was very blessed in the hospital. I felt the thoughts and prayers of my family and friends; and I knew I wasn't alone.
One blessing came in the form of one of the operating room nurses. During some of the wait time, she told me that she had the same surgery, by the same surgeon, just seven months earlier. Now I know that Dr. Smith had performed this surgery hundreds, if not thousands, of times. However, knowing that one of my nurses had just gone through what I was going through — it brought me some comfort.
All quiet quickly disappeared as I was interviewed by another nurse, the anesthesiologist, and the surgeon. A little after 10 AM, it was time to be moved into the surgery room. The anesthesiologist stopped the gurney in the surgery room doors to give me my first dose of medication.
I was moved from the gurney onto a very narrow operating table. The nurses secured my arms to my side in foam. I think I was also belted to the table. I was given another dose of medication. The surgery room had some five monitors around the table. It appeared that a number of them were for the laparoscopic cameras and others for displaying vitals. It was about this time that I thought I heard something about a third dose of medication.
* * *
Around 11:30 AM Annette was called into a consultation room. A few minutes later Dr. Smith joined her and let her know that the procedure went smoothly. They didn't need to remove my gallbladder, even though it is very common to do so. He mentioned that he wished every patient was built so well for this surgery — I am not exactly sure what this means, but it sounds good.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Weigh-in (-2 Days)
Surgery -2 Days
Weight: 316.6 lbs (-13.1)
BMI: 42.9 (-1.8)
Fat: 47.0% (+0.6)
Neck: 21" (-0.5)
Bicep: 16" (-0.5)
Forearm: 13" (-0.5)
Chest: 56.5" (-1.5)
Waist: 56" (-2)
Hips: 45" (-2)
Thigh: 27" (-0)
Calf: 18" (-1.0)
Weight: 316.6 lbs (-13.1)
BMI: 42.9 (-1.8)
Fat: 47.0% (+0.6)
Neck: 21" (-0.5)
Bicep: 16" (-0.5)
Forearm: 13" (-0.5)
Chest: 56.5" (-1.5)
Waist: 56" (-2)
Hips: 45" (-2)
Thigh: 27" (-0)
Calf: 18" (-1.0)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Radiology Orders
Surgery -8 Days
This morning started with an ultrasound of my gallbladder and an upper GI series. The results were normal, which means fewer possible complications during surgery.
Here are some pictures from my tests for my 9-year-old daughter; she loves medical images (her medical knowledge is a little scary sometimes).
This morning started with an ultrasound of my gallbladder and an upper GI series. The results were normal, which means fewer possible complications during surgery.
Here are some pictures from my tests for my 9-year-old daughter; she loves medical images (her medical knowledge is a little scary sometimes).
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gallbladder |
![]() |
esophagus |
Monday, April 16, 2012
Weigh-in (-9 Days)
Surgery -9 Days
This seems like a good time for my first weigh-in with photos — not for the faint of heart!
Weight: 329.7 lbs
BMI: 44.7
Fat: 46.4%
Neck: 21.5"
Bicep: 16.5"
Forearm: 13.5"
Chest: 58"
Waist: 58"
Hips: 47"
Thigh: 27"
Calf: 19"
This seems like a good time for my first weigh-in with photos — not for the faint of heart!
Weight: 329.7 lbs
BMI: 44.7
Fat: 46.4%
Neck: 21.5"
Bicep: 16.5"
Forearm: 13.5"
Chest: 58"
Waist: 58"
Hips: 47"
Thigh: 27"
Calf: 19"
Pre-Surgery Diet
Surgery -9 Days
Today I start my pre-surgery diet. It is a a high-protein low-carbohydrate diet with no more than 1,000 calories per day. I will be starting with a Slim-Fast shake for breakfast and lunch.
Today I start my pre-surgery diet. It is a a high-protein low-carbohydrate diet with no more than 1,000 calories per day. I will be starting with a Slim-Fast shake for breakfast and lunch.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Roux en-Y Gastric Bypass
Surgery -13 Days
I have opted to have the Roux en-Y gastric bypass. The procedure has a good track record and long-term results. While the less invasive nature of the lap band was appealing, I felt the combination of restriction, absorption, and physiological changes of the gastric bypass was a better option for me.
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Graphic depiction of anatomy of Gastric Bypass, Roux en-Y (Proximal Technique) Courtesy of Ethicon Endosurgery, used with permission. |
Gastric bypass procedures (GBP) are any of a group of similar operations that first divides the stomach into a small upper pouch and a much larger lower "remnant" pouch and then re-arranges the small intestine to connect to both. Surgeons have developed several different ways to reconnect the intestine, thus leading to several different GBP names. Any GBP leads to a marked reduction in the functional volume of the stomach, accompanied by an altered physiological and physical response to food.
The small intestine is divided approximately 45 cm (18 in) below the lower stomach outlet and is re-arranged into a Y-configuration, enabling outflow of food from the small upper stomach pouch via a "Roux limb". In the proximal version, the Y-intersection is formed near the upper (proximal) end of the small intestine. The Roux limb is constructed using 80–150 cm (31–59 in) of the small intestine, preserving the rest (and the majority) of it for absorbing nutrients. The patient will experience very rapid onset of the stomach feeling full, followed by a growing satiety (or "indifference" to food) shortly after the start of a meal ("Gastric bypass surgery," 2012).
Gastric bypass surgery. (2012, April 8). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 12, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gastric_bypass_surgery&oldid=486249276
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Prologue
Surgery -14 Days
According to my calendar, I will be having gastric-bypass surgery two weeks from today. The reality of the surgery is beginning to set in and my heart is starting to beat a little faster. Don't get me wrong. I am confident in my decision and the hope for a "thinner me" is intoxicating. The actual surgery, however, makes me want to run and hide.
I have really appreciated those of you who have chronicled your experiences with weight-loss surgery. Reading about you has added a sense of reality to the clinical documents I have read on the subject. This is my attempt to reciprocate and at the same time create a record for myself. My wife is a great writer. I am not. But I will do my best to record my story.
Once upon a time . . .
According to my calendar, I will be having gastric-bypass surgery two weeks from today. The reality of the surgery is beginning to set in and my heart is starting to beat a little faster. Don't get me wrong. I am confident in my decision and the hope for a "thinner me" is intoxicating. The actual surgery, however, makes me want to run and hide.
I have really appreciated those of you who have chronicled your experiences with weight-loss surgery. Reading about you has added a sense of reality to the clinical documents I have read on the subject. This is my attempt to reciprocate and at the same time create a record for myself. My wife is a great writer. I am not. But I will do my best to record my story.
Once upon a time . . .
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