Jennifer B.
Home from Tummy Tuck
February 16, 2009: My tummy tuck surgery went great! My stomach area is quite swollen and the Dr. says that will eventually go down...some patients swelling is not completely gone for as long as six months or longer...but this was still worth it all. At first my pain was a 10-12 on a scale from 1-10...but gradually went down to a 3-4 by the third day in the hospital. Pain now is between 2-6 depending on the swelling in the drain sites. I stayed at my Mom's until Friday night (Feb 13) and the Dr. said I would be able to go home as long as I obeyed his orders: walk as much as possible, don't lift anything over 3 lbs, keep my drains changed as needed, etc. I had been walking 1 1/2 miles per day since leaving the hospital last Monday...but I think I over did it yesterday. I only rested today and took it easy. On Saturday, one of my drains was trying to come out and after calling the Dr. he said it would take me 10 sec to pull the drain out instead of me driving an hour to his office and then an hour back home. He walked me thorough cutting the stitches and pulling the drain...didn't hurt to my surprise. Then yesterday the drain sites started swelling and was very touchy so that is why I just rested today and probably will gradually add back my walking tomorrow. Even though I feel great mentally, my body is tired...apparently due to the anesthesia. I go back Wednesday afternoon to hopefully get the other drain pulled out.
To my surprise, I only had to walk hunched over for the three days while in the hospital...when the Dr. released me on Monday, he said I could gradually stand up and I should be standing completely straight in 4-6 weeks. I cannot drive for two weeks after surgery and he really wants me to take the full three weeks to rest at home. Therefore, I am planning to go back to work on Monday, March 2...since I have a desk job. I have missed my co-workers so much! I was able to immediately tell a difference without the excess skin and fat. The Dr. said he removed 11 pounds...but it sure feels like it was about 30 pounds!!!!
As far as I know, I will be going to the support group meeting in Concord on Tuesday, March 3rd.....looking forward to seeing everyone there!!
Thanks again for all the prayers you sent up for me....God bless everyone!!!
January 27, 2009: I'm still around....just been so busy planning our daughter's wedding coming up in April....not to mention the holidays!! Hope everyone is doing well and feeling wonderful!!
I have been at a plateau since May and still maintaining the 165 lbs. weight loss! I have been instructed by my PCP not to go back to the gym due to my being a prime candidate to contract MRSA since the infections and skin breakdown is occurring so frequently that I can no longer go off of antibiotics. So I guess I've done pretty well to maintain my weight loss with all the problems I am having!
The insurance company denied my plastic surgery the first go round...said we didn't have enough documentation...I think 2 yrs worth is plenty! I know everything happens in God's time and not ours.....to which we know now that if I had been approved the first go round I may not have been able to be with our daughter when she had to have an emergency appendectomy two weeks ago!!
Anyway, we (the doctors and I) have been documenting every infection, office visit, antibiotic, pictures, and anything else we could for the last eight months. My PS submitted everything once again to the insurance company which then led to an appeal.....and PRAISE THE LORD.....the insurance APPROVED MY ABDOMINOPLASTY (tummy tuck)....the girls will have to wait a year or two since the wedding is around the corner!!
My TUMMY TUCK surgery is scheduled for February 6, 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited and anxious to finally get back to normal and complete the majority of my WL journey!! I will try to keep everyone posted. This just goes to prove to not give up on prayer!
Thanks to everyone who sent up prayers for me.....God bless!!
September 30, 2008: WOW...time sure has flown! This has been a very busy year...and it is wonderful having my health back so that I can enjoy my life again! I have now lost 165 lbs. since my RNY/Fobi-Pouch surgery....it's hard to believe it has been 18 months!!! I finally posted some pics from the April support group meeting and some updated pics of me!!! I love wearing clothes now that are fitted not to mention getting great bargains in the smaller sized stores! Depending on who makes the clothes, I wear between a Medium and Large in tops.....pants are still an issue with the excess skin in my abdomen; now wearing Large to X-Large or 18/20.
My plastic surgeon is so kind and caring....love him and his staff to pieces! We are now submitting the documentation from all the rashes in my skin folds along with pictures to the insurance company....I pray they will approve an abdominoplasty and breast lift....the girls are so far south it makes me very self-conscience. Will keep everyone updated once we hear from the insurance....please keep me in your prayers!
Well, only six months until our daughter's wedding!! We have begun to work hard on the preparations now. I am so very proud of our daughter....she graduated in Dec '07 and is now teaching....even though she is putting in a lot of hours....she loves her job and feels she is making a difference in the children's lives!
My prayers are with all of you....God Bless!!!!
Dec 19, 2007: Oh my....I can't believe it has been so long since I last updated!! Life has been wonderfully busy with family and friends since my last post with Thanksgiving and now the Christmas holidays....our daughter graduating college and family/friend gatherings....not to mention I had to have another surgery! I tore my left rotator cuff and had to have it repaired on Nov 26th and after going through physical therapy for the last three weeks...I am finally getting back to normal with the use of my arm! I have lost a total of 140 lbs. ....however, because of my surgery and not being able to exercise for the last four weeks I have hit a plateau. My orthopaedic surgeon told me today I can now get back to exercising except for lifting weights with my left arm....so look out gym, I'm coming back!!!
I have had to buy a few more clothes and can't believe the sizes I am in (L to XL in tops...in Misses)....no more plus sizes! But you know I still find myself going to the plus size section when shopping first out of habit....then it hits me that these are way too big and off I go to the smaller sizes!!! I'm still having a problem with knowing what size of pants/jeans I wear due to the sagging skin in my stomach area...I guess time will tell on that issue...but in the meantime, I am just wearing a size bigger to hide the issue.
I have still have been able to make it to the Support Group meetings....and I really have missed my WLS buddies.....hope you all can get back to the meetings beginining in February!!!! Can't wait to see what you all look like!!!! I wish all a very Merry Christmas and hope everyone remembers the true meaning of this special holiday.....God Bless!!!
Oct 4, 2007: WOW...it's hard to believe a month has gone by!! Had my 6 mo. post-op appt. with Dr. B this past Monday and then went to the NUT and had support group meeting this past Tuesday...busy, busy week!!! Dr. and NUT said I was doing great and to keep up the good work. I am thoroughly enjoying the exercise classes, weight training and especially my walking now that it is cooler at night!! It was so good to see my OH buddies at the meeting....you can see by the picture how much we are all slimming down...it's so great being on the "loser's bench"!!! To date, I have now lost 119 lbs...gone forever!!!! I can't wait to see some of my other OH buddies in the coming months....I probably won't recognize half of them when we do see eachother!!!
Hope everyone is doing well! May God Bless everyone!
Sept. 6, 2007: Hope everyone is doing well! Went to the Support Group meeting on Tuesday....and none of my OH buddies were there??? I was looking so forward to seeing everyone!!! Met some new WLS buddies though! One had her surgery this morning (Becky B.)....called her husband around 1:30 p.m. and she was in recovery but everything went well....now she too is on the "losing side"!!!!
I spent the entire labor day (3-day) weekend going through my closet and dresser drawers and putting the "bigger" clothes in bags for a yard sale or to donate to GoodWill.....I never realized I had so many clothes!!! However, I did find some smaller clothes that will probably see me through at least another 2-3 more months!!! Now everthing is nicely organized....what a great feeling when you could not wear something a month a go then you try it on and it's way too big....WOW...thank God for this tool and for Dr. B!!!! I will be glad when this hot weather is over so I can get back to my walking!!! And I can't walk or exercise at home because our air conditioning is on the blink the majority of the time....it wants to work during the morning while we are at work...yet when I come home for lunch it has quit and doesn't come back on until very late at night....my DH is so frustrated with trying to get it to work; but we've made it this long we can make it the rest of the summer and then we can look at replacing it after the first of the year. God Bless everyone!!!!!!!!
August 14, 2007: Wonderful news.....I have now lost 100 lbs....YEAH!!!!! I finally had to go this weekend and buy smaller clothes...everyone at work kept telling me my clothes were too big. I have lost from a 3X top down to a 1X and even some XL....I can't believe it!!! I've been wearing my clothes so big for so long to hide all the bulges that it is hard for me to wear clothes that fit....it feels so weird!!!!
I have posted my pics before WLS and at 4 months after....hope everyone can see the difference! I have hidden from the camera and my picture being taken for so many years....and now it doesn't bother me! Recent WOW moment: getting into a pair of blue jeans that I have kept for the last 15 years because they were so comfortable!! At my last NUT appointment she said I was doing great! Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying this HOT summer....boy will I be glad for Fall to get here....football and cooler weather to walk in....can't wait!!!
For all of those planning or thinking about WLS....between the 2nd and 6th week, I kept asking myself "What have I done?" But now, I thank God for this wonderful tool and me being able to have the WLS....it has made such a wonderful difference in my life...not to mention how much my life has changed for the better!!! It is also very important to have as much support as possible! At first I didn't want everyone to know about my WLS; mainly because I wanted to make sure that the weight would come off. But now, I tell anyone who asks....this surgery actually saved my life and help me get myself back!!! God Bless everyone!!!!!
August 3, 2007: Well I am 4 mo. post-op and I have now lost 94 lbs. and 98 inches!!! Praise God for this surgery!! Everyone at work is telling me I need to go buy new clothes; but I am still so self-conscious about my clothes fitting....so I just tell them no clothes until the ones I have begin to either swallow me whole or fall off of me...thank goodness I have several smaller sizes in my closet that I've kept over the years...they may not be "in style"...but they are getting used and saving me money for now!!!
Had a doctor's appointment today and when the nurse told me my blood pressure was 100 / 70 I almost fell off the table and onto the floor....it hasn't been that low in years!!!! I just pray my weight loss continues as it has....I have so much more to lose to get to my goal. I have been walking 3 miles a day with my husband and daughter in the evening after 8:00 p.m.....it's just too hot and humid to go before then!!! I can't wait for our Support Group meeting next Tuesday....and to see less of my OH buddies that attend....I sure did miss them this month!!! I'm still having trouble eating some foods especially any type of bread (gets hung and causes me to throw up); still drinking two protein shakes a day and eating one protein bar daily....got to get that protein in! The downside of the surgery is I have now begun to lose some of my hair...even though I take all my vitamins (including zinc and biotin)....hope it stops falling out soon!!! Hope all is well with everyone...Hang in there!!!....God bless!!!!
July 6, 2007: First WOW moment....sat in a booth at a restuarant while eating dinner with my family on June 30th....I was sooooooooo happy and I was very comfortable in the booth too!!!! I'm still having problems with not having an appetite (nothing appeals to me)....almost like I am afraid to eat anything for fear it will get hung in my pouch. I still can't eat any type of bread toasted or not...will this ever get better?? For now I will just keep enjoying the memory of my first WOW moment and keep on truckin'!!! I've had a horrible time getting in my exercise this week too (mainly due to being off and working around the house with hubby....getting closets, etc cleaned out that we have put off for so long)...hopefully, this weekend and next week I can make up for lost time in the exercise department! Hope all are doing well...God Bless!!!
June 26, 2007: Had my three month check up with Dr. B yesterday....he was so proud of me and that I was right on track!!! So far I have lost 80 lbs....whohoo!!!! I still haven't bought any new clothes....just going down the sizes that have been hanging in my closet for quite some time! It seems like I am losing faster on my top half than my bottom half...maybe it's because I sit 85% of the day on my job in front of the computer. Anyway, this week I am going to start more exercises for the legs, thighs and hips and see if that helps! Hope everyone is doing well on their weight loss journey....it's great to be on the loser's bench!!!!! God Bless!!
June 23, 2007: It's been a long week knowing I didn't lose any additional pounds this week. However, I had my daughter help me with taking my measurements (from neck to ankle) and so far I've lost 65 inches!!!!!!!! YEAH!! My goal is to increase my exercise with toning and strength training beginning next week along with my walking....hopefully that will just melt the rest of me away!! I go to see Dr. B Monday for my 3-month post-op visit...sure hope he will be proud of me!!! Thanks to all of my OH buddies who have been so supportive...it means so much to me!!! I've still got a way to go...so continue keeping me in your prayers as all of you are in mine!!! God Bless!!!
June 11, 2007: I never thought that food would never appeal to me....but it is like there is nothing that I want to eat. I am getting my protein in though with shakes and protein bars. Getting my water in too....now if I could just get all my exercise in. I got on the scales this morning and I'm down 74 lbs now....WooHoo!!!! My husband has lost 23 lbs just cutting back and walking with me....this is a great journey for us both!!! God Bless!
June 6, 2007:
Saw the NUT yesterday and all went well! I'm getting 70+ protein in daily and between 70-80 oz. of water....now if I could just get in my 60 min. of exercise daily I would be rock'in!! Weight loss so far is 68 lbs in ten weeks!!! I'm not hungry and I feel satisfied after just a couple bites of food....thought I would never be this way before WLS! I can now begin eating small salads and I'm so excited!!!
Went to our Support Group meeting last night too. Had a special speaker, Dr. Klein (plastic surgeon)....he was very informative and funny! It was so good seeing our little group and less of them!! I missed seeing Jill, Dena and the rest that weren't able to come....hope to see everyone at the August meeting (not having a meeting in July due to the holiday)!!! God Bless!!
May 19, 2007:
Sorry for not updating lately...been so busy getting our daughter moved back home from college (she is home for the summer to work and then will do her student teaching from August to December...then graduates from ASU in December!) and getting our house back in order.
My visit with the NUT on 5-8-07 went well and now I am slowly adding back regular food as instructed. It has become hard for me to get my 60 oz of water, and my 60 min. of exercise in...no problem with getting my 60 oz of protein in (I am still taking in one-two protein shakes a day). My scales show I am now down 59 lbs...woohoo!!!! This week has been hard for some reason...just don't want to even think about eating food, almost like I had rather just drink the protein shakes!
I was able to meet with Joe, the Exercise Physiologist on 5-14-07...he was super nice and very informative!! He told me what exercises (with a band) would help me on my WL journey along with walking....now I just need to make sure to get all of the exercise in!!! Everyone keep up the good work...God Bless!!
May 2, 2007:
WOW...it was so good to see all my OH buddies at our support group meeting last night....and seeing a lot less of them too!!! The meeting was great...learning how to grocery shop and about products that will help us along our weight loss journey...what a great team our surgeon has to support each and every one of us!!!
April 23, 2007:
Had 1 mo. post-op visit today, all looked good....down total of 44 lbs. Still on pureed foods for another two weeks. Trying to get my 60 min. of exercise in per day (right now between 30-40 min.). My clothes are starting to get loose, so I know I am losing inches! Have to go back to see Dr. B in two months...wonder how much I will lose between now and then!?! God Bless!
April 15, 2007:
Emotionally, it's been an up and down week for me...not crazy about the pureed foods. I got to try a scrambled egg today and it did not set well....had my first experience with vomiting. I'm trying to keep my head up and tell myself it will all be worth it in a year...more later. God Bless!
April 10, 2007:
On PUREED Foods....YAY!!!! Met with the Dietician this afternoon...and learned all the pureed foods I can have for the next 4 weeks!! I just have to be sure to get my protein in. I lost another 14 pounds!!! I am so glad I had this surgery...I am sleeping better, have so much more energy and I feel better mentally and physically!!! More later...God Bless!
April 8, 2007:
EASTER BLESSINGS TO ALL! Hope everyone has had a wonderful Easter Sunday! Today was hard for me but I managed to get through it. I'm still on liquids (tomorrow is 2 wks post-op)...we went to a BIG family gathering that takes place each Easter and Thanksgiving and I watched everyone enjoying the scrumptuous meal....I sat at the table and drank my water (kept my water bottle in my hand the entire time)....and socialized with family and friends! Everyone was so kind and supportive of me and told me how proud they were of me! I kept thinking to myself "it's okay....I will be able to eat with them at Thanksgiving"....even thought not as much as I used to!
I can't wait until Tuesday....I get to meet with the Dietician and start pureed foods...something other than protein shakes....YAY!!! I'm hanging in there all the way....I hope to get more exercise in this coming week! More later....God Bless!
April 5, 2007:
Getting plenty of rest! There are times I have spurts of energy and then I am tired the remainder of time...still drinking my protein shakes every 2 hours. I now am dealing with blisters from where the Benzoin was placed underneath the steristrips on my incisions...only a few have popped; once the rest have popped on their own, I am sure the incision sites will feel much better!!
Went to the Support Group meeting on the 3rd....it is so good to see the friends I have made through OH at our support group and meeting new friends too!!! It is good for all of us to support eachother like we do....those who have not been in our shoes with the constant battle of this obesity disease are unable to understand. God Bless!
April 2, 2007:
Home finally! Had my post-up appointment today with Dr. B. The staples were removed and everything looked great....I was so scared to step on the scales...but glad I did....14 pounds gone since surgery last week!!!! I almost fell to the floor I was so shocked! My blood sugars are back to normal and at present, no more diabetes pills or insulin injections are needed and no more blood pressure pills are needed...thank you Lord!!!! Again, thanks to all of you for your support and prayers!! I go back to see Dr. B. in three weeks and can't wait to see how many more pounds have left my body! May God Bless you!!
Mar 29, 2007:
Hi everyone!! I was discharged from the hospital around 8:30 p.m. last nigt! I don't know why it is so hard for me to wake up after surgeries. I wanted to thank all of you for your prayers and support. I think the worse part of this surgery was last night when the nurses removed the JP drain...I screamed it hurt so bad! I did not sleep good at all last night...just could not get comfortable and piling pillows upon pillows did not work either. So, my husband is off to Bed Bath & Beyond to see if they might have the "wedge pillow"....hopefully he find this and then maybe I can get a good nights sleep tonight.
I am on 2 oz. protein shakes every hour and can drink water as much I can hold throughout the day! I am retaining fluid in my hands and feet so I called Dr. B's office. He was at the hospital but would be in today at 1:00 p.m. The nurse was going to mention this to him...and then call me back. I hope it is nothing serious!
I am also off my insulin (and no pills) for diabetes. My blood pressure meds have been stopped with the exception of one called Metropol (?sp). I still have to take my thryoid medicine but I knew I would not be able to taking this one.
Melissa (katykmom) had her surgery yesterday and was moved to her room fully awake and alert. She even got out of bed to do some hall walking!! Go Girl!!! Thanks again for all your prayers and support; I am sending prayers and support for each of you as well! God Bless!!
Mar 26, 2007:
SURGERY TODAY at 11:30 a.m.!!!!!!! Getting ready to leave for the hospital...I pray that other's surgeries will go well today as well!! Talk to you soon from the "loser's bench"!!! God Bless!
Mar 25, 2007:
TOMORROW is my Surgery at 11:30 a.m.!!! Just drank the "clean out stuff".....tasted horrible (like salty ocean water)!!! I am getting so excited....this time tomorrow I will be on the Loser's bench!!! Thanks to all for your prayers and support....it means so very much to me!!! The hotel here has free internet with computers for the guests....so once I am discharged on Wednesday afternoon...hopefully I will feel up to sending all of you a short message! God is in control and I already feel His loving arms comforting me and preparing me for this new journey in my life! Love and God Bless to all!!
Mar 23, 2007:
THREE DAYS until my surgery!!! Not sure if I would get a chance to blog tomorrow...I'm getting so excited yet apprehensive of what to expect afterwards! Getting our house cleaned tonight and packing then heading to Concord tomorrow afternoon since I will be doing my prep on Sunday and I live over an hour from the hospital....that way I can get some walking in tomorrow evening too! Prep on Sunday and then surgery at 11:30 a.m. on Monday!!! Thanks to everyone for all the prayers and support!! Can't wait to be on the loser's bench!!!
Mar 17, 2007:
SURGERY is a GO on the 26th!!!! Thank you Lord!!! My appointment with Dr. B went great....my blood sugars were within normal ranges and my surgery is definitely a go! I even lost 10.6 pounds!!! Now I just need to get everything ready (my prescriptions, packing, etc.). Our daughter got to meet Dr. B at my appointment and was very impressed with him; and felt I would be in good hands! It made her feel better. Thanks for all the prayers and support from everyone....OH is a wonderful group of people and it is so wonderful to have you as my new friends!!! God bless everyone!!
Mar 15, 2007:
Just wanted to give everyone an update...my blood sugar levels have drastically come down to normal level....Thank You Lord!!! I can even tell how much better I feel already!
Tomorrow I go to Dr. B for my 2nd pre-op appointment and I pray he says everything looks good and my surgery is a definite go! I want to thank all of you for keeping me in your prayers....I know they have really helped! I will update more tomorrow night or early Saturday...God Bless all of you!
Mar 7, 2007:
Went to Support Group last night....WOW what a motivational speaker by the name of Susan. She too had been on the WLS Journey and looks wonderful! It was so good to see my OH friends again! I even got to meet some of my newest OH friends and we had a great time talking after the meeting!! It helps when others have gone and are going through the same feelings and circumstances as yourself! We have learned through our research before beginning this Journey that obesity is now considered a disease...yet we are still discriminated against because of our size that the majority of the time we have no control over! I pray once I am on the losing side that I will remember how it feels to be like I am at this moment before my surgery has taken place. God loves us all so we all need to love one another and not constantly look at the outside but look at the inside of a person and their inner beauty that God has given to them and us all!!
Mar 3, 2007:
I went to my Endocrinologist on Mar 1 to get my orders to go on insulin. Then went to the Diabetes Center to be educated on using the insulin yesterday (Mar 2); and began my insulin shots yesterday. Hopefully, the insulin along with me watching my diet will drop the blood sugars fast...they say it will! The shots aren't really bad...but I have to make sure to do everything like clockwork! I do hope and pray once my surgery is over, I will be able to come off this insulin! Hopefully in another two days I will be able to get enough strength back to where I can start walking more. With my sugars being up and down recently, it has made me so tired and have no energy. I'm going to think positive that all this will change once my surgery is done and I am on the "losing side"! Please keep me in your prayers....God Bless!
Feb 27, 2007:
Disappointment Received Today: Had my pre-op visit with Dr. B today. Due to my blood sugars not controlled as they need to be, my thyroid medicine being changed last week and not to mention the swelling in my lower legs, ankles and feet (caused by my diabetes medicine per my Endocrinologist) along with a ten-pound gain........my surgery was postponed until Monday, March 26. I now have an appointment with my endocrinologist to be put on insulin to bring my blood sugars down. I know this is just a "bump in the road" and I need to trust the Lord that this happened for a reason....my surgery will be in His time not mine! Even though I am disappointed; I know Dr. B is looking out for my health and wellness. He is such a kind and compassionate man. I thank God for leading me to him for my surgery. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone....God Bless!
Feb 20, 2007:
I got some wonderful news today! Kim from Dr. B's office called and told me my surgery was approved....YEAH!!!! My surgery date is scheduled for March 12, 2007. I can't wait to be on the losing side finally after all these years!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Lord!!!! God Bless!
Feb 15, 2007:
Received an E-mail from Kim at Dr. B's office today....everything has now been submitted to the insurance company...now just have to wait for approval!!!! Yeah!!! Hope everyone is doing great....God Bless!!
Feb 7, 2007:
Went to my first support group meeting last night (even though I don't have a date yet)....WOW what a meeting!!! It was great to see and hear everyone's testimony of their journey; and I even met two new friends I have seen on the OH website...thank you dear Lord!!! My husband went and on the way home (an 1 1/2 hr drive)...we talked about all the support, love and praise that was at the meeting!! Thanks to Susan and Ruth too for all of your support! I can't wait to be on the losing side!!!! Feb 5, 2007:
Received a message from Dr. B's office today that they did get the report from the Psych Eval...they will be placing it on Dr. B's desk for him to sign off on! I guess the next step would be submitting everything to the insurance company for approval...I pray everything goes well and the approval is right around the corner....I so want to be on the losing side! God Bless and keep everyone in his hands! Feb 3, 2007:
Talked to Dr. Lilly's office yesterday and everything has been forwarded to Dr. Bauman's office now (twice). Then talked with Dr. B's office...just a matter of getting everything together now for Dr. B to look at and then the office will submit a letter for approval. I pray everything goes okay and fast. It is so hard waiting...it seems like it has been so long! Good luck and God Bless to everyone!
Jan. 29, 2007:
Had my Psych Eval with Dr. Lilly this past Thursday (the 25th)....he was very nice! My husband and I both were very impressed with him and the staff!!
I have now completed everything required on my end....just waiting for Dr. Lilly to report to Dr. Bauman and then they will be able to submit everything to my insurance for approval. I am getting so excited about getting my life back! I pray the approval will come quick....then I can set a date!!
I have made a couple new friends on OH and hope these will be friendships to last a lifetime!!
My family, friends and co-workers are all extremely supportive...I just pray I will be able to use this tool effectively and reach my goals!
God bless everyone and hope to see you on the losing side soon!!
12-31-06:
First, let me say how much I appreciate the support I am receiving from my Husband, Daughter, Family, Friends and Co-Workers so far in my decision to have the WLS....thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! I Love All of You so much!!!
Since having my tonsils out at the age of six, I have had a constant on and off again weight problem. However, my real problem began with the pregnancy of our daughter 21 years ago. I had pre-eclampsia and toxemia and wound up gaining a lot of weight. Once our daughter was born, the weight started coming off with me watching my caloric intake and going to the gym 5-6 days a week for about 2-3 hrs at a time. I lost enough weight to wear my husband's jeans! Then the real problem developed...after slowly starting to put on the weight and feeling so tired I could not make it through the day without taking a nap in the afternoon; my doctor finally decided to check my thyroid...Did I mention this was also after I gained 100 pounds?!?! Yes, the test showed I had an underactive thyroid...Hypothyroidism....which over the years has contributed to me gaining even more weight!!!
My doctors kept encouraging me to have the WLS but I just did not want to take this route. At the time WLS was new and now after putting it off for the last four years...my health has now pointed me in the direction where the choice has to be made: 1) stay the weight I am and be unhealthy, miserable and even losing my life in the next five years or so, or 2) have the WLS, come off all medications except for my thyroid medication, become healthier than ever, enjoy my life and live....I CHOOSE TO LIVE and be healthy!!!!!!!!!!!
Being a Christian and knowing Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, I know this is the right decision for me at this time in my life! Just turning the big "50" (yes, fifty), I want to be able to get down on the floor to play with my future grandchildren; to have them hop on my lap to read a story; to have a lap to even place my Bible on while in Church; to enjoy the rest of my life with my family, friends and co-workers!!
I look forward to making new WLS friends and I wish all a healthy and wonderful New Year!!! This is going to be the year I change my life and get healthy!! Good luck to all of you on your WLS journey...see you on the "losing side"....God Bless!!!
