Penny B.
Okay---so like all of you who enter your stories to this website-I've tried just about every diet known to man to lose weight. I started researching surgical options about 2years ago when a friend of mine had surgery. Here I am though-10-22-03 and I still haven't sent the paperwork in. My good friend is having surgery today--open RNY and I couldn't be more happy for her and jealous at the same time. She decided, got her ducks in a row and 5 months later she's having surgery today--as I type this as a matter of fact. My problem--I'm scared. I know that is common and I keep telling myself that fat people don't get old (at least not a healthy old). I'm a critical care nurse and It's increasingly getting harder for me to be on my feet. I've also noticed that I get tired much more easily. I'm starting to just stay home cuz I don't want to go out. Today I sent my paperwork of to the insurance co and I'll go from there as to what to do next. I've really contemplated open vs lap and I would like a faster recovery time. I think that is what is right for me anyway. So I will update later and if there is any words of wisdom out there for me please email me.
10-27-03
I see my PCP tomorrow. I did have a referral from her last year but that expires after 6months I'm told. So anyway. My friend is being discharged today from the hospital. She sounds good-sore-but good. I'm so thankful that all went well for her. She is so determined and knows exactly what she wants. She just does it. Yeah she had moments of anxiety but that didn't stop her from what she wanted I applaud her. I also found out today that one of the surgeons that I was looking at is no longer taking new patients. My friend put in a good word for me and If all goes well at my appt tomorrow hopefully I will have a consult date.
So what is my hangup you might ask. I keep looking at the risks of this surgery on different sites is all. I have 3 small children that I don't want to leave or be impaired from enjoying their lives with--that's all. I guess it's jitters that everyone experiences. So after tomorrow. We'll see.
12-4-03
Called Fargo Merit Care Yesterday after I'd gotten the word regarding approval of consult from insurance company. Spoke with Cindy regarding getting a consult date. She said that I met requirements for seeing Dr. Monson who does the surgery laproscopically. She said it would be about two weeks before a consult date could be made as all my paperwork had to be in and it is the end of the year and they'll be making a new surgery schedule for 2004. Hope it goes fast. Will keep you updated.
1-31-04
Happy New Year!!!I have a consult date for 2-12-04. Oh boy! Could it be that this surgery be becoming a reality for me?!!
2-12-04
I had my consult with Dr Monson today!!!!It went GREAT! I have to tell you what happend. First of all I left home late. I need at least 2 hours to get to Fargo from my house and as always I was running behind. I left with about an hour and 45minutes to get there. Nice first impression. Not to mention I didn't know how to get to the clinic-I had an idea but not positive. Anyway turns out I'm about 20minutes late and I really have no clue where the clinic is. So I call in a panic that I'm late for my appointment and I'm lost. I then decided if I had any doubt at all if I was to have this surgery or not this would decide it for me. If I can't see the Dr today I'd be too embarrassed to come back therefore I wasn't meant to have it. I finally get to the clinic register and now I'm about 35minutes late--but guess what--Cora Dr Monson's nurse says that all appointments have been running late today by at least 45minutes!! Is this fate or what? I hang my coat up and they call my name right away, no waiting, no time to be nervous.
Dr Monson by first impression was a pleasant professioal surgeon. I actually work at the hospital where he did his residency and his surgical preceptors are still around. He answered all my questions even the stupid ones. I couldn't be more pleased with my choice of surgeon. Now all I have to do is wait for approval. Yuck today I weigh 315lb. How gross do I feel now.
2-25-04
After 13 years of commuting to work 45minutes one way in the height of the cold ice packed roads I was in my first roll-over.
I knew it was icy but I always respect the road and we've gotten along--well not today!!!! A semi-trailer passed and like every good small-town citizen you wave whether you know who it is or not. After it had cleared the wind picked up and I felt my brand new suburban start to sway. OH YEAH! There were words spoken to mother nature that I cannot repeat---but there were words and I tried to steer with it as we're taught in drivers education--but it happend anyway. I was trying to pull on the shoulder--more gravel--more traction--right---Yeah! for one tire. After I'd accomplished that the whole ass-end spun a 360 and I ended up overturned in the ditch. Now equipped in this new suv is the "on star" package--did I use it--no--I called my husband from my cell phone to come get me. Was I hurt--my neck was sore--but I did my own c-spine exam(the nurse in me) and cleared myself ready to move on my own, no need for stiff collars and boards. My Hubby made it quite clear that he was in full disaggreement with me but I wasn't going to unlock the door until he promised not to have the whole town involved. Cuz you know in a small town that when an accident happens EVERYONE shows up to lend a hand. I'm all for lending a hand but I didn't feel that it was necessary. Hubby took me to the ER at the same hospital I work in and naturally I was lectured to by the physicians I work for but in the end I was right. Some pulled muscles in my shoulder and neck from where the seat belt secures you into the car.
Now you might say that I am taking it too lightly but I figure if I can make it through a car rollover with minor injuries I can handle WLS right? I have my safety net on--I know my surgeon and have done my research and I'm fairly confident that except for some discomfort I should be okay right? I know--you think I'm trivializing this too much--but that's how I deal with things. I haven't a clue how to make an analogy for the post-op diet--but I'm sure I'll have one when the time comes. ttfn
3-12-04
Received a letter today from BCBS for additional information on the type of surgery and pre/post nutritional counseling. Called Cora at Dr Monson's office. Taken care of.
3-25-04
I've been approved and have a surgery date. MAY 3RD, 2004. Whew--hoo!!!
Has it been a long process you ask? I've needed this time to prepare myself mentally and doubt everything about surgery as well as attempt yet another fad diet regimine. HELL ya I'm ready and having a surgery date was the icing on the cake.
After meeting Dr Monson and his staff I was at total ease. I have no doubts in his skill and I've had family members stay at Merit Care hospital and am confident I will be receiving the best of care. I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. This feels so right.
4-28-04
Had my pre-op appointment today. The day is coming up fast. I love coming to Fargo to shop. I wonder if I can shop after I get out of the hospital on wednesday LOL!!! Hubby will not stand for that I'm sure. But I can always ask right?! My weight was 299lb today. I just cannot imagine being able to loose 150lb which is my goal. Dr. Monson gave me some statistics and 85% of total weight loss might be more realistic, but he gave no definite goal. He was more interested in life style change and habit. He's right. I don't want to get hung up on a number either. I don't plan on having a scale at home. For some reason if the numbers aren't what I want them to be I use that as an excuse to binge. We'll see how long that lasts.
5-3-04
SURGERY IS OVER AND I'M OK!! It's sooo surreal. I fell asleep and woke up a-ok. I did get the bed spins after I woke up and using my experience from drinking too much (rarely) I was going to put my foot flat on the floor to stop them (old drinkers tale). Well the nurses in recovery must have thought I was going to check out or something cuz it got me a nice little bedside party in a hell of a hurry. Once they figured out what I was doing they gave me some med to help me out. It did and then I could go to my room.
My hubby(sweet man that he is) was a little shook up cuz recovery was just a little too long for his liking. They kept him updated but it was pretty scarey for him anyway--knowing all that could go wrong--and thinking that he wasn't being told everything. I was in recovery from 9a until about 1230p.
Anyway I'm back in my room with my DH and they have these dry erase boards on the wall of each bed with the name of your Dr and Nurse and patient name on them---and I see my mothers name on the other board. My mom has been dead for over 10 years and she has (what I think) is a very unusual name "LOIS" I knew it had to be a good omen anyway.
An hour later my dear friend Lisa comes to see me (she's a nurse like me) and wants my butt out of bed walking!!! WHAAATTT I just got comfy. Soo she wins and I'm up walking the halls. She's been through this before and knew what needed to be done. The nurses there just shrugged their shoulders and said she's right.
I'm not in any pain just bloated. They're giving me toradol every six hours in addition to my morphine PCA (I don't use it anyway). I really feel good. I keep getting up and walking I want no blood clots and I want this bloating to go away.
5-4-04
The night was pretty tough. My roommate had her radio on all night and she was listening to some big bands station. Not very relaxing(for me anyway) She had it on pretty low but it just annoyed me--so again I got up to walk.
Swallow test OK---it's like eating dandilions but I passed!! I was so sure that I'd puke from this stuff but it all went ok. I couldn't wait to brush my teeth though. The radiologist said all looked good and I even was able to see it for myself on the screen that he was watching.
Dr Monson comes by and says I can have Water then for supper clear liquids---if that goes okay then full liquid for breakfast whoohooo!!!! Of course he says Take it Easy THough!! Don't push it!!
Wow I never thought water could taste sooo good!!
5-5-04
I'm home and on full liquids--so far so good. I'm having no trouble determining when I'm full. A couple of swallows a burp and then I wait until later. I sleep all the way home and my hubby has stocked the house with protein rich soft food and full liquidy morsels. LOTS!
5-6-04
I've a lot of nervous energy. I'm cleaning the house-drinking water constantly-so I can get in the requirements. I've bought some Isopure protein drink premixed that's pretty good to help getting the protein requirements. I'm counting that as some of my water too.
My kids spring concert is tonight and I was excited to go. Still bloated but I feel great.
Only my immediate family know about my surgery. I want to make sure it works for me. I don't want to be watched either. It makes me nervous.
I've also started walking on the treadmill. Slow but it's a start. I just feel sooo good.
5-20-04
My first WLS checkup today with Dr Monson. Okay so the only thing I was concerned about was how much I had lost---22 pounds gone forever!!!! The dietician was pleased as well as the DR. I love them both.
6-10-04
Today I had to have my wisdom teeth pulled. It didn't hurt until later in the evening and then was I sore---I swear that these teeth being pulled was way worse than having WLS.
July
4month checkup and -57lb. Yahooo!!!! Have to keep exercising.
I FOUND THIS IDEAL BODY WEIGHT WATCH-YA-MA-CALLIT ON THIS SITE:
Ideal weight is 158 - 173.8 lbs. (72 - 79 kg.).
You are overweight by 123.20 lbs. (56 kg.).
You may wish to consult with your physician for medical help.
11-11-04
Ok I had my 6month checkup today and I'm obsessing about loosing 77lbs since surgery, I'd lost 16 prior to surgery. Obsessing to the point that I soooo hoped it would be 100lb. It's just that I see so many people on this site and around me that have lost 100lb at 6 months that it caught me off guard. You see I have not weighed myself since my last appointment. I was adamant that I did not want to weigh myself cuz I didn't want to be a slave to the scale. That's always been a downfall for me.
That's not the worse part for me. I broke down in front of Dr. Monson. I'm missing my old vise of food for stress. You see in the past I used to destress by stopping at a fast food restaurant of choice and inhale on the way home. I'd eat away the stress of work and the guilt of not being with my family for a day. I'm pretty hard on myself that way so it's like I used to punish myself because of the stress etc. Anywho, Dr Monson got an earful and did give me some insight and some numbers to call for psych help.
I called my husband after the appointment just bawling. He assured me that if I had lost a 100lb that I would have been upset that it wasn't 110lb--and you know what--He's RIGHT!! I need to be happy with where I'm at and accept it so I don't fall into my old eating patterns. So he sent me shopping for myself and vowed to punish me if I came home with anything for anyone else but myself. You know what---I had the hardest time finding something for me. But I did end up finding some jeans and a sweater--that felt pretty good so of course I had to find some accessories. When I got home I felt pretty numb but ready to continue. I can't let this get to me. Oh-yeah I almost forgot, I decided to buy myself a scale too (whoops). I have to remember too that my actual highest weight was 315lb so total loss is more. Oh well it's just a number. I feel GREAT. Like I can do most anything. That's what counts.
November 15
weight is 217--now I'm feeling a little better.
December 5
weight is 209--getting in the protein-exercise 4x week--water. I've always felt real good. Never been sick. I'm very fortunate and I'm starting to feel very fortunate. I just love this time of year too. Christmas, the snow etc. I want to sled and ski with my kids!! Now it's feeling possible.
May 3rd, 2005
189 pounds today Yippee!! I've set a goal of 150 pounds!! I've always used that goal but now I feel like I can actually reach it!!!