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I've adjusted pretty well after surgery.  Oh, yes I have the occasional "uncomfortable" feeling when I eat too fast or too much, but  those times are fewer and fewer as my mind wrestles with knowing when enough is enough.  It definately is a learning process. 

The exciting thing for me is this morning (Sept. 25, 2008) I weighed in at 304 LBS!!!!  How many people are soooooo excited to weigh over 300 lbs.?  But I am.  I weighed 407 in December, that's -103Lbs!   Since my gastric bypass surgery on June 12 I have lost 69 lbs.  It is wonderful to know that very soon I will FINALLY  be under 300 lbs.   More importantly is that my BMI is under 50 now,  I'm able to tolerate standing for longer periods of time, and I feel healthier! 

With my shrinking size I'm rediscovering clothes that I haven't worn in 14 years that were pushed to the back of the closet.  I actually got a pair of jeans on that I couldn't even get over my knees last time I tried. 

Even though I'm having this experience with my clothes, my mind hasn't really acknowledge this as I still find myself thinking I haven't really lost that much weight and will put on my baggier blouses...isn't that nuts!

I also am tolerating most food and don't miss or want the larger portions or unhealthy choices I use to want.  It's been pretty easy for me.  The harder thing is the exercising.  I know I would loose faster if I could manage to walk better.  I finally complained to my family doctor as I still can't walk far unassisted by a walker or cane.  She finally is sending me to a back specialist for physical therapy to see if they can build up the strength in my back.  When I do walk I noticed I'm pretty bent over.  But really my poor body went through a lot being so overweight.  So wish me luck as I know exercise is the key to success.

I wish I could figure out how to post a new picture but can't seem to do it.  Hopefully the next time I write you will get an updated photo and I will be working my way down the 200's!

My surgery was June 12 and went beautifully.  I had a lap RNY and the surgery went about 5 hours long (so they say ...it seemed like 10 sec. to me!).  My surgeon had to deal with many adhesions that I had from past surgeries that involved the part of the intestine he had to use.  It was challenging for him but he did manage to do it all laparscopically which I find just amazing!  

Like I said, I have had other abdominal surgeries and having this done Lap. was easier for me than any of my other procedures.  By three days post-op I was using my pain meds only at night and stopped them by June 16.

I only have 3 complaints:  I got very little sleep in the hospital (thankfully they sent me home 2 days post op),  I got a reaction from the Lovenox injections that I had to give myself at home (hives all up and down my sides), and on July 1 I went to my regular clinic to treat a urinary tract infection.  The liquid antibiotic is yuk, yuk, yuk!

I adjusted to the liquid diet for the first 7 days and wasn't hungry.  My first post op was June 20 and I was only down 3 lbs but my tummy was still bloated from surgery.  They then graduated me to pureed food and food never tasted so good.  Water tastes sweet to me, isn't that wierd?  The smell of cooking or grilling beef grosses me out, wierd again, right?  I'm perfectly satisfied with my meal plan and can only manage now less than 1/2 cup per meal and less when I have a pureed meat.  The only food that didn't work for me, and yes people, it did make me "toss my cookies" was ham.  I later found out it was honey baked ham.  I'm assuming that is what caused the problem.

They sent me home from the hospital with a walker as I was too bent over using my cane and it would help my balance better.  It has and I am trying to strengthen my legs and backs to walk better.  I have been trying to go solo a bit but until I can walk better I have started using an exercise bike this week.  I'm starting off slowly 20 min a day every other day.

So the weight is coming off slower than I expected, but it has been easier than I thought it would be.  I see my doctor for my first month check up in a couple days so I'll see what it is then.  Thanks for all the great support!

The last couple of weeks sure have been crazy!  So busy that I haven't had too much time to think about my surgery which is good.  Today I started the PREP and liquid diet so I guess that must mean I'm really commited to getting this done!!!  I had my last appointment with my surgeon on June 3 and was so fearful I had gained weight with all the early summer parties and family food temptations, etc.  I was relieved that I was down a couple pounds.  It wasn't what I thought I'd be going into surgery (371 now) but I have to remember I was 407 in December!  Gosh I can't even believe I ever got this big!

As I'm sure all of you felt while drinking the DELIGHTFUL laxative which resulted in the literal liquid pounds rushing from your body , "OH MY GOD!"  and so it begins my friends...my journey.  Say prayers for me and I will write more after I get home from the hospital.  

Whew!  It's been a tough 3 1/2 weeks since last I blogged!  The food devil has been chasing me something fierce.  He keeps whispering in my ear "Take it ...it will be the last time."  Well I have to admit the temptation has played out.  Sometimes I'm strong and successful and sometimes I fall prey, but equally as important, and new in my life, is the retreating.  I have noticed that those times I have been taken in I also start to redeem myself by lifting my weights and eating more sensibly for the rest of the day.  Then there is the road block.  

I don't know if anyone else has noticed this pre-surgically in their lives but there is my family, "The Skinnies".  I don't think that it is because I am more concious to what I can't eat right now but all of a sudden my hubby is bringing home tons of stuff I can't or shouldn't eat!  Can you believe he even offered me a Strawberry Cheese Cake from Bakers Square two days ago! ...and my surgery date is June 12!  What's the matter with this guy?  Take down the road block already...I'm coming through and I will make it!  He seems he wants to feed me more than ever right now.  It's been tough. 

Today also I called the insurance person at my surgeon's office to see if I was pre-approved for surgery from my health insurance co. and she told me she hadn't even done the paperwork yet!  It wouldn't be so upsetting if I hadn't worked for 25+ years in a patient accounting office and know a thing or two about this.  I asked her what the delay was in getting my surgery pre-authorized.  She actually said, "Oh, don't worry I'll get around to it!"  Great people skills, this one. I'm sure if my insurance doesn't pay the clinic will wait patiently for their money, right? 

I'm hoping that things will go as planned and I will find out from the doctor on June 3 if all the papers are in order as I don't want to delay this surgery further into the year.
I guess I won't worry about it...  

After much testing I have a surgery date for a RNY on 6/12/08.  For those who think all the testing is nuts I must say I felt pretty good about finally taking care of me!   

After the sleep study they did discover I had apnea and I have a CPAP machine to help me breath at night.  It took a little getting use to but now I am starting to feel more rested.  I probably wouldn't have checked for apnea if it hadn't been for the testing prior to surgery. 

They checked out everything so I am confident that my surgeon has all the info he needs to make the surgery a success. 

Now I have to do my part.  Mostly I'm nervous.  They think they can do my surgery laparoscopically but won't know until they actually get in there.  I'm preparing myself for an open procedure just in case.  

I'm watching what I eat now and in the next month start bringing home my post op groceries.  I am trying to lift my weights everyday as that is the only exercise I am capable of doing right now as I can't walk so well.  So pray for me the next month as I prepare myself for surgery!