aprilynn

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I went through a terrible divorce, moving across the state, new jobs, new husband all while trying to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.   I have gained quite a bit of weight back and I am continuously throwing up.  I try to focus on protein (meats, nuts, etc) because i know they will make me not feel hungry.  Almost every meat I eat, whether its chicken, fish, steak, whatever - I can almost guarantee that I am throw it up.   I feel hungry all the time.  This makes it so I have very little energy - but I try to keep active as best as I can.  Walking my dog, swimming in the summer, etc.    I made an appointment to see if I am eligible for revision surgery or least see if my RNY has a problems or I've just failed as a WLS patient.   I am sad and feel broken hearted.  I've read so many success stories, but right now I am not one of them.  

Hey everyone - so sorry I've been neglecting this site but life has it's way of just taking over and passing the time ever so quickly.  Quick update on me - I am down to 197lbs - the loss has certainly slowed quite a bit but I am a year out.  I am down to a size 14 and couldn't be happier.  I got divorced in February - got a new job - and have an amazing new boyfriend.  Life could not be any better!!!  I will post a few pictures when I get home later today.   I hope everyone is doing great, it's awesome to see everyone's progress.  I just moved to Rochester, NY.. So I am not sure what happens now- I was due for my 1 year appointment but with moving and everything I didn't make it.   I guess I'm going to need to find a bariatric center here in Rochester that will take a patient who already had surgery?? I am going to need a new regular doctor.  I think I will post on the NY forum - I would like a regular doctor that has a bit of experience with gastric bypass patients.  Anyways, this is my update - hope everyone is doing well!!  

Hello! It's been over 6 months since surgery and I am still feeling great!  I just had my 6 month checkup and had my labs done - still waiting on the results.  Other than that - I'm doing really well.  Overall I'm very happy with my progress.  Looking back -here is where i started and here is where I'm at now..

Dress Size = 30/32 to a 14/16
Ring Size = 12 to a 7
Bra Size = 50DD to a 40C - getting closer and closer to a 38C

Exercising 20 minutes and feeling like im going to die, to exercising an hour everyday without breaking a sweat.
Feeling comfortable in my own skin, being able to walk into Old Navy and Macys without people staring at me.  I am thrilled and blessed to have had this surgery, it has changed my life in ways I never thought possible.  I hope to continue to lose weight, it goes so much slower now!!!  But I am not discouraged because I know that following the plan I will continue to be successful.  I am still not feeling any hunger - I eat because I know I have to.    My hair continues to thin at an alarming rate which is why I'm keeping my hair nice and short.  I am getting all my protein and vitamins and taking extra ones for my hair but nothing seems to help.  I am okay with it though!  Long as the pounds keep shedding......

I hope everyone is doing wonderful, I wish everyone continued success on their journeys! = )

I just wanted to say that I am doing well.... I posted some new pictures, I am down about 121 lbs... the weight is coming off slowly but I am HEALTHIER....    Best part is buying new clothes, I am down to a 16!!!  I even bought a pair of NON-PLUS size jeans from the GAP in size 16... I was so excited to squeeze my new smaller butt into those jeans lol.  I hope you are all doing well and wish everyone continued success!!! :)

I went for my endoscopy today with Dr. Clarke... I hadn't been able to eat solids since 3 days after my last endoscopy to dilate my stricture.  Today things were worse than before, I had two strictures!  One was up high where my stomache attaches to the esophagus and another in the same place as before, where my stomach attaches to the intestine.  He also found the beginnings of ulcer towards the top of my stomach..... this is probably due to the excessive puking!   I just woke up from a 4 hour nap and the meds are starting to wear off.  My throat is very very sore and almost feels swollen.. wonder if he had difficulty? I wouldn't know because they don't actually talk to you after the procedure they talk to the person who came with you who never seems to ask the right questions.  This is a lesson to everyone.... if you feel something is not right, CALL THE DOCTOR.  Keep after them.... I knew something wasn't right and I would not back down until they could prove otherwise.   Well guess what?  I was right and had it continued.... I might have had further complications.

After feeling like the weight is coming off too slowly, which I attribute to not being able to eat solid food and only small quantities of baby food consistency. I am hoping that things speed up, in the last week I've dropped quite a bit.  I am down a total of 112lbs since Feb 20th which is 60lbs since May 1st.  Pretty incredible.  I am thankful for my RNY and my amazing surgeon who helped me gain a new sense of confidence.  I would do everything all over again if I had to.  

 I hope everyone is having an amazing day and for those of you who are still pre-op... YES it's worth it!!!! and the VERY BEST of luck to your in your surgeries!!!

-April 

I had my endoscopy yesterday and much to everyone's suprise I had a stricture!!  Dr. Clarke stretched it a bit and said I should be able to move into soft solid foods now.  I haven't tried anything yet as I am still pretty scared of puking everything up.  I do plan to try for dinner tonight - maybe some chicken or fish??  I am a bit sore from the endoscopy, my throat and the roof of my mouth are sore and my tummy feels a little strange.  Liquids are going down much better today as well - I was able to drink a bottle of water in less than 2 hours which is impressive for me... so.. baby steps I guess!  I am happy that they found the issue and corrected.   I was getting tired of yogurt, applesauce, and pudding!  Hope everyone has a wonderful July 4th weekend! = )

I am down 90lbs as of yesterday, so I decided to have hubby take some pics.  I just uploaded the picture and put it side by side with a few before surgery pics.  I am having a hard time telling the difference - I know I am smaller - I have lost 90lbs and I have gone from a size 30/32 to a size 18/20 which is starting to become loose.  I am excited for these changes but I am still fat and far from "normal".  I am struggling with my food, I try new things only to rush to the bathroom to puke it up.  They say this is normal but puking everyday is just no fun.  I have resigned to eating pudding, applesauce, oatmeal, yogurt and berries.  I did try some wendy's chili the other day, it felt greasy to me so I am going to make my own today.  We'll see how that goes.   I have been adding protein powder to it all, drinking water, and protein shakes.  

I had my IVC filter out on Tuesday, it was way better than it was going in.  I did get very sick on Wednesday and Thursday I stayed home from work.  My incision is bigger than it was going in, and it's a little more painful.  They are very nice in that department at Ellis though... the doctor and the nurses and everyone were just great.  I wish the nurses on the bariatric floor were that nice. o.O     

That's all I have for now.  I can't wait to lose another 90-100lbs.  Then I actually might start to notice in the mirror.  I hope everyone is having a great weekend!!! = )

-April 

Update...

I had my surgery on 5/1/09.  The surgery itself went very well and was done laproscopically.  I had a lot of pain but was manageable.  I was discharged on Sunday 5/3 and was feeling ok to go home.  Monday, 5/2 i could not keep anything down and felt terrible.  Doctor advised to come to the ER and I did.  I was admitted for 2 addtional days with what they think was the FLU!  I was discharged again on 5/4 and came home with no problems.  I am doing very well and feeling pretty good.  I have lost 7lbs since surgery and have reached my first goal of being below 300lbs. Thank you everyone for your wonderful words of encouragement and prayers and thoughts throughout my surgery.   <3

I had my IVC filter placed today.  Talk about crazy.... they were running a little "behind" (3 hours actually).  I had to arrive at 10 for registration was taken in about 10:30 for prep, had my IV done and put in pretty uncomfy bed. They took me in for my procedure at 1:45pm!  My poor bum was going numb, I kept having to switch positions.   The IVC itself wasn't a big deal, uncomfy but didn't hurt too bad going in.  Afterwards I had to wait until 4:30 to be discharged.  When I came out of the IVC procedure I had this AWFUL headache.  They gave me some juice and my head is better.  I have this big bandage on my neck now, and it's all bloody and icky.. Its really tight and pulling at my skin...  and the site is starting to feel sore.  I'm afraid to change it right now I've only just got home.  I will have hubby do it after my shower.  I've been taking the milk of magnesia for 3 days now and my stomach is very crampy.   I think I have terrible gas pain, it's on the upper left side of my abdomen.  I hope that goes away soon because it's quite painful.  So I haven't had anything today so I'm going to have some broth.  Maybe if I have something to "eat" I will feel better.  I can't wait until tomorrow's surgery = )  

Thank you all for your well wishes, it really means a lot to me = )

Wow I am getting so excited, and thank you so much for all the messages of support!  It's getting close now and I am so anxious!!!  I keep reading the boards and looking at before/afters and thinking THAT'S GONNA BE ME!!  I'm excited can you tell??  Tomorrow is my last day of work and Thursday I am having the IVC Filter put in.  I think I'm more scared of the IVC procedure than the actual surgery.  We'll see... I've read and heard that it hurts pretty bad.  I also met a girl in the waiting room at Ellis who was there to have hers out.  She told me all kinds of horror stories about her how it got infected and stuff... it was pretty bad.    I have my hospital bag packed up and ready to go.  I have all my protein, vitamins, and enough chicken broth to feed a large country.  I should be set!! I am planning to post updates via my facebook page or have my hubby do them.  If you want to add me there, please feel free.. my e-mail is aprilynn @gmail.com   (remove the space between aprilynn and gmail, I don't want the webbots grabbing my email! lol) Best of luck to everyone!  I can't wait to be a cheesy "success story!!!" 

-April