ObesityHelp

My story.  According to my mother, I've been over weight since I was born.  I was on my first diet at 10 days old.  I guess I was born with an over eating disorder.  My weight has been up and down ever since.  I've tried every diet under the sun and nothing has worked.  I'm sure my story sounds very familiar, so I won't continue and bore anyone to tears.

What's important now is that it's time to do something permanent about this problem before it becomes a serious health issue.  So, that's one of the reasons why I elected to have the surgery.   Another reason for having the surgery is so that I have the energy level I need to accomplish a few goals I've set from myself in order to ensure my golden years turn out GOLDEN.

10.13.06 -  Dr. Tran released me from the hospital on Friday, November 10th.  I have a very high tolerance level for pain; however, this is a little more discomfort than what I expected.  This recovery reminds me a little of my gall bladder recovery in the 80's.  

I'm able to get around pretty good, but I experience some sweating from sipping water.  I understand that's the dumping symdrome.  I also found that I really don't like powdered protein drinks.  I'm going to have to find something else that I can tolerate.  The chewable vitamins are good.  It's like eating candy, so I feel like I'm still having a treat.  I don't have an appetite, so I have to eat (or drink) by the clock in order to keep my protein up.

I'm really uncomfortable around the abdomen because of the gas that was inserted during the surgery.  Besides that feeling, I'm feeling discomfort on my left side where the instruments were inserted to perform the surgery.  The pain medications are my best friend right now.  I'm taking them as prescribed, so I'm not in excessive pain.

 

11.16.06 - I saw Dr. Tran today for my one week post-op appointment and I've already lost 10 pounds.  Dr. Tran cleared me to eat pureed foods for the next six weeks.  What a major accomplishment.

11.23.06 - Thanksgiving was tough.  I'm on pureed foods for the next 5 weeks, but of course I tried to eat some turkey.  I thought I chewed it up enough, but I was wrong.  It got stuck and felt like heartburn.  Needless to say, I had to discard the turkey.  I waited a few hours and decided to grind the turkey up in the chopper with some gravy.  That went down fine, but it's really not appetizing to eat turkey and gravy that's the consistency of mush. 

12.06.06 - Today, I saw the nutritionist at Dr. Tran's office and she informed me that I've lost another 16lbs.  So, now I have a net loss of 26lbs. since surgery.  Otherwise, everything is going well.  No issues to report. 

12.08.06 - Well, I had surgery yesterday to reconstruct my left ankle ligaments.  I damaged the ligaments about 7 years ago and the discomfort and pain from the damage became increasingly worse.  This made it difficult to keep up the walking schedule that Dr. Tran's office advised that I needed to do to help with the weight loss.  Natalie, the nutritionist at Dr. Tran's office, advised me to keep moving and do as many exercises from bed as possible until I'm able to use my foot again.

12.13.06 - Boy, dealing with this ankle surgery is no fun.  It's hard to get around and my foot is swollen.  I was up on my foot too much last week and the incision bleed slightly.  I'm so miserable, but I know that once it heals I be able to exercise.

12.15.06 - I found out that I'm in a walking boot for 4 to 5 weeks.  I was expecting to wear a shoe by the beginning of January, but I guess  that's out.

12.28.06 - Well, last week I found out that my cholesterol dropped from 250 to 180.  I understand that my good cholesterol is still a little low and my bad cholestrol is still a little high, but the over all number is under 200.  Another major accomplishment.

01.10.07 - I weighed in today and I've lost an additional 9lbs.  Looks like it's slow going now and I'm going to have to speed it up somehow...Look for new pic's soon...Other updates to report...My blood pressure was 112/72 today, but the doc said my potassium is very low.  Since I'm unable to eat enough to increase my potassium, I'm going to have to take a potassium supplement every day. 

01.30.07 - I weighed in yesterday and my total loss to date is 42lbs.  I'm still moving down that ladder. 

03.06.07 - Weigh-in update.  Total loss of 50lbs so far... 

03.18.07 - Weigh-in update.  Total loss of 55lbs so far....

04.05.07 - I went to the gym today to weigh-in, but the scale was gone.  Apparently, someone broke it and there's no ETA when they'll have a new.  I refuse to have a scale at home because I'll be on it every few minutes and that will drive me crazy.  So, now I don't have clue how much I weigh and that's a little nerve racking, but not as much as having a scale in the house.

05.10.07 - I saw doctor Halmi today and I weighed in.  He said I'm doing very well; however, my vitamin D is low.  My total loss to date is 65lbs and he thinks I have another 20 to 30 to go to meet goal.

06.30.07 - I saw my primary care physician today and he said my total cholesterol is now 161 (my bad cholesterol is 90; which is down from 126 a few months ago).  My blood pressure is 120/80 and my current weight is 188.  He's very pleased with my accomplishments and so am I. 
 

 07/28/07 - I saw my primary care physician again today and my weight dropped again.



I weighed in at doctor Halmi's office on 09.07.07.  I dropped a couple of pounds, but my BMI stayed the same.  I guess I need to do better.



As of 11/01/07, I've lost 83lbs.  It's almost been a year since I had the surgery and I feel great.




12/01/07 - Current weight as of this date was 173.  Three pounds from goal.  Current dress size is 10/12.




04/07/08 - Not alot to add...Current weight is about 170lbs and I'm in a size 10...Doctor Tran says I'm doing well and it appears I am still losing weight, which is great since I'm 17 months post op...I still can't eat alot.  I rely alot on the protein drink for nutrition.  I think I'm only eating about 8 ounces of food per meal and maybe a snack per day.  I'm really into wine, though...Doctor Tran warned me about the wine and I'm a little concerned, but I do get some activity.  I'm still worried and have to watch it.

07/14/08 - I weighed into today at 168lbs.  Dr. Tran said I'm doing fine and I dont' need  to lose any more weight.  I'm unsure how I can weigh what I do and wear a size 8.  I added weights to my workout routine a few months ago and maybe that's the reason, but whatever the reason, I can't complain.  I look great and I feel great that's what really matters.

06/09/09 - I haven't logged into this site in almost a year...Boy, how time flies.  Well, I've been maintaining my weight.  I'm weighing between 164 and 169...2008 was a rough year for me.  I thought I wasn't going to make it, but I did.  Went through a lot of challenges and changes, but I think it made me a better person.