kimbaby74

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I weighed today and am down to 295! It feels great to be under 300 pounds. Sometimes I wonder how I ever let myself get that overweight, but I did. It will never happen again. This surgery will not fail! I got an email from Jan M. with pictures of her journey! Great job Jan! Keep up the great work! In the words of my friend Cathy S., "You're such a LOSER!"~Kim

I've decided to update my profile after some gentle prodding from Cathy S. She's been such a great mentor and I want to tell her thank you. Look her up! She's such a LOSER!!!

I've taken some pics, when I look at them, it tells me that I have lost weight, even when the scales don't show it. In the two month pics, I don't look too happy. I'm just now feeling back to normal...well, kinda normal. I was having some real big problems. Numbness in my arms and hands. Muscle cramping, and just a general horrible feeling. I finally went to my PCP because when I told my surgeon of the numbness, he said it didn't sound surgical. So I went to my PCP and she ran bloodwork and found out that my potassium was extremely low. So now, for the next three days (already done it two days, today is day two) I have to take potassium twice a day, and then once a day until I see her June 14th. I must say, the potassium is bad. (Not as bad as what I had in the hospital, but still not the best.) It smells like orange soda, but tastes like very salty orange soda. It makes me gag every time! But, healthwise, I'm feeling much better. Not as much numbness in the hands, and not the general tired feeling I've had since surgery. I've been craving vegetables really bad lately. Last night I sauteed some onion, squash and zucchini with some chicken and it was pretty good. The squash was the best. So guess what I'm having for dinner? Squash, onion and chicken! ~Kim

Not much has been going on lately. I've had a horrible craving for dill pickles. I've had a few. I don't eat the skins, cause they're too tough and I don't want them causing me any problems. But they are good!!! I've lost 51 pounds as of yesterday. I'm trying not to get on the scale too much, but I can't help it! I don't get upset if I gain a pound or two. I know that's normal. But I love seeing a loss! Ok, I just wanted to give a little update!~Kim

So I guess I'm not one to update much. I swore I would, and as much time as I spend on my computer, you'd think I would. And here I am nearly a month later, just now updating. Things have gotten better. I'm doing ok on my water. Not so well on food. Once I started eating food, it seemed like the only thing I could handle well was scrambled eggs. So I ate them so much I'm just totally burned out on eggs!! Now I've moved on to chicken. I can't remember when I started eating chicken last week, but that's all I've had. Sometimes I have it plain, sometimes I put mushrooms, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese on it. Sometimes I take a bite as I'm taking it off the bone and then stupid me take a drink and throw it up. (That just happened by the way. First time puking since surgery, thank you very much! I felt so stupid! But I figured, it was just a bite. But of course, I didn't chew it well, and then I'm sure it was stuck. Luckily that tea made it come up very promptly. In fact, too promptly. I barely made it to the bathroom!) Anyway, chicken, chicken, chicken! I hear so many people say they know of people who still can't eat chicken two years out. And I've read how many people on here still can't handle chicken too well. I guess this is God looking out for me and making sure I can get my protein in. Plus, chicken is like my favorite meat to begin with, so yay me! I've had some shrimp, loved it, but got tired of it after eating it twice! I've tried turkey hot dogs. Must be too fatty or something cause after I eat one, maybe one and a half (with cheese dipped in mustard) my belly starts hurting. (last night for dinner and again today for lunch!) So I don't think I'm gonna have those any more. I'm trying to do good about not cheating, but my head hunger gets the best of me. On Sunday I had to make potato salad for a dinner I was hosting the next day. Well, my doc tells us to stay away from potatoes, breads, pastas until we reach goal. Well, I had some. Not many. After I finished steaming them, I took a few chunks out, mashed them with a fork, added fat free butter spray and salt and boy were they good! I wish I could have potatoes all the time! Then, as I was mixing the salad, I had to taste it twice to see if it was right. Then I took a third bite just to have it. That was definately enough. I didn't even want anymore. I know I don't need to tempt fate like that, but it was a moment of weakness! On a positive note, today, my weight loss is...drumroll please...down 48 pounds since surgery!!! Woo Hoo! While I was at work, I realized, in 4.5lbs, I'll be down 1/4 of my weight that I wanted to lose!! Go Me! My clothes are starting to get looser. I can tell it in my face a little bit. I'm gonna wait until two months before I get more pictures, since I missed month one. My short term goal is to lose 100 lbs in three months. I hope I can do it! I'm ready to really look different. I know, I need to be patient. After all, it's not like I gained all this weight overnight! Ok, I guess I better go! Just a little awake after my puking episode. Thank God for this surgery. I feel so blessed! ~Kim

Life has been pretty rough for me lately. A day doesn't go by that I don't regret having surgery. I know it's just depression kicking in. I am still having a hard time getting my water in. My protein too. I got one protein drink in today. It just sits weird on my stomach. I don't know what more I can do but keep trying. I bet the doctor won't advance me to blended food on Friday if I don't get everything in. I'm just so down. I went back to work yesterday. Worked for eight hours and it busted my butt. I was on the phone with a friend after work and kept falling asleep. I fell asleep at 5:30 and slept til 9:30, then went to bed at 11 and slept through the night. My hubby thinks it's because I'm not getting in all of my water and protein. I don't know. I'm still taking antibiotics for the infection and I still have pain. I'm almost out of pain medicine, but since it's Demerol, the doctor can't call it in. I guess I'm just gonna have to fight through it. Hopefully things will get better soon. I'll write more soon! ~Kim

Well, this is my first post since surgery. I have just not felt up to it until now. My surgery was on the 20th. Everything went fine. I was able to have it done laproscopic. The first major pain I had was when the nurse made me stand up the first time. I felt like someone was punching me in the stomach over and over. I cried, I moaned, I tried to sit down, but the nurse said this would be the worst. She was right. It got easier and easier. I was in the hospital from Monday to Thursday. I had two drains from surgery. Dr. Olsen took one of them out the day I was discharged, because it was causing me great pain. Everything was fine until Sunday. I woke up with horrible pain in my left shoulder, front and back, and in my left ribcage. Well, I called the doctor on call and he said that it was from the drain and the pain was normal. He said to call Dr. Olsen on Monday. Well, I did that and got an appointment for Tuesday. Dr. Olsen took the drain out. I was still in some pain, but thought it was just from the drain site. He drew some blood and let me go home. He later called me and asked how I was doing. Still in some pain, but overall ok. He said my white blood count was up, and that meant some infection, and if I had any problems, call him. Well, I took some pain medications and went to bed. When my husband came home from work, he woke me up and I immediately knew something was wrong. I had a fever of 100.1 and was in terrible pain. I called Dr. Olsen immediately, and he told me to go to the ER at Centennial and that I would be admitted. Apparently, my drain stopped draining, and caused an infection in my gut. So, I got to spend another four days in the hospital, on iv's for dehydration and iv antibiotics for the infection. This stay was much better than the first, because I was more alert and not in as much pain. So on Friday (the 31st) I was released to come home. Now, my biggest goal is to get all of my fluids in. I have head hunger beyond belief. All I want is buffalo chicken strips, pizza and pringles. And I can do without the pringles. Mostly the chicken strips and pizza. I can't wait til I'm off of this liquid stage. I'm gonna have some melted cheese with a dab of pizza sauce. I'm sure that will cure my craving for pizza. And I'll just have to wait a while for the chicken strips. Well, that is all I have for today. Oh, when I weighed on my Tuesday appointment, I had lost 23 pounds. In eight days!!! Of course, Dr. Olsen said it was because I wasn't drinking enough water and that wasn't good. So I've probably put some back on as I was getting hydrated in the hospital, but that's ok. I want to be healthy! After all, that's why I went through this whole thing! To have a healthier me!

A little over 24 hours until surgery...boy am I nervous! I've been doing to bowel prep today. Not the greatest day of my life, but not the worst. I've been wanting to eat something more than ice cream or pudding, or cream of chicken soup. I want some food, but it's gonna be a good two weeks before that happens. I might eat some jello, maybe I can chew on it or something. I've called some friends that I haven't talked to in a while. It was nice to catch up. One of them knew I was having surgery but the other didn't. And luckily, both are very supportive. The one that knew abou the surgery actually had it herself, so she's good to have around for asking questions about the surgery, and having someone who knows what I'm going through. My mom told me she's bought me some pajamas and a robe. I asked her to get me some slippers for the hospital, but she got me those too. Bless her heart. I don't think the pjs will fit, but who knows. She means well. I have so many wonderful people supporting me right now, and that means so much to me. Well, if I don't post again before surgery, see you on the losing side!

Just a few more days until I'm a loser!!! Woo Hoo! I'm excited and nervous. Today I went to Wal-Mart to get all of my stuff for the weekend. What I like to call "Crapfest 2006." Last year I had Crapfest 2005 when I had to prep for a colonoscopy. But I only had to drink one bottle of the stuff. On Saturday, I have to drink two bottles of the stuff and have a full liquid diet. Then on Sunday, I go to clear liquids. Tomorrow night we're having a St. Patrick's Day/Goodbye to my Stomach party. Originally, we were gonna have all kinds of pasta and anything I thought I'd never be able to eat again. Then, I decided, I didn't really care, cause I've been so nervous that I've barely been able to eat anyway. I feel as if I've been pigging out these past two weeks, but when I went to have my pre-op blood test/EKG and meet with the nutritionist, I had lost a few pounds. Not enough to count, and I'll probably gain them back tomorrow, but still. I'll try to post before surgery, but I can't promise. We've got most of the house clean, so I won't be feeling like I need to clean when I get home, but still need to do some work. I'm gonna try to do that this weekend. Wish me luck!

Ok. I'm feeling much better now. I spent a couple of hours at the day spa and enjoyed a pedicure and a facial and now feel pretty relaxed. I also came home and slept (usually cures all that ails me) and now I'm feeling better. Still kind of down about losing my edible best friends, but keeping it in perspective. Soon, I'll be thinking less about that and more about buying new clothes and living a healthier life. Thank you to everyone who has responded to my venting and crying on the message boards. It helps so much and I want to thank you for it!

I chose to do this. I chose to take control of my life and have WLS. I chose to vow that for the rest of my life I would eat healthy foods and exercise. But here I am, 9 days before surgery, crying. And why? I'm going through my pantry and giving all of the foods that I know I won't be able to eat and shouldn't eat. I am mourning the loss of food. It started out as a "plan my last dinner" event. But as I start pulling stuff out, and planning dinner for the next week for me and my husband and what to give to my friend, I cry. Luckily, she is there (laughing at me, but only to make me laugh, not truly laughing AT me). I felt like I was about to check myself into detox or something and was getting rid of all the bad things for me. Especially with her there watching me. Mind you, she was only there for support, but it was pretty sad, when I just leaned up against the door and cried. She reminded me that once I start dropping the weight, I won't even care about the food I can't have. I hope that is the case. In fact, I pray that I'll never feel hungry (in my stomach...I know I'll always be hungry in my head.) And I try to remind myself, I'm sure walking out of a normal sized clothing store will feel much better than eating a piece of cake or a bowl of pasta. Tonight is the first time I've had doubts. Hopefully, I'll get over them soon.