Hi everyone, everything is going great, so much to catch everybody up on.  I can but my century card up now, as of 9 months I am down 106 lbs and have lost ( for good)  59 1/2 inches.  Can you say droopy skin?  I am now wearing a size 10 in jeans and large in drops. I feel fantastic!!!! I have tons of energy and (knock on wood) have not been sick since my surgery.  Before I had sinus infectios & bladder infections galore, and every winter had the flu & pnemonia.  Not to give my surgery the credit, but it did happen with my weight loss.  I am now researching plastic surgery, my bat wings bother me the most, a girl can only find so many 3/4 lenght sleeve tops. LOL.  I would like my breats & a body lift also, but will have to shop around, since it's so expensive, and DH wants to retire, not finance a bionic woman.  Just thought I'd brag a bit, I also put up a 6 month photo update and my century card.  The only thing I can "bitch" about is it kills me to sit, no more padding and I feel like I'm sitting on my bones alone, very uncomfortable.  DH says I need to get one of those donut pillows ,you use after surgeries.  Not funny at all.  I am very happy at the size I am, so don't know if I want to lose anymore weight but according to the charts I have 7 more lbs to hit the upper BMI number for "normal.  Well maybe the PS will take off 7 lbs of skin.  I will update again at my 1 year surgiversary, but if you want to contact me with questions, please feel free to.  Hang on for the ride!!!!

Well, I went to my 6 month checkup, and Dr Suh was pleased.  My labs came back perfect, my cholestrol is 148,and  I've always been over 200.  I asked if I was losing OK ,he said yes, I am down 85 lbs.  I asked if he had a goal weight for me and he said no, but from the way I've lost, I probably would lose another 50 lbs over the next year.  That would put me at a normal bmi, and at my personel goal, but I'm going to try to make that in less than a year.  I have my next visit in 3 months.

I then went to my PCP but was seen by the PA, I loved her, she took all the time needed to address all my questions.  She took me off two of my blood pressure pills (finally) and I also got my flu shot.

Then I went out to lunch with my daughter ( also my angel) ,who went with me, to Red Lobster.  When we got home she took my 6 month photos and measured me for my chart.  I have lost 46 1/4 inches, and I am never going to find them again!!!

Finally, I have some WOWS to share.  I went out on Saturday, I wore a pair of 15 stretch jeans that my youngest daughter got me.  I was a size 24 six months ago, I'm wearing them in my 6 m. photos. Also on the way to where we were going I stopped at JC Penneys because I needed a coat, my old ones are all too big, Yeah!!!  I just ran in to make it quick, but surprise, a lot of them "FIT" me , so had to call DH on cell to come in to help me decide.  I have never had the pleasure of having many to choose from, always just took the one that was big enough.  Well, when he came in I was wearing one in XL, he liked it but said I'd probably could go smaller.  I tried on the L, and it fit, so he said just for fun try the medium.  It FITS, I bought a medium coat, I know it must run big, but I have a medium coat!!! Can you tell I'm stoked?  Then hubby says your jeans are too big and falling down a little, so I had to buy a belt .  I have never worn a belt, but I do now. As you can tell I had a fantastic Saturday!  Plus DH couldn't keep his hands off of me, told me how proud he was of me all day, & showed me off all day.  I was feeling very sexy, me a 53 year old , still overweight, grandma, was SEXY!!!!

I'm going to end now, but I hope you all are enjoying this ride as much as I am!!  And for you reading this that are considering surgery, go for it, it will change your life. (((Hugs))) Me

I've been writing all the good  experiences I've had, thought I'd better share this "argggh" one incase anyone else is feeling the same way.  I have been on a stall for 2 weeks, I am ready to pull my diminishing hair out!!!  Oh yeah, my hair started to fall out also about two weeks ago.  I will be 5 months out this Sunday and I was hoping to be under 200lbs by then!!  I am sticking to my protocol to the "T" and I am excersizing 4 to 5 times , but haven't lost for two whole weeks.  I posted on the board about my concerns, regarding proteins, calories & carbs, and got a lot of different viewpoints, but found out that OH has four nutritionists on payroll on that board  (Diet & Nutrition) so I might post my questions there.  Started to tract my stasts on Fitday.com. I will post again when my weight loss starts again, hopefully soon.  I am trying to raise my calories, might be in starvation mode, increase my protein, and lower my carbs, even though they are "good" ones. Love to you all on your journeys!

Yesterday I had my 3 month checkup with Dr. Suh, he and I are pleased with my progress. I am 222 lbs and have lost 45.5 since surgery.  Everything is going great, I'm not having any problems at all.  He released me to try Pork & Beef in one more month, and I'm sure I'll do fine, because nothing has bothered me yet!  I still don't do protein drinks, trying to get all my protein from eating, but Dr Suh said I could try protein bars now.  I don't like them either, either they have the artificial sweetners I hate, or the sugar alchohols make me sick.  I am excercizing 4 to 5 times a week at my Slender Lady ( like curves).  My husband is enjoying my thinner figure but is not too sure about my renewed enery level.  Every weekend we use to sit and watch movies all day, now I want to work on the house, or get out and do things. Just joking, he's happy for me even if I'm running him ragged. 
I am going to watch my carbohydrates better I vow, this might allow me to lose faster or atleast as fast as I have been.  I don't eat bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and such, but some of my veges & fruits could be better choices.  My next Dr. appt isn't till I'm 6 months out, but I will try to check in here in another month, or sooner if I have news to share.  Love to you all , where ever you are on your journey!

  It is so true , it's harder to post ,  after your surgery.  Atleast I think it is.  I was very dissapointed for awhile, it seemed I wasn't loosing quick enough, I wasn't seeing any progress.  Now at 8 weeks I''m settling down and trying to just enjoy the ride.  It doesn't hurt that my pants are finally getting too loose on me.  Or that yesterday I went out with my husband and almost walked all day, and never hurt?  Or that I finally ate out in a restaurant again, lunch & dinner, and ate well and was able to stick to my current pouch rules.  I also believe I had been on a mini stall, but I listened to some of the wise more experienced board members , and changed up my calories, protein, and excersize.  How about that I made it and now I am at 238.5 and have lost 29 pounds since surgery, and 39 since my preop diet.  I might be a lightweight, I might be 53, and I might be a slow loser, but I am going to work my tool, and lose this weight for good!!  Love to all of you on you journey, I'll be praying for you all!!

         Well , I'm on the losers' bench.  Sorry this is going to be long, but you asked, didn't you?  Early at 6am I started getting ready.  My DD Nikki came over to braid my hair so it wouldn't end up in a rats nest, after surgery.  My youngest daughter, Melanie called to send her love while Nikki braided.  I arrived with DH at the hospital at 7:30 am ,after about 30 min. they said say your goodbyes and hug ,you're going back. They took me to the prep room which also turned out to be where I woke up later.  Took my vitals, asked all those annoying repeat questions that they do.  Then they put two central lines in, one in each hand, the anesthesiologist that I had requires two.  Then he spoke to me and gave me something to relax me (knocked me out).  Next thing I was waking up and I think I had a tube in my throat , because I had the impression I couldn't speak and I was extremely nauseous.  That only lasted a minute, I begged with my eyes, they gave me something for the nauseau and I went out again. The next time I woke up they were taking me to my room, and I felt no naseau or pain.  I wasn't allowed anything by mouth but they gave me these lemon flavored glycerin squabs to rub in my mouth for the dryness, and I used my chapstick.
          That night I was up and walking, I kept using the pain pump, and never did experience any pain or the trapped gas you hear about.  I slept alot on and off the first day and night. The next day they brought me a tray with protein enriched broth, apple juice, and a berry protein drink.  I took as many 2 oz cups every 15 min as I could stand.  I also had a pitcher of water.  That evening my DD, aka my Angel,  Jenni came to visit with her children & my Mother.  It was my Mothers' 84th birthday and I didn't tell her till the surgery was over.  I didn't want her worrying for months about me, which she would have. My daughter brought me a beautiful Angel statue, it's holding a butterfly in it's hands, and is titled "Freedom to Soar".  I'm ready to soar, wasn't that perfect? Then I walked down the hall with my Mom and got hugs from my grandchildren, in the waiting room. Later in the day I started having one of my killer migraines, I kept pressing the pain pump but it didn't do anything for it, so then I got nauseous also, because my migraines do that to me.  They took me off the pump so they could give me oral meds, but they didn't have the approval for the migraine meds I take at home, so they didn't help either.  I was pretty miserable that night, Dr Suh came by and even rubbed my shoulder while I was throwing up,. They then were able to get my regular meds prescribed, I took them and bam back to feeling ok.  They did keep me a total of 4 days however ,just to make sure I was able to keep things down.  Overall the care and hospital were good, but I'm not that fussy ,I must admit.
           I went home on the liquid diet and instructions to make an appt. in a week with Dr. Suh.  I wasn't the greatest at getting all my liquids in but tried the best I could.  I didn't have to take any pain meds after the second day, and never did really feel any "pain".  Thank you, Jesus & Dr Suh.  A week after I went hom on Thurs. I went in to have my staples removed.  I tried not to build up my hopes but when I stepped on the scales I had lost 13 and 1/2 lbs. Wooooopeeee!!!!  I then was cleared to eat grilled fish, tuna, cheese, yogurt, cream of wheat & fresh mashed potato.  Two ounces still , but so far everything has agreeded with me, but I'm eating slowly and chewing like crazy.  I am having a little trouble balancing the eating, drinking and times in between, and I am disliking all the protein shakes.  I read on someones profile they didn't manage shakes either and they made out OK..I hope it goes the same for me.  I go back to the Dr. on May 17th ,can't wait, I am also going to my first support group meeting this Mon. as a loser, not a preop.  When I have an update I'll hopefully post again promptly.  By the way two new developments already, I am cold sometimes now, I was always uncomfortably hot.  And my husband says I have stopped snoring, and I snored really bad.  I was under the impression it would take longer for results like these, but I'll gratefully take them. ((Hugs))) to all reading this,,  Sandra

  Well , I'm set, I went to my last pre-op visit with Dr. Suh.  It was the day after I got my date , so I had to call my husband, and tell him you have to get tomorrow off.  Dr. Suh requires you have your husband with you, if you're married, otherwise a family member, at the last pre-op visit.  It's because they think you'll be so excited you won't remember everything said, and they hope you spouse will remember what you don't.  He also had to sign the paperwork as a witness.  Then we ran over to Inland Valley Medical Center to pre-register for the surgery.  It seems like a nice hospital, and it has an award on the wall for being one of the top 100 hospitals, in the US, with 25 to 100 beds.  I wonder how many there are in the catagory?  The following Mon., one week before my surgery, I did my final bloodwork.  I have started the countdown, starting yesterday,  I am still on no carbs , high protein, but no longer can eat red meat, lettuce, or leafy veges.  Yesterday, I attended the required patient education class for the hospital.  It taught how to use the spirometer, the pain pump, the compression sockings, what my diet will be like in the hospital and after, and a little of physical therapy ( read excersize).  A lot had already been covered, or I knew it from the boards, they even raved about OH, but the speakers were very encouraging and supportive, so the two hours flew.  Sunday is my full fluids only day, and the nummy Magnessium Citrate drink at five.  It's kinda funny, I'm not fearful of the surgery, but I am of that little bottle of yuck.  Oh well, my childcare kids are calling, I hope I get another chance to post before my new birth, but if not, see you on the losing side!!!

Well, Mon. morning I called the PCP's office and requested they send the Cardio & Pulmonary clearences to my medical group, and mentioned they had requested them on last Fri. also. Assured me they would, so I couldn't wait any longer and called the medical group this morning to see what was up.  The dear sweet Linda (customer service rep there) whom I've mentioned helping me before, informed me they still hadn't received them.  Then recommended I call Dr Suh's office to have them fax it directly , therefore cuttung out the middle man. Called and talked to Mo and she said she would fax them right away, and wanted to know what the problem with my PCPs office was.  I really couldn't tell her, I think they just don't make it a priority to help people acheive their goals.  I am so wound up, I was nauseous talking to Mo, I get that way when I 'm excited.  Now that  it's in Linda & Mo's capable hands, I know it will get done right, will write when it does.  Keeping my fingers crossed!

Called the medical group on Wed. they said no approval yet but call back , Fri. no better Mon. and they should have a decision.  Called Fri. ( just couldn't wait) and was informed they hadn't received my cardio & pulmonary clearences yet , and requested them that morning from my PCP's office.  I was furious , but my daughter reminded me, all in God's own time, there's a reason for everything.  I will be calling tomorrow and hopefully the information has been faxed in, and I have approval granted. I'll be posting on the boards as soon as I have the good news.

Well ,March the 5th, I did my blood work. The next day Tues I did my chest xray and abdominal sonogram.  They were both a breeze and done in 45 min. I could'nt believe how effecient the places are in Temecula.  I did have to fast from 5am to my 2:00 pm appt, not even water, that was a pain.  Now according to my surgeons office my med. group has the request and I am just waiting their approval for surgery. I'm calling tommorrow to ask what's up?  I'll let you know what I find out! The sonogram showed no gall stones, so I guess my gallbladder will stay in.

     Well, I finally got to go to Dr. Suhs office.  They had a room with a plasma tv that was playing a DVD all about the surgery, for the pre-ops. Then they weighed us before taking me to my room.  I knew everything they explained on the film, thanks to all my research.  Then Dr Suh came in, he's soft spoken but explained everything again, and gave me the notebook with his offices' protocol for the surgery.  He asked if I had any questions, and I voiced my fears of vomiting, he assured me they would take care of any naseua.  I also already knew everything he tols me also, thanks to OH , and the support groups I've attented.  He started me on a prescrition of Prilosec, told me to cut out all starches, and not to gain any weight till I see him again.  He also requested , from my PCP, referrals for a Chest xray, abdominal sonogram, and complete lab work up. I am getting the labs done Monday, and the others on March 8th, the soonest I could get in, and I'll be finished with all my testing!!!!!!!!!  Then the office requests the approval for surgery, I hear they know just the right way to work the system, I hope so. So far I haven't eaten any starches,  I haven't been able to "diet" so I hope I don't gain and dissapoint Dr Suh or my pospone my surgery?  I am so excited, I know I am in the palm of God's hand, and feel comforted.  Three of my daughters have discussed fears they have and questions about what to do if "all" goes wrong.  I just reassure them that nothing will, but still adress their conserns.  I have a large family and really am the Matriarch,  everone feels like the world will fall apart without me,  can you see my head swelling,  or maybe just my shoulders straing against all that responsibility?  I am doing this for me, a person who isn't usually first on my list to care for.  Well, I plan on being the poster child for Rouen-Y and continue to be the Matriarch , just in much better health and for a longer reign, lol.   Well I've rambled on long enough, catch you up again when I know something new!  (((Hugs))) to all!