mkw269
01/21/2007
My name is Melissa. I have 5 children. I have been overweight for most of my adult life. I once lost 100 pounds through diet and exercise but I had an injury at my job and gained it all back. I now have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and joint pains. I have to get healthy for my children. I feel old but I am only 37 years old.
I have been the surgeon and have had all my required tests. I am going back to the surgeon on Tuesday and hopefully they have submitted all the info to the insurance company for approval.
01/23/2007
I have made it back from the surgeon. They have all my results except the psychiatrist report is missing. His nurse will get the report tomorrow and hopefully by the end of the week, she will submit it to the insurance company. I am praying that by this time next week , I will have my date. I am so ready to have this surgery and leave the old me behind.
02/13/2007
I just called Horizon BCBS and they said they finally received my paperwork. She said that my case is pending. I am just praying that I am approved and can finally have my surgery. I wanted to have the surgery this month but I think I will have to wait until April when I have someone to watch the children.
03/02/2007
I finally received my approval today. It was drama filled. I called the insurance company and they said they would check to see why it is taking so long. My doctor's nurse called and said that I did not go to the nutrionist for 6 months. I told her she told me that 6 months weight loss was not necessary and then she talked to the insurance company and I am approved. I can not wait and I will keep praying.
03/12/2007
I am down to one week. I am so excited. I don't really feel nervous yet. I am now getting everything ready for my big day.
03/18/2007
Yesterday, I had my last meal. I had a spicy chicken sandwich from Wendy's and some french fries from McDonalds. My best friend had the RNY in September 2006 and she gave me a little purse and it had deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a toothbrush holder. Thank you again Susan for my baby spoon. I am going to work this morning, from 5:30 am to 9:30 am, and then I will come home and rest. I do not really feel scared but I just wonder what tomorrow will be like.
03/25/2007
I made it. My surgery went very well. I was able to look at TV, talk with friends, and get up an walk without the nurse holding my hand. My recovery has been equally as good. I only napped for about an hour today. My energy level is increasing and I am able to get in about 40 grams of protein.
03/29/2007
I just came from the doctor and my weight loss has been 19.5lbs. I was really shocked. I thought I might have lost 10lbs. and the doctor was very happy. I have been very lucky. My family eating does not bother me and I have started cooking food again. I can not eat the food yet and I am not getting depressed or feel deprived. I am eating farina, yogurt, sf icepops, and some sf jello. I just have no appetite. I can only tolerate the Isopure protein drinks. I tried lactose free milk and skim milk and they both did not agree with me. I had trouble with milk before surgery but I know if you make farina with milk you get more protein.
04/09/07
I hope everyone enjoyed the Easter holiday. It is the first Easter Sunday that I have been home with my kids in years. I always go to work at 5:30am and when I get home the kids are awake and have opened the baskets. I am not a junk food eater. The candy did not bother me at all yesterday. I did eat dinner with everyone and had a teaspoon of black-eye peas and a 1/2 ounce of ham. I also had 1 piece of a boiled potato. Fried potatoes w/ onions are my favorite food but I left that alone. The one piece of boiled potato just did not taste the same. My taste buds have definitely have changed. I continue to struggle with my water intake. It is not enough hours in the day to get everything in. I have not taken my blood pressure medicine in four days. I have a machine at home and my blood pressure has been low. I am going to see the doctor today about it.
04/11/07
The doctor took me off my blood pressure medicine. I am so happy. She told me I looked great. I am finally starting to feel like myself. I can now go all day without taking a nap. I do lay down but I don't actually go to sleep. I now keep a bottle of water next to my bed. I freeze the water during the day and I sit it out and I drink the water when I wake up to look at the news. I brought those New Whey Liquid Protein. They are 3.1 fl oz and have 42 grams of protein, 176 calories and no sugar or fat. I drink 1/2 in morning and 1/2 in afternoon. I mix it with water and it does not taste to sweet.
04/24/07
I am a little late but I had my one month anniversary on April 19. I have lost 26 pounds. My waist has really shrunk. Last Thursday and Friday I had a problem, everytime I would lay down or sit up the room would spin. I am going today to see my regular doctor today but I have not had any more incidents since Friday. After the problem, I have not been able to eat. I never had an appetite but now I can not even get food down my throat. I tried yogurt, cottage cheese, and all the soft foods but I just could not swallow them. I think I just could not stand any kind of food. It has been very weird. I was finally able to eat one ounce of yogurt this morning.
5-1-07
I went to the doctor last week and my blood work was not very good. My potassium is very low and now I have to eat bananas and drink orange juice four to five times a day. They are very worried. My iron was also low and my B6 was low. I don't know how much weight I have lost. I weigh myself whenever I get in the mood. I returned to work on Sunday and I guess I have changed. I had alot of compliments and that made me very happy. My customers do not know I had RNY and they are like you look very good. I am now doing my exercises every day. I walk for 45 minutes to an hour 6 days a week. I lift weights 6 days a week. If anyone is interested, when I lost 96 pounds in 2002 I did a routine by Joyce Vedral. Her website is www.joycevedral.com.
06/02/07
It has been along time since I last posted. My computer was down. I have now lost 49 pounds. I still do my exercises everyday and I drink about a gallon of water a day. I can get the water in because I do not drink any other liquid. My water has to be cold because if it is room temperature it hits my stomach like lead. I have tried cherries and bananas and I can not eat them. The sugar in them sends me straight to the bathroom. I have vomiting. When I dump, I vomit. I still do chicken, turkey and turkey burger. My pouch must still be rather small. I still can only eat 1 to 1 1/2 ounces of food. I still can not eat 2 ounces of yogurt in the morning.
06/20/07
I have had my 3 month anniversary. I went to the doctor yesterday and I am down 59 pounds. I am so happy. My doctor said he wishes he had more patients like me. I follow the rules and I exercise every day. My body has alot more muscle and I like that feeling. I am very proud of myself. My food is still limited. Protein first and plenty of water.
02/24/08
It has been a long time since I last posted. I am down 116 pounds and I am at my doctor's goal. I think I am getting skinny. Today is my birthday and I am 39 years old. I am now the happiest I have been in years. I treated myself to a new hairdo. It is funny because I look in the mirror and I can not believe that I am looking at myself. I will admit that I do look younger. I will leave this with on of my favorite proverbs
I read and walked for miles at night along the beach, writing bad verses, and searching endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that that person could be me.
I have been very successful in changing my life and until I write again.
03/20/08
Yesterday was my 1 year anniversary. I made it. I am going for my 1 year check
up today.
This past year has been so wonderful and so scary. I have no trouble with the
eating but how my personality has changed is unbelievable. I think I might be
a fresh person. The thoughts that go through my mind are unbelievable. I am
trying to get comfortable with the new me.
