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9/14/05
I am just returning from my almost seven month follow-up appointment with the doc. I have lost a total of 83 pounds, found out I got a promotion yesterday at work, and will starting back to school in October for my BSN. Wow! Where I am getting all this energy these days.
I am walking 6 - 7 days per week and am up to a total of almost 4 miles in one hour! I am now weighing in at 154 pounds and my size 12 pants that I bought a couple of months ago are now getting baggy on me! And the 10's just aren't tight anymore. (I can breath a little better.)
Oh yeah, I can't forget the most exciting part of my doctor's visit... they took pictures for my insurance company to see if I can get a tummy tuck approved! I cannot believe this is happening so fast!
The doc said that I am five pounds from my high-end goal weight. ONLY FIVE MORE POUNDS! I am very confident that I will lose more than that though. I am still losing about 2 pounds per week give or take a little.

Until later! Take care and keep losing!

8/10/05   Hello Again! Things have been going very well lately. I had my almost 6 month post op appointment today. I am down a total of 74 pounds! I am wearing a size 12 pants and a medium top! My new tool is working very well in limiting my proportions to food. I have had very little gastric disturbances since last post. My hair was still falling out drastically until about a week ago. It seems to have started to slow down now. I began to take Centrum liquid vitamins and am doing better with this type. It seems to me that I absorb more of it this way.
My labwork came back exceptional! I went from having a cholestrol of 259 to now 146! My Iron levels are a little low but he recommends that I keep taking my vitamins. My albumin level was perfect, so that means I am getting enough protein in too!
I have bumped up my walking regimen to about 5 - 6 times per week at 3 miles a clip. I have actually walked with my husband several times for a six mile walk too. I did not get winded or have any problems with this walk. I have noticed lately that the bone spur that I wa starting to have problems with in my right heel is starting to resolve itself. Yeah, maybe with the additional weight loss this has helped it?

8/24/05  Well, it is exactly six monthes since my surgery! I can't believe what half a year can be like! I am now in a tight size 10 pants and a medium shirt. I have lost exactly 79 pounds to date! I walk and participate in more activities these days too. I have actually started to persue getting information about going back to college for my BSN. I have it all okayed from work and just need to get the transcripts going.
I would have never have done all the things I am now doing without this surgery. I really didn't go out of the house much this year past. (I hid)
I attended my surgeon's WLS support group this past week and found it to be very informative and it felt great to be around others who are in the same boat I am currently rowing and others who are in the boat that I just jumped overboard from! I hope that I can be some inspiration to those who are considering this surgery and help them to take that step of faith and just do it!
I hope that I will be able to make the next support group meeting, but life if so busy with my three sons and my husband working out of state all week. I will try though. (Even this support meeting I was actually late and had to leave almost immediately after it was done!)
My life as it is now would have totally exhausted me only six months ago. Now I enjoy that I am able to actually do it with a smile!

7/7/05  Well, I am just back from my doctor's appointment. I am now about 4 1/2 months post-op and am down a total of 66 pounds! I am feeling really well. I am still walking my three miles a day (usually 4-6 times per week). I am having a good deal of hair loss but nothing so significant that you can really tell or that I need a wig or anything. Dr. Elias says it should slow down soon and to be sure eat enough protein with each meal.
I am getting ready to go on my next vacation to Florida this week for two weeks. I have found that vacationing is not very good for weight loss. I went to Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago and came back with a couple of pounds but was able to lose it quickly after returning.
My goal for this vacation is to be sure to drink more fluids this time. I actually think that I dehydrated myself a little. The key to weight loss with me is "both" exercise and fluids.

6/3/05  I am now down 57 pounds in 3 1/2 months! I am getting ready to head to Las Vegas for a week with the family. I have about two more weeks to lose a little more. I can't believe how wonderful I feel. The hair loss is still pretty active. I have begun to take two vitamins a day in hopes that this will slow it down. I have tried the Viactiv Carmel Chewables...yummy and tasty too!
The walking has really paid off. I walk 3 miles in the morning with my lovely dog, Sara. We get it done in about an hour or less some days. I feel like a billy goat when I am walking some days. We have some pretty steep hills that are quite a challenge. I can feel the difference in my clothes and how they lay. I still have my pooch going one though (for those who don't know what a "pooch" is - my flabby belly). It reminds me of a balloon that was inflated too much and now the air is going out and the texture of the balloon is never the same again.
I sure hope in the future I will qualify for a tummy tuck. We shall see.
I was surprised with my last post-op appointment. The physician's assistant states she would like to see me losing weight faster than I am. I thought I was losing a pretty decent rate. I will keep pushing on.........
I have went from wearing a size 22/24 to a loose 16. The surplus of old clothes is rapidly dwindling down. I only have one more size stored up from my previous life of many, many, many years ago. I have realized that I have not changed my style of clothes over the years though. They are pretty classic and are still suitable for these days too. I buy a top or a new pair of pants every so often as a reward to me.
If you are reading this and trying to make up your mind whether to have the surgery or not, all I have to say is this.... Don't wait another day. Get it done and reclaim your life again! I will never regret having it done in a heartbeat!  My husband is enjoying watching me come back to life and my children are enjoying having their mom back too (as well as my leftover's from each meal too!). Not to forget, I am enjoying this too!

5/13/2005
I have now been following my diet much better by not snacking and limiting to my three meals. Boy, has it paid off. The first week I was down five pounds.
I have also increased my exercise program to include three miles of brisk walking (with the dog of course). I get at least one hour of exercise a day and try to use the steps more frequently. I usually get out about three to five times a week for my walks and have been improving each week with the frequency.
I have now dropped another size and am in size 16 and 14W. I can't believe at how well this is going. I am so happy that I had this surgery done! I have my next appointment in a little over one week. I can't wait to see what they say! I finally feel successful at dieting for once!

4/28/05  I had my third post op doctor's appointment on Monday. I have lost a total of 40 pounds. Who would have ever believed it!  I feel so wonderful! I just feel it melting off me.
I have very little trouble with any particular food. I do have problems with ham but can deal without it though.
I must confess....I have cheated some and usually paid the price for it. I tried some of my mom's homemade strawberry pie. I really did take a small piece and shared with my niece. I ended up with a hypoglycemic episode. I felt bad for about 30 minutes and then it passed. I don't have the classic dumping syndrome but just get the sweats and general not feeling well, wish I could poop or puke symptoms. I definitely teaches me a lesson!!
I am averaging about 2 - 3 pounds per week at this point.
The doctors office was very pleased with my progress but would like me to eat less protein "snacks".  I shall try!
I still have the worst morning breath in the world at this point too!
Well, until later! Take care.

3/7/05 --- Well I am just back from my first postop appointment and the verdict is in --- I love this surgery!!!! I am down a total of 22 pounds (11 days postop). I have been walking at the mall everyday and am up to 45 minutes of brisk of walking. I am able to walk each level two times.  I am still on the clear liquid diet and am ready to chew on something. I am not hungry at all and have found my stomach to be noisy, later to find out I just needed to put some liquids into it! I never thought I could feel like this concerning food and all. It sure helps to be free of that evil demon!
Next week I start back to work and also pureed, soft proteins. I am afraid to each my first meal in front of my coworkers in case it doesn't go well and they start asking questions. I may try some cottage cheese on Sunday just to see.
I go back to the doctor's in two weeks! Can't wait to see what I will lose by then! Later!!!

3/21/05 - Well I now have my second post-op visit over. I am now a little over 3 weeks postop and have lost another two pounds. I am at a total of 24 pounds in three weeks. I am at a stand still and have not lost any weight for about a week. I take in enough water and I thought I was taking in enough protein. I am sure hoping that after my visitor comes, that maybe I will begin to lose again.
I know that I have been back to work for one week, and stopped losing since going back. I have not had the time nor energy to exercise like I was and need to get into a routine fast! This is the magic time to be losing my weight.

2/3/05 --- I have now completed all my preop testing. What a day! The hospital staff were all very nice and worked very hard to make it a quick process. Only two more weeks. I am sure that this time will be filled with preparing the family and household for my down time  (laundry, ironing, meal preps and organization)!

2/12/05 --- My husband and I went out tonight for our Valentine's/Last Supper. I enjoyed Lobster, Crab cake, and Turtle Cheese cake to top it all off. I felt like a stuffed pig! I will be glad to get my new tool on the 24th. This is a perfect example of why I am where I am at this point in my life.
I plan on limiting, if not totally getting rid of the carbs for until my surgery in less than two weeks. I remember when I went on the Atkins Diet and how I felt the first week after giving up the carbs. I don't want to have these feelings on top of dealing with the whole surgery process.
I am dealing pretty well with the nerves of the impending surgery. Losts of prayer and meditation seem to help me. I have found my key phrase helps me get over the periods of potential anxiety -- God got me to it, he will get me through it!
I have been getting alot of support and enjoyment out of reading the message boards often too.

2/16/05 --- I attended my preoperative class at the hospital this evening. I feel sad that I wasn't able to attend the support group afterwards. I am hoping that my life slows down just a little so that I can take a breath! I have so much to prepare for before the big day! Not only the surgery, work, but also throwing a birthday party for my oldest son for his 13th birthday! I definitely don't have much time to get nervous! I have been reading the message board regularly and this helps also to see others have questions and can offer support too. I have been in contact with someone else who is having surgery the same day as me. It was great talking to her. We had so much in common. Well, I must run. Good night friends!

2/22/05 --- Only a couple more days until my the big day.  I can't believe it but I have no anxiety of all. I am resolved that this is going to happen and nothing to worry about! My last day of work was yesterday. I three weeks off for prep for the surgery, surgery, and recovery. I am so blessed to be able to take this time off before and after! It will be a pinch on the household budget since I had to take it without pay since I have not been at my place of employment one year. (At least I won't have the expense of buying food for myself!) Ha Ha!
I also donated my hair last evening to Locks for Love. I gave about 10 inches. I prayer that it helps out some little girl or boy who needs it more than I do. I have wanted to donate it for quite some time but just never took the time to make the appointment to have it done. I would rather have it put to good use than have it wash down the drain in a few months during the hair loss phase. The new me through and through.
I now get to start the liquid diet and bowel prep, yuck.

2/27/05 --- Well, I am now postop! I had my surgery on Thursday, February 24, 2005. I arrived at the hospital at 6 a.m. and was prepped and ready for surgery at 7:30. I was the first patient scheduled so I did not have to wait for others. The next thing I remember is coming to and having pain and then falling asleep over and over again.
I really questioned for the first twelve hours what I had done to myself. Once I was in my room and had more pain medication, I was good to go. The nasogastric tube is the pits but bearable because I slept so much.
The following morning I was taken down to the GI Lab and had a upper GI done. This liquid they had me drink was worse than even the barium milkshake I swallowed a couple weeks ago. I couldn't get the nasty taste out of my mouth for quite awhile! Good outcome though -- no leaks. I was now able to have the tube removed, the urinary catheter and start on those wonderful liquids!
After returning home, the gas came with me!! Ohhhh! I was not ready to be awakened by gas as of all things. The churning and grinding going on made me think I had the seven dwarfs mining in my intestinal tract! I think a few are still there doing overtime as I write this.

Upon returning home, I just had to weigh myself. I was glad to see that I had not gained or lost during my hospitalization. But by day one I have lost three pounds. The pain pretty much gone but the tenderness and swelling of my belly is still abundant.
I must say that this entire process has went off without a hitch. I pray that it continues this way the entire time!
I do want to take this opportunity to thank my new family members at Obesityhelp for all the prayers, support and encouragment I received. It was a comfort to talk to all of you who had been down the path I was heading and those with the same fears and anxieties too. I hope to keep in touch with you all and help out when I can for you too!

1/21/05 --- It has been quite awhile since I updated my profile. I have been completing one more insurance loop-hole over the past six months. I have tried many physician supervised diets in the past, but to the insurance companies expectations, the documentation was not detailed enough. So.... for the past six months I have been completing the documentation portion of this  and in the meantime, lost 5 pounds! Whoopee, 5lbs in six months! But, all the forms have been faxed to Dr. Elias' office and now I wait to hear whether I am approved. Say a prayer for me and keep me in your thoughts. If I do not get approved, I guess I am sentenced to this torture of living with the joint pain, GERD, and high blood pressure. I will keep positive thoughts!!!!

1/26/05 --- Well I got the exciting news today!!! I am approved! My surgery date is February 16, 2005! So quick too! I am not sure whether I will be able to stick with this one though due to my husband being out of town during this time. I at least know that I am now able to get the surgery! I have already set-up a day for my preop testing to be completed! Here I come to the other side!!

1/29/05 --- I now have a different surgery date. 2/24/05 - I needed to change due to some scheduling problems with my husbands work schedule. Still, even with this new date I am less than a month away!  Yeah!!

7/21/04 - I went to my first support group meeting and know that this is for me and this is the doctor that should be doing it. He is very knowledgeable of this procedure and I feel confident that he would do an outstanding job. There were so many others there that have done so well and have lost so much weight! My husband was right there beside me, he is so supportive of this entire process! I just love him for being my pillar of strength. We got to meet someone else from this site that I have been in contact with via email over the past weeks. Thanks John for being so open and readily available to answer my questions and also your wife too!
I will definitely be calling the doctors office tomorrow for an appointment. I have my appointment set already for my PCP. I will be asking for a letter of surgical necessity. I am nervous but glad to getting this moving onto the other side of my weight issues, Losing!