skylarmom
POST-OP
(NEWEST ON TOP)
6/28/07
I got an e-mail today from someone who had seen my profile. It reminded me that I hadn't been here for a long time. I really hated it when people just dropped off the face of the earth after having the surgery...I wanted to know how things were doing several years later...so here I am!
The bad news...I gained weight. The good news...I've maintained my current weight (with a five pound swing each way) for about a year. They told me that it was common to gain weight after about three years...but I thought I would be different! GUESS NOT! I think my body adjusted to the "starvation" it went through and it has found a happy medium. I now weigh about 195 (my lowest was around 165).
Here is the REALLY exciting news. I am going to be hitting the exercise much harder soon. I am doing a practicum with the local police department because I am going to become a POLICE OFFICER! I never would have even considered it before surgery!! I have a fitness test coming up soon that involves sprinting, long distance running, pushups, situps, and jumping! GOOD LORD! But...I truly feel like this is somthing I can accomplish. Wish me luck!
As far as other update stuff...I still get that weird foamy vomit thing at times, but now it only happens every two or three months. It is usally from eating steak or chicken. It just gets stuck and doesn't want to go down. I just deal with it and move on.
I get asked about skin a lot. It sucks to be naked, but I have learned to be creative with my clothes. I really don't have that bad of a problem, but I often wonder what it would be like to have it removed. However, since I am about to start my senior year toward my bachelor's degree...I have other financial obligations right now.
I'm not sure what else people may want to know...I am still VERY happy I made the decision, I feel great, no health problems, no weird side effects, and even though I have gained some weight...I'm still under 200 pounds and can fit into a size 14/16. I guess I shouldn't complain too much considering where I started.
If you have more questions...e-mail me at getfit4me@yahoo.com. I'm an open book!
2/27/06
Reality check time!! I have been a full-time student since September...that means I sit all day during school, and sit all night doing homework (I have a LOT of reading and writing). I do not own a scale, so the only way I knew something was changing was that my pants were getting tight (it is amazing how you can feel them getting tighter when there is no elastic). I weighed myself and I am up to 178...over a twelve pound gain from my lowest weight of 165.
It has been two and a half years since my surgery, so I don't know if this is "normal", or if I am falling back to old habits. I have been EXTREMELY aware since this revelation!! I started counting calories again and making sure I am choosing healthy snacks. I didn't work out at all during Fall term, but I am currently taking PE and work out three to five times per week.
I'm a bit scared, but I'm not sure what else I can do. ALL my pants are getting tight and I REFUSE to buy bigger ones. I think I will re-visit my support group (only been there once in the past year) and see if this is typical...or if I should really watch it!! YIKES!! I REFUSE TO GO BACK TO WHERE I WAS!!!
8/16/05
I'm still here!! I can't believe it has been a year since I updated my profile!!! I am now two years post-op. I'm down to 165 pounds and my BMI is 27.5. I'm still in the "overweight" category...but if you were to see me, you wouldn't agree. I am very comfortable with my size and am just fine with where I am. I don't own a scale, but use my clothing as a gage for how I am doing. I weigh myself when I go to the doctor and occasionally at the gym...and I am still going down very slowly. I've lost about four or five pounds in the past six months.
I will have my husband take an updated photo so I can post it here. It really isn't much different than the picture from last year. I'm in a size 10/12 pants and medium tops.
As far as physical stuff, I'm still full of energy! I have a hard time getting my heart rate up while walking, so I started jogging. I absolutely love it! AND it feels good...no pain at all. I never thought I would be able to say that!! My hair is getting thick again and my skin feels like it is starting to firm up a bit. I was originally thinking about plastic surgery, but decided to spend the $10-20,000 on my education instead of my body. Who knows...maybe I will make enough money down the road to afford a few procedures, but they are not my priority right now.
Eating has gotten much easier. I can even enjoy bread now, but I still have to be careful about how much or what type (I still can't eat plain white bread or sourdough). Some days I can eat more than others...I just listen to my body and stop when I am full. On the days when I can eat more, I pay extra attention to "what" I am eating. But mainly, I eat what I want and enjoy my meals.
I'm still very bad about getting enough water in. In fact, a few months ago I had very low blood pressure and was getting dizzy a lot...I was dehydrated. I don't know what my problem is...but I just have a hard time drinking water! I have no problem downing my sugar free iced latte! I can even enjoy a few beers on a Saturday night! But it is hard to get water down...it doesn't feel good in my stomach. I've tried drinking water with Crystal Light added...and every few days I drink Gateraide to make sure I am getting what I need. But...it is still a challenge. I think in a typical day I drink about 4-5 glasses of water.
Well...that's all for now. I'll try to post a new picture soon.
8/10/04
This Friday is my 1-year anniversary. I am just amazed at how much things have changed in the past year. Thank God for this surgery!!
I am now down to 176 pounds. I'm 26 pounds away from my goal of 150 pounds...I think I will be there by Christmas. I am still losing between 4-6 pounds a month (steadily). I'm now wearing a size 12/14. I have some blouses that are a size "medium"! I even have one size 10 skirt that fits!! This amazes me considering that I only expected to get down to a size 16 and about 200 pounds when I went into surgery! I will try to get some updated pictures posted.
I am still having problems with being dizzy when I stand up. I have drastically increased my fluid intake, and this has not made a difference. I decided to talk to my doctor about this at my 1-year check up. I'm wondering if it is because of low blood pressure??
Another "side effect" I have noticed is I have been going through some huge head trips. I would even say that I've been slightly depressed. I started seeing a counselor a few months ago and that has helped a bit. I was surprised when a few of my post-op e-mail buddies mentioned going through similar issues. It is weird when you finally have what you have wanted your entire life...and you don't feel extremely happy! I've spent so much energy most of my life trying to lose weight, feeling guilty about what I eat, trying to exercise regularly, trying new diets and weight loss fads...and now I have lost the weight and eating right and exercise comes easy. I feel like it is the day after Christmas when you go through that "now what?" feeling. Very weird...
Hair loss has gotten MUCH better (thank goodness!). In fact I have a lot of re-growth. My skin is getting really saggy...I've been thinking about seeing a plastic surgeon soon to find out the cost to get it removed. I'm afraid I will have to pick one body area (arms, legs, stomach, breasts) to have done...and I want it all done! It will be a hard choice!!
But overall...life is good and I still feel this is the best thing I have ever done for myself. It truly has changed my life!
5/19/04
I just celebrated my 9 month anniversary. According to one scale I am 190...according to another I am 193. I have support group tonight so I will weigh in on the scale at Kaiser Permanente.
Nothing new to report...still losing weight, the hair loss is slowing way down, I'm feeling great, exercising regularly and food is staying down much better. I've started getting lazy about taking my vitamins and supplements. I also haven't been very good at getting the water in either. I plan to work on these issues next month.
4/14/04
Hello everyone! Yesterday was my 8 month milestone...I am now down to 197 pounds (HOORAY!!! FINALLY UNDER 200 POUNDS!!!) and I am wearing a size 14/16! I am so happy!!
Life is great. I just changed gyms to the Courthouse. I absolutely love it there and the classes are awesome! My husband switched from swing shift to day shift, so now he can go work out with me. It is important that we incorporate healthy habits into our lifestyle...so far so good! In fact I have been going for walks early in the morning on the weekends...it is so nice to have that time to myself! I LOVE exercise! I can't wait to get my bike up on a mountain!
I'm still having food issues. I get sick about once or twice a month still. No real pattern to it...it just happens. I've learned to live with it. It is amazing how I can excuse myself from a meeting, go throw up, and walk back in without missing a beat!
The past couple months I noticed my hunger returning and I was getting worried. I have been able to eat a lot more too. Then the last couple weeks I'm back to never feeling hungry and having to practiclly force feed myself! I start getting dizzy spells when I don't have enough to eat...so I try to get the basics in each day.
Last Friday was my 35th birthday. It was fun seeing old friends (some hadn't seen me since before surgery) and going out dancing and singing! It was great. But even more shocking was to see the pictures!! My brain hasn't caught up with my image and I am sometimes shocked at my reflection. It is very weird...
3/16/04
I was feeling bad about my weight loss...I feel like it has been so slow lately. Then I checked back here and realized that I have lost eight pounds since last month. That really isn't something to feel bad about!! I was just so used to losing 10 pounds a week!! I'm sure I couldn't keep up that pace forever! I am now down to 204...124 pounds down! I can't wait to be under 200!!! It is driving me crazy!!
Things are going well. I still get sick occasionally...but not often. And it is usually because of meat...dang it! I am happy to say that my hair loss has slowed down and I am getting some regrowth. Woo hoo!
I keep saying that I am going to get new pictures on here...I promise to take care of that this weekend!!
2/17/04
Last week was my six month anniversary. I had my check up with the doctor and everything is going great! All my bloodwork checked out OK and my scar is starting to lighten up.
I am now down to 212 pounds. I'm loving my exercise classes and I have a ton of energy! My biggest complaint is hair loss...it has gotten really bad lately. Luckily I was prepared for it and I know it is temporary. I hope to post pictures soon!!
1/26/03
Wow! Time flies!! I didn't realize it had been so long since I updated!! I am now 5 1/2 months post-op and loving life. Food is staying down (for the most part) and I am able to eat a wider variety of foods. I LOVE salad and fresh fruits and veggies now...something that two months ago I thought I would never be able to eat.
I am now down to 220 and have been stuck there for the past three weeks. I'm not too worried about it though. I have been doing step aerobics three times a week, a "core board" class twice a week, and "body sculpting" (weight training) once a week. I think I have been gaining a lot of muscle and that would account for the lack of weight-loss.
Plus, to be absolutely honest, if I didn't lose another pound after today I could go on with life with a big smile on my face. I can't believe how far I have come in such a short time! It just blows my mind!! I can't wait to see where I am in another five months! I'm currently wearing (depending on the brand of clothing) between a 14/16 and 18/20. I actually have some things that are just "large"! It is weird to see a label with no "X" on it!!
One little side note...this may be sharing too much personal info--but here it goes...I have been having problems with constipation lately. I'm not talking about the frequency...I'm talking about it hurting when I do go. I've added "Benefiber" and that seems to help a lot, but when I go a day without taking it, I really pay the price. I drink a lot of water and eat plenty of natural fiber, but it just isn't enough. I am hoping this is a temproary phase...because it really sucks!!
Well, that's all for now. I will post a new picture when I get a chance to scan it!
12/3/03
I always wondered why once someone has the surgery, they stop posting very much...now I know why. There is not much to report. Pre-op you have to obsess with your doctor's appointments, how much weight you have lost, have you been exercising enough, does the doctor think you are "worthy" of having the surgery...then it happens. There is not much to tell after that.
Food is going great...weight loss is steady. I'm now at 233...only 5 pounds to go til I hit the century mark. I have my first cold since surgery--and it is a doozy!! It has been a challenge to find over the counter remedies that are not loaded with sugar and/or alcohol. Luckily I went to the doctor today and started a nose spray that seems to help a lot.
That's it...nothing overly exciting! I'll post again on the 13th (my four month anniversary). Chow!
11/10/03
I just got back from my trip to Washington DC. I am so excited!! I fit in the seat with the arm rests down, I did not need a seatbelt extender, AND I had extra seatbelt left over!!! I almost cried I was so happy!! I walked all over DC and never would have had that kind of energy pre-op! I am so grateful for this surgery.
I weighed in this morning at 243 pounds! I'm down a total of 85 pounds...50 in the three months since surgery! My BMI is now 40.4! Absolutely unbelieveable!! Woo Hoo!!
10/27/03
Had to go shopping last weekend...I'm running out of clothes to wear! I was happy to find that I now wear a slightly snug 18/20! I was a 30/32 two months ago! Absolutely amazing! I was really suprised to find my bra size went from a 44DD to a 40DD! Now when I look in the mirror my breasts don't look like a continuation of my belly! Woo Hoo!
On the downside...my stomach is not tolerating my vitamin. I consistently get horribly sick from it. I think my new stomach has a hard time breaking it down. I have a call into Brenda (the nutritionist) to find out where I can get an adult chewable.
10/13/03
Happy two month anniversary to me!! I can't believe it has only been two months!!! It really seems like a very long time ago that I had surgery and felt "icky". I feel wonderful now and I am very pleased with the results.
I am now down to 258 pounds (70 pounds down from my highest, 36 pounds since surgery). I've gone from a size 32 to a 20/22 and they are getting baggy! I can feel my bones starting to poke out...that is really weird. When I lay on my side, I have a very prominent hip bone. And sometimes the insides of my knees hurt when I have slept on my side...because the bones were touching each other.
I have learned not to weigh myself very much. I have gone two weeks at the exact same weight. I have had to work hard to lose that dieting mentality and not worry about it. I just keep doing the exercise and eating right...then suddenly I will drop 4-6 pounds. I think my body just takes time to readjust now and then.
Exercise is absolutely wonderful!! My husband bought me an armband radio for our anniversary...I put that baby on and can do 45 minutes on the cardio machines! I actually took two back-to-back aerobic classes at my gym last week because I was feeling so good...I loved it! AND now I can do the classes with the "normal" sized people...not just water aerobics. I'm loving life!
9/23/03
Please say a prayer for my friend Angie. She had surgery on 9/16/03 and has had a horrible time. In fact, she is still in the hospital. She had to have a second surgery Sunday. Keep her in your thoughts!
Went to see Dr. Kosta yesterday for my final re-check. I'm now down to 267. I still can't believe how fast I am losing weight! I am completely released from his care. I can lift weights, swim (i've been doing that already), and have a good life! My incision looks great and I am actually able to start doing ab workouts.
My energy level has increased incredibly since I increased my calories. I no longer feel light headed...go figure! I've noticed that I can drink a lot more water than I could a few weeks ago. I even went dancing again last Saturday night! I noticed that I could walk through the crowd of tables and chairs without hitting my big butt and hips on anything!! Happiness!!
9/18/03
Well, yesterday was my 5 week anniversary and I am down to 269!! It has been YEARS since I have been down this far! That makes 25 pounds since surgery.
Last night I went through my boxes of smaller clothes I have been saving. It was such a happy moment...one I have been waiting over a year to do! I was very pleased to find that almost everything in the box fit!! And a couple things were too big!! When that stuff is gone, I am on my own...I will have to acutally go out and start shopping!
I started feeling very tired. It was all I could do to make it through to the end of the day. Plus I was having spells where I felt like I was going to faint...especially after standing really fast. I called Brenda and she told me it was normal. She had me add a Slimfast each day and a glass of milk. Plus I switched from children's chewables to adult vitamins. That was three days ago and I feel MUCH better already. I just was not getting enough calories (go figure...I actually INCREASED my calories!!).
9/7/03
Well I survived my first week back to work. It went very well...I actually feel AWESOME! I haven't weighed myself in a while...Saturday is my one month aniversary, so I will post that weight next weekend.
Went out to karaoke and dance last night. Sang a few songs and danced, danced, danced! I didn't even feel tired...we stayed til the bar closed! Drank a TON of water! :-)
8/29/03
I weighed myself yesterday and I am down to 279...15 pounds since surgery (2 weeks ago). That is a total of 49 pounds since January!!! Woo hoo!! After weighing myself I went to The Avenue to by pantyhose for work and ended up trying on clothes. I couldn't believe it!!! I went from a size 30 blouse to a size 22 ALREADY! And the 22 fits well!!! I bought three blouses on clearance. I told myself I wouldn't buy clothes until I absolutely had to...but I couldn't help myself! It felt so good!! I even bought a couple bracelets to reward myself!
I go back to work Tuesday...my time off sure went fast!!
8/26/03
What a difference a week makes!!! I feel wonderful! Tomorrow will be two weeks post-op and I am on the road to a better life! I haven't weighed myself lately, but my clothes are already getting very baggy and my hands are getting bony! Isn't that incredible...it's only been two weeks!!
I have a ton of energy now. Yesterday I walked for 1/2 hour and then came home and cleaned both my bathrooms! I have been a scrapbookin' fool and have been enjoying my time off. The only things I can't do is give my son a bath (tub hurts tummy), lift heavy items, and bend over repeatedly (pick up toys). Other than that, I am getting back to normal life. It is a good thing too because I go back to work next week! Ugh!
I started eating real food this week. So far cream of wheat with fruit (banana or unsweetened peaches) are awesome for breakfast! I have eaten vegetarian refried beans, cottage cheese, imitation crab, and frozen unsweetend fruit bars. The only thing that I ate that was NOT GOOD was pudding. I don't know what I was thinking...and I only ate a little bit, but I dumped. Very bad! Now I read labels and am very careful. I've discovered that I can't eat something sweet, but I can eat something sweetened. I added a little sugar to my cream of wheat and it was OK.
The only negative thing I can report is that my hair is coming out in handfulls in the shower! It is incredible! Luckily I have very thick hair, so I doubt anyone will notice. I swept the bathroom floor and there was a TON of hair! Eww!
Let me tell all pre-ops...IT IS WORTH IT!!! One week of discomfort is well worth a lifetime of happiness and health!
8/19/03
Here I am on the other side!! It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. First and foremost...MUCH more painful. Plus I have had a few problems. My stomach spasams whenever I put anything in it and it is very painful and it has been hard to get food in like I am supposed to. Today is the first day that I could drink the NuBasics every 15 minutes. Water seems to hurt the most.
My intestines slowed WAY down and I was not able to pass gas on my own. That was very uncomfortable because it was pushing on my stomach...my abdomen was 3 times it's normal size.
I got thrush (in my mouth) and a yeast infection from the antibiotics...that's no fun!! I gained 10 pounds of water the first day post-op...and 14 the second!! I was so bloated I felt like that little girl on Willy Wonka! Luckily it is all coming out now!
Plus I am getting really sick and tired of being sick and tired!! I am one week post-op as of tomorrow so I have to remember to give myself a break. But honestly, I thought I would be up and moving by now. Food is looking and smelling very good...and I have another week of the liquid diet to go...UGH!
All in all, I am still glad I did this. I'm sure I will have much more positive things to say in future posts!! Thanks for all the support and well-wishes. It truly means a lot to me!
PRE-OP
(SEE BOTTOM FOR NEWEST POSTS)
2/14/02: I feel like I am on a rollercoaster ride. I was excited about the surgery when I talked to my primary care physician about it. Then I called Dr. Flanigan and was told that although I have a referral, my insurance probably won't pay (they have a written exclusion)--so I was depressed. Then I started reading on your site and realized that other insurance companies (offered through my and my husband's work) do cover the surgery. So, I have decided to continue with the application process and change insurance companies during open enrollment.
12/29/02: I am so excited! I feel like I am finally getting somewhere. I changed my insurance to Kaiser Permanente. They have a "severe obesity treatment program." I went for my first group consultation on the 20th. We met their internist, surgeon, nutritionist, exercise physiologist and case worker. I now have to do things to prepare myself for the surgery...and life after it. I have to take a weight management class, start an exercise program (already started!), eat 5-6 small meals a day with no fluid intake during meals (already started!), and start preparing myself mentally for how I will deal with stress, crisis, and having people treat me differently after surgery. I know I have said this 100 times about a new weight loss "plan", but I feel more dedicated to this than I ever have about anything before. I KNOW I will be sucessful after surgery because I (weirdly enough) like to exercise! I just need to get this weight off!! Anyway, I start the support group and nutrition class in January. If all goes well, I think I could actually be ready for surgery by this summer.
1/18/03
I went to my first support group meeting. I am feeling more inspired every day. I have had NO DOUBTS that this is the best option for me. The support group was great because there were folks pre and post op. It was wonderful to be in a room with people I identify with.
Tuesday I start my five-week weight management class. At first I was thinking...geeze, I have been through this crap before (Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Weight Loss Clinic, Phen Phen, Phentermine, etc., etc., etc.). I have never had a problem LOSING weight, but I always GAIN it back (and more)!! But now that I received my packet and have started doing the homework for my first lesson, it is not what I thought it would be. It really addresses the change process...and what gets in the way of change. Should be interesting...
Anyway in the past week I went from 328 to 324.5 pounds! Woo hoo! I had a very stressful week and still had the weight loss. I even had an episode where I was upset about something and was standing in the kitchen opening cupboards looking for chocolate chips! I must have opened the cupboard 3-4 times before I realized what I was doing. So...I walked away, drank some water, took a shower, cleaned a couple rooms, wrote in my journal, played with my son...and then I didn't want them anymore! It was a HUGE breakthrough for me. I have also been concentrating on how food tastes and how I feel when I eat food. I took a bite out of a donut and it didn't taste good so I threw the rest in the garbage!!! I almost cried I was so proud of myself!! PLUS...I haven't had ice cream all year!! That is HUGE!
At the support group meeting I asked what would happen if I lose so much weight between now and when I meet the surgeon that I would be under BMI 50? She said that by being in the program I am approved for surgery and the more weight I can lose on my own, naturally, before surgery the better it will be for my body and health. I can lose 50-100 pounds and still have the surgery. I am so relieved because, like I said before, losing weight has never been a problem--it is keeping it off that is!
1/26/03
I can't believe how easy this has been so far!! Last Tuesday was my first weight management class (a 5-week class) and there I met someone who told me to get signed up to see the specialists...I thought I had to wait until the class was over. I called my casemanager and she told me that she would put me on the list but she believed the February schedule was full so I would probably have to wait until March or April to get started with them. Needless to say, I was a bummed!
Then, not even two hours later, I got a call from the lady who does the scheduling and she put me in the February consultation with the physical therapist and social worker. In the meantime I am keeping a daily food and exercise diary. I decided I am going to walk in there with amunition to show them my dedication and healthy changes!!
2/1/03
Well...the "newness" of this program is wearing off and I want to just GET ON WITH IT!!! I keep reading profiles and doing what I am supposed to do...but it seems like forever!! The good news is that I am staying on track. Since December 20th I have lost 4 pounds and have been successfully exercising (water aerobics and weight training) 3-4 times a week for several weeks now. I am amazed to say that my hip and back rarely hurt anymore. I have much more energy and I am less hungry. That has GOT to be good!!
I haven't had ice cream for a month now, but I am finding that I am eating way too many cookies and chocolate. I am going to switch gears to find out why I am doing that. I am focusing on what I am feeling when I do that and what is going on in my life. This past week I have decided that the ONLY reason I have done it is because they taste good and I am hungry! This is much better than just eating it because I want to stuff my face and feelings!!!
I can say that I am feeling very good about my life lately. I am truly in a good place. I love my husband, love my son, love my house, love my job, looking forward to Spring, and I am WAITING to have a new body!!
After Tuesday I will be 1/2 way through the weight management class my insurer requires. I must honestly say that it feels like a complete waste of time because I have not learned anything new. But I am keeping an open mind and participating. However, I have gotten to network with some wonderful people that are going through this crooked maze of Kaiser too. That is the only thing that I look forward to on Tuesday nights!!
2/7/03
I got a call today from the casemanager. She was asking me questions about my exercise habits...I told her I have been doing water aerobics 3 times a week and walking and strength training 1-2 times a week and I have been documenting this.
She said that sounded great and since I was already doing that, she waived my meeting with the physical therapist!!! So now I just have to meet with the social worker and dietician. She said during the "group" meeting I have the end of February I will be given "homework" to do to prepare for the individual meeting with the social worker. Then they will schedule my individual meeting with the social worker and dietician back-to-back on the same day...probably sometime in April. I'm OK with that because even if I have 3 meetings with them and they are several weeks apart, I am still looking at being done in the summer! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!
2/17/03: Not much new to report. This waiting thing is killing me!!! Tomorrow is my last weight management class (thank God!) and Thursday I have the support group. I am really looking forward to the support group...it was GREAT last time. Then next Wednesday I get to see the social worker. That should get my motor running again! It is really hard to stay focused for such a long period of time. Luckily I have met some great people in the class who share similar experiences.
I can say that I am really starting to feel a difference in my body and how I feel. I used to take Ibuprophen every day (sometimes twice) for pain in my hip, back, legs, etc. Now I take Tylenol maybe once a week. My body feels MUCH better!! I have more energy and I am feeling like it is becoming part of my life to exercise.
I am still struggling with my eating habits. I have become much more aware of what I eat and how it makes me feel, but I struggle with hunger! I GET HUNGRY!! I have been making healthy choices but I GET HUNGRY! It is terrible. I eat routinely, eat lots of fiber, but yet I still am hungry a lot more than other people around me. And what satisfies other people does not satisfy me. And I am not talking about "mental" hunger because I am bored, depressed, sad, etc -- I have been paying close attention to my emotions. I am physically hungry!! THAT IS WHY I NEED THIS SURGERY!! I can exercise and eat well, but if I get HUNGRY what can I do? I sure hope I can get through all these hoops before summer!!! UGH!
2/25/03:
This is my first Tuesday in 5 weeks that I got to stay home for the evening! It feels great to be done with that weight management class! To celebrate I have been spending some extra time with my son.
Tomorrow I go to the group meeting with Julie (the social worker). I am really looking forward to it. I'll post about that later this week.
3/5/03:
The group meeting with Julie went well. It was a very brief informational meeting to prepare you for your individual meeting with her. Basically, you need to be able to tell her why your weight gain happened when it happened, and how you plan to keep the weight off after surgery.
It is really weird just waiting! I have been staying on track and keeping daily food journals...in fact I bought a new pretty journal that I can carry with me in my purse. I am weighing in at Kaiser whenever I get a chance so they can have a continuous record of my progress. I want to make sure all my bases are covered so they can't come back and tell me I have other things to work on.
Now...I just keep on doing what I am doing and wait until April 17th when I meet one on one with the social worker and nutritionist.
5/5/03
Had my one-on-one meetings with the social worker and the nutritionist. The social worker had nothing but good things to say about my progress...she was a wonderful, caring lady. Then I met with the nutritionist. She said by looking at my food journals I clearly would not be approved by the surgeon. I felt like I had been hit by a brick. I have been steadily losing weight since January and have made HUGE changes in my eating patterns. I have been exercising three times a week. I am very proud of what I have accomplished. But, I was following the advice from the class that I took (that they sent me to) that said I need to focus on one or two small changes and work on them...do not obsess about "bad" or "good" food, just watch quantity. Well, apparently that is not the case for people considering WLS. They want to see more weight loss. I was so depressed I spent a couple days doing absolutely nothing. Then I pulled myself up and got back on track.
For the past three weeks I have been exercising FIVE times a week! In fact I exercised the last seven days straight!!! AND I have cut way back on fat and sugar and increased protein. I take a multivitamin every day and drink about 10 glasses of water each day.
I talked to Marylou (the casemanager) and she said the charts show that I am making progress...but they are going to want to see more weight loss. So, I go weigh again before the 14th and if I can show another 5-10 pound loss, she will take my case on to the review committee. If they give a thumbs up, then I have my bloodwork done and get to go see the surgeon!! If the surgeon gives a thumbs up, I could have the surgery a month later!! That puts me right about July...right where I want to be! I am VERY MOTIVATED and doing great. I don't think I will have any problems accomplishing their goals for me. As of today I am down to 315 (I weighted 328 last January). I am hoping to be down to 310 by next Monday. Wish me luck!!!
5-18-03
I am finally feeling like I am getting somewhere. I met the goal they set for me, but in the last week I gained 1.5 pounds. I told them that I truly feel like it is because I am exercising so much more and if they give me a chance they will see my weight drop in the next week. After a lot of worry...they finally told me they were "sending me on to committee". I don't feel like this is over yet, as I have not seen the surgeon, but I feel it is a huge step. I have to go get my bloodwork done next week and have an ultrasound of my gallbladder. Then I get contacted for a date to meet the surgeon. In the meantime, I really need to focus on losing weight. As of Friday I was 311...I would love to be down to 305 before surgery. All-in-all I am really feeling good and doing all the things they tell me to. Keep your fingers crossed!!
5-22-03
The committee met today and I will know the outcome tomorrow! I did the bloodwork and Marylou told me everything looks great. I was down to 308 on Monday! Just a week ago I said I wanted to be 305 by surgery...well, I am almost there now! Maybe I could be 290 by surgery? That would be cool! Since I have increased my protein and decreased the carbs...the weight has been coming off easier.
5-27-03
I have a date to see the surgeon!! All along I thought I would have Dr. Moiel, but instead I am going to see Dr. Kosta on June 30th. From there, I hope to have a surgery date!! Woo hoo!! It is hard to let myself get too excited. It seems as soon as I get to a goal, they just burst my bubble. I'm not going to celebrate til I have a surgery date!
I had a gallbladder ultrasound this morning to make sure I didn't have any stones. All is well! What's really cool is while I was Kaiser this morning I weighed in at 303! That's five pounds down from last Monday. But, there was no one there to officially record the weight. So, I went back at lunch time and I weighed in at 306--so that is what went on my record. Fine by me because it is still two pounds down from last week. Increasing the exercise and protein and decreasing the carbs really is doing the trick!
We have been looking at tent trailers lately. I am getting so excited for the warm weather and being outdoors! I can't wait to get this weight off and be able to hike, bike, and not feel self-conscious!
Well, I will wait a few weeks to change my surgeon's name so they don't take me off Dr. Moiel's site for a little while...this is where all my friends are!!
6/25/03
I changed my doctor's name to Dr. Kosta...but there was no one there! They don't have a forum site for his patients, so I changed the name back to Dr. Moiel so I can check in on you folks!
My date to see the surgeon was changed to July 3rd. I am hoping that that will be the beginning of a wonderful and happy holiday weekend. If he tells me I can't have the surgery for a while...I am going to be a sad, depressed mess. I have worked SO HARD at this!! I really am ready to get on with the show.
I'm a bit worried because I have been on a plateau for the past three weeks. Hadn't lost a pound!! Then last Friday I started cutting all sugar and white flour from my diet and increased protein...now the weight is flying off. I think I just needed to "shock" my body into losing weight!! Plus, I exercise about six times a week. Anyway, if all goes well, I will hopefully be around 295 when I go see the surgeon. Keep your fingers crossed!!
7/2/03
Tomorrow is my appointment with Dr. Kosta. I feel like I am going before a judge for a felony charge! I am down to 301 (as of two days ago) and I am feeling like that should be enough to prove that I am really trying hard! I am exercising five to six times a week...my eating is VERY under control. I am ready for this. Keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer for me!!!
7/9/03
I have a surgery date!!! August 13th...only five short weeks from today. I have several appointments between now and then to keep me occupied until the big day. I can't tell you how happy I am. It finally feels like this is going to happen for me!
Dr. Kosta was VERY NICE. I'm not sure if it was because it was the day before the 4th of July weekend, or if he was really that happy with my weight loss. He was friendly, informative, and smiled a lot. This goes against everything I had heard about him. I feel very confident having him as my surgeon.
As of last Wednesday I was down to 296.6!! Cutting out the flour and sugar and increasing protein really worked for me!! Now I need to keep up the "downward slide" until surgery. Since we traveled last weekend, I relaxed my eating standards a bit (and enjoyed a couple beers!). But now I am back on the eating and exercise wagon. Friday is my group appointment with Brenda and Tamara to prepare for post-op. I will write about that this weekend.
Anyway...for any of you who have Dr. Kosta, as long as you are losing weight, you really have nothing to worry about! He is a very nice man.
7/14/03:
Last Friday I met with the nutritionist and physical therapist for my "group" pre-op meeting. The nutritionist gave us samples of the Nu Basics drink we will be living off of after surgery (it doesn't taste bad at all) and educated us about our post-op diet.
Then the physical therapist came in to talk to us about our exercise habits and how to get in and out of bed without assistance after surgery. Well, when it was my turn to talk about my exercise habits I made a comment about some pain I have been experiencing in the front of my lower leg. She told me to stop exercising!! Can you believe it!! I had surger for lateral compartment syndrome a couple years ago on the sides of both my legs. Now she thinks I may have frontal compartment syndrome and may require more surgery. Ugh!! She also said that hopefully it is just shin splints...but just as a precaution, I need to see a specialist. In the meantime I have to take it easy and slow. I'm afraid that this decrease in activity will cause weight gain or stop my weight loss. I hope that they take that into consideration. I'm not sure if the doctor can cancel my surgery if I have a weight gain...does anyone know? I'm trying to not get too worked up about it.
Anyway...surgery is four weeks from Wednesday! Woo Hoo!! I have a friend having surgery today and I am anxious to see how she is doing. It really helps to have friends going through this process with you!!
7/29/03:
Today I had my second visit with Dr. Kosta--this is the final visit before surgery. He is such a nice and supportive man!! He was very encouraging and informative. He did a physical exam and then went over a few more things about the surgery. I also signed a bunch of consent forms.
After I finished with him, I had to get a "blood gas" test taken at the lab. They take blood from an artery in your wrist instead of a vein. Well...the technician hit a nerve when she was aiming for the artery and I yelled!! I feel bad for the people in the waiting room! My appointment was three hours ago and my hand still hurts!! Ugh! She said it would go away in a day or two. Yikes!
Anyway, a week from Friday I see the casemanager and anesthesiologist. Then the Tuesday after that I go back to the hospital to get a blood clot taken (in case I need a blood transfusion). That afternoon I start the "bowel cleansing" (icky!) and the next day is surgery!
I have been staying incredibly busy both at work and in my personal life, and this has really helped time go by! Most days I am really excited and daydream about life after surgery. Some days I start to freak out and think about some of the negative things that could happen. But I wouldn't change a thing!
8/4/03:
9 days to go! You know how when a woman is pregnant they sometimes experience "nesting syndrome" where they want to clean everything in site to prepare for the baby? I think I am doing that to prepare for this surgery!!
Yesterday hubby and I edged, mowed, weeded the lawn. Trimmed the bushes. Brushed off spider webs and hosed off the outside of my house, sidewalk and driveway. Watered all the lawns. Cleaned the walls in my hallway. Took down the curtain by the front door and put it in the laundry. Washed some windows. Cleaned (extensively) the two bathrooms. Dusted our bedroom and front room. Completely cleaned my son's room (even under the bed!). Cleaned the walls in the kitchen. Cleaned out the refrigerator. That is in addition to the usual dishes, laundry, sweep, mop, etc! We were busy all day!!! But now my house is really clean and I feel much better. I just feel like everything needs to be neat, tidy and in order before I go into the hospital. I'm glad I got it all done this weekend because next weekend is my son's 5th birthday party.
I also want to find some time to write in my journal. This may sound weird...and I truly feel like everything will be just fine...but just in case, I want to write some messages to my husband and son in my journal. I'm afraid if I were to die and he read my journal he would think I was horribly sad and depressed. The truth is the complete opposite...it is just that when I feel that way, I write in my journal. When everything is good and fine (which is the majority of the time!) I don't write because I don't need to. So, I think I should write some positive message about how I feel about my life.
I am getting so excited! I have been dreaming about shopping for new clothes, riding my bicycle, playing tag with my son, etc. It still feels like an impossible dream! Again I compare it to pregnancy when you lay in bed rubbing your pregnant belly imagining what the baby will look like and what it will be like to be a mother.
8/8/03:
Only four days and a wake up!! I just returned from Portland to meet with the casemanager (Marylou) and the anesthesiologist. Marylou just went over pre-op instructions again and explained some of the things to expect right when I wake up from surgery. I will have tubes coming out of my incision that is connected to a medicine pump. Plus I will have an IV Morophine pump for general pain maintenance. She said not to bother bringing books or magazines to the hospital because I will be too tired.
The anesthesiologist was very nice! He asked me some general history questions and felt parts of my neck (not sure why). He prescribed a patch that I am supposed to put behind my ear the night before surgery to help with nausea.
Well...that's it! I have been having dreams lately where they find something wrong with me or what I am doing or I have gained weight and they cancel my surgery! Isn't that terrible?? I am feeling emotionally numb right now. I won't feel like this is really going to happen until they have me in the operating room with that mask on my face!! LOL!!
8/12/03:
Hello everyone!! It is the night before surgery and I am (I HOPE) at the end of the bowel prep. I have to tell you...be VERY prepared before you do this!!! You will need extremely soft toilet paper, wet wipes, and diaper cream. Apply the diaper cream before you start the phospho soda. I thought I would drink the phospho soda and within a little while I would go to the bathroom a few times and be done with it. NO!! It is 10:00 p.m. at night and I can honestly say the longest I have been out of the bathroom has been about 20 minutes at a time. Usually it is every 5-10 minutes. It is no fun...but I'm sure it is very worth it!!!
ANYHOO...I will probably be home from the hospital Friday and will try to post an update Saturday. Thanks for all the notes and well-wishes. I can't tell you how much everyone's prayers and support mean to me. "See you on the other side!"
