FreidaL
I called for a consult with Dr. Miller and it took me a couple months to actually get that first appointment. August 14, 2002 was my appointment date. At the appointment Dr. Miller explained the procedure including the risks involved and answered all my questions. I felt very comfortable with him. Because of my age and family medical history I was told that I would have to have clearance from a cardiologist and Barbarba Zink set up an appointment with Dr. Alicea. I had my cardio consult on September 12 and was told that I needed to have a stress test before he could give me clearance. Dr. Alicea stated that he was confident that I would get clearance, but he wanted the stress test as a precaution. It is scheduled for October 9.
September 18, 2002
I received a call from Dr. Miller's office to let me know that my insurance company had approved the surgery and I just had to wait for my stress test and the follow up with Dr. Alicea and then they would schedule my second appointment with Dr. Miller and I would be given surgery date at that time. It took just over 1 month to get approval from BC/BS DE.
October 9, 2002
I went for my stress test with echo today. I had never been on a treadmill before, but actually found it to be rather fun. The doctor and the two nurses or techs who helped with the test were wonderful. The doctor told me that everything looked good and that he was sure I would get my cardiologist's approval for the surgery. So here I am waiting for the 23rd of October to go back to Dr. Alicea and hopefully get his offical clearance.
October 23, 2002
Today was my follow up with my Cardiologist, Dr Alicea. He gave his approval for surgery. Now I'm waiting for Dr Miller's office to schedule my follow up with him and get my surgery date.
October 31, 2002
I received a call from Tina. She gave me a date for my second visit with Dr. Miller, Dec 11. At that appointment I will get my surgery date. I asked her if she had any idea when I might be scheduled and she said that with the holidays and all it would probably not be until late Jan or Feb. Seems like a long time, but I know it'll be here before I know it. I feel excited and anxious.
November 19, 2002
I finally made it to a support group meeting. What a nice group of people!! I was nervous about going, but once I was there I felt so comfortable with everyone and gained so much insight from them all. I am looking forward to the next meeting.
I've got a date!!! Feburary 3rd is my big day!
January 31, 2003
I went for my IVC Filter and central line today. Was a bit nervous to say the least, but with the nice Verset that they gave me I was still waiting for the doctor to start when they told me that they were finished. I wish the actual surgery would be that easy.
Feburary 6, 2003
Well I'm home!! I can't believe that I'm actually on the loosing side. My surgery was on the 3rd and everything went really well. I wasn't really nervous or scared until the last hour prior to surgery. I had to be at the hospital at 6:45 am and my surgery was scheduled for 9:00. Nearly as soon as I arrived at the hospital they started prepping me for surgery. Everything was fine, until around 8:00 am there was nothing left to do but wait for them to wheel me to the O.R. I started getting really nervous and told my husband that I wanted to change my mind. I didn't want to have the surgery. The nurse heard me say this and came over and talked to me. She explained that it was indeed my choice, but that I had come so far. She suggested that she call the doctor and ask if I could be given something to help relax me. I agreed and the doctor approved giving me verset. It relaxed me enough to make me feel comfortable and still be able to talk to my family while waiting. Finally they came to take me to the O.R. I remember the clock saying 9:15 as they asked me to slide over onto the O.R. table, and the next thing I remember was being wheeled into my room and seeing my husband and son. It was over! I had a little pain, but it was controlled well with medication.
June 8, 2003
I have lost 70 pounds since Feb and now when I look in the mirror I don't see me. It's a very strange feeling, even kinda scarey. The person I see looks much better, but I don't feel like she's me. Does this make sense to anyone? Am I going crazy? I go to the mall shopping for clothes and this stranger that I don't know keeps poppiing up beside me or in front of me and then I realize it's me!! I told my husband today about this feeling, but I don't think he quite understood what I meant. Though he really is supportive.
I'm really getting into shopping now, but it's also a strange experinece. I don't know what size clothes to look for. After years of shopping in speciality stores like Lane Bryant, I can now find clothes in other stores. It's great, but I find myself still looking for the largest size they have and I don't need the largest size anymore. When I try on a much smaller size than I am used to wearing I am totally amazed that it actually fits and sometimes the smaller sizes are too big!!!
I'm trying to adjust to having this stranger staring back at me in the mirror and following me everywhere I go, but I still have to wonder WHO IS SHE?
Maybe I'm just having an out of body experience!!
September 1, 2003
I've lost 100 pounds!
September 20, 2003
Some little moments that have only been made possible because of my surgery.
Today I went to buy some new scrubs for work and was thrilled when I tried on a regular large and they fit. Before my surgery I was wearing a size 3x and sometimes 4x depending on the style and brand. I was so excited when I tried on the size large pants and top that I came out of the dressing room and told my husband "This is so exciting, these are a large!!" He was as happy for me as I was. It was a great feeling to fit into a regular size. I feel "normal" for the first time in my life.
I can shop for clothes in any store now. I don't have to go to speciality stores or look for the plus size section!
We have a large overstuffed chair in our livingroom that I used to set in and take up the whole chair. Now when my 4 year old grand-daughter is over she can set in the chair beside me when we watch TV or read a book.
Before surgery I had stopped wearing my seatbelt. It wasn't that it didn't fit, but it was a bit uncomfortable. Now I never drive or ride in a car without putting on my seatbelt.
My blood pressure was borderline and my cholesterol was high before surgery. When I had my last lab work my cholesterol was within normal limits and my blood pressure is normal as well!
I don't want to set home and hide anymore. I want to get out and go places.
I can walk and walk and walk. I don't ride around in the mall parking lot until I can find a parking place close to the door.
I have bones! When I first started feeling my bones they felt weird. Like I could feel my shoulder bones and I thought it felt like something that wasn't supposed to be there, then I realized.. I have bones. (smile) Another funny moment concerning my bones was just the other night I was laying down with my little grand-daughter and she felt my bones and said "Grammy what's that?" I told her a bone and she said "Grammy you didn't used to have bones and now you do!" I couldn't help but laugh!!
I have a lap! I never knew what it was like to have a lap. It's great to be able to set down and put a magazine in your lap and read. There are a million uses for a lap. Great place for a 4 year old to set at times, too!!
I can cross my legs! I don't know why but it makes me feel so feminine when I'm setting with my legs crossed.
When I get out of the bath I can wrap a towel completely around me. I can't ever remember being able to do that unless it was an extra large beach towel.
I notice that people treat me nicer. They look at me when I'm talking to them. They don't ignore me anymore. It feels good, but then again it's a bit sad to know how people treat you different if you are extremely overweight.
October 30, 2003
Tonight just for the heck of it, I tried on Kevin’s BDU’s and they fit!!!!!! I couldn’t believe it! I can’t begin to tell you how exciting that was for me. I’ve decided now that I will wear his uniform to work tomorrow for Halloween. This will be the first time I have ever gone to work dressed up for Halloween. There is no way that I would have ever considered wearing any sort of costume before I had this surgery. I would have been embarrassed to draw extra attention to myself.
October 31, 2003
I went to work today wearing Kevin’s BDU’s for Halloween. It felt so good knowing that I was wearing his clothes and to be able to participate in the Halloween fun with my co-workers. Funny how the littlest thing seems like such a big deal to me these days.
November 1, 2003
Today Sierra and I went to the park. It was a really nice Indian summer day. We had a wonderful time. We both played on the swings awhile. I pushed her and then she pushed me. Then she wanted to play on this huge thing that you climb on with different kinds of slides. Well I decided since there wasn’t anyone else in the park that I was going to climb up that thing with her. It was a breeze. This time last year I wouldn’t have even wanted to be in the park, let alone climb on this thing. Sierra was having so much fun sliding down the sliding boards and down the tubes that I decided I was going to try it. First I just sled down the slide. It was so much fun that I had to do it again!! Then I decided that I was going to try the tube slide. I got as far as to set down at the opening and all of a sudden I had the fear that there was no way that I was going to fit in this thing or that I was going to get stuck and poor little Sierra was going to have to get help! Then I came back to reality and remembered that I wasn’t 300 lb anymore, I could fit down that tube and off I went. I screamed like a little girl! “I did it, I did it!” We climbed around on the thing and slid down the slides a little longer and then it was time to go. As we were leaving, I noticed a sign that said the playground equipment was for children 12 years old and younger. I had to laugh, for I may be 46, but for a little while today I was a 12 year old! (a tear just sled down my check)
Life is good!
December 2003
I can't believe that the holidays are here already. This time last year I was just getting my second appointment with Dr. Miller and about to get my surgery date. What a year it's been. My life has improved so much. I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am that I had my RNY. I never knew what it was like to go out in public and hold my head up and be proud of who I am. I always felt so insecure and wanted to hide. Now I want to get out and live my life. I want to explore new things, go places, see the world so to speak.
For the first time ever I weigh less than my husband!!!!! Have I told you LIFE IS GOOD!!
January 19, 2003
Today I weigh 168. I have lost 130 pounds!!! I joined Curves today. My first workout went really well. I'm looking forward to going again tomorrow after work.
February 3, 2004 TODAY IS MY ONE YEAR POST-OP ANNIVERSARY!!
Wow I can't believe that a year has passed since I had my surgery. I wanted to update my profile today to let others know how I'm doing and to say that I am here for anyone who may have questions or concerns about surgery. Wether you are just starting your research, are pre-op or even post-op please don't hesitate to email me if I can help.
I think an important thing that all of the post-ops need to remember is that when we were researching our surgery options and so forth that we read alot of profiles on obesityhelp.com and gained insight into the actual surgery from pre-op to post-op and found strength and encouragment as well. We need to remember that it's important for us to update our profiles from time to time so that we can show our support and help others in return. Even today at one year out I still like to read the profiles of others and have gotten alot of good advice and suggestions from them. If you have a before and after picture, have one of the volunteers put it on your page. We all love to see before and after pics!!
This morning when I woke up I weighed 164. I have lost 134 pounds!!!!!!
As my clothes size changed I've given my clothes away, but I did save a pair of size 30 jeans and a 3x sweatshirt. I took the pants out the other day and tried them on. I was amazed that I could wrap them around my new body. I asked my grand-daughter if she wanted to do something funny and of course she did, so I had her climb into the pants with me. It was so funny!! My husband took a picture of the two of us in my old pants. I haven't gotten them developed yet, but I'm dying to see that picture. I really enjoy scrapbooking so I decided early on to do a scrapbook of me before surgery and the first year after. Every month on my anniversary I have someone take a picture of me and I put it in the scrapbook and journal a little something about it. I've shared the book with a few family members and co-workers and they are amazed to see the change in me in pictures. I hope to do a website of my scrapbook soon.
I've been going to curves 3 x a week for the past few weeks and plan to up that to 5 days a week. When I don't get to curves I've been doing my stationary bike at home. I have to say that I was leary about joining curves, but when a new one opened just down the road from where I live I decided that I would give it a try. I absolutely love it. It's fun and only takes a half an hour. I can feel the difference already.
March 1, 2004
My update for March finds me with thoughts of gaining weight. I'm about 10-15 pounds from my personal goal weight, but I keep reading and hearing about some post-ops who have gained some of their weight back and it scares me to death. I think that the main thing that has put these thoughts in my mind is that I have been on my first real plateau and it scares me. I'm a bit obscessed with the scale. I can't seem to walk by it without stepping on it. I weigh myself every morning when I wake up, I weigh myself on the scale at the doctor's office that I work at, I weigh myself when I get home and again before I go to bed. I know that I shouldn't be weighing myself so much, but I'm so afraid of gaining weight. I do eat my 3 meals a day and have a couple small healthy snacks. I've been trying to watch my carbs more so than I was doing in my first year. I have noticed that I have to be careful with all the new low carb products because the fat content in most of them is way to high for me. Fat is one thing that my body can not tolerate.
I have heard alot of people talk about saving money now that they don't eat as much, but I'm not sure that I would agree with that. I find myself spending as much or close to it as I did before surgery. The main reason is that I buy really good cuts of meat, fresh fruits, veggies, and natural whole grain products. I can't eat very much and what I do eat I want to taste really good and I want it to be good for my new body. I do know that I spend alot less on dining out and snacks on the run. My husband and I do still go out to eat, but not nearly as often as we used to and when we do go out the tab is alot less than it was pre-op. Eating out for me in the beginning was horrible. I just dreaded going into a resturant, but as I learned more about what I could and couldn't eat I found that if we choose the right resturant that I could enjoy eating out. I just had to make good choices. I do often have the waiter or waitress ask if something is wrong with the food when I don't eat very much, or they give me a strange look when I don't order a drink. I've never asked to order off of the kid's menu or the senior citizen's menu and although I have a resturant card in my purse I've never and will never use it. As far as the kid's menu it is usually filled with fried foods,and although I may feel like a kids sometimes I'm really not. On the other hand, I'm just not old enough for the senior discount. I feel that the senior discount is just that a senior discount meant for seniors and one day I will be a senior and I'll take advantage of that discount, but for now, I'm too young!!!
More little things made possible by my weight loss surgery:
It almost seems like my arms are longer, but it's really that my belly has gotten so much smaller that I can get closer to things and it makes it seem like I have a longer arms.
I washed my car yesterday in 1/4 of the time that it used to take me and I wasn't out of breath! I was able to climb in the backseat and wash the rear window without difficulty.
I can tie my shoes without having the bows end up on the sides of the shoe. Now the ties are always centered.
I can go to the movies and not have to worry about fitting in the seat or blocking someone's view. Only problem I have at the movies now is that I no longer have a "cushion" to set on and some of the longer movies give me a pain in the butt!!!
I sleep so much better and I don't feel like I'm taking up the whole bed.
I can lay on the sofa side by side with my grand-daughter.
I can dance without being embarrassed.
I can buy really nice clothes for a lot less than I could when I wore a 28/30.
I would never have eaten alone in public before surgery, but the other night I was at the mall waiting for my glasses and it was dinner time so I decided to get a salad and eat it while I was waiting. For the first time ever I ordered my salad and set down in the food court alone and ate my dinner without being afraid someone was going to see the fat girl eating.
I feel good! I feel younger! I feel healthier. I feel confident in myself. I like who I am, and I'm proud of myself!
I have a wonderful husband!!!! I had him before surgery but just wanted to mention how lucky I am to have him in my life. He is everything to me and without him I don't think I would have been able to make the decision to have surgery. He has been through it all with me. Though the ultimate decision to have surgery was mine alone just knowing that I had his love and support meant everything to me.
I have a wonderful handsome son, a beautiful loving grand-daughter, the best husband in the world and now I have a life that I want to share with them.
May 14, 2004
I'm really enjoying Spring. This is the first year in a very long time that I've actually wanted to be outside. I've been enjoying doing things in the yard and have a beautiful new flower bed out front to show for it. I love flowers, but for the past several years I just didn't want to be outside, because I could not tolerate the heat or I just plain didn't want to be seen, but I'm so happy to say that those days are gone.
Last weekend I bought myself a bike. Yes a bike!! It felt so good to ride it for the first time. I was like "WOW look at me I'm riding a bike". My grand-daughter was as excited as I was. We went for our first bike ride together and it was wonderful!!!
I know this is a short update, but I will update again soon.
Life gets better every day!!!!
June 16, 2004
I went to see Dr. Miller last Friday because I haven't been feeling well for the past month. My weight was 161. He was very happy with my weight loss and said that it was now up to me if I wanted to loose more or not. I told him that I thought I might like to try to get down to 150 and he said he thought that would be fine, but that I shouldn't try to loose much more. He also said that he considered me a success!! and that I'm no longer obese! I can't tell you how good it was to hear those words! What caused me to go to see him at this time was I've been having alot of nausea and I've been really tired. My PCP ordered tests that came back rather unconclusive so she felt that I should get into to see Dr. Miller. My labs were pointing towards a liver problem and she also decided to have me tested for hepatitis and to have an abdominal U/S. The results of those tests all came back fine. Dr. Miller has decided to do an EGD to see if maybe I may an ulcer or something wrong related to my pouch. I go for that procedure tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about having it done, but I know I'm in good hands with Dr. Miller and I've heard that it's really no big deal and doesn't take very long at all. The thing I dread the most is the IV, but oh well it will all be over soon and I will know if I have a problem or not.
Even with the nausea and feeling tired for the past month, I'm still really happy that I had the surgery. I'm still discovering new things about myself and things that I've missed out on in life. Though I'm physically able to do things that I couldn't do before or was afraid to try for fear of embarrassment, I think perhaps the biggest change has been the way other people see me, how they accept me. It breaks my heart to think about how overweight people are treated. It especially hurts when I see an overweight child. I will never forget what it was like being an overweight child and I just wish that there was something I could do to help them.
More little things made possible by weight loss surgery:
Recently we were in a big hospital visiting my mother-in-law and my husband suggested we use the elevator and (for I think the first time in my life) I said "WHY? The stairs are right here!" I can't remember ever wanting to take the stairs if there was an elevator anywhere in the building!
Walking those stairs and not getting out of breath.
Hearing someone compare someone else to me by saying : "She's not as SMALL as you are!" That one really shocked me. Being called SMALL was a first for me!!
Walking out of the house without makeup on and feeling pretty. Before surgery I would not have even gone to the mailbox without putting makeup on. I think it was just another way of trying to hide. Oh I do still wear make-up quite often, but I don't feel like I have to wear it anymore. I wear it now because I like to.
A negative (Is there any true negatives??) Well this really isn't that big a deal, but then again if it didn't matter to me I guess I wouldn't be taking the time to type it. At work someone is always bringing in some type of food or going out to pick up something and no one ever asks me if I want anything. I know that it's because of the surgery, but it sure would be nice to have someone offer me something once in awhile or to ask if there is anything they could pick up for me when they go out. I'm sure that 99% of the time I would say no thank you, but it sure would be nice to have someone ask.
Well this is another short update, but I'll be back again soon. I hope to have another current picture posted soon as well.
I have a life and I love living it!!!
June 19, 2004
Well I had my EGD on Thursday and everything was normal. What a relief. As far as the procedure itself. The last thing I remember was Dr. Miller standing at the side of the bed and the next thing I was waking up in the recovery area. Other than the bee sting from the IV it was completely painless.
Today I discovered the beach! This was indeed a discovery I would have never made without weight loss surgery. My husband, my grand-daughter and my little Chihauhau went to Fenwick Island and Rehobeth Beach for the day. It felt so good to sit on the beach and not worry about people starring at me and making rude, hurtful remarks. The sound of the waves crashing the shoreline was inviting, the sun felt wonderful on my skin, the ocean breeze was so refreshing and that chill that races through your body when you first get your feet wet was pure heaven. Now I know why so many people love the beach! Here I've been about an hour or less away from the beach nearly my entire life and I've never enjoyed it like I did today. I had such a feeling of freedom that I just can't explain.
Life at the beach! Oh so good!!
January 16, 2005
I can't believe that it's been 6 months since I last updated my profile. I'm just a little less than a month from being 2 years post-op. I've been staying right around 160 and would like to get down to 150, but if I never lost another pound I would be happy just the way I am. I found myself grazing alot and have gotten that under control. The key for me seems to be more water and more protein.
I have quite a bit of excess skin that I would like to have removed but unfortuately it doesn't look like I am going to be able to do that for awhile. I went for a consult with Dr. Swier in Lewes DE in December. I really liked him alot and thought that he would be a very good choice in Plastic Surgeons, but when he tried to get my Primary Insurance "Optimum Choice" to cover the procedures, I recieved a denial letter stating that reconstructive surgery after weight loss was an exclusion in my policy. I have a secondary insurance through my hubby, "Blue Cross Federal" and they would pay for it if they were primary, but so far from what I have learned they will not cover anything that my primary insurance denies. I'm still trying to get it approved, but I expect to have to pay out of pocket so it might be awhile before I will be able to have the surgery. I'm starting to have a few minor rashes, but the main thing with the excess skin right now is the back pain. I can deal with that if I have too though, it's nothing compared to the physical and mental pain I felt when I was obese. Today I am still the same person that I was before surgery, but today I'm proud of who I am.
Ok let me tell you another little thing made possible by weight loss surgery... Now understand that this may seem silly to some people but that's ok...
This is the first time EVER that I was able to go to a store and pick a pair of size 7.5 knee high boots off the shelf and slip my foot into them and zip them up with ease! I have always loved boots but was never able to find any to fit my leg. I told you it may seem silly!!
On a sad note I have to say that my surgeon, Dr. Samuel Miller, is not longer doing gastric bypass surgery. I was so upset when I heard this. I'm not sure why he made the decision to stop doing the surgery, but it saddens me to think that there are many people out there that aren't going to be able to benefit from his skills in this area. I would like to thank him for all that he and his staff have done for me and my family. Dr Miller and his staff gave me the tool and the support that I needed to take back my life and to really live. Thank you Dr. Miller!!
Well I will update again soon. I have many new pictures and I would like to add a new one to this site. Check back soon and maybe you will see a new pic. If I can be of help or offer support to anyone please feel free to send me an email.
About Me
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
