ANGIE L.
A little about my self! I am 31 years old and married. I have two children. I am a nursing instructor and I love my job. I have been overweight all of my life. Of course it has gotten worse over the years. I gained 65 lbs with both of my pregnancies and with my last child it just didn't come off as easy. I have decided to start the journey of WLS. My insurance company pays for it, but there is a lot of hoops to jump through, 16 nutritionist meetins, 3 psychologist meetings and a year long program. Wish me luck.
2/15/05 I went to my 3rd nutritionist group meeting. There were a couple of ladies there who had the surgery. I was nice to be able to ask them questions and hear their story.
2/22/05 Today is my 1st meeting with my psychologist and my 4th nutrition group meeting. I am kind of nervous about the psych. meeting. Just wondering what kind of questions she is going to ask. Well I guess I will let you know how it goes.
3/29/05 A few weeks ago a talked with my pcp to see if they would approve my LA Weight loss as part of my year served in the nutritionist plan. My dr. wrote a letter for me including all my problems and my extensive family history. She submitted the letter, my exercise journal, proof of nutritionalist counseling and a copy of a letter from LA Weight loss discussing my 6 months that I spent in their program to CHP. My year will not be up until 1/11/06, but if they approve the 6 months of LA weight loss that will make me elligible in July. That is the same time that I am on my summer vacaction from work. Since I work with the school board. It would work out perfectly. So everyone out there send up some prayers that it will get approved. I called today and it was submitted on 3/24/05 for review. So I am praying and keeping my fingers crossed. PPPPPPLLLLLLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEE!!!!!
4/1/05 I called today to see what was going on with my referral. They told me that they got a call on the 30th from my pcp nurse telling them to disregard the referral. Of course no one had let me know anything. So I was on the phone immediately with the dr office. She let me know that she received a call from CHP on the 30th and they told her that they would not approve anything that was done before entering into the program. So I am going to have to do the entire year. Bummer, especially when I know people who are also in the same CHP program and they are approving their time. Well this to shall pass. Before I know it this year will be over. I'll just keep coming here to keep my spirits up and give me something to look forward to.
4/5/05 I went to my 7 support group meeting at CHP Today. When I left there I was so mad I was in tears. I heard they are now sending out letters stating new citeria. One of the new criteria is that you have to lose 10% of you starting weight. Well if you all remember, my BMI is currently 40 and if I lose 10% of my weight that would put me at a BMI of 36.6 and so I would not be qualified for surgery. Either way I would be disqualified. I just pray that they will let me continue. I am 3 months into this and don't want to be stopped now. I will call them tommorrow to clarify.
4/7/05 I called CHP member services. After talking with them at length I finally got the lady to figure out what I was trying to ask her. She said she was going to have to get with the head person and call me back. I spoke with her again this afternoon and they told me to just continue in the plan and get the dr to write my referral as usual when I am complete. If I go through another 9 months of this and get turned down I am going to be furious. I don't understand why they make everything so hard. Please just help me continue to pray that everything will work out for the best and when January comes I will get approved. Thanks for listening.
4/11/05 I got me letter from CHP stating the percentage of weight I am required to lose in order to be qualified for the surgery. I have to lose 8% of my starting weight. That would put me down to 219, a BMI of 36.6. I need to lose 29 lbs. They put my goal weight of having to be 200 lbs though. Apparently they don't know how to calculate percentages. They have me losing 39lbs. My starting weight was not but 240. I will be calling them to get that settled.
4/19/05 I went to another support group session, I had lost 2lbs. That puts me with another 27lbs to go. I have been working out at Gold's Gym for about 45 min. daily. Maybe if I keep this up I will get it off before Jan. 11.
5/3/05 Well I had another support group session, I gained 5lbs. Putting me at 252 lbs. That is the story of my life lose 2 gain 5. The revolving cylce. I have been drinking 8 glasses of water a day so maybe some of that is water weight. I usually only drink about 2 a day. My kidneys might just be in shock. So I am back to the drawing board. I have got to lose 32lbs now. Please everyone send up a prayer for me. This is so hard.
5/9/05 I would like you all to see the wonderful work that Rene has blessed me with. I just love my profile. Thanks a bunch.
5/14/05 I did contact Mary Goble from CHP this past week about the discrepency on my letter that they sent me. I am supposed to lose 8% of my starting weight and my goal weight is 220. That sound a lot better than 200. This losing weight is so hard. I do good in the mornings but by the time afternoon gets here I can't hold out. It is like I am just starving for anything that I can get my hands on. I have to keep reminding myself that my goal is to have this surgery. So I have to get it off. If was that easy to get off though, I would not have to have the surgery in the first place I would have lost it a long time ago. I guess you all know about how I feel. Well until next time. Later.
5/20/05 Well I went for another weigh in this week at CHP. I lost 5 lbs. My current weight is 246. I now have to lose 26 more before they will do the surgery. The question was asked at the meeting what would happen if you make it to the year and have not lost the required weight. The answer is you would continue until you lose the required weight. So I guess there is no way around losing this weight. It is just so darned hard. If it was so easy I would not be in this shape now. I would have lost it along time ago. So all of you out their who pray, please pray for me to over come the temptation of food and my God bless me with some serious willpower. Later.
6/21/05 I went to my second psychologist meeting. It went well, she said I would only have to see her one more time before December. I am really aggravated with this weight loss requirement by CHP. I put back on another pound, so now have to lose 27 lbs. For goodness sakes if I could lose the weight I wouldn't need the surgery. I don't think they understand that. Anyway all is going well I am just getting impatient and still have 7 months to go. I seems like an eternity, but this web site keeps my hopes up. See ya later.
6/28/05 Well as of the 24th I am off work unitl 8/8. This is the first summer break I have had since I graduated high school. I am going to try to thoroughly enjoy myself. This first week though I am teaching VBS. This is a first ever. Well I weighed in today at CHP and have gained 2 more pounds. This is so depressing. Now I have to lose 29 pounds before 1/11. I am going to start trying to tighten up on eating better now that I am at home more and not so available to fast food. I guess we will see. See ya later.
7/27/05 I haven't updated in a while. My summer vacation has been great and I have gotten a lot of things done. I haven't had much time for the computer. I have repainted my daughters room, moved my son into his own room after painting it and I cleaned the rest of the house completely. It has kept my mind off eating and snacking. I weighed in yesterday at my CHP support group meeting. I had lost 3 lbs. Current weight 246 with 26 lbs to go.
8/24/05 Well it has been almost a month since I checked in last. I am back to work now. The students came back last week. Boy it is a chore getting learn all of those names. I went to weigh yesterday and had gained 3 lbs. LOL I don't know how I am going to get these 29lbs off before 1/11. It seems if I keep taking one step forward and two steps back. With the help of God and some prayers I know I can do it. I just need the willpower. I am going to try to get motivated again. This is just getting so discouraging. If I could lose weight I would not weigh 249lbs, nor need WLS surgery. PLEASE PRAY FOR ME. THANKS!!!!
9/21/05 Well this year is passing on by. I am closer now to being able to try and get approval from my insurance company. Just 16 weeks until I complete my year long program with CHP. I still have one more psychologist meeting and she told me to schedule that in November and she would go ahead and give me my discharge letter. I went to weigh in yesterday and had lost 3 lbs, that is 3 closer to my goal of the 29 lbs in need to get off. I have been really watching what I eat. Drinking a slim fast for breakfast, I don't like nor have time to eat breakfast. Then for lunch just having some fruit or salad and a sandwich. Drinking my 8 glasses of water a day. I have been trying to get 24 oz of dairy a day and eating a sensible supper. I do admit it is hard at times and I have fallen off the wagon, but I have been doing better at about getting back on. So with doing this and the help of God, I will get these last 26 lbs off. CHP is serious about losing the required weight percentage before they will approve the surgery. I know of several people that have finished their year program, but they can't be approved until they lose their required weight. So with that said I know I have to get it off and will. Well until later. See Ya!!
10/18/05 Well the time is flying on by. My year program only has 12 weeks left. YA HOO! Only one problem though, I still have 26 lbs to lose. I weighed in today and had neither gained nor lost. So another month has went by with no progress. I figured now I need to lose a little more that 2 lbs a week to meet my goal. That still is possible, but I sure have to tighten things up. I do good all morning, but when I get home in the afternoons, before I can get supper cooked is where I have my downfalls. If anyone has any suggestions in how to help me get these 26 lbs off, I would love to hear from you. Well I will update again later. See Ya.
11/15/05 Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! I had my 16th and final weigh in I have lost 6 lbs. Putting me at 240 with a net loss of 11 lbs. So I have 20 more to go before Jan. 11th. I have been doing low carbs and high protein. It seems to really work. I know that is what I will be mostly doing after surgery, so I am going to try to get us to it now. I have done this in the past and lost 55lbs but I put it back on. This time I just want to do it long it enough to get off the 20lbs so I can have surgery. Even though I am finished with my weighin's I am going to go back at least once in December and once in the first of January so I can keep on track with the weight loss. Well so much for the update. See ya soon.
12/15/05 - WOO HOO only 27 days left until the end of my year weight loss program. I weighed in on Tuesday and was down 6 more pounds. That is a total of 17 lbs so far. I still have to get off 14lbs. So I will not be eating much over the holidays. But it will be well worth it in the long run. I did feel kind of good though being in the class with all of the newcomers and me being the one almost through. I just continue to pray and have faith that CHP will approve me after all of this I have done. Please everyone pray along with me. See ya soon!!
12/19/05 I had my last psychologist meeting with Dr. Rogers. She is just great. We had a hard time finding something to talk about for an hour. She said that she thought I would do great post surgery. She told me about some of the reasons that people continue to see her, but she didn't think that I would have any of those problems. She was going to write my dismissal letter and send it off the beginning of next week. I did tell her about my concern with them not approving me because of my BMI being below 40 now since I am losing the weight that they are requiring me to lose. But she said that she has seen patient in my situation before and they were approved. I sure pray that it continues to be the case with me. Well now all I have left to do is lose these last 14 pounds and get my doctor to send my paper work in on Jan. 11th. Hallaluhah I have almost made it.
1/11/06 Well my year program is up. THANK YOU GOD!!! This has been a long year. I didn't quite make my goal yet though. I weighed in today at 226. I have 6 lbs to my goal weight for CHP approval. I had an appointment with my ARNP yesterday to get my paper work and referral sent in to CHP today. I know it will take a few weeks to get either an approval or a denial. I will see if I can get these 6 pounds off this week and then weigh in one more time next week. PLEASE everyone pray for me to get approved. I don't want to have to go through the appeal process. I have jumped through all of thier hoops and I hope know they will recognize that. I will let you know.
1/23/06 Well I am still waiting to here something from CHP. I called the other day to find out how long it might take. They told me to give them 3 weeks. So I have about another week and a half before I start calling to see where I stand. I haven't been back to weigh again. I figured I will go back when I know I have gotten these last 6 lbs off and then go weigh. I hate to waste a trip when I know I still have some pounds to go. Well I will let you all know how it goes and if I here anything. Keep praying for me.
2/1/06 Well it has been 3 weeks. I haven't heard anything. So at about lunch time I called CHP to see what was going on. They told me they had not even received my paperwork. I called last week and they wouldn't even look for my paperwork. They told me to weight at least 3 weeks. Well that would have saved me a weeks worth of waiting time. I called my doctor shortly after I got the news and had to leave a message. After not getting a call back by 3:30 I decided to call back. The referral lady, Cynthia, told me that my paperwork was now at CHP. So I am not sure what happened, but I believe that my papers never got filed and that when I called the realized that and sent them.cynthia gave me the name of the lady who has my papers. I tried to call her but there was no answer. I will be calling back first thing in the morning. I sure hope I don't have to wait another 3 weeks for their mistake. I am still working on the last 6 pounds and I will go next Wednesday to weigh one last time. Well I will update later.
2/2/06 I called CHP first thing this morning and they now have my paperwork. So it is time to play the waiting game again.
2/11/06 Well I got my denial letter today. It said, "According to the documentation provided, you do not meet the clinical criteria for surgical treatment of morbid obesity. You do not have a BMI of greater than 35 in conjunction with severe co-morbidities such as cardiopulmonary complications or severe diabetes. You have not met the weight reduction requirement as evidenced by a weight loss of 8% prorated for you per the letter sent to you in May, 2005." Yes I know I didn't meet the required 8% loss from my starting weight but I lost 10% of my highest weight. The new criteria did not go into effect until after I had gained weight. I also I talked to Mary Goble from CHP back when I received the letter and they said that if I lost down lower than 35 BMI that it would be no problem. As long as my starting BMI was 40. I am so ticked off right now. I am going to file an appeal letter and send it in Wed. after I have weighed in a proved that I have gotten off the required weight. I only had 6 lbs to lose. Well for now that is all. See ya soon.
MY APPEAL LETTER:
Capital Health Plan
Grievance Department
PO BOX 15349
Tallahassee, Fl 32317
To whom it may concern:
The definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect different results. After years of dieting without lasting success and months of considering the huge step of weight loss surgery, I discussed “insanity” with my PCP, Dr. Whiddon. Together we agreed that weight loss surgery is medically necessary to prevent my health from declining.
I have a long history of yo-yo dieting. I began dieting in high school and have been trying to lose weight ever since, but the effect of all this dieting is that I’m now much heavier than when I started. In my life time I have tried and failed at so many diets it scary. Some, but not all of the many diets I have tried through the years are as follows:
- Weight Watchers for over a year.
- Dr. Atkins many times
-LA Weight Loss for a year
- New Mayo Clinic Diet
- Dexatrim
- Body Type diet
- Metabolife
- Richard Simmons
- Three day diet
- Cabbage soup diet
- Slim fast
- Carb Addicts diet
- Grapefruit diet
- Fastin
- Phen Phen
and probably more than that I just can’t recall them all.
I have completed this past year’s physician-supervised diet as required. I joined Gold’s Gym last December and have been working out regularly. I have gone to the psychologist counseling sessions as required.
When I began this program there was not a required weight loss and I was 40BMI. So I just did qualify. Well around 4/7/05 I received a letter from you stating that I now had a new requirement, and that was that I had to lose 8% of my starting body weight. Well needless to say I had already gained more weight at that point and now weighed 249 lbs. But that didn’t matter I still had to lose your required 8% plus the extra I had put on. This concerned me because my new goal was now 220. Well I knew if I got down to 220 then I would be below the 40 BMI to qualify. That worried me, so I called CHP that day and after talking to someone in member services for a while I finally got them to understand what my question was. If I lose the required weight will I still be qualified even though I am below 40 BMI. After talking to Mary Goble I was told that as long as I am still over 35 and my starting weight was 40 then I should continue on with the program. I would still be qualified. I even talked to Dr. Seiloff’s office and they said the same thing. So I have continued on as I was asked to do. At the end of this long year I did lose weight. I lost 10% of my highest weight for a total of 25 lbs. I was only required to lose 19. I am still going to the meetings and I hope to have off the last 6 lbs the week of 2/15/06, so I can say that I met your goal.
When I began looking into weight loss surgery, I had several co-morbidities. I am tired all the time and I am easily fatigued. I become out of breath with even the slightest exertion making it difficult for me to do my job that requires a substantial amount of walking. My cholesterol and triglycerides have been elevated since I was 18. My blood pressure has been increasing, my hips are painful and my knees hurt. I have had bouts of depression and anxiety for which I have had medication prescribed. But what scares me even worse if my family history. My maternal grandmother had a quadruple bypass 10 years ago. My maternal grandfather had a triple bypass 8 years ago. My paternal grandfather had a quadruple bypass almost 15 years ago. He later had stents placed in because he coronary arteries were clogged. He has had diabetes for years and no is in Congestive Heart Failure. My maternal grandmother has diabetes and needed stents but because of her failing health could not get them. She is now in congestive heart failure. Three of my dad’s brothers have had heart attacks. My mother and father have high cholesterol and are at high risk for heart attack. I have two small children who I would like to be able to play with and enjoy life with. Plus I want to be able to see them grow up. At this point I don’t have the energy to play with them or get down on the floor with my 3 year old.
I have looked at the required criteria and studied the requirements necessary to approve my weight loss surgery. According to the handout you provided me all the following criteria have been met and you already have the supporting documentation.
(1) My BMI in the program up to 41.4 while in the program, until you required me to lose weight.
(2) I have lost 10% of my highest weight
(3) I have adequately completed and documented a 12 month exercise program.
(4) I have met with my psychologist and was release from her care with approval for surgery.
(5) I have gone to all required nutritional support group meetings, plus some.
(6) You have my doctors letter of reference and recommendation.
I work in health care, I am an RN and I am well aware of the procedure and of the risks involved. I have been educating myself and have begun to take pre-operative steps to contribute to the success of the surgery. I believe I have also met the National Institute of Health’s guidelines with regards to meeting the profile for surgery candidates.
In closing, I am an insured CHP member in good standing. I’ve paid my premiums and expect value for my consideration. I have been advised that I meet your published requirements for weight loss surgery approval and respectfully request a speedy approval. I ask you to please consider this. Help me to be a more productive mother, wife and nurse. Help me to be able to lose this weight that I have had on me since I was in the second grade. Please I beg of you, I am tired of being over weight and I have tried all of my options. This is my last hope of having a healthy, long and productive life. I pray that you will grant me this opportunity to better myself.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Mary A Lawson
2/13/06 I talked with Carol Gaines at CHP today. She said that I could appeal at several levels. I explained to her my situation and she advised me to turn in my appeal letter. That she would be looking forward to it this week. I am going to mail my letter tommorrow. I will appeal this until my hands fall off from typing letters or they give in.
2/23/06 I went to weigh in yesterday at CHP I am at 222 now. Still 2 lbs shy of my goal. I did find out something interesting though. While I was there another member, who has been in the program came up and talked with me. She said that she was also through with her year program and she had not finished losing all of her weight. I told her that I was denied because of that. She said that she had a friend that worked for CHP and that friend said that they were approving people with the same conditions in which they denied me. So after I left the meeting I called Dr. Sieloff's office and talking with someone in insurance. I asked them if CHP had been approving patients with my condition. They said yes and told me to make sure that I appealed their decision and that they were sure that I would be approved the second time around. So today I called CHP and told all of the info that I had heard. I spoke with the lady that will be sitting in on my appeal meeting. She said that she would bring up my concerns with the board. They received my appeal letter Wednesday and she was currently working on it. They would meet on my appeal next Thursday. Well I will keep you all informed. Just please keep on praying for me.
3/3/06 Well I got some good news today about my appeal. I received a letter from CHP. I stated that I needed to complete my weight loss with my goal being 220. My last official weigh in was 222. When I lose the last two pounds I need to have my doctor resubmit my referral request and it will be approved. So you know what that means. I have got a lot of motivation to get this weight off this week. I am going to make an appointment to see my doctor Friday and weigh in one last time and I will have this weight off and they will approve me. Yeah!! I am one step closer to having my dream come true. Thank you GOD!!!!
3/10/06 I weighed in at the doctors office this AM. I am 218. So I have met my goal plus some. She is going to send my referral in today along with a copy of the letter from CHP stating that I was approved if I could show proof of losing down to 220. So now it is just time to wait for a referral number.
3/14/06 I am currently in Memhis, TN on a convention. It has been a great getaway. I decided to call CHP referral line today and see if they have assigned me a referral number. There was one, but it confused me a little. It said it was good for a hospital admission, the dates where good from 3/10-3/13/06. That doesn' t really make sense to me. I will call them tommorrow as soon as they open. But at least I am one step closer and I have a number. I will be calling the surgeon tommorrow to schedule a consulatation appointment.
3/16/06 I finally have a date scheduled to for a consultation with the surgeon. It is March 22 at 2:00pm. She said that they were all booked for surgeries for this month so the surgery will probably have to be in April. But at least I am one more step closer. Thank you GOD!
3/22/06 Thank you GOD, Thank you GOD, Thank you GOD. I can't say it enough. I finally have a date it is (drum roll please) next Thursday, 3/30. I can't believe it is so soon. I have finally made it after all my insurance company put me through. Again, Thank GOD and all of the members out their who let me vent and kept encouraging me. It want be long now until I am on the loser bench. I don't know how my job is going to take it when I tell them that I need time off and I am off all this week on Spring Break.
3/29/06 Well I had pre op today. I have to be at the hospital tommorrow at 5am. My surgery is first and it is at 730. Iam getting really nervous now. I am going now to pack my bags and take my hexaclens bath. I will see you all on the losing side.
4/2/05 Well I am home and I am now on the losing side. It has been really weird because it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I went in Thursday at 5AM. They got my weight and vital signs. My weight was 228, I guess I had alot of last meals, 10 pounds worth. I was then taken to a room where I met a nurse and they started an IV and gave me a name band. At about 6:15 they took me down to the holding area on the OR floor. I waited there with many other people all waiting for their turn. I was the first case of the day 7:30. I was wheeled into the OR suite at 732 and was asked to slide onto the table. Within seconds I remember them telling me they were going to give me some oxygen and I was going to start feeling sleepy. THe next thing I remember was someone calling my name to wake me up. The rest of that day was kind of a blur. I remember people coming to visit. But I was just really sleepy. The next day was some pain but not unbairable. I used my morphine pump and slept most of the day.OH yeah I forgot to add that the worst part of the whole day after surgery was the nasty barium swallow test that they did to see if there were any leaks. But all showed well. With no leaks. The next day was only excrutiating because I was bored out of my mind. I had no pain, didn't want to sleep, nothing on TV and no one to talk to. I did sleep good that night though because the nurses finally left me alone. I had no IV to keep them busy and all they had to do was peek in then leave. Finally I got to go home 1015 today. Thank God for a laptop. I am in no pain. I am drinking fluids well and am still on clear liquids. I will call tommorrow to schedule my 10 day checkup. I am to stick to clear liquids until I feel that it is not keeping me satisfied and the continue to full liquids. Sorry this was so long. Will update again after my next appointment.4/6/05 I can’t believe how well I feel now. Not sore anymore, doing light housecleaning, drinking my 48oz of fluids a day and have lost 10 lbs. I am kind of getting board watching TV all day. There is not much to do once I get up and straighten the house. But I guess I better enjoy it because it will all end to fast. Well I will update again later.
4/10/06 Well I had my 11 day check up with Dr. Sieloff today. I am down 15lbs, WOW in 11 days. Down 40 lbs from my highest weight. My current weight is 212. Hopefully by the time I go back in 3 weeks I will be below the 200 mark. He cleared me to eat. Finally something to put in my mouth. He said anything soft or crispy. Still no breads, pork, chicken or beef. But hey at least it is progress. Tonight I had 1 fish stick and a couple spoons of cheese grits, it was great. He put me on two childrens chewables and 1 - 500mcg vit B12 per day, which will be for the rest of my life. Also a medication to prevent me from getting gallstones, that will only be taken for the next 6 months. Well that is all for now. I will update again later. See ya!
4/14/06 Well I went back to work yesterday. For breakfast I had 1/2 slice toast with peanut butter, lunch was the inside of an egg roll and supper was 2 crackers with tuna salad. Well I started having pain in my stomach. Just a little nauseasated after lunch, but before I went to bed I really started hurting. I didn't sleep good at all. Could not get comfortable. At 430 am I finally went and threw up. I thought that would make it better but then it felt like my stomach was just spasming. At 630 I went and took some Lortab, called into work and then slept till 1230 this morning. After many suggestions from my support groups I realized it was probably the cabbage in the egg roll. So no more cabbage for a long time. For now the pain is gone and I am just going to be on clear liquids today. Maybe I will try eating again tommorrow.
5/1/06 Well yesterday was 1 month post op and today I had my check up with Dr. Seiloff. I am currently weighing in at 200lbs. I was sure hoping for something in the ones, but oh well I have done great. I have lost 27lbs since surgery and 52lb since the beginning of this journey.I am now half way to my goal of 145. Eating is going well, but I have been worried because my stomach has been growling and I have been hungry. I didn't expect this the Dr. just told me to eat more solid things such as protein and that should help. Oh yeah he freed me to eat meat. That sure will make the protein intake a little easier. I don't go back now for 3 months. My next appointment is 7/31. I will update again later. See ya!!
5/11/06 Well I am now down to 196. For a loss of 31 lbs since surgery and a total of 56 lbs. I have noticed I am able to eat more now, still not much, but more. At least now I can eat more of a variety. I am tolerating most food, unless it is dry meat and that doesn't go down good at all. I finally found a vitamin that I can take that don't make me nauseated and actually goes down and doesn't feel like it is getting stuck, they are the Centrum Chewables and they don't taste that bad. Well I will try to update again later, I have a lot of things to do.
5/20/06 Well it is time for another update. Current weight is 192 for a total loss of 60lbs, 35lbs since surgery. I have found a new food friend and it is healthy. Watermelon, I thought it would make me dump, but it didn't. It is so sweet and good this time of the year and guess what it doesn't have very many calories and no fat. Compared to my old food friend, donuts, brownies and cookies. Everything is still going down good. I do notice though if I swallow something to big it has to come back up before I can continue eating. Just remember you always have to chew really well no matter how good it tastes. Well see ya again soon.
5/26/06 Well just stopping in for a quick update. I have lost 4 lbs since last update. I am currently at 188. That is a total loss of 64 lbs and 39 since surgery. I just can't believe how fast the weight is coming off. The complements are wonderful and my old clothes are way to big. I finally had to buy a couple of new outfits, size 16 Yeah!! I have noticed that my tastes have changed since surgery. I would rather have fruit now instead of meat and pizza used to be my favorited food, but now I have no desire for it. Well I will update again on the 30th for a two month update. See ya later.
6/2/06 I am sorry I didn't get her to update on the 30th, but my child has been sick. Jaylon had to be taken to the ER last night because he was having difficulty breathing. After two albuterol treatments, chest x rays and some medicine, we finally got out of there 3 1/2 hours later. He has acute bronchitis. Well as for me, I am currently at 186 that is - 41 lbs since surgery and a total of 66 lbs. I am trying to finish up this last month at work before I am off for 5 weeks. I just love teaching, especially for those summer vacations. My last day is 6/29. Well I will update again later and post a picture then. See ya!!
6/4/06 2 more pounds down for -43 since surgery and a total of 68 lbs. Here are some updated pictures.
6/10/06 Wow, the weeks are passing by so fast. I am so ready for summer vacation. Graduation for my students is next weeks and then I only have two weeks left. Well my current weight is 182. That is a loss of 45 lbs since surgery and a total of 70 lbs.
6/15/06 I just wanted to post something really funny that happened to me last night. I think everyone will get a kick out of this and see how bad little boys can be. I always iron my clothes at night before I go to bed. Well last night after I got threw ironing my shirt, I needed some water for the iron. So I grabbed the bottle that I keep water in for the iron. I put some in the iron and started ironing my pants. A few minutes later I started to smell a horrible smell. To the point I thought I was going to throw up. When I smelled what was in my water bottle I found out what was causing the smell. Jaylon, my 3 year old, had peed in the bottle and I poured that into my steam iron. It was horrible. It smelled like hot piss. My husband had to end up cleaning up that messwith a round of vinegar, then a round of bleach and another round of fresh water. He was the one who taught him how to pee in a bottle one day when he was in the truck and couldn't make it to the bathroom. I just thought you would get a kick out of that.
6/17/06 Well it is time for another update. Current weight is 179. Yeah I am no longer considered obese. I am now just classified as overweight. I have lost 48 lbs since surgery for a total of 73 lbs all together. The compliments feel great and the new size clothes feel even better. Well see ya again soon.
6/29/06 Well tommorrow will be 3 months post op. It has truely been great. I feel so much better. Even though last week I was really tired, I am still glad I did this. I had my lab values checked last week, because of the fatigue. Everything came back good. I guess I am just tired from being overworked. But that all ends today. Today is my last day until 8/7. This is why I love teaching, summer vacations. I still am not eating meat. I just don't like it anymore and I would rather have fruit and veggies instead. The weight loss has slowed but that is to be expected. I love all of the compliments. I have lost 52 lbs since surgery for a total of 77 since the beginning of this journey. I have posted an updated picture. Hope to speak with everyone again soon. See Ya.
7/11/06 Well I sure am enjoying time off from work. I have been sleeping in, spending time with my children and doing some much needed cleaning. I am feeling much better than I was a few weeks ago. My lab work came back great. I guess those vitamins are doing the trick. I have had so much more energy. I have decided to go back to school starting in January. So I am currently trying to get my application together. I am going back to get my Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. My current weight is 170 pounds. I haven't weighed that in about 8 years when I did phen phen. I am down a total of 82 pounds and 57 since surgery. I only have 25 left to go until goal.
7/23/06 Time for an update. I had a great vacation week.
Well most of you know I have been off work for a while because of summer break at school. My husband has taken off for two weeks. This past week we went to Wild Adventures in Valdosta for 3 days. It was great. I felt so much better about myself and getting in a swimsuit. I was actually able to keep up with my kids. I was just very hot though and I had to make sure I got enought fluids in. Saturday we decided to go to the beach for the day. We went to St. George Island state park. It was so beautiful and relaxing. My mom came over today and brought me some of her close that she no longer wears. Size 12 may I add and they fit perfectly. WOW!!. I can't believe I can fit in my moms clothes again. That hasn't happened in years. Well this afternoon I am going to my granddads 83rd suprise birthday party. They haven't seen me since 86 lbs ago. So that will be interesting. I am so looking forward to it. They are the ones that I got all my fat genes from. The fat genes that I have finally beat. Yeah! My current weight is 166. For a loss of 61 lbs since surgery and a total of 86. I only have 21 left to lose until goal. Well I will update again on the 30th. I will have updated pics then.
8/22/06 Well the weight is still coming off, slower but at least it is still moving. My current weight is 156. Only 11 more pounds until I get to goal. This is a loss of 71 since surgery and a total of 96. Just 4 more pounds until I make the century club. YEAH!!!!! Many of my students have told me I know need to stop losing. I am so happy that I made this decision to go through with this. It is the best thing I have ever done for myself.
8/31/06 Well it is time for a monthly update again. I can't believe it has been 5 months. Wow how time flies. I have so much more energy since I have been on synthroid. My current weight is 152 lbs. That is a loss of 75 lbs since surgery and a grand total of 100 lbs. I can get my century card now. Only 7 more pounds until I reach my goal. I would love to meet that by the end of next month. So I have to keep up the work. I feel so much better, with so much more energy. Clothes fit so well and it is nice to shop now. I will post pictures soon. Later.
Here are some pictures!!
9/14/06 I have my century card, my before and after pictures have been posted and I only have 4 more pounds to go unitl goal. Just thought I would do a little bragging. I went to the doctor yesterday to have more TSH and Lipid levels drawn. Now I am just waiting for the results. Update again later.
10/5/06 OK I know, I am a little late on my update. Better late than never is my motto. Well I guess I first should say, I met my goal. I am currently at 145 lbs and it feels really good. I am still wearing 10/12 and they are loose. I really should go shopping again. But I am trying to hold off a while. My TSH levels came back great. I know just need to continue my synthroid as ordered. My cholesterol is down to 215 from a preop of 285. That is always good. I have lost 107 pounds total and feel 100% better. My husband took pictures on the 30th but I didn't realize until today that they are blurry. So I will have to try again later and post them. 6 months post op and goal I can't believe it. YEAH!!!!
About Me
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
