ECUMindy
ONEderland!!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 07, 2008
A quick update - ONEderland!!!!
I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to update this blog. I have a new job and it keeps me busy. I've reached and passed my one year surgiversary and haven't looked back. I feel great and it has finally happened - I hit ONEderland, FINALLY!
I was beginning to think if it would never happen, but I weighed 199.4 this morning! I think that is the first time I've had a 1 in front of my weight in probably 20 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I still struggle with my arthritis issues (although not as much), but overall I feel great! I have much more energy than I've ever had and find myself doing things I never would have done before. I DO NOT REGRET having this surgery at all!!! I am so glad I made the decision to change my life-- it was one of the best ones I've ever made. It took me some time to realize it was right, but when I did I never looked back.
Those of you considering the surgery, let me just say GO FOR IT! You will have a few ups and downs, but in the end you will never regret changing your life...
I've posted a couple before and NOW pictures. :) I don't want to say AFTER just yet as I still want to lose about 30 more pounds, but it's moving OH so slow now... I know I have to beef up the exercise... anyway, always need a new years resolution right?
Have a great holiday season everyone and I promise to be better about posting updates!
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h312/ECUMindy06/BeforeAfte rDec08.jpg
Melinda
373/334/199.4199.9/ - Highest/Surgery/Current/First Goal
Quick update
Aug 13, 2008
Here's a quick update to let everyone know I'm doing well and so is James. I reached 214 this morning (159 total pounds lost) and only 15 pounds from my first "real" goal of ONDERLAND! It may take me a couple more months to get there since the wl has slowed, but I think I'll get there... I'm also going to add a gym membership into the mix and hope that helps. Energy wise, I feel absolutely wonderful! Walking around Myrtle Beach this past week didn't bother me hardly any even in the 100+ degree heat! Of course I sweat, but who wouldn't when it is that hot?! I would have been SOAKED and had to sit down every 5 minutes before... it's such a good feeling.
There have been times when I've regretted the surgery, but overall they are FEW and FAR BETWEEN! I can definitely say this was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life! If you are thinking about it-- GO FOR IT! You will not regret it and wished you had done it sooner.
James is doing well also, but he is having some small challenges with food. He was 2 months out this past weekend. I think he's had it a bit worse than I did with food which shows everyone is different! He has lost 62 pounds since surgery (June 5) and 90 or so from his heaviest.
Ok, that's it for now... I'll check in again soon!
Melinda
373/334/214/199/ - Highest/Surgery/Current/First Goal
Finally an update!
Jul 08, 2008
It has taken me a while to get around to update this, but here we go finally.
James came through surgery without problems except for not getting a room for 23 hours! His surgery was scheduled for 12:30pm on Thursday, June 5. At 3:30pm the surgery began and he was in recovery by 6:30pm. They were able to fix his hernia (which we were thrilled about) and Dr. Mann seemed very happy with the outcome.
Then the fun began. We had been told that the hospital was "busting at the seams", so I figured James wouldn't get a room right away-- I had just hoped it would be before the night ended. Well, needless to say, he didn't get an actual room until 2:30pm the next day. He was taken care of, but it was hard on us as we could only see him 15 minutes every 2 hours. He also wasn't able to walk as much as he would if he was in a room where I could take care of him. Anyway, he got to a room and up and walking.
We made it home and the next few days/weeks were rough. Just as I said after my surgery, he said that he thought he was prepared, but really you never truly know what you go through until you go through it yourself... We went through several ups and downs and regrets, but things seem to be on the upward swing now. He is finally able to eat 'real food' and has lost almost 40 pounds already! His one month surgiversary was this past Saturday. I'll keep you updated on how things are going for him.
As for me, I'm doing well also. Friday will be 9 months for me. I have lost 152 pounds total and 113 since surgery. I would feel awesome if it wasn't for my RA. i just wish we could get some medicine that would make it "go away"... oh well, I'm dealing with it.
I also think I'm ready for a change... I go for a haircut and hopefully NEW style tomorrow, so check back for updates...
That's it from our corner of the woods... I'll update soon!!!
Melinda
373/334/221/199/ - Highest/Surgery/Current/First Goal
James's surgery is in ONE WEEK!
May 28, 2008
I can't believe that in ONE WEEK, James will either be in surgery or coming out of it... It's a crazy thought. I honestly think I'm MORE nervous on this side than I was when I had the surgery... In my heart I KNOW everything will be fine, but you still have those few anxiety feelings..
Please keep us in your prayers next week. We're hoping he will be one of the first people on Dr. Mann's schedule... I'll post an update once he is out and doing well...
As far as I go, I'm doing pretty well. I've realized I need to do better with my food choices and have started keeping a food journal on Fitday.com. I'm only a couple days in, but so far so good. I really need to do better about my food choices. I see the need, but still allow myself to eat the "bad stuff" even if it's in a small amount. I am parnoid that I've stretched my pouch, but I really don't think I have as I still feel restriction and fullness after only eating a little. I need to learn to push the plate away and NOT KEEP PICKING at it... it's something I struggle with.
One good thing is though I'm only about 5 pounds away from weighing 225! I want to be under 200, but seeing that number decrease definitely is incentive to "do the right thing"...
I'll update more after James's surgery.
A few updates and James has a surgery date!
May 20, 2008
139.4 total pounds lost ----- 100.4 since surgery
A few updates...
James is scheduled for RNY on June 5! Dr. Mann is performing his surgery and he's nervous/excited, everything that goes along with setting the date. It's hard to believe HE'LL be on the loser's bench with the rest of us in TWO WEEKS! He has been doing his low-carb, pre-op diet for about 2 weeks and has already lost 15 lbs... I hate how MEN can loose it so fast, but oh well. I told him, at least I had a 7 month head start. *HAHA!* I'm so proud of him though and ready for him to be at the point I'm at now.
Now for a few updates on me!
I just past the 7 month mark and I've officially lost 100 pounds since surgery. I am right around 140 pounds TOTAL lost. It's hard to believe that much weight is gone, but I can certainly see it when I look in the mirror and put on clothes... it's an amazing feeling. I'm fitting comfortably into most 1x clothes and some size 20 pants... I even have a few shirts that are size 16 or 18. I've definitely seen that not all clothes are sized the same...
I have gotten back into eating some bad food, which is not good and I'm putting a stop to it immediately. It's so easy to fall back into bad habits, especially as you get further and further out and pouchie is able to tolerate it. I keep trying to tell myself it is just a tool and I have to WORK it.
One thing I still struggle with is exercise. I am MOVING more than I used to (stuff around the house, etc), but it's not the same. How do you all get motivated to exercise? I wish I was one of those people that LOVE to exercise, but I'm not... I've thought about joining a gym, but if I'm not using the treadmill and weights that I have at home now, what makes me think I'll go to a gym? We are going to try to clean out the garage and make our "own gym", but it's hard to find the time to do it. I guess there is always an excuse... Any suggestions on how to get motivated to exercise?
Anyway, that is my update for now... Will check in later.
Melinda
373/334/233.6/199/ - Highest/Surgery/Current/First Goal
7 months out and check-up with surgeon
May 06, 2008
136.8 total pounds lost ----- 97.8 since surgery
I finally had my 6-month check-up with Dr. MacDonald today (at almost 7 months out; May 11 will be officially 7 months). It went really well! 
He said that I was doing “very good” and that he was happy to see that I’m almost 100 pounds down in 7 months. I told him I wanted to be down that actual number by the time I met with him but he said “Don’t worry, you are close enough”. I am about 5 pounds off by his scales (2.2 pounds by mine). *hehe* I asked him was that “normal/average” for this long after surgery and he said “oh yeah—you are in the upper tier of weight loss at this point and are doing great. Keep up the good work.” That made me feel good. 
He seemed to be in a good mood today.
I also asked him what he thought was a “goal number” for me to reach. He has always avoided the subject in the past and just said “We like to see appx 60%-70% of excess weight lost.” But, I actually got him to narrow it down to a number. At first he said “Well, your ideal weight would be 134” 
and my heart sank as I thought there is no way that will happen and if it did I’d look SICK and BONEY. Then he did some more “figuring” and he said, “I think your weighing between 160-170 would be a success.” That made me feel great b/c the number I had in my head as my “happy weight” is 165-170 so it sounds like my line of thinking is right along with his… 
The only thing that really frustrates me about Southern Surgical is the wait time. My appointment time was 3:20. They called me back by 3:30pm and I saw Dr. Mac at 4:40pm. I waited back there for at least 1 hour to see him for about 10 minutes. 
I just don’t understand what takes so long! That is my only complaint though with that office. Everything else has been by the book and Bobbi and the others there are great to work with.
A few WOW moments…
I finally really cleaned out my closet. I’ve gone through my drawers and taken some pieces out of the closet but this weekend I REALLY went through it. There is nothing in there that is the old size (except for a few “souvenirs” for posterity pictures. I posted a message on a yard sale group through yahoo for our local area and two people came over to look through the clothes. I sold $215 worth of clothes this weekend and still have 3 containers left with clothes! I may put some on ebay (the nicer suits, etc), but I have a couple more people coming by to look at what I have. I sold everything for $2 or $3 each and almost all the stuff came from Catherine’s and was in great condition! I hated to see all that money go out the door, but what are you going to do? At least I wore it some—I had to have it and I had to pay those high prices b/c of the sizes! What are you going to do? I know if I would have received an email like mine before the surgery about those clothes I would have thought I hit the jackpot … One girl said she had considered WLS also so she might be selling them herself pretty soon. Anyway, James (DH) was really impressed that I sold that much just by organizing the clothes, posting to the website and getting them over here to look through the clothes… I love having that money to help cover some of my Ross excursions recently. I’m trying not to buy much, but it’s so hard when I see things in a size I can wear for like $5-7. That was unreal before surgery and definitely a WOW moment.
Another WOW is seeing a piece of clothing and thinking there is no way that will fit and it does! I’m officially fitting comfortably into a 1x in most clothes and a 22 (or 20 sometimes) in pants! Such a weird feeling since I was in a 26/28 in high school and don’t EVER remember wearing a smaller size. I’m sure I did as a child, but it was long before I knew what size I was wearing. I still don’t “FEEL” smaller, but I see I am when I am able to put that size on. I know I need to kick up the exercise though and stop eating “bad food”. I’ve realized this last week or so has been out of control in a way so I have to get that under control and back in a routine. 
Oh, another WOW—they used a REGULAR size blood pressure cuff yesterday…. REGULAR! To my knowledge, they have always had to use a LARGE on me… definitely WOW moment. 
Anyway—that is my update for appx 7 months out. I’m going to go to my family doc to get some blood work done so they can tell me a complete reading— cholesterol, glucose, all of it… I’ll update when I get the results.
Melinda
373/334/236.2/199/ - Highest/Surgery/Current/First Goal
6 month "Surgiversary"!
Apr 11, 2008
Today it has been officially 6 months since my RNY surgery. At this time on October 11, I was back in my room clicking the morphine button and visiting with James and Mama.
I can honestly say, after six months, I LOVE MY RNY! I am wearing sizes I've NEVER worn before and doing things I never thought I'd be able to. My rhematoid arthritis has really been affecting me the past few days, but hopefully with the warmer weather it will clear up soon and I can really begin enjoying things I couldn't do when I was heavier! My RA doctor told me he doubts the RA will go away with the weight loss, but it will HELP it... so far I haven't noticed much help, although I'm sure it would be worse if I was heavier.
I wore my first 18/20 shirt yesterday. I can hardly believe it! I have never worn that size to my knowledge... I wore a 26/28 in high school! It really is an awesome feeling to know I'm now smaller than some of my friends (not all, but some
) I've ALWAYS been the largest one in the group, so to be getting smaller is wonderful! I still have a long way to go and will never forgot how it was to be overweight, but it sure is nice to be easing to the other side!!!Eating has gotten better. I still have "issues" sometimes, but I pretty much know what I can and can't eat now... A lot of it is trial and error. I do remember what NOT to eat though.
We have plans to ttc soon. I'm not going to rush it too fast, but I don't want to wait too long either... That is one of the main reasons I had WLS.
I guess that is it for now... I'll try to update again after my 6 month check-up with Dr. MacDonald on April 29. Until then, if you are considering WLS-- GO FOR IT! I promise, you will not have any regrets!!!
Here is a link to my pictures. Some of these are on the profile, but this gives you the entire 6 month period all together!
http://www.personal.ecu.edu/dotym/weightloss/
Melinda
373/334/243/199/ - Highest/Surgery/Current/First Goal
125 pounds gone forever and major WOW moment!
Mar 30, 2008
It is really hard to believe, but I'm finally seeing it! I had a big WOW moment this weekend. I am able to fit into a 1x shirt! I've never (to my knowledge) worn that size... Mama said she had this shirt she thought I could wear. I looked at it and was like there is no way I can fit into this shirt YET, but I tried it on and it fit perfectly and actually is a bit loose! I couldn't believe it!
Then I went to my friends house and she gave me a few clothes and included in it was a XL Tommy Hilfiger sweatshirt. Now keep in mind I have NEVER been able to wear anything name brand like TH, so when I tried it on and it fit I was ecstatic! The funny part is pretty soon it will be too big! That is so weird to think about.
I know I probably won't lose the remaining 15 pounds before my "official" 6-month surgiversary on the 11th, but I'll get there-- I KNOW IT!
Melinda
373/334/248/199/ - Highest/Pre-Op/Current/First Goal
Under 250!
Mar 25, 2008
I still hope I'm on track to be 100 pounds off since surgery by my 6 month mark, but I'm not sure if I will make it or not. I know it won't be so far behind it though!!!
I am noticing I hvae my energy and I'm able to stand and do "regular things" without having to find a chair. At this point, I am VERY glad I had RNY surgery and would recommend it to anyone who is considering it!
Melinda
373/334/249.8/199/ - Highest/Pre-Op/Current/First Goal
5 month Surgiversary!
Mar 10, 2008
I can definitely say things have changed since surgery. I'm able to wear 2x clothes (many of which are now getting too big), I'm able to wear necklaces again (24 inches are really long now and last year wouldn't fit), I have much more energy than I have had in years-- or if I have even ever had it! I am able to walk around without breathing heavy, do housework and then go outside and walk or go shopping and not feel "too tired"... All of these "mini" wows make me SO HAPPY that I had the surgery. Just being able to go in Walmart and KNOW I can find something to wear makes me happy. I'm really trying NOT to buy too much, but to have the option is GREAT! We were in Wal-mart this weekend and I saw a really cute bathing suit... it was a two piece (2x) for $13.00 a piece... I could have bought it, but decided to wait b/c I didn't like the color. Just last year, I needed to order a bathing suit online b/c NO ONE carried the size I needed except for Catherine's!!! just being able to shop at more stores is thrilling and I know it is only a piece of what is to come.
I also bought two shirts at Goodwill this weekend. Barb, I couldn't help but think about what you said one day about "renting clothes" from Goodwill.
I got a very nice Sag Harbour sweater for $4.00!!! I definitely need to go there more often. :) Just being able to find something there made me smile!!!I was hoping to break a mini goal by today, but I'm still 2.2 pounds away-- I know it will come though and when it does I will be ecstatic... I am very thankful for my RNY and wish everyone going through this process the best of luck!!!
373/334/252.2/199/ - Highest/Pre-Op/Current/First Goal
