5 Years After Roux-en-Y Weight Loss Surgery

by Miceesha Handley
(St. Louis, Missouri, USA)

Micki's Change

When was your surgery? June 14, 2004

Which surgery was it? roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery

Starting weight or BMI: 485lbs

Current weight or BMI: 360lbs

I went into my GYN's office in June of 2003, and he was unable to weigh me because his scale only went up to 450lbs. I had so much fluid on me that I could hardly walk, and standing for too long was out of the question. He demanded that I check myself into the hospital immediately, so I went next door and did just that.

He then recommended I consider a friend of his for my Primary Care Physician. I did and after three days of monitoring my urine (keeping it on ice) and testing , Dr. Fatoki found that I had a protein deficiency.

I had always been active, on the track team in high school, a dancer, etc. But also always heavy, but none of my previous doctors could find what was wrong with me. I would go on diets and lose up to 80lbs. and then get so sick. I did not understand why, but I was told that my body was not losing fat but breaking down my muscle mass and that was causing me to feel sick. So Dr. Fatoki suggested this surgery to help me, not only lose the excess weight, but become healthier.

So after a year long fight with my insurance company I had my surgery. I lost so much weight and it was hard for me to start back eating solid foods. Only because I was scared I would not chew them enough and have to vomit. I hate vomiting! But I was doing very well, then in September of 2005 I became pregnant with my 1st born son William.

This was a blessing in so many ways, for a long time I was unsure that I could have children. I reaffirmed that in December of 2006, William was 6 months old and I became pregnant with my little princess Isis. I breast fed both of them, William until he was about 9 months and started refusing my milk due to the baby growing inside of me. I breast fed Isis until she bit me at 5 months old and drew blood (with no teeth imagine that). Now William is 2 yrs old (almost 3) and Isis is 1 1/2, and I am still at the weight I was when I was pregnant with her.

I must admit I have not been keeping up with my vitamins, exercising, or proper diet since I stopped breastfeeding. Even though my weight is the same I feel as if I have gained so much weight back. I am reaching out now for help in getting back into my healthy weight losing pattern. I want to know if there is a way to start losing weight again.

My excitement of becoming a mother TWICE, kind of made me lose focus, my babies are the loves of my life but Mommy needs to be healthy for me and them. I am open to any suggestions and advice, actually I welcome it.

Overall, I am glad I had this procedure, I was only in the hospital for 3 days, I recovered in about a months time and before I got pregnant the first time I had lost 240lbs.

I was healthier and happier and enjoying being a mother. I have a lot of hanging skin and that is were a lot of my now weight lies. I got caught up in everyday life taking care of kids, working and started forgetting to take my vitamins and exercising. It is very important to keep up with all of your post surgery routines to stay healthy.

I want to warn anyone considering having this or any other weight loss surgery done to not get side tracked and stop taking care of yourself. Before you have your surgery research it and good luck (especially if you are trying to get your insurance to pay for it). This type of procedure no matter how big the need, each person must decide for themselves what to do. It is a life change, not just an apperance change. I regret falling off the wagon :), but I really want to get back up dust myself off and get back to work. Thanks for allowing me to tell my story.

Miceesha "Micki" Handley