REEBEX
MAY 16th 2009........WOW!!! Eight Years from surgery date!!! WHAT A JOURNEY...
Hi, Im Becky. My surgery WAS 5/16/01. I Had my surgery at Munroe Hospital. I was 30 when i had the surgery, I am now 38 and celebrating my 8 year anninversaryof my RE BIRTH DAY!!
THis is just a little update of my life...I havent posted since 2005! Didnt even think my STORY was still on the website, but I did finally find it! I thought my JOURNEY was gone into cyberspace!!!
Its been too long since I have updated.
I am back in property management, managing a beautiful community in Gainesville, FL. I still Live in Ocala, so I have about an hour commute each way, which sucks...but im THRILLED to have a great job especially in todays crazy economy! I was pursuing a new career in the real estate industry and working for The Real Estate Book & Apartment Finder, but with the HOUSING market as crazy as it is, I had to get a real job again. I am enjoying it. My mom says that its my Talent...the property management part.
I am still MARRIED, but things have been rough. We have been together 5 years in Novemeber of 2008...married 4 of those...but he moved out 3 days before our anniversary! (I had wrote this...... ---> Back in 2005 ------> Yes, will be 2 years in November. His name is James and is a big hunky red head. I love him to death. He is my rock and my best friends for life.) I still feel that way about him...always have...always will. Even though he is the ONLY one that doesnt see it or get it. Its very sad. ITs going on 6 months since we separated...we have had some good patches where we might have worked it out, then he gets all upset again and runs for the hills. I think its better to be alone...then to continue to FEAR being left alone. I don't know. A part of me will not give up. I keep hoping my old james will come home again.
We lost a baby last May 2005. We had been still trying to have another. It was a really hard time for us, but he was my rock thru it all. The baby had anacephaly, where the baby's head doesnt form all the way. They say it wasnt really anything to do with having the surgery, just one of those things. I had my folic acid levels pulled and everything else, and it all was good. My folic was just fine, even better than fine, so it wasnt any thing malabsorbtive. (As of today, 5/16/09 still no baby)
I had put on a little weight, especially after the baby, about 15 lbs, but am still wearing a size 6, sometimes an 8. I stayed about 138 for a about two years, but after the baby, for about a year i was about 144-148. Then all of a sudden I just started losing again. I got down to about 136 again which seems to be where my body likes to be. Today 5/16/09 i was 141....STRESS eating and emotional eating the past few weeks has taken a toll. I have to get it back in check and work at it and get to 135 again. Right after the separation i got down to 125 and started losing hair again. So i boosted my protein etc and things leveled back off. That damn Divorce diet! hahahaha.
I go to Dr Jawad Friday for my check up. I know he wont be happy as I am up some in my weight and my Iron levels are crap! UH OH. My other doc has already told me. I am committed to making it right and looking after myself better again. Taking my vitamins and eating better stuff. I just got some fish and veggies in the frig and not so much carbs and junk.
I didnt get any chocolate!
I had a tummy tuck on July 21, 2003. Still want new boobs someday down the road.
Below is my journey...well part of it...of my wls adventure.
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I currently live in Ocala, Florida. Originally from the Maryland/Washington D.C. area. I moved to florida in 1989 and I have been here ever since. I LOVE Florida, I dont think I could never go back to the snow. I moved to Ocala, lived here for 2 years, then moved to Jacksonville. I was there for 6 years, when I moved back to Ocala.
I have pretty much been battling my weight since i was a little girl. Its been a constant battle with many ups and downs much like others on this sight. I have decided to take charge of this and fight it and WIN this time!I have been researching the surgery for about a year now, and just recently got very serious about having it done. Have been talking with people that I have met and been going to a local support group meeting. Have not told many people of my intentions and interests in this surgery and new way of life. Want to gather more information for myself so that i can be informed and educated on this so that i can answer their questions too.
1/25/01 Went to a support group meeting held here in Ocala. WOW, i learned so much and met some fabulous people! I feel so much better about it all. I went home and told my boyfriend and my mom immediately. Mom was OK with it, Boyfriend was kind of selfish i think, said "i dont know what i'll do with you when you are skinny..." What the hell is that supposed to mean? He seems really intimidated by the fact, but on the surface seems supportive.
2/1/01 Had my first meeting with Dr. Jawad to get the ball rolling. He was not a man of many words, but his office staff was excellent and very helpful and really put me and my mom at ease. My mom cracks a joke to Dr. Jawad saying "Are you always this talkative?" I wanted to crawl under the table. MOM! this man is going to have my guts in his hands....dont piss him off! ANyway, he looked up and smiled at least, so i guess no damage was done. My letter will be sent Monday, and I guess its the waiting game for now. Wish me luck, im very excited, but very apprehensive also. Don't want to get my hopes too high, in case they turn me down.
2/14/01 Insurance received letter...sent for processing and approval...2/20/01 No info yet...took my name and number, will call me back. 2/21/01 Woman who needs to look at file is not in today. Took my name and number and will get back to me. 2/22/01 Woman on phone, took message. Woman at lunch, took message. Woman the looks over letters has gone home for day, took my name and number. 2/22/01 Went to support group meeting, got my spirits back up and my fight is in high drive to get some info back from insurance company. 2/23/01 Guess what...NO WORD YET. Not hearing anything is killing me. The waiting is harder than I even imagined.
2/26/01 Got ahold of a WONDERFUL lady, Marie, at my insurance company, she told me that the woman in charge of claims and letters and stuff for my company only works on Mondays and Thursdays...she apologized about the wait, and assured me that she would have the woman call me first thing Thursday morning. . But was glad that someone finally told me that they the person i needed to speak with only worked two days a week...telling me this a month ago would have saved some head aches.
3/01/01 Its Thursday, I jump out of my skin everytime the phone rings. Finally, I get THE CALL. Its Marie, she says she is really really sorry..., but it seems they have LOST MY INFORMATION!!!!! Could i please get the doc to fax over my info to them.....
OH MY GOODNESS! Does this just not take the cake?? I could laugh...its all i could do, HUMOR! LAUGHTER! its all i have left...lol.
Marie was a DOLL....she says "BECKY, we will make a decision TODAY while the lady is here Just fax me the letter and I will get it to her and call you back. "SO i call my doc...they said they would fax it right over. About 1pm, Dear Ole Marie calls me back "BECKY hon, we still havnt gotten the Fax, give me the number and i will call them personally" ACK! WHY ME? lol...im still laughing though, and thanking GOD for sending me Marie, finally.
At 4:30....I get ahold of Marie...She says, "Becky Baby its going to be approved!! Im faxing the letter as we speak to your doc and you should know more tomorrow!"
WOW...WOW...WOW! At least the first step is done....Thank goodness...
3/15/01 BOYFRIEND DUMPED ME. WHAM! oh well...he wasnt living up to expectations anyway...He cant handle me now, probably was really spooked by the thought of me getting in shape. Told me that he was intimadated by me, and that he felt stupid around me. STupid is as stupid does....oh well...back to the stock pond to see what i can dig up now....
3/22/01 Have told family and friends that I am very close to about the surgery. I was scared to tell my best friend, because she has always been very competitive with me when we would diet together. If she cheated, she always felt the need to try to sabotage me so i would cheat so she would feel better about going off the course of plan. She handled it great though, and was very upbeat and supportive of me.
My brother has even become very supportive and has been asking lots of questions. He wants to come down from maryland for the surgery with his new girlfirned who none of us have met. My first reaction was GREAT!!! but then I was like NO!! I wont be able to go out and play and do stuff with them. And i didnt want his new love's first impression of me to be lying there with tubes and stuff and looking awful. But, now im ok with it either way. I know its important for him to be there for me, and that makes me love him even more.
Everyone at work has been great. Very supportive. My one co worker asked me to marry him now, saying he knows i wont be interested when i lose weight
Even my hairdresser is excited...she is already constructing my "new hair cut and color" for when i lose a lot. She is calling me every night wanting to know when we are gonna go "pig out". lol.
I feel really up beat. I went for my psych eval yesterday, that went ok...boring as hell taking that written test, and you know what he told me ($120.00 later no less)...says im relatively normal on all the scales they test for, and that i dont have any little green men talking to me telling me to shoot the president....LOL...OK....THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION and wasting 2hours of my one day off this week. Oh well...i know it had to be done...but come on....dont you think they should talk to you some about your problems with food and why you eat unhealthy or overeat. Just telling me that i dont have green men as everyday presence in my life just was not rewards...besides, the pie pans on my head and feet totally block out their signals to begin with.
Got a GREAT BOOK from amazon.com called Weight Loss Sugery, Understanding and overcoming morbid obesity by Michelle Boasten. I have learned a lot from it, even after all the research i have gotten from the net and from the support group. Learned about depression and estrogen levels that become free flowing with rapid weight loss. It can also be part of the hair loss side affect of the surgery. Had heard/read anything about that at all. Definately have to talk to Dr. Jawad about this...and with me taking the pill, and how this affect me. I certainly dont want to get any other "little side affects" if my pill isnt going to be affective.
3/26/01 Was at work today and my boss tells me i have a call from Dr. Jawads office...my heart sank and my stomach did flip flops....i just instantly knew they were going to have to change my date....sure enough....they wanted to bump me up to April 18 which was the original date they tried to give me...but i cant be out of work then do a managers conference....so I got bumbed BACK to May 16th instead of May 2nd. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!I knew i should have wrote in PENCIL on all my calendars....doesnt it always happen like htat when you put something down in INK. Maybe i need to schedule another psych eval....LOL. So, as my mom says....Babygirl...EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON.... Anyway...Im digging out the white out now as we speak and gonna change my dates...this time in PENCIL! Oh i ordered a TSHIRT today too from the sight, im gonna wear it to the hospital when i go in for the surgery...kinda like TEAM SPIRIT! hehehee
3/28/01 Gall Bladder Ultrasound today was uncomfortable and inconvenient, but no big deal. Do they really have to push down on your ribs so hard...?? Wont get results until I meet with Dr. Jawad in the beginning of May. Changed my dates for my surgery orders and my preop testing to May so that its closer to the BIG DAY OF MAY 16th...unless it gets moved again. Gawd, I hope not. So APRIL will virtually be just a LONG month of waiting. I Do have an appoointment with my regular doctor next week ....its supposed to be a follow up appointment for the diet she put me on back in january....hmmm, this will be interesting. I was just going to cancel, too ashamed that i havent lost any weight. BUt im going to go ahead and face the music and see her. Tell her about the surgery and talk to her about some nutrition stuff as well as my meds. Going to the support group meeting tonight. Im really looking forward do it. They are having a speaker tonight, DR Asokan, he's a plastic surgeon, and will be doing him presentation on all his surgery. Should be informative, have heard him speak before and he is awesome.
3/30/01 Went to see Melanie in the hospital before the support group meeting. It was good to see first hand what to expect...She looked up at me and said "Girl, its been hell." But she was doing better at that point. Her foley was out,and the NG tube, and she said she was alot better after that. She was getting her first "meal" when i got there. a few little medince cups with varoius liquids and jello...mmmmmmm ymmmmmm....Seeing the tubes and drains was unnerving, but very educational so i will know what to expect since we have the same doctor. I have to admit, i did leave with a huge headache and a tightness in my chest...but im not going to chicken out...I know the discomfort will fade and the benefits will far surpass those days of discomfort.
The support group was FABULOUS. Dr Asoakan didnt show up becuase of really bad weather, but it was great anyway. I'd say about 35-40 people were there. One lady was only 8 days post op...and she had her surgery OPEN. I was amazed. She looked so good, and said she felt great. A few ladies were like 2-3 weeks postop and were looking so great. GLOWING. Oh im so ready to feel that alive feeling again. To see the light at the end of this dark tunnel.
Just counted....48 more days till my surgery...tick tock tick tock. Well, i have so much planned this next month, that im sure time will FLY...Thats all for now folks...till next time.
4/2/01 44 more days....I know it seems like a while, but I think time is going to FLY by. Im on the net every night now, reading reading reading every bit of every info i can find. Going into the chat rooms and have subscribed to a few news groups. Learning so much from everyone!
Thanks to all the post ops that give us "newbies" such great advice and information. You are paving the way for us, and just want you to know that "WE LOVE YOU MAN!" hahaha
Been keeping in touch with Melanie...she's giving me the blow by blow day by day ins and outs of it all. Im asking her millions of questions, and probably getting on her damn nerves, but she is answering every thing very very honestly, THanks Mel, Girl you rock! :-) I seem to keep harping on the drains and asking questions about them, i can already tell this is going to be one of my weak spots...and the Liquid Iron...UGH. But, i will do what i have to do.
4/05/01 Went to see my doc today, my regular doc, not my surgeon. I have not been to see her since January, when i went for my pap smear. January was my first time seeing her,and she is the one that put the term "morbidly obese" in my vocabulary. She is the one that showed me my BMI on that nasty chart and really made me so OH MY GOD. SO...it was since January that i had actively started my journey...I had not discussed the surgery option with her up until this point...Well, the visit was the usual stuff, this appt was supposed to be a follow up for the "balanced diet" she gave me when i left in january. Of course, i havent lost anything, but gained some weight since then. She looked at me and said "what are we going to do about your weight Rebecca"?... So, i sat straight up and took a deep breath and said "Well, Im scheduled for the gastric by pass on May 16th." I don't know why i was scared to tell her, i guess fear of her not being supportive and having to find a new doctor...But she just looked a me and smiled sooooo big and looked so happy. SHe stood up and gave me a big hug. And said she was so happy for me. She said she supported me in everyway, and looked very forward to following me thru my journey. She said one of the docs in the group and 4 of the nurses had had the surgery and were doing great...ALL with MY surgeon too. She really said it was a wise choice. So i was very very relieved. I told her I had started my vitamins and calcium already to start my new "regime". She said to make sure I started supplementing the B12 too at least a month before hand. So i need to go pick some up and start with that too.
She wants to see me lose some weight before the surgery too, to make things easier and get used to eating less food so its not such a huge adjustment....which she laughed and said it would be anyway. Hey, at least she is upfront and honest.
So...Monday, I will start to watch my intake a lot closer and be sure to start all my supplements ritually.
4/06/01 In Daytona for the weekend....ITS BEAUTIFUL! Having so much fun. We all were supposed go to Hollywood, FL to see some other friends but things fell thru, but Im still with friends in Daytona and having so much fun. They are concerned about the surgery, but are being supportive. They dont like the idea of me being in pain or suffering in any way. And now they think i wont want anything to do with them when "im skinny". And it really does feel like a mini vacation...which was very very much needed! Will HATE to go back to work monday.
4/09/01 My Weekend out of town was a blast. Went the renaisance festival, the beach, and to cassadega. 4/10/01 Went to a different support group in Gainesville tonight. Im so thirsty for knowledge and to meet people and to learn more. Met some great people there, and even ran into a few i knew from the group here in Ocala too. They had a chef at the meeting teaching everyone how to make home made stock. I guess so you get better flavor than using the canned stuff. Was interesting. Was interesting to talk to the people in that group, and the different philosophy that the surgical group there has compared to the surgeon im using. They are much more rigid and keep you on liquids a lot longer. But they say every surgeon has a different philosophy as to what is best....and to listen to them regardless, so thats what im going to do.
4/18/01 24 more days.....Watched the special on MSNBC called "Last Chance?". WOW, it was so great! Some friends and family watched it too. My brother even watched it and said it really helped him understand things more and why I was wanting to do this. My mom said she learned alot too, so thanks to everyone that put that together, it really has helped a lot of people.It really made me realize that we are ALL such STRONG and COURAGEOUS people for doing this. We are not taking the "easy way out" as some may say. Nothing Easy about it. BUt we are truly courageous for taking control back of our lives and fighting back against this disease that has crippled and paralyzed us emotional and physically for years. I feel very proud of myself for having the strength to change my life for the better. And all my WLS buddies, you should be proud too! I know its not going to be easy,not by a long shot...Its going to be a challenge, but a challenge i feel i am ready for.
4/20/01 Well, you know how they say, be careful what you wish for? OH MY GOODNESS....I was joking wiht my brother about sending me a care package from Maryland with all my old favorite foods. One of them are Grandma Utz's Chips....The are the kettle cooked kind...cooked in LARD....sin among sin....well...FRIDAY, the UPS man delivers me a 6lb box of chips from utz...with a letter from my brother saying ENJOY THEM WHILE YOU STILL CAN..He ordered them off the web......Later he emailed me and said Sorry, that it probalby wasnt a really appropiate sort of gift...I just laughed at him and thanked him. It was very very sweet that he thought of that. But oh my god...what the hell am i going to do with all these chips, LOL...I will have to have a party before surgery....Chips anyone??? hahahaha, thanks Bro....I love ya!
5/1/01 WOW....am I glad my surgery was postponed back when it was postponed...it was supposed to be TOMORROW...and I would ahve been freakig out....Of course...I'll probably be freaking out in two weeks anyway when its really my date...but thank goodness its not tomorrow. I work in property management, and the first two weeks of the month for me are C R A Z Y....rent due, reports, reports on the reports, etc etc etc. I call it HELL WEEK...LOL. AT least by the 16th mostof my stuff will be done and I will be able to relax and recoup without thinking too much about my boss blowing the place up or something....Just Kidding Annette
The weeks and days have flown by. My evenings are packed with things to do and people to see, and food to eat. Everyone wants to take me to dinner....Lets go eat while you stil can....ugh...im OVER it.... My friend Nicky has named it our "International Food Tour!" LOL One of my sweet sweet residents here at the apartments has been bringing me lunch, but good stuff. Fruit, salads and good sandwiches. Not too many of my residents know whats going on, just a few. Told the ones im close with...the ones that will see me more or less changing. MOst of them i dont see much. They just drop off their rent and thats it. But sometimes that is good too.
Went to my support group meeting on April 26th. My mom was able to make it! YEAH, and my best friend Candy came too! Dr Jawad was speaking and gave a little talk about the history of weight loss. He talked about his stats and the surgeries he's done in the past, and explained what he does now. Im soooo glad my mom was able to make. She came out of there REALLY excited and pumped up. She met some of my new friends i ahve made thru the group, and sort of made her own little support team too while im in the hospital. She hugged me and told me she loved me and said how excited she was for me too. Candy didnt have much to say....But that didnt surprise me. I dont know how well she is really handling this, or the thought of it. She must have asked me 15 times that night how she looked. She looked beautiful of course, but she said she was haveing major issues with herself lately. MORE than usual. We of course left there and went to the ale house and had a beer and a burger. She seems sad about it sort of...I really am very scared of this really driving a bigger wedge between us. I hope not.
One friend of mine found out about the surgery, someone i was not telling cuz i already knew he was predispositioned to be negative. He told me that i didnt need the surgery and that it was silly to put myself at risk for this cuz i was already beautiful and sexy and didnt have trouble finding men. Then he told me that i was going to be nothing but a spoiled bitch and a bratgirl afterwards....
WELL, i was hurt and upset. I knew he would be negative, but OUCH. So i told him ONE--Im not doing this to find a man....i know SKINNY women have just as many problems with men that i do...and TWO--Im ALREADY a spoiled bitch! But he later wrote me and said that he was trying to compliment me, but just didnt put it into words properly. Said he and his wife would be there for me regardless.
My friend Nicky's mom is having surgery too. So Nicky and I have really connected and been talking about it alot. After a few weeks of us talking, and she watched the LAST CHANCE show on MSNBC, she has made an appointemnt wiht her mom's surgeon in June to see about getting it done too. Oh goodness...the two of us are hell on wheels now...cant imagine after we both have had this done and start getting into shape. Im so excited to see her pursuing it too. I think we will be a great support system for each other. Get motivated. Walk. Swim. Etc etc. Do other things besides going out to eat like we do now.
14days..Doesnt seem possible...But it is possible. Its going to be here before i know it.
5/3/01 Went to see Dr. Jawad today for my surgery orders. He gave me my post op diet and just went over a few things with me. He even cracked a few jokes...wow...I hadnt even seen him smile before! :-) He's a great guy...and really seems to beleive in what he is doing. And i think that is important.
5/7/01 Down to 8 days. goodness gracious. time is flying. Friends are just lining up to come see me already...and i really dont want them to come...i mean my very close friends yes, but not every tom dick and harry. I have a freinds boyfriend that wants to come up from Orlando,and i have NEVER even met him! How do you do politely ask people not to come to the hosp?
Took my measurements today...wow, thats a mind blowing experience. I have a 16" neck...GAWD. I know the inches is a better thing to go by than the actual numbers off the scale, so i wanted to make sure I had them all down on paper beforehand.
Weight: 251 Height: 5'4" BMI: 43 B/P: 120/88 Pulse: 88 Cholesterol: 205 Measurements: Head: 23"Neck: 16"Bust: 53" Braline: 44" Stomach area: 46"waist: 45" abdomen: 55" hips: 52"thigh: 29"Knee: 16"Calf: 17"ankle: 8.5"upper arm: 16" fore arm: 11"wrist: 6 Shoe size: but about 7 1/2 - 8 1/2
Lord, i cant beleive i wrote that all down for all to see. To me its very liberating though. Sort of like a contract. Will be very excited to make my post with new measurements and watch the differences each time.
I go wednesday for my preadmit testing and such. And then i guess its just a few more days. I sit here and think about it and i get all tingly all over. A nervous tension i think. I sit back and wonder what I will look like in a few months.
05/13/01<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>> Went for my preop testing...wow, I got into the lobby and just started to CRY! I was like so overwhelmed with emotions it was amazing. Then i started laughing, so there i sit, in the lobby crying and laughing. Others must have thought i was in there for preop testing for a labotomy or something...Im still that way....Just crying and laughing all the time. BUT, guess what...its PMS too. Im DUE the day of my surgery...can you beleive it! GAWD. Of all the luck.... Tomorrow will be my "last supper". I was thinking of what i wanted, but i think i just want something pretty simple. Maybe some seafood or something. I figured, what i eat that last meal, will be just what im trying to get out of me the next day after i drink the dreaded "stuff". So i will just take it easy, and make it easier on me the next day.
TWO more days at work to get all my stuff done i need to get done....I told my boss i felt like i was leaving my kids behind and going on a long trip...Im ordering and making lists, and making lists of my lists. I know it will be ok though...
5/15/01 TOMORROW.....TOMORROW...I LOVE Ya....TOMORROW.....
OH OK...cheesy i know, but i cant help it. WHAT A FEELING ...Anxious, nervous, happy, scared, PMS'ing too . Im wired. Wound tight. My resident that loves to feed me brought me my last lunch...a great corned beef sandwhich, and a pint of BEN AND JERRY"S. lol. I just hugged him to death. It was a riot...and soooo good...it was called Concession OBSESSION....beware of it...lol. its TOOOOO GOOOD. definately a great last meal. I love how he thought of me that way...Drank my "SPARKLING LAXATIVE" at 6pm, and just now feeling the effects of it. Not as bad as i thought...and its had me BURPING really bad. I thought it would a nasty explosive experience, but it hasnt been. I am paking my bag, and just getting everything ready. I have to be at the hospital at noon, and surgery is at 2. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers! Thanks to everyoen i have met thru here! YOu all have been such terrific support! SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE!!!!
5/19/01 ITs A DONE DEAL! IM HOME---well, im at my mom's for a few days till i know i can handle it on my own at my apt. I came home yesterday actually, at 4pm. AND OH WHAT A RELEIF IT WAS TO GET HOME.
The day of my surgery was pretty uneventful. Slept in a little then went to my mom's to wait till NOON to go to the hospital. I had her take pics of me....in my shirt and shorts facting the front, side, back and a face shot. Then i had her take the same pics in my bra and undies...they will really be the ones to show the differences. NO, im not going to post those...lol, but ask nicely and I may show you. heheheh We went to the hospital and checked in. The took us to pre op where they took my vitals and asked some questions and we waited for over two hours. At about 2:30 they called us back. I was very calm and collected, i think my mom was more scared than i was. She kept talking about when i was sick as a baby, and how pitiful i had looked then.
I laid on the bed, they started my IV, put my compression leg things on and gave me some relaxant drugs of some sort in my iv. The anetesiolgist came over and told me what they were going to be doing, gave me a little medicine to drink that would keep my from producing acid due to nerves. Then they wheeled me off to the OR.
I slid over onto the OR table and they took me down another notch but not asleep yet cuz they were still looking for DR Jawad and couldnt go to sleep till they knew he was in the building and near by. Then before you know it, i hear "Sweet dreams" and that was it...
I woke up about 8pm i think in recovery, and dont remember much about it. I remember seeing my mom in the hallway as they wheeled me into MICU,and waving to her to show her i was ok so she wouldnt be worried.
I was put in the Medical Intesive Care Unit at first, i dont think there were any beds in the hospital at the time anyway. I got great care in there. My nurses were great, but the other patients were the bad part.
I had the NG tube in my nose that goes down the throat....Its a little uncomfortable, but i just had to deal with it. I was really thirsty, and would feel my throat get dry and the could feel the tube a little in my throat. Just was like a bad sore throat. That came out the next day, after i did the "swallow" test to make sure i wasnt leaking. It was kind of a good thing, cuz the nurse put a lot of the nasty stuff that you have to drink in thru that tube for the test. I think the purpose of that tube is to keep your stomach dry and keep you from throwing up after and during surgery. Which i didnt get sick at all.
Besides the NG tube, I also had a jp drain coming out of my right side, and the gtube drain on the the left. The jp drain is a little drainage device. Its a thin tube with like a little rubber ball on the end that collects the fluid. The fluid is clear with a red tint...looks like strawberry juice sort of. They empty this and measure it a few times a day as it fills up. They send you home with this for a few days too.
The GTUBE was a another story. That tube was bigger and a lot more uncomfortable. You go home with this one too and just have to deal with it.My surgeon is adamant about having it in and keeping it in for about three weeks. This tube goes into the OLD part of the tummy. Its really a precautionary thing. ITs to release any gastric juices that may build up and not drain normally. Its also in case there are any complications with the new pouch...you can still get "fed" thru this tube and still receive medications thru it too if necessary.
I was getting good drugs about every 2 hours, and was allowed 3cc's of ice chips an hour....I slept on and off all night long in little increments. The people in the unit with me were pretty restless and TALKED alot. Hollering out just as i would fall asleep. I watched a little tv, then would fall asleep again. My throat was very sore and raw from the ng tube, but it wasnt as bad as i thought.
The next morning i had some ice chips and the nurse put some contrast in thru my ng tube in my nose. They wheeled me down to xray for my swallow test. The NG tube came out, weird feeling...like...well, did you ever as a kid, swallow a strand of spaghetti, and pull it back out? Well, it felt like that.
ANYWAY....NO LEAKS.....WHOOO HOOOOO
I got back to the unit and DR jawad showed up as i was "eating" my first meal...lol. He said i could go to a regular floor. BUT of course there were no beds in the hospital....so i got stuck in the MICU for another night. AND let me tell you, the NATIVES were very restless. I was sooooo tired and got sooo frustrated. the lady inthe bed beside me would YELL out jsut as i would doze off. SHe was seeing people coming out of the ceiling trying to get at her...and all sorts of bizarre stuff. At about 2am, i just lost it. Started to ball my eyes out. I was so tired, in pain and just coudlnt deal. I felt like i was in the movie ONE FLEW OVER THE COOKOOS NEST. I mean, it was BAD. The nurse saw how upset i was, and got on the phone with the hospital superivisor and got me a room. So about 2:30 am, i was taken upstairs to a room. AH yes, maybe i would get some sleep.
I got up and laid in the new bed, the nurses were trying to adjust it when KABAM!, the bed DROPS...with me on it. Already an emotional wreck, i just start sobbing uncrontrollably. IT HURT BAD. They all checked me over and nothing seemed to be bleeding or disrupted in any way. They shot me up with drugs and was off to sleep...for about 3 hours till shift change...then i was up again...
I stayed up... I thought, if i had to spend another night in the hospital, i wanted to be so exhausted that i would have no choice but to sleep...so i sat up in the rocker and rocked . And finally at about 2:30 Dr. Jawad came in. I said I WANT TO GO HOME, and he said OK....If he hadnt let me go home, I was fully prepared for a full on emotional scene...but luckily he said i could. It was a very good thing...the nurse came in and showed me how to dress my tubes and we packed up and I was home by 4pm. OH WOW...felt soo good. I went to bed about 10pm and slept soundly all the way thru till 8:30 this morning....it made the world of difference.
And so, on that note, im off to bed again. Wanted to get an update in and let you know how i was doing! Talk to you soon!
Am going to take a real shower and find the strength to SHAVE MY LEGS....lol. That will be an ordeal, but i cant take it any longer...its been 4 days....im getting beastly here. grrrrrr. hahahaha
5/21/01 Went to see Dr. Jawad today to have my JP drain removed. It didnt hurt, just felt sort of weird having something pulled out of your body. I had a little drainage, but not much. Scale showed i was down 3 lbs, but i dont know. Still feel so bloated with fluid and stuff from the hospital. Plus, i had never weighed on that scale before, and i like to just weigh on one scale, cuz they can be so off. But someone was in the room with the scale that i usually weigh on there.
My staples are due to come out monday, the 28th, and its a holiday,so i ahve to wait until thursday the 31st. And my damn G tube wont come out until June 11th. UGH. I'll have to go back to work with this damn thing.
5/25/01 Mom and I had an outing today. We were getting hungry so we stopped at CHILLIS for lunch, my first dining out expereince. It was busy so we grabbed a table in the bar. The waitress looked at me weird when i just ordered the soup. Brought a plate insisting that my mom share her nachos with me. Then the waitress must have really thought i was a fruit loop when i asked for a to go cup to take the rest of my soup home. My mom just laughed and said that she gave me the strangest look. I just said, well, i guess we just have to get used to it....
5/26/01 Hi gang,I just got home from my first social outing since my surgery last week. There was a memorial day party, and i sure didnt want to miss it. So i went. And had a good time. Everyone was so thrilled to see me there and were all so surprised that i came and that im doing so good.
Well, it was several peoples anniversaries and birthdays, so there was a HUGE massive cake... Anyway, i kept catching people eating their cake in the corner or in the living room away from me, saying they were "TRYING TO BE KIND TO BECKY". I dont know why, but this really made me feel crappy. I just kept saying "LIFE GOES ON..." "EAT YOUR CAKE AND STOP BEING SILLY". I know they were just trying to be helpful, but it still made me feel really funny. Instead of thinking everyone was looking at me cuz I WAS eating cake, now i felt like it was cuz I WASNT eating cake.
I know they are just trying to be helpful, and the newness of it will wear off for them as well as me,and they wont have to tiptoe while eating around me. But it was just an eyeopener about how the surgery DOES affect everyone around you and everyone that cares for you. My friend Steve, the one that said i would become "a spoiled bitch", hugged me so tight...i thought he was gonna pop out my GTUBE. LOL. He said i already looked different...that my ANKLES???? looked skinny.... LOL...ok...THANKS. lol. I WEIGHED myself for the first time tonight too....down 14lbs. And I weighed myself on their scale the weekend before my surgery, so should be a pretty accurate reading. Not bad. Im feeling it too...so thats a great thing for me. Im happy. FEELING GREAT, no pain meds or anything for the last three days.
5/28/01 Went home today to my apartment. Feels good to be home, and the cats really missed me. BUT unfortunately all 4 of them are driving me nutz, so i gave the two kittens away finally. It was time. I feel bad, and miss them already, but there was just too much damn cat here in this apartment.
5/31/01 Got my staples out today. WOO HOO. Feels a lot better. Those little buggers were really itching me, and were definately ready to come out. My incisions look great, can barely see them, all you see really is the holes from the staples which are still pretty pink. I am rubbing a vitamin E gel on them to help them heal. After the nurse took out my staples, Dr Jawad came in (about an hour later) to check me out....looked at me and the incisions and the area around the g-tube. Says Looks GOOD, and that was it. Said it was ok to drive and all. So thats a good thing. I have to stay on the liqids another two weeks until June 11th when i get my g-tube taken out. CANT WAIT FOR THAT DAY! SO, i got weighed...offically down 18 pounds from the weight they had me at and according to their scale....Feels really good. I can feel it in certain spots, and even see it already too. My feet fit differently when i put my sandals on. I had to adjust the straps to fit a little better. Went to my support group meeting too. Was really a good one. Dr Asokan was there talking about plastic surgery and showing slides of the befores and afters. I know im a long way from that point still, but it was nice to get the info and see the options. Definately something to consider on down the line. My mom and Nikki went with me. They have both been great support for me. Got to see all my buddies i have met thru here and thru the support group. Was neat to be on the other side, and being able to share my expereince with people that were still considering it or just waiting for their date. A lot of them had so many questions, and i loved being able to answer them and help put their fears and worries aside.
6/1/01 went to SUPER WALMART and got some groceries and stuff. Found lots of great things there. Little snack pack sizes of yougurt and cottage cheese for TO GO ventures. And found the Blue Bunny yougurt that is made with SPLENDA now instead of nutrasweet. And its GOOD too. Grocery shopping is a whole different thing now. Reading lables and comparing everything. Just funny being more conscious of everything i put into my mouth now. Who would have thought?
6/7/01 Well, it was back to work this week....and OH AM I TIRED!!!It felt good to be back. MOnday morning, I was greeted with balloons and an office that had been tp'd. YOu know, like in high school when people toilet paper your house or car or soemthing for the fun of it. It was really cute...and they all cleaned it up for me after i got there and saw it. Really made me feel good.
John, the resident that i said always wants to feed me, was there with a smile and wanting to know what he could bring for me. I told him i was on liquids and was ok for now that i had brought my lunch. He said, "let me bring you some fruit", i said "No thanks John, Im just on liquids and cant do fruit yet. He said OK, but looked so sad that he coudlnt get me anything. SO i told him i was eating soups and yougurt and stuff like that, as long as it was sugar free. So later on he brought me a wonton soup. :-) What a sweetie.
After a few hours of OH MY GOD WHAT DID SHE DO TO THIS PLACE....i got everything sorted out into organized piles that i could start to tackle as i went along. It really wasnt as bad as i really anticipated it to be. So, i worked thru the day monday....I got really tired, and really sore. My gtube area was very sore, i guess from getting up and down alot. And having my waistband rub it too. I got home and crashed out. I ended up taking a little bit of my pain meds just so i could lay down comfortably. The next morning when i went to get up for work, my stomach muscles were like NO WAY JOSE, lay your ass back down. I felt like i had done about 400 sit ups. So i called my boss and just told her i would be in later in the day. She was cool with it. SO i went back to sleep for a bit and jsut relaxed.
Wednesday i was feeling good, but around lunch, i got a bad back ache and headache. I went home for lunch and took some liquid tylenol and took a little nappy. That made me feel a lot better. When i got home from work, i laid down about 7:30....and didnt revive until 8am this morning...so i got a full nights rest...i guess my body was really needing it.
I get my GTUBE taken out MONDAY...woooo hoooo. Cant wait for that. ANd got final word today, that my brother is coming to see me in JULY. YEAH. im so excited. Miss him so much. Havnt seen him in over a year....and he will be bringing his new girlfriend too. Cant wait to meet her.
6/9/01 Had my first experience with someone noticing the weight loss. One of my residents saw me at work today and just went on and on about how great i looked, and wanted to know my secret. I just said "LOTS OF HARD WORK". She said "DAMN girl its paying off for sure, you look great! you are Glowing...!"
GLOWING??? AS LONG AS IT ISNT THE PREGNANCY GLOW>>>>>>LOL, that was nice. I have had several people say that the "sparkle" was back in my eye. LOL. So i guess thats a good thing. I guess I am getting back to my usual crazy self.
6/12/01 THE G TUBE HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!!!! or rather, has left my body! WHOO HOOO. They had a litle trouble pulling it out, the little balloon on the end to keep it in wouldnt delfate all the way, so they pulled a little and it felt so WEIRD inside my body. FInally they got it out and it does feel a lot better. Im very sore in that area today, but im sure in a few days it will be fine. There is some drainage and stuff, and they say that is natural and thats how it will be till it heals up. They dont stitch the hole, it has to heal from the inside out...
SO, now i am on soft foods...Went to Cracker Barrel with my mom for dinner, and ordered off the kids menu. They allow you to do that there, which is really awesome, their menu says for their KIDS OF ALL AGES. I Had grilled chicken tenders and some hashbrown casserole. I ate one and half of the chicken tenders and two tiny nibbles of the hashbrown casserole. Took the rest to go...the waitress looked at me really weird, but didnt explain anything, just didnt feel the need. My mom laughed and said," Man,you really are a cheap date now!" OH...down another 2lbs, so that makes 20 lbs so far.
6/13/01 WELL, had my first VOMIT experience, I was eating something and it was tasting sooooo good, and i ate too fast and surely didnt chew like i was supposed it. Plus it was in the morning, and I really dont like to eat in the morning anyway. IT was like fast too, my tummy said NO WAY GIRL, and i ran for the bathroom and got sick. I just sort leaned over and out it came. Not a lot of heaving or anything. AND when i saw the CHUNKS i was like NOW WONDER I GOT SICK, YOU BIG DUMMY. SOOOOOOOOOOOO it was a learning expereince.....slow slow slow and chew chew chew. I knew better, but paid the price. And i definately know better now.
6/14/01 Well, today i had a big business meeting at the restaurant at the Hilton. And they have the most fabulous and decadent foods and of course its a buffet. WEll, no one at that meeting really knows about the sugery, and it wasnt really the realm to begin speaking of it. SO i just made do. ANd i did great. I did get the buffet, And There was lots of stuff on the there that I knew i could try as long as i took it easy. I stayed away from the salad bar and didnt even go near the dessert bar. SO i just took little bits of the stuff that i thought that i would like, and that the baby tummy would tolerate, and it all worked out great. I had a beef dish that was finely carved with a gravy that i tried, and some garlic mashed potatoes. I just cut the beef up into tiny tiny pieces and just ate very slow...
6/15/01 Had a party at work today, one of my coworkers was leaving. They cooked ribs on the grill and had pasta salad and corn, and fried pototaes. WEll, i made a quiche and brought that down with me, so i knew i would have something that i could eat. And wouldnt you know it, everyone was wanting my quiche. LOL. It was soooooooo good too. I was pretty proud of myself. My maintenance men were like DAMN GIRL, we didnt know you could cook like this. LOL. OH, i had made pickeled eggs too, . Well, i brought the guys some eggs and they went ga ga over them. ANd the eggs have been great for me for lunches or snacks in the evening and GREAT PROTEIN SOURCE.
6/16/01 ONE MONTH ANNIVERSARY. 6/17/01 Stopped by my mom's today. Did the dirty deed and got on the scale...it said 222....222??? really? I did set her scale according to what i was way at Dr Jawads office...but wow, thats another 9 lbs since that previous monday when i got my tube yanked. I think i did really well with being on the solid food now. Its probably cuz i have been doing a lot of protein. :-) which is right on track. thats 29lbs so far.
6/18/01 THREW UP THIS MORNING. I am having troubles in the mornings with eating and nausea. So im going to do the carnation instant breakfasts or yougurt still in the morning for awhile. the protein doenst seem to want to cooperate in the morning. But have no problems at night. I think it could be the vitamins too, so will wait and take those at lunch instead of in the mornings.
6/20/01 MEASURED MYSELF TODAY! DOWN 33 inches total!
Measurements: Head: 23" stayed the same...yeah yeah...big head, i know. lolNeck: 15" (-1")Bust: 48" (-5")measured around the fullest part of the breast.Braline: 40.5" (-3.5")under the boobs...Stomach area: 42" (-4")area above the waist
waist: 41" (14")abdomen: 51.5" (-4")hips: 50" (-2")thigh: 26" (-3")Knee: 15" (-1")Calf: 16" (.5")ankle: 8.5" (same) upper arm: 14.5" (-.5)
fore arm: 10" (-1")wrist: 6 (same)
6/28/01 OKAY OKAY, im updating, im updating....lol. I got told the other day that i wasnt updating enough, and that my updates arent as fun as they used to be. LOL. Last night, I went out with some friends from work. Went out to the chinese buffet place that i love. I was kind of scared to go, but i ended up doing really well. I didnt think i would "get my money's worth" cuz i couldnt GORGE myself. But, I Found lots of good stuff to eat and even had two pieces of sushi...my huge addiction before surgery. It was soooo good. Love the green stuff, wasabi. I ate little tiny bites of it and chewed chewed chewed, so no problems with the rice or anything. Missed having my hot tea though, but just made some later that night when i got home and sipped on it. So, i dont feel like it was a waste of money or anything. I came out of there very satisfied. I will go back for sure.
I ran into Melanie as we were leaving the restaurant. She was coming in as I was going out. She emailed me and said her dad noticed the way we checked each other out when we saw each other. I was like "yeah, but in a good way, not in the CATTY way women usually check each other out." She looked awesome, i think she said that she was down like 65 lbs. WOW!
TONIGHT I had my support group meeting. It was a good one, and was great to meet all my new pen pals i have made thru this web site! Gene, Gwen, and Kim...it was great meeting you all! And of course it was great seeing all my old buddies too! Everyone looks sooooo divine and fine! hehehhee
7/3/01 Had a resident at work stop me the other day and ask "DID YOU DO THAT THING CARNIE WILSON DID....??" I said, what makes you say that? She said, "CUZ YOU'RE LOOKING FAAAAABULOUS!!!". She made my day. :-) I helped her out with a few things getting her transferred into a downstairs apartment and she was so grateful, so i got back from lunch yesterday and she had gotten me ROSES. they were sitting on my desk and it just about made me cry. IT felt so good.
A lot of my residents are noticing now. And some are seeing me for the first time since surgery . I guess there will be many that i dont see regularly, that will see a big change in the months to come when they drop off their check.
7/19/01 OH I HAVE BEEN SO BAD....SOMEBODY SPANK ME! hahahahah, I mean really been bad about posting! I have been living life to its fullest and feel soooo incredible.
I dont even know where to begin....hmmmmm let me back up the bus a little and try to recount a little of life that has just been whizzing by me. 4th of july was totally awesome....Went to Juniper springs for the day, and walked the nature trails. I had so much energy and stamina it was incredible. Normally i would have been just whining and carrying on about the heat and my legs hurting etc etc etc....nope, not this time. It was hot, but i had my water bottle with me and kept the water flowing. We walked and talked for hours. It was great.
7/5/01 Went to Chilis with my friend Nicki...was craving a burger bad...so had a cheeseburger and no bun or fries, but had some quacamole with it. I was scared, cuz i hadnt really had any red meat yet...but it worked out great....it was heavenly, anthe quacamole kept it moist and it went down and stayed down fine. very tasty. I dont want to do alot of red meats, but occasionaly it will be a treat for sure.
7/6/01 Went out with Nicki again, her last night in town, she's moving to Orlando....so we did our last dinner in ocala...we went to our fav mexican place. I ordered a chicken burrito and just ate the meat from the the inside and little bit of beans with cheese. The tortilla just tastes nasty to me, and is yucky as hell after being chewed to death, so i just for went the shell and ate the chicken. Was yummy. ZESTY. i love it.
7/7/01 Went to big fourth of july party. Hadnt seen most of the people since i went to the memorial day party, so i had some stunned friends. They all bombarded me with compliments, and i felt so good, cuz i knew they were all surprised and being very sincere. I could get used to that easily. What a feeling. Iweight on the scale there...the only other scale i really weigh on besides the doctors....and it said i was 211....WHAT! WOW! OH MY GOD! i ran from the room and asked my freiend if she had changed her scale any and she said no, it was still right on target with what her doctors said...I was stuck at 30 pounds for a few weeks, and then whoosh...10 more pounds?? I was amazed...i guess all that wlaking on the 4th really paid off...i was very excited for my doctors appt on the 12th to get my offial weigh in from his scale.
7/8/01 Had a blind date with a guy named Mark, from gainesville. It went awesome, we had a blast. Everything from dinner at a really nice Indian Restaurant, to a movie, to sharing a juicy nectarine in the parking lot of the super Walmart.... We had a lot in common and didnt want the night to end. But i had bought popscicles at walmart, so that was my cue to cut the date and get home. .
7/10/01....my Boss came back today! I worked till about 2 then split. GOt to take a little nap... and then Went up to Gainesville for a support group meeting...They had a speaker, she was a Culinary Therapist...basically a social worker who is a chef too. She cooked some fresh salsa's and dressing to make low fat cooking more tasty. She was great, and definatly going to try some of the recipes. Went out with Mark for a while after the meeting since i was in his town. He took me to dinner then we went to the campus and watched these bats coming in and out of a bat house...strange...but fun. He brought fruit, but we didnt get a chance to eat it. I was still too full from dinner, and didnt want to chance it. lol GOt home and had email from an old friend from when i was in jacksonville...she lives in alabama now, and i ahvent seen her or her girls for over three years. She and the girls were coming to jax for a visit....I was off for those few days so i decided to go up and see her thursday after my doctor's appt was over.... i cant wait.
7/12/01 OK, today is my Doc appt...almost two months...drum roll please.....39 lbs according to his scale. WHOO HOOO. feels great! He looked at me and called me skinney minney....WOW, i have never heard those words in my life! Not ever!! Came home from docs and packed and hit the road for jax. It felt so good to just get up and go. I feel so alive and aware of everything and everyone around me. I dont want to just sit and let things happen around me. I want to make things happen, and be involved and enjoy and live. I htink before i would have made some excuse not to go. But not now...no way. I was ready. I got up there and saw my friend Lisa, who i hadnt seen for about 6 months. Got up the next day and met up with my friends we all headed out to the beach to our favorite place...BUKKETS. its right on the beach, and has the most awesome chicken wings ever...great great day! I even got to see my friend Pam, who I grew up with. She didnt know i had had surgery, so shew as surprised.
****August 17th 2001--Well, it seems i ran out of room on here, and had to delete and condense a bunch of stuff. I will have to look into starting a web page i guess so i can keep updating. Im three months out now, and I am guessing down about 50 lbs. Fitting into size 16 shorts i bought last month when my brother was here in town. I looked in the mirror and thought...IS THAT MY BUTT IN THOSE SHORTS???? (GREAT VISIT BY THE WAY with my brother... ) THings with Mark are soooo AWESOME! I cant even describe it....Im not going to write much, so i have room for further updates. Have to keep it brief. Loving life...Feel Great, and looking so different its weird sometimes. Losing my boobs too. Thats were i notice it the most. LOTS OF ENERGY.
August 21, 2001 Had a wonderful weekend! Had 5 days off and it felt great. SPent them with my sweetie Mark...things are going so well...I think its the "L" word. Everyone says im glowing, and I know its mostly him, and some the weight loss too. He's very supportive of me and helps find healthy things for me to eat and enjoy...even peels my nectarines! Had a milestone today....wore my new size 16 shorts today to work for the first time....WITH MY SHIRT TUCKED IN!!!!! So maybe that is two milestones. I dont think i have tucked in a shirt for years and years. Probably since i was 16 years old. Im almost oout of room again on this site, so i am looking into starting a journaling sight and webpage to continue on. If i get time to sit down long enough and figure it out. Still havent weighed, need to do that sometime and see where im at. I might be below the 200 mark, and that would be another big milestone for me. I did measure, lost some more inches and will post that at another time.
****September 9, 2001****WOW, life is great. Still losing...down about 60lbs...wearing size 16petite pants from Lane Bryant, and they are pretty baggy after a few hours of wear. Bought a few new things, a few tops, two pairs of chinos. And I actually like the way the pants look on me. Amazing to me. ANd tops that actually fit, and show off my assets a little. Im UNDER 200lbs for the first time in god knows how long. I FEEL GREAT! and IM IN LOVE....I have been seeing the most amazing man. He really completes me, and fills my heart with joy. We have been doing some hiking, and he is taking me to the mountains next week for a 5 mile hike to a lodge that you can only get to by foot....bunk beds and "eco friendly toilets..., gonna be roughing it some. YES, i can handle it! Love and losing weight will make you do a lot of crazy things...LIVING LIFE. And its great! SEPTEMBER 14, 2001---CRAZINESS. The aftermath of the disaster of the ATTACK ON AMERICA. GOD BLESS EVERYONE. Now this crazy storm in FLORIDA. GOT On scale just now at publix...it said 187.THats down 64 lbs folks. Im very happy and satisfied with my results. Im fitting into large and extra large stuff in the regural parts of stores.
October 12, 2001--Saw Dr Jawad today...Down 74lbs! My 16 shorts are too big and bought 14 pants! I got a promotion! Im moving to St Pete within the next two weeks! Looking for support groups down there now, and trying to work something out so i can still go to my group in Ocala.
December 9th, 2001 HI-Been a long time. I made the move to St Pete Florida. ITs really great here. Always something to do. And whats best of all, my sweetie Mark...from the posts above has moved with me. We are living together and doing great. Im so in love it drives me wild sometimes. He's seen soooo great and supportive, and always cooks great stuff for me. Im down about 90 lbs now... wearing size 14 petites...no more Lane Bryant clothes...their 14's are all too big now. Im down to a 38 C bra from 44DD's. Lots of loose skin, kinda looks like "deflated" balloons looks. Kinda loose and wrinkly...but its worth it. I feel so great. Life is good.
March 28, 2002 WOW. been too LOOONG. SORRY! Well, I mvoed to ST Pete, but am now back in Ocala. Its a good thing...another promotion, and yes, Mark moved back with me. He's been a trooper and still supportive of me and the weight loss and the job. Well, I know you are all wondering....DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!!!
I weigh 137lbs!!!!!! Wearing size 8-10!!!!! thats a 115 lb loss. I hit my original goal of 140, but am trying for about about 132 now. Give myself 5lbs of buffer for the ever so popular "puffy feeling" days. LOL. I'll try to get a new pic going soon!
5/16/2002 WELL! its ONE YEAR TODAY!!! Happy REBIRTH day to me! WOOO HOOO!! Im at 132 lbs, my second goal after i hit my first one...wearing size 8's and even some 6's. I've lost 120lbs total and feeling great. All my lab work came back excellent. I think i will shoot for 128, which the nurse at the Doc's office said is my ideal weight, but that I wouldnt get there because of "extra skin". HA, we'll just see about that one now wont we? But im very happy and comfortable where im at, so thats fine either way.
*****NEW UPDATE********
9/15/02 Long time no update. Yeah, i know. Im still sitting at about the same weight. Im about 128-132 depending on time of day/month etc. YOU all know how it is. But, The scales arent moving, but im still shrinking...i bought SIZE 4's the other day! i was buying this really sexy out fit for the CHER concert and the pants just looked "funny" the lady told me they were too big, i exclaimed "well they are 6's! I know im not a 4" well, she got the 4's and just handed them to me and told me to put the on....OH MY...is that MY butt in those size 4's?????? NO WAY...but yes indeed....my butt...my size 4's.. lol.
Going thru a lot of changes.....Mark has moved out. Things have been going a little nutty there. Its been a rollercoaster. WORK is still as crazy as ever. I have been running the office alone now for 4 months...just hired someone new, so hopefull i will get some vacation time SOON.
AND i Bought a new house!!!! YUP, i move in next weeken! Im sooooo excited....ANYONE got a lawnmower??? hahahaha