- Name: ~*Country Girl*~
- Username: LISA_C
- Location: somewhere in de Mtns!, VA, USA
- Member Since: 1/6/2004
- BMI: 28.3
- Post Op
- Surgery Type: RNY (05/05/04)
- Surgeon: John M. Kellum M.D.
Before & After
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Surgeon TestimonialJohn M. Kellum M.D.Dr. Kellum is a real nice man. I would recommend him 100%. He is taking great care of me. I feel John Kellum is for the patients! I am very pleased with him so far. |
May 3 2005 through December 08, 2005
posted on 5/3/05 4:44 pm
May 3, 2005
Today has been a good day for Tom and I. As I said yesterday I had my 1 year follow up today. Wow was I a happy camper when I left out of there! I was told that for my weight that I am above average on weight loss! YAHOO!! I have lost 64% of my 70% that they predict I will loose. He said that he felt it was time to get the ball rolling on plastics so I have a date with Dr. Chin on July 13, 2005. Dr Kellum said he will either ask me to loose more weight or he will do the surgery. Obviously you know what I will be pushing for! While he was checking me out he found a hernia that I myself just found like 4 days ago. It doesn't hurt but it makes my upper tummy poke out and look poofy. So he (Chin) will be fixing that at the same time. He said there is at least 25 to 30 pounds of skin! OM Gosh!!! I asked him about my tummy and how many people he gets in his office that have one as massive and long as mine was. He told me that out of 1,000 maybe 10. I kinda thought the number would be higher but then again I have never seen anyone shaped like me. Not even on this board! He (Kellum) also said that it may take a couple surgeries to get me where I need to be. At least I have been forewarned so I won't freak out in the office in July. They seemed pleased with my eating habits and pushed the issue to stay away from starches! (STARCHES ARE THE DEVIL!!!) So that is how I must treat them. The nutritionist seemed to be surprised when I told her I hadn't tested sugar yet. I have no desire to either! I have become quite content with splenda so I feel no need to splash around in those sweet waters! He (Kellum) also asked me to write United Health Care and tell them of my wonderful journey. He told me that they too have went with the policy of the employer must purchase a 0.00 rider or there will be an exclusion put on it. That Atnea, Cigna and BC BS had already put this into effect. I find that so sad. So many people truly need this surgery and now will have to fight harder than ever to get this life saving procedure done.
5/4/05
O my Gosh! I just went on my insurance home page and they have my lab fees on there for my yearly checkup. 8.00 and then 0.00 for the visit! What a rip! I can only imagine what I will have to pay out of that! At least it is only once a year from here on out! When it gets process I'll let ya know how much I will be paying. That is unreal!
05/05/05
IT'S MY RE BIRTHDAY!!!! After one year alot has surely changed and for the better!
neck-----------17 1/2~~~~~~~~~~14
upper arm------18 1/2~~~~~~~~~~13 same as last month
lower arm------12 1/2 ~~~~~~~~~10 1/3
wrist ---------7~~~~~~~~~~~~5 3/4
chest----------48~~~~~~~~~~~38
breast---------60~~~~~~~~~~~43
waist----------68~~~~~~~~~~~48 same as last month
hips-----------76~~~~~~~~~~~54
upper thigh----30 1/2~~~~~~~~~~23
calf-----------22 1/2~~~~~~~~~~18 1/3
ankle----------12~~~~~~~~~~~10 same as last month
TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS AFTER ONE YEAR ~ 188 pounds
Weighing today in at 235!
May 09, 2005
Guess what I am 1 pound from being OBESE! Not super, super obese, not super obese, not morbidly obese but just obese! Oh I can't wait! This is the smallest my husband has ever seen me and he is elated! I am elated with all the wonderful things going on in my life! Anyway that was not the reason for updating! I got my bill back telling me how much I owe on my yearly lab work! Like I said before it was 8.00 just in work. I have to pay 9.60 of that! I am on cloud nine! My doctor visit for the work was 0.00 even and I have to pay .58 of that and for my yearly checkup with my surgeon it was .00 and I have to pay .24 of that. So totaling everything without insurance was ,042.00 of that I will pay 4.42 after insurance. I am tickled pink! I took some new pictures I hope to get one up soon! I'm just always so busy now, it's so fun having a life again!
Hugs to all!
May 27, 2005
I was told my the nutritionist when I went to my yearly that I should be having bowel movements everyday. I told her I only had them every 3 days. So she told me to take a fiber pill everyday. I have been taking the generic colace from walmart since Monday. You know its really working! I have went one to two times everyday since. Guess what else the scale is moving again!! I had jumped back up to 238 and it is now moving. I am so happy! Makes me wonder where I would be at if I had been taking these the entire time! I ate 10 Sugar free m&m's and with in an hour I was back in the toilet. Any other time before these pills, sugar alcohol never phased me. Now I know my bowels are properly working!! The plumbing IS FIXED! LOL
Were having a cookout tomorrow and inviting the family. It should be fun, I am really excited! Guess what else, were doing it at our place too! That is like a huge deal but oh well it is small and right now I don't care! Were having a cookout!!!!!
On a different note I met a lady who had WLS back in 2001 and boy was she sour. I realize people have difficulty and I know I am one of the blessed ones who has had minimum issues. I felt so bad for her that she was not proud of her accomplishments! She had lost about 170 and had TT done and looks good. With all her complications though it kinda overrode the thrills of enjoying life. She seems to be getting on track now and said at one time she was gonna have it reversed. I stood there so uncomfortable as if I was being thrown out to the wolves. I could hardly speak. My wonderful sister kept the conversation going. It makes it hard to be face to face with someone with so many issues and then I feel like mine has been a breeze. Granted walking with a walker, not being able to wash my on butt wasn't any fun but that is petty compared to uncontrollable infections. Why is it that I feel so bad for being the one who did OK? Human nature is a curious thang sometimes!
05/28/05
Well this is memorial weekend and boy was our cookout a blast! All kinds of good foods and hubby at the grill! I had half a hot dog, 2 teaspoons of macaroni salad and 2 teaspoons of baked beans. I was full and content but boy was I thirsty. After about 30 min. I just couldn't take it any longer and took a taste of drink. Woooo was that the wrong move with in 3 min. of doing that I was in the john hurling my guts out. What a bummer. I really didn't think I would have that reaction after 30 min. It goes to show WAIT ONE HOUR!!!!!!! I think I needed the reminder! I am proud of my self though because we had alot of food and I resisted! Even my favorite, Banana pudding. I didn't even lick the spoon when I was cleaning up! Back in the day I would have finger licked the bowl! LOL.... Have a GREAT ONE!!!!
05/29/05
WEIGHT 233 started at 423
Just thought I would put another face shot up. I'm bored can you tell! lol
June 2, 2005
I am Obese today!! 39.8 BMI started with a 72 BMI, YEAH!!!! Never would have thought that! I have went from Super,Super obese to Super obese to Morbidly obese to just plain ole obese! I'm thrilled! Oh, I can cross my legs now too! I can also get up off the floor and out of the bath tub without causing a scene. You know huffing and puffing and grunting.
May 04~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~June 05
neck-----------17 1/2~~~~~~~~~~14 same as last month
upper arm------18 1/2~~~~~~~~~~13 same as last month
lower arm------12 1/2 ~~~~~~~~~10
wrist ---------7~~~~~~~~~~~~5 3/4 same as last month
chest----------48~~~~~~~~~~~37 3/4
breast---------60~~~~~~~~~~~43 same as last month
waist----------68~~~~~~~~~~~46
hips-----------76~~~~~~~~~~~53
upper thigh----30 1/2~~~~~~~~~~22
calf-----------22 1/2~~~~~~~~~~18 1/3 same as last month
ankle----------12~~~~~~~~~~~10 same as last month
Total weight lost so far 193
Things are really slowing down now!
37 more days till my consult with Dr. Chin
Bmi started at 72 and am currently at 39.5
06/10/05
My goal weight!
My Doctors goal weight!
06/23/05
Just an update. I am still 227 and only 2 pounds before I hit my next goal of 225. My losses seems to come in spurts now normally around my menstrual cycle. So needless to say hopefully next week I will hit that goal of 225 or less.
I was reading on the main board about this lady who just had a horrible experience with a chair and a room full of people. She had gotten stuck. Well I had two memories come flying in my mind. I tell ya, you really do tend to forget and push the hurtful things out of your head. Mine happened onces in a movie theater where we were with a bunch of friends and couldn't just get up and leave. I fit in the chair with half my fat rolling over the arm rest. I was in so much pain. When I got home and put my gown on I had done bruised both sides of my legs. I Didn't go back to another theater until I was over a year out or surgery. Even then I fit just enough not to bruise. Now I have room to spare and share! The second time it happened I was working in a nursing home and got froggy and sit in one of those plastic white chairs and on a slick floor to boot! Well all of a sudden I start going lower and lower in slow motion. Down I went and of course I played it off but everyone new I was just way to heavy for those chairs. I was so happy when the legs didn't break they just kind did like a split motion. It is so nice to walk in a room now and not have to scope out where my but will and will not fit.
My brain however still has not caught up to what I actually weigh now. I still see me as 423. I see it in my body and face. I know my clothes tell me otherwise and so do the pictures. I look at them and its like no that isn't mine or no that can't be me in the picture. I have had a lot of school friends now recognize me. Not sure if that is good or bad. lol Anyway all good things come to those who wait! (I am so waiting!!!!!)
June 28, 2005
Today things are going well. I am 226 today. One pound from my next goal of 225. These pounds are so hard to come off now. My hubby took a picture from my backside because he wanted to show me what he sees. I about fell in the floor I actually have a waist and a butt. Haven't had both in a long time! lol.... I kept the picture to put it on here it's like a hour glass but no where near like Barbie! Anyway life is good!
07/03/05
OK I have met my next goal of 225!!!!
GO LISA, GO LISA!!!!
Next goal will be 200. These next 25 pounds will probably be the hardest to get off! I will be 14 months out on the 5th of this month. It is hard to believe I only have 3 months before my door of weight loss closes. I pray I am one of the ones who continue to lose. I have another 50 pounds I want to get off before I can say I am done, put a fork in me! Hopefully plastics will take of 30 pounds leaving me with only 20 more to loose.
May 04~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~July 05
neck-----------17 1/2~~~~~~~~~~13 3/4
upper arm------18 1/2~~~~~~~~~~12.1/2
lower arm------12 1/2 ~~~~~~~~~10 same as last month
wrist ---------7~~~~~~~~~~~~5 3/4 same as last month
chest----------48~~~~~~~~~~~37 3/4 same as last month
breast---------60~~~~~~~~~~~42 1/2
waist----------68~~~~~~~~~~~46 same as last month
hips-----------76~~~~~~~~~~~53 same as last month
upper thigh----30 1/2~~~~~~~~~~21 3/4 same as last month
calf-----------22 1/2~~~~~~~~~~17 1/2
ankle----------12~~~~~~~~~~~9 3/4
Total weight lost so far 198
11 more days till my consult with Dr. Chen
Bmi started at 72 and am currently at 38.6
07/06/05
I go tomorrow to my PCP for a cholesterol check. I am really starting to hate needles! I have to fast but that will be no problem. I am trying to boost the weightless this week so I am do 2 protein shakes a day and one meal along with 2 snacks of watermelon. I really wanna hear that the reconstructive work that needs to be done will go on with out a hitch. 8 days till I see and meet him for the first time. I hear he is young so this will be extremely embarrassing if thats the case. I am scared also that he has never worked on someone with as much skin as I have and he turns me down. 30 pounds is alot of skin and even my wls surgeon said he might ask me to loose more weight first. I pray this isn't so! I feel if I had this mass of skin off I would be so much more active and then the rest of the weight would come off. I am loosing pretty steady 6 to 8 pounds a month. With my high start out weight they told me I would probably make it to 200 and stop. We shall see. Can't even think about the hernia repair. I am so focused on the tummy work that I can't see straight!!
07/12/2005
DOUBLE CENTURY CLUB TODAY!!!
I started my journey 1 year and 4 months ago and never would have thought I would have came this far so quickly! I started out at 423 and little hope of doing well! I have stuck to my plan for the most part. :deal: Still haven't tried sugar knowingly. I do have toasted bread. I have increased my protein the last 2 months and my nut put me on fiber pills. I am still and will forever take my gazillion pills everyday. bleh! But that is a small price to pay for what I was going through at 423! I feel so blessed! I started out wearing a 7x but needed an 8x. I am now in 2 and 3x's. :jump: I go for my reconstructive appointment tomorrow and according to my wl surgeon he said they will take off a good 30 pounds just off my stomach.:jump: As it does hang to my knees literally. I think once that is gone I will at least be in a large.
7/13/05
Well I had my appointment today and boy was I in for a shock. I went in with high expectations and left feeling like a beaten dog. Well I was told I would not get my belly button back. That either I could have my belly button and all my skin or I can have no belly button and no skin! I about feel in the floor. I did not like the way I was treated nor did I feel he acted professional. Alot more was said but it is just to upsetting to go in to detail right now. Basically I need to be satisfied with what ever I come out looking like because of what I have done to myself. So I guess our attitudes don't exactly agree but he is working for MCV and Saint Mary's so that alone speaks volumes for his work! So I will seek another plastic surgeon but If I have to work with Dr. Chen than atleast I know I will look the best he possiable can make me. Just because our attitudes are way different, I need not to think harsh of him. He is just a very outspoken man!
07/17/05
I got my cholesterol Test back and can we say YEAH! My levels are normal! they are in excellent range! From 258 down to 158! Yeah ME........
On another note i had my consultation. Dr Chen is a nice and outspoken man. Alot of what he said was very hard to deal with and I am having to sort all that out. I will go into detail later.
Went down to Richmond yesterday to assist in planning my SNL's wedding. I think it is going to be so lovely. Mom C is putting such delicate and sweet details into the wedding. We found a lovely dress for me to wear at a consignment shop down there and it is absolutely breath taking! Best of all is was like 20 dollars! What a deal! A lot of the family who hasn't seen me since last February will be down for the wedding. It is kinda of exciting and kind of upsetting. Exciting because they get to see the new me. Upsetting because I can't see what they see. I know I have lost 200 pounds and I do see it in my clothes. Just not in my mirror. It is very disheartening.
07/20/05
Just a quick update! I had the worst pain I think I have ever had since I have had this surgery last night! Honest I thought I was going to have to go to the ER. It was gas I guess on my stomach and my hernia was pushing on it or something. I tried everything and nothing would work. I paced and rocked and even went as far as drinking a carbonated drink trying to make my self belch. Did 2 Gas X's, made my self hurl and all but nothing would ease that pain. I went to bed and laid down and it went away! 2 hours in pain and I laid down and it was gone! Unbelievable! Anyway all is well and I am getting excited about having this tummy cut off. Oh what will I do with thighs! lol Never have had them before at least not to use them for anything. Like to put a book on or a child! Go figure me with a lap in the near future wahoooo!
07/24/05
Went to a consignment shop yesterday in Richmond and came home with all kinds of clothes. Spent 63 dollars and have enough to last me a week with out washing. lol I got a few things that aren't my norm but was cute after I put them on. So I went ahead and got them. I peiced together an outfit for church yesterday and thought it looked kind of good so I snapped a picture of it. I put up the before picture just so I could see the difference. Out of all the clothes I tried on I realized at this point and time a 24 in shorts and a 2x in a shirt fit me best. however I am wearing a 18 dress to an upcoming wedding. I think it really depends on the maker and the fabric when it comes to sizing me up.
This is my latest picture taken yesterday after church.
July 31, 2005
Well I finally broke down and did it!! What did I do you ask?!!? I whacked all my hair off! Well just about. lol I feel like I am bald because it is so light on my head now. It feels good and it looks a little sassy and I like that! Here is a shot of it.
Aug 3, 2005
May 04~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Aug 05
neck-----------17 1/2~~~~~~~~~~13 1/2
upper arm------18 1/2~~~~~~~~~~12.1/2same as last month
lower arm------12 1/2 ~~~~~~~~~10 same as last month
wrist ---------7~~~~~~~~~~~~5 3/4 same as last month
chest----------48~~~~~~~~~~~37
breast---------60~~~~~~~~~~~41
waist----------68~~~~~~~~~~~46 same as last month
hips-----------76~~~~~~~~~~~53 same as last month
upper thigh----30 1/2~~~~~~~~~~21 3/4 same as last month
calf-----------22 1/2~~~~~~~~~~17 1/2 same as last month
ankle----------12~~~~~~~~~~~9 .5
Total weight lost so far 204
Bmi started at 72 and am currently at 37.6
08/04/05
Had My second consultation today! I think things went very well! Although I did start crying because it was very emotional for me. I do think this is the PS for me. I felt he respected me. He showed confidence and knowledge. I feel like I am putting my body in the right hands. I am excited to be working with Dr Drake. By the way he talks he takes great care in his work! That is what I am looking for! Now we wait on the insurance!
I got a date with Dr. Shirmer for hernia repair on September 1rst. After the consultation with him hopefully he will agree to do it and then him and Drake will get together and set a date. Only after insurance comes through of course!
August 9, 2005
Went swimming on Saturday. First time in 2 years! I have always been a good swimmer and knew because of my fat I would float. Well this time was excitably different! I went over to the deep end and stopped swimming and instantly went under. Oh it was amazing!! I SANK LIKE A ROCK!! I loved it.
Tom and I are so connected right now! I feel more closer to him then ever before. We have fun together and laugh! I can feel him wanting to be close to me. He makes me feel so beautiful. I love him with all my heart.
August 14, 2005
Well I have been doing some digging into my old patient files. The earliest I could come up with was when I was 12 years old. At age 12 I weighed 181 pounds. I about flipped when I saw those numbers. So I am going to make a list of years and see where the weight gain was put on most.
Year-----weight----age----------comment---------
1986----181---- 12 years old-----------------------
1987----------------------------------------------------
1988----------------------------------------------------
1989----------------------------------------------------
1990-----------------------------------------------------
1991----242----17 years old -----------------------
1992----251---------------------------------------------
1993----223----------------------------------------------
1994----217----20 years old-----------------------
1995------------------------------------------------------
1996----262-----------------------------------------------
1997----274------------------------------------------------
1998----277------------------------------------------------
1999----293----25 years old-------------------------
2000----321------------------------------------------------
2001----292----went to weight watchers-----------
2002------------------------------------------------------
2003----407----diagnosed having hypothroidism------
2004----423----broken leg/ out of work since Nov 03
2005----217----31 years old-----------------------
Wow is that staggering or what! I have been studying this for the past half an hour and cannot believe the numbers!
08/21/05
Well there was a error in my paperwork something about the dictation of it. So it has to be redone. Then it will be faxed and mailed off. So we wait! I am trying to up my protein and water intake to prepare my body for surgery. I want it to heal as quickly as possible! In doing so I think it jump started my weigh loss!
Aug 27, 2005
Had wow moment!!! I was walking up from the garden and I had put safety pins in my capri's on both sides to keep them up on my hips. I just wash them with the pins in them and all. They never come undone. Well by the time I got to the top of the hill all I felt was girdle!!! (AGAIN) Remember 4th of July! I guess pins just aren't going to do it. I am going to have to break down and just get some more capris! I am so happy that finally happened!!! I was starting to think the inches had stopped falling off!
Oh guess what else!!! I was joking around here awhile back and realized that I could take the tip of my panni and touch my nose with it! Gross I know but oh well you still gotta love me! lol Well today I actually touched my foot to my nose!! I haven't did that since I was a child! Can we say OMGOSH!!
September 3, 2005
May 04~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~September 05
neck-----------17 1/2~~~~~~~~~~13 1/2 same as last month
upper arm------18 1/2~~~~~~~~~~12
lower arm------12 1/2 ~~~~~~~~~9 3/4
wrist ---------7~~~~~~~~~~~~5 3/4 same as last month
chest----------48~~~~~~~~~~~36 3/4
breast---------60~~~~~~~~~~~41 same as last month
waist----------68~~~~~~~~~~~45
hips-----------76~~~~~~~~~~~52
upper thigh----30 1/2~~~~~~~~~~21
calf-----------22 1/2~~~~~~~~~~17 1/2 same as last month
ankle----------12~~~~~~~~~~~9 .5
Total weight lost so far 210
Bmi started at 72 and am currently at 36.6
09/16/05
Well I lost a few entries but hey I had a back up so I only lost this months stuff. Not bad it was just updates on my PS consult! No biggie!! AS IF!!! It tics me off so bad that this happens! Anyway I was approved for my panni through UHC in Dr Chen's office at MCV. Any way they have Dr. Drakes paper work now. They received it on the 13th. I had called to see if maybe UHC could transfer the approval over to UVA but it is not possible. They said that it is a new case file and would be treated as that! So now we wait for it to be approved. They have had it 3 days and have 30 to make a decision. I just hope Dr Chen's paper work doesn't screw it up for Dr Drakes office. Carla has been so sweet! She is part of the back bone in Dr Drakes office.
Well weight wise I am holding steady at 213. What is up with that? I want to get down to 200 before they work on me so I will have better results. I have been sitting at this weight and bouncing around it since 8/14/05. Thats like a month of no weight loss! I knew I was stopping and all but man I was hoping it would at least get me to 200. I have increased my protein to help healing for the upcoming panni removal and I think maybe that might have something to do with it. Who knows maybe my body is playing catch up! Wishful thinking huh!
Dr Schirmer has agreed to do my hernia repair! I was told that they didn't like to work on other hospital's Pt's but sometimes will. Of course I got all emotional and all. So when he agreed to see me I was elated. The good lord has taking care of me! Man he is the bomb! Dr Schirmer is very confident and thats what I need! I was so impressed with him. He treated me very well and I am delighted that this is happening! Between him and Dr Drake I feel like I am in the best hands possible! I feel very comfortable with both of them.
Sept 22,2005
Sept 24, 2005
I am half the lady I used to be! At 211.5 I had lost exactly half of me. Weighing in today at 210~lbs!!!! How exciting is that!
09/30/05
This is our Anniversary weekend!! Yea for 6 years STRONG! October 2nd 1999 Tom and I were wed! So we are spending our day in Lexington Va... They have an indoor pool and a whirlpool outside the gym! How exciting!! We plan on going on one dinner date to celebrate the wonderful occasion. We will be dressed to the hilt! I will be sure to take photos!
Before we head off there we will be going and playing some spades with our new friends Christy and Bobby. I hope to kick some major butt! I am still new at this so I can HOPE! We will be staying over there if it gets too late. If not we will come on home. I hope this turns out to be a great weekend!
10/04/05
Well the weekend was a BLAST! We went over to Bobby's and Christy's and played cards and had a really good dinner on Friday! The s and the boy's each beat a hand of spades! YEAH!!! Man it suck's that they are moving to PA.
The next morning I cooked a good breakfast and then we headed off to Lexington to stay at the Wingate Hotel. Well It was really nice but the pool was not very deep. Only 4 foot. But they had a huge whirlpool that was just the ! We got in that as soon as we got there. Then we got in the pool and it was freezing. This is an indoor pool by the way. Anyway we got out of that and got back in the whirlpool to warm up. Temp was 104 in it! We then went up to our room and got all dressed up to go out for our Anniversary Dinner. Drove around forever looking for something and ended up at Ruby Tuesdays. It was SO GOOD! Left and went back to the hotel and got back in the whirlpool where we were left alone! Anyway Lets just say it was real NICE! We woke up to a nice hot breakfast and the smell of sweet syrup roamed the halls. Oh can we say yum! But I never touched it. We then came on home after we ate. No energy left to go back to the pool or whirlpool! LOL
Here is a picture of us before we went out!
Oct 06 2005
May 04~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~October 05
neck-----------17 1/2~~~~~~~~~~13.25
upper arm------18 1/2~~~~~~~~~~12 same as last month
lower arm------12 1/2 ~~~~~~~~~9 3/4 same as last month
wrist ---------7~~~~~~~~~~~~5 3/4 same as last month
chest----------48~~~~~~~~~~~36 3/4 same as last month
breast---------60~~~~~~~~~~~41 same as last month
waist----------68~~~~~~~~~~~44
hips-----------76~~~~~~~~~~~50
upper thigh----30 1/2~~~~~~~~~~21 same as last month
calf-----------22 1/2~~~~~~~~~~17 1/2 same as last month
ankle----------12~~~~~~~~~~~9 .5 same as last month
Loss this month of 6.50 inches
Total lost 137.75 inches
Total weight lost so far 215
Bmi started at 72 and am currently at 35.9
10/08/05
No word on insurance except it is sitting in someones box! They have till the 13th to answer so lets hope for good news. My sissy had an appointment with Dr Northup this past Tuesday and he has agreed to do her surgery before the 31rst of this month! Sissy's insurance put an exclusion on her policy in June but did not tell anyone! So due to it being their fault they gave her one month to get it done in. I don't think they thought she could pull it off! So now we are waiting for Mr Miller to contact insurance and get her approval stuff.
Also today is her BIRTHDAY!!!!! SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISSY!!!
10/11/05
Well I have just been so frigging ill! Woke up Sunday morning with the worst headache. That I could never get rid of. Sunday night I tossed and turned every 10 to 15 Min's. It was miserable. Cold chills so bad that the bed was shaking! Finally when morning came I was so exhausted that when it was time for Tom to go to work I busted out crying and could not control it. I was in the middle of a panic attack at the time and I was just to scared to be left alone. Bless his heart! He stayed home with me and took care of me. He gave me some medicine that literally knocked me out. He had to run to his work for a bit but I slept the entire time! When he got home he fixed me some yummy chicken noodle soup. I ate about a cup of broth and 3 ers and I was done. Then we napped on the couch the rest of the evening until he went to the store and got our weekly groceries. Before he left he ran a hot steaming bubble bath so I could soak my achy body. He then fixed dinner when he got back which I so did not hold down. I ended up with a cup of jello that was just the highlight of my day. It felt and tasted so good to my throat. Well second to the bubble bath! Then we watched some TV together and I waited for my night medicine to kick in and boy did I sleep good! Woke up feeling alright. Jordan must have known I felt bad. He showed himself all day!! It was terrible. Anyway hubby has really been a gem the past 3 days and taking such good care of me! It's been so long since I have needed someone to tend to me I forgot what it was like. I felt so feeble! I like to be the caretaker not vise versa! I have been able to keep my fever under 100 today so yay!!! Been sweating my but off today from what ever it is I have. Shoot maybe I 'll loose a few extra pounds from it!
Sissy found out today that she needs a psych exam for the insurance and everything is ago! I can only pray they can do it in 2 weeks cuz thats all the time she has. So everyone pray for her!!
********************UPDATE*********************
Called UHC around 6pm tonight and the lady put me on hold! After what seemed like eternity she got back on the phone and said (It has been approved) Her name was Linda, she was so sweet! I'm doing the happy dance!! I am so looking forward to this!!
***Edited***
Come to find out she was looking at an approval through Dr Chen not Dr Drake! Got a denial for UVA on 11/19/05
10/12/05
What a beautiful evening it has been! My dear sweet husband is such a romantic! Tonight after dinner we were watching TV and really wasn't much else on and so he said I got an idea! Then he gets up cuts the lights off and cuts the TV on to SIRIUS love music and he took me by the hand out of my chair and he danced with me for two songs! I felt like a school again. I actually got light headed and weak in the knees! Wow what a wonderful feeling it was.
To know this surgery allowed this to happen is wonderful! Before Tom could never hold me correctly to dance like that. Thank you god for your miracles!
10/14/05
Wow what a past few days!! Well Hubby was in a car accident on Thursday. He is OK, Little tender but OK. The car needs a whole new front end on it and radiator. I have been on and off the phone with him all day and he has really been hurting. Finally he got home and I found out he isn't hurting from the but he has the flu! Yeap he has caught what I had! Has every symptom just like me and not mucus.. Isn't that just wild! Anyway we are fighting his fever now and has been since last night. It just doesn't want to stay down! Hopefully he will be better soon. Until then I will pamper him the same way he did for me!
On another not our prayers for sissy was answered! She was able to a psych exam on the 18th! So there is still hope! Thank you GOD!
10/15/05
10/20/05
Went with sissy to her psych exam and it went really well. Dr. Bender is a very caring man. He told her he would not stand in her way of this surgery. Said she had a great support system and was happy knowing that! So now we wait for a pre-op appointment and then surgery on the 31rst! I think it is going to really happen! I pray it does and I know the good Lord above will do this in his time and if it is meant to be it will happen! We need those prayers OH family! We will know on Monday where she goes from this.
On another note, my weight is dropping really fast lately. Not understand it but not going to complain either!! I am now 203. Yes can you believe that! 3 pounds from being the big 200! WOW.... I pray this weight continues to drop so I will look decent after surgery.
Here is my LATEST picture. Actually taken today!
Unbelievable!
10/28/05
Well Do I have so much to talk about!! My sister is having wls tomorrow. Yes on a Saturday! Dr is coming in on his day off to do this for her! She got the call on Tuesday she was approved and Anna told her to come out there right then for pre-op! So we went out and had pre-op from 12:15 till 6:30. Wow was that alot of walking! It still baffles me that this is happening! I mean she just started this process less then a month ago! So keep her in you prayers!
As for me I am still waiting for the call for a date to have my reconstructive surgery done. Seems like it is taking forever!
We still haven't found a car yet. So I am stuck at home till then.
I will be tending to my sissy for the next 2 weeks so I wont be able too write until she is better!
Oct 29, 2005
Copy off of sissy's profile!
10/29
I am in the family waiting area now at 11:45 am Saturday morning. I just received a call from Dr. Northup that sissy came through the surgery wonderfully! They took out her gall bladder and was able to do surgery laporscopically although they did say that part was a bit difficult. Thats to be expected with some people. They are removing her breathing tube as we speak. She has not woke up yet but is headed to recovery in the next 15 min. Thank you GOD For being with my sister! Will update again soon. — Leigh L.
I am still in the waiting room waiting to go see her! I feel so blessed right now. All of our prayers have been anwsered. Sissy is going to have a new lease on life! Just to know she will be able to walk her daughter down the aisle and to chase after her son means the world to her and me. I am so excited right now. I will hae some one to keep me on track as well as I keep her on track. Will update again soon. I don't want to stay on the public pc long there is a 20 min time limit on ya! Still keep her in your prayers!
October 31 2005
I just have to say that I did not touch one piece of regular candy! Man did that take will power! Hope everyone else had a Happy Halloween!
November 2, 2005
Sissy is at home and doing well. She is in some pain but I think it will subside soon! I am still taking care of her and the baby. So I am seeing the progress in her!
As for me I have had some rather disturbing news!! Remember the approval I got from UHC for Dr Drake? Well apparently they were giving the approval for Dr. Chen. So yes that means there is still NO DESCION MADE!! I am so upset! I had been getting the run around on this for a couple days now but just to busy and upset to write. Hopefully soo they will figure out what is going on.
11/12/05
Hi all! Well today I finally hit 201 lbs! Two more pounds to go and I will be 199. How unreal is that! I have like 3 pair of capris and 3 pair of jeans I am wearing. With my stomach hanging so far down it is hard to find shirts to cover that! So my pants are like falling off but for some reason they still appear tight so it shows all of my stomach! Oh did I mention they are stretch jeans? I guess thats why they show everything!(DUH!) I will do better when money isn't an issue! Shirts are all hanging on me but I guess that is better than them being to tight!
I have been hurting alot lately and have found what feels to be another hernia. I have been taking care of my sissy's baby like 20 hours out of the day and it is taking its toll on me. Between the pulled muscles and back pain I feel like I am falling apart. Everything will be back to normal soon and I think getting rest will help me out alot. Tonight I get to stay home thanks to my family members taking turns watching the baby. Oh I can't wait to sleep in my own bed. I miss it so! Plus I get to wake up to a birthday boy too! Yep hubby will be 31 Sunday! So what a better choice then tonight to stay home!
May 04~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~November 05
neck-----------17 1/2~~~~~~~~~~13
upper arm------18 1/2~~~~~~~~~~12 same as last month
lower arm------12 1/2 ~~~~~~~~~9.5
wrist ---------7~~~~~~~~~~~~5 3/4 same as last month
chest----------48~~~~~~~~~~~36
breast---------60~~~~~~~~~~~40
waist----------68~~~~~~~~~~~42
hips-----------76~~~~~~~~~~~48
upper thigh----30 1/2~~~~~~~~~~21 same as last month
calf-----------22 1/2~~~~~~~~~~17
ankle----------12~~~~~~~~~~~9 .5 same as last month
Loss this month of 5.25 inches
Total lost 147 inches
Total weight lost so far 222 pounds
Bmi started at 72 and am currently at 34.5
Doubling extremities numbers.
11/18/05
Can we say OH MY GOSH!!!!
ONE HUNDRED AND NINTY NINE POUNDS! WAHOO!!!!!
11/19/05
Ok what a day it has been! Woke up with a sinus cold , can we say ouch! The pressure made my eyes hurt so bad. Anyway I got a denial letter from UHC saying it wasn't enough documentation through Dr Drakes office to have a pnniculectomy done! Yet I am approved through Dr Chen's. This is beyond me and I really don't know what to do now. I am assuming the approval for Chen is still active and I can go to him and have this done but I tell ya I was really hoping for Dr Drake because we connected so much more! We will see on Monday when I call UHC. So many times Uhc told me I was approved for Drake the entire time looking at the approval for Chen. I am just hurt now! I realize everything happens for a reason and that maybe it was just not meant to be in Charlottesville. Right now I just want my stomach nipped and tucked! I'm so upset about this and issues on Tom's side of the family that I just can't eat! Like I said though everything happens for a reason. So we shall see!
11/21/05
Oh what a morning! I have a surgery date! They are doing a bilateral hip reduction, a vertical hernia repair and a paniculectomy! Pre-op is on the 21rst and I will be having surgery on Dec 29th! All this will be taking place at Saint Mary's in Richmond! I don't have time to fight the denial for UVA so I am going to go ahead with Dr. Chen. Our attitudes may not have gotten along well but I think as a Doctor he must be pretty great considering he is working for MCV and Saint Mary's. So that speaks volumes for his work. Oh did I mention he also took an extra 2 years of body contouring! Anyway, I feel God has lead me to this point for a reason. So hubby and I are going to go with the flow! Now we just need to figure out a support system for Tom. I don't want him down there alone so I am hoping my sis or his sis will tag along with us! I did find out it will be 23 hours from admittance. So only a one night stay unless complications! YEA! We will be putting Tom in a hotel and whoever goes with him. Man I am going to hate to see that credit card bill! Oh well this is so worth it! I think Tom is more excited than me! He is such a sweet natured person. I thank God every day for having him in my life! Oh did I mention I am down 228 pounds today!! I weigh now check this out, One hundred and ninty-five pounds! Is that just crazy or what? Man God is good and good in our lives right now! He is opening our eyes to more things and allowing us to see things we never saw before! A real wake up call has hit this Cooper family and I think it will forever change our lives for the better. Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving!
DECEMBER!
Dec 1, 2005
Wow this year is going fast! So much has happened in the past 2 months that I have literally lost track of time! So much has been thrown our way and the good Lord above brings us through it! Everything from Tom being in an accident, Sissy having surgery and me staying with her 20 hours a day for almost 2 weeks, trying to find another vehicle in between all that, dad being very sick, me getting approved for one PS doctor and denied on another one, so having to settle for no belly button, major family issues on hubbies side, helping to get his sister settled in Culpeper with his other sister, and last but not least his certification to drive for his job has just been terminated. So they are having to transfer him to another position! You know what though, if anything, all this has brought Tom and I that much closer! I think God has a plan for us and even though we have and have had alot on our plate I think everything is going to be just fine!
Well my body has been through so much emotion and physical changes that some really bad things are starting to happen. I have picked up on when my emotions are high I now lose my appetite! Have you ever heard of such? Me lose my notion to eat! It has happened several times now in the past few weeks. Today I had to make my self eat to keep from getting a headache! So around 7pm I did eat a salad. As I sit here typing I am nibbling on a few almonds for protein since I have had less than 15 grams of it today. I am still hanging in around 195. I will stay there till my next period as usual! Wonder how many people actually loose only at that time of month? Maybe it's just me? Maybe I'm the weird one! HAHAHAHA!!!
29 more days before I have my reconstructive surgery done! Both of his sisters are suppose to come down with us to give him support while I'm being worked on. I hope they will still be able to when it comes down to the day!
Oh and Sissy I would stay with you another 2 weeks to see you as happy as you are now! She has lost 53 pounds in 5 weeks! Oh I am so PROUD of her!
Dec 5, 2005
Wow today I am out from surgery 19 months. I am 228 pounds lighter and 149.75 inches smaller! HOORAY for 195! I am getting a bit antsey about my upcoming ps. I am thrilled yet worried! Guess it is normal! I have had so many people not reconize me and I absolutley love it!
Yesterday hubby took me out on a date! OOHLALA!!! Yeap he sure did! He took me to see the new Harry Potter movie than out to TGIF's afterwords. We left there and went to the town hall to see the lighting of the town christmas tree. They sang caorls and told the story Twas the Night Before Christmas! They gave out warm cider and sweet treats that hubby enjoyed! Santa arrived on a firetruck for the kiddies. On a plus we got to be on T.V. They got a nice shot of Jordan my nephew and then in the background was Tom and I and my brother Tony. It was just really nice to get out of the norm for a change.
May 04~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Dec 05
neck-----------17 1/2~~~~~~~~~~13 same as last month
upper arm------18 1/2~~~~~~~~~~11.5
lower arm------12 1/2 ~~~~~~~~~9.5 same as last month
wrist ---------7~~~~~~~~~~~~5 3/4 same as last month
chest----------48~~~~~~~~~~~35.75
breast---------60~~~~~~~~~~~39
waist----------68~~~~~~~~~~~42 same as last month
hips-----------76~~~~~~~~~~~48 same as last month
upper thigh----30 1/2~~~~~~~~~~20.75
calf-----------22 1/2~~~~~~~~~~17 same as last month
ankle----------12~~~~~~~~~~~9 .5 same as last month
Loss this month of 2.75 inches
Total lost 149.75 inches
Total weight lost so far 228 pounds
Bmi started at 72 and am currently at 33.2
Doubling extremities numbers.
Dec 08, 2005
Today I am still holding steady around 195, bouncing here and there! I'm cool with that though. I know I'm retaining water right now and thats why. Odd I only lose when it's that time of the month. Something is better than nothing though! Anyway! Life is good! Hubby and I are living day to day and enjoying life! Things seem to be coming together for us finally and all though finances are still really tight were able to pay the bills so were OK! With everything that has happened here recently it has brought Tom and I together that much closer! Just when you think you can't love someone anymore you realize you can.
I got my paper work today for my surgery. Got my pre-op date, surgery date and post-op date! So it's really gonna happen! I can't imagine what it is going to feel like with out this apron on my legs! I have had it since I was a young girl and know of nothing but that! I think it will feel free. Like nothing holding ya back. People might think I'm crazy but with a number 4 grade panni, it would have to feel free, almost like a relief or a ton of bricks lifted off of ya!
Sissy is doing wonderful! She thinks I ride her to much and I might just alittle! I just don't want to see her mess up. She went through alot of pain to have this done and her little man is counting on her! Did I mention he took off walking 2 days ago!! Yea JORDAN!! He will now mock everything you do and it is so funny! I am going to miss him so much when I have my surgery. After I heal I am going back to work full time. I won't be seeing him as often. Breaks my heart..
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