heatherevond
July 12, 2006
I'm 9 months post op and so close to goal that I can taste it. It's weird being this close to a normal weight. I'm doing so much better with my liquids and protein.
Professionally life is looking up too. I started a new position that increased my salary in a very good way. I just wonder if I would have gotten the position pre-op. How scary is that? I don't have faith in my company to promote me because of my past size. Oh well, I'm here now.
Life's not about being post-op all the time. I need to plan for the future and get on with my life. But, DH is ready for babies.. I'm not sure I'm that ready to move forward with life..
March 28, 2006---
Not quite six months out yet. But, I've had a lot of wow moments that I want to document here. I can fit in DH's pants (though the cut stinks.. too much room in the crotch), I can wear his t-shirts and they are a little big, I'm wearing a size 12, and my PCP said I'm no longer obese.. just a little over weight.
I'm still struggling at times. I really need to get into a regime of working out to tone up the lower body. My protein intake is still my number one priority. However, I notice that I'm absently munching more than I was ever before. Granted, it's a snack size amount and not a whole can of pringles... but I need to stop it still. I also need to get more water in. There are no excuses for that. I just have to get the cup in front of me and drink it down.
I'll check in next Thursday for the official 6 month weigh in.
March 6, 2006---
I'm five months out today. I've lost close to seventy pounds. I feel great. The hair loss is a bummer but I'm working on that. Getting under the 200 lb mark was a huge accomplishment. My next goal is to get to my husband's current weight. He said when I get there he'll have to lose weight. Ha, he doesn't have to lose weight .. just tone up!!
December 6, 2005---
I'm two months out. I am able to eat most foods (yes even some naughty foods) without pain. Some foods scare me away .. soda is one of the biggest temptations I've stayed away from after just one sip. I've lost 35lbs since surgery. I've hit a plateau with going back to work. I barely remember to take my vitamins and medications let alone exercise. I need to incorporate it into my day by making it me time. Just getting up and walking. Even if it's up and down the hallway at work. I offered to help a friend care for her horses. I figure mucking stalls will be good exercise and maybe I'll be able to ride a horse once I lose a bit more weight.
So, I'm feeling OK. I have more energy at times and my clothes are falling off. I'm holding back on buying pants. That's where I'm losing the most weight right now. I want to wait and get some for our holiday traveling.
October 30, 2005---
Three weeks ago I was coming home from the hospital. I didn't know how I would keep anything down. In the time after surgery I worked hard on my liquids w/ the help of sf popsicles and jello. I found diet snapple a couple of weeks ago. It's been a nice change to water. I can even dilute it with water and it still goes down easier than water alone. Crystal Light seems too sweet.
That's one of the crazy things. I was a sweet fanatic. If it wasn't sweet, I didn't want it. Now I want crispy crunchy and savory foods.
I'm officially down 19lbs since surgery and 25lbs since the pre-op physical. I go back to the surgeon in 3 days for my four week check in. Hopefully, I'll be cleared for the gym (I might even join curves) and more food choices for protein.
4 days Post-Op
October 10, 2005---
Well, I felt weird going into surgery with nothing wrong. There wasn't even the instant gratification of having a new baby put in your arms. Immediate post op was rough. I'm pretty tough when it comes to pain but, I was a big ole woosie. I insisted on sitting up because it didn't hurt as much (this was in recovery) and the nurse kept telling me I had to lay down .. until the gave me more medicine.
I've been home for a day. It's weird because I have to mentally remind myself that I can't have even a sip of sprite. I might get some sf crystal lite or some other sweetish drink. I'm even able to sit down at the table with my family for meals. All I need to do now is get over the pain and learn how to feed the new me!
LAP RNY SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 6, 2005
September 13, 2005--
Well, I have a date. I had to check with so many people to make sure it could work, that the excitement has worn off a small bit. I'm just tired right now. I know I will get past this and everything will be great.
We heard about an OH member who passed away 5 days after surgery. She had three small children. It really scared my husband. He was crying when we went to bed. He even told me he was sorry for being such a #@$ lately. We both know there are serious risks with this procedure. But, I really fear the risks to my future health if I don't have this surgery.
I feel like a broken record on that. Everyone is trying to get me to rethink this decision. It's not their body and they can tell me how they feel. In the end it is my decision and I am looking for my core "family" for support.
September 10, 2005--
I called the insurance company a couple of times last week. The second call was a success. I was approved for the surgery with two days in post-op. I was so excited, my insides were dancing. I couldn't think straight.
I did have the where withall to contact the coordinator at the surgeons office. I could have had Sept 29 as my surgery date. However, DH is super busy with the end of the fiscal year at work. I would rather he have everything taken care of before he needs to be out for a while. I asked for October 3rd or something that week. She said she will let me know as soon as everything is scheduled.
Diet and exercise has been hard. Next week starts swimming for the kids- I'll already be at the gym and that's the hardest part for me.
August 30, 2005---
The consultation with the surgeon's NP was very good. I found out that I am 5'6" not 5'7". Damn.. that inch makes a big difference. My weight at the office was 264. I have a medium frame. My BMI is 42.6 and my expected loss in the first year is about 85lbs.
The nurse said I am very qualified for this surgery. I asked if I could start going to the gym again (I was worried about my BMI not being above 40 the day of surgery), the NP was happy to say that I could loose weight. My co morbidities are an open and shut case for the procedure. I could have it done with a BMI of 35.
My co morbids that she listed off were hypertension, arthritis, irregular menses, and possible sleep apnea (interestingly I don't need a sleep study).
My psych eval was uneventful. I shared my emotional eating and diet techniques. She was concerned about both. It bothered her that I spent an hour and a half in the gym recently and an hour twice a day before I had kids. Even when I did that, I didn't loose much weight. So, she is giving blessing for the surgery with a stipulation. She would like for me to seek help with my emotional eating after surgery. I don't know yet if it will be mandatory.
At the end of the day, I am not discouraged. I will get the letter from BCBS (the NP says they do have a preauthorization process) and then set up my pre-op appointments. Until then and after the surgery I will be in the gym 5 days a week. I'm starting to see a healthy me!!
August 28, 2005---
Attended informational meeting w/ commonwealth surgeons. They are great. Official consult Tuesday, August 30, 2005. My psych eval is also Tuesday at 3pm.
I need to get on the ball and write my letter explaining why I want GBS. It will have to wait as my daughter is demanding more attention.
August 17, 2005----
I am registered to go to an informational meeting with a surgical group in Richmond. I am more comfortable with this group and hopefully I will know which surgeon will be right for me after this meeting.
I'm going up and down on the scales. I'm lower than when I first registered here, but I've been lower than that over the last few months. I'm not enabling myself with excuses. Life happens. I can't let myself slip into self destructive behaviors now or after my surgery. I'm hoping to find a counselor to help me work on my self esteem issues. I know that will be a great tool along with the GBS.
April 20, 2005----
I started seriously considering GB a couple of months ago. Now all I can think about are the things I will be able to do after I have shed my extra weight with the help of GB and a great surgeon. (I tried the slip and slide once today.. I wanted to do it over and over again.. but it's not a very soft landing for a plus size girl)
I am considering a surgeon in Northern VA, but I am a bit leery of having to loose 10 percent. I know it will be better for me in the end.. but I wonder if it's an attainable goal. I won't know until I meet with the surgeon on the 12th of May. ***update: decided not to travel north for surgery. I'll be going to Richmond.***
