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Press play to hear "Let the River Run by Carly Simon"
9/10/2005 I am a sixty year young woman. I have a wonderful 29 year old son , whom I raised as a single mom. I met my (sweetheart )husband in 1986, and we have been together since that time. I was retired because of injuries that led to arthritis and the revelation that I suffer from Severe osteoporosis (My fractures do not heal and they recur). I sustained several fractures of the knee and the hip in 1998 and The reason that I was referred for this surgery is that My Orthopedic surgeon would like me to lose all this extra weight. Maybe then my bones won't break for no reason other than the fact that they can't carry the weight. I would also like to enjoy the next thirty years with a lot less pain!
I love cats--that's why I have two tuxedo (coated) females Mittens (she was a lost little Kitten --when we found her) 4 years old and Independence (born on the fourth of July)1 year old. I want to be able to go fishing again and to be able to paint( oils). To enjoy my retirement and my husband. I want my son to give me grandchildren that I can take to Disneyworld! I want a good end to my life! That's why I am having this surgery. I want to look good too (I'M not going to lie!)
9/14/05 I am two weeks away from surgery and my goal is to get healthy. I have many weight related health problems--My goal is to be able to walk and exercise without my bones breaking and to feel less pain from the arthritis. I pray for a healthy body. I want to be able to enjoy my retirement--to travel , to paint, to go to the gym and really enjoy exercising again. I would also like to see a nice looking person in the mirror again. I would like to look as good on the outside as I fee about life on the inside!
9/18/05 Well, five days on the pre-op liquid diet. I didn't think that I could be this strong! I haven't cheated and I don't think that I will. I don't care for having to go to the little girls room every half hour, but I am not as hungry as I thought I would be. So I guess that I will make it all the way! Pray for me!
9/20/05 I have been on the pre-op liquid diet for seven days now. My resolve to stay on the diet is even stronger than when I began. I have to go to the P.A.S.T. Office at L.I. Jewish on Thursday--for my pre-op examination. I am excited and a little nervous, but I am confident that I have an excellent surgeon and support team. On Monday I get my final medical clearance from my Internist and I meet with Dr. Maholtra and Emelda. I am sure that everything will go well.
9/20/2005 I just got a telephone message--my surgery is going to take place at 7:30 a.m. instead of 12:30p.m.. I am kind of glad that I will be the first surgery of the day! Dr. Maholtra will have had a good night's sleep and he will be fresh--always good to be first !
9/21/05 Yes, I know that I am updating everyday--It's just that I am getting a little nervous--I really want Wednesday 9/28 to get here--I have to go to the P.S.T. office at L.I. Jewish tomorrow for my final pre-op medical clearance. On Monday I have a final consult with Dr. Maholtra and a final clearance from Dr. Amin ( my primary physician) --then it is on to The operation! and oh yes --I have to call for the results of my thyroid tests--The Endocrinologist (Dr. Hurst ) will fax the results and the clearance to me and I will take it to Dr. Amin. It is alot to do--but it is really going slowly--At Least it takes my mind off the liquid diet ( Day 8) . I am not hungry--at least that is a blessing. I wonder if I've lost any weight??? I don't feel any lighter. Oh well --I will weigh myself when I see Dr. Maholtra.
9/ 22/05 I went to my P.S.T. examination today--I am getting closer to the big day! I was very suprised to find that I have lost 12.4 lbs. since Tuesday 9/13/05 --The liquid diet is really powerful. I weighed in at 230--my previous weight was 242.4 --and I had my sneakers on and I was fully dressed! I am looking forward to getting some of this weight off so that I can start exercising again. I was told that I have a resting heart rate like that of an athlete (forty to fifty beats per minute). I guess That's why I find it so difficult to work up a sweat. Not too shabby for a sixty year old. I want so much to start to work out again--I hope that when I lose this weight I will not have so much pain--then I can get into shape. Well only a few more days!
9/24/05 I am getting more and more anxious by the moment. I am not worried about the surgery--for some reason I feel very good about that --but I am anxious to have my things for the hospital, to get the medical proxy filled out. and to make sure that my fish (discus) and my cats are cared for while I am gone--yes, I guess that I am a bit of a control Freak. I like to have everything organized and orderly.Well at least I will keep busy cleaning the apartment and making sure that everything is up to par.
9/26/05 I have my final consultation and instruction session with Dr. Maholtra and Emelda Forrester(the bariatric coordinator), and after seeing them I will go for a final clearance from my primary physician (Dr. Amin). I am praying for clear sailing from here on in!
9/28/05 Here we go! talk to everyone when I get back home!
10/03/2005 Well! And all's well! I got home on Friday the 30th --I was feeling good--I didn't have severe pain--and In fact, since the medication was changed from morphine to tylenol 3 , I have not had any real pain. I am trying to get all my pills and medications in everyday ,and I am really making an effort to eat all the protein that is required. I have been reading " The Real Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery" and I realize the importance of getting liquids and protein--in order to avoid as many complications as possible. More Later--things are going well!
10/ 10/2005 I saw Dr. Malholtra today--I had my staples removed! He said that I am doing well and he told me that I could move up to phase 2 of the eating plan--Hallelujah! I am so tired of nothing but shakes! I am going to try a scrambled egg-beater with just a touch of parmesain cheese sprinkled on it for taste. Tell you later how well I tolerated it! Oh yes --I am down 23 lbs ! 219 lbs.
10/11/2005 Well I had my first soft foods today--and my first experience with the "Dumping Syndrome". I ate about two ounces of salmon mousse and some creamed spinach. I guess that I had a reaction because it has been so long since I had any solid food. I am learning and I will be more careful in the future! I have to watch my proteins and my calories. I am also cooking for my husband--he seems to love the food from the weight loss surgery cookbook. I admit that I do improvise somewhat--but as long as the meals for him are low fat and low calorie--Hopefully he will lose weight too. I can only pray that he won't cheat too much! I am hoping that he will lose weight so that we can have a nice healthy life together for the rest of our years!
11/8/2005
I am six weeks out today and my profile has been spruced up. I have lost 34 pounds so far. I have begun to exercise. I do thirty to forty-five minutes of walking exercises ( Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds) . I am hoping to jump start my weight loss by exercising and by increasing my exercises. We will see how well it works! I ' ll report in a week or so!
11/13/2005 I am very happy with my new spruced up profile--I have had so much help from the volunteers here at Obesity Help! Now they have added a weight ticker--so I can track my weight loss. I have started to lose again --so far 36.4 down. I think that the exercise is helping. I was getting just a tiny bit frightened that I would be the only person ever to have weight loss surgery that didn't work! I also want to add pictures of my son ( My Heart--Handel) and Bernie's daughter (Sonya), grand-daughter( Tashi) and his grandson (Shuajan). I want to add a picture of his Sister Maria--She is my favorite person. She is a dear sweet woman. She is a giving and wonderful sister-in-law. She has become even more dear to me since I don't get along with my real sister. Oh well, we can't get along with everyone--but we can pray for everyone. So I pray for friends and enemies alike. Life is too short to hate anyone--so I try to "Let The River Run" --That's my theme song.
My Son Handel I thought you might like to see my family! This is my son Handel. Handel is a really good son! He was, and is supportive of my decision to have the surgery. I can always count on him to be there for me whenever I need anything. I am happy that he has grown to be an Intelligent and Independent Man. I haven't got a large family , but I enjoy each member! I am lucky that my son and my DH both give me the care and support I need --especially now!
12/10/2005 Well I am losing --but very slowly! I guess that my thyroid problem may have something to do with the slow loss--I have Hashimoto's disease ( an underactive thyroid) and my age isn't helping either--I am 60 years old. I just have to be more careful and more patient than a younger , healthier person. I am exercising--I do my Leslie Sansone " Walk Away the Pounds " tapes, and I have gone back to the "Y" pool for water aerobics. I wear my pedometer and I try to get in approximately 10,000 steps per day(at least five times a week). I am having a little trouble knowing exactly how much or how little I should eat--so I will make an appointment to see Emily Marcus--the Nutritionist at L.I.Jewish center for Weight Loss. I went to the cardiologist on 12/6/2005 --and my blood pressure is normal (for my age) 120/80. My heart is good (no abnormalities) --that is a really good sign. I feel fine --I just wish that the weight would drop a tiny bit faster. I will not let it get me down! I need to stay strong--this will be my first Christmas with out my Mom! God --I miss her! It will be a quiet Christmas! Still no word from my sister--But then I didn't really expect her to admit that she lied to friends and relatives about me --she wants to keep everything that mama left for herself. So Be it! I have to get on with my life! I leave her to the Lord!
12/14/2005 I think that I may have the best son in the whole world! He is Intelligent, Handsome, articulate and generous! I just had to say it! He is so good to me! What can I say--He was born two days before my 31st birthday and I always have called him my birthday present from God! He was always good in school! He was never in any kind of trouble--in fact the only time I went to school to see about him was when he was winning the science fair, the spelling bee or the math bee! Now he has grown into a really wonderful man! He graduated from college and immediately started to work. He works hard --has a good job and has nice friends. I admit that I would like some grandchildren--to spoil--but he won't settle for just any one--thank goodness! I just have to say how proud of him I am--and how thankful that the Lord gave me such a wonderful Birthday present!
12/17/2005 I was right --at least , I think I was . I have been under-eating! That is one reason that I have not been losing as quickly as I would like. For the past two days I have been eating a little extra--about 200 calories a day, and my weight finally started moving again. I went from 200 pounds to 195.2 pounds ,and that is great! My weight seems to be moving again! I know that I have to be careful--not to overeat. I have to exercise at least five days a week ( I have been going to the pool four times a week and walking on the other day). I really need to find a balance. I intend to make an appointment with Emily Marcus-the nutritionist. I will consult with her to learn exactly what I need to do to keep the scale going down! But I is really nice to be back in the ONES again!
1/1/2006 HAPPY NEW YEAR ! Here's hoping that this year is healthy and happy for me and for everyone! 2005 was a hard year--I lost my mom. The best mother in the entire world (at least, that is my opinion) and I went through a great deal of heartache because of my sister--but I am very lucky! God is so good!! I have a wonderful hubby and a wonderful son. I had my operation and I had no complications! I am losing (a little slowly ) weight! I feel healthier --I can do some exercises and I feel better. I have a very good therapist ( I think that everyone should have a therapist in order to cope with the lifestyle changes that the surgery causes in one's life). I am down to 190.4 --I actually lost four pounds over the holidays--and I didn't feel at all deprived. In fact, I thought that I had over done things and that I would really have to get back on track. I ate everything that I wanted and I was very satisfied. I felt so good about life and people that I didn't feel all that hungry--THAT IS AN EXCELLENT FEELING! three months out, and I am down 52 pounds. I was on weight watchers for over two and a half years and only lost 67 pounds and as soon as I couldn't exercise I gained it all back and then some. I feel good about life and much more hopeful of having a good life in the future! So --Happy New Year everyone!
1/20/2006 I am very excited--my psychologist told my to purchase a book--The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Dr. Joseph Murphy. I had been in a weight plateau stall--and I was feeling pretty depressed about the problems that my hubby has been having (he was out of work because of an accident--for over a year). His finances are in a shambles--and he is still not in good health--I am a worry wart--I want him to be healthy and wealthy and happy--that way I am too! But this book is going to change my way of thinking --about everything!! I am going to think positively--but not just positive--I am starting to visualize how I want my life to be--I am healing and making whole everything that is not good now--I am going to make only positive affirmations in my life. It Works!!! In one day --my plateau has broken--I Lost 2.2 pounds. Just from believing and quietly praying for the strength to change to the positive life. I now know that I can lose all the weight. I can be healthy. Bernie can get what he needs too--if he starts to pray faithfully.This has to be one of the best books that I have ever read! I am telling all my friends and I just may post a message to tell everyone on the message boards. I will keep you posted. I feel very good today! By the way I am comfortably wearing a 14 and I can get into a 12--but I can't fasten them yet--but I fully expect to be wearing a 12 in a few weeks! THINK POSITIVELY!!! YESSSSSS! I also can wear a size 14 bathing suit--they are a little snug--but I always figure on a bathing suit that is one size up from what I wear in street clothes. I am going to exerceze and tighten up and lose that tigh fit soon. I am so glad that I started to really BELIEVE --God is so good! Thank goodness also, for my psychologist (Anna Gallo) . She makes me think , and work for my physical health and my mental balance. God is good in that way too. I am lucky that I found her and That my Medicare pays for my visits. He really watches over me and my needs. This year I am really going to work on me! I am also going to pray for my family--to make them better in every way!
02/03/2006 Well, I am down to 185.4--that is halfway to my goal. I feel good and god has allowed me to continue on my journey with little or no complications. The worst problem that I have is the excess gas! Lord, I wish that I could find something to get rid of the gas! I get so embarrassed --I feel that people don't want to be around me--My DH has a hard time --sometimes he sleeps on the sofa --to get away from the gas--it isn't easy for him! Oh well--I put up with his snoring! Thank goodness we love each other! Or we would have grounds for divorce (Only kidding) !! We aren't going anywhere! I am trying to lose more before my six month check-up (March 20th) I hope to be down to 175??? --We'll see! I am hopeful! and I am praying for every phase of our lives (Bernie, Handel and me too) to become wonderful! God loves us, and I believe that He wants to give us everything that we need. He wants us to have abundance and to be healthy. That is what I pray for each day! I thank God that He loves us and He gives us so very much! I thank Him for the wonderful gifts that He gives us always!
02/04/2006 Well here I am--and I am really going to have to be more strict with my feelings. I want to lose ten pounds by march 20th --Right now that seems like a long time away--but I know how quickly time can slip by. I am on the Protein Bandwagon and if I have to feel really hungry ( I mean stomach growling hungry) --I am willing to do it! I have to hold my emotions in check too--some unpleasant things are happenning around me--financial matters and my poor son had an accident(luckily he is okay--and the damage seems minimal). I was upset at first --but then I got myself in check and I realize that If I need a new car --The Good Lord will provide me with one. I am the child of my Father in Heaven and I will never go without. As for financial matters--the Lord has already taken care of all our problems--We need only thank Him for all his great Blessings. I have to keep a record of how well I am doing on this food plan (I refuse to say diet--I am simply eating well--lots of protein and low calorie intake). Report to you later how well I am doing! weight today 185.4
02/11/2006 Well I have had an extremely hard week emotionally--but thank the Lord , I managed to weather the storm. God is so good to me --I have only praise and thanksgiving for His Blessings. I even managed to eat a piece of pizza (one slice and a half of pizza hut pizza) and I didn't get sick--a little diarrhea--but that could have been because I had an advantage shake--chocolate. In any case when I got on the sacle this morning --my weight was 181.8. Two more full pounds and I will be in the seventies--hip-hip-hooray! I am going to try very hard to stick to the protein train today and for the next few weeks--I really would like to weigh in at 175 when I see Dr. Malholtra on March 20th. ( that will be my six month check -up and I really am trying hard to meet my goal. If i can I will go for 70 lbs--but I will be satisfied with 67.4--242.4 - 175 Well--if the Lord is willing --I will do even better! I am also praying that All or finances are squared away by the 20th of March--but that is in the Lord's hands too. We give Him thanks --no matter what--He will do His will --not ours--and He will do it in His right time. The Lord is ALWAYS on time!! That's it for now! be blessed.
02/12/2006 Well I am getting there! Slowly, so slowly! But The weight is coming off--I have been trying hard to go to the aqua exercises at least four times a week , and to walk at least ten thousand steps each day. It seems to be doing some good --I am happy to say that I actually got into size twelve pants and buttoned them( but they were TIGHT!). I am going to wear fourteen until the twelves feel comfortable. I have never been the kind of person to wear tight clothing on purpose. I only have a few ounces to reach the seventies--so my goal to reach 175 by the time I go for my six month check-up seems attainable. March 20th is now only thirty days away--if I can lose just 1.6 lbs per week I will reach my goal with a little to spare. I will have the next six months to get to my goal ~~ I want to get to approximately 128~~ I would like to wear a six or an eight. Of course I will look thin in the face (my face has always been thin, but I can always go for a little botox or collegen for my face--we'll see. I am not going to sweat the small stuff. I want to be able to walk and run and not get out of breath. I want to be heatlhy--that's the most important thing--and I want to look good.--we will see.
3/ 03/2006 Well time is flying and I have to get serious. Yesterday I was very careful to eat LOTS of protein and very little carbohydrates--It Worked! I Dropped a pound (plus a little more). I am down to 178. I am going to try to stay very careful and see just what I have to do to lose at least four more pounds by the 2oth of March. Stay away from carbs--that seems to be the key! I sometimes wish that I couldn't tolerate foods so well. I can eat everything--I very rarely dump! Not Good--I need that warning to keep me on track. Well I am going to try to stay with the liquid protein for the next week or so and pray for the grace of God! He is the one who makes me do my very best. In any case I thank Him --because my health and my stamina is much improved! And in any case I praise the Lord for all the good things he gives me every day!
3/06/2006 I am quite happy today --I just got a pair of pants from Spiegel catalog--a size 12 and they fit with no problem at all. Also I have been eating lots of protein (at least 90-110 grams each day for the past week). My weight has started to move down again and I am almost where I want to be when I go to the six month check-up. I increased my exercise last week to 10,000 plus steps per day. I am working hard but I feel good about it because I am getting results. a good day indeed!
3/09/06 just a short update-- down 67 pounds, and the scale is moving. I have to be very careful for the next two weeks --I would love to reach 70 pounds by the time I go to the doctor on the 20th --but I won't stress myself--just plenty of protein an enough exercise and maybe those three pounds will go??? We will see!
03/14/2006 Well, I am just a little bit discouraged today--I have seem to come to a stand still. I am wearing a size 12 and I am down to 175--but I really am hoping that I get a drop to 172 before I go to my six month check-up. I have less than a week , so I am really going to concentrate on eating as much protein as possible. I MUST stay away from the Carbohydrates. (My problem is that I can eat almost anything). This is hard --BUT I truly believe that the Lord will see me through. Yes--I will be positive--I take back that depressed statement--I am UP! --I BELIEVE!--I will get to where I want to be!!! 170--here I came--and then on to 160, and 150 ,and 140 ,and 130!! I will lose this weight--with the pouch and a truly good exercise and eating pattern --and most of all, with the Lord to guide me! I will get to my goal of good health, and good looks, and a good mental outlook on life! Thank you Lord Jesus, for everyday of my life --Blessed be the name of the Lord. I am on my way--and This is going to be a great year! 3/17/2006 well I am three days away from my check-up and I just got off the scale--173 exactly--one pound to reach the seventy pound mark. God is so good!
03/20/2006 Well , I went for my six month check-up today. My official weight --with clothes was 174.2. I had lost 21 + pounds since my three month check-up. I am not changing the ticker to match the official weight because I should be down to 173 by my true six month date--which is eight days away. Also I was fully dressed and I think that it is safe to add a pound for clothing. The really good news is that my blood pressure is normal. My heart rate is very low (41 beats per minute) but steady and I am nearly normal BMI (27). I am shooting for about fifteen lbs in the next three months --So I am hoping to be 159 pounds when I see Dr. Malholtra next visit. Gosh he is such a sweetie! And everyone at the office is so nice--I feel like I am at home. Oh they asked me for before pictures--I Have some --somewhere --but I am so ashamed of them. I have to take some of me now also. so it was a pretty good day . Gettin ready to go to the pool now --so I will write some more later. Dr, Malholtra wants some pre-surgery pictures. I really am ashamed of the way I looked and I really don't want to see myself--but I know that I should put up pictures from before surgery so that I will never go back there again. I am also going to take some current pictures--I am not the way I want to be but, I think that they will show a difference--I will show you how I looked--and if you will notice --I was using a cane--arthritis and osteoporosis have improved greatly. I don't need a cane any more and I can exercise and walk without the cane or the walker. Pictures were taken from approximately two years ago--You will see why I told Bernie that I didn't want to go on vacation again until I lost all that weight--I could hardly walk and I tired so easily.I am much better now--Not perfect--BUT I am so much better--thanks to the Lord and the surgery!
This is how I looked before surgery--I was in pain alot of the time both mental and physical--I weighed 242 pounds and I wore a size twenty Pictures of me taken on March 24th, 2006
I am down to a size 12 pants now--173 POUNDS--STILL I feel very fat , and I realize how old my face looks--I guess that I need to realize that I am no longer a spring chicken. I am very critical of my looks--I know that, moreover, I see myself with a jaundiced eye. To me, I am still fat,-- and what's worse--I am getting OLD! I Know, Everyone tells me "how good I look" --but, I see ME! I can only hope that my good heart and my good intentions toward people --show more than the actuality of my appearance. Thank goodness that God loves me--no matter how I look. Truthfully --I feel good about myself --until I see a picture of myself--I guess that I need to stay away from cameras from now on! Oh well, at least I feel better--a lot less pain in my joints , and I can move with much more ease than before the surgery. I still get hungry and I still have cravings , but I am working on that with Anna (my psychologist). I have to continue--and keep on plodding along!(as mama would say)--boy ! I miss her! Well I hope that my nine month pictures look better (to me atleast). We'll see!
04/08/2006 Well. I set a mini goal (to get out of the 170's and into the 160's ) Today I weighed myself and I have reached 169.4. I always thank God for my sucesses. Oh yes I have to mention the letter that I received from I-PRO The I-PRO Letter It was unbelievable! It was a review letter from an agency that does Medicare reviews. It stated that Medicare has decided NOT to pay for my surgery--They won't pay for the surgery , the hospitalization or the surgeon --or anything. I was stunned! Luckily, they can't take the surgery back. They also can't make me pay, because I only did what the people at Long Island Jewish told me to do. I assumed that the approval had been given and that everything was okayed. I , of course, kept a copy of the letter and I scanned the information into the computer for safe keeping. Gosh --God is so good to me. I thanked Him all over again. I don't understand how I could have been disapporved--I have several co-morbidities (severe osteoporosis, hypertension, osteo-arthritis and Hashimotos disease). But I think tha
