Weight Loss Surgery Directory

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Beverly B.
Somewhere, CA, USA
Post Op - BMI: 23.5
Surgery Type: RNY
Member ID: B969389169
Web Site: http://photos.yahoo.com/bevwls@pacbell.net
Surgeon: Tien Chin Ho, M.D.

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November 11, 2004

NOTE: MY SURGEON IS DR. TIENCHIN HO OF FRESNO, CA - IF ANY OTHER SURGEON OR CLINIC ANYWHERE USES THIS PROFILE AS A TESTIMONIAL, REFERENCE OR ADVERTISEMENT, PLEASE CONSIDER IT A MISREPRESENTATION.


It has been a while since I registered (9/19/00)and started researching WLS, and in looking back at my original stats, I see I've gained weight(18#)and WLS appears to be the only option to re-gain my health. I now have osteoarthritis in both knees, and high cholesterol which I didn't have before. I may have sleep apnea, but have not been tested. The treatment for sleep apnea is weight loss, or sleeping with an 02 mask (CPAP) which I will not do. I have hypertension, and occasionally asthma when the almonds are blooming. My latest hobby is water gardening. I find digging in the garden, planting flowers and feeding my fish relaxing. I am 47 and have a 12 year old grandaughter living at home.

11-13-02 I've decided to make an appointment with my PCP to discuss WLS and will see her on 11-25-02.

11-25-02 My PCP was supportive and gave me a referral to Dr Coates in Modesto. Dr Coates is currently negotiating an agreement with BC and I am supposed to call his office in 2 weeks to check the status. Once Dr Coates becomes a provider, I can schedule an appt and start the next step of my journey. I have an appt for an echocardiogram and a treadmill in January as I took Phen-fen for 8 months and have had recent chest pain.

12-2-02 I wake up yesterday and I have a terrible sore throat and my right knee is so swollen I can barely walk. My PCP is booked so I get an appt this morning with another Dr in the same Group. They have a new protocol and will only see me for my sore throat, they wouldn't even look at my knee. So I drive home and call for another appt. (They don't make appt's at their window, only by phone). They can see me this afternoon for the knee with the same Dr I saw this morning. I declined and made the appt with my normal PCP for tomorrow. I called BC to complain, they referred me to my IPA. I call the IPA they said pretty much nothing, take it up with my PCP. What I don't understand is why a PCP can make up a rule that only one problem can be treated per appt. I am so angry, I called BC and will change my PCP effective 1-1-03. So my Journey starts over at step 1.

12-16-02 I called Dr Coates office just to double check if he was an approved provider and was told "No" that Allcare IPA contracts with a surgeon in SF. *bummer*

12-17-02 I'm trying to be proactive and called today to schedule an appt with a new PCP only to discover they aren't seeing new patients until March 2003, so I went ahead and scheduled an appt and requested to be on the cancellation list for any sooner appt. On a positive note, I have been smoke free for 15 days now, wheeeee. I've stopped using the patch and don't have any cigarette cravings.

1-5-03 I had a letter in the mail yesterday for my daughter and called her to let her know it was from Kaiser. She asked me to open and read it to her on the phone. Holy Cow!!! She was approved to have WLS with Pacific Bariatrics in San Diego. She was jumping for joy, giggling and squealing with excitment. I am so happy for her almost as happy as if it were me being approved. Wheeeeeeeeee.

1-7-03 I did not want to wait till March for an initial visit with a new PCP, sooooo I changed again. I have an appt scheduled for 1-13-03. I've been walking with my co-workers 30 minutes every day during lunch. It's been freezing cold this week and I had popsicle ears after our walk today. I was in LosAngeles on Sunday and it was "shorts" weather, 85 degrees!! What a difference 250 miles makes...

1-15-03 I had my appt Monday with my new/old PCP and he was all for WLS. He asked me what surgeon I wanted so I gave him a list of my 4 favorites and asked him to choose one in my insurance network so the costs would be covered. I nearly passed out when they weighed me in at 272 YIKES! I told him my new digital scale reads 259 and he kinda chuckled and said they have a new scale on order that theirs weighs about 10# heavy. If my surgeon requires a 10% weight loss before surgery, I'll drop that first 10 with no problem hehehe. Soo for now, I'm just waiting for the referral paper from my PCP so I can start the pre-op testing. Wheeeeee!

1-19-03 I went shopping with DH today. Went to Burlington Coat Factory then we strolled around in Linen's N Things and I bought some new Egyptian Cotton sheets. My legs, back and hips were killing me just from standing and walking for a few hours. We watched Signs on DVD when we got home and getting up off the couch hurt so much. I changed the sheets before bed and was huffing and puffing from the exertion. I'm only 47 but my body feels way older. I never thought I'd have so many aches and pains this early in life. I need this surgery, I want this surgery, I have to do something to get this 140#s off before I'm in a wheelchair.

1-20-03 I called my PCP because I need a refill for my BP meds. I also wanted to check the status of my request for a WLS referral. Andrea called me back to say they have submitted a request to Utilization Management for Dr Tien Chin Ho in Fresno. I'm excited, anxious and hopeful that this will be an easy process.

1-24-03 I read last night that someone is attending a seminar for Dr Ho so I called Valley Surgical this morning and asked to attend the seminar being held Feb 19th. Olga told me it was full and they are booking for March. (Rats) I give her my info and she tells me they aren't taking any more BlueCross patients until March and even then they don't know if they will continue to be a provider. I guess they're negotiating with BC.

2-3-03 I've had a terrible headache and 2 nosebleeds while at work today. I asked my daughter if taking baby asprin would cause a nose bleed and she suggested my blood pressure was too high. It was then that I remembered I hadn't taken my BP meds this morning, what a dork!

2-13-03 I've called my PCP's office many times and today make 1 month since I asked for a referral. They can't seem to tell me what the current status is?

2-22-03 I saw my PCP again yesterday to have my BP checked. I'v had several headache and nose bleeds. The nurse Christi has been faxing documents to Sutter Gould UM dept to get my referral. Sutter Gould said their fax was jamming and they didn't get the request. Christi said it was highly unlikely that they didn't get any of her faxes and she assured me she would stay on top of my request. I shared with her that Dr Ho's office said they weren't taking any more patients with my insurance until maybe March and I am registered for a mandatory seminar on March 19th. Christi said she'd find out and let me know before the seminar. It makes no sense for me to attend a surgeons seminar if they won't take my insurance.

2-28-03 It has been a week since my last appt with PCP. I'm angry because I haven't heard anything about my referral. So I called Sutter Gould UM to inquire. I was told my referral is being held up because Dr TC Ho in Fresno is not a provider. I ask the lady to tell me who the surgeons are that accept my insurance. She said Dr's Boone, Higa and a PC Ho in Fresno. Hmmm think they got the first initial wrong??? also a Dr Wolfe in Sacramento and Dr Patti in SF. The lady tells me I need to have my PCP make a new request. So I write a letter and fax it to my PCP explaining what I've been told and ask for a referral to Dr Higa. My caller ID showed I did get a call back from my PCP's office today, but my answering machine is broken so I didn't get a message. Grrrrrrr! I know I've read in profiles and on the message board a thousand times how you have to bug them, and I have been calling and calling, but I feel that it's one step forward, two steps back!

3-3-03 I called my PCP's office again today and spoke with the nurse. She confirmed they got my fax and had changed my request and re-faxed to UM. She also said they have my file now in review which meets on Thursdays sooo I'm hopeful that come Friday I'll have an answer.

3-6-03 I don't know who to believe when I call. My request was supposed to be in UM TODAY, but instead I get a referral in todays mail. Woooo hooo. I'm excited and happy to finally get something saying YES I can go see a surgeon. My referral doesn't list a surgeon, it lists the Medical Group where Dr's Boone, Higa and Ho work from. Looks like I will be attending the seminar on March 19th in Fresno, wheeeeeeee, that's in 2 weeks.

3-13-03 I'm taking Lisa (I met her here on AMOS) with me Wednesday for the Seminar. She missed her appt in February and had to re-schedule to May. YIKES! I'm really glad I made this reservation in January or I'd probably have to wait until June to attend the Seminar. The Seminar is mandatory. The Surgeon won't schedule an appt for a consult until after they verify attendance.

3-19-03 Today is the seminar, wheeeeeeee. I'm sitting at home this morning waiting for the DirecTv installer to add an additional receiver for my Grandaughter's TV. I was given some samples of Vioxx and have been taking them for 3 days. WOW, talk about a wonder drug! My knees don't hurt at all. I was able to get up off the couch last night with no pain. I feel like I could run a marathon, hehe, just kidding. I've also had "tennis elbow" for 3 weeks from using my mouse too much and the pain is nearly gone. I have recurring bouts of epicondylitis in my right elbow and detest the electric shock therapy where they stick the little electrodes on ya, and see if they can make your hair curly. I'll update again after the seminar.

3-20-03 Seminar last night didn't tell me anything I haven't already read on this site. Lisa and I had a "blast" and talked the whole 3 hours I was driving. She was able to slip right in with me as my guest and not have to be put on the "Gate Crashers List" LOL. I tried leaving a message this morning with VSS to get an appt for a consult. The voice mail box was full. That was annoying because everyone who attended were told to wait until after 8:30a to call. I called at 8:32a and could not get through. I hate it when peeps can't follow directions! I called several times and was finally able to leave a message. Tracy called me back at home in the afternoon and I have an appt for a consult with Dr Ho on May 20th, two months from now. This gives me time to start my pre-op testing. I had an EKG yesterday and they gave me a copy to take to VSS with me. My results weren't normal which has me worried. My PCP hasn't read it yet, so I'll wait to hear the official "news".

3-28-03 My PCP's office called and I have an appt 4/2 to discuss my EKG. I've had my annual Gyn exam and a mammogram this week so those items are out of the way. I've increased my exercise by riding my exercise bike in the evenings in addition to walking every day at lunch.

3-31-03 I've had fluid retention in my legs all weekend and have had a headache for 2 days. I went in to see my PCP this afternoon. Told me to stop taking the Vioxx. He didn't seem overly concerned with my EKG but referred me for a Treadmill and an Echo because I took Fen-phen. I called to schedule an appt with a Psychiatrist and am waiting for a call back.

4-3-03 I had a Psych Eval this evening and it seemed to go well. He gave me 3 words to remember then asked me for them later. He also asked me to count backwards from 100 by 7 which I messed up at 79 and to count backwards from 20 by 3 which was easy. He asked me to spell "world" forwards and backwards, plus the regular questions like do you hear voices, is someone out to get you, have you thought of suicide. I'll know the results in a few days.

4-8-03 I called and got an appt with a Nutritionist for 4-18. Yet another tiny step towards my goal. I heard a rumor that my surgeon is pregnant so I called VSS to confirm and was told Dr Ho is due in June which shouldn't delay me getting a "date". Wheeeeee.

4-10-03 My daughter has a "DATE" April 30, 2003 in San Diego at Scripps Mercy Hospital. I just booked round trip airfare and hope to be able to meet some AMOS sibs while I'm in the area.

4-11-03 The Nutritionist called to reschedule my appt for 5/5 and I can't go that day. I'll be in San Diego with my daughter who's having WLS at Scripps. So the next available appt is 6-2. I was really hoping to complete the Nutritionist requirement before my consult with the surgeon on 5-20

4-12-03 I received my Psych eval in the mail today, wheeee I passed!

4-18-03 I'll be in San Diego from 4-29 thru 5/6 with my daughter who is having her WLS at Scripps Mercy. I estimate having my own WLS sometime in August or September if all goes as planned.

4-25-03 Had my Echo this morning. It was interesting watching on the monitor as the heart valves clicked open and closed. The technician wouldn't tell me anything so I'll be waiting for a report from the Cardiologist Dr Keith. I've had the week from hell at home. My grandaughter fell out of a tree 2 days ago and got a splinter stuck under her fingernail all the way to the quick. Today she got stung by a bee and she was crying because the neighbors cat killed one of her fish from our pond. Does it get any better?

5-1-03 I'm in beautiful San Diego and my daughter Michelle Azevedo has made it to the other side. She's doing well and I can't wait till it's my turn. I found an internet cafe about 3 blocks from the hospital so I can read my e-mails and cruise the message board. I've been walking a lot and the weather here is in the 60's, gorgeous.

5-3-03 What a day! I went to the front desk to change rooms and they didn't have a suite reserved. I was annoyed and as I left I slipped in water and fell down the stairs. It was raining and I had to catch a taxi to get 3 prescriptions filled for my daughter. I got to the Kaiser pharmacy and they wouldn't let me have her Loratab because I didn't have a picture ID. I complained that they didn't tell me to bring a photo ID and asked for supervisor. He said "addicts" are always trying to get drugs. I started crying and explained that my daughter was still in the hospital, I had a taxi waiting and eventually he made an exception. The flipping taxi cost $40. OK I get back to the hotel and they've found me a suite with 2 beds but no recliner. I tried to schedule the hotel shuttle to transport my daughter back to the hotel. They told me the shuttle van was broken and was "down" for the rest of the day. OK, I walk to the hospital in the rain and go up to see my daughter. Pat C comes in to visit and she graciously gives us a ride back to the hotel. Staci O called and came to visit so we had a great visit. I called the front desk to see if they had found a recliner and they said check back tomorrow.

5-4-03 They finally get a recliner in our room in the afternoon. The toilet is clogged and it takes the hotel 3 hours to send someone with a plunger! We met 2 really nice people staying at the hotel. Suzi had her WLS the same day as my daughter, and Sandee is having hers this Friday. We all chatted, walked and shared protein and sf popsicles.

5-5-03 My daughter and I walked to Pacific Bariatrics for her follow up appt and Dr Murphy released her to go home a day early, wheeeeee! Sandee gave us a lift to the airport and we were in the wind.


5-13-03 Went to the DDS because I broke a tooth while in SD. Got a temp filling and have to go back 5/22 for a Crown! I picked up copies of my Gyn records and will pick up my Echo report this evening so I have it to take with me to the Consult in 7 more days.

5-14-03 Echo report shows normal except for mild mitral valve insufficiency. Maybe I won't have to have a treadmill afterall?

5-20-03 I had my consult today with the surgeon and I'm sooooo excited. She looked at my echo report and said I don't have to have a treadmill, my ticker is A-OK. I don't have to have a sleep study. I don't have to see a Pulmonologist. I don't have to have an Endoscope. All I have to do is have my PCP fax my Lipid panel (cholesterol) to her office and see Dr Matson the Nutritionist for Bariatric patients in Fresno and I'm ready to go. Wheeeeeee. They will start the Insurance approval process now and I should be able to have WLS in Sept or October as long as Blue Cross doesn't give me any problems.

5-28-03 I have an appt with Dr Matson the Nutritionist on 8-18-03. I have to attend a seminar and was told I need to see him for 2 to 3 weeks. *** They called me back and changed my appt to ::drumroll:: 6-23-03 Wheeeeeeeee I'm so excited.

6-1-03 I went swimming yesterday at my daughters pool and today I planted a veggie garden, cherry tomatoes, honeydew, zuchini, armenian cucumber and yellow crook neck squash. Yummy. I'm having lots of leg pain and swelling. Right now I'm sitting at the puter and it hurts so much I need to get off, ouchies.

6-2-03 Attended "Basics of Weight Management" class today with Dr Nawrocki, dietician at Sutter Gould. Faxed memo to VSS asking if I still had to attend appt with Dr Matson and inquired about insurance approval status. I'll call them tomorrow. I attended a Support Group in Modesto this evening. It was informative but I didn't learn anything new.

6-4-03 I called VSS to inquire about my status and Christine told me she was submitting my request for approval to the insurance today, wheeeeeeee. They have to check with Dr Ho to see whether or not I have to see Dr Matson and I'm hoping my visit to Dr Nawrocki the dietician will suffice. I also made a 2nd request to my GYN asking them to fax my Cholesterol test results from August to VSS.

6-10-03 Christine from VSS called to say I don't have to see Dr Matson, wheeeee. My class with Dr Nawrocki was sufficient, sooo now I'm just waiting to hear from Blue Cross.

6-17-03 I'm Approved, OMG I'm soooo excited. I called BC today just to double check and make sure they received the packet my Surgeon sent last week and they told me I am approved with a tentative date of 8-29-03 @ Clovis Community Hospital. Wheeeeee

6-23-03 I often wonder why I push myself so hard on the weekends and end up in pain during the evening. For example, Skids are coming for the weekend. I drive 10 hours round trip to LA and back to pick them up because I can take off work and DH can't. DH wants to take them to Six Flags Marine World on Saturday. I walk around taking pictures for 9 hours and looking for benches to sit on while they're in line for rides. I don't ride because I don't fit and it's humiliating to have an attendant try to push the bar down to lock in my lap. I get 5 hours sleep and wake up dragging. My legs are still swollen with excess fluids from standing on them the previous day, so I take my BP meds (diuretics), drink 3 cups of coffee and I'm raring to go. The lawn needs mowing and I have a new Toro, so I crank it up and dash across the lawn in 45 minutes. Kids wake up and we decide to drive an hour to my daughters for a swim. While playing water polo in the pool I twist my right ankle and my weak left knee. Both are swollen and painful this evening so I take 800mg Advil and watch a movie. When I sit, I get stiff and I can't get up off the couch without putting my hand on the coffee table for leverage. Tomorrow I'll drive another 10 hours to return Skids. I just gotta be doing something all the time.

6-25-03 My Surgeon had a baby girl this past Monday, wheeee. I called VSS to ask Christine about a "date". BC hadn't notified her, so she called them to confirm and sent my request to the "scheduler" today. They should get back to me soon with pre-op appts and a real surgery DATE, Wooo hoooo.

7-2-03 OMG I have a DATE, wooo hooo, yahooo, wheeeeeee. Blanca from VSS called me today with a date of Friday 8-15-03. I have a pre-op appt on 8-12. I almost wet my knickers when I saw the phone number on Caller ID at work this morning. I'm so excited!

7-23-03 OK, I'm wiggin! I feel anxious and agitated. I'm just about 3 weeks from WLS and it's starting to make me nervous. I feel like I have so much to do and no time. I have angel duty for Stephanie Simmons (7/31) and Alisia Perez (8/5) my WLS sistas (((Hugz))). I want to clean my house top to bottom (re-arrange drawers and closets), I still have to buy jello, popsicles and post op food, I gotta quit smoking AGAIN! Pass the Prozac!

7-25-03 OK now I'm crying. I talked to my family about making my will and I just lost it. Snot and tears flew everywhere. I know it's just pre-op jitters, but alas! I have to be prepared.

7-28-03 OMG, Blanca just called me from VSS and changed my "date" to 8-8-03 at 10am. That's next Friday, wheeeeeeeee.

8-3-03 I went swimming today and am I sore. I raced the kids (several times)from one end of the pool to the other and I did laps while they were out of the pool for snacks. I can't wait to be able to play like today and not have so many aches and pains. Ouchies!

8-5-03 Went for my PAT's and while I was at the surgeons office, I recognized Sharon Halk and we hugged in the hallway. I gained 4# and my surgeon told me to cut out all carbs for the next 3 days so my liver would shrink. I went to Clovis to do my lab work and pre-register and again I ran in to Sharon. It was exciting to be able to meet her as we have so much in common, the same surgeon, same insurance and same WLS date. I also knew that Alisia Perez would be checking in for her surgery and as I was leaving she arrived. I was able to hug my "angelette" in person and wish her well on her Journey.

8-7-03 Today is my "clear liquid" day. My WLS is tomorrow morning at 10am. My surgeon doesn't require the nasty bowel prep that I've read so much about. Wooo hooo for me. I'm not very hungry at all probably due to the lack of carbs and my ketones have kicked in. I have that "breath" you get when on the Atkins diet. I am so ready for this Journey to move forward. I went and have a french manicure airbrushed on my nails and my toenails painted RED with cute white dasies. The Hospital doesn't require me to remove the acrylic or the polish as long as it's a pale shade. I'm so incredibly excited and I look forward to my future as a thinner person.

8-10-03 Wheeeee, I've made it to the loosing side. It was a piece of cake and not what I expected. It was acutally easier than I imagined. I'm a little tired. I didn't get to room with Sharon Halk and instead had the roomie from hell. I felt sorry for her cause she puked all the time and her family talked the entire day. She had entirely too many visitors and there was often 5 people standing in her space and I had difficulty getting out of the room past them to walk. Two of them spent the night everynight and it was crowded in our little room. The nursing staff was excellent, my Surgeon Dr Ho is AWESOME she told my DH my procedure was easy and it took less than an hour. DH had me up walking 3 times the first day post op, and I walked a lot the next day to escape from the dorks hogging my room. DH and I spent time sitting in a lobby looking at fish in a pond. In all, it was a very easy and I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers I received. I was able to get in 55oz of water/fluids today. It's not hard as long as I make a concious effort to sip sip sip. My bruises look bad but they don't hurt at all.

8-18-03 I'm up at 6am every morning and I go for a walk. I feel a little frustrated because I've been home a week and still weigh 257. My body is being extremely resistant to it's new configuration and is fighting me hard to conserve my phat! I guess this means I'll just have to walk further! I'm determined to use this tool to my advantage.

8-21-03 I've dropped to 253 this morning. I find that I have energy in the morning. I got up and walked 1.5 miles then mowed the lawn (mower is self propelled). I took a shower and felt tired so I had to take a scooby nap. I'm finding the need to take afternoon naps a lot this week. After my nap, I went to the bank and back to the tire shop so they could replace the tire on my car that was ordered yesterday. I'm excited to be meeting my AMOS Sibs this evening at Stephanies...Update we had a blast once again. There were a dozen or so and it was nice to be able to share our different experiences. Thank you Stephanie for being such a wonderful hostess.

8-25-03 I'm beyond tired and have progressed to exhaustion. I suspect I may have a sinus infection. I see my surgeon this week and will have her check it out for me. I'm constantly going back to bed for scooby naps.

9-3-03 I'm feeling better and go back to work next week. I'm loosing approx 1# a day, down 21# in 3 weeks. Wheeeee. I've had a few puking episodes (all were my fault). I need to learn to slow down, chew more and stop gulping my water! Old habits are hard to break.

9-10-03 This morning I was at 244 and I've noticed the inches are falling off. My panties are baggy and my boobs have shrunken somewhat. I've just started back to work this week and I've been soooo tired. I crave an afternoon nap but can't take one. I take a protein shake in the morning, then I start drinking my water when I get to work. I have 1/2 banana with peanut butter for morning snack. I have been eating a table spoon of tuna for lunch with some fruit (a piece 2" square of honeydew or watermelon) In the afternoon I'll finish the other half of the banana with more peanut butter and sometimes I'll eat a yogurt if I feel hungry. For dinner this evening I ate 2 deli slices of roast beef and some melon. I tried califlower yesterday and it just seemed to take up so much room in my pouch I couldn't eat much of it. I've been walking every day a least a mile and often 2 miles. I haven't been getting in 64oz of water since I started working, it's more like 48. I do get in all my vitamins and I feel pretty good except for the afternoon tiredness. I'm sure this will pass as soon as I get back into the working "groove", hehe. Hugz

9-15-03 I'm still exhausted. I'm dragging my ass at work and all I wanna do is sleep. Sunday I was up at 7am but took two 2 hour naps, that's 4 xtra hours of sleep during the day! I've started taking two chewable vitamins with Iron (1 morning/1 evening) and subligual B12 in the morning. I'm eating protein and very few carbs and I'm still walking a mile or more each day at work. I got a new computer and I'm too flippin tired to finish the set up. I have to configure a wireless DSL Router and link both PC's on a wireless home network, plus I need to transfer all my files to the new PC so I can burn back up copies of digital pictures and all my files from the last 5 years.

9-20-03 Wheeee I'd down to 239 this morning (minus 28#) which reduces my BMI to under 40. I haven't been at this weight for 4 years!

9-26-03 Down to 236 (minus 31#) and feeling great. I can't wait to get together with all my AMOS Sibs tomorrow at Graceada Park.

Standing Left to Right, Friend of Stephanie, Me, Stephanie Simmons, Shelly W., Richard Cano, Laura??, Danni C., Shelly W's Mom, Denise Boere. Front row kneeling Cynderzharp, Christy McGuire, Carrie S., Amy Mitchell.

9-29-03 Don't know what I did to piss off the pouch, but my tummy had been hurting all flipping day. I had 2 deli slices of roast beef and 4 cashews for lunch and pouchie's been gurgling and rumbling all afternoon. I've chewed 4 tums and going to walmart to get some more. Currently 233.

10-10-03 Still bouncing between 233 & 235 and haven't been able to eat any meat this week at all. I puked 3 times this week on deli sliced roast beef, grilled chicken and roast pork. I'm back on soft foods (mashed potatoe, refried beans, cottage cheese & yogurt) which are loaded with carbs.

10-12-03 Woke up this morning and I'm down to 230, wheeeee. DH and my neighbor installed a new water heater in my laundry room this weekend. We removed the dryer to get to the water heater and OMG the floor was covered with GROSSSSSSS lint, about 13 years worth....

10-15-03 Roofing company showed up to tear off my cedar shakes and replace them with composition. What a sad day. I love the look of shake. What a mess, there's debris everywhere!

10-22-03 Returned from a terrific mini vacation in Las Vegas. Walked from the Tropicana to Treasure Island and back with lots of side detours into every casino along the strip, hehehe. M&M World was kewl and I wasn't tempted to eat even one! The Luxor is my favorite casino. I'm down to 227 -40#. It's been a week and I still have no roof. Inspector was here today and there are some items that need to be corrected, Oy Vey!

10-24-03 Aaaaack! The roofers fell thru my kitchen ceiling and left a huge mess and a gaping hole. They also fell thru the closet in my bedroom and we didn't discover this one until late last night. There's insulation all over our clothes, what a mess! On a positive note, I'm at 225 (-42#)

10-25-03 Had a terrific time at Kristin's house today. It is always soooo much fun to get together with local AMOS Sibs.

11-2-03 I have a terrible cold, runny stuffy nose and a cough though no fever. I'm at 219 this morning (-48#) Looks like I just might make my next goal which is to be -50# on my birthday in 18 days.I also weigh less than my driver's license says I do for the first time in like 10 years, Wheeeeeeee

11-15-03 Can you say "Frustration"? I have been stalled for 2 weeks and haven't lost an ounce. I know I'm not supposed to compare my loss with others but it's soo hard not to do this. My birthday is in 5 days and I WANT to be -50#.

11-23-03 Woooohooooo, I made it to the 1/2 Century Club today weighing in at 217#. The plateau from hell is broken, wheeeeeeee. Maybe it was from sitting in the bleachers in Clovis yesterday freezing my ass off watching skids color guard competition?

12-1-03 I went to see my PCP for post-op lab work today. I am down 55# from my last visit in March. My BP was 114/76 and I haven't taken any BP meds since surgery. I'm happy and healthier than I've been in years. I bought a size 18 Jeans this week and was able to fit in DH jeans also, hehehe. I've never been able to fit in his pants and did I mention that I'm happy and healthier than I've been in years? hahahaha.

12-3-03 My "blonde child" Amy went into premature labor (6 months pregnant) 3 days ago and delivered a 1lb 15oz baby girl today. They Medi-flighted the baby to Valley Children's Hospital in Fresno and I'm praying that there are no complications.

12-7-03 Tonight I burned my face and hair! I was adding a log to the fireplace insert and an ember popped out flying between my glasses and my eye. It lodged on my cheek under the lens. I quickly brushed it away and it went into my hair, singeing it. Burnt hair REEKS! I have a blister on my cheek the size of a 1 karat diamond, ouch.

12-18-03 My face has healed nicely and is a little pink but I don't think it will be a hideous scar. I've been at 209 this week and feel really great. The boss brought us pizza today for the office x-mas party. I ate 3/4 of a piece of cheese pizza and snacked on some fruit in the afternoon. I haven't had pizza for 5 months and was happy it didn't make me sick.

12-24-03 I made it finally to the -60# mark, woooo hoooo. I took stepkids and grandkids to a Salon yesterday and we spent nearly 5 hours and $$$$$$$ getting pampered. I added highlights to my hair, kids got colored, cut, highlited, manicured and facials! We will be leaving shortly to return the skids to LA. Nothing like 10 hours on the road!

12-31-03 New Years Eve and I'm at work, happy happy joy joy. I'm still bouncing between 206 and 207 so I started jogging yesterday. YES! I can run (if you call it that, hehehe). I have to take small steps because I my left knee feels very weak and I don't want to fall and break a hip! Everyone at work is either on vacation or sick so I'm holding down the fort which makes it hard to leave my office and run around the complex. I figure I have to bump up the exercise to get my loss jump started again. I'm almost 5 months post-op and feeling a bit annoyed at the slow loss. I fear I'm going to stop and never get below 200#. I'll probably come back at some point to re-read this (after I' below 200) and laugh.

1-1-04 Happy New Year! The jogging is already working, I'm at 205 this morning. I slept thru the new year and woke up briefly to the sound of stupid people shooting off guns at midnight! What the hell is wrong with people? Where in the hell do they think the bullets are gonna land? (whatever goes up, must come down). I don't know if I had a dumping espisode last night or just flu like symptoms. I ate 1/2 cup of my favorite dessert last night for dinner...whipped some cream with Splenda and mixed it in a container of low fat cottage cheese & some SF Cranberry Jello. I got a stomach ache, felt nauseous and went to bed at 9:30. I woke up drenched in sweat several times during the night which is highly unusual. Went shopping with DH and ended up buying 2 new t-shirts size XL cause I'm still a 44DD, and a pair of size 16 cargo jeans. Wheeeee I'm in a 16!

1-4-04 I'm at 203 wooo hooo, only a few #'s till I get under 200. I haven't been at this weight since 1991. I did go for a jog yesterday but didn't make it 1/4 mile before I had to turn back and make a dash for the toilet. I shook the $hit outta myself, LOL. I had a major attack of diarrhea and that ended my exercise for the day.

1-5-04 Today is my son's birthday. I'm home with my grandaughter. She woke up with a headache so I let her stay home from school. I got to work and she had left a message on my phone that she had puked 3x on the carpet before she could get to the bathroom. I returned home to clean up, eeeuuuu. On a more pleasant subject, I'm at 202 this morning, wheeee.

1-7-04 I noticed a bubble on my right front tire yesterday and called the tire shop so they could get me a replacement. I go in to get a new tire (My current tires are 10 weeks old and cost $125/each) and they tell me I get to pay for the replacement because I have a chink in my wheel and must have hit the curb! H E L L O I did not hit any curbs.

1-9-04 I'm 1# away from being out of the 200's. I weighed 200 this morning, woooo hooo. My "blonde" child called last night to update me on the baby. Andie is steadily gaining weight and up to 2 lbs 7oz. She has a long way to go but is making steady progress.

1-10-04 I had the best time at Stephanie's Mom's house today with all my AMOS Sibs, wheeee. I counted 27 but think it was closer to 30. Many new faces and all but one was post-op, one gal still had her steri-strips! We had a huge clothing exchange and ate lots of high protein snacks, yummy. I hadn't seen everyone since October and WHOA! What a change and a bunch of hotties, wooo hoooo.
267-------219-------200--------168
1-22-04 I had an appt with my Surgeon this morning for a routine follow up. I left at 7:45a after dropping my grandaughter off at school. It was pretty foggy and the drive took 2 hours. I'm sitting in the waiting room chatting with some gals who are having their surgery with Dr Boone and the receptionist tells me that I didn't have a referral for this visit. They had called my PCP and faxed a request but didn't have an approval. I waited for a while to see if my PCP would call back and they said Dr Ho was running behind schedule because she was in surgery this morning, so I just rescheduled to Feb 5th. I did change insurance January 1st so I'm hoping PacifiCare doesn't balk at approving my follow up appts. I didn't eat much today, I had a SF Vanilla Latte from Starbucks for the drive this morning and I had some chili from Wendy's with cheese and onions for lunch. My son stopped by to pick up his boat (it's in my garage) so I took the opportunity to put all the x-mas decorations back on the shelving in the garage. His boat kinda makes it hard to manuever stuff, and it was a relief to get everything back in it's place. I'm still amazed at the amount of energy I have compared to 5 months ago. DH came home around 4pm, the sun was out so he mowed the lawn and I trimmed some limbs on the tree, raked some leaves and cleaned the filter to the pond. I'm still holding steady at the 200# mark, but I know it's just a matter of time till I start dropping weight again.

1-24-04 Wooo hoooo I'm at 199 this morning and "I feel good, da da da da da, I knew that I would"... hehehe. DH got me out for a 2 hour stroll in the freezing fog. There was a huge car part swap meet at the Fairgrounds and we went up and down every isle! He noticed that I walk much faster now and he had to speed up to stay with me.

1-31-04 I've been at 196 for several days now. DH and I went shopping because I'm nearly nekkid. All my T-shirts are HUGE. Went to Fashion Bug and I got 3 cute T-shirts. Went to Burlington Coat Factory and he talked me into buying a Liz Clairborne down jacket. I am always FREEZING COLD and this jacket is so warm I nearly fell asleep in the truck on the drive home. Most of the time I'm wearing a LS thermal top with a t-shirt and a sweatshirt with a blanket or down comforter on my lap! I tried my sample of Whey Fruity fruit punch flavor and it's ho hum, not something I'm going to buy. I mixed it in a container and it foams like crazy so I put in fridge for 1/2 hour. It separated into 3 layers in the bottle and looked like a layered jello salad so I shook it again and forced myself to drink it. The taste is better than Nectar but it still has that weird milky odor, Eeeuuuuuu.

2-3-04 I'm at 194 this morning and joined a local gym.Tonight was my first workout and the elliptical trainer liked to have killed me. I only used it for 15 minutes and man am I outta shape. I had a real bad bout with constipation last night and had to resort to desparate measures to unclog my pipes. My stomach was bloated with gassy cramps and I was nauseous after eating, it sucked.

2-5-04 I had a 6 months follow up appt today with my surgeon and I weighed in at 193 on her scales. My labs are all within normal range except cholesterol and she suggested I eat more beans and nuts. She said my skin is shrinking up nicely and noted that the top incision scar is now located in my ribcage area and the scars are a lot closer together now. She also recommended I eat 3 fruits a day to get in extra fiber and avoid constipation. I don't know how I'm going to get in enough protein by adding 3 fruits.

2-8-04 Happy 6 month Anniversary to me! I'm down 75 lbs and wear a size 16. I only have 32 lbs to get to my surgeons goal for me of 160. The addition of fruit to my diet has eliminated my constipation issues. My weight loss has stalled and I'm not sure if it's from the high carbs in fruit, my body playing catch up or pehaps I've gained some muscle from working out at the gym. My legs are looking really good and the cellulite is almost gone. The "french bread" I was carrying under my arms by my bra strap is gone, wheeee. I've lost 70", 10 in the bust and 9 each in the waist, hips and abdomen. Current measurements are 46-38-46, my hourglass figure is coming back. My hair has started growing back. I see lots of new hairs around my forehead. I have no regrets and am pleased with my progress thus far. I've had an incredibly easy Journey and I'm looking forward to my future.

2-10-04 I was cleaning up around the pond and noticed that my eave has been repaired. I never saw anyone or even knew they came back! The roofers were supposed to have fixed it, but they just dissappeared after the last shingle was nailed down 3 months ago. Tonight I have a City Inspectors report on my front door, so apparently the roofers can't get a clearance until the final inspection is completed. I still owe them $1000 so maybe they wanna get paid? They still have to paint my ceiling before I'll be cutting them a check, hehe. I did the elliptical trainer for 30 minutes tonight. It's getting easier. I do feel a slight frustration with my WL having stalled. I keep telling myself it's muscle I've gained but annoying all the same.

2-13-04 Happy Friday the 13th. Drove to LA today (and back) to pick up the Skids for a long Valentines Day/President's Day weekend. The kids have grown a lot in the last 5 years and they are so cramped in our '99 King Cab F150, sooooo we bought a new truck. 2004 Nissan Titan Crew Cab with 4 doors, wheeeee. The girls were sooo funny while we were at the dealership, begging Dad to get it and giving us the puppy dog eyes, complete with pouting lower lips! It was hilarious. The new truck has sooo much room inside and there was no fighting on the way home, "Dad she's touching me, Dad she's looking at me, Dad she won't stop singing...wiggling...leaning on me...(fill in the blanks). I'm looking forward to our AMOS meeting at Danni's tomorrow.

2-14-04 Happy Valentines Day! OMG, I had soooo much fun on the trampoline at Danni's. I can't believe I'm almost 50 years old and jumping like a kid. I nearly laughed myself into a coma.

2-21-04 I'm holding at 191 and my size 16 jeans are very baggy. I haven't lost inches or weight but I've gained muscle working out at the gym. That's the only explaination for the saggy jeans that were skin tight 3 weeks ago. I worked out hard this morning, did 40 mins on the elliptical machine + 25 minutes of weights. Went shopping with DH and got 2 pair of size 14 jeans, wheeee. Every pair of 14's I tried on FIT! I'm looking forward to our next gathering at Kristin's house 3-13 Our AMOS groups are way more fun and informative than the surgeon's groups.

2-29-04 It's a Leap Year! I did a 90 minute water aerobics class yesterday with Stephanie and Denise. I'm sunburnt, my arms and shoulders are sore and I dropped to 189 this morning. Hot Damn! When I got home from aerobics, DH had a tummy ache then he started puking and got diarrhea. I hope to God I don't catch it. I ended up taking him to Urgent Care for an injection to stop the nausea. He must have hurled 10x in 4 hours. I have a pot of soup simmering and I'm going to the Gym to hit the elliptical trainer.

3-8-04 Today is my 7 month postop anniversary and I am 188. I saw the 187 flash briefly in the digital scale before it settled. I had a great weekend. We drove to Valencia Friday and picked up the skids. Spent the night in Santa Clarita so we could drop the truck at the dealership for a tow package and bed liner. Walked to Mimi's cafe for breakfast then on the the mall. Walked a lot and spent way too much $$$. Took the kids to Shakeys for dinner and dropped them off afterwards. Didn't get home till 2am Sunday. I woke up Sunday morning full of energy sooo I hand waxed my car! I did have a backache and sore shoulders that evening and it reminded me why I pay $65 at the car wash for a hand wax! I wouldn't even have attempted to wax my car 7 months ago. I lost 4 lbs this month, not earth shattering but I'll gladly take it and be happy I didn't gain.

3-13-04 Went to Kristin's today for our local AMOS support group gathering. It was a huge success as always. I counted at least 20 people and our total group loss is 1,419 lbs. We had people from near and far attend. Kristen from Bakersfield, Connie Sue from the Sacramento area, Christie from Tracy and some Bay area folk who's names I don't remember, sorry. I am continually amazed at the transformations. Everyone is "shrinking". There were piles and piles of clothing to rummage through and lots of yummy high protein snacks.

3-15-04 My daughter showed up for a 2 mile walk with me yesterday. Then I tackled the range and polished the stainless top (It was gross and 25 years old) and my shoulder is killing me from the elbow grease, then I went out and pulled weeds out of my flower beds, planted a flat of pansies, mowed the lawn and sprayed round up along the sidewalk cracks and curb. I have a corner lot with lots of grass and soon to have less weeds. I did 3 loads of laundry, vacuumed the entire house, dusted, knocked down spider webs, swept and mopped the kitchen, loaded the dishwasher and just finished fixing dinner. Pass the Tylenol. I am at 185 this morning and saw 184 flash briefly in the digital read out before it stopped. Wheeeee

3-20-04 Today is my DH birthday so we went to breakfast then on to Home Depot so I could buy some paint for the exterior trim on my house. I spent an hour trying out the new color around the garage doors and I just love it. It's a bright redwood color and really accents the bricks. So DH wants a tattoo for his birthday present and off we go to find a design. Went to 3 different salons and found the ideal Kokopelli. I've posted pics in my yahoo WLS photos. We stopped at WalMart for some cat food and I saw a cute pair of denim capris in a size 12 and they fit! I could get them on and zipped without laying down on the bed, wheeeeeee.

3-28-04 I've been painting for 2 days! I spent 9 hours yesterday with DH painting the exterior trim on the front of my house and another 4 hours today painting the siding on the front. My A$$ hurts from climbing up and down the ladder like 100 times! DH takes the roller and I do the detail work with a 2" brush. I've been taking Tylenol for the aches but it was sooo worth it. My house looks clean and fresh. (White w/Red trim) I've been on a smoked salmon kick lately and have eaten it for dinner the last 5 days. I'm holding steady at 183 and wearing size 12 jeans.

4-5-04 OMG it's taken me days to recover from Reno! I laughed so much and walked a lot. Lost 2#'s and currently 181. I found it pretty easy to eat and mostly had scrambled eggs. I carried a JoyRide bar in my fanny pack for snacking.

4-14-04 We were in Laughlin for the weekend visiting Dave's parents. Their computer had a virus and it took me 4 hours to remove it! I had prime rib and shrimp at a Casino buffet. Yummy. I saw my PCP today and he was just amazed at how well I am doing since surgery.I have an appt for a Gall Bladder ultrasound. I had some severe pains a week ago in my liver area, so he also ordered a blood test to check my liver enzymes. On my PCP's scales, I'm down 91# and have been bouncing this week between 179 and 180. Wheeeeeeeeeeee

4-17-04 I had a terrific time at Denise's today. There were approx 40 people who attended and lots of new faces. It still amazes me at the transformation of the post-ops from month to month. Butts are rapidly shrinking and there is no shortage of smiling gorgeous/handsome faces. I took a 2 hour nap afterwards and went shopping with DH. I bought (and fit into) a pair of size 10 jeans! I've gone from a 26 to a 10 in 8 months and still can't believe it.

4-21-04 I've been at 178 for a few days and this afternoon I got a toothache! I'll call my dentist tomorrow. This is the same one I broke in May while in SD and it has a crown. I wish the hell they'd have done the flippin root canal last year. It pisses me off that I'm going to Anaheim this weekend for the OH event and may need an ER root canal before I go! Grrrrrrr I am neurotic about my teeth. I brush and floss religiously + take my calcium citrate and it irritates me to no end.

4-22-04 I'm at 177 this morning, wheeee. That's -90 from my weight at Surgeons consult and -96 from my appt with PCP to request a referral. I'm almost to the Century Club and I'm so excited. We leave tomorrow after DH get's off work for the OH conference in Anaheim. Wheeeeeeee

4-26-04 I had the best time in Anaheim. It was sooo much fun meeting sibs from the message board and hugging them all. The epiphany for me was the ability to walk and stand for 12 hours over the weekend at Disneyland without knee pain and to be able to fit thru the turnstiles and on the rides. I just loved Mary Sturm and her family and can't thank them enough for allowing us to stay with them for the weekend. Her future SIL kept us laughing and in stitches, hehehe.

4-27-04 Weight today is 175 and I'm inching closer to the "Century Club". The last two days at work have been traumatic. I've been crying my eyes out because 2 of my co-workers were given pink slips. The County has a huge budget defecit and our office has been reduced by half. I will change jobs and be doing Purchasing once again and my remaining coworker will take over my Facilities duties. I am thankful that I still have a job but have "survivors guilt" for the 2 very special gals who lost their jobs.

4-30-04 The painters arrived this morning and spent 2 hours doing my ceilings in the entryway, hall, kitchen, dining room and family room.

5-2-04 What a weekend! I spent Saturday painting and went with DH to the Mall. We were going to breakast and DH was looking at a Huge yard sale and turned in front of a car! I screamed, he slammed on the brakes and we barely avoided a collision. Later in the day, we went to pick up my grandaughter from a friends house and our new Truck started spewing antifreeze all over! Couldn't get any assistance from the local dealership. Drove it this morning to Modesto and left it for repairs then we drove to my daughters house to borrow her extra car and go swimming. Spent 3 hours in the pool, ahhhhhh. It was just a hose and the dealership fixed it up in 1/2 a day.

5-6-04 I just got the fake phone call from Bruce Greenberg representing Blue Cross and I gave him an earful. It's 6am here in California and he woke me up in a bad mood. Thank GOD I read the message board and am informed. I have an unlisted number (always have) and this number was in my caller ID. 508-765-9502 which is MA area code. I said "You're not from BC because they would not call and wake me up at 6am, you're the pervert from the message board and I know all about you." Don't you dare ask me any questions about my tits or ass you ignorant "bleep bleep" I'm going to report you to PacBell and don't you ever call me again you twisted bleep bleep"

I got 2 phone calls from the same number yesterday but was outside painting my house so I just saw the number flashing on the caller ID.
I'm wondering if he doesn't work for an insurance company, or phone company and has access to phone numbers. My phone number does not come up in Searchlite or google. My post was pulled from the message board so I've added it to my profile instead. I've also made most of my yahoo photo albums private so if you want to see additional pics, e-mail me and I'll send you an invitation to view them.

5-7-04 The $%^%&* Pervert just doesn't give up. He called me again at 11:20p to ask me if I have big nipples. This time the phone number was (203)655-1926.

5-11-04 I made it to the Century Club today, hoooorray. 9 months ago, I never thought I'd make it and yet here I am -100 lbs and feeling awesome. To celebrate my loss, DH and I bought a Honda SporTrax 400 Quad. Wheeeee, it's so much fun to ride.

5-15-04 I'm sick as a dog. I've got serious body aches and a fever this evening. I've been coughing up nasty stuff and probably have bronchitis. I took Tylenol throughout the day and it just wasn't cutting the body pains at all. I lay in bed for 3 hours whining and tossing. I got up and took some Advil which I know I'm not supposed to have, but at this point, I am in some serious pain. I'll be going to Urgent Care for some drugs in the morning.

5-16-04 OMG I am soooo sick. I went to Urgent Care this morning and Dr says I have a virus. Gave me Tylenol#3 for the body aches/cough, and some Omnicef. My Temp has been in the 100 to 103 range and I've been lying in bed tossing and turning alternating from freezing to roasting. I'm glad I'm sick this weekend instead of next, cause I don't wanna miss my pals at the Park. Back to bed I go....

5-19-04 I am still sick and running a temp. Must be a virus cause the antibiotics aren't working. I woke up at 5am drenched in sweat with even my hair wet, eeeuuuuuuu. After DH left for work, I had to wash the sheets but all I wanted to do was sleep.

5-20-04 Saw my PCP this morning. He didn't like the sounds in my right lung and changed my meds adding Singular and Advair for asthma. On a positive note, I'm at 168 on his scales, wooo hooo. Now I'm back to bed. Ugh.

5-22-04 The picnic was a blast! It's so much fun meeting everyone in person and we had lots of new peeps. Afterwards, DH and I took the quad up in the hills and rode for a bit. I've added pics to my web site above.

5-23-04 I had a weird food day. I ate a scrambled egg for breakfast so I could take my antibiotics. I had 3 chicken nuggets with the breading removed for lunch and a cup of watermelon cubes for an afternoon snack. We were running errands and stopped at KFC. I ate a 1" piece of the biscuit crust (size of my thumbnail) and 3 bites of mashed potato and I was full. I got that sick feeling I get from carbs and ended up going to bed at 8:30p. It's weird how at almost 10 months post-op, I have days I can eat and others when I can't. I'm at 166 and have had a great weight loss month -10# and only 16 more to goal.

5-25-04 My photos are in the Before and After Gallery, wheeeeee. Thank you so much Laura, you're an angel. DH is sick now also. He spent the day puking and had diarrhea. I'm up early this morning and feeling nauseous. Scale has rewarded me with a 165, woooo hoooo. I'll take illness in exchange for a few lbs lost.

5-30-04 Went to my daughters today for a birthday party. I didn't do much but sit in a chair in the shade. I did venture into the pool for a little wading on the shallow end. My children invited their 18 year old twin 1/2 brothers to this family celebration and their mother tagged along. It was quite a shock for me when "she" arrived. I brought up old feelings of resentment and anger I thought I had buried long ago. Enough said on that subject.

5-31-04 Got another call from the Pervert at 1:30am. The phone number "(774) 230-6856" is a South Bridge, MA based phone number and the registered carrier is Verizon Wireless - MA.

6-1-04 Can you say DRAMA??? I have too much $#%^& drama going on in my life currently. I'm still sick as a DOG with Bronchitis/Pneumonia. I'm on my 3rd week off work (half days) because I'm too flipping tired to work an 8 hour day, let alone my 2nd job. I was able to manage working 4 hours this morning then I had to come home and sleep for 2 hours. I get an e-mail from one of my oldest bestest friends letting me know she has breast cancer and is having surgery 6/9 followed by Radiation tx for 3 or 4 months. I just wanna cry. I'm taking all my vitamins but am a little concerned because I have NO appetite and have been forcing myself to eat. Can you say Anorexia??? I've been at 163 for a couple of days now and am only 13 lbs from my personal goal. I'm excited for the weight to come off, but I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

6-4-04 I have a call in to my Dr's office to have him check my Iron and B12. I'm exhausted still and haven't worked but 1/2 a day this week. Current weight 162. (-111)

6-13-04 I've been bouncing up and down between 161 & 162 this week. I am back on the Protein Train thanks to Kristen's recipe for an Orange Julius shake Yummy (Vanilla protein and Sunrise Orange Crystal Light). I still have NO appetite.

6-19-04 I went to the DDS this week to have my teeth cleaned. I'm happy to say my neurotic brushing/flossing habits prevented me from much tartar buildup. The iced tea is staining my teeth on the inner surfaces and my tongue =( The hygenist polished them all white again. On the home front, my waterbed heater has been acting up for months now and finally died about a week ago. I cannot sleep on a cold bed, it just sucks the heat right out of me. I had a spare heater in the garage that was given to me along with a mattress so I drained the bed this morning and installed it. Arrrgh it doesn't heat! Now I have to find a place that sells heaters and spend $60 + I have to drain the bed again. I forgot to eat today till 3pm because I was busy trimming some roses and working in the yard while the bed drained. I never thought I'd forget to eat!

6-20-04 I did it again, I went till 2:30p without eating. I do take my vitamins every morning after I brush my teeth. I spent 6 hours working in the yard, trimming honeysuckle, sawing wood with a hand saw, installed the floor in my shed so I can get the law equipment off the patio, mowed the back yard, cleaned the kitchen and did 2 loads of laundry. Wheeeeeeeeee. Before WLS, I could never had done this type of physcial activity. I have to laugh at myself because I have a sunbun on my ass. How you ask did that happen? I was wearing some low rise undies and an old pair of shorts I have rolled up at the waist for yard work and painting. My shorts slipped down very low (I didn't notice) and exposed the top of my butt crack, so I have a nice red burn. Bring on the aloe vera!

6-28-04 I had a horrible weekend. We went camping on the beach in Pismo and the wind was 20MPH. I've been sand blasted and don't need a chemical peel Got home at 9 pm, unloaded the camping gear and went to wash truck and quads to get salt off. On the way home, some $#%^&*( brats threw eggs at the truck! We had to go home, unload the bikes, unhitch the trailer and go back to the carwash to wash the truck again. I didn't get a shower till midnight and thought I'd never get all the sand out of my hair. This morning on the way to work I hit a bird. Two more people in my office got lay off notices. We're down from 8 to 4 remaining staff and I'm stressing big time. I don't have much patience or tolerance lately. Dell called me at work to offer me High Speed Internet. I and told them I wasn't interested in any "Marketing" and to NEVER call me at work again for stupid shit, and in fact don't ever call me again period. I had a different telemarketer call me to glean info so she could update her database. I told her I wasn't 411 and if she was just updating information she already had, then I didn't need to confirm and I wasn't giving her any information. She hung up on me. My eating seems to be in control (no cravings/binges) and my weight is holding at 160-161.

6-30-04 I'm in the 150's as of this morning, wheeeeee. Only 9 lbs from goal. My FIL had a quadruple bypass and is doing well. I've been missing from the CA Msg board cause I've been cleaning up from our camping fiasco this past weekend. There's still sand in everything. I have to laugh when DH turns on the A/C in his pickup...it blows sand along with the air.

7-2-04 I spent the day with my son being mom's taxi. He had surgery this morning on his shoulder and can't drive.

7-4-04 Happy 4th, well sorta. I hate my neighbors. They had an all day/all night block party yesterday complete with music loud enough to rattle the pictures on my bedroom wall. I get up early and go outside to assess the damages, and there are beer cans littering the yard & street and someone has taken their vehicle into the park and spun some donuts in the grass (like that's an original idea), assholes. Tonight there's someone lighting off what sounds like dynamite. Waay louder than a M80 and it's flipping midnight. I'm tired and I'm grumpy and I want the BS to stop so I can sleep. On a more positive note, I hit 157 this morning, wheeeeee and while in WalMart this afternoon I tried on and fit into a size 8!!! Never in my life did I think I'd get into an 8. I figured after WLS I'd end up being a 12 or 14 so this is just a perk I didn't expect.

7-6-04 Work BITES! Another person in my office got bumped due to the reduction in force (lay offs) so we've lost(4)50% of our staff. I've been busting my ass doing the work of 2 people and find I'm exhausted at the end of the day but, my day doesn't end at 5pm. I work another job at a Laboratory till 7pm. I've been working thru lunch because stuff needs to get done and the phones don't stop ringing. My additional duties are Purchasing for a 67 bed hospital, 500 employees and 15 clinics. We are getting 2 new people who had more seniority than the ones who lost their jobs, but who's going to train them? Can you say "The Cheese Stands Alone?"

7-14-04 I've been at 155 since we returned from camping this past weekend. DH wrecked on the quad and he's still sore. Silly boy flipped off the edge of the cliff with the bike on top of him, slid 10' down and smashed into a tree! Thank goodness he was with friends who were able to lift the quad off of him as he was pinned and unable to move. I loose 2 lbs every time we go camping so I just may have to go camping several more weekends to get to my goal, hehehe.

7-17-04 Had a great time once again at Kristin's. Got to meet several newbies from the CA Board, Raoulene, Mary Qos, Jim, Karen and many who's names I've forgotten. The pool was refreshing and a good time was had by all.

8-1-04 I haven't updated for 2 weeks cause I'm having food issues. Everything solid that I eat makes me sick. I don't puke any more, I just get a pain in my pouch and spit a lot. Sometimes I have to lie down for 15 minutes and it goes away. I went to my PCP for my annual blood work and he wants me to take Zantac as I may be developing an ulcer. An ulcer doesn't surprise me in the least with all the drama going on at work. I actually told my boss that my job was making me sick! He suggested I see a counselor at EAP and I replied that it wouldn't reduce my tripled workload caused by the layoffs. I'm still bouncing between 154 and 156. I have been eating sunflower seeds and protein shakes because they don't hurt my pouch. I'm a week away from my 1 year anniversary and amazed at how the time has flown by. I still have no regrets and if I puked everyday for the rest of my life, this surgery would still be worth it to me. I went jogging last night with DH and my stepdaughter something I never would have even attempted a year ago. Life is good.

8-6-04 I'm still having food issues and today my st#$%^visor pissed me off and made me cry. I was called into his office before lunch and told that I wasn't allowed to lie on the floor anymore because anyone coming into the office doesn't know if I'm on lunch or break and it's inappropriate "to lie down on the job"! He said that if I'm sick, I have to go home or get a Dr's note and they'll accomodate my disability. I didn't even eat any lunch today for fear that food would make me sick and I'd have to go home. I'm working my ass off trying to keep up and do my facilities duties and the purchasing. My work vehicle had a flat tire this morning and I had to phucking change it and put the spare on myself.

I work in a metal warehouse and there is no break room. There's a women's restroom with lockers and a couch across the complex that I could use, but who the hell wants to lie on the couch while someone's in the shitter???? I suppose I could take my blanket and go outside and lie on the grass or in my HOT BLACK car, but it's like 130 degrees inside. Then to add insult to injury, he comes back later and said my time card was wrong and I needed to correct it because I came in at 7:45 and/or 7:30, worked till 5pm and only had 8 hours worked each day. I told him I did only work 8 hours, the rest of the time I was lying on the floor sleeping or outside smoking! He made me show my lunch as being 1hr 15 min or 1hr 30 min. Put a fucking fork in me, I'm done.

8/8/04 One year ago today...I crossed over to the "Loosing" side and all I can say is WOW, what an adventure!! The quality of my life has improved 1,000%. I can stand and/or walk non-stop for hours without pain. My energy level and stamina has increased 10x, as well as my motivation to do things.

I weigh every morning and measure monthly. My highest weight was 273 and I'm currently 154 (-119 lbs). The scale hasn't budged for a month and I may be done. I've lost 111" which has left me with some redundant skin, and still I have no regrets. Even after a year, my head still thinks I'm a fat girl. I wear a size 6 but my eyes see a size 18 in the mirror. It's weird! So here I sit... one year later...reflecting back and I will say, this is the best anniversary of anything I have ever celebrated. Wishing each and every one of you continued success on your Journey ~ I love you guys (((HUGS)))

8/9/04 I spent my 1 year anniversary with DH and kids at a Poppa Roach/Steve O concert at the Fruityard today. It was HOT! They ran out of water! I got hit twice by flying water bottles and a Mosh Pit broke out right behind us and I got slammed and knocked to the ground! Can you say "Dog Pile"? A year ago I would not have been able to tolerate the heat, nor stand on my feet for 7 hours. I may have a bruise or two tomorrow, but the guys who knocked me down are gonna hurt way worse. I took my lighter and burned the back of their neck/hair while they were working themselves off of me! Pissed me off because we had kids and had already moved away from some drunk jerks who were throwing bottles and spilling beer on us...

8-10-04 I just had to share a quote I got from a dear friend and co-worker because it describes how I wanna live my life. Thank you Donna.

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Champagne in one hand - strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO - What a Ride!"

8-15-04 I just pasted a pre-op side view pic @ 267 with my current side view @ 154. I don't even remember looking like the pre-op pic. I am sucking "it" in and I do have excess skin the tankini kinda holds in. **** I've updated the pic with a current pic taken 10-8-04 @ 147 wearing size 4 jeans, wheeeee.

8-15-04 OMG, I got home at 2am from Fresno and have to say Van Halen Rocked!!! Shine Down opened for them and they were very good.

I still having ringing in my ears this morning, I have a killer headache, I got puked on, water was $3/bottle, someone close by had some TOXIC farts that nearly caused me to puke myself! We get to the truck in the parking lot and some guy is pissing on our tire! I swear if I had a di@k, I'd a whipped it out and pissed on his vehicle too. I realized that I'm getting old (the crowd had lots of grey hair, hehe) and concerts just aren't as "magical" as they used to be.

8-21-04 Had a terrific time at Danni's and it was HUGE. There were at least 50 to 60 people in the group picture not including those who had already left or spouses and SO. WOW. My local peeps are wild women and the jello shots were slammed left and right. We didn't stay till the end and missed all the GoldSchlager... hehehe. I hit 153 this morning, woooo hooo that's -120 lbs

9-1-04 I've been tearing thru the house getting ready for new carpeting and it looks like a "war zone". I have 1 closet left to empty and finished painting the hall this past weekend. I had an appt with my PCP for additional labs as my surgeon wanted a B6, B12, Ca+ and ParaThyroid. I was 152 this morning and very excited. My loss has slowed a LOT and I thought I was done, but alas! my weight inched down a little closer to my goal.

9-2-04 Wheeeeeeee, I hit 151 this morning :happy dance: This evening I drug a huge computer box in front of my closet and filled it with at least 50 pairs of shoes. Holy Shit batman, I never knew I had that many pairs of shoes!!! I haven't worn heels in like 5 years soooo I'll be tossing most into a yard sale or Goodwill after the carpet is done.

9-3-04 I should be doing the happy dance this morning because I made it to my goal of 150 lbs and my BMI is 25 which makes me Normal. Those of you who know me, know that I am anything but Normal, LOLOL.

Sooooo why does it feel just like another $hitty day in Paradise? What the he!! is wrong with me? Why can't I be accepting of myself? I was in Kohl's last night and easily fit into size 6 jeans but when I look in the mirror, I don't see a thin person. I remember being 273 pre-op and thinking to myself "I'd love to be a size 10 like my coworkers M... or J...." Ok, I've gone 2 sizes smaller and I'm not content. I'm not aiming to be a size 2, that's not the issue, I am happy at a 6 but my flipping brain still sees me as an obese person.

9-4-04 DH and I have emptied the house of all furniture except 2 rooms. I have a 8x8 shed full of boxes, sofa, love seat, recliner, tables and dressers are in the back yard on plastic covered with tarps and the garage is half full of mattresses, computers and electronic equipment. When we moved the bunk bed I discovered the kids had put dirty feet and hands on the wall and ceiling. What possesses kids to do shit like this? I just painted that room last year, sooo off to Home Depot for some touch up paint. The color didn't match, so I ended up re-painting the entire room. I took a 2 hour scooby nap and washed the walls in the dining and family room. I can't find the paint can so I can do touch up on the walls. There's definately something to be said for painting a house all one color!!!!! Every room in my house is different. I also sponged some antique white in the Master BR. DH calls me Psycho Bev, hahahaha.

9-10-04 Wheeeeeee, I'm at 147 this morning. Thank God it's Friday. I've been cleaning like a mad woman after work and slowly getting stuff moved back in the house. This weekend we'll be replacing the baseboards. I think back 13 months ago and am greatful for this awesome tool. There's no way I would have been able to do 1/2 of the physical "labor" that I'm able to do now -127 lbs.

9-15-04 I'm bouncing up and down 2#'s, must be the salt in the sunflower seeds I've been eating. I still don't see myself as thin but people at work have been commenting recently that I'm "boney", or that my face is too thin, and my size 6 pants are baggy, and when am I going to stop loosing? So what did I do tonight? I went and bought two pair of size 4 jeans. I can't believe I can easily zip them and never imagined in my wildest pre-op dreams that I'd wear a 4. Of course my skin hangs over the top, gross!!! I want PS and I want it soon.

9-24-04 Still rearranging my house. I painted the window sill in the Guest bedroom and left with DH to buy a new ceiling fan because the green one doesn't go with the blue and white room. I had 2 job interviews this week and spent an "Obscene" amount of $$$ on a new outfit from Macys and 2 little black dresses, hahaha. When we returned, the psycho cat had been hiding in the room I just painted and she walked on the wet paint leaving feet prints, Arrrggghhhh and she crapped on the bed!!! My new furniture will be delivered tomorrow, wheeeeeee. So I'll be painting the living room and finishing the base boards tonight.

10-4-04 DH and I spent the weekend in Laughlin moving his parents. He surprised me with a Jacuzzi Suite at the Edgewater for our Anniversary which just coincided with the move weekend. I am amazed that I didn't have any pain from lifting boxes and furniture all day. My weight is holding steady between 147 and 149. When we got home, I discovered the psycho cat had been locked in my bedroom and YES, she DID!! She crapped in the middle of the bed on my new comforter, Arrrgggggghhhh. I just wanna scream!!!!! Sooo off to the laundry mat I go. I got some bad news this evening. My brother called to say his 15 y/o daughter was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and it's also in her lungs. I am heartbroken and the thought brings tears to my eyes, so I'm outta here for now.

10-7-04 I swear I'm gonna scream. Somehow the flipping cat keeps getting locked in bedrooms and YES, she crapped on another bed! I guess that's better than crapping on the new carpet because at least it's washable. This is my 3rd trip to the laundry mat. Everyone at home has gotten a lecture on keeping bedroom doors shut.

10-8-04 Had a "date night" with my DH. We went to the Monster Truck event at the Fairgrounds. It was fun and freezing. The weather is changing and it's time for me to dig out some sweaters... not that I have any that will fit.

10-12-04 What a weekend. My home improvement projects are almost completed, wheeeeeee. Saturday DH and I finished the baseboards. When DH moved my dresser he felt a strong spider web and we started looking with a flashlight and found a freaking BLACK WIDOW curled up in my Jeans that were on top of the dresser. It FREAKED me out and now I've developed a new neurosis, I have to shake every piece of clothing before I put it on! I have another CAT story to add to my woes. DH was on the front porch installing a new light fixture and I had just finished painting a window sill in the Living Room so he could install new vertical blinds. I went outside to smoke and wasn't gone for 10 minutes and when I returned......YES SHE DID, the cat had walked in the fresh paint AGAIN!!!! I just wanted to scream. Sooo what did I do instead??? Spent more $$$$ We bought a Captains chest bed for my grandaughters room, a canopy scarf that drapes over rods attached to the wall and new coordinating bedding to match. She spent the weekend with a friend and was sooo excited because we surprised her and had "Pimped" her room, LOL.

10-17-04 Had a very nice time at Jeanne's yesterday. The group was smaller but more manageable. Someone made these mushrooms stuffed with sausage and cream cheese that were to DIE for, Yum Yum Yum. I've added pics to my yahoo photo album and squeezed in a pic taken at work from a year ago. Holy $hit Batman!!! I was HUGE and 2 months postop in the pic. DH and I went "out" with the Party Girls last night and danced our a&&es off, hahaha. Then 10 of us went to Denny's for breakfast and several of "us" nearly spit food thru our noses from the laughter and giggling fits!!!

10-19-04 Since the weather has changed I'm a flipping popscicle freezing my a$$ off all the time soooo I got 2 pair of size 4 jeans at Kohl's last night + 2 sweaters because they were buy one get another for a dollar.

10-23-04 DH and I had a blast at Stephanie's birthday halloween bash. There were soooo many of my OH friends in attendance. I never would have gone in a costume to any event a year ago. It still amazes me at how my life continues to improve since WLS. I'm holding steady this week at 148.

10-24-04 Dave and I went to Stephanie's this morning to help her clean up after the party. Holy SHIT Batman, what a mucking fess!!! We spent about 2 hours picking up trash, tossing left over food and washing dishes. Then it was off to do some shopping. Dave surprised me and got me an early birthday present, a new Minolta Digital Camera with an awesome zoom lens. Woooo hooo.

10-26-04 While on the way to the grocery store this evening to pick up some stuff for dinner, we stopped in a jewelery store so I could inquire about having my rings sized. They have been driving me crazy twisting around on my fingers and I've been afraid I'm going to lose them because they slid off too easily. DH wants to look at new mountings and this one just screamed my name sooo we had to buy it, wheeeeee. I feel so spoiled.

10-30-04 We arrived at Universal last night and missed the costume ball at the OH convention. Today was an awesome day and I had so much fun at the OH event. It was great hugging all the people who's faces I've come to know from the message board. DH was my photographer and I tried to get as many pics as possible though it was difficult to get anyone to stand still as everyone was cruising around and going to classes, hahaha. The vendors had lots of info and samples, Yummy. We missed the evening party because we took the kids to Knott's Scary Farm Saturday night. It was fun but lets just say they won't be asking to go again any time soon, LOL cause they were scared $hitless by ghouls, monsters and a chain saw wielding madman who chased anyone who would run.

10-31-04 I had a PS consult this morning with Dr Katzen for a LBL and BL w/Implants. He told me to collect pictures of how I'd like my (.)(.) to look like and that I'd need to be smoke free for 6 months. I'll call his office in a week to see what my out-of-pocket costs would be so I can decide if I can even remotely afford PS. My Body Fat is 22%

11-5-04 I'm home today with my grandaughter. She caught a cold while we were down South and I was up most of the night with her checking the vaporizer, getting her juice and monitoring her temp. My weight is holding steady at 147-148. I've increased my daily protien with shakes because I've been slacking in this area and had a recent wake up call when a local 5 year postop died of malnutrition. If you've gotten this far reading my Journal, go take your vitamins, calcium, water and protein.

11-15-04 I spent 7 hours with my daughter who's 18 months postop at ER Thursday. They thought she had West Nile and ran lots of tests including a Lumbar Puncture, ouch!!! The not so surprising discovery is that she's anemic and severely malnourished. Of the 14 values they check with a standard CBC, 12 were abnormal. She's not been eating or taking her vitamins for a while. Hemoglobin is 8.4 and she has to take Ferrous Gluconate 3xday plus 3 protein drinks daily with follow up labs in a week. Sooo if you've read this far, go take your freaking vitamins people. You didn't come this far postop to die of malnutrition.

11-21-04 I got a SURPRIZE Birthday Party last night and I cannot tell y'all how much fun it was. I had Nooooo idea!

DH conspired with Steph & Nene to gather a HUGE group of our local people to sneakily meet at Fresh Choice for dinner, then we were off to Crocodile's for some dancin' Wheeeeeeee. I had a couple of shots of Goldschlager and was flashing my thong on the dance floor (My Bad?) Much LOVE to my girlies, Steph, Nene, Christie, Tammy, Kristin, Jeanna, Denise, Amy, Faith, Danni , Kristi and their DH/SO's plus 6 of my DH's friends.

I laughed so much I've lost my voice. There was a Dude in a skirt who was using the Ladies room. Imagine our surprise to see the feet in the next stall pointed in the wrong direction. We all left early and went to Denny's for some Breakfast... They must really hate it when we take over the place, hehehe. In all I had an awesome time, didn't have a hangover (I've only drank twice since WLS) and am so thankful that this surgery has given me my life back. Afterall, we take nothing with us when we die except the memories we've made.

11-23-04 It's official, I have Bronchitis. I've been off work for 3 days and had to get a Dr's note today. I've been at 146 for the last 4 days, wheeeee. I had a PS consult 3 weeks ago with Dr Katzen @ Universal and got the costs today. A TT/LBL/MTL is a ballpark figure of $18K. A BL with Silicone implants is about $11K so I could have both as a self pay for less than the price of a new Nissan 350Z.

12-13-04 I've been sooo flipping busy I haven't updated my profile and I don't even know where to begin. Thanksgiving was wonderful. I spent 6 hours cooking and 6 minutes eating hahaha. We went to SanDiego to watch my stepdaughter compete in Color Guard finals. DH gave me a NordicTrac Elliptical for an early X-mas present. I'm so spoiled, and liking it a lot, hehe. I've worked my way up to 30 minutes at a time and I've gained 4#'s in the last 2 weeks YIKES! I keep telling myself it's muscle and have already noticed my legs and thighs are more toned and sculptured. We went to a X-mas party with my bestest OH friends then out to Crocodile's for some dancing. I had a couple of shots of Goldschlagger and was fine the next day. My legs are sore from shaking my booty all over the dance floor, hehe. I'm home this morning for a Dr's appt. I am asking for a referral to a plastic surgeon. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.

12-18-04 I'm slightly bummed because my appt for a consult with the Plastic Surgeon is 8 MONTHS AWAY!!! Oy vey. Been to several X-mas parties this week and shopping for the kids presents. I've been FREEZING and looking for some warmer clothing. I wear thermals under my jeans and sweater + a sweatshirt jacket and a down coat with gloves and a scarf! I picked up a pair of Rockies in a size 7 Jrs today and I found a great pair of boots to hopefully help keep my feet and toes from freezing all the time. I can't wear wool at all, not even the soft Merino wool because the stuff itches me to death! soooo I settle for 2 pairs of regular socks and still have popsicle toes. PS back to 146, musta been some water weight?

1-5-05 The Holidays were great and Santa was very good to me, hehehe (very few lumps of coal this year). I've been having some low blood sugar issues for several weeks. I get the shakes, feel weak and start sweating. My BS has been 45 to 62 when I feel these symptoms and it comes on with no warning, BOOM! I'm eating more frequently though I don't like it because it feels like I'm "cheating" with my food protocol and/or grazing all flipping day! My latest food "craving" is reduced fat Wheat Thins with Brie cheese, OMG I just love it! I switched from bread to wheat thins because bread was making me sick. I'm still carb sensitive and I get dumping syndrome if I get too many carbs. I've been exercising like a fiend on my elliptical because it warms me up and I'm freezing all the time. When I'm on the computer, my right (mousing) hand gets soooo cold it aches so I put a small desk lamp next to my mouse pad and point the bulb down at my hand, hahaha. It works pretty good to keep my fingers from going numb. I've also ordered a pair of "down" bootie/slippers for my feet. Tonight I'm sitting at puter with thermals, socks and a blanket sleeper that zips up the front and my toes are frozen! I know, waa waa waa I'm whining and I'd still rather be a human popscicle than to be 273#'s ever again. 'Nuff said.

1-6-05 My daughter's condition hasn't improved. She was supposed to have some tests today at Kaiser in Stockton and possibly be admitted for a blood transfusion and TPN feeding because her Hemoblobin continues to fall from 8.6 to 8 with a Hematocrit of 26 and low WBC. She's been on Iron & protein shakes 3 times a day for 8 weeks and continues to slide downhill as her malnutrition worsens. I'm worried and I freaked out when I couldn't contact her. She did call at 9:30p and has been admitted for Tx.

I start Physiology class on Monday and will probably be less active on the boards because I need time to read and study. This is the last pre-requisite I need for the RN program.

1-11-05 Physiology is intense! The instructor gave us a Chemistry test the first night..Oy Vey I wasn't prepared for that. My daughter is supposed to be released from the hospital today and she's doing better. On another note I had a call today from my OB/GYN requesting some Labs today and they changed my appt to tomorrow (2 months early). Makes me wonder what they saw in the ultrasound.

1-12-05 Well the wondering is over and now the worry is causing me extreme anxiety. The lab test was a CA125 for Cancer and the ultrasound shows I have a mass/tumor on my right ovary and in my pelvic cavity. I'm being referred to an Oncologist and am waiting for the OB/GYN to get me the appointment. I'm definately having surgery to explore and remove the mass I just don't know when or what the course of treatment will be.

Isn't it ironic that I finally get to point in my life where I feel healthy, I look normal weightwise, I have tons of energy, I eat a low fat/high protein diet with lots of fruits and veggies, I take my vitamins and drink 100+ oz of fluids daily, I exercise regularly, my arthritis is gone and my blood pressure is normal...only to discover I could have Cancer. Who knows how long it's been growing because 125 lbs ago, there's no way the GYN could have felt it, but she did today and I am thankful for WLS and hold some hope that it's in the early stages. I'll update more when I have more info to share.

1-14-05 CA125 is normal, wheeeeeeee that means the mass is probably begnin. My daughter is doing much better and her Hemoglobin is up to 9.5! Amazing what intensive Iron Tx and bed rest will do for ya.

1-19-05 Phys is a challenge. I didn't get to choose my lab partners and the instructor assigned us based on seating. I was extremely pissed at 2 of my "team" tonight because they hadn't done their homework from last week and spent 40 minutes of our 2 hour lab doing last weeks assignment! We were the last to finish and I did most of the flipping work. The 4th girl was assigned to collect 10ml of spit and spent 30 minutes collecting it in a graduated flask. Better her than me, hahaha. I also ended up cleaning up our work station and washing all the equipment.

1-20-05 I had a consult today with the surgeon and she recommended a total hysterectomy which is scheduled for Feb 1st at Memorial. She said the mass is 4cm and is solid (not a fluid cyst) and it may still be a cancer though the odds of it being benign are in my favor. She wants to remove it ASAP and I agree that it needs to GO! I have bronchitis and she prescribed me an antibiotic. I'm trying to exercise on my elliptical but I'm too flipping tired from coughing up "smurfs" hehe, sooo to prepare for my surgery, I've increased my Protein drinks to 3xday.

1-26-05 OMG, Physiology sucks!!! I got my first "F" on a test and I'm crushed. I just can't memorize stuff anymore and so I'm gonna pout and whine a bit. OK, pity party's over. My daughter called me today, she's doing very well. Her hemoglobin continues to rise and she sounded more energized, she was giggling and it does my heart good to know she's on the mend. I hurled dinner tonight because it had rice baked in the casserole, Ugh! I still can't do rice.

1-31-05 I'm having some preop jitters. I have less than 30 hours till my Hysterectomy and I'm wiggin!! I've been cleaning house like a mad woman...I went out last night with my OH pals dancing and I'm so glad because I was able to relieve some anxiety and stress by shaking my booty on the dance floor and laughing for a couple of hours. I have another Phys test tomorrow and my confidence is shaken, so I just have to "suck it up".. it is, what it is. I'll be absent from the boards until I'm recovered and will have my DH post an update. Hopefully I won't wake up dead and for those of you who know me, I say this phrase alot because everyday is a blessing and a chance for a new start. WLS has given me back my life and I have no regrets whatsoever.

2-5-05 I'm home from the hospital and I'm tired and sore. I was so glad they gave me some Versed while I was in preop cause the anxiety was nearly overwhelming. My surgery took 2.5 hours because I had some adhesions. My surgeon said she kept clipping away laparoscopically and nearly had to convert to an open procedure. She said I had an Endometrioma. I woke up in recovery with a pain of about 7 and I was telling them there were "Lobsters pinching me" hehe. I slept most of the first day because they didn't give me a PCA and instead I had a constant Demerol drip. It suppressed my breathing and my oxygen saturation was low, so they disconnected it and started giving me injections instead. I felt like a pincushion and would wait to ask for pain meds because I knew they were gonna inject me with a HUGE needle. I had many visitors and phone calls. My daughter brought me this Wizard of Oz Witch bobblehead. I remember seeing it thru a Demerol haze and saying "I'll get you my pretty, and your little dog too" LOL. Denise sent me flowers. Judy visited and brought me a vanilla candle and some Cucumber Melon lotion. My boss brought me a card from work and a kewl mini book of Snapple facts. Janiece brought me chocolate and my husband said I was eating these mini Hershey bars. I don't remember eating candy, hahahaha and it's not something I eat when I'm lucid (I never eat candy). Musta been the drugs, hehe. I went in on Tuesday and was home Thursday. I only took Codeine Thursday afternoon at home and haven't had any pain meds since. My abdomen is swollen (more on the right side where the mass was) and my incisions are super glued and starting to itch.

2-7-05 I went to school this afternoon for a make up test I missed while in the hospital. My low blood sugar has been worse since my surgery. I had a protein drink at noon, a small Wendy's chili at 2pm. Another protein drink at 5pm and when I got home at 8:30 I had 2 bites of chicken parmesan and a piece of french bread so I could get all the sauce. The bread got stuck and I hurled about a teaspoon. I went to lie down for 15 minutes and I was hungry still so I ate a piece of broiled chicken breast. The bread was calling my name again!!! so I had a small half slice of Cranberry breakfast bread from Costco. After I finished it, I was in the garage smoking and I felt the low blood sugar hit me, hard. I was sweating and shaking and didn't even finish my cig. My blood sugar was 39 so I drank a small glass of OJ and went to lie down again. This hypoglycemia shit is bugging me because I had just ate protein and a carb not 15 minutes prior.

2-9-05 OK, I'm pi$$ed! I just got a call from Dr Higa's office cancelling my 18mo follow up appt tomorrow because PacifiCare denied my referral. I continue to have elevated liver enzymes. AST is 42 (high normal is 36) and ALT is 89 (high normal is 43), and low blood sugar readings of 39 and 40 several times a week. I can follow up with my PCP, but I really prefer to be seen by a Bariatric Physician who has experience with nutritional deficiencies or abnormalities following WLS.
Maybe PacifiCare is still reeling from the cost of my Hysterectomy?

2-10-05 My PCP's office called to let me know my referral was denied unless I want to change surgeons and go to Dr Jenkins in Auburn or Dr Ali in Sac. Now riddle me this batman? Why would I want to do my WLS follow up with a surgeon who knows nothing about me???

I had my first follow up appt since my hysterectomy today and as I got off the elevator, I noticed Dr Wu the plastic surgeon I have a consult with in August was on the same floor. Soooo after my appt, I stopped at the desk and asked if there was a cancellation list for a consult. The girl was sooo nice, she looked up my appt and changed it to March 25th hahahaha. That's 5 months sooner, wheeeeeeeeeeeeee. And the best news, my tumor was Benign wheeeee. I'm having an awesome day.

2-25-05 I took my daughter to the airport in Oakland this morning. She's on her way to the Azores to pick up her son and will be back in 10 days. Her trip was OK until she got to Boston and they had screwed up and cancelled her reservations. I've been on the phone with her travel agent and she's stuck in the airport for a bit. She said the terminal is closed (it's after 11pm there), she's starving, thirsty and they don't have any vending machines with snacks or water on the 4th floor. Oy Vey!

2-27-05 I had an abdominal ultrasound 3 days ago because my PCP is checking why my liver enzymes are elevated. The Technician had me twisted on the table for 10 minutes so she could look at my GB and I've had a back ache and a serious headache every day since. I missed the event at Kristy T's because I feel like shit and have been taking codeine for the pain. I've been absent from the CA board because I don't feel well and spend most of my time sleeping.

3-4-05 I forgot to share my latest drama with ya!!! I get up Friday morning to smoke and give my hubby a kiss before he goes to work and we open the garage door. I've had my daughters Accord parked in the driveway behind my car since I took her to the airport a week ago and someone had jacked it up and stolen the rear tire, leaving the car on a block of wood. The #$^%##$% even brought their own block of wood!! They also took the flippin lug nuts so I couldn't even put the spare tire on until I went to Kragen's to buy some!!!

Matching Tire costs $90
Used 15" stock rim costs $60
Used Hubcab $25

Like I've got a $#$^%& money tree in the backyard that I can just pluck $200 bucks off of.

3-8-05 OMG the DRAMA continues!! My daughter left 10 days ago to pick up her son in Portugal(this is her return flight). Tonight she called me crying because the Boston airport is closed due to snow and they re-routed her plane to Montreal Canada. She had to stand in line for 3 hours with her 4 year old son in the airport and just called me from a pay phone (her cell phone is dead) to give me her hotel room & number. She's freezing because it's like -15 degrees. It's highly unlikely that she will make her return flight tomorrow morning and will probably be stuck in either Canada or Boston for another day waiting for a return flight.

3-10-05 My grandson and daughter finally made it home this afternoon. What a fiasco. Her plane to Boston was diverted to Montreal Canada when snow closed all the airports on the eastern seaboard after they had already taken off from the Azores. She stood in line in the canadian airport for 3 hours with a 4 yr old to get thru immigration/customs. The airline put them up in a hotel for the night and it was freezing at -15. They didn't get to leave Canada until 2pm the next day and she missed her connecting flight to Oakland. I've been on the phone for the last two days with everyone! and we got her and Zachary on a different flight from Boston this morning. Her grandma paid $560 for the tickets.

I hurt my neck 3 days ago and am sitting here with a heating pad on my shoulder and sucking on Codeine! Waaaa, pass the cheese. I also got my hair cut off and colored.

3-13-05 MY NECK HURTS!!! OMG the Codeine is making me ill and I've been in bed for the entire weekend. I'm going to the Dr tomorrow.

3-16-05 I haven't been able to sleep more than 2 hours at a time because the Hot Flashes wake me up all night and I'm exhausted. My OB/GYN gave me some hormones today, Hooooray!!! and I'm off work for another 2 weeks because I'm still "spitting out stitches". I really expected that I'd be recovered ASAP from this surgery but alas!! NOT. I had big plans while I was off work to paint my bathroom, clean the shed... I haven't done jack shit at home. Absolutely the bare minimum which is laundry, dishes and vacuuming.

3-17-05 I had a revelation today! I was obese because I have waaay tooo much drama in my life. I was re-reading my Journal and cannot believe how much drama is in here sooo, here's the latest!

My baby brother had his pickup stolen the day after Thanksgiving and they found it yesterday, TRASHED! There's pics in my yahoo folder above. What is really sad is my brother is disabled and it took him 7 years to pay for that truck only to have some punk steal it out of his driveway, take it for a joy ride and then demolish it for no reason. They knocked out all the windows, ripped the bed off and even tore out the air bag!

3-21-05 We got together with a bunch of friends for some dancing at Croc's for my DH's birthday and here's a pic of us being silly, hehehe.

3-25-05 Any body take Vivelle dot estrogen replacement? I just put the first patch on about an hour ago and I feel like $hit. I wanna cry, I'm sad and I'm "spacey". I don't know which is worse, hot flashes every hour or sitting here feeling like it's the end of the world. Nene, where are you???

I just had my PS consult with Dr Wu this morning and she wanted to focus on one body area at a time, so I chose the tt first. Someone cheer me up, make me laugh. Tell me I'm not going nucking futz!
DH is coming home for lunch to give me a hug

5-18-05 I've been MIA and lax at updating my profile so here's the quick version. I passed my Physiology class. I'm back at work and catching up on the backlog. DH and I bought a travel trailer so we can go camping and not sleep on the ground. Grandaughter has been in Saturday Academy since January to earn enough credits to graduate. I don't know if she's going to be able to "walk" with her class or not because she's still failing one subject.

PacifiCare denied my Panniculectomy.They said my pannus doesn't hang below my pubic symphysis and I haven't had 6 months of documented intertrigo. I don't get many rashes in the crease of my apron, it's my belly button that gets infected, red, itchy and reeks all the time!!! I don't know why it matters how far down my skin hangs when my medical issues are in the umbilical area. Sooo I'll be going in to the Urgent care every time I have an irritation to get some more documentation. I also question/wonder how they determined where my pubic bone was located in the pictures taken by the plastic surgeon. I got a letter letting me know they were extending my request 45 days and asking the surgeon to FAX original pictures. How the hell can they see with a faxed picture? I'm working on my appeal and plan to send them some nekkid pics. I figure I'll stand sideways in the kitchen (hard floor), pull up my tummy skin, and hold a yard stick next to my pubic bone so there's a measurement of where my bone is. Then I'll let the skin drop and take another pic with the yard stick. They haven't said how far below my bone the skin needs to go soooo I'll just play their game. While I wait, I think I'll get another consult for the boobs. I have some great pics of the tube sox! My weight is holding pretty steady at 150 +/- 2 or 3 lbs.

5-26-05 It's official, I have arthritis in both hips Ugh! No wonder I can't dance or get up off the couch, ouchies. My PCP gave me some meds and I hope to be feeling better soon. I've been absent from the puter because it hurts to sit LOL.

5-31-05 Went camping at Lake Isabella for Memorial weekend. Had a nice time. Hip still hurts.

6-10-05 Been in Oregon visiting my brothers. I hadn't seen the older of the 2 for 10 years and it was nice. We went Salmon fishing, crabbing on the coast, walking on the beach and climbed rocks over the ocean. WOW, I wouldn't have been able to do 1/2 of this before WLS. I got a 25# box of cherries and have been eating them nonstop. I love cherries.

6-18-05 Update on me. I dislocated my left knee a week ago. My cell phone was ringing and as I leaned in the open door of our pickup to retrieve it, I bumped my knee on the door jamb, Oh Holy Shit! I couldn't move and didn't want anyone to touch me as tears streamed down my face. DH called 911 and I got my first ever ambulance ride. The paramedics gave me an IV with some Demerol before I'd let anyone move me. When they picked me up, my knee cap snapped back into place and I screamed but the pain stopped. I've been hobbling around with this immobilizer leg brace. I can't drive my car because I have a 5 speed, so I had to comandeer DH truck, hehe with the automatic tranny. I believe the Estrogen patch is growing my boobs back! The tube socks are a bit fuller, LOL. Still wating for PS and loving my life.

6-26-05 I got to meet some new OH people at Graceada park today. It was nice to connect with peers. I've missed attending support groups.

6-30-05 OMG I ran in to Carrie at WalMart tonight and it was awesome to be able to talk and catch up on our Journey's. I'm nearing the 2 year post op anniversary and all is well.

7-3-05 I finally got a dual pane window installed in my bedroom. We had to take out 10' of bushes that I allowed to grow over the old window to shade it. I have blisters and I'm sore but it looks so nice. I have a mucking fess in my bedroom... saw dust everywhere. Went to my daughters for a BBQ and some swimming in the pool. I'm sun burnt, ouchies.

7-5-05 I finished priming the exterior wall where the new window is. It's so kewl to be able to "do" any physical thing I want. It would have killed me to try climbing ladders and painting in 100 degree weather before WLS.

7-6-05 I did it again, waaaaaaa I injured my knee. I was at work today and turned to get a fax and it snapped! OMG it hurts I was whining like a big dog. I have another appt with PCP on Friday to have it looked at, so I've got my Immobilizer on the leg and am taking Advil + Prilosec to help with the pain and swelling.

7-8-05 Dropped DH at the airport this morning. He's moving his parents from Laughlin to Florida. Dr X-rayed the knee and I have a bone spur and possibly some torn cartilage. He's sending me for an MRI.

7-19-05 My sweetie is home from FL and has decided he wants to have WLS. His BMI is 38 with 4 comorbidities. He's well informed of the process cause he's been walking beside me during my entire Journey. So much is happening in my life I haven't had time to update as much as before. My daughter is 38.5 weeks pregnant and due to deliver Jasmin soon. My son is getting married in September. He just sold his house in Ceres and bought a ranchette in Chowchilla and will soon start building a custom home. My 15 y/o grandaughter who lives with me has discovered "boys" so it's G-ma take me to Starbucks, Borders, or the movies so I can hang out with my friends. I continue to make improvements to my house and since I removed all the bushes from in front of my bedroom window, I have to plan some new landscaping. I keep busy and life is good.

8-5-05 I have grandbaby number 4, wheeeeeee. Jasmin Annemarie was born 7/30, weighing 7lb 9oz, 19.5". My daughter is having some serious anemia again since Jasmin was born and I continue to worry about her health. The baby is healthy and cute with no apparent medical problems. I've got pictures in my yahoo photos. My son is moving and we've been busy taking his stuff to storage. We plan to check out some new camp grounds in the Sierras and go swimming at my daughters this weekend. Looks like I won't get any headway on my "household" projects this weekend.

8-8-05 Today is my 2 year re-birthday wheeeee. I find my weight bounces up and down 5 lbs. I was 153 this morning and still wear size 4 so I don't freak when I see the scale any more. I have stopped weighing every day (thank goodness)! I'm still working on my tummy tuck appeal. I haven't gotten the "right" pictures to submit that show my excess skin. I have days when I can eat more food and then other days when I know my tool is still working and I can only get in a few small bites of food. Weird. Sugar still makes me deathly sick, Ugh and I'm thankful that is does because sugar has always been my "weakness". I miss my OH pals and the local get togethers. It seems that we all had WLS in the same year and everyone is so much busier now, myself included that I don't have much time for the boards. What I've also noticed is that I need to keep busy or I'll eat out of boredom so I do lots of yard work every evening. Dirt in my fingernails is a deterrent to snacking, hahaha.

8-21-05 OMG I had a blast at Jeanna's RHPS and playing bartender was fun, wheeeeee. I have pics in my yahoo photos. Dave & I went out with some friends and my son to ride motorcycles today and I crashed my son's new dirt bike! I should know better than to ride hills. I didn't break anything but I'm sore, have road rash and bruises all over.

9-7-05 My DH was approved for WLS and has a date for surgery next Friday the 16th! I can't believe it's happening so fast. It took me 8+ months to jump thru the approval hoops, and he's done in less than 2 months. He's nervous and excited and so am I.

9-18-05 Dave is doing well and I got to bring home today. Hoooray. Lots of sip sip siping and walking.

9-20-05 Went to the Orthopedic surgeon today and my knee is beyond repair. I'm sad. I had hoped they could just do a little clean up and I'd be good as new but alas, it's not to be. The cartilage is gone and the bones are rubbing together and there's no fix other than a total knee replacement and I'm not ready for that yet. My weight stays within a 5 lb range and I feel awesome.

9-26-05 My son's wedding was terrific and my only regret is not being able to attend the new beginning shower for Ms Connie Sue. We just had way too much going on with the wedding that same weekend. I've added a few pics to my WWW.

10-10-05 Aaaaackkkk!! I've been remodeling my house again and discovered that I have water damage inside the wall and ceiling where my patio door was. Notice I use the past tense because Now there's a huge gaping hole covered in plywood where the sliding door used to be. There's mold and gross stuff all inside the wall and the drywall and frame is rotted. I'm going to contact my insurange co tomorrow and see if it's covered. In the interim, I'll be forking out an addition $6,000 I hadn't planned on spending for repairs. Money I was saving for my new (*)(*) What the hell does a 50 year old wrinkled tea bag \/ \/ need with the boobs of a 20 year old anyways? Alas, it wasn't meant to be.

10-23-05 We went to Tammie's for Stephanies BD party and had a blast. I've got a few pics in my WWW. Nuff said.

10-30-05 OMG so much has happened. My house is still in a disarray. I have issues with the painted ceiling and the painters have to come back later this week. Can you say I'm Neurotic?? We went to Vickie's Halloween party in Antioch last night and had a wonderful time. I've posted a few pics in my WWW. My camera batteries were going dead so I didn't get many. We get home at Midnight and the phone's ringing so I race to answer and it's my daughter calling to say baby Jasmin has been admitted to Valley Children's Hospital in Fresno with Sepsis so I'm outta here.

11-7-05 My grandbaby has been admitted 3 times and they finally figured out she has Salmonella. They're inserting a PIC line today and she is expected to spend another 11 days in the hospital on IV antibiotics. Friday I got a message from PacifiCare saying the pictures I submitted with my PS appeal are photocopies of pictures? What the hell! I didn't send any freaking pictures made on a copy machine. I uploaded and ordered prints on photo paper from digital images and enclosed "REAL" pictures with my appeal letter. I left 2 messages and they called me back today to let me know they have my photos and will have an answer soon. OK so my pics magically re-appeared over the weekend or what? Did the Insurance Picture stealing elf get a good laugh and slip them back in my file in the wee hours? My homeowners insurance is jerking me off with my damage claim for water and mold damage. They are offering me less than half of what I forked out of my pocket. Looks like I'll be "negotiating" the costs of the repairs. I just can't take much more freaking drama!

11-14-05 F***, F***, F*** I'm pissed. Pacificare denied my appeal for PS again because the "recorded physical examination found no evidence that an intertriginous rash was present, and the color photographs showed no evidence of post-inflamatory hyperpigmentation which results from chronic, recurrent skin rashes and infection in the intertriginous areas. Additionally, the excess abdominal skin is not such that it reaches below the level of the inferior border of the pubic symphysis. Therefore, surgical resection of redundant skin is not medically necessary to relieve clinically significant signs and symptoms of a functional disorder." They denied my request the first time because I did not meet the Medical Management Guideline, "since there is no documentation of intractable intertrigo unresponsive to six months of active therapy nor of a pannus that is dependent below the pubic symphasis" Now that I've provided 6 months of treatment they change the flipping requirements because they can't see any hyperpigmentation? WTF!! Why would my PCP prescribe Nizoral that I had to take for 7 days if there was no rash present? My pictures clearly show how far my abdominal skin hangs down. I'm filing yet another appeal to the Dept of Managed Health Care requesting an Independent Medical Review. I'll be happy to strip buck nekkid in front of a panel of Dr's so they can see what I look at in the mirror every day.

11-20-05 Went out Dancing at Croc's last night for my 50th birthday. I was a good girl and didn't lap dance, flash my thong or get drunk! Wow, middle age has changed my behavior already, hahaha. I have a PS consult with Dr Wu in February for a breast lift or shall I say a "tube sockectomy" LOL. I plan to be annoying to my insurers. Why? Because I can.

12-4-05 Saw Harry Potter at the IMAX in Dublin today. WOW what a huge screen. Loved it. Shopped till we nearly dropped. Life is good.

12-13-05 OK I flipped out on the people at PacifiCare appeals today. It's been a month since I sent a letter requesting a copy of every piece of paper they have in my file and I leave messages which are never returned. I get this dude on the phone and he tells me there is a note in the computer directing all inquires to Wilson and he can't tell me anything. I ask him not to transfer me to Wilson's voice mail and he does it anyway! I call back and thanks to the technology of Caller ID he won't answer the phone. I wait a minute and call again because I'm pissed! I get some woman who asks if there is something she can help me with (even before I identified myself, thanks again caller ID) and I asked to speak to the dude who sent me to voice mail hell. She tells me he's on another call so I said forget it, give me a supervisor. I get Helene on the phone and asked why it is taking so long to get my copies. Surely they must have a clerk earning minimum wage that can drop the file in a copier? She doesn't like my attitude, and it gets worse. She reads me the letter explaining why my appeal was denied (duh! I can read and I have a copy of it already) and with condesention in her voice tells me there are 2 forms included with the denial letter with instructions on how to contact the State DMHC. When it was my turn to speak, I read her the part of the letter that says I "may obtain free of charge any documents, records, benefit provision, guideline, protocol or other information relevant to my appeal" plus I asked her for the name of the doctor who reviewed my file and made the determination to deny my appeal. Helene tells me it is against PacifiCare's policy to release the Dr's name and she will not give me that information. I tell her I need the name of the doctor so I can review their credentials and be assured some physician's assistant wasn't the person who denied me. She said "he" is an MD but I am not allowed to give you his name. Can you say BULLSHIT!! I am the freaking patient and they are the provider. I have a right to know who is responsible for review of my case. What are they covering up? I'm going to fire off a letter to Helene to "confirm" our conversation and her refusal to give me the Dr's name.

12-14-05 I received my packet with copies today that were mailed on the 12th. Why didn't Pacificare just tell me they were mailed instead of giving me the run-around and winding me up yesterday?

12-16-05 DH and I drove to Dublin and caught the BART to Union Square for some holiday shopping. Sephora was a huge disappointment. The BE girl was more interested in chatting up her friend than in helping me choose some products so I left and spent $$$ at Nordstroms instead. I suffer with popsicle toes every winter so Dave bought me a pair of UGG's and OMG, I finally have warm toes and feet! It was raining in SF and we were constantly dodging umbrellas! People walk by and poke ya in the head with their umbrellas because they can't see where they're going. There was a freak on the BART with a dog in his bag who kept switching seats.

1-4-06 Xmas and New Years was great. The drive RT to LA twice sucked. It rained cats and dogs and we nearly got in an accident! Dave and I had a great time at Starbucks with the local OH peeps. Chris has the cutest little belly button!! She's healing well from her TT. I'm still gathering documents to submit for my IMR grievance with the State DMCH.

1-10-06 I'm sick, waaaaaa. runny nose, sniffles, sneezing & lots of scooby naps. Off for 2 days so I don't spread germs at work.

1-16-06 I felt almost normal today so what did I do? Went psycho in my yard! The sun was shining and it was gorgeous outside so I couldn't resist, pulling weeds, scooping up doggie bombs, weeding the flower beds and pruning my roses. One of the thorns got me good and I had blood running down my arm for like 2 minutes, ouchies. I'm paying for it now with muscle aches and the pain ya get from overdoing it. I hear some Vicodin calling my name.

1-20-06 We went dancin with Jeanna & sis Tairie. Jeanna's PS looks awesome. OMG I wanna pair of (.)(.)'s like hers!!!

1-24-06 Mailed my documentation to Sac requesting an Independent Medical Review for my PS. I have another consult appt with Dr Wu Feb 17th for a BL.

1-28-06 The flipping brakes on our Titan are damaged again (recalled) and with only 6K miles left on the warranty, we traded it back and got a new '06 Titan with extending mirrors for pulling the trailer.

1-30-06 Snot and tears have been flying all afternoon. Dr Wu's office called to cancel my appt for a PS consult because she's leaving Sutter Gould. They have NO other Plastic Surgeon so I'm feeling like I've just wasted 14 months of my life fighting with PacifiCare to get reconstructive surgery with a surgeon who is no longer in my network. Pity party of one, your table is this way!

2-10-06 I'm freaking out because I've gained 6 lbs. I refuse to allow myself go any bigger so I'm on the elliptical every night for 30 mins and I've been eating 1/2 of my food and purposely throwing 1/2 away. I got a cheese quesadilla tonight and ate 1/2 after I peeled off all the excess tortilla around the edges.

2-28-06 We just got back from spending a week at Ft Myers FL. It was humid, grosssss. People drive like shit (worse than LA) and it's full of geezers and rude people. Airport security went thru my checked bag and dumped out a new sealed bottle of protein. OMG, they didn't put the cap back on and it's in everything, even my hair brush.

3-1-06 I got notice from DMHC today and my final appeal for a TT was denied because I don't have any documented rashes in the apron fold skin. The majority of my abdominal skin problems are in the umbilicus. I'm completely bummed out but didn't cry. I'm just incredibly sad and numb. I've been fighting for a year now. I hate the way my body looks nekkid and no amount of research before my WLS prepared me for this.

3-8-06 I got a quote from a PS in Brazil for a tt and bl, $8,600 plus $3,000 for airfare and lodging.

6-14-06 I've almost run out of room on this profile and have been neglecting to update. I have grand baby #5 my son and his wife's first child "Giselle". I was accepting in the RN program and start classes 8-28. I have so much to do to get ready, physical, booster immunizations, background investigation, drug test, health screening, BLS/CPR class, orientation... I've been busy. My weight is holding steady at 153 to 155 and that's acceptable to me.

4-13-07 OK, so I've been swamped with my first year of nursing school and neglected my profile. I've got 10 days to go and am studying for a comprehensive final. I'm still doing well with eating except that I quit smoking 7 months ago and I've gained nearly 20#. It's freaking me the f$%$ out and I so want to pick up a cig to get my weight back down. I'm holding off and remain smoke free so I can have some PS. Whether my ins pays or not, I'm getting this skin removed. I've got a 4 month hiatus from school over the summer then 8 months of class and I'm done!!! By this time next year, I'll be preparing to graduate and take the NCLEX.

9-21-07 Wheeeeeeeee. I WON, I WON. After 2 years of appeals and 2 Independent Medical Reviews with Mgd Health Care in Sacto, I get my Panni. My "tool" still works. I've lost 35# and am back at goal wearing size 4/6. I have 7 months of Nursing school and couldn't be more excited.

1-8-08 I'm 4 weeks postop from my Panni and I'm loving my tummy. Dr Connolly from Sunnyvale removed 3 lbs of skin. I had a drain for 3 weeks and it was annoying. I'm still swollen and have to wear binder another 2 weeks. I'll add photos soon.

Photos

268
Night before WLS
168
Wheeee 100 lbs gone.



Product Reviews
  • Vitaball
  • Isopure - Zero Carb Premixed/Prebottled
  • Optimum Nutrition - Pro Complex
  • Trader Joe's - Sublingual B12


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    Surgeon Info:
    Surgeon: Tien Chin Ho, M.D.
    Dr Ho is awesome. She answered all my questions, I wasn't rushed. She showed me where the 5 lap incisions will be and was very personable. I am confident of her skills and knowledge and have no fears at all of having her perform my WLS. 6-2004 Dr Ho has taken an extended leave/retirement, probably to spend time with her baby. I cannot rave enough about her skill and expertise. My WLS was done Lap in an hour and at 10 months post op, I'm doing great with no complications. I have to express my gratitude to my surgeon for giving me back my quality of life. Thank you Dr Ho.
    Insurer Info:
    Blue Cross, California Care, HMO
    Blue Cross Calif Care (HMO) never gave me any diffuculties. I was approved in 1 week after the request was sent from my surgeon. They didn't balk at any of the pre-op procedures and I am extremely pleased with them. My Medical Group is Sutter Gould and they were wonderful at getting me referrals. I couldn't have asked for better and appreciate the excellent service they've provided to me.