nursebetsyb
January 2013
Jan 09, 2013
Haven't posted in a really long while.......looks like I need to! Saw my last BMI from December 2011 (after plastics), and boy, did that need to change ~ for the worse! I've gained some weight again, and have noticed that my eating habits are starting to get back to the "old ways".....eating waaaaay too many carbs, not exercising, and being able to tolerate a lot of my old "bad" foods again. ( Let's just say that an almost entire pumpkin pie was consumed over the holidays, and it wasn't SUGAR FREE......).
So, basically, I'm scaring the s*** out of myself, and I need to come to grips with what's going on here! Haven't been posting or updating my OH status, either, but hopefully I'm changing that right now. Everything in my life couldn't be better ~ still happily married, my daughter is doing well in school and got a promotion at work, I still love my job, and have been singing regularly in TWO bands, now. Don't know what this is all about......
I'd be interested in hearing from my old buddies ~ to see if any of the same struggles are happening with you all, too!
Wishing all of you a healthy, happy 2013 ~ and I hope to report on some better news in the very near future!
Four Year Surgiversary.......in the bag!
Sep 12, 2012
I celebrated my 4 year surgiversary on September 10th, and saw my bariatric surgeon on the 7th for a check-up. I am doing really well, and my surgeon was extremely pleased with how I've been doing. Labs look good, weight's staying off, and I feel fantastic!
I had plastic surgery 9 months ago, and I think I'm ready to have the final piece done ~ the thigh lift. Anyone out there who has had that done who can give me some honest feedback about the results? I'd really like to do this, and be "finished", but it is expensive, and if the results are so-so, I can probably live with my saggy thighs!
Truly, though....any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you again, OH, for being there every step of the way. Don't think I would have been as successful if it hadn't been for all of the great people and great advice I've received here over the years!
Summer 2012!
Jul 15, 2012
Wow.....check out the newest picture of me on our boat a couple of days ago. Just unbelievable ~ cannot comprehend that this is ME!!!
Almost 4 years post-op, and continually thankful and grateful for this gift I gave to myself. Really not sure that I would still be around if I continued eating like I was, and weighing 342 pounds. God is good.
Post-op PS Update
Jan 16, 2012
Otherwise, I am thrilled with the results! My boobs have never been perky, and they are so cute!!! hahaha
I have about 700 stitches in me, but am still thinking about wearing a bikini top with board shorts to the beach this summer.....guess it depends on my comfort level, and I don't want to do anything to mess up the suture lines by exposing them to the sun too soon. It's just weird for me to even be typing the words "bikini top"!!!!
This whole journey for me has been amazing........in February 2007 I weighed 342 lbs. and wore a size 5XL. Today I weigh 169 lbs, and am wearing a 12/14. I finally am starting to feel like a "normal person" ~ whatever that means. I still struggle with the food addiction and obsession, but am usually able to confront and control it when it happens, and react accordingly. Carbs are still a huge trigger food for me, but I still eat them and can get into trouble if I'm not careful, but the RNY lifestyle is pretty imbedded in me, and I can switch my behavior if I start seeing old patterns, which is HUGE for me!
SO! 2012 looks like it's going to be a pretty wonderful year. My friends want me to train with them so that I can RUN (!) a marathon with them later this year. I'll keep you posted on how that goes....never have run in my life, but now that my "girls" are where they're supposed to be, and not flopping around, it's a possibility, and if it's possible......who knows???
Take care, have a safe and healthy year, and thanks again to OH for always being there for me!
It's Official!!!!
Oct 07, 2011
SO.....this is what will be done to me......
a.) Torsoplasty
b.) Brachioplasty
c.) Mastopexy
I will have a flat stomach (first time ever in my life), and will no longer have "batwings"!! My boobs will look better, but considering I am now FIFTY YEARS OLD, I'm not going to get my hopes up too high on their appearance post-operatively.
I'm just hoping that they point "less south" than they do right now!!!!I plan on taking lots of pictures before and after, and hopefully if they're not too graphic, I can share them. I remember someone on OH sharing her pictures, and how much that meant to me, so I'm hoping that I can do the same for other people.
Hope you are all doing well, and I'll keep you posted on my plans!
Plastic Surgery......here I come???
Aug 11, 2011
August 11, 2011
Hello, everyone ~
Cannot believe I haven't written in so long. Been a busy few months since my mom passed away. I have been in charge of all of her "affairs" and I'm sure that many of you know how time-consuming and emotional that can be!
Anyway, thought I'd let you all know that I have scheduled a consultation appointment with a plastic surgeon in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to hearing what he has to say, and learning whether or not this is the right path for me.
My weight has increased a bit.....I always swore to myself that I would not go above 180 lbs (my goal weight stated by my surgeon), and was usually around 175-178. These past few months I cannot get below 183, which is a bit frustrating, but if I'm honest with myself (and all of you), I can admit that I am able to eat more at a time, and that I keep eating, even when I am full (food addict alert!).
But! I'm still exercising, riding my bike, and trying to keep things status quo. I see my surgeon next month, and I really want to be back to the 170's. I am determined to do this!!!!
Thanks for all of your support these past 3 years.....it has helped me more than you could ever know.
January 2, 2011
Jan 01, 2011
Happy New Year.....I hope that 2011 brings you continued health and happiness!
The end of 2010 was a sad one for me and my family. My beloved mother passed away on Christmas day at approximately 8:30pm. She had just returned home from having dinner and opening presents at my house. My daughter had driven her home, and when Mom got into her chair, she told my daughter that she felt dizzy. Bonnie went to get her a drink of water, and when she returned, my mother was gone.
I will treasure the time that we had on Christmas day, and I am blessed to have had the forethought to take pictures that evening. About 90 minutes before she died, I took a picture of my mother smiling broadly, and holding up her "gifts" I had given her as a joke. I will treasure that picture for the rest of my life, and am looking at it as I type this.
My mother was an amazing woman, and I am learning more and more about how generous she was to others as I try to work through this process. She was a very giving woman, and supported numerous charitable organizations - in fact, after she passed away, I was at her house going through paperwork, and saw that she had outgoing mail which hadn't been placed in the mailbox. Virtually EVERY piece of mail was for a charitable organization, and the checks totalled $400.00!!! This was the type of woman she was - I am truly blessed and honored to call her my mom.
May you all have a wonderful 2011. Mine will be tinged with sadness, but I will also be able to celebrate and hopefully honor my mother with all of the accolades she deserves.
May God bless each and everyone of you......
I WALKED IN A MARATHON TODAY!!!!
Nov 13, 2010
November 13, 2010 ~
I walked in a marathon today as part of the OBX Marathon on the Outer Banks of North Carolina! I've never done anything like that in my entire LIFE!!!
It was an 8K ~ almost 5 miles ~ and I thought it would take me about 2 hours to complete it, but according to the timer when I crossed the finish line, I did it in an hour and thirty-two minutes!
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!
Two Year Post-op Visit Yesterday!
Oct 15, 2010
These past two years have been nothing short of miraculous for me......I still get compliments almost daily, and people still do not recognize me, even if they've only seen me a couple of months ago! It is just mind-blowing!
I thank God for helping me make this life-changing choice, and I thank all of you on the OH website for helping me and guiding me through. Here's to another year of "firsts", health, and happiness!
Happy 2 Year Anniversary to ME!!!
Sep 09, 2010
In 2008, I weighed as much as 342 lbs. I couldn't walk far without getting winded. I couldn't put my shoes on without using one of my socks to pull my foot up closer to my body. I couldn't fit in a restaurant booth. I'd go to fast food restaurants (drive-thru only, of course) and order a huge amount of food, buying two drinks so that the staff would think the food was for two people. I made jokes about my body first......that way nobody could make fun of me and hurt my feelings. I binged late at night, eating until I felt like I was going to throw up. I was depressed, sometimes suicidal, and feeling like my life was going to be a relatively short one unless I did something to help myself.
I had no support from those closest to me. My husband, daughter, mother, and in-laws were totally against my decision to have surgery. I pretty much did the whole thing on my own, and for that......I am the most proud! I take all of the compliments, all of the praise, and all of the well-wishes to heart. I EARNED THEM, and I'm not embarrassed to say that I am proud of myself, too!
So, today, I can proudly say, "I did it, I'm still doing it, and I'm gonna keep on doing it!" I weigh 180 and 1/2 pounds this morning ~ a far cry from well over 300! Life is wonderful, all of my relatives are definitely supportive now, and I'm going to walk a FREAKIN' MARATHON IN NOVEMBER!!!!
Happy anniversary to me - I am so thankful and grateful for all of the help I've received on the OH web site........couldn't have done it without ya!!!!
