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Paula A.
San Joaquin Valley, CA, USA
Post Op - BMI: 21.8
Surgery Type: RNY
Member ID: A1079825799
Surgeon: Tien Chin Ho, M.D.

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Friends, come join me as I share my weight loss journey.




2004


August, 2004

Better late than never. I am nearly 6 months postop and just became "hooked" on this wonderful site a few weeks ago. I would like to add my story. Here goes:

I am a 53 year old woman, currently weighing 165 pounds. My highest weight was 299 two years ago. I weighed 224 on my first surgical consultation in April 2003. I weighed 219 on my day of surgery. My weight loss story begins at age 7. I was a quiet, shy girl. I loved school and loved my 2nd grade teacher. My mother went to Parent Teacher Conference. I could hardly wait for her to come home and tell me that I was a smart girl, wonderful to have in class, etc. Well, my mom comes home and tells me that my teacher said I was fat and needed to be on a diet. Needless to say I was devastated. Next day at lunch on my plate was a slice of bologna and a slice of American cheese -no bread - my first diet. I could no longer ask for seconds - of anything - at dinner. My mom would always say "You're fat enough". She let my 17 year old brother taunt me daily singing "I don't want her, you can have her, she's too fat for me". When my mom wasn't home my dad and grandparents would give me chocolate, ice cream, and cookies. There began my lifelong struggle with comfort foods.

Looking back on pictures, I really didn't look overweight until about 8th grade. I was 5'2" and weighed 125 pounds. If I only could have maintained at that weight. My self-imposed starvation diets began the summer before high school. I weighed 180 pounds on graduation day.

I married at age 20. My weight ballooned in an emotionally abusive marriage. My husband always taunted me with "who would want you with four kids". I lost 130 pounds with Weight Watchers in 1982 and again with Jenny Craig in 1991. There were many other diets started and stopped. Of course, I couldn't maintain. The 1990's were difficult but happy. I left my husband and my 4 children and I headed for California. We blossomed away from him. Unfortunately, my weight also blossomed to 299 pounds.

In May 2002 at 299 pounds I was malnourished and had osteoporosis. I had a light fall in my kitchen and shattered my left leg and hip. It is thought that my hip & leg shattered and then I fell down. I guess that is a likely scenario with osteoporosis. My first orthopedic surgeon really had a prejudice against fat people. He continually embarrassed me while I was in the hospital. My leg and hip were difficult to repair because I was in such poor condition. He never let me forget it. He actually charted that there was 5 inches of fat that he had to get through to get to the bone! Well, the pins didn't hold so the surgery failed after a few months. He was furious with me and said I should think of my poor surgeon. I guess because it had been a difficult 8 hour surgery with 8 units of blood and no decent bone to work with. He said I had to stay confined to bed until my body could grow some more bone. I think he just didn't want to touch my fat body again. Well, I was in bed for 1 year, in great pain, in great depression. I lost 80 pounds. I knew I would not be able to maintain that loss.

It was at this time that my middle son encouraged my daughter (age 29, also 299 pounds) and myself to research WLS and if our insurances didn't pay he would. He was so worried about losing both of us. So we did. We researched and decided we both wanted the surgery to help us. Sheri had her surgery March 2003. She has lost 130 pounds to date. I had a new orthopedic surgeon who did a complete hip replacement in August 2003. My bariatric surgeon insisted I had to wait 6 months between surgeries and I could not gain one pound. I don't know how, but I managed to maintain at 219 pounds until I could have my WLS. I am so thankful that I had lost that 80 pounds and more so that I was able to maintain that loss for so long.

My life began anew Februry 11, 2004 the day of my lap RNY. The surgery itself went fine. On the 12th I was weepy all day thinking I would never be able to eat my favorite foods ever again. You know - "What have I done to myself?" which seems to be a universal phrase new posties use in the beginning. I was released in two days. I then suffered through 5 months of nausea. I was eating popsicles and drinking my protein shakes. Nothing else would stay down.

My bariatric surgeon was great and did a wonderful job for me. But, the aftercare program is shall I say NON-EXISTENT. No dietary guidance from a nutritionist. And let's face it, surgeon's don't get much, if any, nutritional education in medical school.

I wish I had known about the wonderful support and information given on this site. It would surely have helped. But, I am here now and my brain is soaking it all up.

August 7

Hip, Hip, Hurray!!! I'm a size 38C - a normal size!!! My last bra was 52DD. Now, some people would be upset dropping a cup size - but not me. I had a modified, radical mastectomy of my left breast due to breast cancer in May 1998. The surgeon wanted to take off the breast immediately and said I could have reconstruction later. So, one of the horrifying things you have to do after being mutilated is to go and be "sized" for a prosthesis (fake, latex breast) and bra with a pocket that holds it. I was soo embarrassed standing there with half a flat chest and 299 pounds. Of course, they had to order a prosthesis and bra due to my size. I asked if I could have one of the newer light weight stick-on versions. Of course they didn't come in my size. So I was left with a 2 pound breast. I hated that breast. It was so heavy to lug around!! I've gotten smaller bras along my weight loss journey. But, I decided I needed a smaller breast when she was standing large and perky and the real one was getting smaller!! So, I was in the "sizing" room yesterday. After she measured me, she returned with a small breast and bra. I thought well maybe she was helping someone else. But, no they were for ME. 38C!!!!!

Now I'm glad I didn't go for reconstruction because when I'm at goal weight the insurance company has to approve it. There is a procedure where you get a tummy tuck and breast - I think it's called tram flap. They make a tunnel under the muscles and take some skin and tissue from the belly area and fashion a breast out of your own skin!! I don't know if my stretched out belly skin can be used - but a girl can dreaam!!

August 9

I have had fibromyalgia which is a connective tissue disorder for over 35 years. It's what they used to call rheumatism. Over the years the pain has escalated to the point that I need narcotic pain medication to control it. It was somewhat controlled with oxycontin before surgery but it is an extended release tablet, so since surgery the pain has once again escalated to be almost unbearable. Sorry to ramble. My PCP referred me to a pain clinic. Wonderful news the doctor there promises to get my pain down to a 1-3 out of 10. I have been so happy. However, there are two side effects of therapy that I have to deal with: weight gain (water) and constipation. Great.

August 10

Woke up today 4 pounds heavier and I haven't lost one ounce since I started at the clinic!! My whole body seems to be swelling, so I know it is water, but I am so disappointed about the swelling and stalling in my weight loss. Plus my fatigue is overwhelming. I could stay in bed all day. I just drag through the day, glad to get back to bedtime. Going to my PCP Thursday to see if she can help. Good news is that my pain level has indeed decreased to a level 3!!!

August 11


I'm six months out now. Happy anniversary to me. My weight today is 162. I have 37 pounds to go to my goal weight. I'm able to eat some now. I have a protein shake for breakfast, ricotta cheese on berries for lunch and cottage cheese with cantaloupe for dinner. I am taking all my vitamins and medications. I am getting 64 ounces of kool-aid or crystal light in too. I feel like things will be better from here on out.

August 12

A few days ago I noticed that my feet were swelling. Not unusual in the 100+ heat in the valley. Then my legs, face and arms. I saw my PCP and she is worried about my protein level. I'll have my blood drawn (including albumin, electrolytes, calcium, B12 and iron) on Friday. I'm on some heavy duty "water pills" - lasix along with potassium.

August 17

Saw my PCP today for lab results. My protein is on the low end of normal. My B12 is high. My iron stores are very low. My feet are less swollen and the pull in my face is less. So the fatigue and swelling appear to be due to anemia. I'm so glad it is not something worse. She had me cut the sublingual B12 to 3 days a week from daily. I'm adding ferrous fumarate to my supplements and changing my multi vitamins/minerals to one with iron. We'll recheck the iron level and electrolytes before the next visit. She cut the lasix down to twice a day (along with potassium). I really need to get some iron rich foods in me, since it is so hard for us to build back our iron stores. Need to research that and do it!

September 6

My feet and legs are still swollen with pitting edema. The lasix helped to a point. Someone (sorry I don't remember her name) posted an article on water and dehydration. One of the symtoms of dehydration is swelling. The body is attempting to find water and pulling it from the body and storing it in the tissues. I am increasing my fluid intake. I am finally able to tolerate fluids. I see my PCP on Sept 20. I am having pouch/intestinal pain and wondering whether the potassium pills are the culprits.

September 11


Today is my 7th month anniversary. My weight is the same at 162. I am soo disappointed. I'm doing my protein, water and supplements perfectly. I have not been cleared to exercise by the pain doctor - he's afraid of aggravating the muscles and thereby the pain will not be able to get under control. He did suggest Tai Chi and I do that. Even so, why am I not losing. I was doing well until the 5th month. Then I stalled and completely stopped.

I have been tracking my weight loss with the *BMI and Weight Loss Planner available on this site. According to this tracker I should ideally weigh 134 pounds for a height of 5'4". I have taped the graph to my calendar. It depicts expected weight loss per month. According to the planner, I should make my personal goal of 125 pounds in April, 2005. The first 6 months I have kept pretty close to expected weight loss per month. I'm not now, I'm supposed to weigh 159 pounds at 7 months. I'm so afraid of failure.

* Here's the link to the weight loss planner:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/PlannerResults.phtml

My swelling has gotten worse - the left leg and foot larger than the right. I also notice tingling and a puffy feeling throughout my body. Just a yucky feeling. Doesn't seem the lasix works. I am wondering if this could be lymphedema and not just edema. I wonder if you have pitting with lymphedema? I will make an appointment with my pcp on Monday. Meanwhile I have some research to do again.

September 14

I have an appt with my PCP on Thursday. I am really upset about this swelling. This AM I weighed 163. It's probably an irrational fear, but what if I can't lose anymore because I now have some sort of chronic fluid imbalance.

November 15


A couple of AMOS members have emailed me voicing a concern about my health. I thank them for their concern. My pcp on the 9/16 appointment put me on a stronger diuretic to take with the lasix. The swelling was about the same. I was starting to have weakness again, after feeling well for a couple of months. I asked that I have my vitamin/mineral levels checked. She refused to order them, said it wasn't necessary. I noticed that the potassium tablets that I had to take with each diuretic were coming out whole in my bm (sorry). They were extended release and I reminded my PCP that I can't have extended release. It was not addressed any further even though my last lab showed my potassium to be low normal. So, I continued to get weaker, and started noticing that I was confused like a fuzzy feeling in my brain. Cramping started in my legs and as the days passed by included my feet, arms and hands.

On October 8 I was ill with diarrhea and stomach pain. I stayed in bed for 2 days thinking it would resolve. I tried to keep up with the fluid loss by drinking, but I couldn't drink enough. My daughter took me to the ER on that Sunday. I knew I was dehydrated and told the intake nurse that I was sure my potassium must be low because of all the symptoms I'd been having. Thought I'd get a couple of liters of fluid and they would send me home. Wrong. My potassium level results were returned at 2.0 which is panic level. They slapped a cardiac monitor on me and off to the cardiac unit I went for 5 days. Many of my other mineral levels were abnormal as well. These were corrected while I was there as well. I was soo weak and soo scared.

What I learned from this was: 1. to seek medical help sooner than I would normally have before wls. We dehydrate much sooner then regular folks. Also, 2. I have to insist on vitamin and mineral labs being monitored, even though my pcp doesn't find the need (or didn't see the need). And, 3. I CANNOT have extended release medication. I don't absorb it.

I don't mean to frighten people just to remind wls patients that they have to be ever vigilant concerning anything that isn't just right. We HAVE to be our own advocates - our lives could depend on it.

November 21

I have not been able to get myself back on track since I was in the hospital. What I mean by that is I am not charting my intake with fitday on a continuous basis and really have no idea how much protein I'm taking in. Also, I dropped down on my water intake. You'd think I would have learned better but I guess not. I have been depressed about not being in tight control. I worry that when I get to goal that I will behave like this and jeapordize my health again.

The thing that made me depressed was my last visit to the surgeon's nurse practitioner. She does not want me to go any lower than 140 pounds. She says that the average American woman is size 14, and she wants her patients to be in that category. Well, I want to get to 125 pounds, what I weighed in 8th grade. She doesn't find that reasonable. It is in the middle of the BMI for normal for my height and weight. And in the middle of normal weight which is 108-136 (I believe). So I either disappoint her or myself.

I have decided today, that I will continue to lose until my body decides it's time to quit.

I'm starting to get some energy back. Good news I lost all my swelling when I became so dehydrated. I now weigh 139 pounds having lost 25 pounds in the last 2 months. Go figure.


Check out this site.... thinnerself.com. Bruce Underwood developed a great tool to use on your weight loss journey. He doesn't however give references for his stats.

~~Medically Suggested Ideal Weight: 121 BMI: 23.2
~~Average American Weight for a woman of my height and age: 165 BMI: 28.3

~~Nurse Practitioner suggested goal weight:
140 BMI: 24.0 (high end of normal)

Personal Goals:
1. Normal weight for height:
Initial goal: 125 pounds. met 2/21/05
2nd goal: 121 lbs for medically ideal wt for my age and ht.
Achieve final weight loss goal of 121 pounds as per the
medically suggested ideal weight.
2. Be able to control my weight +/_ 5 pounds of that weight:
116-126.
3. Normal BMI for my weight and height. (18.5 - 24.9)

Range. . . . . . . . .Meaning . . . . . Status
18.5 - 24.9. . . . . .Normal. . . . . . Met 11/3/2004
25.0 - 29.9. . . . . .Overweight. . . . Met 6/9/2004
30.0 - 34.9. . . . . .Obese . . . . . . Met 3/10/2004
35.0 - 39.9. . . . . .Severely Obese. . Met 2/11/2004
40.0 - 50.0. . . . . .Morbidly Obese. . Met
over 50. . . . . . . .Super Obese . . . Met

3. Maintain good daily nutrition:
~~90 grams protein
~~64+ oz water
~~supplements: 2 multivitamin, megamineral w/o iron; calcium citrate 500mg 4X/day (I have osteoporosis), plus vitamin D 400mg (not to exceed 1500 IU/day), plus magnesium citrate 200mg 4X/day; ferrous fumate 50 mg plus 500mg vitamin C (only d/t low iron stores); sl B12 (3X a week);B complex B-100 2/day;zinc 50mg/day THESE ARE THE SUPPLEMENTS THAT I FEEL I NEED, PLEASE DISCUSS WITH YOUR NUTRITIONIST IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR SUPPLEMENT ROUTINE - THEY KNOW YOU AND PRESCRIBE WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU
~~900-1100 Calories For current weight of 139lbs (Nov 11) plus sedentary lifestyle my Basic Metabolic Rate (BMR):1308
Calories to Maintain Current Weight: 1570 I therefore have a daily calorie deficit of 670-470. I should lose ~1lb a week.

December 2
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Having a few medical problems. Saw PCP today with c/o feeling like something is pressing down on my throat. Not sure whether it might be a stricture since I never had one. Also, I have a nodule on my thyroid and wonder if it is growing and pressing down. Staff at pcp and wls offices keep insisting I never had an ultrasound. I know the surgeon, Dr. Ho ordered it 2 YEARS AGO. No I AM NOT FORGETFUL. Going to be sent for thyroid ultrasound and then referral to general surgeon for management if surgery is required. Also, a lot of stomach pain -intestinal I think midline in lower quadrant. Mostly after eating. My pouch burns when I eat. Problems with constipation again and burning pain with bm. My pcp sent me for H Pylori test and will set up UGI with small bowel follow through (Yipee). Probably got an ulcer in the hospital with all that Potassium. Taking 300mg Zantac which helps somewhat. I'll be glad to get this all straightened away. No hunger.

With all this additional pain my pain meds were "lost" somewhere between mail in pharmacy and local UPS center. I can't believe it. Now my pain is going to get out of control again as it takes 10 days to get meds through the mail.

December 3

My daughter went to the hospital medical records as I was positive I had the thyroid ultrasound done there. Well, lo and behold they found it dated 6/18/02 ordered by the surgeon and copies sent to her and my pcp. May I say I told you so!! Indicates thyroid nodules. No one ever bothered to follow up on this even though I kept asking each time I came in to either office. Oh well, don't think surgery will be needed - hope not. Finally constipation relieved after a 3 week wait. Abdominal pain gone!!! Upper GI cancelled. Thank goodness.

My magnesium level is still low: increase tabs to tid per pcp
Potassium level is normal.
H Pylori test is neg.
My energy is not where I desire: increase Prozac to 30mg per pcp

December 30

I didn't get my pain med replacement until after Christmas. Good news: I have a three month supply now.

2005




January 18, 2005

Rene S., a volunteer here at OH spruced up my profile for me. She did a great job. It's nice for people to volunteer their time and talent so we may all have a nice profile, if we want it. The service is free, and I've seen soo many beautiful and creative pages. I love my webset and I had gone through hundreds of them. The webset is free. I would recommend you check out the site if you are interested.

January 31

I haven't written for a while. I'm in a stange spot. I am soo very close to goal, and instead of being happy and grateful, I am happy, grateful and terrified. What exactly happens when you reach goal?? I've lost weight before, 130+ lbs at both Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig. But I never made it through the 6 weeks you have to maintain to consider yourself a success. I weighed 127 pounds last month on my 11 month anniversary. I was there for a couple of days and then started getting nervous and worrying myself. Will I be successful this time. Jut because I desperately want to be doesn't make it so. How is wls different from all the other diets really. It doesn't help because my brain can't comprehend that I am smaller. I still am me, I still have the same problems, goals and desires. I don't see the weightloss and I can't feel it either. Well according to my weight graph I should weigh 130 pounds on my 1 year anniversary, Feb. 11. I don't think I will make it. But, I will be close to that number. I don't know what happened. I was at 125 for a New York minute. Next I knew I was 138 pounds. I wasn't cheating, per se. No cookies, candy, pastries, chips. I did start grazing as my usual way of coping with stress. I was grazing with good foods - fruit, cheese.

I am very upset with myself. I have been having a devil of a time trying to stop the grazing. I am the kind that can only have 3 meals - no snacks, no way, ever. One good thing is I have been trying to get back on track since I figured out that I was sabotaging my own self with this self destructive behavior. I continue to worry about what happens with maintenance, but I am committed to finding a way to deal with stress without my old buddy "food". That's the key, this is all about making long term lifestyle changes, not just changing your inerds so you malabsorb. So, no I will not make goal on my 1st anniversary. My weight this am was 133.6, so I am making some progress. A day at a time, a meal at a time.


This is my anniversary month. 134 this am which is so upsetting. How could I possibly gain from 127 on Jan 11 to 134 on Feb 2. I don't get it. I have no cravings for junk, haven't had any sweets for a year now. So my reward is a 7 pound weight gain in 1 month!!! I'll get off my pitty pot now. This is what I need to do: Need to up my water over 64 ounces. I heard on the radio that after you drink a glass of water your metabolism spikes. Good deal. Need to make sure I get 100+ grams of protein a day. Need to continue with my vitamin and supplement program. I NEED TO STOP STOP STOP GRAZING!!!!!!!

February 3

135.8 lbs this am. I should know better and not weigh myself every day. But, I continue to do so. I don't know why the scale keeps going up on a daily basis.

February 4

DISASTER AHEAD. My weight today is 140.4. I have been grazing as I have mentioned several times, but how could I have gained 14 POUNDS in less than a month?? It takes 3500 extra calories to gain a pound. I don't think I could possibly have eaten 49000 extra calories. In 3 weeks that would mean I had 2333 extra calories per day - not possible. I don't have any junk food in the house, and have avoided the fast food places like the plague. I admit my eating is out of control. Meaning that I am snacking and grazing on good stuff. I just don't get it. I have stopped using fitday to record my daily nutrition. I am falling back into those destructive behaviors that got me 299 pounds to begin with.

I have never been able to get back on track after gaining pounds. In 1985 I lost 134 pounds and could only keep it off 5 weeks, then blew it. I never got my reward of the gold half of the key, or whatever the heck it was. In 1991 I lost 130 pounds with Jenny Craig but never made it the 6 weeks to maintenance. Knowing all this, and fearing that I would sabotage myself again - I have fallen again.

I have fallen, but I WILL PICK MYSELF UP, brush myself off and given myself a break. I can do this. I need a lot of positive self talk. And like many of my family on the February board I will succeed one day at a time. In my case it will be 1 hour at a time.

February 5

142 pounds. I have to pull myself together and regroup. I have to have positive thoughts. This too shall pass.

February 6

136.2 pounds. I have to stop weighing myself. I hate being so compulsive. I need to lose the darn scale. But will I?

Later.....I fell 2 weeks ago and again 2 nights ago. My pcp's office told me to go to the ER if I couldn't wait for the next appointment in three weeks. Can you believe that? My arm is swollen but not really painful. My right hip I do have pain there. My daughter called my orthopedic surgeon and I have an appointment the day after tomorrow with him. Back pain only on the right side that travels around to my right groin. I don't know how I can handle another broken hip after my experiences in 2002. I'll keep in touch and ask for your prayers.

February 7

Did not weigh myself today!!! I've made a commitment to weigh only on my monthly anniversary. Hip still hurting, arm less swelling.

February 8

Did not weigh myself again today!!! Yeah for me. Xrays were negative for fracture of hip or hand. Yes!!! Just some internal bruising. This I can handle!!

February 11


My 1st anniversary. I weigh 132 pounds today. I gained 5 pounds this last month but I have a new attitude. I will lose all the weight and I will maintain that loss. I have worked hard to get here and I deserve to live a healthy, thin life. Negativity has to stop now. Last year I weighed 219 pounds, the year before I weighed 299 pounds. My weight tracker has me at goal of 125 in April. As long as I am eating right and doing my protein, water and supplements it really doesn't matter if I make goal in April, or March, or June. Now I have to focus on preparing appropriate meals so that it becomes second nature to me. I have been living like I am on a diet, but I'm not. I have to maintain a new healthy lifestyle change to maintain my new healthy weight.

How fortunate I am that I was able to get this lifesaving surgery. Every day on the message board there are people who are denied. To not make wise use of my tool and regain would be awful. I am priveleged to have had this opportunity and I am going to honor that.

February 14

Valentine's Day. We put the scale in back of the cleaning liquids in the kitchen BR cabinet. It is such a wonderful feeling not being tied to it. Another Feb member, Joanne, has been having problems getting back on track too. Thank God she has shared her strategy and daily success with the board. She's doing a 5 day liquid diet of 3 double protein shakes a day plus other liquids. Then she'll add food slowly back. Just the motivation and encouragement I need right now. Tomorrow Sheri and I are going to do a 5 day "protein feast" of 3-5 protein shakes a day and liquids. Then, slowly add back one meal at a time to get us back on track. I think it will keep our focus on protein and starting over.

Fast forward to:
February 21

Reader, are you sitting???? After 6 days on my "protein feast" I weigh 125 pounds. I not only lost the weight I gained last month but also I made it to my initial goal!!!!!!! On February 5 I weighed 142 pounds and was belittling myself - calling myself "failure". After all, that's how I always handled a bump in the road. There have been some bumps (actually many bumps) in the road since I began my weight loss journey at 299 pounds in May 2002. I do believe that God was working through Joanne to teach me a lesson not only a method to turn around a gain, but in self-worth. I am more than my shell.

Officially then, I lost from a high of 142 pounds on Feb 5 to 125 pounds on Feb 21 with 6 days of a protein liquids only plan. That is 17 pounds. An effective coping strategy for weight gain. I'll add that to my weight loss AND MAINTENANCE journey tool belt!!

later:
Um, the scale won!!! It's back in the bathroom. I lasted without it for less than a week (!!!!


March 29

I just stopped by to check when I last updated. Over a month I see. It's been a rough month, my mom died, unexpectedly on March 2. She was 90 and she soo missed my dad since he preceded her in death 12 years ago. She died peacefully in her sleep. Her last breath unlabored as she passed from here to Heaven. It is so strange, after having her here for my 53 years, to know I won't be seeing her any more in this life. I'll write more in a few days. I'm not quite up to it now.


May 25
It has been quite a while since I last updated. Since my mother died I have been in a slump. I was never able to hear her say she was proud of me because I was a failure d/t my weight. Her dementia started right after I had wls. My changing look probably contributed to her dementia. So now I need to pull myself together and work this new lifestyle I have no one but myself to please. This is my evolving plan: I need to commit to updating weekly, even if it's just a sentence or 2. I think if I make myself accountable weekly that I might do better in this part of my journey...maintenance. I have become lax with everything...water, shakes, vitamins, grazing. I am not eating bad foods...but then again I stopped fitday.com so I am not aware even of how much I am eating. I have therefore gained 9 pounds, and I have to get back on track. I'm going to start weighing in on Sunday with the others on the board. This site is soo important to my continued success. I really thank God that He led me here. Will be back on Sunday...Promise. Bye.

May 26

I need to give a little update on my thyroid. Back in Dec I mentioned that I had trouble swallowing...a feeling like choking. I finally had a repeat sonogram done in March. There were changes from the June 2003 scan...right side is larger than left with several nodules of mixed echonegisty. Meaning it couldn't decipher if they were solid or cyst like and there was no dominant nodule. I had a nuclear scan but my thyroid only took up 1% of the contrast (should be at least 40%). According to the scan I am seriously hypothyroid. But, my thyroid panel is normal, well low normal. My mom had thyroid cancer soo I freaked for a while. My pcp referred me to an endocrinologist who can't see me until June 28.In the meanwhile I had a consult with the surgeon (Dr. Lee) who did my mastectomy. He says the next step would be a fine needle aspiration for biopsy. But, he says the lumps are so small he is afraid he would miss. I appreciate his honesty. So we're waiting 3 months to see if any one grow. Says cancer is usually in one large lump so he feels comfortable waiting. I trust his judgement so I'll see him in late July. I don't have any "feeling" that this is cancer. I think the contrast I had with the UGI (a couple of weeks prior to the thyroid scan) interferred with these results. Dr. Lee says I could be right. OK so we'll go with that explanation for now!!!

May 27

128.4

May 28

128.1. I have so much to say that has been going on these past few months that I was hiding. Not now though. It's 7:30 and the parrots are hollering to get out of their cages and start their day. Later.

May 29

128.6

May 30

128.4 I believe it was July of 04 that I mentioned the excitement of needing a different size breast prosthesis and bra...from 52DDto 38C. Lately I have noticed that my real breast was deflating rapidly, like a leak in a balloon. I went in for a fitting, and came home with...now get this...a tiny 2 oz prosthesis (the other was 2 lbs)...and, two bras size 36AA.


June 21

126.2 Maintenance is so difficult, in case I never mentioned that before!! I am weighing daily now to keep it in check. I have been swelling again and my legs are feeling so tight. Had top restart lasix at 40mg/day along with 8meq K+.

There are so many new members and I enjoy reading their profiles and feeling their excitement as their journeys progress. Such a wonderful gift this surgery is. I can't lose sight of that...ever.
Future UpdateJune 27
Saturday was my birthday...it was also my mother's birthday. It was such a sad day. To share my birthday for 53 years with my mother and now no more is horrible. I spent the day crying. I did post on the main board and had many uplifting and kind replies. That helped.

Had my dexascan a month ago. It has improved a tiny bit...now boardering between osteopenia and osteoporosis. That is great news. I'm glad I decided to stay with the once weekly Foxomax. It seems to be working well. One bad thing...I lost another full inch since the last scan last yea rd/t another vetebral fx. I am now 5'3". Of course since I am so anal retentive now I have to readjust my goal weight!! More on that next time.

August 14

Yikes, I haven't updated in such a long time and I have so much to say. Will be back in the am. Night, night.

2006
No comments or updates in 2006. Chemo, weekly kills fast growing cells not just cancer. My hair consists of sprigs of soft white fuzz.
The GI system is not spared, bleeding from the toxicity to my esophagus, pouch, and from the colon is disturbing.

2007
February 22

Oh dear Reader, this update is way over due. Let's go back to Nov 2005 - I was preparing for breast reconstruction of the left breast I lost to cancer in 1998, and prophalactic removal of the right breast plus reconstruction. I needed oks from several doctors that had worked with me during that initial cancer scare. Monday, I was to go for my final visit with the plastic surgeon (Dr. Watson of UCLA) before my surgery date was sceduled. It was Friday, and my last visit was to the medical oncologist. To my utter terror he found metastatic breast cancer spread to the bones and right lung. I sat there and just sobbed. It was 7+ years since the breast cancer was diagnosed and treated. I was sure I was a breast cancer survivor. He gave me 6mo - 4yrs to live. He said he could almost guarantee 2 yrs!!!! I had radiation to my lower back to help with the bone pain. I've been on weekly chemo since then. The chemo is so so strong it kills all rapidly growing cells, not just cancer cells. I have baby fuzz on my head, 10 teeth crumbled out of my mouth in the span of 2 weeks. Then I broke my left femur AGAIN, had surgery in Nov 2006, and was wheelchair bound for 3 months. According to my surgeon the break healed well after surgery because I weighed 119 instead of 299.

My goal wt was 125 + or - 5 pounds. I'm proud to say I have been able to maintain and weigh 124 this am. I just had my 3rd anniversary. Maintenance is difficult but doable. I have to take it minute by minute sometimes. I still want to drown myself in Reese's peanut butter cups when stressed..

I'll be back soon to update at a more reasonable interval!!!

My faith in God has carried me through this stumbling block. If you are so inclined, prayers for me and my family would be very appreciated. Paula

February 24

It feels great to be back on this site. I have always loved the support members show one another. Starting on thinking about goals to work on for the new goals forum should help with my water problems (hate it since on chemo), and coping mechanisms (Reese's peanutbutter cups) will be a great help.


March 11
My 37 month anniversary. Amazing my weight is 123. I am so so tired and just plain exhausted after all these months of chemo. I do enjoy coming here to see how people are progressing down their weight loss journey. Later, Paula





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Photos

299
Dec. 2002. Here I am at my highest weight. At Christmas party with mother at her day care center (Sheri, my daughter is hiding in back).
165.8
July 2004. I hate my chicken neck! With my 1st grandson - Tyler Jayden.




Member Interests:
  • Animals - 2 dogs, 2 cats, 15 birds, 100 Koi (kind of got out of hand!)

  • Books & Literature - Love to read - In Oprah's and Good Morning America's book clubs

  • Business & Career - Family Nurse Practitioner

  • Family & Friends - 1 daughter, 3 sons, 1 daughter in law, 1 grandson - Tyler

  • Hobbies - Gardening, Doll house - my daughter is 30 and we are still working on it!!!

  • Home - Home mprovement - projects involving my ideas and my daughter's elbow grease!


    • Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.

    Surgeon Info:
    Surgeon: Tien Chin Ho, M.D.
    Dr. Tien Chin Ho is my surgeon. My first impression of her was she was competent and kind. My first time there I had a hip and leg fracture with a failed first surgery. My left leg was at odd angles and 3" shorter than the right. She did her exam carefully and then she hugged me and said she was sorry about my leg. Her humanity shown right through. Her office staff were pleasant, helpful and efficient. She was pregnant, about to deliver, when I had WLS. She is now on extended leave. Her partners of Valley Surgical Specialists, Dr. Boone and Dr. Higa, and the nurse practitioner (?name) are also very competent and caring. Dr. Ho addressed the risks of surgery on my first visit as well as my preop visit. She is very big on education and understanding that education. I got a binder of things to learn and was tested on my preop visit. Passing grade was 70% - I got 90%. I would rate Dr. Ho as 10 on a scale of 1-10. Her surgical competence and bedside manner were great.
    Insurer Info:
    Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, PPO