PWEBB0716
Insurance is finally approved..waiting for surgery date..still a catch to the insurance saga....My advice to anyone who is wanting this surgery...DON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER...I had 8 customer service people tell me that is wasn't a covered benefit but it was.
3/30...Hey all, its my birthday today and somehow I knew I would have my approval by my birthday so it makes today even more special to me...I posted on the message board that I am getting very nervous...I read the memorial board (very sad) that is the only thing I am afraid of leaving my two children and husband behind...I guess everyone wonders about the worst that can happen well thats what I am worried about...I need to stop obsessing!!!
4/5/03..ok so I got my approval letter on 3/29 and still no surgery date...the waiting is the hardest part. I recieved so many email from my AMOS family, about my fears and how everyone has them...with everyone praying for me I WILL get through this!
I talked to my son last night about mommy going away for a few days, he started crying, he thought I wouldn't come back if I went to the hospital...that just broke my heart and made me more determined to get through this!
4/18/03..I finally got a surgury date yah! 5/15/03...I could have had an earlier date, but I needed to get my sleep test done, and I wanted to wait until after my son's kindergarden
graduation. Sad thing is I made a mistake on his date and he graduates on the 16th :( I am so disappointed...I hope that he doesn't notice mommy not there...I am alittle nervous mostly about complications and death...not about life after the surgery...Well it's less then a month now...oh my !!!!
5/6/03..Alot to tell since last I posted. Well I went to PAT's on 4/23 and they moved my surgury date to 5/1..I am now 6 days post op. I am feeling great..Still need my pain med's once in awhile but getting better everyday. I had the lap procedure which is probably 10 times easier to recover from just because of the incision. The drain tube is in until friday and I am still on full liquids. Well I call them liquids! I have been able to eat runny mashed potatoes (instant) and sugar free Ice cream in my nutrition shakes. I can't wait for pureed food. I am very thankful I came through this so well...and I pray anyone taking this journey too. I have lost 10 lbs since sunday, however I think that alot of that was the iv fluids from the hospital. Will update soon.
5/14/03..Okay well its been 2 weeks now and I have lost 24lbs. I am doing good with the puree food..I need to concentrate on the liquids now. I feel great, I found out the I can tolerate about 26g of sugars...I am not sure how many other people can tolerate, I know everyone is different. I can't wait til the end of the month to eat regular food. Will update soon
5/29/03..okay I had a really bad weekend..I threw up blood and now I can't eat anything that is pureed unless it is really soupy..I called the doctor and they are having me get a scope done just to make sure I don't have a stricture. The scale is not going anywhere and I need to have a break from it..so its going down in the basement for awhile...
6/02/03...Well today I had my scope done...What a HORRIBLE experience....let's just say I would rather not ever have another one done in my lifetime. Dr. Marshall told me that it was like an ulcer/irritation that was causing the outlet to swell up and the food to cause the pain on certain days and not on others. I am now on nexium for 8 weeks and then he wants to scope again to see if its better...(yah right like I am ever going back!) Well we will see how this medicine works.
6/14/03
Well lets see...I got on the scale the other day and I lost another 5 lbs...It seems like losing the weight is taking forever but hey WE DIDNT PUT IT ON OVER NIGHT! I am now in a loose 24 jean and I can get some 22 on. I was busting out of the the 26 when I had the surgery done. Dr. Ben-meir called me last night to see how I was feeling. Wow he is such a GREAT doctor. I have been doing better, the food is at least going down now. Every day seems to get easier and easier. Oh how I am dreading the Scope follow up! Okay well that is all I have for now. Oh yah..ps I bought a size 20 tan capri pants...I hope I can wear them to my sons birthday party on July 16th...Time will tell...TTFN (Ta Ta For Now)
6/20/03
Wooooooooow today is a very special day for me...A mini goal has been reached. I am now under 250lbs ...I am starting to get excited about my new size...I am in a size 22 right now but I think by july I should be in a 20 atleast. It will be a wonderful moment in my life. I have stopped obessing about the scale. That helps alot. I have also stopped obessing about food in general! Know onto a bigger problem..What size do I buy in Jul to were on my vacation to Hawaii in Oct....?
6/28/03 TWO MONTHS POST OP
okay well its been just about two months since I had the surgery. I am feeling much better. I realized I was eating way to fast at home and this was causing me to get sick. Its so hard to eat slow with kids at the table but I am learning. I can not eat salad and chicken. Bread is still alittle hard to handle. Funny thing happened today...I put on jeans to go to work and they are button fly. Well let me tell you, before I had this surgery, every time I would bend over I would pop a button or two..Now they are so big on me they really look stupid. I should start buying new clothes but I really don't want to until I have reach an 18-20. Maybe by summer end?
7/7/03
wow what a weekend I had...Fourth of July and I went to Moms house in NY. Got back yesterday and went to Kohl's (man I love that store!) I bought alot of clearance clothes size 22 20 and 18..Well what do you know, I got into two skirts size 20....HOLY COW I can't remember when I fit into a 20...I am getting so excited now...Its a slow process but the results are unbelieveable....Okay so I have dress pants in size 18 and Tan capri's in size 20 and oh yah a pair of brown dress pants in size 14...Can't wait til I am into those baby's
8/07/03
wow it has been awhile since I update my profile ...Well remember thoughs 20 capri..well I got into them the other day and they are tight but I got them zipped and buttoned...of course I can't wear them in public but give me two more weeks. I am getting really excited about the weight loss, however it is sooooooo slow it seems. I have figured that I have lost a size with each 10 lbs...we will see if this holds true. I am eating great now and the doctor said the ulcer was gone..That wasn't the nicest thing to go through but it wasn't the worst either. The only thing that bothers me is bread of course. Oh yah, and Ms. prissy pouch has decided to call the shots these days..I went to see mom and ate beef for dinner no problem..two days later had the same meat and throw up..it was soooo embarrassing because I was out for dinner and I was with my whole family. Its not the easiest thing to vomit in a public bathroom!!!! Oh well, I would do this all over again so it doesn't matter...talk to you soon
8/13/03
OH MY GOSH...So I was really down this last week because I really didn't think my weight loss was very good..Then BAM
-6 lbs all overnight it seemed...Well I can only think the difference was that I remember eating a ton of protein. I even made a quiche which was outstanding...So I am going to see if there is something to this protein fix everyone is talking about. Now don't get me wrong..seems that in the last few days I have noticed that breads are getting alot easier to eat. I even ate 1/2 a bagel from panera's, wow as that good. So proteins will be my first priority for now but then again a day with carbs never hurt right? I feel great..I now have a mini goal to be under 200 by christmas...My husband thinks it can be done by our trip to Hawaii...Oct 11th...I guess we will see who is right :)...thats all for now!!!
9/3/03
Well we have finally went under 230..I am now 228 and a size 20. A few people have mentioned that my 20 are getting big, but I am by no means into an 18 yet....Oh yah! Something really exciting happened the other day. I went to the Gap clearance center and I bought a pair of jeans size 20!!!! They fit...I was sooooo excited my first pair of GAP JEANS...I have been sooooo bad with my protein and my vitamins...I really need to get a handle on them...I feel great, bread and pasta are starting to do good, and believe it or not I can drink alcohol...That is funny though because I get drunk very fast like one beer. I don't drink alot just socially but I can say I have been having fun lately. Seems like life is opening new doors the more weight I lose.
9/18/03
Okay how exciting is this..I bought my first pair of size 18 shorts and they fit...I couldn't believe it! I went to Lazarus the other day and bought a pair of Tommy Hilfiger pants in size 18, I really didnt think they would fit, however when I got home and put them on, they were perfect! I can not believe I am into an 18!!!!!!...I also wanted to say that I have looked at my before and after photos and I can not believe the difference in how I look...How amazing
11/02/03
Haven't posted in awhile because I have been pretty depressed with my weight lose these days. I only lost 3 pounds in sept and 3 pounds in oct. I work out and try to watch what I eat. I concentrate on protein and stay away from carbs. I just dont get it, what am I doing wrong. I have to go to the doctor on the 12th of this month for my 6 month check up. I really need to sit down with them and see if my progress is going the way it should be. Well other then that, I am happy with the out come of the surgery itself. I dont have problems with anything but dairy. I feel great and eating isnt an issue for me. Thanks for listening and posting your suggestion to get out of this slump.
11/17/03
I wanted to post today even though I haven't weight in for the week until tomorrow. Last week I weighed in at 214 on my scale. I think the plateau has finally broken. I went to the doctor on the the 12th and saw my friends from the pre-op testing class. They look AWESOME..I still see myself as extremely heavy but I did get my before picture from the doctors office and it was a real wake up call...wow was I big!!! Okay so I found out that even though I was concentrating on protein it was all the wrong stuff..Too many calories and fat! Cheese is not my friend..oh well I have been watching what I am eating and hopefully the weight will start to drop again. Sometimes I feel like a failure at WLS because I am not where I want to be but I know I need to remember that it took along time to put it on and so It should take a while to get it off. I am only 6 months out and I have lost 76 pounds according to my scale. I have 14 lbs to go before my first mini goal..100 lbs...I am setting a goal to reach that by Christmas..I am going to make goal for myself at the bottom of my profile maybe this will help. **UPDATE** I weighted in today at 212...woo hoo. It was actually going back and forth between 209 and 212 so I choose 212 so maybe next week will seem like alot more. Okay well I am only 12 lbs away from my mini goal...I CAN DO IT!!!!!!
12/20/03
Well it's been awhile since I updated..Lets see I am down to 206 and I feel great. I am having alot of emotional issues that I never thought I would have. I totally crave attention from everyone about how I look. I feel like I am obsessing about my body. I found out the other day from a guy at work that our insurance may cover the tummy tuck. That make my whole year! I want to get down to about 175 before I start to look into that. Right now I am concentrating on getting below 200. I hate stepping on the scale because it moves soooo slow. I will update at the first of the year..Cross your fingers I really want that 6lbs gone so I can start the new year at 199!!!
12/29/03
Well I haven't reached my first mini goal..and to be honest its my fault...I grazed all week while at my moms for Christmas...Oh well..life goes on right! I got some really bad news the other day..My sister-in-law had an accident on a trampuline and is now paralized :( ...It has made me take a good long look at my life and how fragile it really is...She has been my best friend through out my surgery up and downs and the mental issues that we all experience with the weight loss...I am now more then ever dedicated to healthy and happy living! I will get this 10 lbs off before the end of Jan! I am starting back on the protein shakes which I never took to begin with and I am using Weight Watchers as a tool to track my food..It is what I am use to using..NO MORE WATER with my meal..hello stupid no wonder you eat alot more at a sitting..you wash it all down!!! So here they are in a nutshell..my NEW YEARS resolutions!
1. No drinking with meals
2. Protein Shakes at least once a day
3. Be greatful for everything in life it can be taken away in only a moment
4. Track my food intake
5. Hit my Goals this year!!!!
12/31/03
Okay so I weighed in today and low and behold I was 205..man I hate the scales...anyway we are going with it...I am trying so hard to drink these protein shakes but man I just can't get them down....I am watching what I am eating though maybe that is helping!
1/17/04
Okay so how am I doing with my resolutions? Well I FINALLY found a protein shake that I like, and I tried the Carb Countdown milk that I saw on this sight..Well being lactose intolerant I thought for sure I wasn't going to be able to drink it but it really doesn't bother me...So I mix a protein package with the milk and I get 30 grams of protein..The good news is that since I have been doing it and watching the carbs I have lost 3lbs in two weeks..I am only 3 lbs away from being under 200!!!!! I am just going crazy here....I want so bad to be under 200 by the end of the month. In another great news of accomplishment..I went to the gap outlet and found two pair of jeans that were size 16 that I could get up and bottoned...Well of course I couldn't breathe but that is besides the point. I am hoping I will be in thoughs babys by the end of Feb!!!!
1/31/04
Okay so I really need to sit down and figure out what I am doing wrong....I hardly lost anything this month and I was soooo goood.
I ate only protein most of the time and I drank my shakes which I have never done and I tried to get my water in...WELL this month I am going to write everything down..I am half tempted to go to weight watchers again or maybe try the sumer size stuff lucy was talking about...I am happy that I am in a 16 though for the most part...The dress pants fit pretty well but the jeans are tight. I think 5 lbs and things will fit wonderfully. Glenn got denied for the plastic surgery which bumded me out but he found a mistake in the letter to the insurance company and so maybe the apeal will get the approval...Okay so I am getting on track here I really want to be at least a 12 when its all said and done!
3/07/04
Okay well is been awhile since I updated..I got stuck for awhile in a slump and it seemed like my weight was going no where..Then I got on the scale on the 1st of March and woooohooo I was finally under 200!!! 196 to be exact...I still can't figure out what made the difference but I am concentrating on doing my protein shakes and getting my water in and not so much what I am eating...Not that I am eating bad but the whole not eating carbs didnt seem to do anything for me at all...Once I stopped worring about the carb thing the weight started coming off again...Maybe its just a coincenidence...Okay so I am now a "16" the dress pants fit great and the jeans fit but some fit better then others some are tight and some aren't. How weird going to from plus sizes to being able to fit into a 16 off the rack!!! I am really bothered by my skin though and I am looking into ways to finance or get the money for the skin removal...I am desparate to finsh what I have started with getting into shape...okay so I will stop babbling and just say I am happy to be a 16 and if I never loose another pound I would be fine with what I have done to this point..would I like to be thinner..who won't but I am happy and that is all that matters!!!
5/23/04
Okay so check it out I have made the CENTURY CLUB!!!! Yah oh Yah
I really didn't think I was ever going to get there!!!! I feel so good about it ...I fit into this pair of capri's that I have in my closet I was hoping to fit into by summer....Okay so I have an apt with the plastic surgeon on Wed..With money in hand I am ready for the nasty skin to be removed...I was hoping to do the arms and tummy and the only way I can is if the insurance company pays part of the tummy tuck. Glenn from my work got approved for the tummy tuck but he has alot more skin then I do and he also went through two appeals to get it paid....I am going to try to get the approval and if I do I will probably have enough money to get both my arms and tummy done. Wish me luck say a prayer...I am so happy with how everything worked out for me...Even if I never meet the rest of my goals I am happy!!
7/26/04
WOW!!!! I got approved for the tummy tuck by the insurance company on the first try!!!! Glenn paved the way for the rest of us it seems. I am soooo excited!!! I scheduled my surgery for Aug 19th. I am getting to have the tummy tuck, with the muscles tightened and I get to have my arms done as well!!! I can not believe for the first time in my whole life I am going to have a flat stomach and be able to wear any short sleeve or sleeveless shirt I want to! I truely believe every dream I have ever had is coming true. I do however find myself wanting more and more of a perfect body. Its kinda like a anorexic who see a fat person when they are not. I see all of my flaws and I want to fix them all. I will be happy after these surgeries don't get me wrong but if I was able I would want to get my legs and my breasts done and that is my last two goals as far as my body is concern. I will update with pictures after the tummy tuck.
09/13/04
Sooooo it's finally over and I am back to feeling more like myself. I had my plastic surgery done on Aug 19th. I had a tummy tuck and a brachioplasty (arms)..The tummy tuck was a breeze compared to the arms...my arms are still swollen and the scares are still healing. All in all I am glad I had it done.
My surgen (Dr. Sillins) was AWESOME...she cut me just about all the way around my mid section and pulled my tighs up and my butt.....holy cow I could have never imagines looking so good!!! I actually go to the swimsuit dept and want to try them on. I bought a bikini for next year for the first time in my life!!!
I wore a tank top out the other night and for the first time in my life I felt great about how I looked. I got on the scale and I am down to 171 pounds...The number doesn't mean anything to me anymore because I feel good about how I look. I am in a size 14 and going down to a 12 because the swelling is going down and I hope to end a 10 but will be totally satified with a 12! I am very happy that I had the gastric bypass it has changed my life!!!! I will update some after plastic surgery pictures soon!
7/19/05
WOW I can't believe how long its been since I last updated. I had another plastic surgery in March of 05. I had a thigh lift. The surgeon cut my legs from my waist to my butt and then down the inside of my legs. I was disappointed that she cut so far down my legs but the scars are healing and its not that noticable. I love the way my legs look now so its a good trade off. A few weeks ago I had my final (I hope) plastic surgery. I had liposuction to my saddlebag area. I had hoped that the thigh lift would have been the last surgery but my thighs ended up being much bigger then my waist and pants just didn't fit right. Liposuction was by far the worst surgery I have ever had. Very painful!!! So the brusing is going away and the over all look is fabulous. Three more weeks of wearing this awful compression garment. I am hoping to update with more pictures. So just to give you the final number and size count. I weigh 181..and I am a size 14..If I never lose another pound I will still be happy with the outcome. 12 was the ultimate goal but how could I be unhappy with all that I have been threw. I decided the numbers don't matter its how you feel inside that matters! I feel great!
5/1/03.........weight 290
5/19/03........weight 263.........-27lbs
5/29/03........weight 259.5.......-30.5 lbs
6/12/03........Weight 255.........-35 lbs
6/20/03........Weight 249.........-41 lbs
6/28/03........Weight 248.........-42 lbs
7/07/03........Weight 244.5.......-45.5 lbs
7/15/03........Weight 243.........-47 lbs
7/24/03........Weight 239.5.......-50.5 lbs
8/05/03........Weight 238.........-52 lbs
8/13/03........Weight 232.........-58 lbs........Tight size 20
9/03/03........Weight 228.........-62 lbs........Perfect size 20
9/18/03........Weight 225.........-65 lbs........20 getting loose
10/6/03........Weight 222.........-68 lbs........some 18's fit
10/30/03.......Weight 219.5.......-70.5 lbs......Slow loser here
11/04/03.......Weight 217.........-73 lbs........Perfect 18
11/11/03.......Weight 214.........-76 lbs
11/17/03.......Weight 212.........-78 lbs
12/20/03.......Weight 206.........-84 lbs........18's are loose
12/31/03.......Weight 205.........-85 lbs
01/17/04.......Weight 202.........-88 lbs
01/31/04.......Weight 202.5.......-87.5 lbs.... :-(
03/01/04.......Weight 196.........-94 lbs....size 16...yah!!!!
05/01/04.......Weight 192.........-98 lbs....16 getting loose
05/23/04.......Weight 188.5.......-100.5.....GOAL -100 lbs :-)
06/05/04.......weight 185.5.......-104.5.....cool!!!!
09/13/04.......Weight 171.........-119 After tummy tuck..sz 14-12
07/19/05.......Weight 181.........-109...final numbers!!!
Goals
01/01/03 TO BE UNDER 200 LBS
03/01/04 TO BE IN THE CENTURY CLUB -100LBS
3/30/04 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME TO BE A SIZE 14 OR LESS!
5/1/04 ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO BE 175 OR LESS!
11/01/04 18 MONTHS OUT TO BE AT GOAL A SIZE 10! WITH MY TT
OKAY TRISH YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!
****Plastic Surgery Info********
Tummy Tuck
Brachioplasty-(skin under the arms)
Thigh lift
Liposuction of saddlebags
All Plastic Surgery was done by Dr. Sillians in Edgewood KY..She is the most amazing women I know!!!!!!
http://www.implantinfo.com/plastic_surgeons_s/sillins/