GailV
2/4/05 - well, I have lost a total of 115 pounds and am down to 155 and a normal BMI (24). My goal was 160 so I have made it. My dream was 150. I never thought I would lose more than 50 pounds for some reason. Can't believe I'm 5 pounds from my dream weight. I'm 5'7 and large boned so this is a perfect weight for me. I had breast surgery last month - to complete the reconstruction after the breast cancer surgery last July. They actually made a nipple for the "new" breast and put an implant in my other breast so they would totally match. Can't believe what modern medicine can do. I must say that I never felt like a lost a breast during this whole process. And on the up side, got a free tummy tuck and perky breasts! I have to say, I look pretty good for being 51. My only problem right now is I'm eating too many refined carbs. I started after the last surgery (made me feel better) and I need to knock it off. I don't dump from sugar. And I can see how addicting it can be so I need to totally back off sweets. And increase the walking. That's the only way to get to 150. Other than that I feel great!
10/8/04 - Today I finish my last chemo treatment. This was the hardest to go through - partly because they did get all the cancer - and partly because they want to make sure it's not anywhere else. The first few weeks of chemo, I could eat anything I wanted - so of course I wanted sweets, because they made me "feel better". By the end of chemo, due to the changes in my body, I actually had the dumping syndrom, so I am off sweets for now! I feel lousy and I'm always tired, but with the antinauseau medicine, I only threw up once. Well after today, I don't have any more chemo. YEAH!
8/16/04 = Well, its been a long time since I wrote anything here. I am down 105 pounds! Last month I had surgery to remove breast cancer from my right breast. The good news was, 1) they got it all; and 2) I got a free tummy tuck out of the deal! So not only do I look great but I've a flat tummy to boot! I'm so glad I had this surgery. It really helped me go through the cancer surgery with flying colors. I was such much healthier and have such a good outlook on life that it was not bad. I had more prayer support than I knew what to do with and what a difference that makes. When I originally had the WLS I never believed I would be able to lose 100 pounds but here I am today, 105 pounds lighter! I have 5 more to make my goal. Keep your fingers crossed.
10/27/03 - 4 Month Anniversary. Still am at 68 pounds. Can't wait until I lose 3 more to be under 200. This weekend I finally packed up all my "fat" clothes. I filled up 10 large bags of clothes. It has been really hard for me to pack it all up until now. I was really scared to have nothing left in my closet but a few things. But I got over myself!!! I did some shopping this weekend. I'm down to an XL or 18. Regular sized clothes. It is so weird to be shopping in the misses section instead of the women's section. When I pick things up and look at them, I'm sure they won't fit, they will be too small, and they are usually just right or too big. What a high! I chose WLS as a gift for my 50th birthday which is this December. Well Happy Birthday to me, because I feel so young. I look so much younger than I did 4 months ago. I feel so much younger. I act so much younger. My knees feel so much younger. (you get the picture!) I'll write again, as soon as those 3 pounds come off.
10/24/03 - 17 weeks. Have lost 68 pounds. 3 more to go and I'll be under 200! Down to an 18. All my clothes are too big!
10/13/03 - Making those changes has made such a difference. I've been losing a pound a day again! Up to 63 pounds. Only 8 more pounds and I'll be under 200!
10/10/03 - 15 Weeks. Finally broke my plateau and have now lost 60 pounds. Being on a plateau for almost 2 weeks was so frustrating. But I learned a few things. I was taking Vioxx and before surgery I had gained some weight on this drug so NO MORE VIOXX. Secondly, I am taking Topomax for migraines and a side effect is that it basically kills your appetite and I wasn't eating as much - not getting in enough protein and water. So I increased those. And finally, with help (stool softener), I was going to the bathroom once a week so I started taking the stool softener twice a week. I hate being dependent on that stuff but what can you do with the iron supplements?
9/27/03 - 13 Weeks and 3 Month Anniversary. Have lost 57 pounds. That is only 11 pounds this month. I wish it had been more. I was hoping to lose at least 60. However, clothes are still getting looser. I can really see a big difference now. I'm between an 18 and 20. Most of my fall clothes are size 20 and they are going to have to do for awhile because I can't afford to buy new ones for awhile. I need to increase my protein levels. I'm going to try to find those Isopure Zero carb protein drinks everyone has been raving about. I think that because I don't get enough protein, that's probably one of the reasons I'm not losing as much weight. I have a hard time getting all the water in as well. I love Walgreen's Flavored H2O. My favorite is the peach flavor. I buy them out all the time so I finally called up my Walgreen's and asked them to order me a case a week! Only 14 more pounds and I'll be under 200. I can't wait. That's my next goal.
9/19/03 - 12 Weeks today. Very frustrating week. Gained 4 pounds and then lost it again. For no good reason. (Well, was very constipated) Also did some weight lifting this week. It was frustrating to be going in the wrong direction. I was hoping to hit 60 pounds by the 3 month mark but that is next Saturday and I just don't think I'll make it. Oh well. Had a strange experience this week. I got angry when I went out to lunch with a friend that I couldn't each very much. We were having hor d'ouerves and I could only eat two. Good thing I had this surgery. If it was up to me, I'd be cheating and having regular meals whenever I deemed it necessary.
9/12/03 - 11 Weeks today. Have lost 54 pounds and am down to 216. Haven't been there in 12 years. Almost all of my clothes are too big. I'm going shopping with my girlfriend tomorrow for new clothes. I have to pick up some clothes that a friend donated to me. They are all XL or 1X. Will have to see what I have and will have to purchase. Kind of excited about the free stuff. Can't wait to go under 200. Haven't been there for about 14 years.
9/6/03 - Reached the first of my goal losses - 50 pounds on the button. My brother and his family held an end of season blast with a band and everything and I wanted to be able to tell everyone I lost 50 pounds - and I did! :o) My brother Don lives in AZ and hasn't seen me since right after the surgery and he just couldn't get over the change in me. It was a great weekend for compliments and I just soaked them up. There were lots of hor d'oeurves. Basically, I ate one every half hour. Didn't have a problem with anything. Next goal - 75 pounds total.
8/27/03 - Today is my 2 month anniversary and I've lost a total of 46 pounds! That is 15 pounds this month. Definitely a little slower than the first month but I get to eat solid food which is definitely a plus. I have had a hard time getting in those proteins. I ordered Protidiet oatmeal (15 g) which is decent and also ordered their Tropical Fruit drink (15g) but I haven't tried that yet. I find that the more water and protein I get in each day, the better my weight loss is. And I can finally say I'm glad I had the surgery. The bad memories from the first month are quickly fading . . .
8/22/03 - Finally broke thru the plateau and have lost 3 more pounds for a total of 42 pounds. I'm doing much better eating-wise. I haven't thrown up in 5 days - I seem to have a much better understanding of when I'm full or when my stomach doesn't want to tolerate something. I'm more successful getting in the water and the protein. The Balance bars defininitely help. I drink Propel water or Walgreen's has a great flavored water - the peach flavor is my favorite. Plain water doesn't sit well on my stomach. Psychologically, its still hard for me to believe that I'll be losing 100+ pounds because of this surgery. That's why I panicked when I hit the plateau. But if you only eat a little bit at a time, you are going to lose the weight! I can finally say I am glad I had this surgery.
8/18/03 - I've only lost 8 pounds so far this month. Can't believe I hit a plateau so early on. I'm eating all foods "as tolerated" which has been pretty hit and miss for me. I probably throw up something every other day - I'm not too happy about that. If my stomach doesn't like it, it lets me know immediately. Have a hard time with meat and not getting enough protein. However, I just bought Balance protein bars and they are pretty good and have 15g of protein in them.
7/25/03 - It's been awhile so I'll let you know what's new. I ended up in the hospital again a week later with problems with my gall bladder and pancreas. To make a long story short, I had to have a second surgery to remove my gall bladder. The second surgery was not as bad as the gastric bypass. They sent me home the next day! Needless to say, it put me back 2 weeks and I've been busy trying to build up my strenth. I go back to work on 8/4. To date, I've lost 31 pounds - in less than one month!
7/8/03 - I was released from the hospital last tuesday and ended up back in the hospital Saturday with pancreatitis. Came home from the hospital yesterday (Monday). This is the first time since the surgery that I've gotten on line.
Because of all the IV's I actually gained weight in the hospital! I went in at 266 and went I got out the second time I was 270! Gratefully, my home scale is 10 pounds lighter!
I will say the first two weeks were worse than I expected. The complication with the pancreatitis didn't help. It kind of slowed down the process and I'm still on liquids only to help out the pancreas. The doctor said the pancreas was just underneath the place they reconnect the new stomach to the small intestine and it must have gotten a little agravated by the new area. I didn't even realize that was what was wrong with me. I thought I pulled a muscle on my right side. Oh well, pay attention to your body! Now I know what to look for it if returns. Otherwise I don't go back to the doctor for 3 weeks. Will write again soon.
6-20-02 - I can't tell you how much it means to get everyones support and prayers. I'm one week away from surgery and I'm starting to believe its really going to happen. Ordered some protein soups over the internet for that first week. Getting my house in order. My 2 brothers and my sister are coming over on Saturday to help me clean up the clutter and get ready for the event. I'm a single mom and sometimes I get behind in everything. My family has been so supportive. Its really been great. I'm so proud of them! KEEP YOUR PRAYERS AND E-MAILS COMING!!! THE SUPPORT REALLY HELPS. THANK YOU.
My date is set for June 27th. I'm really terrified. It's all I can think about. I have alot to do around the house before I go and I get frustrated because I get overwhelmed with all I have to do that I end up doing nothing! Say a prayer I get my butt moving!
I'm eagerly awaiting my surgical date. I see the surgeon at the end of the month of April. Then I get my date. I'm so excited at the prospect of having this change at this time of my life. I will be 50 in December and am hoping to be 50 pounds lighter by this time. Hopefully, my knees will feel the difference. I feel like I'm choosing life by makiing this change, even though its a radical surgery to get to this point. From everyone I've talked to that has been through it, everyone said it was worth it. I'm counting on that.