Michelle M.
1-2-03 Hi there! I am a married mother of 3 beautiful children that want their Mommy to do things with them. I am hoping and praying that my insurance company approves this surgery so that I can enjoy a longer lasting life with my kids and be able to do things with them. I have been overweight for most of my life and its getting to the point where I don't want to do anything because I get too tired and wore out quickly. I am 5ft 3in and weigh 268lbs. My goal weight is 150-160 lbs.
1-10-03 Well, I am very impatient and called my insurance company just to see if they received the letter from Winona for approval. They had NO record of getting anything from them so I called Winona. I was sooooooooo upset.....the gal at Winona said she was running behind and promised to mail it out no later than Monday. I will call insurance back on Friday to see if they received the info yet!!
1/16/03 Guess what??? Again, they still have NOT received the paperwork (insurance that is). Right now I am more than fit to be tied. I just don't understand. I called Winlife and they claim that there has been NO doctor in 2 weeks down there to sign paperwork. I don't buy it at all. Oh well, they promised me that they would fax over the paperwork today but I won't hold my breath. I hope after this is done that I don't have any more negatives from Winlife!
1/21/03 Well, I am about to give up and find another place to go to. It's a good think I DIDN'T hold my breath, I would be dead!!! I called insurance to see if they received the paperwork and they have not. I called Winlife and asked if they faxed it over and nope, still haven't had a doctor come down. I told them I thought it was ridiculous(sp??) and that if it's not done by the end of this week that I will find another place to go to. I just don't understand. Oh well, I am done venting.
1/24/03 I called the insurance again and they did not receive the paperwork. I called Winlife and they promised that they would fax over the information again. I am crossing my fingers that they will do it this time for real.
1/29/03 Well, I am finally HAPPY!!! Called insurance today and they received the paperwork on Monday. Said I should know something in the next 14 days!! YIPPEE!!!!! I can't wait to know one way or another!
2/4/03 I am sooooooooooooooooo excited. I called insurance today and they told me it I am approved! I was so excited that I was jumping up and down screaming while my kids and husband were looking at me like I was crazy!! Now all I have to do is wait for my pre-op tests to be scheduled and then my surgery date! I can't wait to do it!
2/14/03 Did my pre-op testing yesterday....went today to see Dr. Cater and I have been cleared!!!! I am way too excited now. Surgery is scheduled for March 11, 2003. Only 25 more days until I am on the other side!!!
2/21/03 Well, I had to change my surgery date because my family can not be here the week of the 11th!! Now surgery is scheduled for March 18th. I won't change it again!!! I am so ready to be on the other side.
3/1/03 Only 17 more days until surgery. Not nervous yet but getting more and more excited. Have met some wonderful women that are having surgery on the 18th as well. Starting tomorrow with little to NO caffeine (right now, drinking 2-3 sodas a day). Have been doing the chew chew chew thing and its hard but not too bad. Family and friends getting really excited for me as well to be "on the other side". Thats it for now...take care all :)
3/13/03 Well, its almost time. 5 days and counting until I will be on the other side. I have been doing great with having little to no caffeine. I think its starting to hit me...have been getting sappy at times thinking of the "what if's" but I know I need this surgery and am going through with it!
3/25/03 Here it is, 1 week post-op and I am feeling great!!! I weighed myself today and I am down 20lbs. I can not believe it! That really made my day :) My family has been great to me and helped me out A LOT during the past week. I thank God above for everything He has done to help me out with this surgery!
4/4/03 Had my 2 week appointment yesterday and I am quite happy. I have lost 21 lbs, 2.5 inches on the hips, 1 inch on the waist. Steri-strips are gone and incision is looking good. Dr. Ditslear was very pleased with my progress and that made me feel happy as well. That's it for now!
4/22/03 Here it is 5 weeks post-op and I am feeling great. I have lost 53lbs so far and think its WONDERFUL. I am walking 3-4 miles a day and its great as well. I have about 85 more pounds to lose and I will be one happy girl :) I am so happy that I am on to bigger and better foods as the tuna, cottege cheese, oatmeal and eggs were getting quite boring. I have more of a variety and its great. I am thankful for this surgery and would do it over and over again. That's all....take care :)
5/8/03 Went for my 6 week check up today (although I am 7 weeks!!) and it went great. I was so pleased and so was Dr. Ditslear. I have lost a total of 67lbs. I have also lost 5 inches off my hips, 4 inches off my waist and 4 inches off my chest. That really made me feel good. Everything is going good for me and thank the good Lord above I have not had any problems or gotten sick! That's all for now....take care :)
5/27/03 Here it is-10 weeks post-op already. I can't believe it! Time really flies when you are having fun and losing weight. I am down 85lbs weighing in at 215. Its been forever since I have weighed this little!!! Not too much longer until I am under 200 :) My next goal is to be under 200 by the end of June. I just need to keep doing what I am doing and adding more exercise! I only have 65 more pounds to go until *MY* goal weight of 150lbs. Hopefully the next 65 will come off as quick or almost as quick as the first 53 did. That's it for now....until next time-take care :)
6/19/03 Here it is, 3 months post-op already! Time flies when you are having fun :) Had my check-up last night and I am down 91 pounds total. I was so excited! It's great to feel so good and be able to do whatever I want and not get wore out so easily. I am 9lbs away from being under "200" and 58lbs away from goal. I am hoping to be at goal by Christmas (which I really believe I can be) just have to keep up the walking and exercising cause the weight loss is starting to slow down a little. I am really excited because for the first time since high school we are going to an amusement park! I won't be afraid that I won't fit on the rides cause I know I will be alright!! That's it....take care :)
7/8/03 Hey...just updating on my progress! Went to Six Flags, fit in the rides and LOVED it!!! Had a blast. I am down to 200 even now (total loss of 100lbs) and am very happy about it. It could be better but I guess it could be worse too. I am now 50lbs away from goal weight of 150 and made myself a promise. I am going to walk my normal 3 miles a day (1 mile after every meal) and hopefully be within 20-25lbs of goal weight by my 6 month anniversary. I haven't been walking like I should because of many different reasons. Poor excuse I know but I started again today walking. Even after losing the 68 lbs that I have lost I feel totally great and like a new woman! I enjoy doing anything and everything and don't get out of breath like I used to. Until next time.....big hugs to all :)
7/15/03 Man oh man...tonight was the worst night since surgery. Had dinner kinda late (8:30 p.m.) and thougth I was "starving" so I ate a little too fast, a little too much and talked wayyyyyyy too much. Well, I paid for it the following hour and 15 minutes with severe pain. I thought I was dying-tried to make myself puke and couldn't. All I could do was grin and bear it. Thank God it finally passed because I was about to have someone take me to the ER. I was very gasy though and think it was a combo of all 3 as to why I went through what I did. From this minute forward I will chew, chew, chew, not talk and only eat the amounts I need to eat so I don't have to go through that again!
8/8/03 Here it is almost 5 months out. Time has gone by quickly!! I have learned so much and love my new life since WLS. I am finally in the 180's!!! Yep-weighing in at 189 and loving every minute of it. I can't believe in this short amount of time that I have lost all this weight. I feel so much better, my kids love it that I am doing more with them and my hubby loves it too! New picture should be coming up anytime-what a difference 111 pounds makes! That's it for now...until next time take care. **Hugs**
9/3/03 Almost 6 months out and feeling GREAT!! I have an appointment today at the plastic surgeon to see her thoughts/opinions on a tummy tuck. My insurance said they will cover it as long as it is medically needed. I am way too excited about that. It shouldn't be a problem seeing how I have rashes all the time under the skin. I am slowly loosing now but still only have 25 more pounds to go until goal of 160 (set by my doctor). I'll update more after my 6 month appointment (next week) and today's appointment!
9/10/03 I had my 6 month appointment today. It was good :) I am down a total of 116 pounds weighing in at 184. I have lost a total of 29.5 inches from my 2 week visit until now. They didn't take pre-op measurments other than waist and hips. Alone in my waist I have gone from 50 to 38 YEAH BABY!!! Hips have gone from 57 to 47 and thats a big change too :) Chest has gone from 49 to 42 and arms haven't really changed enough to talk about!! I was pleased with my visit and was told I am doing GREAT...I am at my 8 month goal as far as the books! I have 24 more to lose and am going to work like hell to get it off before Christmas. Peace and happiness to all....Hugs :)
9/18/03 Today is my 6 month anniversary! I just can't believe how fast the past 6 months have gone. I have gone from an awful 300 lbs to an amazing 184 lbs, gone from a 26/28 to a 14/16 in clothes and from a 48/50 C bra to a 36 B bra!!! I feel GREAT and look 100% better!!! I am 24 pounds away from goal still but it is not going to happen before Christmas like I thought. I just found out on Monday that I am 5 weeks pregnant!!! I am happy, excited and nervous at the same time! I know its not ideal to be pregnant now but I guess God has other plans for me whether it be the ideal time or not! I will work closely with my WLS doctor and dietician during the next 9 months to make sure I get in everything I need. This will be an exciting experience! That's it for now....take care and hugs to all :)
11/17/03 Tomorrow is my 8 month anniversary!!! I am so proud to have had this surgery. I am weighing in at 178 which is a 122 pound loss and I feel great. I also am going to be 16 weeks pregnant on Wednesday so that is why the weight loss is slowing down a lot. The pregnancy is going great and I am getting everything in which is good too. I can wear 14's and 16's in pants and a medium/large shirt. It is AWESOME let me tell you. I have tried some new foods including bread and tortillas and they don't seem to bother me at all. I limit it to a few times a week but I have enjoyed being able to eat them again. I have also tried diet soda and it is just GROSS!!! I can't stand it so I stick to my water, tea and that's about it. Nothing else new going on...just getting ready for the holidays. Take care and hugs to all until next time.
12/11/03 Had my 9 month check up today and am doing great. According to their scales I am still weighing in at 178 but my scales say 175. Either way, its still great seeing how I am 9 months out and 4.5 months pregnant!! I have lost 2 more inches for a total of 28 inches gone forever. Everything else is going great and they are quite happy with my progress. The girls there said they couldn't wait to see me at my 1 year to see if I am looking pregnant yet as I am not yet!! It's so nice to be smaller while being pregnant as I was always so heavy with my other 3 kids! That's it for now....take care and hugs to all :)
3/18/04 Happy 1 year anniversary to me :) This past year has gone by quickly to say the least. It has been a road of ups and downs but worth it altogether! I have lost 115 lbs and gained about 7 total back but thats not bad being 8 months pregnant!!! I feel GREAT, look GREAT and am very happy not only with the choice of having weight loss surgery but the type I had as well. I really only have to lose about 25 lbs (give or take after I deliver the baby) to get to my goal weight of 160. Life has definately changed for me and for the better with WLS. Would I do it again? YES, in a heartbeat. I have not done things in years and years like I have in the past year! The best is being able to play and do things with my kids :) They finally have their Mommy back and love it so much. I wish everyone no matter where you are in your journey the best of luck. It is all worth it!!! Take care and hugs to all.
3/18/05 Well, here it is, 2 years post-op. Funny how time flies. It took me 2 years to finally decide and get the courage up to have WLS. I am 9 pounds away from my goal weight and hopefully will be there sometime soon!!! I have gone from 300 (when I went into the hospital) to 169 in 2 short years. I got pregnant at 6 months out from surgery, had the BEST pregnancy (I have 4 kids total) and easiest delivery. My little boy was born last May at 6lbs 15ozs. Didn't gain but about 15 pounds during the pregnancy and lost 20 pounds after delivering. I am stuck and have been for 10 months now but the last 9 pounds don't really make a big difference to me. I am very happy with my body-other than the wiggly, flappy arms and if I never lose the last few pounds and of course don't gain any I will be just fine. I have gone from 26/28 to 12/14 pants and from a 3X shirt to mediums and some larges depending on brands. My kids love having me do things with them and to me that is important!! Hopefully by my next anniversary I will have had some plastic surgery on my arms and tummy. I also one day want a breast lift as well. Good luck to all where ever you are in your journey!!!
3/18/06 Three years post op and still doing good :) Nothing new and exciting going on. Trying to stay fit!!
3/18/07 I can't believe it...4 years post op. I am struggling a little with all the bad foods but am going to try harder to stay away from them. I have gained about 20 pounds and am trying sooooooo hard to get it off. It is very hard though. I am still happy to be under 200 pounds and have kept 100+ pounds off!!! Wish me luck!!!