Juanita1972
October 25, 2005. was the beginning of my Journey. This is the day I went to a Seminar hosted by Vanderbilt Hospital and Dr Torquati was the surgeon speaking that evening. I had tried a year or so prior to this and went to a seminar at Centenial,. For somereason I did not get a good feeling and at Centenial and it seemed they required you to make all your appointments and do evrything on your own. I kind of gave up. I met someone at work who had surgery at Vanderbilt and recommended Dr. Torquati. So I though why not? I have nothing to lose by attending a Seminar. I went to the Seminar and listened to Dr. Torquati explain the procedure and answer everyones questions. I was very impressed and called the number to speak to a nurse at Vanderbilts Weight loss Clinic. The next thing I know all my required appointments were set up and all I had to do was schedule my Psch eval. It all seemed so easy and this time it felt like it was meant to be because everything just feel in place. The hardest part for me was waiting between appointments. Some were months sometimes weeks apart. I finally got everything done and had all my paper work turned in to my insurance company on 02/27. On 03/15 I recieved a letter to let me know all that was left was for me to do my nutrition consult which they scheduled for 03-29. On 04-13-2006 I recieved the greast call in my life. It was the nurse at Vanderbilt Weight Loss and she left a message for me to let me know they just got word that I was approved!!! She also let me know my surgery date had been set for May-11-2006 at 11:30a.m. I was so happy, scared, excited at the same time. I felt like I was on cloud nine all day.
During the time I was going through the requirements I ran in to a high school friend that I hadn't seen in over 12 years. I had always thought about her and wondered where and how she was. Imagine my surprise when she told me she had Gastric Bypass about a year ago. We were both convinced that we meet again at this time for a reason. She was there for me when I had questions.She was a real comfort to me during the process.
May 11,2006.. This was my big day. I was told to be at the hospital 2 hurs before my surgery in order to get signed in and preped. I was so scared that morning. I hardly slpet the night before. I keep thinking something might happen and I wouldn't wake up after surgery. I have two daughters to think about. Was I being selfish? These thoughts ran through my mind the entire night before and I was still questioning myself the day of surgery. My Dad drove me to the hospital that morning and We were in the waiting area waiting to be called. I hear the phone ring then the receptionist says " ms hunter?" you have a call. I pick up the phone and it is Amy my high school friend calling to make sure I was o.k. and to let me know she was on her way to be there. I can not tell you how much I appreciated having support and people who cared about me there for me. Well I was dressed in My hospital gown with the funky little blue cap they make you put over your hair. All of the sudden my little holding room is full of people asking questions trying to find a vein for an IV. Istarted to get overwhelmed..I got really nervous and they had a hard time finding a vein. I just wanted to cry..I have never been so scared in all my life..I look aorund and can barely see my dad because there are so many people in the room. I looked at him and could see hi fear as well. Amy my friend is there and she is trying to tell me to calm down and to breathe.. I felt like I had a 100 lbs weight on my chest and could not get enough oxygen. They gave me the knock out medicine but I was still awake think " Oh goodness I hope this medicine works cause I still feel and see evrything.. They wheel me into the surgery room and this is only seconds away and I am feeling really tired all of the sudden. The last thing I remeber is someone puting an oxygen mask on me and saying "Good night". The next thing I know I am waking up in the recovery room feeling a litlle groggy and quite skepical. My first thought was " Gosh, I guess they weren't able to do the surgery cause it felt like I had just feel aslep. Then I move and feel the soreness and look under my goen and see the incision sites covered with staples then think.. Well I guess They did do surgery... : -) My back hurt like crzy!! This was the first feeling that came to mind. I was uncomfortable so I asked the nurse if I could sit up or something because my back felt like it was on fire. The nurse looked at me kinda surprised that I wanted to sit up so soon. She told me they were trying to get my bed ready for my room and it wouldn't be much longer. In no time I was being wheeled to my room and we got ther and the poor nurses were trying to help me to my new bed..I mustered all the strength I could and lifted my self and scooted from one bed to the other. Again the nurses were surprised by my ability and willingness to do things on my own. After wards my dad came in to see me and I felt soooo tired all of a sudden and am fading in and out of sleep. My dad tells me he will be back later and the nuses tell me they are going to let me rest. I have never slept so good in my life.. The next day I am up and trying to walk the halls and feeling sore but wanting to move around. I am having to try and get all the liquids that they want me to eat and having trouble because I don;t feel hungery and when I do eat it doesn't take much until I am just tired of eating.
I am now Three months and a few weeks out. The last time I wieighed I was minus 77 lbs. I am feeling so much better already and can't believe the increase in energy and motivation levels. I ahave joined the Ymca in my town and I am really enjoying it so far. Imagine that!!! I am going at least twice a week and am trying to work up to 3-4 times a week. I have tried and really enjoy water aerobics. It is really fun and doesn;t seem like exercise but I can sure feel it the next day!!! I have a appoint tomm with my surgeaon and am guessing they will do my blood work. I will update with any news I recieve..09-7-06 My test came back and I am good! All my levels are normal. I feel so great. I am still continuing my exercise and have been going to a water aeorbics class on Wednesdays and I love it! I feel so much better alreday and seem to have alot more energy than I used to. My 4 month post op is coming up in 4 days and trying not to weigh myseld until then. I am going to start measuring myself as well because my clothes are all getting to big and sometimes when thescale doesn't move I can always pull out the measuring tape and see how many inches I've lost.
9-11-2006 Well today is my 4 month post-op anniversary I weighed this morning and I have lost a total of 85 lbs. Today is also the 5 year anniversary of 9-11 twin towers attack..this is such a sad day in so many ways but also a time to reflect on all we have .
10-11-2006 Today is my five month post-op anniversary. I have lost 94 lbs!!!! I can not believe the difference I am seeing and feeling right now. I have more energy, I feel better about my self and actually enjoy exercisiing. That is something I thought I would never say.I had a issue at the beginning of October but it was not a complication from surgery. I somehow had a skin in fection on my trunk( belly) but not at incision site. This is the most painful experience I have ever had. The infection had an abcess the size of a half dollar and about an 1/2 inch ddep. It is thankfully healing well and longer causing me pain. I would not wish this on my worst enemy. I hope I never have to deal with this type of thing again! On to better news. I had a WOW yesterday that was very emotional. I was going throgh my walet looking for my debit card. I found my college ID that had my picture that was taken about a year ago. I have had this for some time but never really stopped to look at the picture. Wow is all I can say. My face in the picture was so big and I remember when I had the picture taken I thought that since I was wearing makeup maybe my face would not look so bad but it did. I compare that to the pic that shows on my user settings and can see a big difference in my face alaone. I no longer have such a notcable 2nd chin it's still there just not as big and my face has slimed down a lot. This was such a wonderful feeling it just warmed my heart.
10-25
I am now 101 Pounds lighter!! Can't believe I have come this far. I feel great and I still have a long road ahead but have to stop along the road and celbrate this victory!!
11-11-2006
Six months today and 107 lbs lighter! I finally have the feeling of accomplishment! I know I have a ways to go but I will not give up!
01-15-2006
My 8 month post op anniversary was 01-11-2006 and I have lost a total of 132 lbs!! I had check up last week and evrything is great! Had great encouragement from Christian who does all the follow ups. He Said I am doing awesome and is really impressed with how motivated I have been during the whole process. I am really determined to be a better and healthier person. I feel so much better and feel as if I have a new lease on life.
02-11-2007
Today is my Nine month Anniversary I have lost 138 lbs. As you can see only a 6 lbs loss from last month. I am trying not to be discouraged. I know some months are better than others and I am not giving up!!
03-11-2007
This is my Ten Month Anniversary and I have lost 146 lbs!! A little better than last month but weight loss is slowing down. I feel great, I have a lot more energy and feel so much better about myself. I am not going to give up although I may not be losing as much as in the beginning I have to look at the bright side and see that I am still losing.
04-11-2007
I am now minus 153 lbs and can now wear a size 20!!! I started at size 30/32 and they were getting tight. I can not express the difference this has made in my life. I am more confident, feeling healthier and have an overall zest for life. I now look forward to waking up in the mornings when I used to dread even getting out of bed. I am now able to do so many things I could not do before. The smallest things you take forgranted become the biggest accomplishments after WLS. I thank God for this blessing and for the friends I have met here on OH. Having support and friends to talk to makes such a huge difference and thanks to OH I have both.
05-11-2007 Happy Surgiversary to me!!! I have lost a total of 160 lbs in a year and feel awesome!! I can not believe the incredible journey I have had so far. I have had no problems or complications from surgery and I feel like a new person. I thank god every day for this life altering change and the chance to get a new beginning.
06-11-2007
I am now minus 170 lbs!! I lost 10 lbs from last month which is more than usual so of course I am happy about that. I am going to make this happen. It may take longer than I like but I will not give up.
12-05-2007 I am now 200 lbs lighter !! It is so hard to believe..
