My story with Gastric Bypass surgery

This is my story with Gastric Bypass surgery. A story that I honestly never dreamt anyone would want to hear. But little by little, people have asked me to share my journey. I have always said, if sharing my story can help one person, then it is worth it.

When I first decided to share, I started sharing my recipes on YouTube (which proved to be super time consuming and challenging). Then I switched to Instagram and blogging.

In 2016, I had reached my highest weight and began praying about what I should do. I had exhausted every other option. I had heard about gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery and quite honestly always thought very negatively about it. I could not imagine permanently and surgically altering my stomach in order to lose weight. After months and months of prayer, God placed it in my heart to set up an appointment for a consultation with a bariatric surgeon just to see what my options were. I am a researcher. For weeks, I looked up everything about weight loss surgery and was more confused than ever. In general, I would say about 99% of people that I told about it were pretty positive and fully supportive of my upcoming appointment.

Once I saw the bariatric surgeon, I had made up my mind and proceeded with the next steps towards surgery. This took about nine months. This was a whirlwind. I began telling people in person of my decision to have gastric bypass and how I knew this was going to change my life. I went through test after test after test; including an EGD, blood work, psychiatric testing, nutritional testing with dietitians, tracking my eating habits, a physical with my primary care doctor, an abdominal ultrasound to check for gallstones, and pre-surgical testing before the day of the surgery. I’ve almost made a list of everything you need to take with you day of surgery. Check that out here.

On June 26, 2017 I had Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass surgery at 3pm. To say that my life has changed since then is an understatement. But to say it has been an easy road, is an even larger understatement.

Complications with Gastric Bypass

As I have told you all before, I am a unique little critter. Haha. My bariatric surgeon has been doing this surgery for about 20 years. When he got in my abdomen to perform my surgery, SURPRISE! He found out that I had/have intestinal malrotation. It is very rare and you are born with it- my surgeon had never performed bariatric surgery on a patient with intestinal malrotation. Basically, my intestines did not uncoil when I was little and they were underdeveloped and "adhered" to other parts of my intestines. This actually caused my appendix to be in the incorrect spot. Instead of it being in the right lower quadrant, it was in the left upper quadrant since my intestines did not fully uncoil as a baby. They removed my appendix and had to stop the Gastric Bypass and start over - performing it slightly backwards. My stomach is slightly lopsided. Leave it to me. So I had an additional couple laparoscopic sites.

That led to my first complication. One of the additional lap sites began to get infected five days after surgery. It opened up and started draining a very abnormal type of drainage. My surgeon neglected this (not cool) and the infection got way out of control. I dealt with this infection for a couple months. It actually got so bad that they considered putting a wound vac on it to close it. It was over 8cm deep with tunneling and I had to have visiting nurses come twice a day to pack it for seven weeks. It was impossible for me to do this on my own and it was pretty painful.

I also developed an esophageal stricture three weeks after surgery. I was having so much pain and pressure anytime that I ate or drank, even a small sip of water was super painful. They took me in and did an EGD and balloon dilated my esophagus to stretch the area. Basically it was trying to heal and my esophagus was almost closing off. I had three EGDs, two weeks apart.

I know, I know- this sounds like a nightmare right? I do not tell you any of this to scare you. But my road has not been easy. Sometimes people see my before and after photos and think "wow, she looks great! It has been so smooth for her!" WRONG!

***I WANT YOU TO HEAR THIS LOUD AND CLEAR-- EVEN WITH ALL THESE COMPLICATIONS-- I WOULD DO THIS A MILLION TIMES OVER AGAIN AND GO THROUGH ALL OF THESE complications AGAIN TO HAVE THE LIFE I HAVE NOW***

What’s the difference between Sleeve Vs. Bypass?

I did a lot of research on the difference between both of these surgeries and for me, the best option was the bypass. My insurance pays for bariatric surgery one time in a lifetime. The sleeve is newer and there was not as much research available. I also had a much higher BMI and really wanted the best chance possible for success for how high my weight was. I feel I also needed the negative consequence of Dumping Syndrome if I eat too much sugar, too much fat, or things that will go through my belly too quickly. Lets face it, I did not get to be 180 pounds overweight by eating healthy foods and watching my portions. I needed negative effects that would make me ill and basically feel like I am going to die. The decision was easy for me. The full bypass is not for everyone and I have seen people have amazing results with the sleeve! You have to do what is best for you!!

Speaking of Dumping Syndrome: What is it?

Whew. Dumping syndrome. Not fun. So if you have not had surgery yet- it is not what you think it is. You do not just poop a bunch. Haha. Basically if you eat something with too much sugar (or fat, or milk), which can be different for everyone, you can get sick. Now I am not talking just a belly ache, I am talking ill. It can last from one hour to eight hours. Usually mine has been short lived because I am like over the top careful. This has only happened to me maybe twice and it had been mild. Each time it has happened to me it has been from weird things. Halo Top ice cream - IS A NO GO FOR ME. And that is supposed to be healthy and lower sugar. Certain types of dairy do not agree with me. I can eat cheese until the cows come home but milk, low sugar greek yogurt, Halo Top ice cream or any ice cream, frozen yogurt, low sugar granola, not happening over here.

So first, I start dripping sweat and my heart starts RACING. Then my stomach starts cramping and I have to curl up in a ball. Then I get abdominal pain and nausea. Usually when you have gastric bypass surgery once anything passes through your pouch (at least for me) you can't really throw it up. You just ride it out. I am telling you, it is not worth this amount of discomfort. Hence why I just avoid eating too much sugar, too much fat, and things that cause this to happen. Also why I wanted Gastric Bypass. Sounds crazy, but you bet your bottom dollar it will help me keep my weight off.

Maintenance after Gastric Bypass

Food

Now you are probably thinking, "well Maddie, you could just eat other stuff like bread and gain your weight back, right?" Yes of course I could. But, let me tell you the first two years are critical to your success. If you take the first two years seriously and adopt strong new habits and focus on eating primarily lean healthy protein, moderate healthy fats, and lower carbohydrates - you will succeed. Also, when I eat bread, crackers, etc. I FEEL LIKE CRAP. I crave lean healthy protein. You would have never caught me saying that three years ago. I have adopted a new healthy lifestyle over the past couple years that is not going anywhere. Do not get me wrong, I cheat. But there are a couple things that I do to avoid cheating all the time. I don't bring junk into my house. I cheat outside my home. I usually cheat at work. I am a hospice nurse and we have a kitchen full of goodies. That is where I will have a cookie or some chips. But I did NOT do this the first year. I needed to adopt a very strong set of rules and principles the first year to "get my mind right." Once I was almost at my goal weight, I started slowly adding in "treat" foods. I was over the top at the beginning. I had to be. I knew that once I started adding in goodies, it was over. I am an all or nothing person. So, I created a mindful and intuitive approach to eating.

Exercise

I began exercising about 5-6 months after surgery. I started with jogging and FELL IN LOVE. I added in weights, then began working out with a trainer, then got into running in 5k races. In March of 2019- I was in the absolute best shape of my life. Then all of a sudden I was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, Hemiplegic Migraines. They first thought it was a massive stroke but thank goodness, this is much better and more manageable. We later found out that these hemiplegic migraine episodes that mimic stroke like symptoms were triggered by a few different things. One of the triggers was exercising, more specifically overheating that exercising causes. One of my goals for 2020 was to find ways to incorporate exercise back into my daily routine without overheating.

The pandemic and masks really took a toll on my Hemiplegic Migraines. In June of 2021, I had to go through some pretty intense infusions for my Hemiplegic Migraines and in August of 2021 I was finally cleared to start jogging again. I am taking it slow and praying that I am able to get back into an exercise routine and able to start running again. Running and exercise is so good for my mental health.

Hemiplegic Migraines HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY OR MY WEIGHT LOSS- THEY THINK THERE MAY BE A GENETIC COMPONENT

Mental Health

This journey can mess with your head. Losing 170-180 pounds is amazing but it can change you. One area of my life that is obviously very different is dating. And let me tell you, I have had one nightmare after the next. For the first time in my life, I am 100% happy with myself, in my very own skin (saggy skin and all) and I am happy being alone and single. I know that in Gods time, the right man will come along. But dating can be difficult after going through all of these changes. I have made it a point to be open and honest about my surgery when dating, but that is a personal decision.

I take time each day to reflect back on how my life used to be and I am so thankful for all that I have been blessed with because of this "tool." Bariatric surgery is just that, a tool that if utilized properly can be used long term for lifelong weight management. It can be very hard not to go through some depression and anxiety along the way. This surgery is most definitely not the easy way out. I have missed out on parties, meals out, nights out with friends because I made a decision to change my life and I would not change that for anything.

Conclusion

This surgery is tough. I have learned that it takes a village and that is why I created a blog, an Instagram to share recipes, and a Facebook page to also share things. I love sharing my journey with the world. Together, we are all better. I have not figured it all out. I have days that I royally mess up, BIG TIME. But each day is a new start. I know that this surgery has given me a new shot at life and I am so grateful.

If you are still considering Gastric Bypass, surgery check out this post for even more info.

Love and hugs,

xoxo Maddie ♥

I love connecting with you all - On my Instagram and on my Mornings with Maddie Facebook page. (This Facebook page is PUBLIC and is not a group! I also share recipes, grocery hauls, and some beauty/affordable fashion on my Instagram as well! I am all about kindness, body positivity, and inclusivity!

My Gastric Bypass Story/Journey