Kath442
Hi... well, I'm a divorced mom with two great kids and I have been overweight since I was about 7 years old. I've been thinking about having this type of surgery for about a year now. In fact, one of my good friends online is having surgery today and I'm so excited for her.
I guess I've read and reread, looked at dozens of before and after pics and I now know that I want to start the process. I think my biggest battle will be getting support from my parents. The insurance company at this point doesn't scare me as much as getting mom's approval does! LOL
That's it for now, I'll be updating soon I'm sure.
1/4/2001 I FINALLY got a consultation date of February 17th. I have waited 8 weeks to get that date, now I have to wait another 7 or so to actually go for the appointment. I'm very disappointed that this is taking so long. I work construction so I had wanted to get this surgery done while I was laid off in the winter months.. doesn't look like it's going to happen for me. Thank goodness I have a very understanding/compassionate man in my life to keep my impatience in tact. Now, if I just had a mother who was like him I'd have it made!! LOL
1/26/01 A couple weeks ago I went home from work and there was a message on my machine from the surgeons office. At first it sounded like it was going to be disappointing but then I got the surprise of my life...they moved my appointment from Feb 17th to Feb 3rd..two whole weeks!! I was happy, I am more than ready to get this ball rolling and get on with my NEW life!! 8 more days til I actually get to see the surgeon WOOO HOOOOO!!!
2/5/01 Well, I had my first consultation on 2/3/01. It went well I guess. The first part was a group consultation, the nurses and doctors spoke to all of us and answered a few questions. We then went into individual rooms and spoke to a surgeon. It certainly didn't take long cause I am MORE than ready for this and didn't have alot of questions. I was concerned about a bleeding disorder I have but it will just require me to have some extra blood tests taken. No biggie I guess!
It will be the waiting for the insurance approval that will be the hardest part! Ugh!! My boyfriend is pretty excited over all this now so he'll have to keep me calm! LOL The appointment gave him a peace of mind and also got him pysched cause two of Dr. Schauer's nurses have had the surgery and they look awesome so he's pumped now! Heck, I'm pumped!!! :)
The waiting game has begun.... more when I hear something!
3/5/01 I called my surgeon's office and found out I'm approved! Now I have to wait (again) for them to call me with a surgery date and then I'm off for all my pre-op testings! WOOO HOOOO! Part of me isn't excited though, part of me is scared that I can't do this but I'm giving it my best shot at being positive!
My friend Jane had her surgery today, going to call her tomorrow to see how she's doing. I'm excited for her and hope things went very well! I'll let everyone know how she's doing!
3/13/01 I received a call from my surgeon's office today and they have a date for me..... May 15, 2001! I was sort of sad at first that I would have to wait another two months but the more I got to thinking about it the better it is going to work out. April is going to be busy for me so May just might be the better month. Anyways, I'm happy about it all. I still have to tell my mother but I think I'll put it off a little while longer.
I also talked to Jane yesterday and she's doing real well since her surgery.... I'm glad... very happy she is doing well!!
3/30/01 Well, I've gained weight and this totally sucks! I'm up to around 270 now and I am more miserable then ever! Man, you'd swear it was the 80's as tight as my jeans are these days! I HAVE to do something so today I started back on a low carb diet. I hope it works, even if it just takes off 10 lbs I'll be happy.
I had been having a HUGE case of the nerves with the surgery but today I feel really calm about it for some reason. Wish it was tomorrow and not a month and a half from now! I've also been depressed too but I think that has ALOT to do with the horrible weather and not getting out much. I am SOOOO ready for sunshine and warm weather!
Later.... :)
4/10/01 Had my appointment with the nutritionist. It certainly wasn't what I expected and it only lasted about 15 minutes. I knew more than what she did about what I was going to have do post-op. Oh well, just goes to show that this site is VERY informative!
Four and a half weeks to go yet! WOOOOO HOOOO!! I can't wait to start losing and feel good again!
4/21/01 Had chest x-ray, EKG, and blood work done today! Was a piece of cake except for the blood work. The nurse couldn't find my vein, she said it was because I had fasted! OUCH!! I have a nice black and blue mark to show everyone now! Little more than 3 weeks left, gettin' itchy!!
4/27/01 Found out today I have to have further blood work done due to the fact that I have Von Willebrands disease (a bleeding disorder). So, off to an oncologist on Tuesday! I never do anything the easy way!
5/1/01 Appointment for my blood disorder went well, the doctor was very nice and talked things through well. I have to have the extra blood work done on Thursday so hopefully by then I will be COMPLETELY done with pre-op stuff!
Tomorrow is my pre-op appointment..... what fun!! :o)
5/8/01 Well, the pre-op appointment went ok, they even changed my date from the 15th to the 8th...then the next day they changed it to the 9th! If they call me today and change it again I'll pull my hair out!! LOL
I've spent yesterday and today on clear liquids, that is the pits.. I've found out that I truly do love macaroni and cheese cause it sure did look delicious when my kids were eating it yesterday! LOL
I've had two different people tell me that the bowel prep I'm doing is the worst part of this whole ordeal.. but it's not that bad, in fact I'm a little worried that I haven't done it right! I've lost a little weight from all this, my son told me I should just do this to lose the weight and not have the surgery! I really don't want to be the porcelain goddess! LOL
I'm extremely nervous about tomorrow.... hope I make it.
5/17/01 AHHHHHHH I made it! LOL Eight days post-op and feeling MUCH better than I was a few days ago. It's amazing how getting a drainage tube out can make you feel!! I had a few setbacks and some irritations that I'll write about some other time. As of now, I'm down 22 lbs .....not a bad start!
Ta Ta for Now!!!
5/25/01 I've been stuck at 250 lbs for a week! I know that I shouldn't complain but with as little as I'm eating you would think SOMETHING would come off! I'm trying to push the protein and the drinking today, maybe that will help.
I go back to work on Tuesday, it is bittersweet. I love what I do but getting up at 5:15 am again just does not thrill me right now! I suppose I'll get used to it again once I'm back in the swing of things.
I'm much better now that I was the last time I posted, some of the complications (like a yeast infection) are now under control and almost completely gone. Phew! They make a world of difference to a person!
It's kind of funny, my kids keep asking me why I'm not eating much, they just don't get it I guess (they are 4 and 8). :o)
07/03/01-- down 41 lbs so far... it is SOOOO slow but I'm trying to be patient!!
8/10/01-- down 56 lbs to 219! I still think it's going SUPER slow. I'm trying to get the protein in but it is VERY hard to do. There are days when I think I'll puke if I have to even look at something with protein in it!
Things are going well, I have my days when things make me a LITTLE bit sick but for the most part I eat anything I want. Dairy products I can take but I have to do them slow and only a small amount at a time.
I'm excited about being in a size 20 jeans and not wearing the old size 24's (which should have been 26's but I refused to buy that size!). Actually bought a 14/16 shirt too. Now, if I only had jeans that size! :o)
Take care and good luck to all pre-ops!
8-20-01 BIG exciting news! My boyfriend bought me size 18 jeans for my birthday last week and I can wear them!!!!!! I couldn't believe it! WOW, talk about being thrilled!! YIPPIE!! I'm almost normal! LOL
I'm starting to push the exercise and protein. I could use some good protein shake recipes if anyone has them! Thanks!
10-15-01 Well, I am FINALLY going shopping for a size 16 jeans today. It sure has taken me long enough and I'm not even sure they will fit me but I'm at least going to try. I am at the 201 lb mark and depending on the day, sometimes it goes to 199.. I can't wait to be a solid 199 or less!
Sometimes I feel tiny (for me) and other times I feel like such a cow. I find myself thinking the old way.. like "I can't do that, I'm too fat" and well I CAN do that and I AM going to do that... ALL OF IT!!!! :o) It's a good feeling to feel normal.
Just a note: I've found that chocolate is a MAJOR downfall of mine now.. GRRRRRRRRR!!
01/10/02... LONG time since I updated! Things are great here! I'm down to 186 lbs so that's a 89 lb loss so far! I really need to push and get 11 more off so I can be in the century club! :o)
I love buying clothes now! Size 14 jeans! Never thought I'd see that day!
I wish everyone who is thinking about this surgery good luck! It is THE BEST thing that has ever happened to me!! Take care and God Bless!
04/26/02.... Hmmmm let's see what has happened since January! I met a WONDERFUL man and have been EXTREMELY happy! Although I'm not happy about my weight loss right now. I haven't lost anything this year and it really gets me down at times. I feel like I can eat ALL day long and that bothers me. I have no control, just like before. I worry about the weight coming back on. I hate that I don't dump anymore!
Anyways, I didn't update to whine the whole time... I'm happy, size 14 jeans is still a great improvement from the 24's I wore for years!
7/24/02: 3 more pounds until I'm at the century mark! Will it EVER get here? :o)
1/19/03: Well, I now fluctuate between 175 and 179 and as I sit here tonight looking through all the great pictures I think I have a new determination to lose at least 15 lbs more. Plus, I just got married last weekend and I want to stay looking the same for him. What a difference WLS made in my life! I'd do it again in a heartbeat!
5/16/04: Not having a good winter/spring. I had to take birth control pills for three months, gained 10 lbs. and now I can't get it off. PLUS.... I'm losing my hair like a crazy person! It's so thin and I don't know what to do! Guess I'm heading for a doctor's appointment and the rogaine!!!!! If anyone else has had hair loss, feel free to email me, I could use some support. Thanks. Have a good day.
6/29/06: After gaining weight, I joined Weight Watchers in January and have lost 25 lbs.... best thing I could have done! I love it! If you are frustrated and not losing, join WW!!! Wearing a size 10 for the first time EVER!!!
5/28/08: WOW, it's been almost exactly two years since I've updated. Alot has changed since then. Two years ago I was on cloud nine, I even got down to where I was wearing a size 8! However, all good things come to an end and in just two years I've gain 40 pounds and I am now wearing a size 16 and some 18's! Yikes! This is a horrible feeling and I am totally disgusted with myself. I wish I could do it all again, I'd NEVER cheat or push my pouch to it's limit. I love food and I love to cook... and that gets me in trouble. Plus, I am an emotional eater, a boredom eater, and a "it tastes SO good" eater.......UGH! I feel so horrible about myself, I hate my clothes, nothing fits... I start a diet every single day, just like when I was a size 26.. and I've failed at it by lunch! I promised myself that I wouldn't let my husband be married to a fat chick (he loves me any way I am) but it's a mental thing.. know what I am saying? I just wish I could get my pouch smaller.. even half it's size. I messed up. Advice to new postops.. do what you are told.. stay active, eat right, you'll never regret that!!
