fleemore1

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I need to look at pictures once ina while to help re-motivate me and keep me from "whining about not loosing fast enough" or only a pound this week or staying the same.  Just remember how far I've come.  I'm not in a race we're participating in a game called LIFE!!!  I REFUSE to go back to that other woman who was on my shoulder!!! 

I would have never imagined me loosing 180 pounds prior to weight loss surgery!  What a life changing experience this has all been.  I'm ALIVE!!!

Well, I haven't updated in a long time.  I am now at a 178 pound weight loss.  My loss has slowed down considerably to say the least.  I'm not complaining but I would certainly like to get at least 40 more pounds off.  I can't imagine myself having to live in my old 408 pound body any longer than I did.  I actually wasn't living...merely surving I guess and not doing a very good job of that either.  I would do this again in a heartbeat.  All my co-mobities have been resolved from my diabetes, acid reflux, sleep apnea, high colesterol and on and on and on.  Even with all the meidcations I took I still was not able to control it.  I had wonderful insurance...NOT...that totally excluded my weight loss surgery so I bit the bullet and was a cash pay.  I think I was worth every dime of it.  We spend all kinds of money on cars and stuff that have to be replaced at least every 3-5 years so we are certainly worth it.  I have more energy than I have had in 25 years and feel like I can keep up with the best of them.  Life is good!!!

Post Date 12/8/08 11:40 am
Topic: A WOW Moment!!

I just had to share with my OH friends that I have reached the 160 pound loss as of this morning.  I began my WLS journey on March 12th and had lost 32 pounds pre-op and down 128 pounds post op for the 160 pound total.  I know that when I attended my first seminar at Weight Wise I was at the point of desperation to do anything to make this all happy.  I remember hearing folks like Ruth, Scraphappy and many others share their successes and show their before pictures and thinking if I could only do half as well I would be happy.   I am extremely thankful that ScrapHappy allowed channel 4 do a news story on her when WeightWise began doing the sleeve procedures that allowed so many to make WLS affordable.  She's a brave soul!! 

I am extremely happy and healthier than I have been in years and years.  I haven't been at the weight I am currently since before the birth of my oldest son who is 31.  I have more energy than I have in years and years, can tie/untie my own shoes, put on my own socks without loosing my breath, walk up and down stairs without hanging onto the rail for dear life, clean my own shower and bathtubs, ride on the riding mower and work in my flower beds, walk with my peeps at Midwest City (thanks HappyCat for encouraging me to do that!) walk up steps at the Ford Center and fitting in the chairs without spilling over into someone elses, get in the floor and play with my grandson and get up without the use of a crane.  I haven't had an insulin shot since the day of surgery on March 12th, no longer take anti-depressants, a very small dose of blood pressure medication now, soon to go off my C-pap machine.  

I do totally LOVE to go shopping (transfer addition anyone??) and especially when I can buy clothing in most of the stores.  This weight loss feels better than any food ever tasted.  For those of you who are reading (or lurking) and considering weight loss surgery just know that I would do this again in a heartbeat.  My only regret is that I was not able to do it years and years ago. 

Thanks for all you wonderful people on OH and who attend my support groups with me.  You have truly become wonderful friends.  It's awesome to have close friends who have traveled this road with me and understand where I've been and where I'm going.  I also want to thank all those wonderful folks at Weight Wise who are so caring, knowledgeable and helpful to us all.  A special thanks goes out to Dr. Walton and Dr. Brusard who assisted him...you saved my life and gave me a chance at living life to the fullest and no longer jus****ch!!

I still have a ways to go to get to my goal but..."I can see the light!!" and with your help, encouragement and work on my part I WILL get there!!!

Debbie 

A few weeks ago Rita "Cricket" started an e-mail and shoed her picture prior to WLS as well as her current beautiful picture.  Some of you others out there shared with your before and after pictures as well.  The transformations were truly awesome and so inspiring.  We have new folks now who might need to see them again as well.  Come on you guys...let's play "before and after".  I still have a ways to go but I'm playing anyway. 

Here I am at Christmas 2007...408 pounds.....  Scared me I know that much.  I felt horrible, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high colesterol, sleep apnea, was on a road to no where fast and on and on:



Here I am with my DH on Friday, October 10th!!  No insulin since March 12th...date of surgery, no blood pressure medication, should go off C-pap in 20 more pounds...setting is way way down from the previous- no prilosec and on and on...no depression!!!  My tool is awesome and working and I feel ALIVE!!!  I still have a ways to go but I KNOW I'll get there.  I'm not in a race I'm living life!!!  I love my OH friends and Dr. Walton and the staff at Weightwise.  I wouldn't have made it this far without you guys.

Post Date 9/23/08 7:27 am
Topic: RE: Tuesday Question of the day

Are you pre-op/post op?
I am post op.  My surgery date or as I refer to it, my new birthdate was 3/12/08. 
How far pre/post are you?
6 months
Whats your story on which surgery type you choose?
I did a lot of research and prayed.  I have been overweight my entire life.  I've done it all trying to loose and have lost it many times to only gain it back.  For me I chose the lap RNY with the help of Dr. Walton and my son who is also a doctor.  I didn't want to be able to tolerate sweets and for the most part those who have had the RNY don't tolerate them well.  I also liked the fact that there was much more long term data out there on the lap RNY since the sleeve is relatively new although all my friends who have been sleeved have been as successful as well.  Each person has to do their on research and choose with their doctor what is best for you personally.  No textbook answer for that one.  Look at your own history and needs. 
What has been the hardest part of your jouney so far?
Learning how to eat small bites and chewing more thoroughly. 
What has been the easiest part of your journey so far?
Loosing the weight.  I never thought I would be a success but so far so good.  My new tool is absolutely wonderful and with it and learning self-discipline, choosing food carefully and exercising I'm sure I will loose the rest in time.
Is there anything that you would do differently that might help the next person to know who is starting the journey?
No, I did a LOT of homework prior to surgery.  This wasn't a decision I made over-night.  I have been looking into it several years but it was unaffordable and my insurance always excluded it.  I finally was able to finance my own surgery as a self-pay and would do it again in a heartbeat.
How did you choose the right dr for you?
I had many referrances on Dr. Walton.  He has been in Oklahoma a long time.
Are you happy with the results?
YES, YES and YES!!!  Did anyone not hear that? (LOL)
How close are you to goal?
I have lost 60% of the weight I want to loose before reaching goal in just 6 short months.  I would like to think I can get to goal in another year or so.  If I don't I certainly won't complain.  I'm so much healthier, happier, energetic now than I have been in so many years!!  No more insulin, high blood presure medicines, antidepressants and soon to be gone is my lovely face serpant as some call it...the CPAP!!!  My A1C prior to surgery was always over 11 and I had been taking 140 units of insulin per day.  I had my last insulin shot the day after surgery and NO MORE SINCE!!  My last 2 A1C's were 5.5 and 5.4........  Don't need to say anymore about that...this works!!!
Starting stats vs current stats?
I began this journey at 408, lost 32 pounds post op and have lost 107 pounds in the 6 months since surgery...AMAZING. 

Well, since fall is upon us I went out this past weekend and did some shoe shopping.  I have been considered the "shoe queen" by my family and I think that is because I could always shop for shoes and find something that fit, was cute and stylish...unlike clothing!!  I really had a "need" for shoes since I have a lot of open toed shoes now.  Well, well, well...low and behold I no longer wear a 9 1/2.  I am now wearing 8 1/2's.  I thought it was just a particular brand but I tried on many shoes and that was the size I wore in most.  I even surprised my DH and came home with a pair of semi pointed toed (a small box) shoes with an open back and 2 1/2 inch heel.  Do you know how  many years and years it has been since I have even looked at a pair like that to even try on much less buy.  I actually bought 4 pair (only one 2 1/2" heel...LOL)...Ross and TJ Max...and they are all 8 1/2.  I wore the heels to church on Sunday and they actually felt good and I felt good wearing them.  It's amazing that loosing 136 pounds will cause my feet to shrink but it has!!!  WoooHoooHooo....the smaller clothing sizes also are a big WOW as well.  It's funny when I do wear something that fits me to church or work I get all kinds of compliments but it's not long until it's too big....not that I'm complaining.  I love to shop and do shop for clearance sales, Ross, TJ Max, Marshalls and all those other outlet places.  I don't have to just go to Catherines or the Avenue anymore.....  I know a lot of you guys aren't buying smaller clothes but it sure does a lot for a girl's ego and when you work in an office as a professional it's hard to go in with baggy, baggy clothes! 

Well, I'm one that usually weighs too often but have tried to wait a week at a time.  This morning the old scales were good to me.....5 pounds since last weigh in.  If anyone had told me that on my surgery day of March 12th I'd be down 133 pounds (32 prior to surgery) I would have NEVER believed it.  This has been the best decision I've made for me in a long long time.  I feel better, am off some of my medications, no insulin since surgery day and the best part is that I feel so much better and have so much more energy!!!  It's exciting that I have lost more then 1/2 of my weight.  I so afraid that I would not be a success on this since I had failed with so many "diets" in my lifetime.  I've gotten rid of clothes (not saving in case I gain it back like before)!!!  I can't brag enough on my surgeon, Dr. Walton and WeightWise.  They have saved my life and given me a life back!!!!