Autumn2016
My Journey
Oct 12, 2016
My Journey begins…I will figure out how to work this as I go. I joined a few months ago, reading and going thru my appointments, but now it's time to start writing. These posts / blogs are for my growth and reflection all + no – here!
I have expressed my surgical need to first and foremost myself, after much prayer, thought and contemplation and then to my husband, who is the love of my life and to my children for which I want to continue to see their lives thrive and grow and to continue to be here for all “Honey’s babies”. I have also held confidence to my sisters, Aunt, and a few friends. I prayed before I spoke to anyone, because their views weren’t what I needed, I had made the decision with my husband and then my PCP. I’m expressing myself as a courtesy.
Proverbs 3:5-6. I will trust in the Lord with all my heart, and lean not to my understanding; in all my ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct my path. I thank you Lord for your continued guidance in my life. Amen.
Autumn 2016 and Change is my next exit. The life changing surgery will be on my Mom/Guardian Angel’s Birthday 10/26. 
I was average size growing up, just tall. At 15, I was 5”10 and wore a size 10 shoe (still that height today) and a size 8/10 not sure of my weight, I really didn’t keep track but if I had to guess…165. I am gravida 2 para 2, my first child at 16 and then at 21. I gained 40lbs both times; after the first I was a size 10/12 weighed 195 and also gained a shoe size so at size11. 5 years later another baby and got up to 240 then I was 18/20 size 12 shoe. I couldn’t have any more kids for the mere fact of gaining a shoe size. My Mom passed away when I was 19 from colon cancer and she was in a battle for 6 years. I have been getting regular 3 year colonoscopies since 19 years old. I was married at 19 and we had 1 child before marriage and 1 after and I then lost some weight down to 215 and size 14/16. My weight has fluctuated and I’ve been between sizes 14 to 18. Things that I know, as long as I live, I will never be with him again and I’m not happy over a size 14, I manage, feel good, look good.. but not really happy, that’s real talk and something I always want to remember and I know I will. (That right there was for me)
I was divorced at 25 and a single MoM until 35 when my King Anthony came into my life, with his 2 children and now we have a beautifully blended family. When I got married I weighed 215-220 yes I fluctuate 5lbs water weight on any given day! I have what I call a “workout body”, if I don’t do a minimum 2 or 3 workouts a week, I won’t stay at the weight I currently hold, and a hamburger away from disaster. Major life changes and emotions, not, then, knowing what a calorie meant, loving sweets and not regularly exercising were just a few factors in weight gains and losses. I’ll tell you what when the 18’s got tight it was time to do a little more and eat a little less J I eat average breakfast and lunch meals, dinner can be at times ruff if pasta or bread is involved I can have 2 bowls of spaghetti, I don’t binge eat or anything but I do over eat at dinner and I can easily have 2 sweets after, hence weight problem. So I have and can watch portion sizes but those sweets, so I feel this is a great decision for me and I need this pouch to stay the same size and not let me eat sweets. I do not plan to even attempt to bring them in my life after surgery. The sugar high is done. I haven’t had Starbuck Frappuccino since April over it. The past 6 mos. I have eased sugar out and healthy alternatives in. I freeze flavored yogurt and it’s my ice cream. I take one square of graham cracker and grind it up and sprinkle some on greek yogurt so it can have texture, that I can handle. I drink premier shakes and I would have animal crackers as a snack, or trail mix. I still can’t eat cottage cheese but that’s ok, there are other things and I’d rather it be something I like than something I can’t eat and get discouraged. This past 6 mos. has been a journey, and so will the next 6 mos. But I look forward to it.
So in Jan 2005 dx high blood pressure(taking 2 pills) and borderline diabetic (weight control), 2008 dx degenerative back disease (ibuprofen/injections as needed), acid reflux (1 pill) and eczema (rx shampoo and biotin), 2016 diabetic (2 pills) This was very scary, I had a series of seizures and went to the hospital via ambulance and that’s how I found out I was a diabetic and while admitted I had to have insulin shots but when I was released I was given pills. So April 2016 at that Dr’s appointment my PCP advised I have a consult with Dr. Swain, I called and made and appointment for 1st week of May. Dr Swain reviewed with my husband and I all of the surgeries and explained why RNY gastric bypass was best for me. I also saw the Nutritionist, and Psychologist. So my April appointment counted as #1 (my insurance Cigna required 6mos monitoring) May-Sept got me to 6 total appointments. I was required to loose 10 lbs. and increase my protein.
My submission of paperwork and an answer from the Insurance Company took about 1 week (they said up to 3 weeks) and the MA called and scheduled all of my appointments. Pre-op for Testing (chest x ray, ekg, and blood work) , Pre-op Education Class and to Pre-op Surgeon visit. So I have 3 appointments before the 26th surgery date. Post Op Education Class Nov 1st, Post-op Surgeon visit Nov 10th, One Month Education class Nov 16th, (I know 26th is like 30 days but I have a business trip already planned for a few days at that time.) I requested 3 weeks off work (more like3.5) and I plan to return on Nov 21st, Lord willing. My husband applied for FMLA so he can help care for me J. We moved across the country, I was and East Coast girl now I’m a West Coast girl and though my sisters are here they are both working and that 1st week or so I need to be babied (no prior surgeries, but 2 babies of pain, you know.) I was in a car accident and not as much work n out, because as you know I have that “workout body” had pain issues for 6-9 mos. And then a year later I was the passenger in 2 car accidents within 6 mos., aggravating the degenerative back disease yet again. It has been 3 years and I have that pain under control with just Tylenol as needed. I haven’t had an injection in over 3 years. Praise God.
So according to the chart 165-173 is normal weight. My Surgeons goal is 170. My goal is 167. My first thought was 190 but why be in the overweight category, I’m doing this for health and to be rid of the 2 major co morbidities (high blood pressure and diabetes) so I’m all the way in and going for 167. Why not me, why not you! I hope you got to know me a little and I plan to update during my journey. One day at a time, wake up and start over to be better! God bless us all!
I will try to get a ticker and post weights at the end of each month.
SD planned for 10/26/16
SW TBD
M1-
I also want to be sure to include:
Happy Moments
Sad Moments
OMG or NSV Moments
Goal
Maintenance
Meal Plan
Exercise
Stalls and what was done to overcome
As you can see I’m excited and I plan to document it all.
Something I remember…years ago I was talking to a woman for about 10 minutes and I said, I know you know me from our conversation, but I’m sorry I don’t know your name? It was Gaye, she had lost so much weight I honestly didn’t know who she was. That was real and that was fabulous! I need to ask her if she remembers that, but she probably got it from everyone, so our encounter would be missed, but I remember it!
