This is a bit late, but here it is...

Jan 18, 2012

Hello, fellow WLSers,

Sorry it's been a long while since I've last blogged, but I've been enjoying life outside the house since I've lost 75 lbs.  I am almost 5 months out and have been doing superb!  It is hard to wrap my head around all that I've lost.  I need to post some pics of my before and most recent.  I felt like it is still too soon to be posting before and afters because I honestly couldn't really see much of a difference, but when I posted on another site, those who commented made me realize that there IS a difference.  It is sort of hard to explain, but I found some information online regarding the Dysmorphic Disorder Post Gastric Bypass.  It was a very interesting read.  It helps me to "see" differences in my appearance and learn to accept my changes.  I am pleased with my results.  I am down a couple of sizes in clothing, but I have some old clothes that I've saved, so I'm happy that I have a few things to wear.  

I was a bit puzzled the other morning when I got up to help my hubs off to work.  I noticed there was something different in my morning routine.  I couldn't pin point it, but by the evening, it was bugging the heck out of me.  I told my hunny of the feelings I was having about something being different or "missing" in my daily routine and I just can't figure it out.  He thought for a moment and asked, "Well, do you think it may be the PAIN you're missing?"  I turned to look at him and said, "Yes, that is IT, it's the PAIN that is sort of missing."  You see, every morning I would get up and start my day in the bathroom, pee, brush teeth, etc.  I would always be moaning and groaning with severe knee pain.  But, without me even noticing until just a few mornings ago, I have stopped all the moaning and complaining.  Granted, I do still have a lot of pain, except NOTHING like I had before.  My pain is so much bearable!!!  I noticed that I can stand for longer periods of time and walk longer distances, too.  As a matter of fact, for the first time in maybe 6 years, I went to the mall, yes, the MALL.  I needed to go to the candle store for a few of my favorite candles, and I was able to walk down a long hallway and turn a corner and walk half way down that hallway before I needed to sit and rest.  I was still half way to the candle store, but just wanted to take my time.  I was so proud of myself for accomplishing the little I did do.  I also noticed that I wasn't huffing and puffing, nor had any difficulty breathing, which was a major thing for me.  After all was said and done, I was pretty exhausted and my muscles were sore, and I was in some pain, but the feeling of success outweighed all of that.  I was so proud of myself. 

I thought I'd share this for those of you who don't think you will see the day of accomplishing just walking.  I am here to tell you, that you WILL!  It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.  I was beating myself up by seeing all the "normal" people walking without effort, but then again, I remembered where I was just a short 5 months ago.  I couldn't even dream of walking the amount I did back then.  I am just taking it one day at a time.  I enjoy going out and spending time with family and friends instead of hiding behind closed doors of my home.  I hope that all of you who are debating on having WLS, please take it from me, it is the best gift I've ever given myself.  I am gaining my life back!!!

I need to be more diligent in blogging my progress, please forgive me for waiting this long.  I appreciate all who encourage me and give me strength.  You all are the greatest.

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First post after surgery! :)

Sep 04, 2011

Today is Sept 4, 2011,  I am almost 2 weeks out of having the Roux en Y gastric bypass.  I went to see the surgeon yesterday and I'm down 18 lbs.  I went into surgery weighing 390 and came out weighing 419.  WHAT the HECK????  Well, I know it was because of the IV fluids being pumped in at 200cc/hr.  So, I'm not counting that 29 lb weight gain.  I thought that was a bit much though and was worried.  I was able to get up and walk around right after surgery.  My legs felt heavy, which was to be expected, but the weight gain didn't help much either.  After I came home, I was able to get water and protein in and by the end of one week post op, I was advancing to full liquids.  Never thought that cream of chicken soup was oh sooo good!  I'm able to chew meats and turn them into mush and tolerate those pretty well.  My surgeon wants me to get my protein primarily from food sources, so I just take the protein shakes as needed.  I feel great.  I'm 372 lbs as of yesterday and am moving around more easily.  I'm not in a whole lot of pain anymore from the surgery, well, other than in both my knees that's been giving me more problems since I can't take Aleve anymore, but doctor said I can try to take Advil Elixir.  Haven't got any yet.  I'm doing everything that my surgeon asks of me, so we shall see how things are when I go to see him again on October 3rd.  Will post again soon.  Take care all!
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Update on my journey

Jun 20, 2011

Today is June 20, 2011.  After I completed the required dietary/nutrition consults, I put the process on hold for several months.  I guess it are nerves getting the best of me.  I still needed to have the other requirements completed in order to get surgery scheduled, anyway.  I didn't resume the process until this passed February.  I've completed the Psychiatric eval and the Cardiac clearance, and all the surgeon wants me to do now is have the EGD and updated lab work done so we can schedule for surgery.  I am still very scared, I would prefer the lap band instead of the RNY, but my doctor said that I wouldn't lose enough weight with the lap band being that I am so heavy.  I just have a long and complicated medical history, that I would rather reduce some of the risks. 

It seems the closer I get to having the surgery, the more and more I am seeing horror stories.  A friend of mine from high school is almost 40 and had the surgery done 5 years ago.  She was around 500 lbs when she had the RNY, but was only able to lose about 150 lbs, so the surgeons did a revision.  She is now down to 150 lbs and lost all that weight very quickly, she lost her teeth, and most of her hair, too.  She looks like she's aged 25 years and has been in and out of the hospital due to being malnourished, she is in a nursing home right now.  She just can't keep anything down.  Most of all her nutrition is liquids.  She tells me not to get the surgery for all that she's been going through.  In addition, a few people I've met on social networks have subsequently died from having complications to the surgery. 

I know I'm rambling, but the closer I get to having surgery, the more anxious I am.  My appointment for an EGD is being scheduled for next week and then I will need to meet with the surgeon to udate labs for pre op, it's been 4 months since I first saw him .  The nurse will schedule for surgery that day for within the next two weeks.  Please keep me in your prayers.  I have to be optimistic that my surgery will be a success and that it will be done right the first time.

I will try and be diligent in keeping my journey up-to-date on a more regular basis. 
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I'm finally starting my journey...

Mar 18, 2010

I am writing on here after a long absence.  I want to update my profile in this blog, opposed to changing around stuff by editing. 

To start off, today is March 18, 2010, I am 41 years young and now have 2 grandsons.  I started losing weight on my own back in May of 2008, but had already lost 16 lbs from 425 lbs several months before that.  As of my birthday in February 2010, I was still 350 lbs and holding (in June 2009 I even got down to 340 lbs, but I was ill in the hospital with pneumonia and almost instantly gained 10 lbs back after I was discharged)!  I had been plateaued at 350 since around August 2009.  We are in March now and I've slowly been gaining back 5,7,9 lbs here and there.  I am very afraid of continuing that trend, so I called Angie Flores for some help!  I had been in my comfort zone during the plateau, that I didn't "think" it would creep back on so easily.  Duh, I should've known better.   Well, I think I'm around 360 lbs, but not sure since the battery in my scale is dead as of last week.  I don't think I've gained anything, I actually might have lost because my favorite jeans are looser than last week.  So, I now have an appointment to meet up with Angie Flores at the Weight Loss Surgery Seminar on Monday, March 22, 2010.  I will be filling out all the paperwork and getting appointments to meet the surgeon and Registered Dietician.  I am hoping to have the gastric band placed instead of having the gastric bypass done due to all my health reasons which would just increase my risk.  I have proven to myself that I am disciplined to lose the weight, I just need the assist of the tool to help me to continue to succeed in my journey.  I will try to become more active on this profile so I can document my progress in hopes of helping anyone who may be interested in having surgery.  Until next time, thanks for reading.  =)
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About Me
Houston, TX
Location
43.9
BMI
RNY
Surgery
08/23/2011
Surgery Date
Jul 19, 2007
Member Since

Friends 32

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