Carolyn W.
 Highest Weight 288 Current Weight 150 Total Lost 138 
January 2006 I have been waiting for surgery for almost 3 yrs now. In April of 2005 I decided to take one more crack at dieting. I lost approx 55 lbs between Apr and Aug but since Aug have been steady. The good news is that I haven't gained it back - yet. You see that I have been semi-successful at dieting over the years but it seems that my body has the magic number 55 in there - I've lost this much weight before (several times) but I can never get past that and I always- always gain it back plus way more. I have been thinking about surgery for years and years - I asked my GP about it at least a whole year before I actually found a surgeon myself and asked for the referral - Hey I could have been post op now probably if my GP had known about the surgeon. Anyway after almost 3 yrs after the referral I finally got the first call from Dr. Davey's office in October/05 and had my first appointment (with his surgery nurse) on halloween. I had the 2nd appointment with his dietician in Dec and have another appointment with the dietician in Jan. I have not met Dr. Davey yet but I am hopefull that I may have my surgery in the spring of 2006 - the sooner the better - I have waited so long - I have been overweight my entire life. I have some big things going on in 2006 and would sure like to have my surgery over and be started on my way to a slimmer, healthier, new me. I am so afraid that they won't do the surgery my BMI now (after losing the 55 lbs) is just over 40 which seems to be one of the criteria - however before I lost the weight I had such a bad back that I could not walk more than a block without sitting down - I was on Percocet (heavy duty, narcotic, pain killers) for the pain and at the worst thought I may never walk again. I have always been active of sorts - the weight slows me down some and stops me from doing some things I would really love to do so I can't wait to be rid of the extra person that I carry around every day. Dr. Davey's dietician told me about a support group here in my home town and I went to my first meeting in mid December. The people were absolutely wonderful and they were so open and informative. I suggest anyone living in this area starting this journey and wanting answers to their questions look into this group. I wanted honest, upfront answers - the good, bad, and ugly, so to speak, and this is what I found - Hey when you are making a life changing, drastic decision you want to be totally informed - Right. So this was a great place to go and GREAT people to talk to. I felt like I bonded with these wonderful people right away. Can't wait for the next meeting. 
Feb 13, 2006 Today I had my appointment with Dr. Birch. He talked about what had been going on with me a little then he described the two surgeries that they offer in detail and the pros and cons for both and the risks involved. He said that this is the only place where you can get the lap band for free – everywhere else if you want it you pay - $20,000. They are a research center of type trying to figure out if this is an option that other provinces may want to offer through health care. He talked about this being a major life change and that you must be willing to change things to be successful. I forgot most of my questions, but did ask if they just stapled the stomach for the RNY or if they cut as well. They cut. There is some research that believes there is some hormone thing in the major stomach that changes when it is cut free and changes a person’s tastes, etc. He talked about being ready and I replied. I have been waiting for this for years. I have tried my entire life and have not been successful in keeping the weight off. I no longer have Ionomin to help with my hunger and I see this surgery as a tool to aid me in the areas where I struggle. I’ve done the research and I am ready. The next thing I know he says well I guess we better start the paper work. I said do you mean that this is going to happen. He said yes if that is what I want. I said you have no idea how happy you have made me. He went out and came back with a consent form for me to have an RNY gastric bypass performed by either him or Dr. Davey or both. I then got the requisitions for the pre-op tests: blood work, ECG, Pulmonary function, and chest x-ray. When I got to work I called the clinic where I must get the Pulmonary function test done. They had a cancellation for tomorrow at 10:15 so I took it. The chest x-ray can be done in the same building (Hys Centre) so I will get that done tomorrow as well. I got the blood work and ECG done tonight at the Callingwood lab. I’m on my way. 
Feb 14, 2006 – Valentine’s Day I got my Pulmonary function test done this morning and also got the chest x-ray done. I now have all my pre-tests done. Just have to wait now for them to call me. Wait, wait, wait. Tick tock……. 
February 19, 2006 Took before pictures today. It was actually easy to get into my swimsuit. Couldn’t believe it. I guess 50 lbs will do that. I was able to get into it all by myself with no problem. I looked at the pictures and I always knew I was top heavy that my legs and butt aren’t that bad for someone my size. It looks funny – I look like a giant blob on toothpicks. Looks like they will break under the weight. And my butt is tiny compared to the rest of me. 
March 3, 2006 Today is my CDO and I was home. The phone rang and it showed up as RAH. It was “the call”. I have a date – can you believe it. They told me my surgery date is April 11th – can you believe that – I was expecting May at the earliest and afraid things would be worse than that. I am scheduled for a pre-op appointment for March 9th and it will be probably 3 – 4 hours. This is something all surgery patients do – it basically goes over surgery procedures and you meet with the anetheologist. May have nothing to do with my WLS at all. 
March 22, 2006 I just want to say thank you to all the people that have sent me their well wishes. It is so nice to hear from people all over the place sending you warm wishes and blessings. To all of you Apr 11th buddies we will need to keep each other (and everyone) posted on how we are doing. I'm really excited (a little scared at times) and can't wait for the surgery to be over and in recovery mode. Good luck to everyone. Angel Hugs. Carolyn 
March 28, 2006 I got a call from the RAH today was thinking maybe I had got bumped up but NO-O-O I was bumped down a week to the 18th. I was so sad and crying a week feels like a year at this point. Intelligently I know a week is no big deal but emotionally I can't hack it - I've waited so long that any delay is unbearable right now. I'm a basket case. Why do I have to keep wishing my life away. 
April 18, 2006 – Surgery Day Slept well but got up before the alarm went off so I could get ready. Ed wanted to leave by 7:15 or so to make sure that we got there on time. I never got nervous until I started walking to the car. I hugged Amanda and shed a little tear but quickly regained my composure. We got to the hospital before 8:00. Went to admitting where they registered me and gave me a bracelet and had me sign the billing documents. Then they sent us to B101, which is the day surgery place. This is where they prep you and you wait to be taken to surgery. They gave me a gown and I had to undress and put that on. After a while they came in and started an IV – they ended up having to put it in my left hand. Thank goodness not my right hand. They took a blood test and they gave me two pills to take. I then just had to wait for them to come and get me. I was glad that Ed and the girls were there. Me and the girls were wacky and singing songs, etc. This really helped to keep my mind off things. They actually came to get me earlier than I expected – just after 10:00. That is when I had to take the nasty drink – they say this is supposed to help dry you out so they can get the tube in your throat better. They said to take it like a shot and I did – it barely touched my tongue so I didn’t get the real bad taste too bad. This is where Ed and the girls had to leave me. I was taken to the 3rd floor where the surgery is done. I was put in a room where the beds were lined up with the patients waiting to go. Some people came and asked me questions but I was waiting all alone for a long time. This gave me too much time to think and worry. I tried to read a magazine to keep my mind off stuff but it was hard. They came to take me to the OR around 11:00. They wheeled me in the OR and I had to get myself down onto the table. It was narrow and they had jell pads on it to lie on. Then they put the arm supports on. Soon the anestieologist came in and they were talking about if the table was in the right position. Then they put a mask over my face and told me to take deep breaths – the next thing I was out. I don’t remember much about the recovery room just someone calling my name what seemed like a million times and telling me to open my eyes. It took awhile but I finally came too a little. Someone came and asked me questions, like what my name was and where I was and what I had done I think. Then I think they said ok she’s awake we can move her to the unit. Someone then came and wheeled me to my room. I ended up on a ward. Asked for a private and ended up on a ward. The good thing was I was the only one there at the time. The nurses came in then and started to clean me up. I was pretty out of it but I remember them telling me that they must have used a whole bottle of the stuff on me – it was everywhere. They scrubbed my belly and then they had to do my back. They said it looked like they had tried to give me and epidural maybe because my back was covered. They had to roll me over to do this. I remember moaning and I remember them scrubbing my back with warm water and right down to my butt. Then they had to roll me over to do the other side. Then they realized that my incision on the right hand side was bleeding badly. They had to patch that up too and give me another clean gown to put on. All of this was done with me pretty much in a total fog. Ed and the girls said they came to the room around 3:00 so I’m thinking I must have been there by 2:00 – 2:30 maybe, so the surgery must have only took about 1.5 hrs maybe. After Ed and the girls got there I woke up more but I guess I was still kinda out of it from what they told me later. I did get up and go to the bathroom. They unhooked the IV temporarily to make this easier. I was surprised but they let me melt ice chips in my mouth but had to spit everything out. This was so good because when I got dried out is when I got sick. I promised I wouldn’t swallow as long as I could do this. The nurses were coming every hour I think to check my vitals for the longest time. They were also worried that I wasn’t peeing enough so one of the nurses did a scope on my bladder during the night. She then said no it seemed ok. 
April 19, 2006 - Wednesday I don’t remember too much about the night except them coming to take my vitals and I think I got up to go to the bathroom again. But in the morning the nurses came to wake me up and they were insisting that I go to the shower. I really didn’t feel like it. All I wanted to do was sleep. Sometime that morning they came in and took blood work. One of the resident doctors also came to see me and told me nothing to eat or drink for the day and if all went well I could start fluids the next day. They got me up to go to the shower. It was way down the hall past the nurses’ station and I walked down there. I also stood the entire time in the shower. They had to wrap my hand and put a glove on it to protect the IV – this was awkward. But all in all, the shower did feel good to have the warm water wash over me. I was up and down all day going to the bathroom and in the afternoon I had some visitors. Got some really nice flower arrangements. I also ended up with a room mate. That night the night nurses propped my up on my right side and left me to sleep. Sometime in the wee hours of the morning a machine started beeping. It woke me up and was driving me crazy. I was afraid that my IV was not plugged in. I couldn’t find my call button. I pulled on every cord I could find but couldn’t find it. I tried calling out for the nurse but that didn’t work. I was hoping to wake the old lady and she would use her call button. That didn’t happen. I managed to get my light on and saw that the room door was closed so there was no way they were going to hear me. About an hour later I managed to get over on my back again pulled every cord but couldn’t find the call button. I was almost in a panic and finally managed to find the button. The nurses finally came and it was actually the old lady’s machine that was beeping. So they took care of her. I then got up to go to the bathroom. When I came out I went and cleaned up my table – had lots of Kleenex on it and went and washed out my spit bowl. They I took my glass and went to the nurse’s station for ice. The nurses said I was doing really good walking, etc. Then I went back to bed all by myself. 
April 20, 2006 – Thursday I was so dried out when I woke up this morning – the day team was in doing stats, etc. I asked for ice but didn’t get it right away because they were busy. I couldn’t get out of bed and was really getting nauseated. I was getting so sick I started to actually cry. Laly asked what was wrong I said I hadn’t had any pain meds since 11:00 last night and she said that was too long I should have asked for some. I said I did but they wouldn’t give it to me. And now I was sick and wanted to throw up. I was so upset I was really sick. They got me some gravol and some ice and some pain meds. The ice finally helped and I settled down. The doctor came in and said I could start fluids today. Great. They gave me cream of wheat for breakfast and I maybe ate about half - just dipped the spoon in and ate it really slow like that. The first bit of food is scary. Tried the apple juice watered down because I was afraid that straight would be too sweet. Later in the day I tried a little straight and I kind of got sweatie so I think it is too sweet. 
April 21, 2006 – Friday I got to go home today after they made sure my O2 levels were ok - they had been fluctuating so they wanted to make sure I was ok without the oxygen. It was late in the afternoon though before I finally got the word. It was so nice to get out of the hospital. It was really hot outside 26 degrees. Ed brought the stool so I was able to get in the van ok. The ride home was kinda slow as we were going around early rush hour. But we got here ok. When we got here I didn’t know if I was going to make the walk from the road to the house without sitting but I did. Then I sat on a kitchen chair for about ½ hr before I headed upstairs. Going up the stairs was slow but not as bad as I thought. Part way through the evening I was feeling sick and tried to take a gravol pill. This wasn’t good – either it was too big or I was just to sick because I threw up. Not much actually came up – the pill didn’t but I urged a few times. It wasn’t nice. I was ok after some ice and then I lay down. This first night was long cause I had to get up every 1/5 – 2 hrs to go pee. When you’re not drinking this is weird but I know it’s the fluid from the IV. 
May 1, 2006 – Monday Today was my first post-op appointment with Dr. Davey. Finally met him and he is really nice. Dr. McMullen was there too. They said all seemed fine and that I could start my solids tomorrow as scheduled. I joked with them about hitting me with a 2x4, etc. Dr. Davey also said that he guaranteed that I would get something stuck and throw up. He said the key was not to panic. It happens to everyone. Just take all my pills and remember to chew, chew, chew. I decided to have food for supper. My first solid was actually one teddy graham cookie – I ate it so slow and it dissolved in my mouth totally. It was so good. Then for supper I had a scrambled egg and ½ piece of toast with butter. I ate the other ½ about a ½ hr later. It was really good and I didn’t have any problems. Yay I’m eating solid foods. 
May 12, 2006 I went shopping with my daughter today was out about 3 hours came home for an hour to eat then went out for about another 4 hours. This was really pushing it and I was not feeling good by the time I got home. When I lay down in bed I had this really bad pain in my left side but it had moved down further than normal down to right over my left hip. Around 3:00 am I woke up cause the pain was so bad and woke my husband cause I thought I might go to emergency. But when I sat up I was in no shape to get dressed and out to the car to go to emerg. He sat with me and I got all hot and clammy and got all light headed and weak. He said I lost all my color. I could feel that I was going to pass out. I was hyperventilating too. I didn't pass out, and got my breathing under control. I didn't want to go to emerg at 3:00 am so just lay down again and stuck it out. Felt better in the morning - pain still there a little but not enough to go to emerg. 
May 15, 2006 I'm back to work today - I'm finding it hard to get the water and food thing down there due to all the interuptions. I went home a little early cause I was tired. 
May 16, 2006 Had my first case of the slimes tonight. This wasn't nice and I have no idea what really brought it on but it was quick. I just felt like I had this giant gas bubble that I couldn't get up and my daughter came into the bathroom with me cause she was so concerned cause I was in so much pain. I asked her to rub my back and burp me like a big ole baby. This helped and I threw up two little bits of clear slime. This made me feel better. 
May 18, 2006 - 1 month out I'm down 28 lbs since surgery date and 63.5 lbs from my highest weight. It was so good to see the scale dip below the major plateau that I had before surgery. I've lost the 20 lbs I gained in the last meal phase and more so I'm finally on my way. I can't wait for next summer and hopefully I'll be able to shop in normal stores and have all the cute little outfits everyone else wears at work. So far no regrets just looking forward to the possibilities...... 
June 12, 2006 Went back to Curves today - had a weigh and measure. I've lost lots of inches. Found today that I'm weak. It's just like starting over all over again. Oh well....... 
June 16, 2006 I've been sick with a cold all week and been feeling kinda blah. I haven't been eating properly either. I decided to go shopping tonight. Decided to try on some boarder shorts. I've always wanted a pair. Guess what. I found some that fit. Yeah. I bought two pairs. Amanda actually told me to take one pair back to exchange because they looked to big and would be too big for sure in a month. Yeah. I have boarder shorts like my girls. I've met one of my silly goals!!!!!! My New Board Shorts  
June 18, 2006 - 2 Months Post-Op - 210 lbs I'm wondering if I have the beginnings of a stricture. Been having pain off and on - a tightness in my stomach when I haven't eaten at all then take 2 bites. All I had today was less than 1/4 hamburger meat with spagetti sauce then for supper took 3 forks of food and was really tight. Ended up throwing up. First time to actually throw up the food. I mentioned this to Dr. Davey last month and he said it was because I was full. Can't see that. Will talk to him about it again next week when I see him. Trying some fish right now to see if that will stay down. Took some pictures - hope you can see the difference. Amanda says you can!!! 
June 22, 2006 I'm so happy - I finally bit the bullet and bought a new car. I got a Ford Escape SUV and I love it. It's all mine - Ed will keep the old van and this is mine, mine, mine. Yippee...... 
June 23, 2006. Nancy and I went camping tonight. This will be a girls weekend with just the two of us. We had a campfire tonight and I had a roasted weinie - I only had half a bun and didn't eat it all but ate most of the weinier. It was so nice to be out in nature again and enjoy a campfire. I even tried a Mike's Lite that Nancy got for me that has no sugar. It's carbonated though so had a few sips then let it go flat. 
June 24, 2006. Went swimming in the river today - it was so refreshing. Nice to be in the water and get some exercise. The weather has been great. 
June 30, 2006 Tonight was bad..... this evening I had a carrot which was ok. But then later when I tried to eat supper I had a couple of small bites and it felt like my tummy was going to explode. I couldn't even swallow my own saliva. I ended up slimming a few times then actually threw up the little food there was. I thought I was ok so I went out. Got sick at the store and left. Got stuck on the highway due to an accident and actually had to throw up in my new car (oh god). I was ready to throw up in my purse then I remembered the ash tray cup - that worked great and it's easy to clean. (great we don't projectile vomit anymore). Anyway it was a bad night as I continued to throw up. Thank god in the am I was ok and could drink water again. 
July 1, 2006 - Canada Day Me and the girls went to the pool today. The weather was great and the water was so nice. I was actually able to do some swimming and it was great exercise. I think I will want to do this much more. Maybe we can go some evenings after work. Went to the fireworks too. Did alot of walking and fast walking too. The fireworks were great. Apparently we had the 2nd largest fireworks display in Canada...... 
July 9, 2006 I went dancing with friends last night and boy was it fun.....I literally danced my ass off because this morning when I stepped on the scale (I do every morning) I was down to 196.5. I couldn't believe my eyes. That was 4 lbs in a day. I doubt if it will last but I'm below 200 lbs and now I know that it will truly happen really soon. Went shopping and bought size 16 jeans - can you believe it. Wow!!!! 
July 13, 2006 Well yup I went over 200 again between the 9th and now but I'm now at 198.50 and think this is a true weight loss. 
July 18, 2006 - 3 months post-op Today I was still 198.50 but now I know that I'm really under 200 as it has been consistent for a week. Yippee!!!!! I've been wearing size 18 pants for weeks now and they aren't tight at all. My shirts are all too big. We had our support meeting today too and Dr. Birch (my surgeon) was the guest speaker. 
July 19, 2006 - My birthday 
July 20, 2006 - Capital X Parade Day Went to the parade and then went to Taste of Edmonton. Shared a few dishes with my friend and my daughter. The weather was so h-o-t.......I think the heat got to me - wasn't feeling well and ended up going to bed at 5:30 and slept pretty much right through. I've been having trouble lately - when I take my pills in the am I pretty much throw up right away - pill stays down I think but liquid comes back up. 
July 24, 2006 First time that I got sick and actually threw up at work. This was not nice - I was so scared I wasn't going to make it to the washroom. Spent about a half hour in there before I felt well enough to go back to work. 
July 25/06 - 14 weeks post-op Down to 195 lbs. This is down 57.50 from surgery weight and down 93 from highest weight. Yippee!!! 
August 5, 2006 My friend Andrew got his call tonight - Saturday night - can you believe it. His surgery date is Sept 5th. I'm so excited for him. When I joined the local support group - he was already a member and it was just him and I that were pre-ops at the time. I was a ahead of him in the process so I'm already post-op but now his time has come - he is about 4.5 mths behind me. This is great news - I'm so happy - I'm litterally jumping up and down like tigger like when I got my call. I'm just OMG - OMG!!!!! Yah Andrew. 
August 6, 2006 My friend Pam got her call too - her surgery date is Sep 12th - one week after Andrew. This is so cool. Almost all of us in the support group will be post op in Sep - we need to get some new pre-op members....... I'm wishing my two friends a speedy recovery and the best of luck.
August 8, 2006 - 16 Weeks Down to 188 - Yippee !!! I'm now a member of the "Century Club" if we are allowed to count from our highest weight. I've lost 100 lbs from my highest known weight and 64.5 lbs since surgery date. I'm feeling great and looking smaller. Getting compliments almost everyday at work. I'm actually off on holidays now and head out of town tomorrow morning. It will be a long needed break. Can't wait to get out of the city and enjoy some camping in my favorite spot. 
August 19, 2006 We got Ginger today. She is a 6 yr old Border Collie Sheltie and she is just beautiful. She is black and white with a little ginger on her upper legs. She is really a nice dog. Is well behaved and doesn't bark at all. Someone had a sign up that they were giving her away. Kayla called about her and we met her on the 16th. She is just what I pictured a Border Collie/Sheltie would look like. She is such a pretty dog. We called them back on the 17th to say that we would take her but they were going to the city and said that they would bring her to the campgroud on the 19th. We are going home tomorrow so we only have her camping with us for one day (night) and part of tomorrow. Ginger - My New Walking Partner   
Sep 1/06 I'm down to 181 lbs - 170's here I come. I can't believe it - I think I lighter than both my kids. I actually fit into some of their clothes. They are threatening to put locks on their doors so I can't raid their closet. I actually fit into one of my daughter's size 14 jeans last night. I tried on one daughters new school clothes and alot of the things fit. It feels great for me - not so good for them I guess. People at work are actually starting to ask me what "Magic Pill" I'm on cause every time they see me I've lost a few more sizes. I've gone from size 26 jeans to size 14 - yippee!!!! I'm 31 lbs from my goal and 51 from my ultimate goal. I hope that things go my way and that I'm able to make it. My nefew visited this week. He hasn't seen me in a couple of years. He didn't say anything to me but when they left the house he said to my daughter boy you Mom sure has lost alot of weight. This all feels really great - I'm starting to feel like the outgoing sexy person I used to be in my youth. I still have a long way to go but I can start to see some figure coming back. I even wore a belt tonight when I went out - I would nver have done that 4 months ago even if I could have gotten one to fit me. Hey the diva inside will emerge one of these days...... ha ha!!!! 
September 28, 2006 Wow - It's been almost a month since I've updated my profile. Amanda turned 18 on August 23rd. I did have a little (and I mean little) piece of Dairy Queen ice-cream cake that her friend brought over. I didn't get sick. Is that good or bad - who knows. I've been on a plateau (my first one) for a whole month. I couldn't break into the 170's. But this week - YIPPEE - I did it. I'm actually at 175.5 this am. I'm almost at my goal for halloween which was to be under 175 - so I'm pretty sure that I will make it. Now will I make my goal of 150 by Xmas - we'll see. I think it may be tough though. My hunger has come back and sometimes I really have to think is it real hunger or head hunger. I've always been a night snacker and that want has returned. So yes - now I have to think about if I really need something or just think I do. I don't want to fail at this and gain my weight back. Every single day at work someone is commenting on how fabulous I look and some even say how proud of me they are. Some people don't even recognize me. I'm loving it but also feel guilty cause no one knows that I've had surgery. When they ask what I'm doing I just say watching my diet (working with a dietician) and exercise. That isn't a lie but it isn't the full truth. I'm so scared that the truth will come out some day and then what will people think of me. I'm in a position of authority and respect at work and I don't want to loose that. But then again my personal life is no ones business buy mine. Lying is not my personality but this is just keeping my private life private. A WOW moment - I went camping with a friend a few weeks ago and we were going swimming but I realized that I had forgotten my swim top. My friend had an extra suit and told me to try it. I hesitated thinking there was no way that I would fit into her suit. But I agreed to try and it fit perfectly - she said I looked really cute in it - so off to the river we went - with me wearing her suit - I must be as small as she is now - I can't believe it. I know what people mean when they say you don't really see yourself the right way. I saw my friend Charles for the first time since my surgery and he actually greeted me with "Hi skinny". What a sweetie. He is an inspiration to me cause he has such deep thoughts and has done so marvelous since his surgery. I'm in a size 14 - 16 pant now and size 18 tops (some stores). Tracey gave me an 18 top at the last meeting - it fit. She also gave me a size 15 jean skirt and that fit - even when the pounds weren't coming off the inches were changing. By the way - Andrew and Pam are doing well - I'm so happy for them to be on the losing side now. We also had some new people at the last group meeting that were pre-op. It was good to have some fresh blood. Charles also attended the meeting which was really great cause he's from out of town and has never been able to attend one. Having the pre-ops there just made us all realize why we did this and refreshed our memories of what we had been through prior to being given this precious gift. 
September 30, 2006 Did the 242 stairs at Whitemud and Fox Drive for the first time today. Did them twice. I hope that I can add a time every so often. The first time I did kind of slow just to see if I could do them without dying of a heart attack. The second time up I did faster. It is a good workout and breathing heavy at the top. My legs felt like rubber on the way down. Could hardly walk. But feels good to challenge myself. 
October 1, 2006 Did the stairs 3 times October 3, 2006 Did the stairs 4 times and then went for a hike after too. Legs weren't feeling too bad. Things are getting better. Have noticed that the stairs at the Citidal now are easy and not winded any more when I get to the top. 
October 7, 2006 Did the stairs 5 times - this is how many times Michelle said she does them but I'm sure I don't do them as fast as her. I need to build my endurance now and my speed. Did not too bad time though around 40 minutes I think. 
October 8, 2006 My closet is almost bare. I've spent a little money for things to wear at work but for home nothing. All my t-shirts are 3-4X and are falling off me. So yesterday I went to Value Village to see if I could find some things for home. I haven't gone there basically since the kids were little. I found several t-shirts - L - XL and several shirts for work too. I even found a winter coat. I bought a fake fur last year but ended up taking it back knowing that after surgery it would be too big so why waste a couple hundred bucks for a coat that would be too big. So I found one that was from a really good store at Value Village for only $25.00 and it looks like it was hardly worn. Figure that it can work for this year - a little big......but then next year hopefully I'll be leveled out and can get what I really want. I don't see spending alot of money on clothes that will hopefully be too big in a couple months. 
December 4, 2006 Had an appointment with Carlene today. She is really pleased with my progress and says that I am a definite success story. She reviewed my blood test results and said that my B12 is way down. I ended up having to get a shot right away and she wants me to take B12 daily from now on and to get my bloodwork done again in early January to get it checked to see if I need another shot. Dr. Birch saw me and was also very pleased. His only concern was the B12 problem as well. He asked if I was happy. He said it really didn't matter what he thought as long as I was happy. Of course I'm happy but of course I'm not ready for this to stop yet. Met Sandy in the waiting room. She's a girl from our local support board that we haven't met yet as she lives out of town. We chatted a little before I had to head back to work. She's a lovely girl and I wish her all the luck in the world. 
February 5, 2007 Had an appointment with Dr. Birch today to follow up on my B12 problem. Ended up waiting several hours in the waiting room then ended up seeing Carlene for a long visit. Not sure if I was supposed to or not. She is happy with my progress and thinks that I am getting close to where I should be. I'm concerned that I still have alot of fat to loose. She says that this will go away but the weight may stay the same. She wants me to concentrate on working my core strength and arm muscles to get good tone. In this way the fat will go but be replaced by good strong muscle. This strength in the muscles will get me ready for a panni. She said that my next appointment will be a panni consult. She asked Dr. Birch to talk briefly about it today. Dr. Birch is also happy with my results. He says he doesn't do the panni surgery so I will need to see Dr. Davey. He examined me and I asked if he thought I had a whole lot of fat in there to loose before I was ready. He said he didn't think so. This just amazes me cause I feel there is still so much to loose. I knw that I only want to do this once so I don't want to rush things. I only want to do this when I'm ready. My problem is that I just can't seem to get the energy to get my butt of the couch. Talking to Carlene gave me a lift but then I just go right back to my winter funk. Why can't I get myself active. My B12 was good and all my other levels were good so there is no medical reason shown in the test for my sluggish feelings of not wanting to do anything. Must be mental :) I know that I want to get to goal but things have been really tough. Why oh why can't I get motivated???? 
April 18, 2007 - 1 yr anniversary Wow - 1 yr has come and gone. I can't believe it. What a difference a year makes. I'm down to 150 lbs now - which was my initial goal weight. I still want to loose another 10-20 lbs if I can but I'm happy with my progress this past year. I'm almost exactly 1/2 the person I used to be at my heaviest weight. This decision to have surgery was the best thing that I could have done for myself. I'm so much healthier than I was and people don't even recognize the physical me. The mental issues are still there and I know that this will be a struggle for the rest of my life but life is now worth living. I'm not embarrassed to walk down the street. I can shop in a regular clothing store. I can fit in an airline seat without needing a seat belt extender. I can walk without being in pain. I don't have to take heartburn medication every day. I have a neck. I'm lighter than my husband and dare I say my kids. I'm almost normal. Wow what a year!!! The doctors that do this surgery are giving people back their lives. I'm thankful for this every day - well - when I'm struggling with the food demons I may forget but I know that this was a great gift that I've had. I wonder what the next year will bring. 
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