I have been overweight most of my life.  I have tried numerous diets.  I almost had surgery back in 2003 but did not go through with it thinking I could try again and loose the weight.  It is now 2011 and losing weight has been a roller coaster.  Lose, gain, etc. 

I decided back in April that I am finally going to go through with this.  I went to a seminar by Dr. Michael Lara from Las Palmas in El Paso Texas.  I then scheduled an appointment.  I saw Dr. Lara in May.  My insurance 's requirement was to have 6 months of supervised doctor visits.  My last visit was on November 21st.  Now it is time to wait for the approval.

I am so ready to be a healthier and happier person and to be able to enjoy life with my husband and two children.

Beginning Weight - 264
Preop Weight - 264
Surgery Weight - 257.2
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1/17/12 - Surgery day.  I was on a clear liquid diet yesterday.  Since my BMI wasn't too high I didn't have to do a preop liquid diet, but I still tried to eat as little as possible and drink protein drinks.  It paid off.  I was down to 257.2 today. My surgery was scheduled for Noon, but didn't happen until around 2:30 pm.  My husband stayed with me until they took me in to surgery.  I don't remember a thing until I got to recovery and woke up in lots of pain and thinking what have I done, but once I got pain meds, I felt alot better.  I think I finally got to my room around 8 pm and a few hours later had me up and walking, but nothing to drink until next day after leak test.

1/18/12 - Just feeling like I got ran over and someone beat me up, but other than that feeling pretty good.  I tried to get up and walk as much as possible during this day.  Leak test came out ok so I finally got to drink something very slowly.  Also got the cath out.  So much better to be able to go by self.  I had never had one and I thought it would be worse than it was.

1/19/12 - Got ok to go home.  Drain out. Showered and left by 11 am.  Only feeling tired not too much pain.  4 hour drive home.  Slept most of way but stopped to walk every 45 min to hour.  

1/24/12 - 1 week from surgery.  Doing ok.  Friday after surgery, drain leaking quite a bit but finally stopped.  It was a little bit scary, thought I had a leak but what was coming out was the same color as in the hospital.  Temperature would go up to aroung 100.2 but then go down again to 97.7 for a few days. Otherwise Just trying to get in routine on full liquids.  A little bit of a hard time getting in all the liquids, but keep trying.  Sipping, sipping.  Not much pain, just still tired. Walk, rest, walk, rest.

1/31/12 - 2 weeks out - Doing a lot better.  Everything is going down pretty good, and can get a little more in at a time.  Started vitamins, almost get full on those. Tolerating ok. I have been able to start sleeping on my left side for a while and bend at the waist a little easier.  I am down to 246 pounds as of today.  Slow but ok with me.  I haven't been at this weight in quite a while. Doc had to cancel appt on 2/3/12 so I don't go until 2/10/12.  I start back to work on 2/7/12.

3/10/12 - Today I am at 229.5. I haven't weighed this since 1999.  It feels great.  I feel so much better.  I haven't had any problems except for plain water not feeling right when going down.  Otherwise I have been able to tolerate what I have been eating protein and some vegatables.  I try to keep carbs at a minimum.  My blood sugar was 99 yesterday morning.  I don't remember seeing that low in a long time.
 
05/06/12 - As of today I am at 209.4.  I can't remember the last time I weighed this.  Plain water is still not my friend.  Powerade zero and decaf tea are.  I keep trying new foods all the time.  Still no other problems.  I have been walking every morning with my 2 poodles and taking bike rides with my husband on the weekends.  It feels great to be able to do this and have fun.  I'm not as self concious as I used to be.  Next doc appointment is on 5/11/12.

05/17/12 - Today is has been 4 months since surgery.  I am at 207.2 pounds.  I have lost a total of 50 pounds. Everything has been going well.  My pouch still does not like plain water.  I can tolerate a little otherwise it feels like a rock.  Still trying new foods all the time.  Doctor's visit went well.  He said I was doing good.  I don't see him again until September.  Labs will not be done until then.  I feel great except for some right hip pain.  Went to the doc no arthritis.  I think since surgery I have just laid on my right side too much and now I am paying for it.  Plus I am sure it doesn't help to sit all day at work.