on November 8, 2006 10:52 pm
I accidently deleted all my profile pics! I have to work on getting them back. I'm having trouble.
Sorry!
I am 42 years old, have been overwieght since I was 21,
and I have medical problems that revolve around my weight. I am
from Iowa & live in Ca. I miss Iowa terribly!! I am married to a wonderful man, have no kids, and I don't work because I'm on SSDI for major depression. We have 2 cats, & cats are my favorite anything! Having cats has helped me with my depression over the years. I want to lose 150 lbs. I think WLS is the best answer for me. I was born & raised in Iowa.
LIVING WITH GRACE (Barry Manilow)
3/11/03 Weighed 296 at my first appt. with Dr. Robert Li.
4/10/03 Wieghed 293.5 at surgeon's office (Dr. Li).
7/15/03 I have to have several months of counseling before
they will do the surgery. Seems like forever!
7/28/03 Weighed 303 at the surgeons office today, my highest weight ever. It makes my highest BMI also, 48.9~ YUK!
8/28/03 Weighed 296.5 at surgeon's office.
9/2/03 Got a surgery date of December 5th, 2003!!
9/30/03 Saw Dr. Li & I gained 2 lbs! I'm 298.5 now. He was not happy. So I need to walk more & watch what I eat, or else I'll be cancelled for Dec 5th.
10/31/03 I saw Dr. Li today, and lost 9 1/2 pounds, down to 289!! So he's happy with that. But my Insurance denied me with no reason given! So Dr Li's office called them while I was there, and they said I'll be approved as soon as they get a letter from my counselor saying that I'm ready for the surgery. He's already told me I'm ready, so I need to contact him to do a letter. My pre-op appt is Nov. 26th. So I'm on my way! I do have to lose more weight by then Dr. Li told me. Merry Christmas to me!!!!!
11/12/03 Blue Shield approved me!!! We also buried my mother-in-law today. So my happiness with the approval was not as good as it would have been. We will miss her dearly, she was wonderful.
11/26/03 Had my pre-op today at the Hospital. Lost 3 more pounds and Dr. Li says the surgery is on for Dec. 5th! I'm now at 286. They drew blood, had an EKG, and had 2 classes with a bariatric nurse & a nutritionist. I am ready! Nervous, but ready.
12/5/2003 SURGERY!!!!! My weight is 286 appx.
12/9/2003 Surgery went very well, no complications except nausea for 36 hours. The Hospital & the staff were great! This is a great Hospital. Surgery on Friday, I was out Sunday @ 12:30. All my liquid & food stayed down just fine. I was sent home on liquid Vikidin. Am able to take showers, and I walk with no problems. My depression is fairly light so far, I expected more because of the anastesia. My Doctor was great, very caring and concerned about my comfort. The drain tube was removed on the day I left. It is hard to get used to seeing other people eat around me, but I will get used to it. You have to.
12/11/03 Had my first post-op appt. with Dr. Li today. I weighed in at 278. He took the Steri-strips off my incisions. He says I'm doing good. I'm sappose to walk every other day for 1/2 hour, stay on stage 2 diet for 2 more weeks, can try Curves again in about 3 weeks, I can take baths if I want, & gave me an Rx for liquid Zantac to take for 3 months. I feel great for just being 6 days post-op! I am being careful though. So on Christmas Day (or eve) I can start stage 3 diet!
12/18/03 I'm hungry! Waaahhhhhh...
12/27/03 Saturday. Had thin sliced turkey for lunch- it got stuck for the rest of the day. I didn't pay attention to the first bite, & I know I swallowed it without chewing it very well. I realized this just as I swallowed it. But I ate the rest of it anyway- big mistake! I was in a lot of pain, couldn't even drink water. Ended up going to the Emergency room at 7:30 PM. I was in a LOT of pain. They put me on an I.V. with stuff for my stomach, gave me a shot for nausea (I had dry heaves off & on all day), gave me a shot for the pain, which really screwed me up! Things on the walls kept sliding down! Wow, what a pain med!! They gave me a CAT scan, saw nothing wrong. I think the food finally had passed. They let me go home only after I was able to keep water down without pain. I was there 6 hours. I saw an associate of Dr. Li's, Dr. Wong. He was really nice. My husband was with me. This was not a happy experience!!!
12/30/03 Had food not go through again (tuna), threw up once (for the first time), had nausea & chest pains again. Surgeon's office said to go to the ER again, so I did. This time by the time I got there the pain wasn't as bad, so they just gave me an I.V. for my stomach. Next day saw a different surgeon in my Dr's office. She, Dr. Foster, said to be on a liquid diet for the next week. Also she said my stomach is still very sensitive after the Saturday night incident. I also need to drink more water. I weighed 261 at the surgeon's office.
01/02/04 I weighed 256 on my scale.
01/10/04 Same problem as Dec. 30th. Went to ER & they gave me an I.V. to calm my stomach; then went home.
01/11/04 Same problem; went to ER, they admitted me after my Husband & I told them that something was wrong. I only drank water & it got blocked, & I threw up. Next day (Monday) they did an upper G.I. (my brother-in-law did the test, he is an X-ray tech at the Hospital), and the Radiologist said my hole was deffinatly blocked, by about 90%. So the day after that, Tuesday, they did the procedure where they go down your throat with a scope, and they opened up my hole to roughly the size of
between a dime & a nickle. They gave me meds through my I.V. to really relax me, then they gave me meds to give you amnesia so you don't remember anything. It worked! I highly reccomend that route if your Dr. will do it! The next day, Wednesday, after holding down liquids, I was released from the hospital.
I had nothing to eat from Saturday afternoon until Tuesday night!
Nothing to drink from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday night. I so far am feeling a lot better. Now I need to get back into my routine of Curves & walking!~
01/17/04 Weighed 249 this morning! It's been 11 years since I was below 250!!! 01/23/04 weighed 243.5!! Down 42.5 lbs!!
02/05/04 2 month anniversary- I weigh 237 lbs! Down 49 lbs. I am going to Curves 3 times a week still & walking. No sign of another stricture yet!!
02/14/04 Weighed 230! But, I'm sure I have another stricture.
02/18/04 Well saw Dr. Li yesterday about another stricture possibility, he had me scheduled for today to have another endoscopy procedure at a specialists' office, the same Dr. who fixed my last one (Dr. Chalres Zipkin). It was at 2:oo & I was very nervous, even though I had it done 5 weeks ago. It went very well, everyone of the staff was WONDERFUL, & I don't remember a thing! The hole wasn't as closed up as last time, but he opened it back up again. He said it is rare that it will happen again, but still possible. So back to stage 2 AGAIN! I feel good though.
02/20/04 By the way, I see a counsler once a week. He has really helped me a lot, both with the surgery and personal problems. I really don't think I'd be where I am right now in my life without the counseling.
02/25/04 Saw Dr. Li today, says I'm doing good, go to stage 3 (again) for 2 weeks, then regular food. I weighed 235 at his office. My brother got sent to Iraq a week ago, he's in the Military Police with the 339th unit out of Fort McCoy, Wisconson. He is 41 years old.
03/10/04 Oh crap, I have weighed the same for 3 1/2 weeks now!! 230 lbs.
03/23/04 Just got back from a 4 day trip to Orlando, Fl. and met with some wonderful people from the chat room! We had a blast, & everyone was so nice! And I'm down to 220 lbs today!
FOR THOSE WHO WONDER, I NOW DRINK DIET SODA POP WITH NO PROBLEMS...I GOTTA HAVE IT!! LOL
03/29/04 Saw Dr. Li today. I have a third stricture! I get the procedure done again on Wednesday 3/31 by Dr. Zipkin,the same Dr. who did the last 2.
03/31/04 Well today's stricture procedure really sucked!! It was horrible. I woke up half way through it while all the equipment was still down my throat. I reacted violently- gagging like crazy and having dry heaves. I had to wait until they were finished. I cried! It was HORRIBLE! My throat is bruised badly all the way down, it even feels like it's damaged. They said they couldn't give me all the anastesia because something was wrong with my heart! I am to call Dr. Zipkin tomorrow & he'll explain about my heart. My stricture wasn't even very small they said!!
04/06/04 Saw Dr. Li today- says I'm doing fine. Weighed 219 at his office.
04/13/04 Weighed 212 today! Bought a new swim suit, size 18.
Bought a pair of 12/14 pants last week, & they fit! I am into XL shirts & jackets! Yippeeeee!!!! My heart's irregular beat is called "bigeminy", every other beat is premature. I had an EKG though, and it was fine. I have a treadmill test on 4/22. I can now eat pop corn with no problems.
6/5/04 6 months post-op. weigh 206 lbs.
6/27/04 Finally off the plateau- 204 lbs!
7/5/04 Dr. Li is leaving the practice- I will see Dr.Wetter on Friday Jul 9th, for a check up. When I get to 185 lbs, I won't be 'obese' anymore, only overweight.
7/9/04 Saw Dr. Albert Wetter today for the first time, since Dr. Li went to Kaiser. He says I'm doing good, but told me to stop drinking pop, and to stop snacking. I will lose weight better if I cut out the snacking. Dr. Wetter is one of the best bariatric surgeons on the west coast. Weighed 206 on the Dr.s scale.
7/18/04 Just got a "Thumper" tattoo on my other ankle!!
7/20/04 Weighed in at 200!!!
8/02/04 Weighed 198!! Now below 200!!
08/15/04 I can FINALLY eat meat now with no problems.
8/17/04 Weighed 195.
8/23/04 Had an Angiogram today at Sequoia Hostpital. It was negative. (yay) But I was diagnosed with high colesteral & put on medication. This runs on both sides of my family.
10/05/04 Today would've been my mom's 80th birthday. She died of breast cancer Dec. 1985. I weigh 193#.
11/18/04 Weigh 188!! Still going to Curves, just rejoined for another year.
11/20/04 My brother just got home safely from Iraq!!!
12/05/04 One year post-op! And have lost 99 pounds as of today, since surgery. 187#!! Lost 116# total.
12/09/04 186#!! Down 100 since surgery!!
12/29/04 Dumped for the first time ever. It wasn't fun.
June 2005- Saw a plastic surgeon about a tummy tuck & breast lift.
Dr. Michael Norris of Burlingame. I'm awaiting on hearing from insurance. I also have had neck problems since 3 months post-op, saw my Doctor & the X-rays show I have minor arthritus, and narrowing between 2 vertibray's.(sp). I start physical therapy next week (7/25/05). I weigh 175#.
I need to weigh 154 to get to a 'normal' range BMI.
August 2005 I haven't lost hardly anything for months because I drink too much alcohol, I am an alcoholic.
Late Aug. 2005 Bought a bike and am riding to get more exersize, & to save gas (which is too expensive!).
09/05/05 Stopped drinking as of today, yesterday was my last day.
9/13/05 Got a call from Dr. Norris's office today (plastic surgeon) & Blue Shield wants yet MORE info on me to make thier decision!! It's been 3 months! And yesterday we had our cat Mittens put to sleep. She wasn't well. Now we just have one left. :-(
9/30/05 Weighed 173 today, been walking alot this week. My goal is 150.
10/7/05 Went down another bra size... now a 38D!! USED to be a 48DD!! LOL Also ordered a size MEDIUM Iowa jacket, and it is a bit big!
10/10/05 Saw my PCP today, I no longer need blood pressure meds!!
10/11/05 BREAST LIFT APPROVED!! SURGERY DEC. 5TH, 2 years to the day from my WLS.
10/14/05 TUMMY TUCK APPROVED!! SURGERY ALSO DEC. 5th!!
10/25/05 Had my pre-op appt today with Dr. Norris, & my husband went too. He showed me all he was going to do. I asked a bunch of questions, and he was happy to answer. He is VERY nice, I like him.
His whole office is nice, & very helpful. I still will be very nervous, though. I guess I should share how I got these operations approved by my insurance. (Blue Shield of Ca.) My tummy tuck- I had past skin rashes from the excess skin, & had different Rx's for that- creams & powders. That was doccumented at my PCP. My breast's- I have a lot of excess skin & tissue, and I have chronic neck pain from that since 3 months post-op. I have had to have PT for the pain, for months, and pain pills, & muscle relaxors. All of this has gotten the insurance to cover the breast reduction/lift. I can't wait; I am ready to get rid of these problems!
11/05/05 Went to my WLS support group today & talked to the nutritionist about my protein intake being lowere then it s/b. She said I need to up it & get in at least 80 grams a day before my PS, that it is very important. Also I need to get 1000 mg of Vit C a day.
11/12/05 Lately so many people are telling me that I've lost a lot of weight lately, and people are calling me 'skinny'! Wow, that's a great feeling.
11/14/05 Had my pre-op physical with my PCP today. He said I'm healthy, and my High blood pressure is totally gone for the first time in 28 years! I had blood drawn for everything; CBC, liver, kidney's, B-12, cholesterol, thyriod, etc. He called me & told me quote: "You're perfect on paper". I am perfectly healthy (Except for my depression and my thyroid will always be underactive), and haven't been this healthy since early high school!! Wow. What a great thing!
12/3/05 Weight 162#! Started the Bowflex 2 days ago. I don't go to Curves anymore as of 2 weeks ago. Plastic surgery in 2 days, I am now getting VERY nervous. That is normal though.
12/9/05 Surgery took 6 hours, & went very well. I was in recovery 2 hours, which was 1 hour longer because of nausea & dry heaves. I stayed 1 night, my husband stayed in the room with me. That was very nice. The Dr. came in the morn & changed my bandages, & told me I was doing good. I was discharged at 2 PM. So only 1 night's stay. I've been sleeping on the couch/recliner. Doing fairly well. Taking liquid anti-biotics & pain med. Saw Dr. Norris Wed. the 7th. He took out the 2 breast JP drain tubes. Left in the 2 abdominal ones. Made an appt. for Tues. Dec 13th. to see him again. The pain is not too bad at all, just short occasional stabbing pains. I'm tired and have the post-op anastesia depression. Dr. Norris did the abdonimoplasty with no muscle tightning, & took off 5 lbs of skin off my tummy, and 1 lb each of skin & tissue off each breast.
I weigh 157# right now. My goal is 150. But over-all, things aren't nearly as bad as I thought they'd be having these major open surgeries!
12/13/05 Dr. Norris took out the right abdominal drain tube- it was very gross & felt extremely wierd! I hated it.
12/15/05 Got the other tummy drain taken out- it was way worse then the first one. Oh man I don't ever want to go through that again!! YUCKKKKK!! :-(
12/29/05 Took off the remainder of the steri strips in the shower. The pain I have now isn't bad at all, I take maybe 1 pain pill a day or less. Still have tummy swelling. I slept propped up on the couch for 3 1/2 weeks before I could sleep in bed.
1/12/06 Happy New Year! Saw Dr. Norris today and I have 5 small areas on the tummy incision that open up with very minor infection, not enough to get anti-biotics for. He says the inside disolvable stiches are not disolving as fast as they should; therefore my body is trying to reject them. No biggy!
There is a small area, about 4" long, on the left hip he couldn't get to in the OR. He will cut that off in the office in a month or so. (Ick)
I'm still sore everywhere, and swollen in the tummy area. Weight: 155 pounds.
1/15/06 Weight 154- NORMAL BMI!!! 24.9!
1/26/06 I'M AT GOAL WEIGHT!!! 150 POUNDS!!
2/10/16 Having bad stomach cramps for some time now, and getting worse. weight 148.
2/13/06 Saw Dr. Wetter today for the cramps. He has scheduled a CT scan in a week, to rule out a hernia, and to look for the problem that he thinks it is. He thinks that pockets of 'space' have opened up around the bowel that was moved during my RNY. If this is the case, it requires surgery to fix it. :-( He is extremely happy with my
weightloss!
02/16/06 Today Dr. Norris finished up my TT in his office. He gave the area shots, then the rest of it took about 45 minutes. It went ok! I took 2 Klonipin to relax, and it helped. He stitched it up, and I was on my way! It hurt on the way home, but I took pain meds & it was fine. No problems! ~~~~2/20/06 I bought a size SMALL sweater today, and it fits!!
02/21/06 Dr. Norris is gone this week; I am having problems, & had to see Dr. Griffin. My insision is swollen, infected, painful, and possibly has fluid. He gave me anti-biotics, and an Ace binder that I have to wear. Call him in 24 hours. He is very nice.
02/27/06 Today I celabrated getting to my goal weight by getting a tattoo of my best friend & I that is from a picture that I just love. It's the new me, and my best friend! I haven't shown her yet, so she'll be surprised. She doesn't know about it! It's the pic that's on my profile.
03/06/06 Saw Dr. Wetter today, Cat scan results were negative. Only showed that my galbladder is a bit on the big side.
03/27/16 Tried a new product, liquid protein! Por-Stat 64, a complete protein supplement for bariatric surgery patients. Has 15 grams protein in a 2 ounce serving, cherry flavored.
June 2006 Spent Memorial Day weekend in the hospital- major depression related. Just added 2 new vitamins to my diet- B-1, and Folic Acid. I didn't ask my Doc, but got them after seeing a post from a gal who almost died from not having these in her system post-op.
May 28th 2006 I re-joined Curves today for a year!!
July 30 2006 I've been very depressed lately- my meds aren't working anymore. Gotta see a new Dr. I guess. Yesterday I got a tattoo on my arm of my mother. It's my favorite pic of her, a rare one of her smiling. She suffered major depression, too. My new sobriety date is July 27th. Man this alcohol thing is hard when you're depressed. My brother is still in Iraq.
Aug.3rd 2006 Ended up in the ER with dehydration, anziety, and exhaustion. Very out of it feeling. Don't forget to drink your water!
Aug. 7th 2006 Had a CAT scan of my lower abdoman, I am having trouble there from my TT, something feels very wrong, and I hope they find something. Had it done at Peninsula hospital.
RESULTS are: a small hernia, enough so that it is causing me great trouble. Surgery is set for Sept. 11th at 10:00..I'll be in & out.
Just want to get the hell rid of this!
August 2006- Got fitted for a bra finally at Victoria's Secret... I'm a 36A!! In high school I was a 36B.
Sept. 11th, 2006 Had surgery today. Hernia and a TT revision. Also my right side "dog ear" was removed. Get out of hospital tomorrow.
9/16/06 Had to go to the ER with TT pain and exhaustion.
9/23/06 Had to go to ER again, same thing. My surgeon came & saw me.
Sept. 27, 2006 Having a very rough time coming back from this surgery. Lots of pain still, and very tired. No energy. STILL sleeping on the couch. Had to get off Vikadin, it was causing horrible nightmares. Have been extremely depressed. I feel awful. Even though I HAD to have this surgery, I regret it. But had to do it.
Am on Percacett now for pain.
9/28/06 Tried to commit suicide today, left my DH a note. He said it was so bad the paramedics had to work on me for half an hour. I do have clinical depression. They had to intibate me and breath for me.
I was in the hospital for 4 days. Still depressed.
Today, the day after my 45th birthday, I weighed 145 pounds. Cool.
Now I want to get below 140.
Dr. Norris says I'm doing fine as of last Thursday the 6th.
Photos
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I am 42 years old, have been overwieght since I was 21,
and I have medical problems that revolve around my weight. I am
from Iowa & live in Ca. I miss Iowa terribly!! I am married to a wonderful man, have no kids, and I don't work because I'm on SSDI for major depression. We have 2 cats, & cats are my favorite anything! Having cats has helped me with my depression over the years. I want to lose 150 lbs. I think WLS is the best answer for me. I was born & raised in Iowa.
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3/11/03 Weighed 296 at my first appt. with Dr. Robert Li.
4/10/03 Wieghed 293.5 at surgeon's office (Dr. Li).
7/15/03 I have to have several months of counseling before
they will do the surgery. Seems like forever!
7/28/03 Weighed 303 at the surgeons office today, my highest weight ever. It makes my highest BMI also, 48.9~ YUK!
8/28/03 Weighed 296.5 at surgeon's office.
9/2/03 Got a surgery date of December 5th, 2003!!
9/30/03 Saw Dr. Li & I gained 2 lbs! I'm 298.5 now. He was not happy. So I need to walk more & watch what I eat, or else I'll be cancelled for Dec 5th.
10/31/03 I saw Dr. Li today, and lost 9 1/2 pounds, down to 289!! So he's happy with that. But my Insurance denied me with no reason given! So Dr Li's office called them while I was there, and they said I'll be approved as soon as they get a letter from my counselor saying that I'm ready for the surgery. He's already told me I'm ready, so I need to contact him to do a letter. My pre-op appt is Nov. 26th. So I'm on my way! I do have to lose more weight by then Dr. Li told me. Merry Christmas to me!!!!!
11/12/03 Blue Shield approved me!!! We also buried my mother-in-law today. So my happiness with the approval was not as good as it would have been. We will miss her dearly, she was wonderful.
11/26/03 Had my pre-op today at the Hospital. Lost 3 more pounds and Dr. Li says the surgery is on for Dec. 5th! I'm now at 286. They drew blood, had an EKG, and had 2 classes with a bariatric nurse & a nutritionist. I am ready! Nervous, but ready.
12/5/2003 SURGERY!!!!! My weight is 286 appx.
12/9/2003 Surgery went very well, no complications except nausea for 36 hours. The Hospital & the staff were great! This is a great Hospital. Surgery on Friday, I was out Sunday @ 12:30. All my liquid & food stayed down just fine. I was sent home on liquid Vikidin. Am able to take showers, and I walk with no problems. My depression is fairly light so far, I expected more because of the anastesia. My Doctor was great, very caring and concerned about my comfort. The drain tube was removed on the day I left. It is hard to get used to seeing other people eat around me, but I will get used to it. You have to.
12/11/03 Had my first post-op appt. with Dr. Li today. I weighed in at 278. He took the Steri-strips off my incisions. He says I'm doing good. I'm sappose to walk every other day for 1/2 hour, stay on stage 2 diet for 2 more weeks, can try Curves again in about 3 weeks, I can take baths if I want, & gave me an Rx for liquid Zantac to take for 3 months. I feel great for just being 6 days post-op! I am being careful though. So on Christmas Day (or eve) I can start stage 3 diet!
12/18/03 I'm hungry! Waaahhhhhh...
12/27/03 Saturday. Had thin sliced turkey for lunch- it got stuck for the rest of the day. I didn't pay attention to the first bite, & I know I swallowed it without chewing it very well. I realized this just as I swallowed it. But I ate the rest of it anyway- big mistake! I was in a lot of pain, couldn't even drink water. Ended up going to the Emergency room at 7:30 PM. I was in a LOT of pain. They put me on an I.V. with stuff for my stomach, gave me a shot for nausea (I had dry heaves off & on all day), gave me a shot for the pain, which really screwed me up! Things on the walls kept sliding down! Wow, what a pain med!! They gave me a CAT scan, saw nothing wrong. I think the food finally had passed. They let me go home only after I was able to keep water down without pain. I was there 6 hours. I saw an associate of Dr. Li's, Dr. Wong. He was really nice. My husband was with me. This was not a happy experience!!!
12/30/03 Had food not go through again (tuna), threw up once (for the first time), had nausea & chest pains again. Surgeon's office said to go to the ER again, so I did. This time by the time I got there the pain wasn't as bad, so they just gave me an I.V. for my stomach. Next day saw a different surgeon in my Dr's office. She, Dr. Foster, said to be on a liquid diet for the next week. Also she said my stomach is still very sensitive after the Saturday night incident. I also need to drink more water. I weighed 261 at the surgeon's office.
01/02/04 I weighed 256 on my scale.
01/10/04 Same problem as Dec. 30th. Went to ER & they gave me an I.V. to calm my stomach; then went home.
01/11/04 Same problem; went to ER, they admitted me after my Husband & I told them that something was wrong. I only drank water & it got blocked, & I threw up. Next day (Monday) they did an upper G.I. (my brother-in-law did the test, he is an X-ray tech at the Hospital), and the Radiologist said my hole was deffinatly blocked, by about 90%. So the day after that, Tuesday, they did the procedure where they go down your throat with a scope, and they opened up my hole to roughly the size of
between a dime & a nickle. They gave me meds through my I.V. to really relax me, then they gave me meds to give you amnesia so you don't remember anything. It worked! I highly reccomend that route if your Dr. will do it! The next day, Wednesday, after holding down liquids, I was released from the hospital.
I had nothing to eat from Saturday afternoon until Tuesday night!
Nothing to drink from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday night. I so far am feeling a lot better. Now I need to get back into my routine of Curves & walking!~
01/17/04 Weighed 249 this morning! It's been 11 years since I was below 250!!! 01/23/04 weighed 243.5!! Down 42.5 lbs!!
02/05/04 2 month anniversary- I weigh 237 lbs! Down 49 lbs. I am going to Curves 3 times a week still & walking. No sign of another stricture yet!!
02/14/04 Weighed 230! But, I'm sure I have another stricture.
02/18/04 Well saw Dr. Li yesterday about another stricture possibility, he had me scheduled for today to have another endoscopy procedure at a specialists' office, the same Dr. who fixed my last one (Dr. Chalres Zipkin). It was at 2:oo & I was very nervous, even though I had it done 5 weeks ago. It went very well, everyone of the staff was WONDERFUL, & I don't remember a thing! The hole wasn't as closed up as last time, but he opened it back up again. He said it is rare that it will happen again, but still possible. So back to stage 2 AGAIN! I feel good though.
02/20/04 By the way, I see a counsler once a week. He has really helped me a lot, both with the surgery and personal problems. I really don't think I'd be where I am right now in my life without the counseling.
02/25/04 Saw Dr. Li today, says I'm doing good, go to stage 3 (again) for 2 weeks, then regular food. I weighed 235 at his office. My brother got sent to Iraq a week ago, he's in the Military Police with the 339th unit out of Fort McCoy, Wisconson. He is 41 years old.
03/10/04 Oh crap, I have weighed the same for 3 1/2 weeks now!! 230 lbs.
03/23/04 Just got back from a 4 day trip to Orlando, Fl. and met with some wonderful people from the chat room! We had a blast, & everyone was so nice! And I'm down to 220 lbs today!
FOR THOSE WHO WONDER, I NOW DRINK DIET SODA POP WITH NO PROBLEMS...I GOTTA HAVE IT!! LOL
03/29/04 Saw Dr. Li today. I have a third stricture! I get the procedure done again on Wednesday 3/31 by Dr. Zipkin,the same Dr. who did the last 2.
03/31/04 Well today's stricture procedure really sucked!! It was horrible. I woke up half way through it while all the equipment was still down my throat. I reacted violently- gagging like crazy and having dry heaves. I had to wait until they were finished. I cried! It was HORRIBLE! My throat is bruised badly all the way down, it even feels like it's damaged. They said they couldn't give me all the anastesia because something was wrong with my heart! I am to call Dr. Zipkin tomorrow & he'll explain about my heart. My stricture wasn't even very small they said!!
04/06/04 Saw Dr. Li today- says I'm doing fine. Weighed 219 at his office.
04/13/04 Weighed 212 today! Bought a new swim suit, size 18.
Bought a pair of 12/14 pants last week, & they fit! I am into XL shirts & jackets! Yippeeeee!!!! My heart's irregular beat is called "bigeminy", every other beat is premature. I had an EKG though, and it was fine. I have a treadmill test on 4/22. I can now eat pop corn with no problems.
6/5/04 6 months post-op. weigh 206 lbs.
6/27/04 Finally off the plateau- 204 lbs!
7/5/04 Dr. Li is leaving the practice- I will see Dr.Wetter on Friday Jul 9th, for a check up. When I get to 185 lbs, I won't be 'obese' anymore, only overweight.
7/9/04 Saw Dr. Albert Wetter today for the first time, since Dr. Li went to Kaiser. He says I'm doing good, but told me to stop drinking pop, and to stop snacking. I will lose weight better if I cut out the snacking. Dr. Wetter is one of the best bariatric surgeons on the west coast. Weighed 206 on the Dr.s scale.
7/18/04 Just got a "Thumper" tattoo on my other ankle!!
7/20/04 Weighed in at 200!!!
8/02/04 Weighed 198!! Now below 200!!
08/15/04 I can FINALLY eat meat now with no problems.
8/17/04 Weighed 195.
8/23/04 Had an Angiogram today at Sequoia Hostpital. It was negative. (yay) But I was diagnosed with high colesteral & put on medication. This runs on both sides of my family.
10/05/04 Today would've been my mom's 80th birthday. She died of breast cancer Dec. 1985. I weigh 193#.
11/18/04 Weigh 188!! Still going to Curves, just rejoined for another year.
11/20/04 My brother just got home safely from Iraq!!!
12/05/04 One year post-op! And have lost 99 pounds as of today, since surgery. 187#!! Lost 116# total.
12/09/04 186#!! Down 100 since surgery!!
12/29/04 Dumped for the first time ever. It wasn't fun.
June 2005- Saw a plastic surgeon about a tummy tuck & breast lift.
Dr. Michael Norris of Burlingame. I'm awaiting on hearing from insurance. I also have had neck problems since 3 months post-op, saw my Doctor & the X-rays show I have minor arthritus, and narrowing between 2 vertibray's.(sp). I start physical therapy next week (7/25/05). I weigh 175#.
I need to weigh 154 to get to a 'normal' range BMI.
August 2005 I haven't lost hardly anything for months because I drink too much alcohol, I am an alcoholic.
Late Aug. 2005 Bought a bike and am riding to get more exersize, & to save gas (which is too expensive!).
09/05/05 Stopped drinking as of today, yesterday was my last day.
9/13/05 Got a call from Dr. Norris's office today (plastic surgeon) & Blue Shield wants yet MORE info on me to make thier decision!! It's been 3 months! And yesterday we had our cat Mittens put to sleep. She wasn't well. Now we just have one left. :-(
9/30/05 Weighed 173 today, been walking alot this week. My goal is 150.
10/7/05 Went down another bra size... now a 38D!! USED to be a 48DD!! LOL Also ordered a size MEDIUM Iowa jacket, and it is a bit big!
10/10/05 Saw my PCP today, I no longer need blood pressure meds!!
10/11/05 BREAST LIFT APPROVED!! SURGERY DEC. 5TH, 2 years to the day from my WLS.
10/14/05 TUMMY TUCK APPROVED!! SURGERY ALSO DEC. 5th!!
10/25/05 Had my pre-op appt today with Dr. Norris, & my husband went too. He showed me all he was going to do. I asked a bunch of questions, and he was happy to answer. He is VERY nice, I like him.
His whole office is nice, & very helpful. I still will be very nervous, though. I guess I should share how I got these operations approved by my insurance. (Blue Shield of Ca.) My tummy tuck- I had past skin rashes from the excess skin, & had different Rx's for that- creams & powders. That was doccumented at my PCP. My breast's- I have a lot of excess skin & tissue, and I have chronic neck pain from that since 3 months post-op. I have had to have PT for the pain, for months, and pain pills, & muscle relaxors. All of this has gotten the insurance to cover the breast reduction/lift. I can't wait; I am ready to get rid of these problems!
11/05/05 Went to my WLS support group today & talked to the nutritionist about my protein intake being lowere then it s/b. She said I need to up it & get in at least 80 grams a day before my PS, that it is very important. Also I need to get 1000 mg of Vit C a day.
11/12/05 Lately so many people are telling me that I've lost a lot of weight lately, and people are calling me 'skinny'! Wow, that's a great feeling.
11/14/05 Had my pre-op physical with my PCP today. He said I'm healthy, and my High blood pressure is totally gone for the first time in 28 years! I had blood drawn for everything; CBC, liver, kidney's, B-12, cholesterol, thyriod, etc. He called me & told me quote: "You're perfect on paper". I am perfectly healthy (Except for my depression and my thyroid will always be underactive), and haven't been this healthy since early high school!! Wow. What a great thing!
12/3/05 Weight 162#! Started the Bowflex 2 days ago. I don't go to Curves anymore as of 2 weeks ago. Plastic surgery in 2 days, I am now getting VERY nervous. That is normal though.
12/9/05 Surgery took 6 hours, & went very well. I was in recovery 2 hours, which was 1 hour longer because of nausea & dry heaves. I stayed 1 night, my husband stayed in the room with me. That was very nice. The Dr. came in the morn & changed my bandages, & told me I was doing good. I was discharged at 2 PM. So only 1 night's stay. I've been sleeping on the couch/recliner. Doing fairly well. Taking liquid anti-biotics & pain med. Saw Dr. Norris Wed. the 7th. He took out the 2 breast JP drain tubes. Left in the 2 abdominal ones. Made an appt. for Tues. Dec 13th. to see him again. The pain is not too bad at all, just short occasional stabbing pains. I'm tired and have the post-op anastesia depression. Dr. Norris did the abdonimoplasty with no muscle tightning, & took off 5 lbs of skin off my tummy, and 1 lb each of skin & tissue off each breast.
I weigh 157# right now. My goal is 150. But over-all, things aren't nearly as bad as I thought they'd be having these major open surgeries!
12/13/05 Dr. Norris took out the right abdominal drain tube- it was very gross & felt extremely wierd! I hated it.
12/15/05 Got the other tummy drain taken out- it was way worse then the first one. Oh man I don't ever want to go through that again!! YUCKKKKK!! :-(
12/29/05 Took off the remainder of the steri strips in the shower. The pain I have now isn't bad at all, I take maybe 1 pain pill a day or less. Still have tummy swelling. I slept propped up on the couch for 3 1/2 weeks before I could sleep in bed.
1/12/06 Happy New Year! Saw Dr. Norris today and I have 5 small areas on the tummy incision that open up with very minor infection, not enough to get anti-biotics for. He says the inside disolvable stiches are not disolving as fast as they should; therefore my body is trying to reject them. No biggy!
There is a small area, about 4" long, on the left hip he couldn't get to in the OR. He will cut that off in the office in a month or so. (Ick)
I'm still sore everywhere, and swollen in the tummy area. Weight: 155 pounds.
1/15/06 Weight 154- NORMAL BMI!!! 24.9!
1/26/06 I'M AT GOAL WEIGHT!!! 150 POUNDS!!
2/10/16 Having bad stomach cramps for some time now, and getting worse. weight 148.
2/13/06 Saw Dr. Wetter today for the cramps. He has scheduled a CT scan in a week, to rule out a hernia, and to look for the problem that he thinks it is. He thinks that pockets of 'space' have opened up around the bowel that was moved during my RNY. If this is the case, it requires surgery to fix it. :-( He is extremely happy with my
weightloss!
02/16/06 Today Dr. Norris finished up my TT in his office. He gave the area shots, then the rest of it took about 45 minutes. It went ok! I took 2 Klonipin to relax, and it helped. He stitched it up, and I was on my way! It hurt on the way home, but I took pain meds & it was fine. No problems! ~~~~2/20/06 I bought a size SMALL sweater today, and it fits!!
02/21/06 Dr. Norris is gone this week; I am having problems, & had to see Dr. Griffin. My insision is swollen, infected, painful, and possibly has fluid. He gave me anti-biotics, and an Ace binder that I have to wear. Call him in 24 hours. He is very nice.
02/27/06 Today I celabrated getting to my goal weight by getting a tattoo of my best friend & I that is from a picture that I just love. It's the new me, and my best friend! I haven't shown her yet, so she'll be surprised. She doesn't know about it! It's the pic that's on my profile.
03/06/06 Saw Dr. Wetter today, Cat scan results were negative. Only showed that my galbladder is a bit on the big side.
03/27/16 Tried a new product, liquid protein! Por-Stat 64, a complete protein supplement for bariatric surgery patients. Has 15 grams protein in a 2 ounce serving, cherry flavored.
June 2006 Spent Memorial Day weekend in the hospital- major depression related. Just added 2 new vitamins to my diet- B-1, and Folic Acid. I didn't ask my Doc, but got them after seeing a post from a gal who almost died from not having these in her system post-op.
May 28th 2006 I re-joined Curves today for a year!!
July 30 2006 I've been very depressed lately- my meds aren't working anymore. Gotta see a new Dr. I guess. Yesterday I got a tattoo on my arm of my mother. It's my favorite pic of her, a rare one of her smiling. She suffered major depression, too. My new sobriety date is July 27th. Man this alcohol thing is hard when you're depressed. My brother is still in Iraq.
Aug.3rd 2006 Ended up in the ER with dehydration, anziety, and exhaustion. Very out of it feeling. Don't forget to drink your water!
Aug. 7th 2006 Had a CAT scan of my lower abdoman, I am having trouble there from my TT, something feels very wrong, and I hope they find something. Had it done at Peninsula hospital.
RESULTS are: a small hernia, enough so that it is causing me great trouble. Surgery is set for Sept. 11th at 10:00..I'll be in & out.
Just want to get the hell rid of this!
August 2006- Got fitted for a bra finally at Victoria's Secret... I'm a 36A!! In high school I was a 36B.
Sept. 11th, 2006 Had surgery today. Hernia and a TT revision. Also my right side "dog ear" was removed. Get out of hospital tomorrow.
9/16/06 Had to go to the ER with TT pain and exhaustion.
9/23/06 Had to go to ER again, same thing. My surgeon came & saw me.
Sept. 27, 2006 Having a very rough time coming back from this surgery. Lots of pain still, and very tired. No energy. STILL sleeping on the couch. Had to get off Vikadin, it was causing horrible nightmares. Have been extremely depressed. I feel awful. Even though I HAD to have this surgery, I regret it. But had to do it.
Am on Percacett now for pain.
9/28/06 Tried to commit suicide today, left my DH a note. He said it was so bad the paramedics had to work on me for half an hour. I do have clinical depression. They had to intibate me and breath for me.
I was in the hospital for 4 days. Still depressed.
Today, the day after my 45th birthday, I weighed 145 pounds. Cool.
Now I want to get below 140.
Dr. Norris says I'm doing fine as of last Thursday the 6th.
Photos
 295 Dec 2002- I look like a linebacker! |
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