justamy

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I went to my surgeon for my check-up which was 10 days shy of 8 months out. I have only had the sleeve and have to get the other part done so I figured that he would schedule it. I was wrong. He really wanted me to wait until about 18 months out or so because I am still losing weight at a good pace. The only problem is that I live in MO and my doctor in in Chicago (550 miles away)and my 2 kids ar in school and I have no family near so I need to do it in the summer. He agreed that it would be acceptable to do it in July (at about 14 months out). I do, however, have to go back in 3 months for a check-up to see how I am doing and if I am ready for surgery.

Then there is the issue of compliance. I have to be 1. excercising 2. eating all my protien 3. off soda 4. taking my vitamans every day. 5. drinking my water. Granted these are all things I should be doing anyway, but I am not doing them as well as I should, so its back to school and counting those grams of protein and writing everything down. 

All in all is was good. I have lost 128.3 lbs, 45% of my excess weight  My BMI is down from 74.7 to 51.7. They did not do any blood tests-they will do all of that next time. Its good to be home though!!!

 I love life and I love living it!!!!

It just keeps getting better and better. I owe all of it to God my reason for living, but what is happening with my weight loss journey is amazing!!

I have lost 114 lbs as of Monday. I still have almost 186 to lose, but already life is awesome!! I went to an outreach with my church last weekend and I stood up for at least 3 hours. I also walked around the block inviting people to come to the cookout we were having. I am now part of the outreach team and I could have never done that 114lbs ago.

There are so many wow's

I can:

Have sex with my husband easily (big wow for him-LOL)
Go shopping anywhere-even if they do not have riding carts
Walk
Play with my kids
Do the splits (really I can-LOL)
Dance
get up out of the floor by myself
Wear bras that they sell at Wal-mart instead of having to order them.
Clean myself easily
Fly to Chicago instead of driving 20 ours round trip for check ups
Wear clothes for fashion and not just because they are functional
Fasten my bra in the back.

There are so many others but you get the picture. I can LIVE and it will only get better!!

I was supposed to have my six month check-up in Nov, but I can't afford it until January (it costs about $700 to go to Chicago) so I rescheduled so I will know more at 8 months out. 

I do still have trouble with eating and not throwing up, but I know why and it is my fault. I still have not mastered eating SO slowly. I must do that because I am getting tired of eating my safe foods that I know I wont eat too much of. Anyway I still feel great and eating is not the center of my universe which is a big WOW in itself. Love you all-Amy

Well I am doing good. I had my 12 week check up 2 weeks ago and had lost 75lbs. I can hardly believe it, but its working great. I am tolerating foods much better than I used to and now only  if I eat too much or drink too soon after I eat. I do not have a scale and I do not see my doc till Nov so I am going to get one. I walk a mile now 4 days a week since I walk my son to preschool everyday. I am amazed I can do this already as I used to not be able to even walk from the car to the motorized scooter in the Wal-mart. My life is so much improved already. I give all the glory to God because w/o Him I couldn't do anything. I can't wait to work in our church. I mean I am actually liking housework. 

WOWS so far
being able to move
weighing less than my drivers liscence says
getting below 400
Being able to shop anywhere-not just where they have carts 

I know tha's not all but it is all I can think of for now.....hugs-Amy

Hi all-I was doing great-better than to be expected and went back to MO from Chicago(550 miles) pleased as punch with my 22lb weight loss in the first 12 days. I was walking even further than I had prior to surgery and had tons of energy. I though that I was one of the lucky ones that would get through with few serious problems. Well I was wrong.

After about a week being at home I started feeling terrible. I had a temp and went to the ER here in MO. They said there was nothing wrong with me(well they said I might have strained the lining of my lungs.) , gave me pain meds and sent me home. The next evening I called my surgeon in Chicago because I had a temp of over 102. She said to go back to the ER and ask for a CT scan to rule out any problems due to my surgery. I did just that and they informed me that I was too close to their weight limit of 400(I weighed 388) and that I did not need a CT scan anyway because he found I had a UTI which he gave me antibiotics for.This was Fri night.

Well I kept my fever down with the tylenol w codene the doc gave me but I was still having massive pain in my left side. I had an appt w the vascular guy in Chicago so I called to see if my surgeon could see me and he was awesome and got me right in to  see one of his residents. I was immediately admitted to the hospital due to my pain, fever and I had also started throwing up by this time. The did a CT scan and found an abcess in my side where some old blood had gone and a small leak had occured. They immediately drained it and put a drain in to drain the rest. I was treated with dignity and care at the University of Chicago and that means so much to me. I also had a upper GI
(the contrast is yukkky!!!)
and after 6 days in the hospital they sent me home.

Now I am going back next week.I am having an issue with stinky drainage so I dont know what will happen. I do know that Jesus literally has my back and that I will be OK. Please pray for my family as they are really frightened right now esp my 11 year old daughter.  Hugs to all and I hope to be better soon-Amy

Well here are a few bumps in the road. Everything was smooth until last week. I went to Chicago on 4/23 and saw docs from 8-5 with only a 30min break at noon. I had 9 vials of blood drawn, talked about my filter placement that was to be the next day, got a physical, talked to aenesthesiology, went to a 2 hour meeting about my surgery and had a stress test!!! Wow what a full day that was!! I had gained 20 lbs since Feb 1 too-Yikes.

The next day was a day I thought I could rest but unfortunately it was very stressful. The doc called and said that all my surgeries were cancelled due to a "psyciatric issue." The Doc that flagged this had never seen me, so they thought maybe my psyc doc talked to her but he hadnt and had written a letter clearing me for surgery months earlier that I hand delivered. Anyway-I was on the phone until 3 PM when I read Psalms 139 in the Bible. I fell asleep and w I woke up I made a few calls and the surgeries were all back on-they even were able to reschedule the OR for the next day for my filter  placement!!!Only God could have done that!!

Wed I had my filter placement surgery and had brochiol(sp) spasms w they tried to take out the vent. The filter also was crooked, so I had to go get it repositioned the next day and my same-day surgery came with an overnight stay.

I got to Radioligy where they reposition the filters and waited from 10:30 until 2. At 2. They told me I would be awake during this surgery since I had had a reaction the day before to aenesthesia. I only got a dental shot in my neck-then they did the operation-not fun at all, but it got the job done and I got home at 4am on Fri Mon(10 hour drive).

Fri they called and said I would hae to get some things faxed to them ASAP or no surgery. Plus I have to see my PCP tomorrow and am unsure why. So still up in the air-feeling a few bumps-not knowing what will happen, but knowing the One who does. All is well- Amy

I did get everything through and I am all ready to go to get switched. I am blessed that it has all gone smoothly and quickly so far. I did not really start trying to get the DS until Late Jan 2007 and I am getting it done on May 4th. 

I see the doctor next week which is April 16th to get the final tests done before surgery. If they come back good then I am all ready. I know I have gained a few lbs since I saw him in Feb. I do not know how much because I do not have a scale avail that will weigh me.

I am nervous. I am so ready to do this in some ways, but it is such a big thing. The only other surgeries I have had is a lap gallbladder removal and a c-section. At least my DS will be lap unless there is just no other option but to open me.

I guess mainly I'm scared of the pain after the surgery and the psycholgical impact that not having food to depend on will have. I quit smoking 2 years ago and it feels very similar to when I had to say goodbye to cigarettes after 15 years of smoking. 

I know I will be OK though because I have a great relationship with my God and He will not let me down-ever. I believe that this surgery is a part of His plan for my life and that better things lie on the other side of my weight loss. I know my doctor will be doing the surgery but my God controls everything and he will guide the doctor's hand as he does it. 

I guess thats all for now..see ya on the switched side..Amy

I am in pain. It is excruciating back pain due to my weight. I simply cannot stand up for even 5 minutes or I feel that I will fall down because it hurts so bad. I have tried every diet. Weight watchers gives me some results but I always gain it back + some.  I either have to lose the weight or get a wheelchair and I am only 35 with 2 children in school. I want my life back. I feel like no one can see me-all they see is the fat and most react to that without getting to know me at all. 

Feb 23, 2007

I just went to see my surgeon in Chicago. He is really a nice man and is super concerned with safety which is very comforting. Everything appears great. He recommends the DS which is what I wanted anyway so thats great. I will find out if I can have surgery next week. They also are submitting my claim to my insurance, but it is just a formality as they have a written exclusion. Medicare will not pay unless they do this though.