Suzette :.
Hi There! Let me tell you a little about me. My name is Sue. I am 35yrs old and not married and no children. I have been overweight my whole life. I knew of all the humilation of being chosen last for sports. Always was picked on by the "skinny kids" Living in a world full of stereotypes of always needing to be thin, I was always on a diet. I never was able to do the "supervised" weight loss programs such as Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, due to the fact I couldnt afford it or it was because I had to work at a part time job to help pay bills. I think one of the reasons for me being overweight my whole life was I was taught to eat emotionally. Eat when something joyous happens and eat when something bad happens. I have tried the good old option of diet and exercise and that didnt seem to help. I decided to join Curves for Women and thought that would help me get back on track with losing weight and getting back in shape. Well unfortunately not the case since my PCP upped my insulin for my diabetes. The first thing I noticed after that is that my weight slowly started to go higher. I noticed that if I maintained the workouts three times a week it would help me maintain my weight. I am currently at 240-250 depending on the insulin and what time of the month it is. I was talking to a lady I met while doing the MS walk. She was the cordinator and was also suffering from MS. She had the surgery done this past January and she looks amazing! She has been my angel. She helped me get started on this journey. Thanks, Mary! I told her that I had been doing my research on it and I needed to know how to get started.
She told me to talk to my PCP and he would take it from there. I had to see him within a few days so I figured I would talk to him at that time. Well got kinda nervous so I decided to wait. I didnt know what his reaction would be. 
August 5th, 2005
I was having a bad day and was really feeling down about my weight. I am sure it didnt help I got weighed and measured that morning at Curves(monthly thing you do to see your progress) and I had gained a few pounds and didnt lose any inches. So I thought what have I got to lose. So I emailed my PCP and asked him if he would ever refer me for the Gastric bypass surgery. I got an email back from him stating I would have to go to the University of Minnesota-Fairview since they didnt those types of sugerys here. I also found out that you had to have a referral from your PCP to even get in for the consultation. In the email he told me that I would have to call his office and have the scheduling desk lady call up there and make the appointment. Well I got the consultation date for October 5th, 2005. Will write more after the consultation.
October 6th, 2005
Wow, What a day. I thought I had fully researched it and thought I knew my stuff. Guess I didnt know all I thought I did. First I get there and get checked in. Then its sit and wait until they call us in to get our blood pressure and weight checked. BP was high oops. Weight was about 241. Then they took a bunch of us up to the conference room and thats where we met one of the dieticians. She was very friendly and helpful but most of all very informed and she knew what she was talking about. She told us what we could expect and things we would need to purchase as far as the food processor and a blender. She was very informative. Then just as she was finishing up Dr. Buchwald came in and then he started talking to us about the reason why we over eat. I was very impressed with his knowledge about the surgery and found out that he has done more than 20,000 of these surgeries and is also the lead surgeon that help start the gastric bypass program and was the one that started it at the University of Minnesota. I liked the fact that he told you how it was and that mainly the sucess was up to me and I would be the one to determine if I made it a sucess. He also told us that 80% would do very well with the surgery and 10% would have weight loss but not as much as they would of liked and the last 10% would eat themselves right back out of the surgery. The surgeon went over the 3 types of surgery he does, and we had to decide which one we would like to have done. My decision was very easy since the insurance co would only cover one of them. He was very detailed in explaining each one and the benefits and the risks of all of them. I will admit the surgery I have chosen (Open RNY) I am not real keen on the 6" scar that will be left afterwards, But I guess if that scar makes me healthy, I say oh well a scar is a scar. I am ready to be healthy again. 
October 7th, 2005
I was really ready to get this process started. I called Danette to see when she was sending in the paperwork for insurance. She told me that she would be submitting it that day or the next one. I asked her to call me at home once she got the approval or denial. She was kinda leary on leaving me a message at home but I assured her that noone else lived with me and that only I would get the message. So she had agreed to do it. Now the wait begins.
October 9th, 2005
I have never been known to be a patient person. I am connected to the BCBS of MN website and finally emailed them to see if there was any new news. They told me that it can take about 10-14 days for the decision and that they had it in the system. I finally calmed down and thought well there isnt anything I can do to speed it along.
October 17th, 2005
Today wasnt a very good day at work. It was a long day and wasnt in the best of moods. Well I finally get home and there was a message on my answering machine and it was from the surgeon's secretary Danette. She called since I asked her to and told me that the surgery had been approved and to call her to schedule the surgery. I sat on the couch and cried. It was a relief to know all the worrying was for nothing and from the stresses of the day all came out but I felt so much better once I got done crying. Never thought it was going to be approved. Guess I owe God alot for hearing my prayers. Now I have to see how work is going to be about this. Not sure what to expect since I have never had something like this before.
October 18th, 2005
Well I went into work and talked to our HR person about the time off and my supervisor and WOW they are very understanding and said that I could work on Saturdays to build comp time up and carry it over into 2006 (we normally cant do that unless its approved) and I will also be using my 2 weeks vacation days. They told me if I need more time that I can just be off and then I can work more Saturdays to make up for the extra time I am gone. Then Dawn (HR) reminded me about our "cafeteria plan" where I can allot a total amount to be taken out in payments from my paycheck (before taxes) and then once I have the surgery and get the bill for the total out of pocket ($1500.00) all I have to do is submit the bill and the money will be put in my account and I can just write a check for the bill and it will be all paid off. I know I am very blessed for the job I have and the wonderful insurance coverage.
October 19th, 2005
Well I scheduled the surgery for January 19th. Didnt realize that I scheduled it 3 months to the day from todays date. The number 19 also has some other signifigances. My favorite Nascar Driver Jeremy Mayfield drives the #19 Dodge. Not to mention this is a little payback to my ex since his birthday is today October 19th.
November 5th, 2005
Today I went to PCP for a checkup for my diabetes. Numbers are great and I almost fell off my chair when they took my blood pressure since I didnt even feel my heart beating when they put the cuff thing on and started pumping it up. Well BP was 112/70
PCP was happy and I was very estatic! Normal BP for me is 140/90
My highest was 188/140 and they were suprised I didnt die from a heart attack. I know the surgery is my new ticket and lease on life! I hope I can get off the insulin and most of all off the 4 medications for my heart. Heart problems run in my family. Then I got home from work and there were 2 letters in the mail. One said the mammogram was fine and nothing was found and the other one was that my girlie physical was normal. I was so happy since last year about this time I was told that I had the start of cervical cancer. I was so blown away and cried since my mom was diagnosed with cancer when she was 35 and it scared me so bad. I had to go thru some freezing treatments and then get check ups every 3 months for a while and then it went to every 6 months and then she told me on my last one if all was ok I would be able to go back to the once a year! Guess that means I only have to go back once a year now. Good day all around the medical part of my life.
December 5, 2005
Went to PCP again for a checkup and all is still well. I talked to the doctor and I found out I dont need to see him until my Pre op physical in January! I so cant wait for that day to come and then I will only have a week to go for my surgery. Its amazing how time can fly. Some days seem to drag on but then when you look at the calendar its amazing how fast time is going. I am getting really excited but scared too. More excited than scared. I think the nerves will be bad once I am on my way to the hospital the morning of my surgery! Please pray for good weather since in Minnesota .....its known for bad weather. I sometimes feel like I am in a dream and waiting for someone to wake me up. The whole thing went to smoothly and things never go that smoothly for me. I am waiting for something to happen where I cant have it. But will just think positive and keep making sure I am in good health and not getting sick.
December 10, 2005
Merry Christmas to me! I decided to buy a new home computer. I knew I would need it while I am off work since I am on a computer 8 hrs a day at work and will miss it. I also need to be able to balance my checkbook and since I wont be at work I wont be able to do that either. Yes you may have figured it out I work for the Credit Union here in town. I am so happy that I could buy it and not to mention it was on sale! Gotta love a sale!
January 2, 2006
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I havent updated in a while and thought it was time to do that. I had a great holiday season and was able to eat lefse and some of my favorite foods that I will be giving up once I have the surgery. I noticed that my surgery was the topic of conversation for part of the day. I also noticed the more I talked about it the more scared I got. I went to my maternal grandma's house and got to see family that I havent seen in a really long time. Most special of all I got to see my grandma. I talk to her atleast once a month but she lives an hour and a half away and with me working 2 jobs, I dont get to see her as much as I would like to. I promised grandma I would make it to her house for Christmas eve. Then on New Years I went out with my friends Mandy and Sean cause Mandy's dad was playing at a local bar. We have been at this bar for New Years past and had a great time. Everyone is so friendly. Well we celebrated my upcoming surgery and had a few drinks and then as the night went on, I noticed that everytime my drink was getting low someone had a new one there for me. Got a little tipsy. But had a great time! Well will update more soon.
Future Update
January 12, 2006
Well here I am again updating my profile. Yesterday was nerve racking and interesting. I had to go in to PCP and have my pre-op physical done. First it was seeing the PCP and making my diabetes was under control and to check my blood pressure. 116/70 was the reading!!! Awesome finally got that under control. Then he did what he needed to do, check my breathing, check reflexes and etc. Then it was on to the lab for blood drawn and urine sample. Got that finally done and then headed to Xrays for chest xrays and EKG. The EKG was different, never had that done before. Now it was time to go back and see the PCP for results and final approval or denial. Got the approval and all clear for surgery. He also gave me a copy of all my results incase they lose any of them. That was sweet of him and then had to make an appointment for a month later with him to evluate my insulin intake and see me for a checkup. Left there 2 hours after getting there, even though I was told it would only take an hour. Had to then head to work. I was really nervous about the EKG, they can tell if there is blockage or if there are problems. All was free and clear. I am sitting here typing this and realizing that in one week from today I will be at the hopital and will have already have had my surgery done. Wow cant believe its really happening!!! Will update soon!!
January 18, 2006
Wow I cant believe that tomorrow is surgery day. Well on this past sunday I had my final feast and ate Taco johns for lunch and then had Godfathers pizza for supper. Yummy!!!!! Monday I started the liquid diet. Not fun. I got a severe migraine headache from lack of caffiene and not eating. But made it thru. Yesterday I made it thru another migraine but the hunger pains are going away (slowwwwwwly) and I also had to go and pick up the meds and laxative for today. Not looking forward to that. Well thats about it for today but will update you as soon as I get back from the hospital.
January 23, 2006
Well just got home from the hospital. I feel good just sick of being inside. This weekend I will be going with my cousins for a weekend away. I am so ready to get off this medication and get back to a normal life again! I had a very uneventful surgery. All went well. I went into surgery about 12p.m. and I dont even remember counting backwards or nothing. I was out like a light. I remember waking up in the recovery room but was so groggy that I went back to sleep and then didnt wake up for about another 2 hours when they had me in my room. I woke up to my Aunt Jan and good friend Annette. So thankful they could be there for me. That night they had me walking by about 10p.m. Not far tho. I never wish the tube down the nose that goes to the stomach for anyone. I hated that thing. But I know now that I wouldnt change it for the world. It reminds me of what I have went thru. I would do this surgery again in a heartbeat. Will continue later when I have more energy.
February 8th, 06
Well had my doctors appointment up at the U of M-Fairview. All is well. I have lost 20lbs since surgery on 1-19-06. Doctor wasnt there so I had to see the nurse practioner. Didnt like her, she was rude. Met with the dietician Joyce. She was so nice and very helpful. She also gave me her card so I could email her if I had any questions. Very happy with the decision to do this surgery. I am no longer on 300 units of insulin a day and all meds are gone.
February 13, 06
Got my weigh in and measurements from curves today
I am down a total of 19.50 lbs and down 21.25 inches since surgery!!!! This makes me feel so good!
March 14, 06
Sorry havent updated in a while. Tonight we had our Annual meeting for the Credit Union I work for. Some didnt know I had the surgery and got alot of compliments. I will say I think I walked out of there on cloud 9. It sure feels good to hear that I am looking good. This Saturday we also have a dinner at Weiderholts Supper Club and I am really ready to see if I can still eat steak. Theirs is the best and is so yummy. Wish me luck...Dont want to get sick! I will be weighing in and getting measured at Curves next week so I will update at that point.
March 20, 06
Well its time for Curves weigh in and measurements
Bust -5.5 inches
Waist -5.25 inches
Abs -5 inches
Hips -6.5 inches
Thighs -5 inches
Arms -3 inches
Weight -32.5 lbs
Total weight loss is 32.5 lbs
Total inches loss is 30.25
April 20, 06
Time again for Curves weigh in and measurements
Bust -7 inches
Waist -8 inches
Abs -7.5 inches
Hips -8.25 inches
Thighs -6 inches
Arms -3.5 inches
Total weight loss is -45 lbs
Total inches lost is 40.25 inches
Wow I cant believe these are really my measurements!!!
May 10, 06
Today was my checkup with Dr. Buchwald. My 3 month Post op. I was so nervous since I was afraid I was doing something wrong. Found out I was doing everything right. He was very pleased with my progress so much I dont need to go back for the 6 month checkup unless there are problems. I had to get weighed in and I got all choked up since I am now down 57lbs. in just under 4 months. I did have to be put back on my BP med again since my heart rate was really high. I even was able to get to have my pic taken with the doctor (or as I call him my hero/lifesaver) I had to laugh when for the very first time in my life I was told I wasnt eating enough. I talked to him about eating but not until I was full and then a few hours later I was hungry. He said that means I am not eating enough. I will update soon again when I get new pics
May 23, 06
Well today is the weigh in at Curves!
Here are my current stats
Bust: -8
Waist: -9
Abs: -8
Hips: -9.5
Thighs: 9
Arms: -4
Total weight loss: -56
Total inches loss: -47.5
June 1, 06
Well today was check up day with PCP and OB/GYN doctors
Had to have another female checkup since I have been having to get them every 6 months due an abnormal one. Will get the results soon. Then went to visit my PCP and havent seen him since my surgery. We have been in contact through email. He was kinda sceptical on my results and wanted to make sure I didnt need my meds anymore or the insulin. Had blood work done. Got an email from him saying Congratulations on my progress and sucess with the weight loss surgery. He then told me to keep up with the weight loss and doing well. His next sentence made me fall over! He told me that I no longer needed to see him and if I had any questions or concerns I basically knew where to find him. I was so excited when I got the email, I did a whoohoo at work and forgot I was there and my co workers looked at me like I was nuts. Then I told them the news. All were happy for me! Now to wait for the results for the other test.
June 3, 06
I am right now so scared, since I logged on to my medical chart and saw something I didnt like and dont know what to do about. I got the results of the female checkup and it said Dysplasia of Cervix (start of cervical cancer). I sat here and just cried since I thought it was all gone. Thought we had gotten it all. Well I did the only thing I could do at that time since it was the weekend I emailed my OB/GYN doc and asked her what the next steps were to this since the last procedure didnt work. I was a nervous wreck the rest of the weekend.
June 5, 06
Got an email back from the doc and she told me that they had miscoded it and everything was fine. I had to email her again just to make sure, because if all was normal I can go back to my yearly visits. I got a response later that day to say yes all was normal and she would see me in a year. I came home from work and it hit me and I just started to cry. Finally this nightmare was over. The reason I call it a nightmare was my mother was my age when she got cancer and only lived 3 years after being diagnosed. It was scarying me to no end. Well now I am in better health than I was and now have this behind me too! Thank God for miracles like that!
June 21, 06
Weigh in time at Curves
Current stats:
Bust: -9.5
Waist: -11
Abs: -10.5
Hips: -10.5
Thighs: -9.5
Arms: -5
Total weight loss: -61.5 lbs
Total inches loss: -56
Total body fat lbs loss: -46
Body fat loss %: -10.20
July 4, 06
Happy 4th of July all! I got into updating my profile and thought I might as well include today. This past weekend had it off and relaxed and was at my best friends house for a pool party and barbequed. Got to wear my new size 14 swimsuit. I have to say I look pretty good in it. Better than I thought I would. Got alot of sun this weekend and even burnt my face a little! Ouch. Last night got together with friends to celebrate one of our friends birthdays. Had a great time and got alot of compliments on how good I looked. Not used to getting those. Guess I sometimes find it hard to even now still accept them, but getting better at it. I will have new pics to post soon since I got new ones just have to take them in to get developed. Well hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th! Will update again soon!
September 24, 2006
Wow its been a long time since I have updated my profile. I have been really busy with my "new life". I thank God everyday for giving me a chance at a new and healthier life. I have started going to the gym 5-6 days a week. I feel so much better when I go. I have started seeing a guy named Christian (Chris). We have been going out for about 2 months now. All is going well in that department. I am still working two jobs. I am now down 91 lbs since my surgery and cant believe the difference I feel. There are days I still struggle with the eating issues like when I am bored but find something to do so I dont eat, or I drink more water. I will admit everyday is a challenge on the eating but I have to remind myself what I have been through and dont want to go back to that. I also dont have to take any medications and I dont miss it. Giving myself 4 shots of insulin a day is a constant reminder that I dont want to go back to have to doing that! Well hope all is well with everyone! Will update again soon!
September 25, 2006
Good Morning All! I just had to update since I have now reached my first goal weight. When I started this journey I thought that I would never see the day I would weigh 150. I have finally hit it! I had to check the scale a few times and relocate it in the bathroom, just to make sure! I have decided I would like to get to 142, so I can say I have lost 100 lbs since surgery. If I dont its ok, I am content where I am! I have beat this weight thing finally! I know each day is still work but I believe the hardest part is over!
Future Update
