Fri, Apr-02-04, 13:36
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~Return to Reality~
Posts: 8,515
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Plan: LCHF also RNY Bypass
Stats: 288.8/183.6/159
BF:I/don't/know
Progress: 81%
Location: Niagara-OTL, ON, Canada
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Surgery at 280 vs 187
I just had my fifth surgery in 5 years this week. (Two thyroid, gall bladder, hysterectomy and most recently, ahem, female repairs). For all the others, I was well over 250 and just thought I would share the differences.
For those of you who are frightened of surgery at 280 (I can't speak for above that), I have to say that at no time during any of my four experiences did I feel that I was in any mortal danger. The doctors and nurses were kind, supportive, and treated me with respect. And this was in a public hospital; there are no private hospitals in Ontario, Canada.
That said, I did notice some major differences this time.
The gown fit and there was plenty left over to completely close it at the back. And I could wear the "housecoat" they provide instead of having to use a second gown tied the opposite way since the gowns are bigger than the housecoats.
When it came time to shift myself off the guerney and onto the bed, I actually shifted too far and had the nurse asking me where I thought I was going -- just applying the same effort I had in the past! It was much easier!
They hooked me up to an IV that had some sucrose in it -- and Day 2 I had a headache!! Anaesthetic or carb? Since I didn't have one before, I would guess carb!! I slept most of Day 2 -- didn't do that before, again, the effect of carbs?
And the food!! I took my own breakfast, nuts, and tins of tuna. One lunch was a hot dog, fries, grape juice and canned mandarin oranges in syrup. I couldn't even think of eating a bite of any of it. My tuna came in handy. The other meals were not much better! Other surgeries, I didn't notice and just ate all the sugar.
Getting up out of bed afterward, my BP was very low so I was lightheaded. But moving physically seemed so easy once my head was clear! I was up and down the halls numerous times.
Recovery at home? I started walking again on the third day - 15 minutes at a good clip -- but it's hard not to overdo the recovery since I feel so much better from the starting point!!
So two things -- first, if you do have to have surgery at a less-than-ideal weight, it may not be as bad as you imagine! And second, losing the weight does help the whole experience!!
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