Lisa B (in SD)
August 1, 2005
i'm just getting started here, so i guess I'll start with my introduction, etc. i've been on every diet plan, pill, etc. that's ever been out. I'm definitely the queen of "yo-yo ing"! My husband suggested I have the surgery a few months ago and i told him he was crazy and that it was way too drastic. well when my son became engaged in january and set his wedding for feb. 2006, i knew that i wanted to be skinny when i walked down the aisle! after 6 months of procrastinating about dieting i hadn't lost a pound. and also in that same time period i've been having terrible back pain on and off. had an mri that only showed some arthritic changes, so i realized that my weight is definitely not helping! so, i decided to talk to my friend who also happens to be the wife of dr. leo murphy! i saw dr. leo last week and am doing everythingthat needs to be done to hopefully have my open rny around aug. 23rd.
August 2, 2005
well, i'm getting closer! had appt. today with the internist and he said i'm a perfect candidate for surgery! woo hoo! all of labs and ekg were great! he said i should do fine. i feeling like it's more of a reality now. now i'm just need the dr. murphy's office to submit the letter to insurance and i should be able to get my date! i'm really trying to get 2 protein shakes in a day. i think when i get my date scheduled i'll know it's for real and really "get with the program"! last nite a store catalog came and i saw an outfit that would be perfect for my son's wedding in february. i'm not going to buy it cuz it's waaay too expensive ($4000!!!!) but it was such a good feeling knowing for sure that when it's time to go shopping i will be able to get something i like instead of just something i have to buy cuz it's the only thing that fits!!! i'm so ready for this! wish it was over and i was on the losing side already!
august 4, 2005
talked to lorena in dr. murphy's office today and she said that she will be starting on the insurance authorization tomorrow. i'm going to have this even if i have to pay myself, so after telling her that she told me that she has august 25 held for me! i told her that i definitely want to be done early in the morning, so she said i'll be at 7 or 9:30. sounds good to me! i go between being nervous and excited, but right now excited is ruling! i can't wait!!!!
august 6, 2005
well, 19 days left! i haven't been doing the protein diet like i'm supposed to and keep saying that i'll start "tomorrow", but it hasn't happened yet. still eating lots of everything i want right now. my new plan is to start it on monday. i know that it's important, so i really will start! i have started my vitamins though and i'm excercising, so i'm doing something right! i'm getting very excited, but also pretty nervous. i'm mostly nervous about the recovery process. i keep reading about all the pain everyone has post-op in the hospital, and don't want to have that! sometimes maybe i think i should quit reading what everyone has to say, but on the other hand, i like to know everything so that i'm prepared. i just remind myself how good i'll look and feel afterwards and that it will all be worth it!
august 8, 2005
i FINALLY decided to get serious about my protein intake before surgery. i was supposed to start over a week ago and didn't. i'm doing 2 shakes and extra protein for dinner. went to the grocery store today and bought some SF puddings, jello and crystal lite. starting to get ready little by little. i talked to the dr. office and they're still waiting for the psychologist and intern reports to finalize my surgery date and time. she told me that the day before surgery i have a pre-op at the hospital for about 4 hours. i didn't know about that! she also said i'd be on liquids the day before and take milk of magnesia. yuck! getting more excited by the day!
august 10, 2005
no news yet today. haven't heard back from dr. murphy's office regarding final surgery info. still assuming it's the 25th. i've started loading up on protein and cut out diet coke! that's a biggie for me! today's my second day without it. so far, so good! i have had ice tea though. will wean off the caffeine later. will let you know when there's more news.
august 15, 2005
well, it's 9 days preop and now i'm really serious about doing all my prep work. i'm getting serious about the protein loading and am on my 6th day of no diet coke! that was a biggie for me! i'm still drinkng ice tea, but not a whole lot. also started really pushing water today. last night my husband told me that he's really nervous about my surgery and thinks i should re-consider having it. he also said that my kids (21, 19 and 15) are also scared but they won't say anything to me. this morning i told him that i'm going ahead with it and that i'll be fine. i've done all my research, i'm healthy and there shouldn't be any problems! he said that he wants to stay in the hospital with me which is so out of character for him because he's petrified of the hospital! i feel bad knowing that my family is scared and nervous, but i've mad the decision and i'm going to go through with it. i just really pray that everything will be ok. the more i think about it the more i realize how drastic this is and wonder why i can't just diet and exercise and get it off? well, that hasn't worked for me in the past, so i really need this tool. i just would never forgive myself if something goes wrong! it's funny that all of the sudden i have the willpower to do things that i couldn't do before, like stop drinking the diet coke that i was addicted to! why could i never stop before? i probably could have, i just never had the incentive like i do now. i'm sure that this rollercoaster of emotions is probably really normal at this stage. i'm feeling very positive over the whole thing and know that so much of what happens depends on mental attitude and i think mine is pretty good!
i talked to lorena at dr. murphy's office today and she said they still can't find the dictated reports from the psychologist and the internist but that i'm still ok for the 25th. they cleared me, but she can't bring up the reports. they haven't even submitted anything to my insurance yet, either. but it still a go for the 25th and she told me it's at 7:30 am. the day before i'll have the pre-op induction in the afternoon. i'm sure they'll answer any other questions i have.
well, now it's starting to hit me that this is going to happen! i need this and i want it! i can't wait for my new life to start!
aug. 18, 2005
well, exactly a week left til my new life begins! i'm sooooo very excited, nervous and anxious that i can't even think straight. trying to accomplish all the things i want to get done before surgery, but i have so much that i don't know if it will all get done. i always wait until the last minute to do things so i have tons to do at the end! and in the middle of everything i found out that blue shield won't approve me unless i see a nutritionist even though i will see one the day before the surgery. so the dr. office scrambled today to get me an appointment with someone on monday. and the crazy thing is that the insurance doesn't even cover it so i have to pay $100! just trying to plan my days out so i can get everything done. i feel like i'm leaving town or something and want to have everything in order before i go. since i'm the "organizer" in the family, i do need to have bills paid, etc. cuz hubby is clueless when it comes to that stuff! got my eyebrows waxed today, hair cut tomorrow, teeth cleaned on monday and nails done on tuesday! i figured that if i die at least i'll look good! i know that's horribly morbid, but i've thought of everything! today my hubby went to his doc cuz he has a sinus infection and when he told him about the surgery he said that i shouldn't do it because there's too many side effects. so now he's even more nervous than he was before! i really hate this waiting part. i guess everyone feels the same a week before. i wish it was just over with already and i could move one with my new life!
august 24, 2005
well, this is it! 10 hours til i go to the hospital! wish i could go now and start the morphine pump and just sleep through the next couple of days! went to the hospital for pre-op today. everyone was really nice. filled out lots of paperwork and then saw a couple of videos and talked to the anesthesologist and dietician and a nurse. took my 3 tablespoons of milk of magnesia this morning and drank liquids all day. i'm starving! got a migraine from the hunger but after i took my imitrex it got better. i sure hope i don't feel this much hunger afterwards!
lots of thoughts going through my head. for some reason i still really can't believe i'm actually doing this! but i'm so ready for it! i'm not even mourning the fact that i won't be able to eat like before. i don't want to anymore! i'm really going to try to eat to live and not live to eat! the family is all really nervous, although no one is really saying too much. i can just tell. hubby hasn't felt good for a couple of days and i know that this hasn't helped! the kids have been looking a little worried and asking questions. and my parents don't say much, but i know they're worried. i'm 47 but still their baby!
alrighty then, gonna pack my bags and begin my journey!
nov. 13, 2005
oh my god! i've been so bad updating! i obviously had my surgery and lots of things have happened the past 11 weeks. i did have complications. 2 days after the initial surgery the doctor took me back to the OR cuz my heart rate was really high and he wanted to see if something was going on inside. all he found was some normal swelling and inflammation. i finally went home after 4 days. 10 days after that i wasn't feeling so great so he did a cat scan and they found some fluid accumulation in my abdomen, so back in the hospital for another 2 nights. they put in a drain and also a picc line in my arm and i had to have tpn (liquid feedings) at home for 10 days. yuck! and the drain killed me! another 10 days went bay and i started feeling really sick. i was lethargic and horribly nauseous and my body ached. back in the hospital for another 2 days. after every test imaginable they decided i was dehydrated and had the stomach flu! my weight loss was steady although now i don't remember how much i had lost. anyway, things continued to progress and now after 11 weeks i've lost 30 pounds and over 22 inches! i feel like a million bucks! it's been a really long journey, but soooooo worth it! i wish i would've done it sooner, but i guess it wasn't the right time. i feel great! no more aches and pains like i had before and way more energy. i'm working out 3 times a week with a trainer and it seems as though the skin is going back pretty well. originally said i wouldn't ever have any more surgery, but thinking that a tummy tuck and some new boobies (mine have almost disappeared!) might be in the picture next year!
thoughout this journey i've been on this website and have met some other members. i think that's the one thing that has helped the most. the support has been incredible. although my husband is thrilled with the changes, i can tell he gets very tired of listening to me talk about it. so the only ones who understand are the ones who've been through it! thanks everybody! i'll try to update again much sooner than i did the last time. bye bye!
december 29, 2005
well, it's been a long time again since i've updated. so sorry! my 4 month anniversary was 4 days ago and i've lost 53 pounds and tons of inches! that's the most i've ever lost on any of the diets i've been on. it seems i always lost some weight but never quite finished. this time i am! i'm thinking i'd like to lose another 30 if i can. i work out 3 times a week and hopefully won't have too much excess skin. definitely want to get a tummy tuck and new boobs as soon as i can! had nice ones before, but obviously they were all fat cuz now they're gone! but i am so loving all of this! i feel soooo much better! haven't bought too many clothes yet, but it's so fun getting smaller things. sometimes i forget how i look and when i pass a mirror i'm surprised to see myself! i just wish i would've done it sooner, but i guess for some reason it wasn't the right time. i'm so thankful for all the people i've met from OH, too. the board is such a great means of support. with this year coming to an end i'm grateful for my family, my friends, my doctor and everyone on OH!!!!!
January 25, 2005
happy 5 month anniversary to me! wow, what a ride! hit the 60 pound loss mark for my anniversary. i pretty much still can't believe the whole thing! i'm sooooo happy i can't stand it! i feel better, have way more energy and definitely look better. my family is happy except my husband is acting like he's feeling a little threatened lately. thinks that i only care about myself now. i don't see it like that at all, but it's his perception. oh well. nothing i can do to make him feel better, i guess. anyway, i'm just so happy. obviously wish i would've done this years ago! guess it just wasn't the right time. the weight loss has defintely slowed down, but as long as it's still coming off, i'm happy. have no idea what i'll end up at. go to the doctor next week so i'll see what he thinks. my trainer seems to think i could lose 40 more for a total of 100. now that would be amazing! at this point i can't even imagine that. we'll just have to wait and see what happens. i still don't enjoy food and pretty much hate to eat. i hope i stay that way! makes it a lot easier to lose. i want to thank everyone on the OH boards for always being so supportive. i couldn't have done it without all of you!
March 3, 2006
Well, this is my 6 month anniversary posting since on 2/25 my oldest son got married and I didn't exactly have time to write! It was an amazing, magical day, and I was sooo happy! There were so many people who didn't even recognize me. It was crazy! It felt so good to have my picture taken and not have to hide behind anyone or worry about how fat I looked. I feel great! I'm so happy I had this surgery!!!!! And I"m so thankful for these boards!
march 25, 2006
well, it's 7 months today that i changed my life! yes, i still wish i would've done it years before, but i didn't so i'll just enjoy it now! not only do i look better than i have in years, but i feel better! i really appreciate feeling good! yes, i still have little aches and pains in my back ocassionally, but hey, i'm 48! guess that's to be expected! the compliments and love i've gotten from those around me is amazing. my husband sometimes has a hard time with all the attention i get, but for the most part he's complimentary. i'm so thankful for this board because it's been such a help to have someplace to answer my questions and let me vent and also brag about myself! i'm such an advocate of this surgery that everytime i see an overweight person i want to go up and tell them about it! hopefully soon i can lead a support group and get the word out!
april 25, 2006
so now it's my 8 month anniversary! i'm feeling better and better all the time! i've lost 74 pounds now and hope to lose at least another 20 or so. the pounds are coming off sooooo slow now. last month i lost 6 but i think this month will be even less. i guess that's ok though. i'll have to wait and see about plastic surgery. the doctor says i have a small hernia and i can get it fixed in august and get a TT too! i don't need it that bad yet but if it doesn't cost much i'll probably do it. i really want to get new boobs too. mine are pathetic! "socks with rocks" is definitely the case here. i really hate them! i'm not too crazy about my upper thighs, either. they and my butt are really the most wrinkled and saggy but i don't think i'm going to get them fixed because i hear that's the most painful surgery. i'll start having consultations in june and maybe surgery in september. my DH and family aren't thrilled with the idea of more surgery, but i have to have the h
may 24, 2006
i can't believe it's been 9 months of my new life! i've now lost 81 pounds. i really thought i was almost done, but i'm still losing. another 7 pounds this month. that's crazy! i seemed to have skipped right over size 8's and went straight from 10's to almost 6's. i figured i'd finish at a size 6 but it doesn't seem like that'll be the case. i still can't imagine being any smaller. i guess i could end up in 2's. that would be really amazing! there really was a tiny person inside of all that fat! for awhile now my husband's been telling me not to lose more. i didn't agree, but now i'm starting to. i'm definitely not as "curvy" as i used to be and i kind of miss that. but i wouldn't give up how great i feel for anything. that's the best part of all of this. i just feel so damn good! my energy is up and i can do things at the gym i never imagined i would do! at 48 i'm stronger and healthier than i've ever been. still the only regret i have is not doing this sooner. no use dwelling on it though, cuz the past is the past. just need to keep moving forward! i'll continue eating the way i am and exercising and i gues (at least i hope) that my body will eventually find a number it likes and i'll stop losing. i really don't mind being 10 pounds or so under so that i have a little "cushion". still thinking about ps. my boobs are awful! i hate them, especially when i'm naked! just don't feel like a woman without them! and my thighs and butt are way too wrinkly! don't know if i'll fix them or not, though. i'm still on this journey and in it for the long haul. thanks again to all oh'ers for the endless support and kindness you give!
june 24, 2006
i can't believe it's been 10 months since surgery! i also can't believe how great i feel! that's the most amazing part. it's crazy how many people i see who don't even recognize me! the other day my mom didn't even recognize me! now THAT'S crazy! i've lost 82 pounds and iit's still coming off but very slowly. i have no idea when it will stop. i'm thinking maybe another 5-10 pounds or so. i'm in a size 6 now and actually pretty happy with where i am. i just want to have some surgery and get rid of the excess skin although there's not too much. i went to the plastic surgeon the other day cuz i have a hernia and want to have it fixed and do the other procedures at the same time. he said he could do an extended tummy tuck and that would take care of my outer thigs and butt, too. he also would do a breast lift. he won't do implants at the same time so i'd have to do them later. now my only challenge is convincing my husband. he knows i need to get the hernia fixed but doesn't want me to have any other surgeries since it seems i always have complications. he said i look fine like i am and i'm trying to exlain to him that i hate all this extra "junk" i have. i'll have to keep working on him! my eating has been going pretty well. still not wanting to eat much, and i hope it stays that way! i'm still working out 3x a week and loving it! once again, thanks to all of you here for your love and support!
july 25, 2006
wow! i can't believe it! what a year this has been! i'm down 84 pounds and am just starting to struggle a little with eating, drinking, etc. it's definitely true what they say about the "honeymoon phase" and mine is over! i'm trying to keep everything under control. i'm so paranoid that this weight is going to come back so everyday i have to watch what i eat. i guess it's going to be a lifelong ordeal. that's ok, cuz i feel so good that i'm not going to let anything get in the way of that. i will continue to control my portions, what i eat and keep exercising. i'd like to lose another 10 pounds or so and i'm sure i will, it will just take some time. in general my body isn't looking too horrible considering the amount of weight loss and my age. i wouldn't mind lifting my butt and maybe a little TT, but my boobs are what bother me the most, so those are #1 on the list. i do have a hernia that needs to be fixed, so i'm still trying to see if i can get that done at the same time as "the girls" and do the TT next year. shopping has definitely become a hobby for me, but a very dangerous one! it's so awesome to be able to go into a store and buy things cuz i actually like them and not cuz it's the only thing that fits! i'm a little upset that i wasted all those years just buying what i had to buy. oh well, i guess i can't look back and can only go forward at this point. no use looking in the rear-view mirror! i also want to thank all of you here for your continued support! what a great family!
august 25, 2006
ONE YEAR SURGIVERSARY!!!!!!
today's my surgiversary! i''ve been reflecting all day on the changes i've gone through. first of all i've lost 85 pounds and i'm pretty much at goal. if i look on the charts i weigh more than i "should" but my bmi is 26 and i'm pretty thin. i have lots of muscle so i can get away with weighing more than i look. i'm wearing 4's and 6's for i think the first time EVER! i work out with a trainer 3x a week and am in the best shape i've ever been in. i realized today that for 5 years my lower back and hips hurt constantly and i just got used to the pain. now nothing hurts unless i work out too hard! i was tired every afternoon and had to take a nap and now i only do if i go to bed too late! i have more energy than i know what to do with! even though i had more than my share of complications and just had hernia repair surgery 2 weeks ago, i'd do this again in a heartbeat. i'm just sorry i didn't do it sooner. i'm still losing weight very slowly. i eat very small amounts of food and really don't enjoy eating. i just do it cuz i have to! i can't eat everything, but do have a little bit of whatever i want. i've only dumped once the whole year and that was on a protein shake that i added banana and peanut butter to! my husband, kids, parents and friends have been so supportive, and although they were really scared about the surgery and the complications, they're so happy for me now! i do need to thank all my OH family because without you guys i never would have had this much success! you understand what i go through and that really helps a lot! i also need to thank dr. murphy who did my initial surgery and dr. tanaka who's now doing my follow-up. i'm lucky in that i don't have too many "skin issues" but i do definitely need implants and am hoping to get them in the next six months! thanks again for all your support!
September 16, 2006
i'm updating a week early from my monthly postings, but that's because i'll be in italy for my 13 month surgiversary! hubby and i are leaving on the 19th for a trip to sicily. we haven't been in 4 years and haven't been alone in at least 7. in fact we haven't been on any extended trip in almost that long. he has lots of family there and they haven't seen the "new me" so it's going to be interesting! they always used to tease me about my weight, but not this time! everytime i go to italy i buy jewelry and shoes, but never really was able to buy clothes. so now i'm looking forward to shopping! i already told hubby to be prepared! it's gonna be crazy! i'm still sore and swollen from my hernia repair so that upsets me. i have a little belly in the front and it drives me crazy. it's probably not as noticeable as i think it is. nothing i can do about it, anyway. because of the surgery i haven't been able to work out much and i feel so fat. i've been careful and have really been watching what i eat so i haven't gained any weight but i sure can feel the difference from not working out. my body feels "soft". as soon as i get back i'm hitting the gym hard. hopefully in january i'll be able to get my new boobies! i've found a great padded pushup bra at victoria's secret which is fine when i'm dressed but when i get naked, "yuck"! i think hubby's finally convinced that i need them! other than that i still feel awesome. all my bloodwork is good so i seem to be really healthy. i still don't enjoy eating which is going to really change my italy trip, but food isn't important anymore and i like it that way! i eat cuz i have to and that's about it. still on the OH boards daily and i t hink that's what really helps me maintain my weight. i'm hardly losing weight anymore and that's ok, too. i'm wearing 4's, 6's and 8's and can't really ask for more than that. well, i'm off to continue getting ready for my trip! arrivederci!
Oct. 25, 2006
still trying to get this new profile going! it's so confusing! hopefully i'll get it figured out soon! anyway, it's been 14 months since surgery and things are still going well. i'm still losing little bits at a time, probably a pound or two a month. that's ok with me. i wanted to be at a lower weight on the scale but i realize that i'm in good shape and pretty fit and wearing 4's and 6's and can't ask for much more than that. so i'll settle for the number i'm at. my head still sees the fat girl so it's hard for me to even believe how small i am. it's funny how the brain is. i guess it's a good thing and keeps us from getting too conceited! lol i still work out 3 times a week and have some great muscles going! i feel awesome and that's THE most important thing about all of this. my blood pressure is 80/55 and all my levels are good. my eating seems to be under control and i don't throw up much anymore at all. i still don't really enjoy eating and just do it cuz i have to. DH and i were in italy last month and i ate like crazy there. i had a huge appetite. i had tons of bread and pasta but also lots of fresh fish and veggies. we walked a lot so i ended up losing 1/2 pound! now THAT'S a great vacation! i had a PS consult yesterday for BL/BA and i set a date for january 10 with dr. glynn bolitho. i love him and everything he had to say. i'm so excited! DH finally agreed to it, too! i'm still loving this board and i know it's really keeping me in check. thanks again to all of you great people!
November 22, 2006
well, it's 3 days before my 15 month surgiversary. i'm writing early cuz tomorrow is thanksgiving and the next day we're leaving on a 4 day cruise for our 25th anniversary with the kids, my MIL and my parents. it should be fun. i just keep thinking about what a waste it is for me to be on the cruise cuz i can't eat much of the food. but that's ok, i'd rather be like this than how i was before! i'm still feeling awesome, in fact better all the time. have kept my weight off and am still losing, but very very slowly. i'm losing like a pound a month or so. i've set a date of 1/10/07 for my BA/BL with dr. bolitho. i have one more consultation next week with another dr. so we'll see how that goes. i also want to ask about doing something with my tummy since i'm pretty well healed from my hernia surgery and have a little bit of extra fat above my belly button. i'd definitly qualify for a tummy tuck but i'm not going to do that. too much pain and recovery! i'm thinking maybe a little liposuction will take care of the problem. i found out last week that i'm in menopause so i've decided to start on hormones. i'm on a patch and also a progesterone pill. i hear that everyone feels better and looks better when they take hormones. i also found out that my pap was abnormal so next week i'm having a colposcopy and then will have to have a procedure done to get rid of the bad cells. this medical stuff never stops! other than all of that i feel so great! i'm still working out 3x a week and my trainer really pushes me. i feel so good afterwards! my angel, gloria had her surgery last week and she's doing great. she's really a trooper! i'm so thankful this thanksgiving for all i have in my life. my 3 amazing boys and my husband, my parents, extended family, my health, this incredibly life-changing surgery and all of my OH friends! thank you so much! i wish you all a very happy and healthy holiday season!
december 23, 2006
well, it's almost 16 months since my surgery and it just keeps getting better and better! i still feel incredible and i guess from what people tell me, i look great too although most days i still feel pretty chubby and don't see the skinny girl in the mirror. i'm still working out 3x a week and loving it so much! it feels so good to do it and i love seeing my muscles! lol on the 26th i need to have a cone biopsy to get rid of some abnormal cervical cells. it's a pretty simple procedure and i shouldn't have any problems. i'll just need to take it pretty easy for a few days so i don't hemorrhage. then on 1/10 i'm going to have my BL/BA done by dr. bolitho. i'm nervous about it but sooooo excited at the same time! i seriously won't know what to do with myself and my new boobies! it'll be the first time that they'll be in the right place cuz they've always hung down and were never perky. i'm so thrilled! i know the recovery's gonna be hard, but i'm ready for it. i really could use a tummy tuck but i know the pain's pretty bad for that, so i'm too chicken right now. i'm hoping that with the new boobs my tummy won't bother me so much. if it does i can always go back and have it done. my family isn't thrilled about this surgery, so i just hope it all goes smoothly or i'll never hear the end of it! this was such a great year for me. we had so many happyvents to celebrate - my son's wedding, another son's college graduation, his 21st birthday and our 25th wedding anniversary. it will be the first year in a long time that when midnite comes on the 31st i won't be glad for the year to be over! that's what it's all about, happy times with family! i'm still so thankful for my OH family because without you i'd really have no one to vent to cuz DH is pretty tired of hearing about my surgery and weight loss! thanks so much to all of you and i wish you the happiest holiday season and an awesome 2007!!!!!
january 9, 2007
happy new year! i'm writing earlier than i usually do in the month cuz tomorrow i'm having BL/BA and i'm sooooo nervous! i'm having it done by dr. glynn bolitho. i had 5 consultations and chose him because he was referred by a friend who's husband is a surgeon and he's the only one he would let touch his wife. i figured that was a pretty good recommendation. my friend is really pleased with her results. i feel very confident in him and i think that we're on the same page size-wise. i want full c's. i had nice, full boobs before i lost weight and now they're just deflated. i just want back what i had! i know it's going to be pretty painful afterwards and that's what i'm most scared about. and i hope that i don't have any kind of complications. if anything goes wrong i'll never hear the end of it from my family! i just have to have faith and pray that nothing goes wrong. i'm in very good physical shape so i should be fine!
january 13, 2007
the twin are 3 days old now and growing! lol they're still very swollen and my chest is sore. surgery went well and dr. bolitho and his staff were awesome. surgery was a little over 3 hours and then i was in recovery for almost 2 because i was having a hard time waking up and breathing properly without oxygen. my levels were going down because it hurt to take deep breaths. i was home about 1:30 and slept on and off the rest of the afternoon. the pain isn't bad as long as i take 2 vicodin every 4 hours. yesterday i tried to cut it down and i was in pain. i will try again today. i'm still going to take 2 at a time, but i'll try to stretch out the time in between doses. i went to the dr. yesterday and he said everything looked fine and i can take a shower. i will do that today. i'm also going to the beauty shop and get my hair done cuz it's hard to put my arms up to wash it. i think the size is going to be good. he put in inamed/mcghan silicone 350 cc's under the muscle. they're big and hard now but dr. bolitho said the size will be good. yesterday i put on a regular button down shirt and it was fine even with all the swelling. the bad thing right now is that i'm constipated from the meds. i've taken colace and MOM but so far it hasn't worked. i'll have to take something else today cuz my tummy's starting to feel icky and i'm up 8 pounds with that and extra fluid. by monday i'd like to start walking a little bit. i go back to the dr. on thursday. the advice i have for anyone doing this is keep on your pain meds regularly, otherwise it hurts!!!
feb. 22, 2007
well, i missed my 17 month post cuz i was 15 days post op from BL/BA. the first 4 days i was pretty much on 2 vicodin every 4 hours. then i just took it at nite and in the morning. during the day i switched to tylenol. at 8 days i drove and started feeling better. on day 12 i helped my son move to LA and really overdid it. for the next 2 weeks i was in pain on and off. my chest muscles didn't like all the work i did! at the 5 week point i started feeling much, much better. i could start wearing wireless bras and could sleep more comfortably on my side. i had been working out since the second week but only very light cardio. this week i raised up my speed and incline on the treadmill. i still can't lift anything over 10 pounds. while i was recuperating my eating was a little out of control. i was eating bad things and also too much. i was so scared my weight was going to creep up from that and not exercising. i've gotten myself back on track and have begun exercising a little harder. there's not frickin way i'm going to gain my weight back! i've worked to hard and been through too much to do that to myself! i know that now at the 18 month point it's only 10% wls and the rest is all up to me! i still feel soooo good and especially now that i have my new boobies i love buying new clothes! i had bought some fall/winter things but now that spring is around the corner i get to fill up my closet again! yeah! i'm going to wait a month or so until i can exercise more and my muscles come back. right now i'm a little "soft". i still am such a huge advocate of this surgery and think that it's the best thing anyone can do for themselves!
march 25, 2007
well, i'm 19 months post op and i'm still loving life! i turned 49 last week and can't believe how great i feel most of the time. of course i have some aches and pains now and then, but for the most part life is good! yesterday i did a 5K city of hope walk and finished in 46 minutes! i actually even ran part of the way. there was a kick ass hill about half way through and i got up just fine. today i'm feeling a little beat up but i'm sure everyone does! next month i'm doing another one and also a 4 mile walk. i'm starting to train for the 3 day breast cancer walk in november. i'd like to lose about 10 pounds now so i'm hoping that all this added excercise will help. i was never into excercise and now i love it! i still have wow moments everyday and can't believe the whole thing! my new boobies are looking awesome and i'm loving them! dr. bolitho is amazing! there's a chance i'm going to need a hysterectomy at some point and if i do i will have a tummy tuck. i'd really like to get one cuz i have some extra skin in my belly that i hate. i don't love my thighs and butt but i can live with them. i just feel so healthy and alive and happy. i'm still so grateful for OH and all the information and support i've gotten. i really don't know what i would've done without it!
may 3, 2007
i just realized that last month i forgot to post! it has been 20 months since my surgery and the "wow" just keep coming! i'm still feeling great, in fact better and better everyday! i'm walking a lot and loving it! i'm doing the 3 day breast cancer walk in november with my niece, traci who's mom passed away 3 years ago. i've been doing shorter walks but soon we will start doing long ones. i put on my ipod and GO. after about 20 minutes my legs separate from my brain (well they feel like the do!) and i just go on auto pilot. i listen to my music and just think. it's such a great feeling when i'm done. the weather's been ugly lately so i haven't been walking as much as i should but hopefully it will get nice again soon. "the twins" are looking great! i'm waiting for news on if i need a hysterectomy or not. if i do then i will get a tummy tuck at the same time. my family is great and i love my OH family, too! they are a huge support. love you all!
june 27, 2007
i'm almost at 2 years and i'm still feeling great, in fact better every day! i've started training for the
3 day walk and absolutely love to walk. i seriously never would've believed it 2 years ago if you told me i'd actually enjoy excercising. i really look forward to doing it. i put my ipod on full blast and just go. it's such a good time to think and clear my head. last week i did a really big walk up torrey pines in la jolla. it was mostly all uphill and then i jogged most of the way down. it felt sooooo good! the crazy thing is that even if i'm out of breath right afterwards it doesn't take long at all for me to get back to normal. i still would like to get a tummy tuck but i can't take the time now so it will have to wait until next year and even then i don't think i'll do it. DH is not very supportive when it comes to that and really doesn't want me to have any more surgeries. i'll see what happens after the walk. other than that i still feel awesome and just love this tool! i've gotten a pretty good control of my eating and the only thing i have to work on is water. i don't drink nearly enough at all. as usual i'm thankful for my OH family and all their support. it helps me sooo much and i love you all!
august 25, 2007
2 YEAR SURGIVERSARY!!!!
WOW! i can't believe it! i just read back over all of my updates and i guess i'm doing pretty well. my weight has stayed pretty much the same for a year except that i've got more muscle and more toned and just in all around better shape. i'm doing the 3 day/60 mile susan g. komen breast cancer walk in november so i've been training for that and walking like crazy. this morning i walked 12 miles which is the most i've done - EVER. and i'm 49 years old! i'm the one that used to get mad at my husband if he parked too many spaces away from the door and now i'm addicted to walking. i love it and i crave it! i never ever would've believed it if you told me this would happen. i still have wow moments everyday whether it's realizing i can do something i didn't use to do or if someone doesnt' recognize me because i've changed. i'm just so happy i can't stand it! i have to thank dr. murphy and dr. tanaka and everyone at pacific bariatrics for being so wonderful and i really have to thank my OH family for all the support and friendship. i never could've done it without this forum. it just so awesome to have people to talk to that understand because no matter how much you explain to family or friends, they just don't get it and mine has gotten tired of hearing about it! but the support we get here is incredible. well, walking the 12 miles wasn't all that hard today but now that i'm sitting down my legs are tired! i think it's time for a hot bath. thanks again to all of you for your support!
