Christine Wilson
Starting Weight - 268 Starting BMI - 49
Current Weight - 126 Current BMI - 22.9
Open RNY - August 9, 2005
Abdominoplasty - September 25, 2006
Breast Lift and Reduction - August 15, 2007
(yes--I finally have small boobies!)
142 pounds GONE!!
I have officially lost over half of myself!
November 18, 2008--Life is good! Me and my mammoth donkey, Cricket!
My story is much like many others.......I've been overweight my entire life...before WLS I had tried every diet on the market, a few of them several times...I was never able to achieve any significant or permanent weight loss....until...August 9, 2005......
Now Read on for the rest of the story and how I got to this place in life!
May 4, 2005 - I am 47 years old, happily married with 3 horses, 2 mini donkeys and several other farm animals. I Retired last year after many years in Public Safety Service, first as a paramedic/firefighter and emergency room tech and then as a 911 dispatcher. My life is well rounded and happy, except for one thing, my weight problem. It has haunted me for my entire life, since I was a young child. My personal physician has suggested that I have this surgery to save my life, as the medical issues associated with being over weight have started to pile up on me. I am really looking forward to having this surgery and maybe, just maybe, being "normal" for the first time in my life. I would love to ride my horses again without the pain associated with all of this extra weight.
May 3, 2005 - received paperwork for Weight Loss Surgery Program that is associated with local hospital...wow....they want you to jump through A LOT of hoops before they will even consider you a surgery candidate.....Psychological testing??? A written food diary for many weeks? COME ON! I KNOW that I have a major weight problem and I know that I've eaten too much....why do I have to prove these things? One look at the scales should prove it!
May 4, 2005 - Called Barix Clinics today and spoke with a WONDERFUL lady named Danita...she was so helpful and so understanding...it was like night and day compared to the local weight loss program. I have a consult scheduled with Dr. Schram from Barix next Monday....I feel like I am doing something positive for the first time in ages.
May 6th, 2005 - Received the paperwork from Barix today and promptly filled it out...I am pumped up for this
May 9, 2005 - Just got back from the consult with the surgeon....the drive was a little less than two hours.....not bad at all.... Dr. Schram was very friendly and explained everything in detail, weighing the pros and cons of both surgeries....even had a sample lap band to show me and explained how that works.....I opted for the RNY, I think it is what I need.......since I have had previous abdominal surgery (open hysterectomy) he will do the surgery open instead of lap....(wow, I'm using this lingo like I've known it my whole life!)He would like me to have a stress test and sleep apnea test, so, have an appointment with my family doctor on Thursday, May 12, to get the ball rolling on this stuff.......I feel so positive...can't wait to be on the road to losing weight...PS.....the Barix Clinic staff was awesome...from the minute I walked in to the minute I walked out...very very very nice people......Dawn was the person who handled my pre surgery consultation when Dr. Schram was done talking to me...she is so super nice.....This was definately the right choice going to Barix
May 11, 2005 - I have the appointments scheduled for the sleep apnea test (5-12-05) and the stress test (5-17-05) so I feel very positive about getting those both scheduled so quickly and another step of this journey underway. I am also fortunate that they can both be done within 20 miles of home!
May 13, 2005 - Part one of the sleep apnea study was completed last night, and now I have to return for part two with the CPAP machine - lots of detours and side paths on this trip! Part two of sleep apnea is scheduled for June 1st...seems like a long way off, but, I guess it will happen when it's supposed to!
May 31, 2005 - I just spoke with Barx and they told me that they have filed my insurance claim, so now we just have to wait for approval..I hope**I hope**I hope! Tomorrow night is the 2nd part of the sleep apnea test and I am a little nervous about that, but, I'll muddle through it!
June 28, 2005 - Well, I feel like I've been to the eye of a tornado and back, but, I finally have the approval from the insurance company! WOW......there was one incorrect word in the Summary Benefit Plan of the policy and that threw a wrench in the cog of the wheels of this whole thing! So, after many many phone calls between my husband's employer's corporate office, the insurance company and me, it is finally resolved. I thought I was going to cry when the human resource lady called and told me that it was finally cleared up......I probably would have, but, I already cried a river of tears while going through this whole thing the past 4 weeks! Anyway, I have the approval and am now going forward! YIPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
July 15, 2005 - I HAVE A SURGERY DATE! YAHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! August 9th is the big day --only 25 days away! wow! I am so excited! Pre-surgical testing is scheduled for July 26th, a week from next Tuesday! OH, finally this is all coming together!
July 19, 2005 - Surgery in 3 more weeks! I am so looking forward to so many things: like: The ability to breath again, without feeling so short of breath...NOT being so HOT and sweaty all of the time...Underwear that are NOT tight and the elastic isn't cutting into my skin!....NOT being hungry all of the time...NOT having achy joints....oh, and I am looking forward to looking in the mirror and liking what I see...for the first time ever...and these are just some of the physcial things! I'm really looking froward to being active with my horses again...to WANTING to go out of the house and not being ashamed of how I look...shopping in the normal section of the store and NOT the PLUS section.....oh and have I mentioned that I cannot wait to have SMALLER BOOBS! Gosh they hurt my back now and my chest muscles....Oh ---and having my picture taken and actually liking it! Can this be true? Is this really going to happen? YES! 3 more weeks!!!!!!!!
July 27, 2005 - 12 more days to go and I am excited! I went to Ypsilanti on Monday night and spent the night there in the Fairfield Inn, then got up early and had my pre surgery testing....everyone was super nice and I passed and got the green light for surgery! Just a week and 5 days to go!
August 8, 2005 - 1 more day and I'll be a BIG LOSER! We will leave late this afternoon for the almsot 5 hour drive up to Ypsilanti and stay at Fairfield Inn again. I have to be at BARIX tomorrow by 9AM for check in, so here we go! Today is laxative day, so I'm geting good and cleaned out!!
August 15, 2005 - 1 week post op and down 15 lbs! WOW!The surgery went as scheduled on August 9th and I was home safe and sound on the 12th. I have had alot of trouble getting liquids in during the first few week as everything I tried to drink tasted just plain lousy! I still can hardly stand anything with sugar substitutes in it, so that's a huge problem right now.
Sept 5, 2005 - Well, Here I am, almost 4 weeks post op and down 31 pounds! WOW! What a trip it has been so far!
My tastes have returned to normal and I am enjoying the pureed foods portion of the BARIX aftercare program. I just had a most delicious bowl of oatmeal! It's truly amazing how good healthy foods can taste! Two more weeks until "real food"The surgery was very easy and I never have had much pain - discomfort, yes, but the pain level was really low for me during the entire hospital stay and after arriving at home. The weight loss to date has already enabled me to stop using the CPAP (yea!) and I'm walking about 1.5 miles a day now....feels great!
Dr. Schram was a wonderful surgeon and a very kind, soft spoken man as well. We said a prayer together before the surgery which was wonderful. My incision is quite long as I had my gall bladder removed and adhesions in my lower abdomen removed at the same time that the RNY was performed. The incision is flat as can be now at 4 weeks out and is rapidly disappearing.
My care was excellent at Barix with the exception of one nurse who should quickly look for another profession. She has the compassion of a toad--but other than her, my care was excellent and I felt very safe and secure there. I would highly recommend them to anyone. I was one of the lucky ones and did now come home weighing more than when I went in, for some reason I didn't retain all the fluids and lost 12 pounds by the time I came home---that was a pick me up, let me tell you! I'm very much looking forward to the months ahead and continued weight loss. This has been the best thing that I've ever done for myself!
Sept. 26, 2005 -- Well, here I am at almost 7 weeks post op and down 38 pounds! I'm now at 230, which is my lowest for a few years---it's getting closer and closer to that 200 on the scales, my old nemesis that I could never get past---this time, I'm getting past it!
I am starting to really feel great now, more like my old self and starting to get in the groove of a good eating program. Last week I started eating "regular" food, but haven't been too brave yet, still sticking with a lot of the old favorite soft foods as they really seem to digest easiest. I am a new fan of broiled and baked fish though, something I would almost NEVER touch before!
This really is an awesome tool and so far, is working great!
October 18, 2005---I am 10 weeks post-op and down 46 pounds! Yipppeeee! I am steadily losing, 2 lbs a week and project that if I can continue at this rate, I will reach my goal BEFORE my one year anniversary! I walk 2 miles at least 4 times a week and have started riding my horses again for even more exercise! THANK YOU BARIX CLINICS AND DR. JON SCHRAM! You have truly given me my life back.
October 31, 2005----HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 49 pounds gone!
November 18, 2005---Well, it has now been 14 weeks and I am down 56 pounds! I feel so much better!! My overall health has improved so much and I have developed some new healthier habits! I thank God every day for this surgery and pray for the weight loss to continue---yes---in the back of my mind I am still sure that it will stop working....I wonder if that will ever go away?
December 1, 2005---down 60 lbs now! YAHOOOO! I am in the smallest jeans that I had saved from my "skinny" days! Soon I will need a new pair! Yipppeeeee!!
December 13, 2005---down 65 lbs now! Only 4 more pounds until I get to that magical 200 number....getting excited and scared---I've never been able to get below that before! I will this time though!
December 25, 2005----Merry Christmas! 67 pounds gone! January 2---down 69.5 lbs now! Well, I made it to ONEDERLAND!! I am so excited and can't tell you how great it feels to finally be here! What a great way to start the New Year!!! Got a new scales too, that measures in 1/2 pound increments...went to Bed Bath and Beyond and lined them all up on the floor to try.....the bad news was, the new scales weighed me 2 lbs heavier than the old one, so had to re-lose those 2 lbs! grrrrrrrrr! Oh well, they are gone again....and now I have a more accurate scales
January 8, 2006 - Down 71 pounds now......it has been going a bit slow lately, so I got back into my walking program last week.....can tell the difference already. I was just getting LAZY...so I need a good kick in the pants to keep me moving!!! NO MORE EXCUSES!
January 15, 2006 - Down 74 pounds now......well...I had a great loss this week. I got back on my walking program and really watched my eating frequency with diligence, and it paid off! Yahooooo!! It's a good lesson for me...I have to remember that this is a tool---If I choose to use it great, if not, the weight can come back----It isn't the surgery that fails, it is we who fail the surgery---KEEP WALKING!!
Feb 14, 2006 - Down 80 pounds now......HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! What a fitting day to reach the eighty pounds off mark! I feel so much better and know my heart has to be healthier!
March 24, 2006 - Happy 48th Birthday to me!! 90 lbs lighter than last year!!!!!!!!!
March 28, 2006 - Today marks my 33 week anniversary and I am 91 lbs down from surgery day! I have lost a total of 73 inches from my waist, hips, bust, wrists, ankles, calves, upper arms, upper thighs and neck--- what an amazing thing !!!!!!!! Sometimes it is hard to even comprehend.....I have gone from a size 30-32 or 26-28 to a 14-16 and even squeezed into a pair of size 12 jeans...which I could wear now if I could do without breathing!Yesterday I was thinking back to 33 weeks ago, making the trip up to Ypsi, the laxatives I had to take the day before and then drive for almost 5 hours......(eeeeeeeeek) having a CPAP machine to drag around when I packed for my stay, sleeping with that CPAP machine every night.......not being able to walk without getting short of breath.......thinking that there was just no way I could ever follow such a strict eating regimine......I have many memories of those last days before the surgery.....the last minutes leading up to it.....seems like yesterday.....Time has literally flown by.....I really can't believe it has been 33 weeks....
July 4, 2006 - Happy 4th of July 108 lbs gone!! Finally a reason for fireworks!!
July 12, 2006 - WOW....time flies when you're having fun! It's has been 11 months since surgery...and 110 pounds are gone! AMAZING--I still pinch myself in disbelief...I have been bad about updating as often as I should, but, have really been busy! I ride my horses frequently now and just got back from a week in Montana. I was thinking about the past 11 months and this surgery all the way out there...as I fit comfortably in the plane seat, walked comfortably through the airport , walked up and down steep trails in the mountains. There is NO WAY I could have done all of these things a year ago...NO WAY! This surgery has saved my life!
August 12, 2006 -Now I have to fight with my insurance company to get them to pay for a TT and breast reduction....they denied my first request, so I'll just keep fighting and appealing. If anyone has any suggestions, I appreciate it!
October 2, 2006 -Well, here I am, one week after the abdominoplasty, and all things considered it has not been that bad! Insurance totally denied me after many appeals, so I paid for it myself....small price to pay after losing all this weight, and I AM WORTH IT!
Surgery went as scheduled on the 25th of September, and was completed as an outpatient procedure. It started at 9 AM and by 2 PM, I was on my way home! I'm recovering wonderfully, although I have to say the drains are NOT my favorite thing! Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about thisnext leg of my journey!
October 23, 2006 - I am now 4 weeks post-op from the abdominoplasty and doing great. This was a very easy surgery. The drains came out after one week and that made a wonderful difference. I am very pleased with the results and will get some photos on line as soon as I am a little less swollen, In the mean time, if you are interested in seeing a before and after shot, just drop me a line. I would highly recommend Dr. Viscardi from The Centre PC of Elkhart, Indiana to anyone from this area. He is a great surgeon and has a wonderful personality as well. His office is very professional and the entire procedure was very well organized and planned out. I was in very little discomfort at any time. VERY great staff! GREAT experience!
July 19, 2007 - Well, I have been very negligent about updating! I have been busy though, so thats my excuse and I'm stitcking with it!! I have maintained my weight loss for the past year and actually lost a little more, so I am tickled pink....the first time ever that I could say that! The 2nd annniversary of my PAT's is coming up in a week and lots of memories about that time period! and the BIG news is, I am scheduled for my breast lift/reduction on August 15th, 2007! I am so excited! No matter how much weight I lost, my breasts still remained quite large....so I am really excited about this next step in my weight loss journey!! SMALL perky boobs!!
The Pounds Melting Off
8-9-05...... 268...... surgery weight Starting BMI = 48.7
8-13-05...... 256......-12 pounds......total lost 12 pounds
8-20-05 ......248......- 8 pounds ...... total lost 20 pounds
8-27-05......242 ......- 6 pounds ...... total lost 26 pounds
9-5-05...... 237......- 5 pounds ......total lost 31 pounds
9-12-05.....235......- 2 pounds........total lost 33 pounds
9-19-05.....233......- 2 pounds.......total lost 35 pounds
9-26-05......230......- 3 pounds...... total lost 38 pounds
10-4-05......227......- 3 pounds ...... total lost 41 pounds
10-11-05 ......225......- 2 pounds ...... total lost 43 pounds
10-18-05......222......- 3 pounds ......total lost 46 pounds
10-25-05......220......- 2 pounds ......total lost 48 pounds
11-4-05......216......- 2 pounds ...... total lost 50 pounds
11-7-05......214......- 3 pounds...... total lost 53 pounds
11-18-05......212......- 3 pounds...... total lost 56 pounds
11-25-05......210......- 2 pounds ......total lost 58 pounds
12-1-05......208......- 2 pounds ......total lost 60 pounds
12-7-05......206......- 3 pounds......total lost 63 pounds
12-13-05......203......- 3 pounds ......total lost 65 pounds
12-20-05......202......- 1 pound ......total lost 66 pounds
01- 01-06......198.5....- 3.5 pounds.....total lost 69.5 pounds
01-08-06.......197......- 1.5 pounds....total lost 71 pounds
01-15-06.......194......- 3 pounds.......total lost 74 pounds
01-22-06.......193......- 1 pounds.......total lost 75 pounds
02-01-06.......190......- 3 pounds.......total lost 78 pounds
02-07-06.......189......- 1 pound.......total lost 79 pounds
02-14-06.......188......- 1 pound.......total lost 80 pounds
02-21-06.......186.......-2 pounds.......total lost 82 pounds
02-28-06.......185.......-1 pounds.......total lost 83 pounds
03-06-06.......183.......-2 pounds.......total lost 85 pounds
03-17-06.......179.5....-3.5 pounds.......total lost 88.5 pounds
03-28-06.......177.......-2.5 pounds......total lost 91 pounds
04-03-06.......175.......-2 pounds......total lost 93 pounds
04-10-06.......174.......-1 pounds......total lost 94 pounds
04-17-06.......173.......-1 pounds......total lost 95 pounds
04-24-06.......171.......-2 pounds......total lost 97 pounds
05-02-06.......169.......-2 pounds......total lost 99 pounds
06-07-06.......165.......-4 pounds......total lost 103 pounds
06-20-06.......161.......-4 pounds......total lost 107 pounds
07-12-06.......158.......-3 pounds......total lost 110 pounds
07-25-06.......156.......-2 pounds......total lost 112 pounds
08-25-06.......150.......-6 pounds......total lost 118 pounds
09-18-06.......148.......-2 pounds......total lost 120 pounds
10-02-06.......138.......-10 pounds....total lost 130 pounds
10-11-06.......135.......-3 pounds......total lost 133 pounds
10-23-06.......134.......-1 pounds......total lost 134 pounds
11-03-06.......133.......-1 pounds.......total lost 135 pounds
12-04-06.......128......-5 pounds.....total lost 140 pounds
01-03-07.......126.......-2 pounds.....total lost 143 pounds
01-01-11.........125...........keeping it off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please, if you are considering this surgery and are not sure yet---e-mail me, call me, drop me a telegram, whatever.....I will do everything in my power to convince you to have it!!
AUGUST 9, 2010 **** HERE I am, FIVE years later! Still walking the walk and still feeling fabulous! I gained a few pounds back earlier this year, EIGHT of them, and I was freaked out! So I dutifully used the 5 day pouch test for several weeks, and eliminated ALL carbs from my diet once again. I had gotten into a bad habit of eating bagels, and as much as I do love them, they are just not for me! I might as well apply them directly to my butt! So after several 5DPT weeks, and getting myself back on track, I have lost the weight and am feeling good again! It was hard for me to believe how miserable EIGHT pounds made me feel! How did I ever carry around the extra 20 times that amount!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope that this little update might help just one person who has slowly drifted off the food plan, run over to the 5 day pouch test and get yourself back on track!!! HAPPY SUMMER everyone, I for one am ready for winter! LOL
MAY 17, 2011 **** Time for me to reflect back to SIX years ago, I was just home from meeting my surgeon, and preparing to go through the sleep studies and other assorted tests that he had ordered for me! It was such an exciting time and a time also filled with so many emotions. This surgery seemed like my last chance to ever be "normal". It was really a roller coaster ride to my approval and surgery date, but one that I would ride over and over again to get to this spot in life!
Six years after this journey began, I am keeping my weight at between 125 and 130 lbs and I feel great! I have discovered that for me, journaling every bite of food that I eat really keeps me on track! It is very important for my brain to know what is going into my mouth. I use FITDAY software and it is fabulous! I highly recommmend it to anyone who needs to see what they eat, like I do! I do enjoy walking 4 or 5 times a week, and feel that too helps me stay at my weight goal. One other recommendation I have, is to NEVER get in the habit of not weighing yourself, at least weekly. It is way to easy to become complacent with that habit and then the weight gradually goes back on!
I'm still so very happy that I took this step in my life and my only regret is that I didn't do it 10 years sooner!!!
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