Karen K.

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It has been quite a while since I posted. I have had so much in my life over the past year. My weight loss has been at a standstill for months and then before I knew I had gained almost 20 pounds back...well technically I recalculated and its 13. Nonetheless, not a good thing. I have found I am a cracker and sweet addict. I knew I was addicted to sweets and breads prior to surgery. After surgery I discovered how much I loved crackers. I always tried to use the healthier kind but, they all had up to bad carbs. I have been unable to exercise because of my health and other factors. But, I am determined now to rejoin my fitness center now that I am back in Texas. They have a pool where I can go to do my aquatic exercises. I really love them. I have had back surgery and numerous stresses to overcome so what have a done turned to food as my comfort. By making bad choices that is why I am in a weight standstill and now gain. But, the good news is I have reached out to my Obesity Help site and gotten some good input and support. I have gone back to really paying attention to what I am putting in my mouth and holding myself accountable. As a result over the past few days I have lost 4 pounds. That is encouraging to me I want to see that trend continue. I need to get down to 170 before I can have my tummy tuck. I have not seen my surgeon and quite frankly afraid to as I weighed 185 at my last office visit in Jan. I know he would be so disappointed in me but, it pales in comparison to how I have been beating myself up. I have worked to hard to get this far I refuse to allow this pattern to continue. I got out my pre surgery pictures and put them on the refrigerator and by my bed. I have heard that helps and I think it is. I had an awful attack craving candy and crackers...But, Praise God I did not give in.
Well, that's is all for now I will try to keep myself motivated and with everyone's help here I know I will see this through to my goal weight.
Blessings to all,
Karen

I had an epidural injection in my L4 both sides this week along with trigger points in my lower back and neck. I have had numerous injections through the last 7 years but, this one when I got home really hurt. My theory is there was not enough numbing medicine in with the steriod. Now it did not hurt when they injected me and I was awake despite their sedation efforts throughout the procedure. So I was not in any real discomfort other than feeling the needle prick a little. 
Then the next day I went for my 4th Synvisc injection in my knee. I am still making all efforts to prolong that procedure. 
I am in physical therapy now for a small tear in my rotator cuff in my shoulder..and then to add so much more excitement to the week. I got to have a bilateral toenail removed due to an ingrown nail. 
Needless to say, I feel like a pin cushion this week.
I really have been disappointed that my pain level has not made much improvement with 88 pounds off now. But, I also know my life would be so much more painful had I not had the surgery. So I do not have any regrets doing the bypass. I still pray in time I will live a more normal pain free life. I have to hold on to that hope. 
Hopefully next time my report will offer much more inspiration instead of my woes of fibromyalgia and osteoarthrits. 

Blessings to all, Karen

I got my lab reports in this week and Dexascan from my PCP. Only problem is my iron is real low. Guess I will have to be more diligent in remembering to take my iron. My Dexascan didn't show any surprises other than moderate osteopenia mostly in my lumbar spine. I wasn't shocked by that has I have back issues to begin with...in fact that is what lead me to have this surgery done. I am hoping to avoid a spinal fusion. I am disappointed my pain level has not decreased since my surgery but, at least I am not in a wheelchair. I am so happy to now be off blood pressure , cholesterol reducing meds and for me that is progress. My weight loss has slowed down so I am bumping up on my protein. I feel like once I get my knee fixed I will be able to do more and more. 
Our house remodel is almost done at least on the outside. We were disappointed our house sale in Texas feel through. But, I know God will provide another buyer when the time is right. 
My family from Texas are coming in this week and I cannot wait. I miss them so much. That has been the hardest part of moving to the midwest after living in Texas all my life. I miss my family and friends a great deal. I love the area here just wish I could bring everyone near here....My husband and cocker spaniel have never been happier. Abby is able to roam free without a leash and my husband's songwriting creativity is at and all time high. I just have to sort out where I will fit in here. 
For now I must get my health and home in order and then figure out the rest later. 

It's been awhile since I posted so I decided to update my page. I have been experiencing some bad pain in my chest through to my back. It comes on suddenly and is relieved with Prevacid solu tabs. I haven't called the doctor yet as I have been drinking more coffee than usual. I suspect this and the fact I drank something too fast and cold the other day. I guess it could be spasms. I will call my doctor if decreasing the coffee doesn't help. I just hate to call unnecessarily especially knowing it is of my own doing. 
Also, I found out that my knee has a torn mensicus and will be looking at doing yet another surgical procedure sooner than I had thought. I knew I would be facing a knee replacement in the future but, had hoped the knee injections would hold it off for awhile. Of course, maybe getting the tendon fixed they can clean up the area and that will hold off the knee replacement for awhile. 
My fibromyalgia has been in rare form too so my health is giving me fits...My weight loss has slowed for awhile I guess that is to be expected. I am trying to not let that discourage me. 
On a brighter note....our house remodel on the outside at least is coming along nicely. It may be awhile before we can do much on the inside but, that's okay we are doing okay. My husband and cocker spaniel, abby, love it here in the country. The hardest part for me is missing my family and friends. I guess I will adjust in time it will help to meet some new friends. I am glad I have computer access to all the wonderful people I have met through this site and others to encourage and offer words of support. 
That's all for now folks....

Yesterday was my 48th birthday..not much exciting happening other than a phone call from my Momma informing me that she and my sister along with her cocker spaniel ,lexie, will be coming to see me in late August. I am so excited. Also, my oldest daughter will be coming out in mid August so the month of August is going to be like a huge birthday present. I did  get several other phone calls and good wishes that made me smile. It is so wonderful knowing I am blessed to have so many in my life that care about me.
Since our move to Illinois it has been tough being away from all my family and friends. I am doing better with all the remodeling going on and I do like the area very much. It is quite peaceful out here and the people are really nice.
My health has not been doing as well. My right knee is giving me fits and despite my weight loss of 82 pounds now I still have constant pain. I had hoped it would decrease tremendously...With fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis I guess I was not being realistic. I am glad though I went through this surgery because if I were now the weight I was chances are I would be in a wheelchair so I am thankful I can still hobble around. Some days are better than others so I am not trying to sound ungrateful or have a pity party.  In fact I may even get to get off my blood pressure medicine. When I went to see my new doctor my blood pressure was 80/60 and she said, "cut that medicine in half". Who knows maybe next time it will be stop it all together...yeah!
She is wanting me to find a bariatric doctor that is closer to me and that saddens me as I truly love my doctor in Texas. I know though for my sake it is probably a wise thing in the event I have problems and they need addressing in a hurry. I am planning on seeing him at least one more time.
Well that is about all that is happening in my world. I decided to post an update when I noticed it had been about a month.... 
God is good to me and He will see me through all of life's challenges that I can hold on to...

Blessings to all!  

We got moved to Illinois and things are kind of in a turmoil. We have an older home at least 100 years and were thinking about doing a remodel. We are now rethinking it. Truthfully, can two disabled people really think they can do a remodel? We have to hire everything out and we are not wealthy to say the least. So please pray that we make the right decisions in this area. 
I am at a stand still on my weight a pound here or two. I guess that is normal. I know my pace would be better if I could exercise more. I am still having so much pain with my back and knee that is impossible without the water. I am hoping once we get some decisions made about our housing I can get in a routine. I had so hoped that after losing 75 pounds my back pain would lessen. I guess once there is damage it just doesn't disappear . I also didn't get the knee injections as promised in Texas except for a cortisone shot that has worn off. The medicine did not arrive in time before our move. So now I have to find another specialist and go through the process again. I hope to hold off on any further surgeries for awhile. My doctors in Texas say I need a spinal fusion and knee replacement but, the thought of going through surgery again is just too much for me to deal with right now. However, the pain is too much to here lies my life. I am thankful though that 75 pounds are off as I am sure the pain would be worse. I am able to get up more out of bed and do somethings outside the house than before...so it is not all bad. I have a God that loves me  and He will see me through this. I am going to try and go to a support group located near where I live and maybe that will help. 
Blessings to all!

I haven't posted in awhile and in honor of today's weigh in I thought I should. I weighed in at 199...yippppeeeee. I haven't seen this weight in so so long. I am thrilled. I still do not have the kind of energy I think I should but, with my arthritis and fibromyalgia that complicates things for me. I did order me some B-12 to see if that will help. 
We are in the process of moving to rural Illinois. So it will be a new adventure in more ways that one for me. 
My sister is now considering to do lap band. I will be so happy for her to get her weight down. She doesn't want to have to lose to much time at work and doesn't care for sweets so lap band should be great for her. I have directed her to this website in hopes she will be able to connect with others as I have. It makes such a difference to go on this journey with others that truly understand what we go through. 
Take care all...

Today, I went to see the knee specialist. I don't want to go through yet another surgical procedure this soon after my gastric bypass surgery.The doctor has agreed that he will allow my body more time to heal from the surgery by giving me some injections in my knee to hopefully help me to walk easier.  What I did not like hearing is that because of fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and former lumbar rhizotomies when I do have surgery it will be more than a challenge to manage my pain...That was tough to hear. I deal with pain daily more some days than others ...well, no one I know of enjoys pain. After I got over my initial emotional moments of feeling disgusted with my situation and tired of this whole mess. I realized that at least there is a solution and I will not accept anything less than recovery. I will not let this get me down. I have gone through so much in the past seven years and road blocks have set me back.I will get up and keep on trying. I am human... sure I get mad but, I have a Saviour that loves me and I know He will never put more on me that I can bear.

I have been a little discouraged of late since my scales are holding around 216. I am not able to exercise lately. I already had a bad right knee and then I hurt my left knee....yes can you believe it. Some days I can hardly walk and I am stubborn about using the cane except when I go out in public. I saw an orthopedic doctor and after his evaluation and X-rays he says my right knee needs to be replaced. Now mind you this was my fear as I had been previously told that at some point in my life this would have to be done. But, now right after surgery only 3 months ago. He is now referring me to a specialist that does only knees and I will see what he has to offer. I pray he has another solution. The main issue is I already have spine issues and with my walking unsteadily it is making it hurt worse and the compromised left knee well you get the picture. 
so that brings me to the eating issues....I have trouble deciding on what is best for me to eat. I have managed to get the protein drink problem under control ...I have found 3 choices that I can live with and are quite bearable. But, then comes food....with all my pain I find myself eating low fat crackers and low fat cheese....I did eat tuna for lunch today and it was good not to mention the extra protein you get from fish. I am also using some lean cuisine and smart ones ...at least the ones that have no rice or pasta and that certainly limits the choices. I wish I could eat pasta on occasion and rice for that matter. But, being only 3 months out I don't know if that is a good choice. I see my doctor next month and hope he has some extra time to talk about food choices and limitations. I think I will check out some books on weight loss surgery to see if I can get some more tips...It has been wonderful all the ones on the site that have offered words of encouragement and their tips too. 
Well, that is it for now....I will keep smiling and doing my best..I know it is all in God's hands and He won't fail me. I know He will assist me in all that I do....

I haven't posted in awhile so here I am. I still have periods of weakness. Granted I was disabled before all of this started so maybe that is why my recovery is slower than others. We have had a family emergency come up and had to travel to Missouri. I am not exercising like I should because both of my knees are giving me problems. Now that I am back home I will get back in the water ASAP. Water is my saving grace when it comes to exercise. I guess I am losing as expected. I was excited that I put on a pair of size 18 jeans and had room to spare considering I was a 22-24 that is not to shabby. 
This surgery has been a real adjustment but, I know that getting this weight off is going to help me so much and already has made a difference in my level of back pain. Praise God! 
I look forward to getting that energy that everyone talks about....so energy come on down I am waiting on you. 
Until next time have a good week!