Lisa ~ K

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Wow...It's been a long time since my last post.  Time really gets away from me.  Everything has been just great the last few months other than my first and hopefully only problem I've had with WLS.  I was visiting family for July 4th and became really uncomfortable with bloating and constipation.  While driving the 5 hr trip back home, I began having severe stomach cramps and terrible pain in my back.  I was so bloated...I felt like I was several months pregnant!  We got home and the next day, I continued to have the same pain and constipation...I got no comfort with laxatives.  I called Dr. Davis and he told me to go to the emergency room.  Well...dumb me, I went to the nearest hospital from my house...not understanding that Dr. Davis wanted me to go to "his" hospital.  They ran all sorts of tests and sent me home with some antibiotics for a bladder infection and told me to see my WLS surgeon because they thought I had gallstones.  Well the next morning, Dr. Davis called and was concerned that I didn't ever show up!  I then went into his office for an exam and more hospital tests.  He found the gallstones, but also my bowel was twisted (reason for numerous days of constipation) and I had developed an internal hernia.  He scheduled my pre-op tests and surgery for the next day, July 11th.  Everything happened so fast!  I was hurting so bad, especially my back.  I realized that I hadn't been able to go to the restroom for 8 days.  My weight went up to 137.

The surgery went very well and I only stayed one night in the hospital.  Everyone was just wonderful to me.  I guess I was a bit of a "case study" because Dr. Davis had several other doctors and nurses assist in my surgery.  One after another kept introducing themselves to me and I was taken care of so well.  He was able to repair the hernia, remove my gallbladder and "fix" my twisted bowel by laperscoptic surgery.  It scared me a lot because I thought I was past any potential WLS problems.  I took a week to recover and haven't had a problem since.  My weight dropped back to 129-130.  The pain I had was mostly from my twisted intestines.  After surgery it took a few more days to get "regular"... totaling 11 days with no bowel movement.  

So I'm now just doing fantastic.  I consider it a mild "bump in the road" and want to share it here so that others will know it's possible to experience this too.  I was almost 17 months post-op at the time.  I almost hate to tell anyone else about the emergency surgery though, because I don't want my one problem to over shadow the great success I've had with WLS.  I'm so blessed...I'm healthy and happy!  I'm blessed to have such a great surgeon.  And I'm more than blessed to have such a wonderful family that takes such good care of me! 

I continue to eat what I want...all in moderation.  I eat a lot of peanuts, drink a ton of orange crystal light and never get tired of south beach chicken pizza.  haha    I always take my vitamins and focus on high protein foods.  But I also love sweets and carbs.  It's all about moderation and control.  I'm so thankful for this tool.  It's a wonderful world...being healthy, confident and physically fit.  I have as much, if not more, energy than my teenage daughters!  I wear a size 4 and I feel 10 years younger.

It's been a little over 16 months now and I'm still doing just great!  My weight floats between 129-133.  I've been so busy because we just moved and I haven't been eating as well...more junk food.  But things are settling down now and we're cooking more at home.  I do not count calories, fat or carbs.  I only watch my protein amounts and faithfully take my vitamins.  I eat what I want, but I do stay away from fast foods.  I'm in control of portion size and no longer binge.  My measurements match to the exact amounts last taken a few months ago.  I really need to exercise though!!

I forgot to post on my anniversary!!  It's funny how I don't count the weeks or months following surgery the way I used to.  I'm doing really good.  Been very busy with work and my family is moving to a new house next week.  I think about how hard it was to work a lot or clean the house before losing the weight.  I can go non-stop now, from early a.m. to late p.m.  I would have never had the energy to keep up with all that's going on right now had I not lost weight.  I bounce around between 128 and 132 lbs.  The 19th was on a Monday and I weighed 132.  I always weigh more after the weeknd and then lose a few lbs during the week.  I continue to have NO problems.  I'm so happy...there aren't enough great words to express it!!

I had my 14 month anniversary a couple days ago!  I'm doing great and feeling great.  My weight was 127.5 lbs this morning.  I continue to have NO problems.  I'm able to eat whatever I like...in moderation of course.  I keep my protein high and take my vitamins, but no longer count calories or measure foods.  Life is GOOD!

I've kept almost the same measurements from the last time I posted on Nov 8th 2006...just gained 1/2 inch in waist and lost 1/2 inch in calves

Neck 12.5
Arm  10.25
Wrist 5.75
Bust  36
Waist 26.5
Hips  36
Thigh 19.5
Knee  13
Calf   13
Ankle  8.75

I've not been exercising near like I was.  I've just been so busy.  I think that's why I lost 1/2 inch in my calves...loss of muscle.  And the 1/2 inch gain in my waist...well I can live with that!  My weight this morning is 129.5.   I  float between 127 and 130.  I tend to lose a 2 or 3 lbs during the week because of being so busy, but then I gain back the lbs every weekend.  If I see 131 lbs, I cut back a little that day and get back to goal.

Weighed 127.5 today and just feel great!  No problems to report at all.  I'm living life and don't think much about my surgery anymore.  Of course, I pay attention to what I eat and how much, but it's habit now...just comes natural to me.  I'm so very very happy.

Today's the BIG day!!  I can't believe a year has passed since my RNY.  My life has changed so much and every bit of it is positive.  I'm healthy and I'm so very happy.  I continue to have absolutely no problems.  I praise God for keeping me safe through this journey.  I wish I could wear a big sign everyday saying "Ask me why I'm smiling" and then share about my weightloss surgery.  I'm so grateful for the success I've had and I will continue to work hard to stay fit and healthy.  It would be easy to fall back into old eating habits, especially since I have no problems with any foods.  But I take one day at a time, follow the rules the best I can, stay focused and positive and live my life to the fullest.  Thank you to everyone that has supported me this past year.  And I look so forward to this next year to come!!!

Thank you Dr. Garth Davis.  You have changed my life.  You're a wonderful surgeon...professional and very kind.  Because of your expertise, I've had no problems...never once got sick.  Maybe some of it's luck...maybe some of it my will to make this work.  But most of it, I believe is that you are an awesome dr.  I've learned to eat normally...not emotionally.  I've learned about nutrition and how to eat healthy.  I've learned how to eat anything I wish, but in moderation.  I have changed from a size 20, weighing a high of 227 to now a size 4 and my weight is 128.  I'm off blood blood pressure medications.  I exercise now, take care of my skin and take pride in my dress.  I live life to the fullest.  I play.  I enjoy seeing people.  I work harder.  And I sleep better.  I'm a better wife and mother.  And I'm very
happy.  My life is forever changed because of you.  I tell everyone about you and brag how wonderful my dr. is. 

Thank you again, Dr.Davis

Measurements taken Dec 14, 2005  and  November 8, 2006

Neck:  16.5"     NOW 12.5
Arm:   14.5"     NOW 10.25
Wrist:  6.5"      NOW  5.75
Bust:  47.75"    NOW 36
Waist: 42"        NOW 26
Hips:   50.5"     NOW 36
Thigh: 27"         NOW 19.5
Knee:  16.25"    NOW 13
Calf:   16"         NOW 13.5
Ankle:  9.75"     NOW 8.75

1/19/06 ... 1 month anniversary ... lost 22 lbs this month ... weigh 200
2/19/06 ... 2 month anniversary ... lost 16 lbs this month ... weigh 184
3/19/06 ... 3 month anniversary ... lost 12.5 lbs this month ... weigh 171.5
4/19/06 ... 4 month anniversary ... lost 9.5 lbs this month ... weigh 162
5/19/06 ... 5 month anniversary ... lost 10 lbs this month ... weigh 152
6/19/06 ... 6 month anniversary ... lost 6 lbs this month ... weigh 146
7/19/06 ... 7 month anniversary ... lost 4 lbs this month ... weigh 142
8/19/06 ... 8 month anniversary ... lost 7 lbs this month ... weigh 135
9/19/06 ... 9 month anniversary ... lost 3.5 lbs this month... weigh 131.5
10/19/06 ... 10 month anniversary ... gained 1/2 lb this month ... weigh 132 
11/19/06 ... 11 month anniversary ... lost 3.5 lbs this month ... weigh 128.5
12/19/06 ... 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!  ... gained 1/2 lb this month ... weigh 129
1/19/07 ... 13 month anniversary ... lost 1.5 lbs ... weigh 127.5