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Well Monday was 15 months - I can't believe how fast the time has  gone. To date i am down 174 lbs, lost over a total of 68 inches, and as of two months ago was taken off all insulin and diabetic medication - I am managing it via diet and exercise.
Wow - I bought first pair of jeans!! There have been alot of firsts - and each one brings me pure delight and just reinforce how very lucky I am.  I thank God everyday and Dr Hunter for the second chance at life and I work hard at it every day and will continue to do so. Thanks to everyone for all the support and encouragement and best wishes to all those just beginning a journey.

Well, its been just over a year now and I still can't believe the changes day by day. I have lost 161lbs to date, down so many pant sizes I can't track them anymore. Most importantly, I feel so great, I have energy like I've never had before. I don't ache every morning and all day and I actually look forward to exercise.
Oh but the very best news - as of Monday this week, I am no longer taking any Insulin (or other diabetic medications), never thought I would be off the insulin, but I am. Truely amazing, I am managing diabetese through food and exercise.

I saw the surgeon just last week and was truely in tears for how grateful I am. I have no regrets on making that decision and would recommend it for anymore serious about making life changes.

Thank you everyone for your ongoing support...  heres to year two, with more changes to come!

It's been 9 months on Nov 23,, so almost there...

Still feeling fantastic, health improving dramatically, and doing real well.

Had alot of first lately...

* Fit into an airplane seat and the regular seat belt
* Used an airplace bathroom comfortably, 1st time in 20 yrs I've ever used one
* Fit on all the rides at Disneyland - great way to enjoy my first visit there
* Bought my first pair of size 18 pants... and they are already baggy!
* Spent 5 days non stop walking around southern California - and I didn't hurt and wasn't out of breath

Such simple things, but they mean so much to me... and I know there are only more great things to come. Everyday I am thankful to Dr Hunter and his team, they provided me a tool that I have managed to change my life with.

Thanks for listening all..

Well Aug 23, 2010 will be 6 months to the day since my RNY surgery with Dr Hunter. I'm still living everyday with joy that I made the decision to do this. The benefits have been fantastic!

Weight loss to date is now at 108lbs, my inches lost are amazing, my clothes simply fell off and I have hit the point of nothing small enough in my closets or drawers, but most of all my health issues have improved so much more than I expected them too.

I am type 2 diabetic and pre-surgery was taking high amounts of insulin. For example, Lantus 60 units in the morning and 80 units at night. With meals i was taking Novorapid of 30 units with breakfast and lunch and 100-110 units with dinner.
Today I take only 6 units, yes 6, of Lantus in the morning and at night. This i just reduced from 8 as my sugars were low. I take no novorapid any longer and no pill medication for this.
I suffered from high triglyceride levels, for example my blood work gave a reading on usually 9 or over, with me taking a medication x 2 day - with is bad bad
My blood work this past week - the levels are 2.1.......... I am in what is considered the normal range and have been instructed to reduce the medication.
As well things like cholesterol have all come down, and my levels of vitamins and minerals is nice and high as the Dr wants to see.

My body just plain feels better. The aches are going away, the movement and flexability is coming back, I've even been able to sleep more than 4 hours a night, I've had couple regualr 8hour nights now!  I've been swimming all summer everyday and doing up to 100 laps a day and it feels ok and I love it.
Overall I have more energy, more desire to be out and around people and even booked a fun filled trip for Septemeber.

I'm so grateful to have had this opportunity. I have had very little in the way of complications, at 6 months I still dont have a hunger pain thats happened.

I thank everyone for their support and encouragement. I'm not good at regular posts but wanted to give the updates for others to see how worth this surgery can be for them.

I'm looking forward to the next 6 months!!

            

Well I had 3 month follow up with Dr Hunter this past Tuesday. He is happy with success and progress to date, advised i was doing extremely well. No concerns or worries
The best past, which honstly brought me to tears, was the results of the blood work. I expected improvments of course but not to the level they were. I am offically back in the normal ranges for things like cholestoral, triglycerides.

This surgery and journey has so been worth it. I often feel like kicking myself for not doing it sooner, but I've come to realize that maybe it wasnt the right time, maybe I wouldnt have been committed as I am today. All in all it's wonderful. I am feeling fantastic and noticing improvements in little things every day.

Feel like running around screaming Yiiipppppeeeeee!

I had laproscopic RNY on February 23, 2010 in Seattle performed by Dr J. Hunter. First off he is fantastic and so is his team.
The surgery went well however i was under alot longer than expected due to an issue with my Pancreas that Dr Hunter needed to work on before completing the surgery.

Spent 2 nights in Virginia Mason Hospital and a 3rd night at the Hotel across the street and Dr Hunter gave me the ok to head back home on the Friday morning.

I must admit the overall recovery hasnt been that bad. The hardest part initially was really getting the liquids in and as much liguid protein as possible. I havent done well with whey powders so far, think its the texture I'm struggling with. I was very tired for the first two weeks and took nap every day but thats the body healing itself.

As for the diabetes, I left the hospital only taking Metphormin pill. NO INSULIN! and I was taking alot of Insulin. However in the last few weeks the Metphormin has taken its revenge on me, its so hard on the stomach so we decided to drop the pill and take one Insulin but a very small dose and all seems to be working out.
This was one of the main reasons I did this surgery, health imporvement!

Everyone is right when they say take as much time as you can off work, not really for recovery but to learn the new ways you need to eat and to get routines down about taking all the vitamins.

So I'm little nervous today, I'm starting back to work tomorrow. I tried working at home few days for half hour this past week, but getting up at 4am and driving to work etc is a whole other challenge. I'm sure in the end it will be fine, I just need to remember to pace myself and not overdue it.

Cheers to this new beginning!!

I received the OOC funding from SMP, been through the appts and testing again, and have pre-op on Feb 10, 2010 and Surgery on Feb 23,m 2010 with Dr Hunter in Seattle!

Excited, nervous, anxious, wow what an emotional ride once you hear the actual news...

Oct 24, 2009 and i have spent the summer doing all the tests Dr Rusnack wanted. All the specialists gave me the ok and clear and then wham the VIHA cutbacks started and are still happening. Dr Rusnack is gone and his replacement is in and I am stuck waiting in BC's horrific medical blackhole.
I didnt give up, I decided one way or the other I would make it happen even if it meant I had to find a way to pay for it. I made two appts, one with Puget Sound Surgery and one with Virginia Mason. I have seen the group at PSSC, great bunch of people and Dr L was fantastic. In short term I also got my specialist to do the OOC forms and off they went. In two weeks I received full approval from MSP!! They have approved it with Virginia Mason only, and my appt with them in Nov 10, 2009. So here's to getting an ok and a date. I will update after the initial appt.

Well it's done. My first appointment with Dr Rusnak. It is very true all the comments about him, what a wonderful man. He has agreed to do the surgery for me and expects it for the fall..  I'm excited now,, was nervous going, but think I was more nervous he wouldnt do it..

Just testing to go through now.. here's to new beginnings...and alot of hard work!

Well after years of researching and waffeling back and forth I made the decision to go forward. I have tried every other way and still have no results and I know I wont live long if I dont make a change.

Afraid, yes, full of questions, yes, but I am ready for it. I am struggling though with family and friends understanding why. I get their fears and understand their concerns, but i dont think they realize the risk of staying as is today or getting worse.

Anyway,,, will update after March 18 appt with Dr Rusnak in Victoria

PS - Anyone out in MR area looking for walking buddy??