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Shell G.
Home Sweet Home, KY, USA
Post Op - BMI: 24.2
Surgery Type: RNY
Member ID: G1087850713
Surgeon: Thomas Greenlee

Click here for Shell's surgery support page
Click here for Before & After pictures page
Click here for the 10/2004 Reunion Page
Click here to print Shell's cards
(You can print your own cards, and if you're good at it,
you can help print cards for your friends as well!)















Me and Dh Christmas 2003



Me and Dh October 2005




My Beautiful Babys Spring 2004




JUNE
Hi Ya'll Let me start by introducing myself I am a 28 year old mother, I have a loving ol' man and my children are absolutely wonderful. I am approximate, 280 lbs and hating every inch of it. I was about 230 for most of my teen years and after my third child the weight got up there and now it wants to stay. AARGH I on the other hand want it gone like yesterday.!!! I am weak and I have heel spurs and my back goes out more than I do. My knees are gettin bad too. Not to mention the public ridicule strangers and Family.(not DH or kids) Not very pretty. So I hope If You decide to follow my Journey You don't get to bored and loose interest as I am loosing Inches.( God Willing ) HeeHee.

6/23/04 Well patiently abiding my time waiting to get things rolling.

6/24/04 Going to mailbox today hoping to find my letter from Dr. Rodriguez office with "The To Do List" to get ready for the appointment in November Golly it seems so far a I think it is like waiting for Santa when your a kid, anyway that is all.
6/29/04 Well it is official I went to my PCP today and started this Journey although I need to say that I feel like I started this journey the day I decided to "Have The surgery" I started one week ago and been so excited that I actually lost ten pounds ALREADY. Now some will say hay if you can do that good without surgery then why so you need it? Well I will tell ya see to an obese person 10 is NOTHING it is when you start trying to loose 20 or more that you start loosing the loosing battle 10 lbs is just the difference if you have peed this morning or not LOL. Joerling asked me if I would try a weight loss diet with him since I hadn't before and if I didn't like it he would go ahead and Wright me a letter for the WLS. I agreed besides what did I have to lose? My consultation was months away and we were going ahead with all the pre testing since it would help with this diet also. He gave a script for Xenical. Which says that it hasn't been studied for use more than two years. I still say the surgery is what I need and I think he knows that since the Nurse came back in my room and smiled and said John says You are determined to have this surgery. I said Yep I have heard so much negativity from so many that I am just NOT HEARING it NO MORE!!! I get so defensive now that I hate to admit but anytime someone mentions it these alarms start sounding and I on the defense! Anyway since Medicaid will not cover this pill they are trying to get it authorized so that they will and if not just on to the surgery. :) Well I feel I have shared enough today till next time,
JULY
7/08/04 Well now I have my other appointments for the pre authororization for the surgery. Psych eval is 7/15 PFTs 7/20 and Nutritionist is 7/30 since they are all in July I figured hey why not go ahead and start calling for the consult to be moved up if there is a cancellation, so I did and Well it is now OCT. 13 helped alittle I guess moved from Nov 17 so a month and few days earlier. but I will keep trying to make it sooner!!!! Till then I am trying to stay busy, Wonder what they all will say to me I have found that A LOT of people think this surgery is a cop out I guess it just goes to show You how little they know about obesity !! Well till later.............

7/20/04 Pulmonary Functions Test:
Well I went and and took like 8 - 10 tests measuring everything from lung capacity to function to utilization and basically I can breathe Who would have thought? I shouldn't make lite of the test there very important because when they do the surgery they give you some med's that paralyze ya and your lungs can't work that is why they hook you to a respirator - so basically he told me that even though I have smoked for 12 years that IF I would quite in the next year my Lungs would totally heal and wouldn't be able to tell I was ever a smoker in just a few years, I would have no long term effects like stroke heart probs cancer and things like that from smoke anyway,. He said he would definitely give me a referral for surgery because I was an excellent candidate and still being as Young as I am would have great chance of my skin snapping back He worked in Illinois for 10 years doing the gastric bypass I don't think he was the actual surgeon but he treated the patience a lot before and after even for the plastic surgery and he said he saw amazing results, and I could have very positive results. Anyway he was really encouraging he said that in the years he dealt with it they only lost three patience and he explained why, and each three there where circumstances that I don't have. so that is that .................one step closer

7/30/04 Well up late another night I think it is like 4:10 in the morning and I just can't sleep I dream of meeting the doctor I have dreamt I have already had the surgery I just have all this nervous energy wanting this so bad I don't know what to do with myself It is times like this You wish You were like Samantha or Jeanie and You could just MAKE things happen but we all know better huh?! I feel like I have forever to wait I guess because I know that anything can happen in minutes let alone let me see my consult is in 2 months and 14 days give or take a few days and hey THAT IS TOOOOO LONG!!!! I keep calling for a hopeful cancellation but I also know that means that someone had to give up there spot so I could get it and I don't wish that for anyone either,I guess I just feel stuck at this point I am in a sorta Limbo if You will. I wanna be a LOOSER WAAAAAAAA WAAAAAAAAAAA WAAAAAAAAA (I guess for now I will just be a baby!) lol till next time ...............


AUGUST
8/31/04 Guess it has been a minute since I last updated no reason except didn't want to bother anyone with daily hassles being this is mainly for weight thoughts, so Don't bee fooled it feels like it has been a year since i decided to start this journey but looking at my profile it has been a paragraph. Hee Hee. Anyway....... I changed docs This really nice woman ( Kimanne ) pointed out to me that WOW I HAVE MEDICARE soooo why was I stressing over a doc who took medicaid? I do have both but medicare is primary. Anyway It was like a bulb went off and ( THANK YOU KIMANNE ) I called arround and found a doc that was over an hour closer and tries to do all of his patients Laproscopically where as I hear Rodriguez prefers open. Anyway I am so much more comfortable now with what is going on.
Yesterday I went to a seminar (about 70 or so people there)and heard from the surgeons (all three) and staff and found out lots of nice info of course thanks to this web site I was more aware of what was going on than some that I think hadn't been here. So I found out they do ALL there surgeries 150cm distil My next appoinment is day after tomorrow and they don't like to pussy foot around they said that I could be having surgery as soon as 6 weeks. YEAAAA My appointment the 2nd I will be seing the inturnist and dietician and I have to take in the first half of the 250 so $125 and the medical records of the test I previously did for Dr Rod. and I will be good.
I have been trading posts with a Lady here ( Rhonna ) and we were gonna try to meet at the seminar but I didn't know what she looked like and she said that she couldn't find anyone that looked like my pic well it turned out after a couple emails right after the seminar that we sat right next to each other now how cool was that? hahaha
Anyway Thank God that from reading other profiles on this site that I knew I was going to have to quit smoking for atleast 3 months or they wouldn't do the surgery so I have been stopped for awhile now. Actually I guess from wanting this surgery so bad it hasn't been that bad a few days of feeling drugged and a couple days of anxiety followed by a night of body aches and I think I am ok. the worst part of all of it was the 2 hour trip to Lexington for the seminar that far in a car by yourself a smoke would have been nice sooo I sang at the top of my lungs and tried to distract myself best I could, stuck to my guns and still smoke free not even a cheat. WOOOW. after 12 years and now I am smoke freeee..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Later taters hee hee


SEPTEMBER
9/9/04 ok Well the second has come and gone I will try to give You step by step what to expect well I got there and You pre register down stairs They basically take all your info Name age weight address insurance sign right to treat papers and then give them the 125$ then You go upstairs sign in by the time I signed in I was being called (They are fast!!) Ok so they weighed me and did the height I was 5'6" and 283 (probably from quitting smoking) Anyway they take you to a room and tell you the inturnist will be in to see you shortly - while waiting this petite pretty little thing comes in and asks how you feel and takes your blood pressure she is the exercise specialist she gave me 30 minutes a day on my treadmill (Just got it in that morning) and says she will see me most visits to go over exercise and after surgery she will add cardio. She leaves and the nutritionist comes in and itroduces herself very nice also she tells me she will be seeing me after the inturnist is done so she leaves the inturnist comes in He asks a few questions and looks at your eyes and throat and listens to your heart which he said that He thinks he may have heard a heart murmer so I am to see a cardiologist GREAT anyway he said he would wright a letter to the surgens and tell them that He thinks I am ok for surgery pending cardiologist report. Then I am led to this little room where there are two other people and should I say that this whole time I am filling out the required 312 question psyche test to see if I am nuts even though I already had an ok from a local pshologist so when i get to this room we finish the test and the nutritionist comes in and puts us all on a 30 carb a day diet. No biggy RIGHT YUCK anyway after that Donna came in and handed out everyones appoinments The 10th I get the pleasure of having an EKG again More blood drawn and the wonderful EGD. Then Nutritionist seminar the 14th at 10:00am and at 9:00am cardiologist appoinment. Hope all is well after all that because I can then probably go on to surgery by mid Oct. I guess we will see what happens then huh?!!! Later Taters Big day Tomorrow.

9/10/04 Hey Ya'll big day done. was scheduled for the ekg at 12:30 blood @ 1:00 and EGD @ 2:30 well Got To Saint Josephs East at 12:00 for registration took 5 mnutes had Ekg by 12:30 then you go back to the registration desk and they give you more papers and send you to the LAB, Blood Drawn by 12:45 back to registration and got a braclet escorted up to 3rd floor and whisked into a bed IV attached by about ten minutes till 1:00.There where 6 people ahead of me each takes approx. 20 minutes so I got in at 2:50 They wheel you in tell you that they are checking your stomach for ulcers and such so you know they know what there doing she says that she is going to give me the HAPPY JUICE in just a sec asked me to roll over on my side and I was gone, I have no clue I was wide eyed and then BLANKKKKKKKK next thing I can vaguely remember is drinking sprite and thinking it tasted soooo good don't know how it there who brought it and honestly didn't even see it don't know if my eyes where closed or I was that messed up. After that I don't remember anything till I was in the parking lot in a wheel chair telling the nurse that was my DH over there don't have a clue how I got down there realisticly I can figure but I just can't remember it Then I remember her askin me if I can walk to the car I was like sure don't remember anything till I asked DH to stop so I could go in a store and get a drink, I remember stepping out barfing in the parking lot and then gettin back in the car AARGH nothing else till I was almost home.(DH said I went in and walked back out and told him they said they didn't sell pop we needed to go somewhere else needless to say he didn't stop anywhere else till we got home LOL) My DH says I was at the car at 3:23. I think My DH deserves big rewards he had to have had a bad day today Both our children got car sick on him while I was in the Hospital so He got the pleasure of takin care of that then Me too. Shew Wee . By arround 5 I got pretty much back to normal with being aware I am still a bit natious (sp) and it is arround midnight but I am relaxed which is good and My throat isn't sore as yet so fingers crossed and it won't be. So I am heading to bed next appointment is tuesday the 14th. Let You know how that went then. Later taters. Night Night :0)

9/16/04 Hey Ya'll Well I went tuesday for the Cardiologist appoinment hey said I have what You call a phantom murmer one minutes it's there the next it's gone Soo he asked that I go on over next door to the hospital and have the echocardiagram. I had to go the nutrition seminar first which was oh so very informative. If I wasn't nervous before I am now. She explained about the diet for the first four stages after sergery. Showed us the vitamens we will be required to take an let us know that if we gain so much as one pound before surgery then they will refuse to perdorm it. Non Compiance. It kills me because she told me that if I would quiet my Mountain Dews I would loose lotsa weight just on that alone well I have been drinking 64 oz of water in place of my pop which I have never done soo That and walking on the treadmill daily you know I didn't loose any weight this whole week, ACK My DH says it is probably water and muscles, hoping. Anyway after the seminar I went on over and had the echo it was ok I guess actually it kinda hurt he had to press pretty hard I only shed one tear soo I think it was ok though I am know waiting on Donna to call and set up my surgery day. YEAH

WHOOOOHOOOO I have a date I have a date October 5th words can not explain how I feel right now. :0) Karen called this morning and we scheduled bootcamp for the 29th that is when I take the other 125$ and then SURGERY!!!!! Yea HAWWWWW


October
10/2/04 Ok I went to bootcamp Got there at 11:30 to preregister downstairs, then bootcamp class at 12:00 with Karen there were about 30 people there but only about 17 that were having surgery the rest was a friend or family member to learn what to expect, she told us about drains and how We were going to feel afterwords what to expect when we go into the OR and showed us a pic so it wouldn't be so new when we got there she explained alot that was interesting especially since I have never had surgery. So after all that about an hour, I went to meet the exercise physiologist (Billi Jo) She took my Body Fat composition measurments and such and then the Pass Nurse she tried to take blood (three times) but my viens rolled and one blew out sooo Karen told her to forget it I didn't really need it since I wasn't on any meds. Then I met Green Lee He was Nice I didn't have any questions for him but if I did he would have answered them no problem He was very supportive and told me that honestly after surgery I couldn't fail for atleast the first 6 months unless I went to Krispy Creams every 15 minutes and he doubted my body would let me do that So I didn't need to WORRY that it wouldn't work it would be a waste of time. After that I was Free to go but I stopped talked to Karen who is just always so Nice and supportive, Bought my vits and left. I was so Nervous I forgot to get my surgery time but I did go on over and get my Hotel room the free night at the Ky INN. Soo as for how i am feeling OH BOY there are books that don't have as many words for emotions I am going through right now. and that is the truth. I will try to post more when I get home. My head seems so full right now with all this stuff I am trying to keep everything straight. See You on the losing side. God Bless


10/14/04 OK well I went into surgery at 2:45 When I was roled in they all said hello as they prepared the room and I scooted myself onto the table she asked if I was centered I said yes and they proceeded to strap me down alittle scary if You must know first three across my legs and then two arround my arms He said he was giving me something to relax me and all of a sudden I couldn't open my eyes I pulled hard too, My lungs got heavy I was straining to breathe I told the anestesiologist (sp) and he patted my arm and said it was ok I remember thinking NO IT'S NOT!! But too late I was out. Next thing I remember I was in ICU I guess and they where yelling at me Breathe Linda Breathe and I went back to sleep and then again Breathe Linda I heard a beeping in the background then I went back to sleep the third time it happened I woke up and asked What am I forgettin to breathe ? she said Yes. Well then I went back to sleep and woke up in my room. The doc called DH at the hotel and told him all was well, and I was to call him as soon as I was awake enough. So I did I remember thinking I was wide awake but when I talked to DH I wasn't making any since I felt no pain just like I had been Punched in the stomach like it was TIGHT but no pain. My DH and Kids were at the Hotel and I remember telling my little girl that daddy put her tape in the vcr in her room she needed to be good for Daddy and go watch it. LOL Needless to say there was no VCR there. They took my vitals My BP was 89 over 60 they told me that was great. OK...... Anyway I started walking arround 10 to prevent the blood clots and walked every hour from then till I went home I just couldn't sleep there. Slept better when DH brought my pillow and chapstick there, as You tend to get dried out. I used My spirometer frequently it was like a game to see if I could do better each time the first time I got a 3000 and there just wasn't any gettin better. (once I got home I could hit 4500) I Had a friend That I met here Rhonna~P she had her surgery the day before me and we got to walk together in the halls. Bless her heart she had to go back in and have a second surgery due to her old stomach Bleeding, she realized this when she went to the toilet and passed blood. So she is doing really well considering all that and her Body is building back up the red blood cells so she is slightly weak. We got to visit often which was nice. I went home on 10/7 and weighed before I left I gained 4 pounds from fluid not to bad I have heard others have gained more. I stayed on my pain meds One day the smells were Aweful I couldn't go into Kroger the deli made me gag and I am just now gettin over that on the 9th I slept all day I was naseated and only got in 5 oz of fluid. threw up twice got worried I would feel like this always Rest assured I DON'T I feel Great today I would say 100% Tomorrow is my Post op appointment I will update and let You know how Much I have lost so far. Thank God all is well He is awesome. Till tomorrow

10/16/04 Post op appointment was awesome Rhonna and I got to see each other again she looks good. I had my support group meeting first we all compared notes and such. Then I got to go see the Doc They weighed me You'll never guess - 20 lbs at just 10 days post op. Yeah me. When the doc came in I got to tell him "I already took my staples out." I just knew he would blow the roof He laughed at me and said he wasn't mad just one less thing he had to do But hey I don't recommend anyone doing that they where bugging me so Me and my DH took Brand New wire snips and needle nose pliers and took one by one out and decided that if something started to open back up we would stop fortunatly it didn't and all is well. The Doc said they looked good and the lose so far was excellent and I can go back to normal life lift clean bend what ever I want. I can eat solids but preferably soft solids. My Next appointment is in 3 weeks. They will take blood and check my levels. Anxious to see what i lose by then. Best Wishes till next time.

November
11/14/04 WOW WOW WOW.... I swore I would not be one of the folks that stopped posting os much after surgery. Well looks like I am. I have my 5 week appointment tomorrow so I will let Ya know how much I am down exactly then. For now I just wanted to let everyone know I am ok. I have entered my Misery Month. where everything is finishing up the heeling I guess it is between the 6 - 10 weeks. I threw everything up yesterday but today A OK. I have been noticing on hte boards that people are gettin aggrevated because there are some with complications going off on folks for advising others to have this surgery and then You have folks without complications getting perterbed cause the folks with complications are telling folks NOT to have the surgery. So this is what I say.
IMHO
Ok IMHO I think the reason that POST OPS with all the bad complications even severe at times YELL out to others NOT to do the surgery is because The reality of "WHAT COULD" happen didn't hit until it was happening. I think everyone researches and knows "WHAT CAN" happen the reality sinking in is differant. and they want the REALITY of the "WHAT IF's" to sink in to others. OK IMHO I think the reason the POST OPS with very little to no complications SEEM to get uptight at the mentioning of the DON'T DO IT'S is because When somthing this good happens to a person they want to share the excitement of "There New LIFE" and want others to feel as good as they do. So actual people are trying to tell there own story and they all need to be heard, it just seems like the DON'T DO IT's say this could happen to EVERYONE and the DO IT'S say hey this could be You. Choose Your roads wisely folks and stop blaming Surgeons or Peers for what has happened to You, and The No complications group should TRY to be a little sympathetic to those who has had this aweful Luck. We are not a group divided We are a Group United. IMHO

Now that I have given my 2 cents I am going ot bed. See ya tomorrow.
11/16/04 Hey everyone I went to the surgeons Green Lee said I was doing excellant he couldn't ask for anybetter. I weigh 245 that is a loss of 42lbs. In only 5weeks I am so hoping for 30 more lbs gone by Christmas I so hope i can do that.!! All my vit levels are above average so he said that was good and my cholesterol was only 143. Pretty good I think
I am sure it will go down more. I am doing pretty good. Thanks for letting me share. Till next time.
11/28/04 Hi Guys Guess what I am officially at the half century mark today!!! that is a negative 50lbs. I have 87lbs to go. but I CAN DO IT!!! Thanks for listning.
DECEMBER
12/05/04 Hey people this last 20 days has been tooo slow. I only lost 10 lbs it makes me sad I would sit and read others profiles and it seemed they lost so fast but it is differant when You are living it. 55 lbs in 2 months isn't bad but I would hate to think that I am only going to lose 10 lbs every 20 days that would take more than 160 days to lose the rest of what I want off. That is 6 more months and that doesn't sound bad either but then they say the weight loss slows down considerable after the first couple months. Frown. Owell hey atleast I am not 287 anymore but I want to see the clothes sizes drop and there not. Guess just never satisfied huh? Not really I am happy. Honest. I had made a goal for myself to lose to 215 by Christmas I don't think I am going ot make it. BUT I will let You know. Thanks Ya'll till next time.
12/15/04 Hey folks this has been one long LONGGGG month. I am stuck I am getting aggrevate I havent lost any since the first and I just am feeling really like giving up. I know I can't do this but yesterday I took a vacation no protien no vits no water I needed one day to get away from it all I will say that I still wasn't able to eat alot either i ate one can of cambell's chuncky baked potatoes and chives spaced out two meals. I ate 15 pringles through the day and drank a caffiene free Mt. Dew. I know I did a lot of bad things but today I am doing better so far I have had one protien shake 23 grams protien and B= 1/2 pice sausage 1/2 egg w.melted cheese and a teaspoon gravy. so not so dry for a second I thought I was going ot get sick but I burped and all is well. It is 30* outside and COLD!! I need to walk. I haven't for 3 days now but I generally walk a mile 5 out of 7 days. I ordered a richard simmons sweat and tone tape with the toning cord. I need to start toning this flab the more i lose the more I flap. I can hear stuff smack now not just jiggle it flaps. that aint good. So I pray I loose more soon and as soon as possible I will start the whole amnioplasy progress I sometimes feel like this is it no more losing but others say this feeling is normal. Someone told me last night I am not eating enough like yesterday that equaled 770 calories and a lot of that was from bad food. somehow I manages 105 carbs and that was from the pop. A NO NO. So I will do better. If I don't lose more I know why but in the past I would have drunk 7-8 pops and ate like OMG a whole lot more. people used to tell me that if i just stopped eating bread I would lose lets see if there right because i don't anymore. right now the scale is not my friend though. maybe tomorrow it will be. till next time Shell

12/24/04 Well Christmas has came and went I am at 225. Didn't make my goal. Owell. I got a beautiful gold charm bracelet from DH. and a Ring that is so pretty. This was a good Christmas The kids got plenty from us and Santa they seem tickled. Can I share something.... My children are 3 & 4 Years old. 3 & 4 tiny babes in this big ol world. Noone but Me and DH to count on.. The rest of the family seems to count them out. My Mother didn't get them anything for christmas well she skipped there last birthday too I shouldn't be shocked but Ya know I can garauntee that My sisters kids BOTH got somthing from her. It is like a slap in the face like someone flat telling You Your kids aren't as good as someone elses. Nomatter what ever went on with me and them people My children are the innocent and they should recieve the SAME as there cousins. Shouldn't they. I swear it makes me wanna cry I give all I got to these kids and I love them with all I am and when they get treated like this I get so upset. You tell me why My sisters kids rate so much better? And they wonder why I don't go near them. There own GrandMother can treat them like she has treated me. I shouldn't be shocked but more so it just makes me hurt for them. The others get presents from aunts uncles grandparens parents and whoever else Mine get from us ONLY. I just love em and that is ok I will just have to try harder to make up for the jerks. They have Birthdays coming up next month. Guess who will tell them happy Birthday, Yep Me and DH.!!!!! Is that fair? Ok now that I have vented I am going to bed. Merry Christmas All.


HAPPY NEW YEAR
January 6,2005
Hey all weight loss has slowed drastically but still going I lost 10lbs this month and believe me it is getting hard! The mental part anyway. You lose so fast the first two months then BOOM you poke along thinkin they will never move again(the scales) But they are when I least expect it a couple lbs gone. I ran out of vitamens for the last two weeks and didn't lose a thing I bought some three days ago and now the scales are going again, I won't make that mistake again!!! Happy New Year all Wishing YOu the best!! Shell

01/22/05 Hey people I am at 214 and hoping to hit the one hundreds this time next month will it happen . Probably not, but I will try.LOL I read some good stuff on the board today thought I would podt it here, check it out.
How Much Water is Enough?

On the average, a person should drink eight, 8-ounce glasses every day -- about two quarts. However, the over-weight person needs one additional glass for every 25 pounds of excess weight (THAT'S US!). If you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry, the amount you drink also should be increased.

Water should preferably be cold (it's absorbed into the system more quickly) and evidence suggests drinking cold water can help burn calories.

when the body gets the water it needs to function optimally, its fluids are perfectly balanced. when this happens, you have reached the "breakthrough" point.

If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be thrown out of balance again, and you may experience fluid retention, unexplained weight gain and loss of thirst. To remedy the situation you'll have to go back and force another "breakthrough."

Water is possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off. Although most of us take it for granted, drinking the proper amount of water may be the only true method for permanent weight loss. Some of the effects of water and weight loss are:

*Water suppresses the appetite naturally. There is a loss of hunger almost overnight.
*Natural thirst returns.
*More fat is used as fuel, because the liver is free to metabolize stored fat efficiently.
*Retained water shows up as excess weight. To get rid of excess water you must drink more water.
*An overweight person needs more water than a thin one.
*water helps to maintain proper muscle tone.
*Water can help relieve constipation.

Studies have shown that when water intake is increased it will cause fat deposits to be flushed in proportion to water intake. More water intake--less fat deposits retained. Less water intake--more fat deposits retained. Why? The kidneys can't function properly without enough water. When they don't work to capacity, some of their load is dumped onto the liver.

One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. If the liver has to do some of the kidney's work, it can't operate at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat, more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops.

When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is stored in extra cellular spaces (outside the cells) . This shows up as swollen feet, legs and hands....The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs--plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released.

In addition, it improves muscle tone. You can lift weights until you're blue in the face, but if your muscles are suffering from a drought, you won't notice a pleasant difference in your appearance. Muscles that have all the water they need contract more easily, making your workout more effective, and you'll look much nicer than if you had flabby muscles under sagging skin.


SO DRINK YOUR WATER!


Febuary 25,2005
Well it has been awhile since I have updated I was getting very aggrevated I hadn't lost anything in almost a whole month and then wouldn't ya know My scale got broke, (kids) Anyway I finally went and bought a new set and low and behold I have lost another 5 pounds. So I am now at 202. I had to double check the scales so I had my whole familey weigh to see if they were the same as usual and low and behold they where so IT MUST BE RIGHT!! :0) Yeah.!!! I am gonna be A OK. Thanks to everyone here for all the support and God for all his strength and My Family who love me nomatter what!




April 25, 2005 Well another month and so far haven't lost really anything. I gained 9 pounds after my monthly visiter but have gotten all that back off it was weird There for a few days My rings that I wore before surgery didn't even fit that was a terrible feeling. But all better now. I will be 7 months out in 10 days and I was so hoping to be down into the 70's by then I don't see it I doubt I will move closer to the lower 80's if You want the truth. I have on the other hand been having horrible pains in my side that go from front to back and I am thinking It might be my gallbladder Not lookin forward to that. I have another doc appointment Monday so Maybe he will order me an ultrasound and see if it is going bad and we will go from there. I was starting to think that all the extra skin hanging on me was just making me uncomfortable but today the pain got worse than uncomfortable it got REALLY uncomfortable LOL. Not bad enough to make me cry yet. Well I can wear 16's and they are loose on me and the 14s fit comfortable but the skin wants to hang over them so I am not comfortable. If You can understand that. Owell till next time take care. Shell

I got this from a site that is just awesome and led me to some potential Plastic Surgeons for future purposes.
http://mygastricbypass.com/

TOP 10 INNER-PERSONAL BENEFITS OF WLS

FREEDOM

Freedom from shame, guilt, ridicule, embarrassment, and worry.

Freedom to move without pain and struggle.

Freedom from the control of food.

Freedom to dream without limitation.

PEACE OF MIND

Peace of mind knowing our HEALTH is the best it can possibly be.

Peace of mind that our families will NOT have to go on without us.

Peace of mind that we've done all WE can to insure we are around to take care of those
who count on us being there for them.

CHOICES

To have unlimited options from which to choose everything from our clothing to our cars, to how we use our bodies and live our lives. Unlimited career options, relationship options, and all around LIFE OPTIONS!

FITTING IN

Fitting in any chair, any car, any booth, any seatbelt, any store, any bathroom stall, any bathtub or shower, any amusement park ride, any intimate position, any clothing we like, and most of all.........

Just plain "fitting in" to society!

OPTIMISM

Suddenly life becomes half full instead of half empty. We feel more positive about ourselves, our future, and our life. We react to the world in a more positive light because we are no longer prisoners of our bodies. As we release the demon of food that has controlled us for so long, we accept and forgive ourselves for our own weakness; releasing us to become more tolerant and forgiving of others. Therefore, causing us to feel lighter in body AND spirit.

DIGNITY

The dignity that comes with being able to: take care of ourselves, reach for personal hygiene, easily get out of a chair, couch, or car, walk a reasonable distance, not drip with sweat when everyone else isn't, tie our shoes, or pick up what we drop. To be able to climb stairs, or out a window, or pull/lower ourselves or someone we love to safety if a life depended on it.

SELF-CONFIDENCE

As we regain our confidence in everyday activities, our confidence grows in our ability to do and try things we've never done before. With each accomplishment, we can see further and believe in ourselves a little more. Life becomes an adventure! Dr. Robert Schuller calls this "The Peak to Peek Principle" and authored a wonderful book by the same name.

SELF-ESTEEM

With increased self-confidence we often see increased self-esteem... Our vision of our own self-worth. The more we feel able to contribute, the more we come to believe in ourselves and the value of our place in the world. When we value ourselves, we experience self-respect, increased self-worth or "worthiness", and a higher deserve level. All of which leads to healthier relationships with ourselves and others.

INTEGRITY

The journey of WLS, all that leads us to it and all that follows, is a test of our courage. When we are courageous, we challenge ourselves to our limits. We get to find out just what kind of "stuff" we're really made of. We may find joy in the discovery that we are stronger than we ever imagined. And we find acceptance in the realization that we have weaknesses we never wanted to face. All of this is OK! All of this opens us up to self-acceptance and honesty about who we really are. And when we know who we truly are within, we no longer need live in fear of being "found out" or fear of losing control to anything or anyone outside ourselves. We find the courage to live by our own convictions. And...we can honestly say to ourselves and the world, "Who you see, is who I am",
and THAT is living in INTEGRITY!

AND FINALLY to end on a lighter note, my favorite "superficial" benefit of WLS is..............

A WHOLE NEW WARDROBE!!!

From hat to shoes and coat to undies, NOTHING will fit anymore. So that means I get to design a whole new me on the outside to reflect the whole new me on the inside!

Enjoy your benefits everyone.....YOU'VE EARNED THEM!!!

5-04-05 Hi, I am so excited I haven't made goal or anything but I have found a surgeon and scheduled an appointment for plastics. I want and need
1.Full (and probably extended) Amnioplasty
2.Brachioplasty
3.Breast Lift
4.Inner Thight Lift
Now getting them all is another story But, You can bet I will be diligent in trying no insisting that I get them! LOL I talked to the Assistant today she said that She didn't realize Medicare would cover other things besides limited Amnioplasty and I told her abut the girl here on OH that had it all covered by medicare no problem. She said to contact her and get the info on waht the doctor wrote to medicare and they would most definatly help me get approved also. That tickles the Pee out of me. I will probably have to lose a bit more My weight loss has stalled but I have been retaining quite a bit of water also. So... I will see what they say at my appointment next week. Keep You updated Shell

7-31-05 The doctors visit was so so disappointing. I plain just don't have the money and they just won't ask the ins. cause "They Know" it won't cover. Can I insert scream here!!! I have been getting frustrated lately Here is a post I just posted lets see what replies I get...........

Ok I was near 300 lbs and every other day I hear "Look at You, You have such a pretty face to bad Your heavy you would be a doll" I have heard that since I was a small child even from my Mother. UGH !! Ok Here I am in a size 12/14 still have 20 lbs till goal and I am sure atleast 15 is skin anyway .........

Growing up You dream about being "Thin" Daily then Prom and seeing friends on dates and cruising the mall and all that I have grown up a lot since then but the dream of what it would feel like to be smaller has been relatively the same. I am with the man I love and beautiful children I am pretty active now and can do things I used to only dream about so life is much better I feel funny not heading straight to the PLUS SIZE rack anymore and all.....

So with things going so good why is it I feel like a failure ? I look in the mirror and my face looks like a skeleton I am 29 yrs old and have major laugh lines the "Pretty Face is gone" and with it the dream of what I would be like thin I mean the skin OMG I thought I would have some but I have a roll that keeps on rolling and then one on top of it!! LOL and the legs are like wrinkled pups. I set and look down and still feel as wide as I ever was because when I am setting at my desk I still only have a couple inches and would be touching both handles on my chair not to far from where I was pre surgery. My upper legs still look as wide as a cabinet door (like those double door metal cabinets) How could I wear such smaller sizes from a 36/38 jean to a 12/14 if I am still so big? I try to convince myself I am my own worse judge but I have eyes and I see that I am still THICK . So have I lost my one good point. I realize I must seem like I am rambling but sometimes it hits hard and I wanna cry I will never afford the plastics I think that will make these feelings go away and I don't think that the last 20 lbs will do it either. Am I doomed to be extra wide ? why is it that I can be beside my SIL and she is the same size as I (she used to be petite but has gained in the last couple years) and I still feel like I am so much bigger? I don't think that I had this much of a self image problem when I was heavier. Will I ever see the real me or am I really seeing what I am and just gotta do something differant. I feel so unperportioned. My head and shoulders look like a stick yet my arms still sag a good 14 inches flat YUCK from there down I feel so oversized still. Does a person ever even out am I normal? Will I ever feel Normal ? I have slowed to only 2 - 3 pounds a month Which feels so slow You don't even feel it. It is almost like coming down off of an adrenaline rush and thinking what now. I wanna wear tank tops with spaghetti straps because it is hot and not worry about folks getting grossed out ya know. I am gonna stop now I could go on and on and on I am afraid I would out do the energizer bunny at this point so I won't bore You anymore I just plain don't feel normal yet. Any advice? I don't do the shrink thing I do the friends Family & people who have been there with advice thing , So Any advice ? Help? Thanks You ALL are the best.

287/172/160 then plastics (TT)
Shell
No I do Not regret surgery Would do it again!!!

That pretty much sums up whre I am at in my journey. Loving life and wondering what in the hell at the same time. Kinda funny huh. Owell Till next time.


























Bun and Thigh Roller









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How much do you weigh?pounds

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My Weight Lost Chart

DateWeightPounds LostTotal Pounds LostTotal Inches LostBMI
Oct 5 2004 28700046.3
Nov 15 2004 24245452839.1
Dec 5 2004 23210553037.4
Jan 5 200522210655035.8
Feb 5 200520715807033.4
March 5 200519611918431.6
April 5 20051888999530.3
May 5 2005182610598 5/829.4
June 5 20051793108TIL#928.9
July 5 20051745113TIL#1028.1
August 5 20051695118TIL#1127.3
Date#12W#12PL#12TPL#12TIL#12BMI#12
Date#13W#13PL#13TPL#13TIL#13BMI#13
Date#14W#14PL#14TPL#14TIL#14BMI#14
Date #15W#15PL#15TPL#15TIL#15BMI#15
Date#16W#16PL#16TPL#16TIL#16BMI#16
Date#17W#17PL#17TPL#17TIL#17BMI#17
Date#18W#18PL#18TPL#18TIL#18BMI#18
Date #19W#19PL#19TPL#19TIL#19BMI#19
Date#20W#20PL#20TPL#20TIL#20BMI#20
Date#21W#21PL#21TPL#21TIL#21BMI#21
Date#22W#22PL#22TPL#22TIL#22BMI#22
Date#23W#23PL#23TPL#23TIL#23BMI#23
Date#24W#24PL#24TPL#24TIL#24BMI#24
Date#25W#25PL#25TPL#25TIL#25BMI#25


My Inches Lost Chart

DateWeightNeckUpper ArmsWristWaistHipsUpper LegsKneesCalvesAnkles
Oct 5 200428714 1/217751 3/45830 1/817 1/81810 1/2
Nov 15 20042421416 1/26 1/247 1/25229 1/216 3/41710 1/4
Dec 5 20042321416 1/26 1/2465229 1/216 3/41710 1/4
Jan 5 200522213 1/215 1/26 1/24449 1/228 1/41616 1/210
Feb 5 200520713 1/4156 1/441 1/246 1/226 1/21615 1/29 1/2
March 5 20051961314 1/26 1/44041 1/2251515 1/49 1/2
April 5 200518812 1/2146 1/438 1/2392414 1/2149 1/2
May 5 200518212 1/213 1/26 1/838392314 1/2149 1/2
June 5 200517912 1/213 1/26373922 1/214 1/4149 1/4
July 5 200517412 3/413637392214 1/413 1/29 1/4
August 5 20051691213636 1/238221412 1/29
October 16 20051641212634 1/236 1/22113 1/2138 3/4
Date#13W#13Neck#13UpperArm#13Wrist#13Waist#13Hips#13UpperLegs#13Kneest#13Calvest#13Ankles#13


Photos

285
Trying to enjoy playing with the Kids. Summer 2004 ( August) Do I ever NEED W.L.S.!!
224/184
Christmas 2004 / May 2005 30lbs to go


Hospital Reviews
  • (Lexington, KY) - Saint Joseph - East


    • Weight Loss Survey Responses
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    Member Interests:
  • Museums & Art Galleries - I have always been facinated with the works of Bob Ross

  • Antique - We are Currently restoring a 1965 Cadillac Prev.owned by June Carter Cash


    • Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.

    Surgeon Info:
    Surgeon: Thomas Greenlee
    8/30/04 - Went to seminar met all three surgeons - I was extremely impressed with all three they were kind curtious and caring there was no question at anytime that they seemed to good to answer or never once acted like they "WOULD RATHER BE SOMEWHERE ELSE" The complete staff was just sooooo very caring. Dr. Green Lee was the surgeon who actually did my surgery He is Just the best. Can't say enough to describe how professional he is Bedside manner and all. I had no complications with my surgery and all is well and I have him to Thanks.(and GOD) I would Honestly recommend him to anyone. !!!
    Insurer Info:
    Medicare
    Awesome