Lillian A.
2/06
Hello, well, I have been overweight for most of my life and after hitting the big 40 decided that it was time I did something about it! I researched for long time gastric bypass, but when my sister announced she was visiting a bariatric surgeon in my "backyard", I decided to join her! All went smoothly, lots and lots of pre-op visits, but after 3 months of that, I was approved and heading under the knife!The only time I almost panicked was the night before surgery, saying goodnight and good-bye (for a couple of days ) to my son. He started to cry ~"don't do it mommy, I need you" Well, that was heartbreaking, I asked God, "is this a sign?" but after I went and had myself a good cry, I felt peaceful that this was my destiny, I had to have my gallbladder out anyway, and I was ready.
So I had my surgery on 6/6/06 (DH wanted me to change the date~I said no way, it's lucky!!) heehee. I was frigthtened, excited and READY! My DH was so nervous for me, I ended up being the strong one, and having to calm him down as I was prepped for surgery. I thought he was going to faint, but we bothed survived, I had no problems, had my gallbladder removed too. My sis had her surgery a week before me, so that was a great inspiration. My kiddies (DD~13) and DS (6), did not really know what was going on. I told them I was having my gallbladder out, and left it at that. I did tell my DD the whole story after surgery~her reaction "that's weird mom" LOL! My son wanted to see my gallbladder, asked the surgeon what it looked like~ewwwwwwwwwww. I had very little pain, and a quick recovery.
10/26/06
My journey so far has been smooth, I think I made a fantastic decision, I would not be able to maintain my food choiced without this great tool I have. I basically eat protein, protein and more protein. Little or no carbs and no sugar. I try and keep my dies "clean". I love my cheese, veggie burgers and protein shakes that I buy from Bariatric Edge. Love them!! I also now love beef jerky, everyone laughs at that, I feel like a hillbilly! hahaha.
5/4/07
It's been awhile since I have visited over here. I'm almost 1 year post op, unbelievable and I feel like a new person! I now weigh 178 lbs, a loss of 144 lbs! I still have 28 llbs to go, but feel confident it will happen! I'm pretty strict with my diet, protein always first, I drink at least one protein shake a day (my favorite is Matrix cookies & cream! and Achieve One hazelnut~which I order through susan maria's site, bariatriceating.com) I find the protein is a treat & good sound nutrition. I stay far away from simple carbs, such as breads, pasta, rice, cereal. Honestly, it just wouldn't fit in my pouch and provides no nutritional value so, it's not pouch worthy, so it doesn't go in my mouth! I don't crave them either. Silly, but I still crave beef jerky and those proteins shakes & now that it is getting warm~ sf ice pops! It has been such a joyous journey, I really haven't suffered any side effects, so I feel blessed about that. I'm now wearing size 12 which is a dream, but sometimes I do not see the size 12 girl looking back at me in the mirror, I see all of my flaws! my shrinkles on my neck, my saggy arms (those are the worst!) and my droopy thighs~sigh*. But then I think of all I have accomplished~mainly regaining my health! I can run and play with my 7 year old, swim and go on a rollercoaster with my 14 year old and sit comfortably in an airplane seat! People to react differently to me now too, that can be disconcerting, they open doors, smile and treat me better, I didn't even realize I was being treated differently when I was heavy! At the end of this month will be the Jones Beach Air Show, which I was totally humiliated at last year! (my chair broke under my weight, and I was totally stuck until my DH came back from swimming with the kids to haul my big ole butt out!! I thought I would just die right there!) one week later I had the surgery and haven't looked back! This year i will sit and enjoy the air show, and swim and dance and have the time of my life!! So, mostly all is going well (my house still is in construction mode that I am so sick of!) and DH hates his job, but I feel confident I can deal with it all, stick to my plan and reach my goals by the end of the summer. We are considering leaving the island to move to Georgia, probably in 4 years, once my DD graduates (I'm ready to go go go, but she would be devasted, I couldn't do it to her). So we shall see where this crazy life leads us!
