JenVMD04
Hello! I am one of those people who has been obese all of my life (since I was about 8 years old). I am 26 years old, I weigh 290 lbs. I have done the yo-yo dieting thing since I was 12. I would like to have children soon, but I have some fears about fertility and also pregnancy being as heavy as I am.
I have a surgery date scheduled for February 27th 2006. I had a nightmare of a time with insurance.
My job had Cigna which made me jump through hoops to qualify for surgery then at the last minute when approval was certain, they switched insurance companies to Blue Cross, in which WLS in an exclusion. No approvals at all...
So I had to take out a home equity line of credit to pay for surgery and I am all set to go. Everything is fine now. I have high hopes and am well prepared thanks to Dr Barba's team of experts.
3/6/06 - I had my surgery 2/27/06. I am home from the hospital now and am recovering. It's tough, but I am handling it. The protein is the toughest part I must say. I go back for my recheck tomorrow and then I can eat something finally - I actually LOVE scrambled eggs. So, that will be wonderful. Can't wait! Some friends are already noticing weight loss, I guess it is coming off already. I am not a self-weigher. I would get addicted. I wait for the doctor's appointments.
3/18/06 - Well, my 1 week recheck went well. So far I am down 25 pounds! I don't see it, but other people do. I am back to work part time. Dr. Barba said I could start eating fish this past Monday and start poultry this Monday. Okay, fish makes me sick I have found. If not for the massive indigestion, it makes me vomit. Chicken I start in 2 days, but in little bites, I do fine.
My husband and I joined L.A. Fitness and I LOVE IT! I work out cardio for 30 minutes and then we work out on the weight machines together and then take a swim. It's a lot of fun. I definitely recommend it!
I am doing okay otherwise, still healing, sore in many places, but coping. See you soon!
4/12/06 - Okay, so I just got out of the hospital. I was in there for 6 days because I have a pinpoint stricture. About 5% - 10% get them and it's not so bad, just that I vomit everything I eat or drink and I got really dehydrated. I am still nauseous, but I am on TPN via a PICC line (central line). They are feeding me through a central IV line basically. I go for my first dilation tomorrow. I just want to put something down my mouth!
Other than that, I can't work right now. The PICC line prevents me from working, because of what I do. I am also on IV meds and the nausea patch. They also expect me to gain weight on TPN, honestly I don't care, I just want to get better!!!
4/27/06 - I am doing well, I went back to work today. Dr B took out my PICC line Tuesday, I weigh 223 now. I am eating soft foods and drinking well. I need to go for 1 more dilation and I will be good for awhile. It may happen again at some point. I have to deal with my ulcers too, but it is all getting better!
5/16/06 - I had my second dilation. Who knows if its the last. I was in a lot of pain afterwards for like 3-4 days... They don't know why, but I am okay now. I am down to 211 pounds. That is great. I am working and feeling better but still not eating much. I guess that's one way to lose weight. Meats are still off limits for me. Cheeses and potatoes and eggs. Oh my! On my way I guess...
6/21/06 - I am out and doing well. I am now at 190 lbs. Onederland here I am! I am 5 lbs away from being in the century club (from my original weight, not my surgery weight). How bout that? That is amazing! I will try to post some pics of me now. It's an amazing thing to have people tell me how much weight I lose every week now. You know, it's funny that people notice 2 or 3 lbs now, but they really didn't notice 10 or 20 lbs before. Funny how things are when you are morbidly obese.
7/15/06 - 183 lbs now. Losing slower, but that's okay. I think I am putting on more muscle. I work out a lot now. I posted new pictures below. Other than that - not much to tell...
10/25/06 - 159 lbs today!!! Wow. Only 14 lbs from my personal goal. Just got back from Cancun, it was sun, especially in new bathing suits and clothes! I got lots of looks and whistles from the locals. My husband was funny! I love this!
3/12/07 - I have been pretty steady for the past 5 months at 148 lbs, 3 lbs from my goal... Considering the plastics soon!
9/6/07 - I haven't writtten in a while. Been on and off the website as a lurker. I am still at 147 lbs, so that is my weight, I guess. I work out on a regular basis and I still have trouble with most meats. That's the hardest part! I am still trying to look into plastics, it's expensive! I would need a tummy tuck, a breast lift and a little extra added somewhere, if you know what I mean. Too much lost in certain places!
