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Wuzzup OH friends!
I'm so happy I just had to share... Today, my scale said 189 lbs!  Yesssss!! 

Words can not express just how happy I am. I can actually wear a size 14!  I can't weight to get to my goal and today it doesn't seem that far away. Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and for inspiring testimonials. We truly are here to help one another through the good days and the bad.

Here's some before and current pics.

Hi everyone! Well, what can I say. It seems it's taken forever to FINALLY hit 200lbs! Thank you Lord, I'm truly grateful. Because without the surgery I would not have accomplished this goal. I keep hitting plateaus and when I met for my follow up with my surgeon on Thursday, weight 204 lbs, he determined I was getting too many calories which was slowing my weightloss. I had decided to increase my protein shakes because I've been losing alot of hair. What I didn't realize is that I had increased my calorie intake as well. So, I cut back on the meals and kept the protein shakes and increased my water and exercise.. and POOF!... I dropped those 4 lbs and hit 200!! woo-hoo!! .  So, just to keep the scale moving downward, I did 45 mins on the treadmill this morning and will do my best to workout 5 times this week. Hopefully, I'll not only get to "Onederland", but maybe even drop to 195 lbs.. 

It's all about ATTITUDE, right??  Instead of "I think I can.. I think I can.." It will now be I KNOW I can.. I KNOW I can.. "

Please wish me luck!

   I love my RNY!! 

Hi everyone! I know I haven't posted much lately. I've been reading posts by alot of my online buddies and all of you are doing great!  Congrats to all of you!

Unfortunately, I've been EXTREMELY stressed out with working alot of 12-14 hour days, financial woes and oh yes.... MAN drama!  But, God is good and I know that I am very much blessed in other ways. I've worked to hard to get my health in order to let STRESS take me out..

I'm now 3 months post op and feeling good. Just had labs done and I expect that my protein is probably low. I say this because my hair is shedding like mad. I've increased my protein shakes to 2 per day and taking high dosages of biotin and niacin. I even went to the dermatologist and he said it was perfectly normal and to wait to see what the lab results show. I try to exercise at least 3 times per week and go to the gym once a week for aqua aerobics. It's amazing how relaxed you feel after finishing the class and sitting in the jacuzzi for a bit.

Other than that.. as of today.. I am 204lbs!! Which is 73lbs from my highest weight and 60lbs since surgery (11/3). Yippee!!  I've been trying not to buy too many clothes, but everything is bagging and just too big (I'm NOT complaining.. this is FANTASTIC). I haven't been this size in over 20yrs. Even most of my shoes are now too big!  LOL!

I decided to TREAT myself to a new pair of Carlos Santana platform stilettos! Please see my photos and tell me what you think of them......

Hi Everyone!

I hope everyone had a FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS!  I went home to Chicago for a couple of weeks. The weather was 'FUNKY' but I was with family and friends and that's what made it all GREAT!

I know I haven't posted in quite a while. But, I had some minor problems post op which caused me not to feel very well, but I PRAISE GOD that I'm doing much better now. AND, I've lost 41 POUNDS as of today!   WOO-HOO!!!

I posted a couple of pictures of me pre op and another showing my weight loss.  I plan to post a new pic every 2 months. I have alot more energy and I'm doing way better getting in my protein shakes and liquids. I still have a little trouble with nauseousness, but it's way better than it was. I think I just need to focus on eating S-L-O-W-E-R. (smile).

Well, gotta run. I hope everyone has a Safe, Happy & SKINNIER New Year!

Hi Everyone!

Well, it's been a while since I've posted, but I just haven't felt very well.... Let's just say that weeks 2, 3 & 4 were a little rough but I think things are getting back on track now. (Praise God!).

Since I last posted, I developed a nasty rash all over my stomach and chest (apparently I'm allergic to surgical tape). Luckily after trying various forms of Benedryl, the gel seemed to do the trick and the rash is now gone. Then, I became severely dehydrated and my kidneys started to have problems. This was because my stomach was so upset that I couldn't drink all of my protein drink or get enough liquids down. (My taste buds really don't like the taste of the SF products anymore, e.g., Popsicles, pudding, crystal lite, etc.). Anyway, after having to have an IV of saline at my Dr's office and then going in daily for blood tests to see if we could get the kidneys working properly by Thanksgiving it appears that things are turning around for the better. I have started to have some occasional back pain and I only hope that it's not a kidney stone. I have a Dr's appt this afternoon, so please keep me in your prayers that things can get back on track.

The nausea seems to not be as bad any more. "Thanks" to adwinters12345 (Ashley) who told me to try Gatorade instead of water and that seemed to do the trick.

So far, I've lost about 31 pounds. Yay!!!  It probably could have been a little more, but because I wasn't getting in all of my protein and liquids I believe that caused a stall... BUT, 31 pounds ain't bad!! 




 

  Hi everyone!

Well, Tuesday (11/3), was my 1 week post op anniversary and I'M DOING GREAT!!  As you know I had to come home from the hospital on oxygen in order to help expand my lungs after having anesthesia. Anyway, Tuesday, my doctor took me off the oxygen AND told me I no longer had to take my diabetes meds or the cholesterol meds. AND, she also cut my high blood pressure meds in half. (I was hoping to get rid of those too, but I guess in will happen soon). My blood pressure has NEVER been so good and I feel good, just a little tired.  I am so happy to get off those meds I just get all choked up. And then yesterday I had my follow up appt with my surgeon and he removed my drain tube. (glad that awful thing is gone.. it really wasn't bad, but just was in my way  .  I've been doing my walking and sipping.. (hehehe). I'm on full liquids for this week and go to pureed food next week. I'm so SICK of that taste of Splenda I could scream. But I'm dealing with it. I've tried some of the creamed soups which seems to help. I'm getting pretty tired of the sweetness of the SF popsicles, SF Jello, Crystal Lite and the protein already.. so if anyone has any suggestions, PLEASE let me know..

Hooray!! I can FINALLY join the Loser's Bench!!!  It's a great feeling to finally have the surgery over with. All in all, everything went very well. My doctor said the surgery was textbook, without any complications.  However, when they checked my vitals yesterday, they said my oxygen was too low, so they kept me an extra day to run tests to be sure that I didn't have any blood clots in my legs or lungs... So everything is good, NO BLOODCLOTS, but I did have to come home with an oxygen tank for a few days until I follow up with my doctor. He said I need to expand my lungs so walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip and take very deep breaths.....

Thank you all for your encouragement, prayers and well wishes. It has truly meant alot to me. I want to say a special THANK YOU to Barb and Ashley, who were so kind to come to the hospital and wait with my family (to keep them calm) during my surgery. That truly means so much to me and I am forever thankful to you guys. And, also for the cute little journal Barb gave me to write down all my weightloss experiences on this roller coaster of a ride.

Gotta go rest for a bit. Talk to you guys soon!
~Valerie~

Well gang, my countdown begins today!!  
 
Next Tuesday, 11/3 @ 2:30pm PST I will take the BIG JUMP and move over to the Loser's Bench. I am so excited and yet feeling some nervousness too.  I am all prayed up and trust in the Lord that things will go smoothly with surgery and recovery. I am so grateful and thankful that I have this opportunity.
 
I am trying to be as organized as possible... I have my protein, vitamins, heating pad, recliner, chapstick, baby wipes, SF popsickles, SF pudding, etc. EVERYTHING I can think of to be as comfortable as possible when I get home from the hospital. 

I just want to say THANK YOU to all of you for being so encouraging and helpful thus far in my journey. It's so wonderful to be able to come here and get information and sometimes just vent because we all have this journey in common and the ups and downs can be one heck of a roller coaster ride. Friends and family try to be understanding, but I still say that unless you have been at least 100 lbs overweight, you just can't fully understand......

With just one more week to go I tried to make sure I have everything I could need, but please feel free to give me any suggestions on things that I may need.. and any tips that helped you through recovery..

Thanks everyone!

YEEEAAAHHH!!  I'm finally APPROVED!!  I'm doing the happy dance!

Finally, I called UHC today and they said "you meet the required criteria for certification."  A little unsure, I asked "does that mean I'm approved to have the surgery?" and the rep said "YES".  Woo-hoo!  I'm so fully of emotions right now I could burst!  I'm a little nervous about the surgery, but my need and want for the surgery is far greater than my nervousness.

Make some room for me on the Loser's Bench, I'm on my way!!

~Valerie~

Hi everyone! 

Well, after a long wait of trying to get all my medical records together (some were lost), my request for surgery was submitted to UHC this week. Today is DAY 4 of WAITING..   Luckily, my employer will pay for the surgery as long as I meet all the criteria, which I do. 

I know 4 days is not that long at all, but I soooo want to GET THIS PARTY STARTED and move over to the LOSER'S BENCH!!  Tomorrow I'll be participating in the Walk From Obesity event here in Vegas. I'm so excited because it's the first time I've ever done anything like this, plus some of my co-workers will be joining me and I look forward to meeting new friends who also understand this journey.

Anyone have any tips on how to keep my mind off of THE APPROVAL? It's all I can think about..

Thanks
~Valerie~