Tammy S.

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

~~~ August 19, 2004 ~~~
I went to my PCP & he said that I should have WLS. Today I weighed 326. Which is a lot lower than I thought. My PCP said he would fix up a letter & fax it to Jackson. He had already told me a year ago to have WLS. But, I didn't listen to him. I'm listening now though. Now if I can just make my feet move. I'm happy. I'm scared. I want to have this done.

 ~~~ August 24, 2004 ~~~
Today, Susan from the Dr's office called. She was looking for my referral letter from my PCP. She had to call his office get them to fax it to her. Later my PCPs' secretary called & said that she had faxed it. They told me that if I haven't heard anything from the Dr.'s office within a few days, to call them back.
My face lite up like a Christmas Tree when Susan called me.  I was completely happy & smiles for the rest of the day. I'm excited & a little scared. It seems like the ball is finally starting to roll. Which is a great thing. I guess really I've got a lot done. I just really started trying to have WLS in July.

~~~ August 26, 2004 ~~~
Spoke with Susan at the Dr.'s office. My PCP did fax my referral to them. The Dr has it & Susan is waiting for him to look over it & then give her the go ahead to make me an appointment. Once he gives her the go ahead, Susan said that she would call me with an appointment.

~~~ Sept. 10, 2004 ~~~
Susan called today with my appointment. It is Sept. 28 2004 @ 9:30am, however she said that I would have to watch a 30 minute movie & to be there at 9:00am. I am so happy that this is finally starting to take form. It is about time. But considering how excited I am, I guess it hasn't been long. I actually started this whole process.

~~~ Sept. 28, 2004 ~~~
I went to see the Dr. this morning. According to his scales, I weighed 342.2 lbs. I got there at 9:00am to watch a movie which was about 20 mins. long. I was taken to an examining room. Within 10 minutes, the Doctor was in there. The Dr. is a very sweet person. When he came in, he introduced himself. Smiled the whole time. I didn't get to ask many questions, he covered everything. He explained the two different types of surgery that they do. He made sure that what he was saying was understood. Which is a nice thing in today's world. He did not rush in & out. Which was very nice. And very different from most Doctors. My husband went to the appointment with me, & even he liked him. He was actually very pleased with the Doctor also. The Doctor asked me a few questions & checked me over. Then he told me that I was a prefect candidate to have WLS. He wants me to have a sleep study to be on the safe side. I need to have my Neurologist send over my records to they can find out if my spinal cyst drain is ran into my stomach. Also, if I could get a psych exam done in my town, to go ahead if I wanted too. That it would not expire. His office will set up appointments for the things that I need done. They will be calling me with the dates, times & locations. The Dr. also told me that with no more than what I had to have done to
get ready for surgery, that I should be ready to go in 2-3 months. But, that it was a long drawn out thing to be patient.
Yeah Right!!! I'm so excited that I can hardly wait. And if being so excited is not enough, I think that my Doctors looks favor the actor Brendan Frasier. So more than likely the whole time I was in there with him, I probably had a crazy looking smile all across my face. Even my Hubby said he looked like Brendan Frasier. So that should prove that I'm not crazy... On that subject anyway. lol

~~~ Oct 5, 2004 ~~~
I got some mail today from the hospital. It is appointments to have my Pulmonary Lab Test done & an appointment with the Sleep Disorder Clinic. Of course the appointment for the Pulmonary Lab Test was TODAY at 11:00am. Which makes me very upset. I just got the letter at the Post Office today about 4:30pm. So, it has been changed. My Pulmonary Lab test will be done on Oct. 15, 2004 at 11:00am. My Sleep Disorder appointment is on Jan. 11, 2005 at 9:30am

~~~ Oct. 7, 2004 ~~~
I got my appointment today for my psyhc evaluation. I go Oct. 13, 2004. It will cost $100.00 for this test alone. Which I've been told is a great bargain.

~~~ Oct. 13, 2004 ~~~
I went this evening for my phsyc evaluation. It took about 2.5 hrs. to complete. There was ONLY 565 questions on one test.
And about 15 on another test. The Dr. talked with me, my hubby, & my child for about 30 mins. When they left, we talked for about 30 mins. before I took the test. All went really well. 
I  really liked this Doctor. He works out of his home. He was very friendly & talkative. I would recommend him to others.
He charged $100.00 to do the testing.
Once the test is "graded" he will send a copy to the Dr. & he will send me a copy of it also. He did say that he would like to start seeing people back at least twice after surgery. About a month after & then in about 2 more months. It sounds like a good idea. Because you will be going through so many changes. It'll help to have someone to talk to about it on a professional level.

~~~ Oct. 15, 2004 ~~~
I went to Jackson today for my pulmonary testing. The stick for drawing blood wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Which I prayed the whole time, so that is why. I had to clamp my nose shut and breath into a tube. The lady that did the test would make a very good coach. Breath in, Breath out. Over & over. Blow it out, keep blowing keep blowing over & over.
There was a lot of heavy breathing going on. I was tired when it was over. There is so much work at all that breathing a certain way. But at least it is behind me. Now I am done until December. Unless they come up with something else. Or if my Dec. appointment gets changed. Hopefully it will be made sooner. That would really be nice.

~~~ Oct. 25, 2004 ~~~
Tonight I went to my first support group meeting at the UMC. It was fun & I met a lot of great people that I only knew online. The Speaker was from Vita-mist. He came to talk about their products. They gave everyone there a sample. It wasn't too bad, considering it is a vitamin. The speaker was cute but not for sale.

~~~ Dec. 9, 2004 ~~~
Today I had an appointment at the Jackson Medical Mall. They took blood to & see if I am a diabetic or if I have any type of thyroid problems. They did a physical type check up also. We were there for about 3 hours in all. Hubby asked how long of a wait were we looking at before we would get a surgery date. She said that it could be from 4 weeks to 2 months.
That is kinda what we were thinking. I guess time will tell though.

~~~ Jan. 13, 2005 ~~~
Today I had a Nutrition Class at 9:30 with Emmy Parks. She is a very sweet person. There was 7 of us in the class. Which two us of had our support person there with us. We learned a lot of things, mostly about protein. That is a very big must after surgery. If you don't get enough, your gonna have a lot of problems. Plus, your hair will start falling out. I knew these things,
but it never hurts to hear them again & again. Measure Measure Measure !!! Everything you eat or drink after surgery. Make sure that your getting enough water & the right foods.

~~~ Feb. 1, 2005 ~~~
Today I finally had my appointment with the SDC. Dr. Rack said I might have a mild case of sleep apnea. He wants to do a sleep study to be safe. Since I live so far from the hospital he made arrangements for me to pick up a home testing monitor today. I'll sleep with it on and mail it back to the company. They will download all the info & send it to the doctor. I go back March 1st to find out the results.

~~~ Feb. 11, 2005 ~~~
Today I got a letter from Dr. Rack at the SDC. He said the test showed there was a chance that I may have OSA.
He wants me to come in & for a split-night sleep study on May 22. I called a local hospital to see about getting it done sooner & what was required to get it done. The lady told me to come in on Feb. 23 at 12:00 & see Dr. Hull. To have a sleep study local would cost $2500.00. They will even work with you on paying it out. Which is great since I'm self-pay.However, I'm not sure if it is best to go ahead & have it here. My surgeon is booked through April with surgeries anyway. So, its not like I'd get in any faster. Plus, do I really want to rush this ? There's a reason God is throwing up little detours for me. I'm not sure if messing with his plan is such a good idea. All Things Happen For A Reason. Even if we don't know why or understand.
So, I'm gonna scratch my head & pray a lot & think on this one.

~~~ April 13, 2005 ~~~
Today about 2:30pm I got a phone call from the SDC at the UMC.  They had a cancellation and wanted to know if I could come over for the test. Well of course the answer was YES !!! We got over there about 6:00pm (never hurts to be early).
And I guess it is a good thing that we did. I was SO sick to my stomach. NERVES !!! Don't know why, but I was scared to death. I guess it was the thought of my hubby leaving me there in this strange place all by myself. Well, they got me all hooked up to all the gazillion wires. I could have tuned in a radio station 6 miles away I think. They let my hubby stay there & watch TV with me till I got sleepy. Before I went to lay down, they said another family was suppose to be there for a test & since they didn't show up, hubby could stay the night in the other testing room. Boy was I glad to hear that it was a huge load off of my mind. I went to sleep about 9:00pm & got up about 1:30am to go to the restroom. Next thing I knew, they were getting me up a little before 6:00am. Kinda odd though, it was suppose to be a split night sleep study. (cpap mask half the night) Now I'm wondering, do I even need one. I know the techs know just as much about the test results as the doctor. So, I'm thinking that maybe I don't need a cpap machine. Maybe they are thinking the same thing. Stands to reason that if there were any signs that I did need one, they would have done the other half of the testing. Maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part. Hope Not !!! Now, my head is full of goo from He!!. I'm thinking that I may never get all this junk out of my hair. I have very thick hair, which is making it worse. They said wash my hair with the hottest water that I could stand.
Didn't work to well though. I'll be picking out goo for a year !!! If I'm lucky, I'll be done picking in a year. I go back on April 28, 2005 @ 8:30am for the results. Pray they got what they needed & I don't need the CPAP !!!

~~~ April 28, 2005 ~~~
Today my appointment was @ 8:30am to get the results of my sleep study.THANK GOD I DON'T NEED A CPAP MACHINE !!!
The doctor that I was in a "gray" area. I never stopped breathing during the test. However my breathing did get shallow.
But not to the point of affecting my heart rate, oxygen levels, etc. The Dr. is going to send a letter stating that I'm cleared from this step. But he wants me to come back in 4 months to see how things are going. And should I have any problems or questions to come back !!! So I guess now all I should like is an EKG & I'll be ready for a surgery date !!! At least I hope so..... Praying & keeping fingers crossed !!!

~~~ May 11, 2005 ~~~
Wouldn't you know it !!! I swear, sometimes I think people are just plain crazy. Wednesday on the 4th, I called to see what all I liked to having clearance for surgery. Well, the lady told me that she wasn't at the Obesity Clinic & that she would be there on the 5th (Thursday) & she would look & call me back Friday. Well, she calls back on Friday (the 6th) & leaves me a message
stating that I need to have my "liver panel" re-checked. One of the enzymes was sightly high. She will send me a letter of what I needed to have done so I could get it done at my local PCP. Now here is the kicker. The first test was done on Dec. 9, 2004. Why is she just now saying something about it ? HELLO !!! That was 5 months ago. Why this long of a wait. I swear I could have choked her. I know that things happen for a reason. I know that God has his own plan for me. Which is GREAT.
Now, moving on with the good info..... I went to my PCP & he did an EKG & a chest X-Ray. The results were good. No problems there what so ever. I go back in the morning to have the blood work. So, no eating after midnight.

~~~ May 13, 2005 ~~~
I got an email today from Susan Mixon.
She is the N.P. that makes sure all the tests are completed for surgery. This is the email:
Dear Ms. Shelton,
The Obesity Management Team meets once a month to discuss pending issues and to decide if patients are safely cleared for surgery. I have not received the updated lab, but our plans are to review your information (pending receipt of the lab) at the June meeting. Once we have cleared you, surgery will notify you of a date. Thank you for being so expedient in replying to our request.
Susan Pee Mixon, NP-C

So now I just wait. I hope it doesn't take long till all the results are faxed in. Lets hope that June is my lucky month & I am picked for surgery !!!

~~~ June 14, 2005 ~~~
I went to the UMC support group meeting tonight. After feeling as though I have been jerked around enough by the
B.S.C., I decided that it was time to step up & let someone know about it. For a while now I have thought that it was just me having problems with her. You know, you never want to say anything because your too embarrassed. You figure that everything your going through, is only happening to you. Or that maybe, just maybe you did something to deserve it.
Well, after mentioning this to a friend, it turns out several others are basically going through the same thing. The cases may be a little different, but they are all being given the run around by the same lady also. One lady has been given the run round so much, that she is going out of State to find a doctor.

Now mind you, this isn't the doctor doing this. He is a great person. I have no complaints with him what so ever. But I do with the BSC. And she knows it. Now. I went to the support group meeting to try & get some answers face to face.
You see every time you call the BSC, 99% of the time you get her voice mail. On the 1% when you do get her, she always tells you that she will "check into it" & call you back. And 95% of that time, she never returns your calls. I know, she may be really busy. But come on. She can't be that busy. Think about it. Well at the end of the meeting, we had to introduce ourselves & tell where we are in our WLS journey. I was the last person there to do that.

Now the funny thing about this is that this lady had no idea of who I was. She had never seen me before. So, I introduced myself & said that I had not had surgery yet. And that I couldn't get a surgery date for some reason & that I felt as though I was being given the run around. Also that I didn't know what the problem was. Because I've had every test that was required done & passed.When I said my name & was telling my story, she looked like she had been hit with a hammer.
Everything that she had said, had done, & the nasty email she sent was coming out. She was worried & she had a good reason to be worried. The whole time after the meeting, when everyone talks to the doctor about their problems, status, etc., she was trying to get the Dr. to hurry up and leave the meeting. It was funny & I guess she didn't realize
that we were seeing her trying to get him out of there.

Well needless to say, that after I was done talking to the doctor I felt a lot better. He said that he had looked at my files two weeks earlier & that I was cleared for surgery. However, because there was such a back log of people, that I should be having surgery in September. (back log is due to another doctor left & they only do 1 WLS a week) I'll believe it after I see it.

For now, I await for the phone call with my pre-op appointment. But at least I have something to look forward to now.
And, one of my friends got her problems straightened out also !!! So we are feeling pretty good about that. Plus some of our friends that were there with us as our support system, got to tell her their thoughts on everything also.

~~~ July 4, 2005 ~~~
Well, we had the best time at our pool party. We had friends over & we had a blast. We cooked hamburgers, hot-dogs & sausage-dogs on the grill. We also had chips, baked beans, sodas, tea & water. And two different kinds of Home-Made ice cream. I know it was a lot of good stuff here to eat, but thankfully I didn't eat all that much. I guess maybe I should have,
just because I'm sure that next year (God Willing) that I won't be able to do it then. But, I didn't. I was good.

Everyone got to our house around 5:30 & started swimming & playing volleyball in the pool. After about an hour a few men got out & started cooking everything. After eating, it was back in the pool for more volleyball. Around 8:45 the fireworks started in town & we all stopped what we were doing to watch them. Now mind you, I live about 10 miles from town.
But we are up on such a high hill, that you can see them plain as day. It was great !!! The city put on another great display this year. Plus it is really nice to be able to see them from home & not have to fight the crowds to get a place in town to see them. My hubby Johnny & myself with our daughter Alex, Mary & John, Dennis & Debra, Christy & Jeremy, April & Ben had a wonderful time. I wish that we could have a party every weekend like this one. Not with all that food maybe, but just getting together having fun. Our connections with each other is funny. Jeremy is my hubby's nephew. He is married to Christy, who happens to be Mary & John's daughter, and so is April. April & Ben are dating and have been forever & a day. Dennis & Debra have been friends with Mary & John forever also. I love them all. Mary & Debra have been a lot of support to me. They encourage me every step of the way. I guess that you could say they are my personal Cheerleaders !!! They make me want to get up & get out of the house. I'm no longer wanting to hide in my safe place as much as I was. Everyone started leaving around 11:00pm. I was tired but I really had a great time.

~~~ July 27, 2005 ~~~
Today I went to Voc Rehab at 10:00 and met with a Mrs. Wilder. I am wanting to get some type of help from them on paying for my surgery. She said that everything looked really good & that I should be approved. I've got to get a copy of my P.E. & a few medical records for her. Thankfully I had everything else that they needed. I plan on going tomorrow & sign the forms to get my medical records. I'll have to call & get a copy of my PE.

~~~ July 28, 2005 ~~~
Today I finally got my surgery date set for Sept. 26th 2005.
After a year of pre-op testing & waiting, the day has finally arrived. I am so happy about this, but it really hasn't sunk in.
I HAVE A SURGERY DATE !!! Strange I know. Maybe reality will set in soon. I know that when it does sink in, I'll be bouncing off the walls.

~~~ August 24, 2005 ~~~
Today I met with Voc Rehab. They are going to pay for my surgery !!! Now for the information part of help from Voc Rehab. I have often wondered just how & what they pay. Also what are their requirements for helping people. When you go thru VR they will only help if..... By them paying for your surgery it will keep you in the work force. Or if it will get you back in the work force. However only certain doctors & hospitals will take VR. Because VR will only pay a limited amount of money. That is why there isn't a lot of doctors that will take it. Again.... Money is an issue with the health systems of America (another story for a later time). What they will pay..... Or at least what is being paid on mine.

*** Remeber These Are Estimated By VR & What They Will Pay ***
They are paying for my Pre-Op appointment that I have right before surgery.
This appointment alone was going to cost me $180.00.
I'm not sure what VR is paying on this visit.
~~~~~~~~~
Hospitalization Charge- $3,590.28
Surgon Fee's- $1,607.53
Anesthesia- $700.00
TOTAL---- $5,897.81
~~~~~~~~~
What is required of you for their helping you.....
For 6 months you have to keep in contact with your counselor. How you are, how close you are in going back to work.
Keeping any & all meetings or appointments with your counselor. Any changes of your address or phone number.
Actively Seek employment. Follow your treatment program. Find & Maintain gainful employment.
It may sound like a lot of trouble to some people. But to me.... It sounds like I'm getting the better end of the deal.
Thank you Voc Rehab !!!

~~~ August 28, 2005 ~~~
Well I have 29 days to go until my surgery. I still can't believe that I have a date. But I do. I am so happy !!! Getting a surgery date has been a long time coming. A long year of waiting, jumping thru hoops, & feeling like certain people have given me the run around. Thankfully & Hopefully all of that is behind me now.

One thing I'd like to say is that, I have met a lot of wonderful people thru this site. People that I hope to have as friends forever. However, I've also met people that did not need to have this surgery. Why you may be asking, Because even tho they have had surgery, they have not really made the first effort to change any of their eatting habits. They are basically doomed to fail at this. They're givin WLS & people who have it a bad name. Don't get me wrong, I know that everyone "cheats" to a certain point. But to hit McDonalds, The Sonic, etc. within a few weeks after surgery getting sodas & junk food. What are they thinking !!! People who are sick & tired of being fat & fighting to get a surgery date etc. would love to have had their surgery dates.
My point is.... If your going to have surgery, Please make sure that you are willing to give it 100%.
If your not going to.... step aside & let someone who will have the date.

~~~ Sept. 20, 2005 ~~~
Today I went for my pre-op appointment. They did all the usual pre-op stuff. Blood, BP, Weight, Temp, etc.
They even did an ultra-sound of my gall-bladder~ which was ok. I ran all over the place at the hospital it seems like.
I know nothing about where anything is at The UMC. Luckily, hubby got a wheel chair to take me around in. It was a good thing too. The hall's that we went down looked as tho they were a mile long. I would have never been able to do all that walking. I'm so excited. I'm scared to death !!! But excited. I have complete faith in my doctor, but I'm still scared. I guess this is normal. At least I hope that it is.
I went on a clear liquid diet Monday at the dr's request. I knew that I was going to be put on one but, I figured I'd of been told to go on it Tuesday. While I was at my appointment. Instead they called me at home & said start it then. Needless to say.... there went my "last meal". I had planned on having a "Home-Made Chicken Pot Pie". We had went to the store & bought everything needed to make it with. Came home & found the message on the answering machine.
Now How Bad Is That I Ask You ?!?!? If your getting close to your pre-op appointment.... eat fast !!!

~~~ Sept 22, 2005 ~~~
Well, I'm doing great on my liquid diet. I haven't killed anyone yet, so I must be doing great !!!
My sweet hubby Johnny & my darling daughter Alex have both been a blessing durring this time. Neither has eatten in front of me.  They haven't picked on me about their eatting. Or anything. They have been ANGELS !!! I feel so lucky to have them both in my life. They have given me support & encouragement all the way.

My surgery is just 4 days away. I can't believe my surgery date is finally getting here. And since I am right in the middle of the "emotion highway", I want to tell what I am feeling. This way it is fresh in my mind, cause I'm feeling it now. I don't want to have to come back & think about how I felt. I'm not going to lie or sugar coat anything. I am scared to death. I am as excited as can be. I have faith in my doctor, so none of these feelings are due to him. I keep wondering what if I die. What is my family going to do. How are they going to handle my dying. I know they'll be OK. It'd take a while, but they'd pick up, get past it & move on. But I think the whole problem isn't how they would be. It is me !!! How would I be !!! Other than dead that is... I am not ready to die & leave them. I have too much living to do. I need & need to be here for my daughter !!!
She needs a mother that is able to go & do things with her. I want & need to be able to take care of my hubby when he needs me. I don't want to miss a thing !!!

Then I step back & realize........ That is why I'm having this surgery !!! Because of the things I want & need to do.
Am I scared ? YES I AM !!! But I'm more excited about the life I'm going to have after surgery. And that makes all the fear & being scared OK & worth it. Plus the though of all the things I'll be able to do after surgery, well, lets just say that it takes away some of the fear.

Enough of my fear is gone. It has been replaced with thoughts of doing things with my family. Rather than staying the way I am & just watching them live life, I'll be at the hospital bright & early Monday morning. Getting my new life so I can join in the fun with them !!!

~~~ Nov. 20, 2005 ~~~
Well it has been a while since I updated my profile & it has been with good reason.
First I'd like to say, if you are thinking about having WLS..... RUN !!! RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN !!!

I had my surgery on Sept. 26 2005.  I had to be at the hospital that morning by 6:00am. Why I'll never know. They finally took me to the holding room at 12:30. I remember looking at the clock right before they put me to sleep at 2:30. I came out of surgery between 6:30-7:30. I woke up in recovery hurting like crazy & begging for something for pain. All they would ever say is when you get to your room we will hook you up. Well after being back in my room & still not being "hooked up", everyone got to fussing & they brought me a pain pump. I was without pain meds for at least 2 1/2 - 3 1/3 hours.
While in the hospital, the staff never offered me a bath, changed my sheets or cleaned the room. I know that this is all hospital related, but if you use the UMC for anything.... YOUR AN IDIOT !!! And YES.... I will tell you that to your face.

Problems after getting home...... I got out of that Hell Hole they call a hopital on Wednesday. That following Friday I had to go back over there to the emergency room. I was so sick & couldn't keep water down. I was getting sicker by the minute sitting there smelling all those nasty people that were there. They never bothered to see me. I told my hubby that if I was going to die, that I wanted to do it at home. Not there. So we left. That was an 90 mile ride for nothing.

As a child I had inner ear. Well... it came back.  After getting over the not being able to keep down water, it set in for a week. I couldn't walk by myself for anything.  The world just spun around me. Finally when I was starting to see light at the end of the road.... I had gotten pnemonia some how. Then when I'm thinking "OK, its got to get better"....... Kidney stones. Then this person said that I should check with a gas station attendant about my problems cause they would know more than my family doctor. Also..... he keeps saying that the Mayo Clinic say's that it takes over 2-3 months for kidney stones to form. Well...... I went & read the article & for the life of me, I can't find where it says that at all. If anything, it proves my point.
Here is the link:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/kidney-stones/DS00282/DSECTION=1
Be sure to read under the "causes" section.
For instance in the....... "Calcium Stones" section- it plainly states that.. "intestinal bypass surgery may cause excess amounts of oxalate in your body". Oxalate is one thing that causes calcium stones to form. "Uric acid stones" section- You're more likely to develop uric acid stones if you eat a high-protein diet. Now in the "Risk Factors" section..... Lack of fluids. If you don't drink enough fluids, especially water, your urine is likely to have higher concentrations of substances that can form stones.That is right people..... You can have kidney stones due to WLS.How may you ask.... Well WLS fixes you to where you can not drink like you normally would. Which can cause you to dehydrate. Sometimes... when you dehydrate, it causes kidney stones.

~~~ Nov.27, 2005 ~~~
After surgery I literally prayed to die. Everyone kept telling me that it was going to get better. Well, it wasn't getting better. I was having junk pop up on top of other problems. Thankfully, I had family & a Best Friend that I could count on. My Family & Arlies. Even when I hated the world, they were right there.

Having said that, I'd like to say. Do Not Have WLS. I'm doing great now.  Even tho I still get sick sometimes when I eat. But I really wish that I'd of gotten off my lazy tail & tried a little harder. Oprah was right.... Diets don't work cause we don't stick to them. Plain & simple.

I really miss being able to eat the foods like everyone else does. Having to ask a thousand questions about food, like what is in it. Trying desperately to avoid sugar. This is not the way to live. Try to lose weight the "Old Fashion" way. You'll be glad that you did. TRUST ME !!!

~~~ Nov. 28, 2005 ~~~
To date I've lost 52 pounds. That is in 2 months.

~~~ Dec. 14, 2005 ~~~
I weigh 310 by my scales.

~~~ Dec. 28th, 2005 ~~~
Well this has been one exciting year !!! First let me say that things with me, health wise are better. Thank God !!!
I've lost (as of 12/22/05) 63 pounds. I am so proud of myself. Why..... I don't know !!! Having this surgery is a sure way of losing weight. You don't really have to do anything out of the way & you lose. Heck, Your fixed to where you can't over eat.
But if you do over eat........... your gonna pay for it.

There has been a lot of bickering going on lately. Seems as though some folks are reading my profile & crying about it.
Well let me say this........  Everything that is said in my profile is true & from my point of view. If people don't like it, they don't have to read it. Some of those people are even trying to make me out to be  a villian for telling people to try & lose weight the "Old Fashion Way" before having WLS. One poor old gal even tried to throw it up in my face that she could eat A HALF A SLAB OF BBQ RIBS right by herself & I couldn't. I'm still asking myself "Now why did she have surgery?" That is something that she should really be proud of !!! OK.... enough about those er um people & On to better things !!!

A few things I've learned after surgery,  that pre-op's should know is.... if your having any problems- you may not want to post them !!! Why you ask.... someone will always reply with "their story". Which is ALWAYS going to be worse than yours. In other words, they are going to try & make it all about them. About the "problems" post....... Some people just have to make everything about them. No matter what is going on, it has to be about them. Yes, there is always going to be someone who "had it worse". But you'd think they'd step aside & see that they are not the center of YOUR world. Or that they would realize there are those that had it worse than them.
Most are located on the memorial page !!!

If you have any questions- you may not want to post them !!! Why you ask.... some who are "grads" won't be understanding to you what-so-ever !!! They have completely forgotten how it is to have that "I'm a failure" attitude.

About the "I'm a Failure" attitude.......... After years of trying to lose weight  (or at least telling myself that I really tried), people tend to get the "IAF" attitude. It seems like no matter what someone does to lose weight, they fail. Then after having WLS, the "IAF" attitude is still there. It wasn't cut in half or removed !!! So naturally when they start losing weight, they're still not sure if their results are as good as they are suppose to be. So.... they ask.

If you ask if your results are good, you should not feel ashamed !!! Not one person should jump on you for asking. You have been conditioned by life to think that you are a failure !!! Honestly though, If you have a question I'd ask the doctor first. If that is not possible at the moment, ask on the board. Just don't be surprised if you get a snotty answer from some. However, there are many people out there who will help you without making you feel like an idiot for asking or even turnning it into an "All About Me" circus.

~~~ Jan. 2, 2006 ~~~
Happy New Years !!!
I do hope that this works out to be a better year. The Lord knows that 2005 was a pain in the tail. With Hurricane Katrina, problems after surgery, problems due to surgery..... I don't want to re-live 2005 any time soon !!!

Well as of today..... I am down to 299 !!! I have lost a total of 77 pounds. WOW !!! What a great feeling to be able to say that.  Heck of a way to get there, but I'm there none the less. My feelings on surgery are still getting better everyday. I've gone from telling people that are thinking about WLS.... "Run !!!" to telling them that "it is worth thinking about". That is a big change that I'm glad to have made. I didn't like feeling that WLS was a horrible death sentance. But, like some of my true friends from the local board told me.... It is my life, I am & should be able to have my own opinions. No matter what anyone else says or thinks !!! And by golly they are right !!! May each of you have a VERY BLESSED 2006 !!!

~~~ January 27, 2006 ~~~
Oh my how time is flying by !!! I have got to remember to update my profile more often.
Things are going great for me. I'm losing weight & as happy as happy can be. I have lost a total of 89 pounds. Which is amazing !!! At least I think it is. I haven't had any kidney stones in a while. Thank you Jesus !!!
But I do see more & more people posting about having them. I honestly feel for them....
I'm weigh 287 so I have a little bit to get to where I want to be. But..... I am on my way !!!

~~~ Nov. 12, 2006 ~~~
Time sure has gotten away from me! This has been an awful year. It started off fairly well. In Feb. I had to have my gallbladder out. After 20 days of not being able to keep anything down. Because of that all my vitamin levels were next to nothing. Right now, I'm in a wheelchair. I depend of everyone for everything. It's very disheartening let me tell you. I have lost well over 150lbs. I just wonder how much I could have lost, had I of been able to walk. Gues I'll never kow though.