Linda G.
I am 44 years old, mother of three stepchildren and a son of my own who's 7. I have struggled with my weight since I was in high school. I graduated High School weighing 130lbs. I thought that was fat. I went to college and that's where I really started to gain weight. I got married shortly after graduation and it's was not a good relationship. I turned to food for comfort and eventually ended up weighing around 200 lbs. I divorced him 8 years later and lost about 65lbs just from not having that stress in my life. I went back to college where I met my husband of 17 years. I have steadily put on weight ever since. My all time high was 262. I had the lap band surgery two years ago and I only lost 30lbs. I was never able to fill restricted even with the maximum allowed in my band. I finally decided that it was time to do something more drastic so I contacted my surgeon and we decided on the RNY. It scares me to death but I really want to be able to enjoy doing activities with my 7 year old and my 5 grandchildren. Right now it's a struggle just to play with them. My back is constantly hurting and I am unable to walk for any great distance. I hope this surgery will give me a new lease on life.
September 6, 2006 - In 8 days I'm having my surgery and it still doesn't seem real. I'm excited and scared. I told my immediate family this weekend and they were all very supportive. My brother was a little bit concerned and wondered why I couldn't do it on my own. I explained to him that I've tried everything and that I just couldn't do it. My husband is very supportive and will be there for me every step of the way. I have not told my step children because I don't want them to worry. I also chose not to tell my employer because I know she will not be very supportive at all. When I had my lap band done two years ago she tried numerous times to talk me out of it. Now I'm scared she'll do the same. I told her that I just need some revision work done and that I need some time off. My co worker and friend is the only person i have told that live here in the same town as me.
September 9, 2006 Well it's 4 days and a wake up. I'm on the pre op diet and have lost another 5 lbs. About 4 weeks ago our office ladies started a weight loss challenge to see who could lose the most weight by October 31. We all had to put in 20 dollars and the person who has lost the highest percentage of weight will win the money. I think we have around $140 dollars in the pot. This last week I was the weekly winner. Everyone else gained weight so I won a $1 for every pound they gained. I'm now 7 dollars richer. I have not told any of them I am having weight loss surgery and I feel guilty that I will probably lose more weight because of the surgery so i think I'll have to drop out and let them compete on their own. I think that will only be fair.
September 11, 2006 I went to the hospital today and meet with the anethesioligist. He asked me alot of questions and answered mine. I really was only concerned about getting sick afterwards because I get really nauseus after any surgery. He said he take care of me and not to worry about that. I'm so excited! I've talked to several people from this site and they have given me the greatest advice. I truly appreciate all their support. One more day and I'm on a clear liquid diet. I think tomorrow I'm going to take it easy too because I heard the less carbs you eat the better your liver will be for the surgeon. I've been really careful this past two weeks and I'm making sure I get enough protein.
September 12, 2006 One more day and a wake up. I'm so excited and nervous. I want this to be over with and I wake up and start on the losing side. I have a wonderful Angel by the name of Sheryl. She has made me feel so much better. I worked tonight until 9:30 trying to get all my work caught up so it makes it easier on my boss.
September 13, 2006 Tomorrow's the day! I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. See you on the losing side.
September 16, 2006 Well I'm finally home. What a journey that was. I was in surgery from 1:30pm to 6:30 pm. I had my band removed first and that took about 2 hours and than my doctor did the RNY. She could get the staple gun to fit in my stomach area correctly so she ended up having to suture me up by hand. I got back to my room around 9pm and I made them get me up and walk around 10pm. I heard the more you walk the better off you'll be. I then walked every two hours after that. The next day I was sipping on some warm beef broth and all of the sudden it felt like I couldn't breath and I started panicking and my heart started racing. I thought for sure I was going to die. My blood pressure jumped to 187/101. They finally had to give me a shot to calm my stomach down. They said that I probably drank it too fast and cause a little bit of dumping syndrom. I have been taking it very slow now. Sip, Sip, Sip! Today I woke up and felt much better. My doctor came by to see me and asked me if I wanted to go home. I said YES, I couldn't get any rest in there not because the nurses were bothering me but because of the noise. I've never heard a hospital that was so noisy. Anyway, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. You are wonderful.
September 18, 2006 I feel really good today. I've tried several different protein drinks and I like the Adkins Advantage the best so far. It's still hard getting in 64oz to drink but I'm going to keep trying. I did get some cream soup down today and that tasted great! I have my first follow up on the 27th of September. I'll keep you posted.
September 26, 2006. Went back to work full time yesterday and I am a little bit tired. I have been walking 30 minutes a day and now can go faster and get more laps around the track. I do have a problem with my left thigh getting a numb feeling. I'll ask the doctor about it tomorrow at my two week check up.
September 28th, 2006 Two weeks post op and I'm down 15lbs since surgery and 25lbs total including weight lost on pre op diet. I'm so excited I can't wait for six months from now. I feel great!
October 6, 2006 I'm down almost 30lbs since Aug 2. Surgery was Sept 14th. I lost about 10 lbs before surgery. I'm so excited. I still get tired but in three more weeks I will get a B12 shot and hopefully that will help.
October 13, 2006
Starting Weight - 262lbs
1 month post op - 211.4
I'm so excited! I seem to have slowed down now but that's ok I know my body is adjusting. I'm going to join Curves today and see if I can do the exercises. Wish me luck!
October 20, 2006 - This has been a very trying week for me. I have gotten food stuck two times and have been so constipated that I almost had an obstruction. I am now on presciption laxatives. Anything is better than being clogged up! Sorry for the grossness of this but I want you to know the bad as well as the good. Now for the good part...I'm down another 3.8 lbs. I haven't been 207 since before my son was born 7 years ago. I so happy about that. I have to go see a Gastro doc next week because I might have a stricture.
November 1, 2006 - Tomorrow I go for my EGD. I may have an ulcer and they have to dialate my opening. I can't wait because I want to be able to eat. I also went to my surgeon today for my 7 week checkup. I was down to 204. She was not very happy for me today. She actually asked me if I had been eating sweets. That pissed me off royally. I have not cheated or even tried sugar. I can barely get 4 protein drinks in for 60 grams of protein. I have tried meats and other things that are healthy and they come right back up. I told her that I more than likely was in starvation mode. I'm really upset with her right now.
November 6, 2006 - Down to 202.6 today. I've been platuing for about two weeks. I can finally eat regular food without getting sick. I had a stricture so the doctor opened it up and said I should be good to go for awhile. I'm feeling much better now. I'm just tired all the time.
November 14, 2006 - Two months post op today. I'm down to 198. That's 13.4 lbs this month. I'm finally in the hundreds! Yea!
December 4, 2006 - Weighed in at the doctor's office on November 29th and I was at 195lbs. Today I'm at 190lbs. I am finally starting to lose again and I'm feeling great! I walk two miles a day and go to curves three times a week. The surgery sure does a number on your body and it truly takes at least three months for you to recover. My doctor kept telling me that but it wasn't until last week that I truly believed her.
December 13, 2006 - 188 and I'm so excited! I'm wearing a size 18 in jeans down from a 24/26. I wear a 16/18 in shirts and dresses. It feels good!
January 6, 2007 - 184lbs. I'm battling a kidney stone right now. I've had it since the day after Christmas. They are going to operate on the 9th if it doesn't pass by then. I can't wait until this pain goes away. I also have to have another scope done on the 25th of January to opening up the stricture again. The doctor told me that it was normal following this surgery to have to it opened again. He said the average is three times. I hope I'm not average. I hope it sticks this time. The weight is coming off slow now but it's still coming off. Hopefully after they fix the stone problem I will feel like exercising again. Right now it's too hard to think about anything but getting this stone out.
January 21, 2007 - 177lbs. We'll the kidney stone is gone, hurray! I also had the scope done yesterday and a colonoscopy. The doctor said I'm going to have to have the scope done at least one more time in about 8 weeks and he said I may have to have it done 3 more time. Bummer! The good news is though that he didn't find any polyps on the colonoscopy! I was able to eat meat today and it was great! I am finally starting to feel better. I think I'll start exercising again tomorrow. Wish me luck!
March 27, 2007 - 169 lbs. Weight loss has slowed down tremendously. I am fighting a battle of depression right now because of several things in my life. The lack of sleep is really taking a toll on me and my body. I am now starting a new antidepressant so I'm hoping it works.
April 24, 2007 - 166 lbs. Only lost 3 lbs this month. I haven't really been trying and I'm eating more carbs now and less protein like I am suppose to. I really need to get back on track and lose this last 30lbs. It gets harder and harder as you go but I'm determined to get on track. We are moving the beginning of July so I have a lot to do between now and then. I'm hoping to stay extremely busy and not think about eating so much!
May 24, 2007 - 164 lbs. Lost 2lbs this month. It's really slowed down. I have started back to curves this week and have been walking two miles a day. Hopefully this will kick start my losing again. I'm also drinking more water. Still can't get in enough protein. I do feel better than I have in a long time. Wish me luck for the next month. My goal is 10 more pounds.
June 22, 2007 - 160 lbs. Lost 4lbs this month. I'm still losing but at a much slower rate. It's all good at least the scale is still going down. The convention for OH is this month in Austin and I didn't get tickets. Now it's too late. They are booked solid. I guess I shouldn't put things off so long. Nothing much else going on here. See you in a month.
Sept 5, 2007 - 154lbs. I guess time got away from me since I last posted but I'm back now! Sorry about that!! Since I last posted we have moved back to my hometown in Kansas. I can't believe I finally get to live near my family. Being a military wife I wasn't sure this day would ever happen but my husband promised me when he retired that I could go back home and he was true to his word. It's great!
Sept 15, 2007 - 154lbs. Wow! Has it really been one year? I have lost around 108lbs and I didn't think it would be possible. I passed my goal of 100lbs in a year so I'm very excited about that. I will have to post new pictures so you guys out there thinking about this surgery will know that anything is possible. Happy Anniversary to myself!!!!
Dec 4, 2007 - 158lbs. I've gained 4 lbs since I last posted here. I guess that I've been really slacking on what I've been doing. It's nobody's fault but my own. I have been eating all the wrong things and have been slipping back into my old habits. I know I am out of control and must rethink all over again why it was that I had this surgery and what this tool is for. I don't want to gain anymore weight so I must get control and stop the bad habits. I tell you, it's a fight everyday. When people say I took the easy way out I get so upset because you all know that we didn't take the easy way out. In fact, I think it's harder because if we don't take care of ourselves than our bloodwork doesn't come out ok and we have to make sure we take our vitamins, exercise, and eat right now more than ever. So it's not the easy way out. This surgery is so hard on our bodies that we must not forget what we did it for. I know I'm rambling but I have to get it out and say what is in my mind right now. I just want to get control again. I don't really know what to do. I think I'll go to the boards and get some help.
Sept 14th, 2008 - Two year's out and still holding steady at 158. My doctor said that he's pleased with my progress for two years and said that I'll probably stay right around 155. My BMI is now 28 and he's very happy about that. I personally wanted to get to 140lbs but he said that's not realistic. I'm now looking into plastic surgery to get rid of the excess skin around my mid section.
About Me
Before & After
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