JStangel
October 25, 2008
Oct 25, 2008
It has been quite a while since I posted! But I cannot let another day go by without posting my milestone of yesterday......
I am now on the "Century Bench" because I lost my 100th pound as of yesterday!
Bless the Lord God who reigns! He has been my consistent encourager, provider and guide. I give him all the credit for my success.
A couple of friends and my boss went out with me yesterday after work to mark the occasion. It was nice.
Some updates:
1. I have another grandchild: a week-old beautiful baby girl, who is a sister to my 2 year old grandson.
2. Now both of my daughters live in the Austin area: my older daughter moved there in August.
3. A friend I work with has been so impressed with my success with the VSG surgery, she had the same done in July 2008. In 3 months she has lost 54 pounds and continues on the journey with me!
4. My husband is about half way through a massage therapy course. He will graduate in April, get his license and begin making money on his already-wonderful massage technique.
5. I might have some "facial work" done (plastic surgery to rejuvenate me) as a treat to myself.
Stated earlier, but will repeat again......this is a wonderful journey!
Bye for now.........I am off to Austin......
April 25, 2008
Apr 24, 2008
In the past month I have shared my story with many people. My niece asked for pictures, so Michael and I took some and I sent them with an email testimonial to about 20 people. I got responses from all!
Aside from that, I have been personally communicating with 2 people I work with who are definitely interested in having weight loss surgery. I am very glad that I can share my success with them! I know that each of them will benefit as I have.
I am still working out at the YMCA. This is amazing.
Michael does not know which is harder for him to believe: that I am really losing all this weight, or that I enjoy having a strenuous workout on a frequent basis! He is truly amazed. ( So am I, to tell you the truth! )
I have had no complications, thank the Lord.
I am going to a support group meeting next week to meet the guest speaker, the local plastic surgeon who does a lot of post-weight loss reconstruction.
Looking forward to that!!
Continuing on!!!
March 17, 2008
Mar 16, 2008
Well, it's been a while since I last posted.
Some weeks have been slow on the weight loss, others have been steady. I am now at 50 pounds lost, 69 to go. I am very pleased -- mainly b/c I know that my tool will help me throughout life to know when to quit eating.
Sometimes I do feel that I would like to eat a little more -- just for the pleasure of eating -- but the consequences of discomfort and near nausea are not worth it! So I try to savor each bite in my mouth a little longer before I swallow.
Am feeling great. Started in earnest at the YMCA, both with cardio and with weight training.
Life is good.
Feedback from Coworkers
Jan 24, 2008
January 25, 2008
I attended a meeting in the office today. At the conclusion, 5 women in my office gathered around me to tell me how "good" I look.
I do have a short hairstyle now, but they were talking about my body size. I have had to get clothes from the attic to wear. My "regular" clothes are baggy, not only in the upper body, but in the seat and crotch!!!
I have had a couple of days of tiredness this week, and have not done my walking as I usually do.
But I did visit the YMCA yesterday (it is 2 blocks from my office) and I will join today. They do not require a contract....it is month by month. So I will have a very convenient place to get my exercise.
The encouragement of my coworkers and my family are such a bolster to me! I thank the Lord for each one.
Continuing on the journey....... 
Janet
Started back to work....
Jan 19, 2008
January 19, 2008
I started back to work on Thursday. Everyone seemed glad to see me....and many people commented on my 26 pound weight loss...
By 3pm on Thursday I was tired, but I had not slept well the night before.....anxious to see all my coworkers.
Went to bed at 9pm on Thursday and slept soundly. Friday was better as far as energy level, but when I got home at 5:15pm, I took a nap for 1.75 hours!!
Monday is a holiday, so I will have a 4-day week next week. So glad. Getting back in the saddle a little slowly.
Have kept up with my walking thus far. I feel so exhilarated after I complete a brisk pace for 30 minutes. I don't want to forget this!
Today I tried vanilla soy mixed with Unjury vanilla protein powder. It was delicious!! Like ice cream!!
Did not lose a pound today, but will soon, I am sure!
Stubborn 25th pound!!
Jan 15, 2008
January 16, 2008
Finally I see the 25th pound off!! It has been 10 days since the scale has moved in the right direction!
It even moved UP one pound and stayed there for several days. But I began walking more consistently and for longer -- now up to 30 min per day and sometimes another session in the evening for 15 to 20 min. This seems to have helped move my very efficient metabolism!!
The body is a wonderfully made and very smart entity. When the owner of that body stops giving it the calories it once had, the body slows down the process of energy usage to a point where it conserves the most possible. By stepping up the exercise routine, the owner is telling the body that things must go on, and energy must be used. It took a while, but this is what mine has learned for the moment.
However, as we all know, teaching is a patience-requiring job -- whether it be teaching children, adults, pets, or the body. My body may in the future challenge me to another lesson plan. I will cross that bridge when it happens and see how best to prepare the lesson for that challenge.
I am now 4 weeks from the VSG (as of yesterday) so I am having my first cup of (now-decaf) coffee!! YAY!!
I will also eat some home-grown cole slaw that my hubby will make today.
I start work again tomorrow.
My energy level has increased-- I feel "normal" now. Only tired upon exertion. I am so thankful for that!!
More another time.
Blog Entries for November 2007
Jan 05, 2008
November 20, 2007
Had an appointment with my internist, Dr. C, today to formally discuss WLS with him. He is the first person "to put the bug in my ear" about WLS during a visit with him about 18 months ago. He actually told me I was the typical WLS patient: over 50 y/o, well educated, at least 2 co-morbidities. Mine were high blood pressure and back pain.
Since then, I have also developed a tingling in my hands, especially the Left. It is positional, meaning that I can move my arm and get it to stop, but I have to sleep with a wrist brace at night to get through the night. Just one more thing to add to the "Because of My Weight List" (BMWL).
I wanted to talk to Dr. C about everything that I needed to do prior to the WLS and to reconfirm some names of recommended surgeons.
His only concern with me was my history of depression. But since I am now stable on my medication, and since I plan to have a followup appointment with my shrink prior to surgery, he is confident that I will have things under control for March.
We are shooting for March because we will have funds available at that time (my insurance does not cover gastric bypass surgery). This will give me time to get all the other loose ends in place prior to this surgery.
The most important thing about surgery is the skill and experience of the surgeon. That can mean the difference between a complication after surgery, during surgery or not having a complication. Dr. C is very involved and supportive of those in the WLS "community." He is aware of the experience levels of surgeons in this area. He confirmed that Dr. Andrew Hargroder is probably the most experienced and the best bariatric surgeon in the state. He has, per his literature, done over 600 of these procedures. Dr. Hargroder teaches other surgeons how to use the special equipment needed for these surgeries.
Other good surgeons, per Dr. C, are Dr. Bellanger and Dr. Mark Hausmann. As of yet, I have not met with a bariatric physician. Looks like I will have a while to make up my mind because of another development which has arisen.
The hospital which is used for Dr. Hargroder and Dr. Bellanger's bariatric surgeries has been sold. The LSU Medical System purchased Vista Hospital so it can be used as an overflow outpatient hospital for Earl K Long Hospital patients. This is to take place in December (next month). Some of Dr. Bellanger's patients who had been scheduled for the last week in November have already been canceled!
So they are busy (I hope) trying to locate another facility which can be used for the procedures. I really feel that I am at an advantage here: my funds will not be available until March. This gives the surgical team time to regroup and become comfortable in another setting before I come for treatment! Another encouragement from God that I am on the right track.
With my family's support and encouragement, I have begun walking in my driveway on a daily basis. It's not much, but it's about all I can do right now (BMWL). I will progress as the days go on.
That's all for now..........................going on the journey.
November 29, 2007
Well, well, well.
Things have changed since my last post.
My husband wants to start a nursery business (again) and realizes that in March he will be very busy with that. He suggested that we look closely at our finances and see if we could get the ball rolling on the surgery now rather than wait.
So......we did. And we do have the funds now. So......
I have been in touch with Cindy at Dr. Hargroder's office. Their office is moving by 12/10 and she has had a time with getting me scheduled with Dr. H for the consultation. But she called tonight -- at 6:30 pm -- to set the appointment with me for 12/7 @ 9am. YAY!!!
After the consultation, then I will need to preop in Lafayette at the SouthPark Community Hospital. My tentative surgery date is 12/18 !!!
WOW............this has kinda sped up for me! But I am ready. I have begun walking each day....either in my long driveway or in the parking garage at work. I park farther from the elevator now so I can get a little exercise every day. My family is encouraging me to eat better -- healthy, low fat foods. I really believe they are behind me and will support me as I go on this journey.
I am very thankful to the Lord for leading me in this direction and I hope to succeed with His help.
I called my daughters this evening and brought them up to date on the situation. The only down side to this is that I won't be traveling to see my grandson for Christmas as I had planned. But I will be feeling much better the next time I see him since I will be on the weight loss journey !!! So it is a little inconvenience now for a big dividend later!!
That's all for now............getting excited!!
My Blog Entries beginning December 2007
Jan 05, 2008
December 13, 2007
I finished post-op testing yesterday at the SouthPark Community Hospital in Lafayette. Everyone there was very professional, informative, generous with their time, and helpful. I spoke to the dietician who informed me of what to expect with my diet for the rest of my life, with the resp therapist whom I impressed with my lung functions (no kidding -- she said I made her day!), with the radiology and lab team, and even with the anesthesiologist.
I have concerns about post op nausea, because it has been a major problem in all my surgeries except the one in 2005. However, Dr. Ventre, the anesthesiologist, is confident they will be able to steer me clear of that while still giving me some post op pain killers. Hope so!
I need to go to the grocery store and health food store to stock up on things I will need for the first 2 weeks post op, and then I will be all ready to go on Tuesday morning!
Heeeeeeeree we gooooooooo!!!
I am so very grateful to the Lord for this opportunity! I look to Him for my continued progress and success.
December 22, 2007
Well, well. I am in post-op day #4 from the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. My goal these days is to take in enough fluids by mouth so as to avoid dehydration. I still have some discomfort when swallowing (like a tightness beneath my breastbone) and I do not know if that is the "full stomach" sensation or a spasm of the esophagus from all the manipulation during surgery.
Too bad my Doc's office is closed until 1/2/08. Maybe I could get a question or 2 answered. But I think I am doing OK. My sweet hubby is hovering over me and we are keeping detailed intake records.
I have, btw, lost 11 pounds in these first 4 days. Not much energy to do more than walk (you know, clear liquids right now), but I am very excited about future prospects!!!
YAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!
January 2, 2008
Suspecting that I am lactose intolerant d/t gas pain. Going back to clear liquids (Yuck) today.
Good news: Have lost 20 # as of the first day of the third week after surgery!!
YAY!!
Long Term Effects of WLS
Nov 08, 2007
I am concerned about the long term effects of WLS on the aging patient. I am 56 now and hope to extend my life expectancy by having WLS. But will I risk malnutrition even with routine supplements and vitamins?
Then another thing that bothers me now is the seriousness of the first weeks post-op: risk of internal bleeding, risk of non-sealing of stomach pouch with internal damage.
All of this is very important. I need to know.
Then another thing that bothers me now is the seriousness of the first weeks post-op: risk of internal bleeding, risk of non-sealing of stomach pouch with internal damage.
All of this is very important. I need to know.
About Me
LA
Location
28.3
BMI
Surgery
12/18/2007
Surgery Date
Nov 07, 2007
Member Since
