Jo F.
5 Year Update
Nov 28, 2012
Wow! Has it really been 5 years since my DS? Hard to believe it, but it's true! I'm holding steady on my weight, though I have gained about 10 lbs after I quit smoking this last May. I'm currently at 181 lbs. I just had a check up with Dr. K. and although I am anemic, everything else was a-okay! Dr. K. recommends heme iron instead of the more common ferrous sulfate or ferrous fumarate. So, it looks like that will be my first mail order supplement. All the rest of my supplements come from local stores.
I have no more issues that I had prior to surgery. My blood pressure is usually normal - around 120/80, but today it was 113/73. My blood sugar is perfect. I have no more sleep apnea. I have no more pain from Osteo Arthritis. I can walk and walk and not get winded or tired.
Things are changing in my life, too. I am currently in school to become a Medical Assistant. I will graduate in July, 2013. My goal is to go on to nursing school and become an RN. This is just the first step to get my foot in the door and start working in the medical field - a dream of mine for 20 years.
I'm still with my DH and we are stronger than ever. He still loves me regardless of my weight, and I feel very fortunate that he does. I so love that man!
I'm very grateful for Dr. K. and for my DS! Without it, I would not be living life the way I am today. I love my DS!!!
Yet Another WOW!
Jun 22, 2009
I haven't done anything different ~ I've actually been eating more than I have in the past, so eating less couldn't be it. The only thing I can think of is that when my daughter was visiting a few weeks ago, I did a lot of walking. (I didn't get winded and very rarely needed to sit and take a break!!! That in itself is a miracle!!!!!) Since I've been pretty lax on my exercise since my DS, that has to be why those four pounds are gone!
OH! And I made my DH get on the scale and he actually weighs 4 pounds MORE than me!! That is SOOOOOO COOL!!!!!!! I NEVER thought I would weigh less than him!
I SO LOVE MY DS!!!
Another Big WOW
Dec 23, 2008
13 Months
Dec 19, 2008
Since I'm such a good procrastinator, I'm finally getting around to my One-year post surgery update. (I'm only a month late...Not bad...)
My one-year follow up appointment with Dr. Keshishian was November 18th and all is well. My blood pressure was normal. My weight was 190. My labs are great - except I need to drink more water due to Calcium Oxalate crystals in my urinalysis (I certainly DON’T want another Kidney Stone!!) - and except for a small hernia that I have next to my scar line right above my belly button. The hernia will need to be taken care of soon, but other than that, all is well!
As of 2 days ago, I weighed 186, which is only 6 lbs from my personal goal weight! Dr. K didn’t give me a goal to reach. I’m cool with that. But, according to the BMI (Body Mass Index) Charts, at 5'6" I'm at a 30 and am still considered Obese. Personally, I don't think I look Obese, and I certainly DON'T feel that way! I've always looked smaller than I weighed, which has been a blessing!
The past year (13 months) has been a whirl-wind. I've lost a grand total of (drum-roll please...) 145 lbs! (133 since surgery) - AN ENTIRE PERSON!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!! I've gone from a size 3-4X and 32-34W down to a Women's XL top and size 16 in jeans. The jeans are somewhat tight around the waist but loose in the rear & legs, probably due to the loose skin I have in my tummy and the hernia. I could probably squeeze into a 14, but just haven't tried it yet.
I’m happier than I’ve been in a VERY long time, and I am so glad I had the DS! It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!
Post Date: 12/15/08 9:33 am
Dec 18, 2008
I'M IN ONEDERLAND!!!!!!
Sep 09, 2008
As of this morning, I am under 200 lbs! I weigh 199 down from 319 on my surgery date and 331 as my high weight. All that weight gone FOREVER and I'm just under 10 months out! YIPPEE!!!
I love my DS!!!
6.5 Months Post-Op Update
Jun 02, 2008
Hi everyone!
It’s now been 6 ½ months since my Duodenal Switch Weight Loss Surgery and I'm still losing weight. I'm down 100.5 lbs now & I’ve lost a total of 50 inches all over! I'm still wearing the same sizes as a month ago. That’s okay though, because I never thought I would be wearing this size again. So, I’m very happy about it!
Other things I'm happy about:
*I can cross my legs now! I LOVE doing that!
*I can wear sandals and my feet don’t hurt!
*My back, legs and feet don’t hurt when I walk anymore!
*I have SO much more energy than before!
*I sleep better (I'm certain my sleep apnea is gone) and dream a lot now. (Something I did rarely in the past.)
*I'm finding that I'm more outgoing, like I was YEARS ago. I'm certain this is because my self esteem is much better now that 100 lbs are gone for good!
*I eat normal portion sizes. Some days I can eat and eat and eat. Other days, I can't eat much at all. I guess that’s pretty normal – from what I hear.
*No more high blood pressure!
*No more worries about becoming Diabetic! (My blood sugar count came back at 88 without fasting – before surgery it was a 102 after fasting!)
My blood work came out pretty well. My liver enzymes are high - Dr. K said that's normal because they spike around 6 months out and then start to come back down. He wants me to go in for another liver function test in late June just to be safe. Otherwise, everything looks great and I don't need to change my vitamin regimen at this time.
I just took my pictures yesterday, so here are the before and after shots as of now:
11/19/07 
6/1/08
Hope you all have a wonderful summer!
Much love and many hugs,
Jo
5 months Post Op
Apr 24, 2008
I am 5 months and 5 days since my Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) and I’m feeling better than ever! I have lost a grand total of 89 lbs since surgery and 101 lbs since I started my journey. (My insurance required a 6-month Supervised Diet prior to surgery.) WHOO-HOO! I just CAN’T believe how fortunate I am to be given another chance at living! I’ve mentioned it before, and I’ll say it again – my energy level is through the roof! That alone made all the pain after surgery worth it! I can’t wait for Jasmyn to come out this summer so I can take her to the mall and to Six Flags, Magic Mountain!
The inches are slowing being shed, but I have excess skin on my belly, legs and upper arms. I’ve been told this may gradually tighten up, but I’m not going to hold my breath on that one! I haven’t measured yet this month – but I haven’t really lost many inches this month the way my clothes are fitting.
I have to have blood work done prior to my 6 month follow-up appointment to make sure I’m getting enough nutrients. I had a Kidney Stone about 4 weeks ago. That was WORSE than being in Labor! At least with labor, the pain goes away for a while! I guess I wasn’t getting enough water or calcium so my body started harboring it and formed the stone. So, now, I’m trying to remember to take calcium 3-4 times a day or more – as you can only absorb about 500 mg at a time and I need to be taking at least 1800 mgs a day. It’s hard to get into that habit, but I’m working on it. I’m also forcing myself to drink the 64 oz of water a day that I need. That really makes it hard to eat all my needed protein. But, it’s an ongoing process and I’ll get there eventually.
Now, (drum-roll please) what you’ve been so patiently waiting for – new pictures!!!
Pre-Surgery
5 months Post-Op
I know, Parker didn’t take the full picture all the way down to the floor, so it’s hard to tell this time. But, look at how much of the door you can see now vs. before!!!
Here’s a close up with Sophie: 
She needs a haircut and will go in this Saturday to be groomed.
My First Kidney Stone
Mar 22, 2008
UGH!
I was having some cramping yesterday and into the evening and night, but kept thinking it felt like menstrual cramps. I'm taking Seasonale Birth Control Pills and haven't had a period since December, so, I just figured it was going to break through.
Until, this morning, when I woke up in horrible pain. So, I went to the bathroom and eliminated everything I could but was still having the pain...and no sign of a period. I remembered how everyone talks about kidney stones and the pain they cause, so I googled it and the first thing that popped up was a picture of where the pain is when you have stones. It started in my right back hip and wrapped around the front and down into my crotch. I was having chills and decided I needed to go to the ER. Hubby took me and we were there from about 8:30am to about 2pm. I was in so much pain! It's worse than Labor Pains - at least with those, you get a break! This was constant and got worse in waves. They gave me IV Toridol (sp?) for the pain and within 30 minutes I was much better, but very weak. I slept, then had a cat scan, then slept again. Apparently, it passed through my Ureter and that's where it caused the pain. The cat scan showed it was just a very little stone, and now I get to strain my pee until it shows up. I was also told I have a Kidney/urinary tract infection and they pumped me full of an antibiotic before I left. I have a prescription for another one to take orally.
What fun! I always thought I got enough water, but is this why we need to take in so much fluid? If so, I'm pushing it harder from now on! I don't want another one of these!
Just when I thought I was loving my DS....LOL!
