Jo O.
I have been overweight most of my life. I have tried numerous diets. I almost had surgery back in 2003 but did not go through with it thinking I could try again and loose the weight. It is now 2011 and losing weight has been a roller coaster. Lose, gain, etc.
I decided back in April that I am finally going to go through with this. I went to a seminar by Dr. Michael Lara from Las Palmas in El Paso Texas. I then scheduled an appointment. I saw Dr. Lara in May. My insurance 's requirement was to have 6 months of supervised doctor visits. My last visit was on November 21st. Now it is time to wait for the approval.
I am so ready to be a healthier and happier person and to be able to enjoy life with my husband and two children.
Beginning Weight - 264
Preop Weight - 264
Surgery Weight - 257.2
.
1/17/12 - Surgery day. I was on a clear liquid diet yesterday. Since my BMI wasn't too high I didn't have to do a preop liquid diet, but I still tried to eat as little as possible and drink protein drinks. It paid off. I was down to 257.2 today. My surgery was scheduled for Noon, but didn't happen until around 2:30 pm. My husband stayed with me until they took me in to surgery. I don't remember a thing until I got to recovery and woke up in lots of pain and thinking what have I done, but once I got pain meds, I felt alot better. I think I finally got to my room around 8 pm and a few hours later had me up and walking, but nothing to drink until next day after leak test.
1/18/12 - Just feeling like I got ran over and someone beat me up, but other than that feeling pretty good. I tried to get up and walk as much as possible during this day. Leak test came out ok so I finally got to drink something very slowly. Also got the cath out. So much better to be able to go by self. I had never had one and I thought it would be worse than it was.
1/19/12 - Got ok to go home. Drain out. Showered and left by 11 am. Only feeling tired not too much pain. 4 hour drive home. Slept most of way but stopped to walk every 45 min to hour.
1/24/12 - 1 week from surgery. Doing ok. Friday after surgery, drain leaking quite a bit but finally stopped. It was a little bit scary, thought I had a leak but what was coming out was the same color as in the hospital. Temperature would go up to aroung 100.2 but then go down again to 97.7 for a few days. Otherwise Just trying to get in routine on full liquids. A little bit of a hard time getting in all the liquids, but keep trying. Sipping, sipping. Not much pain, just still tired. Walk, rest, walk, rest.
1/31/12 - 2 weeks out - Doing a lot better. Everything is going down pretty good, and can get a little more in at a time. Started vitamins, almost get full on those. Tolerating ok. I have been able to start sleeping on my left side for a while and bend at the waist a little easier. I am down to 246 pounds as of today. Slow but ok with me. I haven't been at this weight in quite a while. Doc had to cancel appt on 2/3/12 so I don't go until 2/10/12. I start back to work on 2/7/12.
3/10/12 - Today I am at 229.5. I haven't weighed this since 1999. It feels great. I feel so much better. I haven't had any problems except for plain water not feeling right when going down. Otherwise I have been able to tolerate what I have been eating protein and some vegatables. I try to keep carbs at a minimum. My blood sugar was 99 yesterday morning. I don't remember seeing that low in a long time.
05/06/12 - As of today I am at 209.4. I can't remember the last time I weighed this. Plain water is still not my friend. Powerade zero and decaf tea are. I keep trying new foods all the time. Still no other problems. I have been walking every morning with my 2 poodles and taking bike rides with my husband on the weekends. It feels great to be able to do this and have fun. I'm not as self concious as I used to be. Next doc appointment is on 5/11/12.
05/17/12 - Today is has been 4 months since surgery. I am at 207.2 pounds. I have lost a total of 50 pounds. Everything has been going well. My pouch still does not like plain water. I can tolerate a little otherwise it feels like a rock. Still trying new foods all the time. Doctor's visit went well. He said I was doing good. I don't see him again until September. Labs will not be done until then. I feel great except for some right hip pain. Went to the doc no arthritis. I think since surgery I have just laid on my right side too much and now I am paying for it. Plus I am sure it doesn't help to sit all day at work.
