Mary G.
Happy Surgiversary
Sep 16, 2007
13 months post op...170lbs lost and seeing 170lbs on the scale..........literally having lost what I currently weigh is amazing. I'm feeling great and enjoying the ride so far.
The best part is EVERYTHING...
June 2007
Jun 05, 2007
To date I have lost 160 pounds. My life has changed so dramatically.
I am so grateful for all the help and loving guidance of my family, friends and MDs. My labs are still great and my protein intake is over 125 grams daily with my caloric intake between 1200 and 1500 Kcal daily.
My next appointment with Dr. Chebli is scheduled for next week, and I am hoping to meet with the nutritionist at the same time...
Our family has joined a fitness club, this includes my Mom who is a healthy 84 years old !! We recently came back from a family vacation to Lake Shasta and are planning many more outings for the summer. I was concerned, while on vacation, that I may have eaten more than my usual. When I returned home I was pleased to see the scale reflect a 2.5 pound loss. All the extra activity while on our trip surely added to that successful moment.
I am impressed daily by non-scale victories (while troubled with occasional plateaus) and have decreased "scale" time in order to remain focused. It is easier at this point to weigh at the MD office and occasionally (every few weeks) in the absence of MD appointments.
I will try and post after my appointment. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about this wonderful weight loss tool...
I am so grateful for all the help and loving guidance of my family, friends and MDs. My labs are still great and my protein intake is over 125 grams daily with my caloric intake between 1200 and 1500 Kcal daily.
My next appointment with Dr. Chebli is scheduled for next week, and I am hoping to meet with the nutritionist at the same time...Our family has joined a fitness club, this includes my Mom who is a healthy 84 years old !! We recently came back from a family vacation to Lake Shasta and are planning many more outings for the summer. I was concerned, while on vacation, that I may have eaten more than my usual. When I returned home I was pleased to see the scale reflect a 2.5 pound loss. All the extra activity while on our trip surely added to that successful moment.
I am impressed daily by non-scale victories (while troubled with occasional plateaus) and have decreased "scale" time in order to remain focused. It is easier at this point to weigh at the MD office and occasionally (every few weeks) in the absence of MD appointments.
I will try and post after my appointment. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about this wonderful weight loss tool...
Feburary 2007
Feb 21, 2007
I have lost over 135#, with the help and support of so many. The RNY surgery has given me the tool to moderation...I am rarely "hungry" unless I lose track of my daily intake and wait too long between meals. I have had no illness or complication since prior to surgery, and have found a wonderful team of caregivers to help this journey with intelligent answers to my never ending questions. (Anyone who knows me understands that most of my day is spent questioning something!)
My daily intake of calories averages 1200 with 80 grams of protein secondary to supplementation with powders. The selection of high protein/ low fat/low carb powders is amazing . Most folks don't realize that my morning coffee has a protein kick, and my taste buds certainly enjoy the experience. Meals consist of a variety, with smaller portions satisfying my needs. So far...this tool has been quite effective. I supplement daily with B12, B1, calcium citrate, MVI and elemental iron...which takes all of one minute out of my day...my labs are stellar. I am off all medications for the comorbities which plaqued me prior to WLS...now diet controlled ! WOOHOO!
I keep track with fitday.com, an easily completed task and available for my caregivers review if needed.
...as my weight loss slows and my body adjusts, the patterns I have established have become more "second nature". My "first nature" was certainly no way to treat my body or mind...this feels great. Every day, every step I take is easier. My life at home, work and play is more fulfilling because there is no more worry of not "fitting in". Daily there are "non scale victories" which I never realized would sneak up...and are so precious as they occur. After decades of making sure that everyone else's needs are met...it's finally my turn. Here's the deal...I waited too long to make this a priority and now my only regret is that it took me so long.
My daily intake of calories averages 1200 with 80 grams of protein secondary to supplementation with powders. The selection of high protein/ low fat/low carb powders is amazing . Most folks don't realize that my morning coffee has a protein kick, and my taste buds certainly enjoy the experience. Meals consist of a variety, with smaller portions satisfying my needs. So far...this tool has been quite effective. I supplement daily with B12, B1, calcium citrate, MVI and elemental iron...which takes all of one minute out of my day...my labs are stellar. I am off all medications for the comorbities which plaqued me prior to WLS...now diet controlled ! WOOHOO!
I keep track with fitday.com, an easily completed task and available for my caregivers review if needed.
...as my weight loss slows and my body adjusts, the patterns I have established have become more "second nature". My "first nature" was certainly no way to treat my body or mind...this feels great. Every day, every step I take is easier. My life at home, work and play is more fulfilling because there is no more worry of not "fitting in". Daily there are "non scale victories" which I never realized would sneak up...and are so precious as they occur. After decades of making sure that everyone else's needs are met...it's finally my turn. Here's the deal...I waited too long to make this a priority and now my only regret is that it took me so long.
revelations
Jan 06, 2007
Someone on OH posted a comment that struck a cord with my life.
"..one of the things they tell you is that when you become abstinent from compulsive overeating, you will feel better. Unfortunately, you will feel EVERYTHING better. If you are sad, then you are very sad. If you are happy, you are euphoric. For some folks like me, food tends to dull emotions, both good and bad..."
"..one of the things they tell you is that when you become abstinent from compulsive overeating, you will feel better. Unfortunately, you will feel EVERYTHING better. If you are sad, then you are very sad. If you are happy, you are euphoric. For some folks like me, food tends to dull emotions, both good and bad..."
Yesterday, I became unglued over something that a year ago I would have "controlled" with food to numb the intensity. I remember feeling drained and unsatisfied...it was a struggle to avoid snacking...distraction with anything but food seemed like the best choice. It didn't seem to matter what it was...just not food. It took a couple of hours of effort "not to be in a bad mood", and while I was distracting myself from the issue, the answer slowly revealed.
Sometimes depression & frustration can seem similar, so defining those feelings will be integral to changing the patterns of the past. My frustration leads to depression when I feel unable to "fix" the issue or numb the feeling. I hope to someday have more of this figured out, but I know now why they call this a "journey".
January 1, 2007
Dec 31, 2006
Reading back over my prior posts, I realized that I sound ridiculously happy(...you know what? I am ridiculously happy with the way things are going in my life). Now I have the added strength to do all of the things I've dreamed...I had waited because " I wasn't ready". I now hold myself accountable for my health, but I'm not "holding back".
During the preop and early op phases, I was waiting and watching for signs and symptoms. I took daily mental inventory to manage complications...and tried to look like everything was "normal" at work and at home. I have had no complications or illness since prior to surgery.
Now, my preop comorbitities are diet controlled. Yes, I tried to do that with every other possible means including phen-fen and prior medically supervised fasts. (An exhausting process to say the least) I documented my journey in this blog, mainly to chronicle for my own use.
The point of all of this...My life pre surgery and morbidly obese was exhausting! I feel better about myself and others than I have in years. As a preop, I left a job that I was frustrated in , and it was the begining of the change in my attitude. Leaving that position, required me to choose myself first, rather than convenience ...some folks thought I was simply inconveniencing myself. I listened to the concerns of others, "The commute will kill you"...I knew they thought I was nuts for choosing a job that required three hours of driving roundtrip. The only concern I had was in the possibile perception of selling out and stepping out on a limb. I was taking a promotion, increased wages and a job with friends in exchange for a bit of a drive. (I do miss the friends I made at the prior facility, and those friendships are important to me. I will always remember their kindness and hope to enjoy their company again someday soon.) This was , just possibly, more than I should've been doing in the state of health I was in at the time. I wasn't running away from something...I started to run towards something, and realized that being super morbidly obese was keeping me from moving ! I believe that no matter where I was working at that time, I would have been frustrated outwardly because of my health concerns. I chose the environment that would provide the best opportunity to succeed without compromising my heart. I considered WLS multiple times over the prior four years. When I went for the informational seminar, I assumed I would be a self pay patient. The MD office suggested that I submit...and ultimately, insurance paid for the procedure and followup care. I had no idea, when I left the prior job, that I would utilize that benefit at the new facility. One more sign to me that I had made the right decision.
Looking back over 2006, I have the love of my precious family and friends. I have successfully changed jobs, had major surgery, lost 115 pounds, and found myself worth taking care of. My health is improving daily along with my exercise tolerance. I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with an open heart and mind.
During the preop and early op phases, I was waiting and watching for signs and symptoms. I took daily mental inventory to manage complications...and tried to look like everything was "normal" at work and at home. I have had no complications or illness since prior to surgery.
Now, my preop comorbitities are diet controlled. Yes, I tried to do that with every other possible means including phen-fen and prior medically supervised fasts. (An exhausting process to say the least) I documented my journey in this blog, mainly to chronicle for my own use.
The point of all of this...My life pre surgery and morbidly obese was exhausting! I feel better about myself and others than I have in years. As a preop, I left a job that I was frustrated in , and it was the begining of the change in my attitude. Leaving that position, required me to choose myself first, rather than convenience ...some folks thought I was simply inconveniencing myself. I listened to the concerns of others, "The commute will kill you"...I knew they thought I was nuts for choosing a job that required three hours of driving roundtrip. The only concern I had was in the possibile perception of selling out and stepping out on a limb. I was taking a promotion, increased wages and a job with friends in exchange for a bit of a drive. (I do miss the friends I made at the prior facility, and those friendships are important to me. I will always remember their kindness and hope to enjoy their company again someday soon.) This was , just possibly, more than I should've been doing in the state of health I was in at the time. I wasn't running away from something...I started to run towards something, and realized that being super morbidly obese was keeping me from moving ! I believe that no matter where I was working at that time, I would have been frustrated outwardly because of my health concerns. I chose the environment that would provide the best opportunity to succeed without compromising my heart. I considered WLS multiple times over the prior four years. When I went for the informational seminar, I assumed I would be a self pay patient. The MD office suggested that I submit...and ultimately, insurance paid for the procedure and followup care. I had no idea, when I left the prior job, that I would utilize that benefit at the new facility. One more sign to me that I had made the right decision.
Looking back over 2006, I have the love of my precious family and friends. I have successfully changed jobs, had major surgery, lost 115 pounds, and found myself worth taking care of. My health is improving daily along with my exercise tolerance. I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with an open heart and mind.
Almost New Years...2007
Dec 30, 2006
Looking back over my "to do list", I realized it's time to hit the books, play racquetball , take the stained glass classes, and start on the garden. All of these will involve the family in some capacity...we're all spending much more time together, and definitely enjoying that time more. I am trying to replace the "triggers" that made me overeat with activities that nourish a different part...my soul. This is the first year that I remember "weight loss" not being the impossible promise to myself in the new year...it's not just a promise to myself now, it's the reality.
Thank you for this amazing tool, and the support of the people who know exactly what I am going through in this journey! Best wishes for an amazing 2007!!
Cheers
Thank you for this amazing tool, and the support of the people who know exactly what I am going through in this journey! Best wishes for an amazing 2007!!
Cheers
Merry Christmas 2006
Dec 24, 2006
This year is packed with Christmas blessings.
I had my four month post op visit with Dr. Chebli and was thrilled to see the scale reflect a 111# loss since June'06. Exercise has become integral to our family's day with my oldest son training for lacrosse and my eight year old princess learning yoga and cardio right along with me...protein shakes are in high demand around here lately. Everyone in the house is moving more sleekly. WLS has given me the tool I needed to regain not just my own health, but that of my precious clan as well... Best wishes to all for a wonderful 2007.
One hundred pounds ?!
Nov 25, 2006
I had lap RNY on Aug 16th, and lost 30 pounds as part of my pre-op "Atkins shrink your liver phase". I weighed yesterday at (3.5 months postop) and I was thrilled to see I had lost an additional 70 pounds for a total of 100# !
I started this journey and within 6 months have lost the first chunk of weight without any apparent surgical complications. My labs are terrific and my 4 month check up is on the calendar in December. I had no idea that this would be so exciting. It's fun to be able to move and breath, have energy to play with the kiddos and hubby, work and LIVE !! This is without a doubt, the best decision I have ever made. I am focusing on my own personal goals, listening to the advice of learned professionals and hanging on for the best ride of my life!!
I started this journey and within 6 months have lost the first chunk of weight without any apparent surgical complications. My labs are terrific and my 4 month check up is on the calendar in December. I had no idea that this would be so exciting. It's fun to be able to move and breath, have energy to play with the kiddos and hubby, work and LIVE !! This is without a doubt, the best decision I have ever made. I am focusing on my own personal goals, listening to the advice of learned professionals and hanging on for the best ride of my life!!
Lab results from 3 months post RNY
Nov 16, 2006
I just might live after having this surgery... Here are my labs from 3months post op...not too shabby for a chubby old lady!
Iron: 99 (28-170)
Sodium: 138 (136-145)
Potassium: 4.2 (3.5-5.1)
Chloride: 107 (100-110)
Total CO2: 26 (22-29)
Glucose: 87 (70-109)
BUN: 9 (6-20)
Creatinine: 0.9 (0.5-1.1)
Calcium: 9.5 (8.4-10.2)
SGOT: 82 (15-41)
ALT: 103 (0-50)
Protein: 6.7 (6.0-7.8)
Albumin: 3.8 (3.5-4.8)
Globulin 2.9 (2.2-3.5)
A/G ratio 1.3 (1.1-1.9)
Alk Phos 90 (38-126)
Bili 1.0 (0.2-1.4)
B12 1482(240-900)
Ferritin 58 (13-150)
Cholesterol:109
Triglycerides:70
DL: 30
LDL: 65
Chol/HDL: 3.6
LDL/HDL: 2.2
transferrin: 268 (179-321)
Annual physical
Nov 08, 2006
I was recommended to the most wonderful primary care physician by a friend at work. She works for the Everett Clinic, Dr. Mary Oconnor. Never have I had a more complete or efficient physical ! She completely recognizes the team approach to this journey and has agreed to support me through this process in regaining my health. I am humbled by the time and effort she is showing in this process.
My weight is down an additional 12 lbs since my last visit with Dr. Chebli on October 16th ( a bit over 3wks).
My BP, off meds, 120/80. Lab work pending is:
CBC, CMP, PT/PTT, Lipid panel, transferrin, B12, folate, ferritin and Fe. I am interested in finding out my lab values and feeling great except for noticing a bit of hair loss during this month. Here's hoping it comes back soon, but realizing that the resolution of my comorbities is much more important at this point. I had a spirometry...great numbers noted!
This is the first time, since I was a child, that I felt my lungs were not impeding my ability to exercise...what a joy.
My weight is down an additional 12 lbs since my last visit with Dr. Chebli on October 16th ( a bit over 3wks).
My BP, off meds, 120/80. Lab work pending is:
CBC, CMP, PT/PTT, Lipid panel, transferrin, B12, folate, ferritin and Fe. I am interested in finding out my lab values and feeling great except for noticing a bit of hair loss during this month. Here's hoping it comes back soon, but realizing that the resolution of my comorbities is much more important at this point. I had a spirometry...great numbers noted!
This is the first time, since I was a child, that I felt my lungs were not impeding my ability to exercise...what a joy.
About Me
Deming, WA
Location
28.3
BMI
Surgery
08/16/2006
Surgery Date
Jun 24, 2006
Member Since
