shoop727
The latest post is here at the top. Scoll down to find the first post and all the posts between these two...
15 Year Anniversay! November 21, 2020
It's been a rough year for everyone. My exercise has been almost none existant since March of this year. My weight went up to 170 in the past 2 years. I'll be 60 in July, so I'm "getting back to basics" again. I'm using BariaticEating.com products to get my protein up and my calories down. I'm walking/jogging/hiking for cardio, and yoga for strength and flexibility and balance. I've been faithful with my vitamins all of these years, my health and labs are perfect. I'm determined to get back to 149, and keep it there. Another goal is to hike the Cotswolds this year for my birthday if the pandemic is under control. I retire in 2021, and I want to be in the best health of my life then.
Two years ago, I bought an RV and I travel alot when I've got vacation time, I plan to have the RV paid off and be free to travel most of the year. I sold my house, moved into an apartment on my son's property, and am debt free. I can't wait to be completely free!
Life is good. I'm so glad that I got the surgery, but if you're on the fence about it, I really recommend that you use it only as a last resort, especially if you have any chronic pain issues, like migraines, etc. It's challenging to deal with pain when you can't take any ibuprofen products. Tylenol is not going to cut it, and that is something you need to be aware of. Try living like a person who has had the surgery: cut all pain meds out, severally reduce your alcohol consumption, cut out all fried foods and sugar, eat all meals with no drinks. Try it for a year. Eat only lean, roasted proteins, cooked vegetables and berries and stone fruits for dessert. Quit drinking anything 45 minutes before a meal, and 45 minutes after a meal. See how it feels to live this life. This is what you have to do to have lasting success. If you think that having the surgery is going to make this somehow easier, then you're not ready.
If you are ready though, I still feel like this surgery is a life saver. When I think back to how I was strapped to a CPAP and huge oxygen machine every night, how I couldn't walk or dance, or swim anymore, I can't believe how wonderful the last 15 years have been. I got my life back. I am lucky. It hasn't been easy, but I have no regrets.
Whichever way you end up going, I wish you health, and happiness. If this site is still here, I'll check in again in 2025.
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10 Year Anniversary! November 21,2015
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It's been an amazing journey.
Advice? Be faithful to your program, get support, take each day as its own package.
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5 years down--November, 2010
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My health is excellent, all labs are great. I changed jobs this fall, and I have been so busy that my exercise regime is a little off kilter. Today is a good day to recommit to my goals. I do want to keep running. Not sure if I care about a marathon. Just want to keep in shape. I need to do core strength and arm stuff too. My body is getting too loose.
My weight is 150--the top end of my healthy BMI. I eat 1200 calories a day. My routine food keeps it easy to monitor. Bfast is a protein coffee with a piece of meat and a whole grain dry toast if I'm feeling extra hungry. Lunch is a piece of fruit like an apple or pear and a 3 oz tub of meat or 1 ounce of nuts. Dinner is roast meat, poiulty or seafood depending on mood or season and an oven roast veg like asparagas, green beans or squash. I have some plain Greek yogurt in the evenings sometimes. I splurge on holidays or family events maybe having a bite of a dessert or some extra carbs, but I always steer toward the protein first. I don't eat a lot of casseroles or things where I don't know the ingredients.
I take children's chewable vitamins 3 x a day as an end of the meal cue or a snack type of treat. I take extra calcium before bed.
My anemia issues are gone, so I only take the iron that is in my chewables. I had to quit taking sublingual B-12 after a few years as my B12 numbers were sky high.
My marriage is fine, though I have has some bumpy patches. I went through a severe depression this past year. My husband was diagnosed with cancer and it was a long hard battle. I think that he's okay for now. My depression is back in check. We are plugging along. I think that the exercise is key in fighting depression..
Anyway, I want to say that I'm still very glad that I had the surgery. It as improved my life so much. My insurance will no longer cover my follow up visits with Dr. Jossart and I miss his encouragement and advice. I'm currently saving up enough money to see him on my own, so even though i didn't go last year, I want to see him this year.
Having a support group is also really key to long term success. You NEED people who have been through this. You NEED to be accountable to someone for what you're eating and doing for exercise. It keeps you honest and it keeps your program on track.
I hope that if you read this and want some advice before you go under the knife, you'll find a group of people who've been through this. It's invaluable information, and could keep you from having problems later on. I've met many, many people who did not lose the weight from the surgery. I've met even more who gained it all back. But I also know a lot of people who lost the weight and never looked back. The difference I see is in the committment to a change in lifestyle. Exercise, eat right, just like if you didn't have the surgery. The surgery just really helps you eat less. I needed that help.
Any problems that I have eating food is very minor. I think that the malabsorption is not a big deal. But I am faithful about vitamin supplementation. It's an absolutely mandatory committment.
Be careful, be smart and be sure.
good luck and god bless
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4 Years down--November, 2009
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Still living well. Health is excellent, I just ran my first 10K race at the end of November.
I still eat 1200 calories a day. I do get a close balance of complex carbs to protein now though. I find I need the complex carbs to fuel my work outs. I try to completely cut out all refined products and eat simply. That's when I feel my best. I keep my weight between 145-155. I take all of my vitamins daily. My labs look good. I'm proof positive, that with practice and diligence, a person can live well after wls.
See you next year!
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3 and a half years--March, 2009
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I am a happy post RnY surgery patient. My weight is good. My BMI is 23.9--I'm at the highest of my healthy weight. I keep my calories to 1200 a day, get 45 minutes of exercise a day, take all of my vitamins and supplements and drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. I live a pretty simple life, but losing the excess 110 pounds has changed everything. I'm so grateful to Dr. Gregg Jossart of LapSF in San Francisco, CA for his help, his expertise and his ongoing support. He's a great surgeon and a good man.
The anemia problems that I had seem to have been resolved by having a hysterectomy in May of 2008. I recovered with no complications. Probably because I was in really good health. I recovered completely and have resumed a running program. I'm working on my first fully running 5K by my birthday in July of this year.
Life is good. I would recommend this surgery to anyone who is ready to change their eating habits for the rest of their life, and who is ready to get active.
If you'd like to talk to me about my surgery or about Dr. Jossart, please email me at [email protected]
Best wishes,
Sandi
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Two and a half years--April, 2008
Anemia Developing
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It's a pretty common tale for women who are not menopausal. It's almost a matter of time for you. I've been faithful with my vitamins and mineral, diet and exercise. But I have really heavy monthly periods, and I was mildly anemic before surgery. Now my anemia is beginning to become more serious. I'm scheduled to have a hysterectomy to get rid of the problems of losing blood.
I tried to have iron infusions this month, and had allergic reactions. Iron-dextran, 1300 mg.
So I wait for the hysterctomy.
I still walk, but my anemia makes doing a lot of strenuous exercise kind of scary. My heart pounds and I get dizzy and the doctor says that I shouldn't push too hard until my iron is up. My body is starving for O2 in my blood.
I'm not at critical stage yet. I'm very hopeful that this is a temporary speed bump. But I want to be honest about how things are going for me. This is a major consideration for anyone thinking about having a malabsorptive type of weight loss surgery.
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Two Year Anniversary--November 21, 2007
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This new life is still an amazing miracle to me. It just keeps getting better and better. My marriage is better, my health is better. I have more confidence, and I know now that I can do anything that I set my mind to. I've heard from many others that at the beginning of the second year is where the weight regain begins, so I'm doubling my efforts to eat right and keep exercising. It all came pretty easily for me, so, I don't want to get it into my head that now "I'm bulletproof, baby!" If others can regain, so can I! I will fight it though, with awareness, diligence, diet and exercise. There are no short-cuts. A lifetime of health is so worth the effort. When I was morbidly obese, I was killing myself. I got to the place where I could NOT exercise. I never want to feel that way again.
Please feel free to connect with me at my blog site. I'm more than happy to answer any questions you might have.
Best wishes, see you next year!
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One & A Half Years Out--May 21, 2007
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When I had Lap RnY Gastric Bypass surgery in November of 2005, I hoped (but had a hard time really believing) that it would work for me. Well, it has worked beautifully! I love my 110 pound weight loss. I love how I relate to food now, I love my new life. I'm very healthy--the healthiest I've ever been. It's been an experience learning to eat right, grow to appreciate exercise, and to love myself, but I'm here to tell you IT CAN BE DONE!
Since my last update:
I got down to 125 and just looked too thin, too gaunt. I hovered around 130-135 for awhile. Still a little too boney. I'm now up to 140. I think that 150 would look the best on me (5'7.75" tall). I want to keep my weight where it is until I have plastic surgery to remove my excess skin, then I will very slowly up my weight to 145-150 and keep it there.
I consume calories to 1250-1400 per day: 90/70/30. Mostly lean meats and veggies with a few whole grains added. I very rarely have anything white and processed--no white flour, rice, potatoes or sugar. As an occasional "treat" I may have some little taste of a "goodie," but I try to keep that pretty rare indeed. I added a lot more veggies and fruits to my diet. Mostly cooked veggies, but now fruit is a major treat for me... A perfect cherry! WOW! I can't think of a more hedonistic food pleasure. I'd had some problems with anemia, so I eat a lot of spinach with my meat.
For exercise, I enjoy games more than anything: golf and tennis are my two main ones. I hike a lot, walk every day, run 30 minutes every other day.
I take a lot of vitmains and supplements. 2 chewable mulitis, 2 iron, 2 calcium citrate, 2 Flaxseed Oil. 1 CC of liquid sublingual B-12 every morning. I spread my vitamins, iron and calcium out over the day. Vitamins right after meals, calcium between meals. My labs look really good. I can actually feel it when the nutrients hit my bloodstream...
For my one year at goal reward, I'm getting abdominoplasty. It's scheduled for the end of June.
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One Year Anniversary--November 21, 2006
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I had surgery on November 21st last year.I had the
RNY with Dr. Gregg Jossart at San Francisco Laparoscopics in California. I've lost all my extra weight and now weigh 130
pounds. The surgery has been a miracle to me. I feel like I finally
have the chance to really live.
It hasn't all been sunshine and roses. My little sister died 2 months
after I had the surgery and my father died in September. Both of these
losses were very tough for me, and I had to learn to deal with
emotional trauma while learning how to eat.
Through it all though, staying with the basic plan has served me well.
I get 45-60 minutes of aerobic exercise 6 days a week. I strength
train 3 days a week. Without exception. My eating has changed since I
made goal in July. I used to eat 1000 cals a day :70/40/30. Just what
the post surgery book said.
Now, I eat 1200-1400 calories a day, 90 g. protein/50 g. carb/30 g.
fat. My weight fluctuates about 6 pounds during the month: 130-136. I
weigh daily now just to make sure my eating is ok. I don't anticipate
having to weigh daily once I'm really comfortable with my eating. But
I'm still struggling to learn to eat "real food" and not rely on
shakes and bars. My food rules are: No white flour, or sugar.
Everything else is "fair game," but I do use fruit very sparingly and
rely on cooked veggies more. I drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. And
I am religious in taking my vitamins and minerals.
When my blood work came back I was low in iron. I hadn't been
supplementing correctly. I've found that I'm getting better results
taking a slow release iron early in the morning. I will get another
blood test done in a couple of months to make sure that it's ok.
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11th Month Post Op, October, 2006
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Current Weight 125. Total lost=115 pounds!
I started at a size 20, now I wear a loose size 4! Incredible.
My program is pretty much the same as at the last update. I've incorporated more carbs into my daily diet. I stick with whole grains and veggies. Save white flour and fruit for special occasions. Try to not have sugar or fructose ever, but it sneaks in when I eat out.
Dealing with real food is always a challenge. It would be easy to "eat around the pouch". I think that's a euphemism for grazing all day. Nibbling on little goodies through out the day instead of eating the 3 small meals the surgeon recommends.
I have days where I'm hungry. And I have days when I'm not. I listen to my body and try to make healthy choices and have healthy protein around. I live in seafood central, so it's not hard.
don't have many food issues: I can eat beef (small amounts) and chicken (not too dry), but if I go slow, I can eat just about anything. I've not had the kind of dumping episodes that some people describe: but I don't mess around with carbs and fat, either.
I'm so pleased with my surgery, with my new life. I eat differently it's true. But I like my food, like my active life. I'm very happy.
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8th Month Post Op, July 21, 2006
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I'm celebrating 8 months of successful life post wls this morning. Here are my vital stats:
Weight and Measurements
Starting weight: 240 Current: 138 Total lost: 102
Starting Bust: 42D Current: 36B /Starting Waist: 40" Current: 27" /Starting Hips: 45 "Current: 36"
Starting Thighs: 26" Current: 19"/ Starting Arms: 19" Current:10"
Sizes:
Starting Jeans: size 20 Current: size 4/ Starting Dress & Blouse sizes: XXXL, size 24 Current: S, size 4-6
Daily Averages:
Calories=950-1100
Protein=70-90 grams
Carbs=50-90 grams
Fat=30-50 grams
Water=8 cups minimum
Vitamins=3x adult dose of chewable multis
Calcium=1800 mg. calcium citrate
Sublingual B12= 1200 mcg. daily
Chewable Iron=500 mg. every other day
Exercise:
60-90 minutes walking daily at 4 mph pace
MWF resistance training with surgical tubing band
STTh 1 hour of tennis or 2 hours of golf (walking, carrying my own clubs) after work, or bocce ball with friends (try to do each one once a week)
Saturday 2 hour hike at slower pace in a natural setting on a dirt trail, carrying day pack or a full 18 holes of golf
Best product(s) of the month:
pan seared (dry) jumbo shrimp dipped in a wasabi sauce
Lil snowie shaved ice maker--just got this and still testing it out
Off orange scented sweat proof mosquito spray--keep it in my trunk for spur of the moment hikes
fitday.com
Reflections:
living with out eating at all was easier for me than learning to eat right. It's a struggle to not indulge in grazing, or nibbling away at empty carbs/calories that the family just takes for granted.
Goals:
To keep plugging away at a system of eating that works for me. To get better at golf and be able to drive the ball straight more than 100 yards.
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6th Month Followup, May 21, 2006
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In the 6 months since I had laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Surgery:
*my sleep apnea is gone
*my plantar faciitis is gone
*my energy is way up
* my life is more fun, more productive
I've lost 95 pounds, wear a size 6 in jeans and haven't had any real problems. I'm at my original goal weight, but I met with my surgeon, Dr. Gregg Jossart, Friday and he gave me some ideas to think about. He said that it's been pretty much the norm that RNY/VG/and Lapband patients seem to regain about 20 pounds of the total weight that they lose. He said that while I have the "window of opportunity" phenomenon working for me, I ought to get a little underweight. So I'm 145 right now, I'll go down to 135 or 130 and try to hold it there for awhile.
My energy is really good. I'm walking an hour every morning, seven days a week. I run for 30 minutes 3 days a week in the afternoons, I lift light weights 2 days a week in the afternoons. I've taken up golf and tennis too, and I'm dusting off my old backpack for some camping this summer.
I still eat about 800 calories a day: 70g protein, 40 complex carbs, 30 fat. I still take all my vitamins religiously and drink at least 64 oz of water a day. I've added a little more fiber to my diet now that I am able to drink more water. I also take silica supplements to help with losing hair. I did lose a lot in the 4th and 5th months, but it seems to be slowing down now that I'm at goal.
I've never had a "dumping" experience, but I really refuse to eat sugar and white flour. I try to "freak myself out" with the fear of dumping so that I'm not tempted to try it. I've had some throwing up, but really it's not a big deal. Usually it's because I was trying to eat too fast and took too big of a bite. That rarely happens now--maybe once in the last month.
With all the horror stories out there, I feel very lucky to have had such a smooth recovery. I attribute a lot of my luck though to the incredible skill of my surgeon and to the excellent follow up care I recieved. Most of the people that I've heard that have had such terrifying experiences were not given very clear instructions with how to begin their new lives. Many try to eat regular food too soon, or don't completely give up things that are not allowed. Some have previous problems that put them at higher risk for problems.
I've had none of this, and I'm grateful. But I make a concerted effort to follow the guidelines I've been given, to talk to others who've gone before me on this journey and to focus on laying a foundation of healthy habits to last me a lifetime. I make it my mantra to be clear that I will NOT return to the habits and lifestyle that almost killed me. I am very clear with myself: this is my last shot at a happy, healthy life. I won't waste it.
My four guidelines:
1. No grazing--keep my meals defined and measured make every effort to stay to my 800/70/40/30 framework...
2. Vitamins and water every day, no exceptions
3. Exercise every day 45 minutes minimum, rain or shine
4. Record what I eat and do on fitday.com
I have a weblog that I update much more regularly. I also have a site that you can read more about the rest of my life besides just the weight loss surgery stuff if you're interested.
The first 6 months is easy. Keeping it off will be the job of a lifetime. But I'll tell you what: I'd much rather work on keeping it off than on getting it off. I love my new body, my new life. I feel young and free for the first time in my adult life.
If you're considering having the surgery, don't be afraid. It's not easy, and you'll never be able to eat whatever you want again. Don't kid yourself that someday you'll be just like you are now, only skinny. If you want the weight off, you'll have to make sacrifices for the rest of your life. But if you're ready to get the sugar and fat out of your diet, you'll be amazed at how great you'll feel and look. This is an awesome tool. If you're ready, find an experienced surgeon who treats you right, and go for it!!!
Best wishes== I'll update again in November at the one year anniversary.
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End of the second month, January 29, 2006
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2 months post op the 21st of January. So much has happened to me since then. I lost someone very dear to me 2 weeks ago, and my weight loss has lost some of its sparkle for me. It's kind of hard to care about life right now. But I keep going through the motions and believing that someday I will care again.
So far, I've lost 53 pounds, and went from a size 20 jeans to a loose size 14 (both levi's 550s). I'm down on fitday from severely obese to moderately obese and moving in on healthy weight status.
My next appointment with the surgeon is February 9. I think he'll be amazed at my progress.
My usual day goes like this:
5:00 a.m take my thyroid med/treadmill 45 minutes
6:00 a.m. calcium supplement/protein drink (34 g)
7-11 drink one quart of clear liquids, usually room temp. water
11:30 a.m. Atkins bar/gallbladder meds/multi vitamins
12-4 p.m. drink another quart of water
4-5 (weather permitting) hike in the woods near home
5:00 p.m. 3 oz. of lean protein/gallbladder med/iron or B-12 supp.
5:45-8:oo cup of herb tea or sugar-free cocoa
8:30 p.m enter food/vitamins/exercise in fitday.com
8:45 read until ready to sleep (usually about 15 mins)
Not very flashy, but I like my little routine and it works for me. I'm getting 70grams protein everyday, I'm not hungry, and I'm shrinking like mad.
The other day someone at work called me, "skinny".
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How Do You Know If Your Surgeon & Hospital Are Good?
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December 22, 2005
So many people on the O.Help message boards have been asking for advice about choosing a surgeon and hospital. I decided to post my list of criteria here for future reference.
Hi Prospective RNY Candidate,
Since you want to know what to ask your potential surgeon, here is my list:
I would ask how many of these surgeries has your surgeon done, where did s/he do his or her residency, what other types of surgeries has s/he done or does still. I would want to know if your hospital has a special surgical suite for laparoscopic surgery, how many bariatric weight loss surgeries they perform a year, who will be your anethesiologist. I would insist on knowing what your surgeon's complication/mortality rate is and then I would check the figures on line and see if the person is truthful. Obesity Help has a wonderful service on thier site that lets people rate their surgeons--is your surgeon on there? What do others say about the person/the hospital.
I would not go to anyone who has not performed HUNDREDS (minimum 350 lap RNY)of the exact same surgery as you're planning to have.
My feeling is though, that you will know by the way your surgeon talks to you whether he or she is a good match. There is a lot of trust that goes into doing this--a good surgeon should not pressure you, or make you feel silly or embarrassed for asking these questions. A great surgeon will be glad to share his or her expertise with you and will ask you very pointed questions to determine if you're as committed to your success as s/he is. This is what builds trust between the 2 of you.
Another very important aspect of building trust with the surgeon is to know what kind of after surgery support is included in your surgery price. You should recieve 2 years of regular office visits standard. Your surgeon should provide you with extensive information about what to eat, and how to adjust to life after the surgery--in the form of a website, or a book they provide. There should be support group service through the office or the hospital--online if necessary, but you should be able to reach your surgeon if you are ever in an emergency.
I hope that I'm not being too basic for you here. These are the bare minimum things that I would ask though. You have a perfect right to this information. If the surgeon acts insulted I would thank that person and move along to the next candidate. There are thousands of surgeons qualified to do this procedure. It is a very well developed surgery and you should not have to settle for someone who does not have absolutely impeccable credentials.
I'm a little over a month out. I have had no problems whatsoever. I attribute this to the skill and competence of my surgeon, the support his office provides through literature, support meetings and online support, and to my strict adherence to his well researched post-op care policies. I have heard of others who have also had great results, and others who've had a harder time adjusting. I'm sure you have too.
Hope my answers have helped a little. I am sorry I'm so long-winded, but I take this very seriously, and hope that whatever you decide, you will live the life you've always dreamed of.
Best wishes,
Sandi
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December 15, 2005 3.5 weeks post-op
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I've been losing about 3.5 pounds a week, weighing on Monday mornings before work. I've been back to work for 2 weeks, I took one week off. I've had zero pain, plenty of energy. I walk in the afternoons, take my vitamins (see below for schedule). I make sure I get at least 70 g of protein.
Still drink Isopure Zero Carb (Nature's Best Company). I mix my own from powder. It's not as smooth, but I manage to get it down in the morning before work. 50 g. protein. At lunch I drink a protein shake (Z-pro 25 from R kane)--it has 25 g. of protein. When I get home, I may have some protein pudding, or a scrambled egg or 1 oz of ground turkey burger, or 1 oz of non-fat cottage cheese. I tolerate all of these foods well. I get a little gassy, but not bad.
My exercise is still a little more lax than I'd like. I want to make sure to get in 45 minutes everyday and more on the weekends. My husband wants me to spend more time out tramping in the woods with him. He's about to get his wish.
Today is my 3 week check up with the surgeon, and tonight is my first support meeting since the surgery. I'm looking forward to both. I'll update more later...
...Good check up with the doctor, then that night a great support meeting. I feel very energized and ready to get my weight-loss on!
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December 3, 2005
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Everything is going great! The headache disappeared by itself, still don't know what that was about, and I haven't had any pain at all. My incisions are healed and very small. Just little red gashes and pinpoints. Looks like the cat scratched me is all. I'm so amazed at how small they are that I wanted to take a photo, but I thought, "who would want to see this?" I've been spending more time gazing at my stomach in the mirror than I have since I was 10 years old.
Still drinking around 350 calories a day--70 oz of liquids/70 g. protein. Take 2 multivitamins, 2 calcium and alternate one day sublingual B-12, the next day iron. All supplements from Bariatric Advantage Company. My main protein drink is Zero Carb Isopure. I mix that with a scoop of Nectar powder (lemonade or fuzzy navel) and that is 55 g. protein. I put it in a big Coleman insulated pitcher with a frozen quart of water and sip on it all day. I also have 2 oz of Z Pro 25 chocolate pudding (R Kane products) for another 15 grams of protein. I supplement the calories with broth, sugfree jello and sugfree popsicles.
Ok this is kind of yukky, but I want to tell it all here: I've noticed that my bowel habits are changing too. I am not sure if this is because I'm only drinking liquids and will change when I go back to solid food again, but I only go once every 3 or 4 days--kind of a thin, sticky consistency too. Lots of gas right around the time of movement. Ok, enough about that--my mother would be horrified!
Monday is 2 weeks out and I begin soft foods. If I'm supposed to stop drinking 15 minutes before eating, take 30 minutes to eat, and wait 45 minutes to resume drinking after eating, three times a day, that will make a serious dent in my drinking time... 270 minutes a day!!! I'm kind of kidding here, but it will make the task a little more challenging.
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November 27, 2005
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I keep feeling better every day. I have no pain from the surgery. My incisions itch a little bit. I've been plenty active--even drove myself to work for a few hours yesterday, then went grocery shopping! I thought that this is all pretty standard, but the messages I'm getting from everyone else sound like I'm an unusual case. Most of the people who had surgery the same day as me are either: a.) barely moving around (bed to toilet) or b.) not in pain, but not out of the house yet. I feel kind of embarrassed of how well I'm doing! So I down play it, but I give credit to my excellent surgeon.
He really recommends staying on clear liquids for 2 weeks and I agree. I think not having to deal with soft food right now is probably a good thing. I have not been hungry, even though I am eating about 300 calories a day. I've been focusing on getting in my protein, my liquids and my vitamins. That's about all I can handle. It takes me until bedtime to get all of my protein in. I read this on the sites before surgery and I thought the people were exaggerating, but I'm finding it's true. It's hard to drink that much.
The only physical problem I'm having at all, is a headache. I don't know if it's whey protein, leftover from the anesthesia, food coloring in the drinks, or fatique. I'm going to keep myself sedated and asleep today to see if I can beat it. I've been drinking at least 64 oz of clear liquids, so I know I'm not dehydrated. I will figure this out.
I'm very happy with my results so far. I've been trying to not weigh myself all the time. I want to only weigh weekly, but I have to confess: I've lost 12 pounds since the surgery. That's pretty cool. I'm just a lot more happy with the fact that I made it and I feel so darn good!
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November 24, 2005
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This is my first post post-op! I feel really good today. Got discharged the next day, spent a painful day recuping in the hotel, Wednesday drove the 350 miles asleep next to dh, and here I am. In some ways I feel like nothing happened, just did a million situps is all. In other ways I feel totally different. But my health is good, ready to face Thanksgiving with a thankful heart.
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November 20, 2005
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Hello everyone,
I'm leaving for my surgery appointment in SanFran this morning, so I won't be posting for a few days. The next time that you hear from me, I'll be in the ranks of post-op loser with all of you! I can hardly wait to make my first post.
Thank you all for all of the vital information you've given me. You've really helped me get ready for this thing--physically, mentally and emotionally.
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November 13, 2005--Final Prep Pre-Op
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The hospital called me Friday (Veteran's Day) to go through the preregistration process with me. It took 10 minutes at most.
I've purchased the things I'll need after the hospital stay and I ordered a Thanksgiving Dinner to be prepared for my family so that I won't have to worry about them feeling deprived over the holiday. I bought some chicken stock for my meal that day, and I will be very Thankful for all the blessings of health and family and love.
Friday night, I had my first dream about the surgery, but it wasn't scary or nervous--just matter of fact and peaceful. I woke up smiling. Can't wait to begin this journey. I've been posting emails to everyone like mad and they seem as excited to get going as me.
My goal for this week: walk 45 minutes each night and stick with my liquid diet so my liver will be nice and small for next Monday...
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November 7, 2005--2 week countdown
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I've booked the hotel room, gotten my vitamins and protein drinks stocked up, collected all the print-outs of my preop lab work. Today I have to pay the surgeon with my credit card! That's not cool, but my insurance should reimburse me, hopefully before any finance charges or interest accrues. By the end of this week, I'll call the hospital to have the pre-op interview with the nurse there, then I'll pack my bags and get ready to go.
I feel like an astronaut getting ready for blast off...
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October 18, 2005--My blog was linked!
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I've really gotten into blogging in a big way, and started one about my journey with wls. It's linked here. In my searching I found an awesome blog called "life after wls," it is authored by Kaye Bailey. You can find it at blogger.com by doing a search of the title. It's an incredible wealth of information on every aspect of this process. I highly recommend it.
I've been depressed with waiting, and all of these websites, and online support have been the most important part of keeping me on track. I can't thank everyone enough for helping me with this difficult decision.
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October 1, 2005--Registered with the hospital online
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Last night I got online and registered with the hospital. The site advised me that now a nurse will call me for a 30 minute interview sometime around 2 weeks before my surgery. The site asked me questions about my insurance that I wasn't sure of the answers to, but I tried to give as accurate information as possible.
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September 23,2005--The Waiting Period
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My surgery is scheduled for November 21, 2005. I decided to use that date so that I wouldn't have to take so much time off from work. Now that I'm waiting, I try to keep myself busy--I'm walking a lot, getting used to using Fitday.com to track my calories and exercise, etc. I wish that I could get my surgery happening--I'm ready to start seriously losing!
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August 27, 2005--The beginning post
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I just came home from a 2 day trip to find a letter from my insurance company stating that I'm approved for the RNY. I am ecstatic, and a little nervous too. I've read so much positive, and also some sobering negative too. Now it's time to "fish or cut bait"--I've got some serious soul-searching to do. The memorial page on this site fills me with questions: why did these people die? They were losing, they don't show a lot of complications, what happened?
I've hopes that my severe sleep apnea will be cured if I do this, that I will be active and healthy. I don't want to trade these problems I currently have for more exotic, scary, deadly problems that I can only imagine..
Most of the people that I've talked to have been very encouraging. Very supportive, very upbeat. My husband is very supportive. He wants me to "go for it," to finally get off of this pity party ride I've been on for 20 years about weight, and to finally start being a companion to him. He wants his old hiking buddy back. I want to be his hiking buddy too. My backpack is covered in plastic and dust... I want to sail with him and snorkel and scuba dive in Australia with him. I want to be able to walk, even run (if I have to). I want to be free.
Insurer Info:
Blue Cross, PPO
I was prepared to be turned down since my BMI is barely 35, but the sleep apnea must have been a significant co-morbidity. I was approved in less than 5 business days! I have nothing but good to say.
