I had my plastic surgery consult this past week. I had him look at all the sags – figured if I was going to embarrassed, might as well do it all at once. We are seeking insurance approval for the lower body lift since I sag all the way around. Inner thighs and arms will be future projects if I decide to do them. Doctor said breast lift would never be covered by insurance, so I will have to decide if it’s worth it. Since I have been obese my whole life, I have never been “perky”. It means less to me than to someone who has just begun to sag…

I finished my six trainer visits and I actually look forward to going to work out now. Who would have thunk it! I am going to continue with the trainer as long as I can afford it. He made me a special offer that is about ½ what I paid the first time. The trainer pushes me harder than I push myself (CAN YOU SAY SWEAT) and makes constant adjustments to the routine to keep it interesting. The distraction of talking with him also makes the time go quickly.

I had another fainting spell this morning. I got up to go to bathroom around 4am and felt dizzy. I reached for the doorknob to steady myself but evidently never got to it. I found myself on the floor, having hit the back of my neck and left side on the edge of an old microwave table that serves as my TV stand. I’m pretty sore and I expect the bruises will by quite colorful by tomorrow. I guess I will discontinue my water pills since my PCP thought that was contributing to my low blood pressure. I’ll deal with the ankle swelling when it comes – I don’t want to risk falling again and doing some serious damage to myself. Maybe it won’t be too bad now that summer is over.

10/30/04

Ten months ago today I had my first consult with my WLS surgeon. I had only been considering WLS since the beginning of that month. What a difference a year makes! At that consult I weighed 331.6 and was wearing size 32W dresses, 34W pants, and men’s 4x sweatshirts. Now, one year later, I wear anywhere from 16W to 18W, depending on the waist, and this week I bought a men’s Medium polo shirt! (I could be wearing a smaller size if I could get rid of the roll of skin around my middle.)

I have gone from exercising 2 or 3 times PER YEAR to using a personal trainer and working out 2-3 times per week. I have to work hard now to get my heart rate to the target zone. I can do several flights of stairs without needing CPR and can even hold a conversation while doing so.

Medically, I am on 3 prescription drugs now as opposed to 10 on the day of surgery. (Two of the remaining RXs have nothing to do with my weight and I will never be able to lose them.) My diabetes is well controlled and I am at the point of needing to wean off my one diabetes med. I have gotten rid of one (of 2) diuretics, Prilosec, Wellbutrin, potassium, Lipitor, one (of 2) diabetes pills, and insulin.

Someone at work told me this week that my personality/attitude had changed a lot this year too. I don’t think I agree with that, although I’m sure I’m a bit more outgoing now. I think the surgery just coincided with my recovery from the depression related to my husband’s death. She met me during the high point of the depression, so I’m sure I appear to be a different person now.

I heard from the plastic surgeon’s office this week. The insurance co. wanted some documentation of “functional disability” related to my excess skin. I wrote a 1.5 page essay and faxed it over yesterday. Hopefully it’s what they are looking for. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I have not experienced the severe rashes that some have. I guess if it isn’t approved, I’ll have to wait a while to have the procedure. I do believe I will go forward with the LBL either way. The other procedures are TBD.

Best of all - as of today's weigh-in at 190, I am NO LONGER OBESE!!! I am merely overweight with a BMI of 29.8.