God's Special Creation
One Year Today!
Jan 20, 2010
Wow! This has been a wonderful ride so far.
I haven't updated my page in a while, so here goes. Obama and I are 1 year in the making.
I can say that I am thankful for this one year without any complications. I have lost a total of 94 pounds. I want to lose another 30 pounds. And I will get there. Weight loss has slowed down. I hit a plateau for almost 3 months. I finally broke that plateau by upping my exercise. I have noticed that I have to exercise harder now. 
I can't get away with just doing the simple things I was doing before. It only helps my weight to stay where I am out. I have started taking spinning classes and I really like it. I wanted to try something different and it is really a workout!
I can see how old habits can creep back. But I refuse to go back to the size I was. Trying to hide behind the fat. I love myself more and more, and I deserve the best in life. So if I love myself I have to love my temple. We only get one, so I have to treat it right.
I understand that this is a life journey. I will have to deal with this for life. But I am determine to see this through, till the end. Though I may fall sometimes, I will get back up and keep on fighting. The race is not given to the swift, but the strong and determined that will win!
Smooches OH Family!
Angie
Current Weight:
21 Weeks Out!
Jun 16, 2009
Time goes by fast. I am so happy to say that I am down 76 pounds as of today!
This definitely is the most I ever lost! This has been an emotional and self-reflecting journey that I have embarked on. I am thankful to God for seeing me through.
I ask for continued guidance and motivation and support to continue on.It's funny but I was telling a good friend of mine that I don't see that much weight lost. But when she told me to compare my before and current pictures, I can really see a difference. I want to continue to lose weight and reach my goal. I have started back working out in the gym and lifting weights.
I continue to walk on my breaks and lunch time at work and also do the stairs. When I went to my 3 or really 4 month post op appointment the surgeon was pleased with my weight loss. But some of my vitamins were a little low. I am a little anemic. But all in all everything went well.
I have noticed that carbs do go down easily (just like Ms Shell said) and I see that you crave more. Not because you are hungry, but because it is just there. I try to keep them on the low. That old way of thinking is always there to slip back to. But I refuse to go back. I feel better mentally and physically. I am just taking it one day at a time by making sure I take my vitamins, get enough protein and drink enough water.
Thanks to my OH family and my Long Beach Coffee
family. I know that good or bad I can come to you all and get the support I need.Smooches to all!
9 Weeks Out
Mar 25, 2009
I finally broke out of the 240's. I have been sticking to my plan of no carbs or very, very low carbs. Protein always first. I'm moving. My water intake is good, but I want it better. I'm working on staying on top on my vitamin intake. I had a system while I was off work, but now it's an adjustment since going back to work. But I can handle it and that will work out. Just trying to fight a major cold. The first week I went back to work I caught a cold and it as been with me for 3 weeks now. I don't think I ever had a cold this bad. I have been trying to get my rest
so that I can fight this cold.Today I checked my bmi and it states that my weight is no longer severely obese. I am just obese. How funny.
52 pounds gone. My bmi is 39.7. I am taking any accomplishment that will help motivate me to reach my goal. This is one of many mini goals! I have not seen this weight since..............let me think, maybe mid, 20's. I am thankful to God for seeing me through.
Take care everyone and I will update again soon.
Smooches.
My Follow-Up Appt.
Feb 23, 2009
I didn't have any complications, except from being constipated
, but that is normal. I am doing better. I weighed in at 253. So I was excited. I am still trying to get in my protein and water. That is a task, but it gets better day by day. So I am glad that I can say, All is well. God is good. I will start documenting my progress on my weight at the bottom of the page.Take care.
Smooches,
Angie
Mission Accomplished!!!
Jan 27, 2009
I had my surgery on Inauguration Day! Me and Obama are making a change. The surgery was a success. No problems at all. I was weighed before surgery and I weighed 268 pounds. That means I lost a total of 23 pounds before surgery. I exceeded my goal of 12 - 15 pounds. I am so excited!
But the day after surgery I had gained 7 pounds! I was in shock! 
But I was told that it is from the IV and gas and it will drop off quickly. It did. Now I weigh 264 pounds.My stay in hospital was 2 days. I'm at home now recuperating. It has been a struggle to get the liquids in and I have problems sleeping at night. I just can't get comfortable. I have been sleeping on the bed and the couch and both have been uncomfortable. So I couldn't take it any more and went out and bought me a body pillow. It really worked. I was able to sleep the whole night and was not aching.
I also feel that I am mourning food. I can't eat it, not hungry at all; I just can't have it. My eyes are telling my brain that I should of ate this or tried that before surgery. So that is an adjustment.
So far this is only day 7, so I'm taking it one day at a time.
Until next time...
I DID IT!!!
Jan 09, 2009
I lost the weight! And they moved my surgery date up one day to January 20th. And it's on inauguration day. We both will be making history. LOL Now I'm a little nervous and excited at the same time. But I know God will see me through it.
I had to take yet another class, but this time it was at UCLA hospital. They had the nerve to give a quiz and homework also. The next day I had my pre-op consultation. I was so glad to see that scale say 274.2. That means I lost 13 pounds and I will try to lose more before my surgery. I will also take my "before" body measurements.
I will be checking back in soon on my progress.
Take care.
Smooches.
My Last Supper
I celebrated my last supper the Saturday before surgery at Rock Sugar Pan-Asian Restaurant in Century City. We had lunch there with my friends and I really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. The ambiance was really nice. I would definitely go back again.
Here is a picture below from the celebration.
December 2008
Dec 13, 2008
Everything is going well. I have completed my psch eval and all I have left to complete is my pre-op class. I will complete that next month on the 16th. So far I have lost 10 pounds. Whooohoo.
I want to continue lossing before my surgery date. Dr. Mehran wanted a weight loss of 12 or more and that is what I'm going to do.I have been doing my dvd and also walking. I also do the stairs at work. I did an extra flight or two each time I climb. I finally made it to the top last week. YEAH! That was 28 flights. I did it!
This weight will come off.Happy holidays to everyone and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.
Tentative Surgery Date
Nov 15, 2008
on Friday at work from the coordinator from UCLA, to set up a date for my surgery. I choose January 21, 2008. It's pending that I complete my psych eval and of course the weight loss. So as they say, my new B-Day might be January 21st. Until next time.
Smooches.
Nov 2008
Nov 06, 2008
Hey all.
I'm checking in to give an update on my consult with the surgeon on Nov. 3rd. To get to the point he wants me to lose 12-15 pounds since I did not lose my weight during Options class. 
He is also booked until January. So I that gives me time to get some weight off. But we are also going into the holidays so that will be something to deal with in itself. But I'm staying positive.
On another note, I had been fasting and praying for a while wondering which surgery I wanted to get. I have come to the conclusion that I want to have the vertical sleeve. I know that God answers pray and a funny story came out of this one. On Halloween, there was an OH conference here in the Los Angeles area. My good friend, Ms Shell, asked me meet her at the costume party.
I was really deciding if I should go there or somewhere else. But I decided to go. While I was there, I looked over and ask me friend was that Dr. Alveraz. I decided to go and speak with him. And I am so glad I did. We basically had a mini consult right there. I tell you God works in mysterious ways. I believe I was supposed to be there to talk with him. 
He was so nice and knowledgeable. He answered all my questions that I had even though I was not going to him to have my surgery. I think I have a little crush on him now, 
but that ‘s another story. He is so thrilled with the results of the VSG. He even told me to email him on whatever decision I make. I also spoke with his coordinator and she is wonderful also.
I’m glad to have met some new people from the board. I wish I was there for the entire conference, but maybe next time when I’m ready for a consult. 
That’s it for now.
Smooches.
Here is my guardian angel, Dr. Alvarez.
Even though he is not my surgeon, he is a wonderful doctor and he let me drill him with so many questions. God brought me their to meet him. If I was self pay, I would choose him. He is grrrreeeat! :-)
October 08
Oct 21, 2008
was on jury duty and picked as juror #5. I'm glad I was off work for about a week. Verdict-Not Guilty.
I'm glad I did my civic duty. 
Anyway, I wanted to check in with my progress. I turned in my paperwork to UCLA and they called me to schedule a appointment for my consult with the surgeon on November 3rd. The psychiatric called me to schedule an appointment also. I have been trying to call her back for almost 2 weeks now. I finally
UCLA back to find out the 411, and they told me she was on vacation. They said that she should be back by this Thursday. Well at least I know now what is going on and they also told me that after my consult I will get a list of doctors that I could choose. I have quite a few classmates from my Options program that are changing over to Kaiser South Bay. That was not one of our choices, so they have been filing grievences. I did not choose to do that. I know I have to go through a few hoops
with UCLA, but I don't mind, as long as get the end result. Now, if there are any problems, I know what to do. 
I also have classmates that have had their surgery or a date. I wish them the best and I will be praying for them.
Take care.
Smooches.
