- HOME
- ARTICLES
- PHOTOS
-
FORUMS
- WEIGHT LOSS RELATED
- Main Forum
- Exercise & Fitness
- Diet & Nutrition
- WLS Graduates
- More
- MEDICAL CONDITIONS
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- More
- SURGERY DATES
- GO LOCAL
- Regional Forums
- GROUPS
- HEALTH TRACKER
-
COMMUNITY
- Newsletter
- OH Personal Newsletter
- More
- Member Q&A
- Chatroom
- Events
- MYJOURNEY
Friends
Before & After There are currently no before and after photos for this member. See these instructions if you wish to submit your own Before & After photos. Surgeon Testimonial Wanda Kaniewski, M.D., F,A.C.S I had my first visit Jan 20. I liked Dr. Kaniewski. She is very knowledgeable about the challenges the morbidly obese face. She is easy to understand and outlines the process very well. She makes sure you understand before she moves on. She emphasizes both before care and after care. She goes over patient medical history at length and discusses items which need more clarification. I did research about her before I went to her office, and I have nothing negative to say. When I left, I felt even more confident that I am making the right decision for me. 3/31 She is a good Dr. but be sure to stay on top of your paperwork process with her office. Don't expect them to closely manage your case. If this Dr or other Dr's tell you they faxed something to each other or the insurer - follow up with a phone call to make sure. Member Interests
Latest Surgery Support Comments
|
My Story
4/2/03 Surgery Day * 283lbs * BMI 43 * Size 24W/26W 4/30 4wk * 267lbs * -16lbs* BMI 41 * Size 20W 5/28 1m * 251lbs * -32lbs* BMI 38 * Size 18W 6/25 2m * 239lbs * -44lbs* BMI 36 * Size 18W 7/23 3m * 226lbs * -57lbs* BMI 34 * Size 18R/16W 8/21 4m * 214lbs * -69lbs* BMI 33 * Size 18R,16W is baggy 9/18 5m * 207lbs * -76lbs* BMI 32 * Size 16 10/16 6m * 207lbs * -76lbs* BMI 32 * Size 16 11/13 7m * 200lbs * -83lbs* BMI 30 * Size 16 12/11 8m * 193lbs * -90lbs* BMI 29 * Sz 14 bottom,16 top 1/8/04 9m * 185lbs * -98lbs* BMI 28*sz 12/14 btm,14/16 top 2/5 10m * 185lbs * -98lbs* BMI 28*sz 12/14 btm,14/16 top* 3/4 11m * 183lbs * -100lbs* BMI 27* sz 12 btm,14 top 4/1 12m * 183lbs * nothings changed 5/4 13m * 183lbs * nothings changed 6/1 14m * 177lbs * -106lbs* BMI 27 * size 12 7/2 15m * 177lbs * same * size 10/12 8/6 16m * 173lbs * -110lbs* BMI 27 * size 10/12 9/6 17m * 171lbs * -112lbs* BMI 26* size 10 10/12 18m * 170lbs * -113lbs* BMI 26*size 10 11/02 19m * 170lbs * -113lbs* BMI 26* Size 10 12/01 20m * 171lbs * -112lbs* BMI 26* Size 10 1/6/05 21m * 168lbs * -115lbs* BMI 25* Size 10 2/22 22m * 170lbs * -113lbs* BMI 25* Size 10 3/8 23m nothing has changed 4/1/05 Happy 2 yr Anniversary to ME weight/size the same 2/27/09 - 6 years later 184lbs. I have been at this weight for 3 years. 2/27/2009 After 3 years I am catching up. For a long time I could not log onto Obesity help because they changed the formatting a couple of times over 6 years. Yes, it has been 6 years since the surgery. It is amazing how time flies. I had plastics over this time. I had my batwings removed 4 year ago along with my eyes, 3 years ago I had the ifestylelift and yes it does make you look younger. Another worthwhile surgery. In the last 2 years I have had 1 full tummy tuck and 1 revision which was supposed to be just skin but once they opened me up they decied to revise the whole thing (same surgeon). I now need a third revision my Plastic Surgeon just never seems to take enough skin off. I still have skin hanging over the scar line. The revisions only cost $500 so I am not too worried about it. I am still happy I had the procedure done. I stay in good health. I did have a bounce and have gotten to 184lbs but it doesn't bother me at all. I have maintained that weight for 3 years as well as the size 12. I also have a lot of excess skin I wish I could afford to have removed like the area between my thighs and my back. There has to be about 5-8lbs of skin there. I know that after 2 tummy tucks they removed 8lbs of skin. My sister is having her 5 yr old lapband removed. It served her well but it slipped and is now around her esophogus - not good. I have read that many people have had slippage issues. She may go in for a stomaphyx when they remove the band. 4/1/2005 I am 1 day away from my 2 year anniversay. I can't believe it has been that long. I feel great! My weight is normal. I still weigh myself at least twice a week to stay on track. I remind myself frequently of the long term post-op tips Dr Sabharwal gave me at my last 2 visits. He told me where people can fail like eating mushy-gravy laden foods. I stick to solid foods and this causes me to eat less and stay full longer. I eat a high protein low carb diet. I still eat a protein bar (21g of protein - 210 cal.) for breakfast a few days a week because I often don't get to eat until late afternoon. I do eat carbs, but I watch how much. I take all of my vitamins everyday like I was told to by the Dr's. My family Dr says that I have succeeded better than any other patient she has who had the surgery (they had different surgeons). She said I am a "poster child" for the surgery because I look healthy, continue to follow the program and I am physically in good health. Many friends can't get over how healthy and young I look. A Bank teller looked at my Drivers License last week and told me that the picture looked incredibly older than I look in person. I am seriously contemplating plastics for my mid section and tummy. I have sooo much hanging its not funny. I thank the Dr's for giving me my life back. I am without a wheelchair, a cane, HBP meds; I am no longer breathless when I walk up stairs, exhausted as soon as I get up, with obesity caused depression and I don't start sweating profusely when the temps hit 70*. I am now comfortable when the weather is hot, I can walk un-aided all over the mall and our farm, I can find clothes that fit, I can breathe easier... I can smile. Without their guidance during my appts I would not have been able to stay on track after the surgery. 3/8 Only 1 month to go until my 2 year anniversary. Everyday I am so thankful I had the surgery. I look at old photo's & can't believe the difference. At a conference this weekend everyone told me that I look 20 yrs younger. Before surgery people mistook me for the mid 50's, now I look like I am in my late 30's even though I am in my mid 40's. I was having issues with exhaustion for a few weeks. I increased my B12 intake and I feel fine again. I think I will visit the Dr and have bloodwork done next week. I have a friend who has lost too much weight. She had her surgery with another surgeon a month after I did. She is underweight and still losing. She worries me. She's eating right but she is having an absorbtion problem. I saw Dr. K's new website - WOW it looks beautiful. 1/24 I am normal, my weight is now NORMAL. I lost a little more, but it kinda scares me. How much is too much? I am very slender, I have alot (pounds)of excess skin... so am I underweight? Can I stop losing? My size 10 slacks are baggy today. I have never been an 8 in my life. As a kid I jumped from a 6X to a size 14 almost overnight. I have become very active so I guess my calorie intact is not equal to my activity level. For the first time in years I shoveled my walkway and much of the driveway. I wasn't winded and I actually enjoyed it. 1/6/2005 I hope everyone survived the Holidays. I did. I didn't put weight on although I really thought I would. The time between Christmas and New Years kept me in front of food almost constantly. I had to really work to stop mindless eating... the kind where you see something small and pop it in your mouth then eat another one an hour later amd the calories add up. My mom was visiting and like the good Danish/Scots woman she is... she kept wanting to feed all of us. 12/24 Merry Christmas to me. Oddly enough I have lost more weight. I am down to 168lbs. Still a size 10 though. My friend who had her surgery 4 mos after me and lost twice as much is down to an 8. I am not so sure I can get down to that size. I don't think I have evern been an 8. A solid 10 would be nice. I think this might put me close to normal. Happy Holidays to all. 12/01 I am at my 20 month anniversay. 4lbs of the 5lbs is back off. I am still not sure what happened there. I kept my food diary and didn't see anything strange. The holidays are here and I keep telling myself to watch what I eat. I went through thanksgiving with no problem. I ate a little more than usual, but not much. I took a table spoon of everything - except the potatoe. I ate a good 2 oz's of that - it was so good. I finally have a good feeling at the end of the year. For once I have a December where I am not angry at myself. Every year at this time I would be angry with myself because I was fat - obese-morbidly obese and another year would be gone-lost because I couldn't get the weight off. This time last year I was still losing, then I hit goal. My new years resolution can be something other than "lose weight" for the first time in 20 years. 11/18 Ok, if I am eating right why did my scale jump 5lbs in 4 days. I take perscription diuretics due to a medical problem, did I forget one? I almost fell off the scale this morning when I saw the weight back on. I was weighing everyday until 2 weeks ago, then I switched to every 3 days because of vacation and meetings. I am going to keep a food diary this week, starting today, and see if I am unconsciously eating extra calories some how. I have my protein drink in my drawer ready to go to work. I only ate 3oz of sliced turkey for lunch today with 1 tblsp of gravy. I am not hungry. Ok... yes... I am panicking. 11/02 Checking in for my 19th mo. I can't believe it has been that long since my surgery. I had a nice vacation. I got around much better than I could have imagined. The orthopedic problems are still there, but I didn't huff and puff my way around the mountains. I think I am done with weight loss. The only extra weight I seem to have is excess skin which makes me look like a shriveled prune. It's amazing how much skin stretches when you are fat. 10/12 Still doing good. I think I have become lactose or "milk fats" intolerant. I had a cup of regular yogurt 2 days ago, my hubby bought the wrong kind by accident and I didn't check before eating it. After eating it my stomach cramped so bad it was awful. I had another one yesterday, same thing happened... I won't eat anymore. I can eat the low-fat kind. I am retaining fluids again. I forgot to take my diuretics for 2 days. My scale jumped 6lbs. I took my meds last night and lost all 6lbs by noon. This surgery really has changed my life - well, I now have a life, I am not sure I really had one before surgery. 9/18 Today I am 170lbs. I am 1 BMI point from being "normal". I eat 1 carb solution bar for breakfast every morning, take my vitamins and try to watch what I eat although I do admit to cheating now & then. I find that when I cheat,1 cookie or 1 small piece (not the whole bar) of chocolate is enough. I am taking smaller bites instead of inhaling my food so the snack lasts longer. I do not excersize alot because of my arthritis, but I do walk every chance I get even if it is just to go to the mall to window shop. I passed my goal, I just hope my body knows when to stop losing. I can't remember the last time the scale said 170 - perhaps when I was 12 yrs old? As for my PS, I no longer have any black and blue marks. My underarms are looking better although I am still not pleased with the elbow area. I think the PS forgot to liposuction that area. My eyes look good on the top, but the stitch line on the bottom is still visible. There are few tiny cysts left. I struggle with the thought of a tummy tuck. A different PS looked at me for that and said I need a body lift because I am sagging so much. I am not so sure I want to invest in that or a TT as long as I can continue to hide it all with clothing. My hubby says he doesn't mind looking at it all. 8/30 My turn to whine today. My Plastic Surgery day was a mess. The Dr's office forgot to pay the surgi-center. No one told me until I arrived at 7:30am. The Dr's office could not be reached, so they almost canceled my sugery until I paid the surgicenter by CC. The Dr's office then had to pay the center and the center credited my credit card later in the day. Next the surgi center nurse blew the vein in my left hand because she couldn't get the IV in, then she ran the tubes wrong and they had to start all over once I got into the OR. Everyone was rushed because of the problem with the payment which cuased the surgicenter to get behind on their schedule. I still have swelling under my arms. I am not as pleased with them as I should be. I don't feel the PS did the best job he could do either. He seems to have missed spots with the lipo and tucking. The stitching in one arm pit seems raggedy. We'll see after the swelling goes down. My eyes look good but I have a ridge of tiny cysts across my eyelids which are extremely visible even with make-up. It is a side effect in a small % of those who get the eylid surgery, and I fell in that category. YUK!! My recovery was easy and uneventful. Black eyes for 3 days, I could move my arms right away. I didn't tell anyone at work that I had PS during my leave, but because of the line of tiny cysts on my eyelids from the stitching, I had 2 people say separatly - and instantly - "oh I see you had plastic surgery". So much for surprising people by looking just refreshed from a vacation. Argghh. :-) 8/18 Tomorrow is the big day. I go for my arm lift and eyelid surgery. I am also having a pre-cancerous mole removed. I wasn't afraid of my previous surgeries but I am very nervous about this surgery. The journey continues. 8/9 I have plastics scheduled this month; Underarm lift and eyelids. The bat wings and heavy eyes gotta go. I started doin modified sit ups this week. My back doesn't seem to mind. My arthritis is becoming a problem in my hands and knees. It was there before surgery. Because I am so active now, I aggravate the condition. I am still doing well on my new plan for living and eating. I take my vitamins daily. I eat only half of a meal when I go out to eat, the rest goes home for another meal. I have a PCP visit scheduled this week and will get my bloodwork done. I wish I had the RNY surgery 10 years ago, I would have longer to enjoy this thinner life. Silly tid bit of info... I learned from a dept store clothes buyer that size 12 is the most popular size for women in the US. I am still eating protein bars for breakfast which tide me over until afternoon. I prefer Carb Solutions because they have 20 grams of protein. My favorite is the cookies and cream flavor. I dump on some of the other brands. 7/13 I am HERE!!! I am at Goal!!!!! HaPpY DaNcE!!!I am 174 & my goal was 175. The charts want me at 165, but Dr K had my goal at 180. I have been here for 4 days so I think it's here to stay. I went to the plastic surgeon Friday. I am having my underarms and eyes done in August. My eyelids are sagging - not kidding -a comparison of old pics and now prove it. When I was fat my eyes were looking swollen all of the time. He thinks I have about 15lbs of excess skin on my stomach, midrift and upper legs, but I am not prepared to undergo that kind of surgery just yet (too scary). The PS said I have very little fat left on my body and if he removed the excess I would be a size 8 on the bottom. That's even scarier, I don't think I was an 8 at any point in my life. I can still camoflage that part with clothes and it doesn't seem to bother the hubby. Size 10/12 is ok for me. 7/2 Well my last 2lbs seem to be elusive. Several times this past month the scale dropped to 174 and 175, but then returned back to 177. The scale & I seem to be at odds over which direction we want those last 2lbs to go. I am sure I will win, just not sure when. People I haven't seen in a while absolutely do not recognize me. When they see me I have to tell them who I am, it's hilarious. One person who did see me lose the weight was afraid to ask me about my weightloss because he thought I had cancer or something. He was so sweet about it when he finally talked to me. I look healthy now so he decided to tell me about his concerns and let me know how good I look. I bought a size 10 blouse this month and a pair of my 12 slacks are loose... perhaps my weight is re-shifting again. I still don't eat much at one sitting, I don't crave food.I really like the fact I am in control of food, actually I don't think about it at all like I used to. It's all about choices and the surgery gave me the ability to make a choice. My job treats me better, my husband is much more attentive and life is just good. 6/1 Checking in early for my 14th month because I have a reenactment to do this weekend. I am half the size I used to be. I went shopping for clothes over the weekend. It was just as surreal this past weekend as it was 5 months ago - only worse. I am a perfect size 12, I even tried on a size 10 blouse and it fit comfortably. I easily found jeans in my size, I couldn't do that before. They said we probably wouldn't lose weight after 12 months, as you can see I have lost 6 lbs after a long plateau. All I can say to everyone is to hang in there and keep to the program. I am 2lbs to goal. I don't know why some people say their stomach stretches. I still can not eat more than a few ounces at a sitting. Due to my hypoglycemia, I occasionally snack between meals - small amount of cheese, a couple of gummy bears, a slice or 2 of cold cuts. I had hypoglycemia when I was young, so I don't believe it is related to the surgery. 5/27 The scale is still dropping this week - and it's not just fluid this time. For the last 3 days I have weighed in at 177, only 2lbs to goal... will I make it? I hope so. My youngest moved out this week to share an apt with her college friends. My body is sagging everywhere. I look good, but I am saggy. I am feeling older. I feel like I lost something and I don't have food to give me comfort. I am still eating only a few ounces per meal. Occasionally I get cravings for gummy bears. It's strange I know, but after chewing 2 or 3, I don't need more. 5/24 In a matter of 24 hours, I put the 5lbs back on that I lost in Charleston. I take diuretics, even that couldn't keep the water weight gain down. It has been difficult to get out of the 183lb spot. Per my orthopedist, I can not do any organized excersize due to severe knee/ankle damage and arthritis associated with a past accident. As I had hoped, the increased regular day to day activity of summer is causing me to burn calories. Just as I had hoped with increased regular activity, my weight is starting to move downward again. For several days I have been a solid 180. I am still eating small amounts. One crab cake is enough for me. 4/20 Went of vacation last week. It's the first big vacation since the surgery and the first time I didn't do my vacation half in a wheelchair and half with a cane. Not only did I have a good time, but my plateau broke and I lost 5lbs -Huzzah!! 4/7 Went to my PCP for my 1 yr check up. I am doing GREAT!! Down 100lbs, my bloodwork was all "normal", my blood sugar was a little off but it was in the normal range. My cholesterol was low normal and my HDl was only 76. My BP is low normal which is so different from a year ago when I was on BP Meds and still really high. Losing weight has done good things for me. While I do snack occasionally, I go for small things. I realize that it's the taste I am looking for, not to inhale whatever it is. My food portions are still small as well. Half a roll-up sandwich is all I can eat at a sitting. I am looking into plastic surgery for my bat wings. 3/24 I almost fainted yesterday which is a repeat of a similar problem 6 weeks ago. I get very dizzy and lightheaded, kind of spacey feeling. Then my BP gets low, I look pale and break into a cold sweat. My PCP is running a full set of labs, but she is fairly certain I am having a problem with Hypoglycemia. This apparently might explain the sugar cravings as well. I am going back to 2 protein shakes a day for a while instead of one. I still rather have hypoglycemia than diabetes anyday. The Dr scale said 182. 3/22 One year is getting close. I had a glimpse of 179 on Saturday, by Sunday I was back to 182. My goal of 175 is sooo close. I find myself craving sugar from time to time. So far I am dealing with it ok, but I may need to get back into a support group. I am due for lab work, perhaps they'll find something is "off". I am not lactose intolerant, but I dump on milk fats. I have to be very careful about what I eat and whether or not it has any milk products in it. I even have to limit 2% milk. After drinking even 2 oz of it, I have to lay down and go to sleep for 45 min. I still supplement my diet with a protein drink each day (mixed with water). I changed iron tabs to ones from vitalady.com They are softer on the stomach and I no longer have severe stomach pains from the iron. I can't get over how much sag I have, I bet if I lost all the excess skin I would be at goal. Even my legs are wrinkly. 3/8 So the weight finally budged. I have kept those creeping pounds off for a few days so I will count them as gone. I have had the crunchy munchies lately. I want crunchy things probably because I have been under alot of stress - not bad stress, just too busy. After surgery we can't eat the normal crunchy veggies like celery or carrots because we don't digest them very well. I really look good until I look in the mirror after a shower- then I see all of the hanging skin. I said to my husband that my derriere had fallen and can't get up :-). I have a bunch of extra skin at my midrift but I don't have an "apron" from my belly down so I guess that's good. When I walk my under arms jiggle due to the sagging skin. 2/12 Well so much for the century mark. It came & went & I am back to 185 (up 2lbs). I've been in a plateau before. I hate it, but things will move when they are ready. I just think I need to get more excersize, but that won't happen until spring. My arthritis is very bad right now. Hands, ankles and knees are seriously swollen & painful. They are so bad one would think I was having a reaction to a bee sting. This is when I miss ibuprofen. We can't have it because it dissolves in the stomach & causes ulcers over time. On a good note, I am positive about losing once spring comes & I can get out more. I still take a positive stance on my future weight because I am no longer in a wheelchair. I went back on the protein train to see if I can drop my last 10lbs. I bought SF Coconut and SF toasted marshmallow syrups to mix with my vanilla protein. If I mix the coconut with 2 tablespoons of no sugar added pineapple juice I have a pina colada protein shake. :-) I am dumping on fats now, which I didn't before. I dump on anything with a med milk fat or fat solids content. It is causing me to think hard before I take a bite of anything. 1/22 FINALLY!!!! I hit the century mark. I am -100lbs!! Now I am 8lbs to goal. 1/5 I decided to go ahead & enter my weight a few days early. I doubt I will lose more in the next 3 days. Someone asked me to post what I am eating. In the morning I can eat 1 egg scrambled or 2 eggs easy over, 1/4 of a slice of toast and 1-2 slices of bacon. Lunch I have a protein shake or about an ounce of cheese or 1/3rd of a good size hamburger. For dinner I can eat 1/3rd of a large hamburger. I don't snack much, but when I do, I snack on veggies or fruit and occasionally I have a homemade splenda cookie. I can eat 1/2 of a 7-11 taquito at a sitting if I want a snack & I am on the road. I don't feel deprived, I feel like I am in control of the food. Some days I eat more others less. I feel weird looking in stores for size 12/14. I can shop through most of a store - it feels surreal. My gallbladder scan was normal - checking for an ulcer is next. 1/1/04 Wow a New Year and for the first time in 25 yrs my resolution has nothing to do with dieting and hating myself for being fat another year. Tomorrow I find out about my gallbladder ultrasound. The prevacid is working like a charm. I had my hair cut yesterday. My hairdresser ran a brush through my hair and said "your hair is really falling out. She had surgery the same time I did and just came back to work. She lost the same amount of weight. She said that her hair has just recently stopped falling out. I guess mine will too. I hit the store sales yesterday. Hechts had $75 skirts marked down to $12. I actually got into a size 12 skirt. My jeans are a 14. I have never in all of my like put on a size 12 before. The last time I wore a 14, I was 14 yrs old. I guess I will post pics in the next week. 12/29 I saw both surgeons today. Dr. Sabharwal couldn't get over how great I look. Like everyone else (even close co-workers and friends) he didn't recognize me at first. My stomach cramps are back & they are very bad. If I eat I double over in pain for a couple of hours. He is sending me for a gallbladder ultrasound tomorrow. We also scheduled an endoscopy for Jan to see if it is an ulcer instead. I had h.pylori in Nov, but it may have already damaged my stomach. h.Pylori can cause peptic ulcers. I am on prevacid now - without the prevacid I can not eat at all. I am not worried & it doesn't bother me that I might have gallbladder problems or an ulcer. I would still do the surgery again in a heart-beat. While in the waiting room I ran into someone else who had the surgery the same day I did. She has lost 95lbs like me and looks 15 years younger. We compared eating notes & found that we are doing the same & having the same problems with chicken. My scale showed 185 this morning. The Dr's scale showed 186.5 - today I like my scale better :-) 12/25 Merry Christmas to me the scale moved again. I am 188 this morning which is only 3lbs from my Christmas Goal of 185. I told my hubby that once I got down to my goal I wanted a pretty night gown that didn't look like a tent. My hubby bought me a pretty new nightgown for Christmas, it's a large and it fits. I tried on a medium sweater the other day and it fit too. I still need a large on the bottom. I am at "that time" and I am exhausted like last month. I am going to increase my iron intake to see if it helps. I am still amazed at what I look like in only 9.5 mos :-) 12/16 After whining about the hubby's weight I realized that I had forgotten to update things in general. Due to work I have not been able to get into Dr. K's office for updates. Hopefully I will go next month. My weight loss is slow now, but my size has changed alot in the last 30 days. My face looks incredibly thin - almost gaunt. I have color but it is very thin. I think my body looks proportionate. Many people think I look too thin. They are looking at my face not the rest of my body. I am 14 on the bottom (with room to spare everywhere but the waist) and a 16 top. I doubt that my top size will change much more. With the exception of a large pad of skin at my midrif, my ribs are visible when I stand. I am now carrying nearly all of my excess weight in my stomach and hips. I can't believe how happy I am over my new look and healthier life. I can walk which in itself is pretty amazing. People speak to me differently, treat me better, show me more respect - life is just so different. I now wish that I did not hesitate 3 years ago when I first thought about the surgery. 12/15 I am surviving the holidays without any problems. I do not feel deprived at all. I wish my hubby would take a good look at himself. He is MO but does not think his weight is a problem. Since I have lost weight, I have become very conscious of his MO & how much he eats. He eats pretty much non-stop & always has. He breathes heavy even when he sits still & can't sit straight because all of his weight is in his gut. The kids leave the room when he eats because he breathes even heavier when he is eating. Boy do I remeber those days. I keep trying to convince him to get the lap-band because he is not ready for RNY. Hopefully one day he will. I feel great, lots of energy. 12/2 Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I actually fit into an airplane seat. I could get the tray table down & I still had room! On one portion of the flight I learned a lesson about being fat from the thinner perspective. I was sandwiched between my hubby & another guy. Both probably have equal BMI's of 40. I now understand why people complain about being seated next to a fat person. When I was fat I never fully understood why skinny people complained. I thought I was the only one uncomfortable in the seat and that I didn't encroach that much into their space. Well, I learned a hard lesson. Neither guy fit into their seats & they had to pull the seat arm up to get in. Both encroached into my seating space. It was so bad I couldn't sit straight with my arms back. I survived Thanksgiving Dinner. I used a teaspoon to serve myself & I tried just about everything. Even though I didn't pile my food onto the plate, I did not feel "left out" or "wanting". I used a smaller plate so my head would see a full plate. I was in control & I left the table very satisfied & "stuffed". I chose to eat my protien first, then a taste of everything else. Eating this way helped to keep me from eating more than I should. Solid proteins take longer to digest than the side items. My mom & son (college age)were shocked at how thin I look now. I guess I'll have to post before & after pics in the coming month. Breaking my plateau has helped my spirits immensly. My under arms are swinging, but I do not have a stomach "apron". My stomach is however, like the pillsbury dough boy because of the excess skin. At least it isn't hanging. My upper thighs are also squishy and when I lay on my side the excess skin hangs a bit. 11/25 FINALLY!!!! My plateau has broken. In the last 3 days I have lost 8lbs and another size on the bottom. I am 14 on the bottom, 16 on the top. Everything is baggy this morning. 9lbs to the century mark. I only had 1 oz of cheese yesterday and 2 protein shakes. I didn't have time to eat. "Feelings" about weight loss are becoming very complex. On one hand I am happy that my plateau broke, but on the other hand I am wondering if I will be able to control the losses when I reach goal. If I can't control a plateau and when my body will suddenly decide to give up the weight... how do you control when your body needs to stop losing? I am still very glad that food is no longer in control, and I instead control it. I will see my Mom and siter for Thanksgiving. They have not seen me since I was fat. My sister is still working on getting her lap-band surgery approved and scheduled. 11/19 My thyroid scans only showed the same 2 small cysts that were there in June, on my remaining half of my thyroid. Apparently I feel like I am being strangled because the skin around my neck is tightening due to my weight loss. I have neck excersizes now. Missed my surgeon follow up again this month -work is far to busy. Hopefully I can go in mid-December. Hair is still thinning and my scalp is very visible at my part, the top of my head and framing my face. Some days I lose alot, others I lose a little. 11/17 I think I am done losing. It took 4 wks to lose 7lbs. I am now on 10 weeks since the slow down started. I have not lost any weight in the last 6wks. I eat right, eat small portions and get as much excersize as I can physically. I fell yesterday, twisted both ankles and slammed my right knee. Not good for someone who has only been out of a wheelchair full time since late June. I am pretty miserable right now. 25lbs to goal, 20lbs to the century mark. 11/05 HOORAY!! The scale budged 1lb, not much but at least it budged. I am still drinking protein drinks. Some days I can eat more at one sitting than other days. I am however, keeping my volume down and staying away from carbs.I have H.Pylori so Dr. S had to call in a perscription for me. H.Pylori is horrible, the medicine makes everything taste like an aluminum can. When I drink water I feel like someone is punching me in the stomach. 11/03 Went shopping for new suits this past weekend. My husband had trouble staying out of the "womens" dept.. I thought it was funny because I had no problem by-passing that dept. He kept showing me 14W/16W suits he liked and I kept saying - "honey that's not my size anymore". He tried - then he showed me a very slinky trashy nightclub dress and told me that he would like to see me in "That" because it was my new size < 10/29 I am hoping that my plateau has broken. My scale says that I dropped 6lbs in the last 2 days. I am 1lb away from 200. The anticipation consumes my mind. I might actually be under 200lbs one day, some day. 10/21 I am on a plateau from hell. Not a pound or ounce has been lost since 9/18. I must have jinxed myself. I have been on my diet religiously so that's not to blame. I guess I look good though. Guys my husband and I know keep complimenting me on my new found shape in front of my husband (women have stopped saying anything, of course). The hubby acts like a proud rooster because his wife looks good - he also holds onto me tighter now. I feel like I am being slowly choked, so Monday I go for a thyroid scan. Last time this happened it turned out to be several massive tumors on my right thyroid. I had my right thyroid and isthsmus removed 18 mos ago. In June the endocrinologist saw 2 1cm tumors on what was left of my thyroid. I think they have grown bigger and it may have to be removed too. I am on thyroid meds so I don't think that my plateau is related. Hair is still falling out in gobs (a bad thyroid side effect come to think of it) and what's growing back is gray - drats! Thank goodness for hair color. Still getting around very well. I have a descent amount of energy. 9/25 I saw Dr. K yesterday. All of my labs are good but I am in the low norm for B-12 so I am going to take B-12 everyday for a while to give it a boost. I am currently taking Calclium Citrate every day & 2 chewable kids vitamins w/ Iron each day. One on the AM one at night. I also take a ferrous sulfate (Iron) pill, one every other day. I use protein as a supplement only, in case I want a salad for a meal. Dr K says I am on the "fast track" and may actually lose a little more than my goal. My goal was 175lbs, or 80% of my excess weight, even though the recommended AMA weight is 151bs. My hair is still falling out but not as bad as it was the last 2 months. 9/22 I didn't get to go to the Doc on Thurs because of the hurricane, so I will go this Wed. Last Thurs my scale moved - hooray!! I am in a solid size 16R pant - no more Womens's sizes. I had fun over the weekend shopping for tops in the regular size dept. After the hurricane I was cleaning out the tree limbs downed in my front yard. My back was to the street, a young man yelled out of his car window "Hey Angel" - he thought I was my daughter Angel. He was embarrased and said "Wow Mrs. B you are really getting thin". It made me feel good. Everyone says that they can not recognize me from behind anymore. 9/15 I am in a bad plateau this time. My regular weight loss week ("4th week"), has come and my weight is not really budging. 4 weeks and I am only down about -2lbs. I am dreading my Doc visit on Thurs because I hate going in with such a miserable weight loss. I am pretty good about sticking to my diet so this is a bummer. I got excersize the last 4 weeks, but my body is up to it's old tricks I guess. I saw alot of friends this weekend in Cape May. Everyone was shocked that I was looking so much thinner. They all knew about the surgery, and many saw me in early August, but they still could not get over how good I am looking. A friend who was at Cape May had the surgery 19 mos ago. He is my inspiration to keep persevering. He was 550lbs when he had the surgery and has lost 230lbs. He has had 1 hernia repair/tummy tuck and they removed 30lbs of skin from his gut. Amazing. His wife has the surgery Tuesday she has to lose about 145lbs. 9/8 To color or not to color that is the question... It's funny how only my golden brown hair falls out, but the gray strands stay there. My weight is still not budging, my size is not budging, I hate my 3 week plateaus. I did get alot of gardening in this weekend. This is something I have not been able to do for 4 years. I guess my eating problem was temporary, I am not having anymore problems, everything is going dowm fine now. 9/1 Well after hounding AMOS about the disappearance of Dr. K's patient forum, I was glad to get thier email to tell me that it was back up & on a new AMOS server. Now I can keep up with my peers progress. My hair is still coming out in gobs. It has really gotten bad. It's especially bad the first few hours after I wash it. I can see my scalp now. It's very limp. I am on the second week of my usual "mid cycle" plateau. I am still so glad I did this, I can always buy a wig I guess. I notice that I am not eating very much, although I do get in my required proetin with shakes. I sometimes wonder if I have a stricture, I vomited twice over the weekend about 30 minutes after eating a very small amount, less than an ounce. No food came up, just fluid and gooey flem. Before I vomited I felt like I had a baseball stuck in my chest. If I get a chicken nuggest at McDonalds while on the road, I peel off the fried part and I can only eat 1 or 2 pieces in tiny bites. Then I feel full and uncomfortable. That's not even 1 oz of chicken. 8/21 I wonder if the Dr's ever get tired of hearing me say how thankful I am that they helped to give me a new life. My weight budged a few days before my Dr visit like usual :-) Can you guess? I went for my visit today. I am down 69lbs Huzzah! Dr Sabharwal said that one cortisone shot in my back shouldn't mess with my weight too much - thank goodness. He said my hair will grow back, we cracked some hair jokes and silly comments like, if so much hair comes out when I brush my hair... don't brush. I am still not having "hungry" days like others have mentioned on AMOS. I do get the "taste" for a particular item. Once I eat a few pieces of that item, I am satisfied. My lower back & hip are still burning - I hope they get the appointment soon for the shot :-) I am having AMOS withdrawal. Dr. K's patient forum has not been working for a couple of weeks, at least I can't get to it. The AMOS people say it's due to server problems. I like reading everyone's updates, to me it is an on-line Dr. K support group. What's a girl to do. Not having the support page is like taking the phone away from my daughters. 8/15 I had a fun-filled week at Gettysburg last week. I walked over 5 miles a day. My hair is coming out heavily now - I am shedding worse than the dog. Everything is covered with hair, I just had to clean a handfull of it off the chair at the office. After every brushing, my hairbrush is full of hair. I lost a few more inches I am now down 6" in my bust and 7" in my waist. I look good. I put on 8lbs which made no sense (I eat correctly), but like usual everything started coming off overnight. I made it back to 228 then this morning I weighed in at 221 - I hate edema. I am hoping to be at 218 by my Dr visit next week. I found out I have a disc compression on my lower spine which is causing sciatica. I need to have a cortisone shot in my spine. On the good side my back won't hurt afterward because it will reduce the swelling around the nerve, on the bad side the cortisone makes you swell for a couple of months - just what I need - more "water" weight - yuk! 8/4 My beautiful thick golden brown hair is falling out in gobs this morning & I put on 6 lbs. I am sure the 6lbs is edema related, but my mental state is not helped by my hair falling out. I have done everything right so it just goes to show that if it is going to fall out, it will. Through all of my past surgeries, I have never had the hair loss happen, so it is not anestehsia related like some people think. I hope my hair returns as golden brown and not gray. The hairloss is expected, but depressing never the less. Well I am off to a fun filled week of camping at the 140th Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary Reenacment. :-( 7/30 I lost 3 lbs in 2 days so I am officially at -60lbs, never the less I am "blue". Maybe inside I feel it should be more, or that I haven't lost enough yet. I definitely look great so I don't know where the blues are coming from. My hip & lower back are killing me-perhaps that's the problem. I am back to using the cane & I am limping again. I can't figure out why they are bugging me after a 60lb loss. 7/24 Surgeon visit today :-) 3 month calendar check up, 4 mos if I count a month at every 4 weeks. I am down 57lbs. Feeling good & I am on my usual 3 week plateau. My body needs to "catch up" every now & then. Got into a size 16W slacks today &I am in an 18W blue jean. Hmmm maybe I will see a 14 again. I only saw that size once, for a brief moment in time when I was 14 years old!! I can't wait to fly again, I might actually fit in a seat. Dr. S said I am doing good. I find myself looking for reasons to walk now, I want to walk everywhere. My husband & kids (some still living at home) are eating better. We have no junk in the house and everyone is putting less on their plates. This is a good thing. I feel like I have a new life. 7/15 My Cardiologist had me increase my potassium intake. I am fine today! He thinks that is my problem. If I have no more problems, I will know he is correct. If not, then I am to make an appt. 7/14 More weight off over the weekend. In 5 days I have lost 8lbs. I guess my plateau cycle has been broken! I feel much more encouraged. I hope this keeps up the rest of the week. I wonder if the fact that I cut oatmeal out of my diet helped. I had about 2oz once every 3 days for regularity. My avg calorie intake is between 450-550. My heart has been pounding & skipping the last 3 days. I had this problem last Sept. I may have to see the Cardiologist again. I didn't have the problem for 10 mos - but it is back. My lower back & right hip are giving me alot of grief as well. I must be walking too much. I may breakdown & take an Ibuprofen. Somehow I doubt that I will be smaller than an 18 in the next 2 months, even if I lose 15-20 more lbs. My top size is shrinking with more to go, but my hips do not seem to be budging right now. Most size 18W slacks give me a baggy butt, others look just right. Oddly enough my jeans are still a size 20W. 7/11 The scale finally budged 2 days in a row. A group of us on the AMOS website decided to go back to straight protein (shakes, meat, tuna etc) and see if that would break our plateau's - it worked!! Thank goodness. I would hate going to the doctor in 9 days with no weight loss. I had 2 shakes a day, and protein only for dinner. 7/7 For the last 2 years, my vacations have been spent in a wheelchair. This year -HOORAY- I walked all over the place. No wheelchair for me. I did have to use my cane one afternoon, I guess I over did it. It is nice to be able to walk and climb stairs again. My weight is plateauing once more, I never thought I would look forward to my monthly. 6/25 I lost several pounds this week, literally overnight. I am down to 238. I always lose at "that time" each month. Today, I went for my 3 mo appt. Dr Sabharwal was not pleased with my 90 day weight loss of only 45lbs. He was looking for 10-15lbs more. Dr. Kaniewski seemed ok with it, I ran into her in the hall and we talked for a minute. Dr Sabharwal thinks I may be retaining water 3 weeks each month even though I am taking a daily diuretic - I agree. I am drinking enough & according to my computerized calorie chart I am eating the correct number of calories and protein. My weight loss is lb for lb in-line with the AMOS 70% weight loss chart. I have lost 4" off my waist and 3" off of my bust (which is mostly back-fat). As I have learned from this website, everyone loses at a different rate. I am not too worried. For the most part I am doing everything right. I learned that I should not eat a sauce with a protien because it acts like water and flushes it out of the stomach too fast. I tried a saucy dish for the first time last night and I won't do that again. I am still eating 1 meal a day because I am not hungry. Meal #1&2 (lunch) is still a protein shake. I found a new strawberry shake that tastes just like strawberry milk - YUM. 6/19 I finally made it - 40lbs gone as of today, 11 weeks after surgery. It took 3 weeks to lose 3 lbs. This is soooo slow compared to others and drives me nuts. I feel more energized now that the BP meds are out of my diet. I am walking 1 mile a day on a treadmill. My arthritis is bothering me. The orthopedist said that I haven't lost enough weight yet to put so much stress on my legs. When I eat one bite of food, tuna fish, cottage cheese - anything, I am uncomfortable, so I am relying on protein shakes. It's the first 2 bites which make me feel very uncomfortable, like my stomach is having to "wake up". My stomach foams 50% of the time which is weird. After I wait 15 minutes I can take a few more bites. I eat only one meal a day. To tell the truth, I really don't get hungry. I like the control I have over food. 6/05 I went for my 8 week post op appt yesterday (ok, it's a week late). Met with Dr. Sabharwal and the office visit was good. I am down 37lbs in 8 weeks. My BP in the afternoon is low so the Dr. has had me stop my blood pressure med Micardis as of today. Once the edema issue is gone (in a few more pounds), that pill will go away too. My pants are baggy again, I still don't eat much. I'm not hungry. The majority of my protien each day is liquid. 5/29 I have realized that my weight loss is not steady. I go through plateaus (long one's) then I have sudden drops. In 24 hours I lost 4 solid pounds. I take duretics so I know it wasn't water. I missed my goal for yesterday which was to reach 243 at my 8 wk anniversary, but the 4lbs loss overnight makes up for it. This means I was only 3lbs off my target and I can live with that. I can't remember the last time my weight was in the 240's. I qm haveing a hard time realizing that I am in the 240's. I measured myself yesterday and I am smaller by 3"-4" depending on where I measure. Although this daily rain is getting me down in general, I do feel better about myself. Ohhhhh for just a little sunshine! 5/23 - Finally I am down 30lbs, my 2 month goal is 7 lbs away hopefully I will lose it by Wed. I've lost more inches. I tried to find something to wear to a business lunch today. I had to try on several jackets in my closet before I could find something I didn't swim in. I now have an additional pile of business clothes to donate to the domestic violence center. They help women get into the work force and most of them need business clothes to get started. I think my bottom has caught up with my top. I am in an 18W down from a 24W. My scale isn't broken, I am just losing inches much faster than weight. I had fun at the lunch today. I was served a salad, I had 2 tiny bites & asked the waiter to pack the rest, then lunch was served, I had 4 small bites and asked the waiter to pack the rest, he smiled and shook his head. Then the waiter arrived with dessert - a tiny drop (literally less than a teaspoon full) on the plate and he already packed up the rest of the dessert-it was hilarious. Everyone at the table was laughing. When I talked to my daughter today, she asked what "we" ordered for lunch. She knows that she will get the majority of the my leftovers for dinner! A very fun day indeed. 5/19 I am stuck again. In 14 days I lost 4lbs, however, I have not lost anything in the last 9 of those 14 days. So it is 27lbs in 7 weeks. I do everything I am supposed to, but the body doesn't want to let go. I had my first business lunch today with someone who has no idea I had RNY. I ordered correctly, told the server "no rice". I had a whole boneless chicken breast with a creamy mushroom sauce and a veggie. 4 tiny bites of chicken and I had to explain I was full. It was funny. I guess as I move along in this diet, my refridgerator will be a fun place for my kids to find good restaurant leftovers! 5/13 Dr. Sabharwal told me that my insurance billing left his office in yesterday's mail -hooray! Today I am down 27lbs in 6 weeks. This seems to be slow compared to so many others, but I am hoping that the slower weight loss will mean that my skin will sag less when the weight is gone. I drink protein in the morning and at lunch and I eat in the evening. In the day time I am just not hungry. I no longer have stress incontinence which is great. I am still having issues sleeping through the night. I ask myself - Why did I wait so long to do this? 5/10 My body is showing what my scale isn't. I went from a size 24 to a size 20 in 5 wks. I am once again cleaning out my closet today. My scale shows another 4lb drop. I always have my water bottle with me. I can eat a whole small can of soup at mealtime, but if it is pureed food, I can only eat about 2 tblspns - but who cares! 2 tablespoons makes me feel very full. Lap Assoc hasn't billed my insurance co after 5 weeks, so I am out $10,000 until they get it done. I hope they meet the insurers billing deadline. Dr. Sabharwal does the billing so hopefully I can catch up with him Monday for an update - they really need more help in the office. Everyone is very very nice, but they are hit and miss on meeting their own promised deadlines. I was initially told that my ins co would be billed 2 weeks ago. My scars are gone :-) 5/5 Went to the Doc today for my 4wk post op visit. Her scale said I was down 21 lbs which sounds good to me. I am walking better. Everyone at work keeps asking me if I did something with my hair, they say I look younger. I went to a reenactment over the weekend and survived the food barage. Everyone in my reenactment unit knows about my surgery, so it was easy for them to understand why I wasn't eating much. It was great to feel "in control" of my appetite. I am still drinking protein. Dr. K gave me a new one to try because we agree that the tiredness after 2pm may be dumping. Hopefully the new one works better and I won't dump. I realized today that not many people state their height in their profiles. Giving a height helps when trying to get a perspective of where someone started. A 5'10" person who is 300lbs is far different from someone who is 5'5" at 300lbs. I started at 5'8", 283lbs. 5/2 I haven't updated in a while. My grandmother passed away and I was out of town. I am finally at 260lbs. If my scale is correct I lost 22lbs in 4 weeks. My clothes still fit the same but I know this will not last. Hopefully they will start to get looser this month. My mother in law had the surgery on Wed and had heart problems afterward. She is still in the hospital. She is much heavier than I am. I am dumping on protein but still taking it. I will see the Dr. Monday to see what I can do about it. I have tried 3 brands of protein and I dump on all of them. 4/22 I felt much better yesterday and again today. I guess I was having a day of "post-op depression". Other people have mentioned the depression or sense of loss on the message boards. Quite a few people wrote back to me about my posting on the message board Sunday, and I heeded their advise. I increased my calories a little and tried some of the pureed food options they gave me. Last nightI felt satisfied (taste) after dinner and I ate very little. My weight is back down. I must have been retaining water even though I didn't see any visible signs of it. I took my BP pill which includes a diuretic and couldn't stay out of the bathroom. I noticed that my slacks are baggy this morning, I hope the new ones I ordered come in soon. I am much more positive. 4/20 Well, the 2 lb weight loss was a phantom loss. I have actually put weight back on. How does that happen? This is depressing. I had the surgery and now I am not losing and I am gaining back what little I have lost. I even walked 2 miles yesterday, I am eating less than 400 calories a day, almost all of it as protien drinks because I am still not very hungry - and I put weight on. This stinks. About now I am having a hard time accepting that the weight will ever come off. 4/17 Hooray!! Down 2 more lbs for a total of 15 lbs in 15 days. I am now 268lbs. I haven't seen the 260's in over a year. I am feeling better today. Someone told me that I looked like I lost weight which made me feel positive. I have a little more engery today. I noticed that after my protien drink, I become incredibly sluggish. Today I drank it over a 4 hour period. I also added 1 8oz cup of low sodium v-8 with potassium to my diet and I am not as tired today. I think my mom was right, I was low on potassium and my blood pressure was reacting to that. The V-8 does not bother my stomach at all, I just take small sips. 4/16 I lost another 3 lbs, so I am down 13lbs in 2 weeks. I am having some problems I didn't expect. I am exhausted after 2pm everyday yet I can't sleep if I leave work early and try to take a nap. I am weak (not tired) in the morning and in the evening. I am getting enough protein and liquid, but I have no energy. I was always "hyperactive" so I am struggling the with the thought of weakness. I was afraid I would faint in the shower this morning. Guess I'll make the call to the Dr. perhaps it is already time to reduce my blood pressure meds. I am still glad I had the surgery. 4/13 I am officially down 10lbs. Again, it is slower than some, but I can deal with it. I had a nasty vasovagal attack yesterday, which I do not believe was associated with the surgery. I had one about 18 mos ago. It's scary, but I made it through. Hopefully they don't happen more frequently, I would be afraid to leave the house. I am still having all my protein plus a soup, I still can't each much and frankly don't feel like eating much. I have to remember to eat. Drinking liquids is easy, I am always thirsty. I got into my jeans today without sucking in my stomach first. I was determined not to buy new jeans when the one's I have on started getting tighter. 4/11 I felt funny all morning. I guess I didn't have enough fluids yesterday. I will use a cup with a measure on it again for a few days. Now that I have discovered cream of shrimp soup I am happier. Tonight it will be strained cream of broccoli and cheese soup. I add no flavor protein to my soups. The soups need extra straining though due to the "bits". My finger nails are growing like crazy and my acne is clearing up a little. Perhaps it is due to the protein and vitamins. 4/10 The gastric tube was removed yesterday. The only part that hurt was when Dr. S. cleaned the outside area with alcohol. Pulling it out just felt like someone very tiny was running on my tummy. Once the tube was removed, all of the pressure under my diaphram was gone. I am back to work today, just 1 week after surgery. I actually felt so good after the tube was removed, that if the tube was out sooner, I probably would have been back to work sooner. What can I say, I like my work. I drive a stick shift car and had no problems with the drive from Baltimore to DC. It's exciting. Yesterday I was down 7.5lbs, today it is a solid 8lbs. Not as fast as some, but it is 8lbs less than I had before. I am drinking plenty of fluids and still working hard to get the protein down. Yesterday I thought I would never finish it. I am just not hungry. 4/7 I am always full. I'm having trouble getting all of the protein drink in on top of the hydrating liquids, forget the creamy soups - just too much. I sleep elevated so I can sleep on my side. Wed is my appt. hopefully the JP tube comes out. TV has too many food commercials, we are a society obsessed with food. Can't wait to go back to work and being very active. I am "hungry" for taste. My family is trying hard not to eat around me. I am not hungry to swallow tummy is way too full), just looking for the taste if that makes sense. Dr. K told me that I may not lose weight as fast as some have because of my edema. I know that my scale has not really budged, so that must be the reason. 4/6 I'm back! I was (4/2) out of surgery at 6, and met back in my room by my husband, mom and Nancy Rankin a future Dr K WLS patient (and my Angel). Having had 2 c-sections, I know the pain is gas, but this hurts like giving birth. It starts to pass about 3 days out, but until then-OOOO. I had a bad 1st night due to the patient next to me. She was horrible. She fought with the nurses, screamed every hour, picked up the phone to listen in on my 3 brief calls, I almost think she was in the wrong ward. My white blood count was very high on the 2nd day. Dr. K had a long talk with me & my mom (an RN). Dr. K said I could stay another day so they could wath the blood count. We all felt that going home was best because I didn't have a fever and they didn't have an alternative room for me. Th patient next to me was so bad, I really needed to go home. It was a good choice. The hospital, surgical team and staff were wonderful. I have had alot of surgeries and hospitilizations over the years and this is the best experience I have ever had. I started creamy liquids today. I mixed my protein powder w/ sugar free pudding. It's tasty. I have been drinking lots of liquids in small amounts. I am just taking liquid extra strength tylenol for pain. I was given an "agreed upon" morphine drug at 20mg - it was too much so I went to 10mg, it still gave me migraines so I went off it yesterday and switched to Extra Strength Liquid Tylenol. Frankly the only real pain is the horrible gas in my intestines. Chewable GasX is helping. I have had a good 4 day start. 4/1 Well it is the day before surgery. I am so excited I really have no desire to eat which is good because I am on clear liquids only. The Phos Pho pre-surgery laxative is D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G & that's a compliment. I had trouble finishing all 3oz because it didn't want to stay down. It tastes like liquid salt. It comes in flavors but trust me - you need a fruity crystal light chaser and a Sugar Free ice pop as a reward for finishing it (ok, it's really to make the yukky taste go away)!! The hospital called, we will only have to pay a max of $300 - can you imagine? The insurance covers the rest because it is pre-approved & the hosp is part of the plan. I found out that because Dr. K is not in my plan, I have to pay their fee of $10,000 up front and then the insurance company pays me after the Doctors bill them. Short notice cause my surgery is tomorrow. I guess I won't know the anesthestiologist amount until after the surgery. Having had surgery before, I know that will run me around $250.00 Amazing!!! I might actually walk away paying less than $4,000 for everything. Hallelujah!! I will save that on my grocery savings for the year. My Guardian Angel must be working OT for me. About this time tomorrow I will be on the "light side". 3/31 At work, once a month, we have a birthday cake to celebrate the birthdays for that month. I forgot that today is birthday cake day. While eating my (last) piece of cake, I thought - I am celebrating my last fat birthday in exchange for a new "birthday" which is 48 hrs away. I am not sure if that makes sense to anyone else other than me. 3/30 It's snowing hard outside, this after several days of nice spring weather. Reviewed the Dr's schedule of vitamins and post-op foods. Checked to see that I have everything. I cleaned out the rest of my -fat- summer & winter clothes & off they went to the Salvation Army. I only kept what I really need. I am not sure if my husband is driving me nuts or I am just touchy because the day is getting closer. I used to love cleaning the house. I hate it now because I am so fat I can't bend over without losing my breath - in a few weeks, I won't lose my breath anymore :-)3 days to the other side, 2 weeks to a lighter me, and it's all downhill from there - the weight anyway :-) I will be able to walk up a hill again some day. 3/29 Tomorrow is my last full day of eating. My last spicey meal for a while will be curried chicken. Monday I may eat normal until dinner, then I start on clear liquids. I am going to buy a giant size bathrobe. I don't own one and the hospital gowns are only XL according to the nice pre-admissions nurse. Since I have to walk the halls right away, I want my behind < 3/28 HOORRAAY!!! On my first attempt I was approved by Alliance PPO. My insurers nurse case manager told me that the letter I wrote, which went with my initial paperwork & indicated co-morbities, diet attempts and how my obesity has impacted my life, went a long way in making such a fast decision. 3/27 Things are moving along now. Yesterday, my husband called my surgeon's office because we feel that they have not been managing my case very well. Promises have been made and not kept and some important pre-op things forgotten. He spoke with William & Dr. Sabharwal. I learned from my hubby that I am scheduled for 2pm on April 2, When I called they said I had no date. The hospital called today & completed pre-admission. They want me to arrive at 12:30pm. I am to bring a robe & personal care items. Tomorrow I hear from my insurer. Wm was pleasant with me on the phone when I called late yesterday. I learned that the only reason Dr. S looked at my record yesterday was because my husband called. Until my husband called, Dr. S. hadn't seen the letter I faxed to them Monday regarding my medication issue. Arrgghh. After reading my file, Dr. S agreed that he (not me) "forgot" to schedule an endoscopy he wanted. He had 5 wks to schedule it. Too late now, he agrees. Dr. S still insisted that I take morphine pain killers at home, even though I explained that I have tried them and have serious side effects. He said that my past Anesthesiologists and Dr's never gave me the right dosages. I don't buy that :-) I will discuss it with Dr. Kaniewski at surgery time, since she is doing the surgery. I like her & have a great deal of confidence in her. Based on other patient postings for this group, and my own experience, I would recommend being prepared to closely manage your "case" with Lap Assoc. I understand that Dr. K is worth all of this extra work. My mom is in the medical field and will be with me. She will act as my advocate with the Dr's, nurses and hospital on surgery day. 6 days to the brighter and lighter side of life. 3/25/2003 Today is better. The ins co called me promptly at 10am to say that they finally got the paperwork from the surgeons office. They assured me that the medical reviewer will see it Thurs. and I will have an answer by Fri AM. I am ready with my appeal letter if it is denied. My weight went from "high" obese to morbidly obese after my wheelchair tenure which lasted a long time. While the wheelchair is gone, my weig |
Waiting for Approval
Send Message
Member Card
Block Member
Health Tracker 
Comment by
© 2013 ObesityHelp, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
