ObesityHelp

I am hoping to have WLS in the near future. I am in the beginning stages of this journey. I have been fat for as long as I can remember and it has finally taken its toll on me. I can't go on carrying this weight yet I can't diet the "conventional" way and keep it off. WLS will be a tool to enable me to lose weight but I know the major tool will be me in order to lose weight.

11/4/99: I got a date for my surgery today. It is scheduled for Monday, December 6, 1999. It only took 2 days to get approval from Cigna PPO for the surgery.

01/10/00: Had my open RNY on 12/6/99. The surgery was successful but I suffered complications afterwards because my intestines were mangled and full of adhesions from a previous surgery. I had to spend one month in the hospital following surgery. I know I have loss weight but I don't know how much until I see Dr. V next week. I will keep you all posted.

1/21/00: Went for my first visit since leaving the hospital. Dr. V told me that the infection at the lower part of my incision will probably take a couple of months to heal. :( The good news is that I am 43 lbs. lighter! My next appt. is 2/8.

6/20/00: Sorry I haven't updated in such a long time. I have been having major ups and downs with my eating plan. I read so many success stories and wonder why I'm not finding it as easy to stick with the program. I have lost 80 lbs. thusfar but am looking forward to losing more. On an upbeat note, life is getting easier to live. I can see how much of my health is improved.

9/8/00: I am not very good at keeping up with my updates. I'm really sorry. I have been very busy this summer travelling with my husband who is a trucker. I thought I would have gained weight eating at restaurants and munching while driving but I find that I actually am eating less when I travel with him because there is no refrigerator around and I am unable to cook. I have now hit the 100 lb weight loss pinacle! I never thought I would get to that landmark. I feel as though my weight is coming off slower than many people that have this surgery. I have made the mistake of comparing my weight loss to other people on the OSSG lists that lose quicker. For now I try not to read the closing sigs that give how much weight a person has loss and the amount of time it has taken. I am soon posting a before/after pic on this site but I must worn the faint of heart that these pictures are really ugly. They were both taken when I wasn't ready to have my pic taken but it does show the difference in my weight.

9/13/00: Things are still going well with the weight loss. I have really been travelling quite a bit this summer with my husband and I've had to learn how to eat out alot and sensibly. It isn't easy despite what some folks may say. I also have noticed that my activity level has increased ten-fold. I'm able to walk further without getting winded as quickly. I do still get lose my breath in major humidity but I think that most people do anyhow. I think that many of us have to go through hell and back to have the surgery and to stick to the 'rules' but it is so worth the effort. If I can help anyone out there in way of support and encouragement, please email me.

9/16/00: People have taken me up on my offer of support by emailing me. It helps me to be able to help others. I wish I could tell you all that I've lost more weight but I don't know since I refuse to weigh myself except at the doctor's office once a month. My next weigh-in is on 10/3. I am really starting to feel the difference in the way my clothes fit me. My clothes were always too tight but now they are either too big for me or fit just right. It's nice to have choices about what to wear now. Although my clothes are still a large size (3x) atleast I have lots of them that fit now. Every day I try to find a new blessing that has been bought to me because of this surgery. It really is not tough to find a new one either. I only hope that others who really want and need this surgery have the opportunity to feel the overwhelming happiness I feel because I am for once succeeding at weight loss. God has truly blessed by bringing this surgery and Dr. Vanguri to me.

10/4/00: Well, I went for my monthly weigh in yesterday and I'm 7 lbs lighter this month than last month. I was a bit disappointed about only losing 7 lbs but then Dr. Vanguri gave me some news that pleased him and actually pleased me. He told me that since last month I have gained 18% more muscle weight. This is really good considering that when I first had the surgery I couldn't even walk because my leg muscles were so weak and damaged. I now go up and down the stairs for exercise and (when I think of it) I use my treadmill. I've got a long way to go in the exercise department but I imagine I will make a concerted effort this month to get exercise in 4 times a week. I wish I had someone to hold me to that. LOL Dr. V also commented on my having a panniculectomy (removal of that hanging apron skin). He is going to be putting the insurance papers in with a view towards having a panniculectomy the first part of next year! I told him there was NO WAY I would have the surgery around Christmas time because last year I spent the entire holiday season in the hospital. I intend to thoroughly enjoy this Christmas with my husband and family. What a blessing God has given me. That's it for now.

11/16/00: Don't ever think that you can't gain weight after WLS because I'm living proof that you can! At my last weigh in at Dr. V's office (11/3/00)I gained a whopping 5 lbs! My immediate response was to eat myself sick... and I did! Not just for a day or so but up until this Tuesday (11/14/00) I stopped caring and let myself go. How scary is that??? Anyhow, an angel was bought into my life from this website named Sandra. She telephoned me and talked sense to me... in other words gave me a good talking to. She convinced me that I should NEVER give up on me and I didn't go through this surgery only to go back to over 400 lbs. Since yesterday morning I have exercised twice a day, made efforts to really move my butt instead of sitting at the computer all day and I'm eating right. I am taking sugar completely out of my life. No more sugar for me. You see, I never experienced dumping from fat or sugar (unfortunately) and for me to eat sugar was no physical problem. I realize that I have got to keep this attitude. Sandra and I are going to help each other with our eating plans and maintaining good and healthy habits. It really is the psychological part of obesity that I've got to work on. I know HOW to lose weight, after all I've been dieting for over 20 years now, but I need to overcome my psychological reasons for overeating. I hope next time I update my page, I'll have good news to report. If you read this Sandra, thank you for being there for me. *smile*

Oh I forgot, Dr. V took pictures of my hanging apron to send in to the insurance company so they'd approve me for surgery to have it removed. I can't tell you how embarrassing it was to have anyone see that thing and handle it with their hands. I'm sure he is use to doing that but it still gets to me. Until next time...

11/5/00: I went for my monthly weigh-in and B-12 shot and GOOD NEWS!!! I lost another 23 lbs! The weight loss couldn't have come at a better time. I was feeling kind of down because my one year anniversary since surgery was steadily approaching and even though I have lost lots of weight, in my eyes I can't see it. I guess no matter how much weight I lose I will still see myself as over 400 lbs. Dr. V was really happy with my progress. Not only in the amount of weight I loss this month but because I am physically stronger because I am exercising religiously every day! My new motto is... DISCIPLINE AND DETERMINATION ARE THE BRIDGES TO ACCOMPLISHING MY GOALS! I say this to myself everyday when I think about skipping walking on that treadmill or I think about eating that ice-cream or other sweets.

To the people that have contacted me via email for support or to answer any questions: I had a major computer crash and have lost all of your email addresses. If you would like to continue to keep in touch please email me again. The email address is:
simplicity28@home.com

Until next month, good luck and never give up on yourself.

12/27/00: A belated Merry Christmas to one and all! This was the first Christmas in a long time that I actually didn't stuff myself and it felt damned good. I really tasted the food instead of mindlessly wolfing it down.

I'll be posting again next week after my appt. with Dr. V.

3/29/01: I am so guilty of not posting as often as I should to the AMOS site. Forgive me. Things are moving right along in my weight loss story. I went for another visit with Dr. V. and lost another 18 lbs. last month. Praise God!

I've also been scheduled for the 1st of 2 tummy tucks. The date is May 14th at 11:30 am.

Today is my Sweet Husband's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN! I love you baby. *smile*

4/4/01: ***IN MEMORIAL TO DEE MITCHELL***
Well, yesterday was a very sad day for me and the ladies of the Am I My Sisters Keeper list. A dear, sweet member, Dee Mitchell, passed away from complications following weight loss surgery. She developed a clot to her lung and died in ICU after having WLS on 3/31. She was only 30 years old and leaves behind the love of her life, her 2 year old son. Her best friend Dedra is also on the list and I will do all I can to support her. Sometimes it is best that pre-ops know that this surgery is no walk in the park. We have to be aware of the cons as well as the pros of weight loss surgery. I know that Dee is in Heaven getting her wings and watching over her loved ones. Dee will be missed and forever loved. Her determination to lose weight and get healthy will always be an inspiration to me and motivate me to succeed where I have failed in the past.

04/30/01: In just another 14 days I have part 1 of my panniculectomy (tummy tuck). I am really looking forward to it but I still am a bit scared. I keep remembering the last time I was in the hospital for surgery I was in surgery for 9 hrs. and my hospital stay was for one month! I hope that this time because it is a less invasive procedure I will be in and out post haste. Please pray for my surgeon, surgery and speedy recovery.

I have one more appt. with Dr. V on May 9th before my surgery date on the 14th. He'll give me my B-12 shot, weigh me, and take FINAL picture of that hanging mass of stomach. I will be so happy when that skin is gone and I look halfway decent in clothing. I'll write after the appt. on the 9th. Blessings...

5/18/01: PANNICULECTOMY SURGERY CANCELLED!!!
My scheduled tummy tuck scheduled for this past Monday was cancelled because of a calcium deficiency which I have. I can't tell you how disappointed I was. Apparently when you are critically low in calcium you run the risk of a stroke or seizure when going through surgery. The anesthesiologist and Dr. V did not want to chance it and cancelled my surgery. I was ready and waiting with IVs in my arm when it was cancelled. I realize now that it was for the best.

So now my status is: tummy tuck pre-op. I am on two meds to build up my calcium and have doubled my calcium tablets which I take everyday. I have an appointment on 6/13 to have the blood test and B-12 shot. By that time the levels should be up and I can have the tummy tuck rescheduled.

LESSON LEARNED: Remember to take your vitamins and calcium especially!!

5/26/01: Well, Dr. V's office called me this week and said that if my calcium level is within normal range they will reschedule my tummy tuck for July! If you believe in the power of prayer... PLEASE pray to your God that the levels are normal. I really want to get this tuck before I go to Chicago in August. I need to feel as though I look good in order to feel good on vacation. (((((Hugs))))))

Good Luck to all the members waiting for approval.
God speed to all of those undergoing surgery before my next post.
Keep up the good work to all the post-ops.
Gloria

BLESSINGS, Gloria

July 29, 2001: Just one more day and I have my tummy tuck surgery. It has been a long haul to get to this point. My calcium level is still low (5.7) but Dr. V. says that he spoke to the Chief Anesthesiologist and they will take the necessary precautions so they won't have to cancel my surgery this time. I am feeling blessed to have never had to fight an insurance company for approval and blessed to be able to have this tummy tuck but satin does rear his ugly head now and then and puts doubts in my mind about my having another surgery. I hope that you all keep me in your Godly prayers for a safe and successful surgery.

Also, my dear friend, Dana Holman will be having surgery at the same hospital on Monday (7/30) and I would really wish that you say a little prayer for her too. She is a super lady who I know will make a success of this surgery for herself and family.

I will update you all when I return from the hospital. Bless you all! Gloria

9/17/01: It has been a long time since I updated. My apologies. My only excuse is that I've been going through a depression. I think I'm coming out of it now slowly but surely. Well, on 7/31 I did have my panni and 16 lbs. of excess skin was taken from my lower stomach! Hooray! The surgery was more painful than I remember the wls being. The doctor sent me home with two drains and the staples still in. One week after being released the drains were removed and one week after that the staples were removed. Although the drains were taken out I still leaked like crazy. Yuck! This week the hole finally closed and no more draining! Physically I am feeling so much better.

Now, the eating. I find that I am able to eat so much more than I could in the months following surgery. I have let myself go as far as eating the "wrong" foods and need to get back on track. I am (as of this day) starting a more structured eating plan. I don't want to gain any weight ever again!

That's it for now. God's blessings to you all! Gloria