Arlene E.
Me- I am 55 years old and have been gaining weight the past three years which is very scary.
Throughout my life I have been a yo yo dieter, trying everything out there. I have had several thin and fit periods and many fat and unfit periods. I had held at 200 for many years and then started to go up the scale. My goal with WLS is to be able to enjoy my future as a healthy adult. My cholesterol has been very very good using lipitor and other than that I've been pretty lucky without other major co-morbidites. But, I don't want to press my luck any longer because I know I could be facing diabetes, heart and who knows what other kind of problems. I spent my life watching my mom struggle with weight and all the side effects. Now at 80, she can barely walk. I am determined that it will not be the same for me. When my father was dying three years ago, he said to me in such a caring, loving voice that he never thought he would see me so big. I wil always remember those words.
So, in two weeks on Feb. 27th 2007 I will be on my way to a healthier me. I feel I am well prepared mentally and physically as I have been going to the fabulous support groups in my area, joined a gym and cut way way back on my daily food consumption.
I am ready for the journey and will be reaching out to all of you when I hit some bumps on the road.
Feb. 27, 2007
OK - I hit my first bump. My surgery was postponed to Thursday March 1. I waited at Barix from 8-2 until I was called in and told that due to complications with the surgery before me Dr. Marymor could not operate on me. So I cried, said I wasn't doing this again but was calmed down by the very nice staff and told that I could return on Thursday at 6 AM. Bad news - bowel prep again, Good news - I can be first and only 1 more day.
March 12, 2007
I am very happy to be home and on my way to big changes. My surgery went well. I went home three days later, but two days after that I had to be rushed to the local hospital ER because I fainted from dehydration due to vomiting and bleeding rectally. From there i went to Barix in an ambulance and of course received wonderful care from Dr. Marymor and the nurses. I'm not sure I understand what happened - something to do with the sectioned off stomach, fluids and not clotting. In two days I went back to my own home and seem to be progressing well, I dislike the protein drinks but am persevering because I have to. My family, friends and neighbors have been wonderful.
April 30, 2007
Tomorrow is 2 months since surgery. My weight loss is kind of slow, but that's OK. I am doing what I am supposed to including working out.
The important thing is how much better I feel already. I went back to work today after 8 weeks home. I received a warm welcome from my students' parents, so that felt good and managed to get through a whole day without feeling nauseous. The best part is going down 2 clothing sizes. Oh yeh - also not being squished in the movie seats. It felt so good to give my bigger things away. I refuse to save them because I know this time I will succeed at keeping off the weight I lose. Pretty soon it will be June 20th and I will be retired from the Phila. School District. Having this surgery has given me courage and strength to make other plans for my future. This Saturday I will start teaching my first College Course. After that I will be meeting the group in Chambersburg for the Pilgrimage, which I am really looking forward to. Stay tuned for the new Me.
