blueyez2668
12/16/06 It's been a while. I am still in a size 6 jeans but have had alot of pancreas problems. My doctor still believes its a "surgery" related issue. I don't know. I haven't heard too many people having this issue after getting bypass surgery. Eating is still an issue. I think its going to be a constant issue. Other people can eat subs, pasta.. and drink with their meal. Not me. I can't keep it down. I can handle a few bites of a hamburger or eat a little pasta but then I'm stuffed!! Hope each of you have a blessed holiday season and best wishes to your success!
6/18/05 Hello all! I just came back from Nova Scotia and had a blast!!!! I am so greatful to wls. I walked and I danced my hinnie off all week long. I actually ran the steps of the Citadel fort, and they are STEEP! But I did it and I wasn't winded to the point where I needed to sit and breath for a while. I walked all over Halifax without a problem, well, other than leg cramps from the steep inclines. Being in Florida I am NOT used to hills! But I walked without sweating to death and my thighs rubbing and thats definitely something I would not have been able to do 3 years ago. Because of all the walking and dancing I'm back down to 131 pounds and I am so pleased! My size 5 Levis as hanging off me. It tickles me! Funny thing is I "ate" clam chowder, seafood chowder, fried haddock, lobster... ice cream..on and on... I "ate" all week, more than I do at home and still lost. I say "ate" because I still can't eat a normal portion without throwing up. Its more like I "nibble" Soups are easy but chicken, fish, shrimp and especially beef just do not stay with me long. Anyway.. If you get a chance, go see Halifax Nova Scotia. Great food, friendly people and beautiful sites and pubs on EVERY corner. They love to celebrate life!
4-14-05 Its been a while since I've updated apparently... Like so many others, I've put on some pounds and it irritates me. I am told I look like I'm still losing but I stepped on the scale at the grocery store and about died!! I am floating between 138-142 now and that is insane! I don't eat enough to gain weight. Its boggling my mind. Now granted I started mixing diet pepsi and regular pepsi in my drink..maybe thats the culprit. Or maybe since every weekend I'm out dancing I've gained muscle.. I don't know. I just know that I do NOT want to be fat again. I thought that by now I'd loose my obsession with the scale and numbers but NOOO can't seem to let that go. I went from size 18/20 to a 4/6 and I should not be b*tching but here I sit... *grin* I can't get past the imprefections to appreciate the success. One more thing. If you start experiencing intense, horrific, sharp pain in your lower left side below your ribs that doesn't go away, please go get checked out... in my case it ended up being pancreatitus. Its not something to play with. No cure..just pain management.
10-2-04 Maintaining size 4/6 with no problem. I was on vacation and forgot to pack a pair of jeans, so I ran into a department store grabbed a 6 average and they were WAY too big, God that felt good!! Still can't eat very much food without getting sick. Thought that would change after a couple years but it hasn't. Somedays I'm ok with it, somedays I'm not. I don't really go out to eat anymore, its useless since I can't eat much of the food. But, I take it home and nibble on it later. I got married on 7/17 to the wonderful man I met on NY Eve day in 2002 (if you read my profile, he's the man I met shortly after my husband left me after losing 75 or more pounds). Had such a great night dancing and being a bride! :) I still am greatful for the surgery and will probably be looking into getting a tummy tuck...atleast a partial. I don't have LOTS of skin just enough to annoy me. I came this far might as well go all the way, the boob job..its a must have! Take care and blessed be!
5/21/04 2 yrs post op and feeling wonderful. I had to focus on my protein intake these past couple months because I was getting too small. I've gotten up to 128-130 and stay about a size 4/6. I am no longer chained to the scale. I usually get weighed when I go the Dr. I recently lost my job after 7 yrs. Having lost all that extra weight, I could go into my interviews confindent in my qualifications and found a job right away. Its been 2 yrs and I still can't get over how people treat me today vs 2 yrs ago when I am still the same person, just packaged differently!
2/11/04 I hope the New Year has brought great things for all my WLS family! Just a quick update... I am hovering around 120 - 122. I went shopping and bought a size 2 pair of pants!! Are ya hearing me.....i said a size 2!!! Shopping at Walmart and Kmart is over. Not because I am above it, but because its hard to find clothes that fit me unless I want to dress like a teenager. I fit in a 4 comfortably but the waist is a bit baggy. I feel very good, healthwise I can't complain. Friends are expressing concern that I've continued to loose weight. They tell me I look about 110 pounds. I've just about gotten to the point where my mind and my body are BOTH realizing I am not obese anymore. It seems unimaginable to me that I actually weighed 232 pounds almost 2 yrs ago. I sometimes touch my hips and ribs and can't believe how they feel. I feel bones where fat used to be!! Please just let me say this one thing before I go, to the person that is sitting here reading my profile and thinking they'll never reach goal..don't waste your time worrying honey! I've been where you are and I fretted and stressed about it and now, here I am finding its hard to find clothes that fit and this time its because I'm too SMALL (for a change!!) Be patient and give yourself time to heal and your body the time to process the changes. I can be a witness honey, one day you'll look back and it will all be a blur and you'll be lookin fit and fine! :)
12/6/03 Happy Holidays to all my wls brothers and sisters! I have alot to celebrate this Christmas! One thing is the man that came into my life last NY Eve asked me to marry him last weekend and two, I met and passed my weight loss goal of 130!! There were days, okay months that I never thought I'd reach goal and yet now I am actually below my goal and weighed in today at 125! So, don't get discouraged because I can tell you~ I've been where you are, and it will happen. Be patient. I am actually starting to wonder if I've lost a bit to much. I thought my window closed at 16-18 months, guess not! I'll watch my weight and what I am eating/not eating over the course of a month and then check again. Long gone are the days of weighing in every other hour hoping I lost a pound! lol I know I am not alone on that one!! I pray that you all have a blessed holiday season!
11/10/03 Hello all! Well, I've accomplished my goal... I am an official member of the century club! Beginning weight was 232 and now I flucuate from 128 -130. I am feeling great. My hair is finally thick and full again. My size isn't really pinned down but usually shirts are 4/6 and I prefer size 6 jeans (Levis)because they give me room without looking painted on. I could probably fit in a size 4, I haven't even tried that size yet. I want to be able to feel comfortable so I stop at size 6. I hope everyone is doing well. To the newbies, be patient, you'll be shocked at your progress a year from now. I never thought I'd ever see myself down over 100 pounds and it took me 1 1/2years to do it but it happened!
9/22/03 Weighed this weekend when I went up home to visit. 134! Was very happy to see that. I've been floating between 137-140 for so long. All my jeans and shorts are size 6 and yet are baggy. I probably could be a 4, especially in name brand in stead of wearing jeans from kmart/walmart. Its fun shopping now. Noticed something for the first time when I flew home. Since losing the weight, people smile at me, offer assistance when I don't need it and just all out treat me different. When I weighed 232 I guess I faded in the scenery. Now at 134, I shievered one or two times on the plane and a man stands up and gets me another blanket... go figure. Its sad how people treat others based on their looks. The surgery is a blessing, not just for my weight loss but also for the lesson its taught me about seeing people for who they are and not the package they come in.
8/26/03 Wore the dress today. Received lots of compliments which felt GREAT, but yet made me feel awkward. make sense? After not losing for a loooong time, I dropped 3 pounds outta nowhere. That made my day! I'll probably eat a piece of lettuce and gain it back but what the heck! I really don't care anymore, I love the way I feel and that's all that matters! Continued succes to all you losers! Blessed Be!!
8/05/03 Guess who bought a size 4/6 dress this weekend??! Ok, ok... it IS the biggest 4/6 I've seen but by GAWD I fit into that dress!! Its the semi-stretchy-ish material. I argued with my BF that it wouldn't fit but he kept betting me it would and well, Hot damn! *grin* Now, if you have a moment, I need an opinion. I read as many profiles as I can, it helps to feel less of a freak of nature for chosing WLS, for not being able to eat at social events or for explaining to our waitor/waitress at EVERY restaurant that NO the food's not bad, or YES I've eaten plenty enough... anyway.... I can't tell you when it happened, or what point was the last straw...but somehow I've turned into someone I don't recognize.
I've always been able to deal with my life's pressure, troubled/abusive childhood, failed marriages, always kept it together... but somethings changed and I've became a raging maniac. The smallest things just set me off! I never go off at work but at home with my daughter or my boyfriend I was (am) pure hell. The mood swings, yelling, wanting to sleep all day, pissed off at the world attitude... My pivitol point that really opened my eyes to it was when my daughter simply walked up to me and was following/hanging around me and I just went off on her. I was yelling things like "what do you want" "why are you just standing there". In my head I knew to stop but I couldn't. With every outburst either came a denial on my part (I wasn't yelling....just raised my voice or another excuse) or an apology. I'd tell her that I was having a hard time dealing with stuff and that I didn't mean to yell but that as a child thats what I saw in my family. "what do you think you're teaching me, mom" were the words that crashed around me as she looked up at me. In that moment I knew something had to change. I went to the Dr and she has put me on paxil for the daytime and Ambien at night. I CANNOT believe that I am not "right" enough to deal with everyday stress. When did I become needy of medicine to cope. Its BS! Its gets better... latley I've been having anxiety attacks, plus I get this feeling the tightness in my face and heat in the frontal area of my neck and it can start late in the morning and last until I am well on my way home from work. I went back to my DR swearing it was my blood pressure and that I had to come off Paxil. She put the cuff on me... 110/73. She said, "Arlene, its anxiety. Not blood pressure." So now add in Xanax for anxiety! Guess my question is, what did you do to get past this. I just got Dr Phil's book. I don't really have time for counseling. I have a stressful job but I've been here over 6 yrs and been in this position about a yr and a half. All in all, there really isn't anything wrong... my life has been soooo much worse. Why am I falling apart now? I SHOULD be having the time of my life!
7/21/03 Just checking in...still holding steady at 137. Guess the loosing is over *sigh* That's ok though. I look pretty good, if I may say so and I feel pretty good too! Take care and blessed be!
6/4/03 Hello all! Just checking in. I've developed a daily routine to check the Q & A section. Thought I'd get tired of hearing/reading about people's success with the surgery after I was post op, but I don't. This is an awesome website! I weighed myself this morning... 137. My window to loose is just about shut now, hope I loose 7 -10 pounds, but if I don't, that's cool too. Continued success to you all........blessed be!!
5/16/03~~~happy 1st anniversary to me~~~ WOW where did the year go?! Doesn't feel like it was a year already. Am I happy with my decision to have WLS a year later? You better believe I am! Dr Overcash, I will never be able to thank you enough! I am now flucuating between 137-140 which is wonderful in comparision that on this day a year ago I weighed in at the hospital at a whopping 226! Healthwise, no major problems relating to surgery, no major intolerances to food either. But word to the wise... do NOT stop taking the acid blocker if your doctor put you on it!!! I took myself off the Protonix and boy did I pay for it! Oh, for those who follow my posting... I never did get in to the Gastroenterologist. I sat in that waiting room for 2 hours and gave up, I went on in to work. As long as I keep on the protonix I can eat and drink without hurting. The pain in my left side is also getting better everyday. On a personal note, I am still with the man I met on New Yrs Eve. I am blessed to have him in my life. I thought I was happy before, but he shows me a level of happiness that I haven't known in a very very long time. My divorce isn't final yet but it should be by the end of May. That is one chapter I realllly need to close. That was such an unhealthy relationship and I couldn't even see it! Being overweight, I guess I just took more crap than a person should because I had no self esteem/self worth. Well let me be the first to stand up and say NEVER AGAIN will this girl be used! lol Take care and blessed be!
5/7/03 What a rough couple weeks its been!!! Went to the emergancy room on 4/21/03 because I was having very sharp pains in my left side under my ribs and I could NOT take a deep breath to save my soul! Found out I had pleurisy (infection in the linging of the lungs)followed up the next day and was told I had pancreatitis, and to continue taking the Cataflamm and Steriod Medpak. The Dr prescribed Ultracet for the day and Vicadin for night pain. I took my medicine like clockwork, did what I was told but the pain got worse instead of better and well, I ended up back to the Dr on April 29th, this time the slightest touch around the middle to left of my pouch area sent me into tears. I was at the point where everything I drank felt like razors in my stomach. I could actually feel food and liquid coating my stomach. It was so painful that I could almost scream. My dr looked right at me and said go to ER. She was worried that the pain was related to my surgery. I begged her not to make me sit there again since the last time I was there they ignored for 7 hours. She sent me over to the hospital for Labs and ordered a Abdominal/pelvic catscan for the morning. Drank the banana smoothie barium shake that night. Got to the hospital and guess what! I had to drink another shake! UGGGHHHH! As of now, there is still a soreness in my side but I have been taking protonix for my stomach. I feel so much better now in comparision to where I was. I wish I was completely painfree but atleast I can drink and eat again. Laying down isn't too bad either anymore as long as I have 2 pillows behind me. I have to go to a Gastroenterologist. My Dr wants to determine if the medicine they gave me for the pleurisy/pancreatitis didn't cause problems to the lining of my stomach or that I didn't develope a peptic ulcer. One good thing, I seemed to have gotten back down to 138 with all this mess! Hope I keep losing even though everything thinks I've lost my cotton-pickin mind for wantin to. May 16th is my 1 yr anniversary and if I had it all over to do again. I still would! What a blessing this surgery has been. I just can't believe the difference a year makes!!! Take care and blessed be!
4/28/03 Friday I went to Dr Overcash for a follow up. Thought that would be a good thing since I had not been to see him since July and I was 2 mnths post op then. Anyway, he was very pleased with my progress and said not to worry about losing anymore weight. That made me feel a little bit better. Still want to get down to 130 though.
3/31/03 Hello again. I'll forewarn you, I am not in the best of moods lately so please don't expect this to be bubbly and upbeat as usual. I can't say its depression,it's just that I feel disappointed, like I am failing and it sucks! I haven't lost a pound in 2 months, actually I've gained 2 or 3. I can't begin to tell you how seeing the scale go UP drove fear in me like you wouldn't believe. I don't want to be fat again! And I am so scared that the losing is over and I am stuck here at this weight! My BMI says "slightly overweight" and I am 10-12 pounds from my BMI weight of 130 pounds. The weight never really melted off me but sheesh, it's not moving anywhere now and I noticed that I am starting to snack on junk again. I hate emotional eating! I feel like I've turned back into the old me. It is so sad how weight controls my self esteem but that is the cold hard truth of it! Here I am wanting to cry like a baby when actually I should be rejoicing over the 90 pound weight loss! I guess what makes it worse is that we all get 12 months to 16 months to do loose and here I am 10 months into it and I've it a brick wall. I don't have much time left and its slipping thru my fingers. Well, I think I'm going to sign off and hope that I get a grip! (anyone in the Orlando area..come slap me back to reality!) lol
2-19-03 Hello All! Just checking in. Nothing much to really discuss. Still holding around 138-140. Been sick as a dog with the flu and that cold/cough/congestion crap that is going around. I am just glad I am starting to feel human again now. Still dating the guy I met on New Yrs Eve and that is going very well. =) Well, that about sums it all up. Continued success to you all!
1~21~03 Hello to all my wls brothers and sisters! It's been several weeks since I've posted but that is only because there isn't much in the line of weight loss to report. (sigh) Guess its another plateau. I am still hovering the 140 mark. But thats ok. I have new interests in my life that have kinda taken the focus off the scales. God brought someone into my life on New Years Eve and I've been spending alot of time with him. I am in awe of his kind heart and sweet spirit. Wasn't expecting to meet someone so soon after my husband walked out on me but thats OK...God has his reasons and its not my place to question them. But Oh the sweet "revenge" it was to be the one that told my soon to be EX that I was seeing someone. (grin) That doesn't make me a bad person, does it?! LOL Anyway, 2003 is going to be a good year, I can just feel it in my gut! Continued success to you all.....Blessed be.
12-23-02 Went shopping this weekend and bought a size 6 pair of jeans!!! To date I have lost 91 pounds in 7 mnths. That makes me one happy camper!!
12-20-02 Life is good!! Down to 141 already! This week has been an awesome week for losing!
12-13-02 And they say friday the 13th is bad!?!? Not this time! My scale read 146 today!! I had been on another stinkin' plateau, and even though I was losing inches, the pounds were not coming off and than BAM! down 4 pounds! I am 3 short days from being 7 mnths post op and I am only 16 pounds from my goal weight!! How cool is that!?? A coworker told me today that I looked like I weighed about 126 pounds and that I shouldn't loose anymore because I am getting to thin. Me?? too thin? Ha! never thought I'd hear someone saying that to me! (big grin) I LOVE THIS SURGERY!!!
12-9-02 Its not been the best of times these past few weeks. My husband moved out and I am doing the best I can coping. Its times like these that I am so thankful I had this surgery because God knows I would be packing on the pounds eating everything in sight! I went shopping Sunday afternoon and bought a pullover sweater in a size SMALL! I wore it today and I keep showing the tag to my co-workers. Who would have thought I'd be wearing a small just 6 1/2 short months after been an XL! I LOVE this surgery!!! Oh, and the hairloss has stopped! Unfortuneately I've lost 1/2 the thickness but atleast I have some left to style. It's gotten thin but not where you can see my scalp or anything. So you postops that are losing your hair, hang in there you won't go bald! Oh, and my official weight is now 150 (big grin) Just one more pounds separates me from the 140s and I can't wait!!!! Continued success to all my WLS brothers and sisters. Happy holidays!
11-25-01 OMG the pounds are taking forever to come off! Weighed on Saturday and it was 152. So I am now officially 80 pounds lighter!
11-17-01 I am officially 6 mnths and 1 day post op and I couldn't be more thankful for this procedure. My life has changed alot in these past 6 mnths but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I work for a large insurance company and I see alot of faces that I have no name to put with it. Lately people I don't know by name have come up to me telling me that I am looking great and wanting to know how I lost so much weight. Of course I tell them! There is NO shame in my decision! Its been a huge blessing to me.
Now, for an update: I am on another plataeu again, but that's ok. If I don't loose another pound I'll be ok. No, don't get me wrong I am not 100% happy at this weight but I've come along way from the days of wearing XL tops and size 20 stretch leggings! For the first time in a LOOONG time I am wearing jeans, real jeans not the elastic band style, the button up 5 pocket kind. Had to buy all new sweater/tops for the winter and every one is a Medium. On a side note... how come when I was an XL all I could find was Small or Medium and now that I am a Medium I find an ungodly number of LG and XL on the racks??? Tell me God doesn't have a great sense of humor!!! LOL Oh, the hairloss issue... I want to say its stopped BUT every once in a while when I condition my hair, a little bit comes out. So technically it hasn't stopped but its right there on the verge of stopping. Until next time...blessed be!!
11-10-02 I feel good!!!! LOL I went to JC Penny last night and tried on a pair of size 8 Liz Claiborne jeans and they fit! I was blown away! ARE YOU HEARING ME, I SAID SIZE 8 PEOPLE!! So, I went and got a pair of size 8 Gloria Vanderbilt and a pair of size 8 Bill Blass and they fit too!!! I was on cloud nine! It's all becoming so real to me! So the pounds aren't melting off but something darn sure is because I was an 18/20 and last night I was a size 8! Oh, and no more LG shirts for me, I am comfortably in a Medium now baby!! =)With all I am going thru personally, that was the best pick me up in the world!
11-7-02 Hey guys! hope everyone is doing well. If this profile seems familiar, well that's because you may have read from Arlene Cummins. It's still me but I am going back to Arlene Driver. Like so many others after the surgery my marriage situation has changed. No, I don't blame the surgery, or feel like the surgery is why the marriage failed. I don't have any one reason to help me understand why, and to be honest after 5 months of trying to get him to talk to me and see that something was wrong, I don't have anything more to give.
On to more important stuff: My hairloss has slowed down quite a bit, thank God! I am getting a bit thin up there, not balding or having bald spots but it's so noticeable when I am washing my hair. Saving money on food AND shampoo/conditioner. Hmm, this surgery is a blessing! *wink* As for my weight loss it is slowing down too but I think I am still losing inches because my clothes fit me alot differently. It confuses me...how do you loose inches off your body and the scale NOT move??? I am weighing in at 154 now although NO ONE believes me. They guess my weight at 130-135 which is WAY COOL! Healthwise, I feel good and my energy level is fine! I am beginning to acknowledge that I am looking good as well (ok, maybe BETTER is more accurate). My uncle took pictures of me so I could start getting "after" pics and when I saw them I was shocked at who I was looking at. She wasn't fat anymore, she was smiling and she was PRETTY! It is the oddest feeling, accepting the new me. Hard not to come across full of myself or arrogant saying I look "good" ya know? Don't want to sound like I think I am all that and a bag of chips. Throughout the last 5 mnths I still saw the chubby girl looking back at me in the mirror but after seeing the pictures I had to see the changes and boy are they welcomed!! As much as I HATED hearing "you'd have such a cute face if you'd loss a little weight", I guess they were right. But lets keep that between you and me, ok???
10-29-02 Don't ask me how, but per the scales I lost 2 more pounds yesterday...down to 156...slowly but surely, I'm getting there!
10-28-02 Hey guys! Hope everyone is doing well =) Jumped on the scales this morning (and yesterday morning, and the morning before) and they read 158. I have got to kick the habit of weighing everyday but its such a neat feeling when you drop into another weight bracket. I was thrilled when I got below 200 but now that I am in the 150s its a feeling words can't explain! I regret not doing this surgery sooner. I never dreamed I would be 20-25 pounds from goal after just 5 months, what a blessing! Remember those size 12 jeans I was raving about?? Well, they are Baggie now, reaaaallly baggie. I'll probably keep wearin them for a bit, I am too scared that the 10 won't fit and I don't want to get bummed out.
10-23-02 Scales read 160 this morning! It's not much but I'll take it!
10-14-02 Got on the scale and it actually moved off 165! Do I dare hope the 3 week plateau has been broken!?! So now it's 70 pounds gone, down to 162 which puts me 32 pounds from goal! (according to this website, I should be about 130 pounds for my height). I haven't commented on the eating issue lately. I am happy to say that food is going down (and STAYING down) alot better. It feels like somedays I can eat alot more and that makes me nervous. I don't want the stomach to stretch. Tuna fish no longer gives me problems like it used to and I can tolerate sugar for the most parts. Sometimes I get a little nauseated when I have eaten sugar but I haven't "dumped". The hair is still coming out and I wish it would stop. But, that's life and because of the surgery I an now able to LIVE it instead of watching it go by. My energy is good, and actually I feel like I did prior to my surgery. I only feel like I had the surgery when I eat a little to much and food sits in my throat. Other than that it's just become too easy. I feel like if you can get past the first 4 months the rest is a down hill ride! =)
10-5-02 Guess who just bought a pair of size 12 jeans! (doin a happy dance) thats right, ME!! Wasn't expecting to have the 12 fit, just thought it would give me an idea of what size I was down to but when they fit, OMG I was beyond happy! Checked the tag a couple times to make sure they weren't mislabeled and even tried another brand and a 12 STILL fit! Life if GOOD! The plataeu is kicking my butt though, still at 165. It's kinda sad really when 165 doesn't seem good enough when it really should be OK with me since I did start out at 232. Funny how your attitude changes once you get on a weight loss roll...
10~01~02 Not much has changed since my last post: Scale still says 165 Uggh! Still spotting (sorry men) and my hair is still falling out!
09~20~02 Ok, can somebody, ANYBODY tell me why this happens?? I weigh in on one scale and I weigh a certain amount and get all excited, then I weigh in on another scale and I weigh something else and then feel disappointment! What a rollercoaster ride! This happens everytime I go to the DR it seems and now this past weekend I went to North Carolina/Virgina to visit family and weighed in at 162. Then I come home and weigh on my scale and I weigh 165. Granted I prefer to automatically lean toward the 162 simply because I like that number and the scale was better than my cheapo scale that I bought ONLY for decoration(grin)simply because every bathroom has to have a scale in it. But ever since the surgery I am jumpin on it all the time. Somedays I feel like that number indicates whether I am a failure or a success. Do you understand what I mean? When I first had the surgery, I told myself not to get caught up in the "number" but how I felt health wise. The reality of it is now I am getting caught up in numbers: my weight, the total pounds lost, the dress size, the total I still have to lose for goal... Eating seems unimportant, losing seems to be everything. I know I am not getting in the protein I need and its not like I do it on purpose, its difficult to stuff chicken salad/tuna down your throat when you just aren't hungry. And since I am b*tching, let's just move on to the hair loss. My lord when will this stop! My hair used to have some thickness to it but not anymore! It's horrible to see the hair ball that follows after I wash my hair. This has got to stop soon or I'll be bald! Sheesh! Then on top of the hairloss, I am still recouping from the kidney infection that caused me to have to be taken to ER on Labor Day. Talk about pain! OMG! I was climbing the walls! But, after 14 days of Levaquinn, a week of Vicodin, and the procedure..IVP.. the infection started to get better. (actually the IVP isn't that bad, it's the bowel prep the night before that gets you. CAN we say bariatric surgery prep flash backs!!) OH, and we mustn't forget the fact that I have been spotting since September 6th! (sorry men) My OBGYN didn't seemed near as panicked as I was (figures). She just said that it was because of hormone changes due to drastic weight loss and that maybe the Levaquinn could have lessened the effect of my Depo shot that I take every 3 months to avoid the whole monthly period issue! Ok, I am feeling better, thank you for letting me vent. Bet this will throw you for a loop...YES, I would still do it all over again! Oh, before I forget........HAPPY 1ST DAY OF AUTUMN!
9~9~02 Got weighed today at the Dr...172! Down 60 pounds and it's beginning to sink in. I honestly don't know how to handle the attention, the looks, or the compliments. I like being noticed, don't get me wrong I just don't know where to put it or find someway to be comfortable with it when I still feel like I am the "chubby" girl. But give me time, I'll cope (big grin) As for the hair loss, one day its ALOT, the next day very little, so I guess that means it's slowing down. (crossing fingers) Oh! last night I ate almost a whole hard taco and it was WONDERFUL! I still get tickled at how I can feel absolutely starving.. you know, eat a whole cow starving.. and yet 4 of 5 bites of food and I feel stuffed! Blessed Be!
8~28~02 Hello All! Got my lab reports back. Everything looks great. My B12 was running low (258 should be 200-1100) so I added a B12 vitamin to the others I take now. I am starting to have REAL issues with hair loss. OMG its coming out more than ever when I wash my hair. I shed horribly! Any suggestion to slow this down will be appreciated. By the way, I weighed myself the other day and was down to 175. Yea =)
8-12-02 Went to my primary care dr today to get updated lab work. The energy is still great but the battle with meat is a losing battle. Yesterday I was in a bad mood and was p*ssed at myself for having the surgery. I wanted to scarf some food and I knew I couldn't!! Man that erked me! But, that's the beauty of the surgery I guess, I can't ruin the success that has taken me from 232 down to 180 in 11 weeks. The whole weight loss issue effects me mentally and physically and the mental is going to be the harder of the two to accept. I try to be thankful for little blessing (ie...no intolerence to sugar, can handle diet coke with no problems and I hear other have aweful pain from the carbonation)but its stuck in my head that I can't go eat a whopper or eat a piece of chicken bigger than Half a chicken leg! Sorry for being a wet blanket, don't let this change your mind for the surgery. With the sunshine, also comes the rain...
8~5~02 Hey gang! Just weighed in...down 50 pounds...182!! (big grin) Food and I am getting along a little better. Still have issues with it though. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Wendy's chili with shredded cheese on it.. high in fiber and protein! I am having no problems with sugar either...that's good AND bad though. Also have been drinking diet Coke and having no problems with the carbination. I went out this past weekend and saw friends that haven't seen me since the surgery. WOW what an ego boost. But, as I sat at the bar (with my Diet Coke) I still saw the chubby girl looking back at me in the mirror. Everyone comments on my thinning face and body but I don't see it yet. Please tell me this is normal and it will change in time =)
7~23~02 Cleaned out my closets this weekend!! Got up the nerve to try on shorts/shirts/dresses that I used to wear atleast 3 - 4 yrs ago and THEY FIT and some were too big! What a great feeling to not only feel the difference of the weight loss but to SEE it! I've lost 45 pounds now. I see myself though and think about how much I still have to loose and I have to ask myself how in the world did I let myself go like that AND to top it off actually convince myself that I wasn't "that big" LOL What a hoot! Man was I clueless! Another positive...I think I am beginning to get some progress on eating. Somedays I can get in more than others but even an smidge of progress is enough to keep me feeling hopeful that I'll eat normal again.
7~15~02 Went to my Dr for my 8 week check up...He was very pleased with my 42 pound weight loss and I am too. He said I need to eat more often and get in MORE PROTEIN! BUT me and meat aren't getting along very well! I don't know what I am doing wrong and honestly, I am about over the whole eating food issue. I can't eat meat without wanting to throw up! I can chew it and chew it and within 10 min I am miserable! I hope this gets better, it has to right? I know it can't be healthy throwing up every other day.
7~9~02 Just weighed in this moring... 191! I am finally starting to notice the changes in my clothing which makes everything worth it. Just a reminder...CHEW YOUR FOOD..chew chew and chew!! I ate a small slice of apple last week that got stuck in my stomach, TALK ABOUT PAIN! I will be 8 weeks post op on the 11th and I am still having trouble with keeping food down. Guess it just takes a while to get a grip on this. Well, continued success to all my WLS brothers and sisters!!
6-26-02 A day away from being 6 wks post op and Down 35 pounds! Am really noticing it now in my clothes. AND I'M LOVIN' IT!! My BMI is no longer in the Morbidly Obese catagory...I'm just plain OBESE now, lol. My goal is to lose 67 more pounds. VERY VERY do~able, don't ya think!!
6-18-02 Hello! Well today was my 2nd day back to work. I can't tell you how tired I am at the end of the day! I still am not sleeping well..tossing and turning most of the night...BUT on a good note..I've lost 31 pounds YEAAAAA!
6-10-02 Just a quick check in... I am feeling pretty good for being 3 weeks post op. Went to St Augustine and met up with family who hadn't seen me since before the surgery. They said I had lost alot of weight although I just can't see it!! Had a scoop of sugar free ice cream. Man! Was it good! Went down easily and I took my time eating it but after a few minutes I had this full feeling in my throat and I got sick...NOT dumping sick...just "I have to get rid of some of this" sick. Next time...I won't eat a full scoop of ice cream.. But what a treat that was! MMMmmmm
5-29-02 The staples are outta here baby!!!! Thank heavens! The Dr said everything looks great. I questioned him on my weight loss though. I lost 12 pounds. THATS IT! I was hoping for more but the DR said that since I weighed 226 on the surgery date that this was very good. That's what.. a pound a day?? Granted it's been EASY to do but still! He said loosing it like this would most likely keep me from having saggy skin, which is a plus I guess. I was just expecting more since I've heard so many others talk about 20-30 up to 40 pounds lost right away. Guess I need to keep it more realistic, huh?? Regardless, I started this journey at 232 and now I weigh 214 so I guess I better count my blessings after all that's 18 pounds gone forever! RIGHT!
5-26-02 As promised, I'm back! (wink) I think I can share with you the details of the surgery. So, here goes... I got to the hospital, Munroe Regional Medical Center, at 6:45 am...45 minutes late and an absolute basket of nerves...Word to the wise..MAKE SURE YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE HOSPITAL IS!! lol Anyway, we got there, I waited a matter of minutes, got called back and the fun began. Got changed into the gown, started the blood work, got my IV of anitbiotics to prevent Bacterial Endocarditis, and before you knew it I was feeling groggy and off to sleep I went. When I woke up I was in recovery and feeling a bit a pain, nothing major. The rest of the day was a blurr of nurses and medicine. Sometime during the late evening, something went wrong. I began to get the dry heaves, and they wouldn't stop. I felt aweful. The NG tube in my nose was gagging me, my throat and mouth were like cotton and I was bent over, pillow pressed against my incision just heaving and heaving. The nurses were concerned and gave me an injection of a anti-nausea medication to help me. Everyone was very concerned as the bouts of dry heaves weren't subsiding and I was heaving blood too. I just know I was rupturing my staple lines. WELL, the medicine kicked in and I fell asleep. Friday morning, nurses came in, got me to sit up in a rocking chair for an hour and then told me to walk the floor even if it was just a few feet. I will be honest with you. The first time you sit up is horrible! The first time you walk, is horrible BUT JUST DO IT! My nurse told me "you'll hate me today, but you will thank me tomorrow". She was right. During the day I stayed off the Demoral as much as possible, the pain was there but not to the point I couldn't handle it. I slept alot and when I was awake..I walked. Friday night came and again..more dry heaving, worse than the previous night. My blood pressured SOARED to 189/93 and I started having chills and a fever of 103. I was getting injections in my stomach area to prevent blood clots, the heaving wasn't subsiding, I couldn't swallow because of the NG tube. The nurses heard me again and rushed to my side to take care of me. They again gave me another anti nauseau injection, this time the stuff they give to chemo therapy patients. It took a while for it to kick in, but when it did I was very relieved!! My left hand, which had the IV in it, had grown grossly swollen, the IV was then put into the right hand, which by morning had also become swollen. The medicines were blowing my veins and there wasn't anything that could be done about it...so, I kept getting poked intil they'd find a vein. The dry heaving was the absolutely worst thing you can EVER imagine after this type of surgery. Luckily the anti nausea medicines were now being administered every 4 hours and and changed my pain meds to Moriphine (they think all the dry heaves were a reaction to the demoral) so the heaving did stop by Saturday. Sunday was a good day by comparision of the previous 3 days. I walked alot! Sunday they did the leak test, which I was so nervous about. I just knew all the vomitting had done damage. LUCKILY, no leaks so at 1pm the tube came out and I took a shower and felt like a million bucks! I sipped my liquids, walked the floor and was loving life! I came home on Monday and have been doing really well so far. The pain is minimal, I haven't had any problems keeping the food down. I sleep ALOT and if I were asked if I'd do it again. I would say YES! Even with the NG TUBE, even with the dry heaves I would do it all over again! OH, just a friendly FYI...take cepacol throat losenges with you, they numb your throat the the NG tube become tolerable. Trust me on that one! Well, I go the Dr on Wednesday, I'll let you know how it went! Til then, be good to yourself!
5-21-02 Hello All! Well, I made it to the other side. WOW! Just wanted to take a moment and update this and let you know I did make it and was released yesterday afternoon. My surgery was May 16th and I was home by 3pm May 20th, not bad..RIGHT??? I did have some "problems" that I will go into later. I will just say this much. For those of you who are getting ready to have your surgery. When the nurses say its time to walk...WALK!!!! It hurts at first, but wow, once you get up and moving you feel SOOOOO good! Well, unfortuneately, I am a bit too sore to be sitting here re-living the past 4 days so I can't be too detailed BUT I'll be back soon, I promise.
5-14-02 Just one more day stands between me and the beginning of my new life!
5~6~02 Hi Everyone! I hope that all is well with you. I have everything in order for my surgery.... 10 days and counting!! I am feeling a bit nervous and feeling like I have to defend my decision for WLS. It seems the closer the surgery, the more vocal my friends/family are in reminding me of the risks....NOT what I need right now. I guess they thought I wouldn't commit to this. Fooled them! (big grin) I really am getting tired of hearing "Are you sure you want to do this?" which is usually followed by "you aren't that big, are you sure you can't do it another way" What exactly is "not that big"??? I am 5'3" and weigh 232 pounds! Isnt' that big enough? For me it is and since I am having the surgery FOR ME I guess its settled! =)
4~25~02 Yesterday afternoon I went to the cardiologist for the cardiac clearance for the surgery...ended up taking home a holter monitor to wear for 24 hours! (which will be coming off in about at hour...Gosh this tape makes me ITCH!!) My cardiologist, Dr Hazday thinks my heart condition is changing, not for the better either. Oh well...can't focus on that. Once I loose the weight and get healthy maybe that could all change for the better! RIGHT! Dr Hazday seemed ok with my surgery which was a great relief I might add! I was ready to do battle if need be, but he just said that he wanted to see what the holter results were and then if that was ok, he'd dictate a letter to Dr Overcash giving me an all clear (YEA). Then he said that I will have to have an IV of antibiotics for 1-2 hours prior to surgery and that the antibiotics had to be in my system for 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the procedure. He also gave me a wallet card which reads "Arlene Cummins needs protection from BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS because of an existing HEART CONDITION" (rolling her eyes)..great! something else to carry in my wallet! =)
4~18~02 Dr Overcast's office called...My re-birthday will be May 16th =)
4~17~02 Today was my consultation with Dr Overcash. I got to the appointment a half hour early which was great because I had time to fill out the paperwork and get a "feel" of the office. As expected, Patrice was wonderful!! Dr Overcash was nothing like any DR I have ever met! HE called me back and HE weighed me in! If that is not a sign of how down to earth he is, then I don't know what is!! He is very straight forward but yet still approachable and I liked that ALOT. He addressed the possibility of death occuring, the recovery timeframe and went over the benefit of OPEN RNY versus Laproscopic (he does both). I am going with Open RNY. I am kicking myself for not starting from the get-go with Dr Overcash in the first place!!! Guess the $2000 surgery deposit scare was a blessing in disguise! who would have thought!!! (grin)
4~15~02 Ya know when God closes a door, he often opens a window!! Shortly after getting the news about the money I needed as a surgery deposit, I searched my insurance provider list and found Dr Overcash. I called his office and spoke a wonderful lady named Patrice (did I mention she was WONDERFUL!!)Anyway, she listened to my ranting and then said "can you come in Wednesday at 10" Just like that! I faxed her my letter of approval for the surgery and so now I have hope once again =) Oh, and guess who called me this morning... Dr Butler's Office.......seems now, I just need a $200 surgery deposit. I don't know what to do. Guess its time for some serious thinking.
4~12~02 Ok, I am about 2 seconds from crying a river! I called Dr Butler's office today to get a time frame of when I should have my pre-surgery consultation and was advised that I would need to bring $1,090 with me. OH MY GOD! My first responce was "cancel the surgery date", I mean come on, who has that kind of money laying around??? Especially when I KNOW there are bariatric surgeons nearby that are IN network and it will cost me just my $5 co-pay! I feel the rug has been pulled out from under me. I wasn't expecting the $200 fee for the consultation and now this! Sheesh! Emotionally I am drained, this is such an important milestone in my life. I guess I'll have to start all over. Finding a new doctor isn't what is bothering me...finding one that will get me my surgery date of May 28th is what is going to prove difficult.
4~3~02 Last night I went to my 1st support group meeting -sponsored by Dr Butler. For those of you who are reading this and aren't sure as to whether you should or should not elect this surgery, I URGE you to attend the support group meetings and then make your decision. I sat in the back of the room and just watched and listened. I can tell you that by the end of the meeting, every doubt had been removed from my mind and replaced with a new surge of determination to do this and get my life back! IS IT MAY 28th YET??!!
3-20-02
Hello All!!! Just posting an update.....got the letter of approval this past weekend so now it's official!
3-11-02
I AM DOING CARTWHEELS OVER HERE PEOPLE!!!! I HAVE BEEN APPROVED!!!! I called my insurance company, just to see what was going on and I about cried when she said those magic words! I made her tell me more than once just to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Words cannot explain what I feel right now. It's Awesome...just awesome!
3-7-02
Ok, I had time to digest all this and really think about a timeline for work and scheduling care for my daughter and I decided to push back my surgery date to May 28th. That way, my daughter will be out of school and I won't have to worry about who will take her back and forth to school. Making arrangements for work and telling my manager was a rough thing to do though! THANK GOD its it all out in the open and behind me. All I have to do now is wait for the approval...
3-6-02
OOOH happy day!!! I have a penciled in date for surgery... May 14th!!! Met with Dr Butler for my consultation and was told I am a definite candidate!!! I am soooo HAPPY about that!!!!! woo hoo!!
Now, I just need to get a cardiac clearance along with the usual tests (lab work, radiology and psychological evaluation) and then I am surgery bound!! That is....if the insurance company approves me .... keep your fingers crossed, ok?! For those of you in Florida contemplating a surgeon... I whole heartedly suggest Dr. Butler. I talked and HE LISTENED! I feel completely at ease with him and trust his skill and knowledge. As for his office staff.....they are just AWESOME!
Blessed Be!
2-15-02
Ok, in typical Arlene style, I chickened out and didn't attend the first support group meeting. I can't blame anyone but myself. My husband, bless his heart, tried to talk me in to sticking with this commitment even though I know he doesn't feel I should do the surgery (He tells me I look fine the way I am). OK, I'll admit it! I got scared and I used every excuse possible keep me from attending (work,traffic,not sure of the location, need to come home and cook dinner). The closer the consultation date approaches the more nervous I get. I don't look mobidly obese and I am afraid they'll go by looks and not my numbers and decline my request for the surgery. IF they decline me, I don't know where else to turn. But, guess I shouldn't focus on that until I cross that bridge, right? (Are you detecting a hint of pessimism in me, LOL?) Continued success to you all and I'll keep you posted...
1-9-02
HAPPY NEW YEAR! =) Well, check off one more baby step...I have selected a surgeon! I called Dr. Michael Butler's office today to get things rolling. I have to take a minute and just say THANKS to Pat. I was nervous when I called the Doctors office and she was kind, very patient, she listened AND SHE CARED. That means everything to me!! She scheduled my consultation for March 6th and told me that I will have to attend 2 support group meetings before I can have the surgery. Hopefully, I will have attended 2 before my DR visit, that way things can progress at a steady pace. =) I am sooo excited!!!
12-18-01
Ok, it's a small baby step but it's a step none-the-less! I called the insurance company and to my relief/surprise, this type of surgery is covered so I guess I can take the next step and find a surgeon! Unfortuneately, there is not one hospital in Orlando that will do weight loss surgery. Wonder why???
Greetings everyone!! I stumbled upon this website by accident and I am so thankful that I did! I love the before/after photos and the stories that are connected with them! Talk about encouraging!! I am currently trying to gather as much information on having weight loss surgery. I am tired of being held a prisoner inside my body. I know I deserve better than this but to be honest I am scared to death that I won't get approved for the surgery! My friends think I am being to dramatic for even considering this but just because I don't look morbidly obese doesn't mean that I am not, right?? Afterall the numbers don't lie and denial is half the reason I have gotten this heavy in the first place! Continued success to you all! Hopefully soon I too will be a success story =)
