ObesityHelp

Welcome to Donna's Weight Loss Journey

I am in the beginning processes of trying to schedule my WLS. I'm just researching and reading everyone's profiles and their after surgery reports and getting more excited by the minute. I believe this is my last hope. I have tried and failed everything else. I want the life that I feel I should be living.

9/10/03: Life is getting better. I have my first surgeon consultation scheduled for 9/17/03. I know I'm getting way to excited way to fast. I know this stuff takes time, but since I have made the decision to have the surgery, I can't stop thinking I was having it today! Will come back soon to let everyone know how it goes. My consultation is with Dr. Ferrari, so if anyone can give some pointers before I go see him, please feel free to email me.

9/14/03: I just finished reading all the pamphlets and newsletter pages, the little red book, and filled out the diet history and medical history pages that NeWeigh sent me in the mail that need to be done prior to my consultation Wednesday. It was really very hard to remember those figures on the diet history when you have been this way all your life. I did the best I could, of course, and I'm sure I missed some things but I'm hoping all this information will help me to get my insurance approved quickly so I can become a Post-Op instead of a Pre-Op. Thanks, everyone, for listening.

9/17/03: Well, I had my first visit at NeWeigh and got all the paperwork out of the way. I also had my first consultation with Dr. Ferrari. He was wonderful. He was a very nice, considerate man and very informative. I am still so excited about this now, I can't stand it. The staff at NeWeigh is great. Everyone is so nice, and knowing that they, too, have been thru this makes it that much better. I was scheduled with them at 10:30 and then back at 2:00 for the consultation with Dr. Ferrari. I was out of there by 11:30 filling out all the paperwork and signing my life away, and when I went back for the 2pm consultation, they all remembered my name and everything. I was out of there by 3pm for that one. Claudia, my councelor, was so nice and I just could not believe her "before" photo. She looks so wonderful. She was very informative and helped me fill out everything I had to with ease. She even made a comment about how fast my consultation with Dr. Ferrari was. Well, I've been scheduled for my blood work, sleep test, and gallbladder culture, as well as my Psych evaluation. I still have to set up my cardiologist appointment, but am trying to find one in-network that will see me quickly. Claudia says everything looks good, and that I may have a fast approval - Gee, I hope so, that would be so nice, but I'm not holding my breath after reading the trials and tribulations others have gone thru because of insurance. I will keep you posted. Later Guys, Donna:)

9/18/03: I received GREAT news today!!! I had to call my insurance company to try and get the exclusions to my policy and was told why would the doctor want those when you have already been approved? Boy was I shocked to hear that. They said they had mailed the letter on the 17th which was yesterday which was the day I went to see Dr. Ferrari. I did not think about my very first surgeon contact in regards to this approval. When I first got really serious about WLS, I was looking into everything over the internet. I came across a website for Dr. David Hall and filled in a short internet form for information. Before I knew it, I was filling out all kinds of forms for him and even took the Psych-Test over the internet. His office kept sending me emails about insurance approval and what I needed to do in order to get the paperwork in order for this insurance approval. I was told in August that all that they needed now was a physical from my PCP. I went and had that done on September 9, 2003 or 10th I cant' really remember right now - I'm so high on excitement I can't think straight. A nurse in my PCP's office told me about NeWeigh and I called them as soon as I got back to work that day. Michelle at NeWeigh scheduled my appointment for the 17th which was yesterday. I have now received a copy of the approval letter from my insurance, but it was for Dr. Hall. I posted on the Texas message board about this situation, and got some feel good news from one of the other Pre-Ops that is there. She told me she had a similar situation and that all she did was call her insurance company and they told her she was approved period. Then she suggested that I get the new doctor to send in paperwork stating that he would be the one to do the surgery instead of Dr. Hall. That really made me feel so much better. I am so excited, I'm going nuts. The only problem with the approval letter is they have pre-determined dates on it, I have to have the surgery and hospital stay from 12/25/03 thru 12/27/03. I have no problem with those dates, but I'm afraid Dr. Ferrar may have a problem with those dates. My family, who will be coming in from Alabama, doesn't even a problem with those dates. Heck, I will just be glad to have it - WoW just think, what a Christmas Present that would be for me!!! Okay, I guess I've said enough for now. I will keep everyone who reads my profile posted.:)

9/21/03: I don't really have any more news today than I did on Friday. I have spent all day today on the computer reading others profiles and journeys and looking at pictures. I was really touched by a posting on the message board today from AnnB about her being nervous about going to SA to the support meeting and really took a look at her profile. I read it all the way through from beginning to end and was astounded. AnnB, you are one helluva woman. Your courage and endurance and the pouring out of your heart when you say you are such a quiet, inconspicuous person was amazing. Of all the profiles I've read so far (and trust me I have not read everybody's YET), yours has been the most encouraging one. I really look forward to meeting you someday soon I hope. I don't know, today must have been a really melancholy day for me. I have been touched by several things today. It started off this morning with Cheryl's posting about Adasha feeling really anxious and nervous as her GREAT DAY arrives. I know I do not have a date set yet, but after everything I have read today, I am more than ready.

I also am so grateful to have found this site. The people here are so helpful, informative, kind... What else can I say. You ladies and gentlemen are a great support for anyone who comes here, Pre Op or Post Op. I can only hope that someone down the line can feel the same for me. I think I am still in a dream state at this moment. I am trying to start to gear myself up already. I have started cleaning out my pantry of all bad stuff and filling it up with good stuff. I know that at this moment I really do not know what the good stuff is going to be, but by reading your postings I do know that I am going to need plenty of protein drinks and I need to get rid of all the sugar stuff. I have tried SF popsicles and find that I really like them right now, but who knows how I am going to feel about them after surgery, Right? I have ordered a variety of samples of protein drinks just to try them now and see how it tastes. There again, whether or not I like them now and how I feel about them after surgery will be 2 different things. In other words, I think I am trying to tell myself that even though I am trying to prepare myself, I will never know until after the surgery how I will be able to handle things.

I know I have just been rambling, but things I've read and seen today have got my brain going 90 miles an hour and it's almost 10pm CST and it hasn't slowed down yet. I know I will not be going to sleep any time soon tonight, but try I must - Gotta go to work in the morning. I suppose another thing that has me going today is that it has been raining all day here and I've done nothing but sit in front of my computer all day. I really must be going nuts or something. Well, I'll go now - will post again soon I hope!!!:)Donna

9/25/03: Well, I went in for my cardiology test today (for post-op testing) and all went well. The cardiologist said I was really very healthy for someone of my size and especially since I have been this way for most of my life. I will be going for my sleep study tomorrow night (Friday, 9/26/03) and my blood work and gallbladder culture Saturday morning while I am still fasting from my sleep study. I will then go in on Mondat at 10:45am to have my psych evaluation which will be the last test I will need for Dr. Ferrari to schedule my surgery. I am so ready for this. I am so tired, I can't keep up with everything. I did join Curves for Women yesterday (Wednesday, 9/24/03), but have not got to go yet. I was planning on starting tonight, but had to work until 7pm and they close at 7:30pm. I would never have made it. But I will get my happy big butt there eventually. I think I will like their work-outs. The ladies that were there Wednesday night seemed to be having fun. Well, it's late and I do still have to go to work in the morning - yuck tomorrow we do inventory on our stock!!! I so hate doing that, but since I have to get paid, I must endure. I will post again this weekend, sorrowfully, because all of you will be in SA at the support meeting and I can't go, but I can't wait to hear all about it from ya'll when you get back. Happy losing to those on the losing side, and God-Speed to those of us waiting to crossover!!! :) Donna

9/27/03: Well, I made it through 3 more steps to getting my surgery date last night and today. I went in to Vista hospital last night at 8pm CST to start my sleep study. I had no idea what it was going to be like. I kept thinking all day Friday how can they accurately test your sleeping habits if you are sleeping in a strange bed, strange surroundings, not the way you normally sleep, or having your significant other there beside you when your used to them being there. Well, I still have no answer for that question. I don't know what they expected. Yes, it was a regular bed in a room set up like a normal bedroom, but there is the problem of how you are used to sleeping (I prefer sleeping in my birthday suit), my husband and I have to have some part of our bodies touching, Air conditioner turned down to about 65deg., music playing when I go to sleep (set on a timer so it goes off at midnight and alarm is set to come on at 4am). Then you have the lab tech putting all that paste stuff in your hair, on your face, chest and side; then hooking up all the wires that then have to be hooked up to a machine that they drape over your pillow cause it have to stay close to you. How can anyone sleep with a bunch of wires in your face. Geeze, I think that was the worse thing for anyone and I would not wish that on my worst enemy. I really hope and pray they find that I do not have sleep apnea and do not have to go back to test again for the CPAP machine, even though I have heard that the machine really works and that people using them really gets a good night sleep and wakes up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. I then had to go to radiology to get blood drawn and have a gallbladder ultrasound. The blood lab did not open until 7am and I was there in the waiting room by 6:40am so I had to wait 20 minutes. There was no one else there and it was dark in the waiting room. About 6:45 someone did walk into the receptionists area and with the little glass window still closed, sneezed very loudly and I said "Bless You" and she came and sat in the waiting room with me talking to me (She was in X-Rays and was about to get off her shift). She was so nice and helped the waiting. It took them about 10 minutes to draw 2 vials of blood and then I was told that my gallbladder ultrasound was not scheduled until 8am grrrrrrrrrr!!! More waiting. The tech for the gbu comes in from an outside source and she arrived at 7:45am. It took her about 10 minutes to perform the ultrasound and I was in my truck on my way home finally at about 8am. I went home, picked up my husband and we went to Golden Corral and had breakfast. I was starving - had to fast all night and did not have a drop to drink since 10pm last night, dying of thirst, but did not drink anything until we got to GC and then had about 3 large glasses of iced tea while eating breakfast. Then we went home, I read posts on MB and then went and laid down to take a nap. I never take naps, hate taking naps in the middle of the day cause it always makes me feel worse than when I went to lay down, but I was tired from the ordeal of last night I could not help myself and it did make me feel better. I'm sure I will sleep good again tonight because I will be back in my bed with my husband.

I am so sorry this posting is so long, but I just needed to get it out of my system. Last night was awful and I am just glad that it is now over with and again, I reiterate, I hope I never have to go back and do it again.

I have one more step to getting my date - the Psych Eval. I will be doing that on Monday, 9/29/03. Of course, you guys know I will post again afterwards to let you know how it goes. God Bless and Good Luck to everyone who reads this, and again, I apologize for the long post today!!! {Hugs} 8-) Donna

9/29/03: Well, I've had my last Doctor's visit (I hope) before getting my surgery date. I went to the Hauser Clinic today for my Phsych eval. and saw Dr. Gerber. He told me after the session that he had no problem sending Dr. Ferrari a letter stating I was ready. He said I had a very positive attitude, so all I need to know now is how I did on my sleep study, bloodwork, and gallbladder ultrasound. I'm hoping I will hear from NeWeigh by the end of this week with a date. Of course, I'm not holding my breath because I'm not ready to die yet, but I can still have hope! Everyone needs hope. I'm really ready for this and HOPE that Dr. Ferrari does not take too much time to let me know when it's gonna happen. Okay, cutting it short this time around because I was so long winded on Saturday's post. Love and Hugs to all who read this, and May God Bless each and every one of you no matter what stage of your journey!! 8-) Donna

Monday, 10/06/03: Well, it's been a few days since I've updated my profile. It's also been a few days since I've posted in the message board also, and I really must apologize for that. I have really been in the dumps the last few days, and not only that, but I had to go and get sick on top of it. I really thought I was dying Saturday night, but I did get over it. I made it to the family reunion on Saturday, but hubby had to go to Renaissance Festival by himself, I was just too sick to make it. I have found out since that my insurance is still going to approve my surgery with Dr. Ferrari. I received a message on my cell phone this afternoon from NeWeigh that I will be receiving a new Approval letter from Empire BCBS and that I just need to make sure that I fax the copy to NeWeigh. I also have to call and get my 2nd sleep study scheduled; in the words of Rim & Stempy (I think that is their names - used to be son's favorite cartoon) Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy! Really looking forward to that, but if it puts me closer to a scheduled surgery date, then more power to it!!! I am so tired of being tired all the time. I can't enjoy anything. I'm in pain just standing at the counter making a simple salad for dinner. I can't walk up stairs (Really hit the other day, I decided to walk up 2 flights of stairs to go to my Curves session instead of taking the elevator, and thought I wasn't going to be able to do my exercises because I was already out of breath). Anyway, still feeling a little puny as in sick right now, but I thought I would just let everyone know that I'm hanging in there and hopefully will have my date soon! Love and Prayers to all who read!! 8-) Donna

10/11/03, Saturday: Well, I went and had my date with a CPAP machine last night. It was a rough start, but Edith, the Sleep Lab Technician that did the testing said everything looked good after I finally got to sleep real good. She did tell me that I was choking myself everytime I started to go to sleep. I asked her about that, see when I lay down to try to go to sleep, it seemed like everytime I was just dozing off to sleep I would start this coughing fit and of course would be wide awake again for sometime (I have insomnia really bad). So atleast, now I know why I was doing that. She also told me "Hon, you can really snore!". LOL I have heard that before, I have friends that I would go over to their house very early to watch their kids, and would fall asleep on their couch before they left and they were always laughing at me and making fun about the noise I was making. Nice, HUH??? Well, my last smoke day (it has now changed to 10/15/03) is coming up pretty fast. I just hope I can do it and not make enemies of everyone. I am sure going to try to keep the bitchiness down to a miniman. I know this is just another step I have to take in order to get myself healthy. I just wish I did not have to do everything all at one time - lose my food and my cigarettes, but Sa La Vie!!! (I'm not french, so I know my spelling is awful - I apologize to any French speaking people out there - by the way, I wish I could speak that language, I think it is the most beautiful language I have ever heard!!!). Well, I will let anyone who reads my profile, know for sure if my date is going to be 11/11/03. I sure hope so. I don't know how much more waiting I can take. Probably a lot, knowing I am going to have this life changing tool soon. My dad sent me an email last night that I read to day and passed along to several other friends and the following words were in this email: "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward
appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b) I feel this is so true and that we should be more like God. Unfortunately, we do not live in perfect world, but we are trying. I love each and everyone of you who read this profile, and wish you a happy journey no matter what you are doing. Love, Hugs and Kisses - 8-) Donna

Sunday, October 19, 2003: Well, it has definitely been an interesting weekend to say the least. Friday I received my sleep machine. I thought I was going to get the CPAP machine only, but no - not me, I have sleep apnea so bad and they had to have such a high pressure for me, I end up with a BiPap Machine. Really all that means is that I have real severe sleep apnea - they did not give me the specifics as far as the number of times I stopped breathing, etc., but they did have to set it a very high pressure of air, plus I wasn't getting enough oxygenization to my brain during sleeping, plus (as if this other stuff is not enough) I have to have a heated, humidifier attached because of my sinuses. Now tell me this ain't a real kicker in the ole you know what!!!! I used it for about 2 hours Friday Night. The Respiratory Therapist who brought the machine to me said this might happen. I have to learn the adjustment on the humidifier. They automatically set it to 2 1/2, but I could adjust it higher or lower as I see my needs. Well, Friday night, I thought I was dying, the darn thing was making all kinds of noises, and I did not know what the heck was going on. I had gone to bed about 10:30pm and woke up sometime between 12:30 and 1:00 and took the darn thing off and turned it off. At least I felt like I slept the rest of the night/morning. When I got up Saturday morning and started taking off the parts that I was suppose to clean everyday I noticed that there was a bit of water down inside the tube that hooks up to the mask I have to wear. I got my little book out and immediately found out that this how I would know to turn the setting from the 2 1/2 they automatically set it to to something I could live with. The water in the tube means that it was set too high for me and I needed to turn it down. So last night when I went to bed, I turned it down to about 1 1/2 and actually kept it on and slept until 4:30 when I finally had to take it off again. I'm getting better, maybe tonight I can sleep with it all night until I have to get and go to work in the morning. Who Knows!!!!

I was told about 2 weeks ago that NeWeigh had procured another approval letter for Dr. Ferrari this time. I have been impatiently waiting for this letter ever since. Well, it too arrived on Friday as well as another item I had been waiting on, so Friday was really my day for thanksgiving. So now that I have this new Approval in my hand, I know it's really going to happen.

I want to also make a note of my meeting some really fantastic people Saturday, October 18, 2003. I finally got to meet Ms. Cheryl and Ms. Melissa C. I also met the following wonderful people who I have posted with, Cheri, Pam, Hector, Tina Bedwell, Cheryl's friend from work, Melinda, and Melissa's sister who lives in Katy, Melinda. I really had a great time, and not only did we actually get the Texas OH Chapter of Support going, but we actually talked about other things and it was very informative, and I for one am grateful to get any information I can. I'm telling you, the people on the Texas Board are the greatest, and I for one am totally grateful that I found this site. This site has helped more than you or anyone else will ever know, and the support and love here is just awesome.

Well, I have until November 11, 2003 to get my stuff in order. I mean, my house cleaning, making sure the hubby has plenty of stuff that does not need to cooked for his meals - He does not do cooking (LOL). We are going today to look at recliners, I told him I was going to need one after my surgery (A really good excuse to get some new furniture, HEH!!!! - LOL).

Anyway, I guess I've rattled enough, for now, just thought I would let you know how this weekend has gone for me. I just want each and everyone of you who read my profile, God Bless You, and I love you - and I will praying for you, no matter where you are in your journey to the LOSING SIDE!!! Love, Hugs and Kisses - :-) Donna

Saturday, November 8, 2003:

Well, it definitely has been awhile since I have updated my profile. I have been through quite a lot since my last posting. I feel now, I must write something or I will probably just explode. Of course, if that happens that should make the insurance company rather happy cause then they want have to fork out the money to pay for my surgery. Okay, since I have paid so much money into insurance and have not used it I think I will write so I won't explode. Okay, where to begin. I believe I wrote prior that I heard Dr. Ferrari would not do the surgey if you had not quit smoking about 2 weeks before your scheduled surgery date. I smoked my last cigarette on October 16, 2003. I had my Pre Op tests at Vista Hospital on October 30, 2003. They asked all kinds of questions, Do you have dental work, what kinds, when was your last monthly, blah, blah, blah - Then we had to have blood pressure, oxygen count, pulse etc taken, then I had to go have blood work done, chest xrays, and then I went to talk to the anesthesologist then I was sent on my way back to work. I then had my Pre Op Consultation with Dr. Ferrari at 3:15pm on Wednesday, 11/05/03. I thought I was going to be late. I left work at about 15 after 2 and on a good day, it will only take about 20 minutes from my office to NeWeigh. However, there had been a bad accident on 45 before 288 which is the way I go, and of course by the time traffic started backing up, I was well in the middle of it. I got to NeWeigh at 3:11pm. I still had to wait about an hour to see Dr. Ferrari. The first words out his mouth was "I see you are still smoking?" I was furious. I was thinking "OMG, have I quit the one thing that would help keep me sane for nothing?" I told him "No Sir, I smoked my last cigarette on the 16th of Oct, and have not touched one since, smoked, huffed, touched, whatsoever". He stated I was lucky he did not have any nicotene tests with him or he would have to give me one. I told him I wish he had had one and would administer it to me because it would prove I have not been smoking for the past 3 weeks. Any way, everything is okay - he will still be doing the surgery on the 11th. I have to go in to Vista on Monday to do a cross & match of my blood, but then I will be done and ready to be back at the hospital at 5am on Tuesday. Friday, the 7th was my last day at work until I am released by Dr. Ferrari to go back to work. It feels kind of strange knowing I will not be going back to work for awhile. You know, I just thought of something else that I could have told Dr. Ferrari concerning the "non smoking" thing: I gained a total of 13 lbs during that 3 weeks. that is a lot of weight gained in a short period of time.

And like everyone else, I have been pondering my reasons for doing this. First and foremost I am doing this for my health. My worse fear is of diabetes. I have know too many people who have had this dibilitating disease and have died from it. I am a person who loves running around bare footed. I have been afraid to go bare footed for the past 2 years because I was diagnosed with diabetes. I have had this disease under control for the past year, but only because I am taking three (3) different medications for it. I have also had to watch my sugar intake. I mostly use splenda in everything, and watch my starches and carbohydrates because they, too, turn into sugar once consumed in our bodies. I am allowed a small serving of chocolate every day (which I do not eat every day), and it does not have to be the sugar-free kind, it can be regular hershey's, etc. I realize that with the surgery I will not even be able to eat the small of sweets I eat now, but that is okay - If I can do this and take care of my diabetes problem and will be able to go bare footed again, I will be so much happier and will not miss the sweets at all. I am looking forward to losing inches so I can wear smaller clothes and find things that will fit me that do not cost an arm and a leg. I am looking forward to going to the new Reliant Energy Center during the rodeo and fitting in those seats. I could fit in the seats okay at the Astrodome, but they made the Reliant Center to hold more people, therefore sacraficing something and that something was comfortable roomy seating. The seats there are really so uncomfortable, I would prefer to go up to the railing behind everyone and stand. Atleast, just my legs and back started huring then, those seats were so cramped they caused all kinds of problems, leg cramps, squiggle butt (had to keep moving around trying to find a comfortable arrangement), sliding down, pulling up. (My husband and I have reserved seating for the Monster Truck Rally in January - since my surgery is 11/11 - maybe my butt will be a tad bit smaller in January to help me fit more comfortably in those seats - LOL).

Anyway, there is lots more and lots more I want to write, but I know you are getting really bored right now. I probably will not post again until after I get home from the hospital and finally feel like getting on here. I love you all and wish everyone, no matter where you are in your journey in and on the losing side, all the prayers, hopes and dreams in the world!!! Donna :-)
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Well, it's been 1 week since my surgery and 10 days since my last post here. Geez, that sounds like a confession. Oh well, so be it. I was so afraid I had received a sign on the day of my surgery that I should not do it. I got up late. I was suppose to be at the hospital at 5am. I did not get to bed until after midnight and could not go to sleep until about 1:30 or 2am and had the clock set at 3am so I could get up and take a shower, etc. Well, needless to say I did not get up until 4:45am - I had 15 minutes to get to the hospital when it takes 30 minutes to get there. I forwent the shower, needless to say, got dressed in a pair of shorts and a night shirt (which believe it or not got stolen from the hospital - I hope the person who took them gets as much wear and pleasure out of them as I did) and we took off. I was the first for the day, so they rushed me through as soon as I got there. I remember them giving me my gown and putting my little hair net on and putting those silly booties (which by the way never came off my feet even after the surgery) and getting me in the bed so they could hook up the IV and take all my vitals. I remember them rolling me in this room and telling me that we were only waiting on Dr. Ferrari to arrive. I remember Dr. Ferrari arriving and asking me if everything was okay and when I said yes, he said okay let's do it then. I barely remember them rolling me into the operating room and I was looking up at the big lights then the next thing I remember I'm sitting/laying in this recliner and see my husband walk in. My mom tells me I was away from them for approximately 4 hours, so I don't know exactly how long the actual operation took. The minute I came to, they were getting me up and making me walk down the hospital hall and around the nurses station, but I only had to walk one (1) time around, the first time. Then they were getting me up every 2 hours after that and making me walk around the nurses station three (3) times. I walked just as fast as I could. All the nurses kept saying "boy, she's flying around here". I just wanted to hurry up and get them to get me back to my chair so I could lay back down and go back to sleep. They think I was just doing real good - Ha Ha I had an ulterior motive. Motivation will carry you far, my friends, and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. I also had the motivation that if I could hurry and get around that nurses station my 3 laps and get back to my chair I could at least rinse my mouth out with water even if I did have to spit it out and not swallow any. And for crying out loud, they even made us get up every 2 hours during the night to do that stinking walking thing - I just wanted to sleep. So okay, here was another motivation for me - get me home where I can walk during the day like I'm suppose to and sleep all night long like I'm suppose to. Okay, still water at this time.

I get up the next day and have to go have X-Rays and swallow test taken. This swallow test is done so they can make sure all the holes cut in your now 2 stomachs are staples, sewn or however method used by your surgeon does not leak. This will obviously cause you a problem. Well, my results were good so guess what?? You got it!!! As soon as I got back to ICU they let me have some water - Oh Bless those nurses, I could have bowed down and kissed their feet. Those first sips of water were the best tasting water I've ever had. Actually, I suppose it could have had mud in it and I would never have noticed. This is how bad I wanted water.

I was then moved to my regular room. It had been a double room at one time, but there was only 1 bed in it now and 1 tv (the tv bracket was still there for a second tv, but the set itself was gone. That's okay - I could handle having a room to myself. This is on a Wednesday now. Nothing really exciting happened other than the walking every 2 hours, my grandson got to come visit me whereas when I was in ICU I could only see him out in the hall when I was doing my walking. I did get to eat - Wooohooo - Chicken broth, SF jello, decaf tea, skim milk and some kind of juice 3 times a day. I think I eat a couple of TBS ea of the broth & jello - took 1 sip of their tea and told them where they could shove that stuff (OMG that was the most nasty tasting stuff), but other than this just a normal hospital type day.

Thursday morning at approx. 5am I got my IV undone. I had been doing so good with my breathing, walking - my vitals were always good - blood sugar stayed down, etc., so they decided to reward me by taking off the handcuff. Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! I was so happy, now I could really move around that nurses

station. Look Out here comes Speedy Gonzales!!!!! And a change in diet - OMG now I had Cream of Something soup instead of Broth. I have no way of knowing what it was cream of - but I did happen to eat a couple of TBS of it whatever it was, I even ate a little more of the jello now (But I love jello, so that did not bother me).As you can see, I'm working really hard to get out of here. The blood tech came in and said she needed a tube of blood - this would be the blood work done that released me from my prison. I'm so sorry, the hospital treated me very well, all the nurses and tech's were very nice (a couple even super nice), but I just don't like hospitals at all. So when Dr. Ferrari's associate Dr. A. Alanis said everything looked good and that he was going to let me go home I was ecstatic. Yeaaaaaaaaaaaa, I'm going home to my bed. Yeah right, well the story continues.

I got home Thursday night so happy to be back in my own house. My dog was there to greet me, bless his heart he had to be told a million times that he could not jump on Momma, my bird was there chirping away - Oh how sweet to be missed!!!! I got in my recliner and did not get up until 9pm when I took my last walk of the day. I live in a 1 bedroom 40' long trailer, so I have no choice but to go outside to walk. We live behind my husband's mother's house, so from our door to the end of the drive is approximately 60'. A nice little walk I think for someone who had just had surgery 2 days ago. Then I went back in the house, took my pain medication and died in my recliner. I did not wake up again until about 6am the next morning. OMG, it felt so good to sleep the whole night without someone coming in and saying "Ms. Ford, Ms. Ford - it's time to walk again". I swear I felt that I had just dozed off everytime they were doing that in the hospital. Friday, my first day home was uneventful. My husband, my lover (not at the moment, of course, but again soon I hope), my best friend, my angel, took excellent care of me - he waited on my every whim. He made sure I could get up to go potty or was there to make sure I made it back from the bathroom. It was great.

Now let's move to Monday, 11/17/03. Not a good day for me. I have been watching my darling husband (dh) all weekend eat and eat and eat and eat anything and everything he wanted. I am still sipping on my broth, sugar-free jello, sugar-free popsicles, protein shakes (and some of these are pretty good & some are pretty nasty, but I drank them anyway because I knew I had to). I was so tired of this diet already. I am crying and being a total bitch to my husband who has been nothing but helpful to me. Even while I am being the bitch I am to him he is still being devoted to me and pampering me and helping me any way he could. He is my best friend and angel. He went to the grocery store and found some sugar free- fat free yogurt for me to eat for breakfast so I would not have to eat broth for 3 meals a day. My typical meal now is:
Breakfast: (1) 6 oz cup of yogurt (I might eat 1/2)
In Between: (1) 6 oz cup of decaf coffee w/splenda &
non-dairy creamer and (1) 1-3/4 oz cup
of sugar-free (sf) jello
Lunch: (1) 4 oz cup of chicken broth
In Between: (1) SF Blue Bell Bullit (Popsicle)
Supper: (1) 4 oz cup of chicken broth
After Meal Snack (1) SF Blue Bell Bullit (Popsicle)
Of course, I have approx. 4 oz. of protein 2x's a day - I'm suppose to try to have it 3x's a day, but I just can't stomach it. I also drink either a 64oz mug of water all day or decaf tea.

So, this is what I have been eating for the past week. Sounds real appetizing doesn't it. Every doctor is different, so don't judge on what I'm having to eat on what you might have to eat after your surgery.

Today is Tuesday, and I'm feeling much better. I still have this really bad sore spot on the left side of my belly, but it is getting a little better, I believe, now. I'm still in my recliner, cause I just can't make myself feel comfortable trying to lie down on my bed. I sure hope it comes soon though, cause I really miss sleeping in my bed. Because of the pain in my left side, I do feel pain in other places - like if I sit up for a while, which I have done tonight to put this down, my back is starting to hurt a little. I do believe I have a slight gas pain in my left shoulder and hope that this too will pass soon.

I do feel more thankful for such small conveniences that I believe I have taken forgranted forever - such as, wiping myself, bending down a little bit to grab something, I mean all these things may not seem like an accomplishment to you right now, but when you have the surgery and are not able to do them, you really will appreciate them more when you are finally able to do them.

Okay, I've rattled on long enough, and my side is really started to hurt so I need to just go take pain medicine and try to get some rest. But I felt I had waited long enough to do this. I will try to post more often now that I am back home and am doing more things for myself.

I love each and everyone of you, and my prayers and thoughts are with you no matter where you are in your journey!!!:-) Donna

November 27, 2003

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, Everyone!!!! Hope you all had a very wonderful Holiday Weekend.

I thought I would just get on here to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and to also give a small update. I was suppose to see the doctor after 3 weeks Post Op, but Dr. Ferrari was going out of town and would not be back to December 9 which would make almost 4 weeks, so they scheduled my appointment with him for 2 weeks. I have lost 22 pounds in this first 2 weeks and I think that is the most wonderful thing. Dr. Ferrari also told me that I could go ahead and start on the soft solid stage. I had approx. 2 - 3 TBS of tuna fish with 1 TBS of Dill Relish and 1 TBS of Miracle Whip Lite and it was so good. Then I had some sharp cheddar cheese and that too was really good. I'm so glad I can still tolerate cheese because I love cheese. Then today for Thanksgiving I first tried 2 TBS of runny mashed potatoes. I did not really care for them, but that was because they were instant and runny and did not taste like potatoes to me at all. Then a little later I tried about 2 TBS of dressing with no meat. That was excellent. I also had about 1 TBS of cantaloupe that I cut up into really small pieces. Then a little after that I had about 1/4 Cup of SF/FF Butter Pecan Frozen Yogurt. Yum Yum Yum - but boy did all this stuff fill me up. I thought I was in heaven. This is really a good tool. I can't wait to see what else I can have. Oh, I did forget to mention that I tried a broiled piece of breakfast sausage this morning, but only got down about 1/2 of it. Then I scrambled an egg and only ate about 1/2 of it. It is so wonderful and everything has tasted really good so far except the mashed potatoes.

My sister is flying in from Alabama tomorrow night and I told my husband we would have to take her out to eat. I do have baked potatoe with limited toppings on my soft food list, so I told him we would have to go somewhere that would be Donna Friendly and then I said we would have to go somewhere where I could get a baked potatoe, so maybe tomorrow night I will get the real taste of potatoes. I just can't eat the skin, which I don't do unless I'm at home anyway cause I know my potatoes are clean before I bake them.

Well, I guess this is enough for now. I suppose right here is as good a place as any to put in my weight loss chart. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and GREAT week ahead!!! I love you guys!!!! :0) Donna

Beginning: 343 lbs
2 Wks Post-Op: 321 lbs (-22)
6 wks Post-Op: 305 lbs (-38)
2 mths Post-Op: 298 lbs (-45)
3 mths Post-Op: 289 lbs (-54)
4 mths post-op: 280 lbs (-63)
5 mths post-op: 277 lbs (-66)
6 mths post-op: 274 lbs (-68)
7 mths post-op: 268 lbs (-75)
8 mths post-op: 262 lbs (-81)
9 mths post-op: 262 lbs (-81)- Plateau from H***
10 mths post-op: 262 lbs (-81)- Still Plateau from H***
11 mths post-op: 258 lbs (-85)- Finally going down
12 mths post-op: 256 lbs (-87)
13 mths post-op: 253 lbs (-90)
14 mths post-op:
15 mths post-op:
16 mths post-op:
17 mths post-op:
18 mths post-op:

>

Saturday - December 20, 2003

Well, I know I have not updated recently. I haven't really had anything to say. I will not have my 6 weeks check up until Wednesday 12/24/03 at 10:30am. I will then be able to update my weight and loss. I did go to the Black Eyed Pea today to meet with Adriana and Melissa Clauder, but instead of it being at Shepherd & Memorial it was at Shepherd & W. Gray. I was about 30 minutes late, but no one was there yet. I went all the way to the smoking area to see if Melissa was there, but she wasn't. As I was coming back to the front of the restaurant and young lady of Hispanic Descent was describing the photo of Melissa from the board, and I got to meet Adriana. What a dynamic young lady she is. So positive. I really enjoyed our lunch today. She ate about 1/2 of a cobb salad with chicken. I was drooling over it. I can not wait to be able to eat salads the right way again. I had the seared rainbow trout with mashed potatoes (no gravy) and baked squash casserole. I ate about 1/4 of the trout, 2-3 bites of the potatoes and 2-3 bites of the squash. It sure was good, even if I did not eat much of it.

Nothing much else is going on. People at work and others that I do not see every day keep saying they can see the weight coming off, but of course, I can't. I do see that some of my clothes seem a little lose, but it seems like I am not coming out my norman size of 26-28 very fast at all. The only reason I can come up with is that I was in denial and should really have been wearing a bigger size to begin with so it will take a little longer for me to get out this size. At least that is my story and I'm sticking to it. I really do not care if I am a slow loser or not as long as the numbers keep going down and I never have to see this fat ever again.

Well, I guess that is about it for me for now. I will be back Wednesday to update my weight chart and will talk more then. Love to all who read this and good luck to everyone no matter where you are in your journey!!! Donna :-)

January 1, 2004

Well, I did not get back on here on the 24th as I said I would, but that's okay. Not really a lot has happened as far as my weight loss is concerned. I did try something after I was taken off restrictions that I had loved prior to surgery and was craving really bad. It was cubed steak. I had always gotten the tenderest pieces of cubed steak and then breaded them lightly (egg-milk mixture & then floured - shaking off excess flour) and then fried them (no oil - Pam) in a nonstick skillet. Well, they have always been really tender and easy to chew before. Not now - I took one bite, thought I was going to die. My chest hurt so bad and I went outside to walk around hoping that would loosen it up and make it go away, but no such look. I had to go worship the porcelain God. OMG, I thought I had died and I don't believe I went up. I told my dh that if I never had another cubed steak in my life it would be too soon. Other than that and pork rinds, I have had no food problems. Of course, I still have not touched sugar, and don't plan to for quite sometime. I do not think I want to know if I dump or not. My Parents and my grandson were here from Alabama for Christmas and the 1st thing Momma said was "I can see it in your butt". I said "Excuse Me"! Then she said, "Well, I can see it all over, but mostly in your butt". Gee, Thanks Mom!!! But really it did make me feel good. Any compliment whatsoever and however minute it seems is good to me, because I have received so few in my lifetime. My grandson was wonderful, and I was happy to get to play with him this time around. I was with him in August when I went home for my 25th class reunion, then I got to see him again in November when I had my surgery, but of course could not play with him very much because of the hospital stay and the pain. But this time, I could play and it was so much fun.

Well, I guess that is about it for now. I hope each and everyone who reads this has a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year!!! I also hope you are all having a good journey no matter where you are in it!!! Love, Donna :-)

January 4, 2004

Well, I've got a couple of WLS Moments to tell you about. I thought I was going to be at -38lbs forever. Scales did not seem to be moving at all. I weight a couple of times a week; I know that's not really good, but darn it I want to see it for myself. Even if it doesn't move sometimes, I am still happy because I weigh less now than I have in more years than I care to remember. Well, this morning it finally moved. I have lost 40lbs. I now weigh 303. I am really looking forward to the day that I am 299 which is just under 300 but is under. I have not weighed less than 300 lbs for about 15 - 20 years now. My drivers license from Alabama stated my weight was 280 lbs. (Yes, Alabama's driver's license used to have your weight on them, I don't know if they still do or not) and this was 18 years ago, and I had not weighed 280 for about 3 - 5 years prior to leaving Alabama, so I actually it has been about 23 years since I've seen less than 300 lbs. I'm telling you, no matter how slow the downward trend, I'm happy because it is going down.

The other moment happened last night at the Reliant Stadium. Russell and I went to the Monster Truck Jam. We go every year, I just love the noise, the fumes, the excitement, the drivers, the big trucks. I will always be a redneck at heart I guess. We had a wonderful time. Poor Grave Digger was out early on in the race. He made a sharp turn too fast and over he went; and it was in a new truck too. Darn. He is one of my favorites. Anyway, to get on with my WLS moment. We went to the new stadium for the 1st time last year at the Rodeo. I thought I was gonna die. Those seats are pushed so close together now (they added more seating so the seats got smaller) and they were so small it was the most uncomfortable time I have ever had. I could not be still. I kept wiggling around trying to find a comfortable spot. I kept standing up to give my poor butt a rest from the tight grips of the handles pushing into it. It was just a total bad experience. Well, I kept hoping that it would be better this year (We also go to the rodeo every year for atleast 4 - 5 shows and I forgot the Monster Truck Races were before the Rodeo) since I had lost 38 lbs. My dear butt has gotten a little smaller. Well, guess what??? I fit in the seats a bit more comfortably this time around. I'm not gonna say it was all a bed of roses and that my butt was so small I did not feel the sides of these seats because that would be a lie, but I did sit in these seats without the wiggling around and besides having to get up and down out of these seats to let people get by me, I sat there the whole time we were there. I think this is a most wonderful thing. At least to me it is.

Who knows, maybe by the time our first show for the rodeo which is March 4, 2004 I will not be able to feel those seat handles at all. I can certainly hope/dream can't I???

Well, I guess that is it for now. I have not quite reached 2 months out yet, so we will see exactly how much I have lost by my 2 month anniversary which will be January 11, 2004. Let's hope for the best.

I hope you are all doing great no matter where you are in your journey. Love, Donna :-)

January 18, 2004 (Sunday)
Hello, all. Well my 2 month anniversary (1/11/04) has come and gone and I did not make my goal that I wanted to make at that time, but I have lost 45 lbs and am down below 300 lbs which I have not seen for approxiately 20 years. I now weigh 298 lbs. This is a huge milestone for me and I am really happy with my results. My next goal is 18 lbs away (hopefully by my 3rd month (2/11/04), but if I just get close that will make me happy - 18 lbs seems like a lot to lose in 3 weeks, but I'm gonna try real hard. That will put me at 280 lbs. which is the last weight that was shown on my Alabama drivers license before I came to Texas back in 1986. Woohoo, I love this tool.

July 11, 2004 (Sunday)

Well, as you can see it has been quite a while since I updated here - since January 18. Time flies I guess when you are having fun. No a whole lot has happened with me in this time. I am down 81 lbs, but life has not been good to me. I have been in a depressed state for a while now because my husband has not worked for the last 9 months. I know what all of you that is reading this is thinking and that is why I have been seeking help. Everything will work out, but for the most part I have been grazing too much and on all the wrong things so my WL has been really slow. It is my own fault and I know it, but sometimes it hard to control. I can't think straight right now either, so I will update again later I promise. Love, Donna :-)

1/07/05
Okay, I have been thoroughly chastised by several people because of my lack of Profile Updating. I will try to do better, but can't make any solid promises. I am doing really well. I am still a slow loser, it has been 1 year & almost 2 mnths since my surgery and I have lost 90lbs. I can walk 5 miles (and do about 3 x's a week - was doing it every day, but gained some weight [I know I was building muscle and muscle weighs more than fat, however, I was not ready to see scales go up no matter the reason] so I went back to just 3 x's a week) without huffing & puffing myself to death. I have gone from a size 30/32 to some 20/22 and 22/24. I am very happy with my life right now. I noticed on the board today that someone had posted how exciting it was to be able to bend over and tie your shoes, something so many people take for granted, and I know exactly how she feels. I felt that same way myself. I had a wonderful Christmas/New Year Holiday - I went home to "Sweet Home Alabama" and spent a week with my family, especially my 2 year old grandson and even got to see my best friend since High School. It was great. I am just really enjoying life since my WLS & because of my WL. I want to thank all of you who read my profile for your love & support which has made this journey the best ever. Love to all, Donna :-)

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