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8/24/05 - I am 5'9 1/2" and weigh 339lbs. I've been overweight my whole life. I can't believe I am embarking on this journey. I am 46 years old and a somewhat hesitant surgery candidate. My niece has been telling me for a few years to have the surgery. My friend had it last year. She is doing well. I have been looking at the before and after pictures of everyone on this site and it makes me want to cry with hope!I had my first appt. with my doctor last month who agreed that I should have the surgery. I have my dietitian appt. this Thursday. After this appt. my file will be given to the panel to see if I qualify for the surgery, I believe.I of course told my husband who is very supportive and my son who is too and I've told only a couple of my very close friends about my decision to have the surgery. But I don't want to tell my other relatives or my husband’s relatives. This is a very personal decision I am making. I just want them to notice the difference! :)10/12/05 Well, I’ve had the dietician appt. and the sleep apnea appt. The dietician said Kaiser’s new policy is for the candidate to be on a monitored weight loss program for six months and lose 10% of your body weight. You can use any monitored program. I’ve chosen Jenny Craig. I started the next week after the appt. So far I’ve lost about 16lbs. I need to lose 35/40lbs to meet their goal for me. I find Jenny Craig to be an easy program to do this with. It’s easy to pick from their menu items but you can also have a ‘meal on your own’ if you choose to. They don’t recommend you do that very often but it is allowed. I found out through the sleep apnea test that I do in fact have it. But I was told it is very minor (only when I sleep on my back). This is good news because it is another step forward to approval for the surgery. They wanted to fit me with a cpap machine to sleep with but after trying I told them it was too uncomfortable for me. The technician said he’d write up the findings for my file and I could contact my doctor for the results.That’s all for now, will write more later.10/29/05 I received my referal from Kaiser to UCLA! I also got the referal for my psyc eval! This is good news!10/31/05 Printed the questionair from UCLA and filled it in, need a few more details then I will be able to mail it off!11/2/05 Mailed my questionair to UCLA they say it will take three weeks from the time they recieve it before I will hear anything from them...hmmmm I guess I'll just have to be patient! Also called for my psyc eval appointment. I was able to get in tomorrow!11/4/05 Had my psyc eval yesterday. I had to drive kind of far and then pay my $20 co-pay and when I left had to pay parking of $15!!! Thought that was kind of expensive but oh well it's just money right? Anyway the important thing is that the dr. said I'd be a good candidate! I will just have to wait and see now...Also down 22lbs now too! :)11/8/05 Received a call from UCLA. Now I know they received my paperwork! They wanted me to register with them so I would have a UCLA medical number. The said they'd call me back within 24 hours with information.11/14/05 I received a letter in the mail from UCLA. I have a surgens consultation on Jan 5, 06! I can't wait! I have a fantasy that I will get a surgery date in Feb but that's kind of quick for this process through my insurance but one can still hope! My niece was visiting me too and I told her I was having the surgery but asked her not tell anyone else in the family. I have a very competative sister who lost over 100 lbs a couple of years ago and thinks that people who have the surgery are coping out. Don't need to go down that road with her. She now lives in TX so I won't have to see her to often until all my weight is gone!12/13/05 Haven't updated in awhile, holiday's and all. Anyway wanted to update that I'm ready to weigh in today with Jenny Craig and I think I've done pretty good this past week. I also joined a gym and have gone twice.12/14/05 Lost 4lbs this past week for a total loss of 27lbs! Pretty good with using Jenny Craig!1/6/05 I had my first appt. at UCLA with Dr. Dutson. I asked him how many surgeries he has done and he said about 250 or so. He said it is like a factory there and one would be better off going to a dr. in a factory with this type of surgery because they are well versed in all the factors. Anyway the appt. went well. He said I need to lose anywhere from 15 to 30 more lbs. (I weighed in at 315 in at this appt.) Though the documentation I was requested to bring said I had to be on a weight management program prior to coming and bring proof of my start weight, this was not looked at at all and the issue for my additional weight loss was attributed to the weight I was at this first appt. Oh well, that's ok since I'm doing this to lose weight anyway right? I also found out I shrank a 1/4 inch so now I'm 5' 91/2" tall. Maybe after I loose all the weight I want to lose I'll gain my 1/4 inch back? Who knows I feel like I'm prattling on. Any way the earliest I could possible have a surgery date would be in March 2006. I was told once I loose the minimum required weight, 15lbs then I was to call and schedule an appt. and they schedule appts. 6 weeks in advance. So I was told it is all up to me. I've been having panic eating since yesterday evening. I need to gather myself back up and get back on track. I don't want to sabotage myself. I will get back to task but maybe not until Monday. We will see. I do plan on going to the gym this weekend anyway. I will post more later.1/9/06 Still binging somewhat. I'm not feeling that good in the tummy area about it either. I've got to wonder why why why. I do have a counsler appt. this week and will discuss this with her also I have a WLS support meeting on Wednesday evening and I will discuss it with them too. I just don't know what is wrong with me! It almost seems like I don't want this when I really do. I just have to get my head back on straight and move forward. I'll post more later1/31/06 I've started back on my journey to lose the 20lbs for surgery. I believe my head is now in the right place again. I feel confident that I can lose those pesky 20lbs by surgery date. No I don't have one yet but will call to make my surgery appt. around 2/15/06. I understand from UCLA that it takes about six weeks from the call to get the surgery date so if all goes well I would expect a surgery date around the end of March. I begin the pre surgery classes this week. There are four of them in all. It is kind of a long trip to get there (not really) but in California traffic seems to make the trip take longer then it normally would considering the distance. That's all for now will post more after my class on Thursday.8/9/06 Wow times does seem to get away from one. No I haven't had the surgery yet. I was not comfortable with the UCLA facility and the people there so thought I might not have the surgery after all then someone mentioned that perhaps I should request a change to Kaiser so I did. I was moved to Pacific Bariatrics in San Diego. That's about a 2 to 3 hour drive away but they are so much nicer there. I had my appts. last week 8/3 with the internist, psychologist and surgeon, Dr. Tanaka. They were all very nice and said I should hear back in about 7 to 10 business days. I did weigh in on this special scale that tells you how much your lean mass is. That is your skeleton, muscles, organs and such. That part(s) weigh in at 159 lbs! Wow didn't know that I weighed so much, helps me focus on what I think will be a better weight for me to shoot for which I think comfortably would be 180 to 200lbs. I’ve also been eating like mad and have regain anything I’ve lost from Jenny Craig just about. I weighed in at 332.5. The surgeon recommended I begin taking vitamin B12 and substitute a protein drink for one of my meals. Also that I start either walking for 30 min a day or begin water aerobics. He also said I need to get the CPAP machine. Since I was diagnosed with sleep apnea I will need to have that because if I’m out I won’t be able to wake myself up to begin breathing again. Kind of scary. I’ve placed a call with Kaiser to get that scheduled but I don’t know how long that will take. Not too long I hope.My sister moved back to CA. I told her and my other niece I was going to have this surgery. Surprisingly they were both very supportive. That is nice to have them on my side with this. Well that’s all for now I will post more when I hear more.9/7/06 I just got word yesterday that my c-Pap machine is ready for me to get on Tuesday Sept, 12 so I called Pacific Bariatrics and made my surgery date for Nov 15th!!! Yippeee! Finally it's been about a year since I started this process and I would have had my surgery sooner if I had been ready and liked UCLA but I didn't but now I'm more than ready! Can't wait and a little scared too! :)10/26/06 Surgery is only a couple of weeks away. I'm really preparing myself for this major change. I've stopped drinking carbonated drinks, stopped eating sugar and eating at fast food restaurants. I’ve been very conscious of what I put in my mouth and watching my portion size. I drink a protein drink for breakfast and then have a Healthy Choice or similar frozen lunch. For snacks I bring a serving of raw almonds and a small container of cottage cheese and a small sugar free pudding. For dinner I eat moderately. I’m trying to loose a few pounds before the big day. I’ve started going to a chiropractor to help with some pain I’ve been getting in my neck while sleeping. It seems to help. I need this since I won’t be able to take anti inflammatory medicine anymore. I’ve also been doing some mental imaging. That is to say I think of how I will look and feel without all this weight on my bones! I can’t wait for that part. It’s amazing to me to think I won’t have all of this after a few months, but let me tell you I’m really looking forward to it. I’m just so tired of being big! I also look at all the cute clothes I plan on buying to dress myself. Some of those tops are just too cute! I have so much life to live and we only get one so I need to make sure I make the best of it I can. Well that’s all for now.
11/2/06 Well the Halloween demon got me these past couple of days. I sprung open the candy for the trick or treaters and sampled about 30 of the little buggers over a couple of days. Why do they call my name? Anyway it didn't really hurt me too bad. I'm still loosing weight. I'm trying to lose a few pounds till my surgery on the 15th. I've received a couple of encouraging emails from a couple of new friends here on this site. That was an unexpected lovely surprise. One of them said she will be in S.D. when I have my surgery and wanted to come visit me. That is awfully nice, since I will be a couple of hours from home and won't know anyone around except my husband.
It's really interesting when I go to the market these days. I look at things I'd normally not think twice about picking up as treats or food items and then remind myself before I even touch them that it is not something I'd like to eat anymore so have just walked on by. It's amazing all the 'junk' food out there on our shelves these days. No wonder Americans are so overweight!I feel very confident that I have made appropriate changes to my vision regarding my food choices. I hope it is enough to keep my demons at bay. Most times I can be strong and not indulge or if I do I make better choices like eating a little cup of sugar free pudding or only making two or three Pillsbury sugar free chocolate chip cookies (cookies only now and then) and really looking at my food...watching how I take bites and how long I chew it up. Sounds a bit obsessive doesn't it? Maybe I am but I want this choice be a good choice for me and be as successful as I can possibly make it.
11/6/06 OK so I'm no saint! I visited a couple of buffets this weekend. I tried to keep it to a minimum but when you go out and eat you know what it can be like. Plus I think I was doing my 'last meal' thing. I'm still working out on my treadmill daily so I hope that helps. I'm very anxious and this is not a good thing. My surgery is next week. I recieved my packet from the hospital. It seemed there is not much for me to prepare for. This hospital, Scripps Mercy in SD, has what they call a VSP which stands for Very Special Partner. This person gets to stay in the hospital room with me the whole time I'm there. I think that's pretty cool. My VSP is my husband. Less hotel charges! I'm still a little confused as to when I will evenutally go home. I'm supposed to be discharged from the hospital after three days but then I need to stick around the area for my 1 week follow up appt. Since it is a holiday week I'm not sure if I will get to see my doctor on the day before or after Thanksgiving. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I've made my hotel reservations for the 13 and 14 and then for the 17 through the 24. The hotel is very used to patients for this procedure and is willing to work with us. Well sounds like I'm rambling. I've got a meeting in a couple of minutes so I will sign off.
11/30/06 Well I'm on the 'other side' as they say. I have not had any complications with my surgery. I've already lost 30lbs. It goes by really quick when you aren't able to eat anymore. I take my chewables and protein drink. I found a drink by Worldwide that has 35 grams of protein that is acceptable to my palate. I get these pre-made drinks at Trader Joe’s. The powder I was using prior to surgery tastes disgusting to me now. So by drinking two of these drinks per day I get my 70 grams of protein. That’s not too hard to do. This past week I’ve introduced my tummy to solid foods again. I started with string cheese, eggs, cottage cheese and very fibrous bread with non-fat cheese. I needed that last one because I’ve become constipated. Not fun. I’m hoping this will help. I make sure I chew, chew, chew before swallowing anything and so far haven’t experienced any discomfort or issues with my tummy.I’m also walking on my treadmill for about 15 minutes a day before surgery I was doing ½ hour a day every day. I’m not yet back to work because my boss and I decided I could take off as long as I needed and plan to return to work on Monday December 11th. I started driving last Friday and do get out and about though I’m not as fast a moving in the morning as I usually am. This morning I need to get my blood taken in preparation of my follow up visit. My follow up visit will be December 7th in Anaheim. Well that’s all for now I need to go get my blood drawn.
12/13/06 Almost a month since surgery. I'm still doing well. No problems with my tummy or getting sick or anything. I've really stuck to the program the doctor recommended. Currently I'm loosing about 5lbs per week. I started back to work on Monday the 11th. It hasn't been too bad but I do get really tired when I get home. Yesterday I stopped at the market and after I got home and put my stuff away I sat on the sofa and before I knew it I was fast asleep! It happened so quickly and completely that when I woke up about an hour later my head was down on my chest and I had a crik in my neck! (just a little one that went away) I've never done that before. I must have needed it. This week I introduced my tummy to tuna. I have a slice of my bread with a little reduced fat mayonais then cut it in half and a little container of tuna that I put just about 1/2 of on my bread. I'm not able to eat it all in one sitting. I ususally have a couple of bites then need to put it in the fridge for about an hour or so. Needless to say it takes me awhile to eat. Which I don't have a problem with at all. So that's my update for now. Also I'm walking on my treadmill for 30 mins. again in the morning.
1/2/07 Already the new year! I'm still doing really well. I only had one episode of illness, not too sure why maybe I ate a little fast or didn't chew quite as well as I should have but overall everything else is ok. I weighed in at 282 this morning so since surgery that a 44lb loss in about a month and a half. I'm back to walking on my treadmill for 1/2 hour every day and have gotten my strength back. I tried ground beef last night and had no problems with that. So I'm still on track and feeling good about my progress.
5/19/07 Well its been six months already! How time flies! Seems like it was just yesterday yet seems so long ago. I am to the point where I can eat whatever I want. Of course I'm still restircted by how much I can eat at one time but nothing makes me sick. I suppose that's good and bad, right? Anyway I'm down to 258, yay! That's an 81 lb loss so far. I'm still walking on my treadmill and look forward to the warmer weather so I can go swimming often.
6/26/07 Another month has passed. The weight has been coming off much slower now. I need to watch my calories and my grazing. I also must deal with the boredom and loneliness which triggers my eating. For our 10th wedding anniversary we purchased a recombant(sp?) exercycle. I just love it. I also purchased a workout DVD which I will begin using this week. I need to up my exercise and feel this will work for me. I've been using the bike ever since it was delivered yesterday afternoon. My friend's pool pump is not working so have not had the opportunity to go swimming yet but can't wait until it is. I will get some swimming in this weekend at my nieces bacherlorett party. Otherwise all is going well. I'm down to 254 now that's an 85 lb loss so far. I'd like to lose another 80 and will be doubling my effort to get this accomplished. With my height that will put me in the 'normal' BMI range. Good luck to all who are moving forward with their process!
