Kim D.
2/06/04 - I am 30 yrs old, married to a wonderful man for the past 6 1/2 years. We have a 20-month old son. I have been overweight/obese for my entire natural life, so to say that I am ready for this surgery would be putting it mildly. I am 5'7" and started this "journey" weighing 279.5 lbs (2/9/04). My highest weight was 292, which was when I was 9 months pregnant.
I have constantly dealt with the repercussions of being obese - shortness of breath, ridicule, mocking (even from other adults), and trouble finding things that "fit" (clothes, jewelry, restaurant booths, airplane seats, friends). I have no co-morbidities yet, except slight back pain each morning and the beginning of urine incontinence.
I am scared to leave my husband and son this early in life (if something were to happen during surgery), but am also scared to live the rest of my life as a morbidly obese individual. My grandfather has been super-obese most of his life, and I have seen the toll it takes on a body. I have a long family history of obesity, I feel this disease is at least partially genetic.
6/17/04 - 10 days post-op
I had my surgery on June 7, 2004. My surgery was at 7:15 a.m. with Dr. Daniel Baker at Unity Hospital in Fridley, MN. I feel great! I have no second thoughts on this surgery, and am convinced that this was the right thing for me! Thanks to everyone who helped get me here!
6/28/04 - 3 weeks post-op
I still feel pretty good. Battling with some minor depression/sleep depravation for the last week. Stepped on the scale this morning - 253 lbs. Down 15 lbs since surgery and 32.5 lbs since my PCP appt on 2/27. Slow, but still GREAT for me.
7/29/04 - 7.5 weeks post-op
I feel good, but had to deal with a torn colo-rectal muscle in my abdomen this past week. It was because I tried to do too much too fast. I just feel so good that it's hard for me to remember that I had major surgery last month. I have been stuck at 241 for a little over a week, but who cares?? I have lost 44 lbs since February and am learning to celebrate the little victories! Yesterday was the last day I will be wearing those pants, I had to literally hold them up at work all day. That has NEVER happened to me before.
8/9/04 - 9 weeks post-op
I have hit a bit of a weight loss plateau, but still feel great. My belly sags, but at least now it's more EMPTY than FULL. I would take that any day over weighing 285 lbs! I have been so active lately that I haven't had time to update much, but I feel GREAT! I can handle just about any food in moderation.
8/10/04 - 9 weeks + 1 day
I DID IT! I am down 50 lbs as of this morning! This is going by my highest weight of 285.5 on 2/27/04. I was 279.5 on my surgeon's scale on 2/9, so that is what they are going by, but I should make -50 for them by my 3 month appointment on 9/16. MINI CELEBRATION FOR ME!
8/16/04 - 10 weeks
Went shopping this week-end, bought 3 pairs of elastic-waist pants in size 18!!! Also fit into a pair of size 20 jeans at Old Navy - YIPPEEEE! I didn't buy them, because I still have jeans I can wear, and I want to buy a size 18 - maybe a couple more weeks. I am down 53 lbs this morning! My bra size went from 44D to 40C - WHERE DID THEY GO??
9/7/04 - 3 month anniversary
This morning I am down exactly 60 lbs from my highest weight in February and down 43 lbs since surgery. I couldn't be happier. I am totally convinced that this surgery was right for me. But I also realize that I am VERY lucky because I haven't had hardly any complications.
10/4/04 - Quick Update
I have lost 70 lbs as of this morning. I am wearing a size 16 jean skirt today - I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I HAVE WORN A SIZE 16!!!
11/15/04 - MILESTONE REACHED
I am under the 200 lb mark for the first time in about 17 years - that is over 1/2 my lifetime! I weighed 198.5 this morning. That is 87 lbs lost since my heaviest in February. I am having some image issues (I can't see the smaller me yet), but am hoping that my head will "catch up" quickly. Still the best decision I have ever made for myself. And my family is reaping the rewards also.
11/29/04 - Almost 6 months.
Thanksgiving week-end was a breeze for me, and I am thankful for that. I actually lost 2.5 lbs in the past week, probably due to the 2 HUGE loads of wood we cut for mom and dad. Spent 4 1/2 hrs in the woods and my back wasn't sore ONE BIT. I felt sorry for my husband though, he is feeling the pain still. Maybe I can get him to look into this surgery a little more. My size 18 skirt is almost falling off today, HELLO 16's!
12/8/04 - 6 month check-in (yesterday)
Yesterday was my 6 month anniversary and all I can say is - WHAT A RIDE! I have never done something so rewarding for myself in my entire life. I have lost 90.5 lbs, 2 3/4" off my arms, 5 1/4" off my waist, and an amazing 12" off my hips!!! I started in size 24 and am now comfortable in size 18's and can get into most size 16's (bottom). I have a very hard time buying size L in tops, so I usually end up exchanging the XL or wearing my shirts a little big. I have some "saggies" (boobs, arms, belly), but that is to be expected and I would rather be saggy and skinny than firm and fat (I'm a poet, who knew it?).
I also went to the University of St. Thomas on Saturday and performed an underwater weighing and basal metabolism test with Dr. Dan Carey. If anyone is thinking of doing this - GO FOR IT! He was so full of information and I am happy to report that I am 33.4% body fat (66 lbs of fat and 131 lbs of lean). My basal metabolic rate is 1350 (I burn this many calories each day just by breathing), which he thought was pretty low. My nurse yesterday said it is a bit low, but more exercise will kick that number up. My target/goal weight is 171, but I would be sooooo happy at 180 that I would probably have to jump for joy!!!
Take care everyone, happy holidays!
12/28/04 - I am having a little problem with head hunger right now. I feel full but not satisfied. From what I have heard on the message board, it's the carbs that I consumed too much of over the long Christmas week-end. I'm looking forward to the new year because this time I feel like I have resolution I can stick to. Here is my plan for the new year:
1) Limit snacking to once per day, and a protein-rich snack
2) DO NOT EAT after supper
3) Get at least 64 oz. of fluids each day
4) Track my food intake on www.fitday.com and BE TRUTHFUL
5) Be Happy!
I have gained 2 lbs in the last 2 weeks, and I have no one to blame but myself. This tool will only work if I work it correctly. I am thinking of this as a TEMPORARY setback only. I am still very proud of myself and happy with my life.
1/3/05 - Happy New Year to me!
I lost 3 lbs in the last week, and I honestly don't know how I did it. I am now down to 190 lbs, which puts me at a BMI of 29.8. I am NO LONGER OBESE. I am overweight. If I stopped losing weight now, I would be very happy. Of course I would like to lose more, but that will take a little more effort on my part. Like EXERCISING. I have no one to blame but myself.
I forgot to mention earlier that I am absolutely elated - on Christmas Day I wore my "goal" jeans - Calvin Klein size 14. I am fitting comfortably into size 16 pants now, and can get into size 14 without too much trouble. I'm about a size L on top. I can't quite figure out my bra size, I'm still a D-cup, but have trouble finding a 36D or 38D with enough material on the sides to tuck in my skin. I have been wearing 40D and 42D, which are way to big around, but they have been working to this point. I am very quickly growing out of the jeans my sister and cousins gave me, now I will need to break down and actually buy some. I have been very lucky about not spending much $$ on clothes - but my time has come. Bras and pants are #1 on my list. Tops still work when they are a little big.
My husband and I are still having personal issues, I don't know if they are related to WLS or not. I have no sexual desire, which is very tough on our marriage. Plus I feel that he doesn't do anything for me (around the house, with our son, or just to plain do something nice for me). This is tough, but I hope we can work on this together.
1/7/05 - 7 month update
I am wearing my "goal jeans" today. I bought them a few months ago - size 14 Calvin Klein jeans. I need a new goal now! I have lost 96.5 lbs since last February and am feeling physically great. Mentally good, still need to work on those personal/sexual issues. I am looking forward to a GREAT NEW YEAR!
1/17/05 - CENTURY CLUB!
As of this morning, I have lost 100 lbs since 2/27/04. I had my appointment with my PCP on that day and I weighed 285.5 Today I weighed 185.5 It's like a dream come true! I still can't believe that I weigh this little when I look in the mirror, all I see is a big fat belly. I'm trying to notice other things, the one thing I love to look at is my neck and the bones that stick out. I never knew I had bones there! I wear a lot more open-necked shirts now.
I still have 6 lbs to go before my bariatric clinic will agree about the century club, my highest recorded weight with them is 279.5. I'll get there soon, by my 9 month checkup for sure (3/7/05).
2/28/05 - Almost 9 months.
In another week I will be 9 months post-op. My weight loss has slowed considerably, but I lost a couple pounds last week to put my total weight loss at 107 lbs. Which means I was able to reach my mini-goal of -100 according to my surgeon's records. I am down 101 from my surgeon's highest recorded weight, and I have another week to try to lose 1 or 2 more pounds. I am starting to firm up a little more, and Friday I wore a pair of size 12 stretch jeans. They fit fine, but were low-waisted so I kept pulling them up in the back. I'm not used to having skin exposed in the back! Things are going well, and if I would curb my snacking a little more I think the weight loss would pick up again. I am very happy with my current weight (178.5) and would like to remain in the 170's. Now it's about tightening and toning!
3/7/05 - 9 month update
Had my checkup today, nothing unusual. Keep working out and watch the snacking. I weighed 178 at my checkup (weighed 176 this morning though). Nurse is happy, I am happy, another checkup in 3 months. LIFE IS GREAT!
4/11/05 - 10 months plus
Had my PCP checkup a week or so ago, she is so proud of me. And I am proud of myself too! Wearing size 12 jeans now and size L tops mostly. I never thought I would be so lucky. I just read someone's profile who is not doing well at all, it makes me feel so fortunate. RNY was the right thing for me, and I thank God that I didn't have any complications or adverse problems. I am looking into Plastic Surgery but probably can't afford it (I doubt if insurance will cover it). I also know that it's best to wait until I am completely done losing. I think I'm getting close because I have been pretty steady in the 170's. But I don't mind because I'm so happy where I'm at. 169 is a dream, but if I don't get there that's OK too.
Oh yeah, sexual appetite has increased greatly in the last month. I think that the switch flipped in my head and I decided to stop worrying about what my husband is thinking when he sees me naked. He always says the skin doesn't bother him, I guess I just decided to listen. Happy Days!
5/2/05 - Almost 11 months post-op. Weight today was 168.5 - HOLY BUCKETS! My personal goal was 169 but I was never sure if I would make it. I have been stable in the low 170's for almost 2 months, and have been so happy with my success. Now on to thoughts of reconstructive surgery. But we haven't decided if 1 child is enough yet so we better figure that out first. I just want this extra skin GONE! I think if it were removed I wouldn't even be overweight anymore - what a strange feeling! I can wear size 12 jeans/slacks, and even have 1 pair of size 10's that I can breathe in. Still wear size L tops, medium fits but I'm not comfortable with it clinging to my tummy so I opt for the L. Ring fingers have gone from size 11 1/2 to size 9, just about ready to resize my wedding ring. Shoes have gone from 9W to 8-8 1/2 (not wide anymore). Have saggy belly (bad), boobs (went from 44D to 36B), thighs and arms. Would love to consider surgery for all 4, but know that I can't afford it. Belly is most important, followed by boobs, thighs and then arms. Who knows, maybe the skin will firm up more - I SURE HOPE SO!
6/7/05 - 1 year post-op!
1 year ago today I weighed 268.8 pounds. I was morbidly obese and on my way to 300 or 400 pounds. My grandfather weighed between 450 and 500 lbs at his highest weight. It took him getting type II diabetes to lose about 80 lbs, he still is in the high 300's. At 79 years old, his heart and knees are worn out. He wonders why he gets winded walking from his chair to the bathroom and back - but I know why. He abused his body for years by drinking, smoking, and binging. My mom is also morbidly obese, as are both of her brothers. My mom is in pain from sore joints, my uncle has had 2 surgeries at the Mayo Clinic for back pain, and my other uncle has yo-yo dieted as long as I can remember.
I had continually gained weight every year of my life. I graduated high school around 215, college around 250, and my highest recorded weight (not including pregnancy) was 285.5. Enough was enough. I was scared to death to pursue the surgery, but scared even more that pretty soon even Lane Bryant wouldn't have clothes big enough for me. I am glad that I was brave enough to take this risk. It was the right thing for me.
1 year ago today I was recovering at Unity Hospital. My husband was by my side, as he always is, and I was in a lot of pain. I was having trouble sipping water and didn't get up much to walk that first day. I found it was easier to sleep in the chair than in the bed. I was holding pictures of my son and crying because I missed him so much. I was freaked out because I thought I would never be able to eat again.
Today, I can eat any single food I want to - just not nearly as much as a year ago. I understand that there are ways to defeat this surgery and gain some/most of the weight back, but I hope that I am smart enough not to do that. I am healthy, happy, more active, vibrant, and - dare I say it - HOT. OK, let's reduce that to cute and I can buy it. My husband can't keep his hands off me, my co-workers are constantly complimenting me, I now buy size 10 jeans instead of 24. It's been a great experience but at the same time the hardest thing I have ever done.
Here are my 1 year stats:
Arm - from 16" to 12" = loss of 4"
Waist - from 47" to 37 1/2 " = loss of 9 1/2"
Hip - from 58" to 42 1/2 " = loss of 15 1/2"
Weight - from 285.5 to 170.5 (on dr's scale) = loss of 115 lbs
BMI - from 44.7 (morbidly obese) to 26.6 (overweight)
I wish I could post my pics, someday I'll get a digital camera.
I contribute much of my success this past year to my online support and monthly support group meetings. I think it helps to remember this is a daily journey - I didn't get fat overnight and I won't get normal overnight. I thank everyone who has contributed to my success. I would love to meet each and every one of you and give you a hug!
8/16/05 - 14 months post-op.
I hopped on the scale this morning because we were out of town yesterday morning (and I weigh myself every Monday morning). To my surprise, I was down to 163. I teeter around 166 (give or take a couple), and the lowest I had seen (besides today) was 165.5 That alone made me so happy, but to get to 163 was just amazing. I am really considering Plastic Surgery for my tummy (the rest I can deal with), but need to figure out if we are done having kids or not. Can't decide yet, yesterday I wanted more kids so bad I was crying. Today I don't know again.
10/17/05 - 16 months post-op
New picture is up - I can't believe how different I look. I have BONES! I am trying to get pregnant and both of us are very excited about it. Our little boy just turned 3 last week - he's turned into a young man already! I am stable around 163-165 lbs, loss of 120-122. Loving life and thankful every day for this surgery!
12/28/05 - 18 months post-op
I had a miscarriage on 12/16. I was about 6 weeks pregnant. It has been a very tough month for me, we have lost 2 people that were very close to us (sister-in-law and good friend), then the miscarriage. Christmas wasn't the best either, but I hope that 2006 is less stressful/dramatic. I gained a couple pounds over Thanksgiving/Christmas but am still maintaining comfortably in the 160's. I don't believe the miscarriage had anything to do with WLS (how could it), but I want to blame something/someone. I can't accept the fact that sometimes these things happen for no reason.
4/17/06 - 10 weeks pregnant!
I am so happy to report that I am pregnant again. This time I think it's going to stick! I will be 10 weeks along tomorrow, my due date is November 14, 2006. My family is very happy for me, I can't stop smiling. Life is good. I had gained a couple pounds over Thanksgiving/Christmas and a couple more since, but lost 2 lbs in the last week because I am having trouble eating. Part of the morning sickness I'm sure. So far everything is going well, normal pregnancy symptoms.
7/14/06 - 22 weeks pregnant!
This pregnancy has been a bit tougher than my first one but I am so happy that it hardly matters. We found out a couple weeks ago that we are having another boy!! I can't wait for November to get here but I also have so much to do before then. I have gained more weight then I had hoped to so far but I will be watching my food intake more carefully. I am up to 186 and started my pregnancy at 172 (after gaining some "bounceback weight"). My lowest weight since surgery was 163 and I would like to get back to the 160's after the baby is born so I don't want to go much over 190 during the pregnancy. I have been able to feel the baby moving for a few weeks now, which is a wonderful feeling! I'm so excited to weigh 100 lbs less during this pregnancy, I think it will make my recovery so much easier - not to mention taking care of 2 kids rather than just 1!!!
10/21/06 - 36 1/2 weeks pregnant, wt 195
Well, I am nearing the home stretch of this pregnancy - thank goodness! I don't remember having to go to the bathroom so much when I was pregnant the first time! The baby seems so big too, he is pressing on my bottom but at the same time kicking me in the ribs/lungs. I have gained 22 lbs since becoming pregnant which is pretty good I guess. I hope I don't hit 200 before the baby comes, it would be more painful mentally than physically! My due date is November 14th, only a few short weeks away! I hope that I am able to breastfeed to help with some quicker weight loss after the baby comes. Then I need to get back on track with my eating schedule, right now there is so little room for food that I have been very lucky.
11/7/06 - 39 weeks pregnant, wt 199
I have been pretty miserable the last couple days, hopefully that means that the pregnancy will be over soon and I will be holding my little baby in my arms! I am very nervous about getting back on track with eating after the baby is born. I have given in to many sweet temptations - especially chocolate (which has always been my downfall). I will need support more than ever after baby gets here - and I'm home with the horrible kitchen pantry during my maternity leave. I would like to get back to a weight in the 160's, my lowest ever after surgery was 163 and that was a brief but awesome feeling. I started pregnancy at 173 so have gained an OK amount of weight. My CNP mentioned something to me a couple weeks ago about having reconstructive surgery because my pannus is hanging VERY LOW now with the weight of the baby, I'm not sure if insurance will cover it and how long I would have to wait after baby (especially since there is no paid time off from work - YIKES). I'll have to make do for a while at least. It currently hits my legs constantly but no rashes yet.
11/12/06 - Kevin Laurence Dailey arrived at 11:10 p.m. on Wednesday November 8, 2006. He weighed 8 lbs 5 oz and was 20 1/2" long. We got home yesterday afternoon and are doing well!
I called in to L&D on Wednesday afternoon because I lost my mucus plug during the day Wednesday and I was a little bit worried that I had been leaking amniotic fluid on Tuesday (after getting membranes stripped at my Monday night appointment). The nurse advised me to come in and make sure I was not leaking amniotic fluid. We arrived at the hospital around 7:00 and they hooked us up to monitors. I was dialated to about 2 1/2 and had a bulging bag of waters. She tested but I was not leaking fluid. She asked if I wanted to walk for a while to get things going - so we booked it around the hospital floor for about 35 minutes. During this time my contractions got longer and stronger, so by the time we came back to triage (around 9:15 p.m.), I was about 3 1/2 and 100% effaced. During this time the nurse had asked about the VBAC versus a repeat C-section, I told her I was under the impression that we HAD to try the VBAC. She said no, it is our choice. Well, the contractions were getting tougher and tougher (especially for me, the wimp), so we decided to have a repeat c-section. I had told my nurse about the dream I had a few weeks ago about the baby being born on the 8th of November, she said my dream would probably come true!
They prepped me for surgery, wheeled me in to the operating room at 10:40 and Kevin was born at 11:10 p.m. He is absolutely perfect!! He is breastfeeding and things are going well for us. He lost a little more weight than the doctor hoped so we have a checkup at the clinic tomorrow, but I'm sure he will be fine. He sleeps well, is not a fussy baby, and is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!
1/3/07 - Happy New Year!
I started back to work today and I'm missing my boys so much already! I knew this day would come but the 8 weeks went so FAST. I am 8 weeks post-partum today and weigh 179.5. I started the pregnancy at 173 and my lowest weight ever (since having surgery) was 163. I am hoping to get back to the 160's but it will take some work on my part. I was as low at 175 while I was breastfeeding, but I gained some weight back after I stopped breastfeeding. Hopefully going back to work will be a GOOD thing with food, although I seem to snack more at work then I did at home. My weight has shifted too, more in my lower belly so it's tough to get the pants on but easy to fasten them. The pannus hangs so much lower than before, I would like reconstructive surgery but don't have the money and don't want to go thru the pain.
11/19/08 - Overdue Update
Well, some things have changed since I last updated - some good and some bad. I ended up leaving my job of 10 yrs almost immediately after returning from maternity leave. I found another job right away, and worked at a Team Lead at Target for 11 months, then an amazing opportunity fell into my lap. I am now in charge of inventory/website maintenance for an internet gift basket company. It's an awesome company and the best part is that I get to work from home! I can put my little boy on the school bus each morning, and be here for him when he arrives home. My 2 yr old still has to go to daycare, but it seems as though I have the best of both worlds (work and home) since I can sneak in a load or two of laundry and start supper while still "on the clock". However, I have experienced some weight gain because of my sedentary lifestyle. I currently weigh 192 lbs, which is up about 20 lbs from where my body "settled" (I didn't stay in the 160's after the birth of my 2nd son, was at 172 for a long time). I am not doing very much to lose that weight, but I plan to start anew come the New Year. Sure, I am disappointed with my weight, but I am taking it all in stride.
I haven't been back to this website for a long time, life seems to run away with me, but I'm anxious to reconnect with some old friends here and make some new ones :-)
12/5/08 - Excited for my sister!
My baby sister is going through the process to have lap band surgery in January 2009. She has finished her 6 months supervised weight loss, has completed her psych appointments and her dietician appointments. All that is left is insurance approval (which her clinic has told her should not be a problem) and then a surgery date! I attended a support group meeting with her Monday night, and I will be there with her the day of surgery. I am very proud of her, and have decided that when she starts her 2 week liquid diet, I will do it with her. That will be the jump-start I need to get myself back on track, and I can support her (long distance) at the same time. This may or may not be right, but I am not going to push myself to lose weight before the holidays. I have a lot going on at the moment to start a "diet". Some of you may think I'm putting it off, and I may be doing that, but please check back in January and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
