Penny R.

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 Wow, it has been a long time since I have updated this.  
Today is Thanksgiving Day and I have so much to be thankful for.  I have been blessed with a great husband, 4 handsome wonderful sons and now I have seen my dreams come true in having the WLS that I always hoped for.  I am now almost 4 months out and have lost a total of 99 pounds.  I just couldn't hit that darn 100!!

I am still learning how to eat properly.  I tend to over eat or eat too fast.  Yes, it is a learning process.  I thought for sure that it would be so much easier since I was totally (or so I thought) prepared for my new life.  Well, habits are hard to break....but with perseverance I will conquer those old bad habits.  

I am still exercising, although it is much tougher with the shorter days of winter in upstate NY & all the yucky, snowy days.  I am hoping for a Wii Fit for Christmas, that will help!

For now, though, Happy Thanksgiving to all & may we never take our many blessings for granted.

Surgery was done on August 5 as planned.  The time went by so quickly that before I knew it, the date was here!   My hubby, mom & brother went out the night before with me and stayed at the RIT Inn and Conference Center.  My surgery was scheduled for 1145 am, had to be at the hospital at 945 am....those two hours flew by.  I thought I would be much more nervous, but I really wasn't.  Everyone was very nice there and very supportive.  I was taken to surgery at just before Noon.

Next thing I know.....I wake up with a respirator in my mouth & no one is around???????  I was so confused!  Finally got a nurse to understand that I wanted to write so she gave me a pen & paper & I asked her where I was & what happened.  Come to find out....after the surgery was completed (It was a little longer, because - remember - Dr. O had to "undo" the previous hiatal hernia surgery {Lap Nissen})....and they took out the breathing tube, I didn't start breathing.  Apparently I turned blue!  So, I ended up going to ICU for a day & a half until I was able to breathe on my own and get the respirator taken out.
Wednesday night around 8 pm, I finally was able to go upstairs to my room then I was able to leave on Thursday as scheduled.  I was very happy about this!  I sipped, I walked, I peed and they said I could go home (which was very good as this was Andy's 17th birthday). Andy is my youngest, "my baby". 
The three hour drive was much better than I expected.  Most of it was on the NYS Thruway, so it was mostly smoothe.  I had taken a pillow to press against the belly, but really...it wasn't too bad.  DH was wonderful & tried his best to make it as comfortable as possible, also.  He was soooo great throughout the whole process.  I am so thankful for him.

The first day home was good, mostly slept, sipped, went to the potty & took pain meds.  Saturday was okay, but already the liquid diet was making me cranky!  I COULD NOT BELIEVE how much I missed the flavor, texture and routine of having meals, food in my mouth.  I thought that I was sooooo mentally prepared for this, but I am here to tell you.....YOU MISS IT.  At least I did.  I still do!

I know the final outcome will be worth anything that comes my way & I DO NOT REGRET the surgery AT ALL.  I was just very surprised at how much I was bothered by not being able to participate in the family meals. 

SO...fast forward... It is now 10 days since the surgery.  Supposed to be on protein shakes still 3x a day.   I CANNOT DO IT.  I mean, I really wanted to follow Dr's instructions, but honestly, if I try to gag down one more shake, I will seriously .  So, being the naughty one....I have begun to move to semi liquid phase...not sure if there is even a phase called that in my plan, but basically I am eating soup, thin mashed potatoes, cottage cheese & drinking milk.  I also eat the SF fruit bars, SF jello & SF puddings when I can.  I drink the SF Crystal Light and water throughout the day.  Sipping of course...sip sip sip.  I have started to take short walks & have begun light housework.  I have to sit down in between tasks, but that is okay.  At least it makes me feel like a human being. 

Today I overdid it a little and ended up feeling a little under the weather, but now I know my limitations.  I go back to Rochester on Monday to have the staples removed & will see how I have done.  I hope I have lost more weight!  DH and kids say that they can REALLY tell, but I sure don't seem to.  I have not weighed myself since the surgery, so I will be very interested in seeing what the scales say.

I have taken pictures from the beginning, but I am not brave enough to put them on here yet.  I did see the comparison from the past 4 months and I can see some change...of course! I had lost 54 pounds even before the surgery, so I can see *some* change...just wish I could see more.

I know, I know...patience is a virtue.  I will continue to try to be patient and to try to be a good patient!

That's all for now....


XOXOXO

Penny - an official loser 

HOORAY!  I HAVE A DATE FOR MY SURGERY - AUGUST 5!  YAYYYYYYY

My hubby and I went to see Dr. O'Malley on Thursday as scheduled.  We didn't have a long wait & we were only in with him a few minutes.  I had done all my homework & most of my questions had been answered.  I gave him the results from my recent endoscopy & he told me I have done well with my weight loss,then we went to the scheduler's office.

I was seriously expecting, as a hopeful guess, to get an appointment in late August or early September.  I was trying to prepare for October.  Needless to say, I was ecstatic to be able to get an appointment a little over 3 weeks away.

 

So...move on over you losers, I am about to join you on the loser's bench!

 

XOXO

 

 

 

 

 

Exactly 2 weeks from the release from the nut and I got the call from Dr. O's office!! I was so happy, I was going to call there today if I didn't hear from them.  

I go on July 10, which is already a special day as it is my brother's b'day.  I will get my surgery date then & FINALLY will be on my way to my new life.  

YAYYYYYYY  

Hooray!  I was so worried about not being released from the nut to be able to see Dr. O'Malley.  I weighed in, she said "You have surpassed your goal! I am so proud of you!" It was so wonderful, I wanted to just jump up and scream!!!  

Finally!!!

Now, I just have to wait to hear from Dr. O'Malley's office within two weeks. I will meet with him and hopefully get a surgery date very soon!  I cannot wait... it will be my "new" birthday soon.  I am so happy

Oh yeah, and my total weight loss so far is 39 pounds.  Yee hah!!!

I weighed myself last Thursday & I could not believe my eyes! 36 lbs gone!! YAY!!!

So, I have met all of the prerequisites for surgery, I go see the nut on June 3 & as long as I have not gained any weight, I should be ready to see Dr. O.
I cannot wait...I keep hearing from people that I work with how they went to see the Dr. (near me) and already have their surgery date...some of these people aren't even sure that they even want surgery.

Oh well, I plug on.

Went to a family event today...lots of good stuff to eat and none for me. Boo hoo  Sausage w/onions & peppers, homemade baked beans, lots of pasta salads, macaroni salad, fruit salad with whipped cream, potato salad, cakes, cookies, I could go on and on.....Yum!  I ate fruit, fruit and oh, yes I had some fruit.   It was yummy, but I was dying with all that good stuff around me!  I came home and had a half wheat pita with turkey & low fat swiss cheese.  So there!

The first of many, I am sure.  So...have I mentioned that I have lost 36 pounds? 


Okay, so I will quit whining and wrap up this post. Keep your fingers crossed that I will finally get the chance to meet with the surgeon so that I can join the loser's bench instead of just feeling like a loser.(jk)


Til next time...... 

*UGH*  First one on one appointment with the nutritionist is done, one more to go.  I need to lose another 9 lbs, I have lost 10 since I went to the seminar.  That makes a total of 28 lbs, not that she was interested.
I was aggravated that I didn't lose more, but I try to remember that it went on over time, it will come off over time. Yeah, right, like I can accept that...if that were the case I would not be waiting to have surgery.  

So first thing I have to improve on is eating more protein.  Shakes are not an option, she wants me to eat protein with every meal & eat more balanced meals. I KNOW!!!  I KNOW!!!! 

Why am I so angry?  I am angry with myself for allowing myself to get this way, to not follow her protocol exactly to the last damn calorie, sugar intake, protein, blah blah blah.  The brain of an overweight person just goes off like this every now & then....right? I hope so or I will need another appointment with the psyche!  haha...just kidding...just frustrated.

Actually I am doing well, I just was used to losing some weight every week and this week I did not.  Hmmm, suppose it had something to do with the ice cream I had last weekend at my son's college award program?  Or the mixed drink at dinner that night?  Or the dinner?  Hmmmmm  OF COURSE IT DOES!    Choices, it is all about choices and I made some poor ones...so now I have vented (sorry)  and it is time to get back on track, get my act together and lose that last 9 lbs so that I can move ahead.

On a brighter note, I HAVE lost 23 lbs , I am noticing the difference in my clothes, my bras are not fitting the same  but neither are my pants
Yes, there have been changes.  Co-workers are asking me if I am losing weight, I am able to wear the seatbelt that just could not buckle before, I am beginning to take walks, I am walking with a better posture.  Yes, there are positive changes.

So, this is it for crabby, cranky old me, reverting back to Postive Penny.  Thanks for listening, my friends.


Until next time....


XO

I finally got through the required seminars...I also had the ultrasound.  No gallstones per the technician (shhhh...she said not to tell anyone that she told me)!  Good news for me!
I found out that I had lost another 6 pounds so I am down 16 now....that made me very happy

I go back on May 6 for my next nutrition appointment, one more after that.  My psych appointment later this month......THEN, I think I FINALLY get to meet with Dr. O'Malley. (can't wait).

I am more excited than ever. I find it getting a little easier to eat "my food" while others eat the stuff I used to love.  There are times, granted, that I would love to steal something away for a bite...but I have declared.  I AM DOING THIS! 
Can't wait for the changes.  I think I will try to post some of my goals...maybe if I see them every day on here, I will stick to them better.

Thanks to all my new friends....and to my old friends. I appreciate the support. You guys are the best! 


Hugs,

Penny

I go to the 3 hour required nutrition seminar on Wed, April 9.  I will also have the abdominal ultrasound to look at my gall bladder.  Gallstones or any sign of disease, Dr. O will yank that out when he does my surgery.

Then, on April 24 I go to the Psyche for the required appointment to clear me for surgery.  

Slowly.....very slowly I am getting there.

I have made some changes to my diet already.  2 weeks, I have lost 10 pounds but I am sure sick of lettuce .  Oh well, it is a part of my new life and necessary to help me to reach the goal of surgery.  I have gotten down to one soda a day, if at all.  That is tough..I love that stuff. I mean LOVED that stuff.  

Yes....I will triumph....this WILL happen.  I WILL be successful!

Until next time......