My Bariatric Surgery Journey
The Decision
Sitting at dinner, listening to my old college friend talk about her bariatric surgery, I had a sense that this might be the answer I was searching for. Once we finished our meal and parted ways, I headed home to do what I do best—research.
That evening, a simple Google search provided an overwhelming amount of information. Even as someone used to researching technical topics, the sheer volume was intimidating. I encountered terms like “dumping syndrome,” lap band, and Roux-en-Y, along with statistics on success rates and personal stories of incredible weight loss.
With a notebook in hand, I started jotting down notes the old-fashioned way—pen and paper. As I found new terms, I scribbled them in the margins to research later. By morning, I had filled several pages with notes and, unsurprisingly, even more questions.
The First Step
Determined to take action, I scheduled an appointment with the same surgeon my friend had used. A few days later, my friend accompanied me to the doctor’s office. After a brief wait, the surgeon laid out his approach: medical tests, nutrition education, an overview of the surgery options, and a strict diet to follow before surgery. He made it clear that I needed to lose some weight beforehand, a standard part of the preparation process.
The purpose of the pre-surgery diet wasn’t just about losing weight—it was about proving my commitment to changing my eating habits. While my surgeon didn’t require a specific amount of weight loss before scheduling surgery, some insurance companies do. He advised me to check my policy’s requirements and gave me a copy of a book he had written on bariatric surgery. I had homework to do.
Joining a Support Group
My surgeon also recommended joining a support group for bariatric patients, so I signed up right away. Before the surgery, I managed to attend one meeting where I ran into an acquaintance who was also going through the same process but with a different surgeon. She was about 250 pounds overweight and on a similar schedule. Ultimately, we had our surgeries just a few days apart, which gave me another friend to share the journey with.
Preparing for Surgery
I dived headfirst into the journey. Appointments were set with my primary care physician and a cardiologist. I stocked up on the foods needed for my pre-surgery diet and enrolled in the mandatory nutrition classes. I read the surgeon’s book cover to cover, and of course, continued my online research.
One statistic particularly stood out: the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery had a 90% success rate. This meant 90% of patients lost at least half of their excess weight and kept it off. This outcome far exceeded those of other procedures, with lap band surgeries often yielding failure rates as high as 30%.
Armed with this knowledge, I informed my surgeon that I wanted the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. From there, I continued meeting the requirements for surgery.
Medical Clearances
The cardiologist gave me the green light, and my primary care physician (PCP) concurred, adding that several of his patients had successfully undergone the Roux-en-Y procedure. My PCP also ordered additional tests, including an A1C test, which came back alarmingly high at 11.4. At the time, a normal A1C was between 4 and 5. I was already taking two medications for diabetes, two for high blood pressure, and one for cholesterol—nine medications in total.
By early December, a few months into my preparation, I had lost 20 pounds, my blood pressure was under control, and my A1C had dropped into the normal range. My PCP was impressed and suggested a follow-up after surgery to check my progress.
Scheduling the Surgery
With all the medical tests complete, my surgeon scheduled my surgery for January 12, 2012. I was ready.
The Day of Surgery
On the morning of January 12, I arrived at the hospital at 4 AM to begin the pre-op process. The surgeon came in to go over the final details. He planned to perform the procedure laparoscopically but warned me that complications could require converting to an open surgery.
After being wheeled into a pre-surgery holding area, the anesthesiologist explained his role and gave me a sedative to relax. Soon enough, it was time for surgery. Despite this being my first major operation, I felt little anxiety—I was determined and ready.
The last thing I remember was slurring, “99,” as I tried to count backward from 100.
Post-Surgery
When I woke up, I was disoriented but relieved to hear that the surgery had gone well. Although there were minor complications, the surgeon had successfully completed the procedure laparoscopically. He mentioned that at one point, they had to tilt my head down to reconnect some internal parts, but they managed it.
Soon after, the nurse explained how to manage my pain through a button that released medication into my IV. Though the pain wasn’t severe, ranging between a 1 and 3 on a scale of 10, getting out of bed was a different story. The first time I stood up, my pain shot up to about a 7, but my determination to recover pushed me forward.
Within hours, I was taking short walks, first to the bathroom and nurse’s desk, then gradually walking the halls for 10–15 minutes at a time.
Checking for Complications
The next morning, the staff conducted a test where I drank a solution while they took X-rays to check for any internal leaks. Everything looked good, and after another night in the hospital, I was cleared to go home.
What’s Next
In the next post, I’ll dive into my recovery process and share some life-changing results I received just three weeks after surgery. Stay tuned for the surprising news that transformed my post-surgery outlook.
