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Jane D. Evanston, IL, USA Post Op - BMI: 44.9 Surgery Type: RNY Member ID: f1043033777 Contact: Click here to send a Personal Message Surgeon: Kenneth J. Printen M.D.

Click here for Jane's surgery support page Click here for the 05/2004 Reunion Page Click here to print Jane's cards (You can print your own cards, and if you're good at it, you can help print cards for your friends as well!)

5/4/04 - 270lbs

I'm scheduled for surgery this Thursday, 5/6/04. I'm 36, 5'5" and around 270lbs at this time.

This site has been a source of great comfort and a wealth of information. I've poured over the pages of so many profiles and posts and have appreciated the details people have shared re: their experiences.

My gratitude and love goes out to my husband, mother and two daughters for their love and support. And for those of you who have sent me notes of well wishes and thoughts/prayers for my upcoming surgery and recovery -- Thank you for your support!


5/9/04 - 263lbs (-7)

It's Sunday the 9th and I'm home and well and relieved!! I was released this morning around 9am. Not too bad since my surgery was at 8am on the 6th and was an open bypass - not laproscopic. Right now, vicodin and water are my best friends! I'm soo soo thirsty. I won't lie - the pain right after surgery was nuts, but right now it's bearable, and I knew it would just be a matter of time and something I'd have to/and could live through. I have a new found empathy for moms who've had caesareans! It must be like this.

Most importantly - I have a huge sense of relief; like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders now that I've completed this part.

I chose to go with Dr. Printen as an open bypass and at St. Francis hospital in Evanston. I chose not to go with Dr. Franzides as a laproscopic bypass and Evanston Northwestern for a variety of reasons. I'm happy to share my reasons if anyone would like to know - just email me.


5/24/04 - 250lbs (-20)

Just a little over 2 weeks out. Doing better each day. I tend to push things, so I went back to work the day after I got home. I work virtually for my company, so the commute was just to my office in my house. I guess that was a little crazy, but I needed to take care of a few things. I ended up sleeping most of the next day - but was back at work the day after that. And trying to get back to everyday life as well. So needless to say - I'm exhausted. I called the Dr's office 3 days after being home because I was still running a fever at night, but they assured me that was normal. I kept working on breathing into that toy (my kids got their hands on it) to expand my lung capacity. But between work and trying to keep up w/kids and the house, etc.. I kept finding myself falling out at 3pm or 5pm - exhausted and needing to sleep. BUT! Every day gets better and easier. I had an appointment w/surgeon 2 weeks after - to the date - and had the staples removed (yay!!!!! they were itching and hurting like CRAZY) and he said everything looked good. I'm down to around 252 which he said was good. I couldn't remember where I started, and he said 265ish - but said they usually expect it to be more at surgery time, since everyone eats eats and eats until the day. I admit I ordered my favorite thai food, but I wasn't that hungry and it wasn't very satisfying - not sure why. The best was when I made a farewell stop at DQ for a blizzard - and tried to order a mud pie one. Somehow - I ended up w/a mud slide which is just a scoop of icecream w/some fudge and pecans. The irony was not lost on me. I botched up my own splurge! but what was the point of the splurge in the first place? really?

Honestly - I don't think I'm eating enough food. I have to work really hard at it, but I think I'm averaging 500 cal's a day. I found some whey protein that tastes very good. A Fruit punch one, and a chocolate one. Those have been saving me. Everything else (other than cottage cheese) makes my stomach turn or growl. I had an initial horror experience w/an egg - the monday I got home. I was just really hungry, and I ate it too fast and probably too much (I admit I cooked 2) well Yowsers! I couldn't believe the pain. And i was so afraid to throw it up - with the stitches and all. But I did (thank GOD!) and I lived. I also had the sweet experience w/a gogurt. They're only 70 calories - but have high fructose corn syrup (I guess a lot of it too!) and the cold sweats began and lightheaded feeling and I had to sit down and stare at the table until it passed. But that was all week one. And now I'm past week 2 - and it gets better each day. I've thrown up a few more times since that first one, but it's not nearly as painful or scary. Throwing up is not new for me or gross (I was a yakker as a kid) but the urgency is something new for me. If it has to come out - it HAS TO COME OUT - and NOW! I brought a bucket into my office in case the timing isn't right. Due to the nature of my job, I often cannot leave my desk or phone.

I'm looking forward to exercising more formally soon. Don't get me wrong - I'm certainly moving about! Maybe a little too much. But it will be nice to ride bikes again, and feel like I can run around. Now I'm laughing at myself, since I started this post by saying I like to rush things, and it is only just 2 weeks out. I'm grateful to be able to hug my kids tighter now.


06/03/04 - 242lbs (-28)

I had a 4 week dr's appointment - he said everything looked good. Weeks 2&3 I decided all liquid and some puree was all I could handle. I drank a ton of V8 those weeks. And here I'm at the start of week 5 and my stomach won't tolerate it all! It hurts just after just a few sips. I also discovered I was experiencing some lactose intolerance. I spent a day w/out any dairy and felt MUCH better. So I'm switching things around again in my diet. I had been living on cottage cheese and yogurt. Then a week of pureed peas and soup. After this last dr's visit - I worked up the courage to eat some real food. I had some baked fish and chicken that I chewed for an eternity. Food really looses it's taste after chewing it that long. It starts to taste yukky.

I'm tracking my protein and calories on fitday.com. That's been helpful. My incision feels fine, but the stomach muscles are still whacked. I pulled something badly on the right side a few weeks ago, and it's still recovering. I have to hold my hand to my stomach when I sneeze or laugh. Since I'm right handed, I'm always reaching for or lifting something on that side and feel a sharp pain. It's getting better.

Everything is getting better. My fatigue is lifting, I can sleep better, my head is less cloudy. But I'll be honest. I'm super hungry a lot! I'm trying to drink water when that happens. I've been hungry ever since week 1. I've even had food dreams. It feels like a brain addiction - smelling something and actually salivating, and wanting to eat it so badly. When I was taking meridia (and I lost 80 lbs with it) it was so awesome because it so completely removed my appetite for food. Oh well - I know this is why I did this. I couldn't restrict myself from the outside - so I'm restricting myself from the inside.


6/17/04 233lbs (-37)

6 week visit - everything going great. Eating more kinds of food and different textures. Some work, some do not. Taking a lot of gas-x. Trying to walk more. Had a stomach bug that caused a lot of pain and vomiting. When my daughter caught it I realized it had nothing to do w/surgery or my food choices. I indulged and ate nothing but mashed potatoes for dinner one night. From Boston Market no less. But I was back on track w/proteins and good foods for the meals after that. I miss cottage cheese a lot. I wonder if the lactose intollerance thing changes in time. I'm surprised how good soy milk is. I asked the dr. if there's a goal weight that we set, and he said the insurance companies would say... based on my height.. 150 or so. I said great - I was targeting a minimum of 175, but he said (laughing and sounding confident) "Oh..we'll get you to 150" -- I have to start imagining what that will look like. I guess I should be more agressive in my goal. I just want it to be realistic. Pain at my incision and in my stomach muscles is almost completely gone. I'm very pleased. I'm pleased to be able to put back on all these clothes I bought when I lost weight a few years ago. I'm so glad I have them too!


7/20/04 222lbs (-48)

10 week visit - everything going very well. I went to a support meeting at St. Francis. It was a nice experience, I'm going to try to continue going. I'm definately falling into a routine of things. I've stopped wanting large portions and find myself staring into the fridge a lot and then shutting it because nothing looks good. I like high protein diets - I feel better when I eat a lot of protein. I haven't had bread in ages. Eating lots of fruit and meat. I'm glad I don't have a problem with red meat. I can drink a lot more water than before (gratefully!) so I'm doing well.

9/17/04 198lbs (-72)

Let's see, it's been 19 weeks - I had to reschedule a few appointments so I was a little late w/my Dr's checkup. I was very excited to be under 200lbs! I'm feeling great. Definately in a routine and rhythm with eating, etc.. I did have a visit to the ER August 3rd. I was registering my daughters for school, and had been filling out paperwork. I stood up to go turn it in, and had a weird ripping pain near my belly button. It felt further inside than my stomach muscles. The pain was really sharp, but not enough to go to the ER over. I just said - huh.. that's weird. But then as I was standing at the counter talking to the clerk and my friend - I felt my blood pressure drop, I started to pour sweat and was moments from passing out. I sat down and waited for it to pass, and when it didn't - I tried to get to the bathroom. I had to stay doubled over, or I had all this pain and nausea. I couldn't stand up in the bathroom - and the faintness wasn't passing, so I called my husband and asked him to come get me. We went to St. Francis hospital - and I have to say, I was treated FABULOUSLY. They were EXTREMELY responsive and concerned. Dr. Printen's staff arrived quickly - and they were quick to run tests, etc... I was embarrassed, because about 3 hours later, it started to pass. I was relieved, and so were they. The nurses said I looked so much better - and they sent me home :-) They still ran some final tests to rule out a few last things (which I appreciated!) and now I've had a recent full blood work-up that all looked good. Dr. Printen's staff said it might have been adhesions - which sounds right to me, since it was that same kind of pain that you get when you rip a ligament in your ankle -- super sharp pain that disappears quick, but then you feel nauseous and dizzy. Or at least - that's what happens to me when I sprain an ankle!

Enough of all that! I'm off to go bike riding with the kids - it's a beautiful day out! Thank you Dr. Printen and BCBS!


12/2/04 175lbs (-95)

30 weeks since my wls (7 months ago) and I'm down 95 lbs. My goal is around 145. For 5'5" I think that's an ok target. It feels so attainable now. Well it did.. until 3 days ago. And I'm trying to keep a hopeful attitude. Why? Well... due to circumstances beyond my control, I've become pregnant. Yes - some of it was in my control, but I had my tubes tied 3 years ago. I'm guessing the incident back in Aug - where I made a trip to the ER over shooting abdominal pain, low down by my bellybutton, must have been related to this. I assumed it was related to my wls. Needless to say, my husband and I are in shock. Our kids are 10 and 6 and this was ABSOLUTELY not in the plan. But we're both adjusting to the idea.. slowly, and was assured by the OB and Dr. Printen's office that it will be ok - development wise. I'll see Dr. P. in 4 days to discuss further. I guess everyone just keeps a closer eye on things. Making sure the baby is developing alright. This is it for now - just wanted to document the date & weight before the scale starts tiping the other way =O

3/22/05 181 lbs (22 weeks pg)

Ugh. I'm super annoyed with myself today. I'm really struggling with watching the scale change directions with being pregnant. Since I've come to terms, I just want to go pick the baby up at the hospital and be done with this!

Here's the breakdown on weight -

11/6/04 conceived - 188 lbs (6 mos post op)
12/17/04 8 weeks pg - 176 lbs
1/17/05 12 weeks pg - 173 lbs
2/8/05 16 weeks pg - 176 lbs
3/16/05 21 weeks pg - 178 lbs
3/22/05 22 weeks pg - 181 lbs (approx 10 mos post op)


I'm just so friggen frustrated at feeling "derailed" from my program, and am so afraid I've lost my window of opportunity re: weight loss. And mostly I'm frustrated with myself because I'm hungry all the time, I've tested the limits of my tolerance to certain foods and have slipped back into some bad habits. Or what feels like bad habits. Snacking frequently isn't as bad right now but I don't want it to become a permanent habit. And of course - what I'm snacking on is huge. I could kill the Girls Scouts right now! (can you tell I just ate a bunch of cookies???)

Ok - venting is over. I lost 15 lbs during the first trimester, and the doc said to gain 10 lbs. I'm going to count that from my beginning weight, not from the lowest. Is that cheating? If I don't exceed 198lbs - That will be 10lbs from conception. 10 lbs from my lowest would be 183.. and I'm almost there. UGH! ok.. maybe venting wasn't over. I just need to get off my butt and do something and shut up.


05/09/05 -- 1 year post op!! Lowest 173 lbs (-97lbs) currently 189 in 29th week of pregnancy.

Wow. I almost didn't notice it was a year. Something with my daughters school schedule reminded me. I remember a year ago volunteering for the big fundraiser and being dead on my feet right after surgery. I can't believe it's gone by so quick.

I'm still frustrated at my hunger and snacking w/this pregnancy. I'm praying to all the gods that I can get it back in control after the baby arrives. Lord knows I was hungry when I breast fed the other 2, but I have to get back on track. I just passed my pre-pregnancy weight, having lost 15 lbs during the first trimester. I'm praying I only have 8 weeks to go. I'd like the baby to come early as my other 2 have (2 weeks early each) but I'm willing to wait as well. I'm still in denial about what's ahead. I don't want to face it. But I will.

I came close to the 100 mark of lbs lost (lowest weight 173) but I'm back up 16 lbs from that (at 189 now) and suspect there will be a FEW more coming on before the end.

I begged and pleaded my way out of the glucose tolerance test. 50 mg of sugar -- can you imagine? I'd be going into shock in their waiting room.

Was this all worth it? A year later after surgery? YES!!! A million yes's!! While my husband doesn't completely understand, he can't deny the benefits to my self esteem and that benefits us both. This are much much better. My back feels SOOOO much better. I'm so very grateful to have had the chance to do this. I'm looking even more forward to getting back on track after this baby arrives ;-)

pregnancy summary --

11/6/04 conceived - 188 lbs (6 mos post op)
12/17/04 8th week pg - 176 lbs
1/17/05 12th week pg - 173 lbs
2/8/05 16th week pg - 176 lbs
3/16/05 21st week pg - 178 lbs
3/22/05 22nd week pg - 181 lbs (approx 10 mos post op)
4/18/05 26th week pg - 185 lbs
5/5/05 28th week pg - 189 lbs (approx 1 year post op)



8/8/05 177 lbs (-93)

Yay! My 3rd baby girl was born 7/22 at 9:37 am. A quick labor and delivery. Everything went well - very smooth. Arrived at the hospital around 5:30am, had an epidural around 6:00am, was at 5 cm and feeling it - so went for the relief. I pushed for 15 to 20 minutes. It was all pretty easy ;-) And I have to say, I believe the epidural conserved my energy allowing me to go home earlier. I asked to go home 24 hours later. The baby is great and I feel awesome.

I have to report that she was the largest of my 3 babies. She was 7lbs 13 oz. The other 2 were 7-11 and 7-8. So I was VERY pleased that she was as healthy as she was. My WLS surgeon reported that babies born post op are often smaller by up to a pound. That was clearly not the case here!

Weight loss wise... I got up to 198lbs. I'll update and abreviate my little chart.

11/06/04 conceived - 188 lbs (6 mos post op)
01/17/05 12 weeks pg - 173 lbs
03/22/05 22 weeks pg - 181 lbs (approx 10 mos post op)
05/05/05 28 weeks pg - 189 lbs (approx 1 year post op)
07/15/05 38 weeks pg - 198 lbs

delivered 07/22/05

08/08/05 2 weeks post partum - 178 lbs

So overall - I'm pleased that I'm getting close to my lowest weight so quickly after delivery. Everyone (surgeon, ob/gyn) was pleased at the amount of weight gained. Not too much, not too little. And now.. back to the program. I'm breastfeeding, and that's going well and will hopefully add to the weight loss. I'm drinking more fluids than EVER - I didn't drink nearly enough post op and during my pregnancy, but lactating makes me incredibly thirsty.

Dr. Printen retired at the end of July. He'll be greatly missed! I received some referals for local dr's who can do a gall bladder removal and fix my hernia. I'll try for a triple bill and have them re-do my tubal ligation while in there. And maybe a tuck??? wouldn't that be nice ;-)

12/10/05 20 weeks post partum / 19 months post op / current weight 169lbs ( down 101 lbs - gotta get that one lb in!)

Wow - long time since I've updated. All is well. Baby is 20 weeks old and becoming a person. She'll be 5 months 12/22. I hover around 170 lbs. That's ok I guess. It's a little frustrating - but I'm trying to mellow out on it. I have always been hungry when breast feeding. Some women say that's how they lost their baby weight, but for me, that's how I kept it. Breastfeeding = HUGE appetite. And I no longer have the body clues/cravings that pregnancy gave me to keep me eating good stuff. Now I crave carbs and that's just as much from sleep deprivation as it is breastfeeding. I'm really low on my protein intake. That's because I was trying to "cure" her colic by dropping milk from my diet. And I LOVE dairy. They say it's the protein and not lactose. So Soy milks and goat/sheep milks aren't much better. All that aside - the baby is doing well. Breast feeding is going well.

I am scheduled to have sugery at the end of the month for my gallbladder and hernia and to have the tubes redone. I'm looking forward to getting that taken care of. I wanted to get it in this year because we've already paid our deductible w/the birth, and since I've had some horrible gallbladder attacks. I wish I could get a tummy tuck, but maybe it will seem like one after this enormous hernia is repaired. I'm tired of my guts hanging out all the time! Happy holidays ~

8/28/06 current weight -- 170lbs (down 100 lbs) (13 months postpartum, still breast feeding) (2 years 3 months post op)

wow - it's been ages since I've updated. I came online to see about support groups. I'm needing it! I've been snacking so much and loving sugar too much. I had my surgery to repair the hernia, remove the gallbladder and take out the tubes ;-) I had it in early January. Noticible difference RIGHT AWAY on the stomach. And pain from the gallbladder gone right away. I didn't even realize the steady pain that was there. It ended up being a 2 night 3 day stay. A lot more to recover from than I expected.

Baby is 1 year 1 month and starting to walk.

I was down to around 163 this year - hanging out a lot at 165, but it's slowly crept up to between 167 - 170 over the last few months. Breastfeeding always makes me hungry. Stress at work has me running to the kitchen as well. And I need to get more exercise in. Unfortunately - my back is fried out from lifting the baby and car seat for month. Exercise has been tough. So.. I'm here online to look for some motivation and support to make better choices. Nothing else to report! I'm soooo glad I had this surgery. I never want to become complacent. I want to remind myself of the wonderful gift this was and I owe it to myself and everyone else to hold strong and make it work ;-)


Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Kenneth J. Printen M.D.
Dr. Printen and his entire staff have all been excellent.
Insurer Info:
bcbs, ppo