paschool
I have taken off my pre-op struggles (but I have kept them, if you want to read them, let me know and I will email them to you. Great information on TriCare and BTC and Froedtert). I started where I got approved.
1-25-01 OMG, it happened!! I GOT APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It took two days!!! Found out 20 minutes ago, Laura called and said "Jann, guess what - you're APPROVED!!!" Whew, it is really going to happen!! Life is good, God is GREAT!
1-30-01 Angela A. has touched my soul and offered to be my angel. What a gift from God and He deserves all the praise!
1-31-01 Okay, I tried the Soy Protein Powder and about vomitted!! It was the worst tasting stuff and the feel of the clumps and chalk in your mouth, well..., that just sent shivers up my spine!!! I am going to try and just swallow the powder and sip water afterwards!! YUCK!!!!!! I am still very calm about the up coming surgery. I do find myself crying out of the blue, normally when I think of my husband and all his support and faith and love in me, it is overwhelming! I do not fret about NOT coming home to the kids, that worry (of death) ended about two weeks ago. I am READY and God is great and He will delivery me to the other side AND when I DO die, He will delivery me to the other side again!! Life is beautiful and I am starting to "smell the roses".
2-6-01 Pre-ops went great! Deb the NP is WONDERFUL! My surgery is scheduled for 8:30 am on Friday!! We will travel there the night before (have to be to the hospital at 6:30am). I am so psyched I can't wait!!! Life is GREAT!! God is GREAT!!! My family is GREAT!! Everyone here is GREAT!!!! See ya on the other side!!
2-8-01 WOO HOO, tomorrow I will be over the hump and heading down the long stretch!! This should be my last post before surgery in the morning. The weather here is freezing rain and snow, so the 2 hours trip tonight should be fun!! I feel great!! I did take half a propaninol last night (helps to clam you down) as my heart was racing and I felt anxious all day, but today I feel great!! Just doing those last minute things like laundry, taxes, cleaning, taking my measurements, etc. HERE'S TO MY FUTURE, whatever it may hold. A special thanks to God "Dear God thank you for ALWAYS being with me, giving me the strength to see the whole picture and not just what I want to see. Thank You for giving me the smarts to think things through and find the right approach to situations and problems in my life. I give my thanks to You, dear God for all the warmth and support that I have felt beaming from You, my whole life. You are the one eternal, that guides, teaches, nurtures, and protects me, and I thank You, Amen". And awayyyyyyyy, I goooooooooooooo!
2-13-01 Well, well, here I sit today and I feel like a HUGE do-do, but I DID IT!! Many things were a nightmare, but the surgery went GREAT!!! Nothing with the surgery was a nightmare, but the pain relief was a lost cause!! They tried 19, yes that is 19 times, to start an IV in me. That was in 17 different places!! I look horrid, my arms are more the color of Barney. Once they realized that they could not get a line started, then and only then (12 hours after surgery) did they give me pain meds in the form of a shot. WHEW!!! It was like night and day - I could not believe the difference in how I felt after the meds came regularly!!! Then about one hour after they got the pain under control they want me to drink the barum for the leak show!!! There is no way around this and there is now way to say anything nice about the taste. The only thing that helped me to stop vomitting afterwards, was the fact that it HURT LIKE THE DICKENS to vomit at all. SO then they screw up my meal plans - listen to this the first night I get a chunk of meat with gravy and string beans and mashed potatoes (ate some of the potatoes). Next meal they bring me a very dry, very hard beef pattie with a cup of green beans!! Then the next morning they bring me pancakes and syrup!! I finally got something to eat the day I went home!! They appologized, but if I haven't read up on this stuff and known what was right and what was wrong, man I would have been hurting!! They gave me a GC for the gift shop, for their error. AT any rate, I gained 11 pounds while in the hospital (I was weighed the first night of surgery) and had lost all of that weight by the time I went home two days later. I will up date more when I can.
2-15-01 Well, wanted to update again. I am doing much better. That stomach gas they pump into you for the Lap surgery is no joke!! I have been able to eat (slurp) soup, yogurt, protein drink, crystal lite, eggs, and applesauce. Just wanted to make a comment on my wonderful family and they are wonderful. The hospital could never get my food menu right, so they brought me all sorts of things I could not eat (pancakes with syrup - dry beef patties with green beans, etc), so I had nothing to eat until the day I went home and of course I wuffed it down and ended up in terrible pain!!! So my husband and youngest son (age 2) comes to pick me up and it is a two hour drive home. We get all the way home and my husband pulls into the local McD's and says he needs to pick up dinner for the kids. We get home about 20 minutes later and I walk in the door and our 14 year old daughter had baked fresh brownies from scratch, very moist, fat and chocolatey!!! I just fade to the bedroom!! The next day my husband bakes cupcakes for our youngest birthday (was the 14th of Feb), white cake with chocolate frosting, just sitting on the counter......., THEN he made the family's favorite dinner of Jumbalya and hot links with red beans and rice!!! I figured that this had to be the worst torture that God had planned for me. Actually, I did not feel the need to eat ANY of the goodies or my favorite dinner. In fact I am loving the taste of the foods that I am allowed to eat!! Have you EVER eaten an egg and tasted the two seperate parts of it? I am doing great!!
3-2-01 It has been a struggle!! I have had the "blah's" and I have no energy!! I feel worse at 3 weeks (today) then I did any time before! I have my first post-op appointment on Monday (3/5) and we'll see if I need some vitamins or something!! I started taking B complex about four days ago and it seems to help, but I thought I would feel better by now, not worse. I have dumped twice and it is not nice. I have gotten chicken stuck in my stoma (opening) and that about killed me (figuratively speaking) for about two days and I was still sore for about three more days after it "went through". I have lost 19 pounds (weighed in on day 20 after surgery) and of course I feel like that is not fast enough!! It is a bummer!! My port holes are doing well, one got infected and it is clearing up. One of the veins that they had an IV in is inflammed and it hurts!!! I can't seem to get enough water, I go by what my body says and it is dry, cotton mouth and I have headaches due to lack of water. It is hard to sip and I use to gulp!!! I have not exercised yet, heck just staying awake for 12 hours a day is exercise enough for me!! This is harder then I thought it would be. I have gone through some mourning of food (mainly breads!), but mostly it has been the mourning of portion size that I miss. It is hard to put two dollops on your plate and eat half of that and watch everyone else GRUB!! It is getting a little better, but everything is SO slow!!! Well, until next time!
3-5-01 Went to the doctor today for my post-op visit. They praised me up one side and down the other. They all said I looked great and was doing wonderfully. They clipped a stitch that was still hanging out of one of my port sites (actually, clipped one in two sites). They weighed me and by their scale I have lost 25 pounds in 25 days (my scale says 20 pounds lost). They started me on B12, Calcium and Attagall. It was a great visit. We just found out that we are getting transferred in May or June to Atwater, CA - so my last appointment with them will be in May (blood work then!!) and I get to hand carry my chart!! They said that the Guru of this Lap RnY surgery is in Fresno, they do the surgeries in about an hour!!! Oh, yeah - I was the first (and so far only) patient to have my surgery done in less then 4 hours with them. They are all so excited about my progress (they called me their "special" patient!!). Well, until later!!
3-12-01 Well, I am doing a little better. Still get very tired if I do a lot. I am feeling better (mentally) and can handle the food things much better. We are trying to get all the thing prepared for our move to CA. Until later.
4-11-01 Well, I actually weigh in tomorrow, but I couldn't help myself by posting a comment today - I GOT INTO MY SIZE 16 JEANS!!!!!! They are a little tight around the tummy and I know I could not sit in them for a long period of time, but THEY ARE ON!!!! Not bad, considering I started with 24W (plus some!). Can't wait to weigh tomorrow, even if I haven't lost a bunch of weight since last weigh-in (three weeks ago), at least I FIT MY JEANS!!!
4-12-01 Down another 8 pounds for a grand total of 36 pounds in 9 weeks. I guess I better start exercising to make my 3 month goal of -60 pounds!!
4-26-01 Weighed in the day after my period stopped (around the 17th) and lost 5 more pounds, for a grand total of 41 pounds in almost 10 weeks. Great news!! Bad news, my fahter has prostate cancer. Don't know the degree of it yet, will find out today. Until later!
5-3-01 Weighed in and have lost 44 pounds in 12 weeks. A little less than I had hoped for (wanted to be down at least 55 pounds by now). I have not exercised yet, I guess I will have to start one day. My father's bone scan came out negative (no cancer in his bones). I bought my first outfit, a little summer number in a size 16 and it fits!! It is not even tight!! Until later!
5-11-01 My father's bone scan and lymph nodes are ALL CANCER FREE!!! Thank you God! He will start radiation this week. I feel wonderful, better every day. We were in CA for about five days and it was WONDEFUL - sunshine, warmth, friendly people - man it was GREAT! We walked and walked (looking for housing) and I am hoping for a better loss this month. I have not started an exercise routine at all, so every step I took in the airport(s) felt marvalous!! We move in 3 weeks (we were very excited) and I will weigh in right before we leave. Until later!!
5-19-01 My first born child graduates from High School today. I am so happy for him and yet sad for me. Congrats Brandon!!! Love you!! P.S. I am wearing my size 14 jean shorts!!! Yoo Woo!!
5-24-01 My last appointment was on Monday the 21st (I say last, because we are moving across the US and I will be going to a new doctor). I was down 53 pounds since surgery 14 weeks ago. I am down 73 pounds since pre-surgery 18 weeks ago. Feeling great. Going into size 14!!! Will be off line for a while so until next time!! Hugs!
8-9-01 It is 6 months since surgery and I am down exactly 70 pounds and feel wonderful!!! We are in California now and the weather is great and we finally got into our house and things are going so well! I have lost tons of inches too, just haven't had time to add them up yet. My hair has been falling out by the hand fulls, so I cut it all off. I had hair down to my middle back and it is now in a long shag (shoulders). It is still falling out, but the hairs are shorter now and don't clog the vacuum!!! I have trouble with fatty foods, but sugars don't bother me, but I don't eat many of them either!! I still love my carbs and I seem to eat them more then anything. Until later!! Hugs Jann
9-10-01 Well seven months down and 75 pounds down. This is great!! I have started back to school full time and I am taking three gym classes!!! Weight Training, swimming and badmitton. Just think, seven months ago that would have been the furthest thing from my mind. On a sad note, my father-in-law passed away last week. It is sad and overwhelming sometimes, but it is part of life. Until later.
10-10-01 Eight months down and 80 pounds gone forever!! Slowly but surley it is coming off. I feel very comfortable right now, 14's fit a little loose and some 12's fit just fine. Maybe another 20 pounds will be my ballpark range. I know that the insurance charts want me down another 50 pound, but I just can't see it!! I think the hair falling out has lessened, but who knows anymore!! I just hope it all grows back in!!I got a Mother's ring last year for Xmas and I could not even get it on my pinky finger, now it sits proudly next to my engagement ring on my ring finger!!! Until later!!
11-12-01 Nine months and I haven't weighed myself in a month, so not sure how much more I have lost. I just know that my old clothes keep getting bigger and bigger on me!! I can wear 12's comfortably now (not pulling at the waist when I sit, etc). I have picked up the nasty habit of eating sunflower seeds while studying, oh well, it could be worse!! I'll weight soon and let everyone know. This has been one of the best journey's I have ever taken!! Thank you God!! Until later!!
12-21-01 Ten months down and weight is moving slowly, but that is fine. I have never had an increase and though I might only loose a pound a month, it is going down!! I added pictures today. Enjoy them, I sure did!! Merry Christmas all!! Hugs Jann
02-13-02 Well, well, well - it's been one year and I feel great!! Just so you know, even after a year, it is hard to remember to chew well. I have been suffering for two days with a piece or two of rare meat stuck in my stomach and oh, my lord it hurt!!!! It finally passed last night and I am sore today, but not in pain!! As of one year I lost 85 pounds!!! We are moving again!!! Washington DC this time!! Until later!! Hugs Jann
03-13-02 Still doing great. We have been transfered to Washington DC (in June) and so I am a little stressed. Another pounds or two gone (hard to believe I hardly ever look at a scale now!!!). We are looking at trying for baby number 4 and I was so scared of gaining all my weight back. So I got on the Q board and lo and behold there was my question (about weight gain and getting pregnant) it felt like a sign from God (and the answers were great!! Little weight gain, just be smart!). Things are really wonderful. Until later, Jann
10-11-03 - Well...., baby number 4, turned into baby #4, #5, #6 and #7!!! Yes, I had quadruplets!!! They are 23 weeks old now. Four boys, Corday, Jakhobi, Malachi and Xavier. The pregnancy was very easy and fast (I gave birth via c-section at 29 weeks 4 days). I only gained 23 pounds and left the hospital 5 pounds less then when I got pregnant!! Breast-feeding wore me out (I had to pump also!). I lost more weight. Once I stopped and started them on formula I was able to feel better. I have put on 7 pounds since when I got pregnant (meaning I am 7 pounds heavier) but all is well. I had to have my appendix out four weeks after the boys were born, so my body has been through the wringer! I was able to tolerate sweets while pregnant and can't seem to shake the habit! Trying hard!! Until later!! Jann
08-11-04 Moving again!!! We are Colorado bound, Colorado Springs area to be more accurate. The boys are doing great!! Hard to believe they are 14 months old. All the kids are doing great. Chelsea is a senior and Sebastian is starting kindergarten. I have been diagnosed with IBS. It is a bummer but at least I now know why I hurt all the time. They say that stress is the big culprit, stress..... what stress?? LOL. Anyway, I am doing great 3 year 6 months out. I have gained about 8 pounds since the boys were born and I know that once they get a little bigger and I can focus on me again, that the weight will disappear!! Until later!! Jann
04-13-05 - Have been here in the Springs for a while (6 months) and found out that Evans Army Hospital does the Bariatric Surgery, so they have support groups and all. PLUS they do the tummy tucks here for anyone that has had the surgery. So I am off for my tummy tuck on May 2nd 2005. Prays are requested. Until later - Jann
10-4-05 - Had the TT and only have one dog ear. Have to say it was the most painful surgery I have ever had!! I am scheduled for gallbladder surgery on th 12th of this month. Might help with all the pain I have had since the boys were born. Speaking of boys, they are 2.6 years old and doing great! I am working on getting a thigh lift approved by TriWest, will see how that goes. Until later - Jann
6-27-06 - We have moved again. We are in San Diego, CA and loving it!!! I have lost another 10 pounds and maintaining it. It is funny how we lose and maintain and then think we are heavy at that weight!!! Anyway, things are going Great. The boys are 3 and Sebastian is 7. I am doing very well with my weight loss and maintaining it. Even after a pregnancy with quadruplets. Until later! - Jann
10-17-2007 - We have been transferred again!!! We are now in Casa Grande, AZ (just south of Phoenix). I am debating on a few procedures for my health and well being. One is, since I am perimenopause - I would like to get the endometrial ablation (spelling??) done. I am also going to have my breasts reduced, my face lifted, my body lipo'ed and my arms done. WHEW!!! Now I just have to get insurance to approve it!!! Until later. Jann
10-28-07 - Wow, I usually only update every year and this year I have two updates and within 10 days of each other. I was able to go to the Phoenix Conference and man what a difference it is making in my future!!! I am recharged and ready to go. I learned so much and met the nicest people. It was truly a WONDERFUL experience and will try and go once a year. I learned I can’t have a breast reduction, as I don’t have enough tissue, but that I would be a great candidate for a breast lift. There is a new non-invasive procedure that I am looking at also, to make my stoma smaller. It is called StomaphyX and Dr. Schlesinger in Phoenix preforms the procedure. Check it out (http://www.azwls.com), especially if you can eat more, don’t feel as full and if you are still hanging on to those last 40 pounds or so. Until later. Jann
01-04-08 - Okay, on to another journey with the RnY surgery. I think I have some sort of bowel obstruction. I have been dealing with the pain and attacks for over 2 years now and as of the last month I have been in the ER four times and in the hospital (3 days and 6 days) two times at two different hospitals. I have finally gotten an appointment with a new Bariatric Surgeon to see if they can open me up and figure out what is wrong with me. I am thinking it is either and blockage of my common bile duct (gallbladder removed two years ago), SBO (small bowel obstruction) or some messed up intestines. We will see and hopefully soon!!! I honestly feel like I am at the end of my rope - the last ER visit I felt like if God wanted me to come home (to His house) then I was ready! This is so depressing to be sick all the time. Until later. Jann
8-8-20 - Well......., it's been 12 years since I've been on here. Lol. So much has transpired. From Casa Grande, AZ we moved to Tucson, AZ and then to Manhattan, KS and finally to Las Vegas, NV (our retirement home). I've had about 9 surgeries to find the cause of my stomach pain and my loss of blood (per my blood work). Needless to say it's been an adventure. I had to have a sphincterotomy on my sphincter of Oddi, which was the sphincter that is attached to my pancreas. I had a G tube sticking out of my stomach for 12 weeks, while the hole they cut into my remnant stomach, to get to my sphincter of Oddi, could close. It was miserable, but it did help my pain. I had that surgery in Mar of 2011 and in May of 2011 we moved to Manhattan. Then in Oct of 2011 I had to have my RT hip replaced. Then in Feb of 2012 I had to have a radical hysterectomy. It was an intense year, that's for sure. My father past away in Feb of 2010 and my husband retired in Jan of 2010. We got to Las Vegas in Feb of 2014. The boys (quads) were in 5th grade and Sebastian was in 9th. This is home (our forever home) now. I've had several emergency surgeries here in Vegas (still looking for that elusive GI bleed???) and even more hospitalizations. In Oct of 2017, I was able to actually be taken on by a bariatric doctor here in Las Vegas. The only bariatric doctor that has accepted me as a patient since my original surgeon in WI who did my RNY (2001). It's crazy when you have an issue because none of the specialist want to accept you as a patient because it goes on their official records (none want patients with issues and I understand that but I needed help!). This doctor did my last GI surgery in Oct 2017 and removed scar tissue from my original RNY surgery, that had filled both his hands put together. He said it was like cement and it had reduced my transverse colon from the diameter of a garden hose to the size of a drinking straw. No wonder I was in so much pain. I felt so much better after that surgery. Whew! I have kept my original 110 lb weight loss off for over 16 years now (since my pregnancy with the boys - who are seniors in HS and Sebastian is a senior in college!). I'm here to look into skin removal surgeons. I'm ready to get rid of my dog ears (from my panni surgery in 05), lift my butt, lift my thighs, lift my arms and lift my neck, face and eyes! Of course COVID-19 has put a damper on traveling to any out of state doctors. So I'm trying to stay local but I'm a little overwhelmed. There are a couple that do mostly face work and there are a couple that do weight loss body work. I'd like to get one doctor that can do my thighs, arms and face at the same time. Anyway, I'm here trying to do some research and thought I'd update my blog. Until later - Jann
