Susan F.
1/11/07 Down nearly 130 pounds and continue to have NO REGAIN after the surgery and am now 3 years out. I would still highly recommend this surgery. I feel like a normal person (with some extra skin) and don't have to "diet" to stay at this weight. I do weigh daily and if I start getting close to 165 pounds I watch the calories a bit and the weight comes right back down. My BMI is 27 so some would still call me overweight but I am thrilled to be in size 12 pants and am happy where I am.
9/18/05 Down 115 pounds- NO REGAIN to date even though my surgeon says to expect a 10% rebound weight gain when I hit my bottom weight. I have waited for this regain to happen for several months and it just hasn't happened yet. I have changed my eating habits and am better about exercise but still could improve in that area. I feel very well and am so happy that I had the surgery- no regrets even though I still cannot eat some foods without nausea such as pasta, dry chicken and sweets.
1/7/05 ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Wow, this year has passed so quickly. I am down 102.5 pounds and am feeling great!!! I would do this surgery over without hesitation. It really was the right decision for me. My weight loss has been slower than some but I could never have lost this much weight on my own. More importantly, I really believe that I will be able to keep it off this time because my new way of eating has become such a habit. I no longer have to shop in the plus-size section and have much more energy. Yipee!! I would like to lose about 10-20 more pounds but will still be satisfied if it didn't happen.
9/6/04 Wow, where has the time gone? I am down 86.5 pounds and am still very happy with my decision to have the surgery. I can eat more food and more kinds of food and my weight loss has slowed but continues. I still have problems with bread, pasta and plain water but can eat a few crackers with no problem. I still need to increase my exercise because I know how important it is. It is so much easier to get enough fluids in now that I can drink more at a time. I can't figure out why plain water hurts my stomache still but Propel water doesn't. Anyway, I am so happy and feel so much healthier. I am on the brink of being in regular misses sizes- It is hard for me to believe after so many years in the plus-size category.
5/18/04 I'm down 61.5# now and feeling very well. I have stopped vomiting for the most part and can now even eat small amounts of moist chicken. I still need to increase exercise and will when I finish my job orientation in 3 weeks. It is easier to get the protein and fluids in now since I can consume more. This is a very good time for me. I am down several sizes and am looking forward to summer.
3/23/04
I'm down 42# to date! It would probably have been more if I was more regular with the exercise. I am in a 12-week orientation process for my new job in Home Health and Hospice nursing and am "jello brain" at the end of each day. I stopped going to Curves already after just restarting. The new job is just an excuse I suppose and my fatigue is more mental than physical. I'm not a total sloth at least. I am walking and gardening on the weekends but need to put forth more of an effort. I am still having problems with solid foods. It was mostly the carbs such as bread and crackers last month, but is now even things like eggs that I was previously able to tolerate. This is definately a time of learning. I am still happy with my decision to have surgery and it feels so good to be down a couple of sizes.
2/23/04
Oh what a difference a month makes! I feel great! I'm down 34 pounds and am eating solids- well some solids that is. Certain foods are a problem. I was so happy not to have vomited during the entire post op puree phase. Well, solids are a different story. If I eat too fast or try to eat carbs like noodles, crackers, bread or toast- up they come. I'm still learning. Swallowing pills is difficult- I'm still on chewable vitamins for now. I'm finally going back to Curves this week after a long absence. My job of 20 years ended last week. I applied for two jobs and got offered both. I chose to work in Home Care and Hospice nursing and am looking forward to starting on March 15. There will be a 12-week orientation program before I'm out on my own. There have been so many life changes for me over the past year and I am looking forward with great optimism. Yay!
1/19/04
I'm 12 days post-op. I just haven't felt up to updating here until now. My surgery went well. Dr. Lauter was able to do it laparoscopically and get my gallbladder out as well. Surgery was a bit prolonged due to adhesions and he had to redo the pouch part of the surgery, but I was asleep so didn't know the difference. My surgery was at Evergreen and I got excellent nursing care. I am gradually getting my strength and energy back but it is taking longer than I would like. I don't have to go back to work for 2 weeks yet so will hopefully be recovered by then. I don't know how I would have gotten to this point without the wonderful care of my husband. He makes sure that I am eating and drinking as directed and always has little pureed meals ready for me in the refrigerator. I am not hungry but know that it is important to get in the protein and fluids in order to heal. I have a urinary tract infection now and am on Cipro. I have to grind it up and eat it with applesauce. I don't think that I have ever tasted such a bitter concoction! It would make a lemon taste sweet. It hurts my stomach too but I don't have a choice but to take it.
I'm down 16 pounds so far!
1/6/04
Surgery is TOMORROW! There is quite a bit of snow on the roads but the temperature is climbing and things should be a go. I just finished my last small meal. I am lucky that my doctor doesn't require a special diet before surgery except for nothing to eat or drink after midnight. I am ready and have many people praying for me. My husband is VERY supportive and nurturing so he is keeping me calm. I am so grateful to have him. I will be on the losing side when I post next time. Yipee!
1/5/04
Oh boy-two days to go. My surgeon's office has been calling nearly every day over the past week to square away details. Every time they call I think that they are going to cancel or change my surgery date. I am usually a pretty calm person but I'm on edge lately- just excited to start my new life I guess. There is supposed to be an unusually large snowstorm tonight in Seattle so I hope that my surgeon will be able to get to the hospital on the 7th.
12/23/04
I had my preop appointment and am ready to go! I hope that the next two weeks go by quickly. 2004 is going to be so full of changes for me. My surgery is on 1/7/04. Two days later my 28 year-old son moves to Idaho and then two days after that my 25 year-old daughter moves to Michigan to be a sled dog guide and trainer. Oh, and on 2/14/04 my boss of 20 years is going to retire leaving me without a job. I am a strong person, but this is a lot of big changes in a short period of time. I am an RN and Washington has a nursing shortage as do many states so I should be able to find a new job. I am thinking about taking a month or so off when my current job ends just to regroup. It sounds like just scheduling meals and fluids after surgery takes a lot of focus. It probably wouldn't be a good time to start a new job.
12/16/03
After a lot of research and thought I have decided to have laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. I have been morbidly obese for several years and have tried just about every weight loss program available with no lasting success. As a registered nurse I am acutely aware of the health problems that obesity can cause. Heart disease runs rampant through my family. My only obesity-related health problems to date are elevated cholesterol and mild asthma. I need to do something before the other problems come knocking at my door. I have scheduled my surgery with Dr. David Lauter for 1/7/04. My pre-op visit is tomorrow. I am anxious and excited to have the surgery over with so I can begin my new life. My husband and children are very supportive of my decision. They want me to be around for awhile I guess.