Paul McDonald Before	Paul McDonald After

Paul McDonald's Journal - 28.10.04

My name is Paul McDonald and I am a 39 year old Morbidly Obese male.
'Morbidly Obese' - it sounds terrible doesn't it! However in reality it is simply a medical disease like any other (cancer, heart disease etc). The reason it sounds bad is because of the stigma society attaches to the disease. Many people consider the obese person to be ugly and dumb. This is total nonsense. In my case I have a University degree and I'm also quite good looking. Well meaning friends and family try to tell you that what you need to do to lose the weight is go on a diet and exercise and show some willpower. Unfortunately though, for the long term obese, studies have shown that treatment without surgery has only around a 5% long term success rate. It is important to note here that overeating has not caused my disease, but rather that my disease causes me to overeat.
This has ultimately resulted in my obesity as well as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gastric reflux, sleep apnea and sore knees. I have been fighting this disease for 27 years and in the end I said enough is enough which is why I chose to have lap band surgery. This wasn't a decision I made easily. I researched all the alternatives but none of them could offer the long term improvement in my health that the lap band could.
At first I tried to get the operation through the public health system. However, the waiting list for this surgery is so long that I may not have been around by the time I got to the top of the list. In the end I found myself in a position where I could have the surgery and I have now joined the lap band club.

Prior to Surgery
Prior to the surgery with Doctor Layani, I needed to have consultations with the nurse who explained the procedure for the surgery, asked me about my health, checked my height and weight and measured my waist, hips etc. This might sound daunting but Carol made it easy and treated me with respect (unlike many GP's over the years). I also met with Amanda the dietician, Jenne the psychologist as well as Doctor Layani himself. Doctor Layani also ordered some blood tests to check my general health and suitability for the surgery.
It is important to note that ongoing consultations with this team at the Gold Coast Obesity Surgery Centre are essential for the best long term health results. In my case even though my disease started out as a physiological hunger, years of dealing with the unfair treatment that society places on the obese person have resulted in some psychological scars that would benefit from treatment. I have also come to think of food as a comfort from society and will need to find alternative ways of feeling good about myself. I also look forward to working with Amanda, the Dietician, of finding ways to enjoy vegetables!

The Surgery
On the day of the surgery I arrived at the John Flynn Hospital at 8.00am and was immediately taken to my room. The room was awesome - almost like a motel! The anesthesiologist arrived to explain his part of the procedure and to make sure it was safe to put me under anesthetic. He also told me to put on a rather attractive blue gown! A nurse arrived, shaved my stomach and gave me a tablet for my gastric reflux. I was then wheeled to the preoperative area and given a relaxant.
I was then wheeled into the operating theatre still a bit nervous but with a nurse holding my hand which was great. Everyone was friendly and professional which put me at ease. After a little while I was given an injection and don't remember anything until I came out. Waking up I was in some pain and was given an injection for the pain which soon went away. I had no problems with the keyhole surgery and was allowed straight back to the hospital ward where nurses checked my blood pressure etc every 20 minutes or so. I slept a lot and watched television. The next day I was well enough to go home.
Three days later I am a little tender in the stomach area and have shoulder tip pain (common with lap band surgery) but other than that feel fine, have no problem with the temporary fluid diet and am looking forward to reclaiming my health as well as looking better in shorts! I also have a long term goal which is to run a full Marathon, something I couldn't do previously because of my weight.