ObesityHelp

32 years old. I started the WLS process back in July 2003. Due to changes in insurance requirements and companies. I am currently doing the 3 month required 1200 calorie diet for Health America. I am down from 329lbs to 315lbs. Struggling every second of the day with the need of wanting food. Almost 1 month down. Surgery should be done in April-May. Keeping my fingers crossed.

3/16/04 Weighed at the Weight Loss Clinic on 3/15/04. I am at 299.4 pounds. Start weight of 329 pounds. Way to go me. I can really tell the difference in the way clothes fit and I'm not fighting my battle every second with food. I just need to maintain this weight or around 5 pounds for the next 3 weeks. Last day on the 1200 calorie diet is APRIL 5, 2004. I can't wait to be done. I have full filled all the requirements for Health Assurance. I saw the pulmonologist (spelling very off), the Psychologist (wasted of time the guy talked more than I did), the Registered Dietician (focused on what to eat after surgery), and my primary physcian for the letter of medical necessity for the surgery and another TSH level since I have to have one in the past 6 months before surgery - last one was done in 07/03. Counting the days down until I am done with the diet requirement and the big packet with all the requirements are turned into Health Assurance for their approval of the surgery.

4/5/04 Had my appointment with Dr. Weiger for weight management at the Weight Loss Clinic. Last day of the 1200 calorie diet. Weighed in at 294.6 pounds. Way to go me. All of the paperwork is going into Health Assurance this week for surgery approval. The process should take about 3 weeks they tell me. So the waiting starts. Won't know anything till the end of April.

4/22/04 I got a call from the WLC today at work. I GOT APPROVAL FROM HEALTH ASSURANCE FOR THE SURGERY!!!!!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED. I have a few tests to get done prior to scheduling the surgery which I should have done in the next 2 weeks. THIS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE A REALITY!!

5/12/04 I GOT MY SURGERY DATE---MAY 24, 2004!!!!

5/29/04 Well I had my surgery on Monday, May 24, 2004 at 7:30am Weighed in at 289 pounds. Spent 4 days in the hospital been home for the past 2 days. Today has been a tiring day got some pain. Those pain pills I have to take knock me on my ass. I am not hungry but wishing for certain types of food. Not that I could eat them just want them :)

WEIGHT LOSS TRACKING (GOAL WEIGHT 135 pounds)
01/04-05/04......329.0 LOST - 40.0
05/24/04.........289.0 DAY OF SURGERY
06/29/04.........259.0 LOST - 30.0 (1 Month Post-Op)
07/24/04.........246.8 LOST - 12.2 (2 Months Post-Op) TOTAL -42.2
08/24/04.........232.4 LOST - 14.4 (3 Months Post-Op) TOTAL -56.6
09/24/04.........221.1 LOST - 11.3 (4 Months Post-Op) TOTAL -67.9
10/24/04.........209.2 LOST - 11.9 (5 Months Post-op) TOTAL -79.8
11/24/04.........202.4 LOST - 6.8 (6 Months Post-op) TOTAL -86.6
12/23/04.........190.9 LOST - 11.5 (7 Months Post-op) TOTAL - 98.1
01/24/05.........185.1 LOST - 5.8 (8 Months Post-op) TOTAL -103.9
02/24/05.........177.0 LOST - 8.1 (9 Months Post-op) TOTAL - 112.0
03/24/05.........169.0 LOST - 8.0 (10 Months Post-op) TOTAL - 120.0
04/24/05.........163.0 LOST - 6.0 (11 Months Post-op) TOTAL - 126.0
05/24/05.........PLATEAU FOR 1 1/2 MONTHS NO WEIGHT LOSS 12 MONTH
06/01/05.........158.5 LOST - 4.5
07/05/05.........157.0 LOST - 1.5

LOST SINCE SURGERY -132.0
OVERALL LOST -172.0

9/2/04 WEIGH IN 231.2 POUNDS
I can't believe that it has been 3 months already. I have been lacking on the exercise routine but I have made it my goal to get back into the groove of working out every day again. Food is being tolerated really well. I do get hungry but at appropriate times. That reminds me to eat. My 3 month lab work came back all normal. BONUS!

9/23/04 Feeling frustrated because I am stuck again in the 20's. Can't seem to get out of the 220 range. I haven't been stuck for awhile so it feels like a new experience that includes frustration. I stopped going to Curves because I felt like it wasn't doing anything for me and started walking on the treadmill at the YMCA plus lifting weights. Which I am getting into a rut already in less than a month. My membership with Curves ends of Sept. 30. I started walking at home on my treadmill increasing my time from 30 minutes to 40 minutes last night. Who knows the answer. I haven't been getting enough protein or water in so I am starting to focus on that and keeping track of what I am eating. I guess you could say I have gotten lazy. Need to focus. On a positive note - I feel great and I am between a size 16/18 pants/shorts and an XL shirt. This is the skinniest I've been in over 10 years!!!

10/13/04 The weight is coming off slower now but it is still coming off. I am trying to get all of my protein and water in daily. Harder than I thought to do. I am between 2-4oz of food per meal. Mainly around 2oz though which is great and right where I am suppose to be. I am eating 3 meals a day with a snack in the afternoon and 1 in the evening which helps me make my protein requirements for the day. I went back to Curves. I truly did miss it. I feel much better with a structured routine and I can go to any Curves. I am pushing myself more at Curves and that seems to give me a better workout.

10/24/04 Weigh in 209.2 pounds. 5 months post op. First time I didn't make my goal weight. I have decided that it was because I went back to Curves and I don't feel that I can workout as hard or lose as much. So back to working out at the YMCA walking on the treadmill and lifting weights. Going back to getting up early and working out before going to work a couple times a week. Which means I have to get over taking my curling iron back and forth by buying a new one and just always have one in my bag. Or just scrap the whole thing. Actually looking at my weight loss when I did the Y I actually lost less so I guess I will do a mix of workouts. I feel like I am putting alot of pressure on myself to reach my goals. I now have 20 pounds to lose by my 6 month date. I know deep down that I won't reach my goal and that I won't get down to my final goal weight of 139. I think I need to regroup and decide on a higher goal weight like 150 pounds. But what I really want is to be 139. I want to be skinny not the fat girl any more. We'll see. I have to keep remembering I am only 5 months out. Just keep working out, get enough protein and water in daily.

11/8/04 Well things are going really good. I didn't workout to much last week gave my body a rest to restructure itself. Which totally worked since I am now 5.4 pounds down. Bonus! Back to working out this week. 16 more days till weigh in at the Weight Loss Clinic for my 6 Month Check-up.

11/18/04 I just want this weight off of me. I definately not going to be at 100 pounds down since surgery when I hit my 6 month mark. I know I need to be happy with my progress so far because I have been doing great. I can now fit into size 14 pants. They are a little tight but I am not dying in them like I used to died in my size 26/28 jeans when I would bend over to tie my shoes and I would basically stop breathing and my face would get all red. That doesn't happen now. My treadmill stopped working on Tuesday night after only 20 minutes I couldn't get it turned back on. So I have to figure out what I am going to do now. I quit Curves yesterday (yes again) I just haven't gone and I am wasting money every month. I think that I have to bite the bullet and start working out in the morning again at the YMCA before work. I just need to buy another curling iron and then I won't worry about my hair getting curled which is truly my only hang up about working out in the morning at the YMCA. Hey and it is free to me. I need to take advantage of it. Food wise I am doing ok. Still between 2-4oz of food. Eating about 5 to 6 times a day. I would like to stop the evening snack at least reduce it to only a couple times a week. Especially now since I am able to eat a little more and I can get all my protein in easier so I really don't need the extra protein boast in the evening.

11/24/04 Well today is 6 months post-op. I have my appt later this afternoon. I am basically stressing and probably will be all day because I have to step on that scale. I know that I not going to see that I am down 100 pounds since surgery in the 6 month mark. And that makes me sick. I am down a good bit of weight and I am closer to my goal every day of being considered a skinny person and I can't help but feel like what the hell am I doing wrong that the weight won't come off faster. I guess after today I will have to make up new goals because I so want to be 139 pounds or lighter. To be within the normal range and not considered overweight or obese. I think after today I will be ok because I won't have to weigh in again at the doctor's till May which I will make early in the morning so I can get it over with.

11/24/04 Weigh-in at YMCA 202.4 I gained .1 pounds. SUCK. I have got to say I weighed myself in the evening which I usually weigh more in the evening then in the morning. At the weight Loss Clinic for my 6 month check-up I weighed 203.2 since I haven't really been going by that scale I decided to weigh in on the scale that I have been tracking my weight by the one at the YMCA. I revamped my goals last night. Dr. Weiger said that it looks like I will end up at the goal weight of 150 pounds so I revamped my weight loss goal per month. I would like to see 145 and be normal but I also need to look at the awesome positives. As I sit here writing this I realize that I am wearing a large shirt and large spandex workout pants. That is quite an accomplishment considering this time last year I was wearing between a 2X-3X shirt and 26/28 pants. That is amazing.

11/27/04 Weigh-in 197.5 pounds. Awesome finally under 200 pounds.

12/11/04 Good weigh-in today 192.4 only 3.4 more pounds till I get to 189 and reach my 100 pounds lost since surgery. I went swimming today. Different for me since I haven't swam in months. I was tired but it felt good to do something different. The best news is that I was in Fashion Bug and I thought why don't I try on a pair of regular size 12 jeans and see where I was. I FIT IN THEM!!!! They were a little tight around the tummy but they fit great in the legs and butt area. I can't believe it. That is so awesome!!!

12/14/04 Well I guess I am leveling off again having to wait for my body to shift around and adjust to my weight loss. This is the frustrating part but I just have to remember the weight will start coming off again. I just have to be patient, eat right and get in all of my water.

12/26/04 Did really good this month with weight loss. Still not down 100 pounds but only 1.5 pounds to go. I know once I get there I will be doing better. Eating very poorly over the holidays. Eating no sugar chocolate and a couple extra meals a day. Haven't exercised since the 23rd. Got to get back to that and eating right. Stressers in my life. My car is basically dying on me. Have to go and get a new one probably tomorrow. I wasn't able to go and get my niece today. Which SUCKED big time. Especially since I promised. But I see her tomorrow and have her for a whole week. I've been bummed all day about my car and not getting my niece. Tomorrow will be a better day. :)

1/3/04 As of 12/31/04 I have finally made it into the CENTURY CLUB. I have lost 101 pounds since surgery and 141 pounds since 1/5/04. Horray!!!

1/5/05 I can't believe the journey I have taken that this time last year was the first day of my 3 month 1200 calorie diet. Thinking that there was no way in hell that I could just eat 1200 calories a day. I am 7 months and 11 days Post-Op and down 101.5 pounds. Amazing. Overall down 141.5 pounds. I just can't believe the difference in the year. I am wearing from a size 12 jeans (which are tight) to a size 16 (which is baggy depending on the cut) jeans; shirts M-XL, and sweatpants that are mediums.

New Goals for 2005:
1. Reach 150 pounds by 5/24/04.
2. Fit into jeans under size 10. DONE!!!
3. Fit into my Prom Dress. DONE!!!!

1/24/05 8 months Post-op weighing in at 185.1 pounds
So i didn't lose as much this past month but I still lost. I am trapped in the 180's and have been for the past month. I am trying to focus on how much I have accomplished this past year and where I started and where I have made it too. Just really trying to keep myself positive and telling myself this isn't all you are going to lose. You have come so far and only little bit further to go. Big news is that today I am wearing a SIZE 10 dress stretchy pants. UNBELIEVABLE. Especially since I am not dying in them.

2/24/05 9 Months Post-op weighing in at 177.0 pounds. 8 pounds weight loss this past month. Probably would have been more if I would have worked out these past 2 weeks. I haven't forced myself to get back to working out. I just have to get back into the swing of things. I spent alot of time with my parents the past 2 weeks and the old eating habits came back. Alot of eating from Sheetz not all bad food just alot of carbs like turkey sandwiches and sun chips well to be honest all types of chips. Snacking has been really bad this past week. I am PMS and I always have food cravings. Luckily I can only eat so much which has really saved my weight. Overall life has been wonderful. I am (almost typed skinny but not there yet) starting to feel like an average person. Most days I feel that I am finally normal and the other days I feel like I am that 329 pound person and I will never ever be a skinny person. I am still struggling with looking at normal size clothing and thinking that people are looking at me and thinking what is she doing in this section she is fat!!! But then I try on some clothes and realize they fit and I really belong in the section.
Clothing Sizes: Jeans ranging from a size 16 to size 10 depending on the cut. Shirts from size XL to M.

3/1/05 weight is fluctuating from 177 to 180. My monthly visitor has taken it sweet old time to come. Boy have I been very very bloated and miserable. Hopefully now that I have it my weight will start coming off. It also didn't help that I didn't workout for over 2 weeks and I am finally back to working out. We'll see.

3/11/05 weighing in at 173 pounds only about 23 more pounds to go till I hit my goal of 150 pounds. I feel great and very healthy. The only problem right now is that my very supportive boyfriend recently told me that he is having a hard time with my weight loss. That even though our relationship is great and we are very much in love.......he is having a hard time. I hope and pray that he and I can work through this together. Till now everything has been going great. I just wonder what would of happend if I would of lost alot faster like I wanted to. I never made it a secret that I wanted to be thin. I just wasn't happy with myself being fat.

3/12/05 Although my personal love life isn't quite going the way I hoped it would be right now.....my weight loss is continuing. Only 21 more pounds to go till I am at my goal. And as scary as hell is living my life without the man I love I could not imagine having all that weight back on my body. I would never change my decision to have had the surgery!

3/17/05 Well he decided to move out and break up with me. I am devastated.

3/24/05 10 months Post-op weighing in at 169 pounds ONLY 19 POUNDS FROM GOAL!!!
Alot has happened these past couple of weeks. My relationship of over 6 years ended due to my BF not being able to cope with my weight loss and as he puts it the boredom of our routine relationship. Each day gets a little better but it still hurts very bad. Haven't been working out due to moving and current living situation hopefully I will have the rest of my stuff moved this weekend and get back into my workout routine. Today I am wearing a pair of size 10 jeans and they actually fit and I am not struggling with them :) AWESOME!!! Physically I feel great!

4/1/05 Well I have lost 2 more pounds getting closer to my goal. Very exciting. For the first time in a very long time I went out on a date with a very nice man. We had a great time talking and he didn't get freaked out when I told him how I lost all of my weight. He was just concerned that I didn't eat that much. I did warn him that I eat like a bird. :) Don't know where this will go but at least the adventure will be fun.

5/9/05 Well I haven't lost any weight for the past month. I've gained and lost the same 2 to 3 pounds. For breaking up and moving in with my brother and losing my workout rountine - not bad. Eating habits have tried to return back to having food for comfort when I am upset. I really have been struggling with eating in the evening. I am trying to reinforce old goals and bring some new ones. I have got alot of compliments on how I look. I really haven't been exercising consistently and I hope to correct that this week.

Goals:
1. Exercise for at least 30 mintues 3 times a week.
2. Eat meals at the dining room table and not in my bedroom.
3. Eat more fruit.
4. Weigh under 160 pounds.

5/20/05 Well still on my plateau. Holding steady between 163-165 pounds. Haven't done good with my goals but at least I am back to exercising. I took on teaching swimming lessons at the local YMCA which gives me a free membership. So there is no excuse now not to go and workout. I feel that I am way to busy right now. Having a hard time finding time to just chill out and not do a damn thing. Next week is my 1 year anniversary since having gastric bypass surgery. The ride has been great with the exception of losing a relationship. I try to keep really busy so I don't think about my loss only what I have gained in my new body and freedom.

7/5/05 Life has been wonderful. I met an incredible man over Memorial Day weekend. Dreams that I had prior to my last relationship could actually come true. And I know now that I will get married and have children and have a man that loves me and that I love. My weight hangs over 157-160. I believe this is were it will stay which I am extremely happy with all the weight I have lost. Talked about plastic surgery with my insurance company - NO GO! but hey I have come a very long way from were I started a little over a year ago. My life is so blessed.

12/22/05 It has been a long time since I have updated my profile. I am holding steady between 157 and 165 depends on the time of the month :) Relationship wise - ended the romance above the guy was just freaking me out and I truly don't think that he really could deal with the fat me. I know that I won't regain the weight but I wouldn't let him see any pictures of me when I was huge. I just did not want to deal with this or the disgust on his face. Don't quite know where I am with relationships but I have had a great time actually dating and having men interested in me. Tomorrow I turn 34. Can't believe I am this old.

4/24/06 New year. Decided to take the big leap and quit my job and move back to my hometown which is about 2 hours from where I was living. Moved in with my folks to help them out. Been there for 3 weeks and it sure has been trying! I can feel myself falling back into that teenager that I hated and very bitchy. I just need to get my own place and I think things will get much better. Hopefully that will happen soon. I have been maintaining my weight for almost 2 years now. I do find myself eating food that is not good for me simply because I am extremely stressed out and I am turning to my old friend FOOD! Thank god that I can only eat a couple of bites and I put it down. My new job is just alright. There is alot of backstabbing and gossiping in such a little office. I am not really happy here but I am trying to give it a chance. I guess you can say I miss my old life and want it back (without the weight) but I know that isn't going to happen. I need to more on but it is so hard.