- Name: Pamela M.
- Username: pammcglown
- Location: Tacoma, WA, USA
- Member Since: 4/2/2008
- BMI: 43.9
- Post Op
- Surgery Type: Lap Band (08/19/08)
- Surgeon: Ki Hyun Oh M.D.
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Surgeon TestimonialKi Hyun Oh M.D.My surgeon is absolutely wonderful and so is his assistant Dr. Hirahi. My first impression of Dr. Oh is that he is a very serious person. He knows what he is doing and expects a lot from his patients. He is not in to wasting his or your time. I read some of his other patients comments on him. They all said that he doesn't have a good bedside manner. Well, I disagree. My surgery was scheduled for 7/29/08 and I didn't make it past the OR. Once in the OR and put to sleep, that was as far as they could go. The breathing tube would not go in and I spiked a very high grade fever. So, for my safety, they had to bring me too without having the surgery. Dr. Oh & Dr. Hirahi came to my side prior to going to perform another surgery and they were great. Both were very comforting and letting me know that it was not over with, and that I would have the surgery once my Pulmonologist gave me the \"All Clear\". This just makes me want to have them as my surgeons. I am looking forward to continue working with them because I know they are on my side and that they want me to succeed. |
On my way to LIVING... !!
It's Been Awhile... on April 23, 2009 8:47 am
April 23, 29009 -
I know it has been awhile since I last posted. It is not so easy for me to get on since I can only log-on & post at work. All is well on my end. My weight is not going down, but I am not worried, since I am losing inches. As long as my clothes want to keep falling off of me , I am happy. My doctor, on the other hand, is not too happy. He only looks at the pounds. I would think he would be happy that I have gone from a size 28 to a size 20 and I am almost in a size 18. Do you know how many years it was since I was in a size 18!!? Well, too long ago for me to remember exactly when...but it was a very long time ago. I believe my daughter was in preschool and she is now 21 years old.
I started water aerobics at the Lakewood YMCA 3 nights a week and I am loving it!! I can really tell a difference. The fat is turning into muscle...WAHOO!! I am sure once I develop more muscle, the fat will start to burn off and then the pounds will come off and Dr. Oh will be happy. My energy level is through the roof, I can actually almost keep up with my 4 year old (almost 5) grandson.
I wanted to say, that I do think of all of you often and one day my income will allow me to afford internet service & a computer, so that I can stay connected with you all more. I miss the support from my OH family. My friends & family don't understand what I feel or go through on a daily basis. Most of them have never been overweight and they try to push me harder than my body will allow, and at times are very insensitive to my feelings...walk in my shoes...walk in my shoes.
Well, enough of that. I have to get back to work and I am not sure when I will be able to return back to the site. As soon as I am able, I will hit you all up!
Stay encouraged!!!
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Happy Thanksgiving!!! on November 26, 2008 11:21 am
November 26, 2008 ~
I want to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. I know I am truly blessed to be able to spend this day with my loved ones (family & friends). I pray that each of you have someone you love to spend this day with and are thankful to be able to spend any day with those that you hold dear to you.
Well, had my appointment for my 3rd fill on Monday (11/24). When I weighed in, I gained 3/4 of a pound . I know that is not a lot, but when you haven't lost and you gain, to me that is alot. I asked Dr. Oh to be more aggressive this time, and since he was in a very good mood, he agreed. He put in 1.5cc of fluid...yes, I finally have restriction!! I now have a total of 5.8cc of fluid. I knew it was a good one when half of a SF popsicle...yes, I said half, filled me up. My grandson was so happy that I couldn't finish because he was able to eat the rest for me. He is soooo cute!!! Thank God it was SF or he would have been bouncing off the walls . I am hoping to have a good weight loss this time. Dr. Oh wants me to lose 10 pounds by my next appointment (1/3/09). Pray for me...please.
Not much is going on with me at this time. I am just trying to keep level headed by keeping my eyes & heart on God. I did have a rough spell, but with lots of prayer I am coming out of it. I am realizing that I can not stress over what I have no control over. I have more than I deserve and I am thankful. It may be only the basics, but that is a lot more than many, and for that I am grateful.
I am so thankful for each of you on this site. I know I am not on it that much (no computer at home) but when I am on it, you all inspire me to want to continue with this obesity battle. When it is all said and done, we will all be victorious!!!
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Emotional Roller Coaster on November 5, 2008 9:23 am
November 5, 2008 ~
Hello everyone. I know it has been a while since I left an update and I do apologize to those that have been supporting me through this journey. I am going to try to do my best to keep posting updates. It is just lately, I have had a hard time doing anything.
Where do I start? Well, I had my 2nd fill on 10/27/08. The doctor put in .5cc of fluid...no more restriction than I had before going in. I wanted more, but he didn't want to put too much in too soon. Now, I have 4.5cc of fluid in my band. I am still loosing weight, so I can't complain. I am finally back on my thyroid medication, so hopefully that will help with my weight loss. It is coming off so slow. My weight didn't move for 2 weeks and now I am afraid to weigh myself in fear that it still hasn't gone down or that it possible went up. My clothes are still getting loose, so that is good.
I was hoping to get off of my antidepressant, but no such luck. I went off for a few months, but I ended up in a downward spiral. I hate being dependent on meds. I am back on and now I have to wait for the medication to start working again. I cry at every little thing. I guess crying is better than going off on people. The only real joy in my life is my 4 year old grandson. He is full of unconditional love. As everything around me seems to be crumbling, he keeps me wanting to go on.
I know I am BLESSED on so many levels. I have a great job (even though some people make me want to strangle them), I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food in my refridgerator and a vehicle to drive. God is supplying all of my needs...so what is wrong with me? I miss the relationship I had with my daughter. She got involved with an older man that abuses her and cost her to loose her son. She is so distant with the whole family, but what hurts me more is that she is distant with her son & me. She has a new baby, and now we don't exist. Man, that hurts so bad. She chose him & his family over her own. We still love her and will always open our hearts and doors to her, but she has to want it just as much as we do.
If that wasn't enough, the love of my life for almost 17 years is becoming very distant. It is hard enough having a long distance relationship and calls, letters, etc is very important. He is in Louisiana and it has been almost a year since I last saw him (January 2008). I pray for strength to get me through whatever is going to come my way. If his feelings have changed, or he met someone new, just let me know. When I mention to him how I feel, he tells me nothing has changed, that he loves me more today than he did 16 years ago. But actions have always spoke louder than words. I'm in the process of saving money for Kevan and I to go see him. Everytime I tell him I am coming, he always tells me that it would be easier for him to come to Washington...still waiting!! I went to Louisiana in August and all was good. Maybe my mind or the devil is playing tricks on me. I need to boost my confidence up. I remember when I was very confident in myself...what happened?
Well...I am done whinning. I shouldn't complain about my life, because it could be so much worse. And there are so many people in this world that don't have a fraction of what I have. Thanks for letting me get some stuff off my chest. I will just keep praying, studying God's word and loving my family and Michael, the best I can. One day the sadness will go away and happiness & joy will fill my heart.
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Rough Week...But Getting Better!! on October 7, 2008 6:56 am
10/07/2008 ~
Hello everyone. I know it has been a while since I left an update, but it has been crazy on my end. The past week has been a nightmare. I was rushed to the hospital on 9/26 with severe pain. I feared it was my lapband...wheww...it wasn't. I had fluid in my lower abdomen that was causing a very bad infection. Talk about pain...I think labor was easier. I was released from the hospital on 9/30, just to return on 10/1 with bacterial double pneumonia. I was finally released on 10/3 and am slowly trying to recover.
At one point in the hospital, I thought I was going to go crazy. When I went in to the hospital on 9/26, I was down to 248 lbs, by the time I was discharged, I was up to 271 lbs. I just cried. But, GOD is good. It was all water weight due to the fluids they were giving me through my IV. I am now as of yesterday, down to 244 lbs.
Other than that all is well. Work is just as busy as ever and I thank GOD everyday that I still have a job, when so many do not. I am loving my grandson more & more everyday. He is so cute. He started pre-school on 9/22 and he is loving it. I think his favorite part is riding the school bus. I am able to get to his day care before the school bus gets there and to see him gettng off of the bus is so cute. As soon as he sees me, he charges me...almost knocking me down. All you see coming at you is this little guy with big eyes and a very big smile. How can you not fall in love.
Now, as far as my band...I am doing well. I only had one fill (4cc) and I am still feeling some restriction. As long as the weight is coming off, I am happy...no gaining please!! The only problem I am really having is that I forget to drink my water. A whole day will go by and I will realize that I haven't had a drop of any liquids all day. I didn't have that problem prior to surgery, but drinking is very difficult for me now. It goes down fine, I just do not have the desire to do so and my body is going to suffer if I don't force myself to drink. Is anyone having this type of problem?
Well...thank you for letting me vent or express myself. I hope all are well and moving forward with their goals. You are all still my biggest motivators.
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First Fill on September 18, 2008 7:20 am
9/18/2008 ~
Well, I had my first fill on Monday (9/15). I was so nervous . My stomach was upset and I thought I was going to be sick . Man...it is amazing how your nerves can mess with your body. The doctor was an hour behind, but that was ok. That gave me a chance to talk with others in the waiting room that have been going through this for a long time. It is amazing how much information you can learn while waiting.
I finally got called back and my nerves just jumped out of my body. The nurse was amazing. She offered to hold my hand through the procedure. But, I took a big girl pill and decided I would do this without the hand holding. It took Dr. Oh 4 tries to get the needle in the correct place. Apparently my port was lower than he thought. It took him several minutes just to try to locate my port. It was at least 2 inches below my incision...go figure. But all in all, I was filled with 4cc's of saline. YES RESTRICTION!! I was sore for a few days, but now I feel great.
I am so happy to be able to chew food. I don't care if it is soft solids, at least I am chewing . I fill up so quickly...I love it!!
Well, not much else is going on with me. Just the same old thing, work, home & work again. I hope you all are enjoying your ride to a healthier life...I know I am. Yes, it is frustrating at times, and I do miss certain things, but my future as a healthy woman is so much more important than a particular type of food that I no longer can have.
Question: Is anyone experiencing really bad leg cramps? OMG...they started yestereday and I thought I was going to die.
Talk later my friends!! | Leave a comment.
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My Story
My weight problem started in 1995. I was never thin, but not overweight. After the death of my twin girls, I turned to food for comfort and closed myself off from everyone and everything. My weight gain was slow and I thought I would be able to control it and work it off...well not true. As my activity decreased, the weight increased. I tried all kinds of ways to get the weight off once I hit the 200 lb mark. I tried everthing from starvation to Phen-fen. I would lose a few pounds here and there, but then always gain it back, plus.
October 2001 is when the pounds started to really pile on. I hurt my foot (trying to run) and realized a month later that I actually fractured my foot. I was in a air cast for what seemed forever. By December, I hit around 230 lbs. Since walking was almost impossible, it was hard to do any type of exercise. I was in the air cast until April 2002. In June 2002, I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis (lung disease) and was put on Prednisone. My weight shot through the roof. I hit 300 lbs real quickly. I was so uncomfortable and I tried everything I could think of to get the weight off. I had doctor's telling me I needed to start a weight loss program, but refused to take me off the medicine that was causing the weight gain. Depression set in real fast. A few years later, I found out that I have a thyroid disease (Hoshimoto's), explaining why I was having even more weight gain. I finally got under the 300 lb mark, but getting more weight off is seeming almost impossible. I had joined a gym, but that was so imbarassing. It was like a meat market and I was the big, fat joke. That lasted only 8 months, then I canceled my membership and convinced myself that I could do it on my own...big joke there!
In March of 2006 at 36 years of age had to have a total hysterectomy. I am convinced it was because of my weight. Then to top it off, the day before Easter 2006, I was rushed to the ER because I could not breath...pulmonary embalism. More steroids and now blood thinners for 6 months. That is when I started considering WLS. I was scared of it, since I work with several people that had some form of gastric bypass and suffered so many terrible problems. They lost a lot of weight, but one of my co-workers had to go out on a medical retirement due to chronic pain that the doctors could not help her control. I was afraid of something so drastic.
Around February 2008, I saw that another co-worker was shedding the pounds and I asked her what was her secret. She said she just had the gastric Lapband. After asking her several questions and watching her gradual weight loss, I decided I would inquire about the Lapband.
March 14, 2008:
While visiting my primary care physican for a follow-up visit for my thyroid & depression, I mentioned to him that it was time to get this weight off. He agreed and gave me a brochure for the Northwest Center for weight management.
March 17, 2008:
I called the number on the brochure and scheduled myself to attend a WLS seminar.
March 24, 2008:
I attended the WLS seminar conducted by Dr. Ki Oh and a few members of his staff. I listened intensly as Dr. Oh discussed all they types of WLS he performs. That is when I knew I was really ready for the Lapband procedure.
March 25, 2008:
I called Dr. Oh's office to schedule my first appointment. I am scheduled for April 23, 2008. I am so excited!!! The journey to a new and more exciting and healthy life is beginning!!!
After talking some more with my co-worker and doing more research, I found ObesityHelp.com. I am so happy to have found this website. Every story I read, every before & after picture I have viewed has inspired me. I have already starting eliminating unhealthy foods from my diet. I have cut out sodas, candy, ice cream & fast food. I am so ready to do this and to do it right. I know the weight won't come off quickly, but as long as it comes off, I will be happy. Now, I am looking for a support group in my area. I do believe this will be beneficial to my successful weight loss. Who else will understand what I am going through, especially those that are going through it or have gone through it themselves.
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