akers123
I have been large all of my life. Even as a kid, I was always the fat kid that was never excepted and always teased. Im happily married to a man who doesn't see my weight. He see's and loves me for me which I am so happy about. But I need to do this for me and give myself a second chance to an active life.
October 20, 2003
I went to the support group meeting last week at Dr. Fullum's office with a coworker who has had surgery. This confirmed my thoughts that I do want this surgery. I am waiting to switch insurance in January. Im going to try and have some of the evaluations before my first appointment in January. Im going to check out one more doctor this week or in 2 weeks to make sure I am settled with my choice of Dr. Fullum.
November 6, 2003
I have my appointment scheduled with Dr. Fullums office for January 5. I will have my new insurance by then so hopefully we won't have any problems. I also have my psychological evaluation secheudled for November 20th. I want to get as much done before my January 5th appointment. I feel like I have officially started my journey.
November 18,2003
My 31st birthday was the 15th of November and if I have to say it SUCKED. All i can think about is when I will be able to have this surgery and when I will have a life again. My knees are really starting to hurt me and I just have NO energy. Im taking my husband to a support group meeting on Thursday. He is very helpfull and supportive, I just want him to totally understand how things are going to be done.
November 20, 2003
I went to my second support group meeting at Providence Hospital today. I took my husband with me because I want him to understand everything that is going on. He is very supportive and I don¡¦t think I could do this without his support.
My co-worker Milton was there as well. I was glad that my husband was able to meet him because he is big part of this surgery to me. I talk to him daily about questions and concerns and he is so supportive. Milton you are a true friend!
November 23, 2003
Today was supposed to be a great day. Me, my husband, my mom and my sister were taking my son and daughter to the MCI Center to go see the WIGGLES in concert. We got there, of course got something to eat and down to our seats we go. The seats were great, they would have been even better if I could have fit in them. I had to sit sideways and was immediately in pain and then started to cry. It was so uncomfortable and I felt like everyone in the arena was staring at me. I couldnt just get up and leave, I had to see the kids faces. This was the worst thing that has ever happened to me due to my weight.
This is just another reason that makes me want to go crawl in a closet and not come out until I have had this surgery. I dont want to go anywhere or see anyone.
December 29, 2003
Well it has been almost a month since I posted. I have my first consultation with the surgeon now on January 12th. My insurance doens't go into effect until Jan 11th. Im sorta upset that im getting a later start then I had wished, but how bad can a week hurt. I have some of the pre-op stuff done, Nutritionist, Physc Evaluation, and Stress Test. I also have my first constult with a doctor for the EGD the same day as my appointment with the surgeon.
Hopefully I had my last christmas hiding from the cam-corder and having my picture taken. Hope everyone has a safe New year.
Monday, January 12, 2004
Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal went into affect yesterday and today, I had my surgeon appointment. My mom went with me to my appointment. She has been great through all of this. THANKS MOM. The scale was not very kind to me. I have gained about 15-20 pounds in the last 4 months or so. I didn't think I was eating more, but I guess I have been. I was very upset at first. I thought I had so many things already done to find out I still have alot more to go. I need an ECHO and Cardiologist Clearance, a Venus Doppler of my Legs, a PFT and clearance from a Lung Doctor. Man and I thought I was almost there. NOT
Also today I had my first appointment with Gastroenterologist regarding the EGD. That went well and I have the EGD scheduled for Wednesday January 21st. At least that is one thing that is scheduled. I'll fill you in on when I can make all these new appointments soon.
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Well after really thinking it through I guess yesterday wasnt so bad. I just thought I was going to get a date and boy I was wrong. I have my first appointment Wednesday with the Lung doctor for the PFT Test. Then I go back on Tuesday, January 20th to review the results with the doctor and get the clearance letter.
I have my leg Doppler scheduled for Monday. Wednesday I have the EGD and scheduled the Echo and appointment with Cardiologist. So Im on my way. Like a Hurry and Wait type thing.
Friday, January 14, 2004
I had my PFT yesterday and I guess everything went ok. I didnt get the scores a healthy person would get, but I guess they should have realized that. I will know more when I see the Doctor on Tuesday.
Friday January 22, 2004
Boy alot has happened in a week. I received verbal clerance from the Lung Doctor although he believes I have a touch of asthma, but that the surgery should help it. On Wednesday I had my EGD which was really painless. I don't remember a thing and felt great afterwards. That afternoon I had the Echo and EKG and met with the Cadiologist. He said everything looked fine and faxed the clearence that night. Finally on Thursday, I called Karen at Dr. Fullums office and we scheduled a tentative date. February 6, 2004. I can't belive it, 2 weeks from today my life shall change. The date is just tent right now, but i have my final appointment with the surgeon on Tuesday Jan 27th. Hopefully by then my inurance approval will come through. OK, enough for now, im just on cloud nine!!
January 30, 2004
Again, a lot has happened in a week. IM APPROVED. IM APPROVED. My surgery will be on February 6, 2004 at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, MD. Im very happy with my surgery being on a Friday because it will be easier to have my husband and mom not miss a lot of work.
Of course they had to do the horrible scale thing again. Ill be glad when thats over. Ive gained a bit more weight. Now its been about 20 pounds in about 7 months. I didn¦t think I was eating more, but I guess inside I am. Now I have an extra 20 pounds to loose, and im really upset about that.
I met with Dr. Fullum yesterday for my final consult and he is just so nice. He has such a soft spoken voice and is very friendly. He didnt rush me or act like any of my questions were silly ones. I walked out of that office with a HUGE smile on my face. Finally felt like I had talked to the main man!!
Well more next week. Im very excited. Not yet nervous.
Thursday, Feb 5, 2004
Well tomorrow is the big day. We have to be at the hospital by 6am. Good thing cause im sure I wont be able to sleep anyway. Im getting things finished up at work, worrying about my son and what he is doing has been keeping my mind busy, but now that I have all that worked out, I guess im starting to worry a bit. Im still very excited and can¦t wait to get to the other side..........UNTIL THEN
Thursday, February 12, 2004
Not sure where to begin. I had my surgery on Friday Feb 6th at 7:45am. Went pretty much on time, but I can tell you waiting from 6am until 7:45 was the longest wait of my life. Well Im on the other side now and everything is going just fine.
When I first woke up I felt like someone was sitting on my chest. It hurt so bad. They kept me pretty much drugged up on Friday because of it. I did get up and walk Friday night. Got out of bed by myself I might add.
Saturday, my chest felt a lot better but then had the leak test. I have a slow emptying pouch so that scared me a little bit but then back to my room for the BEST SIP OF WATER I HAVE EVER HAD!! ļ ļ I swore I could feel that water go right into my pouch.
Had lots of visitors on Saturday, THANKS GUYS! ļ That was nice. Got to come home Sunday morning and I was never so glad to see my recliner. I slept there the first night and have been there most of the time. Although I tried the bed, I end up back in good faithful.
More next time, Thanks for everyone well wishes. Its been great support.
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Had my first follow up today and have lost 25 pounds in 11 days. I just can’t believe it. I had a bad first week. I came down with bronchitis and my doctor didn’t know what he could give me so that was rough, but he gave me children’s liquid antibiotics and I am all better.
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Its starting to get hard smelling food and seeing what my husband and family are eating. Its sad that I can’t even sit and have dinner with my family but I just can’t do it right now. Hopefully that will change soon. My doctor said I can start purred type foods today, like mashed potatoes, eggs, and smashed vegetables. Tonight for dinner, a scrambled egg, I can’t wait.
Thursday, March 11, 2004
It sure has been long since I posted, im getting used to things with my new life at home and at work. Im starting to try different things now. Nothing has made me sick yet, but I have eaten to fast a few times and it causes pain in my chest. MY favorite foods are crab and shrimp, great protein and MY FAVORITES. I go back to the doctor on Tuesday so I will post a new picture and my weight loss then. I don’t like using different scales. Until Tuesday. BYE
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Sorry it’s been so long since I posted. Lots of things to catch up on. Things got crazy the past month. I am doing well though, still haven’t really gotten sick because of anything I ate. At times I don't feel like the surgery has worked and I can eat to much especially since nothing has made me sick like I hear from others. Also don't feel like im loosing enough weight.
I went on travel this week and that was a challenge. A lot harder then I thought to follow this lifestyle on the road. I have another trip coming up the beginning of May to Iowa and its going to be a full week.
I have lost 50 pounds in 9 weeks. Although that sounds good, I had lost 25 the first week, so to me its not to great. I thought I had lost 60 pounds, but was using the scale the wrong way. I think that started me getting depressed. Im missing food now and I want to snack in between my meals now. Im very upset about the slow weight loss, starting out at my weight, I really thought I would have lost it faster.
I haven’t been doing my protein drinks anymore, so I started those again today. Hopefully that is going to help. OK, enough whining from me, I have posted a picture of me on Easter and my before picture below. Until next time.
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Long time since update yet again! I am now OUT of the super obese category. My Pre Op BMI was 53.2 and now, I have a BMI of 44.1. YIPEE YIPEE YIPEE. Never thought I would be so excited to be just plan old OBESE. LOL
I traveled last week for work to Iowa and this trip went much better then the trip last month, that is for sure. The only really bad thing I did was ate 4 cheese nuggets that were fried. They are the size of tatter tots, but have cheese in them. I really beat myself up about that for a day or 2. And one day for lunch I have a half of cheese biscuit from Red Lobster. So for 5 days away from home, I hope I didn’t mess up to bad.
The hotel had free breakfast (make your own waffles) but I went down and sat with my co workers but ate my fat free yogurt instead. It really didn’t bother me to bad.
Things have been going well. Loosing is still a little slow for me, but I have lost 67 pounds now and it has been 13 weeks. My husband got me some clothes for Mothers Day this year and that is a first. Half fit and half didn’t, but I was so proud that he could buy me clothes. He also said for the first time that he could really see the weight loss while I was riding our 4-Wheeler last night. He said my stance on the 4-wheeler is just very different and he could really see the difference.
Well that is enough for now, until next time. ME
Wednesday May 19, 2004
Today was my weigh in. I weigh every week at the nurses station at my work, so I know it’s a good scale. I have lost a total of 71 POUNDS FOREVER. People are starting to notice now and I LOVE IT. Its funny cause I can see people looking at me like, something is really different. My hair is a lot longer, so I think that is what people are thinking is different. It’s funny.
Have a support group meeting tonight where I live. It’s not done at a doctor’s office; it is just a lot of different people in our area who have had the surgery. It’s great support.
I also attend the support group meeting at Washington Adventist Hospital, which is where I had the surgery. That is a good group as well. I really enjoy talking to anyone about the surgery.
Until next time…………………
Wednesday Juen 9, 2004
I had my 4 month check up with Dr. Fullum yesterday. He was very pleased and thinks im doing great. I received a B12 shot; it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
I have lost 81 pounds in 4 months (17 weeks) Things are going great and I just can’t wait to see a new me.
Until next time…………………
Friday June 25th, 2004
Well this week wasnt' a great week. This is my frist week with NO WEIGHT LOSS. I promised myself I wasn't going to get upset, but of course when it happened, I sure did. I have started drinking more water and hopefully that will help get me loosing again. I just feel like I can eat to much again and that I am not going to loose anymore. Very nervous and scared about this. HOpefully next week things will be better. Until then....
July 7, 2004
Well its been 5 months and my life has started to really change. I am able to work with my husband in the yard and was able to run after my son while he learned to ride his bike. These are 2 BIG things that have really made me see, I am doing something, things are working, etc. Normally my husband doesn’t even think I will come outside with him more or less work out with him all day carrying bricks and pulling weeds. Granted I could barley walk a few days later, but that’s ok.
I have now lost 91 pounds and very happy with that. Still not what I want to look like, but I guess time will help that. Found out Im allergic to something in the pool this week which can be a setback. That has been my way of exercising, so Im a little upset about that. I break out in hives all over.
Well until next time……………..
August 4, 2004
SCREAMING FROM THE ROOF TOP: I DID IT. I DID IT. I LOST 104 POUNDS and Friday is my 6 month anniversary. Im just so excited today I just can't stand it. I was very depressed last week, I weighed and had gained 3 pounds. Still not sure why or what happened, but that and 5 more came off this week to bring my total to 104. I looked so silly, stepping on the scale and stepping off. Weighed yesterday and thought scale was broke so went again today and same thing.
YIPEEE SKIPEE Still have a long way to go. Im only half way to where I want to be so a lot more work ahead of me and im afraid the next 6 months are going to be harder then the first 6, but that’s ok, I can handle it.
Until Next Time
October 7, 2004
Well it has been 8 months now. The weight loss has defiantly slowed down, but its still coming off. I have lost 120 pounds and I feel like a new person. I saw Dr. Fullum this week and he is very pleased with my progress. The end still seems VERY far from where I am. I would like to loose 200 pounds total, so 80 to go.
I have seen people that I have not seen in a while and keep getting great comments. It really makes me feel like its working because at times when I look in the mirror, I see the same thing. The pictures that I have been taken every month have really helped me see things. I recommend that to anyone. Until Next time........
December 8, 2004
WOW, I can't believe its been 10 Months already. Doesn't look like im going to meet my goal for 150 pounds in 6 months, but that’s ok, Im still doing great!! These 2 months have gone by fast and the weight loss has been slow. Only 5 pounds a month. But WOW, people don't even recognize me anymore. I attended a party this month and people didn’t even know it was me until half way through the party. That was a great feeling.
I have FINALLY started to exercise. I joined Jazzercise and I LOVE it. Its alot of fun and I go 2 - 3 times a week. It’s really a lot of fun. Im hoping its going to jump start my loosing.
Until next time.......
January 5, 2004
WOW, what a difference a NEW YEAR makes. My life is so different now then it was this time last January. I have lost 136 pounds in 11 months. I actually lost weight over the Holiday’s instead of gaining like normal. This surgery has been the best thing for my health and just general life! I feel great and I can hang with the best of them.
Until Next Time……………
WEIGHT LOST
DATE---------------WEIGHT-----LOST-------TOTALS
Feb 6, 2004---------357
Feb 17, 2004-------332-------------25------------25
March 16, 2004----319.50--------12.50-------37.50
April 15,2004-------301.50---------18-----------56.50
April 21, 2004------299.50---------2------------57.50 (FIRST GOAL MET)
May 11, 2004------290-------------9.50---------67
June 8, 2004-------275.50--------14.50--------81.50
July 7, 2004--------265.50----------10----------91.50
August 4, 2004-----------253----------12.50--------104
September 7, 2004---------246-----------7-----------111
October 7, 2004------------236.50---------9.50---------120
November 9, 2004------------231.50----------5-----------125
December 7, 2004-------------226.50---------5-----------130
January 4, 2005--------------221------------6-----------136
February 2, 2005-------------217.50---------3.50---------139.50
March 2, 2005----------------216.60----------1------------140.50
April 6, 2005----------------214-----------2.50-----------143
May 10, 2005------------------209------------5-------------148
June 1, 2005------------------206.50--------2.50----------150.50
