I've been overweight all my life. I'm 48 years old, currently 324 pounds. I chronic pain in my knees and my ankles. I have a hard time walking and my balance is not good. Both my knees need surgery, however, I really need to lose weight prior to knee surgery in order to heal properly. I feel total despair on a day to day, moment by moment bases. I wake up in the mornings think about my weight and how disgusted I am and I go to sleep with the same thought. I consumes me. It's not who I am, however it's in control. I feel out of sorts and feel that the weight is holding in the true me that is inside screaming.
January14, 2006
___Weight 312___
Left knee really bad. Pain in my knee wakes me up at night. I've had surgery once on my knee, but need more surgery according to the doctor. Being on my feet for a long period of time is extremely difficult, due to knees and an ankles that I've had 3 surgeries on. I have NO energy and just want to sleep all the time. Yet, inside I have such a desire to be active. I'm very creative and outgoing, but I stay away from fun stuff and people due to discomfort.
So now I'm finally at the point where I can actually schedule my surgery. I have the money and I will be having the MGB done the first part of Feburary 2006. Dr. Heap of Richland, WA will be my doctor. I found out about him from my friend Trish. She had the surgery a bit over a year ago and her neighbor had it too. They have both dropped all their excess weight and they both feel GREAT! I plan on joining them in that feeling. I'll be paying cash since my insurance excludes bariatric surgery. Boo hoo! I turn 50 this year and this is going to be the year that many things change for the good.
January 17th 2006
---Date Set for Surgery--
I'll be having surgery on the 10th of Feb. I'm having a mini-switch done. My doctor is Dr. Heap of Richland, WA. He's developed a way to help avoid some of the side effects that you'd have with the Duodonal Switch and the Gastric Bypass. I have a friend that had the same surgery done and she couldn''t be happier. I'm so looking forward to the 8th of Feb., when I drive to Richland to see Dr. Heap and have my labs done. Then a day of fasting, Milk of Mag and Gatorade. Then Friday for surgery......... The day can't come fast enough for me.
I'll post a picture as soon as I get my CD/DVD drive working on my computer again.
January 31, 2006
--Deciding on hotel--
A week before I drive to South Eastern Washington.
Well, it has been a bit difficult to find a place for my mom to stay while I'm in the hospital, that doesn't cost much. The plan is to arrive in Kennewick, WA on Feb. 8, 2006. I'll be out of the hospital on Monday Feb. 13, 2006. So during the time I'm in the hospital my mom will be alone and really doing nothing......I find that to be a waste of her time and I'm feeling a bit quilty for that......it's costing more money then I'd hoped for. Aren't there places out there that give people a special rate for staying a week or more? If not there should be. Paying almost $600 to have a place to sleep for a week seems high priced for me. I'm a bit frustrated so I'm venting!
Looking forward to the surgery being over with and my mom and I being back at my house. My son will fly over to Pasco the night before we head home, to drive us. I won't be able to drive and the almost 5 hours of driving is too much for my mom. Yet another expense. Whew! Trying to keep the cost down but it's costing more every time I turn around. So, here's your fare warning......don't forget all the added cost while away from home for a week.
--Feb.20, 2006--
Post-op
Had surgery on the 10th of Feb. Whew! It's finally over with. So much to say, so much to share, but my stamia is still a bit low. I'll share more later, however all went well. I'm healing just fine, however trying to get used to taking in VERY little at a time, even water I have to just SIP. LaQuinta Hotel was great and perfect location if you ask my mom and I. Dr. Heap is GREATTTTT! Hospital was wonderful. Just didn't like the crazy headache I had after surgery for 3 days. I think it was the spinal I opted for or maybe the morphine........either way it was NOT nice. I finally asked to be taken off of morphine and was put on oxycodone and I was fine after that. More later
--Feb. 24, 2006--
14 days post-op
This morning I weighed in at 292.4 lbs. yippee!!! Total thus far down is 20 lbs. WOW!!
Feeling great, still working on getting in food. I really, really rarely feel hungry. What a wonderful feeling, however I would like to put in enough to get my nutrition in. I do take a multi vitamin and an iron pill that I got from Dr. Heap. I feel good about that, but really want to eat right.
July 18, 2006
___Weight 248___
OMG...... Time sure flies. I've been away from my computer for quite a while. I've got quite a bit of catching up to do regarding updating my profile here. I'll keep it brief.
I have noticed a real difference in my ability to get around. It used to be me taking a few steps and wishing I was sitting or laying done. I'd be in pain and was incredibly limited as to what I could do it it involved being on my feet. While that's different now. I can be on my feet walking around all day and not have it bother me. Heck, it's not even a thought anymore. I was walking up a bit of a hill the other day with a friend and I looked over at her and she was panting and I was feeling totally fine......not winded in any way. Wow..... it was an amazing feeling!
There are lots of little things that happen to me throughout my day that bring me back to just a few months ago in my thoughts. So many little things, like walking now and actually feeling air flow between my legs........WOOW! that's a biggy for me. AIR? A breeze? And between my legs? That was not something that I had felt in years. I can express how exciting that was for me. Or sitting in an airplane seat without an extension, or my thighs pushing up against the recline button all the time. SIGH! That felt so good. I could go on and on about all the wonderful moments that are put of reclaiming my life but I won't. Let's just say that IT FEELS SO GOOD.
My computer is a bit messed up, my CD drive is not working. Once I get it working again I WILL post pictures. Before and After. I've been really lacks at staying up to date on anything in my life it seems. Oh and I'm still waiting for that mega energy I've heard of people talking about. I have a bit more, but sure could benefit from a lot more. In time I guess.
About Me
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
