TxPinkAngel
I went to my 1st initial visit to Dr Harberg on Feb 4, 2005 and had my surgery on April 4, 2005.
I had the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty.
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Day of Surgery/My wonderful Nurse Regina
2 Week checkup with Dr. Harberg
2005
Aug 16, 2005.......92 pounds lighter and LOVING Life. This is THE BEST thing I have ever done for myself. I have always thought about writing down my journey...sooooooooooo here goes.
2-4-05....After about a year & a half of research, soul searching, seeing others go through WLS..............and with the encouragement & support of my best friend Julie at work, I made an appointment with Dr. Harberg. Julie underwent Bypass surgery and to date has lost about 170 pounds. She was my inspiration, role model & most dearest friend during my consideration to have the surgery.
I went to see Dr Harberg, with my sister Debbie and her friend April. We watched his video and then we went into his office for my visit.He thoroughly explained the procedure, told me explicitly what was expected after the surgery. He was very serious about the surgery and all the aspects. I knew before going there it was what I wanted and I told him that. He concluded that I was a good candidate for WLS. I was thrilled.
Feb 11..... I went for my psych evaluation, & Feb 12 I saw the nutritionist.
Feb 14.....My claim was submitted to my insurance. Ahhhh now the game of sit and wait. 2 weeks later I went to my reg Dr, and discovered my BP was sky high. I was put on meds and changed my eating habits. About 2 1/2 wks later my BP was on the high side of normal and I had lost 9 1/2 pounds.........wooohooooo
March 24.....I got the long awaited call from Vickie, Dr Harberg's nurse.........I was approved............yipppppppppeeeeee
And my surgery date is April 4th. I just couldnt believe my Insurance really approved me. As tired as I stayed and as little energy I had, I went down ( actually I almost ran...lol) to the other end of my building where I work to tell a friend I had gotten approved. Once I got to her desk I did not remember the walk down there..........lol
The only thing the Ins came back and asked for was a letter from my PCP stating that I was medically able to have the surgery and that I didnt have any conditons, such as thyroid or pituitary gland problem that would make me gain weight automatically.
After they got that.....as Vickie, the nurse says........." I was in like flint'"
March 29th.... went for my pre-op. All went smooth and everyone was very nice at Park Plaza Hospital.
April 4th....Surgery Date......arrived at the Hospital at 5 am.the doors werent even open.........lol.........I was supposed to be there at 5:30, I was told not to be late...........lol
My sister Debbie & her friend April were with me, and one of my other sister Sandi & my cousin Susette were on their way.
As it turned out they both got there about 5-10 mins late and missed seeing me before surgery. I was devastated because I was terrified of not making it through surgery. And was making "good bye" calls & "good bye" visits the day before my surgery. I shall never forget the nurse named "Greta"..like Greta Garbo. She knew I was scared and stayed with me a long time holding my hand and just talking to me, while we waited for Dr Harberg to show up...........I think HE was running late........lol
I heard them in the corner talking & wondering where he was.
Saw the anethesiologist..well I saw 2 of them. One came up and introduced himself and said I am your anesthsiologist. He left and another man came up and introduced himself as my anesthesiologist.
I thought..........hmmmmmmmmmm....will the REAL anesthesiologist please come forward..........lol. The 2nd one was the real one.......lol. Finally they wheeled me into the freezing cold OR and got some heated blankets from a closet.........man did those feel sooo good. They started my drugs and all left the room. The last thing I remember was thinking........."Hey they left me here all by myself."
Next thing I knew I was in recovery and kept hearing a voice saying over & over.....Miss Wallace wake up.....we gotta get your breathing up....Miss Wallace Wake Up...........I tried moving my hand and lifting it..........I was so sedated I couldnt. I remember thinking........"Lady I can't even move my hand.....how the heck you think I am gonna breathe with deep breaths?" But she contnued on and finally I was in my room.
I was in pain for about 4-5 hours and then from there on out just sore. Went home 3 days later. Well I went to my sisters house to recover.
I would like to say here & now I couldn't have had any better support than my wonderful sisters, their husbands, and my 11 nieces & nephews, and my other family members..... my cousin Susette & Donna, and my Aunt DeeDee. Without their Love & Support, I truly don't know what I would have done. And to my Sister's friend April..thanks for all you do for me !!!
April 18th....2 wk checkup......29 pounds GONEEEEE!!!!!!
4 Weeks later on my 6 week checkup............49 pounds gone
This road called WLS has been the hardest yet MOST rewarding.
I am currently down 92 pounds in about 4 1/2 months.
Some days I break down & cry cause it is soooo hard. And other days I cry because I know where I came from and what I used to be......to where I am now and all that I can do that I couldnt before............It is summed up best with one word AWESOME!!!
Well it is getting late and I must go....Thanks to all who read my profile..........I wish you the best where ever you are on your journey to a healthier life.
Hugggggggggggs Teresa
August 29th.......Hello Everyone....Well folks...........can we have a drumroll please?????? As of August 19th I have lost..........104 Pounds............OMG..........WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO. I now weigh 310 pounds. This is the most exhilarating feeling I have ever had my entire life. I can do so many more things I couldnt do before my surgery.
I thank God everyday for his watch over me and allowing me the successes I have had the past almost 5 months.
I have a personal goal.......This Friday Sept 2nd I see my reg Dr.
I hope to lose 11 more pounds so I can weigh in the 200's.
I havent weighed in the 200's in about 20 something years.
Although today all I wanted to do was eat............eat.....eat...........did I mention I wanted to eat??? 2 friends from work and I are gonna start tomorrow keeping a food diary and emailing each other everything we put in our mouths. That should be a wake up call, at least I hope so. They have both been dieting and exercising and have lost some weight. They are not overweight enough for any type of surgery.
One of them said the other day..." I hate you"..........you eat sooo little compared to me..........LOL. I told her when she gets a 6 ounce stomach then we will talk. She is truly a good friend of mine and would do anything for me. BTW she does have a name..........lol....it's Barbara and my other friend is Patti.
I have to pause here and say some things about my Coworkers.
They are absolutely AMAZING. They have supported me NON-STOP through every crook & turn. Always eagerly awaiting any type of news when I was waiting for approval. Always eagerly awaiting my weight loss when I return from the Dr. When I have a bad day......sometimes breaking down and crying at my desk I email them and they all rally around me. I have people stopping me in the halls, coming up to me that I dont even know their names or what Department they work in, telling me how great I look and wish me the best in my weight loss.
My bosses are GREAT, from the beginning of my journey, I was always told to go forward with what I needed to do, and just let them know when I needed off. They never even had one look of ..."oh lordy she needs to get off for something else".
I have read profiles here where the Company, the workers and bosses were not always nice.
I truly know it was God's will for me to have this surgery.
Once I started my official journey, everything went so smooth, and everyone I came in contact with concerning the surgery was very nice & supportive.
THANKS to everyone at IKON Office Solutions, you will NEVER know how truly blessed I am with your friendships and support.
BTW...........anyone need to buy a printer, copier or fax????
Just call IKON.............lol
I tried on several shirts tonite that I have been working on getting in to, and to my amazement they fit. One was a TShirt from my previous job of almost 10 years ago. A 2x Tshirt that I have never worn cause I couldnt fit in it. By golley I can wear it now. This is soooo much fun.
Well I need to close for now...will update soon if I made my goal or not this Friday at the Dr's.
Thanks for reading my profile, best of luck where ever you are on your journey to a healthier life............Hugggggggggs Teresa
Sept 4th...........Hello........Well I didnt make my goal of weighing in the 200's Fri at my Dr's. Good news..my BP was normal and if when I go back to him in 2 months and it is OK, he will see how I do without my BP pills............Yippppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeee.
I am at my sister Debbie's this weekend. Her & her family make me feel sooo good about myself. I havent seen her family since June and they were all shocked at the difference. My married niece Amy just kept staring at me, because she couldn't believe the difference.
My sister told me that at work she told them I was her hero. I thought to myself..........WHY???? She is sooo happy that I had the courage to have surgery.
Today we celebrated my niece Amber's BD. My sister cooked. I only ate a little and got full, but my fat girl mentality kicked in and I wanted more, just cause it was good not cause I was really hungry, but I didnt get anymore food....woooohoooooooooo..
Amber is pregnant and due in December. I am soooo thrilled that I get to go in the delivery room with her. Since I have no kids myself it is a sheer joy to be there when her baby is born.
Well I must go. Thanks to all who read my profile. I wish you the best where ever you are on your journey to a healthier life.
Hugggggggggs Teresa
October 21st..............As you can see, haven't posted in a long while. But here I am now............lol
I went on Vacation in September for 10 days.......had a thrilling time. I went to Branson Missouri & Memphis Tennessee......Toured Graceland......"Thank you...Thank You very much".
While those places may sound hum drum to some compared to all the other more thrilling places you could go. For me it was an awesome experience. Why you ask???
Well...........last September when I weighed 400 PLUS.....I also went to Branson with my cousin Susette and her Husband Bill.
And MAN OH MAN...what a difference a year makes & WLS....lol.
This years vacation was so very much different than last year.
This year...........GONE was the continual out of breath......Gone was the sweating at the least bit of exertion...Gone were the backaches & leg aches from carrying in the luggage...GONE were the dread & despair of walking up to my bedroom in the cabin we stayed in. GONE were the not fitting into the seats at the shows we saw.
Susette & her husband have a timeshare and we stay in a little cabin, that is fully furnished. We always go to the store the 2nd day we are there and buy some groceries so we dont have toeat out as much. Well.......this year one night I was cooking some supper.........Susette was sitting down...she kept asking me if I needed any help, I kept saying No. I then thought...ok I am cooking she can clean up......lol....hey I though it was a fair trade.
As it turned out I cleaned as I went and there wasnt much left to clean up. At one time I kept noticing her staring at me. I finally asked her "why do you keep staring at me????" She said.." Cause I keep thinking about how you were last year and all the things you couldnt do and now you do soooooo much and don't look or sound tired." I have to tell you that made me feel soooo gooooood.
We stayed in Branson a week, the last day we visited a friend of hers that lives in Arkansas. We then went to Memphis and we got to tour Graceland. For me that was a thrill of a lifetime.
The tour of the house, buildings & grounds took us about 2 hours. Not once did I get tired, sweat, or wish I was at home from being tired.
This surgery has allowed me so many freedoms I never thought I would feel or do. No longer do I wonder where is the nearest chair or bench, and furthermore will it hold me, will I fit.
I love the feeling that I have now that I can get up and walk anywhere I want and dont get tired or sweatty.
I no longer need my seat belt extender. I can now buckle the seat belt in the back seat of a car. I have NEVER been able to do that.
I just bought some 18/20 stretch pants about a month ago. Before surgery I was in a 30/32 stretch pants. I never used to wear Jeans. Now I have about 3-4 pairs..lol. The last one I bought were a size 20...........NOTTTTT STRETCH !!!!............LOL
ALL in ALL this years Vacation was awesome & I will never forget it.
As far as I know I have lost 104 pounds..........the last time I weighed was 4-6 weeks ago. I go to my PCP on November 4th....My 7 month Anniversary...wooohoooooo. I will then see how much more I have lost.........Wish me the best !!!!!!!!
Well I gotta go........Thanks to all who read my profile....Best wishes where ever you are on your journey to a healthier life.
Hugggggggs Teresa
November 5th..............Hello Everyone...I am sooo excited.
Yesterday was my 7 month anniversary from Surgery. I went to my reg Dr. When I weighed I discovered I had lost 23 more pounds from my last visit. That brings me to a GRAND TOTAl of 127 pounds.
WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
This WLS is truly amazing and I thank God for giving me the courage to go through it. And giving me grace to endure the day by day struggles involved.
But the rewards are sooooo worth it. As I have mentioned earlier this surgery has allowed me soooo many freedoms that I never knew existed, I can walk freely anywhere I want, I do not get tired, sweatty nor do my legs & back ache.
I have so much more energy.
I thank God everyday for my tremendous support group I have.
My wonderful family, My 3 sisters, Debbie, Sherri, & Sandi. My 2 brother-in-laws Troy & Tim, My sisters friend April. My 11 nieces & nephews....Amy, Her husband Mike, Amber, Katie, Bubba, Zachary, Matthew, Casey, Kylee, Gus, Cairus, & Cy.
My Aunt DeeDee, my cousins Donna & Susette. Their families.
All my extended family, like my bro-in-laws families. I get so much support, I am overwhelmed
All my friends & coworkers. You guys are awesome And I truly know I wouldnt fare as well without all your WONDERFUL love & support. My parents are both passed away, but I feel them with me as I continue this journey. I know my Mom is smiling right now. I just know.
Well thanks to all who read my profile, I wish everyone the best where ever they are on their journey to a happier, healthier life.
Pictures Below:
The one by the tree...Pre-op......400 + pounds
The one with the red shirt....6 mos out....120 pounds lost
2006
02-21-06.........Hello Everyone.......long time no post.
It has been a little over a year since my initial consult with my surgeon Dr. Harberg. Wow what a difference a year makes. So many things have changed in this year. I don't even know where to start. Physically my life is 10 hundred billion times better. I can walk anywhere & everywhere I want and don't get winded after the first few steps. I don't worry about where the next bench or seat is, and furthermore if I find one, will I fit. I am healthier. I am now off my BP pills and the last time I checked, my BP was 121/77, my PCP was thrilled. This surgery was TRULY the BEST thing I have ever done for myself. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
On another note though............lol
The mental side............sometimes I just know I am going insane.
I always seem to stay hungry and some of it is probably head hunger. But at about 8 months out I realized I can eat more and I don't like it. My surgeons nurse says it's ok to add more food to my diet since in their books I am way above the average on the weight loss for the VBG surgery. As of now I have lost 156 pounds and if I was just in the average range I would of only lost 96 pounds in a year. But in my mind I can't add food, cause if I do I think I will fail and stop losing. Everyday my minds tells me this is too hard and you might as well just give up. It is a constant draining battle every second of every day. Sometimes I just wanna throw my hands up and give up. But I touch my scar from my surgery and remember where I came from and what I went through. The pain I felt after surgery. The long road since surgery and the weight loss I have had. I think about what I used to be.......tired, hopeless, trapped in a world of despair & nothingless.
And I don't want that EVER again. I still don't have much of a life but at least I cling to the hope that I will someday.
I hope this makes sense to anyone that may read this. I wonder if I am the only one who feels this way, surely I am not, at least I hope I am not.
I think as much as I hate to admit it, I was under the false impression that WLS was gonna be the answer to all my problems, it was gonna be the magic cure. I was gonna lose weight and all aspects of my life were going to be hunky dory. Even though I did extensive research, talked to many many people who had had surgery, always wanting them to tell me everything especially the worst part about the surgery. I had very precise head knowledge that WLS is only a tool it is not a magic cure.
But the head knowledge I had prior to surgery seem to fade after surgery. And I think I found myself waiting for all to be "perfect" for me. Well guess what............it AIN'T!!!!!
Shame on me. Now I am trying to deal with this and try not to feel like I am hopeless and truly going insane.
I really think I need professional help. I called my surgeon's office and she gave me a name of a Dr that deals in Eating Disorders. I am scared to call him but kinda know I need to. Although he may not be on my insurance, but I will check.
Well I am sure I am rambling, but I just needed an outlet to speak my feelings or in this case write them
To all out there reading this...........Pre-Ops don't let this ramble scare you, just go into it knowing it will be hard but your rewards are sooo great. Post-ops...do you have any input? suggestions? are you going through this or have you??
Best wishes where ever you are on your journey to a healthier, happier life..........Huggggggggggs Teresa -156 pounds
3-4-2006..........11 months ago today...........
I underwent the MOST scariest, biggest, challenging thing I have EVER done. I had my VBG Surgery.
And WOW what a difference 11 months have made............I am 156 pounds smaller. I can walk across the room without getting winded. I am out of my seat belt extender. I can walk the malls. I can fit in theater seats. I can feel my tailbone when I sit now. I can walk Walmart & Target or any other store as long as I want and NEVER think about being tired. I have went from 30/32 pants to a size 16. 4X & 5X shirts to 1X.
I started with a 66.8 BMI and now have a 41.8 BMI...that is 25 points lower...................WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
This surgery has definitely Saved my life and changed it forever.
It makes me cry when I think about where I came from and what I could not do to where I am now and ALLLLL the things this Life-Saving surgery has afforded me.
I will forever be eternally grateful for Dr. Harberg, my wonderful surgeon who believed in me and did my surgery.
But all thanks & praise must go to my wonderful God for guiding my surgeon's hand and giving me Grace to endure all the stuggles this surgery entails. And for allowing me to enjoy all the freedoms & liberties it has given me. My heart is full.
I am truly blessed with my families undying LOVE & Support they have given me.
May I never forget where I came from and always keep on keepin on to reach my goal.
THANKS to each & everyone here on the TMB for all your Love,wisdom, support, and MOST of all your unconditional friendship !!!
Best wishes to all where ever you are on your journey to a healthier. happier life.
Huggggggggggggggs Teresa
April 4th 2006
As I sat here at my computer, I think about the past year, and I shake my head. I have come such a longggggg longggggggg way in a year. I have came from looking for the nearest bench to walking anywhere I wanna go. This past year I have went to Branson Missouri, Arkansas, Memphis Tennessee for the best vacation ever. I went to San Antonio and walked all over Lackland AFB & the Riverwalk. I went to Greenville South Carolina and walked all over the huge campus of Bob Jones University. I have such freedom now, I never thought I would have.
A year ago today I started my awesome journey called WLS. It has been THE most toughest, hardest thing I have ever done. Yet is is and always be the BEST thing I have ever done for myself. I thank God for guiding me to this surgery, for providing me with a wonderful Surgeon, Dr. Harberg and his wonderful Nurse Vicki. Dr Harberg, I will always be grateful you believed in me and did my surgery. Vicki, Thanks for all the support you give me.
I cannot thank my wonderful family, each & everyone of you for your undying love, support, encouragement & motivation you give me, each & everyday. Without you I don't know where I would be.
All my friends & Co-workers, you are wonderful and I couldn't be more blessed. You have followed each step I take. When I stumble you pick me up & when I triumph you cheer.
To everyone on the TMB at Obesity Help I want you to know you have given me so much more than I could ever attempt to give back. I have made many friends here and for that I am grateful.
I give thanks for an awesome year and look forward to many, many more. May I always never lose sight of my goals & dreams.
Mostly may I NEVER go back to the girl I was before April 4, 2005.
Love & Huggggggggggs Teresa
Best wishes to all where ever you are on your journey to a happy, healthy life.
1 Year Out // 169 1/2 Pounds Lost !!!
Apr 21, 2006
I CAN'T believe I didn't update my profile to say how much weight I lost in a year......SHAMEEE on Me !!!!!!!!
Let me start from the beginning with my visit.
I couldn't get the 1 yr anny of my surgery, on the 4th, so I went 1 day later, on the 5th. MY appt is at 9am, I get there early, cause I didn't know how traffic would be driving from Greenspoint to the Med Center. My fat girl mentality automatically said..."Now that your here early, you can eat at the Murphy's Deli, located on the Ground Floor of the building" I decided against that. I had to wait for the doors to be unlocked. I walked in about 10 til, and Vicki Dr Harberg's nurse greeted me with..."Hello you pretty thing" I thought..."who me???" I chatted with Vicki as I always do...lol
I then heard Dr. Harberg behind the door say..."Is that Teresa?"...I said "Yes sir, it sure is." He opened the door, took one look at me and said..."Damn you look good!!"....lol. He then turned to Vicki and said..."Vicki , look at her, Damn don't she look good?" He repeated several times how good I looked. I was thrilled to gear him say that.
Because Dr Harberg NEVER sugarcoats anything, and is always straight forward and honest. And I like and respect him for that. When he says something good he really means it.
So we go back in the room, and he says let's step on the scale. I was nervous of what they were gonna say, but I wanted them to say 240 something..........I didn't care if they said 249 & 1/2...just wanted to weigh in the 240's. Wellllllllllllll LOW & Behold they said I weighed 245 Pounds.........Woooooooohooooooooooooooo
He figured out I had lost 30 pounds in the 4 months since I had seen him. He was thrilled & pleased with my loss. He was impressed with my 160 pound weight loss in a year. He kept asking me was I happy with my loss. Last Dec when I saw him I weighted 275 and wanted to weigh in the 260's, I almost cried when I saw 275. He remembers everything about your visit's. I told him yes I was happy, but to be honest I had wanted to lose 200 pounds the first year. He stops me and quickly says..."No one ever loses 200 pounds, in a year, with my surgery, the VBG. Well I take that back he says, the people who start out at over 600 pounds will lose 200. And he says, I will tell you one more thing......."You have lost more in a year than what I typically see on a daily basis" I have to tell ya that thrilled me,for him to recognize that and tell me. I told him. well I had given up on the 200 pound goal about 6 weeks previous. I told him..."My goal on this visit was to weigh 240 something and the scales said 245. Sooo I am HAPPY."
I told him I had him to thank for all the weight I have lost. He said I didn't do anything, you did All the work. He adamantly would NOT take ANY of the credit. I finally told him , well if it wasn't for you doing my surgery, I certainly would have NOT lost all this by myself.
All in All it was a great visit. He was smiling from ear to ear. I took pics with him & Vicki for my scrapbook I am making. He loves taking pics.....lol. At least he seemed to anyways.
This Journey called WLS that I am on is so very HARD, but oh sooo REWARDING. I am afforded so many capabilties with this surgery, that before was just an elusive dream.
I truly THANK God for guiding me down this road and for the Grace he gives me to endure the struggles of day to day coping.
Just the other day, my manager at work stopped at my desk and we were talking about my weight loss and he says..."Just how much skinnier do you wanna get?" Oh my worddd folks.........he callin me skinny? and then asking me how much skinnier do I wanna get?? As I live & breathe I NEVER would have imagined I would ever hear someone call me skinny, much less ask me "How skinnier do I wanna get?" Praise the Lord for this Live Altering/Life Changing but most of all LIFE SAVING Surgery.
Best wishes and may God Bless each of you where ever you are on your journey to a happier, healthier life.
Hugggggggggs Teresa.....- 169 1/2 pounds total
Me & My Wonderful Sisters. Don't we look CUTEEEEEEE !!!!...LOL
August 14, 2006
Confession Time…from an Obese Person
After 16 months of living with WLS and all my life of living as an obese person.
Struggling with food, trying not to indulge, going on diet after diets. Just the other day I came to the stark revelation I am an addict. I am addicted to food. I live for food, food seems to validate me as a person. While that is extremely wrong and I should not live that way. Truth is truth, and that’s it. I will be an addict the rest of my life. Everyday I will battle my battle with Food. Everyday I will have to be conscious of what I am eating and how often I eat, and how much I will eat. I will have to think twice or three times before I put it in my mouth, Is this a wise choice? Is this healthy? Will I pay for it later in the form of extra pounds?
I have lived my life thinking if I go on just one more diet and lose all my excess weight
That I would be slim the rest of my life, and never have to worry about being fat again.
But I was wrong, even if I lose weight and become slim, I will always battle food.
Because I am an addict. I live for food, food validates me.
I am determined to never forget where I came from, and all the struggles I have been through to get this surgery. I vow never to forget that my surgeon chose to do my surgery, because he believed in me and believed I would be compliant after surgery and be a success. I vow always to validate his decision to do my surgery.
I vow never to forget the freedoms my surgery has afforded me and all the things I can do that once was just an illusive dream. I vow to change the way I look at food and somehow, someday learn I do not need food to give me happiness, validate me as a person. I need food to live and that’s it. I will embrace all the support I receive from all my family, friends & co-workers. I vow to remain faithful to my support group, and keep in close contact with my surgeon & his wonderful nurse for all the support I can get.
I vow to use my tool to the fullest and fully reap all the benefits it affords.
Last but not least I vow to help anyone out there with the same struggles and let them know they are not alone……..That I understand !!!
Words from my heart that I just had to share….Thanks for reading.
Best Wishes where ever you are on your journey to a healthy life.
August 16th
Went for my 16 month visit to Dr. Harberg today.
I got all dressed up, in my new outfit for him......do ya think he really notices???..........lol
It was a great visit. I took my scrapbook I had made of my first year. Showed it to Vicki his nurse. He told me later he looked at it also.
He called me back and weighed me. He was pleased with my progress. I had lost 17 pounds since my last visit. All together I have lost a grand total of 186 pounds. My BMI was 68 points when I started now it is 36 points...woooohooooo
As I was sitting in his waiting room waiting for him to call me, a man came in. He checked in with Vicki. I noticed he had a white envelope in his hand. Seeing that envelope brough back floods of memories. You see when you make an appointment with Dr Harberg, they send you out a package, with info & forms to fill out. It all comes in that white envelope. I thought back to 18 months ago, when I first walked in his office ready to start my journey. I was scared, nervous and excited all at the same time.
I just wanted to hug that man and give him encouragement for the journey and wish him well.
All in all it was a great visit, and I am just thankful, that all my visits to Dr Harberg have been pleasant and that he is always pleased with my progress.
Til Next time.....
Best wishes where ever you are on your journey to a happier, healthier life......Hugs Teresa
3 Pics Below..........16 months out...... -186 pounds ! ! !
August 25th
Today I spent the day with my WONDERFUL friend Gina A.
We worked on her scrapbook. We worked almost all day, but got it completed after 11 pm tonight. It looks wonderful.
I am blessed with many good friends on the TMB, and each & everyone of you holds a special place in my heart.
I am especially blessed with a great person, Gina's Mom. She is so sweet to me and treats me like I am one of her own.
I know that Gina is truly blessed with such a Great Mom.
Today was a good day and I feel truly blessed, that I have good friends that understand what I go through as a WLS patient.
It makes the journey a little more easy. May I always give back the Love I receive.
Til next time, I wish much success where ever you are on your journey to a happier, healthier life.
Huggggs Teresa
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September 17th......Back from an AWESOME Vacation.
I left for Vacation last Fri Am at 4:15. Headed for for a week long stay at Branson Missouri & a day in Eureka Springs Arkansas.
As you know from reading my profile this is my 3rd year in a row to go there, This year was incredible for me. I had more energy & stamina than I thought was possible for me. We walked everywhere, shopped, saw the sites and never once did I need to sit from being tired, sweatty or out of breath. We saw 3 incredible shows there. The first one was The Dixie Stampede. It is a Dolly Parton thing. Sadly she isn't there.....lol. It is kinda like a mini rodeo with singing & dancing. The singers & dancers are dressed up in old timey suits & dresses. It was spectacular. You also have dinner with the show. You get it served on plates but you have no eating utensils...lol. They start you out with a roll. Then a creamed soup. Then you get a WHOLE cornish hen, a slice of BBQ Pork, a corn on the cob, a half of a baked potato, then a dessert. NEEDLESS to say I had a LOT of leftovers. The next night we went out on a boat, called the The Branson Belle Showboat. We had dinner & a show on the boat. We had eating utensils that night....lol
The show was great. The singers sang songs from different Broadway Musicals. There was a comedian/Ventriloquist there that uses 2 dogs in his show. He was awesome. Also there was a couple from Russia that was an Acrobatic team. The flexibility that the wife had was incredible. Another night we went to see The Duttons, a family that sings, dances and entertains. They were great. The whole family sings dances and plays many musical instruments. The couple has 7 children. 16 grandkids with 2 on the way. And they have recently adopted about 6 more kids from Russia. Almost every member is either in the show or helps on the sidelines.
We went to a lot of shops. We went to a place called the Hard Luck Diner. All the waiters and waitresses sings while they wait on you. They all have CD's out. They all really sing well. Our waiter we had, and who we also had last year was finalist on American Idol year before last. He made it to the top 44. My cousin mentioned to him how much weight I had lost and I wound up showing him my before pic and he was amazed at my weight loss. He went and showed my picture to the other staff there. One lady who we had talked to a lot there and bought her CD last year, came over and talked to me awhile and asked me lots of questions. Her daughter was going for a consult with a surgeon to have WLS. She seemed glad to talk to someone that had been through it and was healthy and living life. We left Branson and went to Eureka Springs. One of the prettiest little towns that I have seen. We tried to go see the Glass Chapel there but it was closed.... : ((( We saw some other sites and of course.....SHOPPED !!!!!!!!!...........LOL
As soon as I can figure it out how to post a slide show I will put pics of my vacaton......stay tuned........lol
All in All it was a GREAT vacation. I still can't believe how much energy & stamina I had. I never knew life could be so great.
I am glad to be home though. My own bed felt sooo good last night.
Thanks for reading my profile. Best wishes where ever you are on your journey to a happier, healthier life.
Hugggs TeresaNovember 4th, 2006
Hello Everyone,
Lots have happened since I last posted. Sadly I found out my wonderful Surgeon Dr. Harberg has Cancer. He will be closing his practice, and giving his Patient's to another Surgeon. Who I don't know right now. I pray everyday for him to beat this. He says he will beat it and re-open his practice and see his patients. He will no longer do surgeries when he comes back. I am saddened to no end to hear of this news. Dr Harberg literally saved my life, when he chose to do my surgery. I will be forever eternally grateful that he believed in me and did my surgery. Before my surgery I was completely miserable and had no real hope of living past the next year or so. Now 19 months later I live a life that I only dreamed of or saw other's live. I no longer watch life go by from my loveseat, I get out and actually enjoy life. I can walk anywhere I want for however long I want. I can buy cuter clothes and am out of most plus sizes. I buy cuter shoes. I go to Kareoke every Wednesday and actually get up & sing. This Halloween I dressed up and went to a Costume Party, I can't even begin to remember the last time I dressed up for Halloween much less went to a Costume Party. In short the life I now lead is nothing short of a miracle to even me. His Nurse Vicki is truly a God Sent Angel in my life. She has helped me so much more than I could put into words or she could ever even imagine. I credit a lot of my success to her care & concern she shows her patients. I would like to think she only does that for me, but I know she is like this to everyone who enter his office. She will be looking for another Job. I pray she finds one.
I TRULY thank God for Dr Harberg and my Surgery. Without it I believe I wouldn't be here today.
Dr Harberg, Thank you soooo much and I pray God's richest blessing & healing in your life. Also I pray for your family.
This morning I went to Starbuck's in the Woodland for a gathering. There were 5 ladies counting myself. JenJen, Dana, Tanya & a new person Kim, who has moved here from New York. It was really great sitting outside Starbuck just talking and visiting. And building friendships. There is nothing quiet like sitting with a group of WLS people and knowing they truly understand everything you go through and where you have come from. It is just awesome. I cant wait for next month.
Today I am going to my Sister Debbies 50th Bday Party, her kids are giving her. We are all dressing uplike in the 50's, I can't wait. Hopefully I will have a pic to post.
Until next time, to all who read this, I wish you the best where ever you are on your journey to a happier, healthier life. Huggs Teresa
MARCH 2007
LONGGGGGGGG time NO POST !!!!!Shame on me. I have not done so well since my last visit with Dr Harberg in August. I have gained weight !!! I am desperately trying to get back on track and make my Goal weight he set for me of 150 pounds.I am soooo mad at myself for losing focus and gaining this weight.I have NO ONE to blame but myself. If I eat right my Surgery still works.A few of my clothes I cant wear now because of my weight gain. I GOTTA start what I finished and MAKE GOAL !!!End of Story. Please PRAY for me !!!
Until Next time I wish you the Best where ever you are on your Journey to a Happier, Healthier Life.
April 5, 2007
Yep it's been 2 years !!! All I can say is WOW what a difference my Life is today, than 2 years ago. Not a day goes by that I don't think about all the liberties & freedoms I enjoy, all because of my WLS.
I will be FOREVER Eternally GRATEFUL for my dear dear Surgeon who believed in me and gave me a life.
I cherish all the friends I have made here and the Love & Acceptance I feel here on a daily basis.
My family, friends, co-workers...............I want you to know this journey would not have been so good were it not for your constant undying Love, Support, & Encouragement.
Kim, THANKS for all the LOVE you give me, may you have the most wonderful Journey as you begin your life on the loser's side !!!
Today I have mixed emotions about being 2 years out.
Is my life better? Do I feel the best I have ever felt? Do I Have boundless energy, that I never thought possible? The answer to all these is a BIG YESSSSSSSSSSSS !!
On the flip side...........Am I where I wanna be weight wise??? Am I wearing the small sizes I dream of yet??............NO !!! Have I gained some weight???.............Yes 
But all I can do is move Forward and do my best to finish what I started !!!
Because I know with all my being I NEVER wanna go back to the 400 pound girl I once was !!!!!
As my Mom used to say.............Whatever you choose to do.........."It's all in priorities."
I can do this !!!!! All I have to do is B E L I E V E !!!!!!
Isnt that right Gina??????
Love & Hugggggggggggs to ALL !!!!!!!!!!!
Much Success to all, where ever you are in your journey to a happier, healthier life.
