ObesityHelp

See progress note 3/1/02 for beautiful letter my daughter wrote to THOSE WHOSE LOVED ONES DON'T WANT THEM TO HAVE WLS(share it with them too).
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WEIGHT PROGRESS

11/12/01 preop 345
12/28/01 1 month 288 -57
1/23/02 9 weeks 264 -79
2/25/02 13 weeks 258 -87
4/17/02 5 months 240 -105
5/25/02 6+months 235 -110
6/26/02 7+months 220 -125
9/18/02 10months 198 -147
11/20/02 1 year+ 190 -155
1/19/03 14 months 174 -171
10/04/03 23 months 155 -190
11/20/03 2 years 150 -200
12/12/03 25 months 143 -207
1/28/04 26 months 148 -202
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All recent updates and pictures are at the bottom!!!
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8/18/01 My story has so many similarities to the ones I've been reading on this site, and the BPD/DS site. It really helps to know how many others have been scorned, hurt and bruised by their weight and experiences in a society that only emphasizes beauty and success.
--The only time I've been underweight is when I was born a preemie and under 5#. They kept me in the hospital until I was over 5#. I guess I started making up, and never quit!!!!Even from birth what & how much I ate was an issue.
--I was a chunky, not fat, child and when I started my periods at age 10, I shot up and was taller than anyone else in my class, which only lasted for a couple of years.
--My first diet was when I was in 6th grade and have been on a "diet" in some form or another since then: a lifetime of weighing and measuring and counting and guilt about what I ate..............
--I had a "stomach stapling" in 1977, and my peak wt.loss was 60#, before I began to regain. Only when I saw Dr. Oakley for my first consultation on 8/17/01 did I learn that this particular procedure is almost 100% failure for long term wt. loss. But to me up till then it was just another failure in a long list of failures: WW, liquid protein, Dr.Atkins, the "good calorie" diet, hypnosis, diet pills, a medically supervised protein-sparing fast, every Christian book written on wt. loss, Susan Powter, the "Zone", Herbalife, and on, and on........
--Being an RN, I have felt particularlly ashamed at my inability to loose and maintain weight loss. I became disabled with CFIDS(chronic fatigue & immune dysfunction syndrome,which has some similarities to fibromyalgia) and have been unable to work since 1991. Because of this I am very exercise intolerant. I can't walk or stand for more than 5 minutes without support. I never go anywhere that doesn't have shopping carts anymore, or very close places to sit down. My life has become rather closed in by my activity limitations. I have many other problems including: diabetes(type II, you know, the kind that results from among other things being overweight); dyspnea with exertion; joint(esp. knees & hips)& back pain; deoxygenation when I sleep(not actually diagnosed as sleep apnea, but I snore LOUD); a huge abdominal hernia along my old surgery scar; neck and rib pain from the weight which pulls my shoulders forward and results in poor posture(also from 2 auto accidents); irritable bowel and diverticulosis; depression; poor circulation in my legs and feet, and sores on both lower legs which look pretty good now, but have been open and weepy in the past; a huge,droopy abdominal apron (2 C-sections & hysterectomy); saggy skin folds which itch and break down at times; constant pain & burning in my feet, swelling in my feet and toes; an enlarging heart (although a chemical stress test and Echocardiogram at present show good function and only mild enlargement);and..................
--But as bad, if not worse, is the way I have felt about myself. I look at my pictures from college and when I was a Navy Nurse, I looked great even if I did need to loose 20-30#-- but I never felt good about myself.
--Then, being a Spirit-filled and comitted Christian, I added even more condemnation because I felt I wasn't self-disciplined enough to loose the weight, and have felt I failed myself and God repeatedly.
--My PCP( a fantastic CRNP I have gone to since 1982) suggested WLS in Feb. after one more attempt at being "in the Zone" and failing. I reacted very negatively because of my past experience with WLS surgery. But because my hernia has been giving me problems and I am worried about intestinal obstruction and surgery anyway, I have arrived at the point where I am hoping to have-- no, actually excited about having a BPD/DS.
--Dr. Oakley feels that the RNY is not a good option for me b/c of the previous stomach stapling, and that also the BPD/DS offers me the best chance to both loose and maintain my weight loss. When I was in the Navy I was 5'3+" but the other day when they measured me I was 5'1", and 316# which is down from my all time high of over 350#(that was as high as the scale went). Gravity has sure done a number on my height!
--I am anxiously awaiting insurance approval. My insurance provider will approve if medically necessary, and I doubt there's any problems with proving that.
--I know that this will not be a "bed of roses", but neither have my weight problems so far. I certainly don't think this is taking the easy way out. I have researched, prayed, and thought long and hard about my decision. I know it is not a magic wand to instantly solve all my problems, but rather a chance to loose weight, and focus my energy on some of the other issues in my life.
--I am blessed to have 2 adult children who love me and enthusiastically support me in this endeavor, and many supportive friends as well. I have 5 very precious grandchildren, and I want to be around to see them grow up. Not only that, but to be able to do special "granny" activities with them, other than sitting and reading them books, or watching movies or "Veggie Tales" with them.
--I feel the wind of the Holy Spirit blowing change into my situation, and I am eagerly anticipating all that is to come. And as I feel that God has led me to this solution, I will give Him all the glory, for it is He who gives the surgeon knowledge and skill, and He who holds me in the palm of His hand.<><
--I would love to hear from others who are facing, or have come through this surgery.
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8/20/01 Talked to insurance co. today. After they receive the medical necessity letter they usually approve within 48hrs. The surgeon thought he had to refer back to my PCP(me too) but as long as the date from referral still valid all they have to do is send in letter. My kids are really excited along with me to get this going.
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8/24/01 Got my copy of the letter Dr. O. sent to the insurance company today. It was sobering to look at the things he said, but nothing came as a surprise. I've also had some contact with others in my state who have had, or will be having the same type of surgery that I'll be having. The support is incredible and helps so much.
--I'm also working on a web site, but don't hold your breath. I am a fairly novice computer user, and I've had to redo stuff several times already--but it gives me a focus, which is good, while I'm waiting. Also, as I have looked over pix to include, it has helped me to examine how I feel about myself--and my weight, and I believe this is an important part of my healing as much as loosing the weight is.
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8/31/01 Got a denial letter from my insurer today. This was a great opportunity for frustration, but I feel wrapped up in God's peace. He is in charge of this, and I am on His time schedule. Anyway, I called the insurance company and asked the representative how could I receive a denial when my benefit book stated that the surgery was covered if medically necessary. She stated that the information she had was that it was excluded in my policy. I then read her the section from my benefit book that covered this surgery. She asked me to send her a copy of the cover of the benefit book and the appropriate page, marked to her attention, and that we'd "go from there". So more waiting...........
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9/10/01 Talked with the lady at the insurance company. They received the papers on 9/6 and she stated that they were being reviewed, and that it usually takes 1 week after the papers are received, plus what ever time it takes for the letter to reach me. So, more waiting.............
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9/13/01 Received letter from my insurer that my "appeal" is under review and I can expect to hear within 30 days. So the waiting time is increased.......I am trying hard to remember that God is in charge of the timing, not me.
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10/10/01 I called the insurance company today, and was told that the denial was overturned, and they will pay for the surgery. Praise God!!!! I called my surgeon's office, and my surgery is scheduled for 11/13/01 at 9am. I am so happy, and so thankful for this opportunity. I also saw my primary RNP today, and I have edged back up to 327#. Waiting is so hard, but at least now I know that there is an end to it!!!
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10/20/01 My PCP had called for a new referral for Dr. Oakley, since the first one had expired. It hadn't come yet, so to make sure nothing would backfire, I called the insurer today, and it is in the mail. Next milestone= my preop visit on 11/07.
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11/8/01 Had my preop visit yesterday. Had to have an upper gi today. Not too bad, all things considered. Just had to walk a long ways, and my fatigue level is high right now, so was hard! Really sure my decision was the right one, and am very comfortable in my choice of Dr. Oakley. COUNTDOWN: almost there.
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11/29/01 I am now switched!!!!!!!!!I had an open DS on 11/13/01. My weight on the scale in the preop area was 345#. I had planned on making frequent notes post op, but I had some complications, so am just now getting to point where I want to share, be on the internet, etc.
Tuesday I went in to surgery at 7:45 am as scheduled. Dr. O said that the DS part of the surgery went off without a hitch. However, I had a huge ventral(front) hernia which was a concern(well-founded) even preop. I came back to the recovery room and was there for quite awhile, in and out of it--and then they told me that the hernia had opened, and that I had to go back to surgery. The long and short of it was that I didn't get up to my room until about 8pm that night--and much of that night is a haze.
I stayed in the hospital until the following Tuesday, and was still only managing jello, pudding, yoghurt. Nothing else wanted to go down. I was weak, but glad to be home. My sis had come from Texas to be with me which was a real blessing, and took a lot of stress off of my daughter...When she left the day after Thanksgiving, it was hard. My daughter took the following week off from work to be with me, and I really needed her. I saw Dr. O 1 week from discharge. On Saturday nite the bottom 9-10 staples sprung a leak!. I called the doc on call, and he thought it was a "seroma" which means bloody fluid that had collected in my belly since surgery(DR. O doesn't put in drains). I leaked off and on until my dr. appt. When I went in, they removed the bottom staples, and drained off a couple of quarts of fluid. Now the bottom of my incision is being packed twice a day---and obviously the healing up process will be a little longer that I wanted.
In addition, I was having constant epigastric burning, despite zantac and swigging mylanta every 2 hours. So Dr. O was so kind: he told me that he didn't want to put me through an endoscopy at this time, so he would give me a 3 week trial on a medication to reduce candidal(yeast) overgrowth which he suspected was causing the burning. He also put me on prilosec which is stronger acid reducer. The only hitch was the $225 price tag on the meds, which are not covered by insurance!! But this was the best money I ever spent. He started be on a double dose the first day, and I was feeling much better by bedtime. I began to realize that the reason I was having so much trouble eating was that everything I put in my mouth burned on the way down, and that the more consistency it had the worse it felt. So now after 3 days on therapy, I am starting to eat and enjoy solid things. I had a cracker with smoked salmon today and it was really great.
I am diabetic, and was disappointed that my sugars didn't plummet like so many experience, but now realize that I wasn't getting in my protein, only clear-full liquids, so it couldn't come down. The last 2 days, it is coming down, and I believe that I will soon be able to go off the medication.
I can't believe my reaction to foods: I seem to taste everything more fully. I savor a cup of herbal tea without sweetening, enjoying the flavor on its own. I have always been a sweet-a-holic, but right now don't care for anything really sweet. I tasted a piece of almond roca, and it almost tasted burned--certainly not the ambrosia I used to think it was.
I had a piece of turkey roast tonite with a couple of TBS. of mashed potatoes, and enjoyed every bite. The food satisfies me now like never before.
Finally, the best news of all: Day of surgery wt=345 on the hospital scale. 2 wks later. wt=306.
Definitely worth it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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12/12/01 Visit to Dr. O. today. Rest of staples out. The incision looks good, and the part that is open is free from infection PTL! I guess that the wound will take several MONTHS to close--sigh! The good news is my weight was 288#, so that makes my loss for a month 58 #. Despite all the bumps in the road, still worth it all!!!
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1/23/02 It's been quite awhile since I updated, I can see. Much has happened. I gradually went downhill nutritionally, and in the way I was feeling. Was scheduled to see Dr. O. after New Years, so was just holding on till then, but my body didn't make it!!! I had a terrible pinch that went from breastbone to my back and caused my ribs to spasm. I could only eat 3 bites of anything at a time. On a Friday nite the open part of the wound began pouring out purulent nasty drainage in huge amounts. I called Dr. O., and met him in the ER the following am. He took one look at me and admitted me.
He ordered tests, and my WBC was 19,000 (normal is 8-10,000). I had an upper GI to make sure that everything internally was working, and from there went straight to the operating room for an exploration of the wound. During the surgery they found several large abscesses, which were cleaned and drained out. One of the abscesses was tunneling towards my stomach, and although had not invaded the abdominal cavity, would have soon done so. And of course, the doctor said I "really would have been sick" (as if I wasn't already). The fact that none of the abscesses had invaded the abdominal cavity meant that they could be cleaned out and irrigated but that I didn't require massive antibiotics. I was in the hospital a week, with a central IV line and TPN (total parenteral nutrition). they did an abdominal CT and I had an endoscopy which revealed esophagitis, which is healing with some heavy-duty medications.
In retrospect, I didn't realize how sick I was until I started feeling better. The abscesses had created such pressure within my tummy that no wonder I couldn't eat, and caused terrible reflux (the cause of the pinch pain), which in turn aggravated my asthma.
I saw Dr. O. today, the first time since I left the hospital.Dr. O told me today that I just needed to be patient with myself, allow my body to heal, concentrate on getting the protein and iron that I need. I guess my labs were pretty messed up when I went into the hospital, and I was virtually starving. My entire length of my incision is open and being packed twice daily, but better than having the abscesses, and will eventually heal up.
The upside of this is that I have lost 79# in 9 weeks. I give God the glory for preserving me through my stupidity in not calling my surgeon sooner. I just didn't realize how sick I really was. But even though I feel like I walked through the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord was with me all the time. And now I am on my way to a more healthy, active, vital life than I have had in years.
Through it all, would I have the DS again? YES, in a flash. I had very little quality of life before the surgery. Even though I am one of the ones who had complications, I believe this was my last-ditch chance at a better life.
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2/28/01 Saw Dr. O. on the 25th. I had been on a plateau, but finally lost down to 258#. And wonder of wonders, the DRAIN IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HIP HIP HOORAY. And I am already feeling a lot better and eating a lot better. I think my body just didn't like that foreign tube in there, and was fighting to get it out. (A totally unmedical but absolutely human opinion). My family tells me I am getting feisty, so I must be feeling better. I added pictures to my profile. The first is at 330# and was taken before the surgery. The one in the red sweater was taken in January at 265#. More to come later............
******************************************************************3/1/02 My beautiful daughter presented me with this letter today and asked me to post it on my profile:

OPEN LETTER TO THOSE WHOSE LOVED ONES ARE DISCOURAGING THEM FROM HAVING WLS:

"My name is Jen and I'm Diane's daughter. I guess this is mostly to the family members who don't support your decision to have surgery.

My mom is a very important person in my life. She is my confidant, best friend, mother, and grandma to my two girls. She is a smart, sassy, sexy, beautiful woman. See, I know that I knew this for a long time. The problem was, she didn't and a lot of the people around just backed her notions up. Our society is very cold when it comes to obesity. I can remember when I was younger going to a restaurant together. It was one of those Chuckerama deals. We went through the line and as we were sitting down someone made a nasty comment. I was 8 at the time so all I could do was turn around and glare. I always felt guilty for not standing up and saying something. As I got older, I became more vocal. The problem was my mom was one of her own offenders. She detested herself.

Towards the end, before her PCP suggested surgery, all there was to mom was bed, chair, bed, chair. Now, it's like someone coming out of a long coma. My mom is awakening!!! There is a light to her eyes, a bounce to her step that has been gone a long time. Others are beginning to see what a beauty she is.

I am not going to lie to you. It has been a rough road for her. Me, too. In the hospital, I was scared for her life. She did not have a dream recovery, but you know what: I should have been scared for her like I was in the hospital years ago. SHE WAS SLOWLY DYING RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES. I'm saying BEING MORBIDLY OBESE IS A DEATH MARCH. There is very little joy in your life.

The point to this is: if you are obese and unhappy; if you have means to get this surgery done and have researched it, prayed, and know this is the right decision; if the only thing holding you back is a friend, husband, or relative, my advice is: STAND UP FOR YOURSELF. I know it is hard. We obese people tend to have the words 'walk on me' written on our foreheads. I'm not saying their concerns and love for you are not founded. I'm just saying they should have far more concerns if you decide to stay obese and miserable. Tell them: 'Now's the time for your love to shine'."
What a blessing getting this letter was, and I couldn't wait to share it. My daughter is struggling with her own weight, and her insurance has an exclusion. We will be doing lots of research and hoping to find a way for her to have the surgery in the future.
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4/17/02 Sorry it's been so long since I've updated. Still having problems healing. My fasting blood sugars are 80-85 and I'm off all of my diabetic medications. I still have to take an acid-reducer, which is expensive. I have had a reabscess, and had day surgery under local anesthesia(not a lot of fun!!!) with a new drain put in about a month and a half ago. To date, I still have the drain in, and am draining green goo, but not as much as at first. I am still having intermittent bouts with vomiting too, and am scheduled for another upper gi and small bowel series on Friday to make sure there's not sometning wrong internally.
I had been on a tough plateau, but it finally broke, and I am now down to 240#, which means a wt. loss of 105# in the 5 months since surgery. I just wish that I felt better physically. I do intermittently, but intermittently don't, with the vomiting, limited ability to eat. I have a new rule for myself, though: when I can eat, I still take 2 of my protein shakes per day (30 gms each, with the milk) and when I am not eating well, I take 3 shakes a day. That, plus really pushing the water has helped me to break the plateau, I believe.
I know that my complications are the exception, rather than the rule, and I hope that my honesty doesn't frighten any of you from considering the surgery. In spite of the difficulties, I would still choose to have the surgery, even with the problems.
I am still at peace with the Lord about this as well, and thankful that His grace IS sufficient for me. I am finding it hard to believe that I am smaller than I have been in years, but finding that people in stores, clerks, and even men holding doors open for me are validating the changes not only in my body, but my attitude about myself. I stand up straighter, and look people in the eye more now. I don't feel I have to apologize for my "fat" anymore.
I am praising God for these changes, and thankful for the future that He has designed for me. I continue to concentrate on doing what I need to do to keep my body as healthy as possible while it heals. I tried one month of special "bariatric" vitamins, but am back to my generic multivits now. I had my bloodwork 3 weeks ago, and everything was good, except I needed to concentrate on the protein! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
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5/15/02 It's been a rough month for me. Have been on a plateau with no weight loss again. A new abscess opened up above the top of my incision, and I now have 2 drains in. YUK!!!! When Dr. O. put in the new drain, he told me I might continue to do this (form abscesses) until the mesh comes out(they had to use mesh to keep me closed when I opened up on the original day of surgery). I guess most bodies don't react to the mesh like mine does. I guess the positive part of that will be that if he waits until I loose another 90#, he can tighten up a lot of loose skin when he takes the mesh out.................
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5/26/02 YEAH!!!The plateau broke, and I lost 9# last week, although the net loss was only 5# because I had regained 4#. One of the drains fell out (happiness), and don't have to see Dr. O. for 10 days so will be more comfortable for awhile.
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6/26/02 Another 15# off. Praise God!! I am on the second round of antibiotics, because the wound drainage cultured strep group A. They are expensive ($144 for 14 tablets, or a 14 day supply), but well worth it. The oldest drain site is closed, and the second drain fell out. The drainage is almost nothing since I started on the antibiotics. I also went to the dentist for a lump on my gum, which showed by x-ray, a dead tooth. I had a root canal this morning, so am hoping that this chronic infection will finally be banished, and I will be feeling much, much better, and able to enjoy the new me.
I would still like to loose another 100#, but that would make me loosing 100% of my excess weight. I am going to shoot for that, but I figure anything below 150 will be so much better than I have been for years.
Also have been exploring this site about reconstructive surgery, and will probably require it after I finish loosing and stabilize. The "apron" isn't going to all go away with exercise.
Emotionally have been going through changes too. My daughter and her friend did a "makeover" on me: dyed my hair, plucked my eyebrows, did a manicure. I am starting to care more about my appearance. I was always neat and clean, but didn't really focus on hairstyle, clothes style, etc. It is fun to be emerging from my cocoon.
I also joined a christian site that does a personality test and profile, and matches you up based on that. I am beginning to reestablish my belief in myself as a worthwhile person and attractive woman. YEAH!!!!
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9/18/02 I stepped on the scale this morning, and was below 200# for the first time since 1970. WOO HOO!!!
I know it's been a long time since I updated, but have been a little discouraged at the slow pace I am loosing. I know that I must increase the protein, exercise and water. What I didn't want to accept was that I was eating too many carbs. When I started doing a food diary, it became apparent that the sneaky little carbs had crept back in to my menu more than I thought they had. So, I have my work cut out for me.
On the plus side, I had an echocardiogram a month ago for comparison with one 2 years ago, and it was excellent. Much improved. Yeah!!! Blood sugars still below 90. People keep telling me how great I look, and it's music to my ears. I am finally getting some color back, and am looking more healthy. I still have the mesh in, though, and my surgeon will not touch me until I get to 150# or lower, so that is a motivator for me to get my act together.
I am working on my web site again (lost it before surgery) and am doing some more emotional inventories as a result.
Our family went to a cabin in the mountains for vacation this summer, and my right knee really has been bothering me since then. In having it checked out, I find that I have little cartilage left in either knee, and the best solution will be total knee replacements in both knees. There are some interim things that can be tried, but won't cure the problem. So I continue to reap some of the long term results of morbid obesity. I shudder to think how much worse they'd be it I hadn't had the surgery.
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11/20/02 My one year anniversary was on the 13th of this month. I have come so far since then and left so much behind, not the least of which is 155#. The changes are marvelous, but a little hard to absorb. I find that as wonderful as they are, there are some emotional issues I need to address. I'm sure for those of you who haven't had surgery, or are waiting or fighting for insurance approval, you're shouting at me "yeah, right, I'd like to have those problems!" Please don't misunderstand me, I am so very grateful for this blessing I have received. It's just that the weight has been such an issue all of my life, and came off so quickly that I need some time for my self-image and self-acceptance to catch up with all of the changes!
I was able to see my sis and her family in the fall. I flew to Texas, and was amazed that even at 195#, I was part of the "normal" world. It was a neat experience. I was able to fit in the airline seat and buckle the seatbelt. The tray came down(even though no meal was served, it was a real milestone). People didn't stare at me like I was a reject or subhuman fattie. But it was also bittersweet because it made me angry. I was still a person at 345# and still had feelings.
Sometimes I think that I am my own worst enemy in that I reject others before they can reject me. This is a long-term behavior pattern that will take some work to overcome! I also am finding that now my huge health problems are resolving that some of my ole compulsive eating issues are resurfacing, and I will need to deal with them: eg. eating when I'm not hungry, craving carbs. Will keep you posted. Know that the solution to all is to roll my cares over on the Lord, and trust in Him. That is where the real change will occur! Because in my weakness His strength is made manifest.
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11/24/02 The scale has dropped down 2#, and that is good! I still have a long way to go, but keeping on in the right direction. I found out last week that one of the other ladies who had surgery in our group has a common channel of 80cm. I was a little upset about that, because I had asked my surgeon about that before surgery, and he was adamant about the 100cm common channel. I guess he is conservative, and was just starting to do the DS when I had my surgery done. I have read, however, that revisions (from my old stomach stapling) do not loose as well as people who have not had previous WLS. Well, I have a couple of choices here: I can allow anger and hurt to roll in and develop a root of bitterness OR I can choose to believe that God is the one who is ordering the circumstances of my life, even the length of my common channel, and the amount of my total weight loss.

I am amazed at times that it is easy to share such things on this forum, but I truly believe that this is a wonderful therapy for me, and a way to help others by sharing my journey.Some of the members in our support group don't feel this way, and want their privacy. That is certainly their right and choice too. I also keep up with the profiles of some of the others I have been following and know. One of the ladies here is Brenda Z. who has a profile on this site as well. She has reached her goal weight now and is dating. I just read her profile about her experiences with the opposite sex when she tells them about her WLS. In short, they turn around and run. That is so sad!


Because Brenda has been willing to be transparent and vulnerable, she has given me courage to do so here too. I wrote earlier that I had joined a Christian matching site, and was comfortable with writing to men there. I have gotten to the open communication with 2 men. One of them was out of state, and I closed communication several months ago. The one from my area just started communicating with me a week or so ago. We exchanged information about each other, and I was hoping to get to the point where we exchanged actual email addresses after Thanksgiving, hopefully leading to a meeting. Well, this am when I went in to my email, I accessed the site, and he had closed communication. After all his professions of kindness, being an old-fashioned gentleman, etc. he didn't even have the courage to write me a note about why he didn't want to go on, just checked the reason as "other". I had not told him about my WLS yet, but had told him about the CFIDS, and that I would be having a bilateral total knee replacement at the end of December. I can only surmise that he decided that my health "problems" were too much for me to keep up with his active (?) lifestyle. Did it hurt? You bet!!! I haven't even been open to thinking about a relationship with a man for years. Now that I have decided to explore this possibility, I am a little impatient, and more than a little afraid to let myself be vulnerable to be hurt and rejected. However, it is a measure of my emotinal healing that my main reaction was anger that he didn't even have the grace to explain his decision. I know that he was not the right one, as I had been honestly praying for the Lord to direct this process, and to give us both discernment about whether to continue getting to know each other. It's not that he decided to stop the process, but rather how he did it that made me angry. So, will pick myself up, dust myself off, and go on, trusting that when the time is right that God will bring that person in to my life that He has been preparing me for, and fulfill the promise He made to me after my divorce, that I would be remarried. But you know what? I am still here, feeling better about myself all the time, and proud that I am emotionally healthier that in years!!!Just one of the many blessings I've reaped from this surgery.
***************************************************************** 1/19/03 Well, I have new knees now, folks. They still hurt a little (surgery was12/30/02) but will be so much more able to be active now when they are completely healed up!!!! Also, the plateau has broken, and I am loosing again. Only 25# away from seeking tummy tuck and removal of the mesh from the hernia repair. Life just keeps getting better and better. Next time I get dressed up, will post some new pix. :-)))
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10/04/03 Phew! Life has been busy, and it's been a long time again since I updated. I am still about 10# away from mesh removal(my scale says 155, but I add 5# to that b/c of the difference at the surgeon's office). I have drainage from my umbilicus all the time, and obviously the mesh still remains a problem. As far as the body profile, everything's "gone South". Gravity has had its way!! My shoulders and neck are actually bony--what a trip! I do have saggy skin, and will welcome the tummy tuck when it's time. Other than than, life is great. I am more active than I have been in years, but that's not so hard to imagine--since I'm not carrying around that 190#'s I used to. Need to get some new pix but will probably wait till after mesh and tummy tuck.
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11/20/03 Well, my 2 year anniversary has passed. I had a hernia repair and mesh removal on 11/11/03. I am recuperating from the surgery now. It's hard to believe that 2 years have gone by, and how my life has changed! Despite the complications I have experienced, I would still make the decision to have WLS. My 2 year lab work was excellent. Just a slight deficiency in some fat-soluable vitamins, so I am adding ADEK vitamins to my regimen. Paying attention to your nutrition and supplements does pay off. Still to face: the fight for an abdominoplasty, but not for awhile. I've faced too much surgery in the last 2 years to consider this for several months. The surgeon did not want me to have a tummy tuck with the mesh removal due to the infections I have had in the last months. Oh well! My life is so much more positive than it was when I weighed 345#, I am counting my blessings and praising my God for His mercy and grace. Any questions, be sure to email me. I'd love to hear from you.
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12/1213/03 Well, folks, I believe that I am the complication queen. My incision became infected before Thanksgiving, and I am again in the position of having an open incision which is about 8" long, with 3 pockets to the sides that are being packed 3 times daily. Is it fun? Not really!! However the up side is that once this heals, I will have no artificial material in my abdomen, so hopefully my body can get over this and get on with better health. Still committed to the idea of the WLS, though, and all of you reading this MUST understand that I am a rare exception with all of my complications. The problems don't outweigh the benefits that I have experienced. Will add an updated pix when my tummy heals a little better and I can stand a pair of slacks with a waistband on them!
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1/28/04 Just a quick update. The incision is almost closed. Weight fluctuates up and down 5#. My yearly labs showed a mild deficiency in the fat-soluable vitamins, so am adding them to my regimen. New pix added. Life is busy and great. Had the first date I've had in over 30 years last week and had a great time.......*****************************************************