DeniseRn06
I am a 32 yr old female that has tried every diet out there without much success. I have tried to get insurance approval for WLS for over 3 years without much luck until I Finally got my ok this week. I literally sat and cried for 10 minutes. I had become very pesimistic that my insurance company would ever agree to allow me to have this procedure. This year with the help of an awesome surgical nurse, luck was on my side! After being overweight all of my child and adult life.. change will finally happen! I'm excited and so looking forward to this journey!
Growing up I was always the biggest girl in my class, and of course always made fun of. I got all the horrid nicknames, betsy, fatso, thunder thighs.. to mention a few. I always looked at myself as huge because I was made to believe I was. I weighed 200 pounds my sophmore year in highschool and stopped eating to try to lose weight. I did lose 50 pounds but as I ate slowly again, it just trickled back on. Looking back.. I looked pretty good back then compared to what I look like now. As a child, I really wasn't overweight, but because I was told I was...I made myself into that person. As I've gotten older, the weight just keeps adding on, and never leaves even with all types of diets I've tried. After having my only child, I have litterally gained 100 pounds over 12 years. I decided I couldn't do this hard task of losing weight on my own anymore because my attempts always ended in failure and increased weight gain. I searched for an insurance company that would allow Gastric Bypass Surgery and found one through my husbands work. I started going to a doctor that would listen to my needs and the total picture, one that would agree to me needing this procedure, because my normal physican just kept preaching diet and exercise!!! Finally after working hand in hand with my physician, my WLS nurse, and WLS physician, I finally have an approval and date for WLS!! My journey starts on June 1st. This date was chosen by my surgical nurse, and she gave me my news on 4-4-07. These are important dates to me, because my dad drove the #44 race car (date 4/4) and he died on June 1st of 2003! So.. to me it all means he will be watching over me, and he had a great hand in giving me this miracle!
05/31/2007 Well guys..tomorrow is my big day! No turning back now. I'm so excited and finally a little leary. Everyone keeps asking me.. you scared yet? Worried? You sure? I just kept saying..heck no.. I'm excited. Finally tonight, the nerves are setting in.. I just hope I'm making the right decision. I know for me it is, and I hope my family feels it's the right one too. My husband has been very supportive and knows this is what I want.. my mother.. tried to talk me out of it again this week lol. I just pray I'm not the ONE that doesn't make it through.. or has every problem out there. I want to go through this without a hitch, and make you all move over come Friday night on that loser's bench! Tomorrow is also the anniversary of my dad's death. It will be 4 years. During this Memorial Day weekend when I placed flowers on his grave I prayed he would help get me through this..I know he will. I only lost 8 pounds on my pre-op diet. Hopefully they won't be too upset with me ~I hope their scales are better than mine :). Anyway..I just wanted to thank everyone for their support. I'll get in here as soon as I can.God Bless!Denise
06/03/2007 Hello everyone. I am finally back! My surgery went very well. I did have a little Trigemeny coming out of surgery where My heart skipped a beat or two, and they said I had trouble breathing deep right away..but.. if that was my only problems.. It's all GOOD! I feel really good. In fact, I felt soo good I didn't even get my pain meds filled. I don't need them, because I'm really not in any pain. Just a little tender here and there getting up and down, which is no reason to take pain meds, I've always had that problem lol. The hospital bed wasn't the best. My back still hurts from trying to get comfy. I did more sleeping in the chair at the bedside than in the bed I think. I made several walking trips down to the nursery to see all the little newborns. They were soo cute! By the time I left, they had 4 in there. Heck, the nursery personnel probably thought I was a mother, or a stalker lol. The staff were all pretty good. It was nice because my NG tube came out while I was still in surgery... I'm glad I didn't have to feel the gag of that coming back up! Anyway, my first post -op appointment is this coming Thursday. I'll update you guys on my results :). I started this journey at 350 was down to 342 when I went for my pre-op assessment. Day of surgery I was at 334. Thanks again to everyone for their well wishes, their messages, posts, Jan for her phone call, and all for their prayers. See you all Lighter!
06/22/2007 As of this Friday I have lost a total of 14 pounds since surgery on 06/01/2007. It's been a little slower than I thought but I have to admit I don't think I'm eating as much as I should, or drinking near enough fluids. I know because of this my body will not lose so I need to do a better job of getting more food and fluids in. Work has been especially hectic since I've been back. I was offered the Director Of Nurses position this week again after I had previously turned it down not knowing what would happen with this surgery. This week I decided to try it out on a temporary basis, so I was named the Interim D.O.N. either until they find someone else or until I decide I want to do it permanently..which ever comes first. It's alot more responsibility than what I've been doing, however I've worked in this facility for nearly 17 years and know all the In's and Out's of each department. I never dreamed when I started as a Dietary Aide in Highschool at the age of 16 that I would still be there now, and partaking such a important roll in this facility. It will be a scary yet exciting journey, one that will help build me into a better nurse and supervisor. This experience I will be able to take with me anywhere. Some say I'm crazy.. and some say It's about time I did this.. We will see who's right in about a month or so when State Inspector's walk in the building and I'm the ONE that is Responsible for what they find, and have to answer all of their questions. Wish Me Luck!! I'll be needing all of that and All of your PRAYERS 
Hopefully I will see you all LIGHTER!
07/06/2007 I weighed yesterday and I'm down to 310# which is a total loss of 40# since I started this journey, and 24# since surgery.YAY!! I was worried for a bit because I got into a rut and wasn't losing. Then this week I lost 6 pounds. I have had some health issues. Had some really bad left side pains that radiated from my mid back around my rib cage by my stomach. Scared me to death. Nearly went to the ER the first time, and finally it subsided. Then when it came back and didn't ease up, I made hubby take me. I was scared of an Ileus ( where your bowel is looped up) or something ripping in my stomach pouch. Came to find out I have a kidney stone. Let me tell you, those are NOT pleasant. Still waiting for it to pass. I think once it does and I get rid of this UTI I will feel loads better. DRINK DRINK DRINK! This stone is because I haven't been drinking enough lately. I'm doing better now with my fluids. Trust Me! Even if you are not thirsty you have to sip. Lesson hard learned! I go for my one month follow up this coming Tuesday 7/10. I will update with the results. I haven't weighed this much in years. 
See you all Lighter!!!!!!
08/24/2007 Just popping in to say hello and give an update on my loss. As of today I have lost a total of 61.5 # all together, and 45.5 # of that has been since surgery June 1st. I'm finally exercising more with the help of a friend. I still need to do better getting my protein in and enough fluids, but working on it. Hoping to lose at least another 20 pounds before my brother gets married in October. Hope you all are doing well, and I will see you LIghter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10/26/2007 It's been a while since I posted so I figured I'd better get in here. As of today I weigh 273. This gives me a total loss of 77 # since my highest weight, and a total of 61 # since surgery on June 1st. My weight loss is still slower than I'd hoped for, but some say that's best.??. I do need to work on Fluids still and getting in more exercise. I also need to remember my vitamins. I went for my first support group meeting this week, which I have to admit, was very nice and I loved it. I will now be able to go to more of them. My goal for the week is to take my Vitamins and Increase my protein. Hope to see you all lighter!! :)
11/26/2007 I hope you all had a Wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine was ok. Today I am at 267. My weight lately has the speed of coming off like that of a snail. Many weeks of plateaus, but.. I guess I need to look at it as though I am not gaining anymore, right? Sure, that's what I tell myself. I feel lucky to have lost 84 pounds thus far, and pray I lose another 84 before this journey is over and my pouch " Joey" Decides he's done doing his work. I need to drink more, I know I know, but I'm just seldom thirsty, and I get so busy at work, I forget to drink. Yes, Vitamins, Vitamins, Vitamins. I'm so bad bout remembering pills. I need to do better about walking too!!!!!!! I really wish Curves would come back to Higginsville. Whoever reads this, please go to the website www.curves.com and email them and tell them you want a curves location to be placed in Higginsville :) . That would really help my cause! Hope to see you all Lighter! Eventually.
06/10/2008 Well all, I have made it past my Year anniversary of WLS. What a year it has been. I have lost a total of 105 pounds this last year. My weight loss has been at a hault for the last 3-4 months, and it is very frustrating. I did join a gym, though my schedule is so hectic, I seldom get there. I know I have to make time for exercise, it just seems at the end of the day when all else has finally come to a hault, it's 11pm and I am exhausted. Dr. Hornbostel told me to increase my Protein to 80-100 grams per day, and to decrease my carbs. Trying to do that. Hope you all are doing good in here, I seldom have time to check in on you all. I will get some before and after pictures together..before surgery and one year after and try to get them posted on here... WOW WHAT A DIFFERENCE, I HAVE NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT..just don't want my pouch to quit on me yet, I have about 60 more I'd love to lose. See you all Lighter...:) Hopefully!!
