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August 13, 2004
My journey so far has been both challenging and rewarding. I have always had a weight issue and began researching wls back in 1999. After putting my best foot forward, I realized that in my life I have overcome a significant amount of hurdles. None of which I did alone. I looked back and realized that through everything, I had a helping hand. A therapist, physician, friend, or random instance in life...there was always something that made whatever situation more clear. I call it "my moments of...ooooohhhhhhh!!" I finally broke down and realized that of all things...wl was not something I could do on my own. I now understand it is okay.
After originally dismissing wls a few years ago, I went to my PCP to discuss wl options. I am not a person that does well on medication and pills really weren't an option. She suggested wls and I was shocked. Relieved but shocked..I don't know if that makes any sense.
I know realize my shock came when my doctor said out loud that I was morbidly obese. I was like..who me?? I'm big boned! LOL..
Yeah, I was in denial..I thought maybe I was still thin but no dice..
Sometime back in June I began my committment to having wls. My PCP recommended a fantasic surgeon. His staff is WONDERFUL..the fact that my PCP even suggested him says a lot as I have had a working relationship with my PCP for several years. After meeting with Dr. vonRueden he wrote me a script for 7 yes 7 different procedures and then it hit me..DAMN.I can't do this tomorrow huh??
I had the pulmonary test fx which was the worst for me because I hate having my breathing compromised in any way. I went through the sleep study which I thought was kinda cool but most people hate it. GBMC has a great sleep center staff :-)
I had the GI testing, the ultrasound of the abdomen..and etc..Then..I had the psych evaluation..let's just say..not so good, lol..I was heart broken..she wanted me to see my therapist for 6 mths before giving me the okay. Oh did I cry BUT reality hit me..a moment of oooohhhhhhhh...
Waiting six months is the best thing I could do. I am meeting with the nutrionist (an insurance requirement but also a very smart move) during this time to get myself ready for the challenges of eating right before wls and then after wls. I was amazed at how many questions I really did have. My nutrionist is very nice and informative. This also gave me another chance to meet with my surgeon and get to know him better. I still like him :-)
Therapy is going well and we spend a lot of time discussing how my life will change socially. Then it hit me...ooooohhhh..it is like taking a drink away from an alcoholic...I have a food addiction in some way and am an emotional eater..so now I am learning new skills for the future.
So what does this all mean?? If you are thinking about wls..take it slow. You've been fat for a while right..so what is another 6 mths. Prepare yourself for the life changes that will come along with your new body. Work on building a healthy self esteem independent of your weight because in the end..you're mind is what will give you the will power to have and maintain a sucessful wl.
I will keep you posted on my journey. I plan to ask the staff at the office to submit my paperwork for wls to cigna in January. I assume my date will be sometime in Feb..oh maybe valentines day :-)

August 14, 2004
I'm doing this whole attempted wl program with Sloan the nutrionist from Dr.vonRueden's office. Although she is great..this diet sucks!! So needless to say I'm find problems sticking to it especially since I'm feeling like..in a few months I won't be able to eat any of it ever again!! I guess it is just different knowing that you can eat it and nothing is going to happen as opposed to being post op and knowing if you eat it you will get very very ill. I suppose I just really need that major reinforcement to change my behavior. Now I know I have to meet with Sloan on Friday and I'm sure I haven't even lost a pound...But all is not lost..I have made changes..really trying to stick to only eating 3 times a day...really cut back on the caffiene (sp?)...and I'm down to almost no soda at all. I know these seem like small changes but for me they are big!!
Until next time...

August 28, 2004
Well what can I say. I am truly trying to stick to this pre-op diet that my dr's (yes that would be plural) have suggested. I do need to say one thing. This is not because my doctor requires me to lose weight first but it is because I know myself so well and so do my doctors. We all agree the best thing for me to do is to modify my eating behaviors now that way I will have a betters sucess rate later. But DAMN..not so easy..although becoming easier I do have to admit. I am trying to work out using those bands my nutritionist suggested and I actually enjoy using them. So I do it for at least 10 min every other night. I want to be up to 10 min every night but the end of the month. Then I am hoping to have a more balance band regimen for September. I'd like to do around 30 min at least 5 times per week. That is my goal for September. My other goal for September is 3 meals a day only. IF I have to have a snack because of a situation I am now carrying protein bars and water. Just in case. This is actually working better than I thought. What can I say I'm just a woman on the go with a mission!! Here's a link to my website..it has nothing to do with WLS..more of a "about me" page. Until next time..
Ciao

Hi Everyone! I'm in Panama City for the Hurricane. On business of course. I'm writing up estimates for all the vehicles that were damaged due to the horrible weather. I can't complain overall however I'm having issues with the surgery. I can't believe how close my date is going to be. I had to see a nutrionist for 6 mths along with a therapist for 6 months and let me just tell you that 6 months is upcoming!! I plan to submitt ppwrk for the insurance company in early January and I should have a date in Feb if not earlier. I keep worrying about loose skin and how I'll look afterwards. If I will need lots of surgery later. I hope not because I'm still young and I do like working out it just hurts to do it right now. I can't wait to do this though. I feel like my life will be so different and I can't wait to take that journey. I have a great support system and I think everything will be just fine. Right the diet thing is a little hard because I'm not home and I'm eating out for every meal.

Making okay choices but it isn't easy. I wonder what this will be like after surgery. How does one plan for this type of stuff?? Maybe I'll post about this on the board and see what the experts have to say!!
Until next time..

Well today was another day with the nutrionist..God bless her and lucky for her she is cute or else I think I would have to kill her! It is nothing personal of course except that she is trying to put me on a diet of 1500 calories..and let's see..I'm fairly sure that if I could stop at that and make great choices all day long that I "might" not be getting my shit cut open and rearranged! LOL..GEESH..the shit insurance companies make you do so that you can get the surgery..In any case last month I lost...(drum roll please...) .5 lbs..yes ladies and gentleman...5 lbs not be be confused with 5lbs...LMAO..
OKay anyway...I have a date...woo HOOOOO..I'm trying not to get to excited here because they have to send away for approval and once I get that letter than I will know for sure..however tenatively..for the second time..the date is...
JANUARY 18, 2004!!!!
I'll keep you posted on the approval process..I understand they plan to send all my info to Cigna in Nov or Dec..

Well I got my first denial letter from Intracorp..It appears that they not only wanted what they asked for orginally..6 mths worth of everything under the sun..They would like a different psych evaluation..since the last one was 6 mths ago, lol..I guess they want to make sure I haven't lost my shit in the last 6 mths?? They also want some type of documentation that I have been with a BMI of 35 or greater for at least 5 years!! So I wish I would have known that because it would have given me more time to remember who the hell my doctor was 5 years ago..It is just sooo annoying because they have records starting 2000 because I have had the same doctors for 4 years but that isn't good enough!!
I gathered all my info, wrote a letter of appeals, am making an appt with another psychiartrist..and we will see how long it takes then..
Hopefully there will be no issues!!

I'll keep you posted..
If all goes well I should be able to keep my date of Jan 18th!!

12/26/04
Well I went to my surgeon on 12/17/04. He is so mild mannered but I have to say he has a little fire in him..I like that, lol..He was very frustrated as was I with my insurance denial for simply ridiculous reason. He assured me that we would get everything worked out. I had my doubts about him being able to step up to the plate and get mean if he had to but turns out..he's got an edge..THANK GOODNESS, LOL..So now that I'm no longer worried about that, I found out EXACTLY what I needed to get for my doctor and I call everyone from the office..I'm rather persistant. In any case I called on Monday to f/u with my surgeon and EVERYTHING he needed was faxed to him on Friday. I must say it pays off to be on top of things. Because of the holidays I didn't push for anything this week, however I do plan on starting my phone calls to Cigna and Dr. vonRueden's office ASAP on Monday. Cigna is very quick about getting an answer to you when it is a denial, hopefully they are just as fast at answering you if it is an approval. I'm REALLY praying for my surgery date to remain 1/18!!
I'll keep you posted..
Ciao for now

1/1/05
Happy New Year Everyone!! Well here is the update on my insurance. I called the surgeon's office and they told me that a peer to peer conference had been scheduled for last Wednesday. I called on Thursday to f/u with the RN and she advised me that no answer had been given. She told me she will f/u with Cigna on Tuesday. Hopefully I'll know something soon because I'd like to keep my surgery date of Jan 18th!!
Well I keep posting with updates. I hope everyone had a great holiday...

2/01/2005
DRAMA..I haven't updated in a long time because I have been SO busy getting everything for the insurance company. They have denied me again after my surgeon called them and appealed. Now they are saying they didn't have a recent physical from my PCP. They could have noticed that before don't you think?? In any case on 1/27 I saw my PCP, got a COMPLETE physical and PLENTY of blood work done. I also asked her to contact Cigna directly. Now it is just a waiting game. My surgeon called me and said that if this fails we should go through the Maryland Insurance Commisoner. I am already one step ahead of him. I have printed up all the necessary ppwrk and it is all ready to send if I need to.
Well keep your fingers crossed for me..I need the prayers...
Until next time..

2/3/05
My PCP called me and said she faxed all the ppwrk to my surgeon. Then my surgeon's staff advised me that they had recv'd the ppwrk and have faxed it the appeals department. So...I will be patient and ctc the insurance company next week. I am REALLY praying that they will approve my surgery!!
Until next time..

2/5/05
Well I have just had it, lol! OKay so I went to my surgeon's office on 2/4. We spoke about my appeals options. This morning around 9am UPS was at my door with a letter from Intracorp advising me of a scheduled tele-conference. Now my understanding is that a patient will complete a tele-conference only after the 2nd levels of appeals is denied. So I called Intracorp and the rep told me that this is only a tentative date and that no decision had been made about my surgery appeals to this point.
So that just pissed me off to be honest with you and I thought okay WELL IT IS ON!
I filled out all the paperwork I needed to file a complaint and appeals grievance with the Maryland Insurance Administration. I cc'd my surgeon on everything and filled out all the proper documents. It took a few hours but they have pissed off the wrong girl!
Today I faxed everything over to the MIA and faxed everything over to Dr. vonRueden. Then I followed up with a hard copy. Hopefully I will not need them to assist me but if I do I started the ball rolling.
Until next time..

2/8/05
I WIN!! I finally after so much DRAMA got a call from Intracorp today stating that I was approved for surgery..FINALLY!!! On 2/8 I made a call to Intracorp one last time asking them what the hold up was. They finally told me they would have a supervisor call me back. I then called my HR department..this is KEY if you are having issues let me tell you! I faxed them my denial letters and a super detailed list of info on who I have spoken with and what they said. Later that day I get a call from the supervisor at Intracorp and she said she will personally review my case.
Today she called me to tell me everything was a go for surgery!!! Wow..I am so happy.
So I called my doctor and scheduled my surgery on 3/3/05!! I can't wait..finally right??
This date will NOT change unless something is wrong with my pre-op work..I expect it will be fine..
I'll keep you updated!!!

2/21/05
Well I have received all my online orders for protein shakes and vitamins. I ordered from bariatriceating.com and vitalady.com. My only complaint is that I ordered liquid fiber from vitalady and it leaked in the box. Nothing else was ruined but I need to email the site and advise of the issue.
I had my pre-op appt on Friday and I lost 8lbs!! So now I am 270 even. I was very happy about that. I also started my 2 week pre-op diet which hasn't been that hard to stick to at all. I assume that by the time surgery comes around, I may have lost a few more pounds. I am hoping anyway.
I am EXTREMELY nervous about this operation. I am finding that even though I have support in this from friends and family, this journey at times feels very lonely. In any case, I am excited about the changes to come and I believe that ultimately this is the best decision for me.
I have also made the decision to go to the support meeting on 2/23 so that I can meet my angel :-) and some of DVR's other patients. I plan to go every month that I possibly can. I am a big advocate for support groups of any kind.
Did I mention I am nervous? LOL...I know that my life is going

to change dramatically after this surgery. Some changes will be a direct result of the surgery, some will be a result of changes I plan to make in my life and some are just changes that will come my way.
Well until next time..
Ciao baby!!

2/24/05
Today I met my angel..I was so excited :-)
She is very nice and I have to say that I am lucky because she is around my age and she is a Nurse..Whatever, who could ask for more right? I went to Dr. vonRueden's support meeting and it was nice to meet everyone. All of his patients are doing remarkably well. Everyone had great things to say about life after surgery but everyone was also very honest about the few weeks when they felt not so great. I think I am finally starting to calm down some from the anxiety I've been having. I finally slept last night for a few hours, lol..
I am so appreciative of this site because everyone has been so nice and sent me so much love and support. I am very excited for my future and if you are reading this..know that you have come to the right place.

*****************************************************************
Here is some insurance info for Marylanders, if you have read my profile to this point, you can see what a pain in the A$$ these people can be. Here are some suggestions:
1. Document EVERYTHING. Keep a log from day one of research. Note who you called, who you spoke with (including transfers), date and time of call, and the nature of your discussion. You WILL need this documentation later and I can tell you from experience in the insurance field, when a 3rd party needs to make a decision, the party that can present the facts most clearly is usually favored.
2. Ask for your guidelines in writing. Ask for this until you get it and document anyone that states they can not provide them to you.
3. Contact your HR department. Ask them for their guidelines in writing. Get a contact name and number. Get a clear understanding of the appeals process and the time limitations for appealing a decision.
4. If you continue to get denied and you believe you have met all of the necessary guidelines, advise your HR department of your difficulties, contact the Maryland Insurance Administration (they may or may not have jurisdiction over your policy), contact the State of MD Consumer Protection Division (HEAU/ Health Education & Advocacy Unit) and finally you can contact the US Department of Labor (they are responsible for enforcing ERISA).
5. Remember if there was ever a time to be a pain in someone's ass, now is it. This is the rest of YOUR life these people are dealing with. Be professional, be polite, be organized and well prepared. Follow up with everyone on what they are supposed to do. Do not be afraid to call your doctors office and verify that they have rec'vd ppwk or test results from another doctor.
6. Ask questions. This is your life and ultimately it is your responsibilty to make sure the job gets done. I hope this helps someone out there. If you have questions you can email me and I will try to help.
7. Before you send anything to anyone, be professional in your communications. Type it out in a business format, use a fax cover sheet. Keep copies of everything and make your own file. If you mail anything, spend the $4.00 and send it certified, return reciept.
Trust me you can do this..
Here is some of the info and address that might help:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
State of Maryland
Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA)
525 St. Paul Place

Baltimore, MD 21202-2272
(you can download all the forms you need online/ also contact your HR dept. ask for the name and address for your Health Insurance Plan Administration Department)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Federal Agency
U.S. Department of Labor
Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration
1335 East West Highway, S-200
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 713-2000
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
State of Maryland
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Divison/ HEAU
200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-576-6300
(they will send you forms to fill out, you may find them online)
*****************************************************************
HOPE THIS HELPS AND GOOD LUCK!!

3/2/05
Wow..I never thought this day would come.. I am less than 24 hours from being a big looser!! And for the record I drank that phoso-soda shit..it was horrible. But I took it like a shot and chased it with peach flavored fruit20. Now I want to puke. I'm having all kinds of period cramps and now this poop cramping..yeah I know TMI however I know when I was reading profiles I wanted the naked truth and boy you are about to get..
I can hear my stomach just yelling..you dumb ass why did you drink that..lol..
Well I will try to write when I get back from surgery asap. I hope to keep a good and honest diary of what has happened. This way if you are considering surgery..You can really know what to expect.
This morning I weighed myself (I finally brought a scale..it is cool, it reads body fat% and water %) and I have lost more weight. I am down to 266..pre-pooping..lol..
So my journey so far as been..somewhere above 280 a few years ago..dropped to 260 for about 1 year..
At my inital consult with my doctor I weighed in at 269, and every month at my weighins I gained a few pounds. I went up to 279 and then my next visit I was down to 270 even. Today was the next time I weighed myself and I am 266 pre-pooping, lol.
So it can only go down from here right???
I don't have a goal weight set yet..I think for right now I'd like to say it will be between 140-145.
I've considered plastics and my breasts will need to be reduced and lifted..
If I have to have a tummy tuck I suppose I will but I am not really wanting one of those..
But whatever one step at a time..and I think that the phoso-soda crap is starting to kick in..wow..
okay gotta run..or should I say gots the runs, lol..
See you on the other side!!
Diana

3/05/05
I am home! So for those of you who are pre-op wondering what to expect, this was my experience.
I took and neeed the following items at the hospital:
a desktop fan (it felt so good to have air blowing on me)
pads (they came in handy trust me)
the basic toiletries (sp?) they have all that stuff at the hospital but I like my stuff.
slippers and socks/ pajamas/ lots of underwear I did get a sore throat from the tubes and I had to get the nurses to order me throat spray...just bring your own it will be better.
a robe and then just any comfort items..
I didn't read a thing while I was there but I still brought a magazine..
okay so this is how it all went down:
I had to arrive at GBMC at 5:30am the day of surgery. I was so anxious it was crazy. Around 6:00ish they called me back and my friend and mom came with me.
Next thing I know I am being introduced to the drug docs (I'm not even going to try and spell it).
I told them how anxious I was and poof, I had a shot of something WONDERFUL within seconds..
Next thing I know I am cracking up making fun of the docs name..One was Dr. Meno and I kept calling him Dr. Meany..the other was Dr. Kutcha and I kept calling him Dr. Kuchi..
I am sure they did not find me as amusing as I found myself.
Then they tell me to get into bed, they wheeled me to the operating room, I had no time to think.
They scooped me up and stuck me on another bed and poof just like that I had a mask over my mouth and they were talking to me but I couldn't say a damn thing at all.
I remember him saying..well it looks like she is starting to go. Then they put another mask on me and told me to breathe. I started to panic a little and then next thing I know I woke up somewhere else.
I had no idea what happened. I wasn't even really sure they had done the surgery because I felt so good right afterwards.
This girl was talking to me and I fell asleep. Then I woke up somewhere else and my mom and my friend were sitting there.
I had a pump full of diladid and life was GOOD. I felt no pain. I felt great, everyone was great, everthing was great and all my friends came to see me. Even my angel came :-) I walked around 11pm and all was good until the next day..
Day 2 SUCKED! They took out my cathedar which did not hurt at all, I was having all kinds of anxiety about it, they took off my socks that help with circulation and damn it they took away my pump later that day!!
OMG..so I had to pee cause I could feel it but my muscles or whatever is going on up there was just not about to let me pee. It was drama..I had to turn on every faucet, put my hand under warm running water and just wait..finally I would pee. It wasn't until very late that evening that when I had to pee I could without any problem.
I felt so much pain.it was all gas pain. No pain in the incisions at all but getting up was dreadful. I also ran a low grade fever. I did cry a few times when I had to get up because the gas pains were so bad. The nurses gave me something for it and life got better.
So I thought there was no way I would have a bowel movement considering I had barely anything in my belly (yeah on day 2 you have to drink this crap that tastes like crap to verify you don't have a leak..then you can begin your clear liquid diet)
Well I went to the rest room and boy was I wrong. I hate to be so blunt but I had really bad diareaha and gas all of last night and tonight. Keeping the pads on helped me avoide getting anything on my clothes. Sometimes if it was really bad I didn't have much control over things..but that only lasted a few hours.
Today I feel great. The pain is there but so and I mean SO much less than before. I am home in my own clothes and I feel great. I am having a cup of tea which is taking me forever to drink but it tastes great.
I wouldn't take this decision back at all. This pain is only temporary to the permanent pain of being morbidly obese.
Well I am going to relax now..I will update later..
Oh on peice of advice. I wore a huge pair of jeans in thinking that even i was bloated it would be no biggie...WRONG.. make sure you take something with an elastic wasteband in.. I am soo bloated it sucks, lol.
okay until next time..
Diana

3/7/05
Wow I feel great..I am moving like I used to, (almost)! I get this tube out of me on Wednesday and woo hoo that is music to my ears.
Well I have had no complications at all THANK GOD. I have been able to get in all of my fluids since yesterday and today, I even got some extra in.
So I had to do it, I weighed myself..drum roll please..257.5!! WHAT, WOO HOO! So yeah I'm down already, lol..
Gosh I have been reading profiles for months thinking," I can't wait till I can say I lost weight!". Well I guess this is my time..
Well until next time..

3/13/05
Well..my incisions are starting to heal nicely but they do hurt just a little. I have been on my eliptical machine about 3 times already..taking it really slow. I started at 3 min, then 5 and today by mistake I did 8 min. Then a friend of mine and I went and walked around the track by a local high school. I was able to walk 3 laps. Then we all went to shop for fish at different pet stores and I started to get hungry and tired. This was a little difficult because the girls wanted to go to a restaurant and I needed to come home and eat. They were great about it and just dropped me off. I had 1/2 a can of tomato soup with fat free carb monitor milk, and 1 scoop of "Any Whey" protein. I blended it all together, added garlic, parm cheese, salt and pepper. YUMMY!!! Since I was only able to eat half, I had a protien shake of Crystal Light Sunrise and 1 scoop of Fuzzy Navel Nectar.
Then since I was up so late, it was time for me to eat again. I had a vanilla protein shake with ice, splenda and a little bit of vanilla extract. It was very good.
I am however getting a little sick of all the sweets. I am looking forward to eating the other half of that tomato soup tomorrow, lol..
I have continued to loose weight. I was about 249 this morning. I need to contact the profile makers and have them insert a weight loss chart for me in this thing...
Well going through all of this has also inspired me to go back to school and get my MBA! I started the process yesterday and I have already filled out my FASFA, started my online application and registered for an information session. I am looking at more than one school but Loyola College has me most interested.
Well until next time..wish me luck!
Diana

3/24/05 247lbs
Well, my angel has warned me about getting on the scale too much and so on her advice I am weighing in every Thursday..She suggested Thursday because I had my surgery on a Thursday. So before I agreed to this I had been weighing myself and noticed that once I started the protein and full liquids my weight bounced from 247lbs to 251 lbs. How is that possible I thought. Well there are many reasons why it happened but now I know it is normal so I'm not worried. It certainly would be egocentric of me to believe (like some people actually do) that I would be the one person in the world the surgery didn't work for (and I'm doing everything right).
Everything else is going well. I have lost one friend already since surgery. Apparently she was tired of me and my surgery. It really is more about how she is insecure about herself and hates that I've made the decision to be happier and healthier. I am in a good place mentally and physically and the last thing I need is someone hating on me. It's not the first time she and I 

didn't see eye to eye on things so this is a step in the right direction. I wish her well..somewhere else. My other friends have been super supportive and I am grateful for that.
I am feeling no pain for the most part..here and there I feel the internal bruises when I have sat for a long time and then try to stand up. If I'm up I'm fine, if I'm down I'm fine but the getting up and getting down..Oh I feel it, lol..
OKay well until next time.. 

03/31/05 242lbs :-)
I am so excited that I lost more weight this week!! It is now starting to hit me that I will see under 200lbs this year..that is just crazy!! CRAZY I SAY! Well I am having some problems with sleep, my menstrual cycle is very light this month and something I am eating is NOT agreeing with me. For those of you that have see the move "White Chicks"...what happens to him when he eats dairy..is what is happening to me!! I thought it was because I was eating a lot of pureed bean soups but no beans in 2 days and still feeling ill. Maybe it is the dairy?? In any case what I need to do now is eat one new food at a time..write it down and log when I am getting ill..This way the doc and I can figure it out! I threw up once last week also because w/o thinking I guzzled some water right after eating..Okay DON'T DO THAT! I just simply forgot and poof about 20 min later..I was kissing the porcelin god. I have had no other problems at all and would do this all over again tomorrow if I had to. A lot of people say that the first few weeks is the hardest..for me this is great news :-)
I haven't second guessed my decision once.
Until next time..

4/07/05 237lbs.
Wow..I'm in the 230's..WOW. I'll tell you what, I can feel the weight coming off at this point. Now I know why are are so tired a few weeks out...all your body is doing is burning fat! So, I've been really good about keeping a log of my diet and I now know that green beans aren't working for me just yet but I can eat scrambled eggs with cheese..maybe only a few bites..not the whole egg but it's all good! NEW FOOD FOR ME! I've puked a total of 2 times and it hurts my stomach a lot to throw up so I hope this doesn't happen much more. Okay well that's all I have until next week...
Ciao

4/14/05 234lbs!!

I go see DVR tomorrow and we will go over my diet and wieght loss. I have recently introduced the deli meat and cheese roll up into my diet..one slice each and I am full! My friend told me I would be and I thought..what a crazy girl..but no she was right as usual..I was full. Hell I am full! Well I'll update more after the appt!!
Oh and this is what my face looks like now..I don't have any full body shots yet because I'm taking these pics with my cell phone, lol..I'm saving to buy a digital camera ASAP!!

4/21/05 230lbs!
WOW...I'm just stunned that I am almost in the 220 range..Well today I feel like crap. I have some sort of lung infection going and so I have a dr's appt at 10:45. I need some drugs and then I 'll be on my way to work and how much fun will that be.
Unrelated note..I realized yesterday that I eat a lot of cheese..hmmm..

04/25/05
OKay well..it's not Thursday and I haven't weighed myself BUT..I started feeling better yesterday so I worked out the last 2 nights and really pushed myself. Not in a bad way at all but just kept doing everything for an extra 5 minutes.

04/28/05 228lbs.!!
Well it looks like I am in the 220 range. I can't complain one bit! It looks like my weight loss was less than previous weeks but I think there are a few factors that play into this.
1. I'm about to get a visit from "aunt flo" so I'm all bloated at best.
2. I worked out a few times last week and really pushed myself to go longer. I think my body is definetly attempting to adjust to yet another change.
3. I have had some terrible bowel issues lately. Yesterday especially (this happened last month before my period..I hope this isn't going to be a pattern!). So while I thought for sure I flushed away over 10lbs, lol..I probably am just retaining even more water since my body is beginning to feel dehydrated.
I'm no doctor, it's just what I think... I know I'm eating right and I'm being active so I am about my new life. We had support group last night. I really felt a great connection in the group last night. It was smaller than it had previously been, the men were speaking up and making jokes, we really had a chance to just chat with the surgeon and his staff. I'm so proud of the staff for really making all these things happen. If you are reading this and don't do support group..Please consider it. It is great to talk to others face to face and hear the sucess stories and the struggles that are real for all of us.
Okay well I'm off..I have so much to do today.
Ciao

5/05/05 225lbs!
I have no clothes! LOL..but that's the way it is. I'm NOT complaining. I have really been working out a lot. I have switched it up quite a bit. Some days I do 20 min on the elliptical machine, stretch, crunches, arms, etc..on other days I walk the lake near my house (my favorite) and I mean power walking as best I can. I also have a belly dancing working out video that I'm going to be starting next week. That is really good for stomach muscles and it is a hell of a work out. Well..that's all I have for today..
It looks like the weight is coming off about 2-5lbs a week. I hear it flucuates quite a bit and there are some weeks you LOOSE A LOT and some weeks you loose a little if any at all. I'm not worried because I know I am working out and I am SO sticking to the diet. I'm happy about my sucess so far. My biggest obstical right now is clothes and having the money to keep up with the need for new ones, lol..
Ciao for now. 

05/12/2005 222 lbs.
I lost 3 pounds this week! But with all my working out, I feel and look a lot smaller. My scale weights fat and water %. My fat percent dropped by almost 10!! I'm super happy..
Okay I have to go to work..so that's all I have for today!!
Ciao-

05/19/2005 woo f'ing hoo... 217lbs!
What! I am dying over here. When I weighed myself this morning I just knew that I hadn't lost any weight this week..WHATEVER..I am so excited. This working out is really paying off! I actually went to old navy the other day and bought size 18 pants!!
Wow..okay so I'm going to bed now but I am very excited..
I hope everyone is having a great day!

OKay so I don't have a weight loss update today because it isn't time to weigh myself yet..I'm very strict on only weighing in on Thursdays..but I went out last night and I wanted to post the most recent pics I have. I have been really sticking to proper food choices and working out. I walked today for over one hour (rapid paced), last night I danced for 4 hours straight! I love to dance though but now I have the energy to do it forever..I'm sooo happy. My life is going so well right now..I can only imagine it will get better from here!!

05/26/05 217 lbs!
Well I haven't dropped but I haven't gone up..it's all good. I am in my PMS phase (so watch out, lol) and I am retaining so much water plus I have strep throat. I only worked out 2 times this week because I have been feeling so bad. I have no worries. I will say this, I weigh the same and I am retaining a hell of a lot of water but I know that I am smaller than last week because of the way my clothes are fitting.
Okay well I hope everyone is doing well!!
Ciao for now..

06/02/05 212lbs!!
So I lost 5 lbs this week and I'm very excited about it. I didn't work out too much last week because I was sick but I tried to take in plenty of liquids so that seemed to help. I notice that I really only crave the things I eat lately. So I eat a lot of cashews, cheese, eggs, chicken and shrimp. When I want something sweet, I love to eat cottage cheese mixed with sugar free strawberry preserves, carb monitor yoplait yogurt, or breyers carb monitor ice cream bars..
Until next time..