Sandi W.

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Last weekend I attended the ObesityHelp Conference in Costa Mesa, CA.  (L.A. area).  It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot!  I met so many people and the group I was with from Modesto Support Group...were crazy and fun!  I met with a plastic surgeon and got evaluated for tummy and boob lift.  After losing 120 lbs and simply being almost 57 years old....just about everything needs shifting and lifting and trimming!!  Unfortunately for me, the cost is more than I can dream to come up with.  But it was fun just finding out what they could do!  Actually possible to be rid of the stretch marks and the ugly up/down cesearean scar!  And would be so nice to have the girls back up where they belong and with some substance to them again.  All the weight loss has really taken it's toll on them. LOL

I'm nearly two years out, now.  I love my life these days.  I look better than I did in school days and I'm a lot more confident than I ever was before.  Part of that is just because of the growth process I've gone through in the last 4 or 5 years, and a little bit is because of my improved physique.  I'm glad I heard of ObesityHelp and of Dr. Higa in Fresno, CA.  Both are outstanding!!!

Life is good!  I'm at my goal and enjoying life so much!  I'm still not used to seeing the size my clothes are, when I take them out of the dryer.  I wear size 4 jeans now....which is quite a change from the size 20 stretch pants I wore before my surgery!  I have extra skin in my tummy area, but not nearly as bad as I feared it would be after losing 120 lbs!  Guess my skin still has some elasticity in it, even at my 56 years of age. 

I'm one of the lucky ones, as I've had no problems at all.  My main exercise is walking and riding my exercise bike.  I like to watch the Biggest loser and ride my bike while watching the program.  That's quite a ride!  I'm just thrilled that I can do it.

My two sons have had RnY surgery in the last year.  Both have done extremely well.  We look like an entirely different family, these days! 

I'm so happy I had my RnY done last June 26th.  I've now lost 100 lbs and I'm within 20 lbs of my goal weight.  Now, both my sons have decided to do the same thing I've done.  Older son (29 yrs) had his own RnY done two weeks ago, on 4/08/09.  He started out at 343 and already when he weighed in on my scale today, he's down to 310.  He's obviously very very happy! 

My younger son (28 yrs) is having his RnY done on May 6th.   We're a WLS family now!

These months have gone bye quickly!  I've lost 98 lbs total, so far.  I still have 20 more lbs to lose, but these last pounds are very very hard to make disappear.  Now that the weather's beginning to get better, I'm hoping to get outside for lots more activity and exercise! 

By the way, I feel great!  I wish I'd done this years ago, but glad I did finally do it.  I had very few problems while losing the weight.  I think that's because I've been very pro-active, in taking all my vitamins and in getting to support group meetings.  All the knowledge from people who have walked this path before me.....has been soo helpful to me!

I'm looking forward to buying clothes this spring and even a swimsuit! 

So far, this has been a wonderful journey!  I'm now down 70 lbs and feeling fantastic!  Went to my second OH Event,  in L.A. , Oct 31-Nov 2, and enjoyed it emensely!  (I went to the Sacramento OH event, back in September and wanted more, cause I enjoyed myself so much!)  Highlights of the weekend were listening to Ron Lester, actor and former fatty...speak about his weight-loss journey.  Had to come home and watch "Varsity Blues" just to see how he used to look.  Wow!  And he was sooo nice!  And other highlight for me was listening to Melting Mama and EggFace, and watching their demonstration of cooking up some delicious foods that I am able to enjoy without fear of gaining my weight back.  They were fantastic, and I'd wanted to see them because I love checking out their sites and trying new recipes.  (I love to cook)

I still have 48 lbs to lose, but now I feel so much better and am enjoying my life each day.  This was soooo worth it!

I'm adjusting to my routine now.  I have a protein shake in the morning, before work, have a yogurt for mid-morning snack, a small lunch (usually mostly veggies in a gravy of some sort, and then have a small meal at dinner.  On days when I don't think I've gotten enough Protein, I opt for a protein bar or another Protein shake.   Then I take my dog, Nicki, for a walk, come home and get in my pool for a bit more exercise combined with relaxation. 

If I get hungry in the afternoon, I munch on some High-fiber dry cereal.  My evening treats consist of Sugar-Free Popsicles and Fudgesicles.

Hopefully I'm doing ok.  I'm remembering now, to eat slower.  Had to learn the hard way....bad habits are so hard to break!  But doing better now.  I'm down total of 37 lbs right now.  People are beginning to notice a difference, and I definitely am.

Hi!  Well, I figured out what was causing the burping...  I used Crystal Lite powers to flavor my water.  After surgery, I needed to cut way down on the amount of flavor-powder I used with my water.  When I did this, I solved the problem and also have been able to sleep at night with no more problems.  Still taking my Pepcid, as prescribed, twice a day, every day.

I've already hit my first plateau, even though this is early in weight loss journey.  I got down to 220 and the scale hasn't budged a bit in about 4 days.  I know....many will say I shouldn't be weighing myself every day, but I do anyway!  This is just too exciting for me not to check things out every morning.  So I figure my body is just doing an adjustment thing.  I know I'm doing as I should, and I'm walking every day.  Though I haven't dropped any clothes sizes yet, everything fits much better than ever before.  I can see some changes in my face....I don't look quite so "round", so that's a good thing.  Mostly, I just feel great, and that's wonderful!

 

Today is Sunday.  My surgery was just last Thursday.  I was released from the hospital on Friday evening, but stayed at a motel in Fresno, to be near hospital and doctor....just in case.  

My only trauma was that I ate my jello and drank my juice a little too fast, and then was in horrible pain for most of the night Friday night.  I even called doctor because I thought something was terribly wrong.  He advised me to go for a little walk, then to sleep with my head elevated.  Was to call him in the morning if symptoms still bad.  But of course, I was better by the morning.  Just sore from putting myself through that!  Wow, did I ever learn a lesson quick!!  

Other than that, I have noticed I burp a lot.  Can't seem to help it.  And at night, I still can't sleep laying flat.  Have trouble with foam-like substance backing up into my mouth and nose if I do.  So I slept in the recliner in my living room last night, which helped.  I drink a lot of water with Crystal Lite added.  Wondering if that has anything to do with this.  I'm taking my Pepsid like prescribed, and this is happening.  So today, I'm drinking just clear water, to see if it makes a difference.

These things, though, I consider to be minor.  I'm feeling great, and I just got back from walking about 2 miles this morning.   I'm not feeling hungry, but am anxious to be able to have more than just clear liquids for my diet.  Though I must admit, this is good for my grocery budget!

I'm so happy that I've taken this big step.  I know the next few months are going to bring so many changes for me and I'm excited!    

Just a note...When I weighed in....before surgery, I had lost 9 lbs already!  So even before the surgery I got down to 234!  Obviously, I was happy to see that!

I am getting excited now.  Surgery is this Thursday.  I go in on Wednesday for blood work and whatever other pre-op tests they say I need.  Then I go to Fresno Heart Hospital to pre-register for Thursday's surgery.

I have a reservation at a Marriott Hotel for Wednesday night.  No point in driving back and forth between Turlock and Fresno, any more than necessary.  This way I can relax and visit with some friends I have there in Fresno.

I've been trying to watch my diet somewhat.  I no longer drink carbonated beverages.  Gave up the Diet Pepsi addiction...completely.  I drink a lot of bottled water.  Sometimes I flavor the water with Crystal Lite or the WalMart version of the same thing.  Great flavors help get more water in!  

I'm walking more.  Still room for improvement here, but I walk at least 1/2 hour, 3 days a week.  Trying to do better than that as my weight comes down.  

I've been taking my vitamins regularly.  Figured I should get myself as healthy as I can before surgery, to withstand the surgery process better.  I'm concerned with losing much hair so have made sure to take a little extra Biotin to help out a little.

I just hope I can do everything I'm supposed to do, and that my surgery goes smoothly and uneventfully.

May just flew bye and now it's already June 8th.  My surgery date of June 26th is getting close now.  I have my reservations made for a room at a motel the day before and for after I'm released, so I can stay close to hospital for an extra day.  My insurance says they'll reimburse me for this expense, so I'm taking advantage of it!  

I've weined myself from diet soda, and drink flavored water now instead.  I take vitamins every single day, to get used to the regimen and to try to make sure my body is in the best condition possible for this surgery.  Taking the Biotin especially, in hopes of keeping my hair loss to a minimum.  I have fine, thin hair as it is!  I'm doing all I can to get my walking time in, several times a week.  My Golden Retriever helps nudge me along in that respect. She's loving it!  

I've been using this waiting time, to read and attend WL support meetings, trying to get as much information as I can, so that I'll be successful without having to learn too much the hard way.  

No matter what the outcome, I'm extremely glad that I'm doing this for me.   I'm giving myself a chance to actually live the active life I've wanted.  I plan to make the most of and enjoy every single day I'm blessed with, and hopefully as an added bonus, I'll be a great example of how to live life, for my sons and my grandchildren.