Karyn
12/02 I am 5'1 and 270 lbs. This is hard to admit and actually memorialize, but I think it's healthy to not have secrets. I am meeting my surgeon next month and I'm really looking forward to it. I have been reading about the various surgeries and I know my surgeon does the band surgery. There are strong opinions on each side, and I hope I make the right decision....
1/19/03 I was supposed to meet with Dr. Phillips' associate last Thursday morning, but was able to change to another surgeon in the group, Dr. Cunneen, and meet with him that afternoon instead. The problem was that Dr. Phillips is not a BC/BS provider and Dr. Cunneen and Dr. Khalili are--they're all at Cedar-Sinai hospital in L.A. The consultation went well. He told me that they'd done 200 wls in 2 years--both lapband and lap RNY. He told me that they have had no fatalities and no severe complications--that's good news! He also told me that he would do the lapband himself, but that my insurance was not likely to cover it at this point. He told me that they would probably approve the gastric bypass. So we'll see. Elaine, his RN, suggested that I call back in 4 weeks re insurance approval. I'm excited! Everyone at my job knows, and they're excited too!
3/23/03 Still waiting.... The insurance person at Cedars told me that he has sent in my request for approval for lapband 3 times--but no response. When I checked, I was told that nothing had been received. I was told that gastric bypass did not need pre-approval. I have been on the fence about whether to get the lapband or RNY. I think the insurance company has helped me make the decision. Here I come--gastric bypass! But still waiting....
4/24/03 Finally approved! Took three ignored requests by Leroy at Dr. Cunneen's office. When I called my company benefits person, she told me that BC/BS of Michigan determined that there were too many differences in California and decisions are now made in CA, but no one told me or my surgeon! So...the fourth request was a charm! So three months later -- I'm waiting to get my date. I'm so excited and so scared!
4/26/03 Now a date--August 13! I'm starting to believe it's going to happen--to think about what I need to do to prepare....
6/22/03 Well, it's been a while. Not too much going on yet. I have been back to my Internist, who is thrilled with my upcoming surgery. He gave me blood pressure medicine for the first time--He said that it would just be until I had the surgery. I also found out from my surgeon's office, that they hadn't even needed an okay from BC/BS because it is a benefit. I don't get it, since I waited months, but -- oh well... Anyway, everyone I tell about the surgery knows someone who had it or is considering it. Almost everyone is very positive about it. I am getting in my "lasts" in terms of favorite foods. I may have them later, but at least I want to say good bye for now to them.... I want to go to Curves, but haven't gotten up the nerve or energy or whatever it takes. I got an exercise tape, Walk Away the Pounds, and did it once since I got it a couple of weeks ago. It is hard to get going, and I hope I do better after surgery. I feel so lazy!
7/19/03 The evening of my last update, I was going to visit friends with my husband, and tripped in front of their house and ended up with two breaks in my left upper arm. I had to be rushed to ER and kept apologizing to the paramedics for having to lift me! Anyway, two days later, I had surgery at Cedars Sinai hospital, kind of a trial run for my WLS. They told me that Dr. Cunneen was operating in the next room at the same time! Anyway, here I am, weeks later--still at home, still on pain meds, and on disability til I can get back to work, and in a few weeks I get this wonderful surgery! I need to get back to work so I can get ready to go out again! Anyway, at least I've caught up on reading my Yahoo Group emails...
8/01/03 I'm so happy that my surgery date is almost here--August 13! I saw my orthopedic surgeon yesterday and he told me that I'm cleared for the WSL!!! I started back at work last Monday. But I'll be out again so soon! I am going shopping today for pre and post surgery liquids. I have a combination colonoscopy and endoscopy next Wednesday--So need to be on liquids the day before that as well. I went to Cedars' WLS support group, and enjoyed it. It becomes real when everyone in the room has already had the surgery! I'm so excited!
8/6/03 I just came home from my colonoscopy/endoscopy procedure. The worst part was the Fleet bowel prep routine the night before. Dr. Cunneen's handout says that it's optional for his surgery--I don't think I'll be spending my last night before surgery like that! I saw my internist on Monday, and he gave me the go-ahead--He told me how excited he is for me! I have been having "my last" Thai and Indian food, chopped salad, quesadilla.... I still want to try to have Kentucky Fried Chicken, Amici's Pizza, hot dog, ribs and In&Out Double Double before I start my liquid diet on Monday. The blessing is that each time I have something "for the last time" I'm done with it for now. I know that later, I will be able to eat some or all of these things in very small amounts, but for now--Im done with them. It's a miracle! This is all a miracle. I have a second chance at life--and a life more worth living too!
8/9/03 Alright! Pre-op appt. done. What a hassle. I had to go to two different admissions processes--one upstairs before I could see the surgeon, and the other at the hospital to pre-admit me and take blood. My appt. was at 3:00, and I finally saw Dr. Furman, another surgeon, at 6:00! Oh well... So my broken arm has been healing, and I was cleared for WLS surgery by my orthopedic surgeon, and then I almost fell and caught myself with that same pesky left arm, and I thought I broke it again! It hurt like hell--and I was afraid I'd finally been defeated.... Spent the whole morning of the next day waiting at the ortho surgeon's office to get squeezed in for xrays. He told me I had strained my rotator cuff and to take it easy. I was still cleared for my surgery! What a race to the finish line it's been and continues to be. Tonight, my husband is taking me out for a steak dinner at a really nice restaurant (Nick & Stef's in downtown L.A.) Then one more day before I go on a liquid diet for 2 days--THEN SURGERY DAY!!!
8/15/03 My surgery was Wednesday, August 13 at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. I woke up in the recovery room and was in pain, but happy that I had done it and I was now on the other side! It wasn't until I got back to my room that my husband, Mike, told me that I didn't have the surgery. I thought he was kidding. He continued that Dr. Khalili had come out to the waiting room while I was still in the operating room to let him know that he had opened me up and found a couple of spots-on my liver and bowel! (My surgery was scheduled for Dr. Cunneen as the main surgeon and Khalili assisting, but somehow it changed--I don't know why or when....)
Dr. Khalili was pretty sure they were benign, but wanted to check--so he had them biopsied and also ordered a catscan for the next day. I got all the results this morning--Negative biopsy and catscan came out negative on the spots, but they found something on my breast. If it isn't one thing, it's another... Wednesday, I'm going to check it out with a mammogram. So thank God, he went in to do the RNY, or I wouldn't have known! But darn it, when will I finally have the real surgery...?
This is after breaking my arm and having surgery on it in June, then a few days ago I straining my shoulder so I can't lift it!
I got to be on the WLS floor (8th floor South Tower), and met several of the staff--such nice people! I told them I'd be back...
Oh, also--with the 2 days of liquid diet before surgery and the continued liquid diet the next few days, I lost 10 lbs. and I'm 260. (I don't know if I can hold onto the loss without the WLS tool, but it feels good for now!)
8/21/03 Yesterday, I had my mammogram and everything was fine-Yahoo! Then I met with Dr. Furman, who does most of the consultations these days because they are so busy, and he told me that I am cleared for my surgery (again) and so I'm waiting for a date--they'll try to slip me in on a cancellation. I feel good!
8/30/03 Yey! New date and it's just around the corner! September 8--a week from Monday. It's beyond belief. The funny thing is that I was back at work and really focused. This is my last weekend for unrestricted eating--next weekend is clear liquids.
9/13/03 I'm post-op and feeling pretty good all in all. I was in the hospital for 2 nights--nausious for two days, then I caught a cold, which has turned into a sinus infection. So I'm drinking water, protein shakes, chicken broth and a little juice.
10/18/03 Things are going great! I'm down from my high of 271 to 238.5 after almost 6 weeks. I couldn't be happier. I have been walking since the first week--at first just to the end of the apartment complex and back. Now around the block both at work and home and both blocks are pretty big ones! I am doing fine with the eating but eat too much or too fast sometimes (I don't chew well) and the food (generally beef or chicken) gets stuck before it gets to my stomach and I have to vomit it up. Sounds gruesome, but it's not so bad. As long as I know that's what it is. I feel so good and I'm getting compliments! I'm not really fitting into new sizes quite yet, but I'm also not fitting into the clothes I have! I'm so glad I had this surgery. I had no hope before it--the only thing I could be sure of was that I was going to continue to gain weight. Now I have hope!
11/8/03 I get weighed every Wednsday at my support group meeting, and last Wed. when I weighed myself, I had lost 40 lbs since the surgery and 45 since my highest weight a month earlier! I'm at 226.8! Wow! I am feeling strong and energetic. I wish I could eat more food at a sitting, but it is usually 1-3 ounces (usually 2) still.... Sometimes I have food and it isn't so good, so I don't finish it and that's different for me. This morning I made 2 pieces of turkey bacon in the microwave and didn't eat the last 1/2 piece. It just wasn't that good and I was getting full. I gave it to my husband (who has lost more than 100 lbs. on the Zone Diet!) Amazing for me!
In this post, I will describe my regimen in order to help others who come after me.
I have been very involved with my support groups, both on-line and with Cedars, my hospital.
I have protein shakes 2-3 times a day. My favs are Designer Whey-Chocolate from Trader Joes, Pro-Blend 55 Chocolate, Proplete Orange Dreamsicle (really good mixed with Crystal Light or Fruit20 and Pro-Score 100 Chocolate-the last 3 are from Vitalady.com.
Vitamins for me:
Multivitamins 2/day--Flintstones Complete at first but hated the taste, so changed to some Pineapple ones from the vitamin store, then got Centrum Chewables that taste better. I take 2 a day, at different times. I'm going to change to Centrum pills when I run out. (I noticed today that Vitalady has chewables too.)
Calcium Citrate 4/day 500 mg each--Capsules from Vitalady. I take them 4 times a day (at least I try to remember to!). Until recently, I opened the capsule and emptied it into my protein drink or Crystal Light, and I still like to dump it into my protein drink.) I also have chewable wafers (no sugar) that I used also, but you have to eat 2 and that's annoying.
Iron (from VItalady) and C- 1 of each, once a day. They can't be taken with food or calcium, so I take them last thing at night. My C is chewable but has sugar, so I just ordered some from Vitalady with no sugar.
I totally love Vitalady's products.
My average day of eating:
I have a shake first thing in the morning
Breakfast or mid morning at work: Cream of wheat, or Morningstar Farms veggie breakfast strips or patty, or (at home) 1 eggbeater w/cheese
Lunch: Veggie meat, part of a hamburger patty, or a few whole wheat crackers w/hummus or almond butter or cheese, or sliced
turkey and cheese rolled up, or left over Wendy's or other chili (yum!), or refried beans, or some potential disaster if I go out.
Snack: String cheese, or cheese or hummus, or almond butter and maybe a cracker or 2, or some of my lunch food or a shake
Dinner: The above, or disaster.
Last thing: A shake
I also sip water all day long too.
My surgeon's nutritionist says to eat every 4 hours, 3 meals a day and 2 snacks at the most, but my more experienced friends say that eating often, as long as it isn't grazing, is fine. When I tried my nutritionist's way, I ate too much at a meal like I used to, so this is better at this point for me. I need to know that I can eat regularly. I don't always have the snacks, but I need to know I can.
I have been avoiding white carbs now. No sugary stuff, no bread, no pasta, only the crackers and I did have mac & cheese a few times (yum!). I don't know if I dump. I hope so, so I don't end up eating a bunch of sweets later.
Some of the things I'm glad I have on-hand: Protein powder, measuring cups (I have a little one ounce glass cup from Bed,
Bath & Beyond that I like to stuff food into), baby spoons, seafood forks (to remind me to eat small bites), scale (just got that), stool softeners and Benefiber(to compensate for Iron), little Glad containers and sandwich bags, cups with tops for holding shake powder for when I'm out (just add water). I always have a water bottle in my car, at work and at home. I bought a Brita Pitcher so I don't always have to buy the expensive bottled water.
Exercise: I try to walk everyday at work, but it's not easy lately because it's gotten busy. I walk for 20-45 minutes. It's actually less time recently because I walk faster now, so the same route is taking less time and I don't wear a watch, so I don't find out until I get back! I have some adjusting to do! I also use my Walk Away to Pounds videotape at home on the weekends. I'm still only comfortable with the 1 mile tape, although I have 2 and 3 mile tapes too. I'm going to look into joining a gym or Curves close to work.
I have a food list on my Palm Pilot to remind me of what my options are:
Food Ideas for Work/Home
• Veggie Linketts or Smoked Turkey (Worthington)
• Refried beans (Taco Bell or canned)
• Chicken? (Hard for me to chew enough unless shredded in sauce like a taco.)
• Cream of wheat/Oatmeal
• Soup (not a good choice later - liquid and solid - but good for going out to lunch w/clients and not getting sick or getting food stuck
• Cheese
• Baked potato (occasionally)
• Chili (It's great! I never get sick on it!)
• Vienna Sausage
• Hummus
• Pepperoni (I can toast it in the microwave)
• turkeyburger or hamburger
• fish
• Meatloaf
• Mac & Cheese
• Almonds
• Dole bars - no sugar added (never tried them but heard they're good)
• Ricotta w/splenda & cinnamin (yum!!!)
. Crackers
I'm sure there is more I forget and more I will add later....
12/29/03 I got through my first Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas without any problems! At my last official weigh-in on Dec. 17, I was down 60 lbs. to 211! Thanksgiving, I had a few bites of food and was satisfied. Same with the other holidays. I didn't overeat and I felt good! Oh, and not a sweet! I still haven't tested whether I dump or not. Sounds too awful! I'm probably eating a bit more than I did before, but not much more. I added salad (a couple of leaves so far) and not much else.
I feel good. I have lots more energy, I feel more confident, I don't feel like food controls me (most of the time), I can tie my shoes, fit into a restaurant booth, walk between cars parked close together, walk up our flights of stairs without much windedness! I feel great about all of these things! I was not overweight for most of my life, so I don't feel like being thinner is odd--In fact, I feel like this is more me than the fat me that I was for about 12 years! I feel so blessed!
Today I ate at a Thai restaurant with my daughter and ordered chicken and it came with salad and rice. The salad dressing was too sweet, so I didn't eat the salad. Instead of the rice, I asked for steamed vegetables. I was proud of myself, however I was not watching my eating and I ended up, for the first time in months, getting sick (foamy saliva, uneasy stomach, vomiting later....) I don't think I ate much, but I probably ate bites that were too big, so it got stuck. I thought I had gotten past getting food stuck, but no!
Terri Conner, my angel, had her surgery recently, and I was her angel. She's had a really tough time of it. I think she's on the mend now, but she got an infection from an antibiotic that the surgeon gave her to prevent infections! A real drag and I feel so bad for her! She's getting better everyday now. I was sure lucky not to have complications!
My husband has been telling me how thin I'm getting--he can't believe my face! We always go out of town for our anniversary, and this time we're going to a hotel not too far away on the beach. In the past, we would have a blow-out room service meal with lots of liquor and movies on TV. We have decided we need to change the tradition, since neither of us consumes massive amounts of food anymore! So, instead of bringing gifts for each other, we're going to go out together and buy what the other wants and enjoy just being together and do more activities, like use the gym, walk and maybe, just maybe, ride bikes! I hope it works out! Anyway, I'm so glad to have this place to communicate about this fabulous adventure.
Karyn S
Proximal RNY
271 (8/7/03)
266.4 (9/8/03--day of surgery)
211 (12/29/03)
3/11/04
Well, it's been a while and I'm down to 176! I feel great! Lately I'm more tired in the evening than I have been, but just as much energy during the day. I saw my regular doctor today, and he told me that he had tears in his eyes when he saw me! He was so pleased! Things have changed, that's for sure! I accepted a new job this week and let my company know. They let me go on the spot--But are paying me for my 2 weeks notice! I can't believe I had the guts to go out and find another job! I've been at my company for 8 1/2 years! My old clothes are a joke, they are so big now. I have to shop at Walmart so I can keep my costs low. I'm still in the big sizes--18 and 1x, but that's because I'm short (5'1). Anyway, things are good....
Karyn
271/176/122...?
5/9/04
I'm down 112 pounds to 159! It is beyond my wildest dreams! I am able to eat more, so that's a little scary. My weight loss has slowed down. That's okay, I have lots of time to lose more weight. I'd like to get to 122, but I'd be happy at 130 or wherever I end up. I am so happy to have made the changes I have.
I joined the World Gym that is just a block from my home, and get there as often as possible. I've had a bad lower back, so have to watch it with the weights. I'm doing 30 minutes on the treadmill at 3 or more miles an hour, which is great for me! I'm so proud of my arm and leg muscles! My husband, who lost 130 lbs. on his own (using the Zone Diet), and my 20 year old daugher, are going to the gym too! This is so great!
I love my new job. Instead of driving for an hour or more each way, I now take the train to work--6 minutes drive to the station, then read a book til I get to the train station downtown. Then I change to the subway. I really have to do more walking now, and it doesn't bother me at all!
Life is good!
9/8/03
271/159
7/25/04
Wow, what a difference in my life! I'm now down 128 lbs. and still losing! It's a miracle! Meanwhile, I just got diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, so I have to deal with that...That's the way it goes sometimes. I am able to run around, I go to the gym regularly, I've changed my job. I'm happy with my life and the way I look.
9/8/03
271/142
10/16/04
I'm over a year out, and today I weighed myself and I'm over 140 lbs. down! I keep thinking that I'm done losing, but I'm not. I can eat a lot more, and that is very scary. I try to make good choices. I have not had sugary foods since before my surgery. I was found to be severely anemic and am getting my last of 5 iron infusions on Monday. I still have the colitis, but it's under control right now. The quality of my life is so improved. I love to look at myself in the mirror. Even when I was young and thin, I didn't like the way I looked. I am so much happier overall than I ever was before. I thank God for this surgery and that so far, I have not tried to eat around it! I just read the profile of my angel, Terri Conner, and she talked about going to a baseball game three years ago and now, and I totally know what she means! I can't believe that I can fit into a restaurant booth or a movie seat with room to spare. What a gift!
271/129/122
5'1 BMI 24.39
6/25/06
Well, it's been almost 3 years, and I am doing well. I stay around 120 lbs, about a 150 lb. loss. I am so afraid of regain, though!
I had a lower body lift in December 05 in Tijuana, Mexico with Dr. Juan Carlos Fuentes and this month I had a breast lift and 400cc silicon implants, a slight revision to my tummy and fat injections in my naso-labial folds. I am doing great! It's great to have a body that I am proud of.
It is much harder to maintain my weight now. I feel like I could eat a house sometimes! Luckily, I have the tool and I eat better and can usually pull myself back a lot of the time! I still obsess about food!
I work with a personal trainer twice a week (when not recuperating from plastic surgery!) and do cardo 2-4 times a week.
I still don't eat sugar. I eat low carb as much as possible. The carbs I eat are generally the crunchy ones, but even then, they are soy chips or whole wheat pita chips or something like that.
What makes all this easier is that my husband lost around 150 lbs. without WLS, and eats low carb as well.
Unfortunately, I have ulcerative colitis, anemia and osteoperosis. I take meds for the UC and osteoperosis and get infusions for the anemia. Still well worth having the surgery!
Anyway, that's it for now!
Karyn
11/24/06
It's more than 3 years, and I'm still doing well. I way between 123 and 125 lbs. these days. That's okay, as long as I stay there. It's so hard. I love to eat, well it's beyond loving, it's a compulsion! I still work out at least twice a week with a trainer and now have started doing some running, which is thrilling for me! Me, the former slug who had kissed off ever walking through a mall or going to an amusement park again. My my my! I've also started hiking with our trainer. (Our trainer, because Mike, my husband trains with me!)
I got a breast lift and augmentation with Dr. Fuentes in Mexico last June and had to go back in September for a redo on one of them because I developed captular contracture. (It happens--not because it was done in Mexico!) I love Dr. Fuentes. He's a great surgeon! I found out about him and plastic surgery abroad on www.psjourneys.com and highly recommend that site!
My psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and ulcerative colitis are quiet now. They are all auto-immune diseases and my new biologic, Humira, is working for all of them! My anemia is non-existent now since I started getting regular iron infusions. My osteoperosis is now osteopenia because of the exercise and Actenol. Wowy, doing great!
I still don't eat regular desserts, drink juice or milk--I want to stay away from all those sugary foods and drinks! I have sf desserts or maybe some berries and cream or half & half. I love carbs and its so hard to stay away from them!
Karyn
1/20/23
Well, it's been almost 20 years since my RNY surgery. I have kept my weight down, though I was trending up, and was at 150 a couple of years ago. So I started Weight Watchers, and it has been great! I was hoping to get to 128, which was the highest weight I could be with a healthy BMI, but got down to 114, and now am in the 114-117 lb. range. I am super happy about it.
Unfortunately, I had to have emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction/hernia in 2013. Now have a hiatal hernia and a large pouch. The hernia causes me to get food stuck in my esophogas, and the only way to move it is to cause myself to vomit. Not all the time, but when it happens, it is awful. Yesterday, I spoke with Dr. Berger, a Flagstaff, AZ general and bariatric surgeon, and I will be getting surgery for the hernia and a revision for my RNY.
