Jonita
September 2003 March 24, 2007 Hello everyone! It has been a really long time since I have posted. I can't believe over a year. But when you are out enjoying life that happens. I don't think about myself being obese anymore. I am still weighing 170 pounds. Still feel great. My weight loss got put on hold last year while I was healing for almost 5 months from a neck injury. I gained alittle back while I was laid up and not able to do anything at all. But in September I started getting back up and working on losing the weight I gained and a little more. I had dropped 17 pounds just going back to eating the way that I should and then a little suprise happened. I am pregnant!!! They said that once I lost the weight my body would be in healthier shape to become pregnant and we did. On our own. So I am 19 weeks today. We found out on my birthday that we are having another boy. We have our first son that we adopted and now we are giving him a little brother. He is having a hard time adjusting because he wanted a baby sister. My pregnancy has been perfect. No problems at all so far and I am almost half way through. I still tell anyone interested about my surgery. I know this surgery saved my life and I am thankful everyday for Dr. Porter that saw me all the way through it. I received a letter from Dr. Porter last year that said he moved to Arkansas. I hope he is happy there and making people as happy as he made me. Well I will try to keep my posts coming regularly again. But don't be mad if I don't I have a very active 3 year old at home and one on the way. Also just out there living and loving life. Till next time!!!!
Just a little about myself. I live in Wichita, Kansas. I am married to a wonderful man. I have one child who we just adopted on July 14th. His name is Nathan. He will be a year old in November. I am loving being a mother and also getting to work on my weight. We'll try to have another one after I have lost all of my weight. The doctors think my weight might be holding us back. I am 26 years old and live in the body (i feel like) of a 90 year old person. My current weight is 382 pounds. I decided to do this surgery after many failed attempts to loose the weight on my own. The more my body hurts the harder I try. Nothing has worked. I started out with an insurance company that wouldn't do the surgury until I was half dead anyway so I changed to Atena in January and have been approved for surgery. In Wichita the program we have to go through is very lengthy but well worth the time. I am so ready for it. I keep telling myself that this is the last summer I will be a FAT chick. I joke with my husband that I am going to trade him in for a new one after. He knows I am just kidding. He is very supportive of me and my decision to have this surgery. We have been married for 4 years but have been together for 7 years. After having my physical with my doctor they say I will get to 140 pounds. I can't even imagine what I would look like at 140 pounds. I was in the 3rd grade when I weighed that. Long time ago. My mother had this surgery 23 years ago and has had a wonderful figure since. She said is saved her life mentally and physically. Being Obesity runs in my family. All the woman are over weight. I am the smallest in my family at 382 pounds. I will be the 2nd in my family to have this surgery.
10/06/2003
I received my denial letter from coventry on October 2, 2003. After waiting the last month for their approval they have denied me. The worst part about it is that I had been told by several people there at Coventry that as long as I followed their list of things to have completed before hand that they would cover it 100%. So now I am changing insurance companies. As of January the 1st I will have Atena PPO through Bank of America. I have talked with a woman from Bank of America and this is the policy that she has. She had her surgery 6 weeks ago. Everything has been covered. I started my weight loss program to loose the 30 pounds needed to have ther surgery. So hopefully when January 1st comes around I can go ahead with everything.
11/2/2003
I just wanted to come in and update my profile. I started an 800 calorie diet a little over two months ago because I had to loose 30 pounds to be down to the 350 weight the doctors here in Wichita want you at to have the surgery. I have lost 41 pounds and I now weigh 341. I can't wait to January to het here so that I can start re-applying again. I have a new friend that I met from this website here in Wichita. She had her surgery about 9 weeks ago and is doing great. She has taught me a lot and has been very supportive for me. I have my 2 month doctor appointment tomorrow to check on my weight loss. One thing that the new insurance asks for is a 6 month documented history of a weight loss program. Unfortunately I haven't lost anything since my last appointment. BIG SUPRISE THERE! I keep wishing my days away to get January closer. I came clean to all of my family about wanting to have the surgery done and they are all being really supportive. I have struggled with my weight my whole lifeand I got married 3 1/2 years ago and when my husband and I started trying for children we ran into some problems. I suffered a miscarriagebecause of my weight and health. I don't ever want myself nor my husband to have to go through that again. because of my weight. I know being 25 doesn't seem like it is a long time, but when you wake up and feel 90 when you try to get out of bed in the morning there is a big problem. Sometimes the wait for this surgery gets me down but I read the stories on this sight and it just makes me think my wait will be worth it. My mother had this surgery done 22 years ago when she topped out at 507 pounds. She has been between 165 and 180 for 21 years. She looks and feels fabulous. I will update more later. For now good luck to everyone trying to have this surgery. We will all get there eventually.
02/01/2004
Sorry so long since I have updated. I have just been waiting for the new insurance to kick in. I have my physical with Dr. Early scheduled for February 16th. I am so excited. I will be able to start my 8 weeks for closses on March 1st. If things go well I will be able to have my surgery by July. My quest for quiting smoking has failed. It is harder than I ever thought it would be. When I see my doctor on Feb. 6th I am going to ask for some help. I will update again after my physical.
03/22/2004
I HAVE BEEN APPROVED!!!! My insurance company called me today and I have been approved. I have been waiting for this day for a long time. I went to my physical back in February and the lady at my Dr. office called me 2 weeks ago and siad that she didn't want to send my letter yet because she said I didn't have enough information about my weight management. I went to see my doctor the thrusday before last and he typed up a letter for my insurance and faxed it to the doctors office sending in my pre determination letter to the insurance. She faxed it in on Tuesday last week and they called me today to let me know that I have been approved. I have done my sleep studay and the pyscho evaluation required by my surgeon. They are hoping to have me a date in July or early August. Aetna PPO Approved me in less than a week. I will keep updating.
04/08/2004
I started my 8 weeks of classes last night. I like everyone in my group but after classes I found out that I am further than everyone in there. I should be scheduled for my surgery in early July and they are all just starting their journey. They have only been approved. So I will have to join a new post-op class after my surgery. I guess I will just have to live with that because in no way am I slowing down now. Clases teach us the new way of eating. What types of physical and mental changes we are going to have to make and prepares us for after the surgery. I weighed in last night at 339.7. I have to get to 316 before I can have my surgery so I started this HMR 500 diet today. It is kind of like slim dast only not as sweet and has higher protien which is what we need the most of after surgery. My teacher wants us to do 15 minutes of exercise a dat. I guess I am the over acheiver here because I did 1.6 miles today. My knees are killing me know but I feel like I accomplished something. I have found that I like the Walk away the pounds videos with Leslie Sandstone. I can walk in the privacy of my own home and do 1,2,or 3 miles with the videos. If you don't like going out and having people look at you or watch you do your exercise these tapes are great. Also my biggest fear is that I will walk to far and have one heck of a time getting back home. Do the one mile and if you feel like you could do another try. I am going to push myseld to get to the 2 mile before surgery. (if the knees and ankles can take it!) Welljust wanted to update you all. 7 more weeks to go then I get my date. I also quit smoking last night. They told me no way would I get my surgery unless I quit smoking 3 months before surgery. So I threw out my smokes last night and I haven't had one since.
07/13/2004
Hello, Just wanted to send an update. I know that it has been awhile since I posted last. Alot has been going on the last 2 months. I go tomorrow 07/14/2004 to finalize the adoption of my new son. The lord works in mysterious ways sometimes and has answered my prayer about being a mother. So now I get to be a mom and work on my weight. So many good things have been happening to us this year. I feel very blessed. I had to miss my last class back in may so I made it up on June 24th. I have my appointment with my surgeon on 07/15/2004 at 9:00am. I will get my date for surgery then. So I was pushed back a little on the schedule for my surgery but Nathan is so worth it. He has made me and my husband so happy. So I will update more on Thrusday when I get my date for surgery. My company Bank of America just changed their policy for adoption leave. and I start my 8 weeks paid leave tomorrow. So I pray that they can schedule my surgery during this time.
07/15/2004
AUGUST 23, 2004!!!!!Finally I have my date. It is going to be a very long month. Thank goodness I have the new child to keep me busy. I am so excited. My surgeon is wonderful. He has a great bedside manner and is so calming. I felt very comfortable with him. I have been mantaining my weight loss for now and I am still sitting at 329. Dr. Porter says that I don't need to loose anymoore if I can't but I do need to maintain the current weight at least. I will keep you all updated. The count down begins.
08/17/2004
Just a few more days. Boy am I feeling all kinds of things. Started having dreams last night that I kept trying to drink my diet coke and kept getting sick. My face is all broke out like a kid going through the change. I feel butterfly's in my stomach and can't seem to think of anything else but surgery. I am a little scared of the surgery but more scared on the pain afterwards. I know that it is only temporary and will go away but I don't like the note knowing of it. I think that is what scraes me most. I have my hospital bag packed and my child packed to go to Grandma and Grandpa's for a couple of days. My laundry is done and my house is mostly clean so trying to keep myself busy has been hard. My mother took me shopping today just to get me out of the house for a while. That worked. We walked around Wal-mart for 3 hours. Guess I got my PA in for the day. My sone is feeling my nerves and isn't wanting much to do with me right now. I try not to but my mom says they can sense it. She has been cooking me all my favorites. I shouldn't miss them for a while. I am just ready to her this started. A new life, A new body. I can't wait. I will update the first chance I get when feeling up to it. Thank you for the prayers and wishes and help with my journey. I could have never done this without all of your support. Wish me luck! See you on the loosing side.
08/20/2004
Well my doctor just called and told me that they have moved my surgery back a little. I now have to check into the hospital on Monday at 5:30am and my surgery will begin at 7:30 am. I went in and completed my pre-admission blood work and ekg. they weighed me in at 312 pounds. I wish tat I could believe that weight. It is actually 345 pounds. I told the nurse I knew something was wrong with that weight she didn't care. I'll have to make sure that they weigh me again on monday to have an accurate weight for the sleepy drugs. Started my clear liquids today. It hasn't been that bad. I just drink alot of cranberry jiuce and when I feel as if I need to eat something like when you get the munchies I eat the jello. I got every different kind you could think of and then when the hungrey feeling hits I drink a can of broth. Chicken or Beef. Both are good. You have to make sure that they are very warm though. If it gets to cooling off it tastes kind of bad.
08/22/2004
Well tomorrow is the big day. I am so scared. I can't even drink the broth or eat the jello. I am just sick to my stomach. I know that everything is going to be ok but I just can't stop thinking about everthing. The surgery is always in my head. I have been keeping myself bust this weekend. We installed new carpet yesterday so I have been putting my house back together today. I am doing laundry and pacing the floors. Man I want a cigarette about now. I am so exicted but scaredto death. It's in the hands of my surgeon now I have done all I can do. Will update when I get home from the hospital.
08/31/2004
I am home. I am alive. I am doing ok. I have gotten am infection in my drain tube site which has cause me some pain and discomfort. I twas caught quickly and I have been on medicine for it for 2 days not and I feel much better today. I went to the er on the 29th and found out that I have already dropped 22 pounds since the 23rd. That I couldn't believe. So it made my er visit worth while just to get to weigh myself. I still think that this is so worth it. As Renee said I have not been able to tolerate much. But I am trying. I do not do well with hot stuff yet. Everything has to be cold. My surgery went very well. I has no problems. I couldn't believe the cuts were only as big as they are. The biggest one I have has four staples. Dr. Porter has been wonderful. He took great care of me. Everybody was so nice and made my nerves calm down very easily. I am still healing now and well on my way of loosing this weight. Thank you again for everyones prayers. I couldn't have gotten through this without all of my friends here.
09/07/2004
2 weeks post-op today. I feel great. I got my drain tube removed and I have no pain at all. I went to the Willie Nelson/Bob Dylan concerts tonight. I even wore my jeans. They are so much looser. I am already down 34 pounds since I left the hospital. that is so cool. The infection is gone. I am not having any problems taking in enough fluids or milk. I don't like the vitamins they gave me to take. They are really nasty. I have thought a couple of times why did I do this to myself. Then I get on the scale and I think man I am so happy I did this. That feeling out weighs the regret. Only when I see people eating things that I used to love is when it bothers me the most. Like sunday dinners with my family. The all sat there eating their T-bone steaks in front of me while I sipped my protien shake. I never in my life wanted to lick someones fingers so bad. I will get past this I am sure but somedays are harder than others. Otherwise doing great, feeling great, and so happy to be loosing weight. I have 11 pounds to go and I will be under 300 pounds for the first time in over 5 years. That to me makes this all worth it.
10/02/2004
I am almost 6 weeks post-op. I am down 42 pounds. It is so amazing to watch the weight just drop off of me. My fingers, arms, legs and MY BUTT!!! Everything is just starting to look smaller. My chest has lost 4 inches already. Eating is fine. I am still following the steps my doctor gave me. This last week I started eating rice, cereal and toasted bread. I have not dumped yet, nor do I ever want to. I stick to what I am supposed to eat. I have chewed and spit a few times. Just for the taste of something. No sweets though. I am to scared to have that stuff even pass my lips. Everything is going great. No regrets!
10/10/2004
Tomorrow will be 7 weeks post-op and I am down 47 pounds. Weighed in today at 298. I can't believe it. It has come off so fast. My clothes are getting bigger in some areas. My face is alot smaller. I am so glad I had this surgery.
10/19/2004
8 weeks out! Down 51.2 pounds. I just can't believe it. Started eating chicken today. It is wonderful. I haven't had any problems so far. I got into a pair of 26/28 pants and top for the first time in over 5 years. That is so cool. My husband keeps telling me my butt is getting so small. Glad that it is coming off of the butt. Tried of having a shelf back there.
11/5/2004
I am almost 11 weeks out. Monday the 8th will be 11 weeks. I am down 60 pounds. I have lost lots of inches and 3 pant sizes since I stated this. I still feel great. Have not had any problems. The only problem that I am starting to have is that I find myself snacking more and more. I still can't eat very much at a time but snack throughout the day! Does anyone have any hints on how to make myself stop the snacking. I am an X smoker and I think that is why I am doing it. Please help!!! I feel like I might be slowing my weight loos by snacking all day! Please help! I feel like I might be slowing my weight loss by snacking all day!
11/19/2004
I am almost 13 weeks out from surgery. I am down 70 pounds. Feeling great Still can't keep myself from snacking but I am trying to snack on stuff that isn't bad for me.
12/10/2004
Last monday I ended up in the emergency room by ambulance. My gallbladder has developed stones already. So yesterday I the 9th I had it removed. I am doing well. It doesn't hurt alot. But I am on good pain medicine. I am down 77 pounds not. Current weight is 268. My surgeon told me that alor of peoples gallbladders will go out because of rapid weight loss. I begged him when he did my gastric bypass surgery to take it then, but no he said there was nothing wrong with it. So here I am 14weeks out and in for anouther surgery with 4 new holes. Gotta love it. Anyhow just wanted to update. Don't get me wrong I would have the gallbladder out again. I would still have the surgery again. No regrets at all. I am very pleased with my weight loss. I already feel like a new woman. I have 98 pounds to get to my personal goal of 170.
12/19/2004
I just wanted to come in and update alittle bit. I am down to 265 now. I am wearing a 22 in pants and a 2XL in a top now. I haven't worn these sizes since my freshman year in high school. This is so amazing. Tomorrow I will be 4 months post-op.
01/09/2005
Well I am a little over four months post op. I no longer feel like I have a 90 year olds body. I feel great. I feel thin. I may not be down to my goal weight but I just feel so much better. I am smaller than I have ever been in my adult life. My husband feels like he has won the jackpot. He says he feels like he has a new wife. Sitting on the floor, crawling around after my son, going up and down stairs, taking walks in the neighborhood. They are all so much easier to do now. I would do this again in a minute. No regrets. I feel like I have a life back. No more just sitting on the couch because everything hurts to bad to move. I love getting out and doing things now. I love chasing after my son. I have dropped 90 pounds. 90 pounds that is gone forever. It took my husband taking my picture for me to really see how much I had lost. Take a look for yourself. I have dropped 10 more pounds since that picture. I am not going to say that the surgery doesn't have it's down sides. But the postive things that I have gotten out of this surgery far out weigh the bad. Sure I would love to have some fries from McDonald's or that Blizzard from DQ. But I don't. It is a continued fight with your head daily to stay away from the wrong foods. I have had my fair share of dumping. Trust me once you dump you really don't want to do it again. But we will still test and see what we can and really can not have any longer. I am doing better with the snacking. I scrapbook alot now to keep my hands busy. I quit smoking before surgery and haven't picked it back up. Life is really good. I can see my one piece bathing suit for this summer already. No need to wear that moo moo any longer. Having gastric bypass saved my life. I will keep my profile updated as I continue to loose. I have 85 pounds to go to reach my own personal goal of 170 pounds. The last time I weighed that I was a senior in high school. That was the last time I felt really good about my body.
01/27/2005
Well I know that it has only bee 19 days but I had to come in and post again. I have lost 100 pounds! Yea! I lost another 10 pounds in 19 days. I have been laid off so I joined the local YMCA and I have been working out there alot. Exercise does help. 75 pounds to go until I hit my goal. I know I will get there. I have lost 100 in 5 months surely I can loose another 75 in 7 months to be able to get to my goal within my year post-op. Anyhow I am feeling great looking good. People I haven't seen in a while don't even recognize me anymore and that is when it makes me feel really good. I am so happy I did this. No regrets!
02/21/2005
Well tomorrow I will be 6 months out. I am down to 238 pounds which is a total weight loss of 107 since surgery. I have slowed down a bit on the weight loss but my inches are falling off. I have CURVES!!!! I feel awesome. I feel skinny in my own way. Cut all my hair off. I had to get a new do. My old one was making me look old. My husband says I look like a soccer mom now. Just feel fabulous. This surgery saved my life.
3/27/2005
HAPPY EASTER!!! I am 7 months out and down to 220 pounds. Had my 6 month blood drawn and my vitamin b12 is really low. I have to start getting b12 injections every month now. My iron is also low. it is at a 56. Doctor says I don't need any extra iron yet but he is keeping a close look at it. My protien levels are finally coming up. From a 13 at 4 months to a 20 at 6 months. It is still not were the doctors want it but I am doing better. I think it is because I finally got to eat beef again. I like that much more than chicken and fish. Still losing. I have 50 pounds till I reach my first goal of 170. It is coming fast.
5/1/2005
Well it has been a slow month for loosing. I have only dropped 5 pounds since I last posted. I haven't been working out that much and have been eating whatever I can. I started back to work and haven't adapted back into it as well as I had hoped. My team eats out everyday. I pack my lunch everyday but usually end up out with them eating stuff I shouldn't be. I am going to work harder on saying no from now on. Will keep posting updates. Hopefully I will be back on the loosing end again this month. I have thankfully not gained anything.
06/29/2005
Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. Life has been so busy. It is amazing the energy you have when you are not carrying 182 extra pounds around with you. I have finally made it down to 200 pounds. I have 30 pounds to go to reach my personal goal. I am usually on the go now. I love going out and shopping and walking around outside now. I don't like just sitting around my house anymore. My family and friends are just amazed at the new woman I have become. I have so much more self confidence now. When I look in the mirror I like seeing the person staring back at me. I recently had a friend of mine die from this surgery. Her surgery went well but she had a reaction to the blood thinner and bleed out. By the time that the doctors found her that next morning it was to late. She went to Arkansas to have her surgery. She was only this doctors 4th patient out of 8000 surgeries to die. I felt kind of guilty because if she had not seen my sucess from this surgery she wouldn't of had it done. It has been a tough moonth. The weight isn't coming off as easy anymore. I am really having to work hard at it now. I will get there though I am determined. Still no problem with my surgery. Everything has gone wonderfully. I still say if I had to do it again I would.
8-23-2005
ONE YEAR POST-OP
I can't believe it has been a year since my surgery. Still feels like yesterday I was 190 pounds heavier. Yes that is right. I have lost 190 pounds. I currently weigh 192 pounds. I have lost almost what I weigh now. I feel fabulous. Look good to I think. My family and friends don't know what to think. They call me skinny Jonita now. That is so weird. My name and Skinny together. I never would of thunk it. :-) I love getting my picture taken now. I have a waist. I have curves like a girl should. The skin left is kind of gross but it is nothing compared to what used to be there. I took out my grey outfit that I wore the morning of surgery today and I can fit into one pant leg of my old clothes. That is so unreal. I still continue to fight trying to get this last bit of weight off. They are not lying when they said it sloooows down after the first year. I have 22 more to go and then I will have hit my goal weight of 170. Honestly though if I didn't loose another pounds Iwould still be happy with were I am at. This is the smallest I have ever been in my adult life. I can't wait to go back to my 10 year class reunion next year and tell all those people that made fun of the fat Jonita. LOOK AT ME NOW!!!!! If you are thinking about this surgery. I say do it. You won't regret it. If you have had this surgery and you are just begining I say stick with it. You won't regret it. Any obsticle you have to go through to have this surgery is worth it. You will have your life back. The only thing I can say is. Thank you Dr. Porter for having the hands of god a year ago. You have changed my life.
09-07-2005
Well I went in a saw Dr. Porter for my one year follow up visit. He didn't even know who I was. He couldn't believe it eyes. He told me that I look fabulous and that I could be his poster child. I told him if he actually knew what I ate sometimes that I wouldn't be a poster child. He said yes you would because you haven't over done it and you are still loosing weight. I guess he is right. It is like some of the diets you can cheat once in a while. He weighed me in at 188 pounds. I have offically lost 194 pounds in the last year. I have lost more than I currently weigh. When I think about it, it just seem impossible to have done that. I do have the skin to prove it. I am having some problems with that. I am starting to get the redness under my skin folds. I know that is really gross to actually put in here but I want everyone to know what to expect. A friend of mine told me to put deoderant under them and that this would help. So I tried it and it is helping. But it is really embracing. So now I am thinking about plastic surgery. I bet if I had the plastic surgery or the tummy tuck I would loose 2 more pant sizes. I carried most of my weight in the belly area and I have one big roll. Then the boobs. That is the other place I am getting the redness under. They have deflated. I have gone from being a 54DD to a 38 B. So I just have these balls of skin hanging from my chest. My husband doesn't want me to have any plastic surgery. He think I look great the way I am now. (He probably is scared he will have to wipe my butt again. Like after this surgery.) I try to explain to him that this time I would be able to reach it myself. I don't think he believes me. :-) That is when you know a man really loves you. When he is willing to wipe your butt when you can't. :-) I still want to try and have a baby in the next couple of years so I know I would wait until after that for the tummy tuck and the boob job. But I thought when I first had this surgery that I would never want it. Man how you change.
November 18, 2005
Well just coming in to update the old profile. I am currently weighing 175 pounds. I just can't believe it. My first goal was 170 but now that I am 5 pounds from it I think I want to go down to 150. That is only 25 more pounds. I can get there easily. I was a bridesmaid in my brother in law's wedding. I loved the dresses we wore. I thought I looked pretty hot. I is weird seeing myself in pictures now. I just can't believe that it is me. That I look like I do. I never thought I would say I like having my picture taken but I do. I went to our annual gastric bypass reunion and saw all of my fellow losers. Everyone looked so good. Some people I didn't even recognize. One of my friends that had the surgery before me is at her goal and has her tummy tuck and boob job scheduled for the 27th of December. She just looked amazing. I got up in front of everyone and spoke to them about how this surgery has changed my life. That is something I would have never done before. Usually I would try to hide so that I didn't bring more attention to myself than what I had when I walked into the room. Everyday I feel different body wise. Some weeks I don't loose anything and others I will drop a pound or two. I am still working at it. The holidays should be fun this year. Last year I couldn't even eat turkey yet. I will stay away from the pies and sweets they make me really sick. But look our turkey and green bean bake!!!!! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!!!
About Me
Before & After
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