cutie3pie5
My story: (written in the spring of 2005)
I have been researching gastric bypass surgery now for almost 3 years and have spoken to many people from different states about weight loss surgery. I have been battling weight loss my whole life and want to be healthy and be able to lead a very healthy and happy life with my dear husband. After some serious soul searching, I truly want to begin the steps toward a new life, a healthy one. While I was in college in Waltham, MA, I saw a doctor about my weight who believed I was a great candidate for the surgery and recommended I consider it and since then, I have been. I live in the Columbia, SC area and have TriCare Prime insurance. My husband and I are newly weds and he is a United States Marine currently deployed overseas (**Update 3/16/06 - husband has come home!!). I'm so ready for a new and healthy me, I really am.
I am a 24 year old female, and beginning my journey I weigh 272 pounds (if not more) and I am 5'7'' tall.
6/2/2005
I have gone to my doctor today to start the process of this surgery. I am not exactly sure what that process is, but I pray that it works out for me. My doctor was the nicest person ever...she sat and listened to everything I said and told me she supported me and that she was for the surgery. I just need to make sure I qualify for the surgery with the insurance. I pray that I do.... I just pray. My doc gave me the referral for the surgeon, so I guess I talk to him next to see what I need to do.... Pray for me!
6/5/2005
I am sitting here just stressing out.... I keep praying that this process goes well for me. I want so badly to meet the surgeon and talk to him. I keep researching things and the biggest hurdle... especially because I don't know if I have any of the co-morbidities. I don't think I have high blood pressure or diabetes, which I really don't want, but they run in my family, all of my uncles and my father have diabetes and my dad has high blood pressure. Arthritis and sleep apnea run in both sides of my family. I am just so scared that I will not get approved... and what if I don't? I've been reading that I may have to go through the doctor supervised diet... which I have done 3 times in my life. I have written down all of my diet history and what my family medical history is. I have written down questions for the surgeon, but I am just so nervous and anxious.
6/9/2005
Still no appointment with the surgeon. I know Tricare has to approve the consult with the surgeon, and my doc said it takes a week, and it's been a week. Hopefully I will have an appointment soon...
6/13/2005
Well my doctor's office called me on Thursday and said that I have to go to the surgeon's seminar first, I thought that it may be the case. The seminar is next Tuesday, I am really excited about it really, and of course I just want the process to begin and know what testing if any I have to go through and all that. I have been researching this so much more, and everyone on this website is just wonderful! I am still worried about the whole insurance thing... someone mentioned that Dr. Tribble has a waiting list for Medicare...I hope he doesn't have a waiting list for TriCare.
It's a scary thing though, surgery. It's a heck of a decision, it's major. This hasn't been easy. In the midst of researching this surgery, I have been trying to lose weight conventionally, and it has not worked. I barely see results after months of work. I know I am not alone here.
6/18/2005
I am just sitting here, I am just so tired of my body, being and feeling this way.... so tired of being tired. I got so ill last night, it was 2:22am and I woke up with a sick nauseated feeling and the worst heartburn (from my Acid Reflux). I got out of bed, walked around and didn't feel any better. Drank some water and sat in my bed, at that point I could just feel everything in my stomach rising. I ran to the bathroom and got so sick.... ugh, it was awful. And this isn't the first time, this is one of many instances that I have gotten so ill in the middle of the night... my heartburn wakes me up, I try to take something and then I get so sick. I am just tired. I ended up going to sleep after trying to clean myself up, the burning in my nose and throat was too much for me. I got some sleep afterwards, woke up and weighed myself.... I have gained more weight, PERFECT!!! OMG, how can anything get any worse?? This Tuesday I have to go to my first WLS seminar held by my surgeon, he won't see anyone unless they have gone to his seminar, which I understand. I feel like I have been waiting for so long for this seminar but I really haven't!! I am wondering how long until after this seminar I will actually sit and talk to him about the surgery and the process to get approved. I know patience is a virtue... I will wait.
6/21/05
Okay, I just came back from that seminar and I got some GREAT information!! I am even more excited about this surgery. I DID find out though that Dr. Tribble is NO LONGER doing gastric bypass surgery due to malpractice sky rocketing with bariatric surgeons, but thank god I learned that early. But I did meet a GREAT surgeon, Dr. Prickett.... How wonderful he is. I am gonna go for him :) He explained everything and he is so caring, he just loves people and cares so much about helping people. I was Impressed with him. I submitted the questionnaire and asked some questions about insurance (because that is what I am most nervous about) but the funny thing is that according to the surgeon, I am a candidate already with a BMI of 40 and being over 100 pounds. And the girl who handles the insurance told me I shouldn't have a problem. So that was a relief. Now I have to just make a list of things I have to get done before my first office visit. And the money for the "program fee".
-Psych Evaluation
-Medical Evaluation by Primary Care Physician
-Nutritionist Meeting
-Get referral changed for Dr. Prickett
-Type letter of why I want this surgery
-Get my PCP to write letter of support
I have to get all of this stuff!! The girl who took my paperwork said they wouldn't start scheduling until one or two weeks, which is okay with me :) Gives me time to get some stuff done!! I have to try and find out what TriCare covers as far as this psych evaluation and medical evaluation. Tomorrow is another day.
6/23/05
I got some things accomplished yesterday :) I wrote the letter of why I want to have this surgery, and I had a lot of great help from people on here! Thank you everyone who helped me! I scheduled the appointment for a medical evaluation with my doctor for tomorrow morning. I have some things I need to ask her and makes sure she documents my pain in my knees and hips. I have to get tested for Diabetes and I guess sleep apnea. I will have to ask her about that too. I need her to write a letter of support for me :) I think she will do it for me. I need to get a referral for a Psych Evaluation and maybe a dietician. I have to find out what TriCare covers and what they don't cover. I am excited and nervous about tomorrow....I kinda don't know what to expect. I had my medical records from CT sent to my new doctor down here, so they have my history now. I know I have a ways to go, but I am gonna work to get there!
6/24/05
I went to my doctor's today. She didn't really know why I was there, so I was trying to explain to her that I had some stuff I had to accomplish before I go sit with my surgeon. I did ask her to write me a letter of support and get a referral for a psych evaluation and she said she would give me a physical examination to cover our bases, so I also scheduled that. I also asked her about a sleep study... she was reluctant and then told me she would refer me to her colleague, but his waiting list for a consult is 3 months!! I made the appointment but because I work for a Medical Services Company, we own a sleep study practice, and the director of that sleep practice works two offices down from me, so I walked into his office and asked for some help. He was so nice, and called his office right there and gave me an appointment for about 4 weeks! I was excited. Things are cruising. I was prepared for blood and lab work today cause I fasted last night, so I got that out of the way. I just want to sit with the surgeon or his staff soon and get his approval too, to make sure that my efforts aren't going nowhere. My doctor said she was really impressed with how much I work I have done already. I was telling her that I really want this. I hope she is receptive when I go back. The one thing on my mind is that she hasn't been my doctor for along time, so she doesn't know my medical history. I was telling her that I have depression and acid reflux, and she was just looking at me and her paperwork. I wasn't trying to push it on her, but I wanted her to know. When I filled out the initial paperwork for my first visit with her, I did leave stuff out because I was nervous she wouldn't take me as a patient, I know that is stupid... but I needed a doc so bad. But of course, now that I tell her all of this stuff, it may look like I am just making it up or exaggerating. I hope she isn't taking it that way.
I went bowling tonight with a bunch of friends... oh my god I thought I was going to die!! I could barely breath!! WHAT HAPPENED TO ME!!! I used to play game after game...tonight I barely got through a few frames! I was so upset and dissapointed with myself... and of course my knees and back just went crazy. My knees almost buckled. I am sitting on my couch right now and just don't know if I can move! God, I imagined myself next year, healthy, being able to just go out, have a great time and not be tired, winded and sore. I want this so bad... I can't imagine the rest of my life like this. Please pray for me.
6/25/2005
OMG! I got the appointment for my surgeon consult. YIPPIE! Well the paper says I have an appointment with the coordinator for the Bariatric program at the hospital, but I think that includes the consult with the surgeon :) I am happy none the less!! I have filled out so much paperwork for all these appointments, haha. I have started a questions and information sheet in my notebook, haha for this day. I have written and taken notes since last month and I may need a new notebook, haha. But I have another hurdle down. *little happy dance*
7/7/05
I had my consult today, it was wonderful. Everything went very well. I spoke with a couple of ladies, and they were so sweet and helpful. I came to find out that they handle all of my appointments, haha. So they will take care of my psych evaluation and my nutritionist stuff. They were very impressed with everything I had accomplished so far and told me that I was a great candidate for this surgery because I am not that high of a risk patient, and my age was definitely in my favor. I didn't get to see the actual surgeon but I get to see him later after I have completed the testing I have to go through. I was nervous during my visit and they found that I had an irregular heartbeat, but I think it was because I was nervous. I just have to kinda sit and wait now for them to call me with my appointments. I am excited and nervous still, haha, I know it's normal, but I am kinda in shock because this is really happening.
7/12/05
Things are cruising it seems now. I have my psych evaluation appointment this week, physical next week, sleep study this weekend and an Upper GI next Friday. I have a lot of stuff to get done and now I am worried about my job.... I got told that even with FMLA, that I may not come back to the same position, but a comparable one... I thought my job was secured for up to 12 weeks. It's got me worried. I am still trucking along with this. I just have to get through these appointments and see the
nutritionist. I am trying to imagine life afterwards.. it's interesting.
7/15/05
Just when you think things are alright... bleh! My sleep study is officially canceled. I am so upset.... I had it scheduled and everything but come to find out Tricare Will not cover the sleep clinic I chose, I had an sleep study scheduled this weekend, but since Tricare won't cover it at that clinic, they wouldn't take me. OH I am upset... BUT! Tricare did approve a sleep study for Carolina Pulmonary.. .which I have never spoken to or dealth with... I wonder what there waiting list is. Then I called my surgeon to let them know what is going on and they tell me that they can help me, thank goodness right?? They tell me that I can get an appointment with their pulmonologist, yay! They said that Dr. Mason goes through, Wait for it! Carolina Pulmonary! too funny. I am praying that they help me get an appt soon!
7/19/2005
I had my physical with my doc today.. My heart and chest look great she said. She said I was a good candidate for surgery and I was a low risk patient, however, I have to have to have to quit smoking.... I am not a heavy smoker, but I am having a problem with not having something in my hand, it's a psychological thing to me. I have to still make an appt for a sleep study... I am back at square one with that. But I still have my Upper GI and dietician appt this Friday. I am gonna see if I can get to the support group meeting at the hospital next week to talk about my emotional eating habit.
7/20/2005
I got the appt for my sleep study.. THANK GOODNESS!! YAYAYAY!! haha, that has been the hardest part so far is trying to get a sleep study that my insurance covers. I got the call this morning that I have an appointment next Tuesday! WHOOOO HOO! haha, *Happy Dance*
7/23/2005
Upper GI's are really really yucky!!! I don't like those at all. I hope I don't have to have one again anytime soon!!! I know it gets me closer to my goal of surgery. I haven't heard a peep from my surgeon's office about progress. Maybe after my sleep study next. And the sleep study got moved to next Wednesday... that is okay. I also had my dietician appt yesterday... she was okay. I learned a lot indeed. But she is pretty nice, strict though. Well, the process continues!
7/26/05
Well I attended my first support group meeting today, since my sleep study got moved to tomorrow, I figured this would clear me up to attend a support group meeting. It was nice :) We learned about plastic surgery after you lose weight, if that is an option for you. The surgeon that came in to talk was just a very well mannered and well spoken, and showed pictures of what works he has done, which has been VERY good work. I know I am not even close to thinking about plastic surgery, but it was very good to know :) Tomorrow is my sleep study, I am kinda nervous about it. I found out that my PCP's letter that she wrote about recommending me for surgery has been lost in the mail... I am not happy about that... I needed that letter. The office has a copy and I need to physically pick it up. I think I will do that on Friday. I am not sure whether to call my surgeon's office about my test results for my psych evaluation and blood work... but I guess I can sit back and just wait. All due things in time right?? And I think my A/C is broken!! But of course, it's one of the hottest days of the year. haha. OH and I tried some protein mix samples from www.bariatriceating.com, and OMG, they are awesome!!!
7/28/05
I had my sleep study last night.... woo wee I am tired! I really didn't know what to expect but I have never seen so many wires or electrodes in my whole life. I didn't sleep well like I hoped I would. I woke up a few times and slept for about 4 hours. The technician was so nice and the room was very very nice. It was nice and cool in there but it was the wires that I couldn't get comfortable with... I was so afraid that I would pull the wires off I tried not to move much, haha. But they did find that I have sleep apnea... it's mild but the lady confirmed it. She added that my husband is gonna win the argument that I had with him about me snoring, cause I actually snore and I didn't know I did!!! And I actually went to work which was probably the worst thing I could have done! I WAS EXHAUSTED at work today, I wanted to go home but my boss would not let me, but we had so much work to get done! Boo!!! I am gonna go to bed very soon.
7/30/05
I have gotten some very good sleep the last few days, which is so nice. I don't really have an update on events except in my emotions. I think I am pretty much done with my testing that I have to go through in order to sit down with the surgeon to discuss all of my results. I am hoping that my results from all of my testing will get back to my surgeon's office in a relatively timely manner. I am gonna give it till Friday to see where I stand with what results haven't gotten to my surgeon's office...should I give it more time??? I don't know.... I am so anxious, nervous, excited, and I can't believe I am really this far, haha. Even though it has taken two months, it doesn't feel like it. Well... Until the next update!
8/2/05
I was telling myself that I was going to wait to call the surgeon's office to find out the status of my file and my results from all my testing. Well I called them yesterday, I just wanted to see what results came back and what we were still waiting for to give me an idea. Well the lady told me my Upper GI results came back and I have a hiatal hernia... I researched it and I am worried about it for surgery purposes, some great members told me that they can fix it during surgery, that is a relief. My nutritionist results came back and I am fine there. My psych results have not come back and I know my sleep study results should be arriving this week. They said they were trying to get the results of my stress test that I had back in 2002 faxed to them.. She said once those things are in, we will move on to the next step. Yay. I really am getting more anxious about this process and where I will end up... and I hope it's on the losing side. I still have some more hoops but I will glady take them on.
8/4/05
I was feeling kinda blah today and I wrote a long post as to what I was feeling and decided to take it off of here. My mood has completely Uplifted in the last few minutes because I got the call that all my test results are in and I have an appt with my surgeon to discuss everything. I am very very excited! I asked about my psych results and alas, they said all they could say was that the report came in and I would have to go over it with Dr. Prickett, which is okay. I don't know why I am so nervous about the psych results.... but it's just nerves. I am praying that my husband will be home in time to join me in my visit to the surgeon's office, cause this will be during his two week visit home. He says he definitely wants to be there. I feel better than I did this morning. It's funny because I owe this to the grace of God because last night I went to bed praying that I would get a phone call saying that they were ready for me and that I would get an appt... I just for guidance and strength and I fell asleep praying. He heard my prayers and answered them. Thank You so much.
Here is My official Before Photo:
272+
8/22/05
I have met with my surgeon last Monday, and it was a great office visit. My husband was able to be with me and it was very very informative. Dr. Prickett is great, I am just very very happy with him. He sat and went over all my test results and they came back better than I had expected. My psych results were great and I was very happy about that. My husband's questions were answered and all of my concerns were eased greatly after just sitting with the surgeon. :) The next step is waiting for insurance approval...I am just praying that goes through okay. It's funny, since my hubby has been home, I have been calmer and more at ease. I am just taking things as they come :)
8/31/05
I have gotten the phone call that is going to change my life, I am APPROVED!! Yes ladies and gentlemen, I am approved, oh thank you lord!!!!! I have a date! September 27th, 2005!!!! Can we say OOO RAH! I can't believe it! Thank You God, I am so blessed.
9/7/2005
Well, 20 more days until my surgery.... I am getting nervous. I start the pre-op diet on Tuesday, I have been buying things and been researching more about the foods I am strictly limited to for the two weeks. I have been buying things for pre-op like chicken broth, jello and puddings and I have gotten some very good protein powder from Susan Maria :) I have to get a few more things and get a list ready for my bag for the hospital.... woo weee... I am getting nervous!!! lol. Less than three weeks....
9/17/2005
Whoo.... it's getting so close, it's just really unbelievable. 10 days from today and my life is going to change forever. I am on the Atkins diet and have been following it to the tee, I just hope I am able meet my surgeon's requirement of losing 15 pounds before surgery.... I am getting nervous about that.
This Monday I have my pre-op appointment, I am hoping that I have everything I need.... It's almost a week away!!! Ahhh! lol
9/20/2005
I had my pre-op appointment yesterday, it went very well. I met some great people in the waiting area while I was waiting. My surgeon was running behind due to being held up in surgery (that I don't mind at all!! lol) The staff was really positive and Dr. Prickett said that everything looked great and he is confident about Tuesday.... whoo...
I went through a lot of paperwork and talked about my questions I had. It's funny just when you think your appointments are all set, they tell ya that you have to do a few more things, lol. I have to sit and meet with the nurses at the hospital and get to know me and ask me some questions, I think that is really cool, it brings a personal touch to everything.
I know one thing that Monday is not gonna be too cool... I have to do a bowel prep.... eeek!!! But I am 7 days away people!! *BIG SMILE*
9/26/05:
The Night Before My surgery:
about 272 in this picture
9/30/05
I AM HOME!!!! My surgery went great, and had a wonderful stay at the hospital. I was discharged this afternoon and I have been home. My fluids are staying down and they go down smooth, and I can tolerate skim milk, thank goodness!! I was up and walking Tuesday evening right after surgery, and have been up and walking which makes the stiffness and pain MUCH better.
I can't say how awesome it is to feel and to be on the other side!!
10/2/05
I am 5 days out and I am doing very very well. The pain is less and less everyday and I am up and walking around more and more. I feel good :) I am so excited and looking forward to my journey ahead. I have already lost 7 pounds, just too cool :) I am tolerating all my liquids and protein which is great. I will update again soon.
10/9/05
It's been a few days since I have updated but I am doing pretty darn good. I have been up and walking around and holding down food well. I have been lucky that I haven't been sick or nauseous. I am working on drinking enough liquids. I have lost almost 18 pounds, just awesome to me. I put on a pair of jeans yesterday that I couldn't get into when I first bought them, lol. It's a really good feeling. :)
2 weeks out and on my way!
10/19/05
I am officially 3 weeks out as of yesterday and I still feeling and doing great. I do get tired more quickly, but I know that is normal, so I am taking it easy. I went back to work for half days this past Monday, and I am easing back into my work routine, I do not want to overdue it at all. I have been handling my diet very very well with no sickness or nauseousness and I have been very creative in the ways I prepare things, lol.
I have lost clost to 24 pounds already and I am just so elated. My hubby over the phone made me to step on the scale, I didn't want to, but he pleaded with me, too cute, so I did and I was really pleased with the outcome.
I am having some cravings for things, lol, eventhough I know I am not able to have them yet, but I go to my support group and it helps so much! Thank goodness for good friends!
Okay, I am off back to work and then to go home and rest. :)
10/27/05
It's been a week since I have updated, lol. I have been doing well, I have some minor nausea and this has happened since I started back on my birth control pills, so I am thinking it's from those. I have found an awesome store for people who are on low carb, high protein diets!! It's called OK Carbs, I have seen it before but didn't really know what it was, well it's a little grocery store and it's totally dedicated to low carb items.... baked goods, cereals, pastas, condiments, breads, frozen items, syrups and dessert items.... the list just goes on and on. I walked in and was like "I'm HOME!" lol!! It was so fantastic to see all the things this guy had, he walked me through his store and gave me free samples of everything, so I knew what everything tasted like before I bought it, it was just awesome, I am so happy to have walked in there. At work, I decided to have a mini halloween party on Monday and I wanted to bring some things that I can eat and other people would eat too, and I found these amazing tortilla chips (Low carb!!) and some sugar free chocolate for my sugar free cheesecake I am going to whip up this weekend. I am excited!
I haven't stepped on the scale yet this week, lol, I'm too scared too. I don't really know why, but it's more important to me to feel good than see dumb numbers on a scale....cause those numbers can send you into a hole of depression. Let's just hope my dress for the USMC will fit in two weeks (It's just alittle snug right now) that means more walking! lol
10/30/05
I am not really having a great weekend... I got a bill from my hospital for the entire cost of my surgery, bleh. The first thought is that there has been a paperwork glitch somewhere....I am praying that there has been some mistake, but it sucks having to go all darn weekend not being able to sort anything out. Tomorrow morning I will be making phone calls....*sigh* this isn't what I needed this weekend...
10/31/2005
Happy Halloween. I contacted Tricare and they told me that my account with Palmetto Baptist is paid and I do not and should not owe anything for my surgery, thank goodness! I was so scared about that, but the wonderful lady on the phone was so helpful and told me I shouldn't have gotten a bill at all. She had told me if I get a bill that I should contact Tricare back immediately and they will call the hospital and deal with them directly. I am so thankful.
With that, I am doing alright, still having a headache issue... but I believe this is stress related. I got all dressed up for halloween, lol. I was Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty :) It was nice, and I fit into my costume, how cool!!!
My mind has been wandering lately to the future, what my life will be like and what I will look and feel like. I have taken digital pics of myself to try and see what other people see, I don't see what they tell me.... haha, I guess that may be normal. :)
One month:
11/4/05
30 pounds goodbye!! lol, I am about 5 weeks out, yay :) I feel good this week, I finally got Aunt Flo, and the nausea and headache is gone, thank goodness!!! That was not fun. I had my month check up this past Wednesday and my progress is very good. I have been experimenting with soups this past week, yummy! I have been uping my workouts from walking to doing some low impact walking in my home with arm workouts, it feels good. Now, I have been losing pounds the last week, but I don't see that I have lost any inches... I do keep measuring myself and I don't see a different worth writing about... *pout*, BUT, I have been wearing clothes that I haven't fit into since college!!! WOOT WOOT!
11/8/05
I don't feel to great at the moment... my energy levels today are shot. I had no energy to do my workout today, not good. I have a support group meeting tonight but I feel really yucky, I am not going to go.... I have realized that eventhough there are acceptable foods to eat, some of them make me feel really yucky... peanut butter seems to be one of those things, and toasted wheat bread, ick. Some low fat crackers I can handle very well and most meat, if it's moist enough.... some hamburger I've had has been to dry and my tummy doesn't like that. My tastes have changed too, I used to like the protein shakes that I had bought, but I can't stand them now.... I still do my Carnation Instant breakfasts, those I like. Strawberry flavor is yuck yuck right now, lol. Oh well, I haven't weighed myself since Friday... I am more concerned about fitting into my USMC ball gown at the moment, lol!
11/10/05
I fit into my dress, whoo hoo, it's still just alittle snug, but I can sit and move around in it without a problem, yay! I have a picture, I will have to post it. I did end up stepping on the scale this morning and I've lost another four pounds this week, that was a great feeling. I've been working out faithfully and working out hard, I've kicked up my workouts, still no weights though, not yet. I am excited about tomorrow with the Marine Corps ball, I am even going to go to the spa with a couple of other Marine wives friends of mine and we are gonna be pampered, I love it. :)
USMC Ball Gown:
11/18/05
40 pounds goodbye! :) It's been just alittle over 7 weeks for me, I am psyched! I went window shopping last night just to see what size I am in right now and I got into an 18, it was alittle snug but I did it, too darn cool!!! My hubby saw a picture of me and got alittle depressed cause he says he doesn't think he will recognize me and I honestly don't think I will change all that much. lol, I guess we'll see in about 5 months when he comes home. I am excited about going home for Xmas, my family hasn't seen me since surgery so this will be cool. :) Last weekend was fantastic at the Marine Corps ball, I had a blast and was out on the floor dancing it up, haha, I even had some dances from some very nice Marine Staff Sergeants and Gunnys and even a Master Sgt. that got me out on the floor, it was great, I just wish my hubby was here to have enjoyed it with me. I've been working out 4-5 days a week now, I am working up to getting in 47 minutes a day of constant exercise and the benefits have been showing. :) I will update soon.
11/27/05
I survived Thanksgiving!!! :) It was very nice and I enjoyed myself a lot with my in laws this year. I took a very small spoonful of everything and ate my protein first and had a few forkfuls of the rest, I put my fork down when I was comfortable, not over-full or stuffed. I was proud of myself!! Yesterday I made a mini-thanksgiving meal for myself, but of course, I have a lot of left overs, lol, so I'll have some nice lunches this week and the rest I'll freeze up till hubby comes home in March, he'll enjoy it, haha. I weighed myself this morning and I don't know why but I dread the scale, it hasn't been mean to me but I am still scared it will show failure like my pre-op days... I have lost 43 pounds! I look down at the scale and it said 229... I haven't been 229 since my sophmore year in college, Woot Woot!!!
I have been doing a lot of thinking about when the time comes and I will be able to actually go into a mall and walk into "normal" sized clothing stores and go shopping and actually purchase things... it may sound so corny but I just can't wait. I know there are a lot of people that have sore spots for the stores like New York & Co. and Abercrombie, and frankly, I was one of them, but it was because I didn't like myself and I was mad at myself. I am detemined to work hard and make it to my goal!!!
12/9/05
-47 pounds today officially, yay. It's a great feeling! I am now about 10 weeks out and feel good. I had blood drawn this week for an upcoming check up and I just couldn't believe how easy this blood draw went, I went in, sat down squeezed the little ball thing, the tech tapped my arm twice, stuck me, and BAM! I was done. That was the easiest blood draw of my whole life. Last week I was sick with a cold, booo, so I took it easy from exercising, which of course makes you feel guilty, but I didn't want to take the chance of getting wors. But I feeling much better and will jump back into working out this weekend :) I am gonna try and make out a schedule of what days to work out to maybe find a routine :) I have also started fitday.com, yay! I am able to keep track of my daily intake cause I have been questioning myself a lot, so now I can really see what my totals are and how much protein/fat/carbs I am really getting in. Oh and yeah, I made the mistake of going to Old Navy to see if I can fit into their jeans.... well the answer was a big fat NO.... *sigh* their jeans run really small I think, boooo....haha. Oh well, give me a few weeks!!!
12/16/05
I had a good week this week :) I ate very good, packed my lunch everyday and got most of my protein and fluids in, yay! Sometimes getting ALL the fluids in is tough, my job is kinda hectic and at home, I just don't drink as much water as I should. But I did good this week. It's paid off, I am down 51 pounds total!! HOLY COW BATMAN!!! Woot Woot!!!! I lost another 4 pounds this week. I had my 3 month check up this week and everything looks great, my blood work came back and they were very happy with the results except for my Potassium which was alittle high and one of my liver functions was just alittle high too, but they told me that it was really minor in how high it was....like .1 above the normal range. So I am going to monitor my Potassium intake and see where it may be coming from. I will have to look up what foods have high levels of Potassium and see. The exercise lady measured me and I've lost about 23 inches total, YEee Hahh! :)
And, my jeans that I've been wearing are loose this morning, even after I put them in the dryer, lmao, they were my last pair that fit.... Okay, I'm excited, lol. I gotta go shopping soon, lol.
12/22/05 - Shopping Outcome
12/27/05
I hope everyone had a great Christmas, I enjoyed my time with my family. :) There were moments that I didn't eat well, and I think we all fall into that, but I stuck to the basics of getting the most protein and veggies and fluids. I got some really interesting reactions from my family and friends, it felt really good.
Here is a picture of me and my sister, aunt, cousin (bottom) and mother at the Xmas party at my uncle's house.
Xmas with family in CT:
12/30/05
I lost a pound over Christmas, lol. That's cool! I am back doing fitday.com everyday, I have got to really crack down on my carbs.... they are just hidden in everything, even some veggies. I will be adjusting that immediately. I've noticed that there is a lot of drama on the messageboards lately, I have taken a break from them... I wish there was a more inspiring messageboard than the rusty lawn chair people who have nothing better to do than criticize absolutely everything and everyone and make really nasty snide remarks... shouldn't there be a board call "Nasty Folks" or something? Anyways, Happy New Year!
1/7/06
I've really upped my workouts this week incoporating weight training and more cardio, and I feel good. :) I have exercised about 5 days this week and have really given to a variety of different workouts, to jazz things up. I'm doing the Firm, Taebo Cardio and Billy Blanks Bootcamp workouts. I have to work harder on getting in more fluids into my days and I need to track it better on fitday.com. Since I haven't been getting in enough fluids my weight has slowed down alittle, and that's okay. I will work harder on it. :)
1/9/06
Have hit my fluid goal of 64 oz. per day. :) Have noticed that weight loss has resumed a little bit since upping the fluid intake. :) Working on cutting down carbs.
1/14/06
It's been a very stressful week at work, I am so glad it's the weekend. This past week I have been suffering from tension headaches everyday due to the stress from work...headaches are NOT fun at all. I have been exercising a lot which helps relieve the stress a bit. I do 5 days a week of 40-55 minutes of kickboxing or bootcamp type workout. I am really focusing on my arms and my legs currently to slim them down and tone them up, I am really worried about loose skin, but I'm gonna keep going. My weight loss has been slow, I've talked to my nutritionist and she is confident that it should pick back. My caloric intake is between 600-800 calories a day, I have minimized my carb intake down to about 60grams, keeping it under 80 grams a day. Even though my nutri. has told me that as long as I keep it under 100grams, I am fine. lol, maybe I'm a little paranoid. haha. I've continued to drink tons of fluids, so I'm hoping my weight loss picks ups a bit and resumes. :) I still have not really returned to the messageboards, and at this point, it's okay, I'm busy with my exercise and work right now.
14 Weeks out!:
Front:
Side:
2/2/06
It's been a couple of weeks since I've updated... and I am just kinda frustrated right now. I've been at a stall for almost 4 weeks now. I'm exercising 4 days a week, hardcore, and eating exactly the way I should to no avail. I am feelin really down about it but I won't give up! I WILL NOT GIVE UP! I am gonna stay the course. Some people I've talked to say that your body may plateau at a weight that you maintained consistently before... well this would be it then. Hubby is coming home at the end of next month, and I am excited about it. I am still gonna kick butt in my workouts and just pray to my weight loss fairy (Who's taken a vacation to cancun and got drunk and now is hungover somewhere) for help....*sigh* I still hate thinking about reaching a "goal" weight... because how do you know if your body is going to adjust to that or if it will be reasonable to get there?? I was hoping to be under 200 by the end of February, but it looks like I am sooo far away from being there. Yup, I'm pouting right now, and I can! So bah! I'm still gonna keep on truckin.
2/11/06
I'm still alive, haha. I've been just working and preparing for my husband coming home next month. I have some friends that haven't seen me since college coming to visit next week, I'm so excited about seeing them! The scale has kinda started moving again, I've been working really hard still. I've beeing working out 4-5 days a week. I have an appt with my surgeon's office this tuesday and I am gonna talk to them about my stalls... I have adjusted my caloric intake, my fat intake, Upped my protein intake... but I wonder if I am missing something else. Well I'm down to 208.2, that's so great! I will update with a picture soon. :)
2/13/06
Picture Time: 
2/22/06
Okay, I was becoming neurotic with counting every little morsel of food I eat, so I'm relaxing a little bit from that. I do still keep track but I'm not so I guess "obessed" with it. I am still on track with my workouts and protein levels and I think that is what I'm really gonna just focus on right now. My scale just isn't moving, but there was a post yesterday about how losing weight is like climbing stairs, at each landing you body has to rest so it can continue up the rest of way. It makes perfect sense... but I'm starting to wonder whether somewhere there is an injury cause my body is just not ready to climb any more stairs, haha. *Forward March*!!!
I am borrowing this from Bridget Jack (she posted this and I've read it daily since - thank you Bridget):
Plateaus in Perspective
Consider how difficult it is for you to run up ten flights of stairs all in one shot. Can you do it? I'm betting NOT unless you are a top-notch-conditioned Olympian, right? Now, of course, you could EVENTUALLY get up those ten flights of stairs if you rested on the landings periodically to catch your breath and pause for a moment before your heart explodes. You'd get up those stairs - but only if you rested on the landings or PLATEAUS. Well, running up ten flights of stairs in one shot is what we are asking our body to do after WLS in the way we want the body to lose a massive amount of weight. As our body loses weight so rapidly, it occasionally has to "rest on the landings" to catch its breath, get its bearings, take a breather. Then once it feels rested, it takes another shot at dropping the pounds again. It's remarkable that the body can drop so much weight so quickly anyway after surgery. but it can't do it all in one long shot like running up ten flights of stairs in one long shot. It has to rest on the landings or PLATEAUS. Keep this analogy in mind when you hit those plateaus. PLURAL. PLATEAUS. No such thing as ONE. you'll have many along your journey. When those plateaus hit, you still must do what you need to do. DON'T stop the good nutrition, the vitamins, the exercise. keep those routines going. And once your body is done "resting" in between the flights of stairs, it will kick in gear again for the next flight or two. And the more pounds that are dropped, the slower the pounds will drop too. so you will not lose rapidly during that last stretch of 25-30 pounds. it's like an athlete who gives his all during the race, sees the finish line in sight, and does all he/she can to finish. the muscles ache, the heart is about to burst. but the athlete DOES finish the marathon. some athletes "walk" across the finish line. but the point is they FINISHED. Understanding plateaus will help you relax a bit and keep you from self-doubt, which is something you don't need right now along your journey.
3/10/06
Yikes, it's been a few weeks since I've written here! I have fantastic news, MY HUSBAND IS COMING HOME!!!!!! And it will be within the next two weeks, I'm totally pumped, he's been gone for 18 months.... and I haven't seen him since he was home on R&R, right before my surgery...hehe, so he hasn't seen me! I'm nervous and excited, and I know he is too. I'm really looking forward to seeing him. My weight loss has started back up again, I'm down to 200! WOOT WOOT! I haven't been down to this range since highschool, so I'm stoked. I don't have to shop at Lane Bryant anymore and to me that is the biggest triumph...I've had to shop at Lane Bryant since I was 14 or so....It was a big moment to walk in and not have anything fit (the jeans fit, but they are super expensive, so I can go for alternative options now!!). I'm very proud of myself... I am almost at my 6 month mark and I'm down a total of 72 pounds, I am thrilled and I'm working so hard at this. I still workout 4-5 days a week, and I have incorporated different exercises to boost my muscle toning and burn fat. :) I'm totally committed, and I'm totally motivated. I will post some new pics soon.
As promised:
Close to six months out photo:
3/23/06
My husband is home and things are amazing! It's so great to have him home. His reaction to the "new" me has been just incredible. He hasn't let go of me since, heheheh. I'm down to 196, I made my first Goal Weight and surpassed it. That made me very happy. I will update again soon. :)
4/3/06
Things are going very well since my hubby has been home, just amazing! I'm having a blast with him and we are planning some trips and things together which will be so much fun. I have some incredible wow moments this past weekend... first, I am in a size 14 now!! Woot Woot!! I'm so stoked about that. And secondly, I was able to play tennis for the first time in almost 10 years on Saturday, that was too cool!!! It was such a great feeling to get out there and run around and play. I am so thankful.
Here is a picture of hubby and I together:
4/7/06
Ack! Stress at work sucks! Booo.... And I caught a cold, crappy doo!! :( Hope next week is better....
4/24/06
It's been a few weeks since I've written, YIKES! I just looked at my profile pics from months ago and just realized, I need to update that... I don't look like that anymore! haha
I am sooo excited because I am going home to CT to visit my family for a week starting on Thursday. Hubby and I are driving up and will be spending a week visiting and meeting our god son, our nephew and seeing people we haven't seen in a long time. I am getting ready for some shocked faces cause some of these people haven't seen me since surgery, lol.... it will be lots of fun, no doubt about it.
My weight loss is progressing... I find that I am losing inches at the moment more than numbers on the scale, haha, which is fine. Hubby and I are still playing tennis, we love that a lot. I got in some hiking over the weekend, that was a blast. I am still working out 4 days a week, gonna up it to 5 days. I am seeing results and it's really great. Still can't tolerate any sugar and can't do high fatty foods which is okay with me.
I still see that my birth control pill is a major hurdle in trying to lose weight.... I stall for three weeks and then drop a lot after my lovely TOM. But I'll keep on truckin.
I am in a size 14 now and they are gettin loose on me, haha!!! Can we say that I may be in a size 12 by June??? OMG OMG OMG, I have never in my life seen these sizes, EVER EVER EVER!!
I am loving life and I love living. My journey thus far has been no doubt a lot of hard work, but it's been worth every second!
5/11/06
It's been too long since I have updated on here, I realize that. I am doing very well. :) My trip home was so great, and not long enough. I got to meet my new nephew as well as my god son, both are sooo adorable.
My weight loss has slowed wayyyy down, but that was expected. After all my surgeon said that he will take care of the first 80-100 pounds, but the rest I will have to work the hardest to lose, and that's OKAY. :) I am still truckin along. Things have been alittle bit more challenging with the hubby now home...he eats whatever he wants while I have to maintain. It's definitely a challenge, no doubt.
I am still working out, this past week has been a BIG challenge because work has been just insane, I get home and literally crash. But I am going to stay motivated and keep going.
I am so thankful for all the support from my friends and family, I wouldn't be here without them and they help keep me going. If you having any struggles or worries, talk to them, confide in them, they are there for you. :)
Okay, okay, picture time, here is a picture of my god son's christening :)
*Proud God Parents*
5/23/06
It's one day before my 25th birthday, I'm feelin old! holy moses, haha. Things are going alright. I have stayed off the scales lately because I needed a break from them in all honesty. I have been judging my loss by how my clothes fit and my measurements, which makes a big difference. I look back to September, to my surgery date and look back on my measurements...My starting measurements were Waist: 44, Hips: 51, and Legs: 25, Arms: 17.5.... I have come along way.... I am now Waist: 33.5, Hips: 40, Legs: 21, and Arms: 13.5.
I am comfortably in a size 14....and my 14's are getting loose on me now. My hubby is thinking I'll be a size 12 (Say what?), yep a 12 by the end of June... Folks, a size 12 HAS NEVER been in my vocabulary, ever....growing up, in 6th grade I was already in a size 14, pushing a size 16. This is just a miracle to me, but a miracle I have worked so hard to get to, and still have a little ways to go.
I can't update my weight stats because I haven't stepped on the scale, haha. But that's okay, it's just a number.
I can't say how much I love tennis...hubby and I have been going out 4-5 days a week to play, and we have a blast. This past weekend we went to Charleston, SC for his cousin's wedding and did tons of walking around, which was so nice. Got in lots of exercise. haha. So maybe I will step on the scale on Friday and see. :)
5/26/06
Okay, so I've stepped on the scale and saw 187. Yay! 2 more pounds gone forever! :) I am officially down 85 pounds from where I started in my journey. It's just really too cool.
Here is a picture of hubby and me from that wedding in Charleston. This is my 8 month out photo. :)
(Charleston Wedding 5/20/2006 - 8 months out)
5/30/06
So I did it... I stepped on the scale on Monday and to my blissful revelation, I am now down to 184.6! Woot Woot!! This is such an accomplishment for me. I met my 3rd weight loss goal that I set. I am sooo proud of myself for that! I have 16 pounds to go until my surgeon's goal that he set for me, and that is so awesome! I've lost about 88 pounds so far and it feels amazing! I am still doing my plan of getting in my protein and watching my carbs and fat. I am still working out and lovin it! This week I think I may start jogging/running, this will be a first time thing for me since I have NEVER ever been able to jog/run in my life because of my weight. I have a goal that I want to meet by August and I am gonna work hard to get there! :) I will check back in soon!
6/23/2006
Okay, Update time! This month has been very very busy. I'm still truckin along. Of course my weight loss has slowed down, which I'm not surprised, but I'm not letting it get to me at all. I've gone out and done some more running and have actually got the nerve up to drag my exercise ball out of the closet and blow it up. I did some pushups, crunches and back stretches, felt so good. I have an updated pic from this past weekend at joshua and I's 2nd godson's christening. :) Here ya go!
I will update again hopefully soon!
6/30/2006
Holy Crap is all I gotta say... Size 12 baby!! HOLY CRAPOLA!!! And that's my update, I think that says it all right there!!
7/24/06
Things are really busy lately. I am just about into my 11th month and I am quickly approaching my one year mark, it seems so surreal that one year ago, I was going through all the testing, interviews, seminars, meetings and such to get a date. I was scared, excited and so anxious. Now, nearly a year later I sit anxious to reach my goal. I am still motivated and driven to continue one this life long journey. I am proud to say that I have changed my life and that I realize that this is going to be a constant effort. I think if anything that people who are going to embark on this journey NEED to know is that this is a 100% change of your life, FOREVER. You can't shut this off, you can't just go back, you can't just stop or take a break. You have to make the changes, you have to exercise, you have to continue the new lifestyle for the rest of your life. Balance is the key. You must find your balance....what works for one person may not necessarily work for you.
I was on the WLS Grads boards last night and saw more posts regarding people gaining weight back. This is a HUGE fear for me and I am absolutely Determined to NEVER go back to where I was... ever. I keep in the forefront of my mind that I didn't go through all of this to just slip back into old ways. I get asked by people "so are you gonna stay with this?" well.... my answer to them is "Well I don't have much of a choice.... I have to stay with this.... This is my life now" It's hard to get people to understand that I just can't do what I used to do, but MOREOVER I DON'T WANT TO do that again. I want to be in control.
My reality right now is that my weight loss has really slowed down a lot. BUT that is okay with me. I am exercising, I am losing inches, and clothing sizes. The numbers are so easy to get obessesed with. I feel wonderful, the best I ever have in my whole life and I don't want this feeling to go away. :)
Here is my 10 month out photo! 
With hubby at New River Air Station Marina - August 2006
9/12/06
I am getting so close to my one year mark and what a great feeling it is. Just amazing the changes and transformations I have gone through. This truly was the best thing I have ever done and would do it again in a new york minute. :)
I haven't stepped on the scale in a couple of weeks, which is fine with me. The fit of my clothes says it all.... I went shopping for dress pants and almost passed out in the dressing room when a size 10 buttoned easily....WOOT WOOT!!! *do a little dance*
Here is my close to one year photos:
Side View:
10/19/06
I did it!! I did it!! I did it!! I reached the goal my surgeon set for me, that is truly amazing!!!
I realize that I haven't been updating this as much as I used to, and like so many other fellow GBS friends and patients that have used this board as a lifeline, things get kinda busy once your life changes drastically.... its really like a whole new life, up and doing more things and appreciating everything just bit more than usual.
In no way will I stop updating about my journey. The past two weeks I have been very sick, so the exercise thing was put on the back burner until I was better, and I am feeling much better.
I recently went home to visit my family and it was so great to see them and spend time with them, things were so incredibly busy that Joshua and I didn't get to see everyone we wanted too...friends and family members... it was really tough but we did have a good time and will be back to visit again hopefully soon.
I have a picture from my trip home, here it is: I look tired in this picture and its from lack of sleep while I was home, haha, but I am holding my godson Alex, he is a cutiepie!
and me with my hubby :) 12 Months Out
12/14/06
Eep! I've been gone too long! Things are fantastic, I feel fantastic and am still just as motivated today! I do need to get some updated pictures up here don't I? I should do my formal before and after pic and submit it but the thing is, I am still losing weight, haha, so I have been reluctant to post final after pictures, haha.
Things have been really busy lately and I believe they will continue to be really busy...
Things are going well though and I feel amazing.
I was sick for alittle while cause some yucky virus was going around the office, so I had to have some downtime, but I am up and runnin again. :)
Ho Ho Ho!
12/19/06 - Picture Time
This is the most recent photo of me taken this past Saturday right before going to my hubby's Xmas party for work. :)
The After Picture:
2/22/2007
*pout* I realize it's been forever since I've writtten, but I took some time this morning to update this new profile and put some pictures up. Photobucket isn't working right now so I will have to fix things up on that end later.
I have finally broken the 160 threshold...it took a few months, but I did it!! I am hoping to be around 150ish or so... I have some serious toning to do. Oh yeah. I have a confession to make though, I have been off my exercise kick for about two months now, it's quite depressing. Lately I have been suffering from severe headaches that have lasted up a 4-5 days... by the time I recover, it seems I have another one. This is a priority for me to take care of. But I did buy a new pair of running shoes. :) They will get used very soon. Especially with the weather getting better.
I remember one summer going back to high school for my senior year and one of my best friends took up running during the summer came back and my mouth dropped... she looked like a different person, she was toned and just had a glow about her. I was just shocked. That was a moment that I wished I could have started running/jogging.
Goals for the month - get recommended water intake, take vitamins on a DAILY basis, start work out routine again.
Weight Stats:
Pre-op 6/2/2005 - 272
9/27/05 - 267
10/6/05 - 253.6
10/11/05- 250.2
10/25/05 - 246
11/4/05 - 242
11/11/05 - 239
11/18/05- 232
11/27/05 - 229
12/9/2005 - 225
12/16/05 - 221
12/30/05 - 220
1/7/06 - 219
1/9/06 - 217
1/15/06 - 214
2/3/06 - 212
2/7/06 - 210
2/11/06 - 208.2
2/22/06 - 207.2
2/27/06 - 206
3/10/06 - 200 GW1 Reached!!!
3/23/06 - 196
4/3/06 - 195
4/7/06 - 191
5/10/06 - 189 GW2 Reached!
5/26/06 - 187
5/29/06 - 184.6! Woot! GW3 Reached!
6/23/06 - 183
6/29/06 - 180.2 So close to GW4! But size 12 is here!
7/18/06 - 179 GW4 Reached!
8/10/06 - 176
8/16/06 - 174.4 GW5 REACHED!!! WOO HOOO!!!
8/19/06 - 173.6 Almost the 100 pound mark!!
8/22/06 - 172.0 - 100 Pounds!!!
8/24/06 - 169.6
10/13/06 - 169
10/18/06 - 167 - REACHED SURGEON'S GOAL!!!!!
12/10/06 - 161.4
2/04/2007 - 159 (I broke the 160 threshold, thank goodness!)
2/11/2007 - 158
New Goal: 150-152 before April 14th!! Jane Wayne Day Countdown!
