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Well I am trying to update my profile.  Hopefully I do it right...


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The before picture is at 275 lbs the after is at 174 lbs,( hightest weight was 284 lbs...

Photos

This photo was taken several years ago....

A little about me:

I have worked for many years at the same job. I worked in customer service and stood all day on cement floors. After 23 years of this my knees were shot. I had fallen on both of them at different times and had orthoscopic surgery to mend the tears. One I had broken a bone and was off work (and this leg) for 5+ months. I also have severe arthritis, fibromyelgia and sleep apnea. I went through 9 surgeries in 7 years.

After 15 - 20 years of pain, which was continually getting worse, it was really getting to me. I put in for a early retirement due to disability. I was on alot of pain medication to get through my days and the pain. It was getting unbearable, as when I couldnt take my pain medicine I could hardly walk at all. I was having panic attacks etc. and I did not think I wanted to take any more pain medicine to get through the days. I needed 2 total knee replacements on my knees and it scared me as I had on two different occasions had blood clots in my left leg and was in the hospital. I am on coumadin now and have been for years and have to keep tabs on it as It is something my family has had to deal with, also heart problems and stroke.

I had problems with my weight since I was about eleven years old. I was chubby for a few years and then thinned down. I also gained weight with each of my four children. I went through eight pregnancies and had lost four little ones in the last trimester. When my marriage was not going well I gained more. I would lose it all and would gain it back and more. I have not been very lucky in love. Apparently I do not know how to pick the good men. lol

Can I just say I was raised without a father.

My mother was the best and she raised eight children by herself. She was very religious and taught us good morals. She took us all to church along with her. When we got older of course she did not force anyone but we were brought up to believe in God. I think that is important and most children if they drift will always come back to God. He is very important in my life.

I knew I had to do something as after I retired in Dec of 1998 I sat most of the time at the computer. I built a web site and this became my life. I was falling alot and didnt get around very well at all. I started to really put on weight and before I knew it I was at the highest weight of 283. This is what they weighed me right after my total right knee replacement. I didnt believe it, but when I came home from the nursing home where I went after my surgery, (for 3 weeks rehabilitation), I was about 276 pounds. Some was due to the surgery, swelling etc but Ouch....

by the end of 1999, and before my Cobra insurance ran out, I checked into having WLS here in Vancouver. This is when they found out I had the problem with my blood. They did tests and it showed up. The doctor told me I had to be on coumadin for at least a year before she would do the surgery. My cobra was not going to exist in a year. So I had to forget that.

Then I called the doctos officer in the early fall of 2005 and found out that OSHU was doing the surgery and would eccept medicare patients. I called and talked to someone there and made an appointment to the next meeting. My daughter went with me. we were both impressed with the doctor. I also had insurance with United Health and so I came away from that meeting feeling really good. I could not believe it! I prayed about it. I decided to have the WLS before attempting the next knee replacement. Finally, I could feel some hope. I then looked forward and never looked back.

I feel better about having the WLS surgery first. I started looking into it at least 15 years ago. I had come to the point I didnt even want to lose weight anymore as I couldnt lose it all and always added more. It was a vicious cycle. I really am anxious to do this and get my health back. I feel very confident that this is the answer for me. I am so looking forward to getting around better and feeling better.

My first visit:
October 12, I went to my first meeting at OSHU, this meeting was mandatory and the first step to RNY gastric bypass surgery. It was very interesting. Susan Schenk was very good at explaining all the types of surgery and the risks. At the end Dr Deveney came in and talked for abit and ask if we had any questions. I of course had one concern and ask about the green filter. The first doctor I saw about wls a few years previously said she was going to do that also. Dr Deveney explained that he would not, but explained what he thought would be best. I liked him from the start, I felt very secure in the fact he had the experience and was one of the best. He also seemed concerned and interested. Seemed very nice to me.

October 25th I saw Vickie Jakovee the nurse practitioner and went over my information. I had my paper work filled out and brought the medical records they requested, etc with me when I came.

November 2nd I saw the dietician. This appointment lasted an hour and a half and was very interesting. Shannen Rentz was very thorough and I have been working on her suggestions. We went over the diet I would need to follow and she gave me many tips and suggestions. I have purchased the vitamins etc in preperation for the surgery.

On Dec 7th I went to Dr. Benson for the psychology evaluation. Took tests and had a very nice visit. I told him I wanted to have the surgery the first part of January and he told me he would make it appoint to get my evaluation in early (it usually takes 2 weeks).

Well it is now the 28th of December and I have made several calls to OSHU and they were still waiting on the evaluation. 3 weeks since I saw Dr Benson, and they still did not have his paper work. They suggested I call his office. When I did I explained that Dr Benson had told me he was going to try to have it done early, they put me on hold, came back and said they would send it out that day. I was not real happy about that but hopefully now I can get my appointment with Dr Deveny and get this thing rolling. I am so anxious to get in and start on this weight loss.

Will appreciate all who read this if you believe in prayer as I do ~ please pray that this will be a success.

Well I am back and feeling much better. I had my surgery the 20th on Friday morning. I did really well. I was up walking the next day. My daughter came up each evening and spent the night.
Other than the bloating and gas pain etc, i felt pretty good. The medicine they gave me for the pain worked in just minutes and I would be fine. I have to admit it could really hurt, but at least the medicing took cage of it. How long does this last? I did have some problems with my oxygen levels and the third day they told me I would have to be on oxygen when I went home the next day. I was surprised but I made it this far and was not going to let this dampen my spirits. I would do what I had to do to get better and get on my way to a new slimmer me. They told me it may only be for a short time so that was fine with me. I would rather have it handy and not feel short of breath.. I came home on day 5. Felt pretty good and was up and about and I thought did well. Then the following morning I was up at 5 oclock. I felt great, watched the news and then felt tired again. I decided to look at my tummy in the bathroom mirror and was shocked to see I had a big black and blue area. I went into the bedroom and showed my daughter. She was concerned so called the doctors to see what they said. I layed back down. When I woke up and had to go to the bathroom, she was right there, I could not get up. They tried to help me and everytime I rolled over and put me feet to the floor and tried to sit up I felt dizzy. They told me my eyes rolled bck and to lay back down. So I would lie back down. This happened three times and Kim had made many calls. They kept saying if I didnt have a temperature and it was not hot, not to worry. The area was growing. Well after the third time she called a ambulance and didnt tell me till they were there. Kim ask them not to use the siren as it might alarm me. Well that was an adventure, they were all very nice, checked me over, took an EKG etc. Once loaded into the ambulance I was on my way back to OSHU. I had a hematoma. In emergency they checked me over to rule out the dizzyness had nothing to do with my heart. Then after the blood work came back they told me I would be getting two units of blood. So that was it. I was admitted to another room, another floor and the whole night I was getting blood. The next night they gave me another unit. I was getting up and feeling much better. The doctors kept a close watch, David Lee came in each day. He was a sweetheart. He was the doctor in surgery with Dr Deveney. Dr Deveney came in several times in the next few days and was wonderful, he came in a couple times that last day. He was kind, concerned and compassionate. He made me feel much better. As with my going off Lovenox and on coumadin, I was concerned.

While out walking in the hall that morning I was told by another doctor I could go home that day and was planning on it when the nurse came in around eleven O'clock. I was standing there and my son, Keven and grandson Daniel as they came up to take me home. She told me the doctors decided to give me one more unit of blood. That meant one more day, as they take mine and have to match it and by the time it gets back, it takes four hours to administer. Then they test it again after an hour to make sure..... I was very anemic and they wanted to be safe. I left the hospital at 10:30 that night. My daughter Kelli and her friend came up and waited about 4-5 hours till I was released. Yeah!

I've been home several days now and doing great. Feeling great, but this tummy is unreal. How long does the swelling last? I am all black and blue, but feel just fine. Guess I can live with it for now but will be so glad when the healing is over and I am back to me...I gained weight with the surgery so that must be the swelling and IV's etc. its all in my tummy. If anyone can write to me and tell me what to expect next or how long this takes I would appreciate it.

Day 13, Each day I am feeling better. Nice to be home taking showers and getting around well. I went to my doctor to have blood work done and protime etc. She told me I was doing great, that I was on my way now. She was very encouraging. Getting meals, liquids, etc all in, seems like a all day thing. More meds, and I had never been one to take vitamens so now I had lots of those to take too. I fill up so quickly.

I am so lucky as I have not got sick once. I am so very blessed.
I can do this !! Again, thanks for your kind notes and for your prayers, it is so wonderful to know our God is ever present and that we can always depend on Him....

April 2006, Well I am feeling great and getting around more. There was a family picnic and also the childrens grandmother passed away so we have been busy. It feels great when after visiting relatives and they notice I have lost so much weight.

June 21. 2006,    5 Months postop   I think its time to update my profile. I feel great, and I am getting out so much more. Had another picnic on the first of June, the weather was beautiful. I have made several trips to the beach with my friend Bev. I even walked down to the waters edge and fed the seagulls along the way. It used to be to hard to walk in the sand. This felt so good to just let the wind blow my hair and look out over the ocean. I was lovin it!

Well I finally got sick for the first time, when I ate roast chicken. It only took a few minutes and it came right back up. This happened to me twice. I waited a few weeks and tried again. Now I eat just a few bites as to much and I feel queezy. The last time I put it in the microwave to get rid of the excess fat. I had much better results. I also tried grilled salmon after three months and the first time It tasted sooo good and yet in the night I woke up and it came up. I have not tried it again, yet. Dr Deveney told me it would probably be fine the next time. He has been wonderful and told me he only expected me to lose ten pounds a month. At first I thought what? I planned to lose much more than that. Well I was shocked when I didnt and barely made it. I have been back twice and he seems very happy with my results. My blood work came back and all was fine. I have seen my doctor twice also and she said I was looking great. I dont have to go back for six months. I told her I wanted to lose 50 more pounds and she said she had no doubt in her mind that I would. Well I am getting worried unless it takes me a year to do it. Its coming off slowly now.

July, 2006, I have not been losing weight like I had hoped. I lost 31 pounds the first month and had visions of being skinny by July or August. Didnt happen, but I have lost sizes like crazy. I am in size 16 and some 14s. This surprises even me, at my weight I dont know how it is possible. I was wearing 2x and 3x. I feel really good though and want to lose about 40 to 50 more pounds. I still weight 195 pounds and know my tummy doesnt weight that much. :) I have excercised alot and have loose skin but not too bad. I am trying to work more on my middle now. It was mostly hips, legs etc. I was out and about with a girlfriend two days in a row and it was go go go and not much stopping in between. It was home to put on pj's and I hit the couch. I woke at midnight and then went to bed where I slept till 11:30 the next day. We also had went to the beach the week prior and I did the same thing after being gone three days. She makes sure I get the walking in.

I go back to Dr Deveney in July and will let you know what he has to say. I feel so blessed I was able to have this surgery and have one of the best surgeons around. Well I did not even see Dr Deveney this time. i saw his nurse and she went over all my records, ask alot of questions and had the blood work done as usual.

November, 2006 I feel great! I am in a size 14 and it feels good as it has been a long time. Of course I have been giving my clothes away. I had given alot of them away before I had surgery so lucky that I still have a few size 14s left. There is also a store near called De Ja Vu that has beautiful used clothing for very reasonable prices. These are nice and higher end clothing. I first went in and couldnt wear anything in the store, so am really having fun now when i go in.

Nov. 11, 2006 I went on vacation with my daughter and a good friend of mine I have known since seventh grade. We went to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We had a wonderful time. I am feeling great and getting around real well. Have lots of pictures and would add a few if I could. We were gone for a week and it ended too soon. Beautiful weather, we went on a sunset dinner cruise and really had a great time. Loved it!

Well after i came home from my vacation I lost another eleven pounds. Wow, just decided one day to put on size 12 and it fit. I went shopping and bought me some new clothes. I'm lovin it! Think this is the first time I havent gained any weight over Christmas.

January 2007 Its already the 27th, I am a year and a week post op and doing great.... I am wearing a size 12 now. I have
not been back for my yearly checkup yet so am anxious to do that. Guess I will call them on Monday. Am anxious to see how my blood work comes out. I have had to start taking more calcium, and hope I am getting enough of that in. I am getting over a cold so have'nt been feeling to good the past few days. But its just a matter of time. All in all I feel wonderful! Its been a good year for me. From a size 2 and 3X down to a size 12. I feel real good about that. I would do it again in a minute....

January 30, 2007

Well I called and made my appointment to see Dr Deveney. I am anxious to see what my blood work comes up with this time. Do take extra calcium now as last time it was abit low. they have the new tram going and I was looking forward to ride it up to OSHU. I found out that the clinic is down on the waterfront now. But may just take the ride anyway. A friend of mine Vi, is going over with me.. The tram should be fun.

I just hope and pray that if your contemplating having this surgery that you are as fortunate as I was and have as easy of a time. You wont be sorry, I feel like my life is starting all over for me. I am getting around much easier. I am putting off my other knee surgery as long as I can. I have been thinking of the surgery on my stomach and even that scares me alittle. I have been having a problem keeping my protime where it should be. Am taking much more coumadin than before and still have trouble getting it to stabilize. Dont know why, I just keep working on it.

Feb 2006, Well I and my friend went to the mall and walked the mall. I enjoyed it but was tired by the time I got back. And my leg or knee was bothering me. Still puts a damper on things but I am only 'thinking' of the surgery at this time. may have to do it by fall.

Will sign off for tonight, wishing all of you much happiness and a new found joy in your life. Gotta get to bed as I plan on church in the morning. Take care and God Bless!

To view more of my pictures click or copy and paste this url,
http://www.obesityhelp.com/photos/albumId,8707/uzone,photos/action,gallery/
 

Nov. 30. 06  I cant believe how much time has past.  I have been feeling great, I have slowed down to a snail pace in what I have lost but have continued to go down in sizes.  I am in a size 14 and very happy about that.  (I was in a 2x and 3x) I would still like to lose another 40 pounds or more.  I was at a standstill for a few months and then recently lost another 3 pounds.  I know I am not drinking enough water and keep trying to improve that.  I know that would help, I have to get to some meetings also.  I went one night and there was no one there. Guess it was cancelled, my luck. :) 

I am planning on joining the Y and going to water arobics this next month.  That should help alot.  I am on the go much more than I used to, and so happy that I am able to.  Before I had trouble getting around.  I think after I have my hernia repair etc. I may have my next knee replacement surgery.  Then I should be in fairly good shape. 

I did go to Cabo San Lucas with my daughter and a good friend of mine and we had a wonderful time.  Went down Nov. 11th till the 18th.  It was so beautiful, we had air conditioning on all night.  We went on a sunset cruise with dinner and drinks, that was so much fun. Took lots of pictures so if I can get my photos scanned and on here I will have to show you.  Was just nice to be able to go on vacation again.  I got around really well and had a great time. Lots of fun! My next vacation destination is going to be Hawaii.

January 13, 07

Well I have lost 13 pounds since I left for vacation in November.  Must have needed that vacation.  Ten came off right away after I came back.  I was so happy to be in a size 14 when I went on the trip, after I came back my pants started hanging on me again, I now am in a size 12.  I  bought me three new outfits the other day.  Love them all.  I am interested in finding out more about the 1 year anniversary in Las Vegas.  My daughter is a flight attendent with Alaska Airlines and there would be no problem getting down there.  I just need to know more about it.  I havent heard anything.  If you read this let me know... Please?

September 6, 2007   Wow how time flies.  

I have finally went from 174 down to 168.  I keep waiting for the next ten pounds to come off.  I am getting closer to my goal all the time.  After staying at 180 for so many months I am so happy to be losing again.  I think it is partly because I finally splurged on the good protein drinks.  I bought the fruitose one in tropical fruit.  It is wonderful and you just add ice and water.  Makes a wonderful smooty.  I also boughtt he cappachino and tastes like a milkshake, just adding water.  I know this is one reason I am losing more.   And a fun way to do it..  I dont get hungry for ice cream anymore.  But these drinks are wonderful on those hot days.

I am scheduled for my next knee replacement surgery on the 20 th of September, just two weeks away..  Please all of you who read this remember me in prayer.  I will need it.  I go off my coumadin and on lovenox shots five days before.  I have to give them to myself twice aday.  I did this once before when I had blood clots before in this leg.  So pray with me that I have no complications... and no more blood clots.  I put it off for three years and was having so much trouble with my left knee since riding my bike about two months ago.  I waited hree or four weeks hoping it would go away but the pain only got worse.  So I made up my mind.  The surgeon has just been waiting.  I think that since I have lost 115 pounds it should go much smoother than last time.  I will have two titanium knees and should do really well. Have a lot of plans for next year.  Hawaii being one and then my 50th class reunion is also next summer.  Things have been so good for me and can only get better.

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