cynwallace
3/4/2007
I'm now 3 years post op. In March 2006 I had reconstructive/cosmetic surgery to complete the transformation... (tummy tuck, breast reduction, neck lift) and what a difference that has made, not only physically but mentally as well! The tummy tuck was the probably the toughest of all... I didn't expect it to be as difficult as it was. But I'm very pleased with the results. Now the journey is complete. I'm maintaining my weight, exercising and feeling great. Life is good! Good luck to all of you who are just beginning the journey.
01/29/2006
It's been 2 years since my surgery. Hard to believe how time flies AFTER the event... and how it seems to drag beforehand. My weight has pretty much stablized in the 150's. I've had no post-op problems at all and continue to feel great. I will need to work harder if I want to lose the last 20 lbs, but I've been pretty happy at the weight I am, so up to now I haven't worked that hard! But my new years resolution is to get down into the 130's. However, 20 lbs is a lot more manageable goal than the 100 lbs I was always looking at in my 'previous' life!!
When I look at my BEFORE picture now, I can't believe how big I was. I became a grandma last year and I thank God my baby girl will never know me that way.
Good luck to all of you just starting on the journey. For me it was the best thing I'd ever done for myself!
10/09/04
Wow... Cant believe it's been so long since I've written anything here. I'm down a total of 80 lbs since I started this journey... 12 lbs before surgery and 68 since surgery 1/30/04. I feel WONDERFUL. I've had absolutely no problems since surgery... nothing but GOOD things! I'm wearing size 10 pants... and some 8's. This butt has NEVER been in anything less than a 12 and that was in high school! And I weighed less then... go figure! I'm still a 14 or Large on top. But I can now shop anywhere (and I AM I AM!!) The weight loss has slowed down to about 3 lbs a month the last few months, but still going down instead of down, up up, down, up, as in previous diets. I work out at the gym 2-3 times a week, and I walk, although if I had more time, I'd exercise more, just its hard with a 11 hour work + commute day. All my blood work has come back normal, I can eat just about anything I want, just not MUCH of it, which is really just fine. I'm a really CHEAP date these days. :-)
I tell everyone that it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. I'm so much happier emotionally, I don't beat myself up every day like I used to over my diet and weight and hating how I looked and felt. People tell me every day how great I look. What an boost that is to my self-esteem! Most important, I can look at myself in the mirror and be amazed at what I see. Oh... and I have collarbones... where did THEY come from?! :-)
3/25/04
Can't believe it's been almost 2 months since my surgery. I've had a blessed recovery. No real problems at all. I had my 2nd visit with Dr. C today, and I'm officially down 33 lbs since surgery, but 41 since I started this journey last June. I feel GREAT.
I got home from a month in Florida Tuesday and everyone who hasn't seen me since surgery is amazed at the change already. :-)
Yesterday started going thru my closet to figure out what to box up and what fits to start back to work next week. I've got clothes in my closets (from previous weight loss) down to size 14, so I'm resisting the urge to shop! But it's really cool to pull things out that I haven't been able to wear for so long and have them FIT! I'm between 16-18 now and it will be nice to be able to wear a dress again!
2/28/04
Four weeks post op today. And I'm down 25 lbs!! WOO HOO! I'm simply amazed. I'm recouping at my mom's in FL and getting out to walk 30-45 minutes every day now. It feels so good to NOT be carrying around that extra weight. I've had a (so-far) problem-free recovery. I've had a couple of times when I've eaten too fast or not chewed enough and things seem to get stuck in my esophagus, but it goes away pretty quickly. Trying to get all the extra protein and water in is a challenge, but I'm working on it. I've found the Isopure clear drinks are better for me. Not nearly so filling as the 'shakes' and taste a little like Kool-Aid.
My clothes are starting to get too big (ain't it great?) and I'm wearing things that have been hanging in my closet for several years (I never throw anything away... I've always been HOPEFUL!) Finally I'm seeing it happen! And I've got plenty more of those smaller sized clothes to go thru. Some still with tags on if you can believe that ... from the last time I had a big weight loss... as usual, I couldn't maintain it and was 'out' of things before I even had a chance to wear them. Think of Eddie Murphy playing the Nutty Professer... I'd kill myself to get thinner, then it seemed the next day POOF I'd blow up again!
But now I feel GREAT. I know THAT won't happen again and with every passing day I'm more convinced this was the right decision for me.
Good luck and prayers to all of you just beginning your journey and continued health to all of us on the OTHER side. :-)
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2/10/04
Had my first post-op appt with the doctor yesterday, staples OUT! I'm down (drumroll) 15 LBS! Yeah! And the really good part... it won't come back !!
I'm doing great here. Amazed that I feel this good actually. Because I am doing so well, after talking with the doc, he's letting me skip the 1 mo visit and said I can go to FL next week! WOO HOO!!! So my next appt with him will be March 23. I rushed right home and made my reservation for Feb 20!
Now... the hard part... WHAT to pack?? Since I'll be gone a month, I may have to pack two sets of clothes! I'm just starting to feel a little difference in my clothes now... It usually takes a good 20 lbs to really see a size drop, but by mid-March, it could be more dramatic. Such a dilemma! :-)
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2/7/04
One week out... and I'm feeling amazingly great. Thanking God for watching over me and all the prayers sent my way that brought me through this without complications.
I was out shopping (walking) on Wednesday for several hours. Can you believe that? I haven't been tired or had much pain since the first two days after surgery. And the BEST part.... I'm down 8 lbs since surgery... 12 lbs from my average weight pre-surgery!! It's just so UPLIFTING to see the numbers going DOWN for a change!
I'm now just concentrating on getting all my vitamins and protein in, eating soft/pureed food, and trying to keep moving in spite of the bad weather we've been having. I had one bad day this week... egg salad didn't agree, so it felt like I had a cememt ball in my pouch all day Thursday. Very uncomfortable feeling.
Monday I have staples removed and hopefully get an idea of when I can head SOUTH. It's just so hard to get out and walk when the weather is this bad. My driveway has been a sheet of ice all week!
Best wishes to everyone who has embarked on this journey. So fair it's been a very positive one for me.
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2/03/04
WOO HOO. I'm finally a LOSER! Got home from the hospital yesterday and doing exceptionally well. Much better in fact that I expected. I won't give you all the gory details, but I have a wonderful surgeon (and the fact that he's EASY on the eyes doesn't hurt!) I was up and out of bed Friday evening and walking the hospital halls several times a day (at all hours of the day and night) until I left yesterday morning. So you won't hear any whining from me!
The surgery went well and I'm in minimal pain, mostly just need a little tylenol thru the day, and something a little stronger at night so I sleep. The doc started me on pureed food on Sunday and so far I've been handling it well, although most things just don't look that appealing as a dollop of tan, green and white on your plate! Amazing to see how LITTLE food it takes to make you feel FULL.
I AM glad to be back home, in my own bed, without the lights, bells and interuptions to sleep in the hospital! They obviously don't expect you to get any REST there! Now I'm anxious to start seeing some results! I did weigh myself when I got home and was a bit disappointed that after almost an entire week of just liquids, IV's and a little pureed stuff I hadn't lost even a lb. Just goes to show ya how stubborn my body is at giving in to my attempts at weight loss! But I told the FAT GREMLINS that their days are numbered!! HA!
My mom and my adoptive aunt are both here taking wonderful care of me, although they are having a devil of a time making me 'behave' myself! I have to keep reminding them that the doctor said no laying around in bed, to keep moving! I just wish the weather outside was better so I can get out and talk a walk. Might have to start prowling the malls!! However, I'm still planning to head SOUTH to Florida as soon as the doctor says I can fly, but probably not until the end of February.
Thanks to all of you for your prayers and thoughts. I know they have been an immense help in my coming through this surgery with flying colors and further recovery.
Cindy
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1/29/04
Well the day is finally here, just a wake up. Today I'm trying to get everything in order at home and tying up lose ends at work. Finally got all my tests done Tuesday in an ice storm. Yesterday I began pre-op 'stuff' and am on clear liquids today. Just need to put a few things in my hospital bag and I'm ready! See y'all on the Losing Side! :-)
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12/19/03
This has to be the only surgery I've ever seen anyone say they can't WAIT to have! I've got the rest of my pre-op tests scheduled for January 19 along with my surgeon's final consult. Now just waiting, waiting, waiting and trying to imagine myself at half my current size and being able to move and feel better!
December is moving along pretty quickly though with the holidays. And fortunately I've managed to position myself at work to be very busy through January planning an executive conference for early February. They've even asked if I'd delay my surgery. HA! NOT LIKELY!
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12/1/03
Got a date! WOO HOO!! January 30, although if they get a cancellation, I may get to move it forward. I've told my friends and family to remind me how excited I was when I'm moaning and groaning after surgery and eating gruel!!
I had my first visit with the nutritionist on Friday. She said I should do well with the post-op diet since I've already made so many healthy changes in my diet. Only now it'll finally pay off!
In another wonderful news department, I also found out I'm going to be a Grandma for the first time. So I'm looking forward to 2004. It's going to be a GREAT YEAR!
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11/25/03
After completing the required 'six month' diet, my PCP sent an appeal letter and the documentation to MDIPA on Nov 4. They acknowledged receipt on Nov 11 and said they had 30 days to respond. I've been calling several times a week to try to get them to respond quicker. Finally today they called to say my surgery has been approved. Now to get a date!
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10/31/03
My diabeties test came back normal. But I'm sure it's only a matter of time if I don't get rid of this weight. So I'm still 'dieting' and waiting until I can resubmit my request to the insurance company.
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10/22/03
Had a scare when I went for my colonscopy today. They told me my blood sugar was high and recommended I see my PCP for a diabeties test. I've been so afraid that this would be the next thing that happened.
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8/20/03
Well it didn't take long for MD IPA to deny my request. The documentation was sent August 14 and I had an answer August 19. but NOT the one I hoped for. Pretty much as I expected though, because of their requirement for a documented six month diet in the last twelve months.
I meet with my PCP tomorrow and will talk to him about an appeal, and I've drafted a letter for him to send, but I've pretty much resigned myself that this won't happen until next year, hopefully January.
I had already started Weight Watchers just in case of this
possibility and already have over 2 months in. If I thought I could lose everything I need to lose and keep it off, that would be a different story, but I haven't managed that in the last 35 years and it only gets harder at my age! But I'm down a few lbs from my VERY HIGHEST weight ever, and do at least feel a little better.
Anyway, I will meet their 'diet' requirement by December, and since that's the only reason they denied it, I'm confident it will be approved then. In the meantime I've got plenty of other tests to keep me busy, echocardiogram, stress test, endoscopy, colonoscopy, etc. UGH
In the meantime, good luck to all those who've embarked on this journey. Everything I've read says it's WORTH IT!
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8/4/03
Well, I'm playing the waiting game. I had my psych evaluation 7/23 (she said I was a good 'candidate' for this surgery). I was hoping the pre-authorization request would go in last week (to MDIPA), but surgeon's office assistant was still missing the psych evaluation, and she's out of the office this week, so NOTHING is happening.
Meanwhile, I'm struggling with Weight Watchers (for the third time in 5 years) so if my insurance denies because of the requirement for 'six months on a physician monitored diet during the past 12 months', I've got that documentation started. I'm hoping 30 years of weight loss attempts counts for something and they approve it based on history and not on what I've been doing the last year. Anyway, still hoping I'll have an answer by the end of August.
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7/17/03
Working on getting information to Dr. Chebli's for the insurance pre-authorization. I've got my psych evaluation scheduled for 7/23, so hoping the documentation from my PCP and the evaluation get to Dr. Chebli's office by the last week of July so they can make the application. Hoping I'll hear back from MDIpa before the end of August.
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7/11/03
Had my first consult with Dr. Chebli. I liked him immediately. I was hoping to have this done laproscopically, however, prior surgery has made that impossible, so, I've decided to go forward with the surgery, an open RNY. Now starts the insurance pre-authorization. I guess that puts me in WAIT mode.
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I'm a 51 year old woman who has battled with my weight all my life. Like most people with a weight problem, I've tried just about every diet plan out there, including Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Phen-Phen, counting fat grams, calories, you name it. I manage to lose 20-25 lbs, hit a plateau then put it all back on plus some.
I'm being treated for hypertension, high cholesterol and I've had back, feet and joint problems for years. My serious worry now is developing diabetes.
I know gastric bypass is a serious life decision, but I'm ready to take this step to get healthy again.
