Belinda W.
04/29/2021
Well, I'm 56 years old now. 17 years post op RNY. Im currently about 155 lbs. HW was 295. Im blessed to be healthy but ladies the elasticity of our skin after a lifetime of morbid obesity doesnt last forever.
Yes I have some great pics I'll post wen I have time but they are no longer in a bikini!
June 17, 2008 UPDATE!!!I will be 6 years post op August 2008. I have some really good updated pics on my pic page. Those below are bad. Pre-op 295. Lowest wt 2 years post-op 118 & scary as hell. My preference is 140 lbs & that's where I stay 90% of the time. Eating & drinking whatever & whenever I want.
www.
photobucket.com/albums/y261/nurseuican/?action=view¤t=greenblackbikini.jpg
8/20/02 Weight 290 lb's. Lap RNY completed. BMI 49.9-50.0!
8/30/02 -17 lb's.
9/05/02 -19 lb's.
9/10/02 -23 lb's
9/16/02 -24.5 lb's.
9/20/02 -27.5 lb's. 1 month postop
9/26/02 -30 lb's.
10/01/02 -32 lb's. 6 weeks post-op
10/11/02 -35 lb's.
10/17/02 -38 lb's.
10/20/02 -42 lb's. 2 months post-op. BMI 42.6
10/28/02 -44.5 lb. (Scales are stuck!)
11/04/02 -46 lb's. Attended 2nd support group meeting
11/15/02 -52 lb's. Doesn't look like I'll make -60 in months! OMG, my BMI is 40.7. Shouldn't be long til I'm under 40 BMI!!!!!
11/21/02 -53 total. 3 month check-up. Dr's scales show -48.
12/07/02 -60 lb's. WOOHOO!!! BMI 39.3. This is just too COOL!
12/12/02 -63 lb's.
12/20/02 -65 lb's. Size xl scrubs & 20 pants are getting loose!
01/01/03 -67 or 68 lb's. Total plateau. Yoyoing 3 pounds.
01/06/03 -70 lb's
01/20/03 -76 lb's. 5 months post-op. Weight 214.
02/03/03 -80 lb's. Wt. 210, BMI 36
02/17/03 -83 lb's Will this ever end? 207 for a couple weeks now!
02/20/02 -84 1b's since week before surgery. -81 lb's at my 6 month check-up today by Dr. Rose's scales.
02/21/03 -85 lb's. (Just needed to round to the next 5 lb's. lol)
03/01/03 -91 lb's. Weight 199!
03/10/03 -93 lb's BMI 33.8!
03/20/02 -96 lb's. 7 months post-op today. BMI 33.6
04/01/03 -100 lb's. Member of the century club! BMI 32.6
04/04/03 -101 lb's. I'm at 189 & it's kinda scary...
04/14/03 -102 lb's. Diagnosed with breast cancer.
04/18/03 -105 lb's. BMI is 31.8 Size 14 capris & large top!
04/20/03 -105 lb's 8 months post-op
05/03/03 -105 lb's Yo-yoing since surgeries. Wt. 185 on my drivers license is now right!
05/20/03 -108 or so. scales showing 185 & are over 3-5 lb.s
06/05/03 -111 lb's my scales show 179!
06/12/03 wt 178.5?!
06/20/03 -116 lb's. weight 174. BMI 29.9! Just overweight. LOL 10 months post-op today!!!
07/20/03 11 months post-op. Steady & holding per doc's request.
08/14/03 4th chemo. -10lbs. 165. Oh well. BMI 28.3. Couple size 8's. Then the scales go back up due to meds. Not sure about much of anything anymore.
08/20/03 1 year post-op! Scales still don't know which way to go!
Currently less than 165 by my scales. We'll see tomorrow at Dr Rose's office. Wt. 164,
09/12/03 -132 lb's. wt 158 lb's.
10/05/03 -135 lb's. wt 155
10/13/03 -138.5lb's wt 151.5 BMI 26.1
10/19/03 -142 lb's. wt 148 BMI 25.4!
11/20/03 -148 lb's. wt 142 BMI 24.4=normal (138-144) fluctuates.
12/10/03 -149 lb's. wt 141 BMI 24.4
12/26/03 -161 lb's. wt 129 BMI 22.1
01/12/04 wt. 127! Now I'm scared!
01/20/04 wt. 129.5 I seem to be leveling out at 129-130
02/20/03 wt. 127
03/03/04 wt. 123! I'm melting! BMI 21.1
03/19/04 wt. 121 BMI 20.8!
05/30/04 -170 lb's!! wt. 120! Never supposed to see 120! BMI 20.6
06/20/04 wt ranges 123-126 (I eat constantly!)
07/20/04 wt 124. Still EATING!!! Size 1-2 Express Jeans
08/20/04 wt. 125 2 years post-op. Size 0-3 jeans
09/20/04 wt 127
10/09/04 wt 121 -168
11/09/04 wt 122 eating what I want 7 lovning it.
11/25/04 wt. approx. 124.
12/20/04 wt. 125
1/20/05 wt. 130 gained 5 but loving it! I needed 5 but no more!
2/20/05 wt. 129-134 just depends
4/08/05 wt 134-136
6/20/05 wt ranges from 134-140 at highest.
7/20/05 wt 135-140 and to me is ideal for me.
9/16/05 wt 143 & hoping to stay here.
12/09/05 wt 147.9 clothed
Recent pics at this link.
www.photobucket.com/albums/y261/nurseuican/?multi=2&addtype=
Dec. 9, 2005
O.K. I've learned how to gain wt. I weighed in today at 147.9 at the docs office. Am deffieint in folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin C & Vitamin D. So, now that it's not to awful lated. I'll do what I know I should & take my vitamins. Now I'd like to drop back down to about 140 as that gives me ability to lose or regain 5 pounds & still be content. I'm really o.k where I'm at, but jeans are a tad to tight. Size 5-6 Express Blues. So, I'm getting ready to delete the sugar from my tea, cut down on the junk, or exercise. Probably a combination of it all. Life is still so wonderful after WLS!! Even with regain from 119 (extremely to thin) to 149.7, I've still far exceeded mine or my surgeons goal.
April 8, 2005
Not much new. Having to check out the resale shops for a couple pair of jeans. Gosh I may even have to buy back a pair of my own! LOL Be sure & keep a size bigger than you actually are. I was at a stable weight for about 9 months, but now I've figured out how to regain. Happily though I might add. Wearing size 5 Levi's, 3-4 Express Brand jeans. Much healthier & "filled" out at this weight than 120 when I was looking anorexic. Got to put it in neutral though as I really don't want to gain any more.
Feb. 2005
Well, with all new change, there comes change.
after many years of a rocky marriage it seems it may come to an end soon. DH has moved out. We both have a lot of issues dealing with addictive behaviors. Mine more so with food. You see people go thru a divorce & get thin as a rail. As always, I eat to deal with it all. I wish the best for DH as well as hope for the best for myself & the kids. The best is just not us being together.My cancer tumor marker labs are going up. I can't put someone else thru the hell of chemo again. My DH deserves more of a life than I can give him. He's threatened to leave for nearly 15 years saying he's got someone & a place to go. I give up. He can go. Life is to short to try & live it up to his expectations. I just want to be alone, enjoy peace & quiet. I wish I had friends. Went to town to get away the other day & couldn't think of not 1 person that I could call up to talk to or go to a movie with. His best friedn is a very good friend of mine also & he is the latest accused of me seeing them. Not to mention his vriend up the road. BARF! I'm very happy with my weight now. I can drop or gain a few pounds still, & not be stressed over the change. I'm actually happy to know that I've gained. Maybe now I can get some exercise in my life without fear of looking anorexic. (had a total stranger tell me that. Said I was looking "ribby" in my swimsuit pic. I agree.) Tried jogging, made it about the length of a football field. Not for me. Gotta get some cardio going on & work on these tummy muscles & get it tightened backup. Still have issues with thighs & arms, but keep them "undercover".
TIP: always keep a size smaller & a size larger on hand in jeans. Got to work with 2 pairs. 3 days later when it was time to come home, neither fit. They were both size 1-2. Thought I had a pair of 3-4's with me. OOPS
DH took my son to a party with him. You know, redneck get drunk, strip your shirt off, gonna whoop everybdoy, then everybody loves everybody again parties. My 14 y.o. & 20 y.o. were there & should not have been. Some nasty tales came out about who is seeing who & it involved nieses, nephews, neighbors & DH. I've always tried to believe the best about DH, but seems his friends get tired of him being around drunk & are beginning to tell his "secrets". Lord only knows what else I may find out going thru this divorce. I don't think I want to know. I just want us to agree to disagree, get the divorce & be friends. I pretty much don't care if I NEVER have another man in my life. There is nothing I need from them that I can't vie myself, then I owe them nothing.
Went to a banquet the hospital had & DH locked me out of the house & put a pad lock on my bedroom door. Made me call th law to get in.
January 20, 2005
Well, I've survived 2 1/2 years of WLS, breat cancer, rough marriage & these 3 kids. My oldest has a girlfriend with a beautiful 3 y.o. that I consider to be like a grand child. My first. They live right next door & I hope things work out for them because she brings joy & laughter into my life. Considering some major changes in my life. I'm only working 2 12-hour shifts but stay out of town to do it. Checking on a job within about 20 min. from home & is day shift, but I'll be more than doubling my hours. I hope I'm up to it. I feel like I've pretty much regained my energy, but these skinny bones are not as strong as they were when I was fat. It's amazing how big a role your weight plays in being able to move heavy objects. LOL The doors at JCPenney nearly knock me back into the street. LOL
DH has locked me out of my room twice in 1 week, so I've moved into the extra bedroom. We've discussed our inability to live under the same roof & have a sane life, so we'll see where this goes.
The 5 pounds I've regained have pushed me out of my 1-2 jeans back into 3-4"s, but I'm loving it. I think I look better here, but if I should drop back down that's o.k. too. It's kinda scary seeing the scales go up to 130, but the way I've been eating it's amiracle I haven't gained more. I was happy at 140, so I'm not devastated or freaking out. Just gonna start decreasing those carbs, expecially the junk. Maybe I'll start exercising. Who knows?
Nov. 25, 2004
Today is my 40th birthday. Never in a million years could I have imagined all that I've been thru. Breast cancer, weight loss surgery, 3 kids. Not sure how to feel other than thankful for our health. I love being skinny. Still see me as fat at times. Love wearing low-cut flare jeans & cute fitted tops. What a difference there is between 290 & 124. Healthy as far as I can tell. 2 years & 3 months post-op. Boy do people treat you differently when you are "normal sized". I can look in the mirror 1 day & see the beautiful snall person that hid under the fat all my life, & other days I see the wrinkled, tired body I really have. Then I just put on my make-up & clothes & hide reality from the world. Looks can be so deceiving. The package may be wrapped beautifully but you may be disappointed when you see what is inside, but when you look down deep past the external appearance, it's what is in the heart that really matters.
Oct 30, 2004
Went to family Halloween party. All went well. Since DH just don't know what 2 do with himself.
Oct. 9, 2004
Went to party as a PLAYBOY BUNNY. Left DH home. Had a blast. Funny how much more confidence we get by losing the weight. (& as DH says, ATTITUDE. LOL)
Sept. 2004
Recovering from right simple mastectomy with reconstruction. Saline implant were replace with silicone. 3 drains have been removed. Left nipple reconstruction looks like a PIG tit. LOL I'm worried there may be flap necrosis but doc says it's fine. We will see.
August 20, 2004
Still like a dream. Hoping I don't wake up & have the weight return. Shopped the thrift stores & it's still so unreal to try on those tiny clothes to find that they fit. Picked up a dress with stripes that go across thinking "I can't wear this cause it make s you look fat". Well, it turned out to be really cute & yes I CAN wear stripes that don't go up & down! LOL Met Dr. Ludwig yesterday (taken Dr Rose's position) & I was very impressed. Seems to be a very kind & caring doctor. He also has a great track record & is at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Biloxi, MS. AS always Brittney & Ms. Judy are the best. They are like my family down on the coast. Love you guys!
July 30, 2004
Well liver biopsy & labs are coming back normal. Scared the $%!# outta me. I don't know how I'd survive more chemo. It's a chore to keep the weight on I still have. Protein was a little low, but my ffault. Will work on it. Cardiologist says heart sounds & looks fine. Dealing with UTI!? This is crappy. Flares up everytime we have sex since I had the bladder suspension. HHMMM Good thing we don't do it often. LOL
July 12th
Trip to the ER, severe epigastric pain. Had just gotten a clean bill of health 1 year post breast cancer diagnosis, & now have elevated liver enzymes, foot edema, & shortness of breath. Awaiting results of liver biopsy & labs. This cannot be happening again. Diarrhea daylight to dark, but probably from nerves now.
May 30, 2004
I weigh 120. So don't need to lose any more weight. Went to the Atwood Music Festival & did a lot more walking that usual, so I've now dropped to my all time lowest weight since WLS. Thinking I may try supplements again to pick up a few pounds prior to my breast revision surgery. Camped at the Atwood Music Festival with the kids. Met David Kersh & Jeff Bates (2 Hotties). I think I'm truly converted to country music now. LOL
April 14, 2004
I think some pervert is calling here, so now I have a new name. Hope you guys still recognize me.
April 9, 2004
Trying on clothes & wear size 2 jeans in Gap, Old Navy, & Express Brand, Nothing at Wal Mart fits. Small pants are to baggy. Juniors go to a size 3 & weird how no 2 pair fit alike. Still exhasuted during & after working 2 nights. Bleached my hair twice a couple of weeks ago, orange, then big bird yellow. NEVER again. I'll have to save money to get it done right. My best friend helped me put a toner on it & now I'm a golden blonde, not to sure about the color, but it is presentable. Can't wait til it grows back out so I can wear it like my sexy wig I had & highlight it. Gotta do something to perk up this prune body of mine. Oh yeah, contemplating getting silicone implants since such a great difference in the sizes of the saline now. We'll see.
March 12, 2004
Scales bounce around 123-127. 123 today, even after all the junk I've had lately to increase my calories. Sugar keeps them running thru me I guess. Eating all day long seems like. Some days by the rules, others not. Eat most anything & always have, but ice cream makes me really yucky. Size 1-2 express jeans are a little loose. Guess I'm headed for the zero's. Bought me a very sexy evening gown for $5 just to take a few pics in & hope to update my ater pic really soon. Life is grand, but never did I dream that I would be skinny, but would not trade it back for 290 lb's for anythng in the world.
February 20, 2004
18 month checkup with Dr Rose. All is well. I'm really wrinkled now. Home front is more like a war front. Physical therapy 3x's a week to regain my strength. Working 2 nights a week & am exhausted. Yes I am skinny. I have to hear myself to say it. I look down & my thighs look o.k. when sitting. Strange, but I just needed to say that. I look in 1 mirror & see a buxom beauty-petite, gorgeous hair, nice boobs, & I see other people look too. I look in another mirror, but more closely & I see-a tattered wig, my salt & pepper hair just more than an inch long underneath, scars from the breast reconstruction-tummytuck-mediport-gallbladder removal-no nipple, etc... My arms are so tiny-about the same size my wrists were at 290 lb's. The flesh just hanging from my legs, buttocks & neck. But you know what, I'm healthy. No I wouldn't undo it for a second. I just cover me up with clothes & no-one else sees what I see. Seems so deceptive. Guess you really never know when to believe your eyes... or not.
January 19, 2004
Well, I think I might just survive all this crap. DH has quit drinking again for several weeks now. Don't know how to take the kindness he's giving. Still weigh 129-130 so I guess I'm gonna be leveled out right here. Sure gives me room to gain a few if I need to. Eating junk. Chocolate covered cracker jacks & strawberries with cool whip. YUM Energy is returning, but I'm physically as weak as a kitten.
January 12, 2004
Weighing in at a whopping 127 today. Really scary. Wanted to stop at 140. Stayed sick 2 weeks after the last surgery. Gotta maintain.
December 28, 2003
My world is crumbling it feels like. The scales dipped down to 129 & that is so scary. 139 scared me. I'm not sure how I'm gonna pull outta this post-op surgery thing. I have no energy & feel like I'm wilting. DH had to carry me out of the car when I got back from town yesterday. 130 'bs, that is just totally crazy. My breast has healed. Drains are all out. Bladder holds real well. That tummy tuck incision is till a SORE site. Still walk hunched over. Got in WalMArt bathroom & had to leave my girdle off cause I didn't have the energy to pull it back up. Wondered if I'd ever get back home.
December 19, 2003
Well I survived the 5 surgeries. Tummy is flatter but I it will be some time before the swelling goes away. Pain meds have me woozy, so gotta go!
December 10, 2003
Well I had my pre-ops today. Tuesday the 16th I will be having total abdominal hysterectomy, medi-port removal, breast reconstruction completed, bladder suspension & repair, & tummy tuck. OMG is this gonna hurt or what! Weighed 142 lb's fully dressed on 4 different scales today so I guess I'm gonna settle in about 140. Maybe lose a few pounds after the tummy tuck & swelling subsides. My oncologist asked "you've lost more weight?" Well, I'm eating like a horse worried about surgery, so it wasn't by choice. LOL
November 23, 2003
BMI 24.4, Normal, whatever that means. Honestly thought I'd never be a normal weight. Not so normal looking unless I look like a normal shar-pei. LOL
Well, I started at 290 lb's size 24-26 with a BMI of 50. Now I am 142 lbs with a BMI of 24.4 which is "normal". I am 15 months post-op. Now to the population that has never been overweight, I'm sure their definition of normal is nothing like mine. Let me describe my new "normal" body.
:-o My face has a few more wrinkles, but thankfully I still have that child like fat face to limit the wrinkles. My neck is no longer double or triple chin, just "baggy". I DO have collar bones you can see now. I was down to a size A-long bra, but thanks to breast cancer in April, I now have cute, pert size C implants, minus a nipple that I'll get tatooed later. Bat wings that could make me travel long distances with just a small wave. Knuckles that I didn't know I had. Size 8 rings instead of size 11. A waist that is actually not extended out so far that I can't see my feet or look like I'm 10 months pregnant. When i sit, I have a lap full of tummy, unless I wear something tight. My thighs spread out beside me when sitting & flap to & fro when I walk (this requires tight jeans to halt the juggling). :jump: My butt that was once so round, tight & shelf worthy is now a few mere wrinkles hanging around like it's waiting on the bus. My knees each have a wrinkle draped over the tops of them kinda like eyelids. My calves are smaller, but bout cut 1 with the zipper trying to queeze them in a pair of those knee high cute boots you see everyone wearing (ain't happening). My ankles, well, smaller & no pitting edema, but anklets don't fit. No more size WIDE shoes needed.
How's that for normal????? With that said, let me say this. It doesn't take me 5 minutes to slip on a cute top & jeans or dress (girdle) & become societies "normal". No one is the wiser. The only sign is my neck. So regardless of how "not normal" I appear in the nude, I can actually blend in & even stand out in the crowd in a beautiful & positive way. Not because I'm the biggest person in sight.
Oh, & I forgot to mention my hair. It got thin after wls, but thanks to chemo, I lost it all. Then this angel Susan Maria sent me the most gorgeous wig you've ever seen!
I was the most depressed, ugly person I knew pre-op. Always the fat kid & no self-esteem. Today, when I got ready for church, I looked in the mirror & saw a beautiful person. I've even had people tell me how beautiful I am. I know not in everyone'e eyes, but opinions no longer matter.
I guess my point is this, "normal" is a very vague term. I prefer to think of myself as "healthy". I have been blessed with my life & this old wrinkled body & I plan to take care of it cause it's all I got.
How's that for normal? LOL
My time does fly. Family friend Ms. Dolly died after struggling all summer with leukemia. She should have been finished with treatment & recuperating well before me. I'm getting a little stronger everyday. Still only work 2 days a week & then exhausted. Surgery Dec. 16th for breast reconstruction, hysterectomy, port removal, bladder suspension, & POSSIBLY tummy tuck. How much good would it do to give a shar-peri a tummy tuck? LOL Some size 8 jeans are to big, but 6's are still to tight in tummy. I was really beginning to get concerned about losing to much weight, but I think it is leveling out now. Electronic scales range 140-144, lowest I've seen was 138 & it was scary!
October 25, 2003
Wish I had kept a diary for wls & cancer journey. Just a few things I don't need to ever forget. How I laid on the couch & honestly felt so bad that "this MUST be like how bad it feels before you die", & wondering if I was going to. Taking phenergan to sleep thru all the sickness, even though it took me 4 treatments to figure out this helped pass the 8-10 days I stayed sick. Wondering if I was a fat malnourished person, questioning my wls. That 60cc syringe full of red poison they pushed thru my veins(adriamycin). Getting sick thinking about the syringe right now. Going back for a check-up, no chemo, & the smell of the betadine wipe used on my port making me SO SICK, due to the association of betadine & the chemo that used to follow. No taste buds for 6 months. Boiled peanuts & more boiled peanuts. Cooking & eating & then not being able to stand the smell of what I had cooked. NOTHING tasted good anymore (can you even comprehend that one? never could I have before chemo). Looking in the mirror at 160 lb's. & thinking how skinny I looked. Now at 148 I'm wondering when the losing will stop. Sitting in the yard running my fingers thru my hair & it falling out by the handfuls, so I let Andrew & Alicia shave my head... & thinking to myself , this is one of those family moments that we are enjoying & I will always want to remember because it could be one of my last. All those little re petichiae spots I got every month that I called my "chemo spots". Getting that horrid yeast infection in my mouth that run all the way thru the GI tract, made me so ill, & taking 3 treatments to figure this one out, duh. Thinking I made it thru 4 out of 5 treatments with my eyebrows & eyelashes & then losing them.. drawing on eyebrows, wearing only hats, except rare occasions. Dancing 1 dance & being exhausted. Nearly fainting every time I stood up. Getting out, pumping gas, going in paying for it, & realizing on the way back out to the car when I see myself in the window, I forgot my hat. Not missing my hair. Not having a major problem with having a mastectomy. Reading everything I could get my hands on. Not letting other people help me even though all the books say let them. Oct 24th, reality sets in 6 months after diagnosis, a horrible day. Not wanting visitors. Ignoring the ringing phone. April 14th, hearing the word CANCER, & even though I was prepared, it hit me like a bomb... looking at my husband & seeing that shadow go over him also. Faithfully reminding all my friends here & at AMOS to do those breast self exams & mammograms til I'd worried them so much that they followed thru.
October 12, 2003
So nice to be thru with chemo, but am finding that I have very little energy or stamina. 1 song or 1 dance & I'm done, POOPED!Back to work 12 hr. shifts, doing o.k. but the hour drive home is killing me. I find myself falling asleep driving, gotta remedy that real quick. Size 8-10 jeans. Small scrubs.
September 22, 2003
Dr Austin recommends bladder suspension. Dr. KK Brantley recommends hysterectomy. So in Dec. I plan to have this as well as my right implant placed & my port removed. Glutton for punishment. Possibly a tummy tuck, but the rest of me looks so bad I dunno how much good it will do. Think of this, a shar-pei with a tummy tuck... still a lot of wrinkles. LOL
September 12, 2003
That last chemo treatment is about to get the best of me. Really having to take it easy. I weigh 158 & if it weren't for the loose skin, I'd really rather not lose any more weight. I really am looking thin, at least to me. Hopefully life will begin to return to normal soon. Just read that the fatigue can take 6 months-2 years to go away. ARGH!
September 1, 2003
Well, my scales are showing 162 today. Last chemo tx. will be Friday. BMI of 28. That is unrealistic to me having started at BMI of 50. Amazing what can occur in a year. Good & bad. I have wrinkled inner thighs, & buttocks & inner arms, but putting on size 8-10 jeans is awesome! Sept 27th is my last day of leave. Not sure what to do. The job I loved has been filled.
July 20, 2003
Hating not losing weight. Doc says not to. Size 12 jeans & squeezing in some 10's. My how time flies. Cancer really sucks! Will my life ever be normal again? Weight ranging from 174-178. UGH! The thought of not losin for another 2 months is driving me insane.
June 20, 2003
10 days after chemo were UUGGHH! Never thought I'd get past the nausea, yucky feelings. I'm living again. BMI 29.9. This is unreal. Put on DH jeans last night! Fitting in some size 10's!
June 8, 2003
Well, mediport placed last Friday. Still sore. First chemo tx. in the morning. I guess now I'm scared. The cancer is surely gone, but I'm scared of feeling sick after the chemo. Wig is picked out & should be here this week. We'll see how it goes...
May 20, 2003
9 months post-op. Ate watermelon til I bout popped. LOL It was heaven. Still have some days I feel like I'm pregnant. Just yucky feeling even to smell foods. Other days everything is fine.
Going to M.D. Anderson next week for assessment.
May 11, 2003
It seems this may be more of a diary for me now. For the last few days I have managed to eat SO much. I've pretty much followed the rules for the last 8 months, but have been feeding my face. It's the Lexapro withdrawal I'm sure. Now the cancer is becoming a reality as I study all I can on it. 30% chance of recurrence even though I'm node negative. I've picked up 3-5 lb's. I must stop this in the morning & do better. Wt. 185-190.
April 29, 2003
Modified radical mastectomy of rt. breast with expander & left implant. All went well & there was No lymph node involvement. So, now to see the oncologist in a few weeks to see if I will be having other treatments. (chemo, etc...)Gained a few pounds during surgery. Scales showing 185-190 at different times. Right implant 200cc & left implant 425cc, just for the record, that is a C+. LOL
April 18, 2003
Consulted with surgeons today. I will have right mastectomy with implant/expander & left breast lift & implant on April 29th. In other words, getting rid of this cancer & getting a boob job. LOL Hopefully the lymph nodes are not involved. I now actually weigh what my drivers license says, 185!
April 14, 2003
Diagnosis is breast cancer. Thursday will consult with surgeons about mastectomy & re-construction. Careful what you wish for. This is not how I wanted to get breast enlargements. My kids are the best & hope I can be here for them for many years to come. DH is having a hard time. Seems like everything is going wrong.
April 11, 2003
Well, had mammogram magnification on Thursday & removal of a lemon sized area in my right breast immidiately Friday morning. I don't believe in wasting any time with this kinda thing, but wished I'd had it checked sooner. Will find out next week if malignant. Don't think I'll pursue the idea of breast implants anymore. The surgery actually made my breasts the same size so I'm gonna be happy if I'm healthy & just buy shares in Victoria's Secret! LOL Just consider it breast augmentation & hope the pathology report comes back o.k. I've come to far for this to be bad. Ladies, please see your gynecologist yearly & have those mammograms!
April 4, 2003
My brother-n-law was killed in a car wreck last week so I'm not getting much joy from joining the century club at this time. But, grateful for doing so. Gyn revealed a 2cm cyst on my right ovary. Waiting for labs. If elevated she recommends removal & if not, re-check in 3 months. What next?
March 20, 2003
Well was hoping for a 100 lb. loss, but all is well & I'm loving my life. DH trying to keep me grounded by difusing (or de-fusing, LOL) my car, but I'm working on that. The war is on & hope it ends soon. I was thinking that my loss was really slowing, but it's just that pms thin again. Acutally I've lost 12 lb's in the last month & I'm pretty sure that is still very good. Loving to dance, shop & addicted to new lingerie. This is like a dream come true with a few WRINKLES. LOL All you posties KNOW what I mean. Size 16 jeans & me & Alicia are sharing the same shirts! So hoping that she & Andrew will not have to choose the surgery road later on. They are beautiful, but like thier mom, love food.
March 1, 2003
I weighed 199 today! I've only weighed less than 200 once in the last 19 years. I'm sure this will fluctuate a week or so then hopefully start going down again as ususal. Just HAD to add it even if it does go back over 200. This is my 2nd goal met, being under 200. My first was to be under 250. My next goal is to be 170 which was my surgeons suggested goal. Personally I think 150 sounds better! Life is grand!
Feb. 20, 2003
Surprised my 2 angels in Biloxi today. They are both so sweet & doing great! 6 months post-op today. Shopped the thrift stores & picked up a pair of size 16 GAP shorts. THEY FIT! Well, I figured maybe they just ran big. So, bought pair of 16 jeans at Wal-Mart & they FIT! Gosh this is just so unbelievable. Even though I've only lost 4 lb's since the 3rd, my 18's were getting loose. So, you do still loose inches while your weight doesn't change that much. DH drove to my work last week & brought me a dozen red roses! Is he beginning to catch on after nearly 19 years?! Alicia won spelling Bee overall at her school, although she didn't win district. Can you believe they have 5th graders competing against 7th & 8th graders? Dr. Rose, Ms. Judy, & Brittany are all so wonderful! They give us the encouragement we need (or the kick in the butt) to succeed. Thank you all!
Jan. 23, 2003
This most recent photo is 5 months post-op & -76 lb's. I now weigh 214 lb's. & for the first time that I can remember, I let my family know how much I weigh. A very BIG step for me.
Jan. 1st 2003
O.K., I've never been obsessed with the scales, but this yo-yoing with 3 lbs. is torture. I pretty much stay with the program except I do not drink enough. Hoping the scales will move DOWN again soon. Got my first pair of size 18 jeans. Alicia helped me pick them. Dirty denim with Bell bottoms & they are HIPHUGGERS! OMG! Still got a lot of hips to hug! But the boys say they look good too. I know, nearly 40 y.o. & in bellbottoms?? Well, you only live once!
What a year this has been. Thru changing kids schools, Alicia in braces, Andrew with all those unexplained belly aches, Aaron in college. & let us not forget this life changing surgery we have been blessed with. -65 or 68 lbs', depending on the day!
Had fun at a family party last night, but bumped another car & got a BIG dinger! DH being a total jask@$$. What more could you ask for? LOL Carol accepted me as her Angel & am looking forward to helping her any way I can. I've looked for someone in MS for quite a while now so I hope I can really help her.
Dec. 20, 2002
-65 lb's. Can eat ANYTHING! I had so hoped I'd dump severly! LOL
Dec. 9, 2002
Weight down 61.5 lb's! This is just so awesome. BMI 39.3. I think that make me plain old obese! Nothing morbid about it! I plateaued for nearly 3 weeks. Cut out the carbs & the scales are MOVING! GO ME! GO ME! GO ME!
Nov. 21, 2002
Well, everything is great. Doc's scales show 48 lb's. Total being 53 since about 2 weeks before surgery. Not as much as I had hoped for, but Life is GRAND! Squeezed in a 16 dress. Boy how sizes vary. Hope this waist gets to shrinking. Hard to imagine my waist used to be tiny compared to everything else. Now it seems to be my butt doing the rapid melt down! But it was definitely needed!
Nov. 6, 2002
2.5 months popst-op. Well, I've read all about it, but just spent 2 hrs. in pain, foaming at the mouth & having a puke fest. I think I ate to much, & to fast! My first & hopefully last time to be sick!
Nov. 4, 2002
Everyone at our local support group meeting is great. I stayed away from all the halloween candy while the kids trick or treated!!!
Oct. 28, 2002
Isn't life grand! Went to the auction & those darned red seats didn't try to eat my hips off at the sides! LOL Kinda strange how DH & a lot of other people didn't think this was such a good idea, but NOW, well that's a different story! Gotta slap them hands every now & then!
Oct. 20, 2002
2 months post-op. Let me say that is the best thing I've ever done for myself. The weight is just falling off!! Bought myself some new uniforms that FIT, & everyone has complimented me at work. Got my hair highlighted & feel much better about myself now.
Oct. 2, 2002
Moving right along, but of course never fast enough to please any of us. Tolerate all foods I've tried except 1 bite of pork rib meat. OUCH! All but abandoned the shakes. Argh. Going to the gym 3 times a week. Just got started last week. Go back to work on Monday. Kinda like just hangin out, but it don't pay the bills!
Sept. 11, 2002
Well, accidentally ate a NOT sugar-free popsicle today. Oh how I had hoped that sugar would make me VERY sick to keep me away, but NOTHING happened. Attended 9-11 silent parade & decided it was so hot I'd be better off observing instead of marching as I do not get in near enough water.
Sept. 5, 2002
2 week follow-up done today. 15# loss at the office, but 19# total since 2weeks before surgery! All is well!
August 30, 2002
Well, 10 days post-op & down 17 lb.s! That first drink of a cold liquid is sorta painful, but NO other problems!
August 22, 2002
Well I'm officially on the other side! Surgery was Tues., lasted 1.5 hr's. Dr. Rose said it was easy & no problems. Minor nausea upon awakening. Mod. pain 1st day but well controlled. No problems Wed. Came home Thursday morning & then had open house at school that afternoon. Wheww, now I'm beginning to get tired! Still a little sore, but the Lortab elixir takes care of that in about 15 minutes flat. Thank you to everyone here! Special thanks to Karen Nettles for stepping up & calling & posting updates for me. If anyone has ANY questions, please ask. I hope I can return the support to others that I have received so frequently here at this site!
My DH stayed with me & was wonderful. Didn't even slip down to the casinos! My daughter was in tears as they wheeled me to O.R. & I almost panicked, fearing what if... But, the staff put me at ease & it was all good & well from then on out!
August 19, 2002
Tomorrow is the DAY! Please Lord let me live to be stronger & healthier for my family.
August 18, 2002
Today my 2 angels (my 10 & 11 y.o.) made me a cake while I was in town & sung Happy Surgery Day to me! They are a Hoot! They are my life & I hope that soon I'll be physically able to enjoy it with them more. I love you Little Angels more than life itself!! They will try to update for me after my surgery Tuesday.
August 15, 2002
Pre-ops completed. Nothing unbearable. I'm a hard stick to draw blood from so I'm always prepared for being stuck more than once. I'm nervous on the inside, but DH & kids seem to be oblivious to the fact that my surgery is Tuesday. I'm sure this may be there way of dealing with nerves. I just keep worrying about what if...
August 7, 2002
Psch evaluation approved!! Spent the day at the coast with my beautiful 10 y.o. daughter Alicia.
August 5, 2002
Counting down now & beginning to get nervous. I can't believe this is really gonna happen! Please feel free to email me at http://www.gulfcoastmedicalcenter.com/EmailPatient.aspx or www.gulfcoastmedicalcenter.com. Believe me, me & the DH will need all the support we can get! 15 days to go!!
July 18, 2002
Well, got a few days off to tend to those eye doctor, dentists, orthodontists, etc... You know, 3 kids, something going on constantly. 17 y.o. cut his finger so to the ER we went. Still more appt's. & oldest to have eye surgery. Next week busy with school registration. Gosh working & taking care of kids is tough!. My hats off to all single moms! But staying busy does help time fly!! Enjoying my new job back at the nursing home. I've been there on & off for 18 years now, & was ready to try it again. I feel like I've returned & am actually making a difference in some of their lives as well as mine. As I get older, I see that "old" is not quite as "old" as I used to think it was! I've learned that sometimes you have to change your work environment & then return to really appreciate it. Met some great co-workers there!
July 1, 2002
AAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! Ins. company verified by phone approval for Dr. Rose. This is emotionally overwhelming to say the least. Still have to wait for the letter to be in my hand for it to be real. Brittany has given me a tentative surgery date of August 20, 2002. I totally can not believe this!!
June 27, 2002
Oh the waiting. Insurance companies can really stress you out. Hoping to hear something any day now. Info was submitted on 6/10/02.
June 4, 2002
Attended 2 seminars today. 1st one with Dr. Rose in Biloxi. She is so kind & all of her staff were wonderful. She's definitely my first choice to perform my surgery.
Also hoping when I receive approval, someone with Dr. Rose will canel & I can get her to perform the surgery. Right now the wait is until Aug.-Sept.
June 1, 2002
OMG!!! I called the insurance company & verified thru the automated answer service that my insurance goes into effect today! YYIIPPEE! Doctor consults next week! What will I do to pass the time???
May 12, 2002
Oh the waiting! Yesterday was my 18th anniversary. Got a dozen roses for the firt time! Hubby really working with me now! My kids are my life. Lord please let this all end soon. Ins. to kick in June hopefully as planned.
April 29, 2002
Well a scare. New blood pressure pill bottomed out my heart rate. Thought I was going to die waiting to have surgery. Had to weigh. Ugghhh. Regained pounds I had lost so I'm sure that's the reason for the high b/p. But oh... guess I better let ins. take effect first.
April 22, 2002
I've got a consult date of June 4th with Dr. Rose!! Please God let this work out. Ins. should kick in June 1st.
1st day, new job, & my feet nearly killed me after standing for 8 hr's straight. I've bought new shoes so I'll see how it goes Monday. I will pull 16 hr's then. Hubby is NOT adapting well!! LOL
April 10, 2002
Well, got the job. Insurance kicks in June 1st. Initial consultation is June 4th with Dr. Rose. I hear she's great.
& One of my bestest friends ever even said she'd volunteer to be an angel for me if needed. (Even though she doesn't actually approve of the procedure due to experiences of friends. Isn't that totally awesome. Hopefully I won't have to put her in those wings when the time comes. LOL) Never can have too many ANGELS!!
March 29, 2002
My how time flies. I hold in my hand an ins. policy with cigna that WILL cover the surgery. One catch... I interview for the job on Monday. So, actually I don't have coverage yet. They say they are desperate for nurses so my fingers are crossed. Oh well, we all know we do what we have to do. Lord willing, I will get the job, & if not..... the search goes on.
February 24, 2002
Well, still trying to get hooked up with ins. & finances to proceed. I've met so many wonderful people here. I'm adding a photo so hope it will be up real soon. Just a quick photo taken with the kids really cheap digital camera. Well, that's just my excuse not to post a full length photo at this time. If & when I get coverage & approval, I'll post one of those really revealing full body shots. LOL. Good luck to all you pre-ops & congratulations to you posties. Hope to be a loser some day too! Anybody start staying hungry, craving foods once pursuing this surgery? I think my brain thinks "hey, if she gets approved..... no more junk food!" UUUggghhhh. Just what I need, more weight to lose.
February 9, 2002
Hi! I've been visiting this site for about a year now & reseaching WLS for about a year & a half. I'm married for 17 1/2 years. I am 37 y.o. & 40 is coming up right before my eyes! I have 3 kids ages 9, 11, 17. Hubby & daughter are not crazy about this idea. She says as long as she knows nothing is gonna happen to me & I'll be back home it's OK. Tough coming from a 9 y.o. God forbid something bad did happen. I'm not sure how my husband would deal with her & the situation.
I am tired of being fat. I've been this way ALL of my life, & 2 of my kids are also. But of course they have the best teacher of bad eating habits. I am a nurse & have tried all the diets since age 15. Everything except PHENPHEN & Redux that is. You know the routine. Lose, gain, lose, gain some more.
A trip to the mountains last summer with my husband kinda made my mind up for me. Hiked thru a cave... or more or less crawled out of a cave. Thank God there was an 80 y.o. woman there not in good health. I kinda hung back with her. Made me not look to awful bad. So embarassing. I think maybe this was the first time my hubby realized the distress being overweight really causes when you are trying to have fun & be active. I must say I didnt even attempt the hike to the top of the mountain. So depressing. I had hoped to return there this summer with my kids & be physically able to attempt it though.
January 2002
If I can come up with a solution or change I will update. Nothing in site at this time. BCBS of MS sucks. Totally excludes WLS. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome. Hope to join you all on the other side someday. Good luck to those waiting! & congrats to the losers!!
# visited since August 2002
[email protected]
Photos
295 lb's
1 week pre-op 8/15/02
123 & 121
Bikini 19 months post-op at 121 lb's. 4/10/04 bad pics. Please see my photo page for recent pics 2008.
Hospital Reviews
(Biloxi, MS) - Gulf Coast Medical Center
Product Reviews
Carb Solutions - Chocolate Toffee Hazelnut
Carb solutions - Peanut butter & grape jelly
nestle - Carnation Instant Breakfast no sugar added
Member Interests:
Hobbies - Geo-caching
Meeting People - Love to meet new friends.
Dancing - Frequently but ready to dance the dance of life with my soul mate
Shopping, Bargain Hunting & Auctions - Love the thrift stores!
Romance - Divorced almost 2 years now. Looking for my lifetime mate.
RN - I work in a very small hospital & I Love it!
Cancer Survivor - Diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2003. I am a SURVIVOR
Dating - Looking for Mr Right
Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Deron Ludwig, M.D.
8/04 I returned for my 2 year follow-up. Dr Rose is gone & I miss her. Dr. Ludwig has taken her place. I met him, drilled him & maybe even got a bit personal. I was very impressed. He even helped me out with a medical problem totally unrelated to the WLS while I was there. He closed the door, sat down & said ask away. I was told that Dr Rose recommended him so I have faith that he is going to be wonderful. Dr. Rose was nothing but meticulous & I know she would be just as meticulous in choosing someone to take over care of her patiens. Aftercare is a big issue here & well covered. Pre-op testing is in depth as it should be. I believe his surgical competence & bedside manner to be exemplary. Highly recommend him.
Insurer Info:
Cigna, PPO
I originally tried to get approval with Blue Cross of MS. BCBS of MS really needs to get a life!! They totally exclude anything associated with obesity. June 1, 2002 CIGNA PPO ins. became effective today. Hopefully they will approve me. Hurry up & wait!!! Info was sent to them & they received it 6-10-02. As of 6-21-02, it is in medical review. June 27, approved but with the wrong surgeon. Gotta wait for approval of the right one. 3 times I was given the wrong number to fax my info to. Very incompetent in my opinion, but hopefully approval of Dr. Rose will come soon. 7/1/02-Verified approval for Dr. Rose via phone, but will hold my breath til I get it in writing. 7/7/02 Doctors office received letter of approval from CIGNA. I guess if everything had been received where it was wupposed to be, this would have only been like a 2 week wait, but CIGNA gave me the wrong number. But, I did get approval without any hassle once the info was received, so I do recommend them. Just verify things more than once or twice. I called daily!!! Also, make sure you speak with the same person EVERY time you call.
About Me
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
