Happy Mommy
9-12-2003
I was scheduled for surgery on September 9th. I had a severe reaction to the pre-surgery antibiotics and surgery is rescheduled to November 4th. I am going to see the surgeon on Thursday, September 18, 2003 for a check up and to discuss trying out other antibiotics for possible allergy. I was so down after having the allergic reaction that I had my profile deleted and am starting over from square one on the profile. However, I have decided that I need to regain my good health and therefore need this surgery, so essentially I am not giving up. I sure wish that I had an angel.
I am a 39 year old mother of 3. I have been divorced and lived single with the children for 15 years, they are 15,17 & 19. I work for the courts. I am happy and enjoy my family, friends, hobbies and work. I became heavy 9 years ago at the age of 30 when my thyroid quit on me, I gained 50 pounds and was diagnosed with hypothyroidsm. I have fought back with extreme yo-yo dieting and constant exercising. I have successfully won the "weight loss challenge" at the local Y 3 years in a row, only to have gained the weight back. I have messed up my metabolic rate with the gain lose, gain lose of yo-yo dieting. The pounds have been gradually increasing.... In May 2003 I was diagnosed with several illnesses: elevated cholesterol & blood pressure, insulin resistant diabetes, diverticulosis, irritable bowel syndrome, morbid obesity, sleep apnea and a gallbladder filled with stones. In June 2003 I had the gallbladder removed by Dr. Mirandi, the surgeon who is going to preform my lap. ruhn-y gastric bypass. I am confident in his skills and abilities to help me along my weight loss journey. My diabetes is controlled by diet, I use a CPAP machine to breathe and sleep well at night. I am on a blood pressure/water pill & synthroid (for my hypothyroidism). My surgery is scheduled for November 4, 2003. If Dr. Mirandi gets a cancelation, I can then have the surgery sooner. I am excited to have surgery and to lose the excess weight that I have been carrying off and on over 9 years. I will be 40 in March and wish to be healthy, fit and trim..... I have great kids and I want to live life to the fullest and to enjoy my future grandchildren. I thank Sharon Neva, our fabulous Amos Volunteer, for the imaginative & fabulous job she did designing my page and making it a reflection of me. (Hugs and kisses Sharon!) Soon my picture shall be posted on my page. I look forward to the day I can add an "after picture" to the before picture.
10-13-2003
My surgeon's office called, they have a cancellation for tomorrow, will I take it? OH MY GOODNESS~~!!! YES~~~!!!! I was scheduled for November 4.. This is great news... I am so excited, and I feel that I am truly ready for the changes coming.... GOD BLESS!~~~
10-18-2003
I am 4 days post-op and have lost 12 pounds. I am so happy to have had the surgery done. Thank you for your support and friendship Amos Family.
10-22-2003
I went to the Surgeon and have lost 24 pounds. I had surgery last Tuesday. I am amazed and grateful. I thank my wonderful God for seeing me through it. My drain tubes were removed, and wowsa, I am glad they are out, I was so scared to have them removed. They have been such a source of pain for me. My fever is gone. I am thouroughly exhausted.... so worn out. And so happy. I am truly regaining my health. I return to the Doc on Dec 11 and work after that.
11-14-2003
42 pounds gone and lost forever, yahoooooooooooooo~~~!!!
I had Ruhn-Y Gastric Bypass and an abdomen full of adhesions removed, on Oct 14, I am 1 month post-op and have lost 42 pounds.... I dont expect to lose as much next month, but I am down right giddy about the weight loss. The adhesions, uterus problem caused me an enormous amount of pain, but it is diminishing... I had problems with potassium and low blood pressure. I had fever and infection after surgery... then my Daddy passed away while I was in the hospital. I have fatigue and take naps and sleep a great deal. I learned in support group that these things can happen to a person, and other maladies as well. But the good thing I learned from all of the post-ops in support group is that MOST of the complications get resolved eventually... It gave me great comfort knowing this when I was a pre-op and once the complications started on me personally. SO ALL OF YOU PRE-OPS try to be patient if you do get complications. This website has helped me tremendously with emotional support, information and tips...I am not over all of my complications but most are working their way out. I no longer take high blood pressure medication and my blood pressure has evened out after dipping to extreme lows for 3 weeks. I am hoping to get my energy back, and do see improvements from 2 weekes ago.. I have been on a search for Splenda sweetened drinks and foods, and appriciate the responses I have received thus far. My surgeon told my children to stop drinking sugar ladened sodas. My Grandmother became diabetic at 70, my father at 50 and me at 39, what age do they think it will hit them? He says 99% of diabeties II is caused by what we place in our mouth. The low carb plans are similar to the diabetic diets. Thank God I wasnt ever on medication for it. My house is now low carb territory and my entire family is relearning how to eat. My children are teenagers and very athletic and not over weight. I am athletic and became overweight at 30, my metabolism quit and I learned that I had hypothyroidism.. This surgery has saved my life,
my co-morbities hit me this May 2003. Like a ton of bricks. I had surgery because I chose to live life to the fullest, and be healthy. I dont want my children's health to suffer, and I am going to do my best to have them take control of their health too and to see a Nutricianist. I have taught them bad eating habits....I am their parent, I am responsible for what they put in their mouths. Their father doesnt like sugar or fried foods and always has been a healthy eater.. They are attending support group meetings with me... this is serious for their future and I have this window of time to make a difference and to impart what I have learned and am learning... My new tummy doesnt like artificial sweetners... and milk or chicken.. I am learning how to treat my new tummy well, and to get my liquids and protein in.
Best wishes to all starting out on their weight loss journey, if I can be of help you can email me. Thank you to you post-ops of varying stages for your insightful information, tips, experiences and stories. I especially enjoy the recipes, places to purchase the foods and drinks I am looking for, (SPLENDA ANYONE?)
Kmart has a smoothie machine on sale for $39 and I treated myself to one. I made daughter's Butterfinger Granita with: decaf coffee, dry milk, splenda, ice and a mini Butterfinger. She loved it. I made son and 3 friends them Pina Coladas (no alcohol) with Divinci Sugar Free Syrups (made with Splenda)... They loved it~!!!
Hugs~!!
12-14-2003
I have lost 63.5 inches and 62 pounds. I am back to working 1/2 time and will return to full time on 1-2-2004. I still need a nap at noon and in early evening. I had a check up with my surgeon and he increased my vitamin B12 shots to 2 times a month and I need to eat more protein. My posture is poor and I need to be conscious of sitting straight and walking erect. I am feeling better and better each day. I am glad to be back to work. My weight loss is being noticed by so many people, but my children tell me that they don't see it. All of the attention that I am getting is nice and a bit embarrassing. I developed a roll of film from the 2002 holidays and there I am in front of the Christmas Tree, 280 pounds, size 22 and so huge. Funny, I don't ever remember being so large. It doesn't even seem like it is me in the picture. I showed a few friends the pictures and they were just blown away by the change in me in 2 short months. I have gone from size 22 to 16/14. I wish that I could find a protein drink that I like and can keep down, so far I am unsuccessful. 2003 will be my first New Years in my adult (and teen) life that I won't be on a diet, obsessing about my size. Even as a size 8 or 10, I would be on a New Years Diet and have my list of resolutions to change my body shape/size. Now that I have had WLS I am on a lifestyle change.. for my entire life...No more resolutions for me, I am living life to the fullest and each day one at a time.... Hugs~~~
1-14-2004
77 pounds and 85.5 inches gone at month 3. I am now able to drink beverages with artifical sweetners, (like Diet Snapple). Also~~~ more variety of foods are pleasant to the palate now. I am walking the treadmill 3 days a week. I bought an exercise ball and a Pilates DVD to start a new exercise routine. (haven't started it yet, just now getting the routine with the treadmill going for the last 2 weeks. I walk the treadmill for 30 minutes during my lunch (the goal is to do at least a mile). I make a protein drink with my Smoothie machine (chocolate with sf toasted marshmallow syrup is my favorite) and zip back to work. Yes, that is right~~ I can drink protein drinks now without getting ill. I have settled with Carb Solutions Vanilla and Chocolate (purchased at WalMart). My weight loss is keeping with the BMI counter, exactly.... I was worried that I wouldn't make it to the number given this month, and I did! Whoohooo! I now (finally) have energy and feel great. I am back to work full time for 2 weeks now. I am wearing size 14 and 12. My feet have shrunk and am wearing 7s. (From 8s). I am getting lots of compliments and that feels great! I am bagging up the old size 16-22 clothes and giving them to a friend who had bariatric surgery after I did. Hugz!
1-24-2004
I am under 200#s today!!! I have lost 81 pounds and 92.5 inches! I feel fabulous.....
2-14-04
I have lost 90 pounds and 99.25 inches. When I calculate inches I use a table that measures: neck, upper arm, forearm, wrist, finger, bust, chest, area above waist, waistline, abdomen, hips, upper thigh, calf, ankle and width of foot. I use this more tedious table because I feel that I am able to see more "exact" results of inches lost. Suprisingly I had felt that I hadn't lost inches this month, when in reality I had lost 6.75. Man, did that make me feel good! I also lost 14 more pounds. I am 5 pounds under the estimate the BMI counter gave me for a 4 month weight loss, and boy, did that make me feel even better! This month has whizzed by. I am feeling great about my weight loss. My goal is to work in more exercise, as I haven't established a regular routine yet, for the first time in my adult life. But I am managing more walking ~~~ by parking my car far out in parking lots where I shop and~~~by walking to and from work...
I am experiencing the hair loss. I am so glad that I read about it on the message board, so it was expected, and really isn't bothering me. I got my hair trimmed and it looks fine. Losing the weight is far more paramount to me than the hair. (Okay ask me about it in 6 months and see how I feel about it). This month I have fallen for unsalted, roasted cashews and sesame seeds. I am also enjoying cheese, the expensive varities. Hugs and Happy Valentines Day!
3-14-2004
I am down to 180 pounds. In 3 days I shall be 40.... I am excited to be 40. My dream was to be fit and 40 and although I am not thin.... I do feel good and think that I look good. Welcome me to the century club, as at this 5 month post-op marker I have lost 100 pounds.. gone forever, never to see again... I lost 7.5 inches over the last month with a total of 115.75 inches lost. I lost 5 pounds over the month. I am finding that I feel better when I take my vitamins regularly and keep up with the protein........ Hugs and God Bless all.....
4-14-04
At my 6 month marker I am down to 169 pounds, a 111 pound loss. I lost 3.5 inches over the month and 11 pounds. I enjoy the monthly support group meetings, genuinely looking forward to them. At the next meeting a plastic surgeon is supposed to come and talk to us. I remember a time that I only went to meetings for the delicious desserts, dinners and drinks served, now I actually look forward to seeing the people and speakers... is this how life was always supposed to be? I find young people more fascinanting than annoying now and enjoy coversations with them.... I think I lived life in the fast lane before, working 2 jobs and volunteering in every organization available and didn't stop and truly listen enough... I am glad that I am learning these lessons now, when I am still young and able to change without a grudge... People often ask, do you regret having surgery.... hummmm that is like the person catching you as you start to jump off of a cliff, asking, do you want me to let go and let you fall? My life is saved, my health regained........ no regrets..... I am walking 5 miles a day... with a spring in my step, life is new... and I go walking come rain, snow or windy days.... I love the fresh air.. I am in Italy with my 17 year old daughter.. loving it, loving the people, the food and the sights... she is a slave driver, pushing me to climb the highest towers in each castle and the stairs to the ancient ruins.... as I whine, I dont do "up", she smiles and says you can make it Mommy... and yes, each time I do. Then I look up, and see the chapels, the frescos, the amazing art of Raphael, Michelangelo or Leonardo DiVinci,or the astounding view from on high.. wowsa.. 2 more weeks in Europe to go and I think I am getting a world class personal trainer from my daughter...what a sweetie...
7-01-2004
It is glorious summertime and I love walking I have lost 132 pounds and 133 inches and weigh 148...... if I don't walk I feel that I am missing something out of my day... and I am... I am wearing size 8s and 10s and feeling great. My current food loves are: cottage cheese, Total protein cereal and Carbolite caramel peanut protein bars. My favorite beverage is making a 44oz lemonade with 1 fresh lemon (plenty of pulp) and 6 packets of Splenda.....It is summer so I am eating lots of fresh fruits, (cherries and cantelope being my top choices). People are telling me that they don't recongize me unless I speak....... that my face shape has greatly changed... I am at 9 months after surgery..... I have been spending the weekends going dancing.. I have learned how to 2 step, dosey doe and swing dance... and I still love good ol rock and roll dancing too. My weight loss surgery buddy, and new best friend Karen is going with me and we love this form of exercise. I am hoping to meet a nice man soon:-) Support group is a nice time to catch up with the other WLS people and I really enjoy seeing the changes in the other members as they lose... they seem to gain the widest smiles and happiest faces...
1-17-2005
Size 2-3 and 120 pounds, 160 pounds of fat lost and gone forever!!!
As you can see it has been since July 2004 since I have updated my profile.... I met the love of my life last July and life has been a whirlwind of busy excitement with him and the kids. My new love is Dave, we are engaged and live together with my 2 younger children.
I lost 160 pounds, presently weighing 120, maintaining that weight for 3 months to present. My blood work is excellant & check ups show I am in good health. I thought I would tell you some hints that helped me get to my goal and is helping me stay there.
Foods my pouch likes:
Soups, milk, yogurt, cheese, celery and creamed cheese rolled in chopped pecans, dark turkey meat, dark chicken meat, shrimp, crab, meat w/cheese from McDonalds, steamed fresh veggies, fresh fruits, meatloaf,baked or mashed potatoes, oatmeal, decaf sugar free cafe latte, peanut butter,nuts and seeds, steak, stir fry rice w/meat and veggies, roast, oysters, frozen yogurt sweetened with fresh fruit and Splenda. Low sugar (40 calories per 8oz serving) Cranberry-Grape Juice Cocktail (Oh . I still like the Carbo-Lite protein bars from WalMart (I eat 1/2 a bar a sitting). I keep one in my purse and eat maybe 3 a week.
Foods my pouch doesn't like:
Eggs, pork, white chicken meat, fried foods, sugar, too many carbs, clam chowder, fish, tuna, many canned or prepared frozen foods, hot dogs, sausages, pasta, MSG, white rice, malitol, sorbitol, aspertame, and many other artificial sweetners.
Meat that is covered in gravy or extremely moist goes down easier, my pouch doesn't like dry meats. I eat 3 meals and 2 snacks a day focusing on my nutrician, getting plenty of protein and vitamins in a day. My pouch is 3-4 oz which allows me 2 oz of protein a meal. When I go out to dinner with friends I start with a cup or bowl of soup. I like the soups with a broth. I keep hydrated and a bowl of soup helps with that. Plain water cramps my tummy. I never order a meal, I usually share with friends, my kids or my fiance. My fiance loves sharing with me, he orders a salad and I get a soup, then we share the entree. I never order salad, nor do I eat it. It is a filler with limited nutrients and my tiny tummy needs nutricous foods. Sometimes I will eat a slice of cucumber off of his salad.
I cook for my family and get more enjoyment now from cooking than from eating. It is a huge change from the old me. I don't make them as big of portions as I used to and I do prepare them salad with most meals since they don't have tiny pouches I think they need more filler. I prepare less choices for them. I cook 1 veggie, 1 entree, a salad or veggie platter and a bread. Sometimes a dessert. (This is in comparison to me serving many choices at a single meal.)
Pack snacks with you every time you go out that door! Keep peanut butter, cheese, nuts or seeds for a quick energy boost while you are living your busy day. Pack something to drink, even if it is warm it is a welcome hydration while you are on the road or at your desk. Keep Splenda packets with you to sweeten your beverage or foods. I enjoy oatmeal more with Splenda. The pink and blue sweetners offered at restaurants give me the runs or gas.. and make me miserable.
If you are getting the runs or gas too often check and see if you are getting in those artificial sweetners. Eliminate them and see if you are getting less runs and gas. Also, cut back on the carbs, they do the same thing to me too... Your new tummy and intestines have a delicate balance after surgery and you need to listen to your body now. Drinking out of a straw can cause a lot of painful gas too.. once I discovered that news at a support group meeting out when the straw and my gas was cut way down.
I think that we shouldn't drink sodas or carbinated beverages. Studies are showing that carbinated beverages leach calcium from us, after WLS we need to suppliment calcium, so these beverages are counter productive to our health. Make life time changes that benefit your health. Have a V-8!
My vitamin regiment:
I take a chewable prenatal vitamin every morning. I chew Estroven Calci-Fresh gum calcium suppliments that had added vitamin C, D and K (2 pieces 4 times a day found at WalMart)... I take chewable iron 1 time a day. I have 2 Fintstones chewables before bed each night. Every 15 days I give myself a Vitamin B12 shot. My blood was checked in November and again last week and all are at normal levels with my cholesterol being 160. So, I know my vitamin regiment is working for me. I like chewable vitamins and it took me a long time to find ones that tasted decent, are affordable and work for me.
Adaptations:
Getting cold and being cold is a big, miserable issue for me. I am more into prevenative than get cold and try to make things better later. I purchased a twin size electric blanket and have my bed warmed up every night before I get in. I purchased silk-skins thermal under garments. They are FABULOUS. It cost $50 (total) for tops and bottoms, but wow, I stay warm and the long johns arent bulging or making my pants tight. Personally when my friend Linda told me about them (she uses them while skiing) and I felt them, I thought there is NO WAY that these thin things are going to make a difference. I was SOOO wrong, they are keeping me nice and warm and they wick away persperation. I purchased them at Big 5 Sporting Goods store, you might look online for them if you are interested. I keep the house warmer than before, instead of being cold, those whose body runs warm can wear shorts. (Men in the family).
Exercise:
I am no longer an exercise junkie, it does not rule my life. I walk 5 miles a day and when it is too cold outside I don't. I dont have a regular program. My family has switched from belonging to the local YMCA to a fitness center. We lift weights, take Yoga, Spinning and Aerobics classes. There are all kinds of fitness equipment and we have fun on them. We enjoy the hot tub. We go as we can. At home our bedroom is on the 2nd floor so I get a lot of exercise going up amd down the stairs. I park as far away from the front door of a store so will walk. I love walking around stores pushing a cart and I think that is great exercise. I do not beat myself up if I don't get in a work out every day. I do the best that I can balancing a life where I work, have a fiance and 2 teenagers to share my life with. (And an older son that is soon to be 21 that lives with his Dad and going to school.)
I think that I dont have a saggy body because I walked once I could after recovering from surgery. Give yourself time to get your body back and get moving. My surgeon told me that patients that exercised throughout their recovery rarely needed the plastic surgery. It also depends on how much weight you need to lose and the electicity of your skin. A patient needing to lose over 200 pounds probably will need PS. I saw a girl at support group last week that had PS in December and she looks wonderful, and is so sparkly... her smile and joy says it all, it was the right thing for her to do for herself.
Even before surgery, start walking, indoors or out. I enjoy it greatly.
No food is forbidden or evil, if I want it, I have it ~~ but in a tiny amount, probably a minature candy bar or a teaspoon of something decadent. I don't want to dump so I live within that rule.
To share something personal with you, Dave and I lost a baby at 9 weeks pregnant last week. I found from the blood work and exams I had over the last 2 weeks is that I am very healthy. We plan on trying again, so any helpful input on having at baby at 40 let me know.
Many people ask me about my health and the long term affect of WLS and I can honestly say that I am very healthy. I am 40, a size 2-3,healthy and in love and loved by my family. What more can a girl want?
If you have questions you can email me anytime. I wish you luck and best wishes on your weight loss journey. I thank my WLS friend Kat for inspiring me to update my profile. I enjoy the main message board and the pregnancy message baord. I spend more time responding to posts that I read and feel that someone needs a hug or uplift and have neglected updating my profile. I will post a new pic soon. I got a new, short haircut! Hugs to my WLS sisters and brothers where ever you are in your journey!
4-25-05 We are busy planning our wedding, we set the date(!) June 25th, it is an exciting time. I am still maintaining my weight at 120 pounds and feel healthy and strong. I was in an accident at the end of March and am working on recovering from a neck sprain and sprains to my side...... Hugs to everyone where ever they are in their journey!
9-16-2005. David and I married June 25th with 30o people in attendance. My daughter was maid of honor, my sons gave me away (my father passed on 2 yrs ago), David's best friend was best man, his sister Suzanne a maid and my best friend Tracy a maid as well. We had 3 flower girls, Tracy's daughter Sadie, and 2 nieces Allison and Jordan. Tracy's husband Jim was a groomsman along with my sons and the best man Bob. It was the loveliest and dreamiest wedding ever. We had so much family from Ohio present that we delayed our honeymoon to a Ocotober trip to Central Florida. We had lots of family dinners and BBQ's at the house and some mini trips to the mountains and redwood forest the weeks before the wedding with family.
The best news is that we are pregnant again. The estimate is that we got pregnant 4 days after the wedding, that was my ovulation time. We are now on our 14th week of pregnancy. I am healthy and doing well. Gaining preggo weight and searching for preggo clothes that fit me right now that I am such a small size. Daughter has started college, older son is at Army boot camp and younger son is a senior in high school. Next month I shall be 2 years post op. I feel so fortunate to be healthy and to have a wonderful husband, children and one on the way. Hugz to all!!!
3-22-2006
We welcomed daughter Hannah Mae on March 9th. She was born on both of her grandfather's birthdays Jack and Gary. Hannah weighed 6 pounds, 18 inches long & is blonde and blue eyed. I gained 28 pounds through the pregnancy and now weigh 125 pounds (5 pounds to go and will be back to 120!!!) and Hannah is 13 days old. She had her newborn check up yesterday and according to the Doctor is perfectly normal. I will be a stay at home mommy for 6 months before returning to work to the California Courts. The RhnY pouch is still working. I ate double my normal portions while pregnant, and now that daughter is here I am back to eating smaller portions and not craving the carbs and sweets that I was while pregnant. I am soooooooo grateful for that. And to think since 2003 it is still working for me!!!
4-10-2006
I am 4 weeks post birth with Hannah Mae. My WLS Surgeon sent bloodwork tests to my OB and they ran my tests at the same time and all levels are normal. I am 42 now and have returned to 120 pounds. I am going to start incorperating exercise back into my daiy routine since I am home on maternity leave I will be able to get my routine down any time of day that I choose. I am very excited to have returned to my post WLS weight of 120. I am breastfeeding and continuing with the pregnancY & WLS vitamin regime. I am tracking my food intake on fitday.com and am pleased that my protein intake is arround 70 gr a day. I kept at 90gr or more a day while preggo, at 60 after WlS, and now with the BF have the goal of 60 or more.... I have been drinking at least 1/2 gallon of beverages a day. My favorites being herbal iced teas sweetened with Splenda or NF skim rich milk........ I had WLS in 2003 and am so pleased to report that I was able to get back to my matainance weight of 120 a month after giving birth... A big hug to my Angel Kat for posting about Hannah and our birthing experience... HUGZ TO all of you wherever you are in your weight loss journey....... as we walk along this path together, know it is a lifetime journey! Email me anytime! Hugz again~~~~
Date | Weight | Inches Lost | Pounds Lost | BMI |
10-14-3 | 280 | N/A | N/A | 53.3 |
11-14-3 | 238 | 39.5 | 42 | 45 |
12-14-3 | 218 | 63.5 | 62 | 39.9 |
1-14-04 | 203 | 85.5 | 77 | 37.1 |
2-14-04 | 190 | 99.25 | 90 | 34.5 |
3-14-04 | 180 | 108.25 | 100 | 32.9 |
4-14-04 | 169 | 119.25 | 111 | 30.9 |
7-01-04 | 148 | 133 | 142 | 26.2 |
1-17-05 | 120 | I# | 160 | 21 |
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