Princess Kath
WLS JOURNAL
Hi, I am 54 years old and married to my darling husband Alan for 34years. I am a registered nurse and midwife and my DH is a firefighter. I am 5'8" and weight 234lb, My BMI is 36 andI have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea and a very fatty liver. I have lived in denial of my health problems for many years.
We have three children Georgina, Heath and Dean. I have one adorable grandson Max. He is one of my main reasons to lose weight....I want to be around to see him grow up. I have tried to lose weight over many years, pills, hypnotherapy, Jenny Craig, Weight watchers, personal trainer etc etc....always lost weight but gained it right back. My very best friend Carla had surgery last October (2005) VSG and I was a little apprehensive for her...never dreamed i would do the same thing. I watched her lose weight but also watched how healthy she became with much more energy since the surgery. After a "moment" in January when I could not go swimming with my grandson because I could not get swimmers big enough to fit me I decided things had to change...I read up on all WLS and watched and read the posts on this board, finally got the courage to see surgeon and decide on surgery. Am having a Vertical sleeve gastrectomy on March 3, 2006.
3/18/2006
Post op day 15 Vertical sleeve gastrectomy
Feel great, have lost 10kgs (22pounds) no vomiting. Able to walk each day. NOT HUNGRY. Still eating soft diet. To see surgeon next Tuesday.
3/21/2006
Back to see surgeon today. He is very pleased with my result, now a total of 24lbs. Not quite 3 weeks since surgery. Wore pants I havnt been able to wear for 2 years and they were loose. Have had hair cut and bleached. Feel and look great. He told me I can now eat what I want as long as it fits on a bread and butter plate. Not piled high, but with space in between. Had my first sandwich today, only half ... chicken,cheese and lettuce. It was great.
3/23/2006
Back to work today. Exhausted. Had to work on the ward instead of on the road as NO ONE turned up for their shift. Told colleagues that i had WLS in the holidays. Wowee, some shock, but all very supportive. Some asking for info about VSG.
Everyone said I looked great. I had half my normal lunch and managed to keep up my water intake. I think I did well. Came home and went to bed early. Needed some ZZZZZZs.
3/24/2006
Cleaned bathroom today in "one Hit" instead of sitting down between each part. Put Ipod on speaker, turned up Dixie Chicks, and surprise, surprise, surprise.....i actually enjoyed the activity instead of dreading it. Bathroom sparkling clean. Off to Madame Butterfly tomorrow at Opera House looking forward to wearing outfit I havent been able to wear for 3 years.
3/26/06 I feel exhausted today. Worked again. I thought because i did not have open surgery I would not feel so tired. I was wrong. I am also having trouble with my CPAP machine, the pressure seems very high and it seems to be blowing in my pouch and giving me wind. That probably doesnt help. Not a great day.
4/2/06 Went to Mums 80th birthday yesterday. For once did not eat everything is sight. Was last to table, had a small amount of most things. Mum made her famous mince tarts. Could only eat one and a half bites.....amazing.....usually down a dozen a day. Everyone there said I was looking great. Today I feel a little "windy" think even though ate small probably ate too quickly and I had lots of salad.....remember for next time.
4/6/06 Looking and feeling good. Went out to lunch with old workmate yesterday. She said she could really notice the weight loss. Had seafood salad for lunch, could only eat half a bowl. Waitress asked if everything whas OK. I told her that I had stomach surgery and she gave me the rest to take home. What a difference. Normally I would have had an entree, mains and dessert and probably a chocolate later. We went shopping after and I bought new bed linen. A good day. Have now lost 29lb. Just starting to go through my wardrobe...some things I have not been able to wear because they were too small I still cant wear because they are too BIG!!!!! I love this surgery.
4/8/06 Worked again today. Had 99% fat free thick shake (it was calling my name) Well I could not get it down, every time I tried to swallow and believe me it tasted great, I had this incredible pain. Had to throw it out - what a lesson.
4/9/06 Tired again, but am now parking the car in the furthest car park at work and taking the stairs instead of the lift. Woohoo! Would be happier if I had my bowels open more, but I guess that will come.
4 hours later. What was I thinking....I have now got diarrhoea. Not sure why. Oh well be careful what you wish for.
4/13/06 Am now 203lb, down another 2lb. Woohoo. Have packed away summer clothes (thrown big ones out) and have got out autumn and winter stuff. Amazing what fits now. Have still got some smaller sizes I have unpacked and hope to get into them soon. I am now fitting into a size 18 (Aus) was a 20/22 (Aus). Off to see "Six dancing lessons in six weeks" tonight with an old friend I used to work with. Easter this week-end and for the first time in my whole life I am not craving for an easter egg.
Things that have changed already:
1. Can tie up shoes
2. Can walk up stairs
3. Am not boiling hot all the time
4. Knees don't ache
5. Can fit into first lot of smaller size clothes
6. Walking and enjoying it
7. Able to carry my grandson up and down steep stairs
8. Able to go for a swim in a costume that I can actually get into instead of T shirt and baggy mens board shorts
9. Fit into my bathtub without getting stuck
10. I have stopped having "stress incontinence"
Things I hope to change
1. Come of my CPAP machine
2. Reduce some of my meds
3. Fit into movie theatre seats comfortably
4. Chase my grandson around
5. Wear shorts to work
6. Wear shorter necklaces
7. Wear a belt
8. Get into a slim fitting skirt
9. Go out without panicking that nothing fits me
10. Dance without getting out of breath
11. Go on rides with my grandson
12. Swim without getting out of breath
13. Be game to try anything once (well not ANYTHING)
14. Have some muscles instead of "nanna arms" have to work out for that one
15. Run
16. Tuck a shirt into my jeans/skirt
17. Go rock and roll dancing
18. Walk/run in "City to surf"
19. Have more energetic ********* with my DH
20. Feel and look fantastic (must admit am nearly there on this one)
4/24/06 Back to own doctor today, BP 113/88 best it has been in years. She has reduced my BP meds by half. Weight today 200lb. so now lost 34lbs. Feeling good. Off to Anzac day march tomorrow and able to wear jacket done up (had to leave it open last year)
4/25/06 Anzac day march today. Able to stand for whole march (3 hours) instead of having to sit down. Walked all the way to the Rocks instead of catching a train. Stood all afternoon for the "2 up" won again. Yippee. Had a great day but I fell over when I tried to Kiss my son Heath who threw the winning "heads" bet. Knee very sore....bummer....won't be able to walk for a couple of days
4/30/06 I had a bad day yesterday, crap day at work, knee sore again ....felt sorry for little old me. Usually turn to chocolate. Felt I "deserved" it, I had been good up to now. Even went to choc. machine at work. Ha, when I got there no chocolate appealed to me (how strange) I stood there for about 1 minute, still nothing called my name, however I still felt I deserved something (habits are hard to change aren't they) so I lashed out and bought a muesli bar. I FORCED myself to eat it. It tasted like s**t, I felt bad. Funny thing is usually I would then have started on a full on binge, didn't want to do it - so went home complained to DH and son about crap day, got into pjs, got into bed, told them on no account to disturb me and read my book. Went to sleep early and today am back feeling tip top.
5/7/06 Weight now 197 woohoo. Lost 17.5 inches all over. Clothes are now looking a little baggy. Total loss 37lb. I cannot believe this. Only 2 months since surgery. I look like a totally different person. Even thought I have lost more than this in the past, I feel I have more energy. Go figure. I also turned 55 this week and had a lovely birthday, my husband cooked me lobster and bought me a beautiful diamond ring...I am very spoilt. BMI now 29.9. NO LONGER OBESE, ONLY OVERWEIGHT.
5/14/06 Mother's day today. Decided not to go out, just wanted a nice day at home. DH made pancakes for breakfast, had one (usually have 3) weight today 195lb. Lost another 2lb. Total loss now 39lb. I cannot believe it. Each day I wake up and think Oh no, I will start gaining now. II keep thinking I have dreamt the surgery as I don't feel any different than before. (Except better).
5/22/06 Just came back from Nelson Bay with Denise (my sister) we had a great time. We stayed at the Landmark resort overlooking the bay. Lovely rooms. Went to the movies to see the Da Vinci code and managed to sit for 2 and a half hours without discomfort in the theatre, could not have done that before surgery. Went shopping and bought 3 lovely tops. Size 16 woohoo. We played putt putt golf and I beat Denise. On sunday we went on a jet boat thingy (Thunderraft) out to sea.....we screamed and laughed the whole time. It was fantastic. We walked everywhere instead of taking the car. I can't believe what I was able to do.
Before surgery I would have been driving and having to have little rests. I feel just fantastic.
6/12/06 Gosh, time flies, need to update more. Am feeling great, down to 189lb (loss of 45lbs) and have lost 26 inches over all (6 off my hips would you believe) a lot of clothes are getting big for me, so I am gradually donating them to my friends. I am much more active now. I'helped cater to Max's (my grandson) welcome day. Cooked, cleaned etc hardly ate anything and had a great time. Looked fab by the way too. Had celebration of Heath, Dean (sons) and David (nephew) birthday dinner last night, only ate chicken breast....no garlic bread and NO CHOCOLATE BIRTHDAY CAKE. Un believable. This surgery rocks.
6/21/06 Down to 184 pounds today (loss of 50lbs) looking good. Have been talking to Lynne and Sue. We will be meeting up next Wednesday for chat re starting local support group. I will be bringing my friend Carla. Looking forward to meeting the gang. Off to see my beloved grandson tomorrow, he is now starting to wave and he loves his nanna. I get so much joy from him, especially now that I am thinner and a bit fitter, we play on the floor together and he laughs and we have a great time. Must get some new photos. Carla and I have our appointment with Doctor Talbot next week. That should be interesting.
7/13/06 Gosh time flies, need to update more often. Have seen Dr. Talbot, he was very pleased with me and his secretary Kate was shocked, she couldn't believe how thin I looked. The next day Carla and I went to visit Lynne Horowitz and picked up a pre-op on the way. Her name was Anne and she is just lovely. We had a great night. Drinking protein shake samples and chatting about surgery and how great we felt. I am no 181lb and people are really starting to notice. I have also joined Curves hope that will help with my "custard" arms. Just wanted to add something I posted on the AWLS site about my day today so here goes:
I am absolutely exhausted. Had some minor surgery yesterday, skin
cancers removed from neck, wrist and lip. I look like I have done a
round with Anthony Mundine. My lip is very swollen and if anyone
watches futurama I think I look a little like Dr. Zoidberg with his
lip flaps. Anyhow, my daughter needed me today to come and help her
with her little boy (9months old) so as good mothers do in I went. We
went house hunting, they are trying to buy a house in Coogee. We saw
a lovely house and then went for a walk down a million steps I am sure
then along the beach and then back up the same million steps. Guess
who carried 11kg grandson? Then I went back to her place while she
went to the hairdresser, cooked his lunch cleaned her kitchen, swept
and washed the floor tidied up, got him changed to take him back to my
place as I had to pick up my other son (that is another story) from
work as my daughter still wasn't back from the hairdressers. (might I
add that I live at Camden that is 50km away). I loaded Max into the
car seat and guess what....the car wouldn't start as my daughter had
parked it and left the lights on!!!!!!! So you guessed it, I had to
wait 40 minutes for the NRMA to come, meanwhile holding 11kg grandson
in my arms (no stroller as in daughters car) couldn't go back to the
house as I might miss NRMA man and my mobile was going flat....yes it
gets better. I drove home picked up son, took grandson home who is
crying very loudly by now as he is sick of being in the car. Cook him
dinner, cook separate dinner for son. Feed grandson, bath him try and
give him a bottle (he is breast fed and not very keen on bottle)
bundle him back in car another 50k back to Sydney, petrol light
flashing no service stations on M5. Sing to him to get him to sleep
because radio and CD not working now due to flat battery and me not
remembering the code to start it again and take him back home to his
dad. (Daughter still not home) drive all the way back home....pick up
all CDs, tupperware, towels, mess that grandson left on floor (son
busy on computer of course) clean up kitchen, wash up take pain
killers and guess what forget to have my dinner. Couldn't have done
any of this before weight loss surgery so I feel mighty proud.
7/27/06 Gosh must post more often. We had our first weight loss support group meeting this week. Went very well I thought. About 20 people present. Helen Marie from main messageboard came and Sue from Lugarno as well. It was great to see everyone there. I think Lynne and I got a lot out of it. Helen was great value with her advice. Anne and Sue were also a great help, we couldn't have done it without them. Lynne's friend Tash came as well, she is hoping to have surgery soon...she is a quiet achiever...she just gets on and helps out without being asked. Feedback from those present was good. Hope it continues to grow. I am excited.
8/11/06 Boy time flies, I have been meaning to update for ages. What's happened since last entry: well:
Retired from paid work last week. Yippeeeeeee!!!
Going to Curves x 3 per week
Now weigh 175, that is a loss of 59lb
Walked 9km yesterday pushing Max uphill in his pram
Went shopping today and bought "Size 14" pants, top, coat and jacket. How good is that. I am feeling fantastic.
Well haven't updated for ages. My time flies. I am now 4lb from goal. I feel wonderful. I feel like my life is a new beginning. I have retired from full time work and will start looking after my beautiful grandson Max next week in their new sea-side home in Coogee. I am looking forward to many walks along the beach and coffees with the baby and my friend Lynne who only lives 5 minutes away. I am going to update my goals and see where I am now:
1. Off CPAP machine
2. Medications reduced to lowest dose, but still need to reduce cholesterol meds. Hopefully by January 2007.
3. Can fit into any seats, even booths.
4. Can chase grandson and still have energy
5. Could wear shorts to work, but don't need to....retired now
6. Can wear shorter necklaces, if fact I had to remove some links from one as was too long now.
7. Wearing belts
8. Can wear slim fitting skirts
9. Am able to go out at short notice without worrying about what to wear
10. Can dance without getting out of breath
11. Can go on rides with grandson (but still scared)
12. Can swim without getting breathless
13. Getting gamer to try almost anything
14. Arms looking better but still could improve with more gym work
15. Haven't run yet (still to try)
16. Am able to tuck shirt into pants or skirt
17. Going rock and roll dancing twice a week
18. Haven't entered city to surf (next years goal)
19. Well, not mentioning this one too much but it is better
20. Feel and look fantastic.
What a lot of things achieved in only 7 months.
