ObesityHelp

02/28/03......Wow, today I weighed in and have lost 50 wonderful pounds !!!!!!!!!! This is so exciting to know that I've lost them and they are never coming back (with a little help from me) !!!!!!!!! Life is grand. Went and bought a new pair of jeans, size 20 (from 24) and sweatpants size 18/20 !!!!!!!! 278/150/228

02/06/03 I went to my doc today and I have lost 36 pounds the first month....I am so excited! I no longer qualify for this surgery. I am now Obese !!!!!!! I never thought I would be happy to hear someone say I was Obese !!!!! LOL I have had no problems with pain or anything since the Sunday after surgery (6th day). Haven't even taken a tylenol. I had asked God to let me be an example of how good this surgery can be and he has definitely answered my prayers. I have no regrets about this surgery. To know that I have lost 36 pounds forever....as long as I keep up with my lifestyle as it is now, it is gone forever. I know I have to work at this to continue losing the weight and to think about it everyday of my life to keep the weight off. I feel I can do this....Wow, I'm feeling the results already !!!!!

I have had a few bouts of nausea this past week. Here's what
Dr Stickler said. Around the 4 to 6th week, where we are connected from the new stomach to the small intestines, that our scar tissue starts to shrink, this is normal. He said I could look at my incision scars (I had lap) and when it looks like they are shrinking in length and getting ridges on top of the scar that your insides are doing this say way. He stated that during this phase which could last up to the 12th week, that you may not be able to get pureed or solid foods through your system like you did before...It is normal for this to happen. He told me to drink my protein drinks to get my 60 grams of protein in a day and try the first phase of soft foods and liquids again if this happens, and reminded me to drink slowly, not gulping or guzzling liquids...that I would know when to take a break..my pouch would tell me. He stated that when you notice your scars on your stomach smoothing out again, that inside your scar tissue was also relaxing and you would be able to begin eating regular foods again.

So he said as long as I can get the liquid and soft foods in when this happens that it will be o.k. However, if you get to where you can't get anything in or can't keep anything down, DEFINITELY GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR. You don't want to get dehydrated and have your Kidneys shut down !!!!!02/06/2003

01/15/2003 Well everyone, I am home now.....could have come home sooner, but wanted to reassure my parents that I was able to do everything I needed to be able to survive...LOL.

Surgery was the 6th of January, I was released on the 8th and went to a friends home for a couple of days. I went to a biddy/buddy ballgame for the little boy that lives next to my friends house the evening of the 9th....did just fine, then I came home to Mom and Dad's on the 10th.

I did not realize how I would feel during this recovery process. I know there were people saying they had hardly any pain, etc (Lap Surgery), well I can fit myself in that category.
Haven't taken any pain meds since Sunday morning, went to church that morning with a friend and then had to visit the funeral home that evening ..... and also dropped by the grocery store. On Monday the 13th, went to my office to see everyone at work and to let them know that I did survive.

Went for my 1 week follow-up appointment and the doctor was very happy with how I was feeling, me getting out and doing things slowly and the greatest thing is I have lost 16 pounds the first week. WOW, is this surgery great. I have not been sick at all and have no pain. Got my staples out of the incisions, they look really good.

I don't mean to be a bragger, but I only thought feeling this good could only happen to a few people out of the many of us who had surgery.

Also at the doctor's office I ran into Sara from Mt. Nebo, WV....the lady who had surgery before me and felt sick from the time she came out of surgery...she is doing great too. Once they took her off of pain meds and she started taking tyelenol....the sickness left..........She looks so good.



01/05/03 Well tomorrow is the big day !!!!! I can't believe how easy it has been to get approved and scheduled for this surgery. I know that God will be with me each and every step of the way and I am so grateful that he is by my side. So, I will go to Charleston, WV today and stay at Embassy Suites tonight with my friends Sharon and Bonnie and then walk across the street to the hospital Monday morning for the big day. I am thankful for Dr. Stickler who is so compassionate about this surgery and how he understands what we obese people are going through. Thank God for doctors like him who care. Well I am off to finish packing and then to Church and on to Charleston.
I will continue this journal when I return home.


01/03/03 Hello Everyone! Wow, am I excited....surgery is on January 6th and I have an angel, well really two angels, LaWanna Swartz and Merry in WV....now how is that for going into surgery with angel wings above. Thanks so much to both of you !

You know, I have been extremely calm regarding this surgery....I know it is right for me and I know I will be o.k. after surgery. Alot of changes to accept, but I am willing to make the necessary changes to begin a new life.

In case I don't get to post again....I'm leaving Sunday to stay in the motel across the street from the Hospital and will have 2 friends and my sister in law with me. Man, have they all shown me their support. I will definitely have a cheering section waiting on me when I come out of surgery. I can't wait to hear about the shocked look on the surgeon's face when he come out and asks for my family and I have about 12 people there total........Life is Grand.

So to everyone post op and pre-op.........thanks so much for the guiding words of wisdom on this site and good luck to us that are starting our journey.





12/22/2002....Well, I went for pre-op testing on 12/19/02 and things went well. I guess I am ready to go !!!!!! Just have to get rid of this cough and little cold. It is so aggravating. Plan to be in church tonight to have communion. Church has been a blessing for me this Christmas.....it seems everything means so much more when I know that God is in my life each and every day. 2 weeks down and counting till surgery !!!!!!

12/05/2002......Got news on Tuesday that my surgery has been moved forward a week, so on January 6th at 10 am I will take the step to become a looser!!!!!! I am excited...my best friend, Sharon, will be taking care of me after surgery....She and I and my other lifetime friend, Bonnie, will be going to Charleston the night before and spending the night in the motel across the street from the hospital I won't have a 2 hour drive the morning of surgery !!!!!

11/29/2002......Received approval letter from BC/BS. Only took 2 days for approval!!!!!!! I'm so excited, have told everyone the good news. Well, January 13th, it will be in 2003.

11/26/2002 Well, My case was been submitted to BC/BS yesterday. I had to get a blood test done to indicate how my thyroid is working. I emailed the results to BC/BS.......If they approve, I can have my surgery January 13th......note, that is a Monday, not a Friday!!!!!! Don't want to take any chances here....LOL.......The doctors office said that I should hear something from BC/BS by next week.....so wish me luck.

Well everyone I went for my psychological evaluation on Wednesday (20th) and turned in the two letters from my family doctor and gynecologis t who have counseled me in my weight loss attempts. Well I passed the evaluation and the medical team is meeting today to review my case and decide if submission will be made to the insurance company. I have no doubt that I will be recommended, lets just hope the insurance approves. If I get insurance approval, I could have surgery before the first of the year.....Wow, and that's not far away. So everyone please include me in your prayers and hope for the best. Sissy in WV