Where has the time gone???

Apr 11, 2010

It's been a while since I posted so I figured it was time to update.  Things are going great.  I am eating better now but now have to watch what I eat.  A couple of months ago, I had to eat and eat or I would keep losing weight.  Now, I have to be careful.

I can eat many more things now but still have trouble if I eat too fast or not chewing enough.  Either will send me on a trip to pukesville!  lol  It's not so bad........it reminds me to behave next time.

I can now eat sweets which is not a good thing.  I crave chocolate like you wouldn't believe!  They say it is because of eating starches but how come I didn't crave chocolate before my surgery because I sure ate a lot more starches then???!!!

I am very happy with the way I feel now.  I am so much more flexible than I was but I still have pain from arthritis.  When I was big, all of the doctors would say "lose some weight...you won't be in pain".  Well, I guess they were wrong.  Most of my problem stems from a back injury that I sustained when I was in nursing.  My sacral area was injured which causes pain there and down my hip and leg.  I continue to take Oxycontin on a daily basis.

I have had some MAJOR changes to my life otherwise.  I now wear a woman's size M or 6/8.  I still can't believe that!  I also lost a shoe size so I have had to buy all new shoes (oh darn.  lol)  I can now ride my bicycle, walk faster than the dog can keep up, climb arock climbing wall (I cried after that one!), run up and down the stairs (somedays at least) and the list continues.

When I first started this journey, I guess I figured it would be like one day waking up and being able to do everything, but it is a gradual process and it isn't until some time has passed that I realized what I was now able to do.
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Happy 1 Year Surgiversary to Me!

Oct 28, 2009

Today is my one year surgiversary!  I can hardly believe that it is a year already!  I have experienced so many changes that I hardly recognize the woman in the pictures from last summer!  It has been one hell of a ride but I have never had any regrets whatsoever.

 

 

I was pretty sick for a while after I went back to work and became very dehydrated while on a trip to Cuba last winter.  I couldn’t keep anything down – not even bottled water!  When I got home, I started my prescription for Prevacid and haven’t had any problems since (well, except for the usual symptoms when something doesn’t agree or I eat one bite too many).  I am heading back to Cuba in January and am gonna do it right this time!  (Ahhh…..sandy beaches, no snow……..)

 

 

I went from a size 26/28 to size 6

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-op I weighed 286 lbs and now I am 135 lbs.  I am about 15 lbs less than my surgeon wanted but I still feel great and eat well.

 

 

 

 

 

I am FREEZING all of the time.  I was in early menopause prior to surgery.

 

 

 

 

 

I was wearing the largest size of jeans at Walmart pre-op – now have difficulty finding pants small enough!

 

 

 

 

 

I had to buy new shoes too!

 

 

 

 

 

Can cross my legs while sitting at any table – even the McDonald’s ones with the chairs attached!  Before surgery, I avoided those tables because I had to squeeze to get in them.

 

 

 

 

 

I can walk so fast without feeling like I am being dragged backwards

 

 

 

 

 

I can run up and down stairs

 

 

 

 

 

Doors push me backwards as I don’t have enough weight to hold them

 

 

 

 

 

I can share some of my clothes with my tiny 14 year old daughter

 

 

 

 

 

My daughter can pick me up!

 

 

 

 

 

The other day I got into my basement crawl space without even getting on my knees!

 

 

 

 

 

I bought the first Halloween costume in years – in a girl’s size no less!

 

 

 

 

 

I can eat most foods now but still have some difficulty with meat.  I will chop roast beef; hamburger etc. up fine and it goes down no problem then.  I cook chicken in the slow cooker all day and it is one of the easiest things for me to eat.  I can eat some bread now but it has to be toasted first.  At Subway, I will get them to toast my bun before they put anything on it and I can eat about ½ of a 6” sub.  I will occasionally order a takeout of Chinese food with chicken fried rice, sweet and sour meatballs, garlic spare ribs and an egg roll.  I can get about 4 meals out of it and still end up throwing out ¼ of it!  Lol.  It’s so nice to be able to eat “normal” food again.

 

 

 

 

 

I can eat chocolate and other sweets again although I don’t want to eat more than a couple and even then, only at certain times or I will feel sick.

 

 

 

 

 

I only have one thing that I was disappointed with.  My arthritis pain has not decreased any since my weight loss.  Doctors would always tell me:  lose weight!  You will feel better!”  Well, I guess they were wrong but I am managing it.

 

 

 

 

 

My hair is FINALLY starting to grow back.  I guess my hypothyroidism really didn't help the ol' hair loss.

 

 

 

 

 

People walk by me and don’t have a clue who I am.  I am having fun with it now and will pretend that I am totally hurt by it.  It’s kinda mean but I will tell them I am joking once they realize who I am.

 

 

 

 

 

There are so many other things that I could list about how my life has changed in one year, but I don’t want to bore you too much!  Lol

 

 

 

 

 

I want to wish all of the newbies the best of luck, the freshly post-ops a congratulations, and my fellow goalers a thank you for all of your support in the past.  I don’t know how I would have done it without you.

 

 

 

 

 

This is the best thing I have ever done for myself by far.  I still have many goals, such as getting a good fitness program going, but the weight loss was the biggie and I am so happy and proud of myself.

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Who the heck is that skinny girl in the mirror? - Updated Goals

Jul 19, 2009

4      My first goal is to get approved 
4    To see Dr. Sherkin and have my sleep study completed
4  To have my Dieitian & Social Worker appointments
4    To get a surgery date from Dr. Klein
4       To make it through Surgery without Complications
Dramatic Death
4   To get to my goal weight
4   
To make my husband and daughter proud to be seen with me (even though they say they are now)
4      To be Healthy again so I can enjoy life with my family and friends.
o     
To reduce arthritis pain
o      To stop taking Oxycontin!
           Pill Bottle

4      To be able to get out of a chair without my back and knees screaming!
4      To walk up stairs without being out of breath (I can run them now!)
4     To get out of my 200's
4       
For my hubby's arms to fit around me
4     
For my hubby to be able to pick me up
4     
To find my lap
4     
To be able to exercise and participate in sports again 
                                       Push Up
o     
To ride on a roller coaster with my daughter
                                Roller Coaster
4     To be able to put the tray down all of the way in an airplane!
4     
To be happy with the image I see in the mirror
4    
To not have to cover my stomach with a purse or another person in pictures
4     
To be able to sit and not feel that my insides are all being pushed up together.
4     
To have the water in the bathtub cover me
                                    
4       
To be able to shave all my legs, not just the parts I can see. 
4     
To be able to wrap a regular sized towel all the way around me
o     
To wear a bathing suit without shorts
4      
To wear a blouse that isn't mid thigh length
o     
To feel free to dance in public
                                Macarena
4     
To wear my husband's sweaters
o     
To wear knee-high boots that actually fit on my calf
4       
To give myself a pedicure without having to hold my breath while bending over.
4    
To be able to cross my legs
o     
To go skating and roller blading
                            Ice Skate
o     
To ride a horse without feeling like I am going to make the poor thing collapse! 
                                
4     To be able to perform better in my career    
 
o      To be able to go to a SENS game and not have the seats hurt me!
                                      
o      To buy a motorcycle! (Ok - that one is gonna have to wait for a while! lol)
Motorcyle
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One Year Since My First Consult.....

Jun 09, 2009

It’s now one year since I had my first consult with Dr. Klein and found out that I was approved for my RNY surgery.  It was the most nerve wracking day of my life!  I remember seeing these other ladies in the waiting room who were much bigger than me and I figured I was toast!  When Dr. Klein told me that I was the perfect candidate, I was so thrilled!  I remember jumping up and down in the elevator and freaking my daughter out.  A 286 lbs woman should not jump up and down in an elevator!  Lol

 

Fast forward to today, June 10, 2009.  I weigh 152 lbs!  I spent all of last summer thinking about how I was doing things for the last time.  “This is the last time that I will have trouble getting into the boat.”  .  “This is the last time that I will not go on rides at Wonderland because I might not fit.”  .  “This is the last time that I will have trouble with the seat belt in the car or on the plane not fitting.”  Etc etc etc

 

I have to be a little more careful with what I eat now.  Sweets can go in a lot easier now than before but I am still having trouble with meat.  It is much easier to remember to chew, chew, chew but sometimes I slip and end up throwing it up.  Last night I was able to eat spaghetti for the first time.  It was only a few pieces but it didn’t make me feel sick like before.  I am also eating some bread but it is much easier if it is well toasted.

 

I had my appointment with Denise (the dietician) and Dr. Klein last month.  Overall, Denise was happy with my progress but felt that I was close to my preferred lowest weight.  She told me not to go any less than 140 lbs.  She also wanted me to try to eat bread as I was having difficulty with it.  I also had my blood work done and I ended up being low in potassium.  She recommended that I drink a glass of V8 each day to get it up.

 

When I first saw Dr. Klein, he said “you don’t look like one of my patients”  to which I replied “well, it’s your fault!!!”  lol.  He laughed.  He felt that I shouldn’t go below 150 lbs but was also happy with my progress.  I gave him a before and after picture of myself and he said “Wow!”  I made sure to thank him and tell him how much of a difference he has made in my life.  I think we should all bring in pictures to our surgeons after we have lost weight so that they can see the difference.  They see so many people that it would be hard for them to remember the “before” person that we were.  Dr. Klein kept my picture and showed his receptionist it as well.

 

People that I have known for years but have not seen since my weight loss, will walk right by me.  Even when I speak, it sometimes takes a minute for them to realize who I am.  My brother in law and his wife dropped by last week (we don’t see them often) and I think he spent the whole time with his jaw on the floor.  They didn’t know about my surgery but they sure do now!  Lol

 

Even though I had some rough patches earlier this year, I have absolutely no regrets about having this surgery.  It is the best thing I have ever done and wish that I could have had it done 10 years ago.  So many years have been wasted living in a fat body.  I plan on making the best of the rest of my life!  I am able to go and go now.  I spent an entire day and evening this week, painting.  The next day, I was a little sore but nothing like I would have been before!  It’s the same with gardening.  I spent all day this past weekend, doing yard work and working with my flowers.  Other years, I wouldn’t be able to move but not this year!

 

If I could give someone who is considering having weight loss surgery, some advice, I would say “educate yourself”.  You can never be too prepared.  I poured over any information that I could get and I am so glad that I did.  Make use of the support on Obesityhelp.com.  I don’t know what I would have done without my cyber friends!  Finally, do this for yourself.  When it comes to your health, you are not being selfish.  If you are not healthy, you are not much good to anyone else either!

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6 Months Post op Updated Measurements

May 03, 2009

Here are my updated stats:

Weight 283.8 - Now 159.6 = -124 lbs
Height  5' 6"
Bust 49" - Now 39" = -10"
Waist  48" - Now 34" = -14"
Hips  58" - Now 42" = -16"
Thighs  28" - Now 19" = -9"
Arms  15" - Now 11" = -4"
Neck  14 ½" - Now 13" = -1½"
Calf  16 ½" - Now 15" = -½"
Ankles  9 ½" - Now 9" = -½"

Total of 55½" lost!

Woo Hoo!

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I lose in a weird way....

Apr 20, 2009

From April 5th to April 17th, I weighed 171 lbs.  I actually went up and down a few pounds in between there which was very frustrating.  I know that I am able to eat more now but still not a lot especially compared to before so I was so afraid that my RNY was going to fail - the old way of thinking never really goes away I guess.  I weighed myself on April 19th and I had lost 3 lbs and now this morning, April 21st, I am down another 3 lbs for a total of 6 lbs since April 17th!!!  That's only 4 days! 

Weird.........

Now....if only I could get my poor hair to stop falling out.  Maybe I lost the 6 lbs in hair loss!  lol  Hmm......I think I would rather be skinny and bald than fat and hairy, though!  lol
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Updated Goals and Milestones

Mar 15, 2009

Well, as of yesterday, I have officially lost 100 lbs.  That's right, 100 lbs!  How amazing is that!
My weight loss had slowed so much, I didn't think I would ever get to 100 lbs lost! When I got to within 1 lb the day before yesterday, I thought it would be at least another week or 2 before I hit this milestone. Imagine my surprise!

This one is a big deal for me as it was one of the main qualifiers to have this surgery.  Although I still would like to lose another 30 lbs to get to my goal of 150 lbs, I am thrilled to be below the 200 lb mark.  My co-workers think I have lost enough because my top half of my body is a normal size.  My pants hide my big thighs, calfs and panni.  I would love to lose most of that before summer.

I went shopping at Value Village again yesterday (it has become my favourite place to shop! - I am so frugal!  lol) and bought a whole bunch of blouses and other tops.  I spent $100 but had already filled one of their saver cards so it ended up costing me only $75!  I bought everything in either an XL or a L......and the size L fit!  Wow is all I can say!

I would like to send a message to those who are waiting for their surgery or are freshly post-op.  I was one of those who was scared that my RNY would be a failure and that I wouldn't lose weight.  I struggled for so many years that I didn't think anything would work.  Well, look at me now.  If I can do it, anyone can!

Updated Goals

4      My first goal is to get approved 
4    To see Dr. Sherkin and have my sleep study completed
4  To have my Dieitian & Social Worker appointments
4    To get a surgery date from Dr. Klein
4       To make it through Surgery without Complications
Dramatic Death
o    To get to my goal weight
4   
To make my husband and daughter proud to be seen with me (even though they say they are now)
4      To be Healthy again so I can enjoy life with my family and friends.
4    
To reduce arthritis pain
o      To stop taking Oxycontin!
           Pill Bottle

4      To be able to get out of a chair without my back and knees screaming!
4      To walk up stairs without being out of breath 
4     To get out of my 200's
4       
For my hubby's arms to fit around me
4     
For my hubby to be able to pick me up
4     
To find my lap
o     
To be able to exercise and participate in sports again 
                                       Push Up
o     
To ride on a roller coaster with my daughter
                                Roller Coaster
4     To be able to put the tray down all of the way in an airplane!
o     
To be happy with the image I see in the mirror
4   
To not have to cover my stomach with a purse or another person in pictures
4     
To be able to sit and not feel that my insides are all being pushed up together.
o     
To have the water in the bathtub cover me
                                    
4       
To be able to shave all my legs, not just the parts I can see. 
o     
To be able to wrap a regular sized towel all the way around me
o     
To wear a bathing suit without shorts
4      
To wear a blouse that isn't mid thigh length
o     
To feel free to dance in public
                                Macarena
4     
To wear my husband's sweaters (AND pants!)
o     
To wear knee-high boots that actually fit on my calf
4       
To give myself a pedicure without having to hold my breath while bending over.
4    
To be able to cross my legs
4     
To go skating and roller blading
                            Ice Skate
o     
To ride a horse without feeling like I am going to make the poor thing collapse! 
                                
4      To be able to perform better in my career    
 
o      To be able to go to a SENS game and not have the seats hurt me!
                                      
o      To buy a motorcycle!
Motorcyle
1 comment

Changing the Way of Thinking

Mar 01, 2009

For those of you have followed along with my journey, you may remember me talking about the lack of support I had from my family Dr.

He and I had a little argument about him sending a referral to the MIS Group in the first place but I stuck to my guns and he gave in.  It wasn't the most eloquently written referral, but it was good enough to get my consult.

I have seen him a couple of times post-op but once the subject of my RNY came up, his mood changed in a negative manner right away.  One of my big goals was to change his mind about this surgery and hopefully refer others from my small town who are in need of WLS.  Since it is a small town, success stories will also be discussed among all of the local Dr.'s which would hopefully help even more people.

I work in a long term care faculty and run into my doctor occasionally as he has patients there.  Well, today was one of those days.  I haven't seen him a a couple of months so when I was walking past him, I said hi.  He said the same and then realized who I was.  He looked at me and said "You look amazing!"  I thanked him and told him how much weight I have lost and he was quite impressed.

He then told me about another of his patients who has had a long term battle with major weight problems.  He said that he wanted to get some info about where I went for my surgery etc and asked if I would mind helping him out.  I told him that I would be more than happy to help anyone out that needed it.

What a great feeling!  I was successful in changing his opinion and I hope that others will benefit from my stubbornness!

2 comments

Updated Measurements

Feb 11, 2009

Here are my current measurements:

Height  5' 6"
Bust 49" - Now 42" = -7"
Waist  48" - Now 36" = -12"
Hips  58" - Now 46" = -12"
Thighs  28" - Now 21" = -7"
Arms  15" - Now 12" = -3"
Neck  14 ½" - Now 14" = -½"
Calf  16 ½" - Now 16" = no change
Ankles  9 ½" - Now 9" = -½"

Total = 42" Lost!
YAY!
0 comments

Updated Goals

Feb 11, 2009


4      My first goal is to get approved 
4    To see Dr. Sherkin and have my sleep study completed
4  To have my Dieitian & Social Worker appointments
4    To get a surgery date from Dr. Klein
4       To make it through Surgery without Complications
Dramatic Death
o    To get to my goal weight
4   
To make my husband and daughter proud to be seen with me (even though they say they are now)
o      To be Healthy again so I can enjoy life with my family and friends.
o     
To reduce arthritis pain
o      To stop taking Oxycontin!
           Pill Bottle

4      To be able to get out of a chair without my back and knees screaming!
4      To walk up stairs without being out of breath 
4     To get out of my 200's
4       
For my hubby's arms to fit around me
o     
For my hubby to be able to pick me up
4     
To find my lap
o     
To be able to exercise and participate in sports again 
                                       Push Up
o     
To ride on a roller coaster with my daughter
                                Roller Coaster
4     To be able to put the tray down all of the way in an airplane!
o     
To be happy with the image I see in the mirror
o     
To not have to cover my stomach with a purse or another person in pictures
4     
To be able to sit and not feel that my insides are all being pushed up together.
o     
To have the water in the bathtub cover me
                                    
4       
To be able to shave all my legs, not just the parts I can see. 
o     
To be able to wrap a regular sized towel all the way around me
o     
To wear a bathing suit without shorts
4      
To wear a blouse that isn't mid thigh length
o     
To feel free to dance in public
                                Macarena
o     
To wear my husband's sweaters
o     
To wear knee-high boots that actually fit on my calf
4       
To give myself a pedicure without having to hold my breath while bending over.
4    
To be able to cross my legs
o     
To go skating and roller blading
                            Ice Skate
o     
To ride a horse without feeling like I am going to make the poor thing collapse! 
                                
o      To be able to perform better in my career    
 
o      To be able to go to a SENS game and not have the seats hurt me!
                                      
o      To buy a motorcycle!
Motorcyle
0 comments

About Me
Renfrew,
Location
25.8
BMI
RNY
Surgery
10/29/2008
Surgery Date
Apr 12, 2008
Member Since

Friends 40

Latest Blog 42

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