heidiinPA

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*****I have changed my profile page---updates are now at the top of the page*******

Weight Loss Progress

Date----------Weight---Pounds Lost
03/28/2000-----302----------0
05/30/2000-----310---------+8
06/29/2000-----303----------7(surgery date)
07/03/2000-----327--------+24(discharge date)
07/13/2000-----293---------34(two weeks post-op)
07/20/2000-----286---------41(3 weeks post-op)
07/27/2000-----282---------45(4 weeks post-op)
08/03/2000-----275.5-------51.5(5 weeks post-op)
08/10/2000-----272---------55(6 weeks post-op)
08/17/2000-----269---------58(7 weeks post-op)
08/24/2000-----266---------61(8 weeks post-op)
08/31/2000-----262.5-------64.5(9 weeks post-op)
09/08/2000-----258---------69(10 weeks(plus one day)post-op)
09/14/2000-----254.5-------72.5 (11 weeks post-op)
09/21/2000-----253---------74(12 weeks post-op)
09/28/2000-----248.5-------78.5(13 weeks post-op)
10/06/2000-----246.5-------80.5(14 weeks (plus one day) post-op)
10/12/2000-----242---------85(15 weeks post-op)
10/19/2000-----238.5-------88.5(16 weeks post-op)
10/26/2000-----238---------89(17 weeks post-op)
11/02/2000-----237---------90(18 weeks post-op)
11/09/2000-----233.5-------93.5(19 weeks post-op)
11/16/2000-----230---------97(20 weeks post-op)
11/23/2000-----224--------103(21 weeks post-op)
12/14/2000-----219.5------107.5(24 weeks post-op)
12/22/2000-----217--------110(25 weeks (plus one day) post-op)
12/28/2000-----216--------111(26 weeks post-op)
01/04/2001-----213--------114(27 weeks post-op
01/11/2001-----213--------114(28 weeks post-op)
01/18/2001-----210--------117(29 weeks post-op)
01/25/2001-----212--------115(30 weeks post-op)
02/01/2001-----208--------119(31 weeks post-op)
02/08/2001-----205--------122(32 weeks post-op)
02/15/2001-----202--------125(33 weeks post-op)
02/22/2001-----202--------125(34 weeks post-op)
03/01/2001-----199.5------127.5(35 weeks post-op)
03/08/2001-----197--------130(36 weeks post-op)
03/15/2001-----195--------132(37 weeks post-op)
03/22/2001-----193.5------133.5(38 weeks post-op)
03/29/2001-----196--------131(39 weeks post-op)
04/05/2001-----191.5------135.5(40 weeks post-op)
04/12/2001-----191--------136(41 weeks post-op)
04/19/2001-----190--------137(42 weeks post-op)
05/10/2001-----182.5------144.5(45 weeks post-op)
05/17/2001-----181--------146(46 weeks post-op)
05/24/2001-----183--------144(47 weeks post-op)
05/31/2001-----181--------146(48 weeks post-op)
06/07/2001-----181--------146(49 weeks post-op)
06/14/2001-----181--------146(50 weeks post-op)
06/21/2001-----179.5------147.5(51 weeks post-op)
06/28/2001-----177--------150(52 weeks post-op)
07/12/2001-----178.5------148.5(54 weeks post-op)
07/19/2001-----178--------149(55 weeks post-op)
07/26/2001-----176--------151(56 weeks post-op)
08/29/2001-----173--------154(14 months post-op)
10/26/2001-----172--------155(16 months post-op)
11/29/2001-----169.5------157.5(17 months post-op)
01/22/2002-----170.5------156.5(18+months post-op)
07/15/2002-----172.0------155(2 years post-op)
03/31/2003-----170--------157(2.5+ years post-op)
04/15/2003-----170--------157(2.5+ years post-op)
06/29/2003-----170--------157(3 years post-op)
06/29/2004-----174.5------153.5(4 years post-op)
06/29/2005-----180.5------146.5 (5 years Post-op)

10/23/2006-----184--------143(6+ years post-op_

6/30/05

Yesterday, 6-29-05 was my five year anniversary. I thank the Universe every day for showing me to this sight and SpotlightHealth, for directing me to my wonderful surgeon Dr. Sweet, and for all of the frineds I have made along my journey.

I don't get to post too much since I'm logged on at work, but I do read the boards every day. I have been here a bit over five years.

I haven't made the deep connections many have made, but know that I love and cherish all (well, most all) of you. That you share the details of your lives and the trials and tribulations, ups and downs, good times and bad, has helped to see me through my own.

This past year has been a difficult one for me. My husband of 12.5 years and 17 total years together, walked out on me Memorial Day of 2004. I was devistated, but I should have seen the writing on the wall. For 6 months, I did nothing but grieve. Then I got mad and now I'm resolved and moving on with my life. I am almost 100% again, and looking at re-entering the dating scene. We'll see how that goes!

My weight loss journey still isn't over. Yes, I lost the weight, and I have maintained within a 10 pound range (that I do want to get back off) of my goal weight. I haven't had any plastics yet, but I am still holding out for a tummy tuck. This extra skin plays games with my head and sometimes I still feel like the 330 pound woman I was 5 years ago.

Unfortunately, I don't have any current pictures to post, as I still shy away from the camera. I'm going to get my Mom to take some this weekend while we are at the beach, so I hope to have some next week. My before and 1 year pictures are on my profile...heidi inPA.....

I'm looking forward to attending some WLS get togethers this fall and Vegas in February. I need to get myself back out into the world of the living, and you folks sure do know how to live!

I've rambled on enough for now. I hope everyone has a safe and Happy 4th!

Huggs,
Heidi

Heidi
Post-op 6/29/00
327/178/170
Working my way back to goal!
Dr. Sweet/W. Reading, PA

06/28/04

I'm a day early posting on my 4 year anniversary. Wow....4 years already. It seems like only yesterday I was planning and recovering from surgery.

Well, a lot has happened this year. I started out ok, I had a blast in Vegas last summer with my two gfs, hubby and I went to Hawaii in December, I put on 10+ pounds and hit an all time high of 183 this winter/spring.

I'm happy to say that as of this morning I'm back down to 174.5. Unfortunately, the reason for losing the weight isn't too good. My husband walked out on me 4 weeks ago today. I'm trying to deal with all of the emotional crap that goes along with a divorce. I thought that if two people loved each other, nothing could stop them. How wrong I was.

Oh well, enough downer info for one day.

07/01/03

OK, so I'm a couple of days late for my three year up-date. That's what happens when you are out living life instead of cooped up in front of a computer! Hubby and I were busy this weekend. Friday night we spent with friends, Saturday we went to the Pagoda Hill Climb in Reading and on Sunday we were in Scranton moving a friend. We left our house at 7:00 am and I didn't get home until after 10:30 that night. My friend lived on the third floor of an old Victorian home and we must have gone up and down those stairs a hundred times. Unfortunately, I did pinch a nerve in my lower back and was home all day yesterday recovering in bed. Such is life! Other than that, life is grand. I can't believe that it has been three years already. It seems like only yesterday! I wouldn't change a thing and if I had to do it every year I would. My life has changed so much since the surgery. I now participate, not observe from the sidelines. Hubby and I are heading to the beach this weekend and in August I'm heading to Las Vegas for the first time with two of my girlfriends. My enitre summer is booked! No more sitting inside while everyone else is out enjoying themselves. Well, thats about it for now. I do read the message board several times a week even though I mostly lurk, I'm still around! Huggs & kisses to all.....TTFN :O)

04/15/03

UPDATED - 10 Things I Want to Do Post WLS

1. Make love to my husband…with the lights on - DONE!
2. Take long walks without getting winded - DONE!
3. Wear a bathing suit...and look good in it – I now own and wear a two piece! (OK…it’s a tankini!)
4. Stand with my feet together and not have my thighs touch – DONE!
5. Leave the table feeling full after a meal - DONE!!
6. Go into the regular “ladies/misses” department at Macy’s and buy anything I want off the rack – DONE! Size 10/12
7. Sit comfortably in an airline seat - DONE! The seats are almost too big! Just wish they would add the extra to the leg room!
8. Dance – DONE! In 3” heels no less
9. Be able to exercise every day….and look forward to doing it – Have to get better at this…slacked off over the winter.
10. Like who I see when I look in the mirror - DONE!

03/31/2003

Geeze...its been a long time since I updated this. Well, I had the PS consult in September, submitted to the insurance company and they denied me. I have until April 23rd to appeal. Don't know if I'm going to or not. I still hate the extra skin, but right now I don't know if I want another surgery. Hubby and I were thinking about selling the house, we worked on it all winter to get it ready, and then decided to re-finance instead! That should be completed within the next few days. I was going to go back to school in the fall, but now that we didn't sell the house, we don't have the extra funds to pay the $12,000.00 per year tuition. Oh well, it can wait. I actually love the job I'm doing now. I have a great boss and wonderful co-workers. Hubby was in the hospital last week with pneumonia. He's ok now, just tired some. I'm getting over a case of the flu myself. I'm completely wiped out all the time. I can't wait for Spring to be here full time. I need the sunlight and warmer weather. I'm still doing well with the weight. I had put on some weight over the winter; I was up to 183 at the highest. I went strict back on the program and I have only three pounds to lose to get back to my goal of 167. That gives me an official 160-pound loss. And to think I have maintained this for almost two years is just amazing. The surgery still works (found that out the hard way Saturday night when I dumped my brains out after eating some nachos and wings!) and I can still control my eating.
Well, that's all for now!

07/15/02

WOW.... well, my two-year anniversary has come and gone. I'm holding steady between 165 and 175. My weight changes every week (thank you ortho try cyclin!). I even go a few days at a time without getting on the scale now. It's not so important! If my clothes fit, I know I'm doing OK. I have my plastic surgery consult scheduled for September 27. I'm hoping that it will be covered by insurance. I didn't think that I would want to have any more surgery, but I realize that I just don't like the extra skin. It isn't a lot, but its enough to make me feel uncomfortable. Everything else in my life is wonderful. Hubby is working again after 9 months on unemployment and even though it was rough, we never gave up on each other. Well, that's all I have time for right now. I'll update again after the ps consult.


01/22/02

I'm a few weeks (ok almost a month!) late in posting my 18 month update. I do come to the site almost every day and read the message board, Q&A and updated profiles. I still get so much from others experiences. I have been hovering between 168 and 173 pretty consistently the past month or so. I'm OK with this. As long as I don't go higher than 175 I'm doing great.

11/29/01

What a wild ride its been.
To think, two years ago this week I was approaching my 30th birthday dreading the fact that I was hitting this tremendous milestone in my life and I was the heaviest I had ever been (or so I thought!) I did end up gaining almost an additional 50 pounds by the time I hit my highest weight. In February of 2000, I started researching this surgery and by the end of March not only had I had my initial consultation, but I was well on my way to a surgery date. Jump to June of 2000....surgery finally happens after some minor setbacks and despite some pain control issues, everything went smoothly. Recovery took just about 6 weeks and I really felt 100% by the end of August. Food issues don't disappear just because we have our stomachs operated on. I ate too fast at times or ate foods too high in fat or contained too much sugar and paid the price. By month 5 I really had things under control and had stopped vomiting and had a pretty good idea as to what would make me dump. Things were smooth sailing with an average weight loss of 12 pounds a month until the end of April when I ended up in the hospital with a bowel obstruction. This meant another surgery and a five day hospitalization, but all was soon well again. Not only did my doctor remove the adhesions that were causing the problems, it jump started my weight loss again! This past summer I even bought a two piece bathing suit! OK, it was a tankini, but boy did I look good!

Did all of my problems go away by having surgery? Of course not! Bills still need to be paid, so I still have to work (LOL!), and the daily grind still goes on. Do I still have issues with food? You bet! Do I work on these issues, every day.

Just know that if you are pre-op, or even just recently post-op, IMHO, this was the best thing I ever did for myself. EVEN WITH THE STRUGGLES AND COMPLICATIONS I HAVE HAD!

So now at 17 months post-op today, I weighed in at 169.5 pounds this morning. Believe it or not, this puts me at .5 pound BELOW my doctor's goal! I am wearing a 10 or 12, depending on who the designer is and I FEEL GREAT!



10/26/01

I will be 16 months post-op on Monday and I have lost 155 pounds to date. Life is grand. OK, it could be better. Hubby lost his job just before the September 11 attack and hasn't found one yet. We had to cancel our planned trip to Hawaii in January for our 10th wedding anniversary. I'm a bit bummed about that. But everything else is good. I weighed in at 172 this morning, but keep bouncing between 170 and 173. Doesn't matter to me. I feel great and if I didn't lose another pound I would be very happy. I am thinking about looking into reconstructive surgery in the spring. The "pooch" on my belly is starting to get to me. I probably would be in a size 8 if I didn't have all this extra skin. Right now I'm in a 10 or 12, depending on the designer. Well, that's about it for now....until next month!

8/29/01

I am now 14 months post-op and down 154 pounds. I am now actually 2 pounds UNDER goal weight. I'm not worried, the doc wanted me to be between 170 and 175. Life is GRAND!

07/26/2001

Well this will probably be my last weekly update. I am 13 months post-op now and just 1 pound from goal. Yup, you read that right ONE pound! I will post monthly updates from now on unless something earth shattering happens. I feel great, look great and hubby and I are happier than ever. Hubby just got a new digital camera, so I should have updated pictures before the end of the week. Wish he had it earlier so that I could have had a photo journal, because I am horrible about developing pictures. Hope everyone has as much success as I have had!

07/16/2001

I didn't get a chance to post my weekly weigh-in on Thursday, but it was a gain! Oh well, I thoroughly enjoyed ever bite! LOL! Let me explain. Hubby and I were on vacation in Rehoboth Beach from 7/3 to 7/8. We ate out, had snacks, dessert, etc. We sat on the beach, went for long walks, just really had a good time. Am I upset that I gained? Not really. I was actually up to 181 when we got home, so at least the scale is heading in the right direction.

6/29/2001

Happy Friday Everyone! Today is my one year anniversary and I am very happy to say I am down 150 pounds from when I was released from the hospital. I had my one year follow-up appointment on Wednesday and everything is great. My doc even changed my goal weight, so now I only have 7 pounds to lose until I am at goal. Originally he wanted me to get down to 161 (I'm 6'1" tall), but he changed that to 175 to 170 max. Yesterday I weighed in at 177. My BMI is 23.4, well within the "ideal" range. It's been an incredible year, not without its difficulties. In January DH injured his back and was barely able to function for about 4/5 months. In late April, I had to have emergency surgery to fix a bowel obstruction. Well, Dan is well on his way to recovering, probably another 6 months of PT, and I am totally healed from the obstruction. Our formerly rocky relationship is now ROCK SOLID! Dan, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! I never would have made it this far without your love and support through all of this. I'm even looking into a career change within the next year. Hopefully I will be going back to school to get my degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. This is something I have wanted to do for a very long time, but just didn't have the energy or drive to achieve my goals. Well I do now! I need to also thank all the wonderful people here at AMOS. I may not post as often as I used to, but I do come here every day to read up on how everyone is doing and to help keep myself "in check". Support is vital to our success. Without it, we would be lost. THANK YOU ALL! Well, I've rambled on long enough this morning. Wishing everyone the best. It's been one heck of a rollercoaster ride, but one I know I never want to get off. Even though today is the official anniversary of my surgery, I get to celebrate for the rest of my life. I would do this again in a heartbeat.

6/11/2001

Well I'm still holding steady at 181 with a BMI of 23.9. I'm hoping to lose 10 to 15 more pounds, but if not I'm ok where I am now. Pretty much recovered from the obstruction surgery. Today is 7 weeks post-op from that. My one year is just over two weeks away, can't believe its been a year already. So much has changed! My attitude about life has taken a complete 180. I have so many goals now. Some I had before surgery, but had myself convinced I needed to wait three or four years to start them. Now I want them NOW!!! LOL I'm getting frustrated with my job, its just not what I want to be doing with my life now. I am not meant to be sitting in front of a computer all day. I think before surgery I felt it was all I deserved. I want to be out in the world interacting with people, making a real difference. I just need to figure out what that is now. I fell I have so much to share now. We shall see......

05/10/2001

Well, where to start....On April 23rd, I had to have emergency surgery to remove an adhesion that was causing a bowel obstruction. I spent a week in the hospital and I am now starting to feel human again. I will probably return to work on May 21. I had some depression after the second surgery, but things are better now. I would still have my original WLS even with the complications I have had.

04/07/2001

Well, my new pictures are finally up and running...THANK YOU KRICKET!!! I have actually lost another 30 pounds since the Disney pic, so I will be getting new ones on-line soon. Only 30 pounds to goal!

04/05/2001

OK - so the scale went in the WRONG direction for a few weeks. LOL! I'm back on track now and lost the pounds I put on plus 2 more. Only 2.5 pounds and my BMI will be in the NORMAL range! WOOHOO! I'm down to a size 12 in some designers and a 14 in others (I'm 6'1" - so it looks REALLY GOOD!). NOTE TO SELF!!!Remember to drink your protein, 64 oz. of water and TAKE YOUR VITAMINS!!! (I've been slacking on the last part but I think I now have it back under control) I'll update again soon!

3/8/2001

WOW!!!! WHAT A YEAR!!! I found this site one year ago today. What a difference a year makes. I know for certain that I would not be here without the wonderful support, information, encouragement and ((((HUGS))) that I get from too many to mention individually. I do need to thank Eric for putting this site together and putting in all the long hard hours you and your staff do. I don't think I could ever express my feelings good enough to come through appropriately. As of today I am down 130 pounds from my all tome high of 327. I wear a size 14 (haven't been there since college) and they are starting to get too big! At my 6 month check-up back in January all of my labs were perfect and I no longer have any co-morbid conditions. I feel great, look great (if I do say so myself), and would do this all over again.

3/1/2001

WOOHOO!!! I broke the 200 pound mark this morning! 199.5! Only 38.5 to go till I reach goal! WOOHOO!!!

2/26/2001

It's been an exhausting few weeks, but I finally have updated pictures below. The pic on the left is pre-op from March of last year, my first visit to the surgeon. I actually gained 25 pounds by the time I was released from the hospital. The pic on the right is of me and my DH at Disney this past December. Hubby had just given me my B-day, X-mas and anniversary present......diamond and sapphire earrings and pendant. Can you tell why I'm smiling so much! LOL. He spoils me! But I love it! I am now down to 202, only 41 pounds to goal. I've lost 125 so far. These last "few" pounds are coming off, but VERY slowly now. I am 8 months post-op this week (no real date, there is no 29 in Feb. this year! LOL!) Hubby and I have had a rough go of things recently. Dan has two stress fractures in his back along with several (even the doc said that was a low estimate) torn muscles. This happened right after the holidays. He is in a lot of pain every day, and there is nothing I can do for him. Very frustrating. He will be starting water therapy soon, along with a massage technique called "rolfing" (I have no idea if that is how you spell it). The doc's say it could take 6 months to a year for him to start to heal. Please think warm healing thoughts for him. I do visit every day, I just don't get to post as often as I would like. I think of you all very often and you are all in my prayers.


12/22/2000

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all! It's been a while since I have updated my profile, the holidays have been very hectic! Hubby and I spend 9 days in Disney earlier this month and we had a blast. What a difference from last year! I was never tired, my feet didn't hurt, I rode every ride I wanted to, wore little shorts and t-shirts with confidence, went out in public in a bathing suit, and ate whatever my little heart desired (within reason!). I even had a few glasses of wine, tasted some of my husband's desserts and sampled some new and different foods. It was GREAT! No problems on the plane, I fit with room to spare...even with my 6'1" frame (no, I never was a small woman, now there is just a little less of me!). I still am not done my X-mas shopping, I am hoping to complete that today when I get off of work. I have been baking cookies and planning my Christmas dinner menu this week. Finally got the house decorated. Our 11 month old Lab puppy has decided that the tree is her own personal toy box though! She walks right up to the tree and steals the ornaments! It is very hard not to laugh at her while I am reprimanding her...she is too cute! It's snowing today....no accumulation, but we did get 3" on Tuesday night. Hubby and I are thinking about hitting the ski slopes. I tried on my ski pants the other night (the ones I bought over 6 years ago when I weighed about 230 pounds) and yup, you guessed it, they are now too big. WOOHOO! As of this morning, I am down 110 pounds to 217. I feel great! Well, let me rephrase that. I usually feel great, but this morning I threw my back out. What a bummer right before the holidays! Hopefully my Chiropractor can get me fixed up quickly! Good luck to all who are waiting for approval, speedy recoveries to all who are having surgery next week and congrats and welcome to the other side for those who have recently had surgery! Luv,.....

9/28/2000
WOOHOO!!!! I am now below 250 pounds (248.5 to be exact)! First time in over 3 years. Next goal - 225 by December 1st (my trip to Disney!) I keep discovering new and exciting things....like last night I walked about 1.5 miles with my girlfriend, talked the entire way and I wasn't even winded or tired when I was done.

UPDATED - 10 Things I Want to Do Post WLS…..
(in no particular order)

1. Make love to my husband…with the lights on - DONE!
2. Take long walks without getting winded - DONE!
3. Wear a bathing suit...and look good in it - Hey, I wore one in public..a step in the right direction!
4. Stand with my feet together and not have my thighs touch
5. Leave the table feeling full after a meal - DONE!!
6. Go into the regular “ladies/misses” department at Macy’s and buy anything I want off the rack – Almost there - Down to a 16/18 from a 22/24/26
7. Sit comfortably in an airline seat - I'll tell you in Dec!
8. Dance
9. Be able to exercise every day….and look forward to doing it – I can and do!
10. Like who I see when I look in the mirror - Getting there!

9/8/2000
I got home Wednesday from my vacation, a long weekend at the beach. I actually put on a bathing suit and braved the public. Shocker of all shockers was that the suit I bought two summers ago was too big! What a great feeling. The beach was on Saturday, on Sunday, Mom, Dad, Hubby and two of my parent's friends and I went claming in Rehoboth Bay and boy did we have fun. Monday was cloudy, so hubby and I went to look for property, and Tuesday was windy and cold. 8 foot waves in Ocean City. The wind was so bad we couldn’t even go onto the boardwalk. Bummer. We came home Wednesday, and that night was the SWLC support group dinner/meeting. What fun. I did weigh in yesterday, but it wasn't until late in the day, so I didn't think it was too accurate. This morning I weighed in at 258, a loss of 69 pounds in 10 weeks. This is really working! I go back to work on Monday, :o(, it was so nice to be off work and to feel this good. I don't have another vacation day until Thanksgiving. I hope I can make it! LOL!

8/31/2000
I went to see my surgeon for my two month check-up yesterday and I am doing so well he doesn't want to see me again until December! WOW! As of this morning I am 262.5 with a BMI of 35.7. I would say that that qualifies me as NO LONGER BEING MORBIDLY OBEASE! WOOHOO!

8/24/2000
The scale is playing games with me this week. I lost nothing until this morning. I usually get on twice in the morning, once before my shower and once after. Don't know why, just a habit. This morning the scale wouldn't register at first and my heart stopped. It won't register anything over 300# and I had a mini panic attack! LOL! Any how....the first reading was 264, the second was 266. I'm inclined to go with the higher number. If it is 264, next week will show an even bigger loss. At least I'm sticking to the 3#'s per week average. I go to see my surgeon next Wednesday and I am hoping to be below 260. I don't think I'll make it, but there is hope. I am going to the beach this weekend and I think I might actually be brave and put on a bathing suit and sit in the sand. SCARY! LOL! I'll update again next week.

8/17/2000
Well, I'm 7 weeks post-op today and down 58 pounds. My weightloss has slowed to a consistent 3 pounds per week. I can live with that. I finally made it to the gym last night. I swam for a little over 1/2 hour. I am a bit sore this morning, but otherwise feel great. I have to tell you all a funny story. Hubby does the laundry in our house. My washer and dryer are down the basement, and I have really bad vertigo and can't walk down the steps and carry the laundry....I've already fallen twice in the 4.5 years we've lived in this house. So, he has noticed that all of my clothes are getting big on me, some so large that I can pull shorts and pants off without unbuttoning them! He decides he is going to help me out a little. He put all of my clothes in the dryer! They all shrunk! Everything I own is now tight again. Oh well, here we go again! hehehe I will update again next week.

8/10/2000
Well, I am 6 weeks post-op today and I went back to work on Monday. I was feeling really good earlier in the week, and had all good intentions of going to the gym yesterday (Hubby and I joined the local Y), but I was so butt tired, I could barely keep myself awake to eat dinner yesterday! Oh well! Just my body's way of telling me to slow down. Today I weighed in at 272. 55 pounds down in 6 weeks. Not too bad at all. I was a little depressed at first, I have only lost 3.5 pounds this week, but then I looked at the big picture and felt much better. I could be starting one of those nasty plateaus, because I haven't lost anything since Monday or Tuesday. I am losing a ton of inches (I need to get out a tape measure, right now I judge everything on how clothing is fitting. All of my suits either are too big, or just fit (after not fitting for 6-8 months), so I will probably have to get some taken in or buy some intermediate clothing in the next month or two. I still look pretty crappy in a bathing suit. It may take a while for me to feel comfortable in one again. I am going to be an angel for Abbey from Dr. Sweet's. She is having her surgery tomorrow. We spoke on the phone for the first time on Sunday night. Such a super person. She will do great. I am going to visit her on Sunday. Next weekend I am going to Maryland for a softball tournament. I don't play, just scorekeep. It runs from Friday night to Sunday night and we all have a blast. Hubby and I have been participating for 10 years now. My best friend and her Dad run it. I just have to remember to drink LOTS of H20 so that I don't become dehydrated. Sitting in the sun for 12 hours a day can do that to you. LOL! Well folks, gotta run for now. I will update you all again next week. Until then,......TTFN.

8/3/2000
I am 5 weeks post op today and down to 275.5(a loss of 51.5#). YEA!!! I am going to go back to work on Monday :O(. Just kidding. I'm starting to get bored. I went to the SWLC Support Group last night. What a blast. My girlfriend went with me. We went outlet shopping first (Reading Outlets are the best), then we went to the pre-meeting dinner, (really fun) and then to the meeting. I am now the Angel coordinator for the group. That should be fun. If anyone is reading this and is with Dr. Sweet's group and wants to be or needs an angel, please e-mail me. We are all set for August (though it never hurts to have more than one angel!) and I will have the September list in two to three weeks. Well, gotta run for now. Hugs to all!

7/21/2000
As of today, three weeks and one day post-op, I am down to 285#. 42 pounds since surgery. I am doing OK with foods. I have gotten sick a few times, but it was because I wasn't paying attention to how fast I was eating. I am trying to get better at that. I think I am starting to hit the "hibernation syndrome". I have very little energy. Just taking a shower makes me want to take a nap. I hope this doesn't last too long.

7/18/2000
I went to my 3 week post-op nutritionist appointment this morning. I can now progress to the soft diet. I lost another 5 pounds since last Thursday. That makes 22# lost since 5/30 (pre-op physical)and 39# lost since 7/3(discharge from surgery). I can't believe how easy this is! I did have one problem on Sunday. I felt rushed (skinny family eating fast) and ate my lunch too fast and unfortunately it came right back up. I won't do that again!

7/13/2000
Well, got my staples out today. No big deal, just little pinches. My incision is healing really well. Now, drum roll please....I have lost 17 pounds since my pre-op physical on May 30th and 34 pounds since I was discharged from the hospital on 7/3. Either way you look at it it's great. I can drive now, but the nurse told me I can't swim or go in the hot tub for another two weeks. Oh well, the price we pay. LOL!

7/5/2000
Hi all! I am 6 days post-op and feeling great! I am down to just Tylenol during the day and Vicodin before bed. Not bad considering I was on supplemental morphine and toridol (in addition to the epidural) while in the hospital. They had to put a drain in during surgery and the pain was amazing! My doc usually doesn't use drains, but there was a problem with the opening from my pouch to the intestines. They removed it before I was discharged. The only issue I had during my stay was the pain control. I never seemed to be able to get on top of it. I am able to tolerate many things, baby fruit, mashed potatoes and gravy, pureed cottage cheese, sugar-free yogurt, etc. No vomiting (knock on wood) and I'm getting in 80 to 100oz of water/crystal light every day. As I type this, reminder...SNEEZING HURTS! LOL! I'll try to keep you updated frequently! Luv ya'll lots!.......

6/28/2000
I decided I needed to get out of the house today. I couldn't stand being here and only being able to have clear liquids and Jell-O! So what did I do you ask? I bought some new jammies for the hospital (ones that button up the front!) and I got a manicure and pedicure. I had them put clear polish on my fingernails, but on my toes I made the girl use blue and green (really retro funky colors!) and paint every other toe a different color (blue, green, blue, green, etc.)! OK, so I'm a bit whacked out! What do you expect with the week I've had! I'm ready now! The countdown continues.....18hours to go

6/27/2000
Good Morning! Today brings better news. When I received the message from my surgeon yesterday afternoon, the office was already closed. This morning, I called at exactly 8:30 AM, when the office opened, and spoke with the scheduler. I informed her that moving me from June 28th (yes they canceled me by leaving a message on my answering machine less than 36 hours from my surgery) to July 13th was unacceptable. She offered me a date even later in July. NOT! I told her I wanted either Thursday or Friday, this week. The surgeon doesn't do surgeries on Friday and the woman who was originally scheduled for Monday now is scheduled for Thursday morning. The long and short of it is that I now have my surgery scheduled for Thursday afternoon. The scheduler first told me that the surgeon does not do two surgeries a day. My response...HE DOES NOW! Let's keep our fingers, toes, legs (ankles are OK, hehe) crossed that I don't get bumped again. Thank you all for your support suggestions and prayers! Especially Ava, the card was a Hoot!, Margie, Jeannie, Lisa, Vickie, JayeC, Roseanne, and anyone I may have forgotten. Without you, I don't know if I could have made it through this! So, the new countdown is.......48hours till surgery!

6/26/2000
Today was to be my last day at work before I had my surgery. Note I said WAS! I decided to check my messages on my way home from work tonight and the first message was from my doctor's office informing me that my surgery had been canceled yet again, this time being rescheduled on July 13. Less than 36 hours before I had to be at the hospital, and they do not have the guts to talk to me in person. I am at this point numb. I cried, ranted, raved, screamed and cursed, but I will calmly call the office tomorrow to find out what is going on. This is nuts. I should not have to wait more than two weeks when my original surgery date was LAST THURSDAY 6/22!! The woman who was supposed to have her surgery tomorrow now has my date. That's OK, I want the Thursday timeslot. I don't think that this is an unreasonable request. Well, the countdown continues.....

6/22/2000
I need to vent today. Please forgive me for being so long-winded. Today was supposed to be my surgery date. My Doc had to change it to 6/28 because he was being called out of town this week. I'm really working myself up over all of this. I don't know why. I feel as if I could cry at the drop of a hat. I don't feel prepared at all. I'm not afraid of the surgery itself, just getting the IV and epidural. I HATE shots! Hubby won't even talk about it. He changes the subject every time I need to talk to him about something we need to prepare pre-op. I know he is just as nervous as I am, but I really need him to be strong right now. I wrote my living will last week. I don't have any other type of will, my hubby and my parents are my beneficiaries on my insurance policies and 401(k), and I don't have any other assets of my own (house, car, etc. are all joint with hubby). I have this feeling of doom and gloom right now. I'm sure many feel this same way, but I thought I could work through it on my own. I just want everything to be OK. Thanks for letting me vent....5 days and counting.....

6/20/2000
Well, here I am, totally stressed out. I have seven days left and I have nothing ready for surgery. I did go out and buy some baby food, sugar-free Jello and pudding, and instant mashed potatoes for when I get home. I have nothing ready to take with me to the hospital. It's a good thing no one is taking my BP right now, they would hospitalize me in a heartbeat. Stress sucks! I still need to clean my house, arrange for my pet sitter to go to my Mom's house while they keep the puppy when I am in the hospital, rearrange my pantry so that my food is separate from my husband's food, finish my grocery shopping, do laundry, finish working on my rose garden (it rained all last week) because I won't be able to for a few weeks, etc., etc., etc. I don't really want to be at work, but I can't take the time off just before I go out on SDT, even though there is nothing to do here. I just need to add an extra hour each day and I'll be OK! LOLOL! I'll update one more time before I go to the hospital. 7 days and counting......

6/9/2000
I am not a happy camper this morning. My Dr.'s secretary just called me and my surgery is being pushed from the 22nd to the 28th of June. This really sucks. This is after she called me on Wednesday and told me that the 22nd was set in stone. I now have to feel like sh*t for 3 more weeks. Just great.

6/3/2000
I had my annual physical with my PCP yesterday. I was debating on whether or not to tell her about the surgery. I was afraid she would not be supportive. Wow, was I wrong! She even wants me to come in regularly so that I can update her on my progress. She wants to make sure my labs (she know Dr. Sweet will be doing them also, she wants to be double sure!) and her charts remain updated. Too cool. Only 18 days left.....

5/30/2000
I had my pre-op tests today. Totally got myself all worked up for nothing! LOL. Met with Dr. Sweet and he did a quick physical. According to his scale I gained 8 pounds, the PAT area's scale said I gained 2 pounds and the nutritionist's scale said I gained 6 pounds. Average is 307. OK, so I gained, not as bad as I thought though. In PAT I had an EKG, two tubes of blood drawn and I met with the anesthesiologist and he went over the IV, the cath. for drawing blood and the epidural. OK, it won't be great, but I'm not as scared as I was. Figure this...I'm more afraid of the needles than the surgery! Whacked! The only down side is my surgeon might have to push my surgery back a week. He has some court "thing" to attend that week and doesn't know if he will be back in time. This did not make me a happy camper. Oh well, not much I can do about it! I should have a set answer by the end of the week. So.....22 days and counting......

5/18/2000
I received the official letter of approval from BCBS today. I cannot believe how much stress I have been under. Top that off with a bout of the stomach flu all last week and I have lost 8 pounds in the last 4 days! At least when I go for my PAT on the 30th I the scale won't show a gain! Only 34 days left.....

5/16/2000
I'm approved!!! My surgeon mailed the insurance letter on 5/2 and TODAY I was approved. Only 36 days left......

5/8/2000
Just spoke with BCBS, they have the letter from my surgeon and approval is pending...now the waiting really begins!

5/4/2000
When I (finally) got home yesterday, sitting in my mailbox was a copy of the letter my surgeon sent to the insurance company. I was thrilled. I will give BCBS until Monday and then call every 2 to 3 days until I hear I have been approved. It shouldn't be a problem, my coverage states that surgery is covered if you are 2X you recommended weight. I went to my support group meeting last night (that is why the comment "finally" is above, I didn't get home until almost 11 PM) and before the meeting started I went to the surg floor and visited Stacey S. from Drexil Hill. She was looking great for only being out of surgery 36 hours. It alleviated a lot of my fears. I think I'll be OK now. Just remember...Drugs are our friends! lol!....I will update again when I have my approval.

5/3/2000
OK, I am feeling better now. LOL. I called my surgeon's office and my insurance letter was mailed on Monday, 5/1. I will call BCBS at the end of the week to make sure they received the letter. I will update when I have more info.

5/1/2000
OK, the waiting for insurance approval is killing me!!! I cannot stand this! I called my insurance company this morning (I finally got an answer after being bounced back and forth between departments 7 times!!!) and I was told that they haven't even received the request from my surgeon yet!!! What is he waiting for???!!!??? I had my appointment two weeks ago. I need to find out the approval status before I can submit my short term disability claim! That needs to be submitted 4 to 6 weeks before I go out! I do not deal well with delays (if you haven't already guessed, LOL). I hope I have an answer before the end of the week!

4/18/2000
I HAVE A DATE!!!!! I finally have a date! June 22, 2000 with Dr. Sweet in Reading, PA. I go for my pre-op testing on May 30th. I am soooooo excited!

4/6/2000
WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!! OK, I'm excited! I got a call today from my surgeon's office that they need to reschedule my appointment, originally 5/18. I wasn't thrilled until the coordinator said "HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME IN ON APRIL 18 INSTEAD, WE JUST HAD A CANCELLATION?" I almost screamed YES!!!! This means I can be scheduled for surgery that much earlier!!! I am soooooo happy! Thanks to all who have e-mailed me. The support is so very appreciated! In less than two weeks I will have a surgery date! WHOOOOOHOOOOO!

10 Things I Want to Do Post WLS…..
(in no particular order)

1. Make love to my husband…with the lights on
2. Take long walks without getting winded
3. Wear a bathing suit….and look good in it!
4. Stand with my feet together and not have my thighs touch
5. Leave the breakfast, lunch, or dinner table feeling full!
6. Go into the regular “ladies/misses” department at Macy’s and buy anything I want off the rack!
7. Sit comfortably in an airline seat
8. Dance
9. Be able to exercise every day….and look forward to doing it!
10. Like who I see when I look in the mirror

3/29/2000
I didn't update anything last night because I was a bit bummed. I had my first appointment at the Dr.'s office yesterday. No date yet, and I gained 4 pounds. I was looking to get a date for mid-June. It looks like it won't be until July or August. :O(

3/28/2000
Today I have my first appointment with the surgeon! Wish me luck °o° !!!

3/25/2000
OK, if you look at my pictures, now you know. I am a complete Disney nut °o°!!!! These were taken this past fall. We are going again in December, 2000. Hopefully I will have had the surgery (praying for a June date!) before we go next time. I couldn't do a lot this past trip. My knees, feet and back hurt from all the walking. I was afraid to go on some of the rides, I didn't think I would fit. It was still a great vacation! Hopefully the next trip will be even better!

3/24/2000
I went to the Surgical Weight Loss Center support group last night. This was the meeting everyone has to attend before they see the Dr. WHAT A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE!!! Denise was an absolute fountain of information. I am more convinced than ever that I want to have this procedure. OK, the needle (epidural) thing still bothers me - but hey, what is a little prick when the benefits seem so big! I see Dr. Sweet's nurse on Tuesday. I will post again when I have more info. Hopefully a date! Wish me luck!!!

3/17/2000
Good news today, I spoke with the Dr.'s office and told the woman on the phone I had an appointment scheduled to meet Dr. Sweet on 3/28, that I was discussing the surgery with my employer, and I needed to know how soon, provided I am an approved candidate for the open RNY (yeah, right, BMI 41, need 2 knees, 2 hips, high blood pressure, high insulin levels and fatty liver, nnnnaaaa I'm not a candidate!!!) the surgery could possible be scheduled. She started to tell me she needed to go over the books, I let her know I wasn't looking for it in stone!! Just an estimate. She stated probably around Memorial Day!! This is great!!! I was initially looking into mid-June. Somewhere between the 12th and 16th.

3/14
Talked to Mom & Dad over the weekend. We were out shopping and Mom asked me "how's the diet going". I have been trying to follow the "carbohydrate addicts diet" since September. I had some good results initially, but then Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas and my 8th wedding anniversary (yes, all within 6 weeks)I kinda blew it. I have gained back almost everything I lost. Oh well. Here we go again! I let them know I really wasn't following the diet anymore and that I was looking into this surgery. They were very supportive! I will admit I was a bit shocked! I was put on my first diet when I was 10 and the family was on its way to Disney World. For every pound I lost, my parents were going to give me $2.00 to spend on vacation. I think I lost 10lbs. It hasn't stopped since. I can always remember feeling hungry. My senior year in high school I went on WW and lost about 50#. I was down to 175# (right where I should be) and I was 5'10" then (I am now 6') and I wore a size 12. That is when my husband and I first started dating. I went through college without gaining too much weight the first three years, but then my senior year I put on about 40#. By the time I got married in January of 1992 I weighed 235#. Hubby and I moved from Lancaster, PA (I went to Millersville University) to Rutherford, NJ (GO GIANTS!) 2 months after we got married. By April of 1994 I was 265#. I went on WW again and lost 45#. I kept this off until we moved back to PA (Valley Forge) and bought our house. Slowly I crept back to 250#. In October of 1998 Hubby and I quit smoking (YEA!!!!!) and since then I have gained another 50#. I tried WW again from February to June of 1999, went on Meridia for 4 months, saw an Endocrinologist who put me on Glucophage (for high insulin levels), liver enzymes elevated and I was taken off all meds, and then I started CAD in September. All with little or no success. Now I am 30 years old and almost 300# (298 as of last night). I think it is time I (I can't emphasize it enough that this is for me - no one else - just me!!) take control of my life and do something permanent about the weight. Enough for now. I will update after I meet with the surgeon. TTFN

3/10
Hubby and I talked it over and his said "go for it!" I called Dr. W. A. Sweet (Reading, PA) and they set me up to meet with their support group on the 23rd. Denise was wonderful! She let me know that I could call the office back right away and set up an appointment to meet with the surgeon. I did, and I get to go to see Dr. Sweet on the 28th! Wish me luck! The only bummer is that the next date for surgery is not until August! 5 months! I hope I can make it without chickening out!!!

3/8/2000
Hi, I am 30 years old and have battled my weight all of my life. I calculated my BMI this morning and was horrified at the number "41.8" that appeared. I have 2 bad knees, 2 bad hips, and I have to go to a Chiropractor 3 times a week just to stand up straight. Hopefully my insurance will cover this, (and there is a surgeon in the area) and I will be on my way to my goal weight before I turn 31. I had wanted to be there for 30 - oh well!

About Me

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