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Darsi's Journey

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Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
When I was SMO, I felt I had no control. I didn't have "Only" 10 or 20 pounds to lose I had almost 200 lbs. to lose. It was a very sad way for me to live, because I felt there was no way out. I would cry all the time, I felt I was trapped. I didn't want to go to social events with my husband because I felt bad for him, so either I'd send him alone, or neither one of us would go and we would just make up an excuse why we couldn't make it. You can't really say "sorry I can't make it, because I'm so ashamed of myself that I wouldn't be comfortable, but thanks for asking."
Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by Linda_S on 9/21/08 12:39 am
    Hey Doris - I've been so busy dealing with my own pain lately, I didn't realize you were having fusion surgery. I pray all went well and that you will heal quickly. I have found a surgeon who is willing to help me out. I'm looking at a three-level fusion, which is generally not recommended, but he says he thinks it will stabilize my spine and be the best bet for me. Let me know when you get home. You're in my prayers darlin'. Linda
  • Comment by Eggface on 9/20/08 11:55 am
    Hey Doris, Speedy healing wishes and prayers being sent your way!!! ~Michelle
  • Comment by Sarahlicious on 9/20/08 7:42 am
    Darsi, glad things went well with surgery. Hope your up and going again soon!
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Darsi's Blog
Darsi's Blog


jiminey says GOOD BYE 2007!
on December 30, 2007 7:14 pm
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THE BUS!
on December 6, 2007 5:28 pm
driver-shortage.gif picture by profileholy
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Just for Fun
on November 4, 2007 11:41 am
I copied this from "Eggface"...

 1 pound = a Guinea Pig
 1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts
 2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs
3 pounds = an average human brain
 4 pounds = an ostrich egg
 5 pounds = a Chihuahua
 6 pounds = a human's skin
 7.5 pounds = an average newborn
 8 pounds = a human head
 10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year
11 pounds = an average housecat
 12 pounds = a Bald Eagle
 15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs
 16 pounds = a sperm whale's brain
 20 pounds = an automobile tire
 23 pounds = amount of pizza an average American eats in a year
 24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream
 30 pounds = amount of cheese an average American eats in a year
 33 pounds = a cinder block
 36 pounds = a mid-size microwave
 40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of water or an average human leg
 44 pounds = an elephant's heart
 50 pounds = a small bale of hay
 55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner
60 pounds = an elephant's penis (yep, weights more than his heart!)
 66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year
 70 pounds = an Irish Setter
77 pounds = a gold brick
 80 pounds = the World's Largest Ball of Tape
  90 pounds = a newborn calf
 100 pounds = a 2 month old horse
 111 pounds = red meat an average American eats in a year
 117 pounds = an average fashion model (and she's 5'11")
 118 pounds = the complete Encyclopedia Britannica
 120 pounds = amount of trash you throw away in a month
 130 pounds = a newborn giraffe
 138 pounds = potatoes an average American eats in a year
 140 pounds = refined sugar an average American eats in a year
 144 pounds = an average adult woman (and she's 5'4")
 150 pounds = the complete Oxford English Dictionary
 187 pounds = an average adult man
 200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds
 235 pounds = Arnold Schwarzenegger
 300 pounds = an average football lineman
 400 pounds = a Welsh pony
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Hot Crab Meat Dip
on October 15, 2007 3:34 pm
This was my Mother-in-laws, she was the best

Crab meat Dip (if it’s for a party I usually triple the recipe)

 

1 package of reduced fat cream cheese

1 - 6 oz. can of crab meat (spend about $3 – some are really expensive)

¼ Cup slivered almonds

2 Tablespoons of finely grated onion (I grate mine over the bowl I’m mixing in)

Bring cream cheese to room temperature (if short on time, microwave 30 sec. or so) drain crab meat and add to cream cheese stir good add onion and continue to stir,  add the slivered almonds and stir. Put in an oven safe bowl and bake at 350° for 20 minutes.

Serving size ¼ Cup

Calories – 116

Fat – 9.25 grams

Carbs – 2.25 grams

Protein – 3 grams

ENJOY!

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Recipes...
on October 14, 2007 8:22 pm

Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

 

1 ¾ Cup of Pumpkin (which is ½ of a large can of pumpkin) (not pumpkin pie mix)

¾ Cup Splenda Granular

2 eggs

1 can of evaporated milk

1 ½ teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice

18 snackwell sugar free sugar cookies

 

In a bowl Mix with a Wisk pumpkin, splenda and spice together, add eggs and evaporated milk and Wisk.  In cupcake pans put paper liners add 1 snackwell cookie to the bottom of each paper and fill with pumpkin mixture (about ½ inch from top) and bake at 375° for approx. 25 min. or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Serving size 1

Calories - 93.5

Fat – 3.5 grams

Carbs - 12.77 grams

Protein – 2 ½ grams

ENJOY!

Pumpkin Fluff

 

1 ¾ Cup of Pumpkin which is ½ of a large can of pumpkin) (not pumpkin pie mix)

¾ Cup Splenda Granular

1 ½ teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice

1 small container of whipped topping

Mix together with a spatula now add 1 small container of whipped topping.

Serving size ¼ Cup

Calories – 65

Fat – 3.75 grams

Carbs - 8.5 grams

Protein - .5 gram

ENJOY!

 

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My Story

Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
When I was SMO, I felt I had no control. I didn't have "Only" 10 or 20 pounds to lose I had almost 200 lbs. to lose. It was a very sad way for me to live, because I felt there was no way out. I would cry all the time, I felt I was trapped. I didn't want to go to social events with my husband because I felt bad for him, so either I'd send him alone, or neither one of us would go and we would just make up an excuse why we couldn't make it. You can't really say "sorry I can't make it, because I'm so ashamed of myself that I wouldn't be comfortable, but thanks for asking."

What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?
I felt bad for my kids. I wasn't able to be active with them and I was afraid of causing embarrasment for them when they needed me at school and stuff. Because if it hurts your kids, it just kills you.

How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?
I heard about it thru a friend who had her stomach "stapled" many years ago, she wasn't able to change her habits and gained all her weight back. My first impression of that was I would never go thru anything like that, too dangerous, to scary. I was very uninformed about it. But as I gained and I reach 300 lbs and then 310, 320, 330... I knew I had to find any and all options, before I died from Obesity. I couldn't do it on my own.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?
I went to my Surgeon, and was told by his office that in order to get insurance approval, I had to have a psyc & nut eval. and I had to go on a 6 month doctor supervised diet and exercise program. The surgeon also said that I needed to lose 30 lbs. before he would do Lap-RNY I did what I was told, I was able to because I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. They Submitted all the paperwork, there was a question as to "if" it was a covered benefit. Thankfully it was and I got approval just days before my surgery date.

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?
My appointment with Dr. Bertha went smooth, he was Very Upfront about everything. He said I was carrying my weight in my middle and I needed to lose 30 lbs. so he could do the surgery Laproscopicly. I also needed to quit smoking or the surgery would Not happen. He told me all the possibilities, good, bad and indifferent, he laid it all out on the table. I think you need to go there informed about the procedure and ask questions about the doctors rate of complications and I think you really need to listen to everything that the doctor has to say. Talk to other patients that the doctor has, and make sure this it the doctor for you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?
I developed, High Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea, Depression, and I felt my next step was Diabetes, or worse. I needed to get healthy and I needed help!
 
How did you decide which procedure to have?

I researched all the different options, read books, searched the internet, and Felt that RNY was the "tool" I needed to be successful.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?
I had FEARS, but I knew that this was going to save my life and give me many more years, healthy years, to enjoy my life. I knew that sooner or later I would die due to complications from being super morbidly obese, and damn It I was not giving up without a fight. My advise would be to make sure that you have a doctor that you trust and that your comfortable with his success rate, and complication rate.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?
My Family and Friends have been very supportive thru everything, It so important to have a great support system.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?
My supervisor didn't really say much one way or the other. I was out of work for a month.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?
My stay in the hospital was uneventful, I was there 2 nights. The most important thing is 2 piece pj's and slippers.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?
No, thank God.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?
I was excited, scared, anxious, worried, happy, nervous... I joined OH and another support group on line and asked questions lots and lots of questions. Hearing your answers from people who have gone through what you are about to really helps

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?
The first week is hard, it was for me, emotionally. Then things start to get better with each passing day. Just try and make sure you drink water and walk, and don't beat yourself up over the small things.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)
About 30 minutes

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?
In the first week, I walked everyday, first about 200 feet. then 1/2 a block, then a block, then around the block, then 1/2 mile and I'm up to 1 mile so far.

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?
Multi vitamin & B-12, and Calcuim.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?
Not bad at all, it's basicly what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.
Plateaus rot!!! It is to be expected though. Don't weigh everyday, that's what I did and it drove me nuts!!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?
No not really. I think I have a more positive attitude and I'm happier. In turn that makes other people happier.

What things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?
Walking, and not getting out of breath