Dusty Ray Vaughn
RE: 18 months
Feb 20, 2010
I still have pain if I eat wrong: one bite too much, chew too little, too big of a bite, too greasy or too much sweet, too spicy on an empty stomach, too strong alcohol on an empty stomach. Still have trouble with carbonated drinks unless I pour them into a glass and let some fizz escape. But over all I am very satisfied with what I got and would definitely do it again. Like all of life, I would do some things differently, but not a lot.
I really believe it was the best decision of my life and I wish I had made it much sooner, and could have had it much sooner. It would have saved me a lot of pain and suffering and those around me the same. I probably shortened my life a lot by waiting too. So I'm very thankful to be here and looking forward not backward to a far better life than would have otherwise been possible
RE: Update
Aug 29, 2009
I have no idea how my health is as far as my bariatric needs are, but I have a good 35- 50 pounds of loose skin to enjoy, and no clue as to whether the surgery which was pre approved in North Carolina, will ever take place. We'll be leaving Texas and good riddance in November. I just got my Texas Driver's license in August of this year. I had an expired Texas driver's license and Texas wouldn't accept it as proof that I was who I said I was, nor would they accept my valid North Carolina license as proof. I had to get a birth certificate ($60.00), proof of Social Security Number ( Texas SS changed the spelling of my name and told me the original SS card I've had for over 40 years wasn't valid because it had the correct spelling of my name), proof that any vehicles I owned were registered in Texas, proof of insurance, and another form of ID, but not my original Texas License from 2000.
I hearby award the Political Pork Belly Pinacle award to Texas, the state which executes more people than all the other states combined and is having to release more people from death row than all the other states combined because they wrongly convict more innocent people to death row than all the other states combined. I'll be leaving with a smile on my face and a song in my heart and this state can kiss my formally fat butt, (loose skin and all) and good luck to those remaining. No, I'm not a newbie here, I've lived in a half dozen town in the panhandle for years as a kid, El Paso del norte twice, Dallas and central texas for years, and SE Texas now for a year. It used to be a fine place to live, and I miss the state it used to be. They need to send about 90% of their politicians to Mexico or the Persion gulf and let Texas be Texas again.
Maybe more people should ask why we're buying lessor grade oil from the Arabs at well over $100 per barrel when Texas has overflowing stocks of premium grade oil at less than $40 per barrel and isn't using a drop of it for American usage. Think about that the next time you fill your tank at the pumps. It's over a 60 mile trip into town to see the doctor here. In an SUV , even with a V-6, it gets pricey. Bariatric surgery and all it's requirements is hard enough with all the pre-testing and doctors, surgeons, nutricianists, pschologists, cardiologists, pulmonary care doctors, sleep clinics and the like...and Gas that costs $1.70 per gallon above the crude oil cost is disgusting to a poor family. Give us a break, people.
Keeping On Keeping On!
Feb 11, 2009
Still not able to access a physician or surgeon. I still say I hate politician's games. I'm still losing, but slower, still getting around better every day, still gaining loose skin by leaps and bounds...or is it droops and sags. Lol People who are supposed to know me well don't recognize me, and some of my closest friends and relatives have abandoned me and even the main person who was there for me throughout my illness and the surgery has turned her back on me. Folks, we all need each other here and we need to be there for each other and offer support. Answer a blog, or forum post and help someone today that might be where you have been. We all have to walk our own walk, but it's a great and noble thing to lend a caring word or hand.
New Vistas and Thanksgiving
Nov 30, 2008
Well, I wound up moving 1650 miles to The Austi, TX area and this puts me in a temporary limbo without a PCP or Surgeon. I'm working on establishing medical in this area, though. We had to move where the music industry was more viable than where I had the surgery, and while the opportunity was there, we took it.
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I ate till I was full. Lol It didn't take long or much. I lost eight pounds that night, though I'm sure it was water weight as I took a fluid pill that night instead of that morning by accident. I'm just now getting back online after the 5th of November, but it's been quite a move.
From October the sixth toNovember the 5th I lost 27 pounds after almost a month and a half with no weight loss. I also lost 14 inches off my waist. I need a few more months like that one.
Update Sept 14, 2008
Sep 14, 2008
Getting better every day
Sep 09, 2008
I'm in a plateau of sorts, and have only lost 3 pounds in the last three weeks, despite the exercise. I'm sure it will change, and I'll start losing pounds and inches again.
I am also having a lot of fun with the allergies that hit this time of year. I hate taking Benydryl!
I've very thankful that the infections are gone and that I can have a fair shot at living my new life now. I'm thankful also for the support of my family and friends who have encouraged me and rooted me on on my journey. I'm thankful for them and for God for being patient when I'm grumpy and feeling sorry for myself. Lol
Almost 7 weeks
Aug 17, 2008
Just being able to move with so much more freedom and being able to see visible results in the mirror is amazing. I can see why they say that people with "big bones" is often really "big fat" packed on those bones. Lol I was powerfully built and sometimes even musclebound at times, then the diabetes hit with a vengence and I found myself 260 pounds heavier in a six month period, taking 600 to 700 unit of insulin per day and over 22 perscription drugs. It embarrassed me to the point that even when I could, I didn't want to be seen in public. It's been that way for almost seven years now. Even more embarrassing were the personal care that I had to depend on others to do. I still have so far to go, and I'll never be 100% because of a severely damamged spine, but at least maybe the pain will be better and I'll be able to resemble a human being again.
A urinary track infection kept me so sick I couldn't eat for a week, and thank God that is finally over. The liquid Bactrim made me sicker than the infection and 103.4 fevers. I still have to be careful what I eat. Soft meats, carrots, swiss cheese, broccoli and the like seem to do best.
I hope you'll find your path on this journey, and don't try to rush it. All things come in time, just be sure you get enough protein and remember, a taste of something can be very satisfying and can keep you from indulging in things that may not be the best from you. It's important you don't let yourself dwell on what you "can't " have and learn new pleasures. Good luck. Dusty
1st Post RNY week
Jul 13, 2008
Well, I came through the surgery and have had some complications, so it's taken me a bit to get back here. I am in Winterville (near Greenville) North Carolina and Dr. William Chapman is my Dr. The urologist damaged my uretha when they inserted the catheter and I'm stuck wearing one for a month after a trip to the emergency room and an emergency appointment with the urologist to reinsert it. LOTS of pain, and bleeding. My largest incision became infected and the surgeon had to reopen it. Now I'm having saline soaked gauze poked in about 1 1/2 " deep into my abdoman and bandaged twice per day. I have lots of blood clots in my bladder and am still in a lot of pain from all this, BUT, the surgery went well and I'm only perturbed about the urologist error. I can't tolerate ANY protein shakes...they make me really ill...but I'm amazed to find that I can drink coffee, tea, milk, boullion, etc. and have been able to tolerate homemade egg-drop soup, chicken, noodles, mashed potatoes, gravy, calamari, beans, veggies, and yes, apple cobbler. Sugar doesn't seem to bother me. What does get me is peanut butter, which I love. I'm officially not on soft foods until the 15th, but no protein shakes meant I had to do something, so I've been chewing like crazy and taking it slow and in small amounts. Not really losing weight yet, but lots of fluid and trauma is the probable cause.
I had the surgery for health reasons actually and that seems to be improving already. I'm down from 180 units Lantus insulin to 40 per day and from 100 - 300 units Humalog to 14 units at meals when needed. So far I've only taken 28 units twice. I'm also off of a lot of the medications I was taking before.
That's what's happening so far and I've had some personally stressful things happening with family and friends, so I'm not complaining.
