Nanci H.

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I am down 62+ pounds in six months.  Withing 10 lbs of first goal.  I will post new photos and measurements soon.  But wanted to update.

It's been a little over three months and I feel great!  Weight is 164.5.  Down about 47 lbs.  Weight loss has slowed but I have not been able to do any exercise due to back problems so next week I start physical therapy and will be able to concentrate on some weight training.  I am needing some muscle to fill out some loose skin!  Oh, also my hair started falling out a little right on schedule.  My hair stylist promises that with taking all my vitamins and protein it will come back!

Measurements:

Neck    14.5"        2.5"
Bust      45"           5"
Midriff    38.5        4.5"
Waist     38.5"       9.5"
Belly      38.5        8.5"
Hip         40.5        2.5
Thigh     20.5        2.5 each
Arm        11.5        1.5 each

Total lost  36.5"    Not tracking with pounds!  Maybe I made a mistake someplace.  Whatever.  I am so happy that my belly fat is going away!

At 10 weeks post op, I weighed 170.2, down about  41 lbs.  Measurements:

Measurement           Total Loss
Neck      15.5              1.5"     
Bust       45                 5"
Midriff     39                4"
Waist      40                8"
Hips        40.5            2.5"
Belly        41               8"
Thigh      20                3" each
Arm         12                1" each

Total loss      37"    I have found this usually tracks with pounds lost give or take a couple.

(March 17) This is a late post, but at my two month (8 weeks actually) post op weigh-in, I weighed 174.  Measurements were not taken at that time because I was sick with the flu!  Anyway, I was feeling great at two months, except for the flu.  My weight did bounce up a couple pounds during my illness but then went right back down.  I just figure it's because I was sick and my body was protecting itself.

Today was my one month post op.  New weight 183, down a total of 28 lbs since my Oct 07 group consult.

Here are my new measurements:

Arm 12.5   -1/2
Thigh    21.5   -1.5
Bust      47       --3
Midriff    40.5      -2.5
Waist     42      -6
Tummy at belly button    41.5   -7.5
Hip      41      -2

Total inches lost, assuming thighs and arms are equal (I only measured one side!)   25 inches.

I am very pleased!

Gosh, I just realized I hadn't updated my blog since before surgery.

Ok, surgery was on Tuesday 1/22/08.  When I arrived in pre-op there was a BIG pink sticker on my chart that said "DIABETIC" and it solidified my decision to have surgery, I do feel it was a final message from God that I was doing the right thing.

Surgery took a bit longer than usual as I had major adhesions and they told me it took 45 minutes just to cut them down before they could start the surgery.  But they were able to complete it via laproscope which is a blessing even though I am still in pain!  I was in the hospital from Tuesday to Friday, dealing with a drop in blood count and nausea.  But finally was graduated and sent home.

Recovery has been a challenge so far as I think it is for most people.  You'll have a few good days, then one bad.  Or you'll try something new to eat and find out it does not work and it kinda ruins the rest of the day.  Or you get frustrated because you can't find protein or because you're lactose intolerant a thousand times worse than before surgery.  Well, all that does not matter, nor does it make me feel any differently about having surgery.  I am very happy I did it.  These little bumps in the road are minor and will pass.  Every day gets better.

I am still on the phase II diet which is full liquids and whatever I wish to puree, or what you could eat if you had no teeth.  Next week I start the next phase which is soft foods. 

Some days, broth is easier to drink than water, so that's what I do.  Whatever it takes to get in the fluids at this stage of the game is the most important thing, not what I can or cannot eat. 

I have already lost a total of 17 lbs, 12.5 since surgery.  Very good!  My belly is still swollen but it's also still healing!

I am having fits with this blog today! My surgery is coming up. I think I am ready! I don't know that I could be any more prepared than I am. Now its just getting through it and the first few months of the emotional ups and downs which are destined to happen. My family is on board and I've explained to them that I want to live to be around until I'm 100! They are going to have to support me in my old age I guess.

Pre-op measurements:

Neck        17
Bust          50
Midriff       43
Waist        48
Belly         49
Hips          43
Thigh        23
Arms         13

Here are my "before" measurements.  I am trying to get my before photos uploaded.  I will try to keep measuring at regular intervals after I have surgery.

Arm (at mid bust)           13
Thigh                             23
Bust (w/bra)                    50
Midriff                            43
Waist                             48
Tummy at BB                  49
Hip (under tummy fold)   43

Had my group consult yesterday.  It was early for me--8:30, I am so NOT a morning person anymore.  But I made it just in time.  My son decided not to go with me.  That was fine as it turned out the room was a bit crowded.  He'll get a chance to go to my face to face meeting with the doctor with me if he wants to.  

Yesterday my weight was 211.5, BMI 36.3.  Before pictures--front and side views taken.  It was basically a longer and more personalized version of the free group meeting I went to.  They had a slide show, showed some of the tools.  Once I get everything done that they've asked, they'll schedule my f2f with the doctor, and then after that will schedule surgery.  About a week before surgery I'll go to "hospital class" where they show you around and then teach you everything you need to know about the hospital stay.

I've got almost everything done and what isn't done is scheduled.  I have to visit my PCP next week and get my EKG done, and his clearance.  While I'm there I'll get bloodwork and a chest xray, and then just wait for everyone to send in their reports.  I also need to make sure I go to the group support meeting for my surgery group next month as it's required before surgery.

The dietician was ok, not all that interesting.  She didn't really tell me a lot but I guess it will be an ongoing relationship. 

I would like to find a book that has protein values for foods.  I'm sure I can find one online!

I'll update again soon.

Gosh, I didn't realize I hadn't blogged at all.  Not acceptable!  HA!

Ok, so here is where I'm at today.  My therapist has sent in the required info for the psyche part of the process.  I have my first group consult with the doctor tomorrow where I will be weighed and I think they take pictures.  Nevertheless, I'll have my son take a picture of me for posting.  My son, by the way, is going to the consult with me.  He is not convinced surgery is a good idea so he is armed with hard questions for the doctor, and I'm sure the doc has heard it all.  My son is very well spoken so I don't think he'll get thrown out of the room!  Then in the afternoon is my dietician's appointment.  I am taking my DH Bob with me so that he can maybe pick up some pointers for his own eating and also will know about mine after surgery.   Lessee, oh, I have to make an appointment with my PCP for an EKG and to get his blessings in a report but he's already on board and supportive so that's just a matter of scheduling.

Here's the scary part.  Today I'm having a gastroscopy, where they take a camera and put it down my throat to look at my stomach.  My mother had a condition called Barretts Esophogus, and if I have it too there is a possibility I won't be able to have surgery because it's a precancerous condition.  If its there, they would need to have access to my stomach to check it every few months to see if I have cancer.  I am just praying I don't have it.  I'm having the scope done because I have horrible GERD and we need to see whats going on.

So that is all for today.  I'll post tomorrow about the consults.