Momoftwinsandmax
======================================== 12-17-06 - Well, 10 days post op, feeling pretty good. Still have pain when sitting straight up, but am getting in about 40oz of water each day, as well as my calcium, iron, b-12, and multi-vitamins. It's a juggling challenge, but I'm learning. I have a phone appointment with my dietician tomorrow, maybe I'll get "promoted" to Stage III solids. But I have to admit - it's so amazing to not be hungry, sometimes I forget to eat lunch (although let's be real - how hard is it to forget Cream of Wheat - I think you can understand why I forget it). I don't think I'm going to be a dumper. Today, my kids and I made gingerbread houses. I liked my fingers clean when I'd get frosting on them (it's pure confectioners sugar and water), and I never got sick. This doesn't mean I'm going to eat all sweets everywhere, but it's something for me to be sure to stick clear of so I don't get hooked again. Stepped on the scale this morning - weigh 249lbs. So, that's 64lbs lost since I began this journey on September 19, 2006, and 16 pounds in the last 10 days. I'm certainly not an expert at this, but please, feel free to send me any thoughts or questions - I'll be happy to try and help anyone with their quest - it's a wonderful life! Happy Holidays to all and to all, Weigh Light! ======================================= 12-10-06 - I'm three days post-op and doing great! Have some pain, very tired, but overall, an awesome experience. My scale shows me weighing 259 today, so I started this journey weighing 312, total loss so far, 53 pounds - no complaints here. More later when I'm no longer totally tired! 12-7-06 IS SURGERY DAY!!! 11-15-06 Today I had my first visit with the anesthesiologist's office and an orientation to life post-op as it relates to supplements and liquids. I lost a little more weight and am now about 8 pounds below my original pre-op goal. I can't say enough good stuff about the Kaiser Richmond staff. Everytime I am there the people are so nice, informative, and supportive. It makes the 2 hour drive there totally worth it - it's almost like going to see pals! Anyway, if you're in Northern California and have Kaiser, I would really recommend going there. My surgeon, Dr. Parks has been so responsive (I've sent her questions via e-Mail and get a same day response!), and she has made it a point to really know my history. She's great. 
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I'm just starting with Kaiser Richmond. Have had the Into Orientation and the Nutrition Orientation classes. Am scheduled for my first meeting with my bariatric surgeon (Dr. Park) on 10/10/06, am so very excited for it. I've been waiting quite some time for this, have done a lot of internal work (meaning brain work - why do I eat like I eat, what can I do instead of eating, etc.), and am ready to move forward in obtaining this tool that will not only help me lose weight, but help me model to my kids that anything is possible if you're willing to do the work. I'm so happy that I'm finally learning about nutrition and from this I'm able to teach my kids about healthy eating and the importance of a more active lifestyle. I'm look forward to no longer being just an observer of life. It should be amazing to be an active participant in life instead.
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10/07/06
This Tuesday, October 10, I meet with my Bariatric surgeon, Dr. Park. Since the initial orientation required by Kaiser, which was not quite 3 weeks ago, I think I've lost around 15 pounds. I'm not sure what to expect in meeting Dr. Park, but her bio at the KP Bariatric website instantly made me feel at ease. I figure I'll be told I have to lose 20 or 30 more pounds and then do the tests and such that need to be done prior to the surgery. I'll post more after my appointment with Dr. Park and let you know how it went.
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10/14/06
I met with Dr. Park, and zowie - what a great meeting. She took so much time and care with me, it really helped to put my mind at ease and gave me more insight to what lies ahead. I was 21 days into the program (with Kaiser, after your initial orientation you are asked to maintain a 1200 calorie per day regiem and add exercise into the mix, 20 mins a day minimum, 4 days a week). I had started the 1200 calories a day diet immediately and began walking the neighborhood. I stepped on the scale and was thrilled to see that in 21 days I had gone from 313 pounds to 292. That's right - 21 pounds! The first few days of the 1200 were hard - caffeine withdrawl headache, missing my squishy breads and silky chocolates. But now, don't miss them at all. I find that I'm not hungry, and have more energy now.
My next appointment is on November 1 - an official weigh in and attending a class. If by then I've lost 10 more pounds, I'll meet with my case manager, get an EKG and whatever else is needed scheduled, have an appointment with Dr. Park set, and then, a surgery date will be set. My hope is to have the surgery prior to Thanksgiving so I can be sure that I won't fall off the wagon into a chuck wagon during the holidays.
Thanks for reading - feel free to ask me questions or give me advice. I'm always happy to read what's up and promise timely responses.
http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/3;10716;69;0;0/c/-21/t/-188/k/f4b4/weight.png
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11-4-06
I reached my presurgery goal weight this week!!! Very happy to be there. Went to a class and listened to a lot of people, many who whined with one excuse or another about why they weren't able to exercise or lose the weight. Smiled, offerred positive opinions, and moved on. Had to get an EKG (came out fine), and then had to P in a cup to scan me for nicotine (I quit this past August). Once that result comes back negative, I'll check with the office, meet with my case manager and have a surgery date set. I'm hoping it will be before the December Holidays hit, and that I can drop another 17 pounds before the surgery date so I will have lost 50 when I go under the knife.
I've found that the staff in the Bariatric Surgery Group at Kaiser Richmond has been so responsive and helpful to me. I feel very much at ease with everyone I've met and am just really fortunate to have landed with these people.
I return to Richmond in Mid-November, you'll hear more from me then, hopefully complete with a surgery date. Any Angel Volunteers out there?
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11-10-06
Yipee skippe, I'm Nicotine free!!! This means I'm cleared for take off, and I'll be having surgery on December 6! I'm excited, pensive, and scared all at the same time. I feel well prepared for everything, but still can't see how I'm going to get in all of my water and protein daily, which scares me. Anyway, it's all good, I'm sure it will be fine, blah blah blah. Wishing everyone a light and happy Thanksgiving and holiday season!
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