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I am a computer addict, I love computers. I have been overweight most of my life but not as overweight as I have been for the past 15 years. I'm just sick and tired of people staring at you like you've got the plague or something and I'm tired of being tired! I have a 12 year old daughter that I would love to for once go on vacation with and be able to sit in a ride at the amusement parks comfortably! I'm sure you all know what I mean. I just lost my twin sister May 19th to ovarian cancer, which no one in our family has ever had. So therefore I had to have a complete and total hysterectomy in Feb. 1999 after she was diagnosed in Oct. 98. After my hysterectomy I put on about 40 lbs for some reason! Anyway diabetes and heart disease runs in my family and I really don't want to be one of those statistics. I am a prime canidate for any of it and cancer also by being overweight. So I really want to do this surgery. I hope everything falls in place. I have my consultation November 18th with Dr. Andrew DeWitt. Wish me luck.
December 9, 2002 - I'VE BEEN APPROVED FOR THE SURGERY RNY. I should be getting a letter any day now. Now it's getting down to the nitty gritty I guess. Someone told me of a woman in the hospital probably going to die from the Gastric Bypass Surgery just last night at church. Some nurse told her the surgery wasn't good for you, undoubtedly she's never been overweight! It scared my 12 year old, now she thinks I'm going to die if I have the surgery. I tried to tell her that if it's my time to go I'll be in a better place with my Lord and Savior and my twin sister in heaven, but I didn't think there would be any problems. Pray for me and especially for my daughter that she won't be worried. I would appreciate all the prayers. Now just waiting to set a date. Probably in January if I had to guess.
Dec. 18 - Well I have a Surgery Date of March 13th that's a thursday thank goodness :) ..... Going to start walking so I'll be ready when the time comes for surgery maybe I can even lose a pound or two.
Dec. 26 - I have an Angel now, thanks Lea ... ! It's nice to have someone to talk with and discuss things.
Jan 28 - Don't have much news to post just waiting for my surgery date which is March 13th...Have to go for my pre-registration and all Feb 25th in B'ham. Have went to several support meetings, I highly recommend them to anyone you get lots of information from those that have already been thru this surgery.
Feb 24 - Hooray!! My surgery has been moved up 2 days to March 11th. Don't have a time or anything yet. I go for my pre-op registration at Carroway Methodist March 5th. I will have to go on a liquid diet starting Monday the 3rd. So please keep me in your prayers I know I will need them!
March 15 - Weight (290) Well I'm home from the hospital and have been doing great can't complain. Just a little sore. Trying to do my walking started eating a soft diet yesterday. Ate 3 meals yesterday of course they were about 1 tablespoon a piece if that much. I'm so glad to be over the surgery now and looking forward to seeing the results from it now. Thanks everyone for the kind posts and encouragements.
April 10 - (262) I had my first checkup today. I'm 4 weeks out. Dr. DeWitt said everything looked fine. That I was doing great. Best of all I had lost 27 lbs. gone forever. It hasn't been to bad. I can eat fish and chicken now. I'm usually full after 4-5 bites. So far I've been able to eat most everything I've tried to eat vegetable wise and fish and chicken. It's been hard to get the liquids in but I'm working on that trying to drink as much water as possible. I plan to start back to the YMCA monday have been walking at home on the treadmill. Well that's about all I have for now.
June 4 - (242) Sorry I haven't had a chance to update since April. Everything seems to be going fine for me I have lost 48 lbs. so far!! I am feeling great it's amazing what shedding a few lbs. can do. I had a checkup on May 7th and I was down to 256lbs. Doctor DeWitt said I was doing fine. I needed to drink 64 oz. of water/liquid and walk 1 hour a day. Other than that everything looked good.
June 18 - (239) Hi everyone just a short update. I have been going to water aerobics at the YMCA here in Prattville. It's lots of fun and you really get a good workout. It doesn't even seem like exercise even though it is. I go 3 times a week for an hour. They also have water exercise on the other two days which I didn't realize so I may start going to that class to so I can get in 5 days! The weight isn't dropping real fast it seems but I must be losing inches because I can really tell in my clothes. It's nice to have something be to big for a change!
August 13 - (219.5 lbs.) Hello everyone a little update on my progress. I didn't have an appointment for 3 months and I don't like to post info from my scales cause I know they're not accurate so I wait for my Doctors scales. Anyway Dr. DeWitt said everything looked good and I was doing great with the weightloss. I've lost 70.5 lbs at 5 months. I am down from a size 26 Dress to a 18 which is loose also. Dr. DeWitt said I could start doing sit-ups ?? I don't know if that was a hint or just telling me to make sure I get plenty of exercise :) Haven't had any problems really with food. I can eat most anything I want so far just not very much of it! I don't regret having this surgery at all. I'm feeling great! Before my surgery I didn't even want to go to Walmart or anywhere because after just a little while shopping my feet and legs were killing me. Wednesday of this week I went to Big Lots, Walmart, Freds and Office Depot from 8 - 12 Noon and my feet or legs didn't bother me once. It was a great feeling to be able to loaf around and not ache and hurt for a change. My next appointment is Jan 29, 2004 (6 months). I will try to update before then.
October 9, 2003 - (209) Well heres a small update - I'm doing great I have lost 80.5 lbs since March 11th. It seems slow but I'm happy with the loss I'm feeling great. I have lost over 60 inches all over my body even an inch in the head LOL....!!!! I have ran out of clothes practically I give all my big clothes to a friend of mine that had surgery so they're not going to waste, but I sure do need some. I've had to go buy some stuff just to have something to wear. I bought a size 18 pants at Goody's in Briggs Brand (they must run larger :) but they're very comfortable pants they stretch all over and have no waistband and zip up the side I love em'. I can wear most 1X tops too, I have even bought some XL's in the Misses section at Goody's now that's a wonderful feeling. I've had people tell me they didn't even recognize me. I'm just loving every minute of it. I can wear size 18 dresses and some 16's. That's down from a size 26 Dress and a snug 30-32 pants & shirts from Fashion Bug. I'm looking forward to getting below 200 lbs. I probably would have already got there but I haven't been exercising like I really should have been. But I am really happy at this size right now, but looking forward to getting on down. I had to get my drivers lic. renewed this year and I saved the old one because it's such a big difference in the face you wouldn't believe it, I didn't realize how big til I got my new one. Well that's all I;ve got right now I don't go back to the Dr. til January 29th.
October 26 - Well just checking in. Doing great and feeling so much better. I was down to 204 on my scales this morning so that puts me in at 86 lbs. gone! Love it, Love it, love it...
I have become a shop aholic I just need some money to go along. I bought a size 18 jacket the other day and a 18 skirt and an XL pullover sweater. I even bought some XL tops at Walmart it's just wonderful. I had bought a dress on sale thru Lane Bryant a size 18 or 20 I believe it was one of those column dresses and by the time it fits me in the hips it's to big in the top that seems to be the problem I'm having these days!!! I started doing sit-ups and am trying to get on a walking schedule which I know I've got to do to get more of these inches off. But I am feeling wonderful. Just thought I would check in can't wait to get below the 200 mark, that's my goal right now. Take care. Hope to get some new pics online shortly.
January 2, 2004 - WOW! This past year just flew by... Sorry I haven't updated sooner, but didn't really have anything to tell. My next appointment is Jan. 29th with Dr. DeWitt. On my scales I weigh in at 190-191 so close to 100 lbs gone! I haven't been showing any weightloss much but must be losing inches because some clothes that I couldn't wear a few weeks ago I can wear now, so I guess that's great as long as I'm losing inches. I bought a couple of dresses at Goodwill (Gayfer's II, that is) and they were size 12 I was tickled about that!!! I've lost 99 to 100 lbs. todate since March 11th. Can wear most size 18 pants and Large and XL Sweaters and Shirts. Haven't had any luck getting pictures on the sight hopefully I'll have some new ones soon when I figure out how to get them on there. Well that's all for now. Will update at end of January after Doctor's appointment.
February 6, 2004 - Well the new year is here and already a month gone!! I had my Dr's appt Jan 29th. I was down to 187 on his scales of course I had boots on and all. I was happy with the results. I've lost 103 lbs since March 11th. I weighed this morning on my scales and was down to 183 :) I bought a weight type machine like a total gym and am going to start working out on it. Last week I bought a pair of 16 pants and the shirt was a 14/16 and it was kinda loose so that means I'm down 8 pants sizes and 9 shirt sizes, I can also wear some 12 dresses so I'm down from a 26 that's 7 dress sizes. I feel great and am really happy with my results so far. I want to get down to 135-145 so still have a little ways to go. Well gotta run get the daughter out of bed for school. Will post again soon.
March 11, 2004 - WOW! It's been a whole year I can't believe it this past year just flew by. I am down to 180 lbs. from 290 last March 11th and down 109.25 inches all over. Am doing just great. I can eat most anything I want to eat haven't really found anything I can't eat, just plain milk doesn't set real well but I eat it in cereal every once in a while and do okay. I'm just thrilled with the results I've gotten thanks to Gastric Bypass Surgery. People don't even recognize me when they see me! That's a good feeling. I've even had people that don't see me very often say "Haven't you lost a lot of weight" so its easy to get the big head. I bought a pair of 16 jeans yesterday and a medium pullover shirt could probably wear a smaller size if it wasn't for the pudgy tummy!! I've got to start working out on that. I continue to lose inches it seems more so that weight right now the weights lots slower than it was. But I'm happy at the weight I am but I am going to lose more guaranteed. Will have to work at it a little harder. My measurements are Bust:38 1/2 from 51 Waist: 35 1/2 from 50 Hips: 47 from 63 Thighs: 24 from 32 ABdomen: 45 from 62 Midriff:36 1/2 from 49 and 3 to 4 inches in the arms etc.. I even lost 1 inch in the head and neck LOL.... Well that's my update for my Anniversary date. Will post again soon.
July 6, 2004 - Well hope everyone is doing well with their surgeries I can't complain I am 16 months post-op and have been well pleased with my progress. I have lost 127 lbs. and 125 inches!!! I feel great. As I'm writing this post I'm down in Panama City Beach, Florida in a beachside 4 story condominum with my wonderful and supportive husband. He tells me all the time I'm beautiful so I guess he's pleased with my progress too! He's been wonderful couldn't ask for a better husband. Anyway just wanted to drop a quick post about my progress to date. Have not been able to get a picture on the obesityhelp site for some reason.
AUGUST 30, 2004 - Sorry I forgot to update when I went to the Doctor on August 10th. Dr. DeWitt said I looked good. I had lost 134 lbs. I weighed 156 on his scales!! I set mine with his when I got home and I weighed 154 today. So thats a loss of 136 lbs. since March 11, 2004(17 1/2 months). Am wearing most sz 12 pants and jeans and Med shirts or 8 - 10. So I'm happy! Thats down from a sz 32 pants to sz 12 thats 10 pants sizes down!! I'm a little flabby in the stomach/midriff area (but it's not really noticable so I don't plan to do any plastic surgery. I doubt if I would qualify for insurance coverage so I sure can't afford to pay for it out of my pocket. Well he said my blood work was good and I'm supposed to go back next year!!
December 12, 2004 - Hello everyone I thought I would do an update before the year ended. I'm feeling great and have had no problems at all from my surgery so far! As of today I weigh 145lbs. so that puts me at a loss of 145lbs. so I've lost a whole person :) in 21 months (1 yr. 9 mths). I was so tickled the other day I got into a Tommy Hilfiger Jean size 10!! I couldn't believe it. I haven't taken my measurements lately so I don't have an update on those. Will try to do that soon. I am really happy with myself at this point. Plan to get started on that exercise program ... I feel great can walk or work out in the yard without any problem which is a drastic change from not even being able to walk to the mailbox without being out of breath. I have some new pictures I'll send to obesityhelp. but here is a link to some recent ones Thanksgiving and last week.
March 24, 2005 -- Hi everybody just a little post well I've been Post-Op a full 2 years now!! It's hard to believe. I feel wonderful and have lost 153.5 lbs.!! I haven't took measurements lately but I know I have lost inches also since last time because I haven't really lost that much more weight but clothes are still getting to big! I weigh 136.5 lbs. down from 290 March 2003. I bought a size 8 skirt/jacket for easter that's a smaller size than I wore when I was 23 and weighed 135 ? can't figure that one out unless size of clothes are different now. But it feels GREAT to be able to get in that size I even bought a dress at the Salvation Army the other day couldn't help it I paid 76 cents for it... It was a size 6 but I loved it, I couldn't wear it (very tight in the hip/stomach area)but I'm keeping it until I can my daughter said Mama you can get in it, just get to doing your exercising and you'll get into it I know you can! That makes you feel wonderful. She keeps me in the new hip clothes, it feels great to be able to shop and have fun at it. I feel great about myself and my husband can't compliment me enough, of course he's always been wonderful no matter what weight I was, but he just can't say enough now days. Well gotta run, we're going to Montgomery Shopping with a friend today :)
May 22, 2005 - Hello everyone. Hope everything is going well for you all. Thought I would drop a note about my progress. I'm doing great. I had to have Gall Bladder surgery Thursday before last May 12th. Had a couple of spells with it. Dr. DeWitt said he recommended going ahead and getting it out while I wasn't having problems because of the possibility of a gall stone getting into the pancreas and causing pancreatis which can be fatal. So naturally I opted to have it OUT! Anyway I had it out and am doing great just still a little sore. Had it out patient at Caraway Methodist. Dr. DeWitt is still wonderful, I just love him he is so down to earth and caring. He even called me at home on Friday after my surgery to see how I was doing. As far as the weight goes I weighed 133 on my scales this morning which is 1/2 lb. off from Dr. DeWitt's. So that puts me at 157 lbs. lost since March 11, 2003. I have been staying right around this weight for about 4 months now. I didn't think I would ever get down to this weight at my age, but I did and I am loving it. I am into size 10 jeans and even bought a pair of shorts that were a size 8 (Bill Blass) am into size 8 and 10 dresses. Small and Medium shirts. Well I can't think of anything else right now. I have a yearly exam with Dr. DeWitt on August 11th. so I'll update again around then.
July 17, 2005 - 129.5 lbs/Lost 160.5 lbs. 2 yrs. 4 Mths.
Hey everyone... I was just so excited for the last 2 days I've weighed 129 1/2 !!! I have never weighed that since I was in middle school, I remember weighing 130 lbs. in 6th grade. I just couldn't believe it. I'm just beside myself. I'm feeling great am wearing size 9/10 jeans and some 8's now. I even bought a jacket that was a size 6. I just love shopping. Just wish I had more money so I could buy everything I want. I have loads of energy, I have been painting around the house and redecorating the past several months. I'm an HGTV Junkie now, I want a tablesaw and stuff so I can make my own things, I just can't find out where to go to learn how to make things?? We went on vacation and it was great to be able to walk and not be out of breath. We even went to Rock City and Ruby Falls and rode the Chattanooga Incline in one day and I wasn't tired at all until late that evening because we hadn't ate all day!! It was great to be able to sit in the seats with no problem. I'm just loving my life right now. I hope I continue to be as healthy as I have been so far.
PICTURES - http://groups.msn.com/DebbysWeightlossPics/shoebox.msnw
December 2005: 122.5/290 Lost 167.5 lbs./2 yrs. 9 months post-op
I have done great since my surgery. Do not regret it at all. I have lost over 140 inches all over. I feel great. I've actually lost to much weight probably for my height and my build I'm beginning to look a little drawn in the face to me that is.. I'm not trying to lose anymore but drop a lb. here and there. I've lost 7.5 lbs since July? But I know one thing is when I'm busy doing something I don't always eat so I basically eat 2 meals a day actually probably 1. It doesn't take much to feel me up. So far I've been able to eat anything I want to eat. I can eat a cookie or two and sweets I just don't eat them very often I can eat any meats. I really can't think of anything I can't eat. I don't drink soft drinks at all anymore mainly because I have no taste for them. I drink mostly water/coffee/ or unsweet tea with no sweetner and milk kinda makes me queasy so I don't drink it at all and hardly ever eat cereal. My breakfast usually is a bagel w/cream cheese or occassionaly grits/eggs/bacon. Lunch hardly ever eat mostly snack on stuff like pecans/peanuts/cheez-it's or sometimes a peanut butter sandwich w/no jelly. Usually have a balanced supper with a meat/veggie/bread. Have not exercised like I should but that's on my list for this year to get in more exercise. I am really pleased with the progress I have made since my surgery and would definetely recommend Dr. DeWitt to anyone thinking of having the surgery he is so nice and he cares about you even after you have the surgery. If there is a problem he will find out what it is and usually immediately. Well will write again soon. Have a Happy New Year everybody.
August 16, 2006 - Well Ihad my annual exam with Dr. DeWitt today. Everything is fine all my blood work was very good. I weighed 129.5 lbs. actually lost 1 pound since last years exam. I was very pleased. I do not regret this surgery at all. I would do it all again. I feel so much better physically as well as mentally. I love where I'm at. In a size 8 jeans - small shirts - 6 dress. I can actually wear some of my daughters clothes that is a very good feeling!! she is 16 and a small person thank goodness she didn't take after me but her father. I will keep posted as things change. It's nearly christmas again it's hard to believe its been 3.5 years since my surgery date. I've lost a total of 160.5 lbs. and about the same amount of inches. I urge anyone who has surger to take your measurements before surgery and keep up with them also, that way when you don't seem to be losing pounds you are probably still losing inches that's how it was with me.
March 11,2007- Hello I don't have much to update. This is my 4 year anniversary date. I still feel great! and also feel so much better about myself now. It's so great to be able to go in a store and buy clothes I love to shop now. Its so much fun to try on any type of clothes and have them look good on you. As far as my surgery went in 2003 I have had no problems at all with my surgery. I did have gall bladder surgery about 2 years ago, I really don't know if it had anything to do with having the gastric bypass surgery or I already had problems with it?? But I opted to have it out because Dr. DeWitt recommended it. I love Dr. DeWitt he is the best Doctor a person considering this surgery could ever have. He is caring and concerned about your well being, I am so glad I chose him to do my surgery in 2003. I have gained a few pounds I weigh about 137, but I really feel good at that weight and look good also at that weight. I think below 135 I look to skinny and sick looking. So I am extremely happy with the weight. I am working now and enjoying it. It gives me a little extra to shop with!!! Well I don't have much else to report so I'll go for now. Please email me if you have any questions about my surgery I always try to answer any questions or concerns that anyone may have that I might could help them with. I can share my story anyway. Take Care til next time.
May 14, 2007- Well I'm back. Don't really have much to update on still doing wonderful. Weight is still around 134-137. I had general doctors appt last week and blood work was fine they said. I go back to Dr. DeWitt in August. I really feel great about myself and am still glad I had this surgery. I feel so much better now and love working around in the yard and doing the flower stuff and feeding the birds in the backyard. Please feel free to email if you have any questions about my surgery I will be glad to talk with you. Til Next time.
January 12,2008 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Everything is still going fine with me. I have not had any problems since my Gastric Bypass Surgery March 11, 2003 It will be 5 years in March. Wow how time flies. I do not regret having surgery I feel so much better about myself and physically. I have not had any problems associated with the surgery I did have Gallbladder removed in May of 2005 but don't think it had anything to do with the surgery because I had a similar attack with it several years before hand so I think it was in the works already :) but have done wonderful with that surgery also (Which I had Dr. DeWitt also do...he's the best) I'm maintaing weight around 142 which I feel good about but I don't want to gain anymore though. Went to Dr. DeWitt October 17th for yearly check-up and everything was fine, bloodwork was great so can't complain. Well I don't have much to comment on just wanted to update everything. Be back in March on anniversary date to comment and give 5 year measurements and weight! Yikes....
MARCH 14, 2012 - WOW Can't believe it's been 9 years since Gastric Bypass surgery. Today I am still doing great I weigh 160-165 I have never regretted going through this surgery because I have no doubt I would have never lost the weight without it. I still have had no problems due to my surgery and am still loving life. If you are considering gastric bypass just do your research on Doctors and the surgery itself and make your decision for it is a very personal decision. As for me I know I made the right decision to have the surgery back in 2003. If you have any questions I would be glad to talk with anyone just email me anytime. angelinmypocket@hotmail.com ... Thanks Obesity help for the opportunity to have this forum and site to gain information. Til Next time. Debby