jaya_renee

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Well I am now trying my hand at uploading before/after shots.  Although I'm a little over 2 months post-op, I have only taken photos at 1 month post-op so that's all I'm uploading right now.  It does show a loss of 25 lbs (328 day before sugery and 303 4 weeks post-op). Much love!

Regina

So here are my stats currently: (340 was my starting weight at start of pre-op liquid 2 week diet)
4/13-4/27 (pre-op liquid diet) 328:12 lbs lost
4/27-5/5 (one week post-op) 313:15 lbs lost
5/5-5/26 (one month post-op) 303:10 lbs lost
5/26-6/29 (nine weeks post-op) 281:22 lbs lost

Okay, so my scale hasn't really moved in the last week and a half (around 282 or 283) and I was feeling kind of down about it because I do aerobics and weight training 2 hours 5 days a week and not losing weight was starting to put a damper on my workouts.  Anywho, yesterday I decided while I was in Wal-Mart to try on some shorts just so that I could see exactly what size I am currently.  I started this journey in a size 24 pants and 26-28 shirt.  Well last week I borrowed a skirt from my cousin for church and it was a 20, but I had some room in it so I pressed my luck and tried the shorts in a 18, and guess what it had room in it too...WOW!!! So you know what I did next....I tried on some 16's and guess what, they fit perfectly...I was like OMG, I cannot even remember the last time I wore a size 16 (probably in junior high).  Now I've always had a wide back so I was really thinking that my top hadn't changed that much, well boy was I wrong. I was abel to get in a 2X at Wal-Mart which is a 18-20.  Oh my, I just don't know what to do with myself. LOL! I guess because I'm still wearing all of my old clothes, I can't see the difference in my body because those clothes just feel so comfortable.  My only wish is that I would have had my body measurements done before surgery so that I can see/know how many inches I'm losing.  My plan is to have someone measure me this week so that when I stall again, I can be reassured by knowing that I may be losing inches instead of weight.  Much love!!

Regina

Yes, this morning I weighed myself and the scale said.....(drumroll please)......297. I am sooooo happy.  I haven't seen my weight in the 200's since early 2005.  I would like to be at 280-285 (or lower) by my 2 month surgery anniversary, although the 3 weeks following my one week follow-up, I only lost 10 pounds.  But hey a little ambition can't hurt huh?? Much love!!

Okay so yesterday marked my 5th week since my surgery and for the last 3 weeks I have tried eggs every way possible and have now come to the conclusion that eggs are not my friend.  I talked to the nutritionist last Tuesday when I went for my one month check up and she suggested trying  an egg substitute, which I haven't yet but plan on in about 2 weeks. 

Anywho, my appt went well last Tuesday.  All of my lap sites were healed and I was given the green lights to workout on the weight machines at the y.  This is good because I was getting a lil bored and tired of going to the y everyday only to ride the bike and do the elliptical machine.  When weighed I was down 10 more pounds, for a total of 37 lbs in 6 weeks (with pre-op liquid 2 week diet included)  I have to admit, I thought that I should have lost more in 3 weeks, but it is what it is and I'll just have to work my tool a lil harder.  I'm getting in my required protein daily, and the nutritionist mentioned that I might not be getting enough liquid in, and that because I've been working out I should try and aim for at least 80 oz daily.  Whew, that's a lot! Much love!

Regina

So here are my stats currently: (340 was my starting weight at start of pre-op liquid 2 week diet)
4/13-4/27 (pre-op liquid diet) 12 lbs lost
4/27-5/5 (one week post-op) 15 lbs lost
5/5-5/26 (one month post-op) 10 lbs lost

Yes, it's been 13 days since my surgery and besides a little pain at the site where I assume the camera was and drain site, all is well.  The only thing I cannot do right now is bend down, but luckily I have a loving, wonderful and helpful 2 year old mini nurse for that. On May 5th, I was down 15 lbs at my one week follow up.  The drain was taken out and it hurt like the dickens for about 5 seconds, but I was glad to endure because having that drain and living with it day to day was a pain in the you know where....I weighed myself this morning and was down an additional 5 lbs giving me a total of 32 lbs (12+15+5) loss since the start of my pre-op diet on April 13, 2009.  I am so happy to know that possibly sometimes next week I will weigh less than 300, something that hasn't occurred since March of 2005.  

I am no longer on my high blood pressure medicine.  During my entire hospital stay I my pressure never went above 120/74. My endocrinologist took me off of my insulin pump.  Before surgery I was using around 165-180 units of insulin a day.  Since surgery up until today I have taken a total of 21 units of insulin.  I only need it when my blood sugar is above 140 and then I dose on a sliding scale, so I have taken anywhere from 2-4 units every other day because the highest it's been is 180 and that was only 1 time.  YEAH!!!  I am also off my cholesterol meds.  The only thing I take on the daily are my required vitamins and pepcid ac.  I am soooooo loving life!!

I find that I'm not hungry yet or having a hard time fighting with head hunger.  I guess that's due to staying in the hotel with my mom and daughter after my discharge for 5 1/2 days while they cooked and ate 3 meals a day with snacks LOL! It was all good though, I made it through and maybe that's why it hasn't been so tough.  I having some difficulties getting all of my protein and liquids in, but doing much more better since I started full liquids. On this upcoming Tuesday I will get to move to stage 3 and am really looking forward to trying blended chicken and tuna salad.  I really can't see myself blended up to many other types of food to eat, the look of it alone might make me sick.  Although I will ask a couple of people here on OH what types of foods they ate.  I am most looking forward to the cheese egg omelet I plan to make that morning.  

Well, that's all for updating now, but I would like to add that I am most grateful to my Lord and Savior for blessing me with the opportunity to have this life changing surgery, and also for bringing me through.  When I look at Jordan now, I see so many future possibilities and opportunities for us both.  I just can't wait to be able to really interact and play with her at the park, and walk up the levee to feed the ducks.  I know it's only going to continue to get better from here.  Much love!

Regina

Today I was discharged from the hospital.  Although I couldn't go to my home I was still glad to leave the hospital.  The staff at Centennial were great.  Treated me like royalty. I got weighed right before surgery and I weight 328, down 12 lbs during pre-op diet.  I'm sore only where the drains are, otherwise I feel great.  I'm walking, coughing, drinking as much liquid with protein as possible.  It's hard but I'm trying.  One thing that kept me laughing while in the hospital was my two year Jordan.  She became like a mini celebrity up in there.  Nurses and patients alike couldn't get enough of her.  So not only did she bring sunshine to me, her mommy, but others as well.  Well, I will be staying in Nashville until after my 2 week follow-up visit with Dr. Dyer which is on the 5th.  Hopefully, all will go well and I can get the drains removed.  Also I will able to weigh myself again, and see just how much one can lose in a week following surgery.  Well take care and I'll blog later.  Much love!!

Regina

Yes,  with less than 2 1/2 hours to go, this will be my final countdown.  I'm not sure of my weight after the pre-op diet but hopefully I can be weighed at the hospital.  As I sit here typing, my mind is still racing.  Trying to figure out if I remembered to do all that I was suppose to, what to repack in a smaller bag for the hospital.  My mom and daughter are with me, and we have decided to just stay in Nashville until my one week follow up (mom doesn't like to drive), instead of going back to Memphis(my house) or Greenville (mom's house).  I am so blessed to have my mother.  She's always been there for me and will be helping me with my fiesty 2 year old after the my surgery, can't wait to open my eyes and see them after surgery.  This life changing opportunity is going to be a start of a beautful realtionship with, myself. I just know I will be able to do more with my baby and live the life I want to live. I will try to update this blog with the necessary details in a couple of days.  Be blessed and much love!

Regina 

Okay, haven't updated profile in a while, so I guess now is just as good of a time if any.  My surgery is officially 8 days away.  I have been on the liquid diet a week and must admit, cheated a few times.  It's just been sooooo hard drinking liquids and eating yogurt all day. I don't eat jello or cottage cheese, so my list of can haves is mighty short.  I must add that the times I've cheated it been with protein like grilled chicken so maybe it's not all bad.  Anywho, at the start of my two week diet on Monday (13th), I weighed in at 340 lbs and hopefully I can lose between 10-15lb before surgery.  I'm torn between being nervous and excited, and nervous and excited all over again.  I will continue to pray and it helps to know that my surgeon, Dr. Dyer,  is a Christian and praying man as well.  What a relief.  Well wish me well and keep me in your thoughts and prayers, both for an uneventful surgery and recovery.  Much love!

Regina

Yes, I found out on last Thursday (5th) that my doctor's negotiated rates were accepted by my insurance and that I can finally be scheduled for my surgery after an additional two weeks after my approval.  I'm happy but at the same time a little furious because I feel that after my approval I should have been able to schedule my appt, instead I now a have a 7 week wait before the next opening.  My surgery will be April 27th.  I have been trying to really focus on the positive...the certainty that I will have surgery....I just didn't want to wait so long.  So, what I have decided to do is really focus on getting my a1c and blood pressure down.  I know just by lowering my a1c, my heal time will be shortened or least not cause added problems, and the blood pressure reduction can help with lowering my stress level.  Anywho, I am excited and the countdown has now really just begun!!! Be prayerful my friends....

Regina

Okay, so I went to see Dr. Dyer on the 29th of January, my paperwork was submitted to my insurance on the 2nd of February, and the nurse started reviewing it on the the 6th.  Well I started calling each day on the 9th, up until yesterday (the 18th) and was told to wait until Friday (the 20th) for an answer.  Well I woke up this morning, checked my email and was informed that I needed to call Centennial and what do you know, my insurance company called this morning (the 19th) to say that I was approved for surgery .  God is soooooooo good!!! Now I just have to wait until Dr. Dyer reviews his schedule this afternoon to see when he can hook me up.....I was really wanting a date in March during spring break, but Robin says it might have to be in April.  I guess that's cool, but I'd rather have it sooner than later.  I am like soooo excited!!!!  I guess real nervousness and anticipation will set in shortly, but I pray it wil be in a mild form .  I have bookmarked so many pages from the message boards, that now I'm going to have to go through them and pull info on things I need to get and do in preparation of my RNY surgery, and the start of a healthier, wonderful new life for me and my baby girl Jordy McShorty.......