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Upside Down
By Jack Johnson
CodesAndLyrics.com

I am 49 married with 3 children and a grand mother of a 3year old which I am also raising. I have been overweight as long as I can remember. Long enough!!! I played the yo yo game with weight loss. You all know the score loose 50 gain 75. I even lost 85 lbs and kept it off for a long time. At least a year. Only to gain it all back plus some more. I have never been able to find the diet to keep my weight off. Many of my friends have had this surgery and are happy and have lost alot of weight. I have been researching bariatric surgery for 2 years now.

I just recently moved to Texas from Ft. Lauderdale FL. I was denied after my first letter. Now I have new insurance and looking for doctors as well as surgeons. Also looking ot make new friends being new to this area. I have United Health Care PPO. The reason I think I was refused on my previous insurance (Atena) was I did not have a monitored diet by a physician for at least 6 months. However since than I now have diabettes along with all those other great illnesses that come with being overweight. Maybe this will help.
If there is anyone that can offer some help I would be so greatful.
5/3/05
Well I had my visit with Dr. Wongsa who seems to be very positive and knows his stuff. I have had all my test done and await my approval letter from UHC. I am on a pre op diet which is not easy but I am trying real hard.
Look forward to putting all this stuff behind me.


6/28/05
One week and one day before my surgery. I am excited and nervous. I am so greatful for all the wonderful support here at obesity help.com. It really helps to know all you guys out there really care. I have lost 12 lbs on my pre op diet and am hoping to mulitply that number by 10 with in the next several months. Thanks to everyone for their prayers


6/30/05
Thank you Joan for this beautiful page and your wonderful support. My journey has now been spruced up and looks very bright.
Went to for my pre op weigh in and I can not believe I have lost almost 18 lbs. OMG. Looking forward to many more OMG as those number go down and the pounds shed.


7/05/05
Surgery Day - slightly nervous, hubby freaking. All went pretty smoothe and very fast. I had lost 24 lbs before surgery which made Dr. Wongsa and I very happy. I had a very nausea reaction to the pain meds. Demerol an I do not get along. I was too nausea to get up and walk. I tried but was too dizzy. My bloos pressure went real low and I was breaking out in cold sweats. So stayed of the pain mrds for several hours. I was in pain but I could tolerate it.


7/6/05
Started the oral tylenol w/ codene and that worked well and I wasa able to walk the halls every hour to 1 1/2 hrs the day after surgery. I had very bad pains in my shoulders everyone says this is from the gas. I walked 8 or 9 times. Had my liquid breakfast water and 1/2 cup broth . If you can keep your food lunch down you go home. They gave me a broiled chicken breast and broccoli. It looked like so much food. I took a few very tiny tiny bites . Was tiring just chewing them. Was able to go home and got picked up around 4 pm. My shoulders are even more painful now.
When I am laying down I am fine but when I stand up to walk around the house for 5-10 mins by the time I get back to bed It is a 10 in pain. I hope this goes away soon. The pains on my abdomen feel pretty sore and bruised. not too much pain there.


7/7/05
My shoulders are still very painful. I am drinking my 2 liters of water and chicken broth diet. Almost have to force myself with the broth but I know I need some nutrition. Started my Flinstone vitamins. Still walking around the house for 5 mins now my shoulders can not take more than that. Than its back in bed and my shoulders feel fine.


7/9/05
For the first time my shoulder pain is only a 6 I can stay out of bed and walk around for 1/2 to an hour. Can do my walks at normal pace. The staples are getting black and blue looking bruses. Not much pain more a slight sore feeling. I am feeling more human every day. Still am not hungry at all. The water really keeps me full. My mouth is dry most of the day so getting down 2 to 3 liters is easy enough for me. Remembering to sip slowly is getting more natural too.


7/13/05
I go to the surgeon today to get my stitches out. I am a bit upset because my scale says I only lost 2 lbs since surgery day. After being on a straight liquid diet for 7 days. I hope its just that I am retaining water. I must be retaining ALOT of water.
I started solid foods yesterday and it went fine. An ounce of protein satisfied me.
Will post again later


7/14/2005
It is incredible how I only lost 2 lbs in 9 days post op I must have made medical history. I was so dissappointed in myself. I must be retaining lots of water. Doc thinks I might be premenstural. I hope that drinking lots of water with lemon will help but I tell you I am one unhappy WLS loser today.
Doc thinks I will loose 10 lbs next week and should be about 4 lbs a week after that. I hope that its true. I mean with the little bits of food you can eat. Consuming maybe 200-300 calories a day and drinking at least 64oz plus. Has to come off some time I would think.
I am greatful that I made it through surgery and there is such a wonderful support system here at Obestiy Help. I know it will be better and I will loose. Thank you god for giving me this day despite my shortcomings.


7/20/05
I am loosing wieght like a turtle. I have only lost another 3 lbs. which makes it a total of 5 lbs post op in 15 days.
Called Jackie at Dr. Wongsa's and she told me I was over eating.
to go back and measure my foods in those little cups 1/2 oz each meal and do my water.
I already drink 80 oz of water at least a day. OK I will try but this is amazing I really expected to loose a bit faster.


7/23/05
I have tried it the Docs diet way for 2 days and lost another 3 lbs.
so now its 11 lbs post op in 18 days. Still sounds like not much to me. I will keep trying. I just hope its not something else that is going on.
Perhaps One morning I will wake up and loose more than I expected?
It is a bit disappointing.
Of course I now have zero energy to do anything.


7/31/05
Its been over a week since my last post thought I put something in here for the end of my surgery month. I have lost a total of 44 lbs. 20 post op. Some days I loose a pound or even 2 others I do not loose at all. I even had one day where I gained a pound. That was the day I did not feel like eating and had too cups of broth. So I think I proved my theory that I retain water. If I eat 1/2 oz of lean meat , 3 meals a day I have a good day. Most days I can only get 2 of those meals in.
Excercising is going slow. Today I was able to swim 5 laps and do about 1/2 hour of water aerobics. I hope tomorrow I can do the same.
I did have some broth today I have been craving salt. Hope it does not move the scale up.
I have been dumping a little. Mostly because I either eat too fast or have not chewed my food well. I get the worse pains if I eat too much . I have never experienced pain like that. I never have thrown up so much but I learn each time. I once dumped on cabbage. I guess I can not digest it well. Will not be eating that again. Its trail and error I guess.
Well until next time. I hope it will be another 9 lbs next week. If these numbers keep up I will be very happy.



8/6/05
I can not believe it 1 month post op. I had been at a stand still for the last couple of days and finally this morning the scale dropped 2 lbs more. I know once I add more excercise I will be loosing more. Next week my plan is to join curves. I am walking almost every day about 2 miles. My clothes are starting to fall off of me. I started out a 22/20 I can fit into some 18's but they are too snug for me.



8/18/2005
I had my 6 week update today total lost is 52lbs. 24 pre op 28 post op . This is fine with me. Been walking 2 miles 5 times a week and just joined Curves. I am looking forwad to doing some excercise in a cool climate. Walking is difficult in this heat.I am so blessed to have been able to go thru this surgery. Thank you lord for this gift.
Until next time.


9/2/05
I have not posted in awhile I have lost a few more pounds. I have decided not to be infatic about the scale. Weighing myself everyday has made me nuts. SO its once a week.
I have come to terms with being a slow looser. I been going to curves 3 times a week and walking 2 miles at least 2 days a week. I also added a protein supplement to my diet. I have thrown up several times. I am supposed to go on liquids for 3 days after so I supplement my meals. Will have to post again later . 3 more days will be my 2 month anniversary. I think I will weigh myself than or this Saturday at curves. WIll post again soon . May the lord bless us.


9/16/05
I have been on a stall for 2 weeks. Only 2lbs from Onederland and I just can't get under 200. Thinking of going on that break the plateau diet. It is frustrating but I am doing everything I can so I will just have to weight until the weight changes.


9/20/2005
I changed the way I eat. I cut out the protein drinks and went back to the diet of lean meats and veges only.
This morning I weighed 201 so I guess the change worked.
Also I had a WOW moment today. There was a contest at curves for who would lose the most in 1 month and I won. I got a Curves bag and bracelet. I lost 14.5 inches and 10 lbs. in one month. I guess eventhough I thought 10 lbs was very slow for one month the inches have come off. WLS is a wonderful thing. I will take the inches any day of the week.
Until next time. Still praying daily on breaking 200.



9/23/05
I finally broke 200 HURRAY. Oh boy do I lose slow.


10/6/05
3 month check up today and down to 192 the scale is moving soooo slow. At least I am losing. I do curves 3 times a week but I have not been walking I think I need to get back into that.
Wonder how long it will take to break 190. I still am so greatful for this surgery.


10/20/05
Well I finally did it I broke 190. It took all this time but this morning I weighed in at 186. Of course the scale addict that I am I weight my self every hour so I am sure it will go up and down a couple of times. It has been under 190 for 3 days so I am a happy camper. Also my BMI is not just overweight . YIPEE FOR ME.

I will have to post new pictures as soon as I get over this horrible hair cut. I was losing so much hair I had to cut it. My hair first of is very thick and it was down to almost my waist. Well I cut it to my shoulders. Unfortunately the women who cut my hair does not know how to cut curly hair. Being I do not get my hair done too often it will take me time to find someone in this city that does a good haircut.

WLS is a wonderful thing. May the lord all bless us and keep us safe.


10/30/2005
My DH finally took a picture. I am down to 183 and have been there since last week. My body likes to stall weekly Oh well is the way it is. Aunt Flo came to visit Friday. I have upped my protein to 3 supplements a day. Halloween tomorrow and the candy all around is kinda driving me a little crazy but I have not eaten any.
I baked today with my little girls and cheated a little I licked the spoon. I think I will live.
Well here goes the picture






11/24/2005
I made it I weigh 175lbs this morning. I can not believe I weigh less than my DH. What a great way to start Thanksgiving. I plan on only eating a salad and taste a few things.


12/2/05
Still weight 175 the scale has been up and down once again. Gee will I ever get used to these stalls? I am committed to doing 5 days of excercise a week. Either Curves or walking. I hope that I can stay with that scedule. This surgery is Awesome. I am in a size 14 and some size 12's and a Large and some Medium Tops. It has been sometime since I fit into these sizes.
My goal is to be under 170 by Xmas. I was hoping to be at the century club before 2006 but I do not think that is gonna happen. Which is fine. I will be there someday soon.



1/15/06
Happy New Year. I have been bad at updating but my life has been very hectic. Let's see where am I as of today. I had my six month check up . Weighed in at 163.... WOW down 99 lbs. I am wearing a size 12 or 10 and some 8's. I am going to Curves at least 5 days a week. I drink a minimum of 72 oz of water a day it usually is more like 100 ounces. I love my Isopure Vanilla protein shakes I drink 1 to 3 per day depending on how well I am eating that day. I am very happy with my progress so far. I want to lose between 15 and 20 lbs more which will probably take me 3 months but that is OK. I will be 50 in March and my goal is to be at a normal BMI by than.

Here are photos that I finally got my hubby to take of me today. More updated photos on the link above



9/23/06
I can not believe how long it has been since my last update. Now that I am a WLS graduate LOL I guess I do not visit here as often.
Not much in the weight department has changed. I have been weighing between 156 and 151. I was trying to get below 150 but I do not think that is ever going to happen and I am very glad to be here. I can fit into mostly size 8 sometimes 6 depending on the make of clothes.
I would love to do some Plastics in the near future but that will have to be when I win the lottery as finances just not good now.
I do have lots of loose skin. My hernia still makes it that my stomach is bigger than my boobs. If you check out any of my picture trail stuff you will see. I lost my bust. I lost my ass.
still have big hips and waist in comparisson to the rest of my bod but nothing like what I had post op.
My medical stats are great and mostly normal. I still go to Curves 4 to 6 times a week. Still drinking my water always get in at least 2 liters but most days its between 3 and 4. Yes I am still a scale whore I weigh myself at least 3 times a day.
I do have my hungry days. I do not deprive myself. If I want it I eat it but in moderation. I try very hard to make good decisions but thank the lord I am human. Thank you thank you thank you. I can make mistakes and just try to get right back on track.

I am so greatful for this surgery. I am greatful for this site (even thought I am more a lurker than a writter)
God Bless us all on this journey called life.

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