Amy R

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2020

15 years!

I bet I win the prize for maintaining a profile!  
Actually, I have a near & dear that brought me back to my page.  
15 years, I am still hovering at 190-ish, give or take a donut.  I have not allowed myself to haphazardly gain weight.  When I see the scale move more than 5# - I'm on it and focus on exercise and eating.  I know how difficult it is to lose once you go over the 10# mark.

Again I preach, it is a tool used to get you to a point.  Then you own your journey.

My lowest weight was 173 - I hovered in the 180s for about 5-6 years and it appears as I age I am going to settle in on 190 at 6'1".

If you are reading this, I wish you luck & happiness in making a smart decision and reaching your goal.  Doing it right and following your plan, staying on the rails - you will look back on life and think, "what took me so long".  I am forever grateful that I was able to have my surgery approved and in capable hands.

 

2015

This will be my 10 year anniversary in a few weeks.  Most people who know me have never known me when I was heavy, or can't remember me as heavy. 

Each person I talk to about weight loss & WLS is the understanding that WLS is a strong tool to get you on the right road - it is NOT an end all answer.  I have gained.  I have lost.  I struggle at times to maintain my current weight.  Dr. Anthone told me at my 3yr check up -you are no different than the average person now, you have to watch what you eat & exercise.

Keep yourself & your success as #1 and keep walking!!

~A 

I am blessed!

Still maintaining my weight from 365 to 190s for the past 8 years.  I monitor what I eat and exercise and move regularly - I'm sure if I were to be more aggressive I would be closer to the goal weight of 180s -however I am OK with 10 pounds and doing/eating what I want.

Happy New Year!

I received my anniversary email this morning.  What a great way to start the day!  7 years of life changing events!

I am happy to report I am still at goal weight, never did have plastic surgery and I am still active and advocate for WLS. 

I renewed a severed friendship from the past, someone who also had WLS with Dr. A this summer.  It has been such a blessing to have her friendship as part of my life again and to watch the transformation from the outside - the frustrations(I'm not losing weight, why am I eating this/that? "have you lost some weight?, YES 100#!!!) to the joys of people not recognizing you, never realizing HOW much you physically change to others.  Inside, we're all the same people, some just crying to get out and be & do all the things we've dreamed of!

My best long term advice is:  WLS is a TOOL, not your answer.  Use the tool, watch what you eat, excerise.  Trust me the average woman who looks great in her jeans is doing the same thing!  We just have been given the opportunity to catch up!

I truely am blessed, I would enjoy talking with anyone who is interested in the surgery.

I have been overweight my entire life, recently had back surgery(no known cause other than weight) it left me unable to excercise completely, causing me to gain more weight and another back surgery. I would like to consider this as an option to lighten the load!

Oct. 14, 2004 - I attended Dr. Anthone's seminar this evening. I found it to be informative and settled me on the type of surgery I wanted to have done, who I felt was competent and kind to do it, and how quickly I wanted it done!!

Nov. 3, 2004 - Today was my inital visit with Dr. Anthone. It went well - Height= 6'2", weight= 340, BMI=44. He felt I was a low risk candidate and I would do very well having this surgery. He was impressed with all the homework I had done prior to the visit.(Thanks Sandy and ObesityHelp!) I called my PCP and the surgeon who performed my back surgery and asked they send letters to support the surgery and possible outcome. Both letters were waiting at Dr. A's office when I arrived! I am hoping that with the supporting documentation, my 2-pages of diet history and my back, BP, and elevated sugar levels - thatn things will go my way. I am now in the waiting period that I anxiously read through so many profiles to find out if they get approved!
If you are reading this, please respond! I wrote a few ppl on here that are post-op and haven't gotten a response- assuming they are out LIVING LIFE!!

December 3, 2004
I got a call from Dr. A's office to let me know that medicaid has requested further medical history. I faxed it to my PCP and surgeon who performed my abck surgeries who in turn were faxing the information back to medicaid this week. It seems it took 10 days from the time that Dr.A's office submitted the paperwork for medicaid to respond, so I am hoping with this new information that the wait time will be less and I will know something by the end of the year! What a great way to begin the new year!! I will keep it posted and let you know what I find out. I would be open to joining a prayer chain if anyone has one for people waiting for approval or for surgeries - email me if you know of one.

December 9, 2004: Completed my psych eval this morning. Apparently I passed as I was not hauled off in a straight jacket or was prescribed medications. I was however surprised at how emotional I became as we talked about the struggles I have had with losing weight. This has become such a desire of mine as well as I am scared to death of where I will be in a year if I continue on without having the surgery. I see myself either in shape and enjoying life a year from now, or miserable, extremely overweight and possible wheelchair bound from the pressure of the weight on my back. She will be forwarding the information to DR A then they have to forward it to insurance. All the channels that have to be gone through are frustrating. I remember reading other profiles about all the hoops you have to jump through to get anything done and I always thought to myself, "I'm a pretty on top of things person, I should be able to get things going smoothly" Unfortunately, its not ME, its the Dr's office you cannot stress enough that time is of the matter! HOPEFULLY, with all the new information available to them I will have some decision in a week.

DECEMBER 22, 2004 -- APPROVAL!! I got a call from Dr A's office to let me know that I got the approval! It was met with bittersweet response as I just got a letter last week stating that I would not be eligible for medicaid in January (come to find out I earned $4 too much on child support - go figure the ONE month he makes a payment!) I called my case worker and explained that I got approval for the surgery and there needs to be a way for me to be eligible for Jan. She said that since I was single mother, even though I may not be eligible for the full benefit, they could submit for me to have to make a co-payment. So either way I will be able to have the surgery - depends whether or not it will be covered 100% or I will have to come up with some money. NEXT is getting the tests done that I need and then Denise said she could schedule a date. I called my PCP and told her that I got the approval and she was screaming and jumping up and down for me!! She is awsome. I have an appt. to see her on Monday and get the pre-tests done -- then off to schedule a date! Denise said they are already into the 3rd week of Feb. (Don't they KNOW how anxious we are to get it done NOW!!!?!?!? -lol) so.... I am hoping, God willing, that I will get things done and get a date in Feb.


January 3 2005 - Well I made it through the tests. THOSE are fun, not. I was scheduled for a ultrasound of my liver, kidney, gallbadder as well as the barium and blood gasses. My PCP decided it would be a good idea to have me do a stress test as well since I had taken phen phen in the past(thanks) -- I made it though them all ok - cept having to have the ultrasound re-done because of a computer glitch. The whole time and waiting thing is getting to me - its as though I am going through all the motions and this is going to lead to nothing. Guess I am so accustomed to failure I don't see it as being something that will really happen for me. Now that all my tests are done I am hoping to hear from Denise this week to get a date down - looks like March now - UGH

January 6, 2005 - I HAVE A DATE SET, I HAVE A DATE SET, I HAVE A DATE SET!!! I called Dr.A's office today and asked if they received all my tests. She checked and everything was there and she went ahead and made a date......JANUARY 20th! TWO-WEEKS!! Apparently, she called the hospital and they had this date open. I was shocked since I was waiting to hear something in March. So I have to say, even though I am SO impatient, it really will be only 3 months from my first step to having the surgery done. I did get notification that I was not approved for medicaid - however since I have been approved in the past I am eligible for a co-pay program I will have to pay up to $900 towards the surgery(but this also includes any medical for myself and my children) So now these next 2 weeks are going to FLY by - I have a history & physical as well as a nurse visit with Denise next week.

January 16, 2005 - We are on the home stretch now. I had my visit with Denise and learned quite a bit more about what to expect, which I appreciate -- don't like surprises all that much! I had my physical with my PCP and everything is green lights. Went through some emotional anxiety this past weekend, what if something were to happen to me - what would my children do...etc. Luckily for me my sister is a surgical nurse and she eased many of my anxieties as well as my visit with Denise. We went to Kobe's for my "last dinner" and how can you complain about that! Otherwise, Denise said to stay on an Atkin's type diet for the last week to ease up the bulkiness of my liver. I joined the yahoo group for Dr. A (ds_nebraska) I really enjoyed reading through the posts, although it is nice to read the profiles on here - its really nice to read them from people in my town having the same surgery as me done by the same doctor as me. Especially when they say nothing but wonderful things about Dr.A and their recovery! I probably won't post again until I am home from the hospital - please keep Dr. Anthone, staff and myself in your prayers if you are reading this.


OH BOY!! March 3, 2005 - ok, one of my pet peeves when reading through the posts were the people who would get to the surgery date and then there would be nothing, or merely- wow one year later I am at goal , the end! Everything happens so quickly and I never felt like sitting here and writing all that I wanted to say or know what I was saying was worth what I wanted to say.

Immediately after the surgery and during recovery at the hospital I have to say that I had a really good experience at Methodist and all the staff was nice. I could go without being awoken all day and night for things like, giving blood and the blood pressure/vitals. The nurses were really understanding to my needs, considering the surgery. One actually sat with me while I was eating one of my 'meals' and we discussed the surgery so she could know more to help others as the come along.

One week from being dismissed I was breathless and couldn't get up and do next to nothing. That friday night(2 wk since surgery) I called Dr A and told him about me being light headed and breathless and he told me to go to the hospital - after having a nurse neighbor come over and listen to my heart rate and tell me I should take my Dr advice, I ended up going to the emergency room and discovered that I was in A-Fib and my heart rate was high. They were able to control it with medicine, but it was a start of the next few weeks making me feel like I was on death's bed. They began monitoring my thyroid(which I personally think should be looked at prior to the surgery, they look at everything else for petes sake!) seems with the surgery and how it affects your motabolism which is generated through your thyroid, mine wasn't accepting the changes and freaked out. That was scary enough when I am in the hospital and they give me the option of take the IV and meds or we will have to shock you with the paddles!! I ended up in the hospital again the following Wednesday, thinking I was having the same thing happen - my entire mid section was cramped up and in pain and I couldn't breathe and felt like my heart was heavy --- they run all these tests to make sure I don't have a blood clot in my lungs etc-- I was released and called Dr A who suggested that I try some milk of magnesia to get me going... it got me going and I am not sure if it was due to that or being in all the dr offices I had been , but I got sick to my stomach and was throwing up(more like dry heaves since I hadn't eaten) for the next day and a half. Itwasn't until I was actually one month out before I felt as though I was amongst the living.

I had my first follow up with Dr A the friday after i was so ill, he decided that my J tube should be kept in and I should use it to really get the fluids back in me. I returned in a week or so and had the nurses remove it. No pain. I was 37# down at the time of them taking the tube out.

Now that I am 6 weeks out I am able to eat better and hold food down. I don't get nearly the amount of protein in that I should, don't take a vitamin, and don't take the tums like I should. I never thought that I would be so lazy about it all, when I was reading through these I always thought no matter what I was going to follow the plan!! Seems that when you are sick and puking you don't really care about the 'plan'. I will get there and add things as I get further out from being sick.

I am finally under 300# down from 345#, according to my scale at home, it says 292 so I think I am safely under 300. This is the first time in 12 yrs I have been under 300. I know the 10#/week is going to start slowing down, and I hope I don't reach many plateus, but I am certain that the weight will continue to come off. I will post again after my check up with Dr A next week.

March 10, 2005: I had my 6week(actually 7) today with Dr.A. I am down 45# on the nose. How much weight is a good weight at this point, which he said he would be able to better judge at my 3 month mark to be down 25% of my weight needed to be lost. We discussed my lack of protein intake and what will happen if I don't get more. He felt that as long as I am eating and not getting sick I will be alright, just may see the hair loss so many people talk about. My next check up will be at 3 months and they will do labs, etc then to know where I stand. I also attended the support group for Dr A tonight, there were about 30-40 people there and there was discussion about how others treat you once you have had surgery and how you should feel comfortable reacting. One of the women were so nice to bring some treats(soy nuts, protein bars) to share and let us taste them. Looks like she went shopping at Wild Oats if you have one locally.

April 5th 2005 - I am down 60# now. I have been busy working and just now starting to really get out there and get moving. I got my blood work done and they said it looks good and my protein was good which I was glad to hear. I am starting to go through my clothes and find that nothing fits. Went on a trip recently and bought 2x clothes for the first time in years! Its so nice to start seeing a FIGURE in my clothing rather than a blob!
Since the weather is warming up I have been out and about on my bike. Went 5 miles a day for the past couple days - my goal is to go 10 miles a week minimum and also to join one of the YMCA water classes. I don't think I would say that I am 'boosted' with energy - more so getting back to my normal routine. I have tried many different foods and find that I can eat a little more. My staples are honey-nut cheerios and granola bars.

May 12th 2005: Almost 4 months post op. I went to visit Dr.A today for my 3 month follow-up. I am DOWN 80#!!!! I have dropped from a tight size 28 to an easy size 22. My test results came back all good and Dr.A is very proud of his stitching technique leaving me with a nice smooth scar - said you won't be able to notice it before long. Ok, follow up on previous posts - STILL have not been to the YMCA to work out, I have been more active - but just have never been a big workout queen - hard to start now. I guesstimated that I am eating about 25% of what I used to. I can't get over the possibility in one month I could be down 100# - and by the end of summer could be close to my goal! I have noticed over the past few months since I started feeling like I am 'eating' that I have gone through MORE cravings for foods than I EVER did while I was pregnant!! I have went through the granola bar, cereal, bread stix in sweet&sour sauce, citrus fruit, potatoes grilled with peppers (all of which you notice do not have protein in them!! UGH) I talked to Dr.A about my hair beginning to fall out too, he said my protien levels were fine - and it will happen with most people - as long as I keep my protein up I shouldn't have problems.


June 19th, 2005: 5 mo post op tomorrow! Man how time flies when you are thinning down! I am down 105# now! Yea!! It is not coming off nearly as quickly as it has in the past, I never did take up any form of excercise other than running kids all over the place for summer ball and swimming! I have noticed that it is something that I will really need to focus on and have someone push me to do! We go bike riding and swimming - just not in an excercise fashion, leisurly. I love having a 'figure' one where I can wear a shirt tighter and not have a big fat roll protruding out! I, like many others on this site, lost an additional 350# and had my boyfriend move. It wasn't a good situation, and honestly I wasn't happy with the situation before my surgery, but this gave me more confidence to know I could move on easily. I am looking forward to working, spending time with my family and setting my standards so that I can find a quality, loving person to spend my new life with.
I have yet to post pics on here since I am too lazy to email them(lol) but I have some before and afters on my yahoo profile: http://profiles.yahoo.com/mynefriend
I have found that I can eat anything I want really, the cravings are not as strong as they used to be. I do drink alot of ice tea. In the past 5 months I have only gotten sick from eating 3 times and they were all because I was SO hungry I ate too fast. I went to goodwill yesterday for some clothes, this buying new clothes each month is becoming a financial burden! Anyway, I squeezed my butt into an 18!! Down 10 sizes!! I am -10# bustline, -13# waist, -11# hips with total of -58#. I was going to be thrilled if I made it to a 16/18 at the end of this and at this time I can 'just' get into an 18! Yea!!!! Good luck to all of you who are reading this and considering the option!

August 25, 2005: Down 130# I am at my WLS goal. I have been to my 6 mo check up and all my tests have been fine. I am in a size 16/18. I discussed additional weight loss with Dr. A and he said that possibly another 30+ would be suffiecient - doesn't want me to get gaunt looking. I just want my GUT to go away!! I eat pretty good, spend the summer eating fruits and veggies. My hair has stopped falling out and when I went to get my hair cut she said you could see where it was starting to come back in. I am beginning to see more of the effects of losing so much weight - my arms flap in a breeze, my stomach isn't looking all too bikini worthy, and THANK GOD I fit into Wonderbra sizes - push up all the excess skin!! lol -- I am excersising much more, swimming 3x/week and biking about the same. I really don't have any complaints or regrets! I am hoping the the remaining weight will come off by Christmas or sooner. I was losing about 10#/month the past few and now have leveled off a lil, only lost 5 in August. Good luck to anyone considering WLS!!

October 2005 - Weight: 208/ down 154# from my heighest weight. Nothing much has changed --- my excersise routine has slacked off, since it is something that I have NEVER really focused on, its hard to push yourself to do it. I know if I were to focus on it the last few pounds would come off - but honestly, I am ok with where I am. I said in the beginning of this whole thing that I would be thrilled to be where I am now(actually higher!) and not worry about plastic surgery - but now that I am here, I know that plastic surgery would remove my tummy that isn't going away and my arms wouldn't flap around everytime I move them... so its a consideration should it be something I could afford. I turn 40 next year, might have to be a gift to myself! I am now in size 14's and wear an XL misses. It is so nice to walk into a store and pick something off the rack and for the most part know it will fit! I hold up these 14 jeans and look at the tiny waist and think, there is no way in hell these will go over my hips and zip - but they do! I am excited to talk to others who are considering the option and support them in their decision to change their lives. Many of the changes that I am dealing with now are image - where I still see myself as big and heavy - and don't see myself as a "normal" size.

August 2006 - Weight 182 Size 12. I have been at this weight for the past 6 months - still would like to drop a few more pounds, but am thrilled with the results. I have considered a tummy tuck and would love to have my boobs back! At this point in my life, I am happy with what I have and certainly wouldn't trade any of it back to have boobs again! The past year has been a blessing in so many ways - and I can honestly say - NONE of it would have been possible at my previous weight. I wouldn't of had the confidence to do some of the things I have done. I wouldn't of physically been able to do some of the things I am now doing. Surgery wise, I had an 18 mo check up with Dr Anthone who said I was doing spectacular. I finally feel like I can go out to eat and order off the menu and not feel like I am throwing my money away! I will be honest - I have fallen off the wagon and could stand to make better food choices - but in the long run, I eat 90% better than I ever have in my life.