Missy C.
March 2003
Hello. I am 36 years old, 5'10", 320 pounds, BMI 46. I have a 3 year old daughter and a wonderful husband. I originally signed up with this site last year in April 2002 and scheduled my initial consultation with Dr. Ikramuddin (January 16, 2003) at that time. I left the site and have returned for some moral support. I had my consult and am getting more and more frustrated with the assistant at my doctor's office. I have been told every week for the last 6 weeks that my Prior Authorization request has been faxed and re-faxed again and again, and yet my insurance company has yet to get anything. I was originally going to get the Lap-Band done, and since seeing Dr. Ikramuddin, I have since changed my mind. I will be having the Lap Roux-en-Y. The doctor thinks that this would be a better surgery for me to have and doing a little more research, I agree.
March 14, 2003
I called my insurance company today and found out that I was approved. I then called the Dr.'s office and was told that it was going to be July or August before I can have my surgery. I really, firmly believe that if the office assistant at the dr.'s office had sent in my paper work on a timely basis I would be getting in alot sooner.
March 21, 2003
Omygosh!! I guess my frustration was all for naught. I have a DATE!! It is May 27th at 2:30 p.m. Just last week, she was telling me July or August, now it is May !!! YIPPEEEE!!! Well now it will be rush, rush and rush to get everything taken care of before surgery...Thanks again for the support.
April 10, 2003
Well, I went to my ob/gyn yesterday for my physical. She was really supportive of my decision to have this surgery. Feels that it will improve my quality of life. I also went and passed my motorcycle permit test, now I just have to learn to ride. I had scheduled my psych eval and then the insurance coodinator called and told me that I had a $300 out of pocket deductible for this and a co-pay because they are out of network, I called several doctors in network and none would do the eval. So I called my employee assistance program and they gave me some names and will pay for me to go three times. That made me happy. I have my psych eval set for April 23, and my pre-op with my family doctor on May 12th and the pre-op with my surgeons nurse on May 20.
May 19, 2003
I had my pre-op physical last week and have scheduled my Ph Probe for tomorrow. I also had my psych eval done and the psych doctor wants me to have a diet, exercise and relaxation program in place 2 - 3 months prior to having the surgery, and that would give me the opportunity to get my finances in order. I think the doctor is full of crap. I have increased my walking, I am drinking water, I am limiting my carbs, what more can I do? To think that I am one week from my surgery date and have it screwed up, because the psych doctor thinks that I should diet, exercise and relax?? You want to talk stress??? I don't think the doctor understands how stressful this really is. I don't expect a cure all, I know that this is a tool and it would need to be used right. If my date has to be moved, because of this doctor, I will be very upset. What else can I do in the next 2 - 3 months that I haven't already done in the last 2 - 3 months. I also have to schedule my endoscopy for this week and meet with Donna at the doctors office. I have a call into them, but have yet to hear anything. Please pray for me that all will work out. I have waited this long, I can wait a little longer if I have to, but I would rather not.
May 20, 2003
Today was the worst!!! I went in for my pH probe and could not tolerate it at all, gagging, vomiting and crying. I went back to the office and got a call from Donna. They rescheduled the test for Thursday, May 22 and an endoscopy for Friday, May 23. I don't know if they think something is going to change between now and Thursday. Am I suddenly going to be able to tolerate it in there?? Yeah right. Well, it is one week from my surgery date and I am more nervous about the probe and endoscopy than I am about my surgery. I am strange, I know. Wish me luck, pray for me and my family.
May 23, 2003
Since I will not be near a computer until after I return to work this will be my last update until then. Today I am completing the pH probe and will have my endoscopy. I start my liquid diet on Sunday and my antibiotics. I am currently scheduled Tuesday for a 1:15 surgery. I am all set and ready to go, but I am scared. The hospital called me yesterday, kind of a pre-admission question session and one of the questions got me. "If you are unable to make health care decisions for yourself, who would you want to make them for you?" I couldn't help it. I just started crying. Of course I told them my husband. This surgery is a very big decision to make and not one to make lightly. I know that I could die while I am being operated on, or that I could have complications and die, but I also know that I could get hit by a car when I cross the street or have a heart attack. I guess the only difference is I am choosing to have this operation and giving control to someone else and my life will be in someone elses hands. I have to trust in the Lord that he will be there and take care of me, kind of like the poem "Footprints in the Sand". He will carry me through.
One night I dreamed I was walking Along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints.
Other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints,
So I said to the Lord, "You promised me, Lord, that if I followed You, You would walk with me always.
But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of prints in the sand.
Why, When I have needed You most, You have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints Is when I carried you."
June 11, 2003
Well I made it through and what a challenge this has been. When I woke up in recovery, I was in an extraordinary amount of pain. They increased the pain meds dose until the pain was under control. I had wonderful nurses and after the first night (they had to move me to a different room, due to a roommate who would not turn off the TV or light) had an uneventful hospital stay. I had my 10 day follow up and I have lost 18 pounds. I returned to work on Monday, June 9th. My incisions are healing nicely. I feel good, though tired. I am having difficulty finding foods that I like. I am on the soft/pureed stage at this point. There are certain foods that I don't do well on, but that is to be expected.
July 9, 2003
I have not posted or updated my profile for awhile, but have been reading the posts almost daily. I see people on the board who say that they don't regret having this surgery, that this is the best thing for them and think "I wish I felt that way". The first moment I woke up from surgery I was wishing that I did not have it. At my 10 day follow up w/my surgeon, though I was happy about the weight loss of 18 lbs, I was still wishing that I could go back. Three weeks later, it was the same..grateful for the weight loss of 16 more lbs (total 34), but missing my food, having problems drinking (bubble stuck in throat)and so darn tired. Doctor told me to start taking B12, multi-vitamins and calcium, but I keep forgetting. I know that they are important, but my mind is not used to taking pills everyday. Do I still regret this decision, most days not, other days, you bet. I still have problems drinking and getting food in and tired of the nasty taste in my mouth and the feeling of sucking on cotton balls constantly, of being so thirsty that nothing helps, of not having bowel movements more than once a week, of never feeling like I need to urinate. On the opposite side of things, I am so happy that my clothes are fitting and getting too big, I can walk and play with my daughter, I can cross my legs without having to lift it up with my hands and this is all within the last 6 weeks. So I am regretful and ecstatic at the same time. go figure.
August 22, 2003
Well, I must say that your perspective on things sure changes after awhile. I still have problems with my bowels and urination, but other than that I am doing great. I have lost (according to my scale) 75 lbs and now weigh 245 lbs. I can eat anything without getting sick. I have had a few problems with eating too fast and not chewing well enough, but I am so happy with myself for having this surgery. I no longer regret having the surgery and for the most part don't remember that I did (except for the fact that I can't eat much).
September 2, 2003
I just wanted to post my three month update. I had my check up on Thursday and I am offically down 75 lbs, then Sunday I stepped on the scale and I lost an additional 10 lbs. So a grand total lost of 85 lbs. I am 5'10" and started at 320. I lost 9 lbs pre-op and have lost 76 post-op. I am starting to feel better physically. I still have bouts with eating too fast...you know the drill..I have found out that I can not eat any kind of peppers. I continue to have infrequent bowel movements even though I have increase my fiber and water (Dr. recommended Milk of Mag - yuck). I will not get any blood work done until my 6 mth check up, so I don't know any of those. I guess for me the most important thing is that I am feeling more and more normal (or should I say healthy) every day. I had about 8 - 10 weeks of "Why did I do this?" and now I know why. My husband and I went to the Fair on Thursday and spent about 5 hours there, and then on Friday we took our 4 year old, Caitlyn, spent about 4 hours and she had a ball. Because of my degenerative bone disease I paid the price with pain in my hips. However, it was gone by Sunday with no pain medications, which never would have happened prior to my surgery.
September 17, 2003
Quick update here. I was on a 3 week plateau which is now gone. I lost 5 lbs this weekend. I am now at 230 lbs. 10 more until 100 lbs gone for good.
October 8, 2003
Well, I guess my body must really need to adjust itself, because I have not lost any more weight. However, I have lost inches. I am doing really good, but I don't feel the need to be at this site every day anymore. I feel good. I will stop in once in a while and update my profile.
November 10, 2003
Well, I lost 5 more lbs. for a total of 95 lbs. I have really slowed down on the weight loss. I have no problems with eating. I can eat "Normally". I don't drink enough water, but I am never thirsty. I still have bowel and urination problems even with "MOM". I just never feel like I have to go. I am officially in a size 16 now, down from a size 28 - 30. I feel good.
November 24, 2003
Went for a check up with my primary care doc. I weigh in at 215 lbs. which means a total of 105 lbs are gone for good. My BP was 100/60. I haven't gotten the results of my blood work yet, but I will update when I do.
December 10, 2003
I got the results of my blood work and all checks out okay. My total cholesterol is down to 143 from 282. Yipee
January 5, 2004
I am currently at 200 lbs. I have lost a total of 120 lbs. I feel great.
January 22, 2004
I am 198 lbs. This is the first time in over 10 years that I can say that I am below 200 lbs. I am so happy.
March 1, 2004
I am 190 lbs for a grand total of 130 lbs lost so far. I have lost over 7 feet in inches and I feel great.
April 15, 2004
Only down 2 more lbs. I still feel great though.
May 19, 2004
I am at 180. Wow this journey never ceases to amaze me. Only 20 lbs to go until goal.
September 20, 2004
I am still at 180, though I am still losing inches or maybe it is just moving around. I am currently in a size 14 pants and a large top. I was probably 17 the last time I was this size. I am still feeling great.
June 7, 2005
Still 180, nothing has changed. Still feeling great.
December 11, 2006
I haven't changed too much. I am around 180 - 190 (I fluctuate greatly during the month). Things are still good.
May 7, 2009
I have gained 25 lbs back. It has been six years.
April 12, 2011
I am now up to 240 lbs. Quit smoking and gained 15 more lbs. I have now regained 60 of the 120 lbs I lost. Looking back at the last few years, I came to realize that I have been emotional eating. It started in 2006 when I lost my job, found out I have MS, my mom passed away, my daughter was attacked by a German Shepard and I lost my house. That was the start my failure.
December 29, 2014
I lost some of the weight I had gained, only to gain it back again. I'm not sure what to do, but I am miserable. Emotionally and physically. Still emotional eating, still gaining weight.
May 27, 2016
Thirteen years ago today, I started on this journey. I am still around 240, which means I have gained back half of the weight I lost. Still hating my body, but now it is not just because I am fat but is also due to all the sagging and drooping skin. Yay me.