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8/18/2004 Well I have scheduled an appointment to consult with Dr. Wongsa in Houston, TX. I hear he's an excellent surgeon and I really look forward to his input. I have written a letter of all the different attempts I have made at weight loss and also the complications that I'm experiencing as a result of my obesity. I've had several knee surgeries which have contributed to my weight gain and as a result causes severe back pain and now my left ankle and my feet are so painful that I can barely stand long enough to wash dishes and/or even cook dinner. Constant breaks is the only way I make it through any project. I really don't have a food issue, I love the healthiest and most wholesome foods and really wouldn't have a problem eating the most nutritious of foods. I do have a weakness towards M&M's though.....but not enough to justify this predicament I find myself in! LOL!!! Basically I need this WLS to get off all these pounds I've been trying to lose over the past ten years with no success. I will lose about 20 lbs. and then put on 25-30lbs in a cycle that is all too dissappointing and familiar. So, this brings me to my last resort. I am scheduled for my initial consultation with Dr Wongsa on 8/20/2004 (This Friday!!) and my husband will be going with me for moral support as I really want for him to hear what the Doc has to say. The nurse who scheduled my consultation was very nice and took the time to listen to my rambling as I seriously need to talk to someone who totally understands what I'm going through. I'll let you know how it went on Friday afternoon! I'm really nervous and hope I don't get turned away. I know I'm not on the high end of the Morbidly Obese chart, but I can't do it alone. I need WLS!!! Please say a prayer for me.
8/20/2004 Wow! I just got back from my Initial consult with Dr Wongsa and I'm emotionally drained! He was very direct and is very serious about this procedure. I totally respect that and think that he has his priorities straight. I am very glad I chose him as my surgeon, he's awesome and so is his staff! Jackie was very nice and it really felt good to hear about her experience with the surgery and that she's maintained 4 yrs now!!! "WAY TO GO!!!" I really enjoyed chatting with everyone in the waiting area and learned quite a bit about the entire process since there were patients in all stages of treatment waiting to see the Doctor. Dr Wongsa knew exactly how to get his message across in order to make you understand that in order for you to be successful, you must comply with the rules! I am very excited and look forward to having him take care of me and guide me through this life changing process. As soon as I got home I scheduled my LABS and an appointment with my PCP for clearance. I don't want to waste any time! The sooner we get the ball rolling the sooner I can find out if my Insurance will cover me. As for my weight, he said I need to lose 5 lbs. by my surgery date. That's not too bad. Well, I'll update as soon as I get my LABS. My appointment is for Next Tuesday, 8/24/2004 @ Cy-Fair Hospital and I see my PCP on 8/30/2004 for clearance. Hopefully all will come back normal, please say a prayer for me everyone, I need all the blessings I can muster up. Although I'm very excited and I've started the process I am still a little scared, but I think it's only natural to worry but I will definitely try to stay on the positive side!!!!! :)
8/22/2004 Well, I've been doing lots of research and I'm feeling better about my choice pursuing WLS. I am mostly encouraged by family and friends except for one of my Aunts. She is very negative and is making me feel terrible about my choice. I have decided not to discuss my WLS surgery with her any further since all she's doing is terrifying me!!!!! I've been educating my husband and my children about the surgery and have been sure to explain the reasons why I need to do it. I am so convinced that after I get rid of all this excess weight we will all enjoy a better quality of life and I will, God willing, be around for them for many years to come. I am trying to watch what I eat because Dr Wongsa wants me to lose 5 lbs before scheduling surgery but it's been hard! I need to go buy groceries tomorrow and load up on the Green-Leafy veggies as well as the lean protien! I should hear something from Dr Wongsa's office by Friday! Say Several prayers for me everyone, ALSO say a prayer for all of our brothers and sisters struggling with this decision, with the procedure, and with maintaining the end results, because it is a struggle and we all need eachother's support and prayers!
8/26/2004 It's Thursday night and I can't seem to pull myself away from this web-site!!! I really enjoy reading everyone's success stories and especially the before and after shots! This really motivates me and I can't wait to hear from Dr Wongsa's office as to whether or not I've been approved so that I can to be on "THE LOSING SIDE"....I really want to be a "LOSER" too!!!!! LOL!!! I called Dr Wongsa's today and was told by Dee that my request for surgery approval was sent to United Healthcare Today and we should be hearing something soon.....I am really starting to get more and more excited! I couldn't go have my labs and scans done on Tuesday because I unfortunately developed an ear infection over the weekend and went to see my ENT on Monday. He put me on Clarinex, Antibiotics, and Flonase nasal spray....YUK!!!! So, I figured I should put the labs off until Friday so that my WBC would taper down a bit with the Antibiotics, I hope. So I need to be at Cy-Fair Hospital at 8:30AM. Who knows maybe I'll go visit the Bariatric wing and go visit a Post-Op or chat with the nurses.... Well, I am going to try to get some sleep before I want to munch on something, it seems like just because I'm not supposed to have anything after midnight all I can think about is going to get a snack! FIGURES!!! Anyway, I will update as soon as I hear something either about my lab results or as to whether or not UHC is going to approve me or not!
9/4/2004 It's really been a nailbiter for me here lately! My PCP recommended I take a stress test so we are waiting for those results and I also have to have blood drawn again because my liver enzymes were elevated! I knew those meds were going to mess this up....So, we wait!!! My ENT that prescribed my meds said that it is more than likely that the meds I was on elevated the enzyme levels due to my liver working overtime to break the toxins down. I can't wait to have this surgey! I went out today with my two younger sons and it was a beautiful day! I couldn't help but fantasize about being thinner, healthier and being able to walk and walk and walk the park, zoo, or even Astroworld & festivals with them without complaining about my knees, ankles, and feet hurting! Ta-ta for now. I'll write after my results come in or my approval, whichever comes first!
9/8/2004 What a bummer!!!! I was flat out denied! My employer has an EXCLUSION regarding ANY type of treatment for obesity. It's so unfair! I quit my job a couple of weeks ago, and am currently looking for a job so if anyone has any job leads I would greatly appreciate it! How can you not cover such a life threatening disease and on top of that be able to get away with it! ANYWAY I could go on and on, PLEASE anyone out there email me if you know of anything I can do. I guess I won't be able to have my surgery until I have better benefits! Thanks..... :( 10/31/04 Well here's a picture of my daughter Briana and me on Halloween night. I wish I could wear a cutesie costume too!!! 
1/1/05 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! New Year, New Job, New Benefits!!!!! I'm really excited about my new job because I will be working in a hospital and that will help me a lot in getting my feet wet to prepare me for Nursing School!!! I can't wait to start and I know I will learn a lot about administration, patient relations, and perhaps some of the in's and out's of relationships amongst clinical staff & their co-workers. Below is a picture of me on my first day of the new year and I hope to be able to have positive news regardng wheter or not my new insurance will cover this surgery!!! 
4/9/2005 Well, I know it's been a while since I last updated but I've been a very busy-body trying to get this mission accomplished. First of all I quit my previous job to pursue a job in the medical field since I am after all, a nursing student and I figured I needed to get my feet wet while at the same time hope and pray for better benefits. I started my new job in December of 2004 and really have learned qiute a bit since then about the healthcare industry. BUT, unfortunately because the change in health plans the Dr. I was going to use (Dr. Wongsa) can no longer perform the surgery since he's not contracted so I started researching and decided to consult with Dr. Ferrari about WLS. I'M GLAD I DID!!!! My husband and I met with him back in March and I am really glad to have chosen Dr. Ferrari. He and his staff are great! I am currently waiting to hear if I got approved or NOT?!?!?! Luly faxed everything on Friday, 4/8/05, so now we wait! I am sooooooooo looking forward to my new life! My husband and kids are all very supportive and I feel as if I owe this to myself to try and be the best healthiest and fittest person that I can be so that I can enjoy being in my skin and be more outgoing and live life the best I can without the burden of obesity. I will update more often as I continue to struggle to get approved!!!
4/12/05 Well, I called the insurance company today and they said they recieved my authorization request on Friday 4/8/05 and said it is being processed.......DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!! Hopefully they will respond sooner than later because the suspense is driving me nuts and I'm probably also driving Luly bonkers at Dr. Ferrari's office but I can't help it...we are talking about the rest of my life here, and it's totally in their hands! Say a prayer for me!
4/18/05 So far, so good.....my insurance company has requested that I have a nutritional consult and I will be having it on Wed., 4/20/05. this is the last step in their requirements for approval, I hope! I am ready to go and can't wait. Maybe we will know by the end of the week, but I doubt it will be so soon! My family is getting use to the idea of me going thru with the surgery and even my aunt is coming around which is a good thing because I really need the support! Well we shall see what the insurance says and I will keep you updated. I am guessing if I get approved surgery will be scheduled for late May. I don't have an Angel yet and I would really love to hear from anyone who is also having surgery with Dr. Ferrari soon. I would like to talk to someone that is around this stage in the journey to hopefully become buddies with. We will have plenty to talk about!!!!!
4/20/05 APPROVED!!!!!!!! APPROVED!!!!!!!!! APPROVED!!!!!!!! I am in semi-shock! REALLY!!!! For those of you who have been here, you know how I feel. For those of you in the process, it can happen, just don't give up!!!! Stay focused, pray, and be as determined as you can because I strongly believe that if this procedure is what you truly need, then it will come. I can't beleive that I just had my nutritional consult yesterday and my approval came in before lunch the following day. I thank GOD for making this possible and also pray that he will bring me through with flying colors. I know he will, my children need a healthier mom and I deserve a healthier body to move around in. I am scheduled for pre-op testing on 4/26/05, and pre-op consult on 4/27/05. Surgery is contingently scheduled for Cinco de Mayo!!! Yes, 5/5/05!!!! Is that a sign? I take it as a positive one if indeed it is. Well, I'm so excited that I must get busy with planning, shopping, and organizing my life!!!! The countdown begins! 15 days til surgery. I will definitely keep you posted......Did I forget to say? I'M SO EXCITED???
4/28/05 Well here we are 8 days away from surgery!!!! I am really excited and nervous about the WHOLE thing! Tuesday I went to the hospital and did pre-op testing and passed it all with flying colors!!! Wednesday I went to Dr. Ferrari's for pre-op evaluation and I couldn't believe I was finally there.....waiting to have surgery, and it finally coming true!!!! Blanca and Luly are great, they are very caring and I can tell that they really enjoy their jobs. I can imagine it's pretty exciting seeing hundreds of patients transform before their very eyes into healthier happier people! I can't wait to be the next Butterfly. I am on an Isopure 2 time per day diet that the Doc put me on and I should lose at least 5 pounds before surgery.... I should be OK with that. Tomorrow I will be getting everything ready for the trip to the hospital and post-op so I will be pretty busy, PLUS we are also moving this weekend so that we will be all settled in before my surgey on next Friday. . It's going to be a LONG weekend! I'll try to post before surgery! TA-TA-4-now!!!
5/5/05 It's OFFICIAL......"I'm finally a LOSER!!!!!!!" I really am sorry that I didn't update before my surgey but we were moving over the weekend and I must've pulled and/or strained some muscles in my back and legs because I couldn't get out of bed for a couple of days. I also figured that I needed to get back to 100% or as close as I could anyways because I didn't want to compromise my immune system being weakened for surgery so I decided to stay home and take care of myself. I did follow Dr. Ferrari's pre-op diet to a TEE and lost about 7 pounds as was required of me in order to reduce the size of my fatty liver so that it wouldn't get so much in the way during surgery. I am curious to know what my liver enzymes will look like after a few pounds start melting off. Enough about that, what about the surgery? I first of all need to thank our creator for Dr. Ferrari's surgical skils and the guidance placed upon him through ALL of his patient's surgeries and also everyone's encouraging, motivating, & enlightening thoughts and words on my surgery page. I sit in my hospital bed with major insomnia!! Surgery went well and the staff here at Memorial City Hermann is great! I am experiencing some pain in my left stomach area but the nurses said it's likely gas so I shouldn't worry too much. I am scheduled at 7:00AM for my upper GI test for leaks. YUMMY, I will finally get to drink something. Let me see.....what else? well, when I first got put back in the pre-op area I was really nervous so I was given something to calm my nerves and then "Poof!!!" No more butterflies!!! As for when I awoke, I felt pretty darn good exept for one movement in particular. The pain meds are sufficient, the staff is great, and I am very excited about going home and starting my healthy, new life!!! I AM SOOOOOO SLEEPY after all this typing so I will post tomorrow after my UPPER GI. I sure do hope & pray all is well and I get the green flag.
5/6/2005 I'm officially on the OTHER SIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good morning it is! I got my morning started with the upper GI and passed the leak test!!! Amen! I started my liquid diet off with a cup of ice and I must say that it went down wonderfully. I was so thirsty that it really satisfied! All in all day two is going very well. I have been slowly eating off my lunch-tray which consisted of chicken broth, tea, water, and a popsicle. I'm at Memorial Hermann Memorial City & having internet in here is awesome!!! So far so good, Dr. Ferrari says I should go home tomorrow so I'm shooting for being home by tomorrow afternoon because I sure do miss my babies A LOT!!!!! As of yesterday our phone line is up & running so I will try to post as soon as I get home because believe me, I set up the computer before coming to the hospital because I want to keep everyone that's intersted in my progess continuously updated. That's all for now,I'm going to take a walk now and perhaps even find a scale so I can check my miniscule progress thus far..... Ta-Ta 4 now, Sandra ;) Here's a picture of me the day after surgery, I was soooooo out of it!!!! I look HUGE but very happy to be on the losing side! I apologize for the quality of the photo, what can I say, it was a camera phone!!!! 
5/7/2005 Well, it was a no go! Around 3:00 am I broke a low-grade fever that convinced Dr. Ferrari & myself that another day's stay might not be a bad idea just to be on the safe side! So. Here I am, I had a good day all in all and I don't foresee that fever sneaking back up on me...I'll pray that it doesn't. I must say that I am having a little less pain than yesterday and that my digestive functions are trying to re-regulate themselves so that is definitely a plus. Maybe I can make it home in time for Mother's Day! I sure do hope so! I really miss my babies and the hubby too!!!!!!!!
5/8/2005 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY IT IS!!!! I was released this afternoon and that just really made my day! I feel great! I definitely didn't want to be cooped up in the hospital on such a special day so it started off great since I woke up, ate breakfast, took a walk, and then decided to head back to my room to nap. My husband and 2 littlest ones surprised me and about an hour later, then the Doc came and gave me the green light! I was so happy!!! I showered, had my last heparin shot in the tummy, and my last dose of pain medication before heading home! I was home by 2PM and it was POURING rain but it made it very relaxing and cozy with the kiddos. "PERFECT" I'll update tomorrow once I get settled in.
5/9/2005 It feels really strange being on the other side of this journey now. I would like to give thanks to God for hearing all my prayers although no matter what I want he has his own plan that we live by, but nonetheless, my prayers have been answered. I had no complications and I should be another WLS success story if all goes well. I know I'm not out of the woods yet but I am going to do my best by doing my part in taking care of myself and making sure I have the support I need. I would also like to thank my husband, my children, my mother, Roxanne, Linda, & Sandra for being very supportive of me in my decision to have this procedure done. Had I not had their love and support and not felt as if I was doing the right thing for my health and my family I could have never have done it. Pre-Op was very scary for me, I was very nervous and I'm glad that my husband , mother, and comadre Roxanne were there at the hospital before they took me into surgery because although we were all nervous I took all of their strength into that operating room with me! Believe me when I say it really helps to have people who truly care about you around when you are feeling scared! The feeling of love and suport was enourmous and I couldn't think of not fighting to make it a successful procedure. I'd also like to thank everyone that came to visit and called because knowing I was being thought of was very comforting to me and it also made the days pass faster. Thanks again everyone, I love you all!
5/11/2005 Well, I've been a very busy bee considering what my limitations are. I wrapped up my last online class today (thank goodness!) and I am so ready to relax tomorrow! I must admit that this liquid diet is getting old ald I really just want to chew on something dammit!!!!!!! SO, I DID!!!! I chewed on a pecan and spat it out! What do you know? It worked!!! I don't feel so deprived anymore. I know I need to be good for my own good and with only a week left eating off the liquid food list I am really loosing my cool! It's OK though, it'll fly by before I know it! I did eat a little better today with the following menu..... BREAKFAST- Isopure protien shake LUNCH- Yogurt & Baby Food Dinner- Spaghetti a la blender!!!! Snacks- WATER, Baby Bananas, WATER, WATER, WATER I can't wait til next week!!!! As for how I feel, I feel MUCH better today! I can tolerate a lot more pressure, I can get up out of bed without assistance, I can get up off the sofa without assistance, I can sit in the tub now with the shower running down on me!!! It feels great! I will update more later, the kids need to be put to bed!
5/12/2005 I wanted to update today because I finally weighed myself!!! I weigh in at 236!!! I lost 20 lbs already! WOW! That was a lot of weight loss for one week and I really don't feel bad at all considering I've lost quite a bit of weight in such a short period of time! I did have a nausea spell today but I quickly overcame it! I'll update later with more news!
7/4/2005 OKAY....Sorry I haven't been keeping you guys updated but I've been really busy trying to keep myself busy so that the weight will continue to melt away. So far I've lost 44 lbs in 7 weeks! It feels great to wear my clothes and be totally comfortable! I haven't made the expense of buying any clothes since I really don't have to right now. I was at my highest wearing a size 18-20 and I can already fit comfortably into a 16. I haven't tried squeezing into a 14 yet but when I do and I'm successful, it will be a really big deal to me since I don't think I've wore a 14 since maybe around the year 1999? I'm really not sure but I do know it was a long time ago!!! I have been eating anything I want and it all goes down well. I do stay away from sweets, greasy foods, carbonated drinks, and shell fish. I drink plenty of water, take my multi-vitamin, calcium supplement, and give myself a b-12 shot once a month in addition to daily sublingual b-12 tablets. I try to get my exercises in at least 3 times a week and when I do I try to go at it for at least an hour. It feels great to get that exercise in! Dr. Ferrari and his staff were very impressed with my weight loss at my 6 week check up. I had already lost 36 pounds and they said that it was pretty good for being a light weight! AH....words of encouragement. I go back to see him the 27th of July for my 12 week check up and I hope to have a total weight loss of at least 60 pounds by then. That would really be nice!!! In fact that is the same week I start nursing school! I'm really excited about the fact that I will be a lot lighter on my feet by then. That's a relief since my feet really tend to hurt a lot with all the extra weight. All in all things are going great. I can bend over easier for my shoes, bathing, exercises, and reaching down in general. We took the kids to the zoo on Saturday and we walked the entire zoo with no breaks and I didn't have not one complaint about neither my feet, back, hips, or anything!!! I wasn't even physically tired but mentally I was exhausted! After that can you believe I had the energy to go to Splashtown today with the family? I know...it's like all of a sudden I have TONS of energy! It also feels good to not be as uncomfortable in my skin. 44 pounds makes a big difference! We were there for 4 hours and I had a blast! Well, that's all for now and I will definitely try to get a updated picture up here for all to see. Happy Fourth!!!!
7/17/05 Not much going on other than trying to REMEMBER to eat!!!! I don't get too hungry so I have to keep reminding myself to do so! This past Friday was my last day at work so hopefully now I can focus on my nutrition. I start nursing school on the 25th of this month and I'm really excited about it! As far as my weight goes, I've already lost about 51 lbs. I am officially 205 lbs! I can't wait to be under 200 lbs. So I guess I'm only 6 lbs. from being at my first goal!!!! I feel really good and I know I'd feel even better if I could manage to get MORE WATER down! I FORGET and it drives me nuts so I need to make the effort to stay on top of that too!!!! As for my size, well... I was in a 18/20 pant size before surgery and I'm now wearing a loose 16 and a tight 14! My blouse size before surgery was 2x & 3x but now I can easily wear a plain ole' Large! Medium, here I come!!!! I have even lost a whole shoe size!!! Everything is COMFY and I really find myself needing to go shopping$$$$$. It's so funny because I can literally take my pants down without even unbuttoning them! Oh yeah somethiing great has happened.....my wedding rings fit me again! I haven't been able to wear them in about 5 years or so! I also need to go to the mall because my watch needs to be resized. It turns and turns, and turns around my wrist! It's funny how EVERYTHING expands! I wonder if any of my anklets are close to fitting again!!! Of course they're probably out of style now but I would like to know if they FIT anyway! Well I must get busy, I'm trying to plan a get-away for my family for next week so maybe I can find something really fun for us to do! It's so nice to know that all this weight is coming off and I'm really noticing the difference in my attitude about going places ALREADY!!!! I know my kids really missed all this fun while I was too big and too tired. I NEVER want to be morbidly obese again!!!
7/31/05 Well, there's been a lot going on.....let's see, where to start? Well, my family and I went on vacation to Florida week before last and had a blast!!!! I have lost close to 60 Lbs. already and am actually letting more photographs of myself be taken. I'm just a little more comfortable in my skin. Here's a picture at Disneyworld!!!!  We Walked, & Walked, & Walked, well, you get the picture. I would've never made it with an extra 60 pounds lugging around! I'm so glad I had this surgery and have lost all this weight but I have a ways to go until GOAL!!! My kids and hubby had a blast and I'm glad that obesity wasn't a factor in deciding whether or not to go to Orlando. We even went to the beaches and I can't believe I wore a bathing suit instead of a t-shirt and shorts! Here's a picture of my daughter and I on Daytona Beach minus 50plus Lbs!!!! 
8/4/05 Well another month has passed and progress has been made! I'm happy to say that yesterday was my 3-Month Follow-Up appointment and ALL my labs came back in NORMAL ranges!!!! That's so AWESOME!!!! On top of that I finally made it under 200 Lbs as if this morning!!!! I weigh 198 Lbs!!! That's a loss of 58 Lbs. in about 3 months!!!! I am wearing 14's now. They're a little tight but they go up and button....that's a lot!!!! I can't wait to hit a size 12. That's my next goal! A comfy size 12 sounds like music to my ears! I haven't been exercising and I know I really should but school's been keeping me busy! Maybe I can go swimming in the mornings, that will really get my metabolism going! According to Dr. Ferrari, average weight loss in the first 3 months is between 30-60 Lbs!!!! So, I'm right on the ball! Today was also the first time in about 5 years that I was able to wear my wedding rings! Can you believe I refused to have them made bigger and now I'm glad I didn't! I was "TEMPORARILY" using a ring that I have for my bigger finger, "TEMPORARY" was 5 years! All in all things are great! Until next time....Take care EVERYONE!!!!!! ;)
8/15/05 I love this web-site! I find so much comfort in knowing that I'm not alone in this. Everyday is a challenge. If it's not making myself eat, it's making sure I get enough water in, trying to remember to get some exercise in, or emphatically reminding myself to slow down and chew, chew, chew....... No matter what our fault is, we're all human and will get off track once in a while. The great thing though is that with this tool we all can get to where we need to be as long as we stay focused! I've been doing pretty darn good even though I can pretty much eat anything without getting sick. I have found though that I can't eat cereal because I get nauseous and I feel a spike in my temperature! The same happens if I have anything that's too greasy. It's not the MOST horrible feeling but it's bad enough to make me think twice and I usually steer clear of those foods. It's a good thing though, it keeps me focused right when I think of straying from THE PLAN!!!! LET'S BREAK IT DOWN SO FAR................ 1) It's been a little more than 3 months since my surgery and I've gone from 256 to 195 (-61 Lbs!!!) 2) I've gone from a size 18 to a 14!!!! 3) My blouses were 2 & 3X's and now I can wear Medium! :) 4) I even went down a shoe size from a 9.5 to a 8.5...(Swollen!!!) 5) My hands are no longer swelled up either and my Wedding Rings fit me AGAIN!!!! 6) Bra size is down from a 38D to my usual 36C!!!!! 7) I HAVE A NECK!!!!!!! ( and ONLY one!!) 8) I can turn around without worrying about knocking things over with "the load!" 9) My seat belt fits MUCH MORE comfortably! That's really about all I can think of right now. I need to go now, I've got a Dr. appt. this AM. I need to get my final Hep-B shot for Nursing classes on the 29th of this month! I'm so excited about life right now! The weight is coming off, I'm on my way to my new career, my family is doing great, Life is good, We are Blessed. I give thanks everyday for everything and don't take any of it for granted. Please everyone do the same and Good Luck on all your journies. Thanks for reading about my journey and remember I have my e-mail address at the link on the top of the page so if there's anything you'd like to ask or if there are any suggestions for future posts please let me know, drop me a line, I'd be glad to hear from anyone!! **Ciao for now!** :)
8/20/05 Here are some new pictures 
***Here's an updated before & after*** Big difference!!! Look at my FACE!!!!! I'm soooooo thankful for this surgery!  8/21/05 I thought I'd update a little since I had such a wonderful time last night. My hubby, some friends and I went out for the first time since his birthday back on June 17th & I must say I had a great time. I danced, and danced, and danced my butt off all night long!!!!! I was in perspiration mode, big time!!! It was great!!! I know I already said that but I can't get over how much better I feel minus only 64 Pounds! It was great to feel comfortable and to also not feel like I was about to keel over from exhaustion!!!! The dancing was a great exercise! I had already forgotten how great it makes you feel! I weighed in this morning at 192 so I've lost 3 lbs in 5 days, not bad. The jeans in the picture above are a size 14 and they were actually comfy so I know it shouldn't be too much longer before I make it to a size 12!!!!!
8/31/05 I haven't lost any weight since I last posted so I was feeling a little disappointed until I tried on some size 12's yesterday and they actually fit!!! I guess that although I haven't lost any pounds in the past 10 days that I'm at a stage where inches are melting away and that's great! I haven't been a size 12 since around 1999!!!! I'm so happy! I've been exercising more often doing Pilates, Yoga, Weights, & Crunches so that probably has something to do with no weight loss since muscle weighs more than FAT!!! I've also been increasing my water intake but it's not stopping my hair from falling out!!!! LOL!!! I have LOTS of it so it's OK and really my hair's pretty dry so maybe it's just gonna break off regardless! My energy is really high so I know all is good nutrition-wise but it's really difficult reminding myself to eat since I rarely get hungry. I try to shoot for a snack or a meal every 3 hours but it really gets hard especially when NOTHING looks, sounds, or smells tantalizing!!! That's all for now......Later!
9/18/2005 Just thought I'd check in here with an update since I've been swamped with school lately I haven't had the time. Well just as I wrote last time, the Lbs. are coming off VERY SLOW now. Since my last update I have lost only 4 more lbs., so that puts me right at 188! 188!!!! I was so happy when I finally hit under 200 and I was just as happy to make it under 190! I guess that will happen at every 10 Lb. interval but it really feels good to not see the scale going UP ANYMORE!!!!! I am still in 12's although I haven't even attempted to try on a 10 because I really don't think my 12's are comfy enough YET! I can't explain how much lighter I feel and I can't emphasize how much of a difference this weight loss has made on my stamina! EXAMPLE: Last month the elevator was out in a Downtown H-Town nightclub's parking garage we went to and can you believe I climbed UP 6 flight of stairs!!! Of course I was tired as hell and I thought I'd never make it to the top but I don't think I would've been able to do it even halfway had I had those extra 65 lbs. on! As for the hair.....it's a FALLIN......and a FALLIN.....and a FALLIN!!!!!! But like I said before, I had plenty!!!!! The good thing about it is that when it's all done and it starts growing back, I will have a Fresh New Head of Hair!!!! I've got to admit it's pretty damaged anyway so it doesn't take much to make it fall out!!!! ;) Let me see.....I'm taking my vitamins religiously, taking my calcium supplement candy daily, giving myself my b-12 shot monthly, exercising at least 3 times a week, drinking plenty of water, eating every 3-4 hours, LIMITING my alchohol intake to about once a month or once every other month!!! As for extracirricular activities, there are none! Once in a while we go out either as a with the family or alone since nursing school is GRUELING!!!! I need to learn to make FUNTIME! It's really hard with soooo much on my plate and nutrition is one of those things. Making the right choices on the go is such a big challenge but IT IS doable!!!!! I must again thank the heavens for this surgery because without it I would still feel like a trapped soul at the bottom of a water-well with no way to get out. Of course everyone could hear my cries and we all knew I needed some kind of device to get out yet no one could hand it to me!!!! I'm sure a lot of you know this feeling all too well. My rope to get out of the well was finally handed to me on May 5, 2005 and I am thankful to Dr. Ferrari's skilled hands for delivering it!! WLS was the device, the only tool that my body knew how to maneuver to get my goal of losing the weight. Thank God and may everyone trying to get out of that deep well be successful in having their tool delivered to them. Take care and have a wonderful day! I thought I'd put a ticker in here so that I can monitor my time left in the nursing program. Hopefully it will be my carrott and let me visualize that there is an end to the madnesss!!! Don't get me wrong, I love the program, but I know that when I'm done I will be able to spend more time with my family! I can't wait!!! 
9/25/2005 Post Hurricane Rita....... All is well, we have power, food, water, and gas (for now) and hopefully the situation out here will only continue to improve. It simply amazes me how dependent we are on EVERYTHING!!!!! I only pray that the devastation is minimal and our neighbors to the east are coping the best they can. Let us all pray for them, it could happen anywhere! As for my weight loss, I'm down to 185!!!! My size 12's are VERY loose so I know I can wear a 10 by now and I really can't believe it because soon I will be into the single digits! I haven't wore a single-digit pant size since about 1995!!!! 10 years!!!! OMG!!!! Has it really been that long? Well, that puts me at about a 71 Lb. weight loss and it feels great! My hair loss has slowed down so I am relieved about that because my scalp is starting to shine through! LOL! I upped my water intake as well as the vitamins so this should all be helping.
10/4/05 Not too much going on but I just wanted to announce that I am no longer OBESE!!! I am now officially simply OVERWEIGHT! I am weighing in at 184 so that means I have 39 Lbs. to lose to Dr. Ferrari's goal weight. (My personal goal weight is between 130-135!) SO.....We'll see! I figured to Dr's goal at one year out next May that means I will have to lose 6 Lbs per month over the next 7 months! Sounds manageable! That's only 1.5 Lbs a week! The loss has slowed dramatically but I know that since we are capable of losing weight up to 1.5 years post-op that I SHOULD reach goal without a problem! I do get a little worried that I might achieve my 1 year post-op goal and then continue to lose for another 6 months! I don't want to look sickly skinny either! Has anyone had this problem of loosing all their weight and continuing to lose way too much? I know I've read it before on a few profiles but I would love to hear from someone perhaps in the same boat. My husband and I with some close friends October 15th! 5 1/2 mos post-op, 183 Lbs....(-73 Lbs) 
10/25/2005 I know it's been a few weeks but I hate to post when there's really no progress. My weight loss as I said before has tremendously slowed down!!!!!!!!! Big Time!!!!!! Ok, I have since my last post 21 days ago, only lost an additional 4 lbs. I know if you look at the big picture that's great but it's the crawling right along that gets to me. Everything is great with me personally. The kids are healthy although my 2 year old did break her arm last week while being silly on the sofa!?!? I feel so bad for her but she's a little trooper and she'll be just fine!!! Here's a picture of Briana with her cast and my two younger boys Joshua and Zachary at my nephew's birthday party last weekend!  Briana and her Daddy! 
11/29/2005 I can't believe a month has already flown by! Well, it seems within the last two weeks my plateau has ended! I know another one is around the corner but it was really cool to see a dramatic drop just within a week! It was like the good ole' days!!! LOL!!! One day I was 180-182 and then bam! a drop to 177-175 within a matter of only one week! I'm now holding at about 175 with a few more days left in the month and I'm noticing a big difference in the pattern of weight loss. Yes, it has slowed down, thankfully so but it's still moving right along. I have also been neglecting to update my profile mainly because of the slow weight loss but I can't help it! I get so discouraged when the scale stops moving that I try to keep myself occupied thinking about other things and believe me that's not a problem at all! I have so much on my plate with our 4 kids, my classes, and everything else that I don't know how I keep my head screwded on!!!!! Life is busy and life is good! I'm not complaining! ;)~ I'm a little over 6 months out and have went from a size 20-18 to a comfy 12-10 and blouses from a 3x-2x to a large/medium, depending on the cut, and started out at 256 Lbs and now down to 175 Lbs (-80 Lbs!!!), I have had no complications AT ALL, Thank God, and I hope and pray things stay that way! I had to wack my hair off the other day so that's about the only upsetting thing that's happened but it's OK, it'll grow back! RIGHT? LOL!!!! All in all things are right on track and everything I expected it would be! No surprises here. (Now watch some unforseen event take place) I hope not!!!! Let's all pray for one another and take care of ourselves! Til' next time! CYA!
12/1/05 Happy Holidays! I went to my 6 mos post-op visit yesterday and everything looks great! I've lost 81 lbs so far and I can't wait to reach goal!
12/14/05 It's almost Christmas everyone! I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and gets everything they want especially their health! We took the family to go take a picture with santa at Willowbrook Mall tonight so I thought I'd share since we all managed to squeeze into the picture! I've lost a couple more pounds so I'm not at a total stand still and that feels great to know that my metabolism is still moving right along! I started a new job this week as a nurse aide with our local hospital so it's only a couple of blocks away but this is awesome because I hope to continue to work there as an RN as soon as I graduate in 2007! This opportunity is really going to set a firm foundation for me so I look forward to being there for the next year and a half in this position. I really like it but then again, it's only my first week there! Seriously.....I honestly think I'm gonna love it there! Well, that's all for now since my daughters in my lap wanting some attentions (RUGRATS! wink, wink ;) )) anywho, I'll try to updat more sooner than later! May everyone's God Bless them and take care of yourselves! The entire family!!!  THE HAIR! Must we all whack off the hair? LOL!!!! 
2-21-06 Long time no see! I apologize for not updating sooner but with school back in session for me it's been really busy around here for us all. Also the new job keeps me playing catch up all week long! I'm really looking forward to a weekend of doing NOTHING like really soon!!!! As for the weight loss, well I do believe the honeymoon is OVER!!!! LOL! Well, I knew it would slow down but this has really slowed down now. I'm down to 165 Lbs and wearing a size 8 or 10 depending on the cut. Blouses are now a comfy medium but I am seriously contemplating a small. Can you believe? Anyway, I have a healthy appetite and much more fits in my tummy now then before but I try to stick to eating 3-5 small meals/snacks per day. The only true thing I struggle with is REMEMBERING to drink water! I've really been slacking in that dept. and I know I need to re-focus on that and I have been making it a priority. I'll update soon if not for sure by March the 1st because I want to stay on track. There's a positive thing though, my hairs growing back!!!! I am extemely happy about that! FOR SURE! My BMI is at 26.6 now and that's pretty neat to be closer to a NORMAL weight! Here's a recent picture.......165 Lbs....Size 8-10 
4-8-06 Not much going on with me on the weight loss side of things! I am down to 160 which is only a 5 pound additional loss so I am pretty much creeping at this point but it's OK because I would be happy if I lost not one more pound! I am comfortable where I am and I feel the best physically that I have in over 5 years! I posted a recent picture and I hope to be able to lose at least another 5 pounds to hit the Century Mark!!!! I'm still eating small meals on a more frequent basis and nothing really makes me sick. I pretty much eat what I want and try to make the best choices in foods. The only department I'm lacking in is WATER!!!! I need to drink more water but with classes winding to an end this semester I find myself drinking way too many Starbuck's Lattes!!!! I'm addicted! I know I shouldn't but they're just soooooo good! Anywho, I hope to hit the 100 pound weight loss marker before May the 5th which is my one year anniversary so wish me luck! I'm upping the protein and greens as well as the H2o!!!! You know, "Back 2 Basics"!!! 3 more weeks left in this semester and I can't wait! It'll be the first summer I have off since 2002....My entire family and I are looking forward to many days outdoors, you know, where you wouldn't catch me at all last year at this time! My energy is awesome and it takes a lot to wear me down. I thank God and Dr Ferrari for their hands in this and I look forward to a healthier life! So far so good!   |
