MarshaAnne
Almost here
Dec 18, 2009
I'm 4 weeks away from giving birth. This has been the best pregnancy I've ever had which I'm postive is because of losing so much weight. I weight about 245 with my first pregnancy and about 290 with my 4th. I STARTED my 5th pregnancy 100 pounds lighter and it's made a world of difference.
That said, about 6 more weeks before I need to get really serious about re-starting some decent weight loss.
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That said, about 6 more weeks before I need to get really serious about re-starting some decent weight loss.
Update
Sep 25, 2009
I haven't posted in a long time. My current weight is 182 lbs. I would be farther along, but I am currently 5.5 months pregnant. I am doing really well and am still loving my surgery results. Even though I'm pregnant, I've only gained a little over a pound. Despite the small weight gain, baby Elijah is growth is right on track! My hope (with my surgeon and OB's approval), is to gain less than 10 pounds during pregnancy. I expect to lose that very soon after birth and then it's back to work on losing the last 50 pounds. My goal is to lose at least 40 of that by this time next year. We shall see!
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100's!
Oct 01, 2008
I finally, finally got into the 100's! Today's weight was 198. I haven't weighed this since the 10th grade. It's amazing how exhilirating numbers can be! I just went shopping to get winter clothes and I've gone from a 30 pants to a 16. My shirt size was 26/28 on the day of surgery and now I'm buying 16. I bought a bike and am having a lot of fun riding with my family. It's been 20 years since I've ridden a bike. I still have about 75 pounds to lose, but 75 pounds seems so much more do-able than the 182 pounds I needed to lose at my highest weight.
My favorite part of all this is not the smaller numbers or the smaller sizes. It's not the extra energy or extra self-confidence. It's the freedom. I'm so, so thankful to be free from the slavery to food. That alone made this surgery worth it.
My favorite part of all this is not the smaller numbers or the smaller sizes. It's not the extra energy or extra self-confidence. It's the freedom. I'm so, so thankful to be free from the slavery to food. That alone made this surgery worth it.
New Plan
Mar 10, 2008
I'm concerned that I'm not losing weight fast enough. Maybe I don't need to worry, but I've heard that the first 6 months are when the most rapid weight loss occurs. I don't want to miss out on my window of opportunity. I weighed myself this morning and I am at 250. That's 23 pounds in 6 weeks. I feel like I should be closer to 30 by now. So the new plan is to stay at 500 calories (still getting in my protein and water). I started exercising at 4 weeks, but my knee is so bad right now I can hardly walk...so exercising has stopped for now. I'm hoping to start using the treadmill again on Wednesday, hopefully my knee will be in better shape by then.
I'm really happy with how I'm feeling about the surgery. The cravings that I was having so intensely the first 2 weeks are gone. Fast food and pizza (my biggest weaknesses) don't bother me at all. I don't miss pop at all, which I thought for sure I would. I love the fact that I can have 2 or 3 bites of something and I'm actually SATISFIED. That's something I don't ever remember feeling.
Anyway, with this new plan I hope to see 243 (my next goal) in the next 10 days or so.
I'm really happy with how I'm feeling about the surgery. The cravings that I was having so intensely the first 2 weeks are gone. Fast food and pizza (my biggest weaknesses) don't bother me at all. I don't miss pop at all, which I thought for sure I would. I love the fact that I can have 2 or 3 bites of something and I'm actually SATISFIED. That's something I don't ever remember feeling.
Anyway, with this new plan I hope to see 243 (my next goal) in the next 10 days or so.
One month later--254 lbs
Feb 29, 2008
It's been a month since surgery and I feel like everything is going well. The incision that was being stubborn about closing finally did. My energy is back up and I FINALLY started trying to exercise. My weight is going down and inches are coming off. As McDonalds likes to say, "I'm lovin' it!"
I was so thrilled yesterday when I decided to try on some pants that I had packed away because they were too small. The pants I own right now are a 30W. I tried on a 22/24 and they fit! Now, that said....I don't think that I could go buy a new pair of pants in that size and expect them to fit. This pair is old and stretched out...but still...it's progress!
I was so thrilled yesterday when I decided to try on some pants that I had packed away because they were too small. The pants I own right now are a 30W. I tried on a 22/24 and they fit! Now, that said....I don't think that I could go buy a new pair of pants in that size and expect them to fit. This pair is old and stretched out...but still...it's progress!
9 days out...a whole lifetime to go! part 2
Feb 06, 2008
Thursday, January 30th--GOING HOME 281 lbs
Passing gas must be a big deal I guess. Yesterday nurses kept asking me if I'd done it yet and I kept answering no. I was told in the wee hours of the morning that they wouldn't release me unless I was passing gas or pooped. Hmm. This could be a problem. I held out until 6 a.m. and finally consented to the laxative suppository.
I hadn't expected this, but what could I do? I've never wanted to go home as bad as I did now. I was so desperate for sleep, I would've done just about anything.
Ryan couldn't come until 10 a.m. because he had to get all the kids to their various babysitters first. By the time he came I had been allowed a shower and I was dressed and ready to go home. Dr. Pop saw me and said I could go! Yeah! I think we left around 11 a.m. and I made my 2 week follow-up appointment on the way out.
Ryan dropped me off at home and then went back out to get my vicodin prescription filled. My laxative seemed like it was going to start working soon, but it didn't until later in the afternoon. Once I got my meds, Ryan and I took naps, me downstairs in the recliner and him upstairs in bed.
Due to a major snowstorm that was coming, we had to revise the childcare plans again. My parents had to bring the boys home tonight rather than tomorrow night. The older two got home around 7 p.m. and the youngest two around 8:30 p.m. Still, it wasn't too bad. I got to visit with the kids and then the were off to bed.
Friday, February 1
The snowstorm came, Ypsilanti wasn't hit that hard, but my parents got it bad. It was a good thing the boys came home last night because she couldn't have got out today. Ryan did a good job of keep the kids quiet so that I could rest when I needed too. Around 3:30 p.m. he left to take them to our friends for the rest of the weekend. Friends from church offered to keep them and bring them back home Sunday afternoon.
My pain was controlled well which made walking around and doing the breathing exercises much easier to accomplish. Eating was another story. Wow! No one could have prepared me for how difficult it would be to eat and drink. I did manage to get most of my proteins and liquids in, but it was an all-day project!
Saturday, February 2 272 lbs
I'm back to the my surgery-day weight. I gained 11 pound in water while I was in the hospital and that has now dropped off. I'm excited to see how I do from here on.
Nothing much to report. I'm still taking meds for pain, but spacing them out more. I'm trying to do all the things I was told...walking, sipping, etc. I am a little worried about the possibility of a blood clot forming behind my left knee, but other than pain (and not bad pain) there are no other symptoms of a blood clot. I'm trying hard no to obsess about it.
Sunday, February 3 271 lbs
Gotta love a two pound drop. Let the fun begin!
Last night I became so frightened about blood clots that I couldn't sleep. I was so terrified that if I closed my eyes I would never wake up . I was up most of the night. I hope I can get over this paranoia SOON!
The kids came home around 2 p.m. Noah is visibly sick and Jesse said he threw up the night before. Ryan is also complaining of not feeling well. I guess it's back to reality!
Passing gas must be a big deal I guess. Yesterday nurses kept asking me if I'd done it yet and I kept answering no. I was told in the wee hours of the morning that they wouldn't release me unless I was passing gas or pooped. Hmm. This could be a problem. I held out until 6 a.m. and finally consented to the laxative suppository.
I hadn't expected this, but what could I do? I've never wanted to go home as bad as I did now. I was so desperate for sleep, I would've done just about anything.Ryan couldn't come until 10 a.m. because he had to get all the kids to their various babysitters first. By the time he came I had been allowed a shower and I was dressed and ready to go home. Dr. Pop saw me and said I could go! Yeah! I think we left around 11 a.m. and I made my 2 week follow-up appointment on the way out.
Ryan dropped me off at home and then went back out to get my vicodin prescription filled. My laxative seemed like it was going to start working soon, but it didn't until later in the afternoon. Once I got my meds, Ryan and I took naps, me downstairs in the recliner and him upstairs in bed.
Due to a major snowstorm that was coming, we had to revise the childcare plans again. My parents had to bring the boys home tonight rather than tomorrow night. The older two got home around 7 p.m. and the youngest two around 8:30 p.m. Still, it wasn't too bad. I got to visit with the kids and then the were off to bed.
Friday, February 1
The snowstorm came, Ypsilanti wasn't hit that hard, but my parents got it bad. It was a good thing the boys came home last night because she couldn't have got out today. Ryan did a good job of keep the kids quiet so that I could rest when I needed too. Around 3:30 p.m. he left to take them to our friends for the rest of the weekend. Friends from church offered to keep them and bring them back home Sunday afternoon.
My pain was controlled well which made walking around and doing the breathing exercises much easier to accomplish. Eating was another story. Wow! No one could have prepared me for how difficult it would be to eat and drink. I did manage to get most of my proteins and liquids in, but it was an all-day project!
Saturday, February 2 272 lbs
I'm back to the my surgery-day weight. I gained 11 pound in water while I was in the hospital and that has now dropped off. I'm excited to see how I do from here on.
Nothing much to report. I'm still taking meds for pain, but spacing them out more. I'm trying to do all the things I was told...walking, sipping, etc. I am a little worried about the possibility of a blood clot forming behind my left knee, but other than pain (and not bad pain) there are no other symptoms of a blood clot. I'm trying hard no to obsess about it.
Sunday, February 3 271 lbs
Gotta love a two pound drop. Let the fun begin!
Last night I became so frightened about blood clots that I couldn't sleep. I was so terrified that if I closed my eyes I would never wake up . I was up most of the night. I hope I can get over this paranoia SOON!
The kids came home around 2 p.m. Noah is visibly sick and Jesse said he threw up the night before. Ryan is also complaining of not feeling well. I guess it's back to reality!
9 days out...a whole lifetime to go! part 1
Feb 06, 2008
I have been wanting to post about my surgery, but haven't gotten the chance to sit down and write about it. For my own records, I'm going to go back and get caught up...so bear with me!
Monday, January 28th...THE DAY BEFORE SURGERY
I did the clear liquid diet today plus the 2 laxatives at 10 a.m. What a day. I can honestly say that there was one point that I thought I couldn't do it...I was sure I HAD to eat. I was crazy hungry and had a killer headache to prove it. I had to take the boys to art class in the early afternoon and every time I passed a fast food place, I drooled. Luckily, I had a ton to do today, so that helped a bunch.
One major problem this morning...my main babysitter called and said her family had the flu and couldn't take the kids tonight and tomorrow. What is they say about the best laid plans? Sigh. Anyway, I was literally on the phone until we left for Art (noon) trying to rearrange the babysitting for the week. I didn't get it straightened out until mid-afternoon.
After art I started working on packing all the many, many suitcases and writing out lists for my husband. It truly felt like I was packing for a trip, not a 2 day hospital stay. I packed my bag right before I went to bed and it took me 4 or 5 minutes. Packing for 4 kids who are traveling between 7 babysitters over a period of 5 days is craziness! Nevertheless, I finished at a decent time. Ryan took the kids with him to get to Cost Plus and get me some SF syrups while I packed. After they got back I was ready for them. I said goodbye to all of them individually and then Ryan took them to the sitters house.
The rest of the night Ryan hung out with me while I packed and finished things up. We actually got to bed by 11, not too bad. I slept so-so. I woke up a lot.
Tuesday, January 29th SURGERY DAY! 272 lbs
I had to be at the hospital at 8 a.m. which was no big deal considering we live about 5 minutes away. Once I got there I wasn't sure how things would go. Honestly, the initial stuff went very fast. Shortly after signing in someone came out and had me sign consent forms. I sat back down. About 5 minutes after that someone from Lab came and took me for some blood work and I went straight back to the waiting room. By 8:30 a nurse came to take me to pre-op. My husband was given instructions and a beeper. In pre-op I changed into a gown and got into the bed they assigned. My nurse was fantastic and very attentive. It took her two tries to get the IV in, but she did it without causing me much pain. She took a pretty detailed history and that was that. Ryan and my parents were there, but they would only let one up at a time. Supposedly my surgery was supposed to be at 10 a.m., but I wasn't taken back until noon.
When I came to in recovery I remember being in a lot of pain. I kept telling them that and the nurse kept assuring me that it would get better once I got to my room. They took me to my room at 3 p.m. and sure enough, once I was on the morphine pump I got comfy (and sleepy) pretty fast. I kept waiting for my family to come in, but they never did. I wanted to ask about it but I kept falling asleep. Finally I realized it was 5 p.m. and I still had not seen my husband or parents. I told a nurse that and she was really surprised. Just as she was leaving to go find them, my husband walked in. Apparently they screwed up the whole beeper thing. Dr. Pop didn't even page them until 4 and met with them at 4:30 p.m. Apparently, the report he gave them about the surgery was not about ME! He said the surgery went great, no complications, blah blah and said I was in recovery and would be in my room in about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, I had BEEN in my room since 3 p.m. I felt so bad for them because we were told the surgery would be 2 hours or so and they believed it had been a 4 hour surgery. They were so needlessly worried.
Regardless, they were finally able to see me and my parents went home. Ryan stayed with me until 8 and I sent him home. I was so exhausted, but sleep only came in short bursts. The nurses, respiratory specialists, etc, were constantly in my room. I had to walk every four hours throughout the night. I was shocked at how easy it was to get up and walk. Other than being dizzy from the morphine, the pain was so, so, so much better than my other surgeries. YEAH!
Wednesday, January 29th THE DAY AFTER SURGERY 279 lbs
Ryan came around 9 a.m. and stayed until noon. He had to go pick the kids up from the sitter. He did go with me on a couple walks and he got to be there for my breakdown. Lucky him! I'm not sure what happened to me, I just kind of lost it. I was so tired and every time I tried to sleep, I got interrupted. I know this about hospitals, so I'm not sure why I cracked this time, but I did. Shortly after Ryan left I tried to sleep and seconds later the respiratory nurse came in and I fell apart. Poor lady. I cried and cried and couldn't stop. I kept apologizing and I was incredibly embarrassed, but I couldn't stop! She was wonderful...so understanding and supportive. I got it together and did the breathing junk and I THINK she might have said something, because no one came in the room for about two hours after that. I was really glad to get a little sleep.
Sometime in the afternoon Ryan and the kids came. The kids were great and even walked with me. They were curious about my "wounds" and the IV pump, but were wonderful to see. Rebekah was scared to come near me though. She didn't like the IV stuck in my hand. I had one other set of visitors who came the same time as Ryan, but that was it and I was glad. My parents, brother, and friend wanted to come in the evening, but I asked them not to because I was so tired and emotional.
I can't remember exactly when my catheter came out, I think it was in the early afternoon, I just no I was so glad it did! I got to take the oxygen off as well and it made it so much easier to get up and walk without needing help with all that. I also was put on Vicodin in the afternoon instead of morphine. Not as good, but still managed the pain well. I definitely asked for it every four hours though!
Believe it or not, I couldn't sleep that night. I wandered the hall, read magazines, and waited for dawn.
Monday, January 28th...THE DAY BEFORE SURGERY
I did the clear liquid diet today plus the 2 laxatives at 10 a.m. What a day. I can honestly say that there was one point that I thought I couldn't do it...I was sure I HAD to eat. I was crazy hungry and had a killer headache to prove it. I had to take the boys to art class in the early afternoon and every time I passed a fast food place, I drooled. Luckily, I had a ton to do today, so that helped a bunch.
One major problem this morning...my main babysitter called and said her family had the flu and couldn't take the kids tonight and tomorrow. What is they say about the best laid plans? Sigh. Anyway, I was literally on the phone until we left for Art (noon) trying to rearrange the babysitting for the week. I didn't get it straightened out until mid-afternoon.
After art I started working on packing all the many, many suitcases and writing out lists for my husband. It truly felt like I was packing for a trip, not a 2 day hospital stay. I packed my bag right before I went to bed and it took me 4 or 5 minutes. Packing for 4 kids who are traveling between 7 babysitters over a period of 5 days is craziness! Nevertheless, I finished at a decent time. Ryan took the kids with him to get to Cost Plus and get me some SF syrups while I packed. After they got back I was ready for them. I said goodbye to all of them individually and then Ryan took them to the sitters house.
The rest of the night Ryan hung out with me while I packed and finished things up. We actually got to bed by 11, not too bad. I slept so-so. I woke up a lot.
Tuesday, January 29th SURGERY DAY! 272 lbs
I had to be at the hospital at 8 a.m. which was no big deal considering we live about 5 minutes away. Once I got there I wasn't sure how things would go. Honestly, the initial stuff went very fast. Shortly after signing in someone came out and had me sign consent forms. I sat back down. About 5 minutes after that someone from Lab came and took me for some blood work and I went straight back to the waiting room. By 8:30 a nurse came to take me to pre-op. My husband was given instructions and a beeper. In pre-op I changed into a gown and got into the bed they assigned. My nurse was fantastic and very attentive. It took her two tries to get the IV in, but she did it without causing me much pain. She took a pretty detailed history and that was that. Ryan and my parents were there, but they would only let one up at a time. Supposedly my surgery was supposed to be at 10 a.m., but I wasn't taken back until noon.
When I came to in recovery I remember being in a lot of pain. I kept telling them that and the nurse kept assuring me that it would get better once I got to my room. They took me to my room at 3 p.m. and sure enough, once I was on the morphine pump I got comfy (and sleepy) pretty fast. I kept waiting for my family to come in, but they never did. I wanted to ask about it but I kept falling asleep. Finally I realized it was 5 p.m. and I still had not seen my husband or parents. I told a nurse that and she was really surprised. Just as she was leaving to go find them, my husband walked in. Apparently they screwed up the whole beeper thing. Dr. Pop didn't even page them until 4 and met with them at 4:30 p.m. Apparently, the report he gave them about the surgery was not about ME! He said the surgery went great, no complications, blah blah and said I was in recovery and would be in my room in about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, I had BEEN in my room since 3 p.m. I felt so bad for them because we were told the surgery would be 2 hours or so and they believed it had been a 4 hour surgery. They were so needlessly worried.
Regardless, they were finally able to see me and my parents went home. Ryan stayed with me until 8 and I sent him home. I was so exhausted, but sleep only came in short bursts. The nurses, respiratory specialists, etc, were constantly in my room. I had to walk every four hours throughout the night. I was shocked at how easy it was to get up and walk. Other than being dizzy from the morphine, the pain was so, so, so much better than my other surgeries. YEAH!
Wednesday, January 29th THE DAY AFTER SURGERY 279 lbs
Ryan came around 9 a.m. and stayed until noon. He had to go pick the kids up from the sitter. He did go with me on a couple walks and he got to be there for my breakdown. Lucky him! I'm not sure what happened to me, I just kind of lost it. I was so tired and every time I tried to sleep, I got interrupted. I know this about hospitals, so I'm not sure why I cracked this time, but I did. Shortly after Ryan left I tried to sleep and seconds later the respiratory nurse came in and I fell apart. Poor lady. I cried and cried and couldn't stop. I kept apologizing and I was incredibly embarrassed, but I couldn't stop! She was wonderful...so understanding and supportive. I got it together and did the breathing junk and I THINK she might have said something, because no one came in the room for about two hours after that. I was really glad to get a little sleep.
Sometime in the afternoon Ryan and the kids came. The kids were great and even walked with me. They were curious about my "wounds" and the IV pump, but were wonderful to see. Rebekah was scared to come near me though. She didn't like the IV stuck in my hand. I had one other set of visitors who came the same time as Ryan, but that was it and I was glad. My parents, brother, and friend wanted to come in the evening, but I asked them not to because I was so tired and emotional.
I can't remember exactly when my catheter came out, I think it was in the early afternoon, I just no I was so glad it did! I got to take the oxygen off as well and it made it so much easier to get up and walk without needing help with all that. I also was put on Vicodin in the afternoon instead of morphine. Not as good, but still managed the pain well. I definitely asked for it every four hours though!
Believe it or not, I couldn't sleep that night. I wandered the hall, read magazines, and waited for dawn.
One week to go!
Jan 22, 2008
My surgery is one week from today! I can't wait!!!!! I'm down to 275 and I'm hoping to lose several more pounds this week. I've been doing a semi-liquid diet since last Monday. I drink all liquids except for dinner and that has been very effective. No one asked me to do this, but I've watched Big Medicine enough to really understand the importance of shrinking the liver. My weight has been up and down since July and I want it in a downward trend before surgery. Also, my BMI is high enough that Barix can't guarantee a laparoscopic surgery. My surgeon told me that the smaller the liver, the better the chance. And so I diet once again!
All of a sudden it feels like I have so much to do to get ready. I want to:
finish reading the Barix book
finish buying post-surgery food and supplies
buy all the food needed for the kids (I have four children who are going from home to home during most of next week)
return books and check out new ones.
Measure myself and take pictures
clean the house
get lesson plans ready
finalize childcare
get all the kids stuff packed and make checklists for my husband
I guess I really need to get started and not wait any longer.
I have a slight sore throat, no other symptoms. I keep hoping it will go away soon. I'm really trying to stay well...but it's so hard this time of year. I've added Vitamin C to my diet. Hopefully that will give me a bit of a boost.
All of a sudden it feels like I have so much to do to get ready. I want to:
finish reading the Barix book
finish buying post-surgery food and supplies
buy all the food needed for the kids (I have four children who are going from home to home during most of next week)
return books and check out new ones.
Measure myself and take pictures
clean the house
get lesson plans ready
finalize childcare
get all the kids stuff packed and make checklists for my husband
I guess I really need to get started and not wait any longer.
I have a slight sore throat, no other symptoms. I keep hoping it will go away soon. I'm really trying to stay well...but it's so hard this time of year. I've added Vitamin C to my diet. Hopefully that will give me a bit of a boost.
Down some
Jan 02, 2008
This morning my weight is down to 278. I hardly believe I lost 5 pounds in 3 days. But, that's what it says this morning.
UGH! I had no idea.
Jan 02, 2008
We just moved and I finally found the scale. I'm up to 283. My highest weight was 297 and my lowest weight (in the last year) was 263. I can't believe I'm up 20 pounds. I would have guessed 10.
Okay....moving on. I started a 1000 calorie diet yesterday and I plan to follow that for 2 weeks. Then, the last two weeks I want to follow a liquid diet. Dr. Poplawski didn't ask me to do a liquid diet, but after watching Big Medicine it seems to make the most efficient way to shrink the liver.
I talked to the older kids today about the surgery. They both seemed, well, upset about it until I finally got them to talk. They asked a lot of great questions and I answered them honestly. They seem completely onboard now that they understand how much better our family life will be once I lose this weight. They always want me to go bike riding with them, ride amusement park rides, play laser tag, and other active things...I always have an "excuse" why I can't do it. They're very excited at the prospect of having an active mama.
Well, back to unpacking.
Okay....moving on. I started a 1000 calorie diet yesterday and I plan to follow that for 2 weeks. Then, the last two weeks I want to follow a liquid diet. Dr. Poplawski didn't ask me to do a liquid diet, but after watching Big Medicine it seems to make the most efficient way to shrink the liver.
I talked to the older kids today about the surgery. They both seemed, well, upset about it until I finally got them to talk. They asked a lot of great questions and I answered them honestly. They seem completely onboard now that they understand how much better our family life will be once I lose this weight. They always want me to go bike riding with them, ride amusement park rides, play laser tag, and other active things...I always have an "excuse" why I can't do it. They're very excited at the prospect of having an active mama.
Well, back to unpacking.
About Me
35.9
BMI
Surgery
01/29/2008
Surgery Date
Jun 17, 2007
Member Since
