Kay_dee
I've been battling obesity for over 15 years.
August 3, 2006
I've received my packet on 7/28/06 of all my appointments and to my surprise, the date of my WLS was at the bottom of the sheet (11/20/2006). I don't even know if my insurance company has been contacted yet. My first appointmet with Dr. Clarke was on 6/9/06 and he really put my mind at ease. He really provded me and my husband with lots of information. I was instructed by Dr. Clarke's nurses to make an appointment with their pyschologist for an evaluation. My insurance did not cover this so I had to pay out of pocket ($125). My psych evaluation was on 7/7/06 and it went very well. Dr Regula felt that I was sane enough to have the surgery. Well, I hope that everything goes smooth. Goodbye & GOD Bless!!
August 22, 2006
Today I had an appointment with the nutritionist (Kimberly Dunn). Everything went well. I had lots of questions for her and she had plenty of answers for me. Basically, she said once I have the surgery, I can virtually eat whatever I have been eating. Just stay away from steak, sugar, rice, pasta, fatty foods, bread and soda : (
I will update later......Goodbye & GOD Bless!!
August 25, 2006
Today I had alot of appointments (Ultrasound, Upper GI, Chest X-ray, Pulmonary Function Test, EKG and Endocrinologist). I'm so happy my husband went with me. I first arrived at the hospital @ 8:00 to register for my appointments. I had to change into a hospital gown and a bath robe. My first appointment @ 8:30 was an Ultrasound of my kidneys, liver, pancreas and gallbladder. This procedure is quite comfortable until the technician started to roll that device over my kidneys (wow... did that hurt!!). My second appointment which was @ 9:30 was a chest X-ray which was very fast. I think it only lasted five minutes if that long. While waiting for my third appointment I met a young lady who was getting WLS the same day I was and by the same surgeon. We talk for a little while about each other struggles and then we wished each other luck. Then my name was called for the third procedure the upper GI series. This was rough. First I had to drink this stuff that taste like lemon alka-seltzer very fast without burping, followed by drinking a full glass of this white, thick, chalky, slight vanilla tasting stuff very fast still without burping so the Doctor could take pictures of it going down my to my stomach. Still without burping they put me on this machine that lifted up in the air, tilted me flat on my back (when you first get of this machine you are standing). Once I was flat The doctor had to get a series of pictures of stomach so I had to roll like a log on this machine three times still not being able to burp, and feeling sick to my stomach after drinking that thick chalky cocktail. I was so happy when the Doctor told me that the test was done because I let out the biggest belch I ever done. My 4th appointment was at the Pulmonary Function Lab. I think the nurse was kind of intimidated when she read my papre work and seen that I was a Phlebotomist, Because she had to stick me twice to get the arterial blood gases. When I did the breathing test it waqs kind of hard to blow into the machine without getting tired. My last appointment for that day was with the endocrinologist. This appointment was at 3:20. Dr Mika was very nice. He interviewed me using the notes from my primary care physician Dr. Nazir and my WLS surgeon Dr. Clarke. He checked my breathing, my extremities, and my reflexes and wanted to know my family medical history which consisted of Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension and Heart Disease. I was exhausted about time I did get home. I will update soon. Goodbye & GOD Bless!!
September 1, 2006
I have just returned from having a Barium Enema procedure performed. The day before I had to prepare my body for this upcoming procedure. I was given a 24 hour Dry Fleets Kit, which consisted of oral fleets solution which was very syrupy tasting, when added to a beverage, four tiny laxitives and a suppository. This kit all came with a schedule and directions so you would know when to take what. All day yesterday, I drank plenty of liquids, and had either chicken broth or beef broth.
As far as the test is concerned, all I can say is.... it was an experience I've never been through or would want to ever go through again!! Ouch, Ouch, and Ouch!!!
I am scheduled to start the Medifast on October 13, 2006. I will update when something new occurs. Goodbye & GOD Bless!!
October 9, 2006
Hello everyone.... It has been a while since I've updated, but there are no changes. I have been spending time by reading profiles of upcoming surgeries. There is one thing that I have noticed though. I have e-mailed some people who have had the weight loss surgery... asking them questions about the surgery or insurance, and not one person has e-mailed me back. Now don't get me wrong... I am not bitter over it.....But I thought that this website is called Obesity Help! There was one time when I posted a question on the message board, and I received numerous responses (Thank you to all the people who responed...you guys helped me out alot). I will vow to answer any question that a person has for me. I really don't want to be one of those people, who lose the weight and forget about those who are still struggling with theirs.
Well... getting off that subject. I have been eagerly waiting to start my medifast diet which is this Friday, October 13th. Please pray for me. I know GOD will bring me though this. I am not nervous about the surgery. I don't think that I will ever be! I believe that GOD is not through with me yet and I believe that GOD has a plan for my life. I just hope that my weight loss journey touches someone's life like so many people on this website have touched mine..................... Goodbye & GOD Bless
October 11, 2006
Praise GOD from whom ALL blessings flow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today, I received my approval letter. I didn't think I would get it this quick. I didn't know that Dr. Clarke's office submitted the paper work. I must say that I am truely happy. GOD is a Wonderful GOD!!!!
Until next time........................Goodbye & GOD Bless
October 13, 2006
Today I received a week worth of Medifast powdered shakes. I had to pay $50 for the shakes and an additional $15 for my co-pay. For the first week, I will be able to have five shakes during the day and one sensible meal. But instead I have chosen to have broth at night. Being that I weighed in at 266.5 lbs, I will have to lose a total of 26 pounds before I have surgery. My next weigh in is on October 20, 2006. I will update then...... Goodbye & GOD Bless
October 28, 2006
Sorry......I know it's been awhile since I last updated, but I'm doing well. I started the Medifast diet 10/13/2006. I was told that I to lose 10% of total weight (which was 266.5) before Dr. Clarke would even consider performing my surgery. The first week wasn't so bad. I was able to drink five shakes and have a sensible meal at dinner time. I also have to drink plently of water. The diet says to drink a total of 64 ounces per day but I drink 80 ounces a day (alot of running back and forth to the restroom!). My co-workers call me the "Restroom Queen" because it seems like I go every five minutes! The first week, I lost 6 pounds. The second week was strickly shakes (the French Vanilla is my favorite, it's real good if you use a blender!!). I continued to drink 80 ounces of water per day and at my weekly weigh- in the Nurse(Chris) informed me that I lost 8 pounds of a total of 14 pounds in only 2 weeks!!! According to my diet schedule, I have 3 more weeks to lose 12 more pounds. My co-workers have made the comment "Well, if you just stay on the Medifast shakes you won't need the surgery!!" Well, I feel that me having this surgery is a blessing from GOD. It's because of GOD that everything is working out smoothly, and I am going to contue to praise him for it!!!!!!!! Goodbye & GOD Bless!!!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 6, 2006
I did attempt to update last week, but somehoe I forgot to click save. Anyhoo....I will re-cap on what is going on. Last week I fell down the stairs and ended up in the emergency room Thank GOD that everything is alright! No broken bones, just a sprained left ankle. That same day I received a phone call, saying that my surgery date was moved from 11/20/2006 to 11/16/2006. I'm happy about it, but I did have to make a lot of phone calls to re-arrange my work schedule. I als have to fill out a lot of paperwork for revision purposes. Today I had my pre-admission testing. It consisted of signing paperwork, fasting bloodwork and an EKG. Everything went fast except the paperwork part. It seemed like that took forever. One thing I found out today is that my hospital co-pay is only $100. I was under the assumption that it will cost me $200. THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!
Tomorrow I am seeing my primary care physican to get a medical clearance. until next time.....................Goodbye & GOD Bless!!!!
P.S. Only Ten More Days To Go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 8, 2006
THE DEVIL IS BUSY!!!!!!!!!
Today I received a phone call from Dr. Clarke's office. The nurse told me that the EKG that was performed on me for the pre-admission testing, stated that I have Sinus Bradycardia (a sinus rate less than 60 beats per minute). Of course this upset me. There was a chance that my surgery could be postponed or cancelled because my heart would not be able to withstand anesthesia. So, I was given a Doctor's appointment today to be seen by a Cardiologist. The Cardiologist did a EKG, checked by Blood Pressure and asked me a bunch of questions. To make the long story short, the doctor ok'd me for the surgery and said that the reason my first EKG read Sinus Bradycardia, because the tech put the leads on me wrong! Whew! What a relief. I tell you.....the devil is busy, and trying to stop the surgery from happening, but my Heavenly Father has his loving arms around me!!!! Thank You Lord!!!!
In Memory of R&B Singer ~ Gerald Levert ~ July 13, 1966 - November 10, 2006
November 10, 2006,
Today I went to Dr. Clarke's office for my last weigh in. I weighed in at 246 lbs, which is a total of 20 lbs lost. Dr. Clarke wanted me to lose a total of 26 lbs, but his nurse Chris told me that some people are slow with losing the last couple of pounds. She assured me that I will lose at least the last four to five pounds when I take the Milk of magnesia and enemas in preperation for the surgery!
I am kind of sadden by the loss of one of my favorite male R&B singers.....
Gerald Levert definately had a voice of an angel!!! RIP G-Bear!!!!Goodbye & GOD Bless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 13, 2006
Today I had a 11:15 appointment with Dr. Clarke. This was necessary because he wanted to make sure I still wanted to go through with this surgery. Of course I said yes! He was very happy that I lost 20 lbs. I was supposed to lose 26, but he said that's ok. He just wanted to see If I would comply to his rules of losing weight for this surgery. He just wanted me to make an effort. He feels that if his patients can do good with the liquid diet, then it shows him that we will do good after the surgery. Well....that's all folks. I'm still not nervous yet!
3 More Days To Go! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Goodbye & GOD Bless!
November 16, 2006
Well....Today is the day!!!! My surgery time is at 12:30 pm, but I am scheduled to be at the hospital at 10:30 am. I am still not nervous. I have Faith in my Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST! I know everything will be just fine. I will update once I come home from the hospital! Until next time...............Goodbye & GOD Bless!!!!!!
November 20, 2006
I'm Back...............I was discharged from Ellis Hospital on 11/18 around 4:00 pm. I had a wonderful stay at the hospital. All the staff treated me nice and took care of me very well. My pain was managed very well. Most of the the time I didn't have to use my morphine pump. A few hours after surgery, I was walking around the unit. The Nurses were shocked that I was so eager to walk, but I wanted to comply with everything Dr. Clarke had told me, so I would not have any complications.
There are some things I need to get used to: 1. The burping and passing of gas. 2. Trying to drink water (before the surgery I was drinking between 80 to 100 ounces a water a day, now I can't stand the taste of it. Anyway I makes my stomach "pouch" spasm). 3. Diarrhea 4. Gagging on the horse pills my doctor prescribed.
I am very glad that I elected to have this surgery. No regrets here!!!!
Until next time Goodbye and GOD Bless!!!!
December 6, 2006
Hello everyone! Today I had my first month follow-up appointment with Dr. Clarke (Actually, it's a little bit early, but I wanted to see the doctor before I returned back to work). I have lost 22 lbs., since the surgery and a total of 42 pounds since I first started the Medifast liquid diet. Pepole are saying that I look like I lost weight but I dont see it yet! I will update soon...... Goodbye & GOD Bless!!!!!
January 16, 2007
Hello everyone! Happy New Year! I'm doing fine. The weight is coming off steady. I have lost a total of 55 pounds (35 lbs. since the surgery). I will add new pictures soon, so stay tuned! Goodbye & GOD Bless!!!!
February 16, 2007
Hello everyone! Happy belated Valentine's Day! First of all, I had to change my weight loss figures because I had them all wrong. Math was never my strongest subject in school. lol. I must say that I only have six more pounds to lose before I'm in "onederland". I have lost a total of 61 pounds, 41 since surgery. I am very happy with my results. I will post once I make it to "onederland"! Good luck to everyone and GOD Bless!
March 8, 2007
Hello Again! I am happy to annouce that I have finally made it to "onederland", and boy does it feel good! Today was my 3 month post-op appointment with Dr. Clarke's office( actually it is almost 4 months since I had my surgery). When I stepped on the their scale, I actually thought it would say 201 or 200 pounds, but when it said 199, All I could say was..... Thank you JESUS!!!! It has been years since I've been in the one hundred range. Thank you to all the supportive people on this website who have e-mailed me. Until next time..................Goodbye and GOD Bless!!!!
April 2, 2007
Happy Spring everyone!!! I just wanted to let everyone know that today I had my first "wow" moment. I was laying across my bed, rubbing on my stomach, when I noticed that I can actually feel my ribs! I was so shocked because I haven't been able to feel my ribs in a long, long , looooong time! I was totally in shock, but happy too! As of today, I am 197.2 lbs. The weight is coming off slowly, and I like it that way. I finally went to buy some new clothes. I went to Walmart and Sears. I won't start shopping at Macy's until I hit the 180 to 170's mark. So many people have been giving me so many compliments on my weight loss, and I love every minute of it! Everything has been going well so far. I have joined a gym, but it is hard getting there when you have a job and a half (the second job is strickly for purchasing clothes). I also need to commit to doing "arm" exercises. Everything on my body is toning up well, except for my "sagging" arms! It's a curse my mother passed on to me!! I need to stop this madness and commit everyday to doing arm exercises! Another thing is that I have moderate hair loss. I can live with this because "a sista can work a weave"!!!! As soon as I have my hair done I will post a new picture. Until next time...............Goodbye & GOD Bless!!!
April 16, 2007
Hello everyone! Today is my five month post-op anniversary. The weight is coming off slowly...which I am happy about. I have lost a total of 73 lbs., 53 lbs since the surgery. I Feel Great!!! I can't remember the last time I had such energy! Until next time...... Goodbye and GOD Bless!!!
May 4, 2007
Hello everyone! Today I wanted to announce that I am 189 lbs. GOD has been so good to me...and I am very thankful. I feel great! I still need to start commiting to doing arm exercises. Everyone is giving me so many compliments. I love receiving all this attention. Until next time....Goodbye & GOD Bless!!!!!
May 16, 2007
Well everyone...I'm still at 189. I can say that I am happy that I didn't gain any weight. It's going slow but steady. I need to update you on the things that are going on with me. Yesterday (5/16/2007) I woke up around 3 am as a result from terrible pain from my stomach. I immediately took some "Tums" and two Tylenol, then proceeded to get ready for work. Before going to work I had one bowel movement. When I arrived at work I had another bowel movement, then around 9 am I started to experience these pains again but worse. It was so bad that I couldn't work, because I could not stand up straight. I immediately called Dr. Clarke's office but they could not see me until 11:30 am. I was in so much pain that I could not wait that long, so I decided to go to Albany Medical Center (this hospital also does gastric bypass surgeries). I must say that Albany Medical Center Emergency Department was very good with taking me in fast since I was bent over in pain. Then I had to drink this nasty stuff before I could get a CT Scan. This drink was so nasty. I thought I was in pain before...but when this drink started to "go through my system" all I could think about was dying! I've never had this much pain in my life. I wouldn't wish that on my worse enemy. I screamed, hollered and cried so much that my husband was really scared. You could see the look of concern on his face. Then when I got to the CT Scan room the Technician told me that I didn't have to drink that stuff. I went through all of that for nothing! After they took the CT Scan pictures, a group of surgeons came in to talk to me and my husband. First they told me that I had a partial small bowel obstruction. Then they were talking about doing surgery to fix the problem. By the look of my face they quickly changed there minds and felt that placing a "NG Tube" into my stomach was more acceptable. Then I thought to my self "how the heck are they gonna but a NG Tube in me? I don't have a stomach any more so where is it going to go? So I figured that these men are respected Doctors and they know what they are doing (1st mistake). I had put all my trust in these group of Doctors when I should have been putting all my trust in God! Getting back to my story.....I finally received a room after getting admitted to the hospital. Some time went by and I finally asked my nurse when were they planning on inserting the NG Tube? She said that since I had gastric bypass surgery that they could not do it. They also said that since Dr. Clarke did my surgery, he is the one that should make the call on what to do. So basically, I was admitted over night for observation and pain management. Today after I was discharged, I went straight to Dr. Clarke's office and he examined me and talked to both me and my husband. He came to the conclusion to send me to the OR and do and exploratory examination/procedure. He wants to see what the problem is so it does not happen again. Both my husband and I agree with him 100%. The procedure will take place on Friday May 18, 2007 at 10:30 am. I will have to be at the hospital at 9:00. I am putting all my trust in God and I know everything will be all right! I will update after my procedure. Until next time Goodbye & GOD Bless!
May 19, 2007
Well guys....I had my procedure which turned into surgery. I was supposed to have diagnostic laporscopy (using a scope "camera" to see what was going on in my small intestines) but Dr. Clarke ended up doing surgery because he found three adhesions and a hernia...so he removed the adhesions and repaired the hernia. I didn't have to be admitted so I was discharged to go home. I was a little concerned when Dr. Clarke said I was "malnorished". My labs came back saying I had a low potassium level and a low protein level. I will have to double up on my bananas and meat. I thought I was doing good. I felt good until all this stuff started to happen. Even though I had this little mishap...I still have no regrets! I just need to do and eat the right things. Prayer changes things. I know this because this situation could have been much worse. Thank You Jesus!!!
Until next time...............Goodbye & GOD Bless!!!!
June 15, 2007
Happy Birthday To Me!!!!
Yes! Today is my special day. I am now 33 years old and 81 pounds lighter!!! Thank You Jesus!!!!
I feel good all over. I am so happy I made the decision to have weight loss surgery.
Until next time..........Goodbye and GOD Bless!!!!
March 9, 2008
Happy New Year!!!! I know...I'm terrible with updating, but all is well with me! I decided to weigh myself today at work, and to my suprise I am currently 152 pounds! I was completly shocked! All this time I have been telling people that I'm still 162 lbs. GOD is truly good!!! I promise to post some new pictures real soon! I love my new body!!! Grant it, I know I'm not ready to wear a bikini or go to a nude beach (which I will never do), but I am really satified with the way I look. I've always had a low self- esteem when it came to my appearence, but it sure feels good when people stop you and tell you how beautiful you are. Sometimes the compliments are so overwhelming that it brings tears to my eyes. Of course, my husband and other family members have always told me how beautiful I am, but only since I've had my weight loss surgery do I actually believe it. There are quiet of few people at my place of employment who are actually having the surgery performed or are acquiring about the surgery. It feels good that I am able to share my journey with those who have questions. I pray everyday that GOD continues to keep me in good health....and that he did!!!
Until next time..........................Goodbye and GOD Bless!!!!
July 26, 2008
I am soooooooo sorry for not updating as often as I should, but I have been incredibly busy. My husband and I just returned from a two week vacation from Alabama and Georgia (road trip). Prior to our trip, I was busting my behind doing overtime preparing for our trip. Well, I finally posted new pictures. I hope you all like them. I am so grateful to GOD for allowing me to go through this weight loss journey. I am so happy with the results. I don't think I looked better... Ever! I am also excited because I'm going to be a first time Auntie! The baby (boy) is due December 9th 2008. I pray daily that all goes well with the pregnancy and delivery. Well that's all folks!!!
Until next time..........................Goodbye and GOD Bless you all!
April 26, 2010
I know it's been along time... but GOD is still GOOD!
I am now 130 lbs. That's a total of 136.6 pounds lost! Thank you JESUS!
Starting weight 266.6 lbs.
Pounds lost before surgery (Medifast) -26.6 240.0 lbs.
1 month follow-up 12/6/2006 -36.0 230.0 lbs.
2 months Post-Op 1/16/2007 -51.0 215.0 lbs.
3 months Post-Op 2/16/2007 -61.0 205.0 lbs.
4 months Post-Op 3/8/2007 (early) -67.0 199.0 lbs.
5 months Post-Op 4/16/2007 -73.0 193.0 lbs.
6 months Post-Op 5/16/2007 -77.0 189.0 lbs.
7 months Post-Op 6/15/2007(early) -81.0 185.0 lbs.(I actually gained four pounds since 6/4/07 I was 181 lbs.)
8 months Post-Op 7/18/2007(late) -88.0 178.0 lbs. (Back in the swing of things!!!)
9 months Post-Op 8/18/2007(late) -92.0 174.0 lbs.
10 month Post-Op 9/17/2007(late) -97.0 169.0 lbs
11 month Post-Op 10/16/2007 -98.0 170.0 lbs (gained 1 pound)
12 month Post-Op 11/16/2007 -106.0 160.0 (1 year anniversary, down 106 lbs!!!!)
14 months Post- Op 3/9/2008 -114.0 152.0 ( 2 lbs. away from goal of 150 lbs.)
18 months Post- Op 7/26/2008 -118.0 148.0
3 years Post- Op 4/26/2010 -136.0 130.0
Member Interests:
- Cats - I have a female cat named Wuki
- Flowers - My favorite flowers are Sunflowers
- Black American - I am proud of my heritage
- Christianity - He's the joy of my salvation
- Road Trips - I don't do airplanes!!!
- Army - My husband is an Army Veteran.......Go Army!!!!
- Married - I love my Husband very, very much
- Nursing - I am a Phlebotomist
- Gospel - Food for the mind, body and soul
- WLS in your 30's - I am currently 34 years old
