fillisg
7/7/07
Happy Re-Birthday to ME!!!! I am one year post op today!!! Things are going great!! Life is so good!! I am riding a bike now, yeah me!! I ride it almost everyday and love it!!! I had my gall bladder removed on 7/2 and all is going well from that. Still sore but that is to be expected. I am 24 lbs from goal!! Isn't that awsome!! My weight loss has really slowed at this point but I will take a loss any way I can get it!! It is soooo amazing how much my body has changed in the course of a year!! I am now wearing a size 12!! I never remember being a size 12, ever. SOmetimes when I thik about how far I have come it makes me want ot cry. I have missed out on soooo much life by being over weight. NOt any more, I plan to enjoy everything I can, anytime I can, as often as I can!!! For those who are considering WLS, I have never regretted the first moment of it. I would do it all over again. I would recommend this surgery to any one who has had a lifelong struggle with being over weight. It has certainly been a life saver for me. It has to be a personal decision, with the support of friends and family. My husband has been AWSOME through every step of my post-op journey. He was against it until we went through Dr. DeWitt's seminar. He met him, got to ask questions, met people who had gone through the surgery and received lots of information that helped him to see the surgery is not what it was 20 years ago. It is much safer, there are still many many risks involved but as with all medicine, it has come a long way. I have a fabulous surgeon who is so caring and concerned. He has truly been there through it all. Anytime I have needed him or his support staff, they have only been a phone call away. They are all awsome. If you are considering this surgery, do your research, weigh your options, search your heart and if it feels right for you, then go for it!!
To GOD be the Glory!!!!!
Phyllis
6/4/07
It has been a while since I have posted. Just wanted to let everyone know things are stil going good. I have lost 124.5 lbs now.I still have about 30 to go. As you can see, my weight loss has slowed drasticly. A loss however is a loss. I am scheduled to have gallbladder surgery on 7/2/07. Dr. DeWitt is of course performing my surgery. Would not consider using anyone else. I have had kidney stones once since my lst post. Please remember to drink all of your water and then throw in a extra glass for good measure. If you have never experienced a kidney stone, trust me YOU DO NOT WANT TO!!
To God be the glory!
Phyllis
4/12/07
I went to see Dr. DeWitt yesterday for my 9 month check up. I had lost 117lbs. Everything seem sto be going according to plan (so to speak). I have been having a little tummy pain so he has scheduled me for a gallblatter scan next week. He said he would rather scan and nothing be there than let it go and me get sick. He is such a sweetie. I told him that I would like to lose about 45 more lbs and he said he beleives 30 more will do. So I suppose I am 15 lbs closer to my goal than I was tuesday...lol. We will see what I look like when I get 30 more off. I got my before and after pic's developed today. OMG!!! I had forgotten what I looke dlike pre-op. My son looked at the pictures and he said that is CRAZY mom, that doesnt even look like the same person. He said nothing is the same. I will be glad when I can post them on here for you guys to see. I did not realize how much I have changed until I saw those pic's. I cant stop looking at them. I still feel fat and that makes my husband mad when I say that , but I do and probably always will. Anyway, I am pleased with my progress and I am looking very forward to getting off those 30 more lbs to see where I am then. I do not have to go back for 6 months, pending the gb scan is good. So, that should give me plenty of time to get off my 30 lbs. Talk later!
To God be the Glory!!!
Phyllis
4/7/07
I am 9 months post op today. I didnt realize it has been so long since I posted. To date, I have lost 116.5 lbs. My weight loss has slowed considerably at this point. I am going for my 9 months check up with Dr. DeWitt on Wednesday. I feel great, and my BMI has gone from 52.3 to 32.1! I still have about 40 more pounds to lose to be at my personal goal. I am getting compliments from everyone now and I find that a bit strange. I am not use to recieving compliments and I really dont know how to handle those. I have gone from a (tight) size 24/26 pants and a 3X/4X top to a size 14 pants and a size large shirt. It is an amazing journey. A journey I would not give up, one I would do over again in a heart beat. One of the funniest things to me is when people I have known all of my life (or at least for years) do not recognize me. That is just hilarious to me because when I look in the mirror, I still see the same old me. My face still feels as fat as ever and to me my hands are still pudgy. Not to say that every now and then I get a glance of myself and think "Who is that looking back at me". My husband tells me how little I look (which is great!) but to me I still look and feel about a size 22 (I guess). I never remember buying anything in a size 14 (it is such a great feeling). The smallest size I remember buying (even in high school) is a size 16. I still have a ways to go but with God's help and my new tool (my second chance on life) I will make it!! I am so thanksful for this second chance on living. I feel I was dying a slow death, trapped in a place I did not want to be (my own body). My health has improved enormously. I am currently not on any medications. I no longer get short of breath when walking (unless it is a power walk), it is no longer a struggle to turn over in bed, I dont hurt all over, I dont come home at the end of the day feeling like my knees, feet and ankles cant take another step. My energy level is amazing now. My very supportive husband says I am stuck in wide open all the time. I think that amazes him as much as the weight loss. It is a wonderful life!!!! To GOD be the Glory!!!!
"I can do all things through Christ which gives me strength" Philippians 4:13
Happy Easter!
Phyllis
12/21/06
I went for a follow up with Dr. DeWitt yesterday. I have lost 94 lbs and all is well. He did more lab tests due to my increased tiredness over the past 3 weeks. I am so very thankful for my weight loss. I will try to update again soon. Merry Christmas!!!
To God Be the Glory!!!
Phyllis
I was 5 months out yesterday. As of this morning, I have lost 90 lbs!! WHOOOHOOO!!! It has been 5 months full of AWSOME changes!!! I am doing well, I can pretty much eat anything I want. I do however have trouble with sugar. Anyting more that 8-9 grams and I get sick (not complaining...hope it stays this way). I am having people that have not seen me in awhile tell me they alsmost or did not recognize me. To me, this is strange because when I look in the mirror, I still see me. I go back to see Dr. DeWitt on the 2oth of this month. I am looking foward to weighing in and seeing what he has to say. I feel wonderful, a little tired at times but that just comes with the season. My family and I are very busy from the weekend before Thanksgiving until the day after Christmas every year. I will update more after my visit with Dr. DeWitt. Merry Christmas and God Bless You!!
To God Be the Glory!!
Phyllis
11/13/06
I am a little over 4 months out and down 82 lbs!!!! To God be the Glory!!!! Soups are still the easiest thing for me to eat. For some reason warm things feel good to my little pouch. I realized last week that I am eating more now and it scares the heck out of me. I never ever want to be where I was before WLS again!!! To date I have had no problems. I cant tolerate a hamburger anymore and sweets, even sugar free versions, are too sweet to eat. Praise God!! I hope I can never tolerate sweets again!!! Until next time....
"I can do all things through Christ which gives me strength" Philippians 4:13
To God be the Glory!
Phyllis
10/6/06
It will be 3 months tomorrow and I am down 64 lbs!!!! I went for a check up last wednesday with Dr. DeWitt and he says everything is good and that I am doing great! He says my weight loss is great and that I am right on track!! I feel so much better. Words cannot really describe how much better I feel. I am begining to not feel like a prisoner in my own body anymore and it is wonderful!!! I am sooooo blessed!!!
To God Be the Glory!
Phyllis
9/20/06
It has been awhile since I updated. I have lost 56lbs now!!!! WHOOOHOOOO!! ALL of my clothes are too big and it is WONDERFUL!! I have never been so excited about not having anything to wear. I am however losing my hair now. I know it will grow back, I just hope I do not lose too much of it!! I dont want my husband and I to look like twins..haha. Things are going great, I have introduced alot of new foods to my diet. I find that I do not miss sweets at all!! Isn't that great!!! Still have trouble getting in all the protien I am suppose to (the main reason I am losing so much hair). I am enjoying being a loser!! It seems strange getting compliments from people instead of feeling like everyone is looking at me thinking how fat I am. I still have a long way to go , but with Gods help I will make it. If HE leads you to it, HE will lead you through it.
To God Be The Glory!!
Phyllis
8/6/06
Happy Birthday to me, A LOSER!!! I will be 4 weeks out tomorrow. Things are going pretty good so far. I have only been sick a couple of times. I have been having texture issues with food. That is getting better. Dr. DeWitt said this is normal for some people but that it will get better. It is finally begining to. I have lost 37 lbs so far (32 post op and 5 on the pre diet). I am already wearing clothes that I had not been able to get into in a long time. It feels soooo good. I know it is only going to get better!!! Dr. DeWitt and his staff have been great! My calls have been returned promptly. I was having some problems one afternoon after office hours. I called the clinic, Dr DeWitt was paged and he called me back himself within about 5 minutes (no longer than that). He was very kind and told me what type medication to take and what to do if it did not work. He also wanted to hear back if the little problem did not get better. Stefanie has been great also. I called her regarding my texture issues and she promptly called me back and talked about 20 minutes with suggestions and support. It was wonderful to have someone who has "been there" to talk with. Until next time....
To God be the Glory!!!
Phyllis
7/11/06
4 days Post Op:
Feeling better and better each day. Today has been the best day since pre op. I feel stronger today. Drinking all the water is the hardest part so far. It is just hard to get it all in. But, I am doing my best because I do not want to go back due to dehydration (or anything else other than a scheduled check up). Other than the first day,the pain has been very mild. I have not taken any pain meds since the day I got home from the hospital. Today I have eaten a few (about 6 bites) of grits for breakfast, about half the broth off of chicken noodle soup and 1 saltine cracker for lunch, 1/2 a protein shake for a snack and 3/4 a scrambled egg with 2% cheese for supper. It is so amazing how quickly my stomach fills up. Working in the extra protein is also hard and I am no where near the extra 20 grams Dr. DeWitt wants me to suppliment each day. Baby steps I suppose, yesterday I could not suppliment any extra protein. Check back with you guys in a few days!!!
To God be the Glory!!!
Phyllis
7/9/06
Well guys, it's official!!! I am two days post op!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!! Thanks so very much for all of your prayers, e-mails, messages and phone calls of supports. Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers as we begin my new life. Dr. DeWitt and the surgical staff along with the nurses and other support staff have been fabulous. I have been home about 4 hours now and have had many visitors and phone calls. I am keeping it brief tonight. As far as how my stomach feels, I can feel no pain. I am just soar, having trouble getting rid of the surgical gas......need I say more!?!?! Talk to you later!
To God be the Glory!!!
Phyllis
7/6/06
Tomorrow is the big day!!! Please continue to remember me, my family and Dr. DeWitt (my surgeon) in your prayers. "If God leads you to it, He will lead you thorugh it." I read this quote in a e-mail and I believe it to be true. I fully believe that God has put me where I am and HE will see me through!!!
See you all on the skinny side!!!
I can do all things through Christ which gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
To God be the GLory!
Phyllis
6/30/06
It's official!!! I will be having WLS July 7th!!!! WhooooHoooo!!I got a great report form the cardiologist today. Dr. Little said my heart is in great shape and the surgery is a GO!!! I am sooooo excited!! Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers!!
To God be the Glory!!!
Phyllis
6/28/06
With the Lords help, I made it through the Stress Test. Now, I wait to find out the results of the echogram and the second phase of the stress test. Please keep me in your prayers that everything is fine with the cardiologist tests. If so, IT IS A GO FOR JULY 7th!!!!
Friends in Christ,
Phyllis
6/22/06
Well I went for a Stress test and EKG today at a cardiologist today and guess what?? The Stress Test wasn't scheduled so, I have to go back on Wednesday. So.......we wait.
I can do all things through Christ which gives me strength. Philippians 4:13.
Phyllis
6/16/06
Judy from Dr. DeWitt's office called today and said my surgery date has been changed to July 7th...WooooHoooo!!! I still have the stress test on June 22nd. If all is good there, IT"S A GO!!! Please keep me in your prayers.
To God be the Glory!!
Phyllis
6/13/06
I have a surgery date!!!! July 10th. However, I am trying to get my date changed to July 6th for family convenience (so my husband can stay with me). It is finally beginning to seem like it is really going to happen. Up until today, it seemed so far away. About 2 hours after Judy (from Dr. DeWitt's) called with my date, I got butterflies. I was thinking "Oh my word, that is only 1 month away"!! Please keep me and my family in your prayers. After all, this is going to affect their lifestyle as well as mine.
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13
To God be the Glory!
Phyllis
6/8/06:
Robin from Dr. DeWitt's office filed my information electronically with the insurance company. She received a instant reply. I WAS APPROVED TODAY!!!! I am scheduled for PT and Diet consult on 6/26. I still have to have a Stress Test and EKG due to past use of diet pills. Keep me in your prayers that all goes well. I ahould be scheduling surgery within the next two weeks!! I am getting closer to being a LOSER!!!! Can hardly wait!!
To GOD be the Glory!!!!!!!
Phyllis
5/7/06
I am still trying to meet the qualifications of my insurance. Only a four more weeks until Dr. DeWitt can submit my paper work to my insurance company. Please Keep me in your prayers!!!
I can hardly wait to be post-op. I am soooo ready to be a LOSER!!!!
Phyllis
