MsAbel
July 10, 2006
I have 9 days until my surgery!!!! Ruhwah!! July 17th is my new birthday. I am looking forward to a new and healthier life.
I turned 40 in June and this is my birthday present to me. I have been obese for a long time, and as a result I have type ll diabetes and high blood pressure. Enough is enough. I have tried weight watchers, jenny craig, atkins, mayo clinic, low carb, no carb, etc. Desperate times, mean desperate measures. I am desperate. I have too much to do and this weight is holding me back.
I am sooooo excited. Nervous, but excited. Though I have been overweight all my life, it hasn't been until these last ten years that my weight has begun to affect my level of confidence. I really don't have time to be insecure. I have so many dreams and goals that I have to meet. As I am working on the inside, I am having the surgery to begin the work on the outside.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a beautiful, black female. I'm intelligent, successful, fun, and pretty. But I'm unhealthy, which makes me unhappy. I am not satisfied with my outward appearance, which is affecting me inward. As much as I keep affirming myself about who I am. I had to be honest, I didn't like the way I look. I became very self conscious and was constantly second guessing other peoples motives towards me. I didn't like what I had become, and automatically assumed that no one else did either. But I was real good at hiding all that I was really feeling.
July 22, 2006
Thank you Lord!! I am now 5 days post op and feeling good. I started this journey at 315lbs. and for the first time in more than 10 years I am under 300 lbs. at 299.8. RUWAH!!! This is amazing.
It's not easy though. I am not physically hungry, but psychologically I'm hungry. I just want to taste some food. I haven't had any food for about 7 days. My mind says, "just a taste won't hurt, but then I think about the discomfort if I sip a little too much liquid. Can you imagine food. It is true when they say that surgery is just 10%, the other 90% comes after surgery. I can tell that dealing with the psychological issues are going to be a trip. But through the grace of God, I am READY!!
Hopefully I can lose at least another 10 lbs. by my first post op appointment next Friday.
A little about the surgery: When I arrived at the hospital I checked in and they immediately took me to a room and told me to strip and put on the gown. Then they put the IV line in my arm and gave me a hepron shot in my stomach (blood thinner to prevent blood clots). I had Laproscopic RNY. They put me on a real narrow table in the operating room that I thought I was going to roll off of. They strapped my arms down (T-Shape) like Jesus on the cross. Then the doctor came in and said hello. The nurse then put an oxygen mask over my face and said that the anesthesiologist was here. After that, all I remember is someone asking me if I were in any pain. I don't remember being in recovery or anything. I wasn't in any pain, just a little uncomfortable like some put there hand inside my body and started messing with stuff.
They got me up to walk that same night about six hours later. That was draining, but you feel better afterwards. It especially helps with the gas. The second day post op you get the best damn ice chips you ever tasted. Then by day 3, you get jello, juices and maybe even some broth. It's like steak after not eating for three days.
I was in the hospital for three (3) days and I was ready to go by Thursday. I was so tired of dragging that IV pole everywhere I went and those foot pumps were driving me crazy. So when the doctor said we are sending you home today....I wanted to run out the door.
The journey now begins.....
July 17, 2006 315 lbs. day of surgery
July 22, 2006 299 lbs. 5 days post op
Goals:
No longer need Glucophage (Diabetic Medicine) 7/17/06
Under 300 lbs. 7/22/06
Run
Don't need a belt extension on airplane
Shop in regular stores
Wear high heels
Jump Rope
Under 200 lbs.
July 22, 2006
Just a warning. Drink your water!!! After I posted earlier today I began to feel dizzy and fatigued. I called the surgeon and it turns out I am not taking in enough liquids. I need to double my intake to at least 32 oz. This may sound easy, but it is not. But it is better then ending up back in the hospital from dehydration. Drink, Drink Drink!!
July 31, 2006
Here is the latest update. I had my first post op check up on Friday. Everything was really good. The doc took me off of my blood pressure medicine. My incisions are healing well. I can now take a bath and go back to my water aerobics. I get dizzy allot when I stand up. The doctor thought my blood pressure may be dropping too low. I was at 120/80 with no medication, so who knows how low the medication was dropping it. I'm not mad though. I'm glad to be off of blood pressure meds and diabetes meds.
My calves cramp on me. The doc said I need to get in more water. Trying to get in the 64 oz. is a challenge. I have started on soft foods. I haven't had any trouble so far. So far I've tried egg salad, cream of wheat, cheese. Plain water tastes horrible to me now. I used to love ice cold water. I've discovered Propel, which helps me get my water intake.
June 1, 2006 320 lbs. pre surgery
July 17, 2006 315 lbs. day of surgery
July 22, 2006 299 lbs. 5 days post op -21 lbs.
July 31, 2006 293 lbs. 14 days post op -27 lbs.
September 18, 2006
Ok, it's been a while since I have updated. Things are going well. I am 2 months post op on September 17th. I now weigh 278 lbs. I'm down 42 lbs. I geuss I should be saying RUWAH!! But I think the weight loss is kind of slow. Although my doctor says I am doing wonderfully, and I'm right on target. I am preparing to move to Atlanta in 2 weeks. I am very excited at this. I'll be starting a new life with a new body. I must admitt I do feel good. I don't get as winded walking up the steps. I feel allot stronger than I have in year and I feel sexy. I went from a size 30/32 to a size 22/24 and they are beginning to look baggy. I lose mostly inches, which they tell me is better than losing lbs. I try to work out 3 days a week doing 1/2 hr. of cardio, 1/2 hr. of weights and 1 hour of deep water aerobics. I can eat almost anything, as long as I eat slow and not too much. If that happens then it won't stay down. I'm not doing real good with my vitamins and as a result my iron is a little low. So, I'm starting back to being consistent with my multi-vitamins and vitamin b-12 today.
July 17, 2006 320 lbs. day of surgery
July 22, 2006 299 lbs. 5 days post op -21 lbs.
July 31, 2006 293 lbs. 14 days post op -27 lbs.
Sept. 17, 2006 278 lbs. 2 months post op -42 lbs.
No longer need Glucophage (Diabetic Medicine) 7/17/06
Under 300 lbs. 7/22/06
Run
Don't need a belt extension on airplane 8/12/06
Shop in regular stores
Wear high heels
Jump Rope
Under 200 lbs
Wear Victoria Secret Underwear
Today is my Surgiversary and I am down 105 lbs. This surgery has given me my life back. I went into surgery at 320 lbs with diabetes and high blood pressure, on my way to knee and joint problems. I have not taken any medication for diabetes or high blood pressure since I came out of surgery. I have much more energy and have managed to accomplish many of my personal goals:
1. No longer need a belt extension on the plane
2. Can now shop at regular stores
3. I can run again
4. Not the largest person in the room
5. Wear high healed shoes
6. Walk and not get out of breathe
7. Can sit at a booth in a restaurant and not have my stomach and breast on the table
8. Feel pretty and sexy
9. No longer take diabetes or blood pressure medicine
10. Can close the gown at the doctors office
I am so blessed that i don't have alot of hanging skin because I have been working with a personal trainer 3 x a week. I am sure I would have lost alot more weight, but I am gaining muscle which is why the scale isn't moving. But everyday someone is telling me how good I look and how I am still losing weight and I see it in my clothes. My trainer says I am losing inches which is good. My goal is to lose 40 more lbs. which will put me at 180 lbs. Although the experts say I should be between 150 and 168, that is a bit too small for me. I will be satisfied at 180 lbs. if I keep toning and working out.
My next goals are ( not necessarily in this order):
1. Get under 200 lbs.
2. Wear Victoria Secret underwear
3. Lose 40 lbs.
4. Get married
5. Have a baby
6. Start my business
7. Take boxing lessons
8. Take belly dancing lessons
9. Get teeth fixed
10. Be more consistent with vitamins and water intake
Thanks for sharing your stories on this site because it helps when you get discouraged from slow weight loss. To know that I am not in this alone makes this journey alot easier. I can share experiences with you when I can't share them with close friends and family. No one knows how it really feels to lose 105 lbs unless they have done it themselves. No one knows why the little accomplishments mean so much if the have never been 320 lbs. I celebrate my surgiversary today thanking God for the tool that He used to save my life!!! I will NEVER turn back!!!
The below picture go from 320 lbs., 265 lbs., 240 lbs., 220 lbs.
Member Interests:
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Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: George G. Zorn M.D.
I met my surgeon last month and I am glad to say Dr. Zorn is really kind. He made me feel very comfortable. I have only met with him one time. His office staff are very efficient and kind as well. The made sure that all my paperwork was competed and submitted in a timely manner. Both Dr. Zorn's beside manner and surgical competence are excellent.
Insurer Info:
Kaiser
I didn't have any trouble at all getting approved by Kaiser. I didn't write a letter or anything
