Rhonda L.

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I had the RNY on 3/31/06.  I have stayed within 5-7 pounds of my end weight.  Still have the same 40-50 that I wanted to lose but just never go down - but I never go up either so that's OK.  Still can eat anything I want in lesser quantities - but minimal sugar or I get heart palpitation, sweats and stomach cramps.  Still keep Papaya Enzyme tablets with me at all times - great for a quick fix on an upset stomach when I may eat too much.  Have never had a single issue with the surgery and still glad I did it! 

My most current entries are at the bottom of this blog.  My "story" is at the very bottom - so if you don't want to start from day 1 - scroll to the bottom. 

I finally had the surgery on 3/31/06, exactly 5 months from the day my doctor submitted the paperwork. I went in to the hospital with the attitude that I'm going to be fine, I'm not going to have complications, I'm not going to have pain, and it will be as if I never had the surgery - I just wouldn't be hungry - and that's exactly what happened. Because the hospital was 2 hours from home - I checked into a hotel the night before. I had to go to the hospital the day before and answer a bunch of questions, get fitted for a stretchy 'corsett' - watch a video on what to expect, get weighed and my picture taken. Then I went back to the hotel and started having the last "food" I was going to get for a few days. I had sugar free jello, chicken broth, apple juice - and then I took a little pain medication to stop a cough I'd been fighting. I threw up EVERYTHING - and haven't wanted chicken broth SINCE! I was by myself for the whole process - which, while it worried me in case something happened, it made it easier to concentrate on ME and not have to worry about making other people feel better by having to keep saying "I'm fine". I went to the hospital by 9am for a 12 noon surgery. I went into a private room - they gave me a hospital gown - drew some blood for testing - a security guard came and got my items like jewelry, watch, purse and put it in a safe for me. The nurse tagged my other bag (stuff for after the surgery, my clothes, etc) and took them away. I got to watch TV for about an hour. I was walked down to a pre-surgery room where a bunch of people were waiting to go to surgery. They put in my IV, put some booties on me that 'pulsed' my feet to help avoid blood clots. The anesthesiologist came in for a few minutes - then I was wheeled into the operating room. It was bright and COLD. Music was playing in the background. They put a warmed blanket on me. I asked why it was so cold and they said because the operating lights are so hot. They put a mask on me - put something in my IV - and boom - I was out.

I woke up for a few minutes in the recovery room - looked around and saw the nurses walking around working on various people - then went back to sleep. I was in my room (no ICU) by 3pm. I'm feeling really good - just a bit "tight" across the stomach and groggy. I tried to call people to let them know I was OK - but couldn't dial the numbers correctly I was so sleepy. I had a morphine drip on my IV and could push the button whenever I needed. I was there 3 days and never used all the morphine. I didn't use any after the first full day. They had me up and walking within 2 hours - and on and off the rest of the weekend. They came in often to draw blood, give heparin shots. I had a quiet room so was lucky - but don't think I got 3 hours undisturbed sleep for all the checking they did. The nurses were really nice and the hospital was great. They gave me NOTHING to drink on Saturday - my lips/mouth were so dry - they brought me lemon flavored swabs to wet my mouth. They did take out the catheter Saturday which was much better. I had a drainage tube in my stomach and 4 small holes with surgistrips over them. Not sure why they waited til Sunday to give me anything to drink - when I asked if I could go home Sunday - they said no, I have to be able to drink some and go to the bathroom. Monday would be the earliest. The nurses said I was their star patient - no problems, up and walking 10-12 laps around the floor. I had been talking to others on the floor and they all had had minor complications. They released me on Monday and I felt like I could run a marathon. Because of the distance, I had to stay in a hotel until Thursday when the surgeon would give me his final OK and take out my drain tube - so I went to an Indian Casino on Tuesday with friends but after 1.5 hours, I was in major pain - barely made it back to the hotel to take some pain medication - I felt a little sore and the tightness for the next 24-36 hours. I have to wear a "corset" that is really irritating and my stomach itches like crazy - for 2 weeks But I felt much better after they finally took the drainage tube out of my stomach - although that was painful (I suggest taking some pain meds BEFORE they do this).

We drove home after that. The doctor said I needed to stop and walk on the 2 hour drive home to avoid blood clots. We stiopped at an outlet shopping mall and I did a little shopping with my walking! It felt really good to be home. While I was in the hospital, my small dog started getting paralyzed on her back legs. My brother had to rush her to the vets for emergency surgery. I missed having her there when I got home and I had to go pick her up a few days later. I was able to drive immediately (because I wasn't taking any pain medications) and I felt totally normal right away. I slept in beds right from the beginning - slept on my side with a pillow tucked under my tummy to relieve some of the slight pressure/pulling I had. The hospital told me there was 'no reason' we couldn't sleep on our tummies immediately if we wanted - but I didn't chance that for about 3 weeks. Just felt like I would "squish" things inside!

I was looking forward to getting past the clear liquids. They are really pushing the WALK, WALK, WALKing to avoid blood clots. Trying to make that happen every 2 hours or so. I started eating yogurt, sf jello, and after a few days, cottage cheese. Was walking 2-3 miles a day around the neighborhood daily after the first 2 weeks.

4/24 - Now 3 weeks out - feeling like I never had the surgery - feel great, no pain - just never hungry! (when have any of us said that!?) I have lost 15 pounds since surgery - but most of that was in the first 10 days. I've been stuck at the same 1-2 pounds ever since.

I checked with others and most said not to worry - just need to let the body adjust. Am going to try to do better at the exercise, protein, and water. I recommend you NOT get on the scale everyday. We are EXPECTING great losses at this point and may be disappointed if they don't happen. I have seen 100 posts on OH where people say "I haven't lost anything in 2 weeks" - or "I've "only lost 8 pounds in 2 weeks" - "what am I doing wrong". I asked the same question at 3 weeks. Everyone said that our body's are adjusting from the shock - we might be retaining fluids from the IV - the anesthesia may stop us for a time. DON'T PANIC!! It IS normal, YOU are normal! Step away from the scale. No more then once a week - some even wait til they go for their checkups.

5/3/06 - Now 4.5 weeks out. Down 24 pounds - still feeling great. Found a few foods that didn't agree with me as I add them back in. So I had to either throw them up or lay down for awhile. Also found chewing on Papaya tablets help sometimes. I was eating refried beans from Taco Bell or a local mexican restaurant - and chili from Wendy's. Able to eat 6 oz or more of soft foods like yogurt even by now when most say they can't eat more than 2-3. I hope that's not a problem. But when I eat that 6 oz - I'm full which is great.

5/5/06 - Went for my 1 month checkup. He said I was doing great. Even though his scales said I'd only lost 20 pounds - mine said 25.

5/15/06 - After 6 weeks off (the doctor said I could go back after 4 if I felt OK or I could take 6 - and I did feel OK, but enjoyed the time off and I had a lot of sick time at work. It gave me a chance to do a lot of walking and learn to eat without getting sick while being at work. By the time I went back, I knew what foods to take with me that I could tolerate. I'm glad I took the extra time. Went back to work today - down 29 pounds. Everyone is saying how great I look - how relaxed I look. My pants are really loose in the legs. I wish I had lost more - so many people say they've lost 45-50 pounds by 6 weeks. Not sure why I'm going so slowly but everyone is different. I feel great and I know I'm losing inches. Hopefully if I lose more slowly - I won't have all the excess skin. Am able to eat a small piece of pizza, bacon, eggs, chili, refried beans w/cheese along with the lighter foods (yogurt, cottage cheese, etc). I'm making sure I get in at least 70-80 grams of protein through protein drinks and food and 70 oz. or more of water or Crystal lite per day.

5/23/06 - Been 7 1/2 weeks - still feeling good but only down 30 pounds. I really wonder why I am not losing more when I can eat so little. I started working out at the gym the other night - hopefully that will help. I got my blood tests back from a few weeks ago and everything is good - but my iron was a bit low so I started taking Ferrous Sulfate 325 mg - now I need to worry about constipation. I also started taking Calcium Citrate. Many people have to start that right away but my doctor had me wait awhile. I have GOT TO quit getting on the scale everyday. It can be so disappointing at this early stage when you expect to drop massive amounts of weight and you're not. I need to remember that I've lost 30 pounds in 7.5 weeks which is still 4 pounds per week average! I've never done that - so all is good and everyone says that my body needs time to catch up with the shock and then it will begin dropping. Also - I'm hoping that slower is better for skin elasticity. Since I've never had kids and always kept my stomach muscles tight - I'm hoping I won't need a tummy tuck.

6/2/06 - Down 34 pounds since surgery. Everything is still good - but still wishing I was losing faster. I seem to stick with the same 1-2 pounds for days at a time. I've been working out at the gym at least 3 times a week. I do 20 minutes on the treadmill, 20 minutes on the eliptical machine, and then 15-20 on the weight machines and free weights. The doctor would like me to get into an aerobic class - but with still over 100 pounds to lose - that AIN'T happening for awhile! He said I could lift weights after 6 weeks as long as I was cautious and stopped if I was in pain. I don't want to rip something open! My meals consist of bacon for breakfast, yogurt and cheese/crackers at lunch, then chili or refried beans, or some type of meat at dinner, though many meats still aren't agreeing with me. I have some sf candies as a snack at bedtime. I'm rarely hungry and could go all day without eating - but then your body believes it's starving and hangs onto the weight - so I force myself to eat something. It's hard to wait 30 minutes before and after eating to drink something. You need to get your protein drinks in, your water in, 3-4 meals in your vitamins in. Can be difficult at work when you are BUSY and you have to stop to drink water or protein drink....

I'm taking Actigall twice a day to avoid gallbladder problems. I'm taking 2 chewable or liquid multi-vitamins a day - I'm taking Biotin to help stop hair loss that people usually have at 3-6 months out. I'm trying to take 2 calcium pills a day but you have to take them with meals. I'm trying to take 2 iron pills a day but you have to take them on an EMPTY stomach - so here are more things to try to fit in your schedule each day. I feel like I'm LIVING on the clock.

6/20/06 - Down 43 pounds since surgery. Still doing good. Rarely hungry.

7/8/06 - Down 47 pounds since surgery / Down 53 pounds from the weight I was at for YEARS / Down 63 pounds from my all-time high.

I don't seem to be losing much weight right now. I have low iron and low potassium so I am eating a banana a day and taking a potassium and iron pill each day. I stopped taking my diuretic pill and gained 4 pounds in 4 days so I started taking the water pill again - it's taken me a week to relose the 4 pounds - HOWEVER, I am losing INCHES like crazy so I can't let the SCALE be my slave-maker. I've started weighing myself only twice a week - once on Friday (day of surgery) and on Monday (day I started back to work). I'm down to a size 18 pants/dress and a 16-18 top. I haven't been out of 20's for at least 15 years. I started in a TIGHT 24 STRETCH pants - should have been 26 but I refused to buy any! So I'm feeling really good about myself right now. Everyone is making comments on how great I look. I see the surgeon next week for my 3 month (actually 3.5 month) checkup. I hope he's satisfied with the 47 pounds loss in 3.5 months.

I also learned today how to update my profile with backgrounds, dividers, welcome signs and more. It's SO EASY. Took me less then 5 minutes once I found the ones I like! More learning from Obesityhelp.com!

7/26/06: It's been 4 months. I'm now down to 218. 56 pounds since surgery, 62 pounds from my long time weight - and 71 pounds from my all-time high (10/05). I was finally able to figure out how to get updated pictures on my profile by using Photobucket.com. Everyone is saying how great I'm looking. I haven't seen this weight in at least 11-12 years. Feeling good. I cleaned out all my closets and drawers. Got rid of 7 bags of clothes. I now have room in my closets and 2 EMPTY drawers! Yeah! (time to go shopping!) :)

289/280/274/218 (All-time high/Long-time high/Pre-Op/Current)

8/29/06 - Down 65 pounds since surgery (5 months) Now 209 pounds. I don't know what hit my body all of a sudden but I lost 9 pounds in 9 days - I couldn't believe the scale. The last 2 days have been zero loss but that's OK - I was averaging about 2-3 pounds a week so I'm at least 3 weeks ahead of where I expected to be. I really am WORRIED about losing that fast now. I've been lucky and haven't lost any hair and I want to KEEP it that way. I did notice that my thighs are getting flabbier then I'd like. I'm really hoping that the worst I'll need is maybe a tummy tuck and arms done with Plastic surgery. Anyway - still feeling fantastic. Still no problems whatsoever. AND I just found out that my 30 year reunion is being held in 8 weeks THREE YEARS EARLY! Should have been in 2009 (class of 1979) - but they decided to combine 7 years into this year - so while I planned to be a size 6 or so when I went in 2009 - now I have 8 weeks to at least try to get below 200. I think I can do it!

10/2/06 - 6 months out and still feeling fantastic! I'm down to 201.5 pounds - almost in ONDERLAND! I can't remember when I have been below 200. My reunion is in 4 more days and I might make it below 200 yet. I can now eat pretty much what I want and no longer feel sick. Just much smaller portions. Many of the things that I used to CRAVE (chili fries, etc) - don't thrill me anymore. A bite or two and I no longer want them - IF I get them in the first place. I have my 6 months checkup next week. I had all my bloodwork. My Glucose is now 98, my overall cholesterol is down (already normal previously) - my good cholesterol (LDL?) is still low - but up 3 points from 3 month bloodwork. My iron is still a bit low - so I continue taking a Multi-vitamin with iron. I have been one of the fortunate ones - 6 months out and I never did lose my hair. I read an article awhile back, that people with thick hair are more likely to lose hair and mine is very thin and fine to begin with. I couldn't afford to lose any.

I started in a VERY TIGHT 24 stretch jean (no buttons/pockets). I can now get into a 14. Wearing large tops. Don't seem to be losing anything in the chest area. My stomach is still too big. Drives me crazy because when I used to weigh 220 - I felt SKINNY because I had no stomach. Now I'm almost 20 pounds less then that and I still feel fat because my stomach is sticking out - stopping me from buying regular jeans because to go over the stomach - they bag at my legs. Ah well - in the end, I MAY need a Tummy tuck to get rid of it and Plastic surgery on my arms to get rid of the bat wings - so I better save now! This is STILL the best thing I've ever done for myself and I feel AWESOME! So many people making comments every day. Makes you want to keep it up! I will be getting some pictures made up when I get below 200 and will post soon!

10/19/06:  I got below 200 this week - first time in probably 15+ years!  I had seen it last week for a SECOND - but it didn't last!  I've now been under 200 for 3 days so I'm hoping it stays.  Currently 197.5.  Went to Sears on Sunday and bought MEDIUM misses blouses and fit into size 14 REGULAR jeans.  They were stretch ones but had the buttons and zipper.  Until now, I've been wearing stretch waist, no zipper/buttons.  So many more people saying how SKINNY I'm getting.  I'm finally starting to believe it!  On Sunday I bought a new bike and after going to the gym for an hour 15 minutes - going on the treadmill and eliptical for an hour and 15 minutes doing weights - I rode with my nephew for 3 miles.  No problems.  I can walk up 2 flights of stairs and keep going - rather then stopping to BREATHE!  So many WOW moments all the time now.  I can now eat most anything I want - just a lot less of it.  The more dense it is (meat, etc) - I can only eat 3-4 oz but soups, yogurts - I can do 10 oz or so.  I had trouble with chicken for at least 5 months.  Couldn't eat any of it cooked any way without getting sick - but now, no problem.  My doc had told me that many people have trouble with it for the first 6 months.   I'm still drinking 40 grams of protein a day to make sure I get enough.  I like the Isopure clear pre-made drinks from GNC in grape and blue raspberry.  Expensive, but convenient, NOT a powder, not a bad taste - also counts as 20 oz of water since it is pure liquid.  No calories - no carbs.

11/19/2006:  Finally made it down 80 pounds from surgery.  Now 194.  Wearing a size 12/14 jeans and medium blouses.  Still no problems.  I went to a great hair stylist Friday and he cut my hair from the middle of my back to my shoulders and dyed it bronze with gold highlights.  I IMMEDIATELY went to a photographer at the mall and had pictures taken in case I couldn't make it look the same. (See my photos dated 11/06) here.  I uploaded the pictures to Match.com and Yahoo Personals.  I had taken my ad off the boards for more than a year.  I just felt fat and didn't want to meet guys they way I was.  But now I feel GREAT and hope to find someone special.  I'll let you know.  I'll try and post some full-body photos shortly.

12/30/06:  Well - it's the end of 2006!  Wow - what a year!  I'm now out 9 months and down 83 pounds since my surgery on 3/31/06.  Not as much as I would have liked.  I seem to be STUCK between 191 and 193 and it's driving me crazy.  I've been near this weight for at least 6 weeks now.  I had really hoped to be down 100 pounds by now - BUT... I feel fantastic.  I'm wearing 12/14's and Medium/Large blouses.  I'm shopping in the Misses section now instead of the Women's side of stores.  I still look around at people when I shop for fear they're looking at me like I shouldn't even THINK about looking for clothes on THAT side of the store.  I almost feel GUILTY!  I am going up 2-3 flights of stairs with very little hesitation.  I'm running down stairs without fear of my knees going.  If I stopped here - I could live with it - but I really hope to at least get to 150 (prefer 135).  I'd love to get into at least a size 9.  

After the end of the year and the holidays - I'm going to batten down and go back to basics.  I am having little to no problems with anything.  I haven't dumped (vomiting in 2 months or more - I can eat sweets with little problem as long as I don't get carried away.  I can pretty much eat anything I want now - just in smaller quantities.   I'm going to go back and have some 9 month blood work to see if my low iron is getting any better which is the only thing I was having problems with.  I've been taking 2 multi-vitamins with iron each day so I hope that is cured.  I've always been a heavy blood donator with the Red Cross and I've felt bad that I haven't given because I know the low iron will cause problems.  

My 46th birthday is St. Patrick's Day (3/17) - and my Surgiversary is 3/31/07 - I really would like to make at least 100 pounds by then.  Only 27 pounds to go and 3 months.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

4/1/07 - I'm now 1 year out!  Happy surgiversary to me!  I feel awesome.  I'm currently at 187 which is 87 pounds down from the day of surgery - 93 pounds down from 2 weeks pre-surgery, and 102 pounds down from my all time high in 10/05.  I seem to have been stuck at this weight since December.  I think my body likes it here!  I definitely want to lose another 40-50 pounds, but if I stopped here - I could be totally content.  Size 12/14 from a size 24/26.  I'm thinking about plastic surgery now to get rid of the excess skin on the arms, upper thighs/butt, and stomach - but since I've had no rashes or problems with the excess skin - I don't think my insurance would pay for any of it and it would cost me around $20,000.  I may refinance my house to pay for it. I look great in clothes - but look like heck without them!  I'm going to need to find a bathing suit to cover my upper thighs because they look like sharpei puppies!

I never did lose any hair - or if I did, it wasn't enough for me to notice.  My iron was the only health problem I had - and it has been resolved by taking a multi vitamin with iron.  I have had NO PROBLEMS whatsoever.  I can pretty much eat anything I want including sweets and fats unless I REALLY get carried away.  (This may be why I got stuck at 87 pounds though - so I don't recommend anyone trying to find out IF they CAN eat these things - just avoid them and ASSUME you can't have them!  You'll probably do much better.

I just had all my blood work done for the 1 year checkup I'll have on 4/12 and everything was EXCELLENT!  My iron is now fine and all my other tests were perfect.  I feel wonderful - I work for a LARGE company (same acreage as Disneyland) and I can walk all over it - up hills and stairs - with no problems.  I WANT to walk all the time.  I used to find ways to take the bus that we have to go around the property - and I would take elevators any way I could find.  I would have my secretary run my errands for me - anything to avoid the uncomfortableness of moving.  Not anymore - I do all my errands and offer to do it for others.  I want to be away from my desk now.  I'm going to Six Flags Magic Mountain in a few weeks with all the big rides.  I haven't been in more than 20 years because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to fit in the belts/bars - Now I don't have that fear.  I went to Disneyland a few weeks ago and can now go all over the park and back without being tired - without my back, legs, and feet hurting me.  I fit on everything with room to spare.  

It's a WONDERFUL feeling - I wish I'd done it years ago and I highly recommend it to everyone.  I have tried for more than 30 years to do it on my own and the hunger just would not let me stick to anything long enough to lose 100+ pounds.  Now I'm rarely hungry and when I am - I am easily satisfied.  

I am not on the boards or updating my profile as often as I was for 2 reasons - one, the changes aren't happening as fast as they were at the beginning so little to report - two, I'm now LIVING life instead of sitting at a computer all the time like I used to!  

But if you have any questions - or my story/history sounds like yours and you have any questions - I look forward to hearing from you and answering them to the best of my ability!  

6/22/07 - Someone told me I hadn't updated in awhile.  There's not really any changes.  I'm staying the same weight since December - but I just found out that I'm REARRANGING my weight.  I tried on a blouse the other day that has been too tight for the last 6 months - but this time it fit and was comfortable - so I still seem to either be losing inches - or at least moving them around!  I've been wearing mostly 14 in jeans - but now I am good in 12's in 90% of the ones I try (and of course, THOSE are the ones I buy!  :)

I saw my doctor for my 1 year checkup - I was worried that he wouldn't be happy that I'd only lost 87 pounds in 1 year - but he was totally happy with my progress.  He said I looked great and gave me a big hug (SURPRISED ME!  He was never a really 'friendly' sort of doctor!)  I said "So this is it - then?  I've reached 1 year so I won't be seeing you again?".  He said "No way! - I want to see you every 6 months for 1 year and then every year after that til I (he) dies!"  Wow!  I had no clue. 

I'm not on the OH board near as much.  I found out that our company IT Security people can see when I'm on the sight because OH's sight 'hits' many times during a session.  They called once to ask what OH was.  I explained it and they were satisfied - just wanted to make sure it wasn't a dangeous website trying to access the company servers - and I am allowed to go to the sight on lunch, etc - but just knowing they could see I was on it - made me not get on it much!  

I love shopping for clothes.  I have pretty much filled my closet and drawers again.  I'm enjoying it and I WALK TALL now.  I feel confident and energetic.  



Anyway - I'm still doing EXCELLENT.  Still feeling really great.  Still taking my vitamins daily - but not the protein drinks much anymore.  I get my protein through my foods most of the time - but the protein drinks are good for those rush days when I can't eat well.   

 

 
3/15/08:
2 YEARS at the end of this month!  I can't believe I haven't updated this in 9 months.  Life is just going too fast.  I feel like it was just months ago I had the surgery and it will be 2 years on 3/31!   I stopped at 186 pounds (down about 103 total including pre-surgery loss.  I still want to lose another 40-50 pounds.  I've gone up to about 195 now so I'm back to having to wrestle the weight to not gain it back.  This is my fault - I'm not as careful now and not exercising as much.  Food doesn't make me sick and I can eat mostly what I want, just smaller quantities.  The quantities are getting to be more so I really need to be careful.  My blood work is still excellent and still no problems with hyper-tension, diabetes, or high blood pressure.  I don't drink the protein drinks at all anymore - just get it all from food.  

I stopped a year ago at a size 12/14 (started at a 24/26) and have stayed in that size since 12/06.  I would really like to have plastic surgery (arms, stomach, and a breast reduction - though I did not lose up there like many do - they are so large that I have to wear a 14/16 in tops, or an 18 bathing suit to fit them - I feel that they are no longer proportionate with my smaller size (they're a 38 G).  However, I have had NO health issues like rashes, etc - so insurance would cover no plastic surgery and I'm not sure I can rationalize $20,000 or more.  

I feel great and am having a great life now.   This is the best thing I ever did and I wish I had done it 10 years ago.   I hope anyone thinking of having it can look at me as a success story.  I never had any health issues after surgery whatsoever and I feel fabulous.  I wish everyone the best of luck with their choice and would be happy to talk to anyone wishing more information.

If you don't hear much from me in the future - I'm now LIVING the life I used to WISH FOR!