KCAllen77
I am ready to take a drastic step to lose weight and finally be able to live my life.
11/15/01
I have my consultation on December 5th with Dr. Newhook in Meadville,PA. I am so excited the day can't come fast enough!
11/29/01
Only six more days until my consultation with Dr. Newhook. I have all my medical records together and I have my questions typed and printed. Now there isn't anything to do but wait.
12/04/01
Tomorrow is my consultation with Dr. Newhook. I am sooooooooo ready to do this thing!
12/05/01
Ok. I met him but there is some confusion as to what comes next and in what order it comes.He mentioned that some symptoms I have are consistant with a hiatal hernia, so I have to have a gastroscopey done January 23rd. This is going to be one long journey.I know it will be well worth the wait.
12/13/01
I talked to my surgeon's office the other day. So many more questions came out of the previous appointment, I had to call and clear them up.
Here is what comes next for me.January 23rd is my EGD.A week later(January 30th) I will meet with Dr. Newhook to go over the results and he'll tell me if he is doing the surgery or assisting another surgeon (Dr. Beard). That day he will schedule the other testing that I need done.I figure this will take me into the end of Febuary.He said I could have them all on the same day since travel was an issue for me.It isn't until all tests are done and the results are in that they will submit it for insurance approval. Depending on how long it takes to get approved, I should have my surgery in Mid march-early April. This is just estimation and hope though.
01/31/02
I had my EGD on January 23rd. I have a hiatus hernia and some imflamation of the lower esophagus.The hernia is small and it will resolve with the WLS.My sonogram came back A-ok with no gall stones, so it will be left in. I got terrible news about my surgeon though. It seems he will only be able to assist another surgeon on my surgery because he found out he has MS ans lost the sight in one eye. Imagine studying for 12 years to be a surgeon and now he has MS...devestating.My heart aches for him and I will continue to pray for a maricle for him. I asked him if he knew about when I would be having my surgery and he said Mid March!!! That is a mere 6 weeks away. That is also around the time we will be closing on our new house.
03/18/02
I had some more testing done for my surgery. I had an EKG to check my ticker (it is fine). I also had a breathing test which was a breeze and an arterial blood gas test.That one hurt because my veins are so crappy.Everything came back ok on those tests.I also met my new surgeon on 03/13.He told me my surgery will be in April (which probably means May). He set me up with blood tests and a chest x-ray. I took care of those on Friday.The next thing I need is my sleep study and that is tomorrow night.I hope it isn't very creepy.
04/02/02
Could this journey be any longer!??? UGH! Dr. Beard told me surgery would be in April which the way things are going probably means May. The sleep test was uncomfortable and I definately have sleep apnea, but not bad enough for CPAP.I see the dietitian on April 11th and then I meet with Dr. Beard again on April 15th(tax day). It really doesn't look like I'll be having surgery until May...
04/19/02
Well I saw Dr. Beard on Monday, he scheduled my surgery for MAY 17th!!! Then on Thursday I went for my follow up for the sleep study and found out I quit breathing 105 times during the 5 1/2 hr test. That is so scary! Now I have to go and get suited for a CPAP to wear at night.The thing is I can't get into the sleep lab until May 24th which is after my surgery date. I hope this doesn't mean my surgery will be pushed back.
04/25/02
I spoke to my surgeon's office and they said my surgery won't be postponed due to the sleep apnea AND that I was approved through my insurance co! Here I come to a healthy life!
05/08/02
I went to my anestesia appointment on Monday, I was very against having an epidural. Thank goodness I don't have to now, because the epidural guy is out for a while.I went shopping for my post op needs. (I hope I remembered everything) OMG only 9 more days!!!!!
05/14/02
My surgery is in 3 days! I owe Obesityhelp so much for educating me about WLS. I have never had this many feelings all at once. I'm thankful, excited and scared too. I am so scared I almost want to cry, but I know I have to do this. I wish so hard that "conventional" weight loss methods would work for me, but I've been through all those and gained it back. Why am I so afraid? Am I afraid of the surgery itself or am I afraid of being thin? How will people look at me when I'm thin? Will people treat me differently? Why didn't I think of any of this until now? It all feels entirely to real after all these months of waiting. I am sure deep down I will do fine.
05/16/02
Just about 20 hrs until my life is changed forever!
05/18/02 Hi All This is Keesha's angel Greg. I tried to call the hospital yesterday but they told me Keesha was in ICU. I then received an email from her husband Ray and he said that she may be moved out of ICU today. I will keep you updated.
5/19/02 Keesha is out of ICU and doing well. She had some problems with an elevated temp and heart rate but they are resolving. She sounded in good spirts. Still on IV's, going for her leak test tomorrow.
05/28/02 Happy birthday to me! Hi all, I came home from the hospital on Thursday. I have had average pain I imagine. I am feeling better and better everyday. I will update as often as I am able.P.S I am down to 260 lbs!!!!
06/03/02 As of today I weigh 252 lbs! That is a loss of 21 lbs since my May 17th surgery and it doesn't count the 7 lbs. I lost before surgery! That makes a grand total of 28 lbs...I am so proud of myself.
06/08/02 I am doing great with this surgery. I started walking the other day, not really a routine but I should make it one. It has been down right beautiful here in PA ,which is great for the spirit and consequently great for the healing process. I no longer am obsessed by food like I was before I started the soft food phase. Get this, I am down to 249 lbs! That is a loss of 24 lbs. since surgery. That is 31 lbs. if I count the 7 lbs. I lost Pre Op. I am now wondering if I should set weight loss "goals" for myself like I see others do. I mean I know it will come off for sure, so why mke goals? But it does seem like it would be nice to feel a sence of accomplishment when I reach a goal.Ok. My first weight loss goal is to weigh 199 lbs, that leaves 50 lbs "til goal".
06/13/02 I think I'm becoming addicted to the scale. I weigh in at least once a day. I told my husband to hide the damn thing from me. Good new though, I am down 26 lbs. now at 247 lbs.!!! That's alomst 1 pound a day for 3 weeks and 6 days Post! I ROCK!
06/18/02 I still can't believe how well I feel nor how great I am losing. It literally feels like a dream come true. I weighed in this morning at 245 lbs. , a loss of 28 lbs! I can't wait for the ok to start exercising more. I'm thinking of buying Richard Simmon's Sweatin to the Oldies. I had that before and I did well on it. Until then I will walk, walk, walk all my big ol Flintstone feet will take me.
06/23/02 I have hit a plateau, it seems. I didn't think one would happen this soon out (5 weeks). I am cutting aspertame from my diet and I'll see if that's the problem.
06/27/02 I broke through the plateau, I knew I would. I had a check up with my surgeon yesterday. I have lost 36 lbs (7 lbs preop) so far! I was so proud and excited that I dyed my hair..red of all colors. I absolutely love it. I never would have had the confidence to do this before surgery.
06/28/02 I weighed today and I am down to 240 on the dot!
07/13/02 I weigh 237 lbs now and I think I'm on another plateau. I am having trouble getting in all I'm supposed to as far as water, protein and vitamins go. I am resolving to get most of everything in starting today. My total loss so far is 41 lbs counting the 7 lb I lost a week PreOp.
07/22/02 Eating the WLS way has become so much a way of life now! It is so odd for me to go automatically to the low sugar/low fat foods. I weighed in this A.M. and I stand at 231 lbs right now. Total loss is 47 lbs since a week preop. 32 lbs to go until my first goal of 199 lbs. I CAN do it!
07/27/02 I now weigh 227 lbs! I haven't been this weight since I lost weight on Meridia 2 years ago. I feel so fabulous!!! I am no longer concidered Morbidly Obese anymore. Now I'm severely obese and shrinking.
08/13/02 I've started swimming at the YMCA about 4 time a week for about 2 hours and I am proud to say I am down to 223 lbs!! I can honestly say it looks like 199 lbs is obtainable and right around the corner for me!!!
08/23/02 I've made it down to 220 lbs.YES! Just 21 lbs to go until my first goal of being under the 200 lb mark. I know I will do it this time! I haven't been this weight for 6 years and it feels so good. Praise the Lord!!!
08/26/02 I'm really losing now! Count me at 217 lbs and a size 18!
08/27/02 Geesh, this weight is coming off like crazy! Down to 214 lbs now!
09/04/02 Down to 212 and feelin' GGGRRRREAT! A mere 9 lbs to go beore I am concidered Obese instead of severely obese!
09/09/02 Weighed in at 210 today (fully dressed) I dumped today and I still feel quite bad so I doubt I'll eat anymore tonight. I noticed I'm not getting in enough protien and I have been getting very lax on my food choices. I still eat only a minute amount but I need to focus on eating healthier.
09/13/02 Down to 208 and feelin' great!
09/27/02 Hold on a plateau for the last few weeks at 207 lbs. Total loss is 71 lbs since May 17th, 2002! I hope I start losing again soon though.
10/04/02 Today is weigh- day and I weigh 200 on the dot! One more measley lb to go before I have reached my first goal of 199 lbs. I can't believe this is for real! My BMI no longer classifies me at morbidly obese or even severly obese. I'm now just plain old obese and shrinking! I had enough courage to get my hair cut short, which I have never done before. I look and feel like a new woman. I'll be updating my pics in another 2 lbs so beware. LOL
10/24/02 I am sort of on a small plataeu again. I haven't been exercising lately, so that is probably what's going on. I now weigh 192 lbs. I reached my first goal of 199 about 2 weeks ago. My new goal is 174 lbs which will classify me as overweight, 18 lbs to go until that goal. I have hopes I will do that by Christmas. I am wearing a size 16W/18 pants and an XL top now. People are beginning not even to recognize me!
11/09/02 I started a job about a week ago. I absolutly love being out of the house. I have to carry my before pic with me in my purse, otherwise nobody knows me. Too Cool! I now weigh 185 lbs, that's a loss of 93 lbs since my surgery. I fit into a size 14 pants yesterday. I can't beleive how fast I have lost.
11/15/02 It's weigh-day, again. I weighed in this AM at 181 lbs. Total loss since May 17th is 97 lbs! I have 7 lbs left til I meet my mini goal of 174 lbs, which will qualify me as just overweight! Just about 45 lbs left to go until I will reach my final goal.
11/22/02 Today is weigh in day again. I have made it to the Century Club in 6 months! I have lost 100 lbs for good this time! 4 lbs until I will no longer be obese. I have approx 40 lbs left to go until goal. I can't believe I have lost all this weight so quickly.
12/08/02 As of last friday, I weigh in at 170 lbs on the dot! I have lost 108 lbs total in the past 6.5 months. I am no longer obese, I'm simply overweight. That was a goal of mine, my next goal is to weigh 150 lbs. I'm a very loose size 14 right now.
03/22/03 Hey! It's been awhile. I am 10 months post now and I weigh in at 142 lbs. A grand total of 136 lbs lost in the past 10 months..WOW! I am in a size 9 jeans and a medium top. I do have loose skin under my arms and a flabby belly, but I'll take this anyday over being almost 300 lbs.
04/13/03 11 months out now and down to 140 lbs!
05/23/03 I'm just a few days over a year post op now and I weigh 137 lbs (size 8) I would be smaller in the pants but I have a pouch of excess skin to deal with. I have went from reclusive SAHM to a very active CNA and nursing student starting in August 2003.
07/23/03 I'm starting nursing school in just 7 days! I now weigh 132 lbs and wear a size 7 jean. I feel so darned hot!
12/16/03 Now 19 months post op and I have regulated a weight of 135 lbs. My jeans are 5-6 which is strange but it's because of sit ups. I still think I need a tummy tuck. But I dont have insurance now.
01/16/06 I had a baby! A little girl 01/21/05. Aaliya Grace Allen-Lesh. She was a healthy 6 lbs 11 oz. I had my tummytuck this past May. I weigh 130 lbs at 3 1/2 years post op.
06/2006
Alot has happened since me last update. I had my tummy tuck in May 2005. I am very happy with the results. I now hold steady at 126 bs. to 130 lbs depending on the time of month. I am not afraid of ever gaining it back. My whole life style has done a total turn around. The way I think about food had changed. The way I feel about myself is the total opposite! I had never experienced this kind of self esteem in my life. I just feel like I fit in when i'm out in public like a normal person. I'm not ashamed to go anywhere cuz I feel hot!