jenn a
Since I began exploring wls seriously, the process has moved along very rapidly.
In December, I decided to change PMD's because the one I had was rather substandard. My new PMD was very willing to give a referral on the first visit. He asked which surgeon and that was that.
By February I received a letter from Aetna hmo, stating I was approved.
I meet for my pre op appt with Dr. Oliak (surgeon) on March 26. The excitement/anxiety is building!
3/27/04 Yesterday I met with Dr. Oliak for my pre-op and am scheduled for RNY lap on 4/22/04. Initially, I wanted the lap band, but Aetna did not approve so I "settled" for RNY. Yesterday Dr Oliak gave me the option feeling that he could get me approved for lap band. But after doing even more research and a long discussion with Dr Oliak and my spouse- I chose the RNY lap. Anyway, I am so excited. I even lost 5 lbs(probably the excitement and anxiety)!
4/8/04 Today marks 2 weeks until surgery. At the risk of sounding negative, I am beginning to worry. I think of the possible complications both short term and long term, the minor and major. I worry about my family and kids and even work. In my heart of hearts I feel that I will come out without any major problems yet I remain ambivalent. On the other hand, I know also that if I don't do something I will inevitably have complications from obestiy. Soooo, I continue to hang in and wait- 4/22/04 is just around the corner. (274 lbs/41 bmi)
4/20/04 Two days 'til the big day! Well I am now at peace with my decision to undergo wls. For me, the best way to prepare is to learn, learn, learn which helps both mentally and physically. This site has helped tremendously-thank you all. Also, those attractive size 10 pants are a great motivator! (273lbs)
Post Op 
4/25/04 Yeah! I am now 3 (4/22) days post op and doing well. I left the hospital yesterday with fits of energy to burn. Today my husband and I got up early and walked my dog and then went to my local nursery to look for landscaping ideas. So overall I am doing well. It is tough to get in the H2O, but I'm working on it. Dr. Oliak did a very fine job. I have four small (1") lap incisinons that were closed with Dermabond (skin glue) and a larger (2") incision where my JP drain is, which consistently has <3 ml's of drainage.(FYI-my surgeon keeps drain in for 1 wk to observe for leaks) Pain is very minimal, in fact I feel I wasted money on the Lortab (pain med)!
4/26/04 4 days post op- Today I was pretty tired. It was difficult to walk very far today,which probably had more to do with the warm weather. I despise the Dr prescribed shakes- not a big fan of sweets. I trust tomorrow will be better.
5/2/04 Today marks post op day 10. I am feeling well with the exception of the head hunger which kicked in on day 8. I realized I am a big social eater. Although most of my friends are not MO, our meetings always involve meeting for lunch or dinner at some fantastic restaraunt. So needless to say, my social life is a little dismal right now since I can't eat. Also I took my daughter to the movies on Friday and I smelled the popcorn from the parking lot! (my sense of smell seems heightened). I miss food terribly, my husband does not get it and he's getting on my nerves for that reason alone. But I know I'll get through this. (263 lbs ,-13)
5/10/04 I'm now 18 days post op and feeling good. Psycholigically, I feel better also. I have been hangin' out with friends&family and have adjusted my diet to be able to tolerate restaraunts. Last weekend, we went to Hollywood to hang out and then went for Thai food-I had soup which was really good! (256lbs, -20)
5/14/04 (22 days post op)I am doing great, in my opinion. My wt loss is kinda slow in comparison to many, but I am fine with that. I am still on shakes which I literally gag on- thank God this is my last week. My husband and I celebrated our 8 yr anniversary 2 days ago, so we are going to a jazz festival in Newport Beach this Saturday compliments of my DH's friend. I have slacked off on exercise a little this week. I was doing 20 min a day, but this week I only exercised 3 times(was kinda tired). I'll get back on track next week I promise myself. (253,-23)
5/20/04 4 weeks post op today. I saw the nutritionist at my surgeons office today, so I can now EAT!!! I love my surgeon and his office staff BTW. I feel pretty good. I still have pulling feelings in my abdominal area, but no pain. Exercise is a pain, but easier than before and plus actually seeing a loss is motivating. I went to the gym to do some light weights, which felt good. I'm still losing kinda slow, but oh well it's better than nothing and definitely better than gaining. (250,-26)
6/01/04 I guess it's been a little while since I posted. Things are great, food is great, life is great, exercise is...not too bad! On occasion I forget that I am still only 5 wks post op and try to do too much, but my body gives me gentle reminders. This past weekend the kids and I took a mini trip up Pacific Coast Highway and stayed overnight in Camarillo then back again. It was really fun just to hang out with my 3 teenagers-I can't believe I'll have a kid in college in a couple months!!! I really feel good and other than missing things like rice and garlic bread I feel more "normal" now than I have in years!
8/28/04 I am now over four months post op and doing well. At about 2 mos post op, I had some anxiety issues (due to marital problems mostly/insecure spouse) but now I'm fine. My total loss so far is 60lbs which I am totally happy about! I have truly enjoyed this summer of transition (wt loss, son graduating HS...) Still, many friends and co-workers do not know of my method for wt loss-I'm kinda on a don't ask don't tell regimen, but if asked I do share. I'm just kind of a private person. Yet and still it was one of the most positive,proactive decisions I've made for myself in a long time.
9/5/04 Down 65 lbs and shopping for clothes is really fun right now!!!
9/22/04 Today I am 5 mos post op and down 71 lbs (205).
01/01/05 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 2004 was an amazing year, many ups (or should I say downs, now 19lbs away from goal) in my personal life. I certainly wish for better things for the world in the new year-best wishes on recovery for the South Asia tsunami victims and families. Let's hope our country's leaders step up to the plate and join the world in the recovery efforts of this horrific event.
05/08/05 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! Well I have just recently hit the "100 lbs lost" mark. For about 6 weeks I stayed at 177-178#'s (which is 98-99 less than where I started) My original goal was to be 170, but now I think I want to go a little further, 160. I am now comfortable in a size 10-12, which for my ht is a good size. But I can't seem to lose the belly. Funny, it wasn't this big last time I weighed 176!?!? Oh well- I am just so happy to be at a size where I can shop for cute clothes and walk up 2 flights of stairs without getting winded.
09/13/05 I think my weight loss has officially stopped. I am now 171 and tried to go another 10, but it ain't budgin' ! I'm ok with it though since I am pretty much at my goal weight. I am now looking into plastic surgery, abdominoplasty specifically, and suddenly feel lost. Researching the gastric bypass was so much easier. There just seems to be more of a financial interest in the field of plastic surgery. Any adivice would be appreciated. But really, I have no complaints-I feel good, look better, and life is great. Also I will be traveling abroad to my father's native country, Thailand for the first time. For once I can go visit him instead of him coming here. And fitting in the seats won't be an issue :-)
11/14/05 Well I am now 5 days post op abdominoplasty. Too early to tell how satisfied I am. I'm still swollen and can't stand up straight,and my back is killing me, and these drains are a nuisance...other than that I am doing well!
11/19/05 I am now 10 days post tt. Drains were taken out at day 6 which was a great relief. I am still swollen, I can't zip up my regular pre-tt pants but have lost 4 lbs so I am now 3 lbs away from my revised goal of 160 (was originally 170). I am standing almost erect(with effort) now but still feel very tight and contracted. Needless to say this recovery is taking way longer than for the RNY, and my 3 c-sections. (163,-113)
09/19/06 I have gotten so busy with other aspects of life (work mainly) that I have slacked off on my health. To be honest with my self, I became kind of depressed after my TT. It was not what I had hoped for. I still have significant love handles and a dog ear on my left hip. I can bend over and skin/fat still hang. Fat hangs over my pants when I sit down. And I did not lose a single inch off my waist! As far as I'm concerned it was a waste of time and money. I allowed myself to gain 10 pounds (which I am working to re-lose.) What's done is done and I gotta move on. I know balance is the key to health and happiness, so I will just have to get back on track. (173 ,- grrrrrrr!!!)
01/24/07- Happy New Year! Well, I haven't lost that extra weight. It is a daily struggle, but I'm holding steady and refuse to give in!!! I have a good support system, mostly my daughter is a great encourager. Funny thing is that when I had the bypass in 2004, she commited to the low sugar part of it as well. 
Now she can't stomach alot of sugar, it's like she get's dumping syndrome or something. The other day she was drinking a sugary Starbucks drink and she started feeling sick, then she says "it must be the gastric bypass!!!" Life is funny! 
06/09/07- Yesterday I had my semi-circumferential body lift / revision of tummy tuck. I feel quite well. 
I have two drains that I expect will be removed in 5-7 days. My wonderful husband took me for my post op visit with Dr. Kent this morning, and all is well.
04/21/08- Tommorow is my 4 year "surgiversary" and in honor of that and Earth Day, I have decided to go "meatless" for a day then taper off of meat in hopes of becoming vegetarian. I have considered it for a while, but being borderline anemic and a complete carnivore has made it difficult. Wish me luck!
