jennyk1203
2/16/03 Sunday**************************************************
Well, tomorrow is my last day smoking. I have been smoking for 10 years. I have decided to have the surgery and I know I have to be smoke-free for at least 6 weeks prior to the surgery.
A little about me: I'm 27 years old, seperated at the moment, soon to be divorced. (It's a good thing) :) I have a beautiful 5 year old daughter who is the world to me. I have been overweight most of my life. There was a period of about 3 years where I was a "normal" size, but other than that I have struggled my whole life with my weight.
I'm completely ready for a life change here. That's why I believe I'll have an easy time quitting smoking. I am prepared to change my eating habits, to learn how to make exercise a priority, I'm ready to get my life back. I want to be able to run and play with my daughter. I want to stop "shutting myself out" from the world. I want my self esteem back.
In about a week, on February 25th, I have my mandatory informational meeting. I believe at this point I can make an appointment to speak with the Nurse at the Surgeon's office. My sister is going to go to the meeting with me. She has already had the surgery, August of 2002, and she is doing GREAT!! I just hope that things go as smooth for me as they are going for her. It took about 4 months from the time of the meeting until the date of her surgery, so that's about the time frame I'm expecting. I hoping for quicker than that but I'm not holding my breath. Wish me luck on my first step, quitting smoking!!!
2/17/03 Monday *************************************************
I have 2 cigarettes left, I truly think I'm ready. I want this surgery more than I want to smoke. I've just been in this depressing mood lately. My sister says it might be because if I made the decision to have the surgery, that's also admitting I have a problem and need help. I just want this done now. I want to start my life. Tomorrow is a new day, no smoking, I can do this!!
2/20/03 Thursday ***********************************************
Well the no-smoking deal has been going REALLY well!! I'm very proud of myself :) I work for quite a few different Chiropractic clinics and today I had a meeting with one of my clients, when I was there I bought a small bottle of this homeopathic liquid that is suppose to help with cravings and take the edge off. I've used it a couple of times, it tastes NASTY, I'm not sure if it is helping or not but whenever I get a really bad craving I just put a couple drops under my tongue and in a few minutes I totally forget about my craving.
I'm getting more and more excited about my informational meeting this coming Tuesday. It just feels more real now, and I'm sure it will even more at the meeting. I'm just anxious to get the ball rolling here. A lot of different things have happened to me in the last week that brought me back and got me thinking about my last 10-15 years. It's very sad how this society treats overweight people. There is a lot of discrimination against us. I don't think a lot of people even realize this, at least people that have never really had to struggle with their weight. So the memories that I've been having have really made me even more dedicated and anxious to start the process. I'm ready to eat the right way and exercise the right way, I'm ready to be healthy, and I'm ready to have a LIFE!!
2/25/03 Tuesday*************************************************
OK, I totally goofed on the intro meeting date. I came home yesterday and decided to read the letter I got regarding the meeting, just to make sure I knew where I was going, and the meeting date was actually for 2/28/03, this Friday. At least I didn't miss the date. I'll update more after the meeting:)
3/2/03 Sunday***************************************************
Well, I went to my meeting on Friday, it was very informative, but they didn't say a whole lot that I didn't already know. I've been researching this for about 2 years now, so I'm pretty educated on the whole process. At the meeting is where I got my health history form, which needs to be filled out completely before my first nurse's meeting. The first opening they had was for April 1st so that's when I scheduled it. My sister says I can go to the psychologist and speed things up that way buy filling out the paperwork there and trying to set up an appointment. Otherwise, I need to wait until the first Nurse's meeting. That's when they weigh you and tell you how much you
need to lose before you can schedule surgery. It seems a little more real now, at least I have some paperwork that I need to do, and I can make a psych appointment, I just wish the time would fly by. I want to start my new life NOW!! :)
3/9/03 Sunday***************************************************
So the smoking thing hasn't been going too well. Today is my last day again. I have to start tomorrow with the no-smoking. I have no idea when my surgery will be so if I put off the quitting smoking any longer I could run into some trouble. I filled out my whole health history form, it was like 15 pages long, and the only thing I have left to do is write a letter to my insurance company explaining why I want the surgery, which
shouldn't be too hard to do. I'm trying to get my whole house in order now so I don't have to worry about it after the surgery. I have been having a hard time keeping it clean due to the lack of motivation, being tired, etc. So I have been working hard to try and change that around. Tomorrow I am going to stop smoking and also try and give up my diet mountain dew, which I drink like water now. I am going to replace it with
water since I won't be able to drink it after surgery, thought I'd prepare myself early by getting used to drinking a lot of water. Sometime this week I'm going to head over to the psych's office to fill out the paperwork and then I can make an appointment for my MMPI test. My first nurse's meeting will be here before I know it and I wanted to get a jump on the process by doing my psych eval early. I know which offices are approved
to do the eval by the Surgeon's office since my sister has already gone through it.
CIAO for now!!
4/6/03 Sunday*******************************************************
Well, I haven't updated in a while. I had my first nurse's appointment on April 1st, that went very good, they said I was a perfect canidate for the surgery. I need to try to lose 16 pounds before surgery, at least 8 pounds before I can schedule my appointment with the surgeon. That's not so bad. I can do that, I'm ready for the journey to begin!
I scheduled my appointment for my psych eval for May 2nd, could have been April 23rd but that day didn't work for me. I thought it would take a lot longer to get an appointment so I was pleasantly surprised :) While I'm waiting for that appointment, I need to speak with a dietician and also get my thyroid checked. Once all that is done, Dr. Baker or Dr. Johnson will do a dictation for the insurance company, and then I just wait for the approval. I know this part of it will go by fast, I called my insurance company and my policy does cover the surgery, so I'm not too nervous about that. I've been walking, not an extreme amount, but more than I ever did before. I'm trying to walk at least a few times during the week and then on the weekends. I've also cut down my caffeine a lot. I haven't totally cut it out yet because I don't want the terrible
headaches, but I'm a lot more aware of how much I'm drinking, and I tend to grab more water than anything else. I have a great group of support from my family and my friends, some don't necessarily agree with my decision, but they support me, so that
makes it a little easier. My boss is extremely supportive, which is nice, especially when I have to change my hours around a little to accomodate the appointments and the time off for surgery. I'm very lucky for this chain of support. My sister would have to be my biggest supporter since she's gone through all of this, and it's nice to hear her perspective on things. I'll update more when I know more....until then :)
5/11/03 Sunday************************************************
Hi again...well....all of my pre-op evals and testing are completed. I had my thyroid checked and that came back within the normal limits. I had both my physcological eval, with the mmpi test, and the dietician eval. I go back to review the results of the mmpi test in about 2 weeks. Everything seems to be right on schedule for now. I really don't have a whole lot to update on right now, so I'll write again when I get my surgery date!!!
7/12/04 Sunday************************************************
Wow...look I'm back :) Over a year later, I'm starting the process again. Some things came up where surgery wasn't top priority for me at that point, but I now realize what a tool this can be. I actually have joined Weight Watchers twice since being on this site the last time. I managed to lose 10 pounds the first time and 10 pounds the second time, but then I stop going to meetings and the weight just comes back on. Even when I still believe I'm watching what I'm eating, I'm gaining weight.
So this time, I work for an insurance company and I know they approve the surgery...around 10 people, at least, have had the surgery there. I've scheduled the first meeting at Methodist this time. A friend of mine had her surgery there and cannot say enough good things. I've also read alot about the team there and I would feel completely comfortable with that hospital. My meeting is on Aug 3rd I believe. I will update after that.
7/14/04 Wednesday*********************************************
I changed my mind on the surgeon again. I just feel more comfortable going through the same surgeon that my sister went through, which is Dr. Baker at unity. I scheduled the informational meeting for the same day it would have been at Methodist, August 3rd. I requested a copy of my health history form from the clinic so I can just update the info rather than fill it all out again. I'm very happy with my decision to change surgeons. When I got home from work yesterday there was a message on my voicemail from the nurse reminding me to set up the appointment for the informational meeting, which I already did, but they were not aware of that. I was really impressed that they called to remind me of that though. I also talked to my work about the surgery, I need to be employed for at least a year before I qualify for FMLA, which will be in March of '05, so not too far away. I don't plan on taking a ton of time off after surgery, I have a desk job and figure I'll be in pain at home or at work, so as long as I have no complications I'll be back to work as soon as possible. But just in case there are complications, I want to make sure I'm eligible for the FMLA. My sister is being extremely supportive, along with my mom. AFter seeing my sister go through the process, my mom is really "for" the surgery.
7/17/04 Saturday*******************************************
I'm not sure if I actually have to go through the informational meeting again, but what the heck. I figured I'd do it anyway just in case. I scheduled my first nurse's appointment for August 5th, 2 days after the info meeting, which I'm pretty excited about because that's when the whole process really starts. I'll find out how much I need to lose before the actual surgery, plus I'm choosing that day as my quitting smoking day. You have to be smoke free for 8 weeks so might as well get a jump start on the process.
8/9/04 Monday**********************************************
I went to the info meeting again on August 3rd, then had my first nurse's appointment on August 5th. I weigh 10 pounds less than last year when I was weighed for this process. So the nurse told me I should lose 13 pounds before surgery, but she said since I already lost 10 in the last year, I could probably do good with losing 5 pounds. I'm really trying to go for the 13 though. I started back on Weight Watchers, counting points, to try and lose the 13. I have my psych eval scheduled for next Monday, the 16th, and that's the last step before insurance approval. I went and had my thyroid checked on the 5th also, and today, when I got home from work, there was a message on my voicemail from Dr. Baker's office saying that they received the results of my thyroid and it's within the normal limits. I didn't really expect them to call and let me know the results, but I really appreciated that.
I will update more after psych eval. Yea, I'm getting very excited now, :)
8/18/04 Wednesday*******************************************
I had my psych eval on Monday the 16th. I think it went well. I had to take the MMPI-II test, which I think is just the updated form of the MMPI, and also 3-4 other tests, so total of about 1000 questions. yuck. It wasn't too bad though, my appointment was at 8:00 and I was done by 10:30. The psychologist talked to me for a little while and asked a bunch of questions and gave me some things to work on, like making sure I eat breakfast w/in an hour and a half of waking up, making sure to eat protein first at every meal. chewing to applesauce consistancy, drinking all of the water each day (I have been increasing my water and and up to at least 64 ounces each day now!). I quit smoking on August 1st and that has been going well. I quit cold turkey and I think I'm just ready. If I'm going to have the surgery to become healthy, why would I still smoke? So I go back for my second appointment to go over the results of the first appt in 2 weeks, 8/30/04. Hopefully he says everything is fine and I can get the ok to proceed. We'll see! I don't forsee any problems, but who knows. It's already taken a while since I originally started to process, so if I need to wait a little longer I won't be too disappointed. :)
8/31/04 Tuesday********************************************
I had my follow up appointment for the psych eval yesterday and it went great! He told me I am completely prepared for this surgery. I sure hope so since I've been researching it for about 5 years now. I've made so many changes already in my life that he doesn't think making additional changes after the surgery will be extremely difficult for me. Of course it's always going to be a little hard, I don't think it will be a walk in the park, but I definitely know what to expect.
I've been having tooth pains for the past few days, which has helped me lose a few pounds. I went in today for another root canal and it sucked!!! I nearly hit the roof about 20 times, after about 10 shots of novacaine as well....yuck.
Well now I just need to wait for the psychologist to dictate the report and send it off to Dr. Baker's office, then I should be getting a call to set up an appointment w/the surgeon, I believe. He says if I don't hear anything in 2-3 weeks to call and see what's going on, but I think I'll hear something shortly. Dr. Baker's office is really quick about things.
9/17/04 Friday********************************************
I was getting impatient...called the psychologist's office and asked if they had mailed my paperwork to the surgeon's office, which they did on 9/10/04, last Friday. Then I called Baker's office to make sure they received everything, and yes! They have it all, the nurse just needs to review it, and then they will call me to set up the appointment! yipee! I'm hoping to receive the call in a week or less, my sister told me it took about a week for her once they received all her info.
I'm so excited, just want to do it NOW!!!
10/3/04 Sunday********************************************
I got the call last Monday that the surgeon now has my psych eval and got the go-ahead to file to insurance. I made my appointment for the teaching session for last Thursday, which went well. I haven't lost any weight, but I've stayed exactly the same. The nurse says even if I stay the same I should be ok because I've lost 13 pounds since I started the whole process a year ago. I'm scheduled to have the surgery with Dr. Jeff, who is Dr. Baker's son, and the wait time for him is only about a month, so I think my surgery will be scheduled sooner than I thought, which is exciting. I know just need to wait for the call from Baker's office again stating my insurance was approved, which shouldn't take too long since I work for the insurance company, and then I'll get my surgery date! Woo Hoo....will update more at that time.
10/27/04 Wednesday*******************************************
I keep checking with my work to see if they have received all the info from the surgeon. I finally got word today that all info has been received and my file is now in review. I should hopefully here more either by the end of this week or beginning of next week! YEAH!!!
11/3/04 Wednesday********************************************
I'm approved! I have a meeting with the surgeon tomorrow and will hopefully have a date scheduled. Will update more tomorrow.
11/5/04 Friday************************************************
Well, long story short, my employer won't allow me to take the time off from work until March 28th, so that is the surgery date. I was originally really ticked about that, but it's not too bad. Everything happens for a reason, and this way I'll have more vacation time, and will also qualify for FMLA. So, March 28th....
3/8/05 Tuesday ************************************************
WOO HOO...Still on schedule for 3/28/05...just had my pre-op appt last Thursday on the 3rd. I actually switched surgeons because my Dr. Jeff is out on medical leave, so now I am scheduled with Dr. Johnson at 7:15 AM. One more appointment before the big day...3/24/05 have my pre-op physical with my primary doc, then 4 days later surgery. I'll update after surgery!!
3/16/05 Wednesday *********************************************
Went to the doctors yesterday, have my first sinus infection ever...they put me on augmentin for 10 days, which means I'll only be off the antibiotics for 3 days before surgery. I called my surgeon to make sure that would be ok, they are checking into it and will call me back. I sure hope I won't have to reschedule, otherwise maybe I can get on a stronger antibiotic to kick this infection out of me in a couple days. UGH!.......................the surgeon called me back, actually I'm impressed because it was Dr. Johnson that called me, not one of his nurses. It's ok to be on the augmentin but if it doesn't clear up my sinus infection I need to reschedule, so hopefully these meds work!!
3/22/05 Tuesday **********************************************
Sinus infection is gone, thank goodness, so everything should be a go. Getting really nervous now though. I'm not nervous about the aftercare and following the program...I'm afraid to die in surgery. That's kinda silly because I have the same chance of dying walking down the street and getting hit by a car, but still I'm nervous.
4/6/05 Wednesday *********************************************
Sorry haven't updated, my internet was down for a while. Surgery went GREAT! The surgery was about 2 hours, they removed my gallbladder at the same time, my incision is only about 3-3 1/2 inches long, so really small. I was in pain the first couple of days, but right now I feel GREAT! I'm actually going back to work on the 11th, so 2 weeks off total. I could have went back this past monday but I figured I'd take another week off. I had my one week post-op on Monday and I had lost 13 pounds since surgery, so a total of 20 because I lost 7 before surgery. So as of now, I'm at 271. AWESOME! I'm excited for this whole process. Thanks for all the support and emails from everyone. I really appreciate it. I'll update more later!!
5/5/05 Thursday***********************************************
1st month went great...starting to finally get some of my energy back..slowly but surely...I fell pretty good. Can eat normal foods, although I have dumped a few times from eating stuff that's not low in sugar...so that's a good thing that sugar makes me dump! As of this morning I am down to 256..so a total weight loss of 35 pounds so far, in just a little over a month. Absolutely amazing...I kept thinking at the beginning that this wouldn't work for me, I'd be one of the only ones that it wouldn't work, but I guess I was wrong. My clothes are starting to fall off me now...that's a pretty cool feeling! Plus my 7 year old daughter says she can touch her hands together when she hugs me now, which she wasn't able to do before. According to my 5 week check, I've lost between 2-3 inches on every part of my body...cool cool! :)
Wednesday June 8th 2005**************************************
Almost 3 months out and down about 48 pounds. My goal was to lose 50 pounds by my 3 month check up and it looks like I'm gonna make it. Everything has been going good. I really have to watch what I'm eating because the sugar is definitely making me sick, but that's a good thing!
I'll update more after my 3 month check!
Tuesday June 21 2005 *****************************************
Just a quick update...my mom gave me like 4 huge bags of clothes this weekend, stuff that she doesn't want anymore...so I was going through a few things this morning and found a pair of Tommy Jeans that she gave me...looked at the size...size 18...no way can I fit into those, but thought I'd try anyway...they FIT!! I have not been able to wear size 18 for like 10 years...WOO HOO!!
Wednesday June 29 2005 ****************************************
Had my 3 month check up on Monday the 27th...all is going well...officially lost 51 pounds, lost 2 inches on my arms, 6 inches on my waist and 5 inches on my hips. WOW! It's pretty exciting...my family has been very supportive through the process which helps alot. I haven't really had any complications yet, other than my acid reflux still acts up, but rather than the acid coming back up it goes down into my stomach which makes it hard to eat or drink, unless I remember to take my medication, then it's ok. Here's an updated pic of me just taken yesterday... just copy the link and paste it http://www.geocities.com/jennyk1203/jen3months.JPG
Thursday August 4th 2005 *******************************
Everything is still going well. I had an endoscopy done last Friday to see if I have an ulcer, and they didn't find anything. Everything looks normal, so now I have a follow up on the 11th to see if I can just stay on my medicine, since it helps, or if they want to go in laprascopically to see my bypassed stomach. Hopefully I can just stay on the meds, I really don't want to have a lap procedure. Other than that, everything is great. I fit into my size 16 jeans last night, I could barely move in them, but I was able to button and zip them up! ha
I went to Valleyfair a couple weeks ago and had no problems on any of the rides. The last time I went I couldn't fit on the Steel Venom ride, this time, no problems. The ride was awesome.
I've been going on bike rides lately too, 10 miles in 2 days. That was great! The last time I rode a bike I could barely make it a block, so that was exciting. As soon as I got home I had to call my mom to tell her!!
I am so glad I chose to have this surgery, I have no regrets whatsoever...every day I find something new that I can do or that I notice about myself.
Thursday October 26th 2005 ***************************
Wow, 7 months post op already and things are still going great...
I am down to 215, in a size 16 (almost 14!! yea!! )
Here's a fairly recent pic...
http://www.geocities.com/jennyk1203/6monthspostop.html
here's another pic of me and my boyfriend...this was at a murder mystery party so he looks a little dorky in this pic with the glasses and slicked hair!!! http://www.geocities.com/jennyk1203/darrinjennyparty.html?1130427033479
Doin' great though...have much more energy than I used to..
Not sleeping NEARLY as much as I used to.
Sick of losing my hair but hopefully that'll stop pretty soon..not a big deal anyway because I have super super thick hair so only I can notice the difference.
Sunday March 26 2006 *********************************
Been a while since I updated, but I'm doing pretty good. My sister picked me up a pair of jeans the other day that were on clearance because she knew I liked the brand, only they were a size 14. I had her get them for me anyway thinking I would fit into them eventually. I tried them on last night and OH MY GOODNESS, they FIT. That was my original goal from the beginning of this process is to be in a size 14! I still haven't made it to the 100's yet, but I'm down almost 90 pounds in a year so I can't complain at all.
I have been much more active, which is so nice being that I have an 8 year old daughter and my boyfriend has 3 kids as well!
I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat, I think it's the best decision I have made for myself.
I went on vacation about a month ago with my boyfriend to Montana and I was actually able to go downhill skiing...it was awesome, until I fell on the 4th run down and completely tore my ACL, partially tore my MCL, fractured my fibula...OUCH...so the limitations I am experiencing right now are only due to the knee injury. From what I have been hearing, I am looking at close to a year of recovery with physical therapy and surgery...ugh...But, once that is over I will be able to continue to be active and have fun enjoying activities again.
Here's a couple more pics...
Darrin and I on top of one of the mountains right before I hurt my knee:
http://www.geocities.com/jennyk1203/DCP_0383.JPG
Here's a nice one of me in the hospital in Bozeman, MT:
http://www.geocities.com/jennyk1203/HPIM0149mod.jpg
Darrin had to take a pic of me trying to get into the sleigh..we were going for a ride up the mountain, two cowboys had to help me get in because of my leg! :)
http://www.geocities.com/jennyk1203/HPIM0154.JPG
busride back to the airport..don't I look happy? :)
http://us.share.geocities.com/jennyk1203/HPIM0232.JPG
Despite the injury, the vacation was AWESOME!!
Monday April 3 2006 ***************************
Stepped on the scale this morning. 207! Wow! I think I had the flu over the weekend, so dropped a few pounds there.
I was hoping to be 199 by 4/28/06, so still possible. But that's the WLS Spring Thaw
Monday April 24 2006*********************************
Dropped a little more. 2006 is going to be another one of my "medical years". But on the bright side it's helping me lose weight. I'm now down to 202, as of this morning, but I'm also a little bloated, so I'm hoping that'll still go down 3 pounds by this Friday. That was my goal and it could still happen :)
I have ACL reconstruction surgery planned for May 11th. It's outpatient, so I'll go home the same day, but I am NOT looking forward to the surgery. Of course everyone tells their horror stories, but I have heard it is a very painful surgery. So my mom is taking that Thursday and Friday off, so she can drop off my daughter and pick her up from school, and then we'll be staying with her for at least 4 days, maybe a week, until I can drive. I should only have to take off 2 weeks from work, hopefully. The surgeon originally said a week, but then he said realistically 2 weeks. I need to be off the pain meds and feel comfortable driving. I've already been doing physical therapy for almost 8 weeks, and then after surgery I start therapy again, I think a week after surgery. I asked him about bike riding and he thinks I should be able to bike ride maybe within a month after surgery, so that's hopefull. I've been DYING to go on a bike ride. It's been so beautiful outside. But it hurts to walk a block even with the dang brace on my leg. Trying to keep positive about it though. Not much else I can do! :)
We got a kitten over the weekend, so that was exciting. My daughter and the kitten have bonded really well over the weekend, so this one looks hopeful. We think it's a boy, but it's hard to tell at this age. It's a teeny gray kitten that my daughter name Charcoal. He's very playful and very sweet.
Ok, enough chatter. Hopefully I can update in a couple days to say I'm under 200 pounds! :):):)
Wednesday March 7, 2007*******************************************
Wow, been a while again. Happy to say things have gone well as far as weight loss. I'm now down to 184 pounds, which I'm very happy about. I just bought my first pair of size 12 two days ago, so that was a HUGE deal in my book! Things are great and I'm happy with the decision I made almost 2 years ago. It definitely gave me my life back..I can do so much more now. The knee has set me back, 2 surgeries and still not right, but even with that set-back I can do more than when I was overweight. What a lifechanging surgery. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
