MaryA

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Original set of Posts:::::

I went to an information seminar last night August 10th, 2005 with Dr. Coates in Modesto, CA. It really made me more determined to have this surgery.

I am tired of being tired. I am tired of not being able to play with my kids. I am tired of being fat. Yes, I'll say it, "I am fat".

My husband is supportive, my family and friends are supportive. I know this will not be an easy adjustment, but I know this is what I have to do to live.

Now, I am waiting to get my appointment for a consult with Dr. Coates office. I have an appointment with my primary dr. on the 15th of August for my referral. I'll keep posting. :)

 8/11/05 4:20PM.

I just made my consultation appointment for the 30th! I can't believe how fast Dr. Coates office called me. I was just at the seminar last night!

8/30/2005-

I just had my consult with Dr. Coates office. I am actually going to switch to Dr Croinin. I am so excited. I have my ultrasound scheduled for Thursday Sept. 1st and my psych review on Tuesday Sept 6th! I have United Health Care and they are going to submit my file for approval without the psych review as my insurance doesn't require it. I met with Dianne (a PA) she was wonderful. She said I may even be set for the surgery by the end of September. Keeping my fingers crossed that my insurance approves me quickly!!

9/9/05 -

Yesterday I turned 32, today I was approved! Talk about the best Birthday present! Hilary called and said I was approved today. This is 6 working days after the insurance company recieved the request! Wow! Hilary said they have their first opening on the 20th! I am not prepared to do it that soon as I just changed job positions and need to get my assistant trained in. She starts on the 12th. I'm looking at having the surgery in the middle of October if at all possible!

Wow- I can't believe how fast this has gone! I went to the seminar on August 10th and her it is Sept 9th --- only one month to having approval and technically I could have the surgery in a week and a half if I wanted it! My mind is just rolling right now. I told my husband last night that when I get skinny (and after a tummy tuck and boob lift --- haha) I'm going to get myself a pair of leather pants and jacket and then he's getting a motorcycle so we can go cruising!! Haha! My husband has never seen me skinny. We have been married almost 8 years and I have been heavy for the last 24! We are both excited for what this will open up for us and our family. I forsee us doing more outdoor activities. I can't wait to go bike riding with my sons....taking them to the park and going down the slide with them... In fact, I think right now I'm going to take the time and sit down and make my list of things I can't wait for.... Until next time-- Mary

9-22-05

I have a date! October 24th! I went to the 3 hour class yesterday. It was very informative. I am going to go to the support meeting on the 3rd also. I didn't know about the meeting until I went to the seminar on August 10th, so I missed the August meeting and they didn't have a September meeting due to the holiday. I'm hoping to connect with someone at the meetings. My job is "ready" for my absence. I have a new assistant and she is wonderful. I feel comfortable being gone. My family is "getting ready" for my journey. My husband thinks he knows what is going to happen, but I don't think he has really grasped the enormity of the changes. My 11 year old is nervous about it. I haven't really told my 4 year old. I think he'll be ok. I'll explain it to him as we get closer.

10/22/2005 -

Today is Saturday, surgery is on Monday. The nervousness is starting to hit me hard. I am so emotional right now. I just have the fear of having something go wrong and not being here for my kids and husband. I know everything will go ok, it's just the pre-surgery jitters. I ask anyone reading this to please say a prayer for me and my family. I would truly appreciate it. Thank you.

10/24/2005 -

Well, today is the day. I'm actually not that nervous. I did the bowel prep last night, that was not fun! Not as bad as I had imagined, but NOT FUN! I am more nervous about the after surgery, in particular the first 3 months. I'ts going to be harder getting used to what to eat and when then the actual physical healing from the surgery. Wish me luck, I'll post more on the losing side!

10/29/2005-

**warning long post*** Well...here goes the saga of my surgery! My husband and I arrived at the hospital at 10:00am. Surgery was scheduled for 12:15. They took me back within 10 minutes. They took me back, gave me the surgery robe to get dressed and took all my vitals. They wanted to wait until I had my IV in until they would allow my husband to come back. Well, that was taking forever. I was just sitting there watching everyone else get prepped. Finally my husband was allowed back with my Mother in law. I'm sure some of you are going "oh, gee, just what she needs, her mother in law". But my MIL is great.

So finally about 11:00 they gave me my iv. Around 12:00 the dr. came and said the surgery would be at about 12:30. Well, 12:30 came and went... then 1:00...then 2:00...then 3:00...finally at 4:00 they came and wisked me away. It seems the dr. case before me took longer (removed her gall blader and she had some adhesions).

Once they wheeled me in the operating room, I remember moving to the surgery table, getting strapped in and then saying to the anestheiologist , "wow, you already started" and I was out. I don't remember much of the recovery room, but I do remember seeing my husband once I was wheeled into my room.

That night and the next day were AWFUL!!!!!!!!!! I was so nauseous due to a reaction to the anestesia. It was soooooo bad, I couldn't get out of bed because the room was spinning. I stopped taking the morphine as I wasn't having any pain, just nausea and dizziness. That helped. Then the nurses gave me some nausea medicine.

Finally on Wednesday I was able to walk and feel better. I came home Thursday. The dr. kept me an extra night because I was not getting in enough fluids. Thursday night at home was ok. Slept on the couch becuase I could recline better.

Had a little chicken broth for dinner. Friday (4 days post op) This was a doosy of a day! I was sick! I threw up at 7:15 - scared the crap out of my 18 month old! Daddy took the kids to the other room while I stopped throwing up. Then threw up again at 8:30. Now this wouldn't have been so bad, but there was blood in the little bit that actually came up. So...off to the dr. office. Saw Dianne- she tried to reassure me, but Sonia one of the nurses did a better job. I think I'm going to see if I can get another PA for my case.

Well today is Saturday- I am actually up and doing things. Folded some clothes, typing on the computer. Not really tired, slept well last night and getting some fluids down. We think the reason I was sick was from the chicken broth I had on Thursday night. The chicken broth was from Sunday (the day of cleansing your system) and it had not been refrigerated. I didn't realize it hadn't been refrigerated, so I may have had a little food poisining. Ouch! But as I said...I am SO MUCH BETTER now. I thought I had made the worst decision in my life when I was throwing up, but now things have turned around. I think I'll leave it at that and post more on Monday after my 1 week check up.

November 15, 2005

Well, I am three weeks out and didn't update at one week, so here goes. At my one week follow up appt I was down 17lbs! WoW. I am now seeing Darryl instead of Dianne. I don't like Dianne's bedside manner (or lack thereof). She was not very sympathetic when I was throwing up- basically told me to "deal with it". She also told me that as I was Dr. Coates first patient to receive the silastic band that there may have been a problem with it. She told me the Dr. was on the phone with Dr. coirin during my surgery learning how to do the silastic band! NOT something you tell the patient! Especially when she thinks she's dying! Well... now onto better things. I went back to work after 9 days. I was ready. Still working hard to get all my protein in. Need to get some more unflavored UnJury to add to my drinks and food. I have been watching the scale, but I am not addicted to it like I was on a "normal" diet. It is going down and it moves more when I eat more. Next monday is my 1 month post op. I will get my lab results and find out my new total! Will write more then!

 November 28, 2005

Last Monday was my one month post op. I was down a total of 25 lbs. I ended up seeing Diane again, she was a little better to talk to this time, maybe because I wasn't sick. Imagine a doctor who is not very good talking to sick people. Ha! She implied I should have lost more than 25 lbs, but I'm fine with the 25. My labs were perfect. The only one slightly low was my Potassium. So we'll pop in a banana here and there this month and see if my level comes up. I am down a size in my clothes! And am feeling wonderful!

January 24th, 2006

I went for my 3 month checkup today.  I am officially down 62lbs!!  I met with Daryl and he told me to keep doing what I'm doing.  My labs were all good.  My iron is down a little bit, so I'll be adding an iron supplement.  My A1c (3 month blood sugar level) is at 5.9!  Yahoo!  I asked him about omega 3 supplements as someone had mentioned that they can help with skin elasticity.  He said in order to get enough Omega 3's in your system to make a  any difference you would need to take in 2000 calories of them!  And they won't help with skin elasticity at all!  So, scratch that off my shopping list.  :) 

He told me genetics is the only thing that will play a part in the skin "snapping" back.   Going to the gym and toning is great for the muscles, but it won't help the skin.  It will make me a better candidate should I decide to have plastic surgery in the future.

So, for now, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing!  Until next time...

Mary

These pictures are me the day of surgery 323 lbs and 11 weeks out down about 60 lbs.

April 25th, 2006

Had my 6 month checkup and was officially down 98 lbs!  My labs were good, adding a little extra calcium to my diet to get that number up a little.  Protein level is excellent.  My hair isn't falling out at much anymore either, whew!

I feel great!   I started off in a size 30/32 pant and am now wearing some 16's!!  I fit in seats at the theater, I can cross my legs, I even jog on the treadmill! 

This has just been an amazing journey.  My mom is beginning her journey next week and I hope it goes as smooth for her as it did for me.

Until next time,
Mary

June 22, 2006

Well, I am now down 116lbs.  I started at 323 and am now 207.  I can't wait to get under 200.  The weight loss is slow moving on the scale, however my body is shifting as now I am wearing some size 14 pants!

We bought a boat and 8 months ago, I would not have gone tubing for fear of flipping the tube over.  This last weekend I was tubing and having a blast!  I'm so glad to be able to enjoy things like this with my kids! 

I'm going to try to post some pics here of me at my current weight.  We'll see if it works. 

Guess I am completely dumb when it come to re-sizing pictures... still working on it.