JanM
I thought about this surgery for over 2 years before deciding to have the surgery. Initially, the fear of complications scared me. Then I started working with someone who had the surgery and two or three other people with successful WLS crossed my path. Over the year prior to my surgery, I have noticed a decrease in my quality of life - more specifically knee problems and activity intolerance. I tried walking but my back would spasm from the weight of my stomach. I had never been able to loose weight without exercising and I can't exercise.
My oldest son was talking about starting a family and I wanted to be able to enjoy and play with my grandchildren. This surgery seemed to be the only solution. The risks of continuing at that weight were greater than the risk of surgery.
I had successfully lost up to 82 pounds on two occasions in the past only to gain it all back and more. To lose it I had to exercise 1-3 hours a day as well as diet.
I made my initial consult appointment with a surgeon in October of 2005. I wanted Dr. David Coster in Grinnell but I would have had to wait until April of 06 so I settled with seeing his partner, Dr. David Kermode. While waiting I had the psychological evaluation and a nutrition consult and submitted all the paperwork my insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield Alliance Select) required. I was hoping to get the green light as soon as I saw the surgeon.
I told friends about my plans but not family (other than my husband). I guess I didn't want to be discouraged from going forward and I feared family members might try to discourage me. I did tell my sister once the surgery was scheduled. I told my sons about a month after surgery. I have yet to tell the rest of my family.
The information shared here has been a big comfort and has helped to make me feel I made the right decision. It prepared me for surgery and the changes and challenges I have faced post-op. I hope my story helps someone as well. It is still evolving!
| Date | Weight | Pounds Lost | Total Pounds Lost | BMI |
02/07/06 | 326 | 0 | 0 lost | 51.9 |
03/10/06 | 324 | 02 | 02 | 51 |
03/30/06 | 306 | 18 | 20 | 47.9 |
04/03/06 | 302 | 04 | 24 | 47.2 |
04/10/06 | 296.5 | 5.5 | 29.5 | 46.3 |
04/17/06 | 294 | 2.5 | 32 | 46 |
04/24/06 | 288.5 | 5 | 37 | 45.2 |
05/01/06 | 286.5 | 2 | 39.5 | 44.7 |
05/08/06 | 283 | 3.5 | 43 | 44.3 |
05/15/06 | 278 | 5 | 48 | 43.5 |
05/22/06 | 275 | 3 | 51 | 43 |
05/29/06 | 272 | 3 | 54 | 42.6 |
06/05/06 | 271 | 1 | 55 | 42.4 |
06/12/06 | 266 | 5 | 60 | 41.6 |
06/19/06 | 264 | 2 | 62 | 41.3 |
06/26/06 | 259 | 5 | 67 | 40.5 |
7/3/06 | 258 | 1 | 68 | 40.4 |
7/10/06 | 254 | 4 | 72 | 39.7 |
7/17/06 | 254 | 0 | 72 | 39.7 |
7/24/06 | 250 | 4 | 76 | 39.2 |
7/31/06 | 248.5 | 1.5 | 77.5 | 38.8 |
8/7/06 | 246 | 2.5 | 80 | 38.5 |
8/14/06 | 244.5 | 1.5 | 81.5 | 38 |
8/21/06 | 244.5 | 2.5 | 83.5 | 37.9 |
8/28/06 | 240 | 2 | 86 | 37.5 |
9/4/06 | 237 | 3 | 89 | 37.1 |
9/11/06 | 235 | 2 | 91 | 36.8 |
9/18/06 | 233 | 2 | 93 | 36.6 |
9/25/06 | 232 | 1 | 94 | 36.5 |
10/2/06 | 230 | 2 | 96 | 36 |
10/9/06 | 227 | 3 | 99 | 35.5 |
10/16/06 | 226 | 1 | 100 | 35.3 |
10/23/06 | 225 | 1 | 101 | 35.2 |
10/30/06 | 224 | 1 | 102 | 35 |
11/6/06 | 220 | 4 | 106 | 34.4 |
11/13/06 | W#00 | PL#00 | TPL#00 | BMI#00 |
11/20/06 | W#00 | PL#00 | TPL#00 | BMI#00 |
11/27/06 | W#00 | PL#00 | TPL#00 | BMI#00 |
12/4/06 | W#00 | PL#00 | TPL#00 | BMI#00 |
12/11/06 | W#00 | PL#00 | TPL#00 | BMI#00 |
12/18/06 | W#00 | PL#00 | TPL#00 | BMI#00 |
12/25/06 | W#00 | PL#00 | TPL#00 | BMI#00 |
1/1/07 | W#00 | PL#00 | TPL#00 | BMI#00 |
Date#00 | W#13 | PL#13 | TPL#13 | BMI#13 |
