KDescha
3/15/04 After years of the proverbial yo-yo dieting, I have come to a place where having WLS is my treatment of choice. I have been discussing this option with my primary care provider for over a year. She believes it is the best choice for me, and is very supportive. Now that I have taken the leap and consulted with Dr. Saber, I am having a difficult time being patient. All I think about is my surgery, I am on pins and needles. I have my calendar filled with appointments...every medical specialty seems to be involved.
4/14 I have had all my appointments. Today was supposed to be the final 2 with the psychiatrist and Cardiologist. Now I have 1 more thing to do........I wonder if there is an end to this list!! I need to have a cardiolyte stress test. THEN...I should be done.
All in all, things are moving along and I am pleased.
5/7 Ok, still waiting..........Now all I need is to have my Primary Care Physician send an H&P and copies of all my medical records. THEN, the surgeon will submit to insurance. I should have an answer with 4-6 wks.
5/16 My PMP had back surgery and didn't get my H&P done, now I have to wait for her to get back to work. I am really beginning to feel discouraged and depressed over the delays and setbacks. I am starting to have doubts that this will EVER happen.
6/17 OK, more frustration. I called the ins company today on a chance that they had my case done. They did.......I am officially DENIED. I am gearing up for my appeal.
7/3 What a process all of this is. It turned out that the "denial" was based only on information the ins company received from Bariatric Treatment Center. Since I only had 1 appt. with them, and no further information was sent within 45 days, I was denied. The denial was not based on the 50 page packet sent by Dr. Saber. When the ins. company received it, they sent it right back and said it would have to be submitted as a new case altogether. So..........I wait.
7/9 I am APPROVED. I am on cloud 9. This is really happening. I DID IT. I jumped through all the hoops and I am scheduled for Aug 24 at 7:30 am. WOW.
8/2 I had my EGD done, and it was so easy. I told them that if it were a ride at Cedar Point, I'd go again!!!
8/11 Tonight is my "last supper". We are going out to celebrate my daughter's graduation from nursing school, and my kick off to this new diet of mine. My doc has his pt's do 2 wks of liquid diet prior to OR.
8/14 Today was the final appt with the surgeon before surgery. Got all my questions answered. I think the strangest one I had was this one.......When your stomach growls, is it the little one, or does the big one still growl too. He said that the little one is the only one that will growl. I feel better knowing that my central line and arterial line and foley cath will be placed after I am unconscious, I won't have a NG tube, and I can get out of bed as soon as I want...my personal goal is 4 hrs. I can get my foley cath out as soon as I want to truck back and forth to the bathroom, and my goal is 8 hrs. I hope to be discharged on day 3.
8/20 I have been on the liquid diet for 9 days. I have not had any difficulty sticking to it, but tonight was a challenge. My hubby grilled steak and it smelled incredible. The carnation instant breakfast was less than satisfying. Then we watched a movie and he popped popcorn. It smelled yummy. But I stayed strong and had my liquids. I did torture myself a little more though and read my newest issue of Cooking light...what was I thinking. I am counting down the hrs. Thank goodness I work all weekend, that will keep me busy.
8/22 Well, 35 hrs to go. Strange enough, I have NO butterflies...........yet. Just got home from last minute shopping. Tomorrow I am doing final touch ups on the house. Tying up loose ends. Made my phone calls today. Everything is in place.
8/27 I'm home. Everything went well. Feeling a little beat up, but doing great. I am sipping on the cream part of clam chowder soup. It tastes great.
9/3 Everything has gone great. But last night, the incision in my belly button opened up. I am dressing it with sterile saline gauze until I can be seen on Tuesday. I was so ticked off when that happened. Other than that, I don't feel like I had anything done to me. Recovery has been a breeze. I am still on full liquids, and move to soft foods tuesday...I can't wait. Oh yeah...and I am down 21.5 lbs from my presurgical liquid diet weight. That was my all time highest wt of 211 on Aug 11.
9/13 Still nursing that incision, but that is my only concern. I am on a soft diet and have tolerated everything, although I know I am not getting enough protien. I just cant stand S/F Carn. Inst. Bkfst. anymore. I do try to choke down 2 a day like I am supposed to, and I do eat as much protien rich food as I can when I have my 3oz meals. I did order Unjury unflavored and am looking forward to receiving it, I hope it does the trick. I am feeling great and have plenty of energy. I am walking a mile a day, and am going to rejoin the fitness center at work. I am on my way.
9/17 Well I received the Unjury. EEEWWWWW. Hate it. It leaves a funky taste/feel in your mouth. I have found it to be best in milk. Maybe because it is a whey protien, and I assume it is dairy based??? Since I have not had any lactose intolerance problems, I will try to get it in with the milk. Also, I have noticed that since starting it, I am not losing wt. What's that about?? I am going to really pump up the fluids over the next few days, and see if I can get a flush going.
9/21 I need to quit weighing myself daily. The scale doesn't budge!!! Although, if I weighed myself weekly, I wouldn't have changed either. Today I was back up 2 lbs., to 185. I know all the rationale for it, but I still don't like it. One would think you couldn't help but lose weight. I am not using the Unjury. And I calculated my calories on Fitday, I am around 900.
I am breaking a sweat walking. What the hell?????????
9/24 Saw my surgeon today and had lost 4 lb in 2 wks. He wasn't sure about why I was losing so slow, but remains optomistic that I will be a successful loser. I guess if I lose 10 lb/mo I will be happy. He believes I will reach 125. I am getting all my protien and fluids. I am using the protien supplement 1x per day. All I can do is stay on track and make it happen. Right!!!
10/1 I saw the dietician this week and she is happy with my progress. She thinks that I am losing slow because I am not getting enough calories. But try as I might, I can't seem to get a thousand calories. I usually end up around 700. I am getting 50 or more grams of protien, so that's pretty good. Also,I am going back to work this weekend, that should boost my activity level since I am on my feet a lot!!
10/8 Well I was back to work, and did that ever help. I really dropped this week. I am feeling geat. I really don't feel like I had anything done.......except that I have virtually no hunger, and I eat small amnts. Nothing has gone down and left me feeling poorly. Except some left over steak, but I think it was too salty. Nothing else has even hinted at being an issue. I feel so lucky.
10/24 Everything is going great. I am doing yoga at the fitness center, and starting to actually run a little on the treadmill. I do a slow jog for 1 min, then I walk for 1 minute. My goal is to run the 5K in April. Still discouraged about the slow wt loss, but attribute some of that to building muscle.
ll/1 Wow. I did a spinning class today. When I got off the bike, I almost couldn't walk. I felt like I had an epidural. My legs were soooo weak. And I don't think my nether region will ever be the same. But I felt great. I am going to do it again, but with bike shorts!! Going back thursday for yoga. I love my friend Lanie, who is pushing me along giving me so much support and encouragement to JUST DO IT!!! I am giving up the scale. I will weigh only 1 time per week. (friday's) Since I am exercising, I don't feel so compelled to keep checking. I am developing trust that I will lose, and I am probably losing appropriately.
11/5 I have suffered since Monday after that spinning class. My thigh muscles have felt like concrete. I have been literally debilitated. Today I am finally feeling a little better. I honostly don't know if it hurt more than the surgery. It was that bad!!! HUGE LESSON LEARNED. I need to slow down my enthusiasm for working out a bit. The good news is that I had a great loss this week and I am so happy.
11/12 It has been a busy week at work. I did not go to the fitness center as I had planned, and am trying to talk myself out of going this morning. But I am meeting someone there,so I am committed!!! I still had a decent loss this week despite my lack of going.I am so happy to be in the 160's, and can't wait to work my way to the 150's. This feels so good. Speaking of feeling good. I can't believe how good I feel after this surgery. Nothing has bothered me, I never have diarrhea, I never feel weak. I just feel good!!! I am taking all my supplements and getting good protien. I think I could boost the water consumption a bit though. That's OK, we all need goals..this week, mine will be more water, and fitness center work out's x 3.
11/19 Uneventful week. I am going to the fitness center...occasionally. There is room for improvement. I am getting adequate fluids, but could do better with water. I am getting good amounts of protien, but I could do better keeping track of it. I am doing a great job taking my vitamin/calcium supplements. I do feel like I am getting smaller, despite the lack of change in the scale. I think it is due to the fact that I have been eating too much salt. I have a very formal wedding to attend in January, so I need to get with it!!! I will be seeing people I have not seen since prior to surgery and I can't wait to make that splash.
11/26 I have been going to the fitness center. I really like the yoga class. I have not even been back on one of those bikes from the spinning class!! I am trying to jog more too. That isn't going so well. I feel like I am not progressing, but I will keep at it. I am determined to run that 5K in april. I am beginning to feel much thinner. Last week, I bought a pair of dress pants (size 12), they were a bit snug at the time, and today they fit great. I actually thought I looked nice. Now that is GREAT progress. Oh, and I am thinking that I am having that 3 month fallout.....yeah, the hair. I am not sure if I really am losing it, or if I am paranoid about it, and paying a lot of attention to it. Never the less, I see what seems to be a lot coming out, and I wasn't blessed with a lot to start with. Otherwise, I am doing fabulous!!
12/24 Continue to do great. I am still losing slow but sure. I have not done well at the fitness center this month. I have been working extra and have been teaching for a local community college as well. So just too busy. But January is around the corner, and as we all do, I will resolve to do better. I will be working less, and I won't be going in so many directions. No one is noticing my hair loss, but I do know I am losing it. It is great fun having so many people comment on my weight loss. It is getting really noticeable and I love it. I am still wearing the 12's, but they fit looser and looser. I could probably get some 10's but I will wait for now. I'd rather wait until they are falling off.
1/10/05 The holidays are over....thank God. Now back to life. Back to the gym. That 5K is in april, I have got to get started doing some serious work toward that goal. I just got back from my trip to DC and it was so much fun. I loved all the comments, although I have to admit that it is a little wierd getting all that attention, and sometimes I just wanted to hide. Everyone has a million questions about the surgery and thinks your life has to have changed for the worse somehow. I don't think I was convincing telling them that I really do feel like me, only I eat a lot less and don't desire sweets or soda. Whatever. I did buy a pair of size 10 jeans prior to going and they fit great. I think I love them more than the little black dress!! My next event is in march, and I want to be able to tell them I am ready for the 5K, or at least doing well reaching the goal. People can now really see my thinning hair. I am going to start using Nioxin shampoo and hopefully I will have some good results. I have also started taking Biotin supplements 2xday. That is supposed to help too.
1/24/05 I have been doing great working toward that 5K goal. I actually ran 10 minutes straight a couple of days ago. I am enjoying my progress and can't wait to say I DID IT. I think the hair loss has stalled somewhat. Oh, and here's something huge...I had my labs done last week, and they are perfect. Everything is perfect except my B12. It was a little high. I don't think I need to tweek it though. I see my surgeon tomorrow, so he will let me know.
2/10 I know all the crap about plateaus...exercise...muscle weighs more than fat..blah blah blah. But I still hate this. I am so afraid that I am done losing!! I am going to workout in a little while, still running and doing yoga. I am up to running 15 min straight. Love that, but hate this plateau. Since everyone loses, and then eventually gains back some, what will happen to me if I am done already??? I can't be. I need to lose at least 20 more. Ok you get it...I am totally freaking out here.
3/1/05 I have decided to update monthly for the next 6 months. I can't believe it was over 6 months ago that I had surgery!! WOW. I am obviously still losing bit by bit. And that slow losing is OK, really. My hair loss is slowing too. At least it seems to be. I am still training for the 5K. I can now run 1.5 miles (straight) on my best day, and 1 mile on my worst. Who would have ever guessed I could run a mile??? Next Saturday I am going to run outside for the first time. I am looking forward to it, but today we got a dumping of snow and will be getting more with blowing and drifting. (The weather isn't exactly nice here). But a running buddy says get some running pants and a fleece top...were going!!! OK, I'm going. Afterward we will warm up with some good coffee at a book store where we will study. Yeah, I am taking a class at MSU. Not only am I working out my bod, I am giving my brain a little task too. Amazing how life can change. I love my amazing life.
4/1/05 Well, well, well. I don't have much to say. I went to Colorado and visited a niece with my daughter. We had a great time, but I didn't work out while there. THEN, I got sick as a dog and that set me back even longer. So now here I am, feeling like I have to start all over running. I don't think I can work hard enough to run that 5K race. Oh, what to do????? I guess I will just have to work at it, and what ever happens..happens. I am finding it really hard to keep up with my class, and work and everything. I am a little overwhelmed. I thought having a vacation would be a good thing, but I am just even more behind now. At least I did have a great time with my daughter, and that is worth it all. Also, I actually lost a little weight on that trip....bonus!!
5/1/05 The class is over, and I am much less stressed about that. I have remained quite busy at work, and have still been neglecting the fitness center. I did start running again, but oh yeah, I lost a lot. I am going to focus on running outside. I think I had a really false sense of progress by running on the treadmill. Outside was so much harder. I can run .5 mile. So, again, start from there. I didn't run that race, and I have another opportunity in July. I hope I can get my shit together and actually meet the goal. As for my post bariatric life. It is grand. I have no ill effects. I am about 20 lbs from goal, and I know I will have to work hard to lose them. The easy part is long over!! I would like to lose 5 lbs by next month.....see you then.
6/l/05 June finds me slacking big time. I am trying to come to terms with myself over the running thing. I can't make myself do it. I am still really busy, and barely have any time to myself. I am certainly in need of time for me. I am in the middle of softball season with my daughter, and then there is practice for basketball in the fall. Add to that 3-4 12 hr shifts/wk, and getting called in for union issues.......I am spent!! My pool is warm and all I need now is a new suit so I can swim. I have had my pre surgical suit on and it falls off!! Kind of hilarious. But all is still well, and even if I am not going to the fitness center, I am busy with my yearling gelding and gardening. I didn't lose 5 lbs this month, but I am down a couple, and I am still shifting wt around my body. Things I bought for summer are quite loose. Gotta love it.
7/1/05 Another month behind me. Minimal wt loss. I know that I have this 18 month window and I don't want to blow it. Last month I was increasing my carbs. This month I am cutting them back down. I had been munching on pretzels and occasionally cereal. I have quit. I think that between not going to the fitness center, and eating more carbs, I was really sabotaging my wt loss. At any rate, even though the scale doesn't change much, people say I still look like I am losing. I do think I am changing shape too. And, even though I am still not going to the fitness center, I am staying very busy and very active. So while I know there is room for improvement, I also know I am not too far off track. My personal goal is 130. So I want to really work on those 11 lbs. Who would ever have guessed I would be worrying about 11 lbs? I want them gone by November. That is very dooable!!
8/1/05 Wow...it's August. In 3 weeks I will have my anniversary. That's CRAZY. I have had an amazing year. Even though I am on a plateau from HELL. I did pay closer attention to sensless carbs, and have increased protien. I have been using more protien bars in place of some meals here and there, usually bkfst. However, my water intake is on and off. Some days great, some days I drink way too much coffee instead. I have good intentions of using CIB more often as meal replacement, but I just can't get into the milk. It's hot out, and milk is just icky. I am going back to the fitness center........today. I have friends that do road biking and I may just try it next year. They are serious bikers though, so I'd have to work really hard spinning through the winter. Did you read about my last spinning experience? Holy smokes. It was rough. So If I want to get those remaining 9 lbs off by NOV. I have to work, they aren't falling off. As much as I'd like them too....taint gonna happen!! I must WORK. See you Aug 24 for an anniv. hello.
8/24/05 Can you even believe this. Here I am a year later. WOW. I want to take a moment to thank again Dr. Saber, Pat and all my friends and family who have supported me through this amazing year. You are all so very special to me. I have a beautiful life and am extremely blessed. I hope I can just pay this forward and offer up as much love and support as I have been given. (kisses to all).
9/1/05 As I crossed the 1 year threshold, I have taken a good look at my progress and have noted areas for improvement. I am back to working out 3xweek. All is going good. I plan to focus on spinning class this winter and do some road biking next summer with friends. I am drinking more water and less coffee. I eat carbs in tight moderation. (Carbs for me are hard pretzels and dry cereal) I am still slowly losing, but I am anticipating a slight rise in my wt as I build some muscle in the next few weeks. The really cool thing is that I don't even care. It is all OK. I am finally OK with it all.
9/8/05 I was hooked up with an unusual experience that I just had to share with you. My surgeon is having a piece about WLS in the annual report at KCMS and I had the opportunity to have photos taken for it. I was treated to having my hair done and had a great time having a professional makeup artist do my face...no easy task for her I might ad...Grin...Anyway, after that, we went to a park and had pic's taken. I can't wait to see them. I will likely have to post one here for you. It was so much fun. tata.
10/1/05 Well, well, well....the first time I have had a month with NO LOSS AT ALL. I am sitting at 136 to 138. I did drop 1 day down to 135.5, but I know it was a fluke. Oh what to do. Yeah I know....this has fitness center written all over it. I have to get over the fact that I live 17 miles from there, and the cost of gas isn't as important as what I will gain by going. I also have to get over the fact that my friend cannot go to the yoga and gutts/butts class we went to. I have to realize that I MUST go, at any cost, and if I have to do it alone, so be it. I can easily put my written thoughts here, but how do I become accountable? I have to spend some time on this in my head and get some integrity around it. See you next month.
11/1/05 No changes to report. I was more active this month. I take the stairs to the 6th floor at work as much as possible, and I am trying to do more. I went on a 12 mile bike ride and it was awesome. I have gone to the gym a little, but I am making progress. I keep the bag in my car all the time, so I can go. It is strange to hear myself say that I still need to lose 10 lbs. I remember hating people who would say that. If I never lost another pound, I would be thrilled anyway...so long as I don't gain!! I do weight my self multiple times per week to keep it in check, and I doubt a time will ever come that I don't do that. I would love to have a tummy tuck and thigh lift, but if I had to choose, I would go for the tummy. That's about all there is left for me to do. (Short of becoming a triathelete) Isn't that amazing??
12/1/05 I am doing a fair job working out. I have been going to a spin class and will start going to the 5:45 am class. I have a coworker who wants to go then, and I told her I would give it a go. We are going to ride across michigan this summer on the PALM ride. If you hold up your right hand and look at the palm, it looks like michigan we are going across the middle part of your palm. Other than that, I have 2 final exams coming up and have been gearing up for those. I have new pics to post soon. They should be up before next month. TTFN.
1/1/06 Happy New Year. Oh how time flies. Wow. My new year was quietly spent at home with hubby. For the first time ever, the kids were all off doing their own thing. So much for our annual poker tournament with them. Kind of sad........Ok, over it. Well, I am doing well with the spin class. I am going to the 5:45 class as planned. I am making progress and loving it. As you can see, it has jump started my wt. loss a bit. I weighed the lowest I ever have on this new years day. NICE. If I could only have a tummy/thigh tuck. Wish I would win one of those surprise makeover gigs....if wishes were fishes...??..something my grandmother always said. Not much else new. I begin classes next week. Biochem and labor law. Ouch, my brain hurts already.
2/1/06 I am so thrilled to tell you that I am staying on top of the exercise!! I go to the spin class 2-3 times per week religiously. I actually miss it if I don't go. That's totally wierd! I am getting a lot of comments from people that they think I am losing more weight. I really am not, I must be toning. My clothes don't fit significantly different either. Who knows??? But I just say thank you. I will be signing up to ride in the PALM ride and the DALMAC. I am going to do 2 five day biking trips this summer. I know you will want to check this out after those rides. The first one is in late June, and the 2nd is the week prior to labor day. As for school, I am doing great. I have so much to be greatful for.
3/1/06 ARGH. I actually had to post a weight increase. No problem. I pretty much hang between 132 and 134. I can certainly live with that. I do think I will get a bit lower and stay there this summer. I have been working out less the past couple of weeks. I had a bad cold, then I just got really busy. It is so easy to slide...but the great thing is that I know it doesn't really matter as long as I get it back. In the past, I would just give up at this point. I refuse to do that. I am going to spin class tomorrow and that is the first day of the week for me. See you on april fools day.
4/1/06 Happy April Fools Day. Yeah, I know, I posted another wt increase. Like I said last month, it hangs right there 132 to 134. I found out that I am signed up for the Palm Ride and the DALMAC this summer, so there ya go. I have the money paid, and the time off from work. No excuses left, I am committed. I just need to not chicken out. My biking friends say that they usually drop about 10 lbs over the summer months while they are active biking. I hope it works out the same for me. I struggle with this last 10. I have read posts about people gaining lots of wt after their losses, and I don't want that to happen to me. I could see myself grazing too much, so I am going to pull out some old fat photos and have them handy. I am also going to increase water and have snacks available that are good protein. Lately, I have been addicted to having a small handful of red hots. Then I love to grab a few pretzels. Snacking on cereal has become an evening favorite as I can sit in bed, study, work on the computer and munch dry cereal. Well, great reality check this morning. I am packing for Az. Going to go warm up and get a little sun.
Ta ta.
6/8/06
Hello, Arizona was lovely and warm. We had a great time hiking in Oak creek canyon. I also did a 7 mile hike up a mountain. It was very difficult, and I could have turned back multiple times, but I pressed on. In the end, I made it all the way up and down, and I can say I did it. What a great feeling, well, kind of. I did feel a little sick afterward, and my friend puked, but all in all it was a great success story. My other friend and my daughter and her friend were up and down much faster than Gina and I, so we did get caught in some hot hot sun. Yeah, I got a nasty burn on my shoulders. Now that the weather is great, am spending a lot of time biking. I have been doing 35 mile rides, and am thrilled to tell you that I am drinking a ton of water. I am ready for the PALM ride at the end of this month, and I can't wait to do it. We leave South Haven the last sunday of this month, and end up in Luna Pier on the following Friday or Saturday. I am so excited. I can't however tell you that I am losing weight doing all this biking. I am sitting right at my 133. Whatever. I can't and don't worry about it. I still eat pretzels and redhots, but not in excess. I did have a wakeup call about a month ago. I went out for a bike ride and almost fell off. I got really dizzy and couldn't get off the ground. I had to sit there and someone had to go for a car. It turned out that my hemoglobin was really low, so I got started on chromagen and things are much better. Since you can't take it near coffee or tea, I have switched over to water all the time.
6/30/06 I AM HOME. I did it. I rode my bike from Lake Michigan to Lake Erie. Almost 300 miles. It went great. The biggest surprise.. well, I weighed myself when I got home and actually gained 3 lbs. Muscle?? A friend said to wait a few days before I weigh, so I will do that. The trip was great, and I feel like I can do anything.
8/1/06 Nothing much to report. I didn't end up losing or gaining. I sit at 134. I did just finish my pathophys class today, and I think I will finish it with a strong B. Not too shabby. I hope these next 2 years of school go as quickly as these past 2 years after surgery. It is hard to believe it has been almost 2 years ago. I am still afraid of gainig weight, but I check it daily........yeah, I never gave that up. And I will stay on top of it. I thought I would try a CIB diet for a week and see if I can push it down past 130. As for my symptomatic low iron..I haven't had it rechecked, but I feel much improved. I do drink coffee still, and probably in excess, but I carve out time for my chromagen. I am having a uterine ablation done in the next few weeks. That is where they scar up the inside of your uterus and you don't have periods any longer. Why keep building up my iron if I am going to bleed it all out every month? Too much information........sorry. I think the truly next order of business would be a tummy tuck, but I have to wait until the timing is right. As busy as we are delivering summer babies, I can't just take time off for that. I think it would be a great project for February 07...
10/27/06 My fall schedule has been quite a test. I have 2 writing classes that demand APA format, and I haven't written papers in 20 years. It is challenging, but I am muttling through. I have switched back to working the night shift and that is an adjustment as well. It seems I have gained another pound, but I hope it is just due to my irregular schedule and that it will work itself out. I know I have been drinking more coffee and less water. The ironic thing is that my diet seems to be decreased, yet my wt is increased. My biking season is over, and I do need to figure out when to start going to the gym. I will need to get into a routine for that. It won't do me any good to get lazy over the winter. That's about as exciting as it is right now. Learning how to maintain. I will see you after the holidays.
8/11/04.....211
8/24/04.....203
9/3/04......189.5
9/13/04.....184.5
9/20/04.....183
10/1/04.....181
10/8/04.....177
10/24/04....173.5
11/5/04.....171
11/12/04....169.5
11/19/04....169
11/26/04....167.5
12/10/04....162.5
12/24/04....159
1/10/05.....157.5
1/24/05.....155
2/10/05.....155
3/1/05......152
4/1/05......148
5/1/05......146
6/1/05......143
7/1/05......141
8/1/05......139
9/1/05......136
10/1/05.....136
11/1/05.....136
12/1/05.....135
1/1/06.......132.5
2/1/6.........131.5
3/1/6.........133
4/1/6.........134
6/8/06.......134
8/1/06........134
10/27/06.....135
1/9/07.......139