twags109
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Pre-Op BMI: 42.7
Things I never really knew I couldnt do (comfortably) being overweight, until the weight was gone:
-Wrap a towel around my body (even a beach towel)
-Take a bath
-Paint my toe nails
-Sit in a plastic outside chair or folding chair
-Deal with the HEAT! Now I'm cold!
-Shop in the NOT plus section
-Wear a womans T-shirt
-Wear shorts! Show off my legs!
-Swim in a public place
-Wear Tanktops
-Ride a ROLLER COASTER! Yeah!
This surgery is truely amazing and I would never regreat it!!! It's an angel is disguise.
About me:
I have been fighting with my weight since I was 16. I have been thinking about surgery for the last 9 years. I didnt realize that insurance actually paid for this type of surgery. Since I met a coworker that had the surgery (she lost 95 lbs in 11 months) she really pulled me along. From taking me with her to support groups to explaining things I didnt understand. After a year of waiting, I finally received a call today (8/15/05) to come in for a group orientation. I was also told this is the beginning of my process. Im so excited and cant wait to see what my journey has in store for me.
Brenda contacted me and had a cancellation on 8/25/05. I met with the team at Buffalo General Hospital. I was there from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. I met Dr Forbes (i was suppose to have dr Posner however Dr Forbes had the cancellation, so I decided to see dr Forbes), the Nurse Practitioner, Dietition, and Physical Theropist. Dr Forbes showed a presentation on the surgery. Both goods and bads. Then I have to give info regarding family medical history. Also was tested for physical activity. I need to get an exercise routine going daily. The dietition gave me the southbeach diet. I must do this diet 6-8 weeks. I must lose weight or the surgery will not be approved. I need to prove I can do this, because that is the diet I will most likely be on for the rest of my life post-op. I made an apt for the pysch-evaluation on 9/8/05. I will see Dr Forbes again in about 9 weeks. (11/3/05). Im hoping for a cancellation because that seems so far away.
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10/31/05- Ive lost 12 lbs in the last 6 weeks or so. That doesnt seem like much, but I no longer have to suck in my belly to get in those jeans! Its nice and they finally feel comfortable. I see Dr Forbes in 3 days, I hope 12 lbs is enough. Especially that I have been a bit "bad" today being Halloween and all. (Those Resee cups just call my name!) The South Beach Diet makes sense and I also have a few people at work that want to try it out. All of my preop testing (Psych eval, Urine Test, ext) seem to go well. I still cant weight train because of my sore shoulder, but im doing the exercises that my Physical Theropist recommends. My husband bought me a treadmill since we live in Buffalo, this time of year is very difficult to take walks in the snow. I walk on it daily. And hes been so suportive, he does it as well. Ill update in a few days once I know how my appointment goes on Thursday.
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11/3/05- I seen Dr. Forbes again today. It was about a 2 hr visit this time. All my tests came back good and they are pleased with my results. Out of the 12 lbs I lost, 11 were fat lbs. Since I had great progress I have a surgery date..... 11/29/05. I cant beleive it, its just around the corner. Next weigh in visit 1 week prior to surgery 11/22/05. I am to stay on South Beach Diet until surgery and NOT gain any weight. Im thrilled, hopefully tomorrow I will get an approval from Independant Health.
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11/8/05- I spoke to Dr. Forbes secretary today. She gave me the good new, my insurance approved my surgery. Only 3 weeks away!
I have to get pretesting done before surgery and my last weigh in visit.
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11/14/05- I spoke to Dr. Forbes secretary again today. She scheduled my preadmissions today. Its this wednesday already. It will take about 2 hrs. Time is flying. But I still cant wait. Im starting to get a bit nervous, but seem to be more excited. I lost another 2 lbs!
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11/17/05- Dr Forbes called and asked if I wanted to move surgery up a week for 11/21/05. That was a tough decision. But I declined. I already set up family to watch my boys. And my husband already rearranged his job to take time off with me. It just seemed to soon. And of course I wanted to be home with my family on Thanksgiving and didnt want them to worry about me in the hospital. (Oh ya and I wanted to enjoy my last feast). Also, it was so soon I wasnt prepared mentally. Dr Forbes understood.
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11/28/05- Well last week was Thanksgiving and I enjoy my last "feast". I did my preadmissions about 10 days ago. Also went in for my last visit with Barb to see what needs to be done 4 days before surgery. Also, I had to beg my primary dr to squeeze me in for medical clearance since my primary dr didnt want to do it until today. Dr Forbes called me last week and said that if I went today it was to soon to surgery just in case something was wrong. Luckily my primary squeezed me in Wednesday afternoon because I started to get sick and he had to give me 3 antibiotic pills to be sure Im not sick for surgrey. Of course I had to go back to stage 1 of South Beach and today Im on a breakfast only and clear liquid diet. So breakfast is over and at noon I have to take medicine. This weekend I purchased Protein and vitamins. I also bought the items I will be able to eat after surgery. I wont feel like shopping when I come home from the hospital (or either would my husband) Tomorrow I need to be at the hospital at 5:30 am and surgery is at 7:30. Wow, the day is finally here!
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12/8/05- Well its been 9 days since surgery. I go to the dr later today. I lost 9 lbs... not to shabby! Feeling amazing having the surgery laproscopically done. No inside pain at all. A little pain the the incisions from pulling, but not even really enough to mention. I stopped my pain meds 3 days after surgery. They were making me nausious and i didnt need them anyway. The diet right now is a bit depressing, but my dr should start me on soft foods today. (eggs, cottage cheese, puree (ick), etc) So that beats the jello, water, fruit juice, broth diet. Im almost ready to go back to work, but when I went to the grocery store yesterday, just that little bit of walking really made me realize im not ready for work on Monday. So maybe ill hold off another week and rest.
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12/21/05- Its been 3 weeks since surgery. A little disappointed that Ive only lost 13 lbs. But it will come off sooner or later. I wanted to go back to work this week, but Dr Forbes declined me because I wasnt getting enough Protein/Fluids in. So I have to wait until after Christmas. I go back to the dr on 1/5/06. Im not pureeing my food anymore, im just chew chew chewing it. Seems that everything is going down ok. Had a bit of an issue with a frozen type of Chicken, it felt stuck in my chest, but fresh chicken breast was fine. So far in down 31 lbs since my first visit (with south beach diet prior to surgery) which is awesome. Maybe Santa Claus will bring me some new clothes, or at least a gift card to a clothing store for the new year. Happy Holidays everyone!
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1/13/06- Its been about 6 weeks since surgery. I am down 41 lbs since my first visit with Dr. Forbes. Im excited about the weight loss. Im down in sizes and look like Im swimming in my old clothes. Last weekend I went through my closet and found clothes from 4 years ago (before I had my last son Tyler) and I fit in them, and some are even BIG! Thankfully my husband gave me a gift card to Kaufmans so I can shop when I feel that I need a few outfits. Im going to wait until I hit the 50 lbs mark. So only 9 lbs to go. Of course Im not going to go crazy with shopping, just enough to hold me over. Dr Forbes put me on B12 and a prescription to prevent galstones. So I started the prescription, but I ordered the B12 from bariatricadvantage.com and Im waiting for that to arrive. It should be here tomorrow. Im looking at a wonderful 2006! I cant wait to go in my swimming pool and not feel "fat". My neighbors wont recognize me either. I havent been this light in weight in about 12 years. Until next time....
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2/4/06- Well I finially hit my 50 lbs mark and UNDER 200 lbs! Geez, I havent been under 200 lbs since I was 16. This is awesome. BUt I think im still going to wait a bit to buy new clothes. Some of my size 14/16's fit me and I think Ill wait to spring. Yes most of my clothes are big, but alot of them will make it until at least March (when we will be going to TN for the Bristol Nascar Race) and I can get new clothes for our trip.
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2/25/06- Well I had to break down and buy some pants. I bought 3 pairs of work pants and 2 pairs of jeans. Size 16, its the first time in such a long time I am able to go to the NOT plus size in a clothing store. Its awesome. I do feel like people are thinking, why is she looking in the NORMAL size clothes, she should be in the plus size. But I guess that is just because I still see the same person when I look in the mirror. I dont see the weight loss, but everyone else does. I lost a total of 55 lbs. Im a little depressed because I didnt lose 1 lbs in over a week, but its the "time of the month" so maybe when my period is over I go down a few more lbs. Im a little OBSESSED with my scale at home. Im going to have to have someone hide it from me and pull it out weekly, maybe weigh myself only on Sundays. I did try a chicken wing (1 and 1/2 chicken wings) today. I didnt set to well. But all food are going down perfectly fine besides ground beef. Im dying for pizza. I did try it but since its so much dough, only 1-2 bites fill me up. And its not satisfying since I want more. I guess Ill pass on the pizza for a while.
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3/6/06- Well this past weekend was my husbands Surprise Birthday Party. We started out at the Steak House at the Casino in Niagara Falls. I had a great bowl of French Onion soup and 3 Blackened Shrimp. I thought I wouldnt be able to eat all 3 shrimp, but I had no problems. I figured Id be hurting in about 1/2 hr after I finished dinner, but no issues. It was so good, I want to go there for my Birthday in April. I seen a bunch of friends and family at the bar (where the party was) and boy was everyone shocked on how great I look. Its so exciting. Just to think, next time they see me, ill probably be down past 150 lbs! Im a little past 3 months post op and almost 65 lbs lighter!
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3/19/06- Well I only lost 3 lbs since last post... Totally down 65 lbs. A little disappointing, 2 weeks and only 3 lbs lighter... UGH But before you know it ill be in size 14 jeans. Cant wait. Next weekend we are driving to North Carolina and spending a couple nights there to go to the race in Bristol TN on Sunday. I wont feel so fat in front of such a large crowd. Only worry, what will I be able to eat at the race track all day? I took my 2 sons to see a movie today at a movie theatre, and I was thrilled as to how much room in my seat and my legs had. WOW amazing... I can cross my legs at a movie theatre. Until Next Time.......
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4/8/06- We went to Bristol a few weeks ago, I was sick with strept throat. But it was nice not to feel your to big to go through the isles to bypass someone while they were sitting in their seat. I lost a total of 71 lbs.
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4/23/06- OMG- Its struggling here. I only lost 2 lbs since last post, over 2 weeks ago. But it seems that one week Ill lose 5 lbs. Im almost 5 months postop. But I should still be losing. I joined a "only womans" fitness club and Im starting to go every other day. My friend even said shell join since she wants to quit smoking and dont want to gain weight. My current weight is 176, and Id LOVE to get down 41 more pounds. But I still have many months to go and try to get my goal.
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5/15/06- I lost 5 lbs since last post. I go to the dr in 2 weeks for my 6 month checkup. Almost lost 80 lbs to date! I would like to lose 25-35 more and be at chart weight. I never thought id be down in size 10-12... its awesome. I need major toning. Ive been going to the gym 2-3 times a week. My friend joined for support and she goes with me. I receive compliments daily on how great i look. By BMI is actually in the 20's... unbelievable!
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5/31/06- I lost 3 lbs since last post and had my 6 month visit today with Dr Forbes. Im doing great! I couldn't get any more compliments from anyone on their team. I am finally down to 168. I would still like to lose about 20-25 lbs. I should have no problem doing that. I just need to get more protein in. Dr. Forbes and Barb feels that I am lactose intollerant so I now have to take Lactaid or drink Soy. They said this happens sometimes after the surgery. I dont see the drs until my yearly visit and it turns out to be exactly on my anniversary date.
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7/21/06-
Well we got back a few weeks ago from Vegas. Im down to 160 lbs! I posted pics today. Who would have thought, me going to Vegas in July. I would never have done that when I was 250 lbs. I wore shorts and hung out at the pool. I wished a was smaller than 160 but im on the right track. Its only been almost 8 months, so I hope to lose about 20 more lbs! Until next time.
