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29 People in progress, 14 People achieved this |
166 People in progress, 46 People achieved this |
Surgeon TestimonialDavid Dyer, M.D.Love Dr. Dyer. Very thorough and friendly. Need to keep in touch with the office staff and always try to ask every question you can think of -- don't assume anything! Member Interests
- Animals - I am married with three kiddo's - 17, 16, and 3! Surprise!
- Books & Literature - I love mysteries
- Walking - Walking outside is my favorite exercise
- Swimming - I use to swim when I was young and cannot wait to do it again.
- Antique Shopping - I love the flea market and anything old
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Happy Memorial Day Weekend! 1 hour ago
I cannot believe the last time I updated was in February. I have been going non-stop and this weekend is all about rest and relaxation. I have been traveling for business for the last 5 months and just got a new job within my company. It has been a crazy spring. I have maintained my weight. I weighed in this morning at 132 lbs. -- I actually wore a sleeveless dress last night to dinner. That is a first in 25 years! I hardly wore anything sleeveless when I was a teenager. It felt great. My brother was teasing my husband asking him if I was the new girlfriend. I even loved having family pictures taken -- another new experience. I am starting to get comfortable in my new body and I am learning how to deal with attention.
The hubby and I are going through another difficult patch. I am not sure what to do or how this is going to end or begin. He has let his diabetes go out of control. He doesn't take his meds or eat appropriately. He lets his sugar drop or get too high. It affected him so badly that he is no longer in nursing school. He is now on a wait list which is 2 or 3 years. He is depressed and taking 6 medications a day for all of his issues. I am trying to be supportive -- I am trying to understand but it is hard. He doesn't want to go out or do anything -- he hardly works his part time job. I am very concerned. He has half heartily decided to go through the process of having surgery. He started his 6 month diet last month. We filled out his paperwork and went to an open house at the bariatric center where I had my surgery. Dr. Dyer was there and he was wonderful. He gave the hubby a free consult and talked to him about the different options for Type 2 diabetes. The hubby was thinking he should have the sleeve so he could still eat what he wants but Dr. Dyer told him that the R&Y would be better. I keep thinking that if we get him to surgery and losing weight that he will be able to get some clarity. I love the hubby but he is not the person I married or even close to being the person he wants to be. I really feel that if something doesn't happen this year that we will not be able to go on together. That is a hard thing to write. I do not want that to happen. I want us to be healthy and happy together. I want for us to enjoy being around each other. Right now we are so resentful of each other -- I am resentful of his lack of health and he is resentful of my health.
I am going to make an appointment with the shrinkage for both of us. I figure if we can go to therapy, work toward the hubby's surgery, and take care of what we can then maybe it will work out. I do see now why there is more divorce with bariatric patients. I will never regret my surgery but I will say that if I had to do it over again, I would make the hubby participate more in the process. I never let my inability to eat something stand in the way of what he had available in the house. I think I should have emphasized more how I needed him to eat similarly to me or exercise with me rather than thinking I should take care of myself. I don't know....
I do think that if he has the surgery that we would bond again. I would walk those steps with him --- Anyway, we shall see what happens. Say some prayers for us! Keep losing out there and God Bless you! God bless all those folks we are remembering this weekend.
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February Update on February 26, 2012 5:58 am
All is well in my little world. I am still maintaining my weight at 131 as of this morning. I did see 129 for a brief moment and that was crazy as I never expected to see me in the 120's -- Maintaining is actually going very well. I weigh myself every morning and that dictates what I eat or don't eat for the day. I alternate at times from allowing myself carbs to only doing protein depending upon where I am in my 5lb spread. I have been traveling for six weeks in a row for work. I have three more weeks to go before I get a week or two home. Eating in restaurants isn't hard. I usually pick out seafood or fish for dinner and always have eggs for breakfast. My indulgences are dark chocolate and red wine but I keep that at a minimum or at least make sure I have had all my water intake or not too many carbs/calories before I allow myself a treat.
The hubby is another matter....he has gained weight this year and just found out that he is diabetic. He is now a prime candidate for the surgery but he still thinks he can do it on his own. We argue a bit on this subject as he thinks I should understand how addiction to food can be -- I argue back that I do understand but that is why I chose surgery as my tool because I couldn't do it on my own. I only want him to be healthy and happy. He is so not right now. My dream outcome would be that he loses his weight and we can enjoy life together doing all the things that we want to do. Right now he is always tired, frustrated, or just sits there playing his games on his iphone. I want to be supportive but I am a little angry with him. He knew that this was a possibility last year as the doctor told him he was pre-diabetic. Instead of taking it seriously, he continued with his fast food runs and eating the most unhealthy food. Now he is depressed about having to "deprive" himself and being forced into eating healthy and exercising. Hopefully this will be a good turning point and many positive changes come about for him. That is my prayer for him.
Well, that is where I am today -- I am looking forward to Spring and being in the sunshine! I feel like this is the year of change for me and my family. Everything seems to be shifting and balancing out personally and at work. I am excited to see what life brings to us.
God bless you! Keep losing! k
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One more thing....monthly weight loss log for 12... on January 7, 2012 10:22 am
Just wanted to share the monthly loss of weight since surgery. I had the RNY on 12/15/2010:
Date: Weight:
12/10 260
1/11 238
2/11 220
3/11 210
4/11 196
5/11 188
6/11 172
7/11 164
8/11 156
9/11 151
10/11 146
11/11 140
12/11 133
1/12 131
Total lost: 129  | Leave a comment.
January Update - Maintenance on January 7, 2012 7:08 am
I look back at my blog from last January and I was 100 lbs heavier last year than I am now. It's been a good year with a lot of growth emotionally while losing my weight. I am now 131 lbs and have lost half of my body weight. I met my goal in November and have lost 9 lbs since then. I am starting to get the "comments" now of looking gaunt or too skinny. It's hard for me to move from being so focused on losing weight to maintenance eating. I do eat three meals a day. Yesterday I had toast for breakfast, chicken nuggets for lunch, and shrimp/chicken for dinner. I even allowed myself to have some dark chocolate which was yummy! I do need more protein first -- I have noticed that I am leaning towards carbs first. I think it's a head game at times. In the past when I have lost weight, I realize now that I would start to eat whatever and for awhile wouldn't gain weight and then almost overnight I would have packed it on. I am trying to stay self aware.....
My shrinkage and I met this week for the first time in 6 weeks. His first comments were about how skinny I looked. We talked about the holidays -- during which I really didn't have a hard time with all the food. The only thing I indulged in were some bites of my mom's homemade Cinnamon rolls but otherwise I was good. I did have some experiences over the last few weeks that did throw me emotionally back to who I was a year ago before I started the therapy. If you have read my blog, I have struggled with low self esteem when it comes to "who" I am. I was not the conventional person in my family -- always the "black sheep" although my shrinkage argues this point with me. I have felt guilt for years over choices I made in my early 20's and I "deserved" whatever comments my family would make about me. I accepted those comments to make up for being so "bad". I carried that with me professionally at times too. Taking the blame or accepting certain behavior from people because I deserved it. After a year of therapy, I see a lot of progress but I also see a lot more work in this area.
I had two situations that made all of this come back and I was seriously depressed for the last few weeks. My self worth and confidence took a huge dive. The first situation was personal and between my sister and me. My sister is the "perfect" one -- did everything "right" in life. I know that is not actually the case but it is how it is perceived in my family. In my mind I have spent the last 15 years overcoming what my family thought of me. I have worked hard to raise my kids, provide a good home, be successful, and generally be a good person. I really thought she saw that and recognized all the growth and improvement I had made. We had an argument and she sent me an email afterward -- the email made me realize that she has never changed her perception of me. No matter what I have done, I am still the same person to her and that person isn't good enough. It made me very sad. It also made me realize that I cannot allow someone to affect my own perception of me and I have a lot of work ahead of me to "fix" that.
The other situation was with work. I worked on something two years ago that benefited my company and recently it was brought up due to some invoicing issues. My colleagues whom I was working with at that time told my boss that I did not make them aware of the situation or communicated with them. I knew that I had but I couldn't find where I documented it. I felt horrible and started questioning myself on what I had done. My new boss has been very supportive but he was being told that I had done something without knowledge and out of scope. I took that to heart and have felt like a failure --- I couldn't even get out of my bathrobe for the first three days of this week, I was so depressed. My boss brought it up on a call with me that someone else had mentioned this situation and I felt bad that he was having to defend me. Finally the other night I went through all my old emails that I archived and I found the mother-load -- I was able to piece together 30 emails to all the appropriate colleagues on the whole process, analysis, and decisions for this situation. I did do the right thing. I did communicate thoroughly to my team. I did do the right thing for my company and our clients. I felt so vindicated and relieved yet I wonder at my first response of taking the blame or allowing the situation to affect me so much.
The point I am trying to make and to reconcile in my head is that just because I have lost this weight and look like a totally different person, just because people respond to me now as a totally different person, I am still the same person on the inside with the same insecurities, the same "issues" --- I am learning to see them differently, to work through the issues, but my natural initial response is the same. I believe this goes hand in hand with my eating and my weight. This is where the emotional eating comes into play. I feel the pull towards food -- I thank God that I can't eat a whole plate of mac n cheese b/c of my pouch but the pull, the desire to stuff my face with something "bad" for me is in my head. So, maintenance isn't about being "done" for me. Obviously I now need to work on my inside reactions, evaluate my responses to situations where in the past I may have accepted something as "mine" or my "fault" when I shouldn't have and stop doing that in future. My maintenance is actually gaining real self confidence that has nothing to do with what I look like on the outside. Ahhhh....so introspective today....See, it's not all about the new clothes and new body  Well, I better go.....enough deep thoughts for me. God Bless You! Keep losing out there and have a great weekend. k
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Yippee Skippy...Happy Surgiversary to ME!! on December 17, 2011 5:17 am
It has been a year!!! WOW, I cannot believe it and am so happy with how this year has been. And, it's Christmas time....LOVE CHRISTMAS. Ok, so here are my stats at one year post op:
Height: 5'4
Start Weight: 260 lbs
BMI: A lot!
Size then: 22/24
Goal: 140 lbs (met 11/2/2011)
Weight today: 134 lbs
BMI: 23
Size now: s/m tops and 4 pants
If you noticed, I have lost six pounds in the last six weeks which means that I am still losing. I am trying to eat "more". I have three meals a day and my water but I think I need to add a snack. I really am fine with where I am today and do not need to lose more weight.
A couple of things that help me in this process:
I refuse to pick up bad habits like drinking carbonated beverages. I have to tell you that I have not had a sip of diet coke in a year---- beer use to be my favorite after work beverage and now I have a glass of wine, vodka/tonic was a favorite for parties and again, I only have a glass of wine. I miss my favorite beverages but it's not worth the calories or the stretching of my pouch.
I drink coffee in the AM and water all day long. I rarely do anything fast food and if I do, it's chicken or fish without the bun. I do indulge at times with french fries. I do not eat any cookies, cake or candy. I have convinced my brain that I will be deathly ill if I take a bite of anything with large amounts of sugar. It works for me because I was a dessert queen and I need to not allow sugar indulgences as it would grow to something more than just every once in awhile.
I listened to my surgeon, period. I didn't try to wiggle around his rules, his menu, his suggestions, etc...He got to where he is by going to school, experience, and being smart. I got to where I was by shoving food in my mouth and feeling sorry for myself. I had no illusions that I was smarter than my doctor therefore circumventing the process he laid out. If I could give one piece of advice on here, it would be LISTEN TO YOUR SURGEON. I have seen people on here who questioned everything their program and doctor told them to do, tried "alternative" solutions against their doctors orders, and then ended up being sick or having complications that lasted months.
Therapy, therapy, and more therapy. Still ongoing and needed.
What's it like now? WONDERFUL!
I am very active now. I hate to sit around. I am up and want to move, go out, work, walk, whatever. I just like to move. I am not a work out person. I hate gyms but I do love to walk, swim, and go. It is wonderful compared to what it use to be like -- before I didn't move, hurt moving, and slept, a lot.
Love, love, love clothes, shoes, and shopping. So much fun. And, I am now smaller than my mother-in-law! I was able to shop in her closet! (let me tell you, she has the best closet) --
Love being able to take the kiddo's swimming or hiking. That is fun!
Love feeling "small" and feminine. It's nice to feel like I could be scooped up by my hubby and not kill him in the process!
What do I want for the future? Maintain and be healthy. And, maybe some plastic surgery in the next year or so.
So that's all folks -- Merry Christmas to you and yours. God Bless You!!
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My Story (2010) Update to the below: I was approved back in 2007 to have my surgery. I found out I was pregnant four days before my surgery was to take place when I went in for my pre-op screening. I was happy and sad -- it's very ironic if you read the below because I likened my surgery to a pregnancy. I was hoping to have my surgery after the baby was born but ended up changing jobs in my 7th month of pregnancy (I know, I am crazy but it was a good offer) -- the new insurance would not cover bariatric surgery. In the meantime, we lost one of our kids. Jaylen was our three year old back in 2007 - we had him since he was 18 mos. old and wanted to adopt him. His biological mom came back and we lost him a month after Noah was born. Noah was born a month early by emergency C-section and had to stay in the NICU for a month. We spent the first year of his life making sure he was ok. He had apnea spells, seizures, and all sorts of issues. He is the best baby and has overcome everything thrown at him. He is our biggest joy and blessing. I am now 38, married, and have two teenagers (16 and 15) and a toddler (2), and three dogs. Last December I found out that my new company does cover this surgery and have been working on trying to get approval. That's it for now....
My story...I am not sure what to write, but I'll start with the basics. I am 35 years old. I am married. I have 3 kiddo's, 4 dogs, and 2 cats. We adopted the dogs and the cats adopted us. I have always had weight issues. When I was in high school and college it wasn't too bad, but still was an issue. I weigh more now than when I was 9 months pregnant. I hate that statement, but it's true. For the last 12 years I have tried and tried to lose weight. I could never make it below 200. One year I even walked 3 miles a day and ate my meals off of a salad plate, but still couldn't get below 200. I became very discouraged and lost any hope of losing weight successfully. I do have to say that I am very fortunate. My husband and kids have never referred to, commented on, or cared about how much I weigh. To them, I was wife and mom and they loved me no matter what! I am actually in a really good place right now in my life. I feel strong - emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and now I am ready to feel strong physically.
I have been looking at gastric bypass for the last two years. My husband was against me having this surgery two years ago. It wasn't until my 35th birthday in August did we sit down and I explained to him how much I wouldn't/couldn't do because of my weight. I couldn't quit smoking b/c I ate too much and gained more weight. I wouldn't go swimming or to the lake with our family b/c I refused to get in a bathing suite. My snoring and sleep apnea was so horrible that there were more times in the week where he ended up on the couch than not. I started to dread traveling for work b/c some airlines (like Southwest) have shorter seat belts than other airlines (like Northwest). I even found that if I sat by the window on an airplane I didn't have a long enough seat belt than if I sat on an aisle seat. I had to pretend to answer my cell phone on the walk to baggage claim in an airport b/c I became out of breath. I dreaded going to our favorite place to listen to music b/c my husband might ask me to dance. And, at the rate I was going, my health was about to take a big nose dive. I have lots of family history to go by. Diabetes, two heart transplants, blood pressure, wheezing & breathing problems, strokes, heart attacks, etc...As I explained to my husband it is no longer about wanting to look good so much as it is to FEEL good! My quality of life (physically) sucked and it didn't look any better 10 years from now unless I did something drastic. When I explained it that way to him -- he had tears in his eyes b/c he realized the pain being obese has caused me. I think he also realized how much of life we were missing as a couple and a family.
We attended the seminar at Centennial Hospital in Nashville in August. I started the process that my insurance company required. I was so excited when I made my appointment with my Primary Care Doc for my physical. I went to her office with my folder of questions and information - I had my form filled out to get copies of my medical records. I just knew she would be happy for me b/c she has always bugged me about my weight and my smoking. In the middle of my physical I bring up my desire to have the surgery. I outlined my family history, I went over my own health issues, I talked about quality of life, everything! Next think I know, she starts talking about how insurance companies shouldn't have to pay for this surgery, she says they would go bankrupt if she recommends surgery for everyone "over 200 lbs.", she said it was a waste of my time and hers b/c I would never be approved! Hmmm....It took about that long for me to realize that I needed a new doctor. She lost a patient that day that had been with her for 15 years and countless office remodeling jobs. I was so hurt that a doctor cared more about insurance companies than her own patient and couldn't see the forest for the trees when it came to how beneficial this surgery would be for BOTH parties!
I made an appointment with a new PCP at the Frist Clinic in Nashville. He was wonderful! He spent over an hour with me just going over my medical records and history. I explained what I was trying to do, and he was very thorough in making sure I was a good candidate. Over the next couple of months we worked through my diet, exercise, and medical issues to make sure I was fit enough for this surgery. He finally gave me the go ahead the end of November. I submitted my paperwork the 2nd week of December. I heard back that I needed a surgical consult and nutrician visit before my insurance company would look at my referral. I got in on January 2nd. Dr. Dyer is my surgeon and he is terrific. I couldn't be more pleased with our visit to his office and how much time he spent with me and my husband. I feel very comfortable having him as my surgeon. Centennial sent my paperwork to my insurance company on January 9th and I was accepted and approved on January 18th! My surgery date is now on Febuary 1, 2007!
I cannot wait! Everyone is asking me if I am scared. NO! I am not! I am thrilled to finally have a tool that is going to help me lose this godforsaken weight and the best part is that I can quit smoking without worrying about gaining another 50 lbs.! I have had enough fine meals in my lifetime. I am ready to have some fine adventures with my husband and kids! I am ready to live the life I have always dreamed of! I am ready to feel good! Now, I know you are probably thinking that I have no idea what I am about to go through being this happy and excited, but I do. I have been reading these blogs for months! I have talked to so many people who have had this surgery and I am well aware of the physical crap I will go through to get to my happy state of living the life I have dreamed of. I am ready for it! Bring it on! I am looking at this surgery like I would a pregnancy except I give birth gradually to all that weight I have been carrying. Instead of being "good" for the baby, I am going to be "good" for myself. I am going to eat healthy and drink plenty of water because it's good for the person I am becoming. Sounds crazy, but it's how I feel.
So, that's my story. At least for now. Say some prayers! God bless you and yours!
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Had RNY Surgery on December 15, 2010
