Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery

I haven't written about this yet, I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk about it over my blog. I am very seriously considering having bariatric surgery in November. When I say "very seriously", I have a pre-op appointment and a surgery date. This decision hasn't come to me easily and I have concerns about it but I feel it is the best option for me and I don't know what else to do.

Most of you know I've been struggling with my weight since I was about 8 years old. I've tried so many diets and until this past year have been a pretty consistent exerciser. This year has taken it's toll. I had knee surgery a year and a half ago and developed impingement syndrome in my shoulder swimming last summer. Between the knee and the shoulder and working and not sleeping and the gallbladder, I'm a mess. I just want to be able to move again.

I found a surgeon in North Carolina who performs the "mini gastric bypass". The typical bypass surgery creates a stomach pouch, then bypasses and reattaches the small intestine in two places. I'd have to draw a picture as I'm not great at explaining. There are lots of complications with that surgery, my biggest fear being you can stretch out the small pouch and end up back where you started. The "mini" instead of making a pouch divides the stomach length-wise creating a tube then bypasses part of the small intestine and reattaches it further down. There is only one new connection point and the stomach is significantly harder to stretch. Additionally, the risks are significantly decreased.

To qualify for my insurance to pay for the surgery I have had to meet with a nutritionist and my physician for 6 months, have a psychological evaluation, have a support letter written and notorized, and write personal statements. September will be my 6th month.

As I go into the final months of preparation I'm getting scared. I'm afraid my insurance won't cover it. I'm afraid it won't work. I'm afraid I'll have digestion and malnutrition problems. I'm afraid I'll have loose skin. I'm afraid I'll lose unevenly and look funny. I'm afraid.

I've talked to loads of people who have had this surgery and other gastric bypass surgeries and I've yet to have anyone say they regret it. Many have said they would do it all over again - even if they had complications. I'm still working through my fears, obviously, and while I may sound awfully scared tonight, usually I'm quite confident in my decision. I know this won't be an easy path but I'm hoping to start a new story. I want my new story to be unhindered by obesity.

Montgomery County Fair

My friends and I went to the Montgomery County Fair last weekend... it was all a county fair should be... loads of fried food... farm animals... pig races... decorated toilets... and yes, fried Oreos are delicious!!! Oh, and it was pouring rain the whole time...

Jensen Family Reunion Scrapbook

Kelli put together these darling scrapbook projects for us to work on during the Jensen family reunion. I finally finished putting my photos in it. I LOVED working on this project - it even inspired me to make some cards and start on my London-Paris scrapbook (the trip was a year and a half ago). Thanks Kelli for the new hobby!

Random, middle of the night thoughts...

I've seen every version of "Persuasion" (pretty sure), most of them countless times. I've read the book, countless times. It's still my favorite.

I completely loved making scrapbooks at the family reunion so I bought a few things to make cards. I really enjoyed having a perfectly acceptable middle of the night activity. I may even do it again.

I got to go home for the Jensen Family reunion. We stayed in Placerville, CA for a few days. It was so great to catch up with my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. I miss them.

It's really hot here.

Did I say I really love "Persuasion"? Capt. Wentworth is my favorite of the Austen men, sorry Mr. Darcy. It also makes me wish I lived in England.

I love my job. It kicks my trash. My favorite patient was the one who came in for menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding.... yesterday. No problems today.... just yesterday. She came in about 2am. Just curious, were the infomercials so bad she the ER would be more entertaining?

Being up in the middle of the night, alone, is weird.

Since I have been here... there has been a Memorial Day BBQ, swimming lessons, gymnastics, 1st grade music performance, preschool graduation, and loads of sleep. Tomorrow will be a family river day... I am recovering well.

I had my post-op appt today and was given the thumbs-up to go home for the remainder of my recovery. I will be off for another 2 weeks and am looking forward to spending them with my nieces, nephews, and boat.

I also picked up my CPAP machine. So now I'm like every other middle-aged, overweight man. Let's just hope I don't terrify the kiddo's with the mask!

For the past 6 months or so I've been experiencing moderately to horribly painful abdominal pain. I had an ultrasound in October that showed gallstones but no infection, no thickening of the walls, no blockages, no reason to do anything now. So I kept taking handfuls of tylenol and ibuprofen, manipulating my diet and doing little more than eating, sleeping, and working. I finally gave up and saw my MD last Monday who referred me to a surgeon saying it may be time to take it out. My appointment was for yesterday.

Friday was my first off-orientation shift. All was going well, I didn't feel great and asked to go to an early lunch. Patient flow didn't cooperate and I finally went to dinner about 5pm (I'd been working since 10am). After a few bites of my salad the pain was too intense. I went back to the ER and asked my charge nurse if what she thought. Her suggestion, lay down. About 10 minutes later I was admitted to the ED for abdominal pain.

I was admitted to the hospital that night and scheduled to have my gallbladder removed on Saturday. The surgery was uneventful and I was planning on going home Sunday morning. Mom and Dad were planning on coming as soon as they could. My friend Michelle dropped by about 11pm on Saturday night and, after visiting for a bit, decided she'd stay with me. About 2am I started trying, unsuccessfully, to clear my throat. I couldn't cough, couldn't really talk. (I wish I had a recording as it was actually pretty funny sounding). It was really hard to get any air out. I called the nurse, who asked if I could wait until morning as my doctor wasn't on the unit. I told her that I couldn't breathe, it felt like my throat was closing and NO, I could not wait until morning. The resident was called, who called the senior resident, who didn't know what was going on. Respiratory came and gave me an epinephrine treatment, which helped some, and I rested until morning. Long story... ENT finally came and scoped my throat and found I had swelling just below the vocal cords. So I had 2 LARGE doses of prednisone and an extra night in the hospital.

Mom and Dad showed up Sunday night and I came home Monday. Since then I've just been resting. Each day is better than the last. My voice is still scratchy and comes and goes. My abs feel like I've done a few too many sit-ups. Otherwise, I'm doing well. I will not be able to go to Duck Beach this weekend (I can't be submerged yet) so I'm thinking of spending the rest of my recovery at home in CA. We'll see on Friday after my post-op appointment.

I appreciate all the calls, emails, and thoughts this week. It was a bit of adventure, but hey, this is me. I don't do anything the easy way.