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Cheryl R.
Suffolk, VA, USA
Post Op - BMI: 58.1
Surgery Type: RNY
Member ID: R1120194120
Surgeon: Jeffrey Lord, M.D.

Click here for Cheryl's surgery support page
Click here for the 07/2005 Reunion Page
Click here to print Cheryl's cards
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2003
I am happily married to a wonderful, loving and supportive husband. I have a loving devoted son and three beautiful grandchildren. I am saved and love the Lord with all my heart and soul. I am so grateful and thankful that I am a child of God and he has blessed me with a second chance for a better quality of life through the use of this TOOL!!
My story is not of one where I have been over weight all of my life, but for about the last eighteen years and that was too long.

8/5/03 visited my PCM Dr. Vaughn talked to him about WLS he suggested I get a colonoscopy done because of my age. I agreed and he also sent in a referral for WLS.

8/12/03 Went to Dr. Vaughn and signed the papers for release.

8/13/03 Got a call from Areleane at Dr.Vaughn to call Tricare to activate referral. All the paper work was in order, But I need to give them 48 hours to process the referrals.

8/15/03 Got Approved for Colonoscopy and WLS at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. Waiting for 1st consult apointment from nurse Janet Carlo.

8/18/03 Talked to Nurse Jan at Portsmouth Naval found out there is a back log of people waiting to receive this surgery (300)
because the surgon Dr.Spencer retired. I was not at all happy to hear that bit of information, because I was kind of getting anxious about the posibility of having the surgery done sooner.
Nurse Jan was very nice and apologized. I was in constant prayer about this surgery and I didn't want to do anything that was not in the will of God for my life, so I asked God to show me if this was in his will. Well when Jan told me the name of my surgeon (Dr. LORD) I had to smile and look at it as God giving me a sign that it was alright. I got such a peace because my life is in the hands of my Lord and savior and the surgery is in the hands of Dr. Lord and I would find out after meeting him that he is the absolute "BEST". (check out his surgeons profile)

8/18/03 I called and got my consultation with the surgeon that will perform my colonoscopy. It will be Sept.15th with Dr. Sticsar at Portsmouth Naval.

9/5/03 I went to my first WLS support meeting at Portsmouth Naval (PNH). It was very informative. I got to see Dr.Lord and he was so laid back and funny but you could tell the man knew his stuff. Jan Carlo was just as sweet in person as she is over the phone, because she had the surgery done also and she looks "Fabulous" but she lets you know it's still something you have to continually work at. I was a little dissapointed that we didn't get to hear more from Dr. Lord, but this particular night was for a presentation from a doctor that does reconstructive plastic surgery. He showed pictures of people that had the surgery and had all the extra skin left over, it wasn't to nice to watch but I know he was promoting his plastic surgery program. All in all it was informative also. Found out Tricare does't cover plastic surgery(bummer). I met a lot of nice friendly people and exchanged phone numbers with two ladies who will be having their surgeries soon. Well the wait begins my orientation is not untill March 18.2004 CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? I guess I will talk with you all then.

9/15/03 Well I had the colonoscopy done and it was not walk in the park by any means. You have to drink this nasty tasting stuff to clean you out (sounds familar?) and an enima (stay home and near the bathroom)The staff at PNH really treated me with such kindness and professionalism and I don't have one complaint. The procedure causes you to be in quite a bit of discomfort more than pain until the medicine really kicks in and you feel pressure at the beginning stages, then its off to lala land. Everything came out great and the results no colon cancer PRAISE GOD!!. And now the wait for March continues.

2004

3/18/04 Well I went to the orientation meeting and my darling husband came too (He's so supportive & sweet). There was about 25 other women and one other husband,so it was a nice size group. Jan spoke to us about what the WLS would require pre op. Jan introduced Dr. Lords Bariatric Team which consist of Dr. Lord & Dr. Fontana (Bariatric Surgeons) Elizabeth H.(Health Psychologist),Chris Z.(Dietitian)this team runs like a well oiled machine from start to finish and all of them have such wonderful personalities and top notch in the knowledge department. They all make you feel like you are part of the family and they are concerned with your overall health and well being. I am so truely blessed to be under their care. All of the team members gave excellent presentations especially Dr. Lord. Jan said she would call us individually and give us the dates we would meet with each one. At the end of the meeting we were each given a thick blue book that Dr. Lord calls his "Bible". It is the Surgical Weight Loss Handbook And Patient Information Guide, Dr. Lord personally had this book put together for each of his patients and requires us to read it front to back. It contained a wealth of information and everything you would need to know about the surgery, his expectations pre&post op and all the testing and blood work that you will need to have done. I was and am completly blown away at the excellent care Dr. Lord has taken to ensure that his patients get the best care humanly possible and he prays for his patients (PRAISE GOD!!)He didn't sheild us from the risks involved with the surgery but also displayed great confidence in his and the teams ability and skill to do everything to help us reach our goal. We left very pleased with what we experience at the meeting.

3/21/04 Got a call from Jan and it was BAD NEWS as far as I am concerned. It seems there is such a back log of patients that I won't have my 1st consultation with Dr. Lord until March 4th 2005. Well I prayed about it and decided not to let it get me down and to use this time to get all my labs and testing done, but most of all to get all the knowledge I can about this surgery.I thank God for this site it is so wonderful to read all the profiles and know there are countless numbers of people that have been given a second chance for a better quality of life and are willing to share and help others through their testimonies. I pray my profile encourages someone along the way. Don't get discouraged, be patient and know God has a plan and a purpose for your life. Be strong in the Lord and the power of his might!!

2005

3/4/2005 Well it's been a while. Met with Dr. Lord one on one my husband and I. He walked in the room like a ray of sunshine. His personality is so outgoing and friendly, he put us at ease and talked to us like he had been knowing us for years and he is so funny. He told me I look like a commercial waiting to happen (I Like That Man). He looked over my record and saw all my labs and test were complete.He said he saw where I was beginning to show symptoms of diabetic, but said the surgery should take care of that and I didnt need to be put on any medication for it.My blood was a little weak so he prescribed iron pills 3x's a day He said I put my waiting period to good use by getting everything done. He drew a diagram and explained how he would perform the Lap surgery. Our meeting went about an hour and a half, he took his time and made sure we understood "Every-thing about the before and aftercare involved with the surgery.

3/7/05 Jan called with my appointment dates for my meeting with Elizabeth (Phychologist)7:45a.m. & Chris (Dietitian)3:00p.m. on March 30th.

3/17/05 Got a call from Jan for appointment to have an ultrasound done on april 1st at 3:30 p.m.

3/30/05 My meeting with Elizabeth went very well. She is very friendly and knowledgeable and easy to talk to. I'm not a basket case and nothing major from my childhood should cause me to be eneligible for the surgery. We talked about 50 minutes and she approved me. I went and had some more blood work done while waiting to see Chris. My meeting with Chris went very well she is quite friendly also and understanding of how hard it is to stay on diets, but after going over my favorite foods she said I should be alright with the food choices in the book, but naturally I would have to cut out the fried foods and my all time favorite potato chips. She explained the different stages of food consumption I would be on before and after surgery, the vitamins and medicines prescribed by Dr. Lord.All of which is in the big blue book (we are required to bring it to all of our appointments). She approved me for surgery.

4/1/05 Went in for my Ultrasound.I was upset because they told me I had to drink so much water all day to have my bladder full and not to use the toilet before I have the test. I was very uncomfortable and trying to hold out. I got to the desk and ask the nurse how long would it be before my turn because I could not hold my water too much longer. She looked at my chart and apologized because someone had given me the wrong information and that I could go to the bathroom, boy all I could say was "PRAISE GOD!!Thank you JESUS! "NO GALLSTONE " I decided to stop by and see Jan to find out if I could get a date for my surgery. I teach so I really wanted it done during the beginning of the summer break. Well she gave me some bummer news, she is getting ready to move to Pensacola, Florida but she would highlight by my name for the next case manager that she trained to take her place my need to have the surgery during the summer. She said they are not going by the waiting list anymore, just who ever finishes up with everything and the seriousness of the case they will try to get them in. Well you know I didnt want to hear that but the next news was more devastating, Dr. Lord is retiring and starting a private practice in Pensacola along with Jan. Dr. Lord would be replaced by Dr. Chastanet. Dr Lord will be leaving at the end of July. I was so hurt because I did not wait almost 3 years for this man not to perform my surgery. This move it seems was in the works for a while I guess they didn't inform their patients too early because they probably would become upset like ME!! Well I did the thing I always do when things go wrong I "PRAYED" and put it in God's hands.

4/4/05 Had my mammogram done. Don't need to elabarate on that (Ha! Ha!)you ladies know the deal.

4/18/05 Went in and met the new Case Manager. Her name is Joan, she is different personality wise from Jan. She had the surgery also and is a year post op. She looks good too. She said she saw the highlight by my name and the note Jan left about my circumstances. She said she would try to work with me as best she could, but I knew God was in control!!

4/23/05 GLORY TO GOD!!!!!!!!!! I GOT A DATE Whooooooooooooo!! GOD IS SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOD. MY surgery is scheduled for JULY 11th. Don't tell me God doesn't work it out time after time after time!!!. My pre op date with Dr. Lord is June 16 at 9:30.

6/16/05 Had my pre op appointment with Dr. Lord by myself this time my husband didn't go. He looked at my record and saw where they weighed me and I had gained by their scale 20 pounds since march, he was not happy at all because he told me not to gain any weight the last time I saw him in march. He said every pound that a patient gains makes his job harder and it puts fat on the liver. He told me that if I didn't loose at least ten pounds before my surgery he would not do it point blank. Talk about a wake up call. He then said I had to be on a 7 day liquids only diet before the surgery and I would have to come in on July 6th to weigh in. I saw a very serious side of Dr. Lord and you could see the disapointment in his eyes. I really felt bad, how could I have let myself get in this situation. A little advise to pre ops don't pig out just because you know you are going to have this surgery, every pound counts. He said he wanted me to make an appointment to the Vasular clinic so they can check to make sure I don't have any blood clots in my legs. Well Joan came in after Dr. Lord left and saw my chart and the weight gain, she asked me what in the world was I thinking? I told her what Dr.Lord said about loosing 10 pounds and she said I had better do it because he is not kidding, he will do just what he said because he is serious about what he does and he doesn't want his patients to take it lightly to follow his instructions. I have learned my lesson and I am on a mission now!

6/21/05 Met with Joan for my pre op class. There was 3 other ladies with me in the class One was schedule for the week before my surgery and the other 2 ladies was schedule for the tuesday and wednesday after me. Three of us had Dr. Lord and one had Dr. Chastanet. Dr. Lord is right beside Dr. Chastanet during the surgery that he performs so it's just like you have Dr. Lord too. I'm just glad I'm gonna have Dr. Lord to perform it. Pre op Clas is very interesting joan makes sure you have gotten all of your medications that Dr.Lord prescribed and goes over each one with you individually.She goes over the entire information packet with everyone and lets you know what time you will have surgery. Mine is schedule for Monday at 7:30 a.m. The first one for the day. Dr Lord should be well rested and refreshed from the weekend (Praise God). The packet tells you what to do the morning of the surgery and whats going to happen immediatly before and after surgery up to your first post op visit through a year out, It too had a lot of great step by step information. She then sends us up to the Ambulatory Surgical unit. I had to have another EKG done For Dr. Lord and I met with the anesthesiologist who went over what he would do and the pain pump I would have as well as pain meds I was given a prescription for. He was very friendly and informative.

I have been living off of boiled eggs, salads with ff dressing, baked, stewed,grilled bar-b-que skinless chicken,chrystal light, vegetables & water, water, water and doing my Walk Away The Pounds tape everyday.This is an excellent tape to use. Leslie Sansone has a tape for 1,2 & 3 mile walks and 5 pound water weighted balls for you to use doing the upper body exercise as you walk. The first time I used it along with my diet I lost 30 pounds. So when I need to loose some pounds really quick I go back to her tapes.I love it because it's in the comfort and privacy of my own home and it works me out better than those walks in the neighborhood. Try it out for yourself. God Bless ya!

6/30/05 I went to pick up my vitamin C from the pharmacy at the hospital and decided I would drop by and see Joan. I asked her If I could go in a room and weigh muself to see how I am coming along and she said sure. GLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORY to GOOOOOOOD The scale showed I have lost 16 pounds I could not believe it! and I haven't even started on the liquid diet that Dr. Lord said I had to do. I ask joan if she would offically weigh me and she said "NO" because she didn't want me to get slack and then gain it back, so I will have to wait until July 6th. I know I will have lost even more because I will be on the liquid diet starting July 1st.

7/1/05 Started my liquid diet today it was not as bad as I thought. I went to the store at the beginning of the week and got everything I would need,Gatoraid,crystal light, V 8, skin milk, carnation instant breakfast, sugar free jello,pudding and frozen pops, I saved the broth when I cooked chicken in the crock pot for my diet and my husband put it in individual small containers and an ice cube tray and froze it,put one in the microwave and boy talk about good, just like homemade broth with my own seasonings um um good!and I have isopure protien drinks, because Dr. Lord said I could have one a day. So I really don't get hungry I just stay full on liquids especially WATER!! don't want to get dehydrated. I pray all of this pays off big time when I weigh in on the 6th

7/6/05 I went to the hospital to the Vascular Clinic to have the Ultra Sound done on my legs. Praise God they found no BLOOD CLOTS. Now for another praise report, I went in to see Joan the bariatric Case nurse and I got weighed the scale said 328.6 I was so shocked I knew I was loosing but I didn't think their scale would say that weight since their scale seems to weigh you higher but I was so happy to loose 26 pounds and Dr. Lord only required me to loose 10 pounds before surgery. Joan was so happy for me and told me she knew I could do it , but I give all the glory to God for giving me the determination not to give up because I look at this surgery as a second chance at a better lifestyle and healthy living. I am still on the liquid diet so I probably will loose some more before my surgery. Well I have 4 more days and a wake up before my surgery. It's almost unreal, I have been waiting almost 3 years and now it's almost here and I will be on the loosing side. I am in the process of trying to get my photo's posted. I thank God for this site, it has been so helpful to me. Well I will be getting ready for my pre surgery cocktails (the yucky stuff)Friday - Sunday and try to post one last time before I leave for the hospital. My darling husband and son has been soooooo surportive as well as all of the rest of my family and In-laws. It is so much better when you have a positive support base in your corner. My husband helped get the bedroom ready for my return home ,we made a few changes and it looks so nice, almost like a retreat. He ordered some overstuffed berkline rocker recliners so I will be comfortable in case I can't climb the stairs and sleep in the bedroom. I am so blessed by God to have a wonderful, loving, sweet, supportive and concerned husband who is very very sensitive to my needs. I Love you baby and words can't begin to give you the "THANK YOU" that you truely deserve for being right by my side every step of the way of my journey and you are going to love reaping the rewards of having the woman you married back to the size I was when we met. And I must give props to by son who is such an encouragement to me with my exercise and diet and telling me how proud he is of me to do this for my health. I love you son!!. Well I will post again later until then God Bless you all.

7/8/05 Well Glory to God I did well on my liquid diet,it got a little ruff with the head hunger trying to talk to you,but when that happens I try to divert my attention right away to something else that would cause me to consetrate deeply. I got the call from PNH today telling me offically to be at the hospital for surgery on Monday at 5:30 a.m. It feels so "REAL" now, I'm going to have this surgery!!! Boy I am so ready to be on the loosing side. I've got my whole house cleaned and ready, all my liquids and soft foods for after surgery and my vitamins and pills ready in this little plastic pill box/drawer that allows you to sort them out by days with compartments for breakfast, lunch & dinner and you can pull the little daily compartment out and take it with you. ($1.00 store) neat!! I also found a nice hand held pill crusher at walmart. I will pack my bag tonight and all that's left is to take the fleet drink and pills at the 3 specific times tomorrow. Well God bless you and stay encouraged. To those who are waiting, be patient your time is coming!!!

7/9/05 Well I took my fleet cocktail today and boy I would not give that stuff to a dog, but I figure it's a small price to pay for a better quality of life so I won't complain. Nothing can be as bad as carrying the total weight of another person around on your body. Anyway I made it through. I stayed in my room most of the day (close to the bathroom) I got some work done that I needed to do and had been putting off. I am a picture taking nut and my husband and I have so many packets of pictures between his family and mine and ours and his military travels, so I decided to get them organized. It was fun looking back over my life through pictures and it helped me get things in perspective even more about this surgery as I looked at how the weight creeped up on me over the years. I thank God even more now for giving me a second chance at a better life. I thank all those who took the time to read my profile and send words of encouragement and prayers and I pray for your continued success as well. If there is anyone reading this and don't know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior I admonish you to say a little simple prayer and ask him to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart and change you and acknowledge that you need him, he "WILL" hear you and answer your prayer, I am a LIVING WITNESS, he did it for me and he "WILL" do it for you! He is a LOVING FATHER and only want what's "BEST" for you, just as you would want for your child(ren). So talk to him now,it will be the "BEST" decision you ever make, even BETTER than your decision to have this surgery.It is he that gives the surgeon WISDOM to perform this surgery. So give your heart to him I guarentee you wont regret it for a moment. Well I will go to bed now and have one more day tomorrow and a wake up for SURGERY!!! God bless all of my WLS family.

7/10/05 Well I got up this morning pretty anxious. I've got everything ready and packed and set the alarm to make sure I don't over sleep in the morning. I had to take my antibiotics Dr. Lord prescribed at 2, 3, and 10:00 p.m. Will take a shower with the antibacterial soap (dial is fine) washed my hair and will shower again when I get up in the morning. Haven't had any thing to eat but liquids the last 7 days and I tell you it's only by God's grace and mercy, but you do what you have to do if you are serious about making this work for you and I truely am as all of you all are. My husband is going to the chinese place and get me some hot & sour soup so I can strain all the stuff out and drink the broth. It will be as close to a last meal as I can get (Ha! Ha!)and it taste so good to me. Dr. Lord prescribed Lovenox for me after surgery as an extra precaution against blood clots, so my husband and I had to look at the video that comes with the package. I'm not looking forward to giving myself 2 shots a day for 7 days but it looks really easy and it's a very small needle. With all the medicine already pre measured and in the syringes I shouldn't have a problem. The best thing would be if I didn't have to do it at all. But again I'm not gonna complain because reading so many profiles on this site I know people who are going through so much more than I am and my heart and prayers go out to them. Keeping a close eye on this hurricane that's making a mess off the coast of Florida, my family is down there in Jacksonville and Orlando as well as Dr.Lords family and his new practice is in Pensacola where they are talking about it making land fall so I'm keeping them lifted up in prayer and I surely don't want that to be on Dr. Lords mind tomorrow. Well folks that's about all for now. The next time I talk to you all I will be on the "LOOSING SIDE" GLOOOOOOORY TO GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!! and I will give you a detail description of my surgery day. So send up a prayer for me ok? God Bless all of you my WLS family you are the greatest!!

7/13/05 GLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORY TO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!
I am home and on the loosing side!!! I'm not quite up to par and a little sleepy. I will rest and give you an update all about the surgery in a few days. Just wanted to let you all know that God is GOOD all the time and he brought me though , over and above all I could ever ask or think!! Thank you all so much for your prayers, I felt each one in my spirit and they blessed me so much during my surgery time. May God continue to bless you all my WLS Family.

7/15/05 WEll there is so much to tell. I got up at 4:00a.m. on the day of my surgery July 11th. I took my antibacterial shower and put on my clothes, took my blood pressure pill (for the last time) with a sip of water as instructed. Our son said a beautiful prayer with me the night before because he knew he would not be up when we left for the hospital at 5:00 a.m. We arrived at the APD desk of PNH at 5:30. I was checked in and told to fill out some forms and given my bag with hospital gown and slippers, after which we sat in a waiting room to be called. There were a lot of people in the waiting room. It was full of couples, children and older people so, a varity of people were having different surgeries that morning. After about fifteen minutes a nurse came and got me took me in another room, she took my vitals and weight on a regular scale, which I thought was odd. The nurse went over the form I filled out and directed me and my husband to another waiting room. After about ten minutes we were taken back to the pre surgery room and I was told to change into my gown and slippers and given a hospital cap for my head. I then laid in this big comfortable bariatric bed. Dr. Lord and Dr. Chastenet came in to talk to us. It was the first time we had met DR.Chastenet (The surgeon that will be taking Dr. Lord's place when he leaves for Florida) Dr. Chastenet is a wonderful, caring, gentle and very concerned surgeon. Both surgeons are there during each others surgeries. Dr. Lord assured me and my husband that they would take good care of me (that was an understatement) and they left for the operating room. The surgical nurse came in and introduced herself and asked if we had any questions or wanted the chaplian, we said no because God had given me such a peace, I was just ready to get it over with. She put these leggings on me that is suppose to massage your legs to keep circulation going to prevent blood clots during surgery. Then the anesthesiologist came in and introduced himself, he was so soft spoken and gentle with me as he explained what he was going to do before, during and after surgery. The man was top notch in my book and I Know he was good when he took a little tiny needle and deaden the area on the back of my hand before he put the big needle in for the IV. I have experience it with doctors that just jabbed the big needle in right off. I gave my darling husband a big SEE YOU LATER kiss and they wheeled me into the Operating Room. I saw Dr. Lord and Chastenet and he reassured me again of his taking good care of me. The next thing I remember is someone saying hello Cheryl, it was the anesthesiologist he asked me some questions. I notice I was in a different room called the step down unit and in a few minutes I saw My darling husband's handsome face smiling at me.I don't remember anything about the surgery. Dr. Lord and Chastenet came by to see me and said the surgery went PERFECT, and that I did very well. I was surprised when I looked at my stomach for the first time, because the doctors were talking about how good it looked. I had Lap surgery and it required me to have six very tiny incisions (I call them stratches, because that's what they look like) covered with a tiny piece of surgical tape. There was a skinny long tube coming out of a tiny hole on the side of my stomach with pink stuff draining out of it into a little plastic ball about the size and shape of a soft ball. This is the JP Drain. The nurse would come four times a day and empty it out and record the amount that came out of the ball. The Nurses and Orderly's were all so kind and helpful, they waited on me hand and foot. I don't care how many times I pressed the call button they were very prompt and pleasant in responding to my needs. Each shift was the same they would come in and introduce themselves and tell you what they were doing to you and explained any medicine they had to give you and what for. I joked my husband that I think the nurses were standing right outside my door because each time I called they were there like in 1/2 a second. They kept me washed and clean. They applied gel chapstick on my lips until I could do my leak test. I had to walk two times the same day as surgery, I didn't think I was going to be able to do it, because I was very sore on my stomach. That Bariatric bed is amazing it folds up to a sitting chair position with the touch of side buttons that allow you to slide into a standing position. Each time I walked around the halls and nurses station it was like I had my own cheering squad everyone was so supportive. Believe me the more you walk the better you feel. So If you are pre op remember to walk, walk, walk!!!! I went for my leak test and the drink there was not half as bad as the fleet for pre surgery. What got to me was having to get up on those tiny little steps so they could see the picture better as you drank that white thick milky stuff (all of it, the whole cup)while praying I could keep it down and not spray everyone in the room. That would not have been a nice way to repay my surgeons. I did have a time there where I was not feeling too good at all and was praying to God to help me get over that phase and kept saying "This Too Shall Pass" in Jesus name. I don't want anyone reading this to think that it's a walk in the park by any means what so ever. You will have times of great pain and major discomfort but remember why you did it in the first place and it will all be worth it after a while. I was moved up to the fourth floor patient ward that same day after I passed the leak test. I was the only one in this big room that you could see was used for at least four patients, only they hadn't got to come up yet they had to stay in step down for another day. So I had My own private room with my own private nurse and orderly. Talk about God taking care of me. My husband enjoyed the time for me to recover together alone. My family is from Florida so it was nice to have the phone by me to talk with all of them at different times and they called everyday day and night to check up on me. I had to eat ice chips and keep them down and drink a measured amount of water and they kept a record of how much water you urinated when thay took the catheter out. It was tuff for a while there I thought I was going to throw up that water and then the doctor said I wasn't passing the amount of water in the required time that I should. I got nausated so the nurse gave me something for that and for pain because I was off the pain pump. I felt better after that and found I could keep the water down. Then they said my potassium was low so I had to take some medicine that tasted like you might as well turn up a box of salt and empty it in your mouth (NASTY), which in turned made you thirsty so you drank more water and went to the bathroom more and everytime I had to be disconnected to the leggings. I began to get tired just going to the bathroom, so I sat on the sofa that was in the room. The doctors told me I had to pass gas or have a bowel movement. I didn't until I got home Wednesday night. Then they said if I can tolorate the Jello for dinner and the scrambled eggs for breakfast and keep it down I could look at being discharged that midday. Boy talk about a woman on a mission. I walked around the nurses station to strengthen myself. and when they brought the jello that night I could only eat two teaspoons but that was enough. Then Wednesday morning they brought 2oz of scrambled eggs I ate about four fork fulls and could do no more, but it stayed down. I had to give some more blood for the test and Doctor Chastenet said my potassium was better, but I had to take something for my calcium. Both of the doctors came in and went over my discharge papers with me for post op medicine and Dr. Lord wanted to see me Monday morning to take the drain out and give me a checkup. He said I did very very well and was offically released to go home. About that time two other patients were being moved into the room so it was a flurry of noise and activities going on, I was so glad to have had the room to myself(thank you Lord) but I know it would have been alright with my roommates too. I took a nice shower and put on my clothes and the nurse brought the wheel chair and my husband went and got the car and we went to the front door 1st floor and said our goodbyes and came home about 2:30 PM. IT'S SO GOOD TO BE HOME!!!!!! I am so THANKFUL to God and my darling, loving, kind HUSBAND who has stayed constantly by my side through this entire process ( I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE YOOOOOOOOOU BABY!!!!!!!)and you have given me the help,love comfort, prayers and support thatI know I could not have made it with out you!! God bless you WLS family.

7/18/05 Praise GOD!!! Dr. Lord took the J P Drain out today. Talk about RELIEF!! I can move around a lot better without that contraption hanging out of my body and no more measuring the liquid 4xaday. Let me warn you when the doctor is pulling it out it feels like he is SUCKING all of your insides out like a strong vacume cleaner. It is not very painful , but soooooooooooo uncomfortable! the good news it it only last a few seconds then you are off the table and on your way. Dr. Lord said I look good and everything is going very well. I LOST 17 POOOOOOOOUNDS!!!!
Glory TO GOD!!! in seven days. No diet in the world could ever do that for me. I am so thankful for this tool. So far I've been able to tolorate my soft foods, no sickness. I get betwen 70 - 100 grams of protein in daily (Dr. Lord told me not to over do it, because right now 60-70 grams a day is fine) so I will cut back on that. I'd rather have been getting more than not enough. I get my fluids in very well, because I was a big water drinker before the surgery. All my vitamins and supplements are seperated in a label pill box from the dollar store and I have a pill crusher from Walmart. I take one B 12 3,000 sublingual tablet (Vitamin Shoppe) once a week. I walk about a mile a day and I am waiting for release to exercise. All in all the start of my journey has gotten off pretty good. I will talk with you later WLS family. New pre ops be patient your day will come very soon, GOD BLESS!!

7/24/05 Well it's been a few days since I been to my profile, imagine my surprise to see that it ahd been "SPRUCED UP" by "JOAN M." one of the many volunteers here. "THANK YOU" so much. It looks so beautiful and the little angels are so adorable, they remind me of my grandchildren. I love the doves a special reminder of the precious HOLY SPIRIT! I LOOOOOOOOVE it!!!!! Well I have been doing quite well, no sickness what so ever. I can see the weight loss, which is surprising because people always say others will see it before you do ,but I see it in my face and the jeans I wear are so loose already. My husband, son and Dr. Lord commented on my loose pants. I am so excited because it encourages me for things ahead and I look forward to each step in this journey to a wonderful, healthy long life. The ony thing I was never use to taking so many pills before surgery and now it seems like so much medicine and vitamins, but it's such a small price to pay. I've got a routine and organized everything so it makes it a little easier except for the taste(yucky) I tried to get everything in liquid form to cut down on the pill crushing. The Vitamin Shoppe had everything I needed so far. I pray everything is going well for my WLS family and to the PRE OP's I always say be patient your time is surely coming, I waited 3 years and it is "WORTH THE WAIT" I can't wait untill I can post some pictures for you all to see what this surgery has done for me, I don't know about you , but I enjoy seeing the before & after pictures, it makes you identify more with the person. So as soon as I can I will post pictures. God bless you all untill next time.

8/3/05 Well it's been a few days, but I've been a little busy. I celebrated my birthday on the 28th of July. My darling husband took me out for dinner and a movie. We went to Ruby Tuesdays. I had the chicken, cheese and broccoli soup (three tablspoons) Cajun Grilled Tolapia (1/2 of a half peice) with mashed potatoes (3 forkfulls) and steamed broccolli ( 3 bites) and I was finished. Everything stayed down because I chewed good and took my time. I had the waitress to pack up all of the leftovers, but found the next day none of it tasted good to me and I didn't want to eat it (is that strange or what?) The movie was a challenge for me. I'm a person who couldn't see a movie without my popcorn, so to sit in a movie and hear it and smell it all around me was a "TEST" but I made it through. I'm doing good on the weight lost seem I've lost close to 50 pounds so far according to my scale, but I will know offically Monday the 8th when I see Dr.Chasanet. I know I've lost inches because I can no longer fit in my jeans at all, they actually fall off even when button up. (WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO) Praise God!!!! I'm still struggling with the taste of the Calcium and Iron (YUCK) but I do what I have to do. My energy is not where I'd like for it to be because I still take a nap. I do my walking and everything but by midday I'm a little sleepy and tired. I take 3,000 miligrams of B 12 once a week but it doesn't seem to last for the whole week. I will ask the doctor about it. I've got to get this energy thing under control, because I start back to work at the end of the month and we can't have the teacher falling asleep in the class (HA! HA!) I pray all is going well for everyone and you are enjoying your journey to a healthy lifestyle. I thank God continually for his mercy and grace and for blessing me with a second chance. God bless all of my WLS family. See you next time!!

Future Updates

This is my Virtual Model.
She represents me at my starting weight of 320, then goes to approximately 200, then shows my goal weight of 145.

Cheryl's profile was *spruced up* by Joan M. on July 22, 2005.
If you would like your profile spruced up, please contact
the ObesityHelp.com html Volunteers here.

Member Interests:

Family & Friends - We are close knit and love each other. Church Family also

Sports - Like to watch Football (NFL) and Championship Basketball (NBA)

Museums & Art Galleries - All kinds and anywhere

Board Games & Puzzles - Dominos, Jenga, Phase Ten , etc!

Crossword & Word Games - All Kinds

Movies - Action, Mysteries , Love Stories

Figurines - Angels, Daddy Long Legs,Odd Teapots, Odd Shaped Candles

Christianity - Love my Father God, Lord Jesus Christ and prescious Holy Spirit

Teachers - I have been teaching for 30 years and love it!!!!

Gospel - SmoothJazz, raggae, praise music

Click here to see interests of other ObesityHelp members.

Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Jeffrey Lord, M.D.
Dr. Lord is very very very knowledgeable, honest, caring, experienced, straight forward,funny,has impecable bedside manners. These are only a few of the ways to describe him there are many many more. He believes in his skill and knowledge to perform this surgery. If you follow his directions you will reach your goal. He has put together a bariatric team that is second to none. On a scale of 1-10 he rates 10++++. He provides you with a wealth of information and all of your questions and concerns about this surgery are answered in the "BLUE BOOK" he put together for all of his patients as well as him going over everything with you personally.His before and aftercare program is "EXCELLENT". If you live in the Pensacola, Fla. area and are planning to have this surgery I "HIGHLY RECOMMEND" Dr.Lord without hesitation or regret. You will not be dissapointed and you will "LOVE" his case manager Jan Carlo. Count yourself blessed if you have him for your surgeon. The military and Virgina is loosing oneof the #1 Bariatric Surgeon here. (SOOOOOOO SAD)
Insurer Info:
Tricare, Military