chippy3799
1/19/2004
I am just learning about the different surgery options and am still deciding whether or not I want to go through with this. This is a huge life changing experience, but at the same time I am fully aware of all the positive outcomes. I need to decide soon in order to be ready for surgery. If I go through with it, I am looking to do it sometime in mid-june
1/20/2004
WOW- what a day yesterday was. All the researching I need almost made me sick to my stomach. I made an appoitnment with a Dr. William Homan in White Plains on March 12th. This gives me almost two months to fully think things through.
3/4/04
I have my consultation next friday. I can't believe time has gone by so quickly. It won't be long now.
03/13/04
I completed by first consult yesterday with Dr. William Homan. I can't say enough good things about him and his staff. Everybody was not only completely professional but also extremely personable. The waiting time in the office to see the doctor was a bit long, but I was able to speak with two young women, one who is almost a year out, and one who is set up for next week..so the time went by rather quickly. I was able to get a lot of helpful advice from both of them. I plan on calling for my nutrition and psych consults this monday morning.
03/16/04
I took the day off today! Wooo Hooo!! Went shopping and to lunch with a friend, what else do girls do...the only bad part was the snow. It stinks!
On the WLS note, I was able to get through to the nutritionist and make an appointment: March 29- 8:30 AM. Now I am waiting for the psych person to call and give me a time...then I will be able to set things up for the insurance. So far my financial future is looking bright. Maybe a couple of hundred at the least...we'll see :)
3/17/04
All set: Psych appt 4/1- 9:30 AM. April fools day! Hahahahaha :)
3/29/04
Nutrition consult complete! The team has set up an excellent reference book to use along the journey. It was great to see printed out what the expectations are.
4/1/04- April Fools Day!
I saw Lori the psychotherapist today in Dr. Homan's office. I thought she was absolutely wonderful. She said I can call monday to schedule a date, than all I would have to do is get insurance approval. I hope there isn't a problem with that.
4/4/04
Just 11 short hours until I call my doctor's office to set a date. I am so excited it's unbelievable. I met with the nutritionist a little less than a week ago and am trying to practice the things we discussed: eating at certain times, not rushing, cutting out soda, etc. I've noticed that since I started this fiasco back in January certain things have been becoming less appealing to me. Take ice cream for instance, I used to love it, now I take a bite and I could put it down. I wish that could happen with chocolate...lol. We'll so how things go as my date approaches. I am so psyched. The only worry I have is not being approved by insurance due to never being on a supervised medical weight loss program, but god knows I've been on enough other ones.
Anyway, there are lots of things I will not miss about being so heavy including shopiing in plus size stores and feeling awkward about walking through restaurants. Okay 10.5 hours now...lol!
4/7/04
Hellooooo!!!!! It's me and I'm back wtih a sugery date. JUNE 21, 2004 at 8:45...mark your calendars. I am so excited about finally having an end in sight to this madness I've been living. I'm not at all supersticious but 6/21 has always been a good day...my Junior high graduation and other things fell on this date. ALL GOOD THINGS!! Anyway, I have my pulmonary evaluation scheduled for 5/25 and all I have left to do after that is see Dr. Homan one more time and do pre-op testing.
4/8/04
I love my new profile. Thanks Kay!!! It's really brightened my day.
5/14/04
It's been a while since my last entry. Not much has changed recently. I am still waiting for my insurance approval and I am in the process of getting the paperwork ready for my employer. So far, everyone who I have told has been absolutely wonderful. I still haven't told my brother yet because he worries so much. I don't want to cause him to have an ulcer or anything.
6/3/04
Things are moving along very smoothly. I saw the pulmonologist last week and have had my PFT. All I have left to do is a sleep study this weekend. My insurance approval has come through, so I am pretty psyched now. 17 days left until the big day!!
6/17/04
3 days left. Oh God!!! I can't believe home time has flown right by. Just a few short days and I will be on the losing side. God bless all of you who read this, and good luck in your journey.
6/30/04
10 days post op and I feel wonderful. I had a fairly uneventful stay at the hospital, spiking a fever once, but other than that everything was right on target. I can see the weight loss already, and I can't help but feeling so different. Almost like I am a new person...it's a very strange feeling. I see my MD on 7/7 and will update my weight loss than.
7/8/04
17 days and 33 lbs gone forver. It's nice to use that phrase and really know it's true. The past few days have been bumpy. My pouch keeps on getting upset for unkown reasons so I haven't been eating too much, but I'm making sure to keep up with my protein. I went to my first post op visit yesterday and got a clean bill of health. My doc was pleased with my weight loss so far. After the visit I attended my first support group, and I can honestly say that I think that they will be one of the invaluable additions to my life.
8/6/04
Things are going along well. I am feeling good and I only have a bad day here and there. Food started tasting funny last week, but for the most part it has gone away. Somedays I can eat more than others, so I concentrate on the protein the most. I see my Doctor and the nutritionist next week.
9/15/04
12 weeks and two days. I can't believe how fast this has gone. I've just moved on to the on-going diet per my physician and I feel really great.
10/11/04
I bought a pair of size 16 jeans last night in a regular store!!!!!
11/9/04
I can't believe how fast time has gone. I am doing great, I feel well, and the pounds keep on sliding off. The weight loss is slowing down but still consistently coming off and the hair loss is hopefully coming to an end. I see my doctor again in a month...hopefull I will surpass the century club by then. I don't think it will be a problem since I am going to Disney World next week and will spend 6 days walking, walking and walking. I can't wait!
12/22/04- 6 months and 1 day
Last night my surgeon had a holiday party for all his patients. What a mind blowing experience, especially falling on my 6 month anniversary. Dozens of patients and their families and friends were there...we listened to speeches and then the all of of were allowed to get up and say out remarks. I had tears in my eyes the entire night.
I am grateful everyday for the life that has been given back to me. Every move I make causes me to think about what my life would be like if I hadn't had the surgery...from finding a seat on a crowded NYC bus or buying clothing in a NORMAL store...it's amazing!!!
3/4/05
Just past my 8 month anniversary and doing well. I got back from Costa Rica over the weekend, and found eating while I was away to be really tough. The food in the country is rich in carbohydrates I'm assuming due to their really active lifestyles, and it was hard to find a meal at my resort to allow for enough protein daily. I'm back home and back on track. I also made a reappearance at the gym and lost four pounds in the past few days.
6/20/05
Well it's officially one year to the day of my surgery, well actually one year tomorrow but who's really counting besides me?!?! I'm feeling well and have lost a total of 138 lbs...even though I round up to 140 for my fans...haha. I can honestly say that everyone is completely supportive of everything I have done, and I am gradually getting use to seeing myself in the mirror.
This year has gone by so quickly. I had the surgery...I got a promotion...and now I'm engaged to be married. Now the countdown begins to the wedding: 11/11/06...509 days to go. Life has defintely taken unexpected turns for me since the surgery date. I don't know where I would be without the support of Dr. Homan, his amazing staff, and the AMOS community. Thanks to you all!!!
11-30-05
Hanging tough!
