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Sleeved February 22, 2011
nataliedawn23's Blog
nataliedawn23's Blog


Emotional night???
on March 12, 2011 10:01 pm
Can't sleep, am pleased that I have lost 27 lbs since surgery on Feb 22nd, but can't for the life of me lay down! I haven't had caffeine, guess I am just anxious for the next days, months and years ahead! Bring it on! =)
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My Story

I have been overweight for the majority of my life. I grew up as the "fat kid" and everything that goes along with that title. The name calling, low self-esteem and a little bit of depression along the way.
It never got out of control until I hit my adult years. As a teenager I always lingered around the 240 lbs mark, but that was 5 years ago when I was in highschool and active with softball...volleyball and badminton.
I gained about 50-60 lbs over the next few years. That is when my family doctor referred me to have some sort of weight loss surgery.
Jan 2009-I nearly passed out at home and had my aunt and father rush me into the local emergency room. I was admitted to hospital with "pneumonia". Was transferred by ambulance to a bigger regional hospital. Come to find out it was a blood clot (DVT) that moved to my lungs (pulmonary embolism). Weighed in at about 350lbs. Was down to about 320lbs 20 days later when I was discharged.
A year passes and weight piles up even more so now. I try dieting again. Walking, resistance bands, weights, nothing seems to help.
Feb 2010- Went to local emergency room feeling short of breath. Tired and coughing. Was transferred to bigger regional hospital by ambulance once again. Was admitted to hospital Feb 15. Pnuemonia this time phew! Not another blood clot. A day passes and then my world is turned upside down. Last thing I remember, using a comode chair, and having a glass of water. Next thing I remember, tubes and being hooked up to a ventilator.
I went into respiratory failure shortly after falling asleep that night. Turns out I had double pneumonia. The doctor called my father and told him if I was entubed I was going to die.I weighed in at over 430lbs.
15 days pass by in ICU.... I wasn't aware of the first 14, as I was sedated as they tried to figure out treatments. The next step was getting me off the ventilator. I was almost weaned off of it, but they were leary to remove the tubes and the ventilator. So a tracheostomy would be the only way to safely remove the tubing.
I cried the whole day and the next day. There would be no way that I would have one of those tubes sticking out of my throat. Alas I had to in order to get out of that place. So the next morning when the attending physician came in I told her that I agreed to have it done.
As I was wheeled from ICU to the operating room I cried. Hoping to god that everything would work out fine. I took those few big breaths and then darkness.
I woke up as though I just closed my eyes for a moment. My hands strapped to the bed. The ENT surgeon talking to my mother and my mothers friend, my "second mother". He said he nearly lost me. When they removed the tubing my trachea collapsed. He rushed to try and get the trach in but couldn't advance it. He called in for help, luckily they were able to get it in. But it would be touch and go for awhile yet. I motioned for the surgeon over to my bed and placed my hand in his. And mouthed the words- Thank you for saving my life.
I spent the next couple months recovering in hospital then months after that at home recovering. Was released early May with the trach still in place. Had it removed a month or so later.
August 2010- I start dating the love of my life. He is so supportive and caring =) will be my biggest support through it all!
I continued on my WLS journey. Group seminar, then a one on one consultation. It has been a long time coming. I still had 20 + lbs to lose to be considered safe for surgery.
November 2010 came and went and I had a tonsilectomy, brought me down another 10 lbs.
Christmas 2010- had a lovely family get together, I cried yet again, but these were tears of happiness. Happy that I could spend this day with family, happy that I made it to Christmas this year. Hoping that I would get that call soon to meet with the surgeon and that he would set a date for surgery. 
New Years Eve 2010-I go out for a full blown night on the town. Chinese buffet..many drinks at the local casino. A big celebration of life, and hopefully the start of a new one very soon!
January 2011-I meet with the man that is going to save my life. Surgery is booked for Feb 22nd. I reflect on that date last year. On my way home from the appointment I am floored. It will be one year to the day my grandmother lost her battle with cancer.  One year from the time I almost lost my own life.
February 2011- I start my preop diet. The first couple days are hard, I cheated a couple times with some brocolli and cauliflower a piece of ham and a few sushi rolls. The day of my surgery comes and I show no emotion. No emotion until I am walking down to the operating room. Then the tears flow free. I am scared for my life. As I lie on the operating table I look up to the ceiling, praying that I will make it through, praying that my grandmother is watching over me.
March 2011- I am still on my full liquid diet. Introducing a bit of tuna and crabmeat. Lost 19lbs the first week, 8 lbs the second. Now heading towards my 3rd week post-op. Looking forward at a future of unknowns, but am so glad to be here in the first place.
Here's hoping this was the best decision of my entire life!!!