Suzanne C.

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Today is November 25, 2010 and I weight 177 pounds.  Wow do I feel good.  I can't believe 6 months has already gone by.  The other thing that I think is really something is that I can say that I weight one hundred and something.  I am in probably the Best shape of my life.  I am also down 8 dress sizes.  I am waiting for the results from my latest blood work--I hope all checks out well.  I am on track to be very close if not at my goal by my birthday--in February.  Continue to follow my progress.

I weigh 203 just 12 weeks after surgery.  I have noticed that it has gotten so much better.  I feel better with every week that passes.  I find that I still have to eat slow.  There have times that I forget I had surgery and Boy oh boy do I pay for it.  The food goes down very hard and sits in my chest.  And sometimes it has been known to last for hours.  This surgery has been a blessing in diguise though.  It has helped and continues to help me change the way I view food.  I appreciate it so much more than I ver thought I would.  Now when I eat, I only focus on my meal.  I don't watch t.v., read the paper, magazine or a book.

Well I met with my doctor today and it went very well.  I have lost 29 pounds since surgery for a total of 55 pounds lost to date.  Wow, I cannot believe how fast the time is going and how much better I feel.  Starting tomorrow, I can start trying other foods.  There are still a few I have to stay away from for now so I don't experience any blockages.  But I am ready to start regular solids. 

I am going back to the gym tomorrow--since my doctor released me to engage in full activity.  But since it has been a while, I while ease into it.  So the plan is M-W-F 45 minute strength training and 45 minutes cardio, then T-TH-S 45 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes swimming.  Sunday will be my day of rest.

I am also looking forward to support group tomorrow morning.  This is my once a month 2 hour meeting that is and has been very helpful.  Next Sunday July 18th, I will be walking with my sister in the AIDS Walk.  I am really looking forward to doing this and I know it is going to make me feel so much better.  As the days and weeks continue on this journey especially now since I am on solid food, I will visit to give updates.

Well it seems like so long ago that I had my surgery.  I have been on stage 3 for about 3.5 weeks now.  Every day gets better and better.  I still sometimes struggle with eating.  In fact, I almost have to keep a timer so I don't forget to eat.  Getting in my required protein has gotten much easier.  I am averaging between 60 and 68 gm per day.  I have really not had any problems.  However, I do have stomach upset and indigestion when I eat watermelon. So at least for now I will stay away from that.  Maybe in a couple of weeks, I will try it again.

I am starting to notice some changes in my body.  I appear to be shrinking all over and my bone structure on my face is really starting to come through.  In fact my sister said, "wow, you have such great cheek bones!"  Those kind of comments are really motivating.  I also noticed the other day that my hips and left knee are not bothering me any more.  That is such a relief.  I also noticed that my back does not get as fatigued.  I am definitely going through a metamorphesis and I am loving each new day I wake up--It's like a new me.

I will be going to see my doctor for my 6 week follow-up and we will see if he releases me to Full-Duty.  I am really looking forward to be able to go back to the gym and start weight training.  I think that will really help with the weight loss as well as to help tone.  I am also looking forward to trying some regular solid foods like: steak, whole grain bread and salad.

Watch my Blog, I will beupdating after my follow-up appointment. . . .  . .

Today I had my 2 week follow-up appointment.  I have lost 18 pounds since my pre-op appointment.  Today I weight 224.  The appointment went really well and both Dr. Chin and Anne Timberlake are very happy with how I am progressing.   As a matter of fact--so am I!  They gave me the okay as of Dinner tonight, to progress to Stage III Diet.  This is where I can have soft foods and pureed foods.  Both the Doctor and the Nurse also want me to start introducing foods that I have to chew.  I have been instructed to take it slow and chew my food very well until it is at the pureed stage in my mouth beofre swallowing.

So as instructed, tonight for dinner I had 3 Saltine Crackers with about a TBL of Low-Fat shredded Cheddar Cheese.  It took me about 35 minutes to eat them, but man oh man, did they taste GREAT!!  The textures, the crunch from the cracker with a little saltiness and the tang from the cheese--what a treat.  It is so nice to have more of an appreciation for food.

I will continue to update my progress or any changes as they come up.  So until then. . .  . . .

I had my surgery just 7 days ago today.  The night after surgery was pretty rough and continued to have pain into the next day.  But everyone in the Hospital was Great and did everything they could to make me comfortable.  The incisional pain was not bad.  The first couple of days was both internal as well as the CO2 gas that my body is trying to expell.  Eating is so difficult.  I never thought I would hear myself say that eating is a chore.  I find that in order to get the protein in, I am eating 6 times a day.  So far, everything I have tried goes down fine.  I have not had any problems other than eating too much a couple of times and cause me to be in pain for 1-2 hours after.

I have been off pain medication for 2 days now.  I am up to walking 3 times a day, 20 minutes each.  The walking makes me feel really good.

I am looking forward to my 1st foloow-up appt.(2 Weeks) Monday June 7, 2010.  I can't wait to see how much weight I have lost since my Pre-op Appointment.  I will make another update after my Appt. with my surgeon on June 7, 2010.

Today, it is just about 3 weeks and 2 days until my RNY surgery.  I try not to dwell on the surgery, but instead prepare for the changes.  One thing I am doing is getting in the best physical shape I can be in for surgery.  This way I will have a much easier recuperation.  I have worked hard to stay aways from junk food.  I am trying to lose between 5-10 more pounds before surgery.  The less I weigh going in, the  closer I will be to goal.

I have an appointment this Friday with my therapist.  I think my timing could not have better as far as going back to seeing her before surgery.  Saturday, I will be going to the John Muir WLS Center Support group at 10am.  I have not been since February 2009.  I am really looking forward to it.  Wow, it really is just about 3 weeks away--I can't belive it.

I met with both my nurse and the nutritionist regarding surgery.  It was very educational and helped me to prepare for my upcoming surgery.  I need to work on eating slow and chewing my food.  I started today to eat slow, only drinking when I am not eating and taking small sips when I drink.

As far as my dilemma regarding protein, I will have a couple of types of protein shakes that have been recommended, namely; Designer (Trader Joes') and Atkins (Target).  Both have been highly recommended due to their taste.  I will start out with a can of each.  I have been told that my taste may change after surgery.  So stocking up now, might not be the best decision.

I have completed all my pre-work for surgery.  Now I am just watching what I eat and exercising every day.  I want to be in the best shape possible before I have surgery.  Just a little more than 4 weeks until THE DAY!!

On April 12th I met with my surgeon.  He was very happy to see that I did not get discouraged and give-up due to the insurance company denying me last year.  I told him that I was a bit frustrated, but knew that this was worth seeing through.  Since it had been 14 months since my last visit with him, there are some things I need to do before moving ahead with surgery and they are as follows:

1.  PCP needs to fill out surgery clearance form (dropped off at Dr. Lam's office on 4/12)
2.  Therapist to give Dr. Chin an update since Pysche Evaluation from last year (Had appt. with her 4/13, update in progress)
3.  Endoscopy required (Consultation appointment 4/14 with Dr. Wong)
4.  Nutrition and pre-operative surgery class with Nurse Specialist and dietician (Scheduled 4/21)

I have worked diligently to make these things happen.  I do not want to wait until the last minute.  I learned a lot from last years trials and tribulations.  Now I know the expectations.  And I am ready, more today than yesterday!!!!!

My surgery is scheduled for May 25th.  I have an appointment this coming Monday with my surgeon.  It has been more than a year since I have seen him because of the supervised weight-loss plan I have been on.  Hopefully I will not have to re-do any tests.  But if I have to, then I will.  I will do what is necessary to have the surgery. 

Since I have about 7 weeks until surgery, this will give me time to prepare by changing my eating to reflect a high-protein diet and ramp-up my work outs at the gym to be physically ready.  I have lots of questions prepared for both the surgeon and nurse.