sparkyjess

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What can I say......LIFE IS AMAZING FOR ME NOW!! Sure, I had a few setbacks like the two emergency hernia surgeries, one of which I came close to losing my life! SUPER low Iron levels that nearly pushed me into blood transfusion need status. I ended up having a cervical eblation to stop my monthly bleeding, and doubled up doses of Iron and my Iron levels have since then been climbing back into normal range. Most recently, SPINAL FUSION! I had a back injury 12 years ago. I compacted L4 and L5. I always knew I would eventually need surgery. However, my heavy weight would have made it difficult and surgeons back then said I needed to lose a certain amount of weight before they would consider it. Well, I couldn't lose the weight and just put it on the back burner and basicly delt with the pain and spasms all these years. After gastric bypass, weight loss really did ease the pain but the docs and I came to the conclusion that it would be easier to recover because of my current physical health and it was in best interest to get it done now rather later. I had the fusion July 19th.....3 months post op....better recoop than I had expected. No regrets
My body has found it's cozy weight number and I am content as well! I'm continuously trying to find new tasty ways of getting all my proteins in daily. My appetite has not picked up like I have heard numerous times. That has always sat in the back of my mind.

Does not seem that long ago at all! Life is continuously busy!!
My iron levels were low low at my 1 year check up in Nov 2011. Soo low that I was told it was kissing blood transfusion lows. That scared us! Since we were done having children, I decided to go through with having an "eblation" to basicly do away with anymore monthly bleeding because it was bad enough to cause alarms and docs were showing me my levels (iron specificlly)will not catch up to safe levels until I stop loosing blood on top of extra iron doses. So, Dec 2011, had the eblation done and feeling great! I didn't realize the lack of iron really takes a toll one's energy and overall well being until about 1 1/2 months after when I really started feeling great....again...but even better than I had already experienced!. I didn't notice because with all the weightloss from the bypass, I gained energy and overall felt better than I was prior to that alone. What a trip! My levels are all at perfect levels and iron has slowly crept back into normal range.

I have begun to carry a blood sugar meter with me because I have had a few episodes of low blood sugar dips. Even when I was large, I was never diabetic or had experienced anything like this. I'm hoping my body is still trying to adjust to this massive change......and hope this is not going to continue. Just a little confused....... anyone else develope this after weightloss??????? 

I have been at a plateu of 134-137lbs, size 4.....I'm content and have been!! I keep up with kids, work, hubby......just bought my 1st lil sporty car that I can fit into the seats and love it!!

Wow! Can't believe it has been 4 months since my last post! I went in for my 6 month post op check, a month late. All my vitamin levels are in perfect range.  I am able to get more than the required amount of water in daily and between 60-75 protiens in. I am addicted to my lunch hour speed walk that consists of 2.27 miles every day. I am having to switch it up a little because my body is used to it now. So, adding stairs every other day just to keep my metabolism rolling for me. I'm surprised that I am at a spot where I am content with my body. I officially reached a size 8-10 pants and shoe size even went down a full size. I have a great amount of confidence and don't have my focus half on my "fat" that is no longer a part of me. I'm anxious to head out to Silverwood this summer and ride the rides with my kids. I already share clothes with my 16 yr old daughters....they think it is a bonus now that they get to help me pick out clothes when shopping. Thank gosh they dress decent!! OH!!! the hair falling out poopoo has finally subsided!! That was so discouraging!! The hair is coming back in.....noticing alot of the growth! I have yet to even try and get to a salon to get some coloring done until I get alot more thickness and less breakage is better! Nothing like super thin hair with alot of breakage....that is hard. Here is to my first summer of less tan lines and full of more water activities with my wonderful supportive family!

So, I had a fun ride to the ER thinking my appendix was the issue that caused me some severe doubling over crying pain! My husband was at work and kids were all home with me. It was this past Friday(28th). I had gotten off of work as normal, picked youngest up from daycare on the way home to the rest of the kids waiting. Around 4 pm I started feeling what I thought was maybe just gas working it's way through it's maze. By 445 I was in great pain and urged the kids that to contact husband and they did. Within a few minutes later, I called 911 myself and ambulance was there in a few minutes. Kids were freaked out to see a side of mom, their "tough mom". Off I went, got to the ER and had to drink this toilet water stuff before I could get in for a CT scan....in-between nausea bouts and severe pain. Husband and mother met me at the hospital, mother-in-law hung with the kids at our home. The scan shown that I had an Internal Hernia and my intestines were kinked and causing blockage! POOF! My gastric surgeon just happen to be the surgeon on duty at the ER and I signed papers to OK surgery and 2 hours later....I wake up from the anesthesia to 3 more laproscopic holes in my stomach with nearly zero pain. I had to stay the required 2 days and got released on Sunday. I have to say it isn't quite like the gastric surgery recoup but dang close to it. Back to starting with liquids and lifting restrictions. I'm still fuzzy headed with the pain relievers but, I am staying on top of the pain and taking it EASY. I don't know what caused the hernia and am freaked out about this entire incident. I have questions that I keep coming up with now that I have already left the hospital. I have to followup with Doc Spitz in 2 weeks. Hopefully, he can help me understand this better.

Just in time for Turkey Day!! Been unpacking like crazy.... I still feel great. I need to order more vitamins already! Getting my proteins in has been easier and easier now that I am eating regular foods. There are days that I need to top it off with a shake to meet the full amount required. I will be starting a cardio plan shortly. I just happen to have a gym 3 blocks away from our new home, OZ Fitness! I have always been for staying at home but I am already itching to go see the place and what it offers. My confidence is to the "not so embarrassed" level anymore. Almost 60 lbs lighter whooot!

Wow! Alot is changing. Only during the last couple weeks, I started getting more and more compliments/comments on the weight loss that is noticeable. Today is 1 month out! I feel wonderful. Incisions are healed up nicely. I am constantly finding clothes I can't wear anymore. That has been the hard part....I know I know, O frickin whaaaa. Seriously, when you have a full house of kids it is difficult to just run out and spend the money on yourself when there are needs elsewhere. I mentioned to everyone that if they want to get me anything for the holidays, I would love clothes or giftcards to I can go pick out my own. Feels weird saying that only because I always have mentioned to not worry about getting me or the hubby gifts throughout the years but this year is different....haha!
So, another change is amongst our family. We are scheduled to look at a newer bigger home for us this morning. Soo excited! Since I am on lifting restriction this may be the easiest move! lol. I'll be on cleaning duty after everything is out. Nobody does it like momma anyways.... 
I will have hubby take my 1 month picture today. We are doing it monthy to really see the progress of the transformation.   

I FEEL GREAT! I go in for my post op appointment tomorrow morning and hopefully leave there and head straight to work! Unbelievable, I have already had to clear clothes out of my closet and dressers that are too BIG! What a feeling!! If there is anyone that could use size 20 and 22 summer clothes I HAVE LOTS! Some clothes still have not been worn and lots that have been worn maybe a couple times. I will have office casual clothes available soon too. Let me know.
My incisions are healing well and can't wait til I can hop in to a bubble bath! They itch like crazy! There are a couple that you can hardly tell where they were opened. I'm ready for more solid food....more taste! My magic bullet has been a handy gadget to puree the already soft food.

It is weird to not have an appetite, a belly "growl" or food smells tempting my brain and tastebuds. It's been a mind game and setting vitamin schedules, creative protein intake, always having water with me, managing these awkward inside feelings that are full of discomfort at times and "nothings" the next. BUT, forget to keep up on pain management before the pain hits is PRICELESS. I have chosen to leave the scale out of sight.....for now. The Wii Fit Plus IN SIGHT! I plan to start a Wii schedule tomorrow when everyone heads back to school and hubby to work! For the last few days "me time" was the topic but god bless their hearts, I am ready for some real quiet "me time" even if for a few hours.

I'm hoping I will be ready to get back to work in another week and half as scheduled.........So, working on getting strength back and frame of mind too.
I am all for anyone contacting me.......I could use more people that know what it is truely like to go through this. I am hoping to make it to the support group meeting on this Thursday, not holding my breathe, taking it day by day.

~Cheers to life ahead!

5 days til surgery........some people at work only know it as I'm taking vacation. The close people I work with know what is really up and very supportive and understanding. At home, the hubby and kids are here for me and have been entirely. My first stock of vitamins are here, enough for 3 months, and dont taste bad at all. www.celebrate.com or www.BariatricChoice.com . I will pack a bag of necessities for the hospital stay soon. The dreadful liquid diet has become easier as each day comes and goes......weird. I may try and hop back on here before my day...... thankyou friends for the kind words. see you soon

So, I feel surprisingly well and think it is much easier than I anticipated.....liquid diet fun. I have dropped 7.5 lbs since I started this liquid fun house. Kinda weird to think your intestines can hold that much. lol....sorry, TMI.

Ordered all my vitamins this morning. Getting anxious!!!