dancemom

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I hope to come back later and edit this with more details!

But for now.....
Life is WONDERFUL.  I'm smaller than I have ever been fully grown.   I'm smaller than I was when I met my husband!  I have so much energy.   I feel like I am living in a dream.   My daughter and husband are both so supportive and proud.  The rest of my family is as well.  I enjoy doing the things I know I never would have done before, either out of fear or laziness.  Fearing that I wouldn't succeed, wouldn't fit, be told no, etc.   I realize more and more every day how lazy I had become being an overweight person, which only furthered my weight issue.   I have to remember events or look back at pictures to almost remember the old days now!   This surgery was such a blessing from God.  Other than marrying my husband and having our daughter, it IS the best thing I have ever done.  I did it for myself first and everyone else reaps the benefits too.   We are all happy.   If I don't lose another pound, it is okay.   The weight is still coming off, so I think I will still continue to lose even though it will be slow.  I could have never done this without this miracle we call a tool.   

As always, I wish everyone the best.  I pray for all of my OH family daily.  I might not be around as much these days, but my days are filled with so much activity, I am neglectful in finding the time.      All of the success I see on here makes my heart smile - it feels so good to be a part of it.  Much love...  Katie

Time sure does fly by when you are having fun!!!!  I thank God every single day for my sleeve and my new lease on life.   It is amazing what this tool has done for me and my family.    I feel free.....so free I can't even describe it.  Someone asks me questions about my surgery or how I'm feeling and they probably wish they'd never ask, because I go on and on for days.  My hubby has always loved me for me.....and I know how proud he was of me.  But, I can tell now how PROUD he is of me.  That is a good feeling.  It is a great feeling when your daughter comes up and gives you a hug and LOUDLY says "mom, I can now wrap my arms around you!".   It is a weird feeling when you go up to someone you've know for a while, have a conversation (thinking the flow of the conversation is weird) to later realize they didn't know who you were.  It is weird to check your daughter out of school and the secretary question who you are because it's been a while since she has seen you.   Everyday there is something new and just when I think it can't get better, it does.    I look forward to doing things I would have found every excuse in the world not to do a year ago.    I have more spunk and energy than I think I ever have.  Robert and Lauren are having to keep up with me now - imagine that!!!  Booths don't freak me out anymore - I actually look forward to them!  Knowing I need to walk a good distance doesn't scare me - because I know I can do and then some.   I get clothing catalogs with really cute outfits.....I HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF THAT I CAN WEAR THOSE SIZES NOW!!!   I could spend some money - so I need to watch out.   I fear the day I stop losing and feel like I wouldn't be wasting my money on new clothes like I do now.   I might be in trouble.    The sleeve is a tool and sometimes it takes several tools to get the job done.  My tools have been the sleeve, determination, willpower, a positive attitude and GOD.  Without those things, I would not have been as successful as I've been SO FAR!  

For all of the newbies out there - reasearching or newly sleeved....You will not be disappointed in your choice.   It is a rollar coaster ride - a very fast one.  Someone told me that a while back and I now understand.   So many changes so fast, I have to take time to pause and look back at old pics to just remember the transition.   Keep reading the message boards.  I read them everyday even though I'm naughty in posting.  They are a source of inspiration and knowledge.  I wouldn't have gotten through without it.  Ask questions and ask for tips.  You'll get some great ideas!  

I wish everyone the most success.   I hope everyone is doing awesome.  I pray for my OH family all the time and thank God for the blessing he gave me.    Take care everyone.....until next time       

Katie

I need to make sure I post more often and not wait until I have something really exciting to tell!  I went for a follow-up visit this morning and was so excited to see that I have gotten rid of my first 100 pounds!  I was so happy.  I do feel better now than I ever have (especially since I had my gallbladder taken out last month) and I have more energy.  There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do 6 months ago.  Crossing my legs is almost fun and it is a good feeling to not panic about a booth or a regular size bathroom stall in a store!  Hubby says I don't snore anymore - ever!  My new job is great - couldn't ask for anything more.  Just the daily routine keeps us all busy.  Before, I would have found excuses to not do some things - not anymore.  Now, I just keep going.  I am having a good time wearing new clothes.  Thanks to Anne Scott, I keep getting new wardrobes.  Now I need to clean out my older things and pass them on!  My closet is constantly rotating.  I wore one of her cute jean jackets today and it felt good on.  It was also nice to take it off to carry it and it not feel like 10 pounds of material on my arm!  I guess it's all the small things that are the big WOW moments to me!  I wish everyone the best of luck on their journey.  Mine has been a little rough at times with my minimal eating (portion sizes) and gallbladder, but 100 pounds later, I'd do it all again tomorrow.  My goals now are to lose my last 100 pounds, exercise more to get rid of some of these dang hips and increase my protein as best as I can.  Until next time! 

Wow - I didn't realize it had been so long since I had posted.  Time flies by!  I am doing good.  I'm still really only tolerating mushies and soft foods for now.  I try more solid foods every once in a while and it still hurts.  I am trying to do better by getting in my protein and water.  I am ready to start exercising and plan to get into the gym very soon.  I feel better than I can ever remember feeling.  Other news for me is that I resigned from my position at the hospital and I am going to work for my in-laws and their insurance business.  This is a HUGE change for me because I've been at the hospital for 12 years and I'll be learning something totally different.  But, it has many advantages and that is what I am looking forward to.  As far as wow moments, I find myself sitting in chairs I would have freaked out about before, I've managed a couple of booths without panicking, and I did a weekend trip to New Orleans without panting after only a couple of blocks.  I walked a ton and surely didn't feel like I would have afterwards 2 1/2 months ago.  I love my sleeve and would do it again tomorrow.  Thank you Dr. Hargroder!!!!!  P.S.   64 pounds was my weight loss at tonights support group meeting.....:) YEA!!

These past few weeks have flown by so fast.  My surgery was on 6-11-07 and I had no complications whatsoever.  The first couple of days were rough because of the trapped gas.  However, I had no pain after surgery.  I transitioned through clear and full liquids without a problem.   I've started on soft foods/mushies and I am having a hard time.  I found out at my 2 week post up appointment that I have a VERY small stomach.  Dr. H said he made my stomach about 50cc's or 1 oz.  I have a lot of weight to lose and this is my chance to use this window of losing weight to my advantage.  I have only gotten sick once from eating too much of a scrambled egg.  As far as soft food/mushies I am not able to eat much at all, maybe one or two bites and I am so full.  If I take the third bite I am wishing I hadn't.  I am not complaining about my stomach size by any means, it just feels weird to only eat one bite here and there.  I haven't been hungry a single time.  I can recognize when my stomach needs something in it, it is a empty gut feeling and it doesn't take much to satisfy it at all.  These last few days have been low energy days for me so I need to take my B-12.  I go back to work tomorrow, so we will see how that goes.  Best news overall so far...I've gotten rid of 34 pounds.  I am so happy and I would do this all over again in a heartbeat!

Well, it is finally here.  I just woke up and I'm feeling good except for a dull headache and that is probably because I feel hungry....but not for long!   I stayed in bed as long as I could but was wide awake so I got up.  Have to be at the hospital in about 2 hours.  Anne Scott should be there now and I am thinking about her non-stop.  What a blessing it is to have someone to go through this with.  I know we will be here for each other and I can't imagine not having the support system I have between my friends, family and OH family.  I'll post as soon as I can tomorrow once I am home and feel like sitting for a bit.  My new journey in life is turning to chapter one today - it feels like the time that has past since I made my decision to have this surgery was like the prolouge to an exciting book!  I'll be back soon - hugs and kisses to everyone!

P.S.  Thanks to everyone for all of their kind words on the surgery support section of my profile as well as the message board.  You don't know how much that means and how much I appreciate it.

It is getting closer!  I'm excited, nervous, anxious - many different feelings at the same time.    I have finished my pre-op appointment and received the final clearance from the internist.  So, all I have to do is show up on 6/11 for surgery.   I originally had it scheduled for 6/18 and all my funds came through earlier than I thought so I moved it up a week to 6/11.  Couldn't wait any longer than I had to!  I am going shopping this weekend  for the food I'll need the first couple of weeks.  I'm having my last really nice meal tomorrow night at Flemings Steakhouse.  I really plan on eating as light as I can this week to better prepare myself.    Overall I think I am as prepared as I can be mentally.  I am so ready to start this next phase of my life - it is going to be wonderful!!! 

Can't you tell I'm excited??  I'm counting the days like I used to count the school days that were left!   These last couple of months seem to be flying by.   I'm getting more excited by the day - not nervous yet but expect that feeling to come around any day now.   I guess I'm really in preparation mode.  I have my mental lists of things I need to buy and things I want to do around the house.   Then, I have my list going in my head of the "projects" I want to do while I am on leave from work.   I should know better than to think I will be able to do everything I want, but I've always been one to have high hopes.

Mother's Day was nice yesterday.  My mom gave me a few nightshirts to have something new for after surgery.   My mother-in-law gave me the tiniest bowls that will probably hold about 4 ozs to use after I'm home too.  Today a friend at work gave me some of her protein stuff to try and that was very thoughtful of her!   All of this is making it all seem so real and it is exciting to know that it really is happening!  

I also want to add that I am so glad I found this website.  Everyone here and on the message board have been more than helpful.  I've made some great friends and I'm glad to share our journeys with each other.  Life is great!

I at first said I wasn't going to have a profile...then I did.  Then I said I wasn't going to do anything with it....then I did.  And then I said I wasn' t going to do the picture thing....and I did.   Last I said I probably wouldn't blog....and here I am!    This is such a great place and I've met and talked to some awesome people.  There is no reason why I shouldn't share my story along with everyone else and hopefully help someone else someday like so many have already helped me.  

My surgery can't get here any quicker.  I scheduled my date back in February so it feels like forever.  I guess in a way waiting a while (because I'm self pay and gathering the funds..:).....) is a good thing.  It has given me time to do even more research and work on getting my head "straight".  Now that I feel that I'm on the right path I wish my surgery was tomorrow.  

Today was a very busy day and my upcoming date seemed to consume my every thought.  Everyone tells me it is normal, so I guess it is.  My daughter is on a dance competition team and it is another full 10 hour or so a day weekend of dance, dance, dance.   I can't tell you how many times today while I was up and down, rushing to change costumes, walking what seemed like a mile....not to mention fitting in the theater chairs did I think about the surgery.  This weekend is our last competition of the season and our next one will be probably in January.  Just the thought of how much smaller I will be excites me to no end.  

We had a couple hour break this evening so we walked downtown to my favorite place to eat - Capital City Grill and had the BEST steak.  I don't get to go there often because it is kinda pricey and I thought.....I may not get to eat here (or at least the steak) again before my surgery, so I just went for it.  Did I tell you yet it was good??  I am trying hard to not get into the "last meal" thought process, but the closer the day actually gets here, it may be hard not to.   At this point I could eat hotwings everyday and still not think I've had enough of them by June!  I also hope to get one or two crawfish boils in before then too.  Next season, hopefully I can tolerate them even if I can only eat four or so!  Time will only tell.    

Guess I better head on to bed soon - another early and LONG day of dance again tomorrow.