The fairy tale so far

Oct 30, 2006

March 23, 2006 I started a new job last November and rescheduled my surgery from March 5/06 to June 5. This interim period is a killer. I have been spending more time educating myself about after care and diet, as I understand my surgeon does not offer much in that regard.

April 13, 2006 Just over 7 weeks, and counting down. I'm preparing for the best, and the worst. I will be glad to be free of pain in my sides and hips. Admittedly, waiting for this surgery has been a distraction at work. I could easily spend all my time searching for more info.

My kids and partner are being very supportive, although my six year old tells me he doesn't want me to lose weight, because I am more beautiful now than in my "skinnier" (haha) photos. Bless his heart.

April 20, 2006
I was devastated to come home and find out my surgery has been cancelled due to a lack of anaesthetists. Given our current healthcare environment and staffing problems in small towns, I am guessing that elective surgery is going to be off the books for a long time. So I am back to square one. Having waited 4 years already, in steadily failing health and becoming more irritable by the minute, I know I just can't wait years again for this to happen. Hopefully I can get BC government approval to go south (US). Damn this sucks!!!

May 19, 2006
Great news! I sent my doc a letter requesting he complete an out of country surgery application. I included my own letter to BC medical, which stated all my comorbidities, including some that I don't think the surgeon new about. Well, one week later, I had a call saying my surgery was back on, 4 days earlier than previously scheduled. So I am excited, nervous, and frantic--because I have less than 2 weeks to get my work and home life in order. My surgery is now scheduled for June 1.

I think this will not only be good for me, but also for my youngest, who is six. He is a very tall boy, but I worry about when his growth and metabolism slow. He has always been my carbo baby, because he doesn't like food with texture or color, so he eats a lot of starchy, bland things. I have hated that I am a poor nutrition role model. I am hoping that the future holds better things for both of us when it comes to healthy food choices.

May 25, 2006
Well this is probably my last post before surgery. I have so much to do and I can't keep staying up until the wee hours poking around on the internet. I am still so excited, it is nice to contemplate life without all the embarassing and uncomfortable challenges of being morbidly obese. More truthfully, at the moment I have passed in to the super morbidly obese category, having shot up 10 lbs. in the past 2 months. It was getting so discouraging, especially when I would read of other OH members who would work hard to LOSE weight before WLS. Oh well, no point in beating myself up about that. The 10 pounds is not going to come off before Thursday.

June 30, 2006



August 10, 2006
I received a friendly nag email to update my profile. Well, I had my surgery June 1. Everything went very well. I had great energy the first three weeks. I had a slight stall in weight loss in the 3rd week, which I have read is a very common thing. I lost 40 pounds in the first month though. I wasn't expecting that, and I am definitely not complaining.

I lost ground physically in the second month post-op. Things I could eat in the first two weeks, wouldn't stay down. I saw that refried beans were a favorite with most folks and I couldn't touch them. Even water was tough slogging some days. I lived with the constant nausea for about a month. I wasn't eating much, but what I could eat was probably not the best nutritionally.

At the end of July I went for a routine scope with my surgeon and he had to stretch out a slight stricture. That evening I could eat "normally". I had such a delicious (and comfortable) meal.

I am now 10 weeks out and down 72 pounds. While I am not getting enough protein (only about 20 grams/ day), I have seen incredible improvements in my health.

I can:
Walk without foot and knee pain.
Cross my legs :-0
Paint my toenails
Toilet without acrobatics (I know, too much information)
Do a couple of flights of stairs without becoming breathless.
I have been able to stop meds for GERD (reflux).

My CPAP broke down and I can't afford to replace it. My spouse says I am not snoring very much, so maybe that is another benefit I have already had from the surgery. All in all, a decision I certainly don't regret.



October 12, 2006
I made the Century Club earlier this week. I think that is a fairly impressive accomplishment so soon after surgery. I am eating about 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup of food at each meal. My skin needs sometime to catch up to the loss, especially my turkey neck waddle. I have experienced some fairly significant hair loss, so it will be nice when that settles as well.

I've joined Tang Soo Do with my 7 year old. I haven't done formal exercise for over 15 years, and I am surprised at how well I am doing--I will spare all the details about the slappy sounds my lose skin makes though.

The moodiness that comes with quick weight loss seems to be abating a little bit know--at least I think so, perhaps I should ask my spouse.

I am still very grateful to have received this surgery. The positive changes in my life are immeasurable.

Well, it has been an interesting journey so far.  I would have to say that the whole hormonal thing, that is a side effect of this surgery, has put my family through hell.

Having said that, I would not make any other decision.  My health has improved, I feel more confident, and the saggy skin thing looks no worse than what my skin looked like before surgery--with the exception of the neck waddle I have developed.

Each day is a struggle to make better food choices than I have in the past.  I have definitely reduced my fat intake, but sugars still pose a problem.  I am working hard at improving my eating habits.



February 13, 2007
Well, if I keep putting in these weight loss tickers, it might feel like I am making steady progress.  I struggle EVERYDAY to make better food choices.  I am eating less and I am being more contemplative about what I am eating, but I eat way too many empty carbs.  At least I have become much more active than I was in the past.


About Me
Shuswaps, BC
Location
29.6
BMI
RNY
Surgery
06/01/2006
Surgery Date
Mar 20, 2006
Member Since

Friends 13

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The fairy tale so far

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