dr3ambound
5/1/04 - Surgery is scheduled for the 23rd of June. I am so excited for the opportunity to start over! 258 lbs
6/21/04 - I am less than 2 days away from my surgery and am feeling nervous. It has to be normal is what I keep telling myself. Thank you all for your supportive words and encouragement. It's nice to know that there is such a supportive group of people out there. 252 lbs
6/23/04 - Surgery is scheduled for today. Went in weighing 249 lbs. I'm nervous, but know I can do it! 249 lbs
6/25/04 - I'm home now. Feeling very sore and am bruised. I have 5 small incisions and no staples or stitches. There are stitches internally, but they will dissolve in 17-21 days. Otherwise, I'm just being held together by butterfly strips. Dr. Wongsa was wonderful and very comforting. The nurses were pretty good too. I had trouble there for a while trying to get pain medication by calling them, but after a nurse walked in and saw me crying, it never happened again. I'm going to be on liquids until next Wednesday, and then will be able to start solid foods. It's a little difficult seeing the foods I used to eat, and can no longer eat. I'm not going to miss this body, so therefore, I'm resolved to not miss the food either.
Thank you all for your support and kind words. I'll keep you updated. Until then, Blue Skies ~ Melissa
7/1/04 - I went to see Dr. Wongsa today for my one week follow up. We were both pleased with the fact that I am down 16 pounds and doing well. I am so excited and can't tell you how happy it makes me feel. I ran into a very nice lady while in Dr. Wongsa's office who is hoping to have this surgery done. She was in tears as she left. I'm not sure if it was tears of joy or tears of upset. I hated to see her cry, and tried to tell her that she can do it. It is possible. I'm here and living proof. I'm not that big, and people look at me and wonder why I am having this surgery. I have struggled with my weight for over 7 years. My marriage and my health and happiness have suffered. I'm not only recovering from surgery, but going through a divorce. This is a whole different issue, but with what I am going through, I know it's possible to do anything you set your mind to. Yeah....I set my mind a lot to loosing weight, but it didn't work, not because I didn't set my mind to it, but because there were other things keeping me from staying on track. I'm not sure if anyone reads this or if it helps or hurts, but it's here...for me...if not for you. 236 lbs
7/14/04 - Hi! I am doing well and am down another 6 pounds! I am very happy. The only problem is getting food down at this point. Dr. Wongsa had me start solids about a week after surgery, and I felt thrilled by that "Yeah I won't be on liquids forever!". It's been good all the way up until last Thursday. I had a small piece of broccoli and thought I was going to be sick! I didn't get sick, but it was enough to shake me up, so I just went back on liquids myself and soft foods. I am slowly incorporating solids back in now. I hope those of you that are having this surgery are ready for the drastic change it will bring to your life. Both positively and not so positively. The positive out weighs everything else though. I mean...I have lost 30 lbs since July 18th! That in itself is an incredible feeling! 230 lbs
11/26/04 - Here I am 5 months after my surgery and feeling terrific! Better than ever!! On average, I loose about 2 lbs a week. I am eating very light - salads, chicken, vegetables (that I can tolerate), and the occasional sweet (but not too much - it makes me feel ill, which isn't a bad thing!). I had people ask me after I had my surgery if I would recommend it to anyone, and at that point, I wasn't sure. Now, I would say yes. It has done so much for my self esteem and energy. I went from a size 22 to a size 14! And only in 5 months! How else can you loose 70 lbs? My kids are proud of me, and know their mother is happy and healthy, which is the best feeling in the world you can get from your kids. When you are happy, so are your children. Thank you all so much for your support and well wishes. 183 lbs.
3/28/05 - Here I am...weighing in at 154 lbs! The feeling is great! My confidence level, my attitude towards life, and many other things have changed so much. I have learned the things that I can and cannot eat. I don't tempt fate with sweets and sodas anymore. I don't think my stomach could handle it anyhow. I eat lots of seafood and veggies. It really is wonderful that I am forced to eat healthy. I have had people tell me ways to get around the foods that are not so good for me, and I just ask..."What's the point of having the surgery if there is a way to cheat." I don't want to cheat. It's hard to cheat, but I guess there is a way. I have had people ask me if I regret having this surgery. All I can say is "NO". I would not trade the feeling that I have for anything in the world. If you are out there, and you are overweight, and don't know what to do, there is a way. A way to make that sad, depressed and lonely feeling go away. First realize that you are not alone. I was once there. Second, realize that being sad and depressed about your weight is not healthy either. Those feelings are what is causing you to gain the weight, whether you overeat or not. Third, know that this surgery is life changing and will help. Be strong, because God says he will not put any burden on us that is too great. Good luck to you all, and feel free to email me with any questions. - 154 lbs.
8/5/05 - I have officially lost 117 pounds. It is hard to remember weighing 257 pounds. I have leveled off for the most part, and am not loosing any more. I recently saw Dr. Wongsa, and he told me that my weight was PERFECT, and that my BMI was PERFECT, and he thanked me for being a PERFECT patient. I almost fell out of my chair! I should be the one thanking him for accepting me as a candidate and for changing my life. What a change too! People do not recognize me, and tell me how good I look. I struggle mentally with still seeing myself as big. I eat the way I should have always been eating. This is my second chance. I talked to him about having plastic surgery done, and he suggested I wait another year before I being sculpting my body because of changes that will and could still occur. I guess I will have to wait, but think I will find the doctor that I want to use. I am curious about Dr. Lomanco. If any of you know about him, I welcome your comments. I would love to see your before and after pictures for reference as well. I plan to email him and see what he has to say. I know plastic surgery is expensive, and since I went through a divorce last year, my credit is not 100%, but feel like I need to do something. Suggestions? I'd love to hear from you.
Thank you everyone for your support!
Melissa ~ 141 lbs
7/21/2006 - Here it is! 2 years and some since my surgery and wow! I need to get some pictures up here so you all can see the change that has occured. I got pretty low earlier on this year in weight - around 133, which was too low - can you believe that you can weigh too less! Dr. Wongsa told me to start gaining some weight! Never would I have ever imagined. So I'm now safely around 144 and feeling fine! My weight still fluctuates some, but not near as drastically as when I first started. Hope everyone is well, and your dreams are coming true!
Melissa - 141 lbs
