Suzy Q Parker
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I've battled the obese monster most of my life. I can remember in grammar school being made fun of because of being overweight. No one knows how this makes you feel unless they have been in that particular boat. When I graduated from high school I weighed 199 pounds. I had to really work to keep the weight off. I've tried every diet under the sun. Success followed by failure. I lost 90 pounds in 1985 and was 20 pounds short of my goal weight. However, this was not an easy weight loss. I was on a high protein low carb diet, and worked out in the gym 6 days a week for 4 1/2 hours a day. I would get there at 4:15 p.m. and leave around nine at night. When I wasn't at the gym I was walking 3-5 miles a day. Needless to say I met my ex-husband and all of that went kaput. I gained it all back plus some when I became pregnant with my first son. I lost about 30 pounds after having him(there again working my buns off) just to get pregnant with my twins. After that I was a hopeless case. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get the weight off. Oh sure, a little here, a little there, plateau and give up, just to start over. So, when I finally decided to go ahead with the surgery, after hours of research and soul searching, I had my PCP refer me to a surgeon and he chose Dr. Berlin. My first consult was on June 29, 2004.

7/19/04: Dr. Berlin's office faxed my information to BCBS. Now it is a waiting game.

7/30/04: I called BCBS and they told me I was approved today!!!YIPEE!!! Now all I have to do is wait for BCBS to send the letter to my Doctor.

9/24/04: I haven't posted in a while. Sorry about that. I had my surgery set up for 9/22/04 but had to cancel due to financial reasons. Boy was I bummed out! Well low and behold my finances took a turn for the good. I was given the money owed to me by someone. Now my surgery is scheduled for October 6th.

9/27/04: Tonight was really emotional. I sat each of my children down and explained the surgery to them. Even the fact that I could die from this. I told them why I was doing it and that no matter what the outcome I wanted them to know how much I would always love them. They seem to be okay with the decision to go ahead with this surgery. My daughter took it the hardest, but she said she supports me and understands.

9/29/04: Went for pre-op today. Every one was so nice. They wanted me to pay my co-pay but I wouldn't. Who knows what may happen between now and next Wednesday. They will get their money after I have the surgery. NOT BEFORE!!!! I'm really getting excited now--scared too.

10/1/04: Had to go for more blood work. Surgery is still on for 10/6/05.

10/8/04: I'm home! The surgery went great. The only problem I had was the gas. It went away after I was able to get up and walk and drink.

Chest = 45
Bust = 53.5"
Waist = 45"
Hips = 62"
Thighs = 32"
Calfs = 18"
Upper Arm = 20"
Lower Arm = 11.75"
Neck = 17"
Wrist = 7"

10/11/04: My goodness! How come when we can't eat every commercial on TV shows foods? I'd kill for some of that stuff! However, I've followed my Drs orders to the letter. I just keep reminding myself that one day I can eat what is shown only I won't eat the whole thing anymore. It is also a killer to have to cook all the good food for my children and watch them eat it. Oh well, I'll go have my supper now. Watch out TUMS here I come!

10/14/04: I went for my first post surgery doctor visit today. I had lost 17 pounds. If you add this to the 9 I lost before surgery that makes a total of 26 pounds. YIPEE!!!!! So far the surgery has been a breeze. I've not gotten sick on anything yet. I hope everything continues the same way.

11/10/04: Well today is the big day. I go back to the doctor today. I haven't weighed since 10/14. But boy have the inches come off. 16 inches so far! YIPEE!!! All my clothes are getting too big. I guess I'll have to get out the sewing machine. Can't afford new ones just yet. My appointment is at 3:30. So I'll post the results later today.

I got to the doctor's office and he wasn't there! Can you believe it? He was off until Monday. They forgot to call and reschedule my appointment. Oh well. The nurse let me weigh anyway and I've lost another 8 pounds. For a grand total of 34 pounds (counting pre-surgery loss). Can't complain--too much--with the results so far. I go back on 12/2 for my visit (if he is there that is).

Chest = 43"
Bust = 50"
Waist = 48.75"
Hips = 61"
Thighs = 30"
Calfs = 17.5"
Upper Arm = 18"
Lower Arm = 11.25"
Neck = 15.75"
Wrist = 6.5"

12/2/04: Well I went back to the doctor today. Counting the 9 pounds pre-op, I've lost 48 pounds! This surgery is the greatest! I couldn't have made a better decision.

12/5/04: Well I'm down more inches and pounds. This is great!

Chest = 42"
Bust = 49.5"
Waist = 47"
Hips = 57"
Thighs = 27.25"
Calfs = 16.75"
Upper Arm = 17.5"
Lower Arm = 11"
Neck = 14.75"
Wrist = 6.5"

01/06/05: A new year and an ever changing new me. I have had absolutely no problems! This operation is a God send for me. I am now done to 257 pounds. A total loss of 67 pounds.

Chest = 40.25"
Bust = 47"
Waist = 45.5"
Hips = 56"
Thighs = 26.75"
Calfs = 16.25"
Upper Arm = 17"
Lower Arm = 10.75"
Neck = 14.5"
Wrist = 6.5"

I'll be updating again next month!

2/6/05: Well today I'm four months out. I weigh 242 pounds, down a total of 82 pounds. I've lost more inches too.

Chest: = 39"
Bust = 45.5"
Waist = 43"
Hips = 50.5"
Thighs = 26"
Calfs = 16.25"
Upper Arm = 16"
Lower Arm = 10.5"
Neck = 14.25"
Wrist = 6.5"

I feel great and have had no problems at all. Knock on wood...I pray it stays that way. This surgery has been a blessing. I wish all obese people were able to have it. If only the insurance companies wouldn't be so greedy. Oh well I guess that is what they are in business for...to make money. And if they can keep you dependent on the medicine and all then they have you where they want you.

I'll update again next month!

3/8/05: Went back to the doctor today. By his scales I've lost 92 pounds (counting the 9 before surgery). He is sending me to have an ultrasound done on my gall bladder. Having problems with anything that has a lot of fat in it. I try to stay away from anything fried. I'll post the results in a couple of days.

Chest: = 37.5"
Bust = 43.5"
Waist = 41.5"
Hips = 50"
Thighs = 25"
Calfs = 16.25"
Upper Arm = 15"
Lower Arm = 10.25"
Neck = 13.5"
Wrist = 6.25"

3/15/05: Well the results are in. I have to have my gall bladder removed. Bummer. But I guess with all things considered this isn't the worst that could have happened. I go on the 24th to set up my surgery date. Another vacation either lost or used for surgery. Maybe next year I can use it for the fun stuff! Like go to the beach. Yeah right. Not with all this baggy skin following me around! I'll go after plastic surgery....around 3-4 years from now.

4/6/05:

Well I'm here to tell you gall bladder / hernia surgery sucks! I hurt so bad! Thank God for pain medication. I think the hernia part of it is what was the most painful. I don't see where I could have hurt any worse if I had been hit by a truck! Good grief. I'm getting better with each passing day. Good news is I got to have another week off work. Possibly more. Can't go back until after I see my doctor on the 11th. Another month behind me and I'm down to 221 pounds. That makes a total loss of 103 pounds! Yipee!!!

Chest: = 37.25"
Bust = 43"
Waist = 39.75"
Hips = 48"
Thighs = 24"
Calfs = 15.75"
Upper Arm = 14.75"
Lower Arm = 9.75"
Neck = 13.25"
Wrist = 6.25"

5/2/05: Well today was a crappy day. I went to work as usual and when I get there the big boss calls us into his office one by one and gives us our final paychecks and tells us he is closing the doors. The thanks us for all our hard work and says you can go home now. I was the bookkeeper and never saw this coming. I figured cut back to a skeletan crew until the dry kiln was up a running but never them throwing the towel in. Well another 15 years down the drain. I was so hoping to stay with this company until I retired. I really loved the job. I trust God to put me in a better position. I'll keep you posted on the job hunting.

5/6/05: Wow I can't believe that it has been seven months already. I'm getting more and more compliments on my weight loss. My weight loss has slowed some but that's okay. Just as long as it is coming off is what counts. I'm down to 210 pounds for a total loss of 114 pounds.

Chest: = 36.5"
Bust = 41.5"
Waist = 36.5"
Hips = 46"
Thighs = 23"
Calfs = 15.5"
Upper Arm = 14"
Lower Arm = 9.5"

5/23/05: I did it..I did it!! I made it to onederland! I'm so happy! It's official too. I went back to the doctor today for a follow up on my hernia repair. He was so pleased with my progress. Man oh man, this surgery is the best thing I have ever done for myself.

5/24/05: Well I started my new job today. I'm not sure if it is what I want to do the rest of my life. I hope things pick up some. I really wanted to get back into the whole accounting field. Not just Payables/Payroll. I like following through with the whole accounting process. Call me crazy, but I'm still looking. Who knows, there may still be the perfect job out there for me.

6/6/05: Well today is my 8 month anniversary for WLS. I'm down 128 pounds. It has been a wonderful 8 months. My life has changed dramatically. Smaller clothes and more self esteem and confidence! My new job is getting some what better. Still hanging in there; however, I did go on another interview that I hope pans out for me. It is closer to home and better benefits.

Chest: = 36"
Bust = 41.5"
Waist = 37.5"
Hips = 46"
Thighs = 22.75"
Upper Arm = 13.5"

Still losing pounds and inches. It has just slowed down a lot. But hey I'm not complaining. I'll take every inch and pound I can get! Until next time. TTFN

9/6/05: What can a I say? It has been a while since I've updated my profile. I have a new job and I love it! I'm the Assistant Controller for an oil company. It is much more interesting than the imaging center. Here are my latest stats:

Bust = 37.5"
Chest/Bra = 33.5"
Waist = 33"
Hips = 42"
Thighs = 20.5"
Calfs = 14.5"
Upper Arm = 11.75"
Lower Arm = 9"
Neck = 12.75"
Wrist = 6 1/4"

I'm down 155 pounds. I'll update again next month!

10/6/2005: Where do I begin? Today is my one year anniversary for WLS. It has been fun and exciting to get back into living life to the fullest instead of just letting life go by. I met my overall goal to be half the woman I was a year ago.

Bust = 37."
Chest/Bra = 32.5"
Waist = 32.75"
Hips = 41.25"
Thighs = 20.25"
Calfs = 14.25"
Upper Arm = 10.75"
Lower Arm = 9"
Neck = 12.75"
Wrist = 6"

I'm down 165 pounds.

11/06/2005: I'm 13 months out today. Can you believe that people are now telling me that I don't need to lose anymore weight. Hello people...according to the charts I'm still overweight. I don't want to stop losing until the charts says I'm in the normal weight range. Another 5-10 pounds should do it. Then it will be time to start thinking about plastics. Mind you I said think about it, and I don't plan on thinking about it until after I'm out 2 years. I want to maintain my weight and make sure I'm through losing before I go through that. I wonder if they could lipo this fat from my butt that has fallen down the back of my legs and put in into some baggies and give me back some of my boobs!

Bust = 36.5"
Chest/Bra = 32.5"
Waist = 31.5"
Hips = 41"
Thighs = 19.75"
Calfs = 14"
Upper Arm = 10.5"
Lower Arm = 9"
Neck = 12.5"
Wrist = 6"

I'm down a total of 169 pounds with an overall inch lose of 133.75 inches.

1/06/06: Happy New Year everyone! Boy has the past year been fun. Something I couldn't have said a year ago. I lost more weight and inches.

Bust = 36"
Chest/Bra = 32.25"
Waist = 30.25"
Hips = 40"
Thighs = 19"
Calfs = 13.75"
Upper Arm = 10."
Lower Arm = 9"
Neck = 12"
Wrist = 6"

I'm down a total of 173 pounds with an overall inch lose of 140.25 inches.

1/15/06: Just a quick update on a WOW moment for me. Just out of curiousity I went into my 15 year old daughters closet and tried on some of her clothes. Guess what they fit! And if I do say so myself they fit me better than they do her. In fact she had had to give me some of her blouses because she can't get in them anymore. She isn't fat mind you, but it just gripes her good that I'm getting smaller than her. LOL. I warned her but she didn't believe me.

02/06/06: Just a quick update. I now 16 months out. Down 177 pounds and 144 1/4 inches. This surgery has truly been a blessing for me.

Bust = 35.75"
Chest/Bra = 32"
Waist = 30"
Hips = 40"
Thighs = 18.5"
Calfs = 13.5"
Upper Arm = 9.5"
Lower Arm = 8.75"
Neck = 12"
Wrist = 6"

Now if I could just get off this yo-yo loss. I've lost and gained the same 5 pounds I bet 10 times. No ones fault but mine. I made the mistake and found out that sugar doesn't bother me. Now I can't seem to stay out of the candy dish. GRRRRR. I need to get back to the basics and plan on doing so. Until next time.

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