cathysimmons58

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It's been forever since I posted anything on here.  I don't know why Im doing it now but I feel that you may want to know what life can be like after surgery....

May 30, 2012 My 5 year post opt. anniversary

Today is August 29th, 2012 and I am excited that I am about to have 5 days in a row off from work.  Woohoo!!! 

I have decided that after Labor day I MUST do something to work on my weight. 

Yes thats right!  I am having to diet again! 

My weight is back to 166 and I've gone from a size 8 back up to a 16!  The thoughts of being in anything larger scares me again...  I was so blessed to have this surgery and to think I just felt like I didn't need to do anything!  Well thats not true!  It has finally sunk in to me that Gastric Bypass Surgery is a awesome tool for those of us who have alot of health issues due to a eating disease!  Yes I have that disease and I still do.  Over the past couple of years I had quit my vitamins thinking I don't need them anymore....  how wrong was that!!!   Well now I have low vitamin D and I believe now that because I crave eating ice that my iron level may be low.  I have been lazy!  My job is fairly easy and I don't do anything that requires excersise.  I am blessed with a husband who does by far most of our house work because he has been unemployed due to losing his job after a knee problem.  I do not excersise at all.  I have made the first step after 3 years by calling my surgin for a followup because I on an off have a pain on the side of my stomach that bothers me and I just want to get it checked out.  I've also made an appointment with his nurtirionist AMBER...  Im so glad she is still there.  She said she would do something for the first 3 weeks to help me get started...   We shall see...  Anyway...

Im starting my blogging all over again.  My appointment with Dr. Fuzz and Amber is September 20, 2012.  Wish me luck because I am so embarrassed to let them see what I have let happened to me.  And to think I felt so awesome and now Im feeling tired all the time.  Sometimes even depressed!

Cathy

It's June 6th 2010 and I don't know I haven't updated my site!  Its hard to believe that it's been 3 yrs since I had RNY!  Wow!  I have had a lot of changes in my life since I had surgery and most is good!  Life is great right now!  I could hide and tell you that my weight loss is still great but I'm going to be honest!  In the last 6 months I have probably gained 10-15 lbs and I am starting to worry!  Its hard for others to tell but my body can tell!  Well I will post more later and upload new pictures!

My husband and I have been having some problems lately and therefor I have been under alot of stress the past few weeks but don't feel like getting into it on here but due to this stress I have now lost another 2 lbs.  which brings my total to 110!  I am concerned that maybe I've not eatin right and need to start back with my protein.  I have already lost more than I needed to and I definatley don't want to lose anymore.  Please pray for me!

Cathy

Just wanted to drop in to let you know I'm still doing great.  I've lost a total of 108 lbs and staying at 134 lbs.  I've not had my 18 month follow up with Dr. Fuzz yet but will in January.  I will post a followup after I visit with him!  Until them good luck with your journey!

Cathy

Well folks!  This is what weight lose surgery can do for ya!  

Back in 2005 before this picture was taken.  I had already lost and gained weight back on liquid diets, Nutri System, Richard Simmons, Weight Watchers 5 times, Diet pills under physicians care 2 times and many more self diets that I just couldn't get off the ground.  I had finally excepted the fact that I would be over weight the rest of my life and then I met this remarkable friend name Suzapa ( see mt friends list) and she inspired me to research this surgery and to see if it was right for me... Thanks Susan!  I miss you!

I had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, knee problems, breathing problems, GERD, anxiety, and I have had broken bones that I blame on my weight.  I've gone from a size 24 to 8/10!  I no longer suffer from all these health issues!  I thank God for Dr. Fuzz every day for what he has done for my health and lots of others.  After one year I have to say I never thought I would look like or feel like this!  I am more energetic!  I flew on a plane last week and couldn't believe how easy it was to put on the seat belt!  No sucking in my breath!  I can go up and down stairs with no problems!  I use to sweat all the time but now I'm always cold! 

It was a long recovery change from surgery date and the only thing I can say that happens with me now is some eating issues but I can live with them considering eating issues is what got me here in the first place.  My whole eating thing has changed.  I eat slow, chew more and I don't have problems.  Sometimes I may eat fast and I can tell when I need to stop eating for a few minutes and then I can tell when to continue.  I very seldom have the spit up moments anymore because I know when to stop!  I eat most anything I want but still watch out for sugars because they cause me to have the shakes.  I've only suffered from the dumping sydrome one time from drinking a large regular sprite at the movie theatre and it only took me one time to learn a hard lesson.  My weight is maintaining between 135 and 137 right now.  I'm happier than I've been in years.  My hubby keeps a tight reign on me now with all the things a woman would want to hear!  I'm enjoying life!  I don't work out like I should but try to walk everyday now.  My hubby's health is not doing well now and his doctor has told him he must lose some weight so were fixing to join a gym somewhere soon!  He always told me I needed to lose weight because he wanted to keep me around a little longer... well now that what I tell him...   I'm currently a student at Forsyth Tech and about to start my Phlebotomy Clinicals next week at Forsyth Medical Center and hopefully in August I will be offered a job there.  I want to work at Baptist since that's where I worked for 3 years but they only hire with experience but will see!  In the mean time I'm still employed with Piedmonth Home sitting with the same little wonderful man I've took care of for the last year.  I hope to continue working with him some even after school!  It will most likely be a while before I post another update!  So here's to ya!  Best of luck to all of you who are researching!  May God be with you!  

Cathy

APRIL 16, 2008

LETS CELEBRATE!
I DID IT !!!!   
TODAY I LOST 100 POINDS!!!   YEAH....  

APRIL 15, 2008
Well another month has gone by since my last update.  Hope everyone is doing great. Just cuz I don't come here to update much doesn't mean I don't think and wonder how your all doing!   Well it's after midnight here and everyone is in bed but me and my pups but their sleeping near by waiting on me.  I'm sitting around in my warm pj's because our crazy weather can't make up it's mind what it wants to be and tonight its freezing!  Just a couple days ago it was almost 80...  go figure...  Anyways..  It's Tues. am and last tues day I had a hysterectomy.  Everything went fine except they found that my tumors were much larger than they had expected.  They said the ultrasound said 5cm which is golfball size but my hubby said she told him around 10 and he saw pictures but I won't see them until I follow up on the 23rd.  If all goes well which I'm doing great now I can return to work after that appointment.  I can't believe it's already been a week since my surgery.  Time flys.  

My weight hasn't moved much.  I actually gained some weight from being on the IV's at the hospital and I don't know how my weight will be since I had a hysterectomy.  Usually I would drop a few ounces/lb with my monthly cycle but that won't be happening anymore.  I was just 2 oz. away from reaching my 100 lb goal.  I will try to work on that some more after I recooperate from this surgery.  I can't do much right now but just hang out around the house.  I've gone a little shopping which is always fun.  I love shopping for clothes now.  I was looking at shirts the other day and since I'm in a medium now I save $2 a shirt.. funny huh..   

Well not much else to report.  I do eat what ever I want and I mean what ever I want and that is scarey..  I'm afraid that it may creep back one day but as soon as I'm able I am joining the Y to start getting into better shape.  I feel great now and I really don't eat much but I'm finding I still have a love for chocolates!    I'll be back soon if I have an update and maybe post some  new pictures...  Enjoy the spring!

I can't believe how long its been since I updated my site here.   I am 142 pounds and feel fabulous!  I was 240. Having this surgery is the best thing I've ever done for myself.  Yes it is true that I have life time changes that I have to continue to work with.  I still have stomach issues once in a while and I am eating more than before which I get concerned about gaining weight back but it's not happened yet.  I still keep losing ounce by ounce but slowwwwwwwwwwww now.   Well I had my 9 month followup a couple weeks ago.  It went smooth.  Saw all my team members and I think I passed.  I lost 12 lbs over the last 3 months between my appointment.  Unfortunately I have had some female problems over the last few months that have caused me problems and I went to see my GYN doc who happens to be the wife to my gastric bypass surgeon!   She ran a bunch of test and it looks like I have these golf ball size fibroid tumors on my uterus and I'm scheduled to have a Laprascopic supracervical hysterectomy on April 8th.   Just wanted I always wanted.. haha..  I've added a few pictures that my husband took today.  I thought I was thru with surgerys...  I pray this is the last..  no more problems with weight and no more female problems.. what could be left..  Well not much else is happening.  I'm no longer going to school.  I'm waiting to start the Phlebotomy program at out local college.  I'm spending a lot of time doing some spring cleaning before my surgery.  It's been almost a year since I did that before my last surgery...  I don't like worrying about what my house looks like when I won't beable to do anything...   Well if I think of anything else I'll give you an update... for now I hope you have a great Easter!

Well today I went to a weightloss surgery meeting.  They are nice to attend but I'm starting to feel like a old timer and need to move on with my life.  Today on my scales I've lost 88 lbs. and actually it's been like that for the last few days.  But still 88 lbs...  I still can't believe it..  Just 12 more to reach my goal... I'm guessing that could take me another 6 months but who knows.  I do see that I am eating alot more now that I'm this far out and I'm not haveing any problems at all.  I did a no no tonight and ate a small chocolate ice cream cone from Dairy Queen and it wassss so good...  I don't plan to do that often but I broke down tonight.  Well just wanted to drop by.  Hope all is well and have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

      It is so hard for me to believe that it's been over 6 months since my surgery!  It has been a real journey with my life style changes.  The first few months was extremely hard with learning what I can and can not tolorate to eat.  One day I may like something and the other it doesn't work.  Sometimes I learn the hard way and I don't pay attention and I eat fast and I end up getting sick...  yuk!  I can still eat more than I thought I would.  We spent Thanksgiving in Alabama at my sisters house.  My parents were both there and it was nice to see everyone.  I think it was the first time I had thanksgiving with my family in 20 years!  Thanksgiving dinner was fabulous! I ate a bite of everything and was totally satisfied!  Most days now are good days and I feel fabulous!!!  I am health problem free!  No more prescribed meds!  I can stand up straight and see my toes,  my knees don't hurt anymore, I have so much energy now I can play with my grandkids more.  I'm still going to Curves.  My tummy is getting flatter every week.  I can put a seatbelt on with out being choked! I can breath better and instead of sweating all the time I'm freezing!  I have no meat on my bones to keep me warm.. haha... but thats okay!!!!!  I sleep so much better than before.  I will have to have another sleep study soon to reevaluate my sleep apnea.   I've gone from a size 24 pants and I'm certain I can wear a 12 now but just want to wait until after Christmas before going shopping again.   I'm still losing inches and don't know how much more i will lose but my goal is to just lose 15 more pounds to reach my 100# lose.

Life is starting to somewhat get back to normal since surgery.  I'm still in school and thats been really hard.  I took pre-anatomy and physiology this past semester but the real one comes next and it will be the one that makes it or breaks it with my being a nurse.  Pray for me cuz at my age comprehending is sooooo hard.  

I went for my 6 month followup with Dr. Fuzz on November 29th. As of that day I had lost 81 #lbs but today I am down 85#'s.   I passed my inspection haha but I am still not getting my proteins in that I need daily and I need to drink more water and I personally know that I should walk more.  

Well I'm adding a few pictures to my update.  They were taken last weekend before I went to church to sing in our Christmas musical.  I would love to hear from everyone on how their journeys are going!  

Hope you all have a fabulous Christmas!   May the Lord be with you as your celebrate the birth of JESUS! 
  Cathy