kbuster
I am 29 and have been overweight at least 10 years. I have tried everything. Once I stop I gain back what I lost plus some. I have spent a lot of time and money and I am tired of this fat gross body. My heart went into A-Fib last October and I had to be cardioverted. This is where they put you to sleep and shock your heart to correct the irregular beat. This was the scariest thing I have ever had to do. My parents were afraid too. I have constant joint and back pain. I have fallen twice and bruised one time, and chipped the second, my tailbone. I have lower back pain and mild depression.
March 1st 2001- consultation with Dr. Tillquist. My mom went with me and asked our questions and then he answered them, without rushing me at all. I had my mother go because I wanted her to feel comfortable about this and give her the chance to ask her questions and know that I was doing the right thing. Dr Tillquist is a very patient man. After meeting him I knew that this was what I wanted to do. So I spoke to Ginni the surgery coordinator and she tentatively set me up for April 6th or 10th. My best friend Patricia Henchy is scheduled for surgery March 16th. Godspeed Trish! She was the one that has held my hand on this journey. Thanks Girl. I have been preparing my body for its adventure. I have been taking Vitamin B12, B6, and E. They say that these will help speed the healing process.
March 9, 2001- I received a call from Ginni today and she said I was scheduled for surgery April 6th at 8:30 at Swedish. Yea… I am so excited. And you have only one week left Trish! I am still waiting to see about the insurance. I am crossing my fingers. I have met a few people from this sight that have the same Dr. and same insurance.
March 14, 2001- My friend Patricia was not approved for her surgery in time for Friday. I am so bummed. The plan was for her to go first. Since Cigna has been giving her the run around I decided I had better call my insurance company to check on things. I called United Health Care and they referred me to a division called Network Management. This is where they handle the claims and approval process. The woman that I spoke to said that they knew nothing of my procedure. I called Dr. Tillquist's office and left a message with Leady to have Eileen call this Network Management department so there wont be any problems later. I also called my cardiologist to have him fax over the important information that Dr. Tillquist will need to know prior to surgery. I am still taking my Vitamins and I go out dancing twice a week, and try to walk my dog at least every other day, and stretch everyday too.
March 22, 2001- I have been calling and calling the Dr.'s office and my insurance to make sure I got approved in time. I kept missing Eileen @ Dr. T's office and I finally spoke to her today and we disused the insurance again. I told her that UNC has no record of any paperwork being submitted. I told her that she needed to fax it to Network Managements fax # and she went to get my file. She came back to the phone and said, "Oh, I didn't realizing what surgery you were having". So they had never sent my paperwork and she proceeded to tell me that since my surgery date is in 2 weeks she didn't think I would get approved in time. I was pretty up-set. Patricia's surgery was supposed to be the 16th and now we don't know when it will happen. I wanted her to go first. And now they are telling me that they never sent my paperwork? Last night I got a message from Eileen and she said that I should know if I was approved by Monday. But she is concerned because my BMI is showing 39.9, but I am positive it will be approved because of my heart problems.
March 23, 2001-I received a call from Eileen at Dr. T's office and she informed me that UHC approved me for out-of-network services. Which means that they pay 80% of the procedure and I pay 20%. I also have a deductible of $450.00. Eileen told me that there is an in-network doctor now named Dr. Michael Snider in Thornton. I really don't want to drive all the way to Thornton. But I called this Dr. to see what was up. He has only done 3 procedures and he does not do it laprosopic. His office makes you go thru the long series of tests like pulmonary, psych evaluation and see a nutritionist etc. I called Eileen back and told her I would be willing to pay to not have to wait.
March 27, 2001- I am so excited. I have 10 days left 'till my surgery. I am not worried or afraid. I am totally prepared for the pain right after, and the joy later. I have purchased a book called "weight loss Surgery, Finding the thin person hiding inside you" I found it on www.wlscenter.com. I haven't received it yet, but I am expecting it soon. I will be joining 24-hour fitness next week. This weekend I am going to have my last hurrah. I am going to Colorado Springs and staying at the Broadmore hotel. (This is a five star hotel) I am going to have a massage and then go for an elegant dinner in their nicest restaurant. It will be a wonderful get-a-way before I start my new life the following weekend. I have a habit of spoiling myself. That is not such a bad habit; in fact I really enjoy it. I have made plans for this December to do this 26-mile walk for breast cancer in Honolulu, Hawaii. I should be ready for a walk of that distance by then. If I don't make the whole walk I won't be dissapointed, how bad could it be in Hawaii?
April 3rd, 2001-3 more days to go. I cannot wait. I am not nervous at all. Not to say I won't be that day. But for right now I am really relaxed, and ready. The Dr's office told me I only needed to stop consuming anything by midnight the night before, but I have taken it on myself to start only drinking from today on. No more solid food. Besides, I am just sick of food right now. I figure it will be easier on my stomach these next few days. And for the surgery itself. I quit taking vitamin E, Aspirin, and Echinechia because it is proven that E and Aspirin causes bleeding. And the nurse told me I should stop Echinechia too. I went to the store last night and spent $75 on a bunch of Ensure and some Crystal Light and some decaf. Ice Tea bags. Oh, and my weekend, last weekend. The most decadent and luxurious weekend ever…
April 4, 2001 I joined the gym today. I will have a freeze on my account until I get the okay from Dr. Tillquist. I have received allot of nice encouraging e-mails. Thanks. I am still trying to get my house and bills in order. I plan to go home tonight and get my bag packed and finish the laundry. I have my living room all set up, so I won't even have to go up the stairs the first couple days if I don't want to.
April 6, 2001 weighed in at 263(Patricia updating for Kristin while she is in recovery) Kristin went into surgery at 8:30 am and was under anesthesia for 4 hours. Her parents were there to meet her when she was brought to her room. It was not a private room as was promised. Kristin says the tube in her nose is very uncomfortable and her abdomin feels bruised. There was no pain medication waiting for her after surgery. It is now 4:15 pm and she still does not have any morphine drip. I will be visiting with Kristin tomorrow afternoon and will update again for her on Monday.
April 10, 2001 (Patricia updating for Kristin while she is recooperating) Kristin returned home from the hospital 4/9/01. She is suprised the hospital stay went by so fast that it sometimes seems like the surgery never even happened. While at home she is drinking 32oz of water each day but trying to take in more. She is also able to take the dog on small walks. Kristin is able to sleep on her side but finds it hard to wake up because of the effects of anesthesia still in her system. Today she ate 2oz of yogurt.
April 16, 2001 I went to Dr T.s for my one week check up. I lost 15 lbs. I actually cried on the way home I was so happy.
April 23, 2001 I had my 2 week check and only lost 4 more lbs. But I have gone form a size 26/28 to a 20!!!!!!!!! Next check up in two weeks.
April 30th. I am back to work now. I am working 1/2 days this week retuning fill time next week. I only took 3 weeks off. I feel so great. I have so much more energy now. My boyfriend calls me "the increadable shrinking ass". Every one has been pretty cool about my new look and a lot of people have noticed. I am not afraid now to say I had weight loss surgery.
April 9, 2001 I had my one month check up today, and I am down a total of 31 lbs. Yea!!! I couldn't have asked for this to have gone any better. I weighed in at 232 today. I feel so good. I have so much energy now. I can't sit still. Patricia had her surgery yesterday, it went fine. She had a rough night last night, and a bad time today waiting for the last leak test, with that tube up her nose until 2pm today. She was not happy about that. Other than that she is doing really well, but sore.
May 21, 2001 I went to Glenwood Springs last weekend and we went white-water-rafting. This is something I have always wanted to do, and I got my chance. I was not scared. I was just so happy to be living my life, and doing what I wanted. I am having some "head hunger" and missing my friend food sometimes, but I just know I have to take care of myself. No one is making or not making me eat. I have decided if I am not hungry, I am not going to eat. I am having beef jerky, nuts, beef, chicken, seafood, some veggies, some fruit, and rice and beans too. I feel lucky to be able to handle such a verity. I eat really slow now and take my time. It usually takes me a ½ hour to eat my 2 oz. I have a check up with Dr. T on 6/6. According to my scale at home I have lost a total of 42 lbs. (52 lbs since my pre-op appointment.) I have a lot more energy too and I am still going to the gym religiously, and dancing 1-2 times a week.
May 25, 2001 Last weekend I went camping with a bunch of my friends and it was a blast. I haven't gone camping in years. We went to this beautiful spot up by Bailey, CO. We had to hike in about a mile to our site. It was hard, mostly because I was not equipped to backpack in, but I made it. My diet consisted of Beef jerky, nuts, and water. I had a couple of roasted marshmallows and some popcorn too. I am excited to do more camping this year. I have a wedding to go to next weekend for an old school mate. He knows that I was having surgery, so I am curious to see his reaction. He hasn't seen me since before the surgery. The people that I hang out with and work with are all telling me how wonderful I look, but they see me on a daily basis, and I am curious to see how my friend that hasn't seen me reacts. But I feel good and that is all that really matters. My heart is doing better. 50 lbs. has made a big difference. I have gone from taking 100 mg of Tambacore twice a day to 100 or 50mg once a day, usually at night. I work evenings from 2pm to 10:30 pm then I go out dancing 5 nits a week, and to the gym in the mornings 5 days a week. When I lay down before going to bed I usually feel some PVC's (premature valve contractions) in my heart. But I am not feeling as bad as I was 50lbs. ago. To me that is amazing.
June 13, 2001 I went for my 2 month check up today. I have lost a total of 47 lbs.!!!!! I got a B-12 shot and my blood work done. I feel really good. I have gone from a size 26-28 to a solid 16. That is 5 sizes in two months. I really cannot believe it. I have an obsession with shopping. So I have been buying stuff a little small like a 14-16 and making sure that my bottoms have drawstrings to make them last longer.
June 18, 2001 I went camping again last weekend. I also went to Hyland Hills Water World (water park). I have not been there in like 15 years. I know I am lumpy and flabby but I couldn't care less. I am taking control of my life. When I see someone obese, I want to say, "hey look at me, I had weight loss surgery only 2 months ago". But I don't. I think if someone did that to me before I found out about this on my own I would have never done it. This girl that I work with, Tonya is having surgery tomorrow. God speed Tonya!
June 25, 2001 I just calculated my BMI I am at 30 now. WOW!! No wonder I feel so good, I only have about 55 more lbs. to get to goal. I am sure it will take me the rest of the 9 months to get there. I know to expect it slowing down now and it has. I am at a total of 53 lbs. down now... I went white water rafting again this last weekend and camping. I am really geting "in touch with nature". I was really sore on Sunday from rafting, but today I feel great!!
July 11, 2001 I went for my 3 month check up today. I am down to 205!!! 58 lbs total lost forever! I feel great. I got another B-12 shot and I told Dr. Tillquist that I have been having problems with bitchiness. I told him that I would be seeing my OB/GYN next week. I think that my estrogen is out of control. He said that he thinks that that is what it is. So I will up date after seeing her next week. Over all I feel wonderful. My life has gotten better and better. I am so much more active now and I actually enjoy life. Everyday I am getting more and more complements. I really love that. I feel so saggy though. My skin is so loose. It doesn't bother me as much as caring those 57 extra lbs. I had alcohol for the first time on June 30th. It was Patricia's birthday and I took her downtown to celebrate. We each had a shot and we were both buzzed after that one shot. I have been trying to eat allot of protein right now because they say that hair loss happens around the 3rd and 4th month due to lack of protein.
July 16, 2001 I weighed in at 198 on Saturday. I broke 200. I could not be more exciced...
Aug 9, 2001 I went for my 4 month check up today and I weighed in at 187!!!! Yippee!!!! That is 76 lbs. Gone forever. I feel great!! I am wearing a size 14 now, it is real hard to keep up with all the clothes buying, but I just keep telling myself that I am not spending money on food now, and I won't spend more that 10$ on a piece of clothing. I am going to Las Vegas at the end of this month, it will be a blast. My hair is falling out a little more than usual. I have not been washing it everyday to prevent it from falling out any more than necessary. I also hurt my tailbone a year ago and now it really hurts... I am going to see the Doctor for it next week, all they can really do for that though is prescribe a painkiller. I forgot to update that I had a fainting spell. I passed out at a concert due to dehydration I think. It was pretty scary. I now know to drink lots of water all the time.
September 26, 2001 175 and holding. I have been at this weight for about 2 1/2-3 weeks now. That is ok. I only have 25 more lbs to go. I would be fine if I never loosed another pound. I feel great and I have so much energy. I have been having trouble sleeping lately. Las Vegas was wonderful. I was not miserable at all from the heat. I actually enjoyed it. We did allot of walking, about 5 miles a day. I was a little sore, but not anything like if I still weighed 270. It was a ton-o-fun. I drank allot while we were there. I never got sick, except for when I drank two Pina colada's. The sugar was too much. Vegas is loaded with buffets and it was hard to not over eat. I would have to just rely on my body to tell me when to stop. I was nice to have a vacation that centered on activities instead of FOOD!
November 6, 2001 7 months post-op. I went to Dr. Tillquist's office today and weighed in at 164!!!. My original goal was 155, but I changed it to 150 a while ago. My scale at home says 161-160 when I am naked. I am going with that #. Dr. T said I could get my tummy tuck now if I wanted. I told him that I am trying to change my body composition right now and I am working towards lifting weights for 6 months straight before I have any plastic surgery. But I have pulled up some information on the Internet with Doctors that are in my network. I want to make an appointment with one of them just to see how they can help me, and what I can get covered with insurance. I have been having heart problems still, but it seems to be getting better since I have been walking again. I bought a new puppy last Sunday. Another American Eskimo, a little girl. She is 8 weeks old and very cute. Justice (almost 2 years old) really loves her; her name is Liberty, Libby for short. I am going to try to get my before and after pictures on here, because they are really amazing. I don't have to see Dr. T until April, but I will update again before that.
December 5, 2001 Tomorrow will be 8 months post-op and I am past my goal!!! I am weighing in at 149. I could not be happier. I love my new life and the inspiration that I have given others to accomplish the same thing. There are 3 people now that I work with that have had the surgery since I had mine, and several more that have dates set. I am so excited for all my friends and this new family that I have found thru this amazing surgery. We are becoming a tight knit support group for each other. I still am not panning on having any plastic surgery for at lease 6 more months. In this time I want to work out heavily with the weights and get my body composition where I want it before any cosmetic steps I may take. It is a good thing that it is Christmas time, because I need so many new clothes. Even the newest ones I have bought are falling off. I am still going out dancing once or twice a week, and the difference is amazing. I have to "beat the men off with a stick". It is fantastic fun, but at the same time I am meeting a lot more jerks than I used to. I guess I have to take the good with the bad.
January 22, 2002 I got laid off from my job, and I decided to go a head and have my tummy tuck now, since i am off wotk. I am still at my goal weight of 140 to 150. I am having a tummy tuck on the 29th. That is only a week from today!!! I can't believe it! My friend Tonya had her tummy tuck on the 14th and is doing great. She said it has been a cinch, except for the drain tubes that she just got out today. I got laid off from my job at AT&T Friday, so I started Bartending College today. I am excited for my new opportunities, but at the same time I am concerned with making enough money to pay my mortgage. I just figured that my life has changed so much in the last year, that I am not going to let a little thing like losing my job bring me down. I will write more after my surgery on Tuesday.
March 19, 2002 My tummy tuck went very well. There was a lot of pain, but I was able to manage it with meds. I had 2 drain tubes in for 10 days. This was the most painful part, they were very uncomfortable, because they are right in the frount of your pubic area. Having them pulled out hurt too, but it was over in a second. It has been 7 weeks now since my surgery. I had to wear a girdel for 6 weeks 24 hours a day. I lasted about 4 weeks and then the last two weeks I wore it 50% of the time. I love the way it looks and feels. Dr. Terance Murpy is an excelent Dr., and he has a great bed-side-mannor. I got called back to work at AT&T, I started back yesterday. This is good news. I will be back for up to 6 months, and then get my severance. I plan on working part time at Bennigans too. I am down to 138 now. Dr. Murphy only removed 3 lbs. of skin. I was really swolen at first, and I still have a little now, but it is getting better. The scar goes from behind one hip all the way around to the back of the other. I would say it is about 22 inches. My belly button was moved too and redesigned. The scars are still dark, but they will fade with time. Dr. Murphy offered laser surgery to reduce the aperance, but I don't really think it will be necessary. It costs $100.00 a treatment, and it takes several treatments to do it.
April 6, 2002 Well, it has been 1 year today! I am feeling great. I am still weighing in at 138. I went fishing today, didn't catch anything, but it still was fun though. I am going rollerblading tomorrow for the first time. I may not be falling as hard with the weight loss, but I am still a clumsy individual, so I got all my pads to keep me from scraping myself up too much.
May 10, 2002 Still at 138…. I don't really have anything new to say. I am looking forward to this summer. I am mostly looking forward to the warmth. I freeze all the time now. I am always cold. It really sucks sometimes. I am planning a trip week after next to Glenwood Springs. I am pampering my self with the penthouse suite and Hotel Colorado. I can't wait! I found this great Yahoo site for WLS patients and I have been corresponding with a few people from there.
June 7, 2002 Sill at 138... I just got laid off again. So I will not be up dating for a little while. I am still feeling fantastic and loving life in a whole new way. I have been parting a little too much latley. But I have been having a lot fun. I plan on mellowing out a little now and try to find a job soon. Telecomunications is a tough industry to work in. I am planing on finding a job bartending somewhere.
July 8th, 2002 I got approved for a breast lift with Dr. Murphy covered by insurance. The surgery will take place on August 30th. Yea!
July 10th, 2002 My boyfriend Todd, and his two boys, Stephen (11) and Shawn (15) have moved in with me. This is going to be a huge change for me. I have decided that I don't want to have any children of my own. I do not want to ruin my new plastic body. Ha Ha.
August 30th, 2002 I had my breast lift today, and it was a piece of cake! I had to be at the hospital @7:30 am and the procedure started at about 9:20. I was awake and in recovery by 11am and left the hospital about noon. I was so starved from not being able to eat past midnight the night before, I was at Village Inn for lunch by noon.
September 30th, 2002 My plastic surguries have came out so well. I am compleatly satisfied with the out come of both of them. I could not have asked for this journey to go any smoother for me. Dr. Murphy is a terriffic plastic surgon and I would highly recomend him to anyone.
March 29th, 2003 It has bee a long time since my last up-date. This is because everything is terrific. I have no complaints. Last month I was asked to visit with the Pre-Admit nurses at Swedish Hospital to tell them of my journey and experiences from Swedish. I also took some information and issues from the support group that I attend at Littleton hospital. The nurses were very receptive and willing to be more sensitive to the needs of their up-coming by-pass patients. This response is very comforting since I really notice a difference in the way I am treated now as an "average weight" person as apposed to an "over-weight" person. I cannot believe how different people treat me. I loving seeing the reactions on others faces when I tell them that I used to weigh 282 pounds. Mouths drop, I hear, "I can't believe it” etc. Then when I pull out my photo album, that I carry with me everywhere, there is even more chins hitting the floor. "That's not you" "No way, I can't believe it". I wish I could just tell the whole world how wonderful this surgery is.
April 6 2003, It has been 2 years today and I am so excited about life! Anyone, please feel free to e-mail me....
April 20, 2003 Todd proposed last night, and I said “YES”. I am so excited to be starting my new and improved life with this wonderful man.
June 9 2003 I finally got a job, I started today at Time Warner, and I love it.
June 18 2003 Been looking for the perfect spot to get married. My whole family is very excited and happy for me. I think we have set a date too in October.
July 28 2003 I think I found the perfect place. Arrowhead Golf Club, I just started golfing this summer, and how appropriate. It is beautiful!
August 27, 2003 I changed my mind on Arrowhead, I changed the wedding place to Chief Hosa, it is more our style. I also changed my mind on the date. Since I just started working again last June, and my Mom has been un-employed for almost 2 years now, it just makes since to wait a little while. So I am pushing it back to next June (2004).
January 27, 2004 Just wanted to let everyone know I am still here. I have gained about 20 pounds since I started working again (6 months ago). I just started a new exercise program last week and already lost 5 pounds in 4 days!. I am watching my carbs and working out at the gym again. This is great. I could have never been so motivated or able to lose so easily with out this surgery. My mother got a job a few months ago, so we are talking about firming up my wedding plans.
December 14, 2004 OMG! It has been almost a whole year since I have updated my profile. Well, I am still not married yet. We keep postponing the wedding due to events. We just moved to Castle Rock over Thanksgiving weekend and we just love it there. I am still super happy with my surgeries and so glad that I had them. I am still going to need a lower body lift and leg lift, but it will be sometime before I can do that. I really need to update my pictures with some new ones. Everything is going very well. I do notice that I am having to really be aware of how much I eat. I can eat a lot more now, and that scares me. I have not gained anymore weight, I have maintained it well. I still have to be very careful of not really what I eat, but how much I eat. I am still going to support groups when I get the chance and I am really enjoying see all the new successes! It has been awesome! I hope everyone has a wonderful and Happy Holiday!
4/6/2005 Today is 4 years for me. I was in the hospital for a little over three weeks. I had septic meneangitas and insefaltus. I could have died. But I am Ok now I will be going back to work on the 25th of this month and that will be good. I lost a lot of weight in the hospital. I am back down to 145 again. I want to stay here now. Godspeed to all!
12/28/2005 Well it has been a little over 4 and 1/2 years. I am married now! I got married on September 4th to Mr. Todd Buster, and his two children, Shawn (18) and Stephen (14). It was a beautiful wedding, everything I could have ever imagined. I truly felt like a princess that whole day. It was magical! I am so glad that I had this surgery to make this day as special as it was. I love my wedding pictures! I can’t believe how great I look and I owe it all to my diligence after this surgery. The day after the wedding we took Todd’s boys with us to Cabo San Lucas and spent a week there. I wore a bikini everywhere we went and I felt confident! Something I could have never done at almost 300 pounds! I love it!