Patricia Alderman
Last update 08/07/09
Weight: 282.5/206.5/160
37 years old 5'3
7/3/03 Lap RNY 25cc pouch 150cm bypass
05/16/03
My consult is scheduled with Dr. Nye on June 9th. I had my psych eval testing today with Dr. DeSonier. There were really a lot of questions, and some of them were really strange. I will get my results back on Monday. I am 31, 5'3, 270 pounds, and have been overweight most of my life and obese all of my adult life. My primary care physician is Michelle Brandhorst and although she is supportive of my decision and of the WLS she states that it is to be used only after you have tried everything else. I HAVE tried everything else and I know this is right for me. I'm not very nervous but I am very excited.
6/12/03
Everything has really happened fast since my consultation (see more info on this under my surgeon). I already have a date - Thank you Anthem BCBS of VA. My insurance approved over the phone with only one phone call by the Nurse. There happened to be an opening on July 3rd and I snatched it up before she could even get the words out of her mouth :) I went for a stress echo (EKG and heart sonogram) yesterday that my PCP had requested and passed with flying colors. I believe all that's left is a sonogram to determine if he will take my gall bladder out and more bloodwork.
7/11/03
Well I am one week out as of yesterday and all is well. No complications and less than 48 hours in the hospital. My drain came out on Wednesday and oh what a relief to get it out. I've lost 15 pounds already.
7/24/03
I am 3 weeks out today and feeling great. I have lost 25 pounds according to Dr. Nye's scales. I have made it through all phases of the diet and have moved on to whole foods. So far I'm not having problems keeping my foods down and I am able to eat a variety of foods. Getting enough water in is a different story, I'm working on it though. I had my first B-12 shot (wasn't bad at all) and started chewable vitamins today as well.
7/29/03
No weight loss in several days but I'm PMSing so no big surprise there. Still feel great and starting to have more energy. I will return to work next Monday after just over a month off.
8/13/03
Well I'm stuck on a plateau and haven't lost much in a couple of weeks. I have lost a total of 30 pounds so far. I'm having some problems keeping my food down but after talking to Rose yesterday I believe I may be overeating. I thought (according to the papers that the nutritionist gave me) that I could eat somewhere between 2 and 4 ounces. Rose says my pouch is 30 cc's (2 tablespoons). So if that's the case, I am eating too much.
8/21/03
I had my 7 week check-up today and Dr. Nye says I'm right on target. I've lost 34 pounds so far. We talked about my pouch size and the fact that I had been eating too much and he informed me that he actually made my pouch 25 cc's. Since I'm only 5'3 he wants to make sure I get down to 135 - the goal weight he set for me. He says I'll be there by September of 2004. I'm just trying to enjoy the journey.
9/18/03
Today was my 11 week post-op visit. I have lost 45 pounds which Dr. Nye says is right for me. Things have been better this month. I am keeping down most of my foods and getting in more liquids. I know if I drank more water I'd probably lose faster but water is still hard to tolerate for me. My lab work came back perfect, no need to take any more vitamins other than my usual multi-vitamin and my b-12 shot once a month.
11/5/03
I seem to be on a plateau which isn't a big surprise since I havne't been exercising much and I don't get in near enough water. My October visit with Dr. Nye went fine, he is pleased with my progress. I have no appointment in November and I will be seen at the new Bariatric Center in December. My weight is holding in the neighborhood of 235.
12/08/03 I went for my 5 month check up at the Bariatric Center last Friday. I did not see Dr. Nye but I met with a Nurse Practioner that was very helpful. I am down 66.5 pounds and am feeling great. I'm wearing size 20 jeans and pants, 18/20 shirts and skirts, and 7.5 - 8 shoes. I started in 26/28 shirts, skirts and pants and many 3X shirts, and 8.5 - 9 shoes. We changed my Rx from Nexium to Aciphex, it seems to work better for me and doesn't cause the 'foamies'. I go back in February for another check up and to meet with the nutritionist. The only things I need to work on are more water and more exercise and probably more protein. I've been eating pretty much anything I want, just in small amounts. I'm going to try to stay clear of the processed foods now that I can tolerate almost all whole foods. Water is always an effort for me but I keep reminding myself that it's washing the fat out and keeps my skin less droopy. I hope to be below 200 by the time I go back in February.
I had my 6 month post-op visit today (I'm 7 months out) and everything went fine. All of my labs came back fine. I started at 282.5 on 7/3/03 and I now weigh 203.2. She says that is right on target for a goal weight of 135 by 9/04 (That is the surgeons goal for me). I am drinking plenty of water (finally) and have even started exercising. My problem is I consume too many empty calories so I'm trying to get back to 3 small meals a day and maybe a healthy snack or two. I feel fine and (per dr's instruction) I'm going to wean myself off of the Aciphex and I'm going to cut my B-12 injection in half and do it every 2 weeks instead of once a month. My hair loss has slowed down and my energy level is good. I go back to the Bariatric Center in April and again in June, then to see my surgeon in July for my 1 year check-up. I hope to have lost at least 100 pounds by my 1 year mark. I need to update my picture so I'll try to do that soon.
Updating just to say my scale read 199.5 this morning. This is the first time as an adult that I have weighed less than 200 pounds. My next goal is 182, that will be -100 pounds!
3/15/04
I am far from done on this journey. I am 8 months out and down from 282 to 196, from size 26/28 to size 14/16 and very happy with my results. My problem I feel like I'm living in someone else's skin? At times I feel so ashamed that I let my body get to the point that even now that the weight is coming off - the skin is not going back anywhere near where it should be. I know I will need a tummy tuck, I would actually gladly have one right now if it were possible. I've been advised to wait at least a year after reaching goal before going for plastic surgery. I know my skin will never be like it was before I gained all of this weight but if I could just get this belly off of me I think I would feel 100% better. On a lighter note I bought my first size 14 yesterday (skirt at Old Navy).
4/7/04
I went for my 9 month check up today. I weigh 193. She seemed happy with my progress and didn't have any suggestions for me other than to increase my calcium to 1200 - 1500 per day (600 at a time). My calcium levels are fine but she says that we only build bone until age 35 so I have to get busy! I'll go for lab work next week. I need to fast since I'm having lipids done. She suggested a bone density test at some point to get an idea of where I'm at now. I'll be going home for Easter and will take pictures and post them soon.
4/20/04
Well I didn't take Easter pictures but I managed to get one taken just for an update (see below).
4/21/04
First real extreme dumping experience last night. We rented 'Haunted Mansion' and I ate 1/2 a back of candy (nothing but sugar and food coloring - no chocolate) and my heart started beating really hard/fast, then within an hour I started to feel really bad, I became very sleepy, had horrible cold sweats, heart was beating like crazy, and I just felt ill! It lasted for a couple of hours and all I could do was try to sleep. I guess I found my limit and I won't be going anywhere near it again.
5/5/04
Updating to add a pic of my new haircut and also to say I made it to the century club. I'm down 101 pounds as of today! :)
7/6/04
One year update, a few days late...
This year has gone by so quickly. I was only dreaming of this life this time last year. I weigh around 179 right now and am in a size 14/16. I'm able to eat most anything now. Somedays I eat a very small amount and some days I feel like I eat 'normal' size portions. Of course the processed foods are easier to eat but are full of empty calories. I try to stick to whole foods becuase I stay full longer and I know they are better for me. I have my one year appointment with Dr. Nye on 8/2 (will really be 13 months out by then). I'm excited to see him and get his take on my progress. I should be changing jobs the week after that. I'll update again after my appt. with Nye.
11/5/04
Late update - My appt. with Dr. Nye went fine, he said I was doing great. The appt. was quick so I didn't get a lot of info. I almost wanted him to say 'hey, you should have lost more weight by now, stop goofing off and get with it.' :) But I guess I have to kick myself in the butt. I haven't been exercising and have been eating way too much processed food. My weight is around 172, so not much of a loss in several months. Time to do something about it.
12/2/05
Not much change to report. Moved back to the Jacksonville, FL area. Finally got my much needed tummy tuck (had to have a partial hysterectomy and a tumor removed) as a treat to myself. My weight stays around 165. I'm in a size 12 jeans and a medium shirt.
It has been 3 years now. No problems or complications. I still eat too much sugar and don't exercise enough. I have about 10 pounds that I lose and gain pretty often. It doesn't seem to make a difference in my clothes - I only know from the scale. I am very thankful that I was able to have the surgery and that it has gone so smoothly for me. If I have one piece of advice for people that are considering having the surgery it's: Don't push your limits. Eat the foods and amounts recommended by your surgeon/nutritionist.
08/07/09
Still hovering just over 200 pounds but I have not changed my very bad eating habits in the last year. I had actually gotten up to about 221 just over 2 weeks ago and finally realized I was on my way back to being where I started. I've gone back to the basic rules of protein first, veggies second and then a bit of carbs if there is any room. I've cut out all of the sugar and junk food. I feel better than I have in quite sometime and realize my tool still very much works when I chose to use it.
Hospital Reviews
(Pensacola, FL) - Baptist Hospital of Pensacola
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: John D. Nye, M.D.
6/9/03 Well I had my consultation with Dr. Nye today and I must say that it was everything I expected. He answered all of my questions (most before I even asked) and even told me several things I wouldn't have thought to ask. His staff is wonderful. They are going to apply for my insurance approval this week so I'm crossing my fingers. If all goes well it looks like I'll have a date in the third week of July :) I had my psych evaluation several weeks ago as well as basic blood work, chest xrays, and the H-pylori test he requested. I was not told that I needed a 3 week food diary so I have to start that tomorrow. The only further testing that I will need is more thorough blood work and a sonogram to determine if he will take my gall bladder out or not. What I was most pleased about is the fact that he is able to do the lap RNY with only one 2-3 inch opening.
Insurer Info:
Anthem BCBS KeyCare, PPO
Approved after first phone call from Surgeon's nurse to the Medical Management line they have set up for pre-authorization. Thank you Anthem!!! Dealing with Anthem was painless. No, stalling and no need to even be persistent. I highly recommend this company.
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