Cathy C
2/10/03: Just starting the process. Made appt for consult today (appt is 3/26/03). Praying for God's will and for good things.
3/26/03: Had consult with my surgeon today. So far everything looks good to go. I'm opting for a lap and thankfully I'm a candidate. Surgeon was VERY honest about the risks. Of course it makes me nervous, but I am convinced more and more that it's worth it. Next Step: Psych Assassment to meet the requirements for insurance. Waiting to see if approved. Here we go!
7/11/03: I have a date! It's October 16, 2003. I am so excited and very relieved. I just can't wait to get on the other side and start my new life. PRAISE GOD!
7/14/03: Turned in my request for leave at work today. Feel real good about it. Has some officiality to it now.
8/21/03: first pre-op meeting today. Had my blood gasses done and chest x-ray. I will not have to have a sleep apnea test (Thank You, Lord!). I gained some weight since the consult. I need to be very careful. Exercise...ugh! Going to buy a stationary bike. I can't risk another sprained or fractured ankle before surgery.
10/14/03: Two more days! My second pre-op meeting went well. I lost a few of what I had gained. It's a go for surgery! As I get this close, God continues to confirm that this is His blessing for me. I will be left "limping" for the rest of my life, but I will be a new person (Genesis 23). Thank God!
10/19/03: I'm on the other side! Praise God! Surgery went well. The surgeon even found a hernia from my tubal that he fixed. I got a two-fer. I got home yesterday...3 days in the hospital. that was enough. It's good to be home. I'm very tired, and have such a hard time drinking water since I feel so bloated. The kids are so cute. They remind me to drink and count when I use my sperometer. Jim has been an awesome support. I can't thank the Lord enough for this.
10/22/03: I can't believe this! I weighed myself for the first time since I got home. I've lost 8 pounds in less than a week after surgery! WOW! I started a graph in my personal journal. I realize I will not always be losing this fast, but it sure feels good and encouraging at this point.
10/29/03: I had my first post-op visit with the surgeon this morning. I've lost 14.2 pounds! WOW! The surgeon says I'm doing well. I can go onto softs now. I'm glad of that. I was getting very bored. I ran in to a woman in the program at the lab. She is 3 months out and has lost over 50 lbs. It was SO encouraging to talk with her. I'm on my way! Thank the Lord!
11/12/03: Second Post-op visit today. I'm now down 21.2 pounds! I thought that was really good, but the nurse told me that an average loss for a month is 30 pounds. I'm trying not to be discouraged. On to fish! CRAB! Woo hoo! I feel pretty good. Still trying to get all my protein in. I'm returning to work full-time on Monday (11/17). I hope I can keep up. I have been praying about my time. I am feeling a little convicted about not exercising. I have decided that I need to get up a half hour earlier in the morning to exercise and pray. That was confirmed by my Bible study partner. It feels good to be starting a new, healthier lifestyle. Praise God!
12/16/03: 2 months post today and I'm down 38.5 pounds. It seems like I should be losing faster, but I'll take it! Seems I can eat much more than I used to. I'm being careful.
1/16/04: 3 months post today. I'm now down 50 pounds! I'm ok with the loss. I got my labs back and my ldls are too high, although my total cholesterol is fine. Going to eat egg whites only and oatmeal every other day rather than eggs every day. Maybe that'll help. Getting lots of compliments. I REALLY need to exercise more.
2/4/04: Got on the scale today and I'm now down 53 pounds. I don't think I'm getting enough protein in. My hair is starting to fall out. This morning I REALLY noticed it. I need to work harder to get the protein in and drink more water. Still not exercising.
Co-workers are starting to compliment big-time. I even had a couple people ask about the surgery for themselves.
2/28/04: Well, I finally hit 60 pounds! Wow, I'm so excited. I put my monthly photos in a file. I keep going back from beginning to present. It's unbelievable. I'm not even down 100 pounds and the change is amazing. It's getting to be Spring outside finally. I can't wait to get outside and start exercising more.
3/20/04: 5 months post. I am now down 62.5 pounds. I have hit a bit of a plateau and know that unless I start exercising, I will not get off of it anytime soon. The weather really has me down and I can't wait to get out of this snow and on to REAL Spring.
3/27/04: Well, I did it! I actually SQUEEZED into a size 18 this week. It's been at least 12 years since a size 18 got over my hips. Thank you, Lord! I am now down 65.5 pounds.
4/12/04: Went for my 6 month check up with my surgeon. He is happy with my wieght loss, but said I need to exercise now. My weight loss has slowed down considerably since February. He said that would happen, but it does not have to slow down THAT much if I would just exercise. I know, I know! Just finding the time with a full-time job and 3 kids...it is such a huge task for me. So, the visit was good, but not great!
5/16/04: Well, it's been 6 months and I'm down 73 pounds. It seems like I've REALLY slowed down. I'm doing the President's Challenge and walking 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. I'm doing it at lunch, so it helps. People are really noticing and I'm enjoying the attention. :)
6/16/04: Down 75 pounds. Still walking. Weight still isn't coming off very fast. I was hoping to be down 100 by the end of July for our beach vacation. Not going to happen. But, I'm comfortably into size 18/20. I can't believe I started out in a 30/32!
10/16/04: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to me! One year post and down 85 pounds! I feel GREAT! I'm actually wearing size 16 now. I have a feeling that sizes have actually gotten larger. I haven't been in a 16 since I graduated from high school in 1982. My wedding gown is an 18. I haven't had the guts to put it on yet. I see my surgeon again on Monday. I hope he is pleased. I've met so many people who have thought about having the surgery. I say, "go for it". God has really blessed me with this surgery. I feel like I have so much more to give my husban, my kids, myself and God. Unbelievable! Thank God!
1/16/05: One year and 3 months. I'm down 93 pounds. I'm almost under 200! I've not been there for 15 years! Wow. My life has changed so much. I feel like I have a second chance; like God rewound my clock 10 years. Some amazing things are happening now. My husband got a new job on San Juan Island, Washington. We're moving! I don't have to work, and I'm going to be staying home with my kids. I'm so excited! I've really wanted to simplify my life and add things like a regular exercise routine. Now, I can do it! I wouldn't have been able to imagine moving to a place like San Juan Island 2 or 3 years ago. It's SO "outdoorsy". I wouldn't have the energy to walk down the driveway to get the mail, much less walk the beaches and maybe even (gulp) go sea kyacking. Now I'm ready! I can't wait to get out there and walk the island. I'm ready to take it to the next level...here we go!
11/2/05: I'm past my 2 year anniversary and in a new life out here in the Northwest. This surgery has changed my life in so many ways. However, I am not loosing weight anymore. In fact, I've recently put some back on. I was at 202 the last time I posted...1/16/05. I went down to 198 before we came out here 2/05. Now I'm back up to 208. I joined Curves in June of this year, but have only gone periodically. I can't get there on a regular basis with the kids' schedules and whatever other excuses I can come up with. I am also grazing again. I am at home a lot now and around food...something I was not doing when I was working outside of the home. I finally fit into size 16 jeans and they are now very tight on me. I REFUSE to buy size 18s. So...I need to get back to basics and get my butt in gear again. I just can't let myself throw this change away. Lord, Help Me!