Michelle W.
January 29, 2004 I just today rec'd my surgery date. I am thrilled. With the help of a friend it has taken almost 2 years to get to this point.
February 9, 2004 The date is getting closer. I am so excited and busy there is no time to be worried. Trying to get my house in order and kids taken care of. Scheduling pick up and drop off for the kids for the month of March. Today I rec'd my pre op pack from Hurley. I go on the 11th for pre op testing and go the 18th for the nutrition class. Wow! how fast that makes the time go.
February 10, 2004
Ok, I am so excited. Who saw the special on channal 12 with Dr Obiede? I am so ready for that to be me. Tomorrow I am going for the nutrition class and then the pre op testing in the afternoon. I full day devoted to Hurley. I will post how it all goes.
February 12, 2004
What a busy day I had. I started out by attending the 2 hour nutrition course. It was very interesting and I got lots of good information. Then I went to Hurley for the pre op testing. This was good and bad. Dr Manzian (sp?) was great. Scared me by telling things I didn't know. The right side of my heart in enlarged due to sleep apena. My primary doctor had me on 1000 mg of ibuprophen 3 times a day and the Dr M could not believe it. He told me to stop it ASAP. Then he dropped the big bomb. I have to have an IVF put it. This is a filter that prevents blood clots from getting free and going to my heart or lungs. He was suprised I hadn't had a heart attack due to the extra strain on my heart. I am 34 years old and let me tell you that scared me.
My surgery date is still March 3 at 9:30 am and the IVF is being put in the day before March 2nd at 9am. ALL is being done at Hurley medical center in Flint, Michigan so I know I am in the best of hands.
February 18,2004
Another call from Dr Manazin. My blood work is back and now there is something wrong with my throid. He wants to call in a Rx and wants me to take it to prevent a throid coma after surgery. Funny thing, I did some checking and some of the things that are wrong go along with a throid problem. Thank goodness for pre op testing.
Now we are only 12 days away from surgery ( this was written on 2/20/04 ) I am still very excited.
February 27, 2004
Things have been busy trying to prepare myself and family for me not doing a whole lot for a while. Spending along time with each of my kids and getting the house clean.
I am very ready to start " a healther" part of my life. Monday I go on a liquid diet to prepare for surgery. I have enjoyed eating what ever I wanted to for the last couple weeks. Now I am ready and feel great that this is the right thing for me.
March 7, 2004
Well, It is done and over and I am home. Now 4 days post-op. Wow!
I feel super. I have 34 staples and had a hernia repaired but I feel good. Yes, I have pain. Thank goodness for drugs.
Let me take you back a couple days.
On March 2,2004 I had to have a vena cava filter. This is to prevent blood clots from getting to my heart and lungs. The hard part was lying in bed for 4 hours afterward. That is lying flat. very hard on the back and butt.
Then it was home to rest as surgery was the next morning.
Got to the hospital and checked in and went to pre op. They got the IV started and asked lots of questions. Off to surgery.
Surgery last 1 hour and 40 mintues. 34 staples and a hernia repair all went fine.
Woke up in recovery and there was pain. They were very quick to give drugs. Waited for a room and finally got one at 7pm. I used the drugs as needed. They give you a pump so you dose yourself. That is cool....
The first night was rough due to a bad nurse. She would not let me out of bed. My oxgyen levels were low due to my sleep apnea. I told her to let me up so I could walk and stay awake but this nurse refused to let me up. I also had breathing treatments every 4 hours. Coughing was hard to, but it all got easier.
Day 2
Things are sore. The nurse who refused to let me up, got in trouble. I talked to the doctor and hospital admistrator and she will be no longer on that floor. Remember patients you know your body. Trust your feelings.
The N tube was taken out this morning. That was no fun. Still nothing to drink and my mouth was so dry. They gave lemon swabs and that was a big plus.
The day was filled with lots of trips around the halls. Then naps then walks. The more walking the better.
Day 3
Down for the leak test. This is great. You get to drink chalk. It is the best thing after 48 hours of nothing. If you pass then you get more tubes taken out. I PASSED.... Now the cathiter cames out and the IV is turned down. You get to start drinking fliuds. 1 oz every 15 minutes. It is sorta scary but you do it. Do good and the IV gets locked. This means no pole to tote around. Now you are free to walk the halls and use the bathroom as you please. If all goes good you go home the next morning.
Day 4 and Going Home
My hospital stay is coming to an end. Last of the tubes come out. That is the drain tube in my side. ( sorta hurt) and the IV needle. My surgeron was gone that day and so he called me. Yes, called to talk to me about my incision. It looked red the day before and he said if I wanted to I could go in and see him in 3 days. Also he wished me luck. He is the best.
Home with lots of medicine. Husband was good and ran to the pharmacy and store to get my wants and needs.
Well, there may be more but I need to go back to the couch and rest.
God Bless for now.
March 12, 2004
Well, my new life has started and what a change already. I am only 9 days post op and I feel super. Weight loss has already started. SEE CHART BELOW.
My energy level is up. In the morning I am up by 730 or 8 am without an alarm.
Still have my staples until Tuesday and I am being careful. I have gone to church a couple times and walked a lot. Hard to walk around the house and do no chores.
I do have to go for a sleep study but my husband says I have already stopped snoring. I believe this is due to the change in food and maybe some of the weight.
WEIGHT LOSS AMOUNTS
319 prior to surgery (3/2/04)
331 4th day after surgery -- due to extra fluids (3/07/04)
This is the weight I am using as my starting weight.
317 (3/09/04)-14 total
308 (3/11/04)-23 total
April 9, 2004
I see it has been awhile since I have updated. This is great. I feel super. I wake up everyday feeling good. I am resting well at night even though I have be diagnosed with sleep apnea. I go for the second sleep study on the 12th.
My weight loss so far is 52 pounds. The scale moves a little everyday.
As for food, well it is a challenge. Tuna and crackers,poached egg and toast,brussel sprouts,and protein powder is about all I can handle. Not that I haven't tried other things but I will spare you all the yucky details.
Definately feeling that this was the right thing for me.
Happy Easter to All.
May 20, 2004
It really has been awhile since my last update. Life after surgery continues to be "GREAT".
To date I have lost 74 pounds and I feel super. I now have a CPAP machine( I hate it) and I try everynight to use it. I am sleeping so good anyway. I am doing good most days on my protien. I eat cottage cheese and tuna, they are the best for my tummy.
I am active in the local support group and even helping a couple from the group have surgery. I love helping others.
God Bless
July 7, 2004
Time has gone so fast. Can't believe it has been 2 months since my last update. Well all I can say is if you are doubting that this surgery works, you need more info. This is the best thing I could have ever done.
I am 4 months post op and have lost 102 pounds, sizes left and right. Currently I am wearing 18-20 pants and XL shirts. It is super. I have more energy and that is so cool.
My tolerance for food is good. I am not hungery and that is just fine with me.
This is great. If you read this and need some support email me. I would be glad to help. The second picture is my current photo.
August 4, 2004 5 months post op and I have lost 117 pounds.
Well, wow what can I say. The last 5 months have gone so fast and so have the pounds. I even thought that I was 6 months out and was still happy. Having lost this much weight has been super. I see people I haven't seen and the tell me that they didn't even know who I was,except they knew my kids. I have gone down in sizes and inches. I do wish I would have measured my inches before. Thankfully I do have the monthly photo's and while I will admit the taking of them while naked and at my starting weight of 331 was hard I am sooo thankful I did. I don't want to forget how I felt or looked being overweight. I do think that even stangers are looking at me different. I think that is such a horrible thing in so many ways.
As for what I am eating, let's see.... I eat cottage cheese, shrimp,yogart,cheeseburgers without the bun, tuna, light on the chicken ( well I can do cannned) had a bite or two of steak. really I can eat a lot of different things. If I do have a candy craving I will eat a piece of low carb something. I feel very lucky that so many are cutting carbs and watching what they eat. With all the new things on the market this has been easier. There are plenty of things to eat. As for what I drink. Thank you GOD for Crystal Light. I also love iced tea.
My family is thrilled. My kids love seeing MOM getting smaller.
This is truly the best tool I can think of. I don't feel like I am missing out on food. If you have any questions or would like to talk, please don't hesitate to email me.
Take care and GOD Bless.
September 8, 2004 lost 127 pounds.
Okay, now it is the 6 month post op. Wow, what a major life change this surgery has been for me and my family. My support is great and I believe that is very important. My husband is doing Atkins and we are supporting each other.
Very rarely do I get sick. Don't miss pop and really not even chocalate. I feel so good. Sleep great at night and can go longer without sleep if need be. I am doing 50 plus a day for protien. I really found something I like and that is good. Drinking mostly iced tea. Love making slushies with Crystal light. Looking back at my pictures are so hard to believe how far I have come in the 6 months. I would love to be below 200 and know it will come soon. I don't have a bad thing to say about this surgery at all. Sometimes I have trouble believeing I went through with it, but know it was so well worth it all. I love to shop and make sure I look good when I go out now. Makeup, hair and clothes are so important.
Take care all.
7 1/2 months. weighing 193- 195 and lost 136 pounds. How do I feel? Super.... I have been so busy with life and kids I haven't stopped by here. It is neat to go back and read it all.
November 6, 2004 8 months post weighing 188 lost 143.
Ok, I have to admit the last months have been mentally rough. My weight loss has really slowed down. I keep trying to tell myself this is ok. My body needs time to catch up. Well, it is hard. I an not a patient person and this frustrates me to no end. However my sizes are down still and that is great. I can now by larges and even have a pair of pants that are a 14. So it is happening. Still having trouble with heel spurs and rec'd two cortizone injections for them. Also I have been diagonsed with IBS )irriable bowel syndrome. NO fun... But the medicine is working and so I am feeling better. I have even started lifting weights to build my muscle tone. My muscles are so weak. Opening doors can even be hard. Never seemed like a problem when I had the extra weight. So I force myself to the Y. Food wise I am great. Somedays I worry I am eating to much but I know I am not. I am still doing my 40 grams of protein drinks. I am so lucky to be able to stomach them. I use the low carb slim fast and they are great. I eat one salad a day and then protien at dinner time. Usually seafood, or maybe hamburger. Chicken is hard to digest, just to dry. I feel so good. I recently saw my landlord and he didn't know who I was. It had been over a year since I'd seen him and he really said he had to hear my voice before it "clicked" That is a great feeling.
December 12, 2004 9 months post weight 185,Lost 146 pounds. Wow, I had not been keeping track until I went to a support meeting and someone asked how much I'd lost. Do the math I said. Oh, may goodness. I was even surprised. For the last couple months I have been a bit down. My scale is not moving like it was in the early months. My sizes are still dropping, in fact I can get into a size 14 pants and medium shirts. Biggest problem is that my pants are too long. I feel great. Still doing about 40 grams of protein a day. My kids say my hair looks thin on the top. I haven't really noticed anything different. I feel good. The heel spurs and IBS are finally taken care of. I haven't been to the gym in the last weeks but hope to get back soon. Food is going good. Having the support group is great. I look forward to my time with people who understand me.
Happy Holidays to all.
January 17, 2005 A late Happy New Year. For many this year will be a life changing year. Best of wishes to you all. I continue to do just great.
I am currently weighing 180 and have lost 151 pounds since my surgery (March 4, 2004) It is so hard to believe that I am quickly knocking on the door of one year. Really somedays it seems like yesterday.
Let me tell you a little of what is going on.... The weight really slowed in fact I guess it was more liked stopped for the last couple months. This was very depressing to me. I now am working at a new job where I walk at least one mile a day. Plus I am bending and just really active. I try to get to the YMCA to weight train but my life is very busy with my kids and husband. I often wonder how did I do all that I do with an extra 150 pounds. No wonder I was tired. That is like carrying a whole person on your back all the time. We don't think about that when we are overweight. Well, I never did..
Eating is fine for me. I am sad to say that I have tried lots of things I shouldn't and even worse yet, is that I can handle it. I still eat much smaller than prior to surgery. I have noticed my hair thinning so I have increased my protien to 120 grams plus a day. More water and staying busy. I have to say I haven't really thrown up recently either. Sometimes I don't feel good but really most stuff agrees with me. I do find myself getting tired of eating the same stuff. But it goes on.. I love my new body even though it has lots of hanging skin. I can pack it all into a 10-12 pants and that is way better than a 26. Shirts are down to a medium or large. How much cheaper things are is so cool. Plus I don't have to try things on. I pretty much know what will fit.
I continue to go to support group and recommend it for all. My family is supportive but this surgery has brought on many changes.
If you have any questions please feel free to email me.
March 7, 2005
What a year! I can't hardly believe it has been a year since having my WLS. What a change my life has been over the past 12 months.
Currently I weigh 176. I have lost 155 pounds and who knows how many inches. ( I wish I'd have measured that) I feel great. I would like to lose another 40 pounds or so. I can wear a small in sweats and pants anywhere from a 10 to 14 depending on the cut. Shirts are mediums or larges. It is so fun.
To say it all has been easy is a lie. My journey this year has been good but challenaging. I would do it all over again if I had too.
As far as complications- for me that really hasn't been a problem. I have found that I can handle sugar and that I wasn't watching my calories. The last months I was REALLY stuck on the same number. Finally talked to my doctor and he said count calories. Whooo..... once I did that I could see how much I was eating. NOT junk, just too much. I was big on getting my protien drinks but counting them as meals. All the calories count. So watch them. If your weight lose slows down before you reach your goal or only 9 to 10 months after surgery check yourself. Are you eating the wrong things? Are you eating to much? Then the other thing was exercise. Up to this point I wasn't doing much exercise. So I increased that to 2 miles of walking 3- 4 days a week. It is all helping.
So while some may say this surgery is the " easy choice" to weight lose. They don't know the daily part of what we go thru. Also still getting over why I "ate" I am still bored at times and that is when I want food. So try to be busy in different ways.
By far my life is so much better as a result of this surgery. I know many who feel or wonder why they did this. Don't answer that question in the first 6 months. YOUR body needs time to heal and you will feel better.
Contact me if you have any questions.
God Bless
October 2, 2005
Boy it has been a long time since I have been here. I am now 18 months post op and doing better than ever. I have lost 174 pounds and feel great. I am closer than ever to my goal. I weigh 157 pounds. I am as I write this wearing a size 10 pair of jeans. Wow.. Never in a million years did I think I'd do that again.
I have been blessed with very few problems since surgery. Still having the IBS and that is fine. My medicine takes care of it. My problems are brought on by me. Trying to eat stuff I shouldn't or to much of it. I no longer can tolorate sugar and this is a good thing. I didn't go thru this to eat sugar. I don't crave pop and don't miss it either. Somedays I am bad but most I am really good. I still do my protien and high protien foods. This surgery doesn't take away the bad habits or cravings you still need to deal with them. I find that going to my support meetings really help.
Take care all.
Photos
 331 Before surgery March 1, 2004 |  |  229 4 months post : lost 102 |
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Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Farouck Obeid, M.D.
My impression of Dr Obeid is high. He knows what he is doing in his field. He cares, he listens and follows thru. When he was going to be gone from the hospital he took time to call me. I thought that was classy. He is also honest. He goes over all details and makes sure your informed. Both his bedside manner and most definatly his surgical competence are very high. VERY HIGH. I don't have any thing bad to say about this Doctor. He is super.....
Insurer Info:
Atena
They wanted a 6 month monitored diet with a doctor. Pshycoloigal exam. It really went fast. I had some delays in my life. We lost our insurance for 6 months and that set me back. Then the insurance company asked for the diet.( they were changing their policy across the board, not just for me) The hospital I am going thru really was on top of things. They knew what needed to be done. They were really sure of approval before even submitting my stuff. So, yes I would say Atena isn't to bad to deal with. Ask me again when I get the bill after surgery. Ha. :-)