special kay
~WLS~
I first heard about WLS when I heard Carnie Wilsons story. I then seen her years after WLS and was amazed at her weight loss. I started reading articles and researching WLS on the computer but was afraid of dying. So I just tried more diets and gained more weight. I then seen Amy on MTV and her story really touched me. I cried the entire time but it felt good to know that I was not the only one fighting this obesity battle. I agian started researching WLS online and going to the library to find information. After seeing a rerun of Amy's story, I decided that WLS was for me.
Feburary 2005
I thought since I am not working, I would purchase insurance.. Boy was I wrong! No insurance co. will cover me because my weight and height dont match. In other words I'm too FAT. I called every insurance company that I can think of but everyone says NO. BCBS did say yes but I would have to pay about $450.00 a month. That is UNREAL! I'm sooo depressed and unhappy. I'm mad at myself for putting myself in this situation.
March 2005:
I was on the main board reading post and someone said something about Vocational Rehabilitation so I looked it up on the net. I called and they told me NO they could not help me. I called back two days later and they said NO again. I hung up crying feeling like there was no hope for me. I prayed on it and asked God to help me.
April 2005
I read where someone else mentioned VR again so, I decided to post in the NC board about it. 2 Super NICE ladies told me to call again and not give up because they had WLS through VR. So I called back and insisted that I talk to someone. She listened this time and gave me an appointment! Maybe it was all the tears? THANK YOU GOD and Thank you Paula and Lisa from NC!
May 10 2005
My appointment was today and it went ok. I filled out an application and talked to a lady about obesity. I felt a lil uncomfortable because I have never talked to anyone about my weight but she was nice. Anyway, she told me to give them about 2 weeks. Then later that evening I got a call and it was from VR. It was some nice man saying that he wanted to help me and wanted me to find a surgeon that will take VR then come back Monday morning! WOW, this is so AWESOME! All I can say is ... GOD IS GOOD!
May 16 2005
I met my councelor,Mr. Hall at VR. Bless his heart...He is such a NICE man! He really wants to help me! He says my next steps would be to attend the surgeon seminar, and have a physc eval. The seminar is next month on the 13th and my eval is in 2 DAYS!! I am so nervous. I have never had a physc eval before. What if I fail? OMG I cant believe 2 days!!
May 18 05
The physc eval was nothing I thought it would be. It was like taking an IQ test. It lasted an hour and a half. He was very straight to the point. I hate the way he spoke in one tone and wrote the entire time. We did not talk much about my weight. He asked me why I thought I was overweight and what point in my life did my weight get out of control. He asked about my parents and brothers. The rest of the eval was several test. History questions that I did not know, 2 math test, a spelling test, played with some blocks and looked at several pictures that I had to find whats missing or explain how I felt about it. I am going to call my Case worker Monday and ask him why there was no talk about WLS. Maybe I will have another eval? Who knows.. As long as it was a stepping stone to getting what I need done to have this surgery. I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired!
May 27 05
Today I ate like a pig for no reason. I starting my "what if's". What if I cant have surgery? What if the surgeon does not approve me? I just feel so down. I am so sick of feeling this way. I am so sick of crying and feeling sorry for myself. I read all the different profiles and everyones progress and I get so jealous. Why cant that be me? I dont see myself in there shoes. Will I ever be happy? I just dont see it..
Waiting for my VR case worker to call me about my physc eval is nerve wrecking. I dont want to bother him but I am really curious about the results. Well I'm going to go find something constructive to do and TRY to Perk up a little. Til next time.....
June 13 06
I went to a surgeon seminar and really liked it. All the information that they told us, I already knew thanks to this site but it did not hurt to have it repeated by the surgeon. It was so many people there and I told a few people about this site. Well the BAD NEWS is the surgeon is not taking anymore Vocational Rehab patients this year! I am sooo hurt. I could find another surgeon but I had a hard time finding a surgeon that would take VR and do WLS on someone with such a high BMI. I am upset but I keep telling myself this is whats in GOD's plan. His Nurse told me to fill out the packet that he gave us and it will hold my spot. Oh, I just want to addd... I have heard people say that VR is slow but in my case they are NOT! They have been nothing but nice and helpful to me. Its not VR that has me waiting now. Till next time, Everyone take care and GOD Bless!
July 8th 05
I have been down since I heard that I could not have surgery til next year. I was really looking forward to this life change. I posted on the NC board venting about my wait and the sweetest lady on here, Paula, told me to not give up and contact her surgeon. It's in Hendersonville, NC ( 2 hours away). I called.. they dont have a certain amount of VR patients they see in a year and I got an appointment for next month. How COOL is that? I am exctied but dont want to get my hopes up high til I actually go to that appointment and hear what my VR case worker has to say about switching surgeons. He only works on Monday and Tuesday so I'll call him Monday morning. I'm crossing my fingers and saying many prayers that this is the right decision for me.
July 19 05
I went to the Dr today because my right leg is swelling and I have headaches everyday. She gave me water pills for the swelling and said the headaches was from stress! The only time I get stressed is when I think about my weight. OMG when I stepped on the scale it read 450! I almost passed out! I thought I was about 415. Boy was I WRONG. I cant believe I allowed myself to get this big. What was I thinking? I guess Cake huh? LOL. For now I will think Apples. LOL This is going to be a long and hard battle but I am gonna win. I am very upset about this. My diet officially starts NOW!
I see my surgeon on the 11th.. I'll post details then.. 
July 22 05
I got a call from my doctor today she says I am Anemic and My iron levels are low! I'm a little worried about that. I was hoping for a clean bill of health. I hope its nothing too serious and I only need iron pills. I guess thats why I get so sleepy in the middle of the day and why I eat LOTS of ice. My partner teases me all the time because I crunch on it so loud. About my diet.. I'm doing good. NO sodas, Nothing sweet. I eat 3 small healthy meals, 1 snack and lots of water. Once I start my iron and get my energy back, I will start walking. Its gonna be hard with my back hurting but I'm gonna try and just start with short distances. Aug 11, 2005
I met Dr. Huffman today and was very impressed. His nurse Renee is great. Everyone at the office is very nice. He is very to the point and very honest! We talked a lot about my High BMI and I am more at risk. The great news is I lost 23 pounds. I am 427. I asked her if she was sure and she said yes lol. I guess my diet and lots of water has worked. I am so proud of myself!!! He wants his patients to be very sure that surgery is what they want so I have to wait a month to go back. I go back on Sept. 15. I attend a support group meeting that day too. I am soo excited. I feel like this is a step towards the new me. Someone recommended "Walk away the pounds" to start walking so I bought 2 tapes from ebay for 99 cents each and I do them twice a day. I can only do 6 minutes right now but I know if I continue to Walk walk walk that will increase. 
Sept. 2, 05
I just got back from my Dr. appointment. I was wayyyy over due for a pap. I guess I could not avoid it any longer. Anyway, She put me on Birth Control Pills to regulate my menstural cycle. As a Lesbain, I have never taken them but whatever helps. I only lost 1 lb. I was upset because I wanted to loose more but at least I didn't gain. My walking has improved so much. I made it around the entire block for the first time last week and last night I did it twice. I was proud of myself. When I first started, I could not walk halfway around the block. I'm happy I found that DVD," Walk away the pounds". It has helped so much. I see my surgeon on the 15th so I will post hopefully Good news then...
Sept. 15 05
Well today was my apointment with my surgeon, Dr. Huffman. Everything went well. He told me that the only other testing I would need is EKG, Sleep study and see his nutritionist. I am very excited at this moment thinking about how close I am. I was hoping to have a date this year and I just might be able to if all my test results are ok. I'm just worried that I have sleep apnea because I snore and I have heard that sometimes it gets pretty loud. OH I cant forget the important part of my appointment ... When I stepped on the scale, the nurse said 412! I lost 15 more pounds. When she said 412, I said.. YEA RIGHT! . Last time I asked her if she was sure. LOL. So my total weight loss since July 19 is ... 38 lbs. I guess my SF popsicle addiction is paying off! LOL...
Sept 26, 2005
First let me say that I had a pre-op wow moment today... I decided to try on my "Fat Jeans" that I have not worn in a year and they fit. They easily zipped and buttoned and were comfortable. I call them "Fat Jeans" because they are stretch jeans. They are size 32, (not elastic waist) and the only jeans I could fit into last year til I grew out of them. I cried as I looked at my jeans in the mirror because I was so proud of myself. I have a pair of 30 non scretch jeans in the back of my closet that I have not worn in almost 2 years. They are my next goal! Anyway~
I visited my VR case worker today and he said that they will pay for all my testing for WLS. I am so thankful for this. I have been worried because in the beginning he said that I might have to pay for testing myself. We also went over everything in my file and he submitted it in the computer. So its Final! They have officially decided to pay for WLS and is sending my surgeon all the info tomorrow! I feel like today I made a step towards my new life! GOD IS SO GOOD!
Oct. 5 2005
Late last night my precious poodle, Oreo got hit by a car. The accident broke his back and caused internal bleeding. He was put to sleep about 1:00 am. Making that decision was the hardest thing I have ever had to do but The Vet. told me that it was the right decision. Oreo will forever be loved and missed. R.I.P. Mr. Oreo Sweetums
Oct. 13
Today I had an appointment with the nutritionist, Candance for 2 hours. We talked about my eating habits now and how it will be after surgery. I learned a lot. The one thing that grosses me out is puree stage for 4 weeks. The thought of Blended meat makes me gag but I am willing to do whatever I need to do to be successful at this. Later I had an appointment with the Pulmonologist to talk about a sleep study. He asked me questions about my sleeping habits and about snoring. My partner was quick to speak up when he said that word. LOL. It was a quick consult and only lasted 30 minutes. I go back on Oct. 23 for my Sleep Study at 9:00 pm. I'm starting to get really excited about this. I feel like I'm really making progress towards my WLS goal. Til next time.....
Oct. 21
The sleep study called me and changed my appointment to Nov. 14th. I'm a little upset because I wanted to get it over with but I promised I would stay positive no matter what road blocks I run into.
Nov. 15,2005. Last night I completed my Sleep Study. I got there at 8:30 pm and finished at 6:00am. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I really thought I would toss and turn all night. I guess the sleeping pill they gave me really worked. I have read on several profiles about all the wires they hook to you.. Well its true. I had wires from head to toe. Half way through the study, they woke me and and made me sleep with a C pap machine. It was a little weird at first but I was sleep again in less than 20 minutes. The worst thing is all that "goop" they put in your hair but with HOT water, it comes right out. Well, I will be calling my surgeon Monday morning to see whats next. I am so ready for a date! I want one this year. All I can do is hope and pray. Til next time.....
Nov. 21,05. I just received my results from my sleep study. I do have severe sleep apnea. I called a Medical supply company to get the price of a CPAP and they told me 11 hundred dollars!!. I posted some questions about it on here and Julie from OH is sending me her extra one. I am so blessed to have found this site. I have met some of the most wonderful people. All I will have to buy is the tubing and mask. For so long I have been misrible with my weight thinking that I will never get out of this slump. I now have hope. I feel like I'm on my way out. Thanks Julie!!!! Til next time....
Dec. 5, 05. I got the best phone call that I have ever recived today !! I GOT A DATE!!!!!!!!!!! January 24th 06. Its going to be a great way for me to start the New Year.
Dec. 21,06 After calling 10 different respitory places to get tubing and a mask for my CPAP, I finally got what I needed to start wearing it at night. Last night was my first night trying to sleep with it on. It didn't go as planned. I tried but could not fall asleep. I sure hope this gets easier. Everyone tells me I will love it when I get use to it.. YEA RIGHT! I felt like an octopus was sleeping on my face... Oh well like me and my buddy, Concela always say.. "You gotta do, What you gotta do".
Dec. 22 The surgeons office called me and asked me if I wanted to move my date to Jan 06. I freaked out and got all nervous. I asked her if I had another option and she said Jan 13th. I took the 13th. So its moved from the 24th to the 13th. I am so excited. Its my early Christmas present.
Dec. 25 05.. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
I had such a great christmas. My partner is so good to me. I got jewlery,CD's and a Gift Card so I can do my shopping for surgery.
She also got me a magic bullet and the book WLS for dummies. It is so good. It has so much info in it. I recommend it to anyone having surgery or thinking about it.
Dec 30, 05. Today I had my final appointment with my PCP to get cleared for surgery. Everything went well. I had a Physical, EKG, bloodwork, urinalysis and blood pressure check. I weighed in today at 390 *YEAH ME* I stared out at 450. I am very proud of myself. Now I'm hoping my bloodwook comes out fine. I see my surgeon one last time on the 5th. I'll update then...
Jan 5,06. 8 DAYS TIL SURGERY!
Today I had my final appointment wtih my surgeon. He just wanted to get my final weight and blood pressure. Let me ask any questions and we talked about Protein, vitamins and B-12. He wants me to start taking all my vitamins tomorrow and drink 2 protein drinks a day til surgery. I have lost 2 more lbs since I went to the Dr. Friday. I cant believe I have lost 62 pounds since I started this journey. The funny thing is, I dont see it. I can tell by my clothes but thats it. Everyone says my face is slimmer. I wish everything else would slim down LOL. Til next time...
Jan 11, 06.. 2 DAYS TIL SURGERY!!!!
I cant believe I am finally going to have this surgery. For the past year, it has been my main goal. I look forward to getting my life back after loosing weight. Shopping, going back to work, going out with friends and just having that confidence that I use to have. I really thought I'd be much more nervous than I am now but I'm not. I feel so at peace with my decision to do this. The other day, I read my surgery page for the first time. I REALLY appreciate the people that took time out to sign it. Its amazing how much support I get from people that I dont even really know!!! Thank you SO much!!!
Thurs. Jan 19.. I'M HOME!!!!!!!
My surgery Fri. 1-13th was a success. No problems at all.. THANK GOD! I stayed in the hospital 4 nights. Here is my experiance...
I arrived at the hospital at 6am with my partner, daughter, mom and dad. I only had to waite 10 minutes. When I was called back, I changed into my gown, nurse started my IV and I got a shot in my belly for blod clots. 15 minutes later, The OR nurse came to get me in a wheelchair. I kissed and hugged everyone and we said our I love you's. The next room was freezing! I hopped up on a bed, she checked my blood pressure, tempature and oxygen levels. The anastesialogist then came in and asked me if I had anything to eat. They told me that they were waiting for Dr. Huffman so the surgery can start. I over heard a lady say, "Dr. Huffman is usually not late". I'm thinking.. " Great, on my big day, he decides to sleep in" LOL. 5 minutes later Dr. Price ( Huffmans partner) comes in to say hi and tell me that Dr. Huffman just got here. The ananstesialogist told me she was going to give me some "I Dont Care Medicine". I was then rolled in the Operating room wich felt like a freezer. The nurse said, I'm going to give some stronger I dont care medicine Kristie and its going to make you a little sleepy. The last thing I remember in OR is a nurse across the room preparing all the knives and scissors. The next thing I recall is waking up in ICU and my family staring at me. My mom said I woke up before that crying saying I was in pain. ( I dont remember that)!
I stayed in ICU 24 hours then went to my room. The nurses were great! My first meal of Pureed Vegatable stroganoff made me sick. I was gagging and my stomach hurt so bad. I did liquids for the next couple days and had no problems from that. The two worst things about this experiance was drinking that stuff for the leak test and pulling out the drain tube. OMG I felt like they were pulling out my guts. Other than that, I'm happy I did this. **Thanks to everyone that signed my page while I was gone. Your support means so much to me!!
Monday, Jan. 23, 06... Its been 10 days since my surgery and I have not had any problems. The only food that has not aggreed with me is canned chicken breast. It hit my stomach like a ton of bricks. I am amazed at how fast I become full. I'm eating about a 1/4 c. of pureed food and usually I cant eat all of it. I've been living off tuna. Its not too bad pureed and has lots of protein. I just add a little FF mayo, lil onion and lil relish and put it in a food processer. Breakfast is usually 1/4 c yougart or 4 oz protein shake made with carb countdown milk. Getting water in has been the biggest challange for me. I'm up to about 20 oz a day. Luckly my G tube is in so I can put water and protein in there.
The past two days I have been really hard on myself for some reason. I lost the confidence I had before and right after surgery. It's like I'm looking for something to go wrong. I keep thinking what if wls dont work for me. I still feel like I'll be 388 lbs. forever. I posted on the board about me going nuts and everyone said its normal feelings that I'm having. Thanks everyone on the gay and Lesbian board.. I love yall!!
Jan 26,06.. Today was my two week check up with Dr. Huffman. Everything went good. Doc said I was doing a good job. I got all 27 staples removed. I was so afraid that it was going to hurt but it didn't. I'm such a chicken!! I wanted my G-tube out but he said I have to keep it in for 6 weeks. I guess its for my benefit. When I stepped on the scale and it read 367, I was so suprised. Thats a 21 lbs weight loss since my surgery. Is that cool or what? I still have a long way to get to my goal of 175 but I think I'm off to a good start. I've lost 83 lbs all together since my weight loss journey! Not bad huh???
February 9,06. Today was my second visit to see my surgeon. Everything looks good. I was concerned about soreness where my drain tube was but he checked it and said its fine. Just to hear him tell me that I'm ok really puts me at ease. No more pureed foods!! I can advance to regular foods tomorrow. He gave me a list of foods to start out with. I'm a little nervous about how my pouch will handle things but I'm ready to try. I weighed in at 353!! Thats 14 more lbs since surgery. Its been less than a month and I'm down 35 lbs. All together I have lost 97 lbs. I am so proud of myself for taking the responsibility to do something about my weight. Although I have not gotten all my energy back I feel so much better. My knees and lower back no longer ache. If I feel this good now, I can only imagine how I'll feel when I loose 50 more lbs. There is no big change in my body but the few things that I have noticed are.. I have a neck, no more double chin, My rings are very loose, my clothes fit better and my panties will not stay up. LOL There are little things but they make me so proud of my weight loss.
Feb 13, 06.. It's been one month since surgey and I'm doing good. I cant belive how fast one month flew by. My energy level is returning and I feel pretty good. My tummy is still sore around the G tube and my incision itches like crazy.
I don't own a scale so I have no idea how much I weigh. I want to buy one but I see so many people obsessing over them. I see my surgeon next week so I'll find out how much I have lost then.
Eating is getting better but I still hate it. I eat because I have to. I was having a problem with not chewing enough or taking too big bites but I'm learning. I thought it was a stricture because the food feels stuck if you dont chew good or try to swallow too much.
This has been an adventure but I dont regret it one bit!
Feb. 19, 06. My FIRST WOW MOMENT!
I put on a pair of jeans that I have not worn in years. My mom bough me this Mickey Mouse Sweatshirt years ago but it never fit so I just stuck it in the back of my closet. Well I decided to try it on and it fit! All I could do was just stand there and look at myself in the mirror. When I was 450, I felt like I had NO hope.. Now I do!
(Click on Website to see me)
Feb. 23,06. Today was my 6 week checkup. Doc said I'm doing good. I now weigh 345!!! I have lost 8 more lbs. so thats a 43 lb. weight loss but 105 lb weight loss all together. Finally he took out the dreadful G tube. It actually did not hurt as bad as I thought it did. It just felt very weird.
March 7,06.. I went to my PCP today because I thought I had a Urinary Tract Infection. My urine was dark and burned when I peed. It wasn't a UTI. She said my urine was concentrated because I'm dehydrated. I am guilty of not getting enough water in everyday. It has been the toughest thing for me so far. Everyday gets better but still not enough. I love black cherry propel so I stopped by walmart on my way home and brought a 6 pk. My blood pressure was 120/80 and she was very impressed! Its usually kinda high. I only lost 3 lbs in the last 12 days. I guess its my turn to come to a stall. I now weigh 342!! I knew that this stall would happen so I'm not going to stress about it.
March 13, 06.. 2 Months Post op!!
I haven't stepped on a scale since last week so I have no clue what my weight is. This surgery has been some adventure. I don't regret it but there has been times I said the famous.. " What did I do to myself". Eating is getting easier but I still have no apitite. Since my dehydration scare, I have been drinking water constantly. I have so much energy and just feel lighter. I can walk without feeling like I'm going to die and just everyday activities are easier. People I see that haven't seen me since surgery are amazed. They tell me how good I look It's kinda weird hearing that from people. I'm not use to compliments. The little WOW moments keep coming everyday. Today me and my partner were on the way to the park and I dropped something on the floor of the car. Guess who picked it up?? ME!! I bent over and picked it up. When I was 450 lbs, I couldn't bend over. Little things like that make me so greatful that I was given the opprotunity to have this surgery. GOD has truly been good to me!
March 22, 06. Today I had my 2 month check up. Doc says I'm doing good. My weight is 332 lbs.... 56 lbs. gone since surgery. He wants me to walk more but he always says that. I am actually doing better with my walking. I'm able to walk for 25 minutes. For me thats good. I remember when I started, I would walk for 8 minutes and feel like I was dying.
I'm also doing a little better with getting my protein in. I don't see how people live without protein shakes. I love them. I rather have a shake than eat a meal anyday. So far the only issue I have is constipation. Its horrible! I have not found a solution but I'm working on it.
April 5,06.. Today I had a WOW moment that should be documented so I'm here spreading my joy with whoever reads my profile... I went shopping today for a few pair of pants/shorts and Tshirts to get me through the summer. All my other shirts and pants are too big..YEAH!! I tried on a pair of 26/28 denim capri's and they fit! Let me repeat that .. A 26/28 fit ME! Like a big ol baby, I cried with a big smile on my face right in the dressing room. I'm sure gonna wear my capri's this weekend with PRIDE!
April 20,06.. My three months Anniversary was on the 13th and I forgot to update. Things have been really good for me. I feel so good and have lots of energy. I can walk, shop and just be in public without feeling like the biggest person there. I finally got a routine with this water and protein. I'm getting at least 60 oz of water in a day and 55 grams of protein in a day. I'm almost to my surgeons goal of 65 water and 60 protein. WOW moments keep coming everyday and it really makes me feel good. Today I weighed in at 316 lbs. 72 lbs gone since surgery and 134 Total! My next goal is to be under 300. Hopefully I will get there soon! I cant even remember when the last time I weighed under 300.
May 6, 06
Today I stopped at a gas station to use the restroom and they had a scale so I hurried up and hopped on. I now weigh 308!! Thats 80 lbs. gone since surgery. This is why I don't own a scale, I would be obsessed. I'm so close to 299, I can taste it! Dr. Huffman wants me to be under 300 when I come for my 4 month visit ( on the 22nd)
I don't think I'll make it but I'll be pretty darn close. I'm very please with my progress so far. I'll be back to update after my 4 months appointment.
May 23, 2006
I'm now 4 months post op and everything has been going well. My 4 month check up with my surgeon today and he is pleased with my progress. I now weigh 303!! Thats an 85 lb. weight loss since surgery. The only bad thing is my iron is a little on the low side. I was taking iron once a day and now he wants me to take it twice a day. Besides the iron issue, I'm very pleased with this surgery. I'm so happy I made the decision to have it. I feel great and my energy level is through the roof!!! Til next time....
June 5, 2006
This past weekend, I went to my cousin's wedding and seen a lot of family that I haven't seen in a long time. For the longest, I hid from them because I was embarrased of my weight. This weekend, I walked in that wedding in my size 24 dress feeling fabulous and full of confidance. Today I reached my first big wls goal!!! I am in the 200's!!! I weigh 297 lbs!!! I am so proud of that number. 91 lbs. GONE since surgery!! My next goal is to loose 100 lbs. Hopefully I'll get there soon!
June 24, 2006
I turned 5 months on the 13th and forgot to update.. shame on me!
I'm doing good and my surgeon and PCP are pleased with my progress. Little WOW moments happen everyday and they make me feel so GOOD! I struggle with water and protein everyday. I try so hard to meet my nut's requirements. It's hard when I have NO appitite at all. A few weeks ago I struggled with midnight head hunger and I found myself grazing. I did this for 2 weeks. Now I'm back to not wanting a thing to eat. It goes from one extreme to another. Today I found out that I reached my goal of loosing 100 lbs. by the time I'm 6 months post op! I have lost 105 lbs!! I now weigh 283 lbs. All my 26's are baggy. Depending on what it is, I'm buying size 24's. That to me is a WOW moment in itself.
July 6,06
I'm not 6 months yet but I weighed myself today wanted to share. I weigh 277 now. So far I've lost 111 lbs. since surgery and 173 lbs. all together. A couple weeks ago, I could wear a 24 but not a 22/24. I know thats weird but thats how it is. Well today I bought a size 22/24 shirt and size 24 Tommy Jean shorts (all on sale). I was so happy in the dressing room. I have never owned a pair of Tommy anything! Shopping has been my favorite thing because it amazes me when I try clothes on and they fit. I have promised myself to stick to clearance racks and really cheap stores. This journey has a blessing and I'm loving my new life to the fullest!!
Monday July, 17 2006
I made it to 6 months and I'm feeling like a new person. I cant believe how much my life has changed since loosing the weight. I'm doing things that I havnen't been able to do in a long time. Saturday was me and Stephanie's 6 yr. anniversary so we decided to do things together the entire weekend.I had a couple wow moments.. Friday we went to a bar/grill and we sat in a booth. I fit in a booth. I haven't tried sitting in one in a couple years ago when I found out I didn't fit anymore. Sunday.. we went to the Mary J. Blige concert and had so much fun. It was a long walk from the car to the concert then had to walk farther to get to our seats. The little blue fold up seat that are way too small! I fit in them just fine. I have to admit that I worried about that the whole time I walked to the stadium. Last year there is NO way I would of even went to that concert. We did a lot of walking the whole weekend and it felt great. I'm so greatful that I was able to have wls. I haven't weighed in a while so I'm not sure of my current weight. I still have 101 lbs. to get to my goal of 175. I get a little worried because it's so much but I'm staying confident that I can do it!! I have my 6 month appt. with my surgeon on the 31st. I'll update then....
July 31, 2006
Today I had my 6 months appt. with my surgeon and everything went well. He is proud of my 118 lb. weight loss since surgery. My labs were even better except my protein levels were a tiny bit low. So he wants me to work on getting 75 grams of protein a day and make sure I drink 2 protein shakes a day. I'm just starting to get 65 in everyday so hopefully getting 10 more grams a day wont be too hard. My weight loss has slowed down a bit but I'm happy I'm still loosing. I haven't been 270 lbs. in a LONG time.. probably since high school. I sent a pic to my mom yesterday and she was totally amazed at how I look now. Compliments have been so weird for me. I guess I'm not use to them. I say "Thank you" and people just keep going on and on and thats what makes me feel uneasy.
Anyway.. Life is good, I feel good and I have no major complaints at this point. If I can get myself motivated to walk further than a mile or join a gym, I'll be even happier. I keep telling myself that I want to loose 95 more lbs and exercise will make me get there quicker! Til next time...
Aug. 24, 06
I know I'm late with updating. I kept telling myself to update on the 13th so that will be exactly 7 months but I totally forgot! So I'm 7 1/2 months now and I'm still doing good. I weigh 265 lbs. now and couldn't be anymore happier about my weight loss of 123 lbs. I have noticed that my weight loss has slowed down a bit but I'm not tirppin over it. I already knew that they "honeymoon period" don't last forever. I'm still pleased. I started walking 1.5 miles instead of my 1 mile and it feels so great to get out there and walk without feeling like I'm gonna faint. It's amazing how good my body feels with all that extra weight gone. Its a total of 185 lbs. gone by the way! I've gotten a routine with getting my protein in and I do get between 75 and 80 grams a day. Water is another story.. LOL. I get about 60 oz a day but I am working on it. The WOW moments are the best. Everyday it's something that makes me blush or smile. My 22/24 clothes are fitting looser and I bought a pair of 22 pants the other day. That just tickles me to death. Me in a 22.. Unreal!!
I've been having some issues with calories. My surgeon says to not count calories but I read so many people trying to get in 1000 calories. It's confusing. I only get in between 500 and 650 a day. Food doesn't faze me anymore. I just eat cause I need to. Every now and then I get the munchies at night and I just do a shake, beef jerky, SF popsicle or a few grapes. I'm proud of myself how good I'm doing with food. It was my biggest worry with this surgery. I thought I was gonna go nuts not being able to eat like I use to. Anyway.. Like I've said a million times in my jounal, WLS has saved my life and it has truly been a blessing! Til next time.... Oh, I do keep up my pictures. They are in photobucket. If you wanna see my progress, click on the link up top that says website.
Sept 25, 06
My excuse for updating late is my computer is down! I'm 8 months now and I cant believe how fast time has gone by since surgery. It's been fast but I'm loving every monent of my new life. People don't realize what they take for granted til it's gone. Little things that I couldn't do before come so easy for me now. I have so much more confidence and just feel great. I had a goal to weigh 250 lbs. by Oct. 16 and I did it. I'm 249 lbs. now and that is one incredible feeling. 200 lbs. gone from my highest! So unreal!! Since surgery I've lost 139 lbs. I want to get to 175 lbs. and I really believe that I can do it. At first 175 lbs. seemed so far away but now I'm confident that I can do it. I'm still in a size 22/24 jeans but they are loose. My tops are 18/20. I'm pretty deciplined with my eating but somedays I get that "munching" feeling like I NEED something but I know it's head hunger. Protein shakes are a major part of my diet because they help me stay full and not want to snack. Well I'm happy I had this surgery. It saved my life.
Oct. 13
I cant believe how fast time has gone by since surgery. I am 9 months out today! I can remember me getting ready for surgery like it was yesterday. This surgery has improved my life for the best and I feel incredible. The best feeling is knowing how good I look. Yes that might sound a little vain but I look in the mirror and love what I see now. I now weigh 242 lbs. That's a total weight loss of 146 lbs. since surgery. My size 22 pants are super baggy so I'm slowly buying some 20 and 18's. Size 18 really cracks me up! I haven't had a 1 as the first number of my clothing size since I was a freshmen in high school. I'm adding new pic's to my alblum so click the link up top if you wanna see! Til next time...
December 13, 06
Today Marks my 11 month Anniversay for WLS. Time flies when your having fun. I know I keep saying in all my updates how good I feel, how good life is and how greatful I am for this surgery. I cant say it enough. The feeling is incredible! I now weigh 215 lbs. Now that's AMAZING!! 173 lbs. gone since surgery and 235 lbs. gone total from my all time highest of 450 lbs. I wanted to be 200 lbs. by my 1 year but that's a little far fetched. I'm totally pleased with my progress. I bought my first pair of 16 pants the other day. I was shopping with my mom and she hands them to me over the dressing rom door. I told her she gave me the wrong size and she said, "just try them on" So I did and they fit. I haven't been in a size 16 since middle school. I knew that I would eventually get here but it's still unreal. I look in the mirror and I see a smaller me but I don't see a size 16. When will my brain catch up? Today I read more than enough post about gaining weight and it kinda freaked me out cause I'm almost a year and I don't want to be one of the ones that have to post.. " I'm gaining weight". I try SO hard to just control what I eat, watch portions and not graze. When I feel like I want to graze, I grab a protein shake or a SF popsicle. I still weigh and measure food so I don't overeat. The only thing I wish I could of did differently was exercise. I'm just plain lazy when it comes to that! After christmas I want to join the gym. I say that but when it comes time to do so, I won't. I'm gonna make myself do it for me!! Whoever is reading this, I hope you have a fabulous Christmas! Oh, I forgot... I got a new baby 2 days ago! A tcup poodle. She was my early christmas present from my partner. Til next time.....
January 20, 07... I turned 1 year on January 13th. I cant believe I forgot to update on my re-birthday. I cant believe how fast time has gone by for me. It has truly been an awesome year. When I think about how bad I felt when I started this journey, I truly feel blessed to have made it this far. I had my one year check-up with Dr. Huffman and he is so proud of me. I weighed 212 so that's 176 lb. weight loss since surgery. He was impressed. My weight has boucned back and forth from 209 to 212 for 2 weeks and it is driving me nuts. I've had one othe stall that lasted a week but this is the longest. In this year, I have lived a life that I haven't been able to live in a long time. I'm not longer scared to go to the movies, I go to resturants, my partner and I go to clubs again and most of all, I walk with my head held HIGH! It's amazing how different people treat you when your smaller. People speak to me, hold doors for me and just give me eye contact. I'm loving going into stores picking up size 16's. It's so amazing because when I was wearing a size 34, I only had 2 stores to choose from. Now, I can shop where ever I want! It's funny because I pick up a pair of 16 pants and I'm thinking.. "there is no way, I'm gonna get in them little pants". I don't know why I do that. I also feel uncomfortable shopping in the non plus size department with the smaller ladies. In my mind, I feel like they are looking at me like I shouldn't be over there with them. I know I sound nuts but I promise, I'm not. I also want to say I truly appreciate the people that take the time out to read my profile. I get emails from people that just want to say, "congratulations" and tell me that I'm an inspiration. Me, an inspiration?! That's what keeps me going. Well that's all I can say about this journey. If you thinking about wls or in the process of getting wls, good luck. This has been the best decision I have ever made for myself.
About Me
Before & After
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