cheryl m
11/3/05 I got a call from Linda/Dr Ameri's office........all paper work is in and she is sending it to BCBS. She said they could return a decision in a day or two !!! Just a Waiting game for now!
11/6/05 Well it's my son's 4th Birthday.... he is getting so big and fast! I hope someday I will be able to keep up with him. So no call from Linda/Dr Ameri's office.......will just have to wait for next week.
11/11/05 So, no call from Linda but she said I could call BCBS mysef to check on it. Of course I called last thursday at 4:35pm and that department closes at 4:30 pm!! Just my luck!
I'll just have to wait and see! I did have my cardiology appointment and my pulmonary appointment is 11/22. Then I think that's almost everything he requires before they schedule the surgery (oooppps, forgot still waiting for the approval first-most important thing!)
11/16/05 FINALLY!! Got the call...... I was approved !!!! Linda said I can have the surgery 12/12/05........NOW I'm nervous! If I don't do it then the next choice is 1/23/06..........the day before my 42nd birthday and I really don't want to be in the hospital for my birthday. Decisions!!!!!!!
11/22/05 Well I had my pulmonary consult today- all went well and tomorrow I have my appointment with Dr Ameri. I guess I will be getting more information to get prepared!
12/4/05 So it is all settled now!! Surgery is next monday-I'm nervous and excited. Work was giving me a hard time "wasn't the best time to be out right now!" Spoke with human resources etc and all set. My boss (and friend for about 20 yrs) has been distant about the whole thing.......keeps asking if I am really sure I want to do this and what if something happens?. In explaining to her why I want to do this actually help build up my wanting to do this!! I have great support from my husband, family and friends. My 4 yr old has PDD/Autism and doesn't know what is to happen. He did good after I had my tubes tied so hopefully he will be good with this one. (and no jumping on mommy!)
12/11/05 Well this is it.......tomorrow is the big day. I am more excited than nervous right now. I'm Very tired too so hopefully I can sleep tonight.
Everyone is very supportive-even my boss (she admitted she was worried and some what jealous) I love her anyway.
My husband is nervous-I can tell-he hates hospitals. I was surprised he made it to the maternity ward when Derek was born!
He is being great thru out this whole thing and yesterday we went shopping for me and got sugar free pudding and jello, broth and unsweetened applesauce.
Well good night to all and will write soon. :-)
12/23/05- WELL POST OP- I've been busy trying to get in all my proteins and fluids. Still hard to get them all in but getting what I can in and no nausea or vomiting! Will update further. Time for protein........................
12/26/05 Well made it through christmas. It was a little difficult as my family did Ravioli's and I had tomato soup. I guess they are alike? I really wanted a meatball but I guess I can wait a while for one. I went to Wild Oats with my husband (and 4 yr old son) and picked up samples of Protein drinks. So far I like one from "Jay Robb" all the other have been too thick and not the taste it's supposed to be. I weighed myself at my sister's home last thursday and now I am 230. When I went to my post op visit with Dr Ameri their scale said 232. I think I will still with my sister's!! Still on liquids for another 2 weeks.......getting kind of sick of jello, broth, yogurt etc........ Need something with taste or spice! Can't wait for watery oatmeal or potato!
Have been feeling pretty good but today I found the right side of my belly is sore. (over 2 of my lap scars) I'm guessing this is normal......no drainage or temp.
Next comes New Years Eve....the good thing is it won't be a big holiday celebration (or food) Will probably visit my sister, brother in law and nephew but will be home to put my son in bed (late)
My husband bought a book called "I'm still hungry" by Carnie Wilson. It is really funny and puts alot into perspective. Almost finished it and only had it for 3 days! Good reading and I haven't sat down to read a book since I was pregnant (reading "What to expect when expecting")
1/1/06 Well HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. Well it will be a NEW year for me. So far so good with post op. Getting kind of sick of the liquid diet but I have added some watered down mashed potato and cream of wheat. I do notice when I eat or drink too fast (or drink too cold stuff) I get a pain in my chest/stomach but then goes away. You would think I would learn my lesson??!! I am eating and drinking with a baby spoon which seems to help me with portion size and eating too much too fast. I weighted myself the day I went back to work and it now says 226 lbs which since the End of August is exactly 30 lbs!! Funny thing is I don't SEE alot of weight loss when I look in the mirror but I don't feel "Puffy" and "rolley polley" ..........my husband just laughed at me when I said that but says he sees the weight lose and thought my shirt was too big for me.......I've never heard that before!!
1/1/06 Well it happened tonight......I thought I was ready for burger and mashed potato mixed with broth and gravy added to the blended and guess what..........still too much at this point and had the most pain I've had and for the first time "threw it all up !!"
So I have learned my lesson tonight! Back to broth and jello !
1/5/06 Weighed myself again-I have to pick one day a week to weigh myself but a friend at work said " you look good how much have you lost?" So I weighed again !! down to 225 lbs now 31lbs!! Tried Eggs for the second time and tonight I think I got over cocky and ate too much. Back to the Bathroom. :-(
You would think I would learn my lesson but my eyes ARE bigger than my stomach-esp these days!! Will need to talk to the nutritionist for other choices.
1/7/06 Well its official-I'm dehyrated! Need to work on drinking my water ! I have been so good getting the protein in and eating (what ever agrees with me) So its drink, drink and drink!
Weighted myself at work again friday 223!! I think I will make friday's the weigh in day (for now!)
1/18/05 Well I am still having trouble getting in the water. I went to a 4 yr old's birthday party over the weekend and didn't tell anyone I had the surgery. Everyone kept saying "why aren't you eating" (I just meet these parents- their son goes to school with my son) tried some cheese- went well, potato salad mushy-went well ..... until the meat ball.....didn't go well at all. I think I can honestly say Meat and I don't get along!! After going to the bathroom 3 times I felt great and enjoyed the rest of the party!!
2/5/06 Super bowl sunday and I filled up on 1 oz chicken and cheese! I don't eat like I used to!!! Well I was told by my sister I needed to update my profile. Hi Liz!! I have been doing pretty good with the food-just can't eat all I'm supposed to. I saw the nutritionist and she planned out 3-4 little meals and 2-3 snacks and bunches of water and a protein drink. I'm lucky I get in the meals and some water. I take forever to eat and drink, I eat or drink thru my snack time. I never thought I would ever say I can't eat it all. I have been learning to listen to my stomach and know when I am getting full. I even went out to a resturant for the first time with a friend. I order a chicken quesidilla(? spelling or wondering if the best choice but hey it didn't bother my stomach) and some baked beans. I had 2-3 spoon full of beans and 1/2 of 1 quesidilla (there were 4 on the plate) I did get asked twice by the waitress if everything was ok because I was not eating much. And I even skipped the corn bread and didn't feel bad about it!!
One good thing happened this week at work- a patient came in and asked one of the other nurse "who is the new nurse?" She said "That's Cheryl" The woman was shocked and said I looked good and asked if I was trying to have another baby? Bite her tongue I'm too old for that!
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2/21/06 Well finally tried Steak and rice and it went down and settled well. Anyone watching me would have laughed!! Pieces cut smaller than my 4 yr old needs and only had 2-3 small bites of the rice --Small but tasty and filling!! Later that day I had chicken noodle soup and added an egg for more protein......ate THAT too fast! (believe it or not!)
Yesterday and today I tried Chilli (a friend of mine who had surgery 2 months before me said she's been living on it) And surprisingly it didn't bother me at all.........may be my new favorite!
Well, all is well........I feel good and weighed myself last monday and I was now 209 lbs. I told myself I would look into buying new clothes for work when I hit 200 lbs.......didn't realize it would come so fast. (now just need the extra cash to get the clothes!!)
2/28/06 Well today was my follow up with Dr Ameri. I seem to be doing something right- weight today (with his scale!) was 205. That puts me down 36 lbs since the day of surgery BUT since I started trying to lose weight in Aug 05 it's a total of 51 lbs!!!
Even today my husband say "you look really good" and his new nickname for me is Skinny Although I'm far from skinny! It does make me feel good that he says things like that. Even people at work are saying "you look good" I have to start getting used to all this attention!!!
3/25/06- Well I weighed myself last week and it's official-UNDER 200 lbs!! ok well 198. I am getting more compliments and it's hard for me Just not used to it. My problems recently are I don't think I'm eating enough food. Never thought I would forget to eat!!! I really have to come up w/a plan for eating better! I do make sure I get all my protein in with protein shakes and bars. Working on the water intake- difficult with keeping 1/2 hr between eating and drinking. I forget what I'm doing.
My other problem is letting go of my clothes that don't fit. I actually tried on some work uniforms and are going to give about 10 tops and 8 pants to a coworker. It's just weird to give away all these-some were my old standby's. I also don't have that much to wear- I did buy 2 pants and 3 tops for work and kept a couple of tops that are too big incase I need something to wear to work.
As far as everyday clothes- need to find more. I have been looking for sweatpants but nobody is selling them this time of year.
All which requires $$$$$
Well I guess it's been awhile since I have written anything. I have been busy with life and my computer (lap top) is missing a few keys and it's very difficult to type!! Things are going pretty good!! Hardly any problems with foods-only If I eat too much at once or eat too fast but I guess I've behaved as I have not had any issues. I do need to look into new foods.......getting tired of the same old stuff.
Patients at work are noticing more-sometimes the ask if I changed my hair style. I usually say yes then say "oh and I did lose 80 lbs too" My hairstyle did change too.....my hair is very thin. I guess it's a side effect from surgery/weight loss. I think it's not falling out as much as it was!!
7/30/06 Well I saw Dr Ameri 2 weeks ago. My weight was 174 lbs. I think I am starting to be in that "status quo" stage......not losing fast anymore! I have been watching what I eat but know I need to eat more protein and drink more water. I just think there is not enough time in the day to drink and eat (did I just say that??) I do feel happy about the size 14 jeans I bought are fitting much better and now they are called my "comfortable jeans!" I can't remember the last time I wore size 14!! I still see pictures of my self now and wonder "who is that in the picture?" I was told by many people the brain comes around much later. I still think Dr Ameri needs to do stomach surgery and brain surgery- would help!! I do highly recommend still seeing the counselor- My favorite one is Dr Robin Hasenfeld- I think she is great! She makes you understand the mental part of weight gain and now weight loss! Well off to put my handsome 4 yr old off to bed. Good night all!
8/26/06 Well it happened!!! ...............Some one called me too skinny today at work (Thanks Andrea!) I don't see myself as too skinny (Still see myself as 260 lbs!) Then when I came home my neighbor told me I was thinner than my sister (who has always been the skinny one in our family) Just can't tell my sister this. So I guess I am getting thinner! My weight last week was 169.5 lbs !! Yippee under 170 lbs. I haven't been there since about 1990.
6/18/07 Well it's been awhile!!! Just trying to update my OH page-not so easy! Well as of today I weighed myself at 165 lbs. I was down to about 156 lbs.......have to watch all the carbs I'm eating (they settle better than they used to!) Time to get my butt in gear!
9/15/07 OK I just read what I wrote and OMG! I weighed myself friday before leaving work I was 174. So I gained 10 lbs since June?? 3 months! I have to stop those carbs all together! I need help.......wonder if I can go back to protein drinks for a week or do something!!!! I feel gross and fat.........