forlinestami
11/05/2005
Hi, my name is Tami. I am a 31yrs old divoreced woman. I have two
beautiful children, ages 10, a girl, and 6, a boy. I have been trying to get
the Oregon Health Plan - medicaid - to pay for my surgery for over five
years now. To now avail. I have sever sleep apnea. I even had throat
surgery to help me to be able to use the machine. Which it did, somewhat.
I have slipped disc in my lower back that is so very painful. I have a
hard time laying down for more that six hours due to legs going numb
and shooting pain down my sides and back. My heart is not to good either.
I have chest pains, palputation, racing heartbeat and so on. I have
arthritis in my spine and most of my major joints. I cannot clean myself
anymore without my handy tongs like thingy..
I have been overweight all my life. I started school the biggest 5yr
old there. My family is mostly big also. I just happen to be the
biggest..lol. Both my sisters are around the 300 range. My mom is about 220. My
dad is tall, big boned, but not really overweight.
Well, all of that is about to change....finally! Praise the Lord for
moms! My loving mom decided to help me with getting a loan out on her
house. I can make payments for her, I just couldn't get a loan. (I live
with my mom now, due to becoming more disabled). Anyways, I am having
surgery on 11/30/2005 at 3:00pm!!!!!!!!!!! Never thought I would say those
words. I am having the open DS with the wonderful surgeon Dr. Baltasar
of Spain. It cost way less to go abroad than here in the US. Although,
even if I had a choice of anyone, it would still be him. He has an
excellent statistics rate and an excellent tract record.
I am so excited and soooo looking forward to becoming a loser finally.
I can't remember what it was like to be under 250lbs! I remember being
14yrs old in highschool and being weighed and so embarrassed at being
so high. Although I was so active. Nothing I couldn't do. Being so
young, you can do about anything...LOL!!
Thats all for now. More to come later...
Tami
11/23/2005
Well, here I sit at work, thinking in 5 more day, I will be leaving on
a plane to change my life forever....WOOHOO!! I am just so excited. I
am getting nervous, though, too. I have never been overseas before, let
alone going for surgery. But still, I am so ready for this. All I have
to do now is get thanksgiving over with, make it through the weekend,
and then I will be off at 2am! I have to be at the airport at 4am, due
to a 6am flight. But hopefully I will beat some of the left over holiday
travel...or maybe I am just wishfull...LOL!
Uh oh, got to get going, the phone is ringing too much...guess I am
supposed to actually work...go firgure...lol!
11/27/2005
Few, this day is finally here! I am sitting here packing...I wait
till the last minute..lol. I am almost done. I am afraid I will
forget something. I am so excited and a little nervous, too! The
time went fast, just a few more hours to go. I plan on trying to get
a few winks this evening. I have to be out my door at 2am. (I live
in Willamina, two hour drive from airport). Although I think I might
have a hard time sleeping...too darn excited!!!
I just wanted to tell everyone hi, and and wish you well before my
big adventure. Woohoo, Dina, here we go!
You guys are awesome!
Hugs, Tami....just a blink away from the other side!!!
12/12/05
Hi everyone, I am finally home. Such a long trip, but so well worth it.
Spain was wonderful. Dr. B is just the best! He is so skilled and so
very nice! He is everything everyone said he was, and more. I have never
met a more nicer, kinder Dr.. Everything went well with the surgery. I
went ahead with Lap. So much easier on recovery. I stayed in the
clinica for four days. We then went to the Hotel/apartment called Les Dunes.
It was located in Benidorm, or close to it I think, along the
Meditranian. It was very beautiful there. Sunny everyday, and not too cool,
either. Lots of shopping and places to walk.
We had a nice group of us that went and had surgery. There was myself
and Dina, Cathy and her mom (Cathy had surgery), Farrah and Anna (Farrah
had surgery), Marie from Texas, and Ronnie and Diane from Mississippi
(Ronnie had surgery). Together we had a great time!! We stayed at Les
Dunes until Thursday, and then we headed over to Madrid for two more
days.
Well, Madrid was an experience and a half I think! First off, never go
to Madrid as a post op during there holidays of December 6 and 8th! The
streets were packed! We had a hotel down town, and could hardly drive.
Dina and I had our own car rental, and Farrah and Anna had one too, the
rest of the group came over in a van taxi. Well, we got to the hotel
and the police were telling us we had to move right now, can't park there
to unload our luggage, but we did anyways, but Anna drove off like the
police told her. It was so confusing! The taxi driver drove off before
we could catch him. We wanted to follow him to the train station so we
could drop off our car rentals. Poor Anna was out driving around for
several hours...Dina was also. So stressful. We finally found Anna, and
we made our way to the train station...eventually. By the time we got
there, the rental companies were closed, but they did have boxes to drop
the keys off in. We got a taxi and went back to the hotel, exhaused but
happy to be there. That night, we went out to find a place to have
dinner, and Dina's passport was swiped! She didn't know it until the next
day. Thankfully the American Emmbassy was open on Friday. We were there
for several hours as well, but got the passport. :). The rest of the
day was fine, did some shopping and admired the beuty of Madrid. The
buildings there are just so magnificent! So beautiful! The plane ride back
was long. My butt was pretty sore...lol! But so happy to be back home
again.
Would I ever do it again? You bet! For the most part, it was a perfect
trip! Just a few hiccups. I am having a hard time with wanting to eat.
I am still in the liquids state. I am tired alot, but thats alot of
jet lag I think.
Anyways, just wanted to say hi, and check in with all you guys! Also, I
have lost 18lbs already!!WooHoo!!
Tami
Post-op 11/30/2005
SW 407
CW 385
GW 175
12/30/2005
Well, its been a month now. I am getting quite addicted to this site
these days! Its nice that so many have had surgery around the same time
frames. My surgery was 11/30/05. I am doing pretty good. I have lost
34lbs since surgery. Is that a normal loss for someone who started at
such a high weight? I was 407 at time of surgery. Shouldn't it be more?
But I am happy anyways...lol! My legs are getting some smaller, my face
is way smaller, and some in my arms, but barely my stomach. I can hardly
wait till I lose some on my stomach. It seems the last to want to lose.
I had a lap surgery, and I am not draining anymore. I did not drain
much though. It scabbed up in a few days. Scabs are still there. Wish they
would come off. (I am impatient..lol) I did have some sharp pains on my
right side of my bellybutton. I think I strained it some, but it is
getting better. This week I started back to work. It is mostly sitting, so
not too bad, but I am so tired when I get home. I only work part time.
I work at a college at the public safety dept. I am doing ok on eating,
just can't seem to get all my protien in. I have a hard time with
getting my water in, too. I get most of it in though.
I have not went down any clothes sizes yet, but they are getting loose
in the legs. I think I was just barely squishing into them as a pre-op!
I sadely am in a size 5x. I can hardly wait till I get down to a size
3x. That is one of my goals. Also, to be able to shop in walmart again!
It will happen, but not soon enough...lol.
Well I really appreciate all of you! I really do like reading, and I
will try and post more. I just don't feel like I have much advice as I am
so early on.
Hugs,
Tami
post-op 11/30/2005
HW410 SW407 CW369 GW180
Sorry its been awhile, but here it is...3/2/06
Hi everyone, its time for my three month update. I am doing alright.
I have been fighting depression this month. Losing lots of hormones
I guess. My periods are still messed up. I have had one since
surgery, but nothing since then. I wish they would get better. I
think my iron is getting lower than it was before. I am getting real
tired and dizzy if I get something off the floor. But I am going to
the Dr. tomorrow for my labs. I am doing pretty good on taking my
vitamins. This month I lost only 15lbs. Wish it was 20 like last
month, but 15 is not that bad. Its because of a short month. I
weighed in yesterday morning because of thats my weekly weigh in,
and wouldn't you know it, I lost three pounds! If it would have been
a regular month, my month total would have been 18. Oh well. At
least it is coming off. My total lost for three months was
71lbs...gone forever! WooHoo! I can eat more now too. Just still not
that much. But, I am ablet to get in 100 to 120 grams of protien
daily. And my water intake is usually 60 to 70oz daily. I don't have
room for anything else but protien, though, if I do 120g. I am
starting to eat a few veggis, but dang, they take up room. I still
have problems with bread and white flour, noodles, simple carby
things...which is good. I don't want to much of those. But the
complex carbs are doing ok. Which should be good for you. So, all in
all, I am doing pretty good. Just down sometimes. Oh yeah, I got my
elliptical finally. I found one that goes up to 300lbs. Had to pay a
lot for it, but it was worth it. Its my health, so I want to make
it. I just got it put together...what a chore that was...four hours
it took my brother to put it together. Well, I tried it out, went
for 30 minutes with one short break because of a phone call, and I
went a mile. Man, I could hardly get off the thing! I was shaking
and very weak. I think I went to long, to fast. I think maybe I
should start out at 15mins and go up from there. My heart rate was a
little over 160 per minute. I think that is a little high. Not sure
though.
Anyways, thats whats up with me so far. Hope everyone else is doing
good.
Tami
post op 11/30/05 Dr. Baltasar
SW407 CW333 GW180
03/30/06
Well, wow, I can't believe it has been four months already. Time seems
to fly by. My moods have gotten better this month...not so down. Still
have ups and downs, just more ups now :) This month I lost only 13lbs.
It seems to be getting less and less each month...but at least it is
coming off. I do have a question...do ryn post ops early out lose more
than us at first? I have a friend who just had ryn and she seems to think
she will do so much better than me, that ryn lose faster. Maybe this is
so, but we will be the ones keeping it off. Its hard not to compare
myself to others. I read alot on OH november 05 forums. People at my
weight are already at 100lbs lost. I will get there, but it is hard
sometimes.
This month I actually took a bath for the first time in like 7 years!
It was still quite squishy and hard to get out...but I still did it. It
felt so nice! This week I had an 'wow' idea. I was going to actually
mow the yard! I have not been able to do that for about 10yrs. It was
such an amazing feeling to me...to be able to do things like this again.
It almost brought tears to my eyes. My kids thought I was nuts I
think...LOL! Unfortunatly my brother came over and mowed the lawn instead. I
had to go to town and when I came back...it was done. Oh well, he is so
used to just doing it whenever. But next week...watch out, here comes
losing gal with the mower..hehe.
I think I am finally getting into 3x now..for the most part anyways.
You all know how different the same size can be. But going from a very
tighte 5x and some 6x to 3x is so awesome! I love my DS and Dr. B! I am
finding I am able to eat more this last month. But still, not alot. But,
I am getting in more veggies and other foods along with protien. I
still do two protien drinks a day to make my 100 to 120grams. I don't have
much problems with gas or diarhea (sp). I am exercising 5 or so days a
week on my elliptical. It is getting better, more easier. On fitday, it
comes out to mostly 900 to 1300 cals for the day. Usually about 50% or
less of fat, 40% or more for protien and 10% and less for carbs. Is
that good for someone 4months out?
Anyways, just wanted to say hi and let ya'll know how I am doing. Love
ya guys!
Hugs,
Tami post op 11/30/05
Dr. Baltasar lap Bpd/ds
SW407 CW323 GW180 -84lbs
Hi everyone. Its my five month update. I am doing pretty good. I am
real solidly in 3x sizes. When I pick up some pants that are 26s, I get
the overwhelming feeling that it is waayyy too small for me. I couldn't
possibly fit it. But I do! Such a great feeling!! I do the same thing
with booths..lol. I don't remember being in anything smaller than a 3x in
my adult life..(and late teens). This is such an awesome journey so
far. My eating has gotten more this month. I am eating more like 1700 cals
daily. It that alot for five months out?? I do get in 120 or more of
protien daily and my water is around 70 to 80oz. The only thing I have a
problem with is fibor. I only get in about 5g daily....so bad I know.
If I get in my protien, there is not much room for other stuff. Do you
guys know of any foods that are high in fibor that is not beans...beans
give me nasty, painful gas...not to mention my poor kids noses are in
pain..LOL! Any help would be really appreciated. My weighloss this month
is 14lbs. One more down from last month, so I am happy about that. I
lost two more pounds today...wish it was yesterday..but oh well. I was
sooo hoping to be down a hundred by five months out, but I am real close.
Only one more pound to go. The day I left for spain I was 410lbs, and
if I go by that weight, I have lost 102lbs, but I go by my surgery day
of 407. Anyways, can you tell I obsess over the numbers...LOL. But I am
so happy with my loss so far and my life is so different from five
months ago. I look at pics and cannot believe how I used to look. Some days
I seem so huge, and such a long way to go, but I have to look at those
pics and remember how far I have come in such a short time. The DS is
so life changing already.
Well, anyways, just wanted to say hi and let you all know how I am
doing. Oh yeah, I am almost in the TWOssss!!! WooHoo!!
Thankyou all for your support!
Hugs,
Tami
11/30/05 Dr. Baltasar lap DS
SW407 CW308 GW180
http://www.labtestsonline.org/
05/05/06 Today I reached the century mark!! WooHoo! I will try and get
some new pics up. I am putting some pics of me in Spain getting my DS.
Some pre op and some post op.
5/31/06
Hi all you lovely people!! Its my six month update. A day late, but it
falls in my work week. Lots of changes this month. I reached a huuuggee
milestone...twoserville! I can cross my legs...or perch..lol, my BMI is
below 50, so I am only extremely obese...no more super for me! I still
get emotional at times. I feel down, then happy, then real
grumpy...sheesh, wish it would get straight. My hair loss is slowing down to almost
normal loss right now...yeah! This month was a real winner for me...I
am finally moving into the unknown weights. All I can remember is the
three's. So seeing a two is awesome. Thinking back to how I was six
months ago, it brings tears to my eyes. I stand when I cook now, stand to do
dishes, walk to the store, not in excruciating back pain when I did
stand up, I can shower without pain...as well as get myself cleaner,
easier, this is a big one....no more bathroom helper for my butt....I can
sweep the floor, vacuum with ease, I have planted a small garden and
climed on the river bank with my kids. There is so much more, but it really
hit home this month. It is so amazing to me that in only six months, I
have changed so much. I can hardly wait till I am at 18 months out and
what changes I will be in then...maybe onerland? Riding a bike?
Hmmm...my future looks so exciting and promising now..instead of dying so
young, hurting, feeling miserable and trapped. Can you tell I love my DS?
Eating is a blessing now. I find that food no longer has the guilt with
eating. I am not ashamed to say...I love to eat, I love food! I eat
like a normal person, well, less, but I don't feel so different now.
The only negitive thing I am dealing with right now is my energy level.
I have none. I was anemic before surgery, I was at three months out, so
I upped my iron to prescription strenghth and upped the dosage, but I
am feeling way tired and drained/dizzy alot. But we will see. I go in
for labs on Friday. I have always been one to be anemic. So this is not
just DS related.
Ok, now for my losses...this month loss is 14lbs. Total for my six
month loss is 111lbs!!! So, if my goal is to be 180lbs, and I started out
at 407lbs, am I not at 50%? I don't think I am. Does this mean I wont
get to goal? Maybe I should have 190lbs goal instead. Am I a slow loser
for someone of my size? Although I am very happy with 111lbs gone
forever! I was just wondering where you were at percentage wise at six
months, especially if you started out at somewhere my weight.
Anyways, just thought I would check in with ya and let you know how I
am doing.
Hugs to all,
Tami
post op11/30/05 Dr. Baltasar lapBPD/DS
SW407 CW296 GW180 -111lbs!!
Cross Post from DS forum:
6/17/06
Ok guys and gals, I know I don't post that much, but I follow all of
you daily..or at least when I can get on the computer. Well, I am so
very, very discouraged right now. I am sure you have all heard it before,
but it is so hard! I have not lost anything for almost a month now I
know we all go through platau...but dang, I am only in my sixth month...6
1/2 to get more technical. I know I have heard people say about the
stair climbing thing...which makes sense, but next wednesday it will be a
month...isn't that a long break for resting? I am really, really
starting to feel that I am going to be the one that it wont work for...yes, I
have lost a little over a hundred pounds, but I still have so, so much
to lose. I am just shy of 300lbs, so stopping now is hard to swallow. I
still have alot of comorbs...but I have lost alot of comorbs, too. I do
try and see the major progress I have made so far, and I am so, so very
happy about that. But I don't want it to be over yet. Have any of you
went on a month long platau when you were in your sixth month? I have
heard of it after a year, but not this soon, especially for someone who
started out so big..407lbs. I have tried changing things, like I have
upped my water intake to 100 - 120 oz daily. ( I was drinking 64 - 80oz).
Nothing. I have upped my fat...just resulted in runny poop and sitting
on the toilet more. I keep my carbs around 60g or less. I get in around
1800cals a day, give or take a few hundred. I don't hardly eat
sugar...have'nt got the taste for it yet..which is good. I get in around 120 -
160gr of protien daily. Of course, that is with taking two supplements
of protien shake a day. I even upped my carbs for a couple of
days..decided to what the heck it kind of day...but nothing, well, except for
way uncomfortable gas! I do admit I don't get in alot of exercise. My
iron is low, and I am really fighting my energy levels. I have upped my
iron intake to three prescription strenghth pills daily. Hopefully that
will do the trick. My iron stores (ferritin) is actually in the normal
range, just the other iron is low. My other labs are fine, except low B
vitamins. But that is being corrected with more super B vits a day. I
am mostly real good at taking all my vits a day. I take 21 a day. But I
do take walks, and I work outside in my little garden/yard. I just
don't have the energy to get on my elliptical. I wish I could go swimming,
but I live half an hour out of any town that has a pool. I live in a
small town. Gas is too expensive to drive very far.
What am I doing wrong?? I am so sad right now. Is this the end of
losing for me? Will I stay at this weight forever? Ok, I know I am being so
whiney. Logically I keep thinking...hang in there, all plataus break,
it will be fine, but my resolve is breaking now. A month is a long time
to not lose when I am only 6 1/2m out and still have so far to go.
Thankyou everyone for hearing me whine and complain...
Discouraged,
Tami
6/28/06 Ok, I think whining helped! LOL! just a quick note because I am
here at work. I have lost around 10lbs since I whined...woohoo! Its
about time. I feel so releived. I also went to the Dr.s and they used a
regular sized bp cuff on me...I honestly don't rememeber the last time I
fit one. Maybe as a young teen. It is so sureal to me. My weight is now
286. Seems fantastic, even if I have a long ways to go. I'll check back
in a couple of days for my seven month check in. Oh yeah, my BMI is now
47. My starting BMI was 67, so I have lost 20 points off of that!
Tami
SW407 CW286 GW180
8/10/2006 eighth month update
Hi everyone, I've been a little scarce around here. Summer and work has
me busy. I am a little
over eight months out now. I did pretty good for my loss last month.
13lbs. Better than the month before. I do have a question, though.
My hormones are all messed up I think. All last month and now this
month I am in PMS mode! My breast hurt allll the time, very badly, I
am retaining water pretty badely also, my face is broke out in zits
and I am rashy in my skin folds, no matter how much I shower. The
only time I have relief from PMS symptoms is during my period and
maybe a few days aferward. And no, if anyone is thinking pregnacy it
so not that. Haven't been with someone since my divorece years ago.
Have anyone had this? How long does it last? I am afraid to go to
the Dr. for fear of putting me on birth control to stablize my
hormone levels...I know they slow weightloss down. Don't want to go
there. There is one good thing though, I am not feeling grouchy...my
kids are so happy for that I am sure..LOL!
Also, I have some good news...I am going to Greece on the 28th of
this month. I am so excited! My sister and her husband are taking
me, all expenses paid. They are introducing me to my brother in laws
brother. I have known about him for a couple of years, but did not
persue anything when they asked two years ago. I was too unhealthy
to even think about dating. We are staying over there until Sept.
7th. I am so, so nervous but so excited too. This time, going on an
airplane will be much easier. For those that went on a plane at
around 270ish, how did you fit? Could you put the tray down? Well,
wish me luck that I don't totally space out when I first meet this
man...his name is Jezweel. He is originally from India.
Well, thats whats up right now. Oh, I also went camping last weekend
for the first time in four years! It was so, so nice. I put up the
tent, the air mattress, made the beds, got the food out, ect. and I
did this all without breathing hard and hardly making my heart beat
faster! Too cool!
Oh yeah, send losing vibes my way, I am on another three week
platuea and I am hoping to get into the 260s by the time I leave.
Hugs,
Tami
SW407 CW273 GW190 -134