donnarlene

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Hi all! I am 37 years old and have battled weight for most of my life. I have thought about WLS but didn't think I qualified until a friend of mine told me she was getting it done. I began to look into it right then. I don't have a surgery date yet but I have been approved and expect a date soon. I am really excited, but also really scared. I know I am an emotional eater and the last few years have been very hard for me. I lost my mother two years ago March 15 and my 15 year old son last year (March 22) to a drunk driver. It has been a very stressful couple of years and I am worried about how I will handle all of the stress and emotion when food is no longer my best friend.

February 23, 2006

I got my surgery date yesterday! I was so excited! It is set for March 14, 2006, only 17 days away. I can hardly believe it is finally going to happen. I am so ready.

March 3, 2006
I sent my picture for someone to put on the website for me. I am so embarassed to even put this picture up and do it only for me to look back at and see how far I've come. I have been on the atkins diet for two weeks wanting to shrink my liver so it will be easier to see my stomach when the doctor gets in there. I lost 2.5 pounds. The story of my life, do what I am supposed to do, but don't get the results you are supposed to get. I am so looking forward to finally seeing the reward in the hard work. I used to be up at 5:45 AM every morning to go to the wellness center to work out. I did that for two and a half years, through everything, no matter what. I worked up to running 30 minutes (2 miles) three times a week and lifting weights the other days. I felt good, I thought I looked better, but in all that time, I only lost 50 pounds. I know 50 pounds is great, but with everything I was doing, I should have lost alot more. And as soon as I slowed down to grieve for my Dewey, the weight all jumped back on. Now I don't think I could run down my driveway, but I can't wait to get back to that schedule. To work out and actually see it make a difference, I can't wait! I've got the future all planned, complete with a tummy tuck, breast implants and whatever else I need to finally look in the mirror and like what I see.

Things I am so sick of hearing:
1. You have such a pretty face!
2. What? You're not THAT big to have this surgery!
3. Here, try these on, I'm sure they'll fit you cuz they're too big for me.
4. You look just like your Mom! (she was heavy all her life)
5. I'm sorry, we don't have that in your size.

Things I can't wait to do:
1. Run!!!
2. Wear these awesome cream colored pants that I bought for Christmas a year ago. I was running then and they were to be my inspiration as they were a size too small. They have never been worn.
3. Not being the fat sister. I have three size 10 beautiful sisters. I got all the fat genes!
4. SHOP! :)
5. Feel good, have energy and not be totally drained after work.


I'm so thankful that the Lord has led me down this path. Thank God for this proceedure that saves lives! Jesus is so good to me, I haven't had to work for any of this. The clinic did all the work with my insurance and all I have to do is go down for testing and then show up for surgery. I truly can't wait.

March 22, 2006

Surgery went off without a hitch on March 14. I am 8 days out and have lost 10 pounds. My incisions are healing and clean, my new pouch seems to be working great. Small sips seem to be the hardest for me, but if I go too fast, my belly grumbles very loudly. I have had no problem getting the protien or liquid per day amounts and am feeling absolutely wonderful. I get tired easily, which is to be expected, but that's why I took the time off! I am so excited about the future, I am so looking forward to my new life!

March 28, 2006

Had my follow up appointment yesterday, and everything is going well. I have lost 14 pounds and am feeling great. I have had no problems with nausea or vomiting. I do get hungry, it just takes a long time, I do have to remind myself to eat every three hours. It usually takes me 6 or 7. I am on pureed and very soft foods for two weeks and it is so good to have something other than the full liquid, but I really have to watch my protein intake now.
My husband and I, along with our two boys and one of their friends went to Traverse City's Great Wolf Lodge last weekend. It was really nice, I didn't swim or anything, but the boys all really enjoyed it. I did have my first facial and that was awesome! The girl there, Nicole, was not only totally competent and knowledgeable, she was very sweet. Anyway, we went to some restaurants while we were there and I was stunned at how hard it is to get food when you are at this stage in the game. We went to Bob Evans, where the guys all basically pigged out, but I asked for a child's size bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon and a glass of skim milk. The waitress let me know right away they had only 2%, even though skim was on the menu, and "we don't have cinnamon". Hmmm, how do they get the cinnamon and brown sugar topping for the oatmeal then? Or how do they get their french toast sprinkled with cinnamon? I was not only disappointed I was mad! God forbid that anyone should try to eat healthy in a place where the menu boasts "healthy choices"! The best service I got was in this little place called the Cottage Cafe. The waitress let me try the soup in a teeny bowl to see if it would be okay for me to eat and was so nice about everything. And Big Boy was even better. When I told the waitress I had surgery and needed sugar free, she not only brought me everything I asked for, but she brought sugar free jelly and syrup just in case I wanted it.
My photo has been added, wow does it look bad. I would like to think that the camera added ten pounds, my computer added 10 pounds and whoever posted it added ten pounds with their computer also! :) But, I know that it is not true, unfortunately, it is all me. I am looking forward to updating with something I like better in a few weeks.

May 9, 2006

It has been 7 weeks since surgery and I have lost 38 pounds. Most of the time I feel really good, but I have an afternoon crash time about 2:00 p.m.. Getting the water and protien in is harder than I thought it would be. I am not a water drinker, but I am working on it. For the first six weeks, my stomach hurt all the time, no matter what I ate. I had alot of problems with gas and constipation. Now, it seems I can eat pretty much whatever. I don't know if I just healed up or if I figured out what I can eat. I am eating mostly meat, drinking tea and water. Getting better and better!