BabyRuth2u
Welcome! Thank you for visiting with me and sharing my journey to WLS and beyond. I hope you find this website to be informative, inspirational and entertaining.
I've tossed around the idea of having the weightloss surgery for about a year and a half before I decided to actually look into having it. A few years ago I had the mentality like many others that this was the "easy" way out. I learned through knowing friends who have had the surgery, by reading about the surgery in books and on the internet that this was not an easy task by far.
I know that I can lose weight. I have done it many times before only to eventually gain it back plus more. I realize that having the WLS is a tool that I need to help me with my weightloss. It is the tool to give me the chance to be a success. As with any weightloss method you only get out of it what you put into it. This is going to take a lot of determination, self-control, motivation and support. It is a journey that I look forward to and that I feel confident will be my road to weightloss success.
Date.........Weight.......Total Loss
(all shown in pounds) Starting BMI of 62
02/14/06........345........... 0 Pre-Op
03/13/06........324........... 21 Pre-Op
03/20/05........321........... 24 Pre-Op
03/24/06...(They didn't give me a weight) ***Sugery Date***
04/06/06........295............26
04/09/06........285............60
04/21/06........284............61
04/27/06........279............66
05/05/06........273............72
05/24/06........270............75
05/29/06........263............82
06/07/06........259............86
06/22/06........255............90
06/28/06........251............94
07/05/06........245............100 -100 lbs!
07/10/06........243............102
07/21/06........241............104
07/25/06........236............109
08/11/06........232............113
08/26/06........225............120
09/01/06........220............125
09/19/06........220............125
10/03/06........216............129
10/10/06........215............130
10/21/06........213............132
10/28/06........209............136
11/10/06........213............132
11/16/06........206............139
11/30/06........203............142
12/02/06........200............145
12/29/06........197............148 Made it to ONEderland!
01/06/07........195............150
01/28/07........190............155
02/28/07........188............157
04/04/07........185............160 Official weightloss at one year follow up.
4/29/07........180..............165
06/03/07........176............169
07/09/07........174............171
09/10/07........169............176 Fluctuating now between the 169 and 172, having some problems of not drinking enough water, and not eating regularly and not always making the best choices when I do. It's that time of the journey when this seems to happen. Don't feel out of control, just can't get in control. Someone slap me please!
01/20/08.......167.............I've gone back to two protein shakes a day and upped my water and finally after 4 1/2 months I am now at 167!! Protein, water and exercise do work. Slack off, no weightloss or weight gain.
00/00/08.......***.............***
00/00/08.......***.............***
Pictures below are pre-op, approx. 345 lbs
.jpg "Me on May 14, 2007 -165 lbs.")
Above pictures are from 5/14/07. Almost 14 months post-op. -165 lbs.
10/07/06:This week has been so exciting for me. Finally my weight stall has broken. It's not moving in a quick downward spiral, but it's moving down! That's the most important thing. I'll wait a few days to add my current weight to my list above, but as of this morning I weighed in at 215 now. I felt like jumping up and down. I guess inside I was!! :) I felt doomed for the month or so that I was stuck at 220 to 222. I really know and understand I will stall and the loss will slow, but it gets hard after weeks, you just get that little voice in your head telling you "this is it", no more loss. But the scale has moved a pound a day, or every other day, but it's getting there. It just gives me more hope that I will get below that 200! :)
I have bought a few new articles of clothing this week too. I really shouldn't be buying anything else new. I have so many new clothes already to do me for a loooong time. But so many I come across at great deals ($10 or less) so it makes it hard to pass up sometimes. LOL Only bad thing is, that I see as I go along that I end up growing out of them, they get too big before I get a chance to wear some of them or only have worn them once. But I'll wear them bigger for a bit. :) I saw these jeans at A.J. Wrights (discount store) the other day, last jeans I bought were a 20w, and I have a pair I'm still wearing with a belt that are 22's. But I saw these one for only $12, so thought I'd try them on in an 18w, they looked like they would fit. And... yes, you guessed it, sure enough they did!! WoooHooo is all I could feel. I was so happy. Then today hubby and I were doing mall shopping just for fun, not looking for anything in particular, just checking out stores, getting in some walking. I was in J.C. Penneys and I saw these burgandy Gloria Vanderbilt jeans. I've been wanting a pair of pants that color. So I tried them on. I grabbed a 20w in these because a few months back I tried some on at Kohls and 22w was tight, they seemed to be made small in comparison to some other things I was fitting. But tried the 20w today, they fit, but thought hmmm.. 18w might fit and sure enough they did!!! :) I love them!! they feel and look good. Got a nice shirt to go with them. :)
I definately needed some new PJs. I've still been wearing around my 5x ones. Besides being huge on me they are getting pretty ratty. So I got some "One size fits most" ones.. yup I'm a "most" now, guess that's pretty close to average, normal, whatever normal is. LOL I bought another pair that was a regular XL.. What? Yes!! LOL And then today I saw some cheap, at Target pants to wear to the gym, need new ones of those, mine are all big that are long, Summer is over so shorts aren't cutting it anymore. So I bought a pair in size... get ready.... size L. A regular L. Again.. a dream, all I can do is feel like a kid and want to jump up and down and have this stupid ass grin on my face. LOL
I'd have to be lying if I would say I dont want to look nice, have smaller clothes fit me, but when I get so excited about it, I kind of feel bad like I shouldnt be so concerned, so thrilled about sizes, about being smaller and getting even smaller. That this is not what surgery was about. it was about getting healthier, so that I could walk better, which I can! For miles and miles and never sit down, it doesnt hurt, I can breath and I enjoy it!! That I can go up and down stairs with no problem, I can bend over and pick something up without dreading it, cursing the fact I have to bend over and then feel like I was cutting off my insides. I don't take any meds anymore, I dont need any inhalers, it's just been amazing! WLS has done all that for me and I don't ever want to forget that. That is why I did this, so that I can live a longer healthier life with my husband. So I could "live" along with him, not have to have doing things to accomodate me all the time. But I do so enjoy the new clothing options, the thrill each time I wear something smaller, prettier, cheaper. I just hope that I know when enough is enough weight and size wise. What happens when we get to where we're going? What keeps us going then? Hmmm.. guess I / we'll have to think on that.
Guess that's all for now. Things are good. Later. :)
9/19/06:Hello! Thought it was about time I chimed in here. It has been a while. There just hasn't been much to say. I've been doing the crazy scale watching thing again because it just won't move. I have weighed the same since September 1. I am eating about the same, proteins are good, water good and I exercise all the time. I have noticed that my body is changing, that is the good thing. So I am not freaking too bad. LOL I have changed my exercise routine to an online free trial through my gym that gives you personalized workouts. So I guess you could say I have a cyber trainer. :) I feel it's time to bump things up a little and work more on the shaping and toning. I do enjoy going to the gym and working out. I still laugh at myself and find it humorous that I really liked going to the gym. I never was one for anything physical, at 350 or any weight lower than that in my life. I used to way 220 before at some point when I was like 19, but I don't recall being this active then. LOL So life is good, a little whiney when I get weighed, but the point is that I know I'm doing the right things so I'll just keep plugging away. DH is wonderful, helps me with anything I need, goes to support meetings with me and tries to keep up!! hehehehe I need to start doing some of my workouts in the evening so that I can get him to the gym more often. He needs to go and get in better shape, but usually by the time he gets home I've done my thing and want to do other things and that keeps him from going. The past 3 weekends we've gone and done golf stuff. Two weeks we went to driving ranges. I have a pretty straight swing, but not real powerful to go far. But I'll keep practicing. :) This past weekend we went and did what they call a Pitch and Putt. It's 9 holes, that are par 3's, but the distance on this is about half of a regular Par 3 course from my understanding. But it was fun for my first time golfing. :) I tried to do some driving with him last year but being 345 doesn't make it easy. I was really broad in my shoulders and am big chested so it wasn't easy to swing past all that. LOL But this year it's great!! Our puppy Nikki got spayed last Friday, so she now has a cone on her head to wear so she doesn't scratch her stitches. OMG is she too cute in this cone. You have to laugh everytime she walks and bumps into stuff because of it. But she has learned to eat with it on and she is now starting to be wild and running around playing like her old self even with it on. I don't think anything can keep her down!! :) That's for now. Night. :)
9/8/06:I had my 6 month follow-up appt with my surgeon yesterday. I was curious to see how our scales compared. I weigh 220 STILL! on mine at home and was 221 at his office. So that is good to know its a very little variance. Going by my scale I knew my numbers on weightloss but it felt good to go and have it be official so to say. :) Per the doctors records I have lost 104 lbs since surgery and 121 lbs. loss total from I guess first consultation. He said I was doing well. I had no complaints. No complications etc. He said I was ahead of the curve which made me feel good. I got a script for bloodwork so will have that done early next week and hope that my numbers are good.
8/11/06:Well, I'm back to that stall again. I've been teetering between 233 and 232 for about a week or so. I should be used to it by now, but it seems each month when this happens I can't help but get the stupid thoughts of this being it. That I will stop losing now and just mosey along maybe one pound at a time. I guess that wouldn't be a bad thing as long as I'm losing, but well we seem to get crazy like that. LOL Also Aunt Flo was just here and I know that holds things up too. So maybe since she went off to visit some other relative, I'll get to lose some more weight now. :)
Overall things have been pretty good. I know I don't eat alot, but sometimes I feel like I do. I think I'm worrying about my snacking. I overall have been doing really well with just my 3 meals a day and two protein shakes. I do one mid morning and one in the evening. But about a month ago I started doing a temp job and it is very boring most of the time. It's a receptionist position that was to last 2-4 weeks, possibly longer. Well it's gone the 4 weeks and looks like I have another 2 to go. So with it being temp they have not given or shown me all the duties the regular receptionist would have. So there are a lot of twiddling my thumb moments and so I've found myself snacking. True it's my fault I'm snacking, I'm the one buying or bringing the nuts or the Sun Chips to work. So I can't blame anyone else for that. But its just making me crazy to sit there and do nothing. So that has been my struggle as of late, to keep my snacking to a minimum. I'm not over snacking, it's a 100 cal pack of Sun chips, it's just that I'm feeling I don't want to snack. I dont' want to allow myself to need a snack. I don't want to be dependent on food, especially not to entertain myself! Geez! That is really stupid! So this is something I'll be working on.
I'm so looking forward to Fall. I see the stores coming out now with the new clothing. There is so much that looks wonderful and I can't wait! It's so amazing to be wearing clothes that are 18/20, 22/24 depending how they are made. My pants now are 20w, some 18w, this down from size 30w pant, 5x tops. I even got a 14/16 on today, it was a little snug across my back but all the rest of it fit!! I didnt' buy it, because I couldnt figure out what the heck to do with the stupid long tie thingy it had hanging from it. LOL I have always loved clothes, but had to buy what fit, had some nice stuff, but now... woooheeee the things I can wear, the things that come in these sizes is great!! I fight hard every time Im out not to buy this or that becasue I know that in a few weeks they will start to get big. So I'm holding my breath, sitting on my hands to not buy too much Fall stuff until Fall actually gets here. I have a good two months or so to go before new official attire is needed. :) Then watch out! Here I come. LOL Oh, and I want to get a pair of boots!!! :) Do I sound vain? Is that bad? Is it wrong to enjoy being able to wear nicer things? To have more options? To enjoy being smaller and looking better in clothes? I hope not. I've missed so much over my lifetime. I'm 44 now and want to wear all the things I've missed. I just have to try to remember I am 44 and not try to wear a 15 year olds outfit. LOL I don't want to look like one of those old crazy ladies trying to look 21. :)
I've been a little low on energy this past week. Thinking maybe it's just back to Aunt Flo visiting. If not, I'm concerned maybe my iron is getting low. I don't think I've been taking as much as I should. I take TenderIron that I got from Vitalady.com. Per a friend, I should be taking 6 a day of these. I take 3. The 6 just seemed like so much and I didnt want to have any constipation issues. But I'll try upping it a bit and see how things go. I don't have blood work due until September. It's not bad, I'm doing decent, just feeling blah and low energy lately. Maybe it's something else, who knows. But shopping today was fun! I was able to do that with no problem. LOL
Oh the other thing I wanted to mention as an update is about walking. Isn't it wonderful to be able to walk? To walk without a pain or worry, without getting out of breath? My temp job is just down the street from my hubby's work. It's about 3/4 of a mile. So we drive to work together and meet for lunch. He drops me off and takes the car to his place. At lunch time if he's not there yet to pick me up, I'll just start walking in his direction. So I usually get a 1/2 mile to the 3/4 at lunch and I do the same at the end of work. I get out and go and think about how wow this is that I just do this because I can. I walk because I want to. That is weird! LOL I used to think that "thinner" people had to have some pain, discomfort or dislike for walking. That it couldn't be that easy for them. But I guess it is. I guess unless you have a physically ailment or something, walking is just an easy natural thing. It doesn't hurt! It feels great!!! :)
Ok, enough for today. There's always so much going on, but then again nothing going on if you know what I mean. I could just babble on with lots of nonsense. LOL Hope everyone is doing well. Catch you soon!! :)
WAIT! I'm back. LOL One more thing to add. Last post I mentioned weighing less that hubby. I still am. hehehehe :) The new thing is that now I can also wear his clothes!! LOL I tried on his jeans, shorts and t-shirts last week and they fit!!!!! I tried his pants about a month ago and they were a bit short of zipping, had a few inches to go, but now, no problem!! The reason this excites me is that it kind of gives me more of a visual of what size I look like. I look in some mirrors and I can see a smaller me, then walk by another and I just see a big fat ball. So it gets confusing at times, I don't know what to compare myself to size wise. But knowing I fit in his clothes kind of helps me to see what my roundness, width etc is. Ok, that's it! :)
7/25/06:This is just amazing! It's funny how this weightloss happens. I get stuck it seems for what seems like forever at one weight, then I start to lose and BOOM down I go. No, I'm not complaining, I just find it interesting. I was just jumping up and down today when the scale hit 236. Week before last I was going crazy because I couldnt stop it from going between 244 and 248. Up and down in that range forever!!!! I thought I was done, t hat it was going to take forever to get into the 230's and now here I am. Now excited for 220s LOL I had to get on the scale 3 times when I was weighing tonight to make sure it wasn't reading wrong, but nope, it kept giving me the same number. According to the scale today I am now 2 lbs less than my hubby. 5 months ago I was more than 100lbs higher and now I'm LESS! Woohoo, doing the LESS DANCE!! :) I love you Dave, but I weigh LESS!!!! shake shake shake... shaking my booty!!! hehehe
7/21/06:Ok, so what do I want to say today? I guess to start, I'd say I FINALLY after like 11 days started to lose a few pounds again. These stalls can be wicked! LOL I got down to 243 then started to fluctuate back up and down between the 243 to 247. That can get very aggravating. But I know this happens and didn't let it bother me too much. Finally this week I began to stay at the 243 mark again then to 242 and now two days running I've been 241. I guess I'm just anxious to get in the 230's. I can see it, it's just around the corner. Oh and down the block is 220.. yipee! LOL Anyways........
It's been a busy week. I'm doing a temp job. I was getting bored at home and need to start working again. It's a give and take thing. It's like I want to go to work, I get bored etc, but I don't want to be committed to anything. Make sense? So, this assignment is 2 to 4 weeks, possibly longer. I think I can commit for that. LOL The position is for a receptionist. I've done a day, a week before in the past, a few years ago with an agency when I was unemployed. It was ok, but kind of a slow job. Depending on how much they have you do, just answer the phone can be pretty boring. This one isnt too bad, the phones really don't ring much, so I have other secretarial duties to do and that is kind of fun. I mentioned the job because I had some thoughts, feelings this week about being a receptionist. About how I feel different this time around. I am not 300 plus, up to 350lbs. I don't feel real out of place. Before being that much and so big, I kind of felt funny like people coming in to a reception area might be surprised that a first greet person would look like me. I have the office skills, I have the customer service skills, but you don't see many LARGE woman doing that job. Ok, I'm rambling. LOL I do often if you haven't noticed. :) So, I was in the ladies room one day, checking my make up and I thought.... wow, feels different to look kind of decent, not be so BIG. I felt like I was a normal person, that people aren't looking funny at me, or thinking it odd me being at the front desk. Mind you, I'm not THIN by far, but I'm not BLOATED to the max. Make sense? Understand what I mean? Another thing with that sort of, or a thought I had this week, in my new office attire was that it felt good to not have everything hanging out/ bulging out of here or there. I don't have to keep pulling at my bra to get stuff in the front and back tucked in. I put it all in there in the morning and it stays. LOL Ok, I've rambled enough on that subject, just thought I'd share and maybe someone could relate. I just felt good and that's a good thing. :)
I'm getting anxious to see less than 200 lbs. I have a little over 40 lbs to go. In one way its very exciting. I've been losing so well and fast I feel like I'll be there in no time. But then being realistic and an intelligent human being I know that the weight can't or won't continue to keep coming off at this rate. So I keep waiting for the halt. I fear now that it's going to be a long haul to 199. I want it NOW!! lol, but.... I guess I'll get there when I do. As my hubby keeps telling me "Did you ever think 4 months ago that you'd be where you are now?" or "When have you ever lost this much, this fast before?" or "When was the last time you weighed this little?". All very good points dear!! *HUGS* :) So I'm going to work on being happy with where I am and continue doing what I'm doing. It seems to be working for me and if it ain't broke don't fix it. :)
I guess that's it for now. Haven't done an update for awhile, so thought I'd add some recent thoughts. Last, I guess I'll say that this has been so far a great decision I made to have WLS. It's been nothing but positive and I pray that things continue to go well. Prayer is only part of it, I know that I am ultimately responsible for the outcome short and long term. So, I'll keep coming here, going to support meetings and doing what I'm doing to try to keep me strong and on the right path. I thank you all here at OH for all the great inspiration, tips, motivation etc that we all get here each day! :)
7/5/06:As of yesterday on the 4th of July, I now have lost a total of 100lbs!! What a big BANG for the day!! :) It seems a bit unreal. I've tried so many times the past few years to lose weight and would manage 20lbs, maybe 40 at once, but could never stick with it and reach some amazing amount like 100 lbs. I still have a ways to go. Not sure where I'll end up. But I just hope it keeps coming off. I know it will have to slow eventually, but I'm praying not yet too soon! I'm so thankful for the positive experience I've had with this surgery. It has been a blessing. Each day I find things I can do that I couldn't before, or that I do with so much more ease. Will the wonders ever cease? Thank you Dr. Papasavas!! *HUGS*
6/25/06:Today for my 3 month anniversary I bought my first pair of no elastic waist, zip up, button jeans! Yes, regular jeans!! It's an amazing feeling! I haven't been able to do that in many many moons! At least in my early 20's if that. I've been trying some on lately, and was wearing 24's. Tried 24's today that fit, some too big in the legs, but then found a pair in 22w that fit wonderfully. I just had to go for it! I was going to wait until I was into a 20 or an 18, but they were on sale so I went for it! I posted some pics below for a 3 month progress pic and wore the jeans. Things have been going well. Keeping busy and enjoying life. WLS has been an amazing journey so far. Look so forward to all the wonderful things yet to come! :)
5/29/06:Back from a busy weekend. Haven't posted in awhile and am way past an update. Not sure I can remember everything over the past few weeks to post about, and even if I did, I don't think there's enough space for it all. LOL
I've been doing lots of crazy things! One weekend we went to an outdoor adventure festival. DH and I tried dragon boat racing and riding bikes. Also we did a 5k walk the next day. I never in my life would have thought I'd be biking and signing up for walks. It is so amazing what this surgery can do for you. How it can give you the chance to take full advantage of it and really get out there and live. I don't feel I never "Lived" before. I did lots of things as a severly obese person. I didn't let it keep me in the h ouse, but I didn't do "active" things and now I am.
Things have been going great. Weight is coming off and I just keep getting more active as I said. DH and I bought our own bikes last weekend after trying them at the sports festival and had them out this weekend up North at Pymatuming and Erie. Did 11.5 miles total over the two days Sunday and Monday. We look forward to next time we can make it up there with more time planned and do the entire isle. It's 13.5 miles all the way around. Should be fun! :)
One other exciting thing was seeing some football players tonight at dinner on the way home from our trip. We stopped about a half hour North of home to eat and at the end of dinner I notice this guy at the table near us. I think it's Troy Palomalu from the Pittsburgh Steelers, but I'm no football expert, but it sure does look like him. He is with two other guys. I have my father and my DH look and they say yes they believe it is. My father says the other guy is James Farrior. We did not recognize the third gentleman. We asked the hostess on the way out if that was Troy or were we seeing things. She said yes it was him. We mentioned James Farriors name and she was like "Oh yea! That's who that is, I couldn't remember his name". So that was kind of a cool end to our weekend to see some of this seasons Super Bowl winners of our hometown. Troy is a lot smaller than he looks on tv. LOL That is why I wasn't so sure it was him. He appears much thinner. I guess on tv with all the gear it makes him look so big. I must add, he is a cutie!! :)
Ok, that's it for now. I'm tired, it's late and I'm ready for bed. Catch you later!! :)
4/27/06:Looks like the scale has finally moved some! I started a temp job this week and I think the exercise I was getting there, and probably with all the exercise I have been doing at the gym since last Wednesday finally kicked in. But it was funny I had thought this morning after weighing in that this job has helped me to lose these recent pounds. A few minutes later my husband says the same thing. It's an office job, but they do a congress for medical nurses and I'm working in the Education dept. so that gets all the course materials ready and packed up etc. Very busy, lots of physical work! I have been amazed though at how I've done. I was not told there would be this type of work, but I've been able to do it. I know that I wouldn't have been able to if I didn't have this surgery and lose 60lbs, been walking and exercising. It has been tough though, I am exhausted when I get home at work. I was on such a good track of going to the gym everyday since last Wednesday, but just couldn't these past 3 days, I got enough exercise at work! :) Thankfully we finished it all up today and it was shipped off, so now the next few weeks will be computer work. So that should help and I can get myself moving again, instead of coming home and having to just relax and put my feet up! :) Well that's it for now. Work and news that the scale has FINALLY moved again!! In the 270's from 345! WoooHooo!! :)
4/21/06:I didn't realize it had been this long since I did any updating on my profile. My weight has been at a stall. I see the last time I listed it was on April 9th. The scale has been stuck at 285 what seems like forever. It did say 284 today but that was when I got up. I'm sure by now its back to 285. LOL It can drive you a bit crazy being at a stall. I know I lost a lot of weight quickly and my body needs to catch up, but come on already, show me the 270's!!! :)
I've started back at the gym this week. Saw my surgeon at Mondays support group meeting and he said yes I could. WooHoo! I've been there the past two days doing the treadmill for 40 or 50 mins, split up, then 20-25 mins in the Ladies Fitness Express which is like a Curves set up. I'm going to go here shortly but have been putting it off this morning. I want to go to the gym so bad, it's been eating at me all morning, but I have held off because once I go then I'm done for the day. Weird huh? It's like I like it so much but I don't want the fun to be over so I'm letting it build up. LOL Hope I'm not disappointed when I get there today and have something go wrong like I can't do as much as I did the past two days, or someone points and snickers at the fat lady. But I'm going shortly, maybe in the next hour or so.
Even though the scale hasn't moved, I know I'm ok. All my smaller size clothes are still fitting. I'm fitting into more and more older clothes that were too small and the other day I bought some new Summer shoes and they were smaller! Went from buying 10w to anywhere from 8-1/2 w to 9-1/2w. So your feet do get smaller! That was a question I had before. LOL
Well that's all for right now. Things have continued to go well. Still no dumping, very little nauseau, next to none, lots of energy, feel great!
Talk at ya soon! :)
4/6/06:Went out shopping today for a new pair of pants. I have a bridal shower for my husbands cousin next Saturday. I didn't want to wear my baggy ass and legged pants. So we went to Catherines and the plan was to try on a 26w 26wp. Well they were too big. Tried a 24wp, they fit nicely but looked like I could maybe even go a smaller size. So he got me a 22wp and it fit! I couldn't believe it! This is amazing. I was wearing 30w and maybe, depending on the pant a 28w. The 28's usually were a bit tight and close to my thighs, so had kind of out grown those. Well now just a little over 2 weeks out of surgery and 24lbs before surgery I'm down 3 to 4 sizes. OMG! Now that is in the pull on stretch denims. Not sure what size exactly in some other types, but these are mostly what I wear. The denim or colored ones. I also am in my new 3x tops now. From 5x to 4x during the pre-surgery weightloss, now into the 3x after surgery. It's just so cool and so much fun! :)
Also today Dave my husband was wanting a nice juicy steak. So we went to Outback for dinner. I planned on either Salmon or some type of white fish with steamed veggies. I ended up ordering the Alaskan King Crab legs, we added that to his steak order and asked for an extra plate. So I took one leg and a few of the veggies. We had asked them to steam them extra soft and they were happy to do so. Go Outback! The crab meat was a bit stringier than I thought it would be so I only had a very little (which is all I could really eat anyways) if I could have eaten it, but didn't, so basically had a nibble of the meat and just ate my veggies. Yes, I'm having a protein shake here very shortly.:) But when we went in I was feeling confident of course after my new smaller pants that I didn't have DH ask for a table. I figured we'd site where they led us. Well it was a booth and I fit! I was so happy. :) It is so much more cozy than a table out in the middle of the floor.
So it's been a busy day, fun, WOW kind of day. We also were up early this morning and I got this idea to rid our home of all the old appliances and crap we never use or dont really want anymore. So I was going through drawers, cupboards, cabinets etc and we filled my back seat and drove off all the goodies to the Red, White, Blue store near by. I had a few boxes packed up from before surgery with glasses etc that I wanted to get rid of, but hadn't taken yet, so they hovered in my front hall by the door. Well they're gone now. AMEN! I was sick of looking at them.
Well, I'm off for now. Be back another day! :)
4/6/06:Had my 2 week post-op visit today. I've lost 26 lbs. since surgery. Amazing! With the pre-op weightloss that makes a total of 50 lbs since Feb. 14th 2006. The doctor said everything is going well, I can move on to soft foods etc and move on from there.
After I got home and settled I had some egg beaters scrambled egg. It tasted very good. I only ate about 1/2 of what I fixed. I was taking tiny bites and taking the 20 mins to eat, then got a little burp, then another. I figured that meant that was enough, so I stopped at the point. It's been about an hour and 20 mins since I ate it and everything seems fine. It went down ok and all seems normal at the moment. I waited about 45 minutes before any water, then took my iron and Vit c. I was at my docs appt longer than normal and by time I did some shopping and got home it was mid afternoon.
On my way to the docs office today I was thinking about how things have been the past two weeks since surgery. Here is a list I came up with in my mind as I was driving.
back. Yes its still a BIG bra, but I'm in it! LOL
2)I'm wearing smaller clothes. My Winter coat hangs on me like I'm a
little kid and I can wrap it pretty good across my body. Just a month
ago the buttons just fit and I worried if they'd pop when I sit. LOL
3) My socks don't leave sock marks around my now tiny ankles. Well,
they look pretty tiny from here. :)
4) I have a jawbone and a neck. One you can actually see the tendons??
or whatever they are there. But I do have a little chicken little
hangy doodle that is freaking me out a bit. I'm hoping as I lose more
goes and it balances out somewhere along the way. But its not too bad.
5) My skin feels so soft and smooth. I noticed it, but Dave even
mentioned it this morning. I'm guessing from all the water and the
junk not going into my body.
6) I actually want to go walking, or to the gym. I'm not released to
go to the gym yet, or at least I cant do anything but light hand
weights and the treadmill. So I've just been walking and using my
weights at homme for that.
There's probably more. Just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure you can all relate, those who've had the surgery
already. But we newbies have to share!! :) So those are kind of my wow moments for the past two weeks. :)
4/5/06:I finally got a face today. I had submitted a photo what seems like ages ago. I know it takes them awhile, but VOILA! there it was today. I always like seeing a face with a post as opposed to those without. Now looking forward to fast forward when I can put up a pic with a new me! :)
One more day to go. Tomorrow is my 2 week post-op visit. Looking forward to see how much I have lost since surgery. On the March-ers forum there was a post this morning checking to see how much everyone has lost so far, and there were many with 20+ to a little over 30 lbs lost. My scale at home is showing me around 25 lbs lost. We shall see how that compares to the docs scale. If I did in fact lose that much, along with the 24 lbs lost before surgery that's just about 50lbs since Feb 14th. WOW!
I was feeling a bit down again this morning. It's mostly the mornings. And I can pinpoint it. I feel like I'm dragging myself to my vitamins etc. I am a person who likes variety, gets bored easily etc. So this morning routine of HAVING to do this no matter what I guess is what it is. It's the SAME routine. Sit at the table, check my blood sugars (which if I may mention have been excellent!) I was actually taken off both my BP med and Diabetes med when I left the hospital. So all I have to take is my inhalers and vitamins. So I take my blood sugar, set up my days vitamins, take my morning vits. It doesn't take long, it's just as I said, the SAME thing e v e r y d a y. I know, I shouldn't complain. I am, I probably will, but I'll do it. LOL It has to be done.
I have been walking everyday. Today I finally got around to starting some Richard Simmons videos. Did about 20 mins. Some of it got pretty active, which I didn't want to over do it, so I just kept moving. The docs office said only light hand weights and walking right now. I have not been released to go back to the gym yet. I'm glad I did the video. I have always enjoyed them, hopefully they'll keep me motivated and moving. :)
Still worried about starting to eat foods now. I thought I would be doing some cream soups, but saw a post today that those can make you dump. Oh great! Another stress about eating. I'm afraid as it is to eat, don't want to dump or be nauseated etc. Now I'm afraid to eat soup! What will I do?! I guess will find out tomorrow. I am anxious to try something besides liquids. I've had enough of just liquids. Wish me luck! :)
4/4/06:I haven't written in a few days. Hasn't been much to say. Things have been going well. I have been able to start doing some protein shakes. I was worried because I wasn't getting anything from the little chicken broth, water, SF popsicles and SF jello I was having. The protein goes down well. My favorite is from vitalady.com it's Cocoa Mochachinno. I figured it would help my coffee need. I usually have at least a cup a day, not a big coffee drinker but did enjoy it. Haven't had any in over 3 weeks now.
But all still well, none to very little nausea. I have felt a little like bla, but I don't know if its been nauseau. I think mostly it's when I get up. I have been able to sleep in the bed the past 3 nights. That is WONDERFUL! My poor butt (tailbone) was really getting tired of the couch. When I get up in the morning I feel a little achey and bla. So I think that is from sleeping in the bed.
It seems I'm not going to get the bad gas you get after surgery. I didn't have it in the hospital, they said it could come a day or so later, but it never did. Thank God! I did not look forward to that pain and discomfort. It is funny how everyone is so different.
I woke up this morning feeling a bit bla and kind of down. Felt low on energy, but then again I hadn't had my eyes open but a few minutes. LOL My husband asked what was wrong. I felt like "I have to go sit down, pull out my vitamins, take all those AGAIN and drink all that liquid AGAIN. Just feeling it's gettig a bit BORING. :) I know the vitamins are forever and I WILL take them. I'm just really getting bored of nothing but liquids. I've not been hungry, which is really strange. When my husband eats or if I'm around my parents etc and they have dinner it's fine, hasn't bothered me. But I'm ready to move on to something more than liquid.
At the same time, I am afraid to start eating foods. I have read so many posts of things getting stuck, or throwing things up, dumping etc that I do not look forward to eating for that reason. So as much as I look forward to trying some scrambled egg or cottage cheese, it also scares me. I think I will start out with SF pudding, SF yogurt and cream soups. I know alot of peole seem to have been able to do this in their first weeks after surgery, but that was not allowed per my surgeon. I will remind myself when I do start to eat other things that I must take very small bites and chew, chew, chew. One thing I do look forward to is chili. To start out with Wendy's Chili. I have always loved it and so many have posted about it this week, how it is good for you for protein. I will work up to that after the other soft stuff, but it will be a real treat and I'm sure (as long as my stomach can handle it) it will be a regular staple. :)
Well off for now. Mom called and asked if I wanted to go shopping. Can never refuse shopping! LOL I'm glad she called, as I said the mood I was in this morning hasn't left quite yet, I've been telling myself all morning I need to get moving, do some cleaning or exercise or something, but just haven't got the butt going yet. So I'll go out and get some moving in by shopping. We usually do like 4 hour sprees. LOL See you later! :)
3/29/06:Things have been going pretty well. It's strange but I actually feel guilty at times that things are going as they are, meaning very little discomfort, no nausea, no vomitting etc, when there are so many people out there that right after surgery have a really tough time. I surely don't want to post that this has been easy! So far... that is. I keep thinking that there has to be a day coming that I'll be in some kind of bad pain or somethings going to make me heave etc. and I'll be miserable. I DON'T want that to happen. This is just fine! :) I keep hoping not, but guess we shall see.
I got home on Sunday. Stayed in that day and Monday then ventured out on Tuesday. My mother is staying with us so I wasn't alone while my husband worked. She and I went out Tuesday to do a couple of errands. Well a few errands turned into like 4 hours or so. LOL I did pretty good. The walking is good for me. I was getting a little grumpy and tired twoards the end and was like "We need to go home now", I would feel ok for awhile, then would feel tired, then ok, then tired etc. Once we got home and I sat and relaxed I felt great. A few hours later I saw a post on a local support group about a meeting Tuesday night. I know a few who go there, though it isn't my surgeons group, but it is open to anyone. So my husband, my mother and I went to that. People couldn't believe that I just had my surgery on Friday.
Today, Wednesday I needed to go to the bank and wanted to stop at Catherines. Again, these two little tasks turned into another 4 hour excursion. Today was a little better, but again was getting tired and belly was getting grumpy a little. The water I had got warm, and it didnt like it. So I didnt really sip it and I didnt want to go too long without any. Nothing hurt, it just let me know it was there. Again, got home had some fresh water and sat, then was fine.
I had tried on Tuesday to buy some sugar free hot cocoa. It appears that Miss Swiss, or whatever her name is LOL does not make sugar free any longer, and if you are lucky you can find no sugar added. Well I did find that on Tuesday but was concerned whether or not that would be acceptable. It did have sugar, just no sugar added. I put a call in to my nutritionist and she said yes I could use that as long as it didnt have more than 20 to 25 grams of sugar, or did she say carbs? once it was prepared, depending on water vs. skim milk. So on Wednesday I ventured out again and picked it up wanting to be sure. Well I brought it home and made a little. I took two little sips, trying to be cautious so that I wouldn't dump. It went down fine, and didnt bother my stomach, but I just couldnt take another sip. It tasted too good, too sweet and I was afraid it would make me sick if I actually drank it. I don't feel I have the fear of trying my soft foods after doc visit next week, but this sweet tasting thing just doesnt sit right in my mind. I fear it will get me! LOL
So that's been my day so far. Looking online at some medic alert bracelets tonight want to get one soon with my info. Will check back another day!
3/27/06:I'm officially a loser as they say. :) Surgery date was on Friday March 24th. Got to the hospital for 7:30, surgery scheduled for 9:30. Those two hours moved really fast. I had thought they would drag. My surgeon came by to say hello, nurse did her stat's checking and met with the Anesthesiologist. He explained what they would be doing etc. They came back around close to 9:30 and wheeled me to the operating room.
Out side the operating room I met a surgical nurse that would be in during the surgery. The Anesthesiologist asst. put one shot of something then another to make me go so sleep. After the second shot in the hall they took me into the operating room. I remember very little after that. I saw the room was tinier than I would have expected. They put a mask of some type over my mouth, I wasn't happy with that, I don't like my nose and mouth covered, it makes me a little panicky. It was only a second or so that I remeber because I guess from then I was OUT!
The next thing I remember was them talking to me in the recovery room. I could feel that the tube was still in my throat, it didnt hurt but I could feel it there and they had a mask again, maybe oxygen I would guess over my mouth. They were telling me to take deep breaths, to breath deep. I was conscious enough to hear them and did so. I remember motion with my hands to have them take the mask off my face, feeling panicky, they said just a few mins, take deep breaths. Wasn't long and off came the mask and then out the tube. It did not hurt but I felt it come out, quickly. After that it was good. In recovery when I would be in a resting mode, I didnt breath as deep, I dont think any of us do, we breath more shallow, I would hear the nurse across from me yell breath deep Ruth, deeper breath, and I'd do it and all was fine. I remember sitting myself up in the bed rather soon after all was out. I could look around etc.
This was around 1 pm or so as I remember. I think by 2 pm I was in my room. Did not have to go to any ICU or anything, just a regular room. I was anxious to get up and walk. I could feel the catheter in but on my own had the urge to urinate. I got it out not long after I was up there in my room, maybe two hours at most. Then I got up and walked with no problem. So they took the catheter out. The first day and into most of Saturday I didn't pee as much as they'd like. But said it sometimes stores in the body then will come out. They did some blood work to check some things and they were all fine. Saturday night I started urinating a good bit, so all was well and I came home as scheduled on Sunday.
All went well when I started liquids on Saturday, took small slow sips and have had no nausea or vomitting. I'm still not getting in all the water that I should, but am doing a lot more than I thought I'd be able to. I'm actually surprised at how much of it I can keep sipping on. I don't think anyone can do 64 oz. right off. LOL :)
I didn't or havent as of yet had the bad gas pains or lots of gas. I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. The doctor said that can come later, not necessarily while I was in the hospital. Before leavig the hospital yesterday I did get a little gas out. Felt a little pressure and it came out. Yesterday and today I can feel my tummy making sounds inside and at times feel like I may need to go to the bathroom, so I go and try to do so but just getting a little air. Passed gas maybe three times that were mentionable as passing gas. LOL So maybe I'll be someone who doesnt pass alot? I sure hope so! :) I think everyone is different. I know a friend of mine who has surgery said the gas was the worst. She had a hard time passing it etc. I don't know if it is yet to come or what, but what I have so far is tolerable and it would be great if it continues this way. Maybe it has something to do with whether or not you were a big gas passer to begin with? which I was not. Or if you have a weak stomach and get nauseated easily before, which I did not. I've always had a strong stomach, never got heart burn etc. I was worried that may change after surgery. But we shall see.
Going to head off now and get some chicken broth. That is my favorite! :) And of course sip some more water. That is my current job, water, water, water. Oh, and get up and walk, walk walk. :)
3/26/06:Came home from the hospital today. All went really well. Just wanted to post here quickly today. Will follow up later with more details.
3/20/06:Lost another 3 lbs! Went to my surgeons office today, was scheduled to meet with the nutritionist to go over my post-op menu etc. Surgery day is SOON! Four more days to go. I really count it as 3, that's how many I have to be on this side of things. On the 4 th I have surgery! EEKS!
I'm still pretty calm surprisingly. I say EEKS! but I'm not all that nervous yet. I have still had the up and down rollercoaster ride of should I do this, should I not etc etc. Moments of being afraid, not knowing whether I'll make it or have any complications. I decided a month or so back that I'm not going to worry about death, there's nothing I can do about it if it happens, and if it's my time to go it's my time. My sadness is for everyone else should that happen. Hmmm, maybe I give myself too much credit thinking anyone would really care? LOL I sure hope so! Anyways, lets talk about something a bit lighter, shall we? :)
I still haven't packed, I know I should start to get my stuff together. I've bought my vitamins, have liquid supplies etc. So I'm ready in that part for when I come home. But I guess I should get my things to take to the hospital together. My husband is starting a new job next Monday on the 27th. Not the most convienent time, but I have my mom and dad to be around to help me during the day. My husbands last day at his old job is tomorrow, so he'll be home with me the next few days before surgery. That's a good thing. I think all this calm will change as the day nears and I'll need him here.
Going to support group meeting tonight. Our surgeons office psychologist is there tonight. He is great! He really makes you feel good. He's funny and interesting. I really enjoyed a previous meeting with him and our chat for approval. So looking forward to his wit this evening. Figured also it would be a good all around support for my upcoming surgery on Friday. Chit chat with a few pre and post-opers.
That's it for now. :)
3/15/06:That was QUICK! Just got a call from my surgeons office and they got my insurance approval! It was just submitted yesterday. Looks like they have no question in their mind that I need this done! Well, March 24th, here we come!
3/15/06:This week is moving faster than I thought. It's strange, as it has been, one minute I wish the surgery day were here, the next it's coming too fast. LOL I called my PCP office today to check on some final test results to be sure my surgeons office had them. All was taken care of. Verified with the wls doc office and they have everything. My information was submitted to the insurance yesterday they told me. So, unless something comes up with that, my date is definately, as scheduled next Friday March 24th.
I asked the PA if they would contact me when the approval went through or if they only contact me if denied. She said they call either way. So I will get a call to verify it was approved. I told her, after checking on those other tests that I will let them contact me on that, that I'll give them a break. LOL I have been, I feel on top of things. Which from what I have been told is the thing to do. Not count on anyone else to see things get done. Besides being anal retentive, a control freak etc LOL I wouldn't have done any less. You can't trust anyone to get something done, if you want it done and done right you have to do it yourself. That's my motto! :) So I have been on top of both PCP and Surgeons office along the way to be sure all paperwork got where it needed to be. No, I didn't badger them daily or at all. I gave tests sufficient number of days that I felt to be done, reviewed and forwarded, then I would check up on it. Everyone did pretty well, there were only once or twice I may have had to call someone back to check on something. The PA said not to worry about it, to call with any questions. She said they have people who do as I have, and then there are those who don't do anything, taking any responsibility.
Ok, that went longer than I planned. LOL Anyways, my stuff has been submitted, now we just wait.
I know come next week I'll really start to be a nervous wreck. I'm still ok, gung ho and ready to go right now. But at this moment thinking of Monday being here, being the week, that by Friday I'll be in surgery makes me feel NERVOUS. So, I won't think of it right now. I want to be sane at surgery time. LOL
3/13/06: I've been reading so many wonderful stories on everyone's profiles I thought I'd get started on something here for mine. Hopefully it will be interesting enough not to bore you and perhaps you'll find something helpful along the way. :)
I finally decided to look into have RNY sugery in August 05. I made an appt. with Dr. Papasavas and got in really quick on August 11th 2005. Per my insurance I needed to do a 6 month diet 800-1200 cal, visiting my PCP monthly since I had no recorded weightloss attempts with any physician in the past 2 years. I actually had none ever. Any weight I've ever lost was on my own. And as most of us I've lost LOTS of weight over the years, many times!
I am 43yrs old, married to a wondeful younger man Dave who is 33, Go me! ;) LOL We have been married a little over two years. He is everything I've ever dreamed of and treats me like a queen. Talk about gifts from Heaven. I am truly blessed. Oh, did I mention how cute he was? ;)
The 6 months has come and gone pretty quickly. I guess with all the tests, doc visits etc. it really does fly by. I was told by my wls doctor that I should lose about 25lbs before having the surgery, that I was thick in the middle and it would be beneficial for me, that I didn't want to risk having Open RNY. So I started off great back in August, within a month dropped about 26lbs. Around the end of September I got off track and over the next months up until February 06 gained it all back. So there I was back around 345.
So on my February appt. of Feb 14th, I did not get a surgery date as I had hoped. As I said I had gained the weight and the doc said I would need to lose that weight. He said I know you can do it, you had done it before. He explained why he wanted me to lose it, and I completely understood, but none the less it was a disappointment. He sent me over to his nutrionists office and set me up on Opti-Fast. He scheduled me for next appt of March 28th. Again, I was very disappointed. I wasn't going to see him again for like 6 weeks. I wanted surgery NOW! The Opti-Fast was a no go. I did it for two days. It wasn't all that terrible. The first day was a bit rough mentally. All I could do was think of food, but the weird thing was, I mostly wanted cucumbers and cottage cheese. Not anything bad, just some good stuff! I guess it would be a blessing over liquids! LOL But I got through and actually had a tough time trying to finish all the liquids of the Opti-Fast in addition to water, tea etc. After two days I had some fluttering in my chest that lasted a bit. Contacted the office the office and they did tell me to stop taking it, but they were not familiar with that being a side effect. It happened one more time about a week later and my PCP had some tests done, blood word and a 24 hour Holter monitor. All results came back fine. The PA from my PCP office thought it may have lowered my electrolytes, but all blood work was fine. So from that point on around Feb. 17th I've just been dieting on my own. I go in each week to see the nutritionist and get weighed and discuss what I've been eating, exercise etc. I had an appt today and thus far have lost 21.3 lbs. As of today I am at 324.1
I had requested two weeks ago since I was losing weight so well if it were possible to see the surgeron sooner than March 28th, the request was granted. I saw him last Thursday the 9th of March and had at that time lost 20lbs. He said that the wieghtloss has made the difference in my middle section and he scheduled me for sugery on March 24th 2006. So I've less than two weeks to go at this point. He said to just keep doing what I've been doing and try to lose a few more lbs before then. He said to do liquids two days before the surgery. Hopefully I will have no more problems with any flutters in my chest when I have to do liquids these days. I'll try to do liquids with protein etc and hope all goes well.
I guess that's a start for now. Should have you all caught up on my journey so far. Only other thing I guess I'd mention at this time before closing for today is how this is like a roller coaster... One day I feel like a positive yes, this is what I'm going to do, the next I'm like OMG what am I doing, I don't want to do this. I know this is normal, I just hope it doesn't drive me too crazy over the next week and a half! LOL
