Betty Boop Oop-A-Doop


A little bit about myself -- I am a 54 y/o gramma of 3 beautiful granddaughters and one handsome grandson.


I grew up in the Florida Keys (Islamorada,Lower Matecumbe,Key Largo) in the land of flip-flops, sandy beaches, coral reefs, and beautiful sunsets. 


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I just found this site!!  I've had a weight problem most of my life, and it is steadily getting worse and really taking a tole on me.  I began putting my life on hold back in the early 70s...always saying "when I lose weight I will do....."  What a terrible way to live life.  Here it is all these wasted years later and I'm now excited that maybe there is a chance for me to make a change and be able to live life as a "normal" person, not having to be embarrassed to be seen in public and not having to always wonder when you hear laughter if that person is laughing at you. There are so many things that normal sized people do that I would give anything to be able to do...little things like wearing a bathing suit or going sleeveless in public. It wasn't until I met my current husband that I allowed myself to even wear shorts.  For years and years I only wore long pants. It didn't matter if it was 98 degrees outside and everybody else running around in shorts and tank tops, there I was in long pants...burning up from being so hot. I always worried too much of what others would say.  My family always said I kept my house cold enough to be a meat locker.  Well, when you're wearing jeans on a hot summer day you have to cool off somehow!!

I have been researching the different surgery options and also the physicians in my area for quite a while now. I read everything I can get my hands on about WLS and was even considering traveling out of town to have my surgery. I will continue to do my research and make a decision when I feel the time is right.


October 10, 2005 - Well, here it is a few months later and I am still researching and trying to make an informed decision on whether or not this surgery is for me. Of course I would like to lose my weight, but at the same time I don't want to make the decision lightly without thinking it through. I know that if I decide to have the surgery, that I also have to be prepared to have some plastic surgery, and I don't want to begin the process if I'm not willing to finished it through to the end.

I had some medical complications the past few months resulting in several days in the hospital, etc., so I kind of put my WLS decision making on hold for a while. I'm back again now, though, and ready to continue on with my research!


Dec 2005 - Here I am, still trying to get things worked out. I've seen so many people come to this site, begin their process and go on to get fit and trim. It is such an inspiration to me and gives such great hope that it will be my turn some day.

March 16 2006 - Went to another of Dr. Lord's seminars. I like him more each time I go. I am totally comfortable with his background,abilities and his track record, and know that I want him to do my surgery. I became at peace with my decision to have the surgery tonight, and I filled out the paperwork at the seminar to begin the process.

March 20, 2006 - Talked to April from Dr. Lord's office. She said she called my insurance and they do cover the WLS. She wanted me to call my insurance and see if they would tell me any more information about whether or not they required medically supervised weight loss history, etc. The only thing they would tell her was that WLS was covered. I called and they told me pretty much the same thing. They don't have a prerequisite as far as six months of diet history or anything, but they talked like they leave open the option to ask for additional info when my doctor sends my file in for preapproval. I have already talked to my primary physician about it at my last visit a couple of weeks ago, and I plan on seeing her each month just in case it becomes necessary to have that documented diet history. Thankfully she is supportive of me in regards to the gastric bypass surgery, so that was a load off my mind. She agreed to do whatever was necessary in working with Dr. Lord to get insurance approval.

March 22, 2006 - Shelly from Dr. Lord's office called to set up my consultation. I am so excited, but it is like I am numb and am afraid to show excitement for fear I will wake up and it is a dream. My consultation date is April 24th. I'm hyperventilating as I type this. Somebody pinch me. Is my journey about to begin???

April 28, 2006 - Had all my labs, x-rays and EKG done today. It was nice to get that part behind me. They still haven't called me to let me know what day I go for my venous Doppler, EGD and colonoscopy. I will call them Monday to see what the status of that is. I go next Tuesday for my nutritional/orientation meeting, and next Friday is my one-on-one with the nutritionist. The Monday after that I have the psych appt. Alot of things to get done!! I'm trying not to panic and just take each thing as it comes. Next Wednesday evening will be my first support group meeting. I'm looking forward to that. Hopefully it works out where I can go. Until next time..........

May 2, 2006 - Went to group orientation at Dr. Lord's office. Traci went over a lot of different things and answered any questions we had.

May 3, 2006 - Went to my first support group meeting this evening.  I had to make myself get out and go (I've become somewhat of a recluse the past few years) but I am glad I did.  I hope as I get out more I will be able to mingle with others and not be so shy and withdrawn. Dr. Lord was at the support group meeting too, and he also introduced his mother who has had the surgery too.

May 4, 2006 - Had to go for my venous Doppler of both legs this afternoon.  It is good to be able to mark another thing off the list.

May 5, 2006 - Had one-on-one with Traci this morning, going over all everything I need to know about nutrition, vitamins, things I'll be eating after surgery at the different stages, etc.  I think with a little creativity it should be pretty easy to come up with tasty things once I get past the liquid stage. Traci was going to have April try again to confirm with my insurance that they do not require the six months diet thing and April will call me.

May 8, 2006 - Went for my psych eval this morning.  I was a bit nervous before going. Guess I was afraid they were going to determine I was nuttier than squirrel poop. All went well though, and as ti turned out I didn't have any reason to worry. Maggie is such an easy person to talk to. I really enjoyed talking with her and since she has also had the surgery in the past she is able to really relate to the fears and feelings that we preops are going through.  I talked with the insurance ladies while I was there and they recommended I proceed with the six months diet documentation just in case it comes down to me needing that. The insurance company seems reluctant to give me a definite answer on whether or not they will require the six months of diet documentation.  It is not listed on my policy as being required.  My policy does list certain criteria they require and according to all of that I definitely meet the requirement.  Guess I will go back to my PCP and let her start documenting things just in case I need it.  Tomorrow is my mammogram and then nothing else until June 1 when I go for the dreaded EGD and colonoscopy.

May 9, 2006 - Went for mammogram. Everything looked fine.  Now I worry until June 1 when I go for EGD and colonoscopy.


May 12, 2006 - Run into a snag in regards to insurance and preferred provider.  Dr. Lord told me during my consultation that he was in my PPO's network. I told him I had called them and they told me he wasn't.  He said he was and had already done someone from my PPO.  Well....I called and asked someone in Dr. Lord's office if they could double check it because my PPO was still showing that he was not in the network.  She said she had a call in and would get back with me.

May 15, 2006 - Went to my PCP for my monthly weigh in and diet discussion.  Not sure if it is going to be required by my insurance but I'm doing the monthly thing just to be sure.

May 22, 2006 - Got letter from Dr. Lord's office. My B1 was extremely low on my lab work that he had ordered. He sent me a Rx for B1 (Thiamin) to start immediately.  I will have my B1 level checked again in a few weeks.  While at the drug store I also picked up the things I need to do the two prep prior to my EGD and colonoscopy.  Ugh!  Makes me gag just thinking about it.

May 23, 2006 - Tomorrow is our 9th anniversay.  I'm upset because we will not be able to do much of anything to celebrate.  I just am not feeling well at all and hardly ever leave the house anymore.   I can't even wear my rings anymore.  That upsets me too. We talked about having them sized up but decided to wait when it looked like I might be getting the surgery in the next few months.  My husband got me a nice long gold chain and we put the rings on that so that I can at least wear them around my neck.  I so look forward to being able to live like a normal person some day...walking and doing all the things I love to do.  I don't like the person I have become.  I've become a real recluse.  It is a REAL struggle to make myself get out and go anywhere unless I just have to.

May 30, 2006 - Started clear liquid diet for the two-day prep for EGD and colonoscopy. 


May 31, 2006 - Still on clear liquids. This is the second day and it is miserable.  I have never been able to drink clear broth (makes me nauseated), and my doctor's instructions say I can have popsicles but nothing red, orange, purple, green, etc., so that doesn't leave much else.  I couldn't find any other popsicles, so I am just having water and decaf coffee.  I tried one Sprite but it didnt settle.  I can make it until after my tests in the morning though....I think. LOL

June 1, 2006 - Well had my EGD and colonoscopy today.  Glad that is over. I haven't talked to the doctor but he did talk to my husband while I was in recovery.  Husband says Dr. Lord said the colonoscopy was okay, but he did find some areas of gastritis during the upper endoscopy and took some biopsies.  He said he will treat it. I guess that is what was causing my episodes of extreme nausea.   I'll call the office on Monday if I don't hear from them first.


June 5, 2006 - Talked to Dr. Lord's nurse, Traci, and she said my biopsies were negative and there was no sign of H. Pylori so there is nothing to treat.  She said she would tell Ruth that I was done with all my preop testing and ready for her to proceed with my approval process.  Hopefully Ruth will get back with me soon. 


June 7, 2006 - Talked to Ruth at Dr. Lord's office today. She said everything thing is set to go except for she is waiting on Letter of Medical Necessity from my PCP.  I thought this had already been done!  I purposefully made an appointment with my PCP (Instead of just calling) to go over what the letter needed to say, etc.  She told me that she would dictate the letter within a couple of days.  Well....that was on May 14th.  Anyway...Ruth is right on top of it and called my PCP and and got that taken care of. It is supposed to be transcribed today and they will fax a copy to Ruth so Ruth can get my approval package submitted.  Thanks Ruth for your efforts!!

I also went to the support meeting tonight.  There are a lot of people there who have lost a large amount of weight.  I hope to be where they are some day.  You can tell a lot of them know each other.  I'm a very shy person, and not real outgoing, but I hope to make some friends there as time goes on. I'm sorry to say that I have become such a recluse since getting so large that I have forgotten how to even interact with people.  Sad, but so painful and so true.  Something no one understands unless they have experienced it.  I hope my social skills will return once I lose weight and gain some of my confidence back.


June 12, 2006 - Ruth confirmed that my package was indeed sent for approval as of this morning.  Yipeeee!  Now the waiting begins.  I'm have tried to let things happen as they will throughout this whole process. My belief is that if it happens it was meant to be and if there is a delay then there is a good reason for it.  I've prayed and prayed about the decision to have the surgery, and when I finally made the decision I decided I would take the "what will be will be" approach and try not to get too upset if I run in to a snag or delay.  I feel everything happens for a reason, so if I run in to a delay I will believe it is in my best interest. On the other hand, as things fall into place pretty smoothly I look at it as I must have made the right decision.  Am I making sense?  Probably not. LOL

I must get back to work. I work out of my home office and it is entirely too easy to pop over to the OH site every few minutes. You can waste away an hour over here before you even realize it.  My income has suffered too!  LOL  Back to work. Have a great day.

June 16, 2006 - Ruth at Dr. Lord's office checked with insurance and they claim they never received it. She said she was going to fax it again.

June 20, 2006 - Getting ready to go out of town for a few days. Emailed Ruth to see if she knew any more. Never heard back from her.

June 23, 2006 - Just got back in to town and what is the first thing I do?  Yep, you guessed it. Checked for word from Ruth.  No word yet, so I emailed her again.  She answered back and said she did fax my stuff in again and that she called them and they said they did receive it and it would be sent for medical review.   I'm trying to sit tight and not get to overly anxious.  I've prayed that if it was meant to be for it to work out and for God to give me a sign if it wasn't what I should be doing.  When I hit this "speed bump" with my insurance I started wondering "okay, is this a sign that I should not go forward?"  I think I better pray again and tell God if he gives me a sign to make sure it is a DEFINITE sign and one that I will recognize for sure.

June 28, 2006 - Still waiting for word from insurance. I'm getting a bit discouraged, even though I am trying my hardest to keep positive.  I don't really have the right to get discouraged at this point because so many others have waited forever and evere for approval.  Compared to others I have hardly waited at all, I guess.  I'll try to keep that in mind.

I've been really sick for for a few days now.  Extreme sore throat like I haven't had in many, many years!  Promised my husband I would go to the doctor.

July 4, 2006 - Not much celebrating going on here for the 4th.  This will be the first time we haven't had cookout and pool party in years.  I'm still feeling horrible and just did not feel like preparing food and hosting people.  I'm on the usual antibiotics, lots of fluids and rest for possible strep throat/tonsillitis.  Throat has gotten some better but now it has moved into a horrible cough.  Hopefully it will work its way right on out of my body. LOL

July 5, 2006 - Will have to miss the support group meeting tonight.  I am disappointed because I was hoping to meet some people who have posted on the msg board.

July 7, 2006 - Still no answer from insurance.  It is probably a blessing in disguise that I have been so sick that I haven't had the insurance approval on my mind so much.  In fact, I told my husband I am thankful that I was not newly postop when I became so sick. I'm sure I would have torn things apart with all the hard coughing spells. There is always a positive way of looking at things if we look hard enough. 

July 14, 2006 -   Drum roll please!!!! It's my turn!!! I've been APPROVED!! Yep, you heard me right! APPROVED. Ruth called earlier in the day to get answer to a question that the insurance was asking, then she called back just a while ago and said I was APPROVED!! I couldn't even talk I got so emotional!! It's official...I'm APPROVED! It is finally my chance to take this journey! I am sooo happy. I don't even remember what all Ruth said when I asked her what I do next. I think she said she would get the papers together and they would call me next week. Have a nice weekend, everyone. Did I mention I was APPROVED! LOL


July 21, 2006 - Called Dr. Lord's office today. It has been a week since my approval and I had not heard about a surgery date.  You know how us preops are...we can get pretty antsy when we don't hear anything. LOL  Anyway, April told me I would probably hear something next week.  She couldn't tell for sure.  She said Jan was out and Ruth was having to cover for her too and there was a stack of charts on Ruth's desk that needed to be scheduled for surgery.  She assured me that people were scheduled in the order of which they were approved.  I asked if they would fax me a copy of the approval. They only got verbal approval though.  That concerns me a little. I will check with my insurance next week to see if I can get a written approval.  Hope to hear about a surgery date soon because my primary doctor said she needs to start treatment for diabetes if it is going to be delayed too long.  She has already waited a while for it.

July 25, 2006 - Received written approval confirmation in the mail from my insurance.  That makes me feel better now that I have it in my hands and can read it for myself.  Now if I could just get a date!!!  Have been sick the last few days...several nausea episodes and just generally not feeling well. I don't know if it is my blood sugar or what it is.  Maybe nerves!!!...nah...couldn't be nerves. LOL

July 27, 2006 - Got my DATE!!!! WooHoo!!!  August 22, 2006 is my day!  I think I am in shock.  It is almost like a dream.  I'm sure reality will set in soon and I will be going through all the normal emotional roller coaster ride prior to surgery.  Lord help me!!

August 1, 2006 - Well, just 22 days until my surgery!!  I'm so excited. I'm still trying to get all my "survival stuff" together.  Have ordered some samples of protein drinks/shakes so I hope I can find some that will be tolerable.  I had ordered Unjury unflavored, but now I'm hearing people say it is horrible. Guess I need to just try it for myself, huh!?!  Definitely have to do what ever it takes to get in that protein and fluids when I get home from surgery. 

I had a funny thought today....won't it be nice to lose enough weight that the weight listed on my driver's license is correct. LOL   I haven't changed the weight on my driver's license in 30 years!!  That was 120 pounds ago!!

August 8 - Had my preop appointment with Jan and Dr. Lord today.  Jan is a sweetie and I am still very comfortable with Dr. Lord's abilities.  It is still a go for Aug 22.  I start my liquid diet on Thursday, Aug 17. I'm fine with the liquids because I know it is for my own benefit to help shrink my fatter liver and make the surgery easier to do.  I am not, however, looking forward to the bowel prep.  I had to do it a few weeks back for my EGD and colonoscopy, and that Phospha Soda is NASTY!!!  My sister and I went up and checked out the bariatric floor today after my appointment. Dr. Lord told us to go on up there if we wanted to.  Both the nurses we talked to were extremely nice!!

August 9 -  Went for my preadmission labs and met with the anesthesiologist department today.  Now I just sit back and wait!!

August 12 - Got me one of those Magic Bullits everyone talks about today at Walgreens.  Can't wait to try it out!  I think I have gotten pretty much all my supplies as far as protein source, vitamins, SF jello, SF popcicles, etc.  The bar in my kitchen is covered with "survival supplies" for when I come home.  I think I may have over done it as far as getting different protein shake mixes, etc., hopefully my husband can help use some of this stuff up.

August 17, 2006 - Well today is the day I start my liquid diet.  Can you hear the excitment in my voice? LOL ugh!  I think I can.....I think I can....I think I can.

August 18, 2006 -  Day 2 of liquid diet.  Yesterday wasn't real good.  I made it through the day but had a terrible time with the protein shake. (EAS Advantage).  That stuff tasted like crap to me!!!  Goodness gracious, sakes alive!  I managed to get almost all of it down, but it was the hardest thing I've had to do, and even this morning I am still tasting and smelling it.  I can't handle another one of those so for today I am going to try another kind. 

August 19, 2006 - Day 3 of liquid diet. Tried to keep busy today, but the day still crept along.  two more days to go after today. Hubby went to the store and bought a whole chicken so he could make me some real chicken broth.  Guess I will be eating on that tomorrow.  He is so sweet!  He is trying to hide and eat, and he is purposefully not cooking anything so I won't have to smell the aromas while I am on liquid diet.  I told him he didn't have to, but he insisted. 

August 20 and 21 - These last two days have been horrible for me.  I've had nausea and vomiting ever since taking the second round of Phospho Soda.  More vomiting with the oral antiotics on the 21st.  Followed doctors orders by taking the Phennergan suppositories and then not taking the third dose. Thank goodness I work out of my home office!!  I did have to relocate my office during the bowel prep day, though. See below! LOL

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I am SO glad this part is almost over.  It has been hell the last couple of days...and I feel beaten down and horrible at this point.  I know it is all for the good though.  The hospital called and told me they bumped my surgery up from 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. so for me to be there at 8:00 a.m.  That is okay; the sooner the better at this point.  Can't wait for tomorrow when they can put me to sleep for surgery and out of my misery!!!


August 22, 2006 - I made it!!!! I made it through the preop liquid diet. I made it through the bowel prep and antibiotic days.  I'm up and ready to head to the hospital.  I look and feel like crap, and family says I look like one of the zombies from The Night of the Living Dead movie!  After seeing the picture, I definitely agree with them. LOL

Off to the hospital I go.  I check in and they take me back to the preop surgical unit to get me all ready and start my IV, etc.  Then they allowed my husband to come back and wait with me. We waited......and we waited......and we waited.......and we waited some more. Dr. Lord came down to see me twice....once for his regular visit before surgery and then again a while later when he was wondering why they hadn't brought me to surgery yet.  I guess he was waiting. LOL  It wasn't long after that that they came and got me and wheeled me into surgery.  Why they called me to move my surgery up a half hour I don't know because by the time they took me back for surgery it was well past my original time of surgery. 


My surgery took a little over 3 hours due to a lot of scar tissue that they had to first get out of the way before they could do the RNY. Dr. Lord told my family all went well, it just took longer than usual.


They finally took me up to my room about 4pm.  It had been a long day.  I was feeling pretty good though.  Thankfully I had no nausea.


Everyone on the bariatric floor was so nice.  It was the nicest hospital experience I have ever had.  They had me up walking that evening for a short walk.


I started doing my laps around the bariatric wing the next morning. I made lots of laps each day!  I felt so good most of the time and couldn't believe I was doing so well.  The only thing i hated was having to depend upon someone to wipe my arse for a few days. That was SO humiliating and embarrassing.  I just couldn't get twisted into a position to do it. Too much information, I know, but maybe it will help someone else know that they are not the only one if it happens to them.

 
August 25, 2006 - Got home from hospital this afternoon.  Doing good!  Believe me, the days BEFORE were much much worse than the days after.   Thanks for everyone's prayers!.

Here is a picture of Dr. Lord and I at time of discharge from hospital.  I'm embarrassed to show it because I look so horrible with red swollen face, but it is part of  my journey now, so here it is.



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September 22, 2006:  At end of one month I am down 31 pounds. YEAH!!!  I'm beginning to see a little bit of difference, especially in my face. 


                                               


October 3, 2006:  Down 35.8 pounds.  Seems to be slowing down a bit now.  I hear that is normal though, so I am trying not to worry too much.  I need to increase my exercise. Have been doing Walk Away the Pounds workouts.


October 4, 2006:  Went to support meeting tonight.  Got to meet Angela Brown from the message board. That was fun! And it was good to see Connie again.  She is always so sweet. They had a guest speaker at the meeting (a facial plastic surgeon). It was interesting, though I will have to sell my home and all my belongings to have everything "fixed" that will need fixing when I get done. LOL  The last meeting was a plastic surgeon who does TT and arms and body lifts, etc., so when I add it all up.....geez....let's just say I hope I win the lottery! LOL


Connie had her surgery today! You're in my prayers, Connie!


October 5, 2006:  Had appt with Dr. Lord today.  He seemed in a hurry today. Dr. Freedman was having to see some patients and Dr. Lord the others. I get to move to stage 4 food plan.  He said I was right on track -- have lost 23% of my excess weight.  I've been doing wonderful except for the usual things to expect after having major surgery.  Doing real well with my food. A couple of times have begun to feel slightly clammy and sick, but it passed pretty quickly. Both times it was because I ate too fast.  If I don't keep that on my mind the whole time I am eating (that I should eat SLOWLY) I end up shoveling bites in just to get done and that can be big mistake.  I guess it will take time for it to be second nature. I don't eat fast because I am starving but just to eat and get it over with.  Laying fork/spoon down inbetween bites is a good habit to get into; that way you don't subconsciously pick up the fork and take another bite so soon.


The only problem I am having is dry, DRY, cracked skin on hands, fingers and feet plus palms of hands are extremely itchy with red blotches.  Having a hard time walking with the cracked skin on feet (and working too since I keyboard (type) all day in my work and the tips of my fingers are all cracked.) It is wierd!  Dr. Lord suggested I add some olive oil to my diet. I hope it clears up soon. I'll probably go to dermatolgist if it doesn't.  Don't know if it is an allergic reaction to something or what it is.  My body is so weird though, there is no telling.   But I digress......   
Overall I am doing great as far as the surgery!  I really am pleasantly surprised as to how well I did. I figured with my age and my health problems that I might have a rough recovery but that has not been the case.  There are days when I don't have as much energy as others, but I think that is normal at this point. Oh...Dr. Lord said my high blood pressure is about gone, so that is good news!  I am anxious to have blood work to see if my blood sugar is coming down etc.


October 14, 2006 - Husband and I made decision to stop the Actigall because of the severe burning down my esophagus and my voice changes getting worse.  After taking it this morning my voice was almost completely gone in a matter of about an hour.  It is scaring me, so we decided that I would stop taking it.  I will touch base with Dr. Lord's office after the weekend.  Still have the extremely red and itchy palms of hands and the cracked and bleeding tips of fingers.  It will be interesting to see if the itchy hands gets better, as itching and voice changes is listed on side effects for Actigall. We will see. 


I'm having a little problem swallowing liquids and/or foods. This is something I am monitoring and keeping an eye on. Doing a lot of burping and/or what seems like a burp that comes all the way up to top of throat but doesn't "come out."  I pray this is not the beginning signs of a stricture.


October 16, 2006 - The burning in my chest and esophagus got better almost immediately upon stopping the Actigall, and my voice is a whole lot better today. I'm going to give it a few days and then restart it and see if the problems occur again.


October 17, 2006 -  Today is my weekly Tuesday weigh-in.  I lost 3.9 pounds!  Weight loss slowed down for a couple of weeks but seems to be moving again.  Would probably be more if I could do more walking. That is a total loss to date of 42.4. Not bad for an old broad whose metabolism was shot to hell. Dr. Lord had discussed with me about the fact I might not lose as fast as someone who is younger, but I'm satisfied so far!! Will keep on pluggin along!


Cindy has her surgery tomorrow!!  Angeles finally got her surgery date!!! Good luck to both you girls!!


October 21, 2006 - Tried putting my rings back on and they fit!!!  It has been 8-9 months since I could get them on.  That was a nice surprise!!  DH and I were running errands and in town all day. We decided to go in Logan's Roadhouse. I was nervous as this was my first real restaurant experience since surgery.  (I had eaten at Wendy's fast food one time...had chili.)  I ended up getting the roadhouse salad with grilled shrimp kabobs on top.  We had such a nice waiter. When he asked what dressing I wanted I explained that I wanted it on the side and that I couldn't have anything with sugar in it. He thought for a second and then said "I'll be right back."  He came back in a couple of minutes with all the sugar gram count from the salad dressings!!  I thought that was so nice of him.  I ate 3 shrimp, a piece of zuccini from the kabob and a few bites of the salad dipped very lightly in my dressing.  I experienced quite a bit of sadness that I couldn't dig in and eat everything, but I worked through it and all in all it was a good first visit to a restaurant. 


Started back on the Actigall today.  My throat and voice problems had disappeared since stopping it. The cracked skin on my hands and the itching had greatly improved. We will see if all this starts again now that I am going back on the Actigall.


October 22, 2006 - TWO MONTH ANNIVERSARY SINCE SURGERY. Down 45.4 pounds!!! Yes!! AND, I reached my first scale victory of being under 250!!  Next goal is getting under 200. Here is today's picture.  


October 31, 2006 - Happy Halloween!  I lost 2.6 pounds this past week.  Total loss is 48 pounds. Weightloss has been creeping along for a few weeks now. Guess that is better than not losing at all (or gaining). I'm trying to stay positive and am thankfull for each pound lost.


Nov 1, 2006 - Went to my primary doctor today. Wanted her to check my ears as I can't hear at all from my left ear and it seems like my right ear is beginning to get that way too.  She couldn't believe it when she looked in my left ear. She said it was extremely red and inflamed in there.  She said it was like she has seen in little kids when they have to have tubes in their ears.  I've NEVER had trouble with my ears!!!  She gave me some med and told me to call her back if it did not improve.  I don't know what to do at this point...first my voice and now my hearing.  It has me concerned and I really don't know what to think. I still say my skin problems, voice problems and now my ear problems could be attributed to the Actigall, but Dr. Lord would probably laugh at me for thinking that. I stopped the Actigall when I lost my voice and it immediately improved the next day. I waited a few days and started back on it and the voice started changing again. Sorry to ramble on, but this is where I document my journey, and I don't want to leave anything out.  Everything went super with my surgery so I definitely can't complain there....but for some strange reason I've had all these strange things happening. Maybe my body is rebelling. LOL 
Went to the support meeting last night. It was a good one about handling holiday eating with some good discussion from Dr. Lord and several postops and a few preops.   My next appointment with Dr. Lord is Nov 8.


November 07, 2006 - Today is my regular Tuesday weigh-in.  I finally hit the 50 pound mark!!! I am now down a total of 50.3 pounds.  Slowly but surely it is coming off. I would like for it to be faster but still am thankful for each pound lost. I still find it wierd that I haven't gone down more in size with this much weight loss.  I've talked to several others who didn't go down in size very much to begin with, so I guess it is common.  One girl I talked to didn't really start dropping in size until about six months out!!  I go to Dr. Lord for follow-up visit tomorrow afternoon.


November 8, 2006 - Had appt with Dr. Lord today. His scales agreed with mine, so I am officially 50 pounds lost. I had discussion with him about the strange "issues" that I am having with my skin, voice and now loss of hearing.  He didn't have an answer. I showed him the data I had gathered about Actigall and asked him if he thought it could be that since everything was listed in the side effects for Actigall.  He said he had never had anyone have all that from Actigall, but ended up telling me to stop the Actigall.  Now we will see if these things clear up again.  I'm pretty concerned at the moment, especially about my voice and my hearing. I went to my PCP to get second opinion, and I think I will go ahead and see an ENT to try to get some answers. 


November 14, 2006 - Today is my regular Tuesday weigh-in.  I lost three more pounds and now am down 53.3 pounds.  I actually tried on some old 18/20 pants today and they fit!  They are elastic waist, but they fit.  My stomach will have to go down some more before I can wear regular pants with zippers.  I can wear some of my smaller tops now too...like 1x. If my arms were smaller I could probably go smaller.  Have lost a good bit in my arms, but can tell already that I will need plastic surgery because I already have folds of skin on upper arms. I expected this to happen though.  My arms have always given me the most problem in terms of size....that and my abdomen.  Love this nice cool weather!!!


November 22, 2006 - Three months ago today I was headed to the hospital for my surgery and rebirthday!  As of this morning I have lost 56 pounds.  My weightloss is still creeping along at about 2.5 pounds per week.  That seems pretty slow to me at this stage in my process, but considering I was losing 0 pounds per week prior to surgery I will be happy with the 2.5. LOL  It seems like my new little tummy can hold more now......and I am starting to think about eating more now.  I don't like that.  I would rather stay like I was the first month where I didn't have the urge to eat at all.  I sure hope my appetite doesn't continue to increase. LOL there is always something for us to worry about. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving day.  I'm trying not to stress out about being around all the food. As a matter of fact, I'm sort of looking forward to it.  I'm cooking most of the traditional stuff and several sugar free things that I can enjoy too.  Hugs and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!


November 28, 2006 - Weekly weighin and down just 1.3 pounds. Seems like my body has slipped into a pattern of only losing 1.3, 1.2, 1.5 pounds per week. You would think I would be losing more per week at this stage but my body just won't give it up easily. 


I'm starting to feel a little bit hungry now and then.  I was hoping that hungry feeling would stay away forever.  It seems like one day I am hungry and the next I might not think about eating all day long!


Well...made it through Thanksgiving day and week of looking at people eating yummy leftovers. The worst part was watching them eat leftover dressing and gravy and sweet potato souffle. I ended up throwing away a whole SF pumpkin pie and part of a SF cheesecake yesterday, not to mention the other leftovers. I always make enough for an Army...I can't help myself. LOL  I could have eaten on the SF desserts, but I don't want to get in the habit of eating dessert-like foods all the time.  


December 5, 2006 - Down 60.5 pounds as of this Tuesday weigh-in. Lost 3.5 pounds this past week...Finally had a week where I lost more than 1.5 pounds!  The past 10 pounds have been slow in coming off.  It would be nice if I could return to losing 3+ pounds a week...I would love that!  My weight loss has been slow, but so far I haven't had a week where I gained or didn't lose at least a pound something. I know it is inevitable that I hit a plateau but I am dreading it.  Keep on keepin on!


December 12, 2006 - Lost another 3.6 pounds this past week for a total of 64.1 pounds lost.  That makes two weeks in a row where I had decent weightloss (well, decent for me anyway lol). It is almost like I was eating enough or something, and when I upped my calorie count a little the weightloss got better.  Go figure!  Next goal is to get to onederland...that will be a while at my rate...still have to lose 30 more pounds to be below 200. I'll keep on keepin' on! LOL


December 19, 2006 - 2.9 pounds lost this week for a total of 67 pounds.  Have had some sort of intestional thing going on this week...ugh! I'm just kind of crampy all the time and almost feels like gas is trapped all up under my ribcage. Someone said I might be getting to be lactose intolerant....hope not! I would be lost without my dairy products.  We'll wait and see what happens. Still have some Christmas shopping to do.  I have family coming into town on Friday for a week and I'll be gone a few of them days to husband's parents because we promised them we would come there for Christmas. I feel bad leaving my house guests here by themselves for a few days but they've agreed to dog sit, so that is good. LOL  Tomorrow is my birthday, but I've convinced husband to just wait until after first of year to celebrate (maybe he will forget). LOL 


December 27, 2006 - Down a total of 71 pounds this morning. Was gone for a few days to the in-laws for Christmas.  I'm so glad to be back home. I did good with my eating. I went well prepared, though, with lots of things I could eat. They had pizza one night and that bothered me a little, but I made it through the temptation without giving in. Other than that I didn't have much of a problem. I'll be glad when all this holiday business is over. Will be having some friends/family over on Friday night, so I'll be back in the kitchen making plenty of "legal" and pouch friendly foods. 


January 2, 2007 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!  This is going to be a good year!  For once I didn't have to make the resolution to lose weight, only to fail.  This year I will be able to be successful at it!  I'm so glad to get all the holiday cooking and entertaining behind me and to get back to my normal routine and eating plan. 72 pounds gone....almost half way there!!!


January 17, 2007 - Still plugging along.  76.3 pounds down. Weightloss has slowed to snails pace lately.  Hopefully that will change sooner than later.  If it doesn't pick up again soon I am going to do a week of just liquids and protein drinks to see if I can jump start it again.  It sure is hard not to worry yourself sick that the weightloss will stop and this thing won't work anymore.  I guess that is normal.  Loosing a little bit of hair now, but not realy bad yet -- Just a lot of hair lying around after I comb or brush or shampoo.  I don't have a lot of hair to begin with, so hope it doesn't get too bad.  I've noticed my joints aching real bad...especially in my legs.  Don't know what the problem is there.  Have had killer cramps in my left leg which is the one that swells so bad and the one I've had so much trouble with through the years.  I'm happy that the swelling has finally gotten to where it is not as bad as it was, but still pretty bad on some days.  I'll be getting my blood work done later this month. I'm anxious to find out if all my numbers are okay.  Hope so!  Hugs to all who are reading this!!


NOTE:  Will use the new blog area for the rest of my story.


About Me
FL
Location
32.3
BMI
RNY
Surgery
08/22/2006
Surgery Date
Mar 17, 2005
Member Since

Friends 38

Latest Blog 18
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