kbars
I have never wanted anything more in my life than to have GBS. I have been overweight my entire life and have fought the weight loss demon long enough. It's time for me to be selfish and take care of ME instead of everyone else. i want to live a long and healthy life, and most of all, I want to be HAPPY! I WANT TO BE THIN!
August 18, 2004: Well, they couldn't determine whether or not I have sleep apnea because I hardly slept all night long. They let me sleep until 7:30 this morning and said my last hour was my best sleep all night long, with light snoring.
My legs would not stay still and my leads to the connectors all over my body kept coming off, my air thingy in my nose kept coming out, and so that meant the technician kept coming into my room. It's no wonder I couldn't sleep!
I'm very tired, but have to get ready for work now.
August 23, 2004: Meeting with my PCM on 9/1/04, to get sleep test results. More later!
9/1/04: Sleep test results ruled out sleep apnea. Not a candidate for surgery as per my insurance. Very sad!
11/04-12/04: Several tests ran. Discovered that I have degenerative disk disease, several bulging disks, narrowing of the spine and slight scoloisis. Although not bad, this will get bad if I don't lose this weight!
1/13/05: Provided all medical records from the last 2 months to surgeon to submit for insurance approval.
1/18/05: Met with PCM today and GOT referral (to insurance) for surgery. Waiting for referral to go through and approval from insurance company.
1/25/05: WOW! Things are progressing quickly. WLS is still not official, but I have a tentative surgery date 3/14/05, my blood unit appts. set, EGD, and my pre-op!!! WOW! I know I'll get more anxious as the date gets closer, but I'm so ready!
2/7/05: I have my EGD consult on the 8th, my gall-bladder ultrasound on the 11th and I STILL don't have "official" word on my approval for surgery!!! STILL PATIENTLY WAITING.
2/8/05: Attended my first WLS support group meeting and feel the same way about having surgery. I'm scared that I'll fall back into the old trap of "it's okay to have one bite" and gain my weight back. I've failed at every diet attempt and I pray this "tool" is the Lord's will!
2/9/05: EGD scheduled for the 28th of this month and my first appointment for my first unit of blood is the 25th. I'm STILL not officially approved. However, Michelle, w/ Dr. Frazee's office told me that she is going to look into my chart today!!! Still patiently waiting...
2/18/05: Michelle called to say that insurance requested copy of my sleep study. Why? It was negative. Still waiting @ home with the flu.
2/22/05: Checked online. Everything approved BUT my surgery. AAGGHH! Called insurance to see what was going on. Was told my "Stephanie" that the girl assigned to my case is "out of the office indefinitely." Stephanie said she would "mark" my file for a nurse to review and I should know something within the next 24-48 hours. I called Michelle and explained what was going on. She called the tri-care office here in Abilene, had ot leave a message, but called me back with info. STILL WAITING!!!!!
I guess I'm frustrated because on one hand I was told I shouldn't have any problem getting approved, and I'm now 3 weeks away from my "surgery" date and I still don't know anything. The Lord has made me wait this long, so I can wait a few more days. It's in HIS time, not mine!
2/23/05: IT'S OFFICIAL. I JUST GOT APPROVED for surgery. I'm scheduled for March 14th!!!!
My journey started last summer, but the Lord decided I needed to wait a while before he told me yes!
2/25/05: Gave my first unit of blood. Now I see why I don't donate blood on a regular basis.
2/28/05: EGD performed. I don't remember a thing!!! Dr. said all went well and everything looked great!
3/7/05: Yesterday was my 37th birthday and now we're counting down the days to my surgery date. I have 7 days to go from today!!! Oh my goodness! I can't believe it's almost here. I have my last appointment with my surgeon and pre-op on the 10th of March. I'll know then what time my actual surgery will be on the 14th. I am getting the best birthday present anyone could ever give me!!
3/10/05: Completed pre-op meeting with Dr. Frazee and pre-registration at hospital. I had to have lab work done, an EKG and an interview with the nurse in day surgery. It was so embarrasing to remove my under-wire bra and see my huge breasts totally exposed and laying in my arm pits right in front of the EKG technician. She didn't bat an eye, but I was thinking OH MY GOSH! Please hurry and let me outa here! I guess you could say that I'm somewhat modest!
4 days and counting!
3/11/05: 3 days and counting. Today is my last day at work before my surgery next Monday. I am COMPLETELY determined to get up and walk and be home Tuesday. I have a complete peace that I will be completely fine, my faith is stronger than ever and I KNOW (positive thinking and prayer)that I will NOT have any complications!! My Lord walks with me! My Lord will guide the surgeon's hands!!! My Lord will be with everyone in the operating room!!!
I plan on spending time with my friends and family this weekend, maybe Saturday, just to hang out and eat my "last meal" and drink my "last beer!" More later
3/12/05: 2 days and counting! I had to work all day (Saturday), but I ended up going to my favorite mexican restaurant with my husband, son, friends Danielle, Jenny, Rebecca and her husband Sam. We had a great time eating my "last supper" for a while!!!
I also went to Sams today and stocked up on lots of water, chicken broth, jello and philly swirls!
3/13/05: 1 day and counting! I woke up with a horrible head ache, ended up getting sick twice today, I don't know what's wrong with me! I feel much better now. Today is my clear-liquid diet day before my surgery. Just got home from church and feel just great about tomorrow. I'm not nervous at all! I have claimed my surgery success with the Lord!!!
I'm spending my night getting ready for tomorrow and this week, washing sheets, paying bills, etc......
Here we go! On to my new and better life.
3/14/05: Well, here we go! I'm about to leave for the hospital. I took pre-op pictures last night and oh my goodness! I look horrible!!! I feel just great and I'm ready to start my "new life." I weighed in at 247.5 before we left for the hospital.
More later!
3/16/05: Well, I'm home after having my Lap RNY and things couldn't have gone any better! I got home early this afternoon, took a nap and now updating my profile. My surgery was Monday morning and I walked that evening. I got up and walked Tuesday about 3 times and 3 times today (Wednesday). Dr. Frazee finally came in Tuesday night around 7:00 to say everything looked great (I was up sitting in a chair) that I could eat and go home the next day. This morning (Wednesday) he came in, took off my band-aids and cleared me to go home and do whatever I wanted to except for heavy lifting. WOW! I can't believe how good I feel. This is absolutely amazing!!! I am, however, tired so I'm going back to bed. More later. P.S. I see Dr. Frazee next Thursday for my one week check up!
3/17/05: Went to the mall and walked around. Faced one of my demons and watched my husband and step-daughter, Amber, eat pizza!! It wasn't too bad at all!!!
3/18/05: Went to work for a little bit today, came home to rest and then took the kids to BWW for dinner! I sat across the kids as they ate all kinds of foods I just love, but I kept telling myself that's the kind of stuff that got me where I am right now. My husband also drank beer in front of me, but really it wasn't too bad!! I seemed to be more emotional today than usual, could be I'm trying to have a cycle or it's the emotions of having the surgery. I'm having to look into the mirror more this week than I ever have. GUESS WHAT? I'm surviving!!!
3/19/05: 5 days post-op and I'm doing just great. It's almost like I didn't have surgery, it's been pretty easy. I get tired quickly, but that's to be expected. My stomach looks like someone kicked me repeatedly and I won't mention what my belly button looks like. I just hope my hole for my belly ring doesn't close up! I get stir-crazy being in the house, so I like getting out and walking around, even if it is Wal-Mart. I think we'll try the mall again today too. Thank you Lord for such a remarkable recovery and successful surgery!
3/21/05: 7 days post-op and I feel absolutely wonderful. First full day back at work and can feel my self getting a little tired. Based on my scale and weigh-ins, I've lost a total of 13.5 pounds! I am so very proud of myself. I put my belly ring back in and it didn't hurt a bit.
3/24/05: First weigh-in with Dr. Frazee. His scale said I'd only lost 14 lbs (230.8), which by my scale I've lost 17.5!! I love my numbers better. Got to switch to a soft diet, so we went to IHOP for an egg!!! It looked like I hardly touched it when we left. Guess I was kinds scared of eating for the first time.
3/29/05: I'm down 21 lbs as of today. I can't believe I've lost 21 lbs in 15 days. I started walking Sunday night with my hubby and even had the energy to work out in the yard last night. I see Dr. Frazee on the 31st, so we'll see how we compare with his scale. (226)
3/30/05: 2 week check up with dr. Got weight restriction lifted and also changed menus! I've never been so excited about eating in all my life!! I'm down 17 lbs!!
4/14/05: Four weeks out as of Monday (4/11) and I feel just great. The only negative comments I have is about the medicine Dr. Frazee has me on for my gallbladder, YUCK and the other one is I've noticed I get light-headed if I bend down and get back up again! I've been working a lot in my yard, raking, etc., and I get dizzy. I go see the doctor next week, so we'll ask. I have to get blood work done this week too, yuck! Anyway, per my scale I've lost 26.5 lbs! I'm rocking along!
4/21/05: Almost 6 weeks post-op and I've lost 27 lbs. and feel absolutely wonderful!!! Check up with the doctor today and he seems pleased with my progress. My scale says I've lost 30.5 lbs! I like those numbers WAY BETTER!
4/29/05: I'm officially down 34 lbs! Not too shabby! Still feeling good and attempting to get more exercise into my routine. I went to water aerobics twice this week!
5/3/05: I'm now down 36.5 lbs. Not sure if my progress is good or not, starting to second guess myself! At least I'm wearing a pair of pants I haven't worn in like 2 years. I'm still in between sizes so it's hard finding something to wear! I haven't bought anything new except for a shirt and a sweater. I totally cleaned out my closet and drawers for all my old/fat clothes. Hoping to be in some of the cute clothes in my closet very, very soon!!!
5/12/05: I got up this morning and the scale said I had gained a half a pound. After working out, I re-weighed and lost 3.5 lbs!!! I'm down to 208.5, with a BMI of like 32!
5/14/05: Today was the first day in over 2 years that I had a swimsuit on in my very own pool. My husband commented several times how great I looked. It felt great!
5/20/05: What a great day! I am almost below 200 for the first time in over 2 years! 3 lbs to go! 203. Total weight loss 44.5 lbs! BMI 31.2!
6/1/05: 3 month check up with Dr. Frazee. He says I'm doing and looking great. Don't have to go back for another three months. Official weight 201!
6/6/05: Stuck at 201, gota get over this hump. Dr. suggested I up my exercise. I know I need to exercise, but I can't seem to find the time, or I'm so tired from not sleeping that I don't want to. I need a motivation to get out there and work out. I live so stinking far from the gym that I find it hard to leave work, go work out, and drive all the way home to fix dinner and everything else I have to do around the house. I wouldn't dare post on the message boards about my needing motivation because I don't want to get "flamed!" hahah! I wish I had a friend to work out with on a constant basis. I know if I had that then I'd be obligated to show up and work out. That's just the kind of person I am. My goal for tomorrow 6/7/05, to get to water aerobics!
6/7/05: YES! I did it! I officially weigh 199.5!!!!!!!!!!
6/10/05: 198! One pound from losing 50!
6/14/05: 195! OMG! I'm loving this new tool AND my new exercise. I'm playing golf with my husband. He bought me some clubs, shoes, etc., and last night we went to the driving range and I actually hit a golf ball! It was great exercise, I was red in the face and actual broke a sweat. I had a great time!
7/21/05: Last weigh in was 185.5. Not too bad 10 lbs a month.
8/2/05: Weight loss is slow. I KNOW I need to exercise, but it is very hard to get exercise in with my job, home, etc. I know that's only excuses, but what else can I do. I'm very pleased with my loss so far 63.5 lbs in almost 5 months. Not too bad!
8/5/05: FINALLY the scale moved this morning! I'm officially down 65 lbs in almost 5 months post-op. The loss is slow but sure!
8/15/05: I'm slowly getting there. I reached 180 today! That makes a total of 67.5 lbs in 5 months.
9/10/05: It's been almost a month since I posted. WOW. Well anyway, weight loss is slow, but steady. I'm down to 175, which puts me over the 70 lb mark. I don't worry too much about losing slowly, just as long as I lose.
9/14/05: It's time for my 6 month anniversary reflection. I knew this time last year, this was something that I definitely wanted, but wasn't sure if I'd ever get approved. Well the last 6 months have been absolutely wonderful! I can't express how good I feel. My self-esteme and confidence has gone through the roof. I notice I'm walking tall with my head up high. I don't fear walking down the street and wondering who is making fun of the fat girl. I can't wait for my 20 year class reunion next summer!!! This has been one of the best times in my life!!! I would do this over 100 times.
3/14/06: WOW! I can't believe it's already been a year, and what a year it has been! I've lost 90 lbs and I can do so many things now physically that I couldn't do before. My back aches are a thing of the past. I love the fact I can pick out a size 10 at a store and not even try it on. Even though I haven't made my 100 lb loss, I am VERY proud and happy with my results and success.
