kramerch
4 Years Post-Op
Apr 07, 2010
April 7, 2010...I just had my 4 year post-op check up with Cathy English of Dr. Wallace's office. The bad news is I'm at 185 lbs, which is 20 pounds more than I'd like to be at. The good news is that I could be worse and have gained more! I guess it just goes to show you that surgery isn't a magic permanent fix - it is just a tool - and you still have to work at eating right and exercising. Right now I feel like my "old" pre-surgery appetite is back - I don't feel full like I used to. I know I'm not eating right all the time and definitely not getting in enough water. As far as exercise goes, I stil hate it. I started taking Zumba classes a couple months ago, and while I do enjoy that, I have yet to see any weight loss or inches lost from sweating my butt off. So that is disappointing to me, makes me feel "why bother". But...the warmer weather is around the corner, and I really want to try and get back on track. I walk during my lunch hour at work, and walk the dog, and go to Zumba. I know I'm getting enough protein in, but I'm going to try and increase my water intake and also try milk for a between meal snack. Cathy also advised doing a food journal like I did right after surgery, which I'm willing to try. I have a wedding to go to in about 2 months, I'd like to be under 180 lbs. at least by then. Wish me luck!
The Journey to My Weight Loss Goal
Dec 12, 2006
8/25/07: I have finally hit the big 100 lbs lost! Current weight: 160 (down a total of 105 lbs.! I am very thrilled that I've made it to this point. Unfortunately (if there is an unfortunate side to this loss) I think I got past the plateau because I've started a new job and so far it's not going so great--so I've been stressed out and not eating properly. I'm really down about this, but I'm trying hard not to fall into old eating habits of eating due to stress (so far, the reverse is happening--no appetite). I also just started feeling some weird pangs in my left side--wondering if its my gallbladder perhaps...My 18 month check up is in October. I'd like to get down another 5 lbs. and give myself a "cushion" before the holidays creep up. School starts in another week and things are back to getting crazy busy!
4/6/07: Today is my one year surgery anniversary! Current weight: 169 (down 96 pounds!). I so much wanted to hit that 100 pounds lost mark by this date, but have been struggling for the last few months to lose. My one year check-up is next week, 4/12/07 with Deb Andris. Maybe I can squeek out another pound or two before then. I am so grateful for this "tool"--I never would have been able to lose this weight without the surgery. I am so happy that I did this, don't regret it for a second. If I could ever inspire another overweight person to have it done, I would be thrilled. I am definitely an advocate for gastric bypass.
1/9/07: Had my 9-month check-up yesterday with Deb Andris. Current weight: 175 (down 90 pounds!). I am 15 pounds to my final goal weight, although if I can hit 100 pounds lost I'll be thrilled. I am no longer "morbidly obese", no longer "obese", but merely in the category "overweight". I told Deb my biggest hurdle continues to be exercise, and the fact that I still don't like it, even with all the weight I've lost. I just can't seem to find an activity that I really enjoy and will continue with. I do like to walk, preferably outdoors, but even with my I-tunes it can get boring after a while. She suggests I do more strength training, to firm up my muscle tone. My next appointment will be my one year check-up in April.
9/07/06: 22 weeks post-up. Current weight: 187.5 (down 77.5 pounds!). Went back to work last week as school has begun. The best part, of course, has been the many compliments I have received. A few say they had to do double-takes when they first saw me because I look so different and look so good (their words). I had to go out and finally buy some new work clothes since my pants were falling off of me--but this time, shopping was FUN!!! I actually bought a size 14 pants (I had been in a 20/22). I was thrilled. I also went and got myself a new haircut and color so I'm feeling pretty confident in myself. It has been difficult this week staying on a schedule with eating/drinking/exercising, but I'm doing the best I can and once things calm down here at work I know I'll adapt.
7/13/06: 14 weeks post-op. Current weight: 202.5 (down 62.5 pounds!). I'm noticing my new face and body more as I look in the mirror (and liking what I see!). Had to write because yesterday I experienced my first (and hopefully one of the last) episode of "dumping". Oh, my, God! It was HORRIBLE--like near death. Worse than any pain from the surgery itself. I was at the YMCA, waiting for one of my daughters to finish her swimming lessons. Well, they have a healthy snack bar there, and I hadn't eaten lunch yet, so I thought a good choice would be fresh veggies and dip. I ate about 3/4 cup of veggies (celery, broccoli, carrots, cherry tomatoes) with dip. Well stupid me never checked what kind of dip they were serving. It didn't taste high fat or sugar to me! Not 15 minutes later I was running to the bathroom, where I sat for a good 20-30 minutes. I had horrible stomach cramps, major diarrhea, profuse sweating (my shirt was drenched), dizziness. I was practically in tears. My daughters got a little scared for me but I reassured them I was pretty sure I knew what was happening. I somehow managed to drive home where I improved about an hour later, and was back to normal. I called the new nurse at the bariatric clinic, Nedra, I think, who told me yep, it was a "textbook" dump, probably from the dip. She told me to just stay hydrated, which I did. Honest to goodness, the last time I felt anything like that was when I was in Mexico and got Montezuma's Revenge. I can see dumping on something like cheesecake, but veggies and dip?!!! It's an experience I never want to repeat.
6/13/06: Latest check-up with Deb Andrus. Current weight: 213.5 (down 51.5 pounds!). Deb was very pleased with my progress. Wants me to try and add more water. I told her I hadn't been diligent about logging in my food journal, and that my exercise went down once I went back to work, but told her that I was really going to buckle down and get in my hour a day of exercise. I want to join the Y but still working on hubby for the $.
5/25/06: 8 weeks post-op. Current weight: 225 (down 40 pounds!) Went back to work this week. I've been doing fine with the eating because I pack my food and bring it, but I'm not doing well with my walking at all. I have good intentions to walk in the a.m., during my lunch, and after work, but I get busy and then don't do it. I've got to get back on track! At least I've only got another month of work and then I'm off for most of the summer again (I'm a school secretary).
5/4/06: 4 weeks post-op. Met with Deb A. Current weight: 235 (down 31 pounds!). I don't have to crush my meds any more, but now I do need to add all the others: B12, multi-vitamin, Actigal, calcium. Eating still going fine. I've been given a release to go back to work on 5/22.
4/21/06: 2 weeks post-op. Had follow-up visit with Dr. W. and Deb Andris. Current weight: 245 (down 21+ pounds!).
4/13/06: 1 week post-op. Dr. W. said I shouldn't weigh myself, because I'll just make myself crazy. But, I couldn't resist! Current weight: 249.5 (down 15+ pounds!) This is just too amazing to believe! And I'm not hungry!
4/8/06: I am safely back at home. The last thing I remembered was getting the medication in my IV to relax me in pre-op, and the next thing I was waking up in recovery! I felt pretty darn good! The operation was textbook, and Dr. W. does not anticipate me having any complications. Was up and walking laps no problem. Yes, the worst part was the swallow test with the horrible tasting solution, but I passed so that's all that matters. I'm using a little timer as I eat my meals as they suggested, 1 bite every 2 minutes. The hard part for me is not drinking with my meal. Had a slight fever this a.m. and they contemplated keeping me in the hospital one more day, but it broke and they released me. Not much sleep the first night in the hospital (just had gas discomfort, not pain), but the second night I made up for it and caught some good Z's. Dr. Wallace said I may not be hungry for 6-8 months! That is unreal! He also said that he is there for me to call for any concerns I may have. I know I made the right choice when I selected him to perform this life-changing operation.
4/5/06: SURGERY TOMORROW! Okay, the nerves have finally started to kick in. I'm trying to keep busy and just pray the Lord watches over me. I want to watch my two beautiful little girls, Kalina and Lindsay, grow up! Thank you to everyone (friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances) who have offered their prayers and support for me. I especially want to thank the local WI women I have personally met who have had the surgery, with great success. That would be Lois, Maggie, Marlea, Jane, and Kelly. They have all told me it was one of the best decisions they ever made in their life.
3/30/06: 266 lbs. My surgery is one week from today! Had my Chinese take-out last night, started the pre-op diet today. Good-bye, eating as I know it now!
3/27/06: 10 days and counting! I would still like one last Chinese meal, but it looks like it will have to be takeout one night this week. I went shopping yesterday and bought all the foods I need for the 7 day pre-op diet. Really there's nothing on the list that I don't like with the exception of salmon, which I'll substitute with something else from the list. I just hope the diet doesn't leave me starving! It's so hard for me to actually believe I won't be hungry after surgery! Cris Clay said that some patients are "not hungry" up to 1 year after surgery. That would be so great!
3/23/06: I've really enjoyed the obesityhelp website. I check it every day and read about others and info on the messageboard. I thought I should finally start my own page. I still need to get going on taking some pre-surgery photos and then learn how to post them.
I had my pre-op class on Monday with 5 other ladies who will be having surgery in the coming weeks. Cris Clay was very helpful and made me have that much more confidence in Dr. Wallace. She had us squirt a syringe with 3.5 cc's of water into our mouths to show us the size of a sip she wants us to take in the beginning. Then I had a history & physical with Deb Andrus who was very nice. Fortunately, my medical history isn't too exciting, and I don't have any serious co-morbidities at this time. Tuesday was the blood work, EKG, urinalysis, chest x-ray, and meeting with the anesthesiologist. Since I had a case of pneumonia back in February, they want to make sure it's all cleared up. Cris called back today and said the x-ray was good, but that she still wants me to check in with my PCP a few days before surgery to give me a clean bill of health. Dr. Wallace would rather post-pone a couple weeks if I'm still coughing. I am really feeling fine, with the exception of some a.m. post-nasal drip and coughing up some phlegm. I hope nothing delays this! I put a call into my PCP to talk to the nurse.
I wrote a letter to my relatives, friends and co-workers explaining about the surgery and that I'll be off work for a while. No sense in trying to hide it. I still have to tell one of my sisters, and I'm really nervous about it. She's kind of the "mother figure" of my 3 sisters since our mom passed away years ago, and I know she will be extremely worried for me. But, from the letter I sent I'm received nothing but wonderful support from everyone, even people I don't know very well. I will have lots of prayers being said for me! I wish my husband could be as supportive. Because I am paying for the surgery myself (due to an exclusion in my health insurance policy), he is really stressing about the money ($30.000). Yes, we had to take out a loan, but nothing much more than the cost of a nice new car. I think I'm worth at least that much!
4/6/07: Today is my one year surgery anniversary! Current weight: 169 (down 96 pounds!). I so much wanted to hit that 100 pounds lost mark by this date, but have been struggling for the last few months to lose. My one year check-up is next week, 4/12/07 with Deb Andris. Maybe I can squeek out another pound or two before then. I am so grateful for this "tool"--I never would have been able to lose this weight without the surgery. I am so happy that I did this, don't regret it for a second. If I could ever inspire another overweight person to have it done, I would be thrilled. I am definitely an advocate for gastric bypass.
1/9/07: Had my 9-month check-up yesterday with Deb Andris. Current weight: 175 (down 90 pounds!). I am 15 pounds to my final goal weight, although if I can hit 100 pounds lost I'll be thrilled. I am no longer "morbidly obese", no longer "obese", but merely in the category "overweight". I told Deb my biggest hurdle continues to be exercise, and the fact that I still don't like it, even with all the weight I've lost. I just can't seem to find an activity that I really enjoy and will continue with. I do like to walk, preferably outdoors, but even with my I-tunes it can get boring after a while. She suggests I do more strength training, to firm up my muscle tone. My next appointment will be my one year check-up in April.
9/07/06: 22 weeks post-up. Current weight: 187.5 (down 77.5 pounds!). Went back to work last week as school has begun. The best part, of course, has been the many compliments I have received. A few say they had to do double-takes when they first saw me because I look so different and look so good (their words). I had to go out and finally buy some new work clothes since my pants were falling off of me--but this time, shopping was FUN!!! I actually bought a size 14 pants (I had been in a 20/22). I was thrilled. I also went and got myself a new haircut and color so I'm feeling pretty confident in myself. It has been difficult this week staying on a schedule with eating/drinking/exercising, but I'm doing the best I can and once things calm down here at work I know I'll adapt.
7/13/06: 14 weeks post-op. Current weight: 202.5 (down 62.5 pounds!). I'm noticing my new face and body more as I look in the mirror (and liking what I see!). Had to write because yesterday I experienced my first (and hopefully one of the last) episode of "dumping". Oh, my, God! It was HORRIBLE--like near death. Worse than any pain from the surgery itself. I was at the YMCA, waiting for one of my daughters to finish her swimming lessons. Well, they have a healthy snack bar there, and I hadn't eaten lunch yet, so I thought a good choice would be fresh veggies and dip. I ate about 3/4 cup of veggies (celery, broccoli, carrots, cherry tomatoes) with dip. Well stupid me never checked what kind of dip they were serving. It didn't taste high fat or sugar to me! Not 15 minutes later I was running to the bathroom, where I sat for a good 20-30 minutes. I had horrible stomach cramps, major diarrhea, profuse sweating (my shirt was drenched), dizziness. I was practically in tears. My daughters got a little scared for me but I reassured them I was pretty sure I knew what was happening. I somehow managed to drive home where I improved about an hour later, and was back to normal. I called the new nurse at the bariatric clinic, Nedra, I think, who told me yep, it was a "textbook" dump, probably from the dip. She told me to just stay hydrated, which I did. Honest to goodness, the last time I felt anything like that was when I was in Mexico and got Montezuma's Revenge. I can see dumping on something like cheesecake, but veggies and dip?!!! It's an experience I never want to repeat.
6/13/06: Latest check-up with Deb Andrus. Current weight: 213.5 (down 51.5 pounds!). Deb was very pleased with my progress. Wants me to try and add more water. I told her I hadn't been diligent about logging in my food journal, and that my exercise went down once I went back to work, but told her that I was really going to buckle down and get in my hour a day of exercise. I want to join the Y but still working on hubby for the $.
5/25/06: 8 weeks post-op. Current weight: 225 (down 40 pounds!) Went back to work this week. I've been doing fine with the eating because I pack my food and bring it, but I'm not doing well with my walking at all. I have good intentions to walk in the a.m., during my lunch, and after work, but I get busy and then don't do it. I've got to get back on track! At least I've only got another month of work and then I'm off for most of the summer again (I'm a school secretary).
5/4/06: 4 weeks post-op. Met with Deb A. Current weight: 235 (down 31 pounds!). I don't have to crush my meds any more, but now I do need to add all the others: B12, multi-vitamin, Actigal, calcium. Eating still going fine. I've been given a release to go back to work on 5/22.
4/21/06: 2 weeks post-op. Had follow-up visit with Dr. W. and Deb Andris. Current weight: 245 (down 21+ pounds!).
4/13/06: 1 week post-op. Dr. W. said I shouldn't weigh myself, because I'll just make myself crazy. But, I couldn't resist! Current weight: 249.5 (down 15+ pounds!) This is just too amazing to believe! And I'm not hungry!
4/8/06: I am safely back at home. The last thing I remembered was getting the medication in my IV to relax me in pre-op, and the next thing I was waking up in recovery! I felt pretty darn good! The operation was textbook, and Dr. W. does not anticipate me having any complications. Was up and walking laps no problem. Yes, the worst part was the swallow test with the horrible tasting solution, but I passed so that's all that matters. I'm using a little timer as I eat my meals as they suggested, 1 bite every 2 minutes. The hard part for me is not drinking with my meal. Had a slight fever this a.m. and they contemplated keeping me in the hospital one more day, but it broke and they released me. Not much sleep the first night in the hospital (just had gas discomfort, not pain), but the second night I made up for it and caught some good Z's. Dr. Wallace said I may not be hungry for 6-8 months! That is unreal! He also said that he is there for me to call for any concerns I may have. I know I made the right choice when I selected him to perform this life-changing operation.
4/5/06: SURGERY TOMORROW! Okay, the nerves have finally started to kick in. I'm trying to keep busy and just pray the Lord watches over me. I want to watch my two beautiful little girls, Kalina and Lindsay, grow up! Thank you to everyone (friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances) who have offered their prayers and support for me. I especially want to thank the local WI women I have personally met who have had the surgery, with great success. That would be Lois, Maggie, Marlea, Jane, and Kelly. They have all told me it was one of the best decisions they ever made in their life.
3/30/06: 266 lbs. My surgery is one week from today! Had my Chinese take-out last night, started the pre-op diet today. Good-bye, eating as I know it now!
3/27/06: 10 days and counting! I would still like one last Chinese meal, but it looks like it will have to be takeout one night this week. I went shopping yesterday and bought all the foods I need for the 7 day pre-op diet. Really there's nothing on the list that I don't like with the exception of salmon, which I'll substitute with something else from the list. I just hope the diet doesn't leave me starving! It's so hard for me to actually believe I won't be hungry after surgery! Cris Clay said that some patients are "not hungry" up to 1 year after surgery. That would be so great!
3/23/06: I've really enjoyed the obesityhelp website. I check it every day and read about others and info on the messageboard. I thought I should finally start my own page. I still need to get going on taking some pre-surgery photos and then learn how to post them.
I had my pre-op class on Monday with 5 other ladies who will be having surgery in the coming weeks. Cris Clay was very helpful and made me have that much more confidence in Dr. Wallace. She had us squirt a syringe with 3.5 cc's of water into our mouths to show us the size of a sip she wants us to take in the beginning. Then I had a history & physical with Deb Andrus who was very nice. Fortunately, my medical history isn't too exciting, and I don't have any serious co-morbidities at this time. Tuesday was the blood work, EKG, urinalysis, chest x-ray, and meeting with the anesthesiologist. Since I had a case of pneumonia back in February, they want to make sure it's all cleared up. Cris called back today and said the x-ray was good, but that she still wants me to check in with my PCP a few days before surgery to give me a clean bill of health. Dr. Wallace would rather post-pone a couple weeks if I'm still coughing. I am really feeling fine, with the exception of some a.m. post-nasal drip and coughing up some phlegm. I hope nothing delays this! I put a call into my PCP to talk to the nurse.
I wrote a letter to my relatives, friends and co-workers explaining about the surgery and that I'll be off work for a while. No sense in trying to hide it. I still have to tell one of my sisters, and I'm really nervous about it. She's kind of the "mother figure" of my 3 sisters since our mom passed away years ago, and I know she will be extremely worried for me. But, from the letter I sent I'm received nothing but wonderful support from everyone, even people I don't know very well. I will have lots of prayers being said for me! I wish my husband could be as supportive. Because I am paying for the surgery myself (due to an exclusion in my health insurance policy), he is really stressing about the money ($30.000). Yes, we had to take out a loan, but nothing much more than the cost of a nice new car. I think I'm worth at least that much!
About Me
West Bend, WI
Location
29.9
BMI
Surgery
04/06/2006
Surgery Date
Dec 23, 2005
Member Since
