ServedMyCountry
June 2005:
I have been researching WLS for six months now. I am an insulin dependent diabetic and have been experiencing numerous health problems as a result. My BMI is less than 40 but my co-morbilities make me a good candidate for surgery as I have not been able to stabilize my sugar for years now. Found out that my insurance excludes WLS, so I will be a self pay.
July 2005:
Have attended several seminars here in
August 2005:
Have completed all my pre-ops tests and have a surgery date set for August 23, 2005. Can't wait to begin this new and awesome journey of my life!! Thank God that my stock has been doing very well as I had to cash most of it to pay for my surgery. Please pray for no complications and a speedy recovery!
08/10/05
Completed my last consultation with the surgeon today. All my test results looked good so all that is left is me showing up on the 23rd for my surgery. Am getting very excited. Have decided that I have either made the best decision of my life or one that I will regret for the rest of it. I have read a lot of horror stories but I have also read numerous success stories concerning WLS. Just hope that I am one of the success ones.
9/7/05
Surgery went well - biggest issue was the IV (always the case for me). Surgery (lap RNY) was completed on 8/23/05 and I was home by noon on 8/24/05. Had my first visit with my surgeon a week later everything looked great and she removed my JP drain. Had lost ten pounds the first week. Visited with my PCP a week later and I have been removed from all meds except for one insulin injection (was doing five a day). Had lost five more pounds for a total of fifteen now. Things have gone smoothly for the most part. Lots of help from family and friends. Learning to eat and drink have been challenging at times but I am pleased. Working from home this week - will be back in the office next week.
10/7/05
Can't believe that a whole month has gone by and I haven't posted. I have been checking the message boards several times a week, just have not taken the time to update. BAD
11/1/05
I'm melting, I'm melting!! LOL! Life is good and the weight is continuing to come off. I am at 190 pounds now, so I have lost 34 pounds, which is over one-third of the total amount I want to lose. I notice that I am not losing as fast as some folks, but since I only have 90 pounds to lose, I am pleased with my results so far. The greatest thing about this adventure is the improvement in my overall health. I am off of all meds except for just one insulin injection at night and the dosage keeps going down as I continue to lose weight. I will be seeing my PCP next Monday and I am sure that he will be jumping for joy over the results. I now wear a size 14 Misses. It so so funny how I am only in a certain size for a few weeks before it is time to go down to the next size. This time I bought dress slacks with an elastic waist, hoping that I can wear them a little bit longer to get my money's worth. (-: Will have my first blood tests done next week, so I am hoping that all will be well with that. My pouch gets a little mad at me if I don't take my Pepcid AC, so my surgeon thinks I might have a H-Pylori bacterial infection. We have added the blood test to my list to check it out. Other than that, I am just doing superb!!! My energy is back to normal - actually it is better than normal. I am doing water aerobics a couple of times a week and walking the other days. I am so glad that I had this surgery... this is the best I have felt in years!
12/4/05
All my test results came back with flying colors. My A1C was 6.4 - the lowest it has ever been is 8.8 (goal for diabetics is 7.0). WOO HOO!! I now weigh 180 pounds - that is 44 pound loss.... half way there and I am only 3 months post op. My surgeon is quite pleased with me and has asked me to come and speak at the informational seminars. I am enjoying fitting into a size 12 and loving the slimmer me. For the most part, I feel great. I have a day every now and then that my pouch will be angry at something I ate, but have not have any issues otherwise. My energy is through the roof which is a great thing since I am the legal guardian of my 1.5 and 2.5 year old grandchildren. My husband's grin is such a joy - He tells me "Girl, you are lookin' good!" and that always brings a smile to my face. I probably weighed 130 when we married almost 28 years ago, so it will be great to maybe fit into my wedding gown at our 30th anniversay...???....I quit smoking three months prior to my surgery and have remained a non-smoker, so I have made some very healthy changes in my life. I continue to get in my protein, most of my water, and attend water aerobics several times a week. I take my vitamins and calcium and enjoy the compliments from co-workers and friends each day. I surely hope that my path continues to be easy going and pain free. Thank God for his blessings!!
February 2006
Things are still looking great. I now weight 158 pounds - only 23 more to goal. My surgeon has set my next appointment out to three months since I am doing so well. Had to buy clothing several times and now wear a size 8/10. WOO HOO!
March 2006
It has been an amazing journey thus far. I am at 150 pounds - only 15 more to goal. I am so thankful for the return of my health and the surge of energy that I have everyday. I am off of all of my diabetic, blood pressure, and cholesterol medications. Only taking my vitamins, calcium, and B12 every day. I have added some carbs back to my diet - not a lot but a few since I was not eating hardly any at all. The weight is coming off more slowly as time progresses but that is to be expected. I saw my son in LA this month and he drove right past me at the LAX airport - didn't even recognize his own Momma!!! LOL!! My goal was to lose the 90 pounds by my birthday (Aug 24) and it looks like I am going to reach that goal if I keep on this path. I do have some issues with loose skin but nothing to be depressed about. I may consider PS but probably not until 2007 once I lose this final 15 pounds. Will re-evaluate at that time.
August 2006
I am coming upon my one year anniversary and am excited that I have already reached my personal goal of 135 pounds on July 30th. This has been such an exciting and wonderful adventure for me. I have been very lucky - well actually my surgeon would say that I was compliant and very educated - luck had nothing to do with it....Point being that I haven't had any issues since the surgery except for a few things. The first is that I cannot do any kind of caffeine or citric acid (in Crystal Lite, etc.) as it makes my pouch very angry and it hurts. The second is the sagging skin. I was not aware that it would be an issue but discovered batwings do not look nice on petite women! LOL Third - the hair loss issue - still am losing some hair but it has slowed... Just gave up and got a cute short cute that everyone loves.
I am wearing a size 4 now and if I haven't seen someone since the surgery they do not recognize me at all. I still see myself as overweight even though they call me "skinny Minnie" now. I do still try to follow all the rules - protein first, no drinking with meals, etc. I do treat myself to a few bites of a sweet treat or some bad carbs on occasion - the exception - not an everyday thing. I stay within three pounds of my goal weight - sometimes dropping below or a couple of pounds above. I must say life is good.
I did a commercial for my surgeon - it is running on ABC and NBC here in KC for the past few months. I finally got a copy of it and will have a big screening party in
I am very much in debt to the OH family and site as they have been my rock for Q & A and in general support. I do not get caught up in any battles or bickering that sometimes happens - that is what works for me. I lurk more than I post and used the site daily in the beginning of my journey. Now I visit at least weekly - just to get my fix.
Still want to have some PS done - especially for the batwings and my poor little deflated breasts. LOL I know that insurance will not pay so I must save for the procedures. Probably will not venture down that road until next spring. Need to add an "after" photo - maybe I will use one from the Tahoe trip coming up.
October 2007
Where does the time go??? It has been a long time since I have updated my profile. Finally got around to uploading a few more recent pictures of myself to show my 100 lb weight loss. I have been maintaining at 134 lbs for the past year. Anytime I go up more than three pounds I cut back until I am back at goal. Moderation seems to be the key for me. I eat a lot of different foods trying to keep the "rules" in mind - protein first, etc. I do eat junk on occassion but I keep it minimal. The 100 calorie packs are a maintstay as I get my fix for a few calories and without the guilt of "cheating". I visit the boards weekly most lurking at the WLS Graduate Board. I stay very busy with work and raising the grandkids. My husband had a lot of health issues this year so I have been doing major caregiving.
