Welcome to Betsy's Weight Loss Journey
12/10/2003
I am soooo excited! I called my insurance this morning and they told me that yes this surgery was covered, I don't need to go see my primary physician, just go straight to the surgeon so he can tell them that I am morbidly obese (that is the only criteria i need to have to have the surgery she said) I have called the surgeon and have set up a consultations go in January 14th. I wanted to cry I am so happy. I just hope all continues to go as well. Thanks to everyone in the chat room that gave me advice last night!!:)
1/5/04
I have been so busy today! I just had to share with everybody.
I work in the medical field and know a few Drs. so I had to be seen by one of our orthopedic surgeons for my back because of a car accident I was involved in which I injured my back, but it was just strained and have to go to physical therapy for 4 weeks 3 x a week. I am almost done 2 more appts. That’s beside the point. I talked to him about this surgery I want to have and he wrote me a letter of recommendation and I just received it in the mail and its a great letter. My Gyn Dr is also writing me a letter of recommendation stating this would be in my best interest. I hope these letters help. I am worried that from looking at my medical records (that I went and picked up today from 3 different docs) that I wasn't on my diets long enough and worried that the insurance will think I didn't try hard enough. What do you all think? My weight problem is documented all the way back medical wise from 1989. Is that enough? On all the medical records my BMI was 40 at the lowest and almost 43 at the highest. Does anyone have any input?
Well I just wanted to post. I have my consult with Dr Newhoff in 9 days!!! Can't wait!!! :D
1/13/04
Well today’s the day for my consult!!!! I'm really excited and scared. OMG can you imagine how I’m going to be the day of the surgery???? Well I just had to post something here, makes me feel better now:) I'm taking my first step!!!!!!!!
1/13/04
Well I had my consultation today and it was a very nerve wracking and emotional day for me, exciting too. Now I am more determined to have this done then ever! I have decided to go with Dr Simon who is Dr Newhoff’s partner since Simon does laps and Newhoff only does them open. He seemed personable and straight to the point, serious yet a little dry sense of humor. Michelle his secretary told me I had everything in and that Simon would look it over and they would get back to me in 1-2 weeks to let me know if he needs anything else. If not they would start the approval process and I will start getting my evaluations done: psyc eval, and dietician. The consultation took about 4 1/2 hrs it was really informative, but a lot of the stuff I already knew thanks to everyone on this site. So now we are looking at surgery if all goes well in Feb. or march!!!!!!! We will see:)
1/25/04
Well, I don't have a whole lot to post but felt I needed to since its been awhile and am feeling a little anxious. I am waiting for approval, and am a little confused. I am feeling like I should be trying to get my psyc eval out of the way, but when I called the Dr and spoke to the secretary she sounded impatient with me for asking and then asked what Ins. I had I told her, she then said oh no I would wait till I’m approved...I was thinking "what does that mean???? That my Ins. is more likely to not approve me???" I'm nervous. If I’m not approved I would freak. Everyone is telling me "oh you’ll get approved" but they don't know. I don't even know if they have even submitted it for approval. I hate this waiting game. Also me and hubby are fighting.. about nothing in particular, I think its because I'm feeling scared...I'm taking things out on him...poor guy. Hopefully the next time I post I will have more exciting news..:)
1/28/04
Morning, I called Dr Simons office yesterday to ask the lady who takes care of Ins. issues if she had submitted my paperwork yet, she said she had, on the 23rd. I wanted to tell her that my husbands ID changed from his social # to just a number, well she got so mad at me wanting to know when this happened and why hadn't I told her, now she will have to re-send everything...I tried to reassure her by telling her nothing had changed except the number, she was still angry. So I faxed her a copy of my new card and then called my Ins. Co. asked if that would change anything he said no they will still be going by my husbands Social for awhile not to worry. I told him how my Drs Ins lady was rude, and he’s like, Oh really??? Well lets just let her re-send the paper work, if she wants to do extra work let her for being rude to you" I love my Ins Co.!!! Anyway I just wanted to post, I do hope I continue to love my Ins. since I haven't gotten word if I'm approved yet or not...but at least the ball is rolling and everything was sent in for approval on the 23rd:) I will post as soon as I find out....I sure am worried about my friend Stevie from this site, I haven’t heard from her in awhile *sigh* I think I will email her now..
2/17/04
I found out I am approved today!!!!!!! yay!!!! I called my Ins and they said I will be receiving my approval letter within the next few days!!! I can't believe it.. I am finally going to be a loser...It still hasn't completely sunken in yet.. My tentative surgery date is March 4 but I think they will probably move it back because I have a few things I need to get done.. tests etc. but that is OK!!!! anyway just had to write. Will write more later..
2/18/04
I never thought I would get approved. I guess I tend to be a little negative. Even now, I keep thinking maybe he got the wrong person, I will really believe it when I get the letter in my hands. I wanted to cry when I found out. I don't think it has totally hit me yet....I’m finally going to be a loser...
2/18/04
ok, had to call my Ins. one more time to be sure it was me they were talking about that got approved and guess what??!! It was!!! yippy skippy!!!!
2/19/04
Remember how happy I was yesterday??? Well today I’m not so happy. My hubby doesn't want me to have this surgery right now, says it is not a good time with bills and all. I can't wait. I have come too far. Now he is upset, and I’m upset. Am I being selfish?? I have to have this surgery for me and my health.. the bills will always be there...I just wanted to vent a little...And yes I'm still gonna go through with it.. I have come way too far to quit now.
2/21/04
Ok it is now the 21st and still no approval letter! Also to update on my hubby wanting me to wait. He said to go ahead and have it when they can get me in, he will support me. He went on this site and read mine and everybody else’s reply to my post,(the night I was upset) and was kinda hurt I couldn't talk to him like I write to you all. Anyway, I think it helped him understand my feelings. I'm hoping to get my letter today so I can call the Dr on Monday and hopefully get the "for sure" date. I don't think I will be able to keep the 4th date since its so soon, and I still need to get my psyc eval done, but we shall see. I will continue to post on here when I get my letter.:)
2/21/04
Well, I just got my mail and I got my approval letter!!!! There’s one thing that bothers me though. In the letter it states: we are pleased to inform you that coverage is available, but in the next paragraph, it states please note that this letter does not guarantee payment. Benefit payment is based on the provisions of the PG&E benefit plan design and policies effective at the time of services...what does that mean?? I will call Monday...
February 26, 2004
Hi all, Just wanted to post since I haven't in awhile, and wanted to let everyone know what was going on.. then I am going to post a little about my life since I never really wrote about that, don't worry it shouldn't be long:) Well, first of all my psyc eval is on the 11th of march then my pre op is on the 12th of march. As soon as the doc gets my psyc eval info they will mail me my date. I am getting really excited and cant really believe its actually going to happen. My husband made a comment about us packing up our winter cloths and I said oh i can get rid of those I may not get into them next winter! He just laughed and said lets not do that yet:) Oh well I tried:) Ok now on the life story:)
I am a 38 year old woman with 4 kids (one stepdaughter) I was married at the age of 17, had my first child when I was 18, Christopher, he is now 19 years old and he has a 2 year old daughter (my granddaughter, Baylee the love of my life! One of the main reasons for me wanting this surgery) 19 months later I had my daughter Kristin, who is now 18. 3 years later, my son Robert came along, who is now 14. All the while I was married and thin. It wasn't until Robert started going to school (I was a stay at home mom) that I found myself gaining weight. Of course you never realize it until it is too late, and its usually when you are looking at pic of yourself!!! That is when the yo yo dieting came in only to gain all of it plus some back. I tried everything, from dieting to counseling, only to lose it and gain it back. I was miserable, and I think I made everyone else around me miserable too. Food became my friend, The marriage started to crumble, and food was what comforted me now. It was a love hate relationship. I loved food while I was eating it, but afterwards, I hated myself. It was a vicious cycle. I ate when no one was around, I ate when I was happy, I ate when the family came together, I ate when I was sad.. it surrounded me. It was like a drug. 18 years later my husband left me, I don't blame him either. When he left I was almost relieved. No one to call me names, to make me feel bad about myself, I could eat and not have to worry about anyone seeing my body anymore. I ballooned. I was miserable. I started going out with my friends drinking.. that helped (ya right). I hardly ate, I was too busy partying. I lost 60 pounds. I was in a size 18. Almost a 16. Then I met my soon to be husband, we bumped into each other one evening. We had went to high school together. He was in town visiting his daughter ( my stepdaughter Crystal). We exchanged phone numbers and it started from there. We dated for 3 years then got married. Of course during the dating I cut down my drinking, and started eating out of happiness. He loves to cook and I love to eat, perfect. He never seemed to mind my weight, it started creeping up again. I am now around 266. I know he doesn't like it. Who would or could? He wants to lose weight too, we have both gained. We are now married and have been for a year now. I see this surgery as a tool to become healthy again. I have come a long way and have done a lot of changing. I am now ready for the next phase of my life. The healthier, thinner phase. Not just for me but for my husband, my kids, and my granddaughter. I want to be around to watch her grow and to watch my 4 children grow into adults (their not quite there yet:). I come from a family of six kids, and I am the only heavy one out of all of us. It is time I "fit in" There you have it. Me in a nutshell....
3/11/2004
Well I had my psyc eval, and boy was I ever nervous! First I had to go over my life story, then he wanted me to repeat numbers in the same order that he was saying them, from 2 numbers all the way up as far as 5 or 6 numbers at a time! Then I had to do it again but with the numbers backwards.. it was tough, then he wanted me to subtract 7 from 100 then keep subtracting 7, that was hard for me too, but i did all the tasks fine, I then had to take my test which consisted of about 520 questions, he said it looks like I will be having my surgery as long as there were no surprises on the test He was going to look it over today, then fax it to my dr. His daughter had just had the surgery too he told me...he was very nice...anyway I just wanted to post and keep you all updated. Tomorrow I go for my pre op visit! Will post more when I get back.
3/12/2004
Well I went for my pre op today and it was really interesting, learned a lot. During break, I went to find out if doc had faxed my psyc eval results, he hadn't so I called his office and spoke to his secretary, she called him and he told her he would type it up and fax it this weekend, but to tell them I am ready for surgery to go ahead and schedule me, so I let his secretary tell them via phone, they made me wait until later since we were at a meeting, but my darling husband went out to the office and asked for my date and they gave it to him for me! He played around at first teasing me then he finally told me: April 6th 1pm Oh My Gosh!!!!! finally!! I will be a loser!!! I never have to shop at plus size sections again!!!YAYYYYYY
I met a couple of women who are also having their surgery one the same day, the other a week before, we exchanged email addys and am looking forward to seeing them again. I will write more again soon:)
3/16/2004
I am about to go crazy with this waiting! The surgery is the only thing on my mind pretty much. I hate this. First I was going crazy for the approval, telling myself once I get approved it will be much better, then when I got approved it was waiting for a date, telling myself yet again "once I get a date I will be much better" well guess what...I'm not better at all! I'm happier, because I am so excited about this surgery, but the waiting argggg!!!!!!!!
To top it off I gave up soda, its been 4 days and the headaches are something terrible! I’m a cokaholic and I figured I better give it up now, so no more soda for me! I had to come home early from work my head was hurting so bad. Not much exciting happening here, hubby is being really supportive of me and my surgery.. I’m so thankful! The bill thing does worry me though, I know DH is worrying about it too, so I try not to let him know I am also worried. It will work out I have faith. Till next time:)
3/28/2004
Hello, I haven’t posted in a bit, I hang out in the main message board section reading. Can't get enough of those posts, I'm mainly a lurker though. Well, the days are flying by now. I need to write my letter to my kids. I think I will get to that today, in fact as soon as I finish this post I will. I’ve got a few to write. The waiting isn't bad now, it has turned into something else, almost a dread, but then I remind myself how much this will help me. It is such a big surgery, one I do not take lightly. I'm kinda getting scared, to top it off my 18 year old daughter has moved out, and its been 2 weeks since I’ve seen her, and I won't see her until the operation she has told me. My son who is 19 lives a few hours away from me in Vegas, and I probably wont get to see him either. I know they have their lives and don't want to bug them even though I would like to spend as much time as I could with them before. My youngest son is 14 and he is with me thank goodness! I went and spent the day with my parents and younger sister yesterday, also my granddaughter, who is coming back today to spend the day with me, I'm so looking forward to that. She lives an hour from me. I won’t be seeing anyone next weekend since I will be leaving Sunday and getting things ready on sat. My surgery is on April 6th they moved the time from 1 p.m. to 10 am I have to be there 2 hours early so I will check into hospital at 8 am. The 5th I have my blood work and last visit with surgeon before the surgery, so we will be going up to phoenix on the 4th. I'm excited and nervous and dreading this all at the same time if that makes any sense. My last day of work is on Fri. I have everything I need now, except my s.f. Popsicle’s which I will get today.. other then that I am all set!:) Well, I will post before I go in and as soon as I come back ....:D
4/9/2004
Well, Its done. Sorry I didn't post before going in. I wasn't nervous at all before. I was taken in pretty quickly. I had to go to registration, did paper work, paid my 100$ then waited for them to come get me. Which they did in about 15 min. After they came and got me they took me to my gurney and started my IV then asked what they were going to be doing to me, had me sign on the dotted line. Then let Scott in to the room with me, after waiting for about an hour the doctor came in and greeted me then the anesthesiologist came in and asked a few questions. Then the nurse was with me. They then left for about 30 min. then it was back to take me to surgery. The OR suites were pretty different then the one we have here at this hospital, they are like pods, and so small. The scrub techs back table was so short, I had to comment on it to her. They all new I was a scrub tech. My surgery took all but 2 1/2 hours. When I woke up I was so sick, and in pain. Throwing up really bad. They gave me something for that, which helped for a short time, until I had to get up to go to the bathroom again. I was pretty self-sufficient. Was really surprised at how well I was doing. I walked ALOT and I think that helped. I got weighed at the hospital and had lost 4 pounds after my surgery in about 2 days. I had lost 13 pounds from not drinking soda from the first Dr vistin to my next visit before my surgery, that was a surprise! Anyway I got released from the hospital on the 8th. I'm home now and feel pretty darn good. Have drank half of my protein already, I love the chocolate susan marias protein drink. Yummy cold! Well, That’s about it for now I will post again in a few days. Met a couple of really nice people in the hospital, everyone there was so nice, from the dr. to the nurses to aides. Everyone at that hospital treated me great! Until next time!
Betsy
4/12/2004
Hello, It is 6 days since my surgery and I feel pretty good. My tummy does hurt a little and feels like its being pulled from the inside when I walk but its not too bad. I think I am doing amazingly well, To other people it doesn't really seem like I’ve had surgery the way I’m getting around. It’s been like this from day 2. I'm so lucky. My husband is so relieved, he was really worried that he was going to be taking care of an invalid for awhile, he tells me all the time how I’ve surprised him so. As far as the weight lose. I can't seem to stay of the scale but it seems I lose 2 to 3 pounds a day and I'm not going to weigh in today but as of yesterday morning I had lost 12 pounds.. so odd to me the way the weight comes off. I get on and off about 5-6 times not really believing it. The other morning Scott was in the kitchen and I’m standing on the scale yelling "NO WAY!" "NO WAY" and he’s like..what?! and I just say "I can't believe it, the lose is so quick." Everyone says they can see it in my face and body. I don't see it in my face but i can tell in my body, my cloths fit a lot better. Shirts that were way too tight on me are now fitting perfect. Pants that were uncomfortably tight are now perfect almost too lose. Odd feeling I’ll tell you. As far as my food intake goes that is really weird to me, I don't eat very much at all, and its not that I don't want to, I can't, literally. If I eat too much my tummy lets me know. Last night for dinner I had 1 jumbo shrimp sautéed in butter and garlic. It was so good. All I could eat was one. Took me almost about 45 min to eat it but it was so good! After the one I was satisfied. I have no problem getting my water in and I get my protein in just fine too. I really enjoy my protein drink first thing in the morning, it takes me an hour and a half to get it down but I really enjoy it. Seems to sooth my tummy first thing in the morning cuz I do wake up feeling a little crummy, not too bad though. Right after my first protein drink I start on my water. I have my second protein drink at 2. I keep myself on a pretty good schedule as far as my drinks go since I need to fit that in along with eating and waiting an hour and it works for me. I hope all continues to go as well. Will post more later:)
Betsy
4/15/2004
Hello, Well it has been 9 days and according to my scale I have lost 18 pounds! Things are going pretty good so far, I do get an irritable pouch but I think it was because I ate some Mexican rice, wont try that again. I also have head hunger which is the worse part of this. I can't believe the TV commercials! food food food! that’s all they show! No wonder there are so many of us Americans so overweight! My family is being so supportive of me, its so nice. My husband is awesome! He barely went back to work yesterday, which was hard for me cuz it was so nice to have him home with me... Well I will post more later:)!
5/2/2004
Morning! Well its been awhile since I’ve posted so I thought I better get back on here and post a little something. I weighed myself yesterday and according to mine and my mother in laws scale it says I’ve lost 31 pounds. I can feel it. Everything is going pretty good except my tummy is still getting upset. I am so limited in what I eat. A friend of mine that had surgery the same day as me by the same surgeon eats pretty much whatever she wants and never gets sick. I can't eat anything with spices and one day I can eat one thing and the next try to eat the same thing and there’s no way my pouch will let me. It gets frustrating. My stomach will hurt till I go to the bathroom and get what ever I ate out. Even after all that I still don't regret having this surgery. At first I did have thoughts of " What did I do to myself" and thoughts of regret at times. I missed food. I missed binge eating. Now 26 days later the head hunger and the food mourning is so much better. I find that I love to cook, and enjoy watching my family eat. I need to watch what I cook, as my husband is now on a diet and complains at times about the kinds of foods I am feeding him. Since this surgery I love to cook. I used to hate to cook before, hubby did most of the cooking.
The types of food I can eat that are a godsend are:
Golden mushroom soup (watered down really good) with crackers
Tuna (with lots of mayo) and crackers
S.F. Applesauce
Cream of mushroom soup
Cream of wheat
S.F popscicles
Egg salad (boiled egg and mayo)
Mashed potatoes ( one of the foods that may or may not agree with me) eat carefully
Turkey pastrami lunch meat with Swiss cheese rolled in it (eat very little bites and chew chew chew! yummy!
That is pretty much what my diet consists of. I tried Atkins yogurt but it upset my pouch. Seemed too thick in my stomach. Will try again soon. Hope this was helpful to any newbies.
Betsy
5/11/2004
Hello! Well I go for my 6-week appointment tomorrow with Dr Simon. That should be interesting. I have a lot of questions. So far I’m still progressing nicely. I'm able to eat more of a variety now. I even eat beef jerky! I also had shredded pork one day. Amazing how one day your pouch is so sensitive and the next you can totally tell the difference. I still can get an upset stomach but that usually is because I ate the wrong thing or I ate too fast. My scale says I’ve lost 37 pounds. I started my period last night so I’ve gained I’m sure and the Drs scale will reflect that too, which is a real bummer. I feel so bloated today and have cramps something terrible. My hubby made me some hot peppermint tea and that helped so much! I felt nauseated so bad today, not sure if that was from my heavy flow...I also felt tired and wore out today. I still managed to walk a mile though. Anyway, just wanted to post. Will write more soon!
5/20/2004
Hello, Its been a bit since I’ve written. I went to my appt with Simon. It went well. the scale there said I only lost 26 pounds but as far as today I’ve lost 37 pounds. 3 more to go to reach 40! Its coming along well, I have good days and bad. I still struggle a bit with solids. The dr wants me to eat something new each day. Today I had a salad, it was really good. My daughter graduated from high school 2 days ago and we had a nice dinner for her and I tried to eat but couldn't. All in all it went well though. I'm so proud of her. I go back to the Dr in another 6 weeks. As far as exercising goes, I’m not doing so well. Although today I did do "the Firm" workout, boy was it tough! Felt good though. Will start doing that 3 days a week. I go back to work on the 24th I took an extra week off with all of the goings on here at home, I needed to. Well, that’s about it will write again soon.
6/4/2004
Hello, sorry I haven’t posted in so long. I have gone back to work and things are hectic. It’s good to go back. I'm adjusting well to my surgery. My eating is going well, I eat light at work. I seem to be losing a little more since I’ve gone back. I have lost 48 pounds. Not too bad for 8 weeks, almost nine, I am so happy that I had this surgery. My husband tells me EVERY day how good I look and how skinny I’m getting, he says he is so proud. That makes me happy. He has been the best support for me. I do have to admit my one downfall is exercise. I don’t do it enough. I know I need to and I tell myself every day that I ma going to start....
As far as my eating regular foods, I do well with a lot of things. There are still a few things I struggle with like pasta...which is ok with me I don’t need that. I have to remind myself to eat slowly, because I forget and take too big of bites and then I pay for it. The one thing that puzzles me is cooking...I used to hate to cook, now I absolutely love to. I love to watch people eat, I get satisfaction from watching people enjoy food. I don’t really think of food the way I used to, I don’t like to eat, so I guess I enjoy watching other people.. Wonder if there’s anyone else like that...I like to take food to work for my coworkers, they tease me about wanting to make them all fat. It’s not that, I just like to cook and see them enjoy it. Odd.
Well I go back on the 22nd for my 3-month exam that will be interesting. I had to go shopping today. Bought me a few shirts extra lg. I used to wear 24. I also bought me some pants..18 I used to wear 24s:) I got into a pair of 16s but they were a little too snug. I still have "junk in the trunk" so I need to work on that:) well enough for now...
6/19/2004
Wow, its been awhile since I’ve updated. Sorry. I get so busy!
Well, lets see, what’s new...Well I’ve lost 55 pounds! SOOO AWESOME!!! I am having trouble with my protein though. I don’t seem to get it in every day. I know it’s a major no no. Exercise is another tuffie. I need to too, my extra skin is really bothering me. I'm gonna go to Wally world today and buy some weights for my arms. I am finding myself very self-conscious of my upper arm skin now. My thighs are absolutely horrible. Ok enough of what I don’t like about myself.. on to what I do like!:) I love my neck, I have no double chin or extra skin hanging.. it’s nice! I love my collarbone! I can see it, not just feel it! I like my shoulders...really thinning out. My tummy is really flat, with not a lot of extra skin. Which makes me happy. My waist! I have a waist! Everyone comments how little my waist is now. Gotta love that! I cant believe I will be a part of the century club in 45 more pounds. I am so glad I had this surgery!!!! Not one day goes by that my husband doesn’t tell me how thin I am getting or calls me skinny.
I am doing so much better with solid food. I can eat pretty much anything as long as I eat it slow, and take small bites. I do catch myself trying to eat the way I used to, big bites not chewing very well, but boy does pouch let me know! Until next time....
7/8/2004
Hello, Well it has been 3 months and things area going great. I reached a plateau for 3 weeks when the scale had said 200 lbs. and I had lost 55 ponds. I tried not to get discouraged, but it was so hard! It finally started moving again.. I have now lost 61 lbs. My son (20 years old) came in from Vegas last night to visit, and he just looks at me, he has a look on his face I cant describe, he has never seen me thinner. He marvels at how much weight I’ve lost. It makes me very proud. My youngest son laughed when he gave me a hug and his arms went around my waist and then some!:) My daughter always has to comment when I get dressed "you look so little!" All those comments make me feel so good.
Now for my head.. No matter what someone says I cant get over the fact that I may not be fat anymore. I am still that 266 lb. person I was before this surgery, in my head. I cant for the life of me just say "thank you" when someone tells me how thin I am. I don’t believe them. All I can say is "not yet but someday" and I walk away feeling kinda silly. I was in denial for so long about my weight gain, now I'm in denial with my weight loss it seems. Every time I walk by a mirror I have to look and it is very bizarre to me, because at a glance I can see the loss, but if I stand and look at myself I start to see me big again. It will be nice to finally see me as a thin person, when and if that happens I don’t know. I’ve never been in this situation before.. aside from all that, I wake up every morning so happy. Excited at this new day. I feel so good, mentally and physically. This is a wonderful experience. One that I cant share with my family, as this is an experience that only another person that has had this surgery can relate to. Once again I confirm that this surgery was a Godsend and the best gift I could have ever given to myself.
8/17/2004
Hello, its been 4 months since ive had my surgery, and all is going well. Ive lost 85 pounds and am in a size 14 pant and med/large top. I feel great. I can share cloths with my daughter! That is so awesome! As far as food goes I can eat more now, sometimes I eat too much and my pouch will let me know. I just finished having some chicken. Whats odd is I can eat a cookie, but I cant drink milk, I start feeling lightheaded and tired, and sick to my stomach..so I stay away from it. I do splurge and have a small nonfat suger free vanilla latte from star bucks...so yummy! I dont drink soda, I do drink alot of propel...so good. I know I shouldnt but I dont eat breakfast, i go to work early and I just cant eat early in the morning, so I eat a little at lunch. I get most of my calories and protein at dinner time. Seems to be when I get my appetite. I still keep s.f. popscicles in my freezer..they are such a lifesaver when I want a treat.
As far as my body goes..I have very little extra skin on my tummy thank goodness, my thighs are yucky but I can live with them..I hate my knees. My arms are fine..I was going to get a breast aug but I see so many people having problems once they get that done, and hubby can be a little insecure sometimes and I think it will cause problems in my marrriage, so weve decided once I reach my goal weight I am going to get my 1 1/2 carat diamond solitare ring ive been eyeing:) I had told myself once I reach 160 I will be happy..well ive got about 13 more pounds to go, and I just cant believe that. I think I will extend it to 140..I work with a plastic surgeon and he wants to see me at 125 he says..but I think thats too thin..so 140 it is.
What is really a strange thing is to have guys look at you, people treat you different now too. I'm not invisible like I was before. Interesting...Anyways I just wanted to update, hope everyone is having a great day...
Betsy
sept.26,2004
Pic on bottom of page is me at 153 with my loving husband..
Oct.5 2004
Hello, well tommorow it will be 6 months since I have had my surgery and I feel wonderful. It is amazing that just 6 short months ago I was as heavy as I was and now here I am 107 pounds lighter, and I can get into size 12 pants. I still can't believe it at times.
I have a great supportive family that helps me so much. Its amazing how much energy I have too. My oldset daughter just moved out, so today after work, I came home and started painting her room before I knew it I had finished all the walls, I just have the baseboards to do next and am going to do that after I finish this post. People always ask me how I feel, if I feel any different. I dont. I feel the same as I did before my surgery, only thinner, with alot more energy. So for all you preops and new post ops that are having second thoughts I'm here to tell you its alot of hard work, but well worth it. Just exercise, get your water and protein in, take your vitamins and your gonna do just fine.
October 19, 2004
Morning all...Ok this weekend I went to my mothers surprise birthday party. There were alot of family members that I hadnt seen since before WLS. It was interesting how peopple reacted to me. I hadnt seen my father in about 3-4 weeks, he even walked right passed me, even after I was calling his name. He was so surprised! Anyways, the next day I met my mom for brunch and she says " your dad is kind of worried about you Betsy, he says you dont need to lose anymore weight. He says your skinny enough already..." I was really surprised and didnt want to tell her that I wanted to lose another 30 or so pounds to get to my goal weight. (I currently weigh 153-158)I had alot of people telling me not to lose anymore weight, On the way home yesterday I couldnt stop thinking about it. I'm still losing, i'm eating, am I too skinny? I dont think so. My husband says I am, but alot of people that have had WLS carry their weight really well and look skinnier then the scale says. I am only 6 months out and if everyone is telling me I'm too skinny, where does it stop, what if I do want to stop losing? I don't starve myself, if anything I eat too much sometimes.... *sigh* sorry Dont mean to ramble on. Just thinking out loud on my concerns. I go visit my doc in a few weeks for my 6 month checkup i'm sure if he thinks i am too skinny he will tell me. Personally I dont think I am, but i'm sure alot of you already know that have lost weight that we see ourselves the same as we were before WLS. Well, ive got to get ready for work, hope everyone has a wonderful day!
Much love,
betsy
Nov 1, 2004
Hello, all. Everything is still going really well. Ive lost a few more pounds. The scale seems to fluctuate depending on time of day I weigh in. the other morning it said 143, then the next eveing it said 147, i know we seem to weigh more in the evening so I'm going by 143:) I still cant believe this journey, it is such a Godsend. Not sure if I mentioned it before but I have an appt with the plastic surgeon on the 22nd. Will write about that experience after the appt. Going to check on a breast aug. tummy and thighs will come later. Have decided to wait 2 years for that. Anyways not too much going on here. Able to eat most anything these days. Had porkchop and ribs yesterday. Ate soybeans as a snack. So getting mostly protein in. Seems most days i'm walking around the house looking for my bottled water ive left somewhere..gonna have to tie it around my neck!LOL I'm always finding it almost gone..wonder if someones drinking it..I cant believe i'm drinking that much!!!how funny. Anyways you have a great day and will post soon.
Much Love,
betsy
11/30/2004
Hello, Sorry I havent posted in awhile. I will be 8 months out in 6 days. It sure doesnt seem like it. I am doing really well with my weight loss. I am losing much slower now. but that is ok. I am happy with the way things are going. I really dont think I need to lose any more weight. I am at 140 now, and that is pretty darn good. I am having to deal with people telling me not to lose anymore weight and asking how I get my body to stop gaining. My husband is always telling me to eat. I do eat, I still dont eat alot, but I eat when I am hungry and do try to make the right food choices. I can eat anything except suger items. Believe me I do try and get sick everytime. I drink alot of coffee. I was always afraid to drink that but doc said it was ok...I am in a size 12 pants. Anyways just wanted to post how great things were going and if anyone has any questions jsut email me. I have a new pic that was taken at Thanksgiving waiting to be posted on my profile:) Hugs....
3/22/2005
Hello all...It has been so long since I have been here, its too easy to get up with life. It has been 11 months since I had my surgery (Gosh has it been that long already???) It has been a wonderful, wonderful journey. I started out at 266 lbs. I am now down to 129. I have lost more then I thought I would. my original goal was to be down to 160 lbs. This is more than I had dared hope. I can eat most anything, I still eat small portions. My husband thinks I eat too small of portions. I dont push myself till i'm stuffed. I do what I couldnt do before: walk away from the table before I'm full. I eat till i'm content. I choose proteins first, then veggies. I crave bananas something fierce, that is my dessert and snack and sometimes my breakfast. I my hair has gone back to normal, I did lose alot but I have thick hair anyways..It had lost it shine, but it is better now, and thicker. Well, if anyone has any questions feel free to ask, Hope everyone is having a great day!:) much love,
Betsy
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