mo21012
There are pictures throughout my profile
January 15, 2004
I have been researching bariatric surgery for about 2 1/2 years now. I feel that I am now at the point where this is my only option. I had a consultation at the Bariatric Treatment Center in Langhorne PA today. I was very impressed with the facility and with the surgeon and staff I met with. The major drawback at this point going forward will be with my insurance. BTC is not a part of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield network and the cost of this surgery out of pocket is prohibitive. My husband was with me and has said that we will do what ever possible to make the surgery possible, so I have hopes that I will be able to do this. I am now looking at the possibility of finding a surgeon closer to home.
January 19, 2004
Today I called Dr Sofronski's office in Salisbury MD to get information on their program. I had a very positive feeling after talking to Rosie the program coordinator.
January 20, 2004
Called Dr Sofronski's office to schedule a consultation. Now I have to wait until February 12 to see him. I know it is only 3 weeks from Thursday but it still seems like it will never get here.
January 26, 2004
Tammy called from Dr Sofronski's office to follow up on the packet they send out and ask if I was still planning to be there on Feb 12. I assured here I would be there unless they had a cancellation and could move me up sooner. She offered me an appointment for the very next day, but because of impending bad weather and the 2 hour drive to get to Salisbury, I had to turn it down. Then she asked if I could make it on Thursday Jan 29. I didn't have to think twice about saying yes and rescheduling my appointment.
I have continued to do research and read personal histories from Obesityhelp.com, as well as talk to people who have had the surgery or have had friends who have. I know there are good and bad experiences and each person's experience may be different, but I have not yet seen anyone who is sorry they made the choice to have surgery.
January 29, 2004Today was an eventful day. My appointment was at 1 p.m. I met with Rosie, my husband and I watched a 30 minute video on weight loss surgery, spent more time with Rosie, met with Dr Sofronski for an hour, THEN ............ picked a date. My date is Monday March 22, 2004.
I still have to have the psych evaluation and go to support group meetings but the process has started. I know the next 7 weeks will fly by.
February 7, 2004
Attended my first support group meeting. I think there were 4 or 5 pre ops and 8 or 9 post ops. The group facilitator is one of Dr S's earlier patients (like # 8 or something). Two of the post ops had complications. One resulting in a 3 week stay in the hospital, the second with a 3 month stay. Despite the complications, they both say that they are glad they did the surgery.
February 11, 2004
Wow, what a day. First I saw Kathryn Adkins for my psych evaluation at 2:15, then on to see Dr Sofronski at 3:45 and found out that I had received preliminary approval from Carefirst. We just have to determine that Carefirst has the right doctor, since I had started with BTC and switched to Dr Sofronski after my initial consultation with BTC. Unfortunately, BTC had already filed for a case number before I told them I was not going to continue with them. We have a little over 5 weeks to get that straight though, so I am not worried.
Next up is my pre-op on March 4.
February 12, 2004
Rosie called this a.m. to say that she had confirmed my approval with Carefirst, but that I might want to check for myself, so I took a few minutes and called member services to be sure they did indeed have me in the system. It was hard to control the happy Mo dance after that!!!!
February 21, 2004
Second support group meeting. A slightly different mix of both pre op and post ops. Still very positive comments about the program.
February 26, 2004
I took the morning off from work to have my lab work and EKG done at my PCP. Then headed for the X-ray place for my chest X-ray. This whole process is becoming more real all the time.
March 4, 2004
Today was my pre op appointment. Mug shots were taken. Those will be my 'official' fat pictures. I have lost a total of 6.4 pounds since my first visit on 1/29/04. It feels like I should have lost more but being philosophical about it, it's better than gaining 6.4 pounds.
Melinda went over my post op instructions with me, gave me a 20 question true/false test on WLS, my consent to read, AND most importantly my contract to review before signing it. She also went over where I have to be and when. On March 18 I will be due at PRMC at 8 a.m. for my Trapeze filter implant. I think it sounds scarier than it really is. At least I am HOPING it only sounds that way. The post ops I have heard talk about it at group support say it's not a big deal, so I will take their word for it. I am the second case on March 22nd so I don't have to be a the hospital until 9:45 a.m. That means I can sleep in my own bed on Sunday night and not have to stay in a hotel to be close to the hospital for an early a.m. arrival.
Now for the "official" starting pictures:
March 18, 2004
Today was the day for my IVC filter. I was not really worried. I had heard that a lot of people make it scarier than it really is, so I have attempted to keep that in mind.
We arrived at PRMC about 7:30 for my 8 a.m appointment. We hung out in the parking lot for a few minutes, then went on in. I got checked in, and Dr S stopped by to see me while I was waiting for the nurse to come take me up to 5 West. We walked on up to my room and I got undressed and into one of those charming designer gowns. This might be the first time in history one of them was actually TOO big for me!!! They started the IV and did all the prep stuff, then I was wheeled on down to Radiology. My husband was included in the whole process, and the only time through the day that he was not with me was when I was actually in the special procedures suite while they were doing the filter. The doctor came out and explained exactly what they were going to do, and what to expect. He had a filter 'suspended' in a lucite block. I was shocked at the size of it. I got to 'walk' into the procedure room and climb onto the table all by myself. DANG skinny table. The radiology staff assisting the doctor were great. Constant banter with me and each other to keep me distracted. I was awake through the entire process, and other than an occasional 'pinch' there was no pain. The toughest part of the whole ordeal, was the not being able to move afterwards. Have you ever slide from a surgical table to a bed/gurney without moving your right leg???? it's not easy believe me. I expected to be kept in my room on 5 West until 2 or 3 o'clock before I would be allowed to go home, but the doctor had written my release to let me go at 11:30 so we were out of there by noon.
I was able to play the poor poor Mo card and convince Mr Mo to stop at the Chinese Buffet in Cambridge for lunch on the way home. I figured it would be a LONG time before I would get that chance again.
March 19, 2004Not much to report about today. My last day at work until after my surgery. I had things to finish and I was getting frustrated. I had a list of about 7 things that were 'critical' and I finally decided which 4 were truly important and would get finished.
We went to our regular restaurant for dinner. I splurged and had a glass of wine. I haven't been drinking anything alcoholic since New Year's, but I thought tonight was an appropriate time.
March 20, 2004
Well, two days until WLS. I get to drink my delightful phosphasoda cocktail.... *bleah* ..... Before I do that, and pretty much hang close to the house, I am going to have a pedicure. I want to have a 'ME' day and pretty toes always cheer me up.
March 21, 2004
Tomorrow is THE day. I just need to finish packing up my bag and drinking more of that wonderful cocktail.
My last meal was a tuna wrap from Subway. I was starving and had no flippin' idea what I wanted, and knew that it needed to be something light. Actually, the wrap was pretty good, just not what I had imagined my last meal would be. LOL
March 22, 2004Up at the usual 5 a.m. to joke and fool around with my auto racing pals in the chat room. I followed my usual morning routine of showering and doing my hair and getting ready, the only difference was that I was going to be leaving for PRMC not for work.
We got on the road about 7:30. I had to be at the hospital at 10. We were early, but better early than late. I think they called me and took me back to pre-op a little before 10. Just as with the filter, my husband was included and there for everything pre op.
I am getting better with the IV things I think. I really hate them, but they are a necessary evil. The anethesiologist came in and we talked about what he was going to do, and I explained to him my phobia about having the mask over my face when they did the happy juice push that put me out. I don't have a problem with the mask, just don't put it on me until I am OUT.
Dr S came by following his first surgery and we talked for a few minutes. He was going to go grab lunch and he would meet me in the operating room.
I am not sure I remember being moved from pre op to the operating room. It's all sort of hazy. I sure don't remember the anethesiologist!!! LOL .. I do remember a lot of pain and whining, but I think that was after I got to my room. I definitely remember asking my husband WHY he let me do this????
Mr Mo was pretty freaked on Monday night. I came to my room from recovery running a fever and I was pretty much delirious and out of it. He tells me that Dr S was there, but I definitely don't remember that. I just remember a lot of whining (MINE).
They kicked Mr Mo out about 9:30 (they had let him stay an hour past visiting hours). The nursing staff was wonderful, but I have to admit I didn't appreciate being woken up every hour and a half to be poked or prodded. AND THEN .... when they came at 11:45 PM to get me out of bed to walk, I thought they were NUTS!!!! I walked a lap of 5 West and went back to bed.
March 23, 2004For all of my whining and carrying on last night, by the time Dr S came by about 7:30 a.m. on rounds, I was feeling human. My fever had broken, and I was ready to be up and about ... NOT. They made me get out of bed though and I took a bath in my little sponge bath pan. By the time Mr Mo got there, he couldn't believe I was the same person he had left moaning the night before.
We spent the day drinking 4 oz of juice/water per hour and walking around and around the floor.
March 24, 2004Doing even better today. Definitely not ready to go home, but hanging in there. They shut the morphine off in my IV yesterday, but I still had the button. Well, this morning they took that too.
My hands are swelling badly from the IV's. I am so glad I did have my rings cut off, because I would be in big trouble now if I hadn't.
When Dr S came in for late rounds, he said if the other IV was bothering me, they could remove it, but then I wouldn't get the pain meds they were shooting in every 12 hours. I waited until after they did that at 6 p.m. then at 8 I asked to have the IV removed. At 10 p.m. I had a 1/2 dose of the liquid lortab and I pretty much slept through the night.
March 25, 2004I wasn't quite sure that I was ready to go home, so when Dr S came for early rounds, we agreed that he would come back in the afternoon after his office hours and we would decide then if I was ready. Free of the IV's I was able to shower and wash my hair. It was a struggle, but BELIEVE me I felt 100% better. By the time Dr S. got back about 3, I was READY to go. He took care of my discharge paper work, and they gave me a dose of liquid Lortab for the ride home and I was on my way by 5.
The first night at home was a little rough. I did sleep in the bed, but had some manuevering difficulties getting up.
April 2, 2004
First follow up office visit. Down 10 pounds. Dr S released me to drive and to go back to work part time. I have been bored silly at home so work will be a nice distraction, and I will be back a week sooner than I had planned. April 5, 2004
Back to work. It's hard to believe that my surgery was only 2 weeks ago today. By noon time though, the day is wearing on me and it's time to call it a day. April 22, 2004
Follow up visit #2 and one month out. I have lost 20 pounds. I am really a bit bummed, but I have to be realistic about it. That is 20 pounds lost, not gained which is a positive thing. May 13, 2004
Follow up visit #3, a bit short of 3 months. The total loss is now 30 pounds. I am back on virtually all foods that I can tolerate. So far, most everything has gone down ok, as long as I remember to chew and eat slowly. I have discovered that I am not so good with 'soy protein' substitutes, and as my sister said .. giving up fake chicken nuggets doesn't sound like a big sacrifice. May 25, 2004
Away on our annual May trip to Lowes Motor Speedway. What a difference in energy level. Below is a picture of me and the Kid Rock monster truck.
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June 1, 2004
Back from vacation. Wow, what a trip. I had thought that we wouldn't do much because I wouldn't be up to it. I walked and walked and did things without even thinking about it. I can't remember the last time I could walk from our campsite to the track without having to stop and rest my back/hip and complain, or wish that I had the nerve to flag down one of the handicap golf carts. I had weighed at the Flyin J truck stop on May 19th on the way to NC, and weighed on the same scale on the way home today, and I was down 4 pounds. Doesn't sound like much for 2 weeks, but in other years it could have been UP 4, so I will take it. June 9, 2004
My first support group meeting in Pasadena. What a wonderful group of women. We have all had various doctors, but the common issues related to WLS bind us together and the emotional support is phenomenal. June 24, 2004
My 3 month check up with Dr. S. Since my first visit January 29, 2004, I am down 49.2 pounds. Since surgery down, 43 pounds. I have lost 34 pounds of body fat and 15 pounds of muscle. My overall body fat percentage has decreased 5%. He is very pleased with my progress, as am I. I know the weight will come off. I have been released for exercise, so it's time to call my friend the personal trainer and see what we can do.
Part of Dr S's follow up program includes meeting with Emily (his wife and a personal trainer). I have an appointment to see her on July 12. I need to keep at least a week's food history to take to that meeting.
July 12, 2004I spent an hour with Emily today, discussing food choices and nutrition as well as the various options available for an exercise program.
July 22, 2004
Today is my 4 month anniversary on to the day. The official weight loss is 61 pounds since I walked into the practice on January 29. That is a 12 pound loss since the last visit. Dr S has given me a goal of 15 pounds (or at least match the 12 pound loss this time) for the next visit.
July 24, 2004
This is a picture a friend took with her camera phone when we met for lunch. She hadn't seen me since my WLS, and was very much surprised to say the least.
August 19, 2004
5 month visit and weight is at 71 pounds since January 29. I didn't make my goal, but Dr S continues to be pleased with my progress. My next visit I will be in the HUNDREDS!!!! I can't remember the last time I was under 200 pounds. I am now able to shop in the 'regular' ladies department, wearing extra larges and larges. My waist and middle are still 'thick' and I need elastic waists in pants to fit.
August 21, 2004
On the way home from support group today, I stopped at the VF outlet. I had bought myself a black Dale Earnhardt Jr jacket before my surgery in a size large, because all my racing jackets are double X's. By the time we went on vacation in May, the large was fitting. Today I bought a red jacket in MEDIUM. It's snug fitting, but when I tried on the jacket in large, I was almost swimming in it. I should be all set with the new jacket when we go away in October.
September 24, 2004
6 months post op ....
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October 16, 2004
The picture below is of me on the track at Lowes Motor Speedway when we did the charity walk for the Victory Junction Camp. I never would have been able to walk the mile and a half track before WLS, much less the walk from our campsite to the staging area for the walk and the walk back. By the time this day was over, I probably walked well over 5 miles.
The picture below is of me with NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip the same day as the charity walk.
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November 22, 2004
The picture below is from our Thanksgiving week vacation in Myrtle Beach. We took a day trip to Darlington and got to visit victory lane/circle during our track tour. I am 8 months out of surgery.
December 22, 2005
9 Months out ....
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January 15, 2005
The picture below is a 'freebie' done at the Motorsports Expo at Ft Washington PA
March 24, 2005
One year post op ....
June 17, 2005
15 months post op ...
18 months post op ...
21 months post op ...
March 22, 2006
I've been trying for days to figure out what I wanted to say for my 2nd anniversary. As I am typing this, it is Tuesday night, March 21, 2006. Two years ago it was a Sunday night and I was preparing myself to go to Pennisula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury MD. The last two years have been an amazing journey. Never before have I lost weight and
been able to say a year later that every pound is still gone. I am not a WLS poster child. I've not reached a 'goal', but I have lost 100 pounds since I first walked into Delmarva Bariatric Center and probably more than 115 pounds from my all time high weight. I had not weighed less than 200 pounds for more than a few months at a time since the mid 70's. Each time I lost weight I always managed to regain it with 'interest'.
My decision to pursue WLS was a 2 1/2 year process of thinking, researching, giving up, then reaching a bottom where I realized that WLS might be the only option I had left. Once I decided that yes I wanted to go through with it, I wanted it NOW !!!! I walked into DBC on January 29, 2004 and was scheduled for surgery March 22, 2004. Everything fell into place and I have never doubted my decision. Unless you count waking up in the hospital deliriously asking my husband WHY he let me do this. By the time I was home, I was never sorry though it did take a few months before I could say that I would do it again in a heartbeat.
For the first year post op I traveled the 85 miles to Salisbury once a month to see Dr Sofronski. This second year has been every 3 months. I still to this day use Flintstone vitamins and Tums. I read all the posts/debates about citrate vs carbonate but I trust Dr S and I am following his instructions. I've never had a B-12 shot, though I did start taking B-12 supplements on my own last fall 'just in case'. My labs have been perfect each time, but I am going to be extra vigilant in watching for elevated liver functions because I have a history of elevated liver functions even before I was diagnosed with a fatty liver. I have always had to be careful about any drug that metabolizes through the liver and even more so now. I could easily take Tylenol every day to ease the discomfort of my osteoarthritis, but choose to only take it when I am in more pain than usual. I started taking glucosamine/chondroitin last September and have found that it does indeed help and if I skip a few days I feel the difference in my joints.
I didn't do this to be thin but rather to have the quality of life that I deserved. I honestly do not know if WLS will give me a longer life, but I do know that it will allow me to live the life I do have left to the fullest. I would like to lose another 30 pounds, but if I never lose another pound, I will remember where I came from, and how far I have come and be thankful that I had this chance.
There were a lot of other thoughts running around in my head, but they don't seem to want to come out in any coherent fashion, so I will leave them there.
