Shelley L

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Soooooo   I just read my past BLOGs as if they were from a Fairytale.  Yes a dreamscape.  After my last BLOG of plastics, I restarted to gain all my weight back.  I couldn't eat more per say but more often was hungry.  I was still regaining.  I was a letter carrier walking 3.5 (15km) per day...goinged 40lbs??  REALLY?  Went back to Dr Starr who sounded like every other DR I gew up telling me diet and exercise.  EXCEPT that my portions were not even close to what I could eat prior to RNY!!!  I had every test done.  THEN I finally got an appointment from a specialist in Montreal.  Dr Michel Gagner.  He knew exactly what I meant and felt and told me that because my intestine was left long and there was no malabsorbtion, my body learned to absorb EVERY fat/calorie.  He didn't look at me like I was crazy!!  I cried.  BUT here's the kick in the @ss.... he was in Quebec, and OHIP said I was better off than before the RNY and they weren't going to fix the issue with a revision.  Self-pay only....  well I cried again....I couldn't continue my career with Canada Post as a letter carrier as my ankles wouldnt bear the weight as I grew large again...  I then put in my resignation, changed careers and started saving.....

 

2 years later I email Dr Gagner who not only rememebers me but emailed me directly.  Didn't forward onto secretary or nurse.  I did more research on him to learn he is like a celebrity in the Bariatric field!!  Magazines rated him 1st in the world.  He was first to perform DS laproscoptically, he travels all around the world holding seminars and meetings with health officials to teach them of his findings and knowledge.  Soo  he says, ok, I can book you in 2 weeks at clinic since provincial insurance won't help!  I was shocked but hopeful to believe in another chance.  Two weeks later, I am in tears as I thank him for believing and knowing how to get me back on the WLS journey,

 

I had revision from RNY to DS 7 days ago.  I feel "normal"  His stitching, sutures, and small incisions are barely noticeable, I can eat almost anything within 7 days but yet scared to get hopes up again.  Well....if it gives me another 5 years of decent weight maintenance then I guess its a small price.  

 

I am a little nervous as he removed my pouch so now I feel hunger and less restriction on my portions.  I am down a lousy 4lbs and am begging for the weighloss to kickstart.

 

Will keep you posted......

 

So it has been a long time for an update.  Not too much changed weight wise as I have tapered off at around 135lbs.  Seems heavy, but people say I look about 110lbs.  Still much better than I started!  I still have occassions of a bad reminder to chew my food, but I now have to really take what I have learned and really keep my will-power strong.  I find carb cravings are strong and so I have to really watch. 

So 2 weeks ago I took the plunge and got my abdonimoplasty and a mastoplexy done.  TAKE MY ADVISE!!  DON"T GET BREAST REDUCTIN BEFORE WLS....LMAO.  I started in an F, and reducted to a C, then lost weight to an A-....lol  Well plus the scaring and lack of tissue left after WLS, I was really sad.  So they lifted and filled with saline!  They are beautiful!  Only 2 weeks after surgery, I am a full C/ small D and I am so very happy.  Still lots of healing left to go, but even the scarring was reduced by my surgeon!  My tummy is healing nicely, no more sagging skin!  I finally have lost the "MELTED CANDLE" look!!!  HAHAHA!!  I am please with the result and I would recommend this surgeon to anyone in the Ottawa area!  His website is www.cosmeticsurgeryottawa.com  His name is Dr. Lloyd Van Wyke.  His staff are sweethearts and make you feel very comfortable and welcome.  He is blunt, to the point and yet seemed personally interested in getting the best possible outcome rather than the money.  Yes, it was costly, all three surgeries were $16,000. $7000 for TT and $7000 for Augmentation, he discounted the lift at $2000 included so I really lucked out!   Cheaper than my other quotes!  Most people lease or finance a new car, well, I don't want a new car.....this is a much more rewarding gift to myself.  And hey, what is life without a little debt!...lol!!  Hubby and I have our first cruise booked for November, so it'll be my first time out in a full bikini, but I will let you al see the pictures when I return! 

So my new measurements are: 39" chest, 30" waist, and 36" hips!  I am satisfied with those numbers.  I am fitting in a 6 or 8 size clothing.  I am just so happy to "fit in" and feel normal in a crowd.  Average is not so average feeling!! 

To all those reading and considering.... yes it is a long journey, yes the first 3 months are hell, yes you have to make lifestyle changes, yes you have to exercise, and yes it is still a lifelong battle with food, but with this tool it makes all these things a little easier to achieve your goal.  You WILL feel and look better!  You will feel free.....

I HIT GOAL....I HIT GOAL....I HIT GOAL!!!!  I can't believe I finally shed those last stubborn 10 lbs!  I am finally at 130lbs.  Actually was 128 yesterday, but back to 130 today.  Very happy with that.  Went to Syracuse after Christmas and decided it was time to go shopping and replenish some of my closet!  Steve and Barry's had everything on for $8.89!  Jeans, tops, shoes, gym outfits, jackets!  I was in heaven.  And get this........ I fit into a size 6P!!!!  OMG!!!  This is my dream size and I can't believe I'm saying it! It feels fabulous!   

I don't want to get any smaller, so I am going to start more muscle building at the gym now.  Portion control is exactly what I needed.  I don't have too many issues with a bit of sugar, and I still sneak in the odd bit of rice, but still no pasta or breads. I don't even miss them.  I have had the odd bite and they really make me feel bloated and my pouch doesn't like them much.  

Went to a plastic surgeon for consult.  Well Abdominalyplasty(sp) is about $8000 and to fix the ladies up is about $9000.  Man that stinks.  I don't know if I'll ever get that much "extra" money.  But at least everything is in the right spot when I'm dressed!  

This life changing decision was the BEST thing I've ever done for myself.

HELLO EVERYBODY!!! 

Wow..... Where to begin.  What a journey this has ben so far!  I am so proud of my own accomplishments and so happy I made this wonderful life changing decision!!   These last couple of months have been so rewarding and FULL of "wow" moments!  It feels so good to be "normal".  I am officially 8 months post-op and weigh in at 135lbs!!!  OMG  I love saying that!  I am only 5 lbs from goal with a total loss of 85lbs!   I am living the life with my children that I have dreamed of for so long.  I am running, playing soccer, swimming and even dancing with them!  I am so happy to be involved with their interests.  That was a major goal for me.  My husband who has always loved me and accepted me for whatever weight I was is so supportive.  I get compliments daily!  I feel can accept those compliments better now too.  I was so shy to hear them for awhile there.  I am now able to perform my full-time duties at work without aches and pains.  The money is much nicer .  However gym time has been greatly reduced, so I have been using the stairs to deliver my parcels (Canada Post) and jog to each door.  My day starts at 6:15 and I get home at 7pm.  Then 4 nights a week is soccer or football for the kids.  Love being a soccer mom!!! 

I am wearing a size 8p in jeans!  Yes I said jeans!  I love them.  I never want to see stretchy pants again!  LMAO  I may fit in a 6, but haven't had the guts yet to try...lol  My waist went from a 44" down to a 30"!!!   Shirts and coats are a size small!  I laughed last week when I borrowed a hoodie sweatshirt from my 13 year old daughter!!  What an amazing feeling.  

As for the skin issue, yes of course there is some there,  I have an appointment to get an assessment in Dec.  I am not rushing it as I am only 8 months out.  I am looking more towards the year anniversary mark.  I'll need that time to save up $$ anyway.  Someday will have to fix the "ladies". I can't believe I had a reduction 5 years ago to help back problems, and now I am wanting to pay to get them back....lol  They fit into a c cup, but aren't very pretty with the support...lol  My arms are okay, I can deal with them.  Will probably ask about my thighs as they are yucky.  Hate that extra stuff!  

Diet wise..... I can eat most meats now except steak.  Just can't seem to chew it enough.  There is still the odd time something doesn't sit and gets stuck, but I have learned the feeling now and I can "fix" it quickly.  I have introduced some good carbs as I'm satisfied with the weightloss, but still keep away from all pasta and rice.  The occasional bread.  I have allowed myself to indulge in 6" turkey sub at Subway on Wednesdays (the special of the day).  I remove the top bun and any extra bread from the sides and eat about 4" of it.  That is my lunch and it is my "big meal of the day.  Dinner is usually just the protein and veggies of whatever the family is eating.  I am satisfied with that.  This tool has really helped me with my portion control and helped me relearn what healthy eating is.   That the good lord above for granting me this second chance at life.  

Anyone reading this considering if they should.............DO IT!!  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!  YOU WILL FEEL SO MUCH BETTER AND SO MUCH HEALTHIER!!    The first 3 months SUCK,,,,, but it will all be worth it!  Look here for support, this place is the best!  

Thanks for letting me gush!  I read all the updates and can now relate to alot of other experiences!  Read profiles!  They are soooo helpful and inspirational!!

Take care!!!!

A quick 6 month update.  

Life has been great!  This tool has given me things I have dreamed of for so long.  I finally got to run around and play soccer with my son.  It felt great!  I loved it!  I am not finding as much time to check out the computer because now that I physically can handle it, I am working fulltime!  I have a hard time finding time for the gym as I am getting kids ready and driving them to school in the morning and then working from 10:30 to around 7:30.  Luckily my job is quite physical and I get exercise constantly throughout the day!  I am losing slower, but still losing.  I am down to losing about 5lbs a month.  Fine by me!  I am floating between 136 and 138lbs!  only 6 more to goal!!  I'd be satisfied with that!  Although I'd ideally like to make it to 125lbs.  Never know!  YEAH!!!!  I feel soooooo awesome!  

Anyone thinking about this WLS, should jump at the chance as it's the best decision I've ever made for myself.  It really is a fresh start.  The first 3 months are horrible, but it does get better.  

I now have to really be aware of what I'm eating.  I find I can eat more too, so I can drink and eat at the same meal.  I usually give my pouch a little fluid to help wash things down and to fill it more before eating.  I've never had a problem with dumping, so I have to avoid sweets.  Not too big a problem as they are not my biggest cravings.  Funny, my cravings are all powerful tasting.  Whether it be sour, spicy or salty these are my favorites.  Pickles, hot peppers, nuts, vinegar.. They all make my mouth water!  LOL  I can tolerate all veggies and fruits now.  i can usually get chicken down.  Occasionally pork chops, but still working on the steak thing.  Ground beef is a problem..  not sure why, but its so fatty and I never cared nuch about it before, so don't miss it.  I don't really miss pasta or breads.  Wasn't big on them either before.  Rice has to be overcooked and can only eat a little to go with my chicken and veggies.  I understand how a meal can take 2 hours to eat...LOL  Reheating constantly, but it works!  

So many wow moments!  Wearing a size 8!  Love it!  Lasted a whole day in heals!  My whole body can be covered with water fully now in the bath!  LOL  These little moment mean so much and keep me working towards maintaining my health.  

I hope to be shouting at goal next month!  Here's hoping!  Chat then!

Wow Where has the time gone?  It didn't pass this quickly when I was waiting for my date!  LOL  Well here I am 5 months post-op and feel so normal!  Weird feeling.  I am wearing a size 10/12 with a 32" waist.  My little girl who is 11 has a 27" one, so I figure I'm doing good!  I don't want to be as tiny as her!  I think I will be satisfied with another 2 " and my last 13lbs to goal!  Yes only 13lbs left!  I am now at 143lbs!  Only 5 lbs this month, but its better than nothing.  Only 8 more lbs and I am in the "normal" range on BMI calculator!!!!  

 I haven't had much time to go to the gym with the kids out of school, but I am enoying my pool!  I find eating has become easier.  To all your newbies reading this, IT DOES GET BETTER!  I found it hard to believe when I was a new post-op, but it is true.  I can now handle a few bites of pork chop and a few bites of chicken.  Still a no-go on the steak, but I'm okay with that.  Most of the time salad stays down.  I can eat stir-fry's again!!!!  YEYYY!  My favorite meal!  All the veggies, yummy!   Mind you I have to be sure they are cooked softer and more tender, but still yummy!  I don't eat rice or noodles with it though.  I really don't miss any foods.  I have to admit my craving some days for ice cream or slurpees are bad, but I'm sure its the heat.  I still have a protein shake at least 4 times a week.  Still packing in the yogurt and cheese and peanuts for protein.  Somehow though eating cheese and peanuts are so fatty, that I need some other source of protein.  I don't think they're helping the fat intake.  I eat alot of fruit.  A banana everyday.  A couple of strawberries or cherries are yummy too.  I am trying to steer clear of carbs as I found myself going back into the carb cravings last month.  Cereals, muffins, crackers were all haunting me. 

A really cool WOW moment was when I realized I can cover my belly with water in the bathtub!!  YES I fit in the tub and can actually soak my whole body now!  Awesome feeling!  There is one thing that baffles me,  it is the tailbone thing.  Man that thing hurts when I'm in the tub!  I mean I know I've lost weight, but my tailbone didn't hurt as a teenager when I was this size?  It really does hurt!!  Got to figure that one out...lol   My family doctor had to take a second glance to recognize me too this week!  I thanked him for being the one to get me started in this change. 
My husband gave me some money to go get some clothes, so of course I went to the goodwill because they don't fit me long anyway.  I handed in 2 garbage bags full of clothes that were too big!!  I bought 4 pairs of shorts.  Even one jean pair!  So cute!  Boy I felt good!  Plus I got a few more compliments on my weightloss as I guess I wasn't hiding beneath all the big baggy stuff!  I have had to make 9 new holes in my work belt!  They finally sent me a new one yesterday!  LOL!!  It wrapped 1 and 1/2 times around me!  Awesome!!  Love it!! 

I will always be thankful for the second chance at life!  It was the best decision for me and I don't regret my choice!  Life is good!

 

Ok so I decided to update just monthly now.  The weightloss has slowed down and is was kinda depressing for the first 2 weeks, so I have tried to ignore the scale and just weigh weekly.  Of course when I was sad about the stalling, I didn't feel much like exercising, so that didn't help.  I don't have any decent clothes as they are all too big and falling off, but can't afford a complete closet makeover right yet.  My hair is falling out and I've discovered my "wings".  Boy what a downer week! Then I reconized my old patterns and gave myself a good kick in the @ss and got back to the gym.  Yes it is still slowly coming off, but slowly is better than nothing, and I am trying to keep in mind how far I've come.  Sso after 4 months I now weigh 148lbs!  Total loss of 72lbs!  Wow that feels good.  I am doing much better with food!  The only things I can't take are raw veggies, pasta or any meats.  Don't know if I'll ever be able to.  I made this really great stew in the slow cooker and the beef was sooooo tender and even a small sliver of meat seemed really heavy and didn't want to go down.  Don't really miss pasta, so that doesn't bother me.  Salad is a hit and miss.  Some days are okay and others, forget it.  Still sick about twice a week, but it is an improvement from twice a day!  I go to see Dr. Starr on July 24th.  

It was a busy month too for me.  My son had a colission in soccer  causing him to be admitted to CHEO with a concussion and bruising to the brain.  Scary night that was!  Been hosting my neice and nephew to come swimming and BBQing.  Man do I love the smell of BBQ meats!!  Then this weekend, my husband rescued a kitten from the parking lot of a mall.  He happened to have to pick up my child there after a U20 game with her coach.  Just by chance he was there!  She was so skinny and full of worms.  Broke my heart.  So we spent $120 at the vet to get her checked and dewormed.  Her little bottom was so swollen and red.  She had the poops and devoured the food I gave her.  My husband couldn't catch the mother, but she was skinny too.  I wish people would spay their cats and then these little ones wouldn't be hurt.  The vet figures she is about 10 weeks old.  That means born around April and gosh it was soooo cold then!  Canadian warmth doesn't start until June!  Store employees have apparently caught a couple of others there, but couldn't catch this one.  She was hissing and running.  I am so grateful my husband caught her.  She is now sleeping in my lap, still healing and still a little sick, but she just stares at me with beautiful eyes.  She was purring this morning!  Almost brought tears to my eyes.  I am a sucker for animals.  We already have 4 dogs and 2 cats!  I love them all and they all get tons of attention from all of us.  I decided to name her "Destiny"  

So all in all it has been an emotional rollercoaster this month. My "wow" moment is that I have offically lost 12 inches of my waist!!!!  A full foot!!  Man I can't believe it!!  This is a wonderful journey.  All those thinking of it, I can tell you it is a dream come true and a second chance at life.  I am so proud that I made this decision for myself.  


Until next month........
 

Well, it's hard to believe its been 3 whole months!  On my 3 month date now, I lost a total of 65lbs!  I now weight 155lbs!  I know that's great, but I am a little down on the stall this last week.  The loss has really slowed down.  I feel horrible that I just didn't get off my butt the couple of chances I got this week.  Both kids had soccer games and practices this week, but instead of hitting the gym on Monday and Wednesday, I sat on my butt watching the Senators hockey eating popcorn!  I am dissappointed in myself as I know that I have to always be working at my new health and work "with" my tool.  I WILL be at the gym tonight after work.  Good thing my job is physical or the scale may have gone up this week!  Eating is still got its ups and downs, but last week was the best one yet!  Still no meats or veggies, but I found a new craving.  Mini ceddar breton crackers with a very small piece of brie cheese and a bite of my pickled peperconi peppers!  Very tasty.  I find I want powerful flavours right now. Tired of the same old snacks.  I had that problem before WLS where I would just stare into the fridge and not know what was going to cure my craving, so I cannot blame the surgery.  Just weird tastebuds.  

I got a few more compliments this week on how much younger my face is looking!  Gotta get some pictures this week to see it for myself.  Every comment is a small WOW moment, but since I spent so long with image issues, I am shy and embarrased when people compliment me.  I am not sure what to say and feel kinda uncomfortable.  Guess this wil fade in time.  

Hopefully next week the scale will be nice again.... 

Wow 65 lbs lost total!  I am thrilled!  I can't believe I am almost there!!  My goal is so close.  I would like to get between 120-130!  Things are looking good!  I feel so much better.  My heel spurs are not bothering me.  I can walk without pain!  No ankle, knee or foot pain.  I still get a little pain in the ball of my foot now when I go on th Eliptical machine, but I just grin and bar the pain as I know the exercise it better for me!   I had an ok week.  Talked to Tracy and we're going to try and get the uppergi test done here in Ottawa as I really can still only eat soft and liquids.  Part of me doesn't want the test though until i reach goal!  I seem to have started to learn a few things about what to try and what not to.  Yesterday was one of those "stuck" days.  I made a wonderful homemade pork tenderloin stew.  It was very tasty and although I had only a couple of bites and chewed really well, something got stuck :-(  I had a piece of potato and a piece of carrot (size of a quarter) and then small nibble of the pork, and it just didn't want to go down.  I'm not worried about a stricture, but I believe there is significant narrowing.  I couldn't get the time off work to go to my last appointment with Dr Starr, but hoping to during the summer.  Well heading out to Toronto today for soxccer though!  I wish soccer and Dr Starr could have openings on the same days!  
My Wow moment this week, I went into store I haven't been for about 6 months and the girl there recongnised me and said I was looking fabulous with all the weightloss!!!  Some days I don't think I've lost anything.  Not because I feel big now, but because when I was 220lbs, I honestly felt like I was the size of a 150lbs woman.  Then I would see a picture or try on some clothes and realize it though.  Then I'd be depressed.  BUT not any more!!!!!  Thanks to Dr Starr and WLS!!!!


Take care everyone!

This week started out rough with the scale.  Nothing for 3 days and gained a lbs on the fourth!  But......  it all caught up after the long weekend.  Down to 158lbs  today!!!  Boy the Monday off was hard as I was actually hungry all day!  Munchie hungry and everything was going down.  Mind you I didn't push it, but had some different choices.  Tuesday was good until around 8pm.  This is when we get home from soccer and I was hungry.  Well stupid me had to try a microwave pasta dish at 8pm!  Well I know better than to even have a sip of water less than an hour before bed.  More on that in a bit.....  Well the 3 bites I had were yummy, but something got stuck really good!  I was sick.  And even an hour later, I could not even get in a sip of water as the pouch was still swollen.  dumb me for pushing it when I hadn't had much to eat that day in the first place.  

So I have this problem in the evening.  This is when I am most hungry and thirsty however I have problems when I go to bed if I don't stop 2 hours before bed.  Even plain water comes back up in my sleep!  It is really scary to wake up choking on liquid that came back up and then I breathe it in down the wrong tube.  I cough for at least 10 minutes and vomit every last bit of liquid out.    I hate it.  When I first brought it up to Dr Starr he said just don't eat or drink for the time before bed, but I think maybe it has something to do with my hiatal hernia.  I was so hoping he had fixed it during surgery.  Well have to ask him again next appointment.  I had to cancel the last one as work wouldn't let me take the time off.  Hoping to get down Toronto way in July as Dr Starr only sees patients on Tuesday and Wednesday.  I still think that my stoma may be too narrow, but on the bright side I am losing well on the full-fluid/soft food only diets.  Just getting tired of them, I'd love some real chewing from meat or veggies.  
  
My wow moment was the nice nighty I used to wear fits again!!  Looked alright if I do say so myself!

Also I am no longer obese according to the BMI calculator!  NOW I'm only overweight!!!!!  Woohooo!

Until this time next week....