cowgirl64505
After being a member of Obesityhelp for 2 1/2 years, and thinking about gastric bypass surgery but not having any way to pay for it, I finally found my way! Earlier this year, I found there was an excellent Bariatric Surgery Center in Kansas City. It is the Bariatric Surgery Center of Shawnee Mission, and the surgeon is Dr. Hoehn. Thinking it was against all odds, I decided to go ahead and apply to my insurance and much to my surprise, I was approved! So now I am going through the process of the psychological sessions, clearance from the pulmonary and heart specialists, and my first consultation with the surgeon. I am hoping to have the surgery before the end of 2009.
*update 01/6/10 I had rouen-y gastric bypass surgery on 12/28/09. so am 1 1/2 weeks out. In the first week, I lost 24 pounds. At this point, I'm in the "what in the heck did I do to myself" stage. I'm having problems drinking the protein drinks, even though I have tried 3 different kinds. I was feeling very weak and sick to my stomach, but that has improved since starting to eat solids this week. I'm still having the dry heaves about once a day, which is no fun at all. But day by day, I'm feeling better, so I know this will pass.
*update 01/26/10 Yesterday was my 1 month anniversary of my surgery. So far I have lost 32 pounds, and am down 1 size. I didn't lose hardly any weight for about 2 1/2 weeks, but I could not keep any of the protein shakes down and was having problems with nausea. I am feeling much better now. I have my strength back, and don't get as exausted like I did for the first few weeks. I am able to eat a more varied diet, though there are a few items that do not agree with me (like Sonic grilled chicken). The dry heaves stage has been gone for over a week, thank goodness! Now, I only vomit when I overeat or if something does not agree with me. At this point, I eat about 5 bites per meal (any more and I feel nauseas and miserable). People are telling me that they can really see the weight loss in my face and neck, so I think the turkey neck is decreasing! :)
*update 2/1/10 It has been 5 weeks since my surgery. I've lost 35 pounds total! Everything is pretty much the same as last week. I joined the YMCA yesterday and started working out. Previous to this, because I wasn't able to keep enough food down, feeling nauseaus often, and the lack of energy, i wasn't working out consistantly. Now I think I can.
*update 2/22/10 It has been 8 weeks from my surgery and I have lost 50 pounds! It's just mind blowing! I am finally starting to see changes in my body and not having quite as many problems with nausea and vomiting. But then again, some things just don't want to be digested. I'm still not working out consistantly, I need to get into that habit.
*update 3/15/10 It has been 11 weeks since my surgery and I have lost 58 pounds! I am now at 250 pounds, so still have another 100 pounds to go. But this losing weight is really easy, I just love it! I'm rarely vomiting now, and have learned some tricks that I have picked up from the RNY forum and message board about things that work for my body. I used to wear a shirt size 4X - 5X, and now I am wearing 2X. Jeans, I used to wear 26W, and those were skin tight, and now I am wearing 22W. This is so cool! :)
*update 3/29/10 13 weeks after my surgery, I have lost a total of 65 pounds! Yahoo!
*update 4/20/10 It's been 16 weeks since my surgery and today I reached the halfway point in my weight loss goal. I wanted to lose 150 pounds, and I am down 75 pounds today! It's really reason to celebrate, because the weight is still melting off without any work from me. Actually, I have a hard time getting in enough protein and food through the day. It seems like I am contantly eating. I had my check up with my surgeon yesterday, and he was happy with my lab results. I'm at the low end on my B-12 and protein, so I need to get at least 60 grams of protein in per day, and up my B-12 from once per week to 3-4 times per week. Everything else looked good. Today is a great day!
*Update 5/31/10 I've lost a total of 90 pounds in 5 months! I'm feeling great, and rarely get sick anymore. A couple of weeks ago, I was actually able to keep down a protein shake for the first time which is again reason to celebrate. It makes it a LOT easier to get my protein in with the shakes. LIFE IS GREAT!
*Update 6/28/10 It has been exactly 6 months since my surgery, and I have lost 97 pounds! I'm down to size 16 jeans from size 26/28. My tops are usually mediums or large, used to have to buy size 5X. I feel so much better and have a lot more energy. I'm even starting to wear dresses and feel more sexy (with my clothes on) for the first time in years. I went on my first date in probably 6 or 7 years a week ago, and he wants to take me out again. But I'm definitely going to need plastic surgery in the future, because I have lots of extra skin on my arms, and stomach. But my boobs have only gone from size DD down to a size D, though they are very long and limp. LOL But life is great, and I love this surgery!
*Update 3/10/12 Gosh, it has been 2 years and 3 months since my surgery. At this point, I'm just trying to maintain the weight loss. I had gotten down to 155 pounds and at that weight looked slightly frail and bony. My boyfriend says I'm just skin and bones (hey, that's a hell of a compliment for a former fat girl!). So over several months, my body gradually gained weight back to 170 and at that weight, I looked about right. You couldn't count every rib, but still could see muscle definition. Then over the recent holidays, I gained 10 pounds and these have felt like FAT!!! This has really thrown me for a loop, so I joined a gym last week and have scheduled an appointment with a therapist. It never hurts to talk with someone, and even though I don't think I have any issues bothering me, perhaps I need help. I seriously do not want to regain the weight because i feel and look terrific. But I do need plastic surgery all over my body and am still trying to get my insurance to cover it.
