How I Lost 75 Pounds Due to Surgery: A Better Me
The Definition of Bariatric Surgery

In simple terms, bariatric surgery refers to a medical procedure that helps people with obesity to lose extra weight. It encompasses a wide array of surgical operations performed with the aim of modifying the digestive system for achieving excessive weight loss and enhancing the patients’ health conditions. The most frequently performed bariatric surgery procedures include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding, with each being different from the others in terms of technique and results.

In most cases, with gastric bypass surgery, a small pouch is made from the stomach and it is connected to the small intestine. This is a combination of a restrictive and a malabsorptive procedure – it limits food intake and also calories and other nutrients absorption. This combination has been effective in promoting weight loss and, in many cases, resolving obesity comorbidities like type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

On the other hand, sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical procedure whereby a large volume of the stomach is removed, leaving the stomach with a tubular form. This particular surgery decreases the stomach size and modifies hormonal patterns that cause appetite inhibition. Consequently, following this operation, many patients notice fast weight loss within a short period of time.

Adjustable gastric banding is arguably the least invasive surgical treatment since an inflatable band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. This band can be adjusted and placed in such a way so that at any time the amount of food that can be consumed may be limited leading to weight loss over a prolonged period of time. All these bariatric procedures have distinct advantages and disadvantages hence such patients need to consult very well with their doctors.

Bariatric surgery candidacy criteria typically states that a person must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater Or 35 with co morbid conditions. Also, these patients are expected to have a willingness to change their lifestyle in the long run so that the outcome of surgery would be effective. Baseline parameters indicate substantial loss of weight, decreased likelihood of chronic ailments, as well as enhancement in life quality.

My Decision to Pursue Surgery

What I would like to address here is the fact that choosing to undergo any type of bariatric surgery is not at all an easy undertaking, or decision rather. For a very long time, there must have been several attempts made on my part, sister included, to undergo, in my case, weight loss which began with drastic diets and active physical exercises which ended up whilst not successful. Each of those attempts at changing my body was a gradual process as my self esteem was smashed and the feeling of defeat settled in. Even though I wanted to by all means triage, my weight never aided in any of such attempts, would only serve as a hindrance.

Obesity was not just a physical barrier for me, but an emotional one as well. I remember feeling very lonely and self-conscious quite often, especially in social contexts where my weight was rather prominent. Over time, this made me anxious and depressed, further worsened by the continuous cycle of dieting followed by weight gain. My life took a toll on my mental health, as sentiments of shame and despair clouded my mind. All these events made the need for a solution to my weight problems even more dire.

Additionally, worrying health issues began to surface as I started coming to grips with where I was in life. Regular health check-ups exposed some very worrying patterns such as prediabetes and high blood pressure as well. The concern over heart disease raised by my doctor was a constant reminder and made my pursuit for an effective solution for weight issues an even higher priority. I understood that my health was at a tipping point and that I required a different strategy. This scenario led me to look into bariatric surgery as one such option for attaining better health and well-being.

After looking at the various surgical procedures I went through a phase of mixed emotions. On the one hand, I had great hope and on the other, I had some fears. I met some of the people who had this surgery done, listened to their inspiring tales and understood that for many, it was time to get their lives back. I was inspired by their energy and began to view bariatric surgery as self-help, a fresh start that I desperately needed so as to become a fully functioning and healthy person.

Preliminary Preparations for Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a very drastic step towards body weight management and health improvement. As I focused on my mission of losing weight, several preparatory measures had to be observed prior to the actual procedure. The first vital step was to seek the necessary approvals from other practicing specialists such as a general practitioner, the bariatric surgeon, and a nutritionist. All these meetings were very important because I got a feeling of the whole process and also moderation on what the surgery would achieve through the consultations.

After these consultations, I had a few tests to check my health condition. These tests consisted of blood tests, images, and attempts to discover any possible health condition which could impair the success of the surgery. It was crucial therefore to appreciate my health level since it helped the surgical team to customize the operation to my requirements and establish whether I was fit for the operation.

Equally important in my preparation was nutritional counseling. I saw a registered dietitian who helped me understand the need to develop a balanced diet and how to change my diet now and after the surgery. This need for counseling prepared me to focus on a diet aimed at reduced weights while including aspects of nutrition in the overall operation; hence, the recovery stage was anticipated to be smooth.

Moreover, psychological evaluations were also necessary in dealing with the mental and emotional preparations required before bariatric surgery. One such preparation was the identification of the emotional aspects related to the cause of obesity in patients and assisting the patient to have a positive attitude, which is important in sustaining changes in the body. Having undertaken physical and emotional preparation simultaneously, I was able to create an enabling environment to undertake what can only be described as an exciting change for my health.

The Day of the Surgery

The day of my bariatric surgery was a flurry of emotions as both excitement and apprehension filled me. I had come to the hospital in the morning, full of both excitement and anxiety. As I stood in the check in line, I began to realize that this was it; I was actually going to undergo a complete transformation. It was comforting that the staff received me so kindly, For a few reasons, it did help ease my worries. They provided in depth explanations in regard to what was to occur next and assured me that the circumstances were going to be overseen with lots of professionalism.

However, when I was taken to the pre operative room, I started getting anxious. Into the operating room! The horrible gown! Soon enough all experts would be scrambling around me to prepare me for the feelings. One would feel anxious only by seeing so many doctors in one place. The doctor calmed me and said they’d organize the anesthesia and I felt better about it. Surgeons have changed for me operate and kiss me goodbye just a little while. What I thought to be rude, was actually them simply being busy working.

Pushed into the surgery room, I inhaled deeply, and told myself why I was undergoing this. The area was well-lit, clean and it had state-of-the-art equipment. There was a team of specialists who are going to assist me in my recovery and that is encouraging. Once I was given the anesthesia, I could feel relaxing taking over my body and I went into a deep sleep very fast.

When I came back to consciousness, it was in the recovery room and I felt that the task had been completed. I did have some pain but it was nothing unbearable as the medication eased the discomfort. I was taken care of by the nursing staff who checked my vitals and made sure that I was most comfortable. When I was stable enough, I was transferred to a public ward where the next phase of my recovery would commence. I understood that the surgery was just the first step in my attempts to lose weight and live a healthy life.

Post Surgery: After Bariatric Surgery.

The phase that comes after the administration of the bariatric operation is not only taxing physically but also emotionally, and one pronounces that the recovery phase is very much a challenging phase. I can honestly say that I went through a lot of aches but that was not surprising considering the fact that my body was recovering. Pain medication is vital, hence, I followed the recommended medication dosage to the letter. I had to be patient with myself because it is impossible to rush the body’s recovery. I remember the tiredness and exhaustion that came with the early post-surgery period, and I appreciated that I had to rest as it was good for my recovery process.

Low-carbohydrate and low-calorie changes became part and parcel of my daily routine thanks to bariatric surgery. The shift from a liquid diet to solid food was to be achieved slowly. At the start I was able to have clear liquids, slowly moved on to protein liquid meals and then pureed diet. The focus was on eating healthy food that contained vitamins and proteins in addition to controlling the amounts consumed. I had to practice healthy eating considering that most of the food choices would be instrumental in my recovery and subsequent weight loss. Changing these habits was challenging and required strict discipline as one had to be in tune with their body’s hunger and fulness cues