Jasmin C.

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Happy Easter To Me,

I got on the scale this morning and I am officially 304.1 (60lbs) .. I am just in shock writing this. I am so happy that I got my RNY. I have not named my pouch yet like some.. but I can tell you that as of lately it is very grumpy..LOL.. Tomorrow is my first day back at work and I am curious to see how it will go. I told a few the reason I would be out but did not tell many. I got some crazy looks at my familys gathering. The loss kind of took some by surprise because of the quickness... alot of family knew about my decision to have RNY.. but I guess the age old saying "seeing is believing" couldnt be used at a more appropriate time. God has been good to me and I thank him for it.  

Good Night,
Jazzy

I was browsing through the main boards and came across this post. I am going to start using this to equate my loss...LOL

Your weight loss =

1 pound = a Guinea Pig
1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts
2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs
3 pounds = an average human brain
4 pounds = an ostrich egg
5 pounds = a Chihuahua
6 pounds = a human’s skin
7.5 pounds = an average newborn
8 pounds = a human head
10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year
11 pounds = an average housecat
12 pounds = a Bald Eagle
15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs
16 pounds = a sperm whale’s brain
20 pounds = an automobile tire
23 pounds = amount of pizza an average American eats in a year
24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream
25 pounds = an average 2 year old
30 pounds = amount of cheese an average American eats in a year
33 pounds = a cinder block
36 pounds = a mid-size microwave
40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of water or an average human leg
44 pounds = an elephant’s heart
50 pounds = a small bale of hay
55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner
60 pounds = an elephant’s penis (yep, weights more than his heart!)
66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year
70 pounds = an Irish Setter
77 pounds = a gold brick
80 pounds = the World’s Largest Ball of Tape
90 pounds = a newborn calf
100 pounds = a 2 month old horse
111 pounds = red meat an average American eats in a year
117 pounds = an average fashion model (and she’s 5’11”)
118 pounds = the complete Encyclopedia Britannica
120 pounds = amount of trash you throw away in a month
130 pounds = a newborn giraffe
138 pounds = potatoes an average American eats in a year
140 pounds = refined sugar an average American eats in a year
144 pounds = an average adult woman (and she’s 5’4”)
150 pounds = the complete Oxford English Dictionary
187 pounds = an average adult man
200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds
235 pounds = Arnold Schwarzenegger
300 pounds = an average football lineman
400 pounds = a Welsh pony

Well, on my one month out surgiversary I decided to finally step out for a bit and treat myself to something (maybe a shirt, or some shoes) I go to Shoe Carnival and saw a bunch of cute summer/spring shoes... I grabbed a whole bunch and decided to try them on.. and to my disbelief...OMG.. I lost a shoe size!!!  I knew that with weight loss you can drop sizes but I was not expecting it to be this early out. I went from a fat footed 11 to a 10 and some 9.5's. I got so happy... I went ahead and grabbed 6 pair (gasp) I have never in life done this before. I am usually so frugral on myself that it is ridiculous.. but I have been noticing a different attitude in regards to myself since surgery. Okay more confession time.. My 26th birthday is coming up.. I went online to Tiffanys and bought a charm bracelet I have been wanting forever and the last thing.. I found out about scented monkey online and bought $200.00 worth of perfume. I just have been so care free with myself and it feels good. I am gonna get it more under control.. and just to think.. I really havent been clothes shopping yet..LOL... I need to seriously do this before I head back to work..... my pants are ready to be retired..LOL.. Well, theres more room out than in.. so I feel much better with the release  Oh and I am the weight now that I was when I was 18 years old.. I feel so blessed yall!!

Talk With U Soon ( My B-day is approaching!! 03/27)
Jazzi

Well Happy 1 Month Surgiversary to me!! I actually made it .. this road has been bumpy.. lets do a rewind... On February 12,2008 my journey with WLS became official. I had my RNY surgery at 7:30 AM that day. I woke up feeling like I was ran over by a steam train but it did get better eventually. I caught a case of cabin fever and attempted to get out and about too early and this left me with the Flu.. which is no fun when u are that fresh out of surgery. I have learned to listen to my body for the first time in life and I am resting, taking it easy and feeding myself correctly. I was a bit scared and regretful most days for the first 3 weeks because of the pain and constantly feeling weak. Food is no longer fun it is a chore.. but that is a good thing because I totally needed an intervention from my best friend (food). When I hit the end of my third week entering into the fourth (recently) things magically have gotten better.. the pain is no longer there.. I am eating properly (still struggling with protein) but it gets better day by day. My fluid intake is well. I dump on water now so everything is Propel (ice cold) or black tea with equal. Thank God for Wendys Chilli, turkey and cheddar Lunchables, sugar free Jello pudding, Activia yogurt and my all time favortie now (Life Savers Sugar free popsicles).. these things are keeping me sane and healthy for the most part. My vitamin intake is not the best. I am taking half of them.. but my surgeon says it will get better with time. I cant believe I am about to say this, but I actually miss work.. I feel like I am going crazy some days with nothing to do...  Okay and now for the big news.. I am officially 51 LBS down. I lost 9 1 week pre-op and 42 since surgery. I was in denial but I can see a difference in my face and arms and my big a$$ belly...LOL.. I will post my measurements later on this evening. I am looking forward to next four weeks and what they bring. Oh, my BMI went from 57 to 49.. thats good and yes I am a scale whore.. its gonna be a hard habit to break. I thank the boards for being there for me when I needed to vent and I thank Ms. Bunny for allowing me to vent and listen to me talk incessantly about my worries and food and all kinda emotional crap that we go through as our bodies change.
Measurements Coming Soon!!
Jazz

Hey Guys ,

Okay... from the last post.. the pain is gone {{{{ YAY}}}} The pain by day four turned into a tight uncomfortablness (a made up word..LOL) Kinda like a dull ache. I have three incisions from surgery and one incision for the drain tube. I will add photos at a later date.
  I dumped twice on Sunday My surgeon wanted me to take milk of magnesium to move my bowels.. my step dad bought me some that was razzberry flavored. I took one sip and immediately felt like I was about to die.. the worst feeling on earth took over my entire body. My heart started racing.. i was panting.. I was gagging..... sweating profusely and thought I saw an angel crying for my ass on my left  ..LOL.. I did this for about an hour then my mom had mercy on me.. they changed my pain meds from Tyelonol three to Vicodin (the pill).. She had to grind  it up into a fine powder and then gave it to me in that form, I accidently gulped water  Then it was another horrible re-run of the same thing for another hour. 

I cannot stomache the smell of food or see cooked meat or veggies.. this makes me gag.  My mom has to cook with the back door open because I get terribly sick. I have a foul taste in my mouth, the best way to describe it, is putrid like hot garbage. I scrub my tongue all day with my tooth brush and mouthwash.. that doesn't do a damn thing. I finally pooped .. I am so happy over the little victories I swear.. it is black as tar.. but thank u for that anyway.. atleast I can. LOL... My mom and I went out and she bought me a really expensive Guess purse from Macys yesterday as an "I'm proud of you" gift..We went to Bennigans.. my first time to a restaurant and first day out was yesterday. I ate 8 spoonfulls of potatoe soup.. I just drank the broth and ate the cheese.. it stayed down. I still don't know when I am full but I don't have an appetitie so it doesn't matter. Thank God I didn't get bothered by the smells there.
 
The docotor removed my tube.. I almost tongue kissed him.. I was so f*cking happy. The drain didn't hurt me by far.. but the removal of it marks a new independence for me.  I still can't bend down, I just started wiping my own butt.. but it is one day at a time.. Oh I am down... drum roll please...............................34 LBS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Week one baby!!! 25 from surgery and 9 from my one week post-op diet. Oh and one more thing.... my dreams are strangely erotic.... always with food..LOL.. sorry if that TMI but someone else may experience this so please know u are normal. LOL

Luv U All,
Jazz

Happ V-Day& I am back!!

Here we go:
We left for the hospital at 5:30 AM.. I was freaking out because I thought we were runnng late.. my mom was taking all day getting dressed. We arrive (my mom, aunt, sister and step dad) Security directed us to an area to wait for the transporter to come get me for surgery.. only one person was allowed with me to recovery before surgery .. my mom.  We get to the recovery and the nurses were very nice.. this is where I stared to freak out a bit.. they gave me a pregnancy test.. and then gave my mom some anti bacterial wipes to use to wipe me down from the roota to the toota....I started getting really nervous at this point. Second thoughts started to come in and the next thing I knew.. my surgeon came in and this brought the focus and comfort I needed. I got back to my priorities and started thinking a little more positively. Then in like clock work my anesthesiologist came  in right after my surgeon.. he said he had something I would love.. and boy did I.. I got a relaxant from him and then  we said good bye to my mom...I was not so outta of it that I didn't cry a mini river.. it hit me and hit me hard that I was about to go under.. I remember getting to the operating room and immediately noticing the temp drop.... I looked around and saw the TVs that I knew they were going to be looking at my insides on.. I looked up and there was a bright light and then I remembered my anesthesiologist was like okay Jas.. take three deep breathes.. then total blackness.. a sista was out.....just like that. I don't recall dreams, them waking me up to take the tube out.. any of that.. I just recall that as soon as I got up I was in extreme pain.. no one prepared me for this. I felt like a train ran straight into my abdomen and then did a reverse and hit me once again.. even with the morphine pump, I was not prepared.. my body went into shock from the pain and my blood pressure went up, they gave me some stuff called Toredol or something like that .. I fell in love with it. My temp last night was 102.8 and it broke this morning. They discharged me today. I was not ready and my pain is not manageable  but they say two days is the standard. I am going to lay down right now and rest. I go back on Wednesday to get my tube( drain) removed.. oh.. i did not do a BM yet... I  ate some pureed foods per my surgeon.. I really don't have an appetite right now and drank some liquids.. everything stayed down. Big ups to Bunny.. my own angel on here.. love ya girl and Takescare.. thank u guys!!

Luv U All  
My re-birth has started
Jazz 

Greetings All ,

I can't believe I have made it this far. WOW is all I can truly say. I have been walking around in a twilight zone since Friday which was my last day of work. I can't believe I worried myself so much over this and making it this far. Hmmm.. lets see what I can share with you about today. Wel I went to U of C and weighed in and I lost 9 LBS.. Yay!! Their scale is 5 lbs heavier than mine and my PCP's it read 355.4 but I am truly 350.4 LBS and I got the same lady to retake my height.. I am standing at 5'7. 

Measurements:

Neck:  18 1/4
Bust:  57 1/2 (wow.. I fit into a 48C)
Waist:  56
Hips:  561/2
Around Stomache: 60
right upper arm:20     left upper arm: 20
right thigh: 32              left thigh: 32 1/2
right calf: 21 1/2          left calf: 21
right ankle: 10 3/4      left ankle: forgot to take (smile)
   
 
Jasmin,

Your time has arrived butterfly. Your wings are no longer clipped, they are free. The time to fly freely and wild with no inhibitions has come my love. Your beauty is in your uniqueness. You are a child of the Most High.. it is time for you to step into your destiny and be who you are called to be, no more hiding or running away. The ideas and dreams that you have seen, written, or glimpsed are all alive and well. Girl, you are going to come out of this thing on your feet and looking at the world as nothing but free oppurtunity. My love, you are gorgeous, vibrant, intelligent, funny and free. You are named after an Egyptian wildflower that grows only at night.. you are unique and your time is NOW

Fly Towards The Heavens,
Yourself
 
Good Night All.. See you guys on the losers side.. I am a tad nervous.. but oh-so ready!!

Finally, it happened!! I had my WLS epiphany! I can't exactly pin-point it but I must tell you guys that throughout this weekend I had the oppurtunity to reflect, release, pray and cry . I am approaching the finish line and can see the ribbons a few feet ahead...  why give up now ?The old Jasmin would give up, throw in the towel and eat away the pain.... the newer improved Jasmin is slowly emerging and this strong powerful woman will not be defeated! I am slowly falling in love with her. The old me was trying to hide her in fat, lies and grief but the newer healthier me is fighting for her chance at life.. she is telling the old me to "GET THE FUCK BACK!!"  I can't help but to love and admire a fighter.. especially one that resides in me. 

For the newbies who are reading this or the pre-ops halfway there..... Please whatever you do.... keep pushing and know within your heart that you are worth this and you can be a more brilliant diamond than you already are. To those who hate their jobs.. I feel your pain! Before I hit the 90 day probationary period I discovered that WLS was covered with our insurance. I got promoted to another department and the devil appeared (a supervisor) Anytime you are approaching a victory he will give opposition! Look him/her in the face with a smile and do what you have to do. I did and it is definitely paying off. This individual would make me cry at work ( the last stall in the bathroom was my friend), cry in my car on my way home, black ball me, and make constant attempts at mockery all in my name. I prayed many nights and God answered me. The relationship him and I have is much better but I still know what and who he is..LOL. I am not like many on the boards. I am not going to get bored and rush to go back. I will enjoy my 6-8  weeks and come back stronger and better than before! Please keep trucking.

Moving forward.. this seems so surreal to me. I made up my mind with what I am going to do with my hair.. next Saturday I am going to the Soul Spa in Bronzeville and getting some french braids. I have so much to do.. I am getting a mani/pedi, gas x, monster claw house shoes ( to cheer me up at  the hospital), a new digital camera and memory stick (i will have tons of pictures) measuring tape (for the obligatory day before rebirth post) Carm-ex (for dry lips) sugar free gum for my purse and plennnnnty of beauty rest.  I will holler at you guys on 02/11 after my pre-surgery weigh in and give all measurments, fears and thoughts!

Luv YA
Jazzy

Greetings All,

Things are going fine in my quadrant of pre-op hell..LOL. I am battling my body with dieting. I hate this so much. I know I have to do this to get where I need to be before surgery. I have to complete this. I am sitting here thinking of all the things I have given up for a healthier me. Cigarettes ( I miss them so much) junk food (sadly I will miss you as well) I am wondering if my frame of mind is right. I wonder if it is normal to be a little afraid of letting go and missing food. I found this list on someones page and thought it was helpful.

                        50 Things To Do Instead of Snacking


1. Imagine the new healthier you
2. Walk around the block
3. Call a friend
4. Make a list of your Top Ten Reasons to Lose Weight
5. Make a To Do list
6. Turn on music and dance
7. Jot a thank you note to someone
8. Go to bed early or take a nap
9. Read a book
10. Blog or journal
11. Give yourself a manicure or pedicure
12. Plan a healthy meal for your family
13. Surf the Internet
14. Finish an unfinished project
15. Walk your dog, pet your cat, feed your fish
16. Brush your teeth
17. Balance your checkbook
18. Say a prayer
19. Chop veggies to keep on hand
20. Give a massage
21. Clean out a junk drawer
22. Play a game with your kids
23. Try a new route on your walk
24. Drink a glass of water
25. Kiss someone
26. Try on some of your clothes
27. Look at old pictures
28. Rent a video
29. Wash your car
30. Take a hot, soothing bath
31. Update your calendar
32. Work in your yard
33. Start your holiday shopping list
34. Count your blessings
35. Write a letter
36. Fold some laundry
37. Check your e-mail
38. Give your dog a bath
39. Send a birthday card
40. Meditate
41. Hug someone
42. Rearrange some furniture
43. Light a fire or some candles
44. Put your pictures in an album
45. Plan a trip (real or imaginary)
46. Straighten a closet
47. Clean out a files
48. Visit a friend
49. Clean out your trunk
50. Do something nice for someone

Here is the honest ugly truth which has woke my a$$ up. I got a call from Judy ( RN) from University of Chicago. She told me my surgeon looked at my file and saw that since 11/7 I have gained 20 lbs.. Yes I know this is horrible. My surgeon wants me to weigh in 1 day before my surgery and if I gain even 1 lb then it is cancelled! I am not upset I understand why. I let the last Meal Syndrome go to my stupid head.. also.. she thought I was a diabetic.. My blood sugar was 169.. in May it ws 109. I was in total shock and couldn't believe this. I have never been diabetic. My parents are and their mothers and I knew I was next in line if I continued down the road I was. I am getting on my grind. I am setting a pre-op goal to lose 15 lbs by 02/11. I have to go in one day before hand an get weighed and more labs. The weight this day will be contingent upon my surgery.

Pray For Me
Jazz