michelle O.
9/19/04 First off I would like to thank everyone who keeps their profiles recent. I know they have been a big help in reassuring me.
I am through the begining process so far. I have had my first consult with DR.M. I am very excited to have him as my surgeon. The consult was very informational and comforting. I feel confident in DR.M. He is not a surgeon who looks down on you for being obese, which is a relief. His bedside manor is good too, he is realistic and doesn't seem distant and cold like a lot surgeons tend to.
I have also had my psych. evaluation, nutrition consult, and went to a pre-op support meeting. I go back to see Dr.M on Oct. 11th...is coming slowly but at least it is coming.
I can not even begin to express how excited I am to have energy, less joint pain, and all the other benefits of loosing weight. I know those of you going through the process know exactly what I am talking about.
Ok, well I will keep you posted and let you know what is going on.
9/22/04
Hi everybody! I just got home from the pre op meeting. I highly suggest to anyone considering wls to go. After all if your seeing Dr. M you have to go anyways...it is fantastic to hear peoples stories. The attitude is so positive.
I rejoined the Gym yesterday so tomarrow night I am starting back to my work out routine!! I am excited because it really helps relieve stress. Plus I want to work on my cardio strength and get it up to par so I can recover better. I started working out last November and change my diet I lost 20 lbs. Woo hoo it came back and never went past 20lbs. To me getting myself back into my workout routine now is going to be easier then after surgery. I won't lie I didn't work out over the summer - I also gained 8 of those 20lbs. back son of gun.
I am just waiting for Oct.11th to come along so I can have my second apt. with Dr.M. I am just thinking about what life is going to be like afterward and how much money I am going to need to shop when I loose the weight. I can tell one thing that is mandatory to buy is a pair of knee high black boots!! I have always wanted a pair and could never fit my legs in them =( but no worries cause I will one day after surgery.
I can tell you this process takes a lot out of you waiting and dreaming and thinking when will it become a reality. Just hang in there it will happen. Think good thoughts!! Talk to you soon!
9/26/04 Hi! Ok, so I worked out thursday and friday of last week. It felt great! I just keep thinking how great life is and how it is going to just get better. I may sound really a little too positive at times...but ya know what this is life changing and it is a hard long journey that you only live once. So why not enjoy it for all that is has to offer???
10/14/02
Ok! It has been a long time since I have updated. Well I went to Dr. M on the 11th I have to have blood work, sonogram, and edoscopy done. I did the blood work on the 11th right after my apt and got it out of the way. I went for my consult for the endoscopy today the test is scheduled on tues the 26th of this month. I go for my sonogram this mon the 18th. So things are going good. Moving quickly and I am getting very excited. Well that is all for now. Talk to you soon.
10/27/04
Ok had the ultrasound last Mon. It went good that was easy. Next I had the endoscopy yesterday....Oh that was easy for me. The nurse told me that she was giving me the drugs and I looked at her and said "wow these work fast". The next thing I remember is sitting next to my dad and thinking how the hell did I get here and who dressed me. I had no pain infact I still don't believe that they did it. So if I had to I would do it again no problem! I have to admit I really liked the drugs, I have never had that expeience before. =)
So now I am waiting for my results to go to Dr. M's office and then wait for insurance... It is moving along.
11/3/04
I called the doctor's office yesterday...They have not gotten the results from the gastro's office yet. Hopefully by the end of this week they should have it. I also contacted my primary doctor and her letter or support should be to Dr. M's this week also. I don't like calling rhonda and bugging since I know so many of us are. I have luckily been going through this with out any problems. My appointments have been scheduled very quickly and with out any problems. I am hoping for Jan. Thankfully I have not been going crazy thinking about this too much because I am my friend maid of honor and her wedding is Jan 1st. I have been to busy with that to keep constantly thinking when is it going to happen. My suggestion is find something to keep you focused and thinking of other things that way you don't become too obessed with the waitng.
11/16/04
I had to call Rhonda today because my insurance ploicy may be changing. I found out that my request was sent to insurance yesterday! I am so excited!! Hopefully I will be getting a call from them with in the week or so! I am getting so excited and just thinking of everything that is about to happen! I will let you know when I get mor info if I was approved.
11/17/04
I am approved!!I got word today that I am approved and it was the first letter!! I also have my surgery date !!!! Jan. 11th is my date! It is my date I am so excited and now it is REAL!! oh my goodness!!! Words can not even come to close to what I am feeling. I will keep you posted!
11/26/04
I have now gotten my paperwork from the hospital and have set up my apts. with the nutritionist for pre op and post op! I am just looking forward to being on the loosing side! I started drinking my protein shakes for breakfast that way i can esase myself into the liquid diet.
12/14/04
I didn't realize that it had been so long since I had updated. I am just looking forward to JAN.11th Less than a month away! December is flying by thank goodness otherwise I would be going stir crazy. I am working out 2-3 times a week just doing cardio. I also invested in the isopure protein powder in vanilla flavor. I figure that way I can add it to thing to get my protein in. It's 50 grams a serving. Can't beat that! Happy Holidays Everyone!
1/16/05
Hi! I am post op. I made it! I want to thank everyone for all of their prayers and thoughts. Thank you God for getting me through the first part. I am sore and very tired. i will update soon.
1/18/05 Today is the best day yet! I am feeling really good. I got up and did some stuff today nothing too much. I am not feeling as tired or run down as I had been. I notice when I sit that after a while my stomach feels like I have to tight of pants on...even though I don't. So I lay back and it helps amazingly. Each day it gets better I go for my post op with Dr. M this thurs. Talk to you soon!
1/20/05
I went to my post op apt today. Just got home actually! The Dr. said everything looks great. I feel good and have more energy! He told me I could go back to work anytime - I laughed and said no way. I personally took a month off and I plan on enjoying every minute of it. So Since my first visit I have lost 32 pounds. Since surgery I have lost 14 of those pounds. Not bad loosing 14 pounds in 9 days!!
1/25/05
Today is 2 weeks since surgery! I hardly feel like I had major surgery just 2 weeks ago!! I can not believe how great I feel. My incisions are just scabs now. I have a lot of energy....I am thinking down the road that could cause some trouble. Just kidding. I am down to 301. So I have lost 17 lbs. total. I am so excited to be living my new life. I am starting my work out routine today. I am hoping that will help with getting the weight off faster and toning up. Life is good!!
2/9/05
Hi. Well Let's see I will be one month out this Friday. I am down to 302. I am working out doing cardio (5 days a week) and weight training 3 days a week) it is making me feel so good. I have a lot more energy then what I used to! I am exciting to just keep loosing and getting healthier. When I look back at when I first started working out. I could walk for about 10 mins on the tremill and be sweating like a pig. Now I bike for a half hour and go over 5 miles. I just barely break a sweat! It just amazes me how much stronger my heart has become.
Eating is going well for me. Just sticking to protein and loving it. I am sure I will be sick of it someday. I ordered some protein cookies to help me get more protein in on a daily basis. Headed back to work this Friday...Wow one month went way too fast. Oh well. The paychecks are now needed. Until next time...
2/10/05
I had to update I weighed myself this morning....I am in the 200's I am so excited I am 298!! I can not believe that I am under 300. It seems unreal. My next goal is to get to 290. I try to make small goals that way I reach them.
2/28/05
I am now 291! 49 pounds lost. I feel fantastic. I have been working out and sticking to it. I biked 6 miles in 30 min. I could not believe it! I am just so amazed what 49 pounds does to your social life. I am single and boy this is fun. I seem to be able to talk to guys a lot easier and I also get hit on. I love it!
3/7/05 Weighed in today at 285! 54 pounds down!! How exciting...I love it. I feel so good...working out and becoming stronger everyday. Today I happened to be looking in the mirror and I saw something I never saw before. My shoulder blade! Life is Great and keeps getting better.
4/28/05
Have not had the chance to update in quite some time. I am now 80 pounds lighter! 259...I am continung to work out. I am now doing 30 mins on the eliptical...never possible before. Bike riding and just being active outdoors is something new that I have to admit is awesome. I have never thought about what I can get out and do for excersise before, now it is one of the first thoughts in my head. Feeling great and trying new things.
6/10/05
Tomarrow is my 5 month out mark. I am currently at 246. 93 pounds lighter.I feel good no complaints once so ever. About 60 more pounds to go till I get to goal. Thinking about starting to research plastic surgery. I know it will be down the road but hey it is never to early to start the research. I want to have the loose skin taken off of my stomach.
I went hiking the other night and for the first time in my life I could actually hike the trail which was a lot of stairs. But I could keep up and I was not thinking of what lay ahead and would I be able to handle it. I just went with the flow knowing that my body could do it. AMAZING! That is the only way to describe it. I have bumped up my cardio to 45- 60 mins. Depending on my schedule. It is getting harder to loose weight. IT has slowed dowan a lot so I am keeping strong and getting tougher. However it reminds me yet again how this is only a TOOL not an answer to weight loss. I think that is something we all have to keep in mind.
6/16/05
My body dedcided it was time to loose some weight. Today I am 100 lbs lighter. WOOOHOOO! It's like it is not true though. Kinda strange when you think you weighed 100 pounds more. Well 50 more to go till goal!
7/8/05
Down 8 more pounds. I go for my six month check up on Monday which is also my six month anniversary. Life is just so much more about living it and ejoying every moment. I went to six flags over the weekend and fit on all the rides with no trouble. I actually loved every minute and was not concerned with thinking about if I would fit. I am hiking pretty much every weekend now and still can not believe that it doesn't bother me like it used to. No complaints.
7/11/05
SIX month mark today! I can seriously not beleive that it's here already. I had my check up today with Dr. M he is just great! I am healthy a little low on b12 but hopefully with an extra supplement of it I will be back up to par. He is happy with my results.
I happened to read through my profile today and I just can not believe how my life has changed. I feel amazing! Energy is non stop and my ambition is through the roof. How life has changed and my confidence has increased.
Now all I need is a lesson on men...lol. Boy what can I say, I am glad that I am single for now because I certainly don't mind getting hit on. Take care!
8/7/05
Well this morning I decided to take a walk and I did some jogging. I think I jogged between a 1/4 and a 1/2 a mile. I walked some then jogged. I have never been able to jog much of anywhere before. Unbelievable I felt so much better after I excersised. I know we all fall off of working out but then it's like your body craves it. I can not believe that I am almost seven months post op. I still comtinue to keep motovaited to get to my goal weight.
9/13/05
Down to 211...12 more lbs and I will be in onederland! Got some new excersise tapes and I am making a new routine for myself. Living life and still enjoying it as much as possible.
10/10/05
207 this morning. My weight loss has slowed as you can see from my last post. I'm still fighting till I get to my goal of 190 and I'm not going to quit till I get there. I fell off the excersise routine last month but I happed back on today....seeing the scale drop a little inspired me. I guess I work backwards. When I see weight loss I want to work out when I don't see any loss I have very little to no motovation.
I can not beleive that it's been nine months tomarrow!! It feels like a lifetime ago so does being a size 28. I know fit into size Large...no extra or plus sizes. I don't think I ever thought that would happen. I have no complaints about my decision in fact I still think it was the best thing I did for myself!
11/13/05
Hi well I'm now 10 months out and 139 lbs lighter. My goal is to get to 198 before thanksgiving. Let's see life is great. I'm thinking about jogging...would have ever thought I would say that. Maybe I might have run to the buffet before...ha ha. I've got about 10 more lbs to my original goal then maybe when I get there I might shoot for five more. I also plan on starting to concentrate more on building some more muscle. GRRRRR! Strong woman here. =) Well good luck to you all!
12/14/05
YAY!!! Onderland finally! 199 this morning! Well I have discovered Birth Control to be the culprit in my weight loss stopping. I got off it Sunday night and today Wednesday I am 3 lbs lighter. That is about all I have to share. Oh I got the matrix chocolate and OME it rocks! I am addicted. I love hot chocolate now I get it and 23 grams of protein too!!!
1/1/06
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Yeah thats me in the black giving the thumbsup.. Well to think that this time one year ago I was at my friends wedding as her maid of honor in my size 28 bridesmaid dress. Hmmm now I'm in a size large and 8 pounds from goal! In ten days I'll be at my one year mark. Holy cow that does not seem real. Ok, I'll update later.
1/09/06
I just got back from my ONE YEAR check up. My bloodwork is great. I weighed three more lbs on my Dr.'s scale then mine but then again I weigh myself in my birthday suit.=) I go back in six months and I have set a goal to loose thrity pounds. I need to get back to basics. Not that I'm doing terrbile but I think I could have been further along if I had done better with staying away from BREAD!!! I hate carbs (the bad ones) the are my enemy. I found another before picture this was I think about a month after surgery. I was down maybe thirty pounds.
1/15/06 My one year has come and gone! This is my friend Kate and I in the Jacksonville Beach! Now the work beigns. I have about twenty to thirty more to loose and it has gotten harder the weight just doesn't magically fall off any longer. I think that is something I was not quite prepared for. I'm learning ways to deal with new dilemmas. I sometimes forget that I had the surgery. People may think I'm crazy but see the outside matches what I feel like what my inside always felt. I don't look in the mirror and see the old me I see me.
2/27/06 Well let's see I am down to 194...the scale has slowly started moving again now since it's been still since about Christmas time.
3/9/06
I am begining to think that my body has found it's weight. I have not lost any weight since about December. I just bounce between 4 lbs. It's frustrating because I would like to get down about 15 more lbs. However no matter what I do I don't loose. I am happy where I am at I am a size large and well that is amazing to me. I also am working hard at getting some debt paid off so I can get my tummy tuck. I would love to have a full body lift but that can not happen financially unless I win the lotto.
Life is good and every day I realize how much this surgery has changed my life. Not in a negative way just little things that you become aware of in social settings. Realizing there are things that you won't eat again and the realization of not eating high protein the effects it can have on your body. My only advice is people need to relaize the severity of this proceedure. It is no easy way out it's a lifetime commitment...there is no turning back to old habits and if you do your jeopardizing your health. The more I read things and people's stories these little things occur to me. Anyways, I don't regret it one bit and I will be 14 months out in a couple of days. I've lost 144 lbs!!! That alone is unbelievable to me. An entire person has been lifted off of me. How's that for mind boggeling?
4/17/06
I have embarked on another part of my journey. I have decided as much as I am happy with my wieght loss I could do better. So I've hooked up with an awesome partner and were working together to optimize health and wellness. This is going to be a challenge however I am ready to be my best! To be where I always dreamed of being tight and toned with some muscle. I'm sure there are going to be days where I want to just say I'm fine where I'm at but I am not going to accept that any longer.
I see this as I have made such a huge decison to first have RNY, and to commit to health. It just blows my mind to see people who have had wls return to their old habits. I know that it can happen to any of us. I know this but I can not see doing all this to throw my body into malnutrtion. Or put my health in jeopardy because I don't want to eat the way it is required for my body to thrive.
I guess I just look around as my eyes have opened and can not believe what people do to themselves. I'm not pointing fingers nor am I flaming, I am just making observations. Granted I enjoyed quite a bit of all that trash otherwise I would have never been Morbidly obese. I am a perfectionist and I will get to my goals! Ok there thats it. lol.
4/21/06
Well all I can say is my life seems to be just amazing this week. God has given me strength and boundless determination. I have done everything I commited to with my friend to get to my ultimate goals. I got a friend of mine to excersise with me and the other day we walked my block. Mind you I live in a hilly area so it's a good workout. It's 4.5 miles around the block. Feeling great and have followed through with my cardio daily and sticking to my protein. I have now as of this morning lost HALF of myself. 150 pounds!!! This just blows my mind. I am so happy and feeling so good.
5/1/06
Ok! It's been quite the week thank GOD it's Monday and it's a new one. I just got back from my 16 month check up and my surgeon is totally happy with my results! I'm happy to but I still desire to be better. I weighted in this morning at 190. I original goal weight. Now of course I know I can do better and I will. I'm going to reach for the stars and achieve my dreams. I want muscle tone and I want to be about 170- 175 so 15- 20 more lbs. I can do this with eating healthy and lots of excersise. I'm heading out and getting somethings today. I love taking my dogs out for walks it just gives me time to think things through and enjoy the weather.
So here I am and moving onward and upward. Those stars are high in the sky where my dreams lie but I know I'll fly. Wow thats cheesy. lol.
Here's a great motovational line I got from my buddy Celeste!
"YOU CAN NOT CHANGE YOUR DESTINATION OVERNIGHT BUT YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR DIRECTION!!!" ~ Words to live by!
5/4/06
I went for plastics consult today with Dr.Koening in Rochester. I'm very thrilled and excited. I loved him! He and Dinene his patient coordinator were so great. They took their time and answered all of my questions. I'm going for the belt lift. I'm looking at September to have it done.
Turns out I have very little fat!!!I almost fell over and in fact I laughed and asked him if he was sure. lol. Then he checked my stomach muscles and WOW. He noticed I have been working out he thinks I will not need to have my muscles tightened! I can not even grasp that what I have been doing actually worked. lol.
I'm all skin! It's gross and I want it all gone.lol.
I honestly was just on cloud nine after my apt.
5/13/06
16 months out!!! WOW! I can not believe how much life has changed in that time. I checked my body fat and I am 25% which is normal...I'm now working on to get down to a lower body fat percentage. I'm going to be working on MUSCLE! Hey I figure can't eat or rather don't WANT to eat junk anymore so why not replace my addiction with something productive.
Here's a pic of me tonight I am about to go out and do some dancing...CARDIO the smart way! LOL. I just bought this shirt and now it's too big so I better get one night out in it. =)
6/9/06
Just got back from LAS VEAGS!!! I had a blast! I had lots of men checking me out and I loved every second of it. lol. I admit it. I did meet Big Mike who is seven feet tall! I found lots of fun clothing I can not wait to go back there after my plastics. Speaking of which I got my loan yesterday I almost cried when I got approved. I scheduled my belt lift for Sept.1st! Then a few months later I will be doing my BL/BA. Life is grand am I am working out. You can see in the new pic that I've been lifting. I was laughing so hard when they took the picture.
Ok well hoep you enjoy! Vegas is highly reccommended, even if you don't gamble there is so much to do. I also walked and walked some more.
7/23/06 I am now 16 months out... I am at 184 shooting for 175. I am growing so much inside and learning so much about myself. This has been an unbelievable journey. I just got a new tattoo on my foot. Yes it hurt like nothing else! It's a flower and to me it's to mark my weight loss journey. I see it as I am "blossoming" and growing, getting strong and more beautiful inside and it shows on the outside. I chose to put it on my foot because then I will see it everyday! A reminder to not let my weight creep back on.
I realize that obesity is a very real disease and as much as much as I would like to think it would just mysteriously dissapear it is not going to. It will be a fight everyday that will continue to battle the rest of my life. However it will never win!
8/24/06 Well I am 8 days away from my Lower Body Lift! Not that I am counting. I am just excited to get the skin off and have some shape to my body besides loose skin. It will be great to have the month of September off as well even though I am recovering it's the best time of year in my mind.
I am doing good. I thing the biggest thing I have learned is life is about Balance.
9/10/06 Well I have survived my Lower body lift and am recovering. The surgery went GREAT! I love my surgeon he did an awesome job! He didn't need to do any liposuction cause he said there was not an ounce of fat to suck out. I made him repeat that a couple times. My ab muscles also were not tightened since I tightened them with excersise. The pain has not been too bad. Just soreness and of course tightness. Having the compression garments help out a lot. THe drains SUCK! They sit right at the top of down there and I am really hoping they come out Wed when I go back to the doctor.
I can not believe my body now. I have a flat tummy!!! I have never had a flat tummy. I really have a hard time with this sitting around and healing. All I want to do is go to the gym~ how sick is that? The incision looks good and it is one day at a time. He took 8 pounds of skin off of my body! Man that is incredible!
9/12/06 Ok I admit it I will be HONEST! This hurts! I have now named my three JP drians "The Three Amigos". I am ready to kiss them goodbye...but my body is not. I am still drianing and I hurt damn it. I hurt. I don't do well in slow mode and I don't like it. I am coming to terms now 11 days later that I really don't get a choice. However the stubborn side of me is still fighting for normalcy. Like I said before I am very happy with the outcome. I am simple not good at recovering! You might as well hold me down cause I try like the dickens to do everything I can. Now I would've been fine back in the old days with sitting on my butt. Now I am planning workout routines for myself and setting some new goals! Great let's leave someone who has ambition to sit...not a good idea. Now I have got like 15 projects under way! lol. =) UGH. Well that is the scoop.
10/2/06 I am doing FANTASTIC! I am healing perfectly. I went to see Dr. M this morning and he has no complaints! I'm working hard at some projects which I am not sharing yet but they are going to be exciting. I have returned to the gym and feeling wonderful! Life is truly a blessing and I plan on living it to the fullest. It's all what you choose to do with your tool! You can let it do it's thing the first year and see where you get or YOU can take charge and MAXIMIZE your results! I choose to live and MAXIMIZE my life!
About Me
Before & After
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