Bobbi CT
9/29/05 - I had my original meeting with Dr. Ehrlich. All aspects of the surgery was discussed - the pros and cons. He feels I am a good candidate for gastric bypass surgery
10/04/05 - Today I went for my cardiac evaluation (stress test). The rest of this month is filled with different dates for the various appointments required by my doctor's group.
10/31/05 - I have had my stress test, physical exam by my primary physician, mental health evaluation, meeting with a nutritionist, pulmonary clearance, an upper endoscopy with a Gastroenterologist, and finally a full blood workup and an ultra sound to rule out gall stones. I will have my sleep study on 11/12 and a meeting with a pre-op support group on 11/17.
11/09/05 - Just found out today that I have to go for an upper GI due to the hiatal hernia that showed up on my endoscopy. Date for that is 11/19. Also found out I have to have surgery on my right knee for a torn meniscus. That is set for 12/21. Will keep you all updated of my progress.
11/22/05 - Well, all my pre-op requirements have been met and I spoke with the doctor's office and they are just waiting for the results to be sent in. Unfortunately, the sleep study can take up to 3 weeks to be sent so now it's a wait and see game. I'm hopeful that all will go well and I'll get my surgery date in the next couple of weeks. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
11/23/05 - Just got the call from Dr. Ehrlich's office - my surgery date has been scheduled for 12/13/2005 and I couldn't be happier. I will start my pre-op diet right after Thanksgiving which is great because I can get a nice holiday meal in before dieting. I am so pumped about this. If I was thin (of course then I wouldn't need surgery) I would be doing cart wheels around the room.
11/27/05 - Had a nice Thanksgiving but it was followed by sad news a few days later. My younger sister passed away on Saturday morning of a massive heart attack. She was 62 and on the road to recovery after surgery for cancer. Guess her heart just gave out. It's so hard when it's this quick but then again I'm happy she didn't suffer. Right now I'm fighting the mental anguish of her death and all the "what if's" that people go thru at a time like this. I'm trying real hard to keep a positive attitude and remember all the good times we had.
12/03/05 - Went for my pre-surgery appointment with Dr. Ehrlich Thursday afternoon. It was a hard day as that was the day we buried my sister. Emotions were running hard, but in a way the diversion helped me. Talked to Dr. Ehrlich who advised that there is a possibility that Medicare won't cover the surgery. They've come out with something new stating they will not cover this surgery for anyone over 65. This is a big disappointment but if I have to, I'll pay for the surgery myself. I figure I'm worth it. So everything is set for my surgery on 12/13/05. I'm excited and afraid at the same time. I'm also extremely emotional these days and cry at the drop of a hat. The death of my sister has really hit me hard but also made me realize how very important good health is so I am looking forward to a thinner and healthier way of life.
12/16/05 - Well I've had my surgery this past Tuesday and all went well. I can't believe how good I feel. I still don't feel like I've even had surgery. No pain, no nausea, no swelling and just a little gas. I had an extremely pleasant stay in St. Vincent's hospital where all of the staff were very helpful and agreeable. The room and halls were very clean and the beautiful pictures on the walls in the hallways made my walks very enjoyable. I came home yesterday (Thursday) and am on my clear liquid diet which is going fine. The doctor is thrilled with my progress and I even stopped in to his office (which is in St. V's) on my way out of the hospital. I was given the choice of a wheel chair or walking out when I left the hospital and I chose walking. I feel absolutely great and am looking forward to the Step 2 of my liquid diet which will start next Tuesday. I have to see Dr. Ehrlich on Thursday, the 22nd so I will post my results of that visit when I get them.
6/25/06 - Can't believe it's been 6 months since my surgery. I went for my 6 months checkup and was very happy. I'm down from 296 to 212. That's a total weight loss of 84 lbs. I feel great and have joined Curves and try to attend a minimum of 3 times a week. Still having a little problem with intake of protein via food so still supplement it with protein shakes. The support from my family and friends is unbelievable. They are constantly telling me how proud they are that I had the surgery and how good I look. I am so glad I told my younger sister about this surgery (just before she passed away) because she was so happy I was finally doing something about my weight. I know she's looking down from Heaven and sending me a cheer of how proud she is of me. God I miss her so much.
I find it's the little things I'm enjoying, like putting my foot on my knee to tie my shoes or sitting in a chair without feeling it might break. I'm looking forward to visiting my sons in TX in August and being able to sit in the seat on the plane without taking up two seats and not having trouble fastening my seatbelt. When I bought my Nissan Pathfinder in 2003 I was disappointed that the seat didn't go back any further because I felt I was on top of the steering wheel. Now I find that I have to move the seat up a bit to be comfortable. Who knew it was because I was fat that there wasn't enough room.
I saw a picture of myself that someone took at a child's birthday party last July and I was in shock. You don't realize how you look to others until you see a photo that shows you what you really look like. I knew I was fat but didn't realize how bad I looked. I always avoided taking pictures and therefore didn't see what everyone else saw. If you have any question about how you really look please have a family member or close friend take one of you. It really opens your eyes. And if you are questioning your decision on whether to have this surgery or not, just look at that picture and you'll get your answer. Besides the fact that you don't look healthy, you are not healthy. It's like someone coming up to you with a big bag of sand that weighs over 100 lbs or more and tells you that you must carry this all the time whether you get tired or not. The strain you put on your heart and body by carrying all the extra weight is unbelievable. I feel better and better everyday.
9/14/06 - I didn't realize it's been so long since I last posted. So let's do an update. I am now weighing in at 188 lbs. That's a total weight loss of 108 lbs. I'm so excited in so many ways. I can do things now that I know were impossible 9 months ago. Standing in a line with my daughter for over an hour. Sounds simple but when you're carrying so much extra weight it's a big thing to just stand for 5 minutes without having to lean on something or find somewhere to sit. I have decided to buy very cheap clothing because whatever I buy doesn't fit me after about 1 month.
I try to make the support meetings every month at St. Vincent's Hospital. Just listening to what others are going through is a great help. Recently went on vacation with my best friend. We went to New Jersey for a birthday party, went to Texas to visit my sons and then went to New York for a reunion. I was amazed that I had the stamina to do those things and not get tired. I feel so great.
