Little L
NOVEMBER 2002, I'm a wife and a mother of three grown children. About 16 years ago I began gaining weight uncontrollably. I've been on numerous weight loss plans. I even had limited success with Phen-Fen. When that was pulled off the market I regained all the weight I had lost and put on even more. With the blessing of my Primary Physician I looked into WLS. Even though I'm 107 lbs. over my ideal weight, at 5'8" my BMI is only 38. BTC had to submit a letter for approval to BCBS PPO. There's a history of type 2 diabetes in my family. I've had one back surgery already and am beginning to have problems again. I have high blood pressure and GERD. I also use a CPAP machine to treat (weight induced) sleep apnea. After 2 months of waiting for insurance approval I finally got the call I've been waiting for on November 14th. Dr. Rogers will review my file then we'll set the date for my surgery!
All along I've been praying for God's Will to be done and if I wasn't approved with the first try I was looking at it as a "Door Closed". I guess it's "His Will" so I ask for continued prayer support.
I'm nervous and excited at the same time.
1/3/03 As my date gets closer I find myself coming to this site several times a day. When I think of a new question I can almost always find an answer. I thank those who have posted to my page. It's such a comfort during these last few excited but scared weeks. It seems like there's a lot of colds and flu going around so I'm trying to stay healthy. I don't want anything to postpone my surgery date! In November I ruptured a disk in my low back and was concerned about having another surgery but I found a local Dr. that specializes in Non-Surgical low back pain relief and I'm now nearly 100%. I did lose a few pounds but managed to regain them during the Holidays. LOL! Only 19 days left until I'm on the losing side!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/8/03 Thanks for the many nice responses to my posts. I'll be meeting a new friend this Friday - Donna. She lives in the same town I do and has had successful WLS at BTC in Ypsilanti, MI. I'll be there 2 weeks from today and will join her on the losing side! Anyway Donna graciously agreed to meet and answer questions I have and just be an encouragement to me. I really appreciate her willingness (and everyone else's)to share. I've stopped taking the no-no's on the list BTC gave me for two weeks ahead of surgery. I'm hoping I don't get any headaches... Tylenol doesn't touch them. I do find myself getting more excited with bouts of nerves as my surgery draws near but the end of waiting is near. Yippee!!!!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/14/03 I had my pre-op tests done yesterday at BTC in Ypsilanti, after missing the road I was to turn on I was a few minutes late(only 3). Anyway when they called me in to start the tests my blood pressure was SKY HIGH! The nurse said she'd take it again later. Thankfully it came down. They did a urine test, and checked my weight again. I was up 4.4 lbs. from my initial consult. They drew about 5 different vials of blood then I had a chest x-ray and an ultrasound to see if I had any gallstones. A nutritionist came in and asked about me eating habits now and then went over briefly what I'd be eating after the surgery and when. She said I get more info when I had the surgery. They didn't want to overwhelm me. She gave me a list of things to buy so I have them when I come home. There were also some recipes included in that packet. They asked me questions several times and some of them were the same. Everyone was very pleasant. I had to do another pulmonary function test because mine was outdated. It was simple. Then an EKG and another blood draw to check my arterial blood gasses. I use a CPAP for sleep apnea and they wanted to make sure it was doing what it's supposed to do. They have 2 (female) Internists there and one of them came in and did another going over of health history and checked out my ears, lungs, heartbeat, and tapping here and there on my tummy etc. to make sure there was no pain or other problems. She told me the results of the tests they had done that morning and said everythign was fine and my suregery was a "go" for my scheduled date of January 22nd, 2003. They'll call me on Friday to tell me what time to be at the hospital. (they do all their scheduling on Friday). I went out this morning and did my shopping. I also brought two referral forms to my PCP to see if he'd fill them out for me. (one for the dr. and one for the hospital) It may reduce my out of pocket costs. I'm going out of network. Hopefully my doctor will fill them out and BCBS PPO will approve this. Only 8 more days........................!---------------------------------------------------------------------
1/17/03 It's 12:43 p.m. on Friday and I just got that call that I'm to be at BTC in Ypsilanti at 11:30 on Wednesday for my WLS. Yippee!! My DH asked me last night if I planned on taking pre-op pictures. I took a couple in my undies this morning and printed them out and deleted them from the digital camera (don't want anyone else looking at them but me! It might scare 'em.). I have the photos stashed in a dresser drawer. I plan on looking at them at 6 mos., 12 mos. and at goal just as a reminder of where I started out and where I never want to be again. I'll have hubby take some pics before we leave for the hospital on Wednesday. Only 5 more days .....! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
01/26/03 06:41 AM Hi All! Well I made it! I'm at home recuperating from my open RNY on Wednesday the 22nd. I think I'm doing fairly well considering it's so soon. I am having a little problem getting comfortable enough to sleep for more than 20 minutes or so at a time. I'm trying to get my water/liquids in. I sure don't want to get dehydrated. Thanks all of you for your support and prayers. It has meant the world to me.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/29/03 Here I am 8 days post op and except for a cold I'm doing great! The first day and a half after surgery were not pleasant at all. I'm amazed that since then each day is rebarkably better than the day before. I went from clear liquids to full liquids today. It took me an hour to get my breakfast of High protein yogurt down but I did it! Now for my snack I had some High protein hot chocolate and it's giving me the gurgles. Not painful but annoying just the same. Soon I'll have to think about lunch. It seems I'm eating all the time now! I hope I find it easy to get in all the protein required as well as my liquids.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/4/03 I went for my 2 week post op check and am down 12 lbs. Seems a little low but I am considered a light weight. I'm just happy that I'm losing! My incision looks great. The dr. and the nurse both seemed pleased with that. I'm still on full liquids for another week. I'll be happy when I'm done with that although I'm not sure the pureed stage is going to be much better. It'll have to be mind over matter for me then! Looking forward to trying regular foods. I'm feeling better today than any previously, almost normal, that's great! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/12/03 It's 3 weeks today and I'm down 23#. I'm finally done with the full liquid stage and into pureed. There's not much I like at this stage either but it's a LOT better that the last two weeks! I've developed a bladder inf. and am on Cipro for that. Since that started to take effect I'm feeling a lot more like myself again. I still get tired in the middle of the day but most days I can nap if I want to. My incision is looking pretty good. Dr. Rogers didn't use any staples (open RNY)so it doesn't have the added little holes on each side. I'm sure it'll be barely noticeable in a few months. I've been useing Cocoa Butter with Vitamin E on it daily.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/19/03 Today was my 4 week anniversay...I've decided to weigh on Wednesday's (the day I had my surgery) and have discovered I'm down 30#! How thrilling is that?! I had a little scare the last two days, some pain in the middle but to the right of my stomach. You know how all kinds of things can go through your mind at this stage. Anyway I called BTC and they had me go back to clear liquids for a day and now full liquids for today. Maybe I was overdoing it and needed to give my pouch a rest. There is a flu bug going around so it may have even been a touch of that. Seems like things are better today and I'm sure glad (relieved)of that. My incision is looking super (open RNY) I hope things look that good on the inside lol! I'm wearing a shirt I haven't been able to wear in ages... Life is Grand! ----------------------------------------------------------------------
2/27/03 I'm a day late on my update but I have a good reason. My son, who's a firefighter in the Air Force at the Academy in Colorado Springs is back here in Michigan for a short visit so I have to spend all my spare time catching up with him. I weighed in yesterday and found I'm only down 1# from last week's weigh in. I've read where many people hit a plateau at 4-6 weeks out so I wasn't too surprised. I'm still thrilled to have a 31# loss in 5 weeks. I put on a pair of 18 jeans today. Was in a very tight 20, probably should have been in 22's! Anyway the jeans look pretty good. I've lost a lot in my mid section and that totally changes my appearance for the better. People have told me they can see it in my face too. I've changed to a different protein drink from GNC called ProBlend 55. I tolerate it much better. It's a blend of 3 kinds of protein. I think being lactose intolerant had a impact on me with the stuff that's totally made from Whey. I usually mix 1 scoup with 4 oz. of water. It's 27.5 grams of protein. Goes down pretty quick too. Until next week........be blessed!---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/5/03 I went for my 6 week check up at BTC. The Dr. and the Nutritionist seemed pleased with my progress. According to them I'm ahead of the game. Their percentage of weight lost at 6 weeks is quite low. Only 10-15%. I'm at 24% according to them, so ahead of the game. On my own scale I have lost 35# so far. Down 4# from last week. I put on another pair of 18 jeans today and they buttoned quite easily. Yahoo! I still have several sizes (smaller)left over from when I was on Phen Fen 6 years ago. As I go out of the larger sizes I will set them aside for a couple of friends that may want them. I can eat regular food now. I'm being quite careful to try new stuff at home only. I don't want to start feeling bad at a restaurant. I'm doing pretty good at getting my protein and water in. It's a lot easier for me now that I don't have to depend so much on the dairy for the protein. I'm supposed to start in at a fitness center of some sort according to my doc. He wants me to start building muscle-not mass to burn those calories and firm up the jiggles.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/13/03 7 weeks out and I'm down 2 more lbs. It's kind of slow but I'll take it. That makes a total of 37#. My 18 jeans are getting baggy in the butt and legs but the waist is comfortable. I'm guessing another 2-3 weeks and I'll be in 16's yay! My husband has an awful cold and now I have it too. I told him not to breathe on me but he did it anyway! I'm usually fairly healthy but this is my second cold since surgery... Bummer. My friends are starting to notice the weight I've lost and even a couple have said it looks more like 50# lost than 37#. I guess I'm loosing inches. Dummy me I didn't measure before. I'll be setting up an appointment with a personal trainer at our local REC Center. I had to wait for a release signed by my dr. before the trainer would see me. Hopefully that'll speed up the weight loss.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/20/03 8 weeks out and down 3 more lbs. That makes a total of 40# for me. I'm mostly over the cold I had last week. I'm really glad it didn't go down into my chest. I saw my PCP today and he seemed pleased for me with my weight loss. He sure is a great guy. I have a few little, I don't even want to call them aches and pains, but for lack of better terms that's what I'll call them. Anyway, there are some uncomfortable spots that come and go in my abdomen. My PCP said it could be scar tissue forming or just still healing from the surgery. He told me it could be 6 months before I'm really back to normal. So I guess that's good to know and not have to think if it's a potential problem. More happy as time goes on that I had this surgery.--------------------------------------------------------------------
4/16/03 Wow time has flown by! I'm now 12 weeks out and have lost a total of 48#. I was able to fit into a pair of size 16 jeans on my birthday which was Monday. What a great present! Next week I see my surgeon for my 3 month check up. He'll go over my blood work. I've been kind of tired and not much energy so I'm hoping the blood test results will show something that's easily fixed with supplements. DH and I just got back from a vacation in Naples, Florida. We had great weather the whole time we were there. Back home in Michigan there was a major Ice Storm. So glad we missed it!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/28/03 Well I've made it under 200! Im so thrilled. I weighed 198 on my scale this morning. My dr. did tell me take some iron so I've added one "carbonyl" iron tablet to my morning vitamins. I also added a chewable vitamin "C" to help in the absorption of the iron. Hopefully I'll begin to notice a difference in a couple of weeks. I decided to add some B12 for energy and some Biotin, seems that a little more hair is in the sink when I blow dry. Spring has finally sprung in Michigan!--------------------------------------------------------------------
5/15/03 I'm down another 4# that makes me 194, down a total of 56#. It's going pretty slowly and I'm only 16 weeks out. I'm hoping with the warmer weather and more activity I'll lose a little faster again. I guess 1 1/2-2 lbs. a week is ok. I certainly couldn't do this before my surgery! I am in size 16 jeans. I can get into 14's but there's the matter of dunlop's disease. My belly dun lops over the waist band LOL! That was my biggest problem area before surgery and it's my biggest problem area still. I never had curves so I'm not expecting any now. Only another 5# and I'll be lighter than my DH. Can't wait! My hair is doing ok. Not handsful falling out but a still a few extra hairs in the sink when I blow dry. I think I'm only "overweight" now and would no longer qualify for surgery even with co-morbs. Yay!!!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/04/03 Today was "weigh" day. I'm down to 188# at 19 weeks out. That's total of 62# gone. It's slow going but I know I'm not getting enough exercise. I do keep up with the protein and water though. Yesterday I tried 2 minature SF Reeses Peanut Butter cups. They were OK but I felt a little off for a while after eating them. I'm glad I didn't LOVE them, now I won't be tempted to have more. On a brighter note I was able to wear the 14 jeans yesterday! I can wear Large tops and even occasionally a medium. I'd like to lose another 33#. I was that weight 17 years ago and I felt good so I'm hoping I can get there again.-------------------------------------------------------------------
6/18/03 Down another 3# for a total of 65# lost. I now weigh 185# at 21 weeks out. Sunday will by my 5 month anniversary. Only 30# to my personal goal. I bought myself some clearance items at a local store in a size 12 for the future but when I finally tried them on a few days later they fit already! I've tried other 12's on since then, some fit, some don't. I didn't think I'd get much lower than a 12 but in another 30# I may get into 10's or dare I say 8's!?!?! My middle son is out of the Air Force after a 5 1/2 year tour. He's home with us until he finds a job. It's nice to have him around. Son #3 will be leaving in a couple of months for school on the other side of the state. It'll be a fun summer for our family. I'm finding that I can eat quite normally most of the time now. A little of every item with my concentration on the protein of course. Some times I can still eat only 1/2 cup and I'm full. I wonder what takes place that my capacity changes from time to time. I still do good with my water most of the time but now that summer has arrived I find myself have a SF fudgebar daily. Is that a bad habit I don't want to get into? -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/02/03 I usually weigh each week and I find myself being amazed that the weight contunues to come off! I'm down another 5# from my last visit to my profile! That's a total of 70#!!! 25# more to my personal goal of 155#. I do try to stick to my eating plan as closely as possible. Sometimes I'm a bit short on water but not too much and not too often. Sometimes I graze and think I've done myself in. There are weeks when I only lose a pound or maybe nothing at all so when I get on the scale and see another 3# gone in a week I'm so thrilled. I keep thinking that I may be done because my dr. mentioned that I may only lose 70%. Well I'm there now and still have another 3 weeks to my 6 month anniversary so I really think I may just make it to that wonderful number of 155. It's another beautiful summer day here in Michigan. I think I will enjoy it with my #2 son. He wants to do some shopping. I know I can keep up with him now - no problem! Oh yeah, my 14's are getting really baggy now. The 12's fit nicely, so do I buy myself some 10's as a future goal?----------------------------------------------------------------------
7/16/03 Well I seem to be plateauing. I was up one pound last week and this week I've lost that same pound so I'm still at the 180# mark. I have to admit that it scares me. Although everyone says I look great I know there's still more that needs to come off. I'd be disappointed if I didn't lose anymore weight. Hopefully that won't be the case. Tuesday is my 6 month anniversary. I think I have another 6 months to get the last 25# off. I'm praying it won't take that long though! I've bought myself some cute summer clothes at half off the already reduced price. I don't feel too bad spending the money on clothes that may not fit next summer when I get good deals like that. I'm becomeing a shop-aholic!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/23/03 Good Morning to all of you no matter where you are in your WLS journey. Yesterday was my six month WLS anniversary. Last year at this time I had completed my initial visit with my surgeon and was in the midst of tests
required by him and by my insurance company. The psych. eval. was ok but it took a LONG time for the psychologist to get the results faxed over to BTC. Seemed like forever to me! I did the pulmonary function test at the end of a
chest cold and all that deep breathing seemed to bring that cold right back. I had to see a cardiologist and have a stress test. The cardiologist was great and my stress test was set up in a couple of days. That went along ok. I had
a persantene(sp?) type. No treadmill for me. I got a call from the cardiologist a week later and was told I needed a heart cath. because my test results were giving a positive (not good) result. That was scheduled the beginning of
August. I was scared at what might be found. One of my brothers has heart problems and he’s only in his mid 50’s plus there’s other family history of heart disease. Went in for the cath and everything was perfect. I even got
photos of my HEALTHY heart. Seems the stress test gave a “false” positive. That was a relief. I also had a sleep study and was found to have Sleep Apnea so I got my lovely CPAP machine. All paperwork and tests were in at BTC in
September and everything was submitted to insurance by the 3rd week of September. My BMI was only 38 but I had several co-morbs. It took until November 17th for Blue Cross PPO to give approval. I was thrilled that it went
through on the first try - even if it did take them 2 months! My WLS date was set for January 22nd. I was hoping for surgery before the end of the year so I didn’t have to pay co-pays and deductibles again but it wasn’t meant to
be. Just as well because I had ruptured a disk in my low back and was on pain killers and bed rest, then therapy for weeks.
I took photo’s in my undies, a front and a side view a few days before my surgery. I printed them and then deleted those suckers off my digital camera so no one else would see them! I looked at them today and took new ones. What a change 6 months can make!
.......Back to my reflections of the last 6 months. All my PAT’s went well. I had to repeat the pulmonary function test because my results were too old from the one I had the previous June. It was much simpler at BTC than the one I had at Beaumont Hospital. I was given the green light for my surgery the next week.
I have to say I wasn’t nervous until I was on the gurney in the hospital. The IV was in and most prep was done. It’s a good thing the Anesthetist came in and gave me a happy shot or I might have hopped off that bed and said “no”. I
don’t remember anything after that. My DH said I was pretty happy! Next thing I knew I was in the recovery room. DH was there and we were being given instructions on how to use the morphine pump. I had the most AWFUL spasms in my stomach muscles I could have ever imagined. They were the worst!@#$ I kept having to breathe through them like I was in labor or something. Thankfully they only lasted about 36 hours and got fewer and farther between as time went on. My mouth was so dry... Thank heaven for swabs and chapstick! I passed my leak test. That was one test I hope I never have to take again. Can you say YUCK?!?!? Although I was thirsty I was afraid to sip my water and I was really scared to eat my lunch of broth, grape juice, and a popsicle. I did manage to get some of it in me though. I never imagined that I would be afraid to eat or drink but I was. The shower they let me have at the hospital was like Heaven on earth and I was ready to go home when DH came. I had my surgery on Wednesday and went home at noon Saturday.
Once home I settled into my new recliner. That was a wise purchase for me. I couldn’t get in and out of my bed for a couple of weeks. It was so hard to get all my liquids in those first few days home. It seems that ’s all I was doing
was sip, sip, sip. And I never knew there were so many food commercials on TV. Every one made me mourn the loss of my friend “food”. I got to the point where I’d turn the channel when a BK or Olive Garden commercial came on! I
got terribly bored with my different food stages but stuck to them as best I could. At my 2 week visit I had lost 12#. I got my steri strips off and promoted to pureed foods. (Another yuck!) I was so afraid to try new foods.
Afraid I’d do something wrong and hurt my pouch. Nothing I could have, sounded good. During this fist few weeks I was suffering from anxiety attacks too. This was new for me. I had my pastor’s pray for me. I put on Christian music when this would happen. It helped a lot and after a little while they’d go away. I hope I don’t have those ever again too. By the time I was released to try regular food I was ready! I did well with most things. I’d chew, chew, chew and take 2-3 minutes between each bite. I did have an episode of dumping when I put a piece of fat free cheese in with my egg beaters. I was miserable and called BTC. They told me to go back to clear liquids for a day and then take it easy going back to my normal eating. I thought I had done something wrong. Funny how I’d keep going back to that “What if I’m doing this wrong?” scenario over and over again. I still do that occasionally.
At 10 weeks out from my surgery DH and I went to Florida for a 10 day vacation. It was great. I was down more that 40# by that time and clothes were getting very loose. This is the first time I went on vacation and still lost
weight even while eating out all the time! Those were new experiences. Most places had something on their menu I could have and I brought the rest home with me for one or two of my other little meals. ( we stayed at a condo).
Life had returned to pretty much normal after we got back home. In the beginning I didn’t think things would ever be the same. Well they are and they aren’t. Things are bound to be different when you’re not carrying around
bunches of excess weight! I am down a whopping 72# as of today. It makes me 23# from my personal goal. When I look at the percentage of excess weight lost I’m ahead of the game! No more CPAP either. Life is good. I’m more healthy than I’ve been in years. I’m getting compliments on my weight loss. I have more energy and stamina. Now if I could just get my rear in gear and exercise more. I could get rid of this squishy body and build nice firm muscle. I guess that’s my goal for the next 6 months Lose the other 23# and firm up and tone this rediscovered body of mine. Take care of you and God Bless....
8/8/03 Just a quick update. I was 28 weeks out on Wednesday the 6th and am now down 75#. I'm happy with my progress. Things are going well however I'm finding I want and can eat a lot of different things. It's scary sometimes because I just want to munch constantly - mostly in the evenings - but I'm really trying to curb that. Fresh cucumbers out of the garden are becoming a favorite. Got to go...-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/8/03 Wow! I can't believe a whole month has gone by since I last updated. I'm down 81# and feeling great. I've been walking M,W&F with a Leslie Sanstone video (purchased at Target for $9.99) and then doing one of her workout's on T&Th. I think they're helping. Weight loss has slowed down even more but I'm still loosing. Only 14# to my goal of 155#. I can't believe the changes. I'm almost to the "Normal" BMI range. It's been a great summer and I'm really looking forward to the beautiful Michigan fall season. It's my favorite time of year here------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/24/03 I'm 8 months out now and have lost 83# and I don't even know how many inches but I've gone from a tight size 20 to a very comfortable to loose size 12 even some 10's. I have gotten into some size 8 jeans. They were VERY generous size 8's but still a hoot for me. LOL!!! I missed a few days of my walking and work outs but have been trying to stick with it again. I've been taking my mom to dr. appointments and have let that interfere with my exercise time. I had a couple days recently of terrible munchies. I just wanted to stuff everything I could get in into my mouth. My dear friend Rhia gave me a talking to and also mentioned that sometimes when that happens you're about to loose wieght again. Well I have been playing iwth the same 2# for the last four weeks and when I weighed today I'm down two more pounds. Only 12 more to my personal goal of 155. I've been painting the two upstairs bedrooms and rearranging them. I couldn't have done so much in so little time last year. Praise God for WLS and the surgeons who perform it!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/22/03 9 months today! The time has really gone by quickly. I have to say that in the beginning (right after WLS) it was going kind of slow but now that I look back I just say, "Where has the time gone?" Weight loss has slowed down dramatically only 2# this month for a total of 85# lost. I look great and feel pretty good. My iron saturation levels are below normal again so I will talk to my PCP about going back on iron. He took me off 2 months ago because I was within normal range. Anyway I've been tired in the afternoon/evening so I knew something was up. The rest of my bloodwork looked good for the 9 month check.
DH and I had a nice week-end and went to see the beautiful fall colors of Michigan. We had a nice couple of days and enjoyed our time away.
I'm wearing size 12 jeans but if my tummy flab was gone I'd be more comfortable in a size 10. It's amazing to me. My shirts/tops are usually a medium now. I did another closet clean out recently to make room for new sizes. That felt good.
I have to say that I've been messing around with snacks and carbs lately. Probably part of the slower weight loss. I really need to get back on track. My exercise has suffered too. I've been busy lately taking my mom to all kinds of appointments and that puts a crunch on my time. Excuses, excuses! I know!!! I'd like to lose 10 more pounds and I'd like ot see about a TT. It'll only happen if insurance will pay for it though. I see my PCP this Thursday so I'll get his opinion then.
MY BMI IS .1 from NORMAL NOW!!!!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/22/03 11 Months! Feeling Good and Happy too! I'm down to 160# only 5# from my goal. I was beginning to think I wouldn't make it down to 155# but now that I've lost those other 5# I think I may just make it. My iron levels are back up to where they should be but I still feel tired in the afternoons. Maybe it's because the days (light) are shorter. I really like to see the sun and winters can get a little dreary in Michigan.
Only 3 days till Christmas and I'm getting my wrapping done this morning. I have a little baking to do yet. I should get to that this afternoon/evening. I need to call BTC today and make my appt for my 1 year check up too.
I saw a PS, Dr. Ellen Janetzke. No news yet from insurance to see if they'll cover a TT. I'm thinking they won't. Dr. Ellen said they (the ins.)wouldn't think I had enough hanging skin. Oh well. If it's not to be, it's not to be and that's ok. I'm just so happy to be able to do things again without getting out of breath and exhausted.
My BMI is NORMAL now! WAHOO!!!---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/29/04 It's been ages since I've updated but........ just like everyone else I've read about, life has gotten busy! Thank the Lord. I'm sooooo happy I had this surgery. It has truly given me back quality of life. I thank God for helping me through every step of the way.
At 1 year out I was 5# away from my personal goal of 155#. That was a 90# loss over the 1st year. I know that isn't a lot by some people but it has made a huge difference to me. When I went in for my 1 year check up my dr. was very pleased and so was I. I really thought I was done losing weight as it literally took 2 months to lose 2 1/2 pounds to get to the 160 mark and I was ok with that.
Much of my excess weight was in my stomach area and I have lots of extra skin plus after having 3 large babies I have plenty of stretch marks. So I consulted with the PS. It took a long time to hear back from the insurance co. if I'd be approved for a TT. As I stated in my previous post Dr. Ellen didn't think I had enough hanging skin. Anyway after many phone calls to the PS's assistant and to my insurance provider I found out that starting just this year BC/BS will cover a TT for bariatric patients who have lost at least 100#!!!! Can you say YAY!? So that got me more serious about losing the full 100#. By the time I got that word - I had lost another 3# putting me 7# away from that 100# mark and only 2# away from my personal goal! I called Dr. Ellen's assistant and had her schedule me for the TT. It's set for June 14th, 2004. I really needed the date set for surgery to keep my eye on the prize. Since I set the date I've lost another 4-5#. I go up and down but it's been more down than up! So as of this morning I'm 2# away from the 100# lost and I have a month and a half to get those 2# gone. I want to lose a couple extra just to be sure there's no question that I've lost the weight required by BC/BS.
I'm beginning to look too bony to myself. Not only can I see collar bones but I can see some of my ribs below my collar bones. My skin is getting more hangy and loose. It did that about 4 months out but seemed bounce back some. My breasts were pretty saggy for a while then the skin tightened up a little. They've never been perky but they didn't look too "orange in a sockish" for a 48 year old woman. Now that I've lost almost another 10# they're getting that sag again. Time to go to a "B" cup. Bummer! I don't recommend bending over and looking at your face in a mirror either!!! Everything falls forward. It's kinda scary! I'm trying contacts again after not wearing them for several years thus that position leading to that discovery.
Ideal weight for my height is somewhere between 137# and 150#. I'll be at about 148# for my PS and she will cut off and lipo 3-5#. That will put me about in the middle of those guidelines. I'll have to wait and see but I think I'll look too skinny. (Who'd have ever thought I'd be saying that?) My legs are thin but my skin on my inner thighs is hanging some. Same with my arms. Nothing horrible but I can see it and would rather it not be that way. I sure sound vain.... Don't want to be that way. I'm very grateful to be where I am today and hope and pray that I will stay right where I'm at for the rest of my life. The tool continues to work as long as we make it. At 15 months out I've proven it to myself. It takes me working with the tool to achieve the desired result. If you're reading this don't ever give up or be discouraged at slow or seemingly non existant weight loss. Go back to protein, protein, protein, water, water, water and it'll kick in gear again. Watch your portion sizes too. They have a way of getting larger the farther out you get. It works!
My last two pairs of levi khaki's were size 8's and so was my Easter dress!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/19/04 The months just seem to fly by. I had my TT this past Monday with Dr. Ellen Janetzke at Troy Beaumont. Things went well. She discovered 2 small hernias, repaired my ab muscles that had about a 2" seperation and tucked my tummy. I'm only 6 days out from the surgery but feel that I'm doing really well. I lost the 100# required by my insurance for them to pay for the TT plus another 2#. Now that I'm home I'm down another 3-4# Hopefully most of that was excess skin and fat that she removed. She had left the OR before they weighed what was removed so I'll have to wait until my follow-up next Thursday to find out the exact amount. I came home with 2 drains and a pain pump. The pain pump was wonderful for the first 48 hours as it was automatically medicating, locally right at the surgical site. When it ran out I turned to my oral pain pills. They helped but I sure don't like how "out of it" I feel when I'm taking those so I only used them for a short time. I've taken a couple of car rides and a short walk around WalMart. One of my rides was to the dr.'s office to have one of my drains removed. I pulled out the stitch that was holding it in. They decided that since the amount that was draining from it was minimal, it could be removed. That was a pleasure because with it gone I'm able to sleep on my side. It's a welcome relief for my back and tail bone! So far I'm very happy I was able to have the TT. I'll know more when the swelling is down and I can really see the results. Right now even though I'm swollen I am much flatter and smoother. I wonder now what size my bottom half will be????
I'm not wanting to lose any more weight. My skin is starting to sag a lot more. I know that over time it will tighten up some and when I can return to exercise my muscles will also give me better definition and take up some of the slack. But still at 48 years old you begin to lose skin tone and there's only so much exercise and lotions can do! I'm so glad I've made this journey. It's been a wonderfull one for me. Thank You Lord.---------------------------------------------------------------------
7/14/04 I had my 1 month check up at Dr. Ellen's office today. Everything looks great according to her PA. My incision is healing well and now it's time to massage it. This helps in the minimizing of the scar tissue. I have two dog ears (puckers of skin that bunch at the ends of the incision where everything meets together again after the excess is removed) and massaging will help them go down. I had some rebellious dissolvable stitches that wanted to poke out of my skin instead of dissolve so she pulled those out too. That will feel a whole lot better! She said more puffiness will go away but that I look great for 1 month out from the surgery. I think so too. I will probably have the dog ears revised at about 3 months and my incision lines lowered a bit which they can do if they revise the dog ears. The tops of them come right about where my underwear or a bathing suit bottom sits so you can see the first 1/2 inch or so. I go back in a month to have them looked at again and see if there are any more stitches that work their way out and then we will schedule the revision. She said they're scheduling about 6 weeks out so I'll be at or beyond the 3 month mark then.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/23/04 19 months out! I can hardly believe it! Down over 100# and post TT. Everything is looking good. I will have a revision of the dog ears and my incision lines lowered a bit on September 23rd. It'll just be right at the dr.'s office with a local. I'll even be driving myself home. I have gained back a few of the pounds lost after the TT but I'm glad about that. I was getting that boney, drawn look. I feel good except for being a bit tired in the afternoons. I have an appt. with my PCP in a couple of weeks and I will have him check my iron and B 12 and whatever else he thinks may be the cause. My life has changed so much over the last 19 months. I have to admit I'm letting junk creep into my diet and I need to get back to basics again. I think we all get to the point where we need to test our limits. That's human nature. I'm right where I want to be weight wise. I weigh daily to keep tabs. I don't ever want to be where I was before WLS again. The tool continues to work as long as I work the tool. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/20/05 In two Days it will be my 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!! I can hardly believe it. I had someone come up to me at church the other day. They told me they had been going through some photos and saw some pictures of me from several years ago and they could hardly believe it was me. They knew I had lost weight but had forgotten how I used to look. They're used to me this way now. For some reason I found that comforting. I guess what I realize now is that others who were close to me saw me for who I was, not the person I THOUGHT I was... fat, frumpy and unworthy. I had always put on that "happy face", the smile was always there (except at home). I tried to be kind and was always doing things for others so I felt accepted. Now I do those same things with a whole different attitude. I am happier. My smiles are genuine and I DO like to be kind "do" for others. I makes me happy to help where I can. God has blessed me so much I just want to bless in return. There isn't anything I can't do now. I do limit myself because of old back injuries and because I'm a chicken at heart but still I'm ABLE and that's what counts.
I don't regret for a minute my decison to have WLS. It was what was best for me. I'm off all meds. I'm not depressed. I don't need the CPAP machine any more. My blood work is great. There are times when I wonder if this thing or that thing going on in my body is related to the WLS and I do wonder what the future will hold in that reguard but I started out my journey with God's direction and so I continue to have faith that whatever my future holds it's by His direction and design and I'm just going to live my life with the continued expectancy that He has it all figured out for me and all I have to do is follow His lead.
I'm cold a lot now and I've been having some problems with my upper back and neck bothering me. I have some dead nerves down the back of my left leg and into my foot down to my 2 middle toes from the former back problems and resulting surgery. I'm hoping it doesn't get worse but right now it seems like it is. So anyway that makes me wonder if it's WLS related. Maybe I'm not getting the nutrients I need - but isn't that the way our minds work now? Whenever something health/body related comes up? We jump to wondering if the WLS has any bearing on it!!! I know the being cold is! I've lost most of my insulation. However summers are so much more comfortable now. That I love! I can always put on more layers when I'm cold but when you're hot you can only go so far...
I feel very normal right now. I eat just about anything I want. I still very much concentrate on getting my protein in first and then add the other foods. I can eat a lot more now and "yes" that does scare me some. I don't want to gain any weight back and now that I'm two years out I wonder how my body will behave. Then I go to the opposite extreme. I lose a few pounds and then start to panic that I won't stop losing. How silly is that? I think I look just about right for my age but if I lose any more weight I think I'll look too boney. Then I add in some carbs and sugar to regain the few #'s lost and so I go up and down the same 3-5 #. If I can maintain doing that I guess it's ok but I sure don't want to get into bad habits again. So that's another scary thing for me. I guess it all boils down to, we never know what our future holds but we need to take it one day at a time and so I "do".
I weigh myself daily again to keep tabs on the up and down of the 3-5#. I don't ever again want to let myself get so far off track that it will be overwhelming and seem hopeless for me. It's funny... I thought if I lost the weight I wouldn't concentrate on it so much but I still do! lol But I know these thoughts are much better for me mentally than the old ones. I'm lifted up and I want to stay there! God Bless your day! I hope for any who might read my profile it will give you a glimpse of the insight you're looking for. We all have different journies and I pray for you that yours is as wonderful as mine has been.------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/28/05 2 Years and 2 Months out! What a busy life I have now days. Lots going on this year. I'm helping launch a coffee house night twice a month for young adults at our church. It sure does take lots of hard work. My oldest son is getting married in August and we're planinng a shower and the wedding so lots of work there too. I'm so blessed to be able to do these things without the old weight issues. I thank God for the new life He's given me. We're finally getting some warmer weather. Seems like it's a long time coming this spring. I hope it's great on Saturday because I'm hosting a birthday party for my 85 year old mother. I have a huge family so there should be about 40 of us and my house isn't that big! We'll use the garage and if the weather is good we can go outside too. SEE! another big undertaking I CAN DO much more easily than before WLS. It just keeps getting better and better.
Like I've said in earlier posts I still weigh daily and when I eat it's protein first then other things added in. I'll be setting up a new exercise program with my niece to build up my arms and upper back so I look good in the slinky, sleeveless dress I bought for the wedding. It will feel so good to be able to get some definition in those muscles. Hopefully it'll take up some of the flab in my arms! lol That's my hope anyway. They're not extremely bad but you can definately see the bat wings waving along with me when I wave!
Have a blessed day!---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/18/2005 I turned another year older last week but I don't feel as old as I did before WLS! Mom's Birthday party was great. We took lots of pictures. I'm even in a few! The coffee house for church is coming along. Friday is our opening. We had a run through / training night this past Sunday and it went fairly well. Now after that opening Friday I have a wedding shower and a wedding to concentrate on
I'm still maintaining my weight between 145-148. I couldn't ask for any better. I can't say it enough either.... This is one of the best decisions I've ever made!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/13/05 Tomorrow will be my one year post op TT anniversary. I can hardly believe it's been a year already! Still love the results. Although my scar isn't bad, it's still kind of red in a lot of places. I thought it would be more faded by now but it's not really a big deal. Who see's it but me and DH? And if he's looking there even he doesn't really see it! :)
Well the wedding shower for my future Daughter-in-law went along very well. We had 42 people! They got lots of very nice things and now we're a little less than 2 months away from the wedding. Most things are all set now. I've decided to get manicures every couple of weeks. My nails just aren't as strong as they used to be and I'm hoping this will help. I want them to look good too. The dress I have is gorgeous and I feel so great in it. I can hardly believe it's my body inside of it. I've been wearing my wedding shoes around the house occasionally to get them broken in before the big day.
I've been thinking about getting a job again. Not that I really want to go to work but with our helping out with the wedding expenses things are quite tight and I LIKE to SHOP! sooo...! I've filled out a couple of applications on-line and if it's supposed to be, then it will happen.
I'm very busy right now though. My 85 year old mother has been needing to go to Physical Therapy 3 times a week and I'm her chauffer. I also do a lot with church things and of course the shower just got over with. Mom still needs therapy 2 times a week for another 3-4 weeks. If I do get a job before then someone else will have to do the driving for her and same with church things. Others will just have to take over. I don't mind all the things I'm doing. It's so much easier now days than it was almost 2 1/2 years ago! I spoke with a woman yesterday who had her surgery scheduled this morning. I told her I am so happy with my results and that she won't hardly be able to believe this remarkable journey she's about to begin. There were times that were a bit difficult but the benefits far outweighed any of the tough stuff for me.
I continue to pray that I stay where I am weight wise. I'm seeing that I can gain fairly easily if I don't watch it. So, YES, I do weigh every day still to stay on top of things. I think I'll do that for a long time to come. I don't ever want to let myself get even close to where I was when I began to contemplate WLS. Stay well and Be Blessed!---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/16/2005 I can't believe how quickly time goes by these days! The wedding is well behind us and it was just beautiful. I'm still not working but we could use some extra $$ so I need to look more seriously now I guess. Especially with Christmas right around the corner. I've gained a couple of pounds over the last 2 months. I'm not sure where they're hiding but the scale says they're there. My clothes still fit normally and so do my rings and shoes! Those are the places I expect to notice weight gain first. I've been a little on edge because of the financial situation so I'm stress nibbling. I've GOT to QUIT that! I know better. So right now I'm declaring that I will do better. I don't want to have come this far to go backwards at all. All in all I'm so happy with my health and weight now. I couldn't have done anything better for myself than have WLS. Blessings to any who read this commentary of mine. I pray that it may help you in some way.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's been ages since I visited OH but I havne't forgotten how much help it has been to me. I'm now just a tad over 4 years post op and am so greatful for this surgery. My life has changed in so many ways. I have a part time job now and it keeps me busy and out of trouble. (Because I'm at work I can't graze too easily). I turned 50 this year. I also had LASIK done. My husband has a new job and travels a lot. I went to California with him for his Company Christmas party and we tacked on a cruise to the Mexio. It was our first one but it won't be our last. We had a blast!
I've regained about 5 lbs. over the last year or so but I'm staying fairly steady there. It seems to be a set point for me. This weight is where I was at for quite a few years after I was done having children. Then the depression and life circumstances entered my life that made me gain 100 lbs of excess weight. God has really been blessing my life over this past year and I'm happy!
My oldest son and daughter-in-law are expecting our first grandchild in July. My middle son is getting married in May. I will be able to be an active grandma and I will look ok in the wedding pictures too! lol
Hope any who read this are encouraged that this tool continues to work as long as we continue to use it wisely. It's a gift!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Me
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
