TeddyBear06

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It's hard to believe its been 2 years since I started this journey and 18 months since my surgery.   I truly cannot believe the changes in my health and appearance. 

I used to have to take 75 mg of blood pressure meds each day.. now I take 25 mg and that may even be too much at this point. 

I used to have sleep apnea and was unable to use my C-PAP machine as it caused sinus headaches due to polyps in my sinuses.  I used to be lucky to get 2-3 hours of sleep a night (and those were not 2-3 hours in a row!).  I now sleep 8-10 hours a night and sleep like a rock!  I get into bed and the bedcovers do not move all night - formerly the bed would have looked like a hurricane had come thru by morning.  Don tells me that I sleep so soundly now that I don't even realize when he gets up, whereas before I would awaken at the slightest movement or noise.

I have so much energy now that I am shocked.  this is being noticed by even the 3 yr old grandson.  He is loving the fact that I can now run right alongside him (even uphill !!)  

I no longer need someone to help me up off the floor, or need to sit on chairs with arms so that I could use them to push myself off the seat.

I moved to Worcester, MA (from NH) earlier this summer.  Two reasons for this move: 1.) I now live about 10 minutes away from Don which allows us to see each other much more often - which is helping to strengthen our relationship even more; and 2.)  It allows for me to be closer to 2 other locations of the company i work for (just in case my department does more layoffs, it places me in a better position to work in departments in these other locations).  I have also been fortunate in that the company has begun to allow employees to work remotely (from home).  So now I only have to travel to the office (in NH) 1-2 times per month (great given the cost of gas and the fact that I have an SUV).

This has been a great year and a half and I am looking forward to having many more years of a healthy life.  If I had not had this surgery, I know that my life would not have been as enriching as I am finding it now.  I was so limited in what I was able to physically do. 

I have reduced my weight from 284 at my highest to my current weight of 155.  Gone from size 26/28 to size 10/12 (tops are 8/10).  When I look in a mirror I am shocked at the reflection.. I do not yet know that thin person - but am truly looking forward to living with her for many years to come.   I would love to have PS to remove the hanging skin on my tummy, thighs, and bat wing arms... however that may only happen if I win the lottery, as my insurance considers it "cosmetic" and won't pay for it :-(

Its now been 8 months since my WLS and I am very close to my goal (actually only have 6 more pounds to go!!).  Things are going very well.  I have been very fortunate in that I have never had any problems as a result of the surgery, and am able to digest just about anything.  The only thing I have found that causes a problem is if I eat something with real sugar in it (it causes a SERIOUS case of gas!! LOL).

Don and I have been very busy the past few months.  In October we took the 2 grandkids (as well as their parents) to the Crayola factory in PA for a weekend.  A great time was had by all !!   We were all surprised with the amount of energy I now have.  I can actually keep up with the 2-1/2 year old!!!

Our holidays were good, spent with family and friends.  The newest grandson turned 4 months on Christmas day and is growing like a little puppy!

Hope you all have a great 2008 !!  This year has started off well, hoping it continues to improve!

WOW!  I can't believe it's been so long since I posted on here.  So much has happened!!!!  I met with Dr. Gould on March 8th, they faxed my paperwork to Anthem and i was APPROVED by March 12th!!  My surgery was scheduled for April 30th.  

In the meantime, Don and I started seeing each other again on a weekly basis, and continue to do so.

My surgery went really well on Monday.  I keep wondering when I am going to feel like i had surgery!  Other than having 6 band-aids on my belly and lots of bruising on the belly and my arms (from blood work and IV's), the only other side effects I have are feeling tired.   

We are going to be attending one of my best friend's wedding next weekend.  I tried on my dress today, and found that its too big already.. I am going to have to alter it before the 12th!  WOOHOOO!!!

We are also talking about taking a long vacation this summer and driving out to the Grand Canyon.  It should be a great vacation!!!

Had my meeting with the surgical nurse today.  Everything went well.  She saw no problems with my going ahead with the surgery.  I passed the "test" of my knowledge about WLS with flying colors (100% thank you very much!).  

I now have an appointment with Dr. Gould on March 8th.  once i have met with him they will give me a date and submit everything to the insurance company.  Looks like i will be having my surgery in early to mid April !!! YEAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Also, met with Don last Tuesday to discuss what went wrong with our relationship and if there is any way for us to reconcile.  It appears we both had some misconceptions of what has been said since the breakup.  Looks like there is hope that we will get back together.  He wants time to sort out his feelings for me.  Also admitted that his seeing someone else was not the smartest idea he has had.

Had a call from his daughter tonight to thank me for the birthday gift i had passed along thru Don last week.  She said they don't know what is up with him either, just know that he still talks about me all the time.  She did not seem too impressed with the woman either  LOL  So, for the time being.. only time will tell what will happen between he and I.   I will concentrate on my surgery and all that i need to do for it.  Hopefully he will come to know whether he truly loves me or not.   Was good to hear that the daughter still wants me involved with her and her pregnancy. :-)

Had my meeting with the NUT today.  All went well.. said I am definitely well informed and have realistic expectations of the surgery.  Meeting with the Surgical Nurse set up for Feb 5th!  Am really starting to excited, yet also very nervous.  Especially since the BF is no longer in the picture and he was my "rock" for strength and encouragement.  I really believe that the surgery has totally freaked him out.. I guess only time will tell if he will ever come back.. My love for him has not changed.

Got a call today, I have an appointment with the NUT next week!!  I am so glad that things are finally starting to move along!.  I have lost more than the required 10 pounds (15 as of this morning) and all the testing has been completed.  Hopefully things will move much more quickly now. 

This weekend started out as good.  Drove to the BF's house on Saturday morning, we spent the day shopping for a couple of new suits for him and some new dress shoes and a coat.. all of which look gorgeous on him! we then went to the movies, although in the movie i sensed something was not right.. he has ALWAYS held my hand though the movies, ever since our first date over a year ago.  instead he sat thru the whole movie with his arms crossed.  We left the movies and went home after a few more errands.. once home, i was just starting to kick off my shoes to relax before cooking dinner, when he said "we need to have a talk" which had an ominous tone.  My stomach instantly knotted up, but i never expected to hear what came out of his mouth!!  He announced that he had met someone else a month ago, and that he has decided to pursue a relationship with her!!  This after having me spend the holidays with him and his family and new years with his friends.. I feel like i have been hit by a freight train!! I love this man with all my heart.  It took me 20 years to trust anyone enough to open my heart to them.  Now its over and I will not get to enjoy his daughter having her first child this August, will not see the grandson turn age 2 next month.. not go on the trip to vegas we had spent new years weekend talking about... Now some other woman will see him in all the new clothes i bought him for christmas... i am totally devestated.. I could not even go to work today, as I have not slept in 2 days and cannot hold even liquids down.

WOOHOO!! as of this morning I have lost the 10 pounds required!  Going to try to lose 3-4 more before the weigh-in on the 8th (just in case the scales at home and DHMC don't match!)

Went for my psych evaluation yesterday.  Not sure why i was worried about it.. it was a piece of cake!  He found that I am a good candidate for the surgery and have no psychotic concerns - no depression, etc.  WOOHOOOO  another requirement DONE!

Attended my 2nd support session last Friday (11/10/06).  Very information presentation about plastics.  After session was talking with the staff and found out that they neglected to tell folks that if you are a patient of DH Concord you need to GET the medical records, as they are on a different computer system than the DH Manchester office.. GRRRRR a month wasted that i could have gotten them the records!.  

On a positive note.. I have the appointment for my Psych eval - on 11/28/06.  and he promised to have the report out within a week!!  

Now if only the last pesky 2 pounds would go away, i will have met the 10 pound loss requirement.  Pray that I have willpower over Thanksgiving!!  either way I will make sure that I am still down the 10 pounds before the next weigh-in at the December session!  I want this show to get on the road here!!