cassandraw
March 2008
Well I had my 18 month check up and I am pleased with the results now. 
I am down 160lbs. I currently weigh 244 lbs. I was disappointed that my weightloss has been slow, but heck I never would have lost this much without surgery. Dr. Byrne had no complaints about my results and the dietician of course advised me to watch the starches and get back to working out. These things I already know. So a new battle begins. I lost the weight now I have to keep it off. So I have to watch the snacks. Starches are bad. I find myself snacking a little too much ( I love popcorn, chips, and every so often I crave a sweet like doughnuts or a cake slice) so I have developed some coping mechanisms like keeping protein alternatives handy (cheese sticks, lunch meat, pepperoni slices, zone snack bars) , not buying snacks of course, and always have my water bottle within reach to keeping me from going into the kitchen. Now if I follow tha plan it should be easy, but I'm not always so obedient.
I have slacked off on working out which isn't helping, but it seems work as interfered with my afternoon times, I know that's a sorry excuse but it's all I got. So I will get back into my groove and hit the gym starting next week. I enjoyed working out, believe it or not but I like to get into the gym before the crowd comes and usually I got right after school and with afternoon meetings sometimes I don't leave school until 4 so I don't like going to the gym at that time. I think I need to suck it up and just go when I can and quit making excuses. I need to work off some stress anyway.
I finshed grad school YEAH!! I now have my Master's degreee in Curriculum and Instruction. So I may be looking to move out of the classroom ( I teach 3rd grade). I would like to consider teaching on the college level maybe or doing some consulting work, not sure just yet what God has planned for me. I also am waiting and seeking that special man to build a family with. I'm ready now. Overall I am happy and healty and my last goal to achieve is to get off my blood pressure meds. I want to be off by December 2008. So I better hurry and get back into the gym.
I think I have stopped losing weight so this is where I am now and maybe I'll lose more maybe not, but the key to this is to be happy with what you achieve and don't compare your weight loss to anyone elses. Each person is unique.
October 6, 2007
It has been a little over a year since my surgery and I feel great. I am down a total of 143 lbs. I am so happy. I was wearing a size 34/36 pants and 30/ 32 in shirts. I now wear a size 22/24 in pants and size 18/20 in shirts. I completly cleaned out my closet this summer and finally let go of my big size clothes. It was hard for me to do that but i finally realized that person is gone and it's time to recognize the new me. I bought a few pieces and have some hand-me-downs from my sister so my summer wardrobe was set. Now it's fall and I'm shopping again.
Let's see I exercise 3 days a week for an hour. I do 30 mins. of cardio and 30 mins of strength. I have a routine that my personal trainer set me up with and I meet with her about every 6 weeks to rework my routine.
I had my 1 year appt. with Dr. Byrne in July and everything was fine just low iron and low protien so I take a prescription iron pill and eat more protien.
Some goals I have accomplished I took a belly dancing class. It was fun. I finally rode a roller coaster at Universal Studios. i was so nervous when i got on because I thought how embarrassed i'd be if i didn't fit and when I got on and the the seat bar locked i was ecstatic! Like said above I work out 3 days a week and it's nice to watch those fine muscular men while I'm sweating away.
Still to come I'm ready to try flying in an airplane. I haven't been on a plane in 15 years. I would like to get down to a size 18/20 in pants and a 14/16 in shirts. I want plastic surgery on my arms, tummy, breasts, and thighs. I'm praying insurance comes through. i know that process won't begin until I'm 18 months out.
I have found myself snacking more and I have to consciously say no to food especially bad things. I'm usually pretty good about eating, but no one is perfect. I won't gain the weight back. I'm bound and determined. I've come too far to turn around.
Prayerfully I'll soon have a Godly man in my life to take this journery together. I want a man who has the same goals spiritually and physically. He has to work out, eat healthy, and accept me just the way I am.
I go back in January for my 18 months appt. I expect to have lost some more, but I haven't set a goal. I'm a slow loser, have been since day 1 of surgery, I am still losing but it's awfully slow. I just love the size I am and know I would not have made it this far without surgery. God is GOOD!
Sept. 16, 2006 It will be 2 months since surgery next week. I have been a little disappointed with my weight loss. As of today I am down 38 lbs. I expected it would be more. I was not getting in my 60 grams of protein a day and started writing down my protein and water count and now I make sure i get it in everyday. It has helped. I have noticed my clothes a little looser, but I haven't changed sizes yet. I need to get moving so i'm committing to one day a week walk and i will add a day each week. It has been so hot here that I'm going to the local community center to walk on their indoor track. As for food I can eat just about anything. i have an intolerance for pork ribs. I tried them twice and both times they returned. I limit my carbs and have a protein bar everyday and a protein drink also. Usually I have a carnation instant breakfast in the morning. A protein bar for snack, lunch of tuna or chicken salad, and dinner is usually chicken or fish and vegetables. I have had a craving for pancakes for the past two weeks, but that's been the onlty serious craving. It has been an experience learning how to eat all over and i have a hard time waiting an hour after I eat to drink. I can't seem to get in all my water
Aug. 1, 2006 Well I am in week 2 and things are going well. It is still hard to keep up with all the vitamins, plus blood pressure meds, ulcer prevention meds, and gallstone prevention meds. My goal is to get off blood pressure meds for good. the other meds are only temporary after surgery. I don't have a scale at home so i don't know if i have lost anything. I don't see any changes and I gues I'm ready for the pounds to melt away. I have been able to eat things like blenderized chili, tuna salad, and salmon which are all excellent sources of protein. I even went out to eat with my sister and had a bowl of soup. It is hard for me not to eat and drink at the same time so I don't bring a drink to the table with me and only have a sip after I eat to cleanse my palate.
July 27,2006 I had my one week follow up and they removed my drain. It didn't hurt at all. I lost 12.5 lbs. I wanted to lose more, but 12.5 is good. So far the only challenge is getting in all my protein and vitamins, which i know most people have trouble doing. I just can't bring myself to eat babyfood meats. I bought some sample protein supplements so hopefully I find a protein drink I like.
July 25, 2006 I came home from the hospital on Sun. July 23. Surgery went well and I had very little pain. I had a bout of nausea on Sat. after trying to drink some apple juice. On Sunday I ate grits and soup and sipped a little tea and they let me come home. So far I'm battling nausea and able to eat things like oatmeal, SF pudding, and mashed potatoes. I haven't tried any protein drinks but I have a few nectar samples I'm going to try. I have a follow apponitment on Thurs, July 27. Hopefully this JP drain will come out
July 18,2006 Yesterday I spent half a day at MUSC doing all the pre-op tests. Including an ultrasound of my liver, kidneys, and gall bladder. I also had to pay my co-pay of $300. I was a little worried because I have not gotten any information from my surgeon or the insurance company officially saying I was approved for surgery. I called them and the secretary said I was approved so now all I have to do is wait until the 20th when they will call and tell me when to be at the hospital. I'm excited and a little nervous but I have prayed and asked GOD for peace and that everything will be done decent and in order. I can't wait to be on the losing side.
June 26, 2006 Well I am a teacher in Berkeley County and I had a surgery date scheduled after we would have been in school only a week. I always hate missing school days because I hate having a sub and the first few weeks are very important to get the kids in a regular routine. I hated to do this because I know everyone wants an early surgery date, but I decided to ask anyway so I called Dr. Byrne's office and asked if I could possibly have an earlier date. I fully expected to hear them say "No, we're booked up," but surprisingly they worked with me and so now I have surgery scheduled for July 21. It is truly an unexpected blessing.
June 12, 2006 I got a date Aug. 25 is my surgery date. Just like they promised I got the letter in the mail yesterday and it was within the week of my first appointment. Dr. Byrne's staff is on top of things. I was hoping for a date in July because I am a teacher and didn't want to miss time during the school year, but I'm not going to reschedule this date beacuse the next long vacation we have is Christmas break and I can't wait that long. I am believing God for a speedy recovery so I can get back to school quickly and my kids won't have to be with a sub that long and I know He can do it. I'm excited and nervous but I think that is normal for some people. Please keep me in your prayers!
June 6, 2006 I have just completed my consultationwith DR. Byrne at MUSC hospital on June 1. Everything went well and now I am waiting for insurance approval and a surgery date. MUSC has stream lined the pre-op process which is great. I met with the psychologist, dietician, surgeon all in one day. I also attended a nutrition class and after surgery care class which was very informative. I was there from 9 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon, but I got everything done and I should not have to go back until pre-op tests for surgery
