k4d43
9-10-06
I have been a member here for a while, but I haven't been keeping up with my profile. I guess it's time I did that!!!
First, some info about myself. I am a 63 year old female,
5' 4" tall and I weigh 293 lbs. I have given birth to 5 children...3 girls and 2 boys...all grown and married with families of their own. I have 12 grandchildren. I have been overweight for about 40 years. I must have lost a thousand pounds in my life time but those pounds were always hiding just out of sight and I always found them again, plus more!
I had never really considered WLS seriously until now. About 15 years ago, my oldest daughter had the Fobi-pouch.
She tried to talk me into getting it then, but I was a little skeptical. But she did lose 158 lbs and has kept most of it off.
But I didn't like the idea of a pouch and she had issues with it (the pouch), so I said forget about it.
Then a couple of years ago, my 3rd daughter had the RNY. She really wanted the DS but her insurance wouldn't pay and she wasn't able to self pay so she went ahead with the RNY. She lost 150 lbs and did great. It kinda began to nag on my mind that maybe I should do this. But I guess I wasn't ready yet.
Last year, my oldest grandaughter had the Fobi pouch like her mother and she lost 125 lbs and then my second daughter had the RNY and she lost 130 lbs. Then my 3rd daughters husband had the RNY. He has lost 85 lbs so far. So I tho't maybe I should get serious and start researching this thing. So I did! I was researching the RNY and "by accident" I found myself on a DS website. I have no idea how I got there! By the way, I don't believe in "accidents" where things like this are concerned, because I had seriously prayed for an answer just 2 days before, so I believe that God directed me to this website.
Well, my research began in earnest! I would read far into the night...fortunately I am retired and I didn't have to go to a job! The more I read, the more convinced I became that this was the surgery for me! Now to figure out how to GET the surgery. I have had no medical insurance since 1988 so I would have to self pay. I talked to my husband and he was very, very supportive. He was actually the one who tho't of refinancing our home so I could have the surgery.
But...we were in the middle of a remodel on our house. So while I fumed and sweated about it taking so long, we finally got there. Our remodel was finished and we started looking for financing. Finally we closed on our refi about 2 weeks ago. Now, I would have to get myself in gear!
9-12-06
Well, today I went and had my lab work done. They said I should have it next week. Also, I am waiting for my records from my Dr. in CA. They should be here anytime. I have sent an email to Dr. Ungson in Mexico to get the ball rolling.
I have done all the "big" things, so now I have to start tying up the loose ends! I am so excited!
It has been such an inspiration to see my family change before my very eyes and so many of them at that! At first I tho't "Oh, I'm too old maybe I should just leave well enough alone." But the problem was, I was not "well enough". Seems like in the last year, my health has visibly deteriorated. Not any major diagnosis, but less mobility and more fatigue, things like that. It was getting harder and harder to make it thru the day. Also, my blood sugar and blood pressure are constantly out of whack and I can't seem to get them under control. I have fibromyalgia, problems with my lower back, hips and knees. Just a lot of nagging things! That's what made my decision for me. I have 6 brothers and sisters and three of them are up in their seventies and still going strong, so I figure if I just live as long as they have, I still have some good years left. So then I began to realize that I wasn't old, but my weight made me FEEL like I was old! So Why Not Go For It!!!!!!
9-13-06
I'm am so excited!!!! I went for my blood work this morning and after I came home, I sent an e-mail to my surgeon, Dr. Ungson in Mexico. I had made the decision to go to Dr. U but I had never contacted him. I wanted to make sure that my finances were available before I got too far into this.
Anyway, just 3-4 hours after I sent my email, I received one from him. He says that he has no doubt that I am a good candidate for the DS surgery and as soon as he receives my lab results we can discuss a surgery date!!! Yipeeeee!!!!
I can hardly contain myself! This is awesome!!! I hope I can sleep tonight...lol
9-20-06
I picked up my bloodwork and faxed everything to Dr. Ungson. The next day he e-mailed me and gave me a choice of dates. He also wanted to ask questions about my hernia. In 2002, I had a complete hysterectomy because of endometrial cancer. The GYN who did my surgery was going to repair it then, but the assisting Dr. tho't it was too large to do both surgeries at the same time. So I didn't have it done at that time.
Dr. Ungson wants pictures and measurements of the hernia. He says that it seems to be very large and that's important to know when doing the surgery and also for my recovery. I don't know if he plans to repair it while he is in there...it would be nice...he has to cut right across it to do the DS. So we will see!!
The dates he gave me are Oct. 16 and Nov. 3. I guess I will have to chose the Oct date since we have been planning a family trip to CA to spend Thanksgiving with our children and grandchildren there. Our youngest son and his wife and baby are going with us. I just hope I am well enough to go without feeling like a limp dishrag!
I am also disappointed because Dr. U will only be there for 3 or 4 days then he will be going to Spain for 10 days. He said his associates would care for me. I'm a little let down about that. I guess because I don't know anything about them.
11-14-06
Sorry it's been so long since I posted. Just haven't felt much like doing anything since my surgery. I flew to Mexico on Oct. 15th. We were met at the airport by Dr. Ungson's assistant, Sylbia. We were taken immediately to the hospital and I was admitted. They did an EKG and an X-ray and took me to a hospital room where I spent the night. The next morning (Oct. 16) I had my surgery at 7:00 am. My husband said I was in the operating room for about 2 hrs. They did the DS and then repaired a muscle separation in my stomach which was rather large...almost 9 inches lengthwise. That is still giving me some pain at 1 month out but I guess muscles take a while to heal.
The first few weeks were not easy and I had some pain, but all in all, I survived. I still don't feel like eating, but I force myself to eat and drink. I am starting to try new things, but I am having a hard time getting in the protein. Before surgery, I used to drink the protein drinks and use the protein bars without a problem. But now I can't stomach them. They have such a horrible aftertaste to me. I have ordered something different which I hope will help. It is the Unjury unflavored.
4-4-07
Well, I'm back again! I just can't seem to remember to keep this thing updated...LOL I guess there's just too much going on! I just posted new pics of my 5 Month Anniversary. I have lost a total of 85 pounds, my blood pressure and blood sugar are in a low range and my joint problems are gradually being resolved! I feel so much better!! I Love My DS!
I am eating very well. The only things I have trouble with are some breads and spicy hot things but that seems to be improving slowly. I can now tolerate protein drinks better so that helps keep up my protein. I use FitDay to keep track of my protein and carbs. I try to keep my carbs low and I feel that has helped with my weight loss. I am very thrilled with my weight loss because for the last 15-20 years it has been a real struggle to lose any weight. So any weight loss is a bonus for me! I couldn't have done this without WLS! I am truly grateful!!!
