M B.
| Member ID: B1042564911 Surgeon: Wanda Kaniewski, M.D., F,A.C.S |
Latest update 2019 - 16 years post-op see below
2003
Prior to surgery my high weight was 311lbs. I went on a restrictice pre-op diet to get under 300lbs allowing me to have laparascopic surgery instead of open surgery. It took 6 mos to get to surgery day weight and it was a struggle.
4/2/2003 Surgery Day * 283lbs * BMI 43 * Size 24W/26W
4/30 4wk * 267lbs * -16lbs* BMI 41 * Size 20W
5/28 1m * 251lbs * -32lbs* BMI 38 * Size 18W
6/25 2m * 239lbs * -44lbs* BMI 36 * Size 18W
7/23 3m * 226lbs * -57lbs* BMI 34 * Size 18R/16W
8/21 4m * 214lbs * -69lbs* BMI 33 * Size 18R,16W is baggy
9/18 5m * 207lbs * -76lbs* BMI 32 * Size 16
10/16 6m * 207lbs * -76lbs* BMI 32 * Size 16
11/13 7m * 200lbs * -83lbs* BMI 30 * Size 16
12/11 8m * 193lbs * -90lbs* BMI 29 * Sz 14 bottom,16 top
2004
1/8/04 9m * 185lbs * -98lbs* BMI 28*sz 12/14 btm,14/16 top
2/5/04 10m * 185lbs * -98lbs* BMI 28*sz 12/14 btm,14/16 top*
3/4/04 11m * 183lbs * -100lbs* BMI 27* sz 12 btm,14 top
4/1/04 12m * 183lbs * nothings changed
5/4/04 13m * 183lbs * nothings changed
6/1/04 14m * 177lbs * -106lbs* BMI 27 * size 12
7/2/04 15m * 177lbs * same * size 10/12
8/6/04 16m * 173lbs * -110lbs* BMI 27 * size 10/12
9/6/04 17m * 171lbs * -112lbs* BMI 26* size 10
10/12/04 18m * 170lbs * -113lbs* BMI 26*size 10
11/02/04 19m * 170lbs * -113lbs* BMI 26* Size 10
12/01/04 20m * 171lbs * -112lbs* BMI 26* Size 10
2005
1/6/05- 21m * 168lbs * -115lbs* BMI 25* Size 10
2/22- 22m * 170lbs * -113lbs* BMI 25* Size 10
4/1/05- Happy 2 yr Anniversary to ME weight/size the same
2009: 2/27/09 - 6 yrs later 184lbs. I have been at this weight for 3 years.
2013: 8/20/13- 10 yrs later, 215lbs *BMI 32.7* Size 16 again
2014: 6/2014 - 11 yrs, 217lbs, major surgery
2019: 8/29/2019 - 16 years, 219
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8/27/2019 SIXTEEN YEARS I need a revision. In 2013 my BMI was too low. I am not eligible for laparascopic revision due to the complicated surgery in 2014 with the insertion of a Parietex hernia mesh. I refuse to have an open revision. I am eligible for the newer Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) or Apollo Overstitch which is the same thing. After a five year study of ESG patients they found a higher rate of long term success and almost non-existent complications. My pouch is still double what it was and I can eat an entire sandwich and not feel full. I have not put on any weight since the hernia surgery, but I haven' taken any off either. I have hypertension and high cholesterol. Finding an ESG doctor is the hard part. Everyone is not trainined in it and only one insurance company covers it. I will be self pay. Luckily it is far less expensive than a full on revision.
6/2014 I have had a years worth of tests. Everything imaginable; MRI's, flouroscopies, EGD, pancreatic tests. Doctors don't treat RBY patients well. They think everything is in our heads and we are just complaining that we gained weight - not me. I persisted. Something wasn't right. I ended up having surgery for what they thought would be a simple but large hiatal hernia, but when they got into my abdomen they found a large and highly rare intra-thoracic hiatal hernia and my diaphragm was ripped open to the point it could fit two stomachs. They had to stop the surgery to speak to my husband before they moved on due to the surgeons concern. My pouch and the upper part of my intestines were resting directly next to my heart. I would eat, feel miserable, and sometimes pass out because my stomach pouch was crowding my heart for all of 2012-2014. Food really was getting stuck in my chest, next to my heart. Doctors kept telling me that I was just eating too much, but I knew that wasn't right. The acid reflux was insanely bad and no amount of prevacid could help. The RNY didn't cause it. Sadly, to deal with the acid reflux and chest pain I was eating soft high carb foods to keep from getting sick. I persisted with the Doctor's. It took forever for the docs to figure out what was going on, and in the end they really couldn't see the pouch location until they opened me up. My post op flouroscopy shows that my stomach is twice the pouch size.
8/19/2013 TEN YEARS Sadly my PCP has said that I may need a revision. Hypertension is back. I have a diagnosis of pre-diabetes. I have severe reactive hypo-glycemia, which is severe dumping. I never know what will cause me to dump. I dump on cooked veggies. I recently ended up in the ER after I passed out at a theater and hit my head on the marble floor. The paramedics said my blood glucose was 54 when they got there. Food feels like it is getting stuck in my chest. I am eating softer items just to swallow. The GERD and the acid refluc is insane. I wake up choking on acid in the middle of the night. I kept it off for 7 years, but I am up 30lbs. The PCP referred me to a gastroenterologist to see if my RNY pouch is stretched.
2/27/2009 SIX YEARS For a long time I could not log onto Obesityhelp because they changed the formatting a couple of times over 6 years. Yes, it has been 6 years since the surgery. It is amazing how time flies. I had plastics over this time. I had my batwings removed and the eyelid lift. I did have a bounce and have gotten to 184lbs but I have maintained that weight for 3 years as well as the size 12. I also have a lot of excess skin I wish I could afford to have removed. There has to be about 5-8lbs of skin there.
4/1/2005 TWO YEARS I can't believe it has been that long. I feel great! My weight is normal. I still weigh myself at least twice a week to stay on track. I remind myself frequently of the long term post-op tips Dr Sabharwal gave me at my last 2 visits. He told me where people can fail like eating mushy-gravy laden foods. I stick to solid foods and this causes me to eat less and stay full longer. I eat a high protein low carb diet. I do eat carbs, but I watch how much. A Bank teller looked at my Drivers License last week and told me that the picture looked incredibly older than I look in person. I have sooo much hanging skin its not funny. I am without a wheelchair, a cane, HBP meds; I am no longer breathless when I walk up stairs, exhausted as soon as I get up, with obesity caused depression and I don't start sweating profusely when the temps hit 70*. I am now comfortable when the weather is hot, I can walk un-aided all over the mall and our farm, I can find clothes that fit, I can breathe easier... I can smile. Without their guidance during my appts I would not have been able to stay on track after the surgery.
1/24 I am normal, my weight is now NORMAL. I lost a little more, but it kinda scares me. How much is too much? I am very slender, I have alot (pounds)of excess skin... so am I underweight? Can I stop losing? My size 10 slacks are baggy today. I have never been an 8 in my life. I have become very active so I guess my calorie intake is not equal to my activity level. For the first time in years I shoveled my walkway and much of the driveway. I wasn't winded and I actually enjoyed it.
1/6/2005 I hope everyone survived the Holidays. I did. I didn't put weight on although I really thought I would. The time between Christmas and New Years kept me in front of food almost constantly. I had to really work to stop mindless eating... the kind where you see something small and pop it in your mouth then eat another one an hour later amd the calories add up.
12/24 Merry Christmas to me. Oddly enough I have lost more weight. I am down to 168lbs, a size 10. My friend who had her surgery 4 mos after me and lost twice as much is down to an 8. Happy Holidays to all.
12/01 I am at my 20 month anniversary. The holidays are here and I keep telling myself to watch what I eat. I went through thanksgiving with no problem. I ate a little more than usual, but not much. I took a table spoon of everything - except the potato. I ate a good 2 tablespoons of that - it was so good. I finally have a good feeling at the end of the year. For once I have a December where I am not angry at myself. Every year at this time I would be angry with myself because I was fat - obese-morbidly obese and another year would be gone-lost because I couldn't get the weight off. This time last year I was still losing. My new years resolution can be something other than "lose weight" for the first time in 20 years.
11/02 Checking in for my 19th mo. I can't believe it has been that long since my surgery. I had a nice vacation. I got around much better than I could have imagined. The orthopedic problems are still there, but I didn't huff and puff my way around the mountains. I think I am done with weight loss. The only extra weight I seem to have is excess skin which makes me look like a shriveled prune. It's amazing how much skin stretches when you are fat.
9/18 Today I am 170lbs. I am 1 BMI point from being "normal". I eat 1 carb solution bar for breakfast every morning, take my vitamins and try to watch what I eat although I do admit to cheating now & then. I can't remember the last time the scale said 170 - perhaps when I was 12 yrs old? As for my PS, I no longer have any black and blue marks. My underarms are looking better although I am still not pleased with the elbow area. I think the PS forgot to liposuction that area. My eyes look good on the top, but the stitch line on the bottom is still visible. There are few tiny cysts left. I struggle with the thought of a tummy tuck. A different PS looked at me for that and said I need a body lift because I am sagging so much. I am not so sure I want to invest in that or a TT as long as I can continue to hide it all with clothing.
7/13 I am HERE!!! I am at Goal!!!!! HaPpY DaNcE!!!I am 174 & my goal was 175. Dr K had my goal at 180. I went to the plastic surgeon Friday. I am having my underarms and eyes done in August. My eyelids are sagging - not kidding -a comparison of old pics and now prove it. When I was fat my eyes were looking swollen all of the time. The PS said I have very little fat left on my body and if he removed the excess I would be a size 8 on the bottom. That's even scarier, I don't think I was an 8 at any point in my life. I can still camoflage that part with clothes. Size 10/12 is ok for me.
7/2 Well my last 2lbs seem to be elusive. Several times this past month the scale dropped to 174 and 175, but then returned back to 177. The scale & I seem to be at odds over which direction we want those last 2lbs to go. I am sure I will win, just not sure when. People I haven't seen in a while absolutely do not recognize me. When they see me I have to tell them who I am, it's hilarious. One person who did see me lose the weight was afraid to ask me about my weightloss because he thought I had cancer or something. My pair of my 12 slacks are loose. I still don't eat much at one sitting, I don't crave food.
6/1 I am half the size I used to be. I went shopping for clothes over the weekend. It was surreal. I am a size 12. I easily found jeans in my size, I couldn't do that before. They said we probably wouldn't lose weight after 12 months, as you can see I have lost 6 lbs after a long plateau. I am 2lbs to goal.
5/27 The scale is still dropping this week - I weighed in at 177, only 2lbs to goal... will I make it? I hope so. I look good, but I am saggy. I am feeling older. I feel like I lost something and I don't have food to give me comfort. I am still eating only a few ounces per meal. Occasionally I get cravings for gummy bears. It's strange I know, but after chewing 2 or 3 sugar free gummies, I don't need more.
5/24 In a matter of 24 hours, I put the 5lbs back on that I lost in Charleston. Per my orthopedist, I can not do any stress excersize due to severe knee/ankle damage and arthritis associated with a past accident. As I had hoped, the increased regular day to day activity of summer is causing me to burn calories. Just as I had hoped with increased regular activity, my weight is starting to move downward again.
4/7 One Year Went to my PCP for my 1 yr check up. I am doing GREAT!! Down 100lbs, my bloodwork is "normal", my blood sugar was low norm. My cholesterol was low normal and my HDl was only 76. My BP is low normal which is so different from a year ago when I was on BP Meds and still really high. While I do snack occasionally, I go for small things. I realize that it's the taste I am looking for, not to inhale whatever it is. My food portions are still small as well. I can eat 1/2 sandwich, that's it.
3/24 I almost fainted yesterday which is a repeat of a similar problem 6 weeks ago. I get very dizzy and lightheaded, kind of spacey feeling. Then my BP gets low, I look pale and break into a cold sweat. My PCP is running a full set of labs, but she is fairly certain I am having a problem with Hypoglycemia. This apparently might explain the sugar cravings as well. I am going back to 2 protein shakes a day for a while instead of one. I still rather have hypoglycemia than diabetes anyday. The Dr scale said 182.
3/22 One year is getting close. I had a glimpse of 179 on Saturday. My goal of 175 is sooo close. I find myself craving sugar from time to time. So far I am dealing with it ok, but I may need to get back into a support group. I am due for lab work, perhaps they'll find something is "off". I have to be very careful about what I eat and whether or not it has any milk products in it. I even have to limit 2% milk. I changed iron tabs to ones from vitalady.com They are softer on the stomach and I no longer have severe stomach pains from the iron. I can't get over how much sag I have, I bet if I lost all the excess skin I would be at goal. Even my legs are wrinkly.
3/8 I have kept those creeping pounds off for a few days so I will count them as gone. I have had the crunchy munchies lately. I want crunchy things probably because I have been under alot of stress - not bad stress, just too busy. After surgery we can't eat the normal crunchy veggies like celery or carrots because we don't digest them very well. I really look good until I look in the mirror after a shower- then I see all of the hanging skin.
2/12 Well so much for the century mark. It came & went & I am back to 185 (up 2lbs). I've been in a plateau before. I hate it, but things will move when they are ready. I just think I need to get more excersize, but that won't happen until spring. My arthritis is very bad right now. Hands, ankles and knees are seriously swollen & painful. I still take a positive stance on my future weight because I am no longer in a wheelchair. I dump on anything with a med milk fat or fat solids content. It is causing me to think hard before I take a bite of anything.
1/22 FINALLY!!!! I hit the century mark. I am -100lbs!! Now I am 8lbs to goal.
1/1/04 Wow a New Year and for the first time in 25 yrs my resolution has nothing to do with dieting and hating myself for being fat another year. The prevacid is working like a charm. II hit the store sales yesterday. Hechts had $75 skirts marked down to $12. I actually got into a size 12 skirt. My jeans are a 14. I have never in all of my life put on a size 12 before. The last time I wore a 14, I was 14 yrs old.
12/29 I saw both surgeons today. Dr. Sabharwal couldn't get over how great I look. Like everyone else (even close co-workers and friends) he didn't recognize me at first. My stomach cramps are back & they are very bad. If I eat I double over in pain for a couple of hours. He is sending me for a gallbladder ultrasound tomorrow. We also scheduled an endoscopy for Jan to see if it is an ulcer instead. I had h.pylori in Nov, but it may have already damaged my stomach. I am on prevacid now - without the prevacid I can not eat at all. I would still do the surgery again in a heart-beat. While in the waiting room I ran into someone else who had the surgery the same day I did. The Dr's scale showed 186.5.
12/25 Merry Christmas to me the scale moved again. I am 188 this morning which is only 3lbs from my Christmas Goal of 185.
12/15 I am surviving the holidays without any problems. I do not feel deprived at all.
12/2 Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I actually fit into an airplane seat. I could get the tray table down & I still had room! On one portion of the flight I learned a lesson about being fat from the thinner perspective. I was sandwiched between my hubby & another guy. Both probably have equal BMI's of 40. I now understand why people complain about being seated next to a fat person. When I was fat I never fully understood why skinny people complained. Both encroached into my seating space. I survived Thanksgiving Dinner. I used a teaspoon to serve myself & I tried just about everything. Even though I didn't pile my food onto the plate, I did not feel "left out" or "wanting". I used a smaller plate so my head would see a full plate. I was in control & I left the table very satisfied & "stuffed". I chose to eat my protien first, then a taste of everything else. Eating this way helped to keep me from eating more than I should. Solid proteins take longer to digest than the side items. My under arms are swinging. My stomach is however, like the pillsbury dough boy because of the excess skin, at least it isn't hanging.
11/25 FINALLY!!!! My plateau has broken. In the last 3 days I have lost 8lbs. 9lbs to the century mark. I only had 1 oz of cheese yesterday and 2 protein shakes. I didn't have time to eat. "Feelings" about weight loss are becoming very complex.
11/17 I think I am done losing. It took 4 wks to lose 7lbs. I am now on 10 weeks since the slow down started. I have not lost any weight in the last 6wks. I eat right, eat small portions and get as much excersize as I can physically. I fell yesterday, twisted both ankles and slammed my right knee. Not good for someone who has only been out of a wheelchair full time since late June. I am pretty miserable right now. 25lbs to goal, 20lbs to the century mark.
11/05 HOORAY!! The scale budged 1lb, not much but at least it budged. I have H.Pylori so Dr. S had to call in a perscription for me. H.Pylori is horrible, the medicine makes everything taste like an aluminum can. When I drink water I feel like someone is punching me in the stomach.
11/03 Went shopping for new suits this past weekend. I am still a size 16, but I must be losing some inches. I tried on a pair of very expensive designer slacks that were a 14 and I got them over my thighs and hips. I didn't buy them of course, but designers usually "size" smaller so I was surprised that I got into them. I had a couple of close colleagues ask me if I was Anorexic. I explained that my labs were fine. They meant well. They made funny faces when I explained that the medical weight guides say I should be 154lbs, my goal is 175 and I am still 200lbs. They were shocked that I was 200lbs. Yes 200lbs, for 5 days now - just one lb away from my first goal to break 200lbs.
10/29 I am hoping that my plateau has broken. My scale says that I dropped 6lbs in the last 2 days. I am 1lb away from 200. The anticipation consumes my mind. I might actually be under 200lbs one day, some day.
10/21 Not a pound or ounce has been lost since 9/18. I have been on my diet religiously so that's not to blame. I guess I look good though. I feel like I am choking, so Monday I go for a thyroid scan. Last time this happened it turned out to be several massive tumors on my right thyroid. I had my right thyroid and isthsmus removed 18 mos ago. Hair is still falling out in gobs (a bad thyroid side effect come to think of it) and what's growing back is gray - drats! Thank goodness for hair color. Still getting around very well. I have a descent amount of energy.
9/25 I saw Dr. K yesterday. I am going to take B-12 everyday for a while to give it a boost. I am currently taking Calclium Citrate every day & 2 chewable kids vitamins w/ Iron each day. One on the AM one at night. I also take a ferrous sulfate (Iron) pill, one every other day. I use protein as a supplement only. Dr K says that I may actually lose a little more than my goal. My goal was 175lbs, or 80% of my excess weight, even though the recommended AMA weight is 151bs. My hair is still falling out but not as bad as it was the last 2 months.
9/22 I didn't get to go to the Doc on Thurs because of the hurricane, so I will go this Wed. Last Thurs my scale moved - hooray!! I am in a solid size 16R pant - no more Womens's sizes. I had fun over the weekend shopping for tops in the regular size dept. After the hurricane I was cleaning out the tree limbs downed in my front yard. My back was to the street, a young man yelled out of his car window at me - he thought I was my daughter. He was embarrased and said "Wow Mrs. B you are really getting thin". It made me feel good. Everyone says that they can not recognize me from behind anymore.
9/15 I am in a bad plateau this time. 4 weeks and I am only down about -2lbs. I am dreading my Doc visit on Thurs because I hate going in with such a miserable weight loss. I am good about sticking to my diet so this is a bummer. I got excersize the last 4 weeks, but my body is up to it's old tricks I guess. I saw alot of friends this weekend in Cape May. Everyone was shocked that I was looking so much thinner. A friend who was at Cape May had the surgery 19 mos ago. He is my inspiration to keep persevering. He was 550lbs when he had the surgery and has lost 230lbs. He has had 1 hernia repair/tummy tuck and they removed 30lbs of skin from his gut. Amazing. His wife has the surgery Tuesday she has to lose about 145lbs.
9/8 To color or not to color that is the question... It's funny how only my golden brown hair falls out, but the gray strands stay there. My weight is still not budging, my size is not budging, I hate my plateaus. I did get alot of gardening in this weekend. This is something I have not been able to do for 4 years. I guess my eating problem was temporary, I am not having anymore problems, everything is going dowm fine now.
9/1 My hair is still coming out in gobs. It has really gotten bad. I can see my scalp now. It's very limp. I am still so glad I did this, I can always buy a wig I guess. I notice that I am not eating very much, although I do get in my required proetin with shakes. I sometimes wonder if I have a stricture, I vomited twice over the weekend about 30 minutes after eating a very small amount, less than an ounce. Before I vomited I felt like I had a baseball stuck in my chest.
8/21 I wonder if the Dr's ever get tired of hearing me say how thankful I am that they helped to give me a new life. My weight budged a few days before my Dr visit like usual :-) I went for my visit today. I am down 69lbs Huzzah! I do get the "taste" for a particular item. Once I eat a few pieces of that item, I am satisfied. My lower back & hip are still burning. I like reading everyone's updates, to me it is an on-line Dr. K support group.
8/15 I had a fun-filled week at Gettysburg last week. I walked over 5 miles a day. My hair is coming out heavily now - I am shedding worse than the dog. Everything is covered with hair. Tthis morning I weighed in at 221 - I hate edema. I am hoping to be at 218 by my Dr visit next week.
8/4 My beautiful thick golden brown hair is falling out in gobs this morning & I put on 6 lbs. I am sure the 6lbs is edema related, but my mental state is not helped by my hair falling out. I have done everything right so it just goes to show that if it is going to fall out, it will. The hairloss is expected, but depressing never the less.
7/30 I lost 3 lbs in 2 days so I am officially at -60lbs, never the less I am "blue". Maybe inside I feel it should be more, or that I haven't lost enough yet. I definitely look great so I don't know where the blues are coming from. My hip & lower back are killing me-perhaps that's the problem. I am back to using the cane & I am limping again. I can't figure out why they are bugging me after a 60lb loss.
7/24 Surgeon visit today :-) 3.5 month calendar check up. I am down 57lbs. Got into a size 16W slacks today. Hmmm maybe I will see a 14 again. I only saw that size once, for a brief moment in time when I was 14 years old!! I can't wait to fly again, I might actually fit in a seat. Dr. S said I am doing good. I find myself looking for reasons to walk now, I want to walk everywhere. I feel like I have a new life.
7/15 My Cardiologist had me increase my potassium intake. I am fine today! He thinks that is my problem. If I have no more problems, I will know he is correct. If not, then I am to make an appt.
7/14 More weight off over the weekend. In 5 days I have lost 8lbs. I feel encouraged. I hope this keeps up the rest of the week. My avg calorie intake is between 450-550. My heart has been pounding & skipping the last 3 days. I had this problem last Sept. I may have to see the Cardiologist again. I didn't have the problem for 10 mos - but it is back. My lower back & right hip are giving me alot of grief as well. I must be walking too much. I may breakdown & take an Ibuprofen. Oddly enough my jeans are still a size 20W.
7/11 The scale finally budged 2 days in a row. Thank goodness. I would hate going to the doctor in 9 days with no weight loss.
7/7 For the last 2 years, due to an accident prior to surgery and my subsequent weight gain, my vacations have been spent in a wheelchair. This year -HOORAY- I walked all over the place. No wheelchair for me. I did have to use my cane one afternoon, I guess I over did it. It is nice to be able to walk and climb stairs again. My weight is plateauing once more.
6/25 I lost several pounds this week, literally overnight. Today, I went for my 3 mo appt. Dr Sabharwal was not pleased with my 90 day weight loss of only 45lbs. He was looking for 10-15lbs more. Dr. Kaniewski seemed ok with it, I ran into her in the hall and we talked for a minute. As I have learned from this website, everyone loses at a different rate. I am not too worried. For the most part I am doing everything right. I learned that I should not eat a sauce with a protien because it acts like water and flushes it out of the stomach too fast. I tried a saucy dish for the first time last night and I won't do that again. I am still eating 1 meal a day because I am not hungry. Meal #1&2 (lunch) is still a protein shake. I found a new strawberry shake that tastes just like strawberry milk - YUM.
6/19 I finally made it - 40lbs gone as of today, 11 weeks after surgery. It took 3 weeks to lose 3 lbs. This is soooo slow compared to others and drives me nuts. I feel more energized now that the BP meds are out of my diet. I am walking 1 mile a day on a treadmill. My arthritis is bothering me. The orthopedist said that I haven't lost enough weight yet to put so much stress on my legs.
6/05 I went for my 8 week post op appt yesterday. Met with Dr. Sabharwal and the office visit was good. I am down 37lbs in 8 weeks. My BP in the afternoon is low so the Dr. has had me stop my blood pressure med today. Once the edema issue is gone (in a few more pounds), that pill will go away too. I still don't eat much. I'm not hungry. The majority of my protien each day is liquid.
5/29 I have realized that my weight loss is not steady. I go through plateaus (long one's) then I have sudden drops. In 24 hours I lost 4 solid pounds. I missed my goal for yesterday which was to reach 243 at my 8 wk anniversary, but the 4lbs loss overnight makes up for it. This means I was only 3lbs off my target and I can live with that.
5/23 - Finally I am down 30lbs, my 2 month goal is 7 lbs away hopefully I will lose it by Wed. I've lost more inches. I tried to find something to wear to a business lunch today. I now have an additional pile of business clothes to donate. I am in an 18W down from a 24W. I had fun at the lunch today. I was served a salad, I had 2 tiny bites & asked the waiter to pack the rest; then lunch was served, I had 4 small bites and asked the waiter to pack the rest, he smiled and shook his head. Then the waiter arrived with dessert - a tiny drop (literally less than a teaspoon full) on the plate and he already packed up the rest of the dessert. Everyone at the table was laughing. When I talked to my daughter today, she asked what "we" ordered for lunch. She knows that she will get the majority of the my leftovers for dinner! A very fun day indeed.
5/19 I am stuck again. In 14 days I lost 4lbs, however, I have not lost anything in the last 9 of those 14 days. So it is 27lbs in 7 weeks. I do everything I am supposed to, but the body doesn't want to let go. I had my first business lunch today with someone who has no idea I had RNY. I ordered correctly, told the server "no rice". 4 tiny bites of chicken and I was full. I guess as I move along in this diet, my refridgerator will be a fun place for my kids to find good restaurant leftovers!
5/13 Today I am down 27lbs in 6 weeks. This seems to be slow compared to others, but I am hoping that the slower weight loss will mean that my skin will sag less when the weight is gone. I drink protein in the morning and at lunch and I eat in the evening. In the day time I am just not hungry. I no longer have stress incontinence which is great. I am still having issues sleeping through the night. I ask myself - Why did I wait so long to do this?
5/10 My body is showing what my scale isn't. I went from a size 24 to a size 20 in 5 wks. I am once again cleaning out my closet today. My scale shows another 4lb drop. I always have my water bottle with me. I can eat a whole small can of soup at mealtime, but if it is pureed food, I can only eat about 2 tblspns. 2 tablespoons makes me feel very full. The Dr's office hasn't billed my insurance co after 5 weeks, so I am out $10,000 until they get it done. I hope they meet the insurers billing deadline. Dr. Sabharwal does the billing. Everyone is very very nice, but they are hit and miss on meeting their own promised deadlines. I was initially told that my ins co would be billed 2 weeks ago.
5/5 Went to the Doc today for my 4wk post op visit. Her scale said I was down 21 lbs which sounds good to me. I am walking better. Everyone at work keeps asking me if I did something with my hair, they say I look younger. I attended a reenactment over the weekend and survived the food barage. It is great to be in control of my appetite. Dr. K gave me a new liquid protein to try because we agree that the tiredness after 2pm may be dumping (dairy?). Hopefully the new one works better and I won't dump.
5/2 My grandmother passed away and I was out of town. I am finally at a solid 260lbs. If my scale is correct I lost 22lbs in 4 weeks. My clothes still fit the same but I know this will not last. Hopefully they will start to get looser this month. My mother in law had the surgery on Wed and had heart problems afterward. She is still in the hospital. She is much heavier than I am. I am dumping on the protein shake but still drinking it as directed by the Dr. I will see the Dr. Monday to see what I can do about it. I have tried 3 brands of protein and I dump on all of them.
4/22 I felt much better yesterday and again today. I guess I was having a day of "post-op depression". Other people have mentioned the depression or sense of loss on the message boards. Quite a few people wrote back to me about my posting on the message board Sunday, and I heeded their advise. I increased my calories a little and tried some of the pureed food options they gave me. My weight is back down. I must have been retaining water even though I didn't see any visible signs of it. I took my BP pill which includes a diuretic and couldn't stay out of the bathroom. I noticed that my slacks are baggy this morning, I hope the new ones I ordered come in soon. I am much more positive.
4/20 Well, the 2 lb weight loss was a phantom loss. I have actually put weight back on. How does that happen? This is depressing. I had the surgery and now I am not losing and I am gaining back what little I have lost. I even walked 2 miles yesterday, I am eating less than 400 calories a day, almost all of it as protien drinks because I am still not very hungry - and I put weight on. This stinks. About now I am having a hard time accepting that the weight will ever come off.
4/17 Hooray!! Down 2 more lbs for a total of 15 lbs in 15 days. I haven't seen the 260's in over a year. I am feeling better today. Someone told me that I looked like I lost weight which made me feel positive. I have a little more engery today. I noticed that after my protien drink, I become incredibly sluggish. Today I drank it over a 4 hour period. I also added 1 8oz cup of low sodium v-8 with potassium to my diet and I am not as tired today. I think my mom was right, I was low on potassium and my blood pressure was reacting to that. The V-8 does not bother my stomach at all, I just take small sips.
4/16 I lost another 3 lbs, so I am down 13lbs in 2 weeks. I am having some problems I didn't expect. I am exhausted after 2pm everyday yet I can't sleep. I am weak (not tired) in the morning and in the evening. I am getting enough protein and liquid, but I have no energy. I was always "hyperactive" so I am struggling the with the thought of weakness. I was afraid I would faint in the shower this morning. Guess I'll make the call to the Dr. perhaps it is already time to reduce my blood pressure meds. I am still glad I had the surgery.
4/13 I am officially down 10lbs. Again, it is slower than some, but I can deal with it. I had a nasty dizzy episode yesterday. I had one about 18 mos ago. It's scary, but I made it through. Hopefully they don't happen more frequently, I would be afraid to leave the house. I am still having all my protein plus a soup, I still can't each much and frankly don't feel like eating much. I have to remember to eat. Drinking liquids is easy, I am always thirsty. I got into my jeans today without sucking in my stomach first. I was determined not to buy new jeans when the one's I have on started getting tighter.
4/11 I felt funny all morning. I guess I didn't have enough fluids yesterday. I will use a cup with a measure on it again for a few days. Now that I have discovered strained cream of shrimp soup I am happier. Tonight it will be strained cream of broccoli and cheese soup. I add no flavor protein to my soups. The soups need extra straining though due to the "bits".
4/10 The gastric tube was removed yesterday. The only part that hurt was when Dr. S. cleaned the outside area with alcohol. Pulling it out just felt like someone very tiny was running on my tummy. Once the tube was removed, all of the pressure under my diaphram was gone. It wasn't gas, it was the hose from the JP tube causing the discomfort. I am back to work today, just 1 week after surgery. I actually felt so good after the tube was removed, that if the tube was out sooner, I probably would have been back to work sooner. What can I say, I like my work. I drive a stick shift car and had no problems with the drive from Baltimore to DC. It's exciting. Yesterday I was down 7.5lbs, today it is a solid 8lbs. Not as fast as some, but it is 8lbs less than I had before. I am drinking plenty of fluids and still working hard to get the protein down. Yesterday I thought I would never finish it. I am just not hungry.
4/7 I am always full. I'm having trouble getting all of the protein drink in on top of the hydrating liquids, forget the creamy soups - just too much. I sleep elevated so I can sleep on my side. Wed is my appt. hopefully the JP tube comes out. TV has too many food commercials, we are a society obsessed with food. Can't wait to go back to work and being very active. I am "hungry" for taste. I am not hungry, just looking for the taste if that makes sense. Dr. K told me that I may not lose weight as fast as some have because of my edema. I know that my scale has not really budged, so that must be the reason.
4/6 I'm back! I was (4/2) out of surgery at 6, and met back in my room by my family. Having had 2 c-sections, I know the pain is gas, but this hurts like giving birth. It starts to pass about 3 days out, but until then-OOOO. I had a bad 1st night due to the patient next to me. She was horrible. She fought with the nurses, screamed every hour, picked up the phone to listen in on my 3 brief calls, I almost think she was in the wrong ward. My white blood count was very high on the 2nd day. Dr. K had a long talk with me & my mom (an RN). Dr. K said I could stay another day so they could watch the blood count. We all felt that going home was best because I didn't have a fever and they didn't have an alternative room for me. The patient next to me was so bad, I really needed to go home. INOVA Fairfax was great. I started creamy liquids today. I mixed my protein powder w/ sugar free pudding as directed. It's tasty. I have been drinking lots of liquids in small amounts. I am just taking liquid extra strength tylenol for pain. Frankly the only real pain is the horrible gas in my intestines. Chewable GasX is helping. I have had a good 4 day start.
4/1 Well it is the day before surgery. I am so excited I really have no desire to eat which is good because I am on clear liquids only. The Phos Pho pre-surgery laxative is D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G & that's a compliment. I had trouble finishing all 3oz because it didn't want to stay down. It tastes like liquid salt. It comes in flavors but trust me - you need a fruity crystal light chaser and a Sugar Free ice pop as a reward for finishing it (ok, it's really to make the yukky taste go away)!! The hospital called, we will only have to pay a max of $300 - can you imagine? The insurance covers the rest because it is pre-approved & the hosp is part of the plan. I found out at this last minute that because Dr. K is not in my plan, I have to pay her entire $10,000 fee up front, then the insurance company pays me after the Doctors bill them. Not happy with this news from Dr. K at the last minute. Now I have to scramble to put together a cash and credit card payment. Short notice cause my surgery is tomorrow. I guess I won't know the anesthestiologist amount until after the surgery.
3/30 It's snowing hard outside, this after several days of nice spring weather. Reviewed the Dr's schedule of vitamins and post-op foods. Checked to see that I have everything. I cleaned out the rest of my -fat- summer & winter clothes & off they went to the Salvation Army. I only kept what I really need. 3 days to the other side, 2 weeks to a lighter me, and it's all downhill from there - the weight anyway :-) I will be able to walk up a hill again some day.
3/29 Tomorrow is my last full day of eating. My last spicey meal for a while will be curried chicken. Monday I may eat normal until dinner, then I start on clear liquids. I am going to buy a giant size bathrobe. I don't own one and the hospital gowns are only XL according to the nice pre-admissions nurse. Since I have to walk the halls right away, I want my behind covered.