ErinS
Age - 25
Begining Weight - 249
Highest Weight - 260
I have struggled with my weight all my life. I have never been little. I was always the biggest girl on the cheerleading squad and softball team. Finally my junior year in High School I decided I had to do something. I lost 50 lbs over the summer going from a size 14 to a size 8/9. Still not really little but looked and felt so much better. After high school I kept the weight off until I decided I wanted off birth control. I had been on it since I was about 15 due to irregularity. In 3 months I gained that 50 lbs right back and never had a cycle. My Dr. told me I just needed to excercise more and eat less. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. I worked 3 jobs and very rarely ate anything more than a salad. This is what I had been doing to loose the weight. After about 3 years and 80 lbs later I finally went to another doctor. She was astonished that I hadn't had a cycle in 3 years and she diagnosed me with Poly Cyctic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Basically I don't ovulate which is a result of being on birth control too long and too young. Now 4 years later, my husband and I have been trying to have a baby for over a year now with no luck. No fertility drug has worked either. The only way to reverse the PCOS is to loose the weight, but the PCOS is what put the weight on. At this point, this is my only hope to have a child of my own. I am so excited! I now have a date, September 13th, 2007 and am ready for my NEW life!
Just to catch you up...
I started my journey of WLS in March of 07. My mother convenced me to look into the Lap-Band surgery again. I had looked into it before, but the cost was so much and my husband and I had just bought a house. So I started doing some research and calling around and found a local doctor in Statesville, NC (this is where I live). I called and got an appointment to go to a class. I looked at my insurance policy and to my surprise, they covered WLS. When the class started they explained the payment options. Insurance wasn't one of them. They wouldn't even file it. I would have to pay $20,000 up front and then I would have to file the claim. There was no way I was doing that. I come home upset and then found Dr. Bauman in Concord, NC. I called his office and they will file everything for you and work with your insurance to get you approved. I signed up for the siminar and went ahead and scheduled an appointment. I already knew I wanted to do this. My husband and I went to the siminar and then went to the consultation. I was an excellent candidant for the surgery. Oh I forgot to put in here that I called my OB-GYN, who is WONDERFUL, and she thought this was a great option for me to get healthier and to help me get pregnant. Anyway, the day after my consultation I got the rest of my appointments that I needed scheduled, blood work, upper GI, psyc., and nutritionist. After my blood work came back we had a BIG scare. My white blood cell count was well over 1 million. It is only suppose to be like 4 or 6 thousand. I had to the go to an oncologist, who wanted to do a bone marrow biopsey. This whole time I completely forgot about my WLS. My mom, husband and I already knew it was lukemia. Well were we ever wrong and so was the DR. I was on the table and they were explaining what they were getting ready to do and the nurse looked at my blood work they had just done. Everything was normal. They retested that blood and drew some more. All 4 test came back normal. WOW was that a releaf. So now everything is back on track. In August I finally recieved a letter from BCBS of NC that I was APPROVED!!!! Now I am scheduled for surgery on September 13th. Thank gosh it is not a Friday...LOL!
8/31/07
I went for my finally consultation today. I met with Dr. Bauman and then went over to North East Hospital and met with the Anast. This really got me excited and nervous. I am so ready to start my new life. I just hope I do okay when I am in recovery. During my gallbladder surgery a couple years ago, I had a few mild complications. I shake pretty bad when I am waking up, like most people do, but the Dr. assured me that he would take good care of me. He said they use a new medicine that shouldn't have that affect as bad. I hope so.
9/3/07
This weekend was My 4th anniversary. My husband planned a surprise trip to Gatlenburg, TN. Although he told me last week because he couldn't stand it anymore. We had a lot of fun. We played putt-putt, walked around town, and did a lot of shopping, well looking that is. I kept telling him "this time next year you are going to be really proud of me when we walk these streets and I'm skinny." Not to mention I will be able to keep up with his walking pace. We truly needed some time alone. He has been so supportive of my WLS. Of course he tells me he will love me no matter what, but he knows I am not happy being FAT!! He has been there for me through all my ups and downs. He is the one person I can talk to. He is truely my best friend.
9/8/07
Here I am five days before my surgery. I am so nervious. Tonight my mom and I went out for a much needed night on the town. We ate dinner and did a little shopping. Mom kept telling me that pretty soon I would be able to shop and buy the clothes that I pick out for her. NO MORE PLUS SIZES!!!! I have a great mom. She loves for me to pick out her clothes because she always gets complements. I have to say I have the hippest (if that is a word) mom in the world. She started at the begining of the year trying to lose weight. She has really done a great job. I am going to be so glad when we can finally shop together like a mother and daughter are suppose to. My dad and husband are going to think they hit the jack pot with us...LOL just kidding. Looking at all the pictures on OH and hoping to someday be small enought that I can do more of the things I enjoy really helps ease my nerves. I went to Carowinds, a theme park in NC, a few weeks ago and couldn't ride some of the roller costers. That is really emberassing. I can't wait to go back next year.
9/11/07
2 more days!!! Saturday morning I started getting a sore throat and by that night I was SICK!! I can't belive it. It couldn't have chosen a worse time. Sunday my mom planed a big party for me. It was a fairwell to all my weight party. My whole family came and everyone brought food. I felt pretty bad though so I stayed on the couch. It wasn't too bad though because I love football and the Panthers were playing. Luckly most of my family, well all the guys and my aunt, love football too. We all had a good time yelling at the tv. I went home and slept on the couch for over 3 hours. I woke up with a low fever and took some Tylenol and rested. Yesterday I went to work and sent an email to the Dr. I lost my voice so I couldn't call. They were suppose to call me back and let me know if this would affect my surgery on Thursday. I finally heard back today and as long as I don't have a productive cough and no fever I will be okay. Right now my cough is getting much better. I went and got some Mucinex and so far so good. I guess we will see how I am tomorrow.
9/16/07
Well here I am 3 days out from surgery. I really wished I would have waited a few day till my cold was better. The surgery really wasn't as bad as I expected. I wasn't in much pain at all. I actaully wanted to walk to the wheelchair, but the nurse wouldn't let me. I was so ready to go home and sleep. As soon as I got in the car that is exactly what I did. My husband and mom got me in the house and they got me settled in and I slept most of the day. The worse part of the past 3 day was my caoughing. That is why I wish my cold would have been gone. We had to keep watch of my temperature to make sure it didn't get higher than 101. It pretty much stayed around 99. I didn't think it would hit me as hard as it did about not eating. It has been really tough. The protein drinks I have I don't like. I hate water and don't like the crystal light stuff. It was just tough. I actually got up friday morning and went to the kitchen to fix me breakfast. I stoped and thought WHAT IN THE HE** ARE YOU THINKING". I though what in the world did I just do!!! Finally last night my wonderful husband, who has waited on me hand and foot, started mixing some of the powers that I bought. We used skim milk and the Chocolate protein powder from GNC and it was AWSOME! I taste just like hot chocolate but it was cold. I'll probably try warming it up too. I was much better today. I went to my mom and dad's house and gave my husband a break for the day. My dad took me shopping and I got my 60 min. of walking in and my 60 grams of protein. I just got to work on the water intake. I did find the singles of sugar-free kool aid. It is really good. I also got the Hawiian Punch brand too, but I haven't tried it yet. I'm sure it is good though. I finally got to take a full shower today and clean my cuts. That was pretty tough. My husband couldn't do it, and I don't usually have a problem on other people, but I guess since it was myself it was weird. Oh forgot to tell you I lost 7 lbs as of this morning. Not having many regrets now. I go back Thursday for my follow up so we will see how I do then. Most likely if I get a good nights sleep I will work tomorrow. I am a stomach sleeper so sleeping on my back has been akward. I let you know how it goes on Thursday!!
9/30/07
It's been a while since I last got to update. I went 2 weeks ago on Thursday and got my stitches out. Doc. said I was doing great. I had lost 11 lbs. This past Thursday I went to the nutritionist and I had lost 15lbs. I finally get to eat something. For the next 2 weeks I get to eat grits, oatmeal, yogurt, sugar free pudding, 1/2 english muffin, and beans.That was really exciting. I have to eat 6 times a day and 2 oz at a time. It doesn't look like a lot, but it sure does fill me up. I have to make myself eat every 3 hours. I just have to make sure I get 60 grams of protein in each day along with my 60 mins. of walking and 60 oz of water. The water is the hardest for me. I am doing great though. I'll update in a couple of weeks when I get to add fish to my meal. That will be good also.
