Blondie **
My Weight Loss Journey: 
10/25/07 Almost 13 months out now and I have a BMI of 25, I am so glad for that. I look at others that I met on OH and am amazed at their journeys too. Life is much COLDER at my size now LOL I found electric blankets on sale today and bought a spare because the thought of not having one when my current one goes out! I have been dating someone for almost 2 months now named Michael and he and I are the same size....that is definitely something to motive me to NEVER gain weight again!
09/27/07
I hit goal this morning, I can't believe it. I had two days to spare for my one year Surgiversary. I am wearing a 38C bra, and bought a Medium Sweater for fall. I am wearing a size 6 underwear and a size 8 pants! Can not believe what a huge change has occured this passed year.
09/10/07
Eating more healthful has been paying it's dividends, I am down to a 27.1 BMI, and feeling better than I ever thought I would! My mom is still recovering from knee replacement, and now Daddy may need a shoulder replacement, we should find out on Wed. how bad it is. Such a scary time for my little family. I have met someone, and am almost scared to mention it, as not to "jinx" it...lol....Ironically, he grew up in the same area of Georgia that I lived in....he's just retired as a policeman, and is now a manufacture's rep. for a company, and lives in Memphis. His name is David. I really think he's a nice man. I am older than he is...by 3 months and 11 days LOL
06/27/07
One freakin' pound in 5 weeks, I am okay with that tho I want to get to 170, and I already wear size 6 undies and size 8 pants...Those damn body builder thighs, stillll coming back to haunt me, just like momma said they would. LOL
05/17/07 Well today finally made it 7.5 months out, and I am at 178m which is my 100 pound mark. I am 8 pounds from goal now....Woot woot.
04/30/07 7 months yesterday....99 pounds gone and I have a BMI of 28, WOW! I am still in constant pain, I call it "straight bone pain" where most people have joint pain, mine of course is in the "straight bones" LOL.....worse some days, but I do not have the debilitating stiffness from being soooo overweight now. I try to do something active every day, this weekend I planted (3) lilac bushes and fertilized the back lawn. While I recognize, I will never be 20 again, I feel so much better. This time last year I was ready to die.
03/22/07 Almost 6 months today, 93 pounds gone, and I am wearing a "MEDIUM" skirt in this pic and a "Large" tee shirt here.
03/07/07
Now for the GOOD STUFF...down to 185 today... WOOT WOOT....
02/17/07 Now in the 180s :) this morning. My lil black puppy had his cancerous tumor removed a week ago, if I could lose weight by crying, I must have.
01/30/07 My four months has just come, and I had another "WOW MOMENT"....I bought a new tulip skirt (((my favorite style skirt)))) in a SIZE MEDIUM!!!! I also bought a new J Jill brand tee shirt, in a size Missy's Large. Hey, I still have 38C, what do you expect :)
13 Weeks after surgery about a size 10
13 Weeks After Surgery
07/09/06 278 09/29/06 258 10/10/06 248 10/11/06 246 10/14/06 242 10/16/06 239 10/19/06 238 10/28/06 231 11/05/06 227 11/17/06 221 11/21/06 217 11/24/06 215 11/28/06 213 12/04/06 211 12/13/06 208 12/16/06 207 12/19/06 205 12/21/06 204 12/25/06 202 12/30/06 201 01/03/07 200 01/04/07 199 01/05/07 198 01/12/05 197 01/23/07 196 01/31/07 194 02/01/07 193 02/02/07 192 03/31/07 184 04/30/07 179
01/23/07 Have been stabelizing on the weight loss, but still losing a lot of inches. I just got yoga pants in size 10. I lost over 8 more inches last week alone.
01/04/07 HAPPY 2007!! Today I went and tried on jeans, I wear a size 14 LONG.....How far I have come already! I am in onelander town, and plan to continue my pace. My favorite thing to eat now: 1/2 a yogurt w/ an applesauce & a teaspoon of granola! YUM!
12/30/06 (3) Months and 1 Day since surgery. I have lost 77 pounds. I had kind of hoped I'd be under 200 by 01/01/07. But with a BMI now of 31, I will take where I am!
12/15/06 Ten Weeks Post OP today, and I measured: I am down 48.25 inches now. So that means I have lost about eight more inches in less than two weeks. (since my last post) I saw my mom today, and she said, "You look skinnier today than you did YESTERDAY"....that is funny. LOL
12/02/06 Just had my two month Surgiversary, and am now down 40.5 inches since Sept 23. That just blows me away.
11/17/06 Seven weeks now, and I had a "WOW" moment. This summer when I started looking into WLS, I was so big, so sick and so desperate. I was wearing a Men's XXXXL tee from FootLocker....and so miserable, I can not tell you. Two days ago, I wore a brand new Liz Claiborne top, Missy's XL size, that a dear friend gave me 3 years ago, when even then I was a XXL and couldn't have worn it for nothing. She had given it to me for Xmas, and I was stunned at her generousity, yet sad that I couldn't have gotten it on. I have lost nearly 40 total inches since 9/23/06. Boggles the mind I know.
10/31/06 One Month Out, and I didn't realize how different I was, UNTIL I looked at the pics that I had my mom take the day before my surgery...WOW... I wonder where I'll be by 01/08/07 for my 3 month follow up. I am off all meds, except some my dermatologist has me on, to make sure I keep clean, china doll skin... All food tastes like garbage waste, but that's okay....I finally found a coffee that tastes good but things change from day to day....Looking forward to Thanksgiving, this year, it will BE a day to give thanks that is for sure....
10/16/06 My friend tested my blood sugar and I was 81, can it be that I am already Diabetes Free???? I hope, I hope!
I have lost 20 inches since 9/23/06
10/10/06
Today my only child turns 16, boy do I feel old. But, thankfully, I feel alive again. I bought a nice home in May of this year, and have been living in it with boxes everywhere, and nothing organized. The passed three days, I have begun to live again. Getting my home to look like it should, (((the way I saw it finished in my head, when I bought it)))
Losing lots of inches. Since 9/23 have lost an inch in each arm and two inches in each thigh. Stomach is still the same, as well as bust, hoping it's the swelling, since I am not even 2 weeks post op yet.
10/04/06
Post op and among the living, YEAH!!! So many angels I had around me this past week, I could not even begin to tell you guys....
Mel Mel = My official OH Angel, she has been there every step of the way, with tips, ideas, scoldings :) when I needed it :)
Becks/Lucky = My Missouri Guardian Angel.....she only knew me here, but we'd formed a great bond talking about WLS, boyz, our teenagers, life, etc....and low and behold, but who's beatiful face did I see when I was wheeled outta recovery to ICU? BECKS!!! She came all the way from KC, MO to sit with a stranger, so that I wouldn't be alone..... She stayed that day, and came back the next...she was so kind, and her voice soothing, I can never begin to tell her how much seeing her meant to me, as I came to Columbia alone, but have not for a second felt that way.
She even told her sister Barb about me, and Barb lives here in Columbia, so she "passed me" off to Barb, and again....who knew people that I'd cross paths with, would be so wonderful, and compassionate....she brought me a shower chair, which was a GOD SEND, and sat with me, helped me un-pack more things I needed from my vehicle, organized me, put my drinks in the fridge for me, and gave me three great big hugs... :)
She came back yesterday with soup that was too die for, and a huge cup of my favorite fast food place's ice.... I just love it!!!
Mel Mel called her friends and put me on a prayer circle....calling me several times a day to make me know that I was loved and not alone!
My friend Janet came to Columbia too, and between her WLS pre-ops appointments visited with me, and helped me with my bandages and tapes....
I know it's because all those praying for me, and caring for me that helped me heel soooooo quickly, as it's Wed, and I only have a "twinge" of pain every now and again, and that's it. I am having broths, clear soups, clear protein drinks, and tons of Crystal Lite Slushes :) YUM....
I go for my 1 week post of on Friday, and truly hope there will be a difference in my pre-op and post-op body.
I am walking the hotel's 2nd floor, going to get ice, going out on the deck, trying to get stronger everyday.
I even slept the whole night last night, waking only 1 time at 4:30 a.m. for a bathroom break, and went right back to sleep....
I know this will change my life, and I am going to be soooo happy with the end results. :)
09/28/06
Surgery Eve and I am not even nervous.....I would however, like to eat PIZZA right now :) I gotta tell ya, I am hungry :-) LOL...but I WON'T! Promise....
I have lost 24 pounds since I started this journey in July.....wish it had been more but glad it was what it was..... Once I am feeling well enough I will post "on the other side" setting on the Loser's Bench !!
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8/23/06 Well, never say, "IT can't get any worse"...that is the moral of today's lesson....
My oxygen sat level is in the floor...and "shut down" 95 times an hour...OH YEAH!!!!!
My surgery date is now 9/29.....and I will be going to Columbia for yet another sleep test on 9/10....But what is one month, if it means they are THAT much better equiped to heal everything on me?
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08/16/06 Okay had two on my tests yesterday, the chemical heart stress test (aka Lethal Injection) OMG, they forgot to tell me NOT to take my Inderal -Beta Blocker, and it took forever for the chemical they inject to get up to the level they were looking for...and my blood pressure plummeted 55/32; so I did NOT like that test.....
The EDG was a piece of cake ((((mmmmm cake)))))) and I even had one of the nurses OFFER TO wheel me and my wheel chair out and waited with me for the cab.
I told the GI Nurses I'd come back in 6 months to see them and show "off"....LOL
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08/08/06 I was approved today for my surgery. Which I am quite excited...but since there was a gap in the week long scheduling last week and today, a couple of my tentative appointments were now NOT available...BOO....but I am able to stay over the weekend in Columbia, and get one appointment on 8/22. This is that whole day of classes required: Dietician, Psych.; Fitness Trainer..etc...
On another CRAZY KINK, my Original Psych. Eval. I had on 7/18....was told TODAY that is would NOT be valid as the person I met with was NOT licensed, tho she assured me she was, and had done many of these WLS patient profiles. The money spent on her, and the money on bloodwork, then having to have additional bloodwork, not mentioned in our packets, have proven to be a costly lesson, as I must pay out of pocket.
I know MO BAR continues to refine their practices, and I personally would NOT go to any other facility, but....they are always swamped, rarely can answer my questions, do not work as a "team" when it comes to scheduling...It's quite frustrating, try to begin a new life with potential for less pain, and the journey there is sooooo tumultuous.
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08/04/06 I turned 38 yesterday....and it was a birthday to remember. I had hoped I'd have gotten approval this week, but, I did make progress. I am going to Columbia, Aug. 14th to 19th to have a ton of things happen. I am scheduled for a Stress Test, EDG, FPT, Cardio Consult, my 1/2 day of dietitian and counselor meetings, sleep study, and GOSH, if I forgot anything....sorry...
But, this will get everything handled excluding the surgery, so I am trying to "make this happen"...
Advice to anyone that is just starting....Be kind, but call, call and call again. Ask for updates, ask for your appointments to be put together if you can. I originally got Sept. dates for some of this stuff, and was told I'd have to make another trip to Columbia (13 hours round trip) to do some of it. I didn't take that for an answer and worked with everyone to get it ALL on one week.
My successful sales career and knowing to be kind, but not take "forget you" as an aswer PAYS OFF>
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07/24/06 Went up to Columbia on Sunday for Monday's appointment. Had all my papers in order or so I thought. When I had my doctors consult, it appears they will require a multitude of additional testings. Worst part of it all, I had to have more bloodwork done, and a week after I sit here with black and blue arms... It was so painful to drive, but I had no choice as I am walking this journey alone.
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07/18/06
Had my psych eval today. Wonder if she will hand in her resignation tomorrow LOL...Poor woman didn't even know what hit her. Called MO Bariatrics, (((again)))) to see if they had everything....Leslie is so nice there, but NO ONE ever returns my calls. She did tell me that they are "starting" to call people back the next day or so....the waiting is more frightful than waiting for a job interview.....
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07/11/06 Went to the seminar in Springfield, MO and met Janet and Rose....it was so nice to see kind faces looking back at me, in a room full of strangers. The seminar was very thorough, and made me even more determined to get WLS. I will go for the gastric bypass instead of the band.
I got home late on Saturday and had completed my required paperwork and faxed to doctor by Sunday morning. The next day, I went to my PCP and he gladly signed the letter, and faxed it in for me. My PCP is the loveliest human I have ever known. He was my PEDIATRICIAN when I was a child. He's seen me off and on for over 30 years. I tried to determine his age once, and it should be about 89.
He was actually the first person to ask me if I'd ever thought about Bariatric surgery. Yesterday, he ended the consult with, "If there is ever anything I can do, just let me know."
Additionally, I had the blood work completed, and have made my psych evaluation date. I am serious!
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06/27/06 = This week made some calls, and learned about Seminar. Will be going on July 8th to Springfield, MO to take the required seminar. Have met some great people here @ OH.
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