elleraheem

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Hello my OH family. I’m not sure when was the last time that I posted, well hold on and let me check,LOL The very last time I checked in was May 14, 2009 and at that time I was about 2 weeks shy of being 7 mths, so I was 6 months post op. I saw my surgeon Dr Moazzez on July 22, and he was shocked, at that time I weighed in at 162, as of today I am 159. He told me that I have lost more than he thought that I would. His nurse said that I should try to stabilize myself but his goal for me is 140, and my goal for myself is 120. Everyone seems to think that 120 is too small, but that’s where I want to be. My confidence in myself is through the roof and I love shopping. The feeling that I get when I go into the store any store and can find something to wear without having to go to several stores, it’s priceless. I’m still taking my vitamins not that your supposed to stop. My health is good, all my blood levels are good, and Dr M did tell me to stop eating peanuts, so I did that. I think that for the most part my eating habits are better now than they used to be, every once in a while I fall off the wagon but I try to hold myself accountable for the things that I put into my mouth. I don’t ever want to be the way that I used to be. I have been going back and forth about the whole having a baby, and right now I’m thinking about adopting. I have 3 children and there are kids out here that need a loving home and I can provide that for at least 2 children. My bra size used to be 42DD, well I’m now a 36D, I have no breast but I like that. I know that I will eventually need a breast lift because they aren’t firm anymore, and I would like them firm. In the beginning I was very regretful thinking that I made the worse decision ever, how come I couldn’t lose it on my own? I’m very thankful that I was able to get the help that I needed to make this a success and to keep it going. I know that the easy part is over and the hard part is on me now. I don’t think that it’s an option to fail at this point. I know that sometime we all fall of the wagon but we realize it and we know that we don’t want to go back to that place again where we were so unhappy, and miserable. That’s how I see it. Well I don’t have too much to say other than I will keep in touch and OH has really helped me out and if I can be of any help to anyone please feel free to ask me anything.

I know that this is bad. Prior to my surgery I was on OH all the time, and then after having the surgery I haven’t written any updates other than the one that I did after I felt a little better after the surgery, all I can say is I apologize. I know that my story can empower someone that is struggling with the decision. I am 6 months out and as of today 05/18/2009 I am 172 still trying to make it down to 120-125(not sure if that’s possible). I had my surgery on October 28, 2008 prior to my surgery my weight was 263, I have come a long way. I only try to weigh myself once a month; I weighed myself this morning, so this weight is very up to date. Right now I’m in a size 10 or an 8. My personal goal is 120 pounds however my Dr wants me at 140 pounds. I exercise about 4 days a weeks and I walk so much more these days and I don’t feel winded at all, I love this new me and I never want to go back to the old me at all. I make it a habit to park far away from where I’m going so that I can walk to where I need to be. It’s the best feeling ever to walk somewhere and not be winded, and to enjoy the walk to the point that by the time that you’re done your like” I’m done already”.   The best thing about this is that I can wear heels now and yeah my feet hurt, but that’s because I’m breaking the shoes in, LOL! and plus if I might say so myself I look good in the shoes. I’m more confident in doing things; I can go to any store and can find something in there to wear. I get more guys trying to talk to me then ever before, and I’m enjoying it. My addiction has become shopping. I have a trip to Jamaica planned for next year, so I can and I promise I will keep you guys posted. I might be going to a wedding in Atlanta in July so shopping for that might be fun too. A lot of things have been working out for me, family members that I haven’t seen in years and months see me and can’t believe it’s me, even my kids see the difference. I’m really enjoying this new chapter in my life. The Nurse Practioner that I work with has been passing her clothes on down to me, which saves me a lot in shopping. I haven’t really been shopping, more like collecting decent clothes from people, and all that helps when they are fashion DIVAS! You wouldn’t believe just how expensive shopping can be. I’m glad that I work in the medical field where I can wear scrubs and fold them on my waist.   I refuse to go back to what I used to be. This is the hardest decision that I’ve ever had to make in but the results are well worth it, mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically. Starting off my cup size 42DD, now its 36DD to me that’s a difference, they are still big but they are more manageable. Please don’t let anyone tell you that this is the easy way out because that’s so untrue. To go out to dinner is the worst cause after 5 bites your done, and they are looking at you like “are you done, is that all your going to eat”? Some other days you can eat more, it’s crazy you just have to learn to listen to your body. There’s something that I want to try to do and that is indoor rock climbing, I will keep you posted, I promise. If I can be of any help to anyone that is struggling with the decision, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Before actually having the procedure I was so inspired when I looked on other profiles and I read so many of them that lifted me up. I hope that my profile can uplift someone else too.  

I’m officially 3 months post op as of today. My journey began at 262 pounds, on the date of my surgery I weighed in at 252 pounds and today I’m sitting at 209 pounds and I can feel the big difference. My face is slimmer, my clothes are really too big, my shoes don’t fit, and I have a lot more energy. It’s a blessing and I’m thankful that I was given a chance to make better and wiser decisions with food and maintaining my workout regimen. I will be starting jazzercise the 2^nd week of February, since I can no longer go bike riding because of the snow.   Getting used to the whole idea of losing weight, fitting into clothes that I couldn’t fit before makes me feel so good. I take pictures now, smile more, and I’m able to go bike riding with my kids. Some of the terrible food choices that I was making in the past I don’t even miss it now. During the holidays I didn’t miss the turkey and all that artery clogging food that I used to kill myself eating either, I now look back and I realize that I made some pretty wrong choices where food was concerned. I was given the ok to drink Propel and Crystal Light; however they are both too sweet for my taste, so I have confined myself to drinking only water and soy milk.   It’s such a good feeling to hear my kids tell me” Mommy your losing weight” and that just makes me feel so good. I’m planning a little short trip to Atlanta in a couple of weeks and I plan to take so many pictures, I will post those as soon as I can, however I’m going to post some pictures(3 month pictures) that my son took of me. Talk to you guys later and take very good care of yourself and each other.   I will update again with more talk and pictures in 3 months which would put me at 6 month post op.   PS:I haven’t been out shopping either, I’ve been trying to make it work with the clothes that I have and quite is kept I do be looking like a bag lady, but oh well, II will be ok.LOL

I had my procedure October 28, 2008, and it was uneventful. I was out of work for 2 weeks and today was my first day back at work. For some reason I keep asking myself “why did I do this”, and to be honest I needed a change. I’ve tried to control this on my own for some time and I wasn’t able too. My health was being compromised in a major way. The pain that I felt after the procedure was the worst pain ever; it hurt more than child birth. I ‘m grateful that I am here and I made it, the hard part is over the hardest part is just beginning. I find myself worrying about not losing weight, and I know that’s foolish but sad to say that’s how my mind operates. I plan to update with pictures every 3 months and just to let everyone know what’s going on with me every month. I want to start jazzercising but I have to wait for the ok from my Dr, and I won’t see him again until December sometime. Until then please everyone be safe and be good.

 

 

Elle

I had the last of my test today and tomorrow I will be meeting with one of the nurses at the hospital for my interview. I finally got around to posting my pre op pictures, and yes that is me. I didnt want to do it, but I know that for me to not repeat this dangerous lifestyle again, I have to be reminded of what can happen if I choose too. I dont know what this journey will entail or what I will look like afterwards, better yet how I will feel , but its a journey that I am willing to take. Life is short and I want to enjoy whatever time I have here, tomorrow isnt guaranteed and not that I want to live like that, but I want to enjoy my family and my children. Please everyone pray for me, cause I know that I am going to need it. Tuesday October 28th 2008, is my rebirth. No more will I be ashamed to walk across the street, go to a club, go to dinner, the movies, or anything that involves being around a crowd of people. I used to love going to the mall, I havent been to the mall in so long. I just want to enjoy my life. Take Care All.

Elle

Well it seems like the wait is over, I have been approved for surgery. My procedure is scheduled for 10/28/2008, and I'm very excitied. I know that as the day gets closer it will start clicking in my head that I am having surgery. I saw my NP on Thursday, and on Monday I called to see if the NP faxed the MR's over like she stated she would, but the surgeons office told me that they didnt receive it yet. Then on Wednesday I received the call from Pam that she received the approval from Carefirst, I was so excitied. I am trying to get things in order now before the last minute with the kids and all the other things that come along. Well I will post again the day before the procedure or around that date, oh and I will post pictures too.

Elle

Greetings all,

I had my 5th month supervised diet appointment yesterday, so now I only have one month left. I am excitied, because I am ready for this positive change in my life. I have my sleep study scheduled for the 5th of September, so I should maybe be hearing from the insurance company by maybe the middle of October. It' seems like a long time, but it will be here in no time. Well take care everyone and I will kep in touch too.

Hello Everyone   I just wanted to touch base with my OH family, and let you know what is going on with me. I have 2 more months of the supervised diet with the physician; I go in for my 5^th month follow-up on the 28^th of August and then my last visit will be sometime in September. I hope that my surgery is scheduled for sometime in October, early October. I have been doing all that I was asked to do, walking, keeping a food journal, and drinking a lot of water. I hope that I have no issues especially when it comes time to getting the actual approval from the insurance company.   I really want to thank you guys that weren’t ashamed of putting your profiles on display for everyone to see, read, and absorb the information like I did. A lot of you are inspirations to me, and even if I never see you, as long as you know that you have touched my life in ways that you will never know, is good enough for me, and it should be good enough for you.   I will post again in September, after my final appointment with my NP, as soon as the paperwork is submitted, and I have a date, you also will know. So on that note, take care and will talk to you soon.    


One Love Elle

The last time I went to see the NP, she gave me a referral to see a Dietician, when I called and tried to make the appointment, I was told that "insurance isn't going to pay for it, however if you still want to be seen then the consultation will be $250'. I told the receptionist thank you, but no thanks, and I hung up. I called my insurance company and was given a number to someone that they so called cover. Well I received a call confirming the appointment time and date, and then she even told me that when she called to verify that the insurance covered the appointment, they told her that they didnt, and only if I had diabetes will they cover it, I didnt believe her so I called and thats the same thing that they told me. I was so mad so I called and canceled the appointment. Why is all this happening? Is this a sign from God telling me to try to losing the excess weight myself, really. What is really going on?

Greetings to all, well my EGD was on 06/16/08 at Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax VA , and it went really well. For the past week I haven’t slept at all so this EGD came in handy today. The drug lady injected me with something really good, and all I remember is passing out, and I slept like a log. I wasn’t sure who was going to take me, but my little big brother came through for me, and that was a blessing in itself. It made me think that no matter what happens in our lives, family is always first, and I really appreciated it. If he didn’t come through for me, I would have had to reschedule it.

 The nurses were good to me, and this was just for an EGD, that took about 10minutes and 30 minutes in the recovery room. In the actual procedure room, I was introduced to one of the clinical staff that had WLS about 2 years ago, she had pictures to show me, from pre op, and 7 months post op. All I really remember saying to her is “wow you look good”. She shared her story with me and she didn’t even have too, when I hear stories like hers it just really confirms my readiness to have this surgery. Come what may, I would rather try to stand for something than die for nothing, but I am so ready for this. 

I am so tired of hearing about the negative that comes from people whom don’t have a weight issue at all, however they would prefer for me to struggle with my weight. I don’t feel like I need to struggle with my weight anymore, like this is the year for the new me to emerge. 2008/2009 will be the year for a lot of changes; I plan to embrace them all with open arms, open mind and an open heart. I thank God for a lot of things and this OH website is one of those things, and I am also thankful for the 30 friends that I have, it might not be a lot, but it is more than enough for me. I have my sleep study consult scheduled for 06/26, so again I will repost around that time. Take Care

 

One Love 
Elle