Stephanie P.

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My C-section is scheduled for 10/26!  I can't believe we only have 5 days left!  Other than the stomach pains I get from time to time, being pregnant under 300 pounds is MUCH easier!  I have gained 60 pounds!  But, I'm trying not to worry...I'll get it back off!  We are all very excited and getting ready for bringing Jeremy home!  I'm adding to photos...one of my belly and one of me and our son, Nathan. 

So, here I am at 25 weeks pregnant and 224 pound.  I hate that I'm back over 200, but I'll fix that soon.  :)  We were told yesterday that the baby has a "mild restriction of the right ventricle" in his heart.  So, if anyone is reading this, please say a little prayer for us.  I'll know more when I go back to the high risk specialist next week.  They sent me originally because of my age and because I had WLS.  The baby otherwise is growing and looks so cute on the ultrasounds.  We are all getting very excited.  Our 5 year old is so excited to be a big brother, but he is spending a lot of time with mommy because he knows he won't get to when the baby first gets here.

Well, it is 3:47 am.  I have been having a very hard time sleeping...between being pregnant, DH snoring and just not being comfortable, it is difficult.  But, I'm going to try to get some more sleep before my human alarm clock (either the baby kicking or our 5 year old wakes me up).  :)

Well, we went on the Bama Board's cruise.  It was SO MUCH FUN.  I highly recommend cruising!  It seems I just found out yesterday that we have a little souvenir.  I'm pregnant!  So, I will be checking out the Post-Op Pregnancy board soon.  :)  I haven't told any of my co-workers or our son yet....just in case.  Not that anything is going to happen...just in case.  :)  We are very excited.  We only tried for one month!  It took me 3 years to get pregnant with our son.  I know this pregnancy will be easier.  It has to be easier at 190 than at 350+!  :)

Take care of yourselves and each other. 

Well, I haven't exactly been on track lately.  I have been stuck at 190 for months now.  I NEED to cut out the carbs and start exercising.  So, that is what I'm going to do!  I meet with a trainer at Gold's tomorrow, and I'm really going to cut out the carbs.  I'm going to try to keep posting to help me keep on track.  I need to be more active on this board too.

Why I want to have Weight Loss Surgery:
1. Have control over my eating.
2. Stop having to take so much medicine. **October 2005**
3. Not have fat swollen ankles. **November 2005**
4. Wear a mini-skirt. **May 2006 ~ bought a skirt just above my knees!**
5. Tuck in my shirt.
6. Wear heels and strappy sandals. **July 2006**
7. Hopefully my heels will stop hurting so badly. **March 2006**
8. Take a ride in a helicopter.
9. Sit comfortably in a booth. **September 2005**
10. Cross my legs. **October 2005**
11. Ride Go-Carts with my son.
12. Sit on the floor comfortably and be able to get back up easily. **June 2006**
13. Ride in a canoe with my husband.
14. Ride the Scream Machine at Six Flags.
15. Wear fishnet stockings.
16. Wear knee boots.
17. Not have to do an assessment of the room to see if I'm the largest person there. **March 2006**
18. Wear a choker necklace.
19. Shoot, wear just an 18" necklace. **February 2006**
20. Wear a bathing suit without shorts or a t-shirt. **June 2006**
21. Wear a tanktop/sleeveless dress in public. **June 2006**
22. Dance **February 2007**
23. Not worry about the seatbelt in a car. **November 2005**
24. Fit in an airplane seat comfortably.
25. Buy clothes from wherever I want! **May 2006**
26. Wear bikini underwear. **October 2006 (not comfortable!)**
27. Wear a 7" bracelet. **April 2006**
28. Go on a cruise. **February 2007**
29. Actually feel like a thin person.
30. Sit in a seat at the stadium or at Phillips Arena comfortably.
31. Wear a bustierre.
32. Go on more hikes.
33. Ride a bike. **March 2006**
34. Sit "Crisscross Applesauce" (as my son says) on the floor. **October 2005...can't for long, but I can do it!**
35. Not have my back and feet ache after 30 minutes of shopping. **November 2005**...**Shopped all day today (4/1/06)**
36. Be able to clean my bathroom mirror without my stomach knocking stuff over. **Not sure when this happened, but it doesn't happen anymore**
37. Fit into a normal sized bathtub with room to spare. **May 2006!!!!**
38. Get in a 2 person hot-tub with my husband.
39. Rollerskate or Rollerblade.
40. Parasail.
41. Go horseback riding.
42. Sit comfortably in a seat at the movie theater. **November 2005**
I have seen several people post these types of lists. I saw where one person actually put dates when these things happened. I'm hoping to do this.

6/4/05 Well, nothing really new to report. I called United Healthcare earlier this week, and they said that they had no packet. My packet was faxed on 5/19, but they didn't have it. So, Tracy at AMC is sending it again. She resent it on Thursday of this week. I'm going to start calling UHC on Wednesday then every day after that! I was hoping for a June date, but now I'm thinking July or August.

I have lost like 6 pounds and I'm stuck. I have to be honest, I'm having a hard time with trying to lose weight. I go through bouts of the "last supper" syndrome. I told my husband tonight after eating a double cheeseburger and fries that I'll go on a liquid diet after I get approved. :) I have been doing water aerobics 2-3 times a week. I really enjoy the classes.

As soon as I know more, I'll post again.

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7/6/05 Well, I just found out on Monday that I have been approved!!! The surgeons office nor myself have received the letter, but I called, and UHC said I was approved. I have mixed emotions about this. I can't stop thinking about how it is going to affect my life. I have watched my husband melt before me over the past 3 months. I can't wait until that is me. People keep asking me if I'm excited, but that isn't the right word for it. I'm happy to be approved, and I look forward to this journey. As soon as I have a date, I'll change my profile. I can't believe this is actually going to happen.

I have lost about 10 pounds, and I have been doing water fitness mostly 3 times a week. Sometimes I do 4 and sometimes I do 2. I really enjoy going to the gym. It is a nice end to the day.

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8/14/05 Just a quick post. I have a date...8/24/05...I still can't believe this is happening. I have so many emotions going on right now. I feel good about the surgery and how I will handle it afterwards. I'm nervous about being put under and about the IV. I have never been put under before, and I had really hard time with an IV when I had my son. I'm sure I have it hyped up in my mind, and that it will be o.k. I have to say my husband has been so wonderful! He is truly my angel. He has lost 102 pounds, and I'm so very proud of him. I'll write more later. I have a lot going through my mind right now.

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8/23/05 Well, tomorrow is the big day! I can't believe it is almost here. I'm still not sure what time the surgery is. They are supposed to call me this evening to tell me. I have made it through the bowel prep stuff. It really hasn't been that bad. I thought today would have been harder than yesterday, but it hasn't been. I had a bit of a headache, and I'm a bit tired, but overall...it is o.k. The phospha-soda stuff is pretty foul...I would suggest just dumping it in a cup and taking it in one big gulp...hold your nose and follow it with something with a strong flavor...like white grape juice or apple juice. But, it is doable. I was worried about it. Like I said, this has been surprisingly easy....so far. I hope I'm writing the same thing next week. :) I also don't really feel nervous. I did last week, but now I'm ready. I'm ready for this to be over with and to start my new life. I have fears...I'm worried about what I can and can't eat, complications, the IV (that might have to go in my neck because I have really bad veins), how I will deal physicially and emotionally....But, I know it will all be o.k. I'm excited about marking stuff off of my list. :) I'm also going to start a table showing weight loss at the end of the profile. I'll try to update weekly, but I can't promise that. :)

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8/26/05 Well, I'm two days out, and each day gets better. I'm working really hard on getting fluids in right now. That is better too. It was pretty hard to even swallow yesterday. I have been walking the hallways and today I walked around the house and to the neighbor's mailbox. I felt pretty good. I can still feel some pressure from the gas they used to pump up my abdomen. That is pretty painful, but again, it is getting better every day. I have times when I ask, "what have I done to myself". But, I see how successful my husband is, and I know it will get better. I'm really looking forward to a shower tomorrow. I know I will feel much better after that. My stay at AMC was very nice. I even got a visit from Dr. Duncan, Dr. Hobson and Dr. Speights. They came in right when I needed them too. I felt like I was in good hands the whole time. Other than the gas pain and my bellybutton draining, I'm doing well. It seems the fluid they use for the leak test is coming out of my bellybutton. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it can happen...they say it is nothing to worry about.

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Hello, everyone...sorry I haven't been posting, but I went back to work last week on Thursday. I am doing much, much better. The nausea is better. I'm getting in fluids. I'm still working on protein, but I'm getting there.

This weekend was really nice. We went to some friends for dinner. She went all out, and of course, I only had a little bit. I did have some pork tenderloin (because it was so tender) and some squash casserole. I chewed VERY well! I think I had like 3 little bites of pork and about 2 tablespoons of squash casserole. :) It was nice to sit with everyone and eat, though. Today, I cooked...well, kind of...three meals. We had eggs this morning, crackers and cheese for lunch and chicken pot pie for dinner (I didn't eat any of the crust). So far so good.

I went for my 2 week check up last week, and she said food was o.k. as long as I chewed VERY well and it was really moist. So, that made me happy. I'm just glad most of the nausea has gone away. I do have to eat a cracker or something before I go to bed and eat something soon after I wake up. But, it is getting better.

I have also lost 49 pounds since I started this journey!!! I lost 29 since surgery! I can tell in my clothes.

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10/10/05 First of all, I'm under 300 pounds!!! I'm right at 287!!! I can't believe that. I haven't been under 300 pounds in about 7-8 years! When I started this journey, I was right at 340!

Things I need to check off my list: sit in a booth (Derrick, Nathan and I sat in a booth at a huddle house!!!!!!) I know you guys know what a big deal that was! I mean, those are the smallest booths in the world!

I can cross my legs!!! I can't cross them for long, but I can do it!!!

I can get into the bathing suit that Becky gave me! I have been trying it on every few days. I'm also in a lot of clothes I haven't worn in a while. I have even worn a couple of skirts!!!! My largest jeans: 32's are way, way, way too big!!!! It is amazing!!!!

I can walk a pretty good distance without getting winded. My heels and back don't hurt so badly (they still hurt, but I seem to recover faster).

I can wear a size 3 Elisabeth shirt (thank you Mary)!

Challenges: Handling constant compliments and not saying I had weight loss surgery as an excuse; getting in enough protein (still having trouble one I can handle and tastes decent); getting in enough exercise.

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11/25/05 Well, Thanksgiving is over. It really wasn't that bad. We went to Golden Corral...I know...what were we thinking! But, it worked out well. I could get a bite of everything I wanted. It was really good. And, you know, I don't lament what I can have anymore. I enjoy what I can have. That is a huge turn around for me. I have lost right at 80 pounds, and I am so happy. I feel great....I have more energy than ever. At least I don't get as tired. I guess that is the same thing. :) I'm wearing 3x and 2x shirts and size 22 pants. I can't believe that. I'm still having trouble with protein. The whey protein makes me very nauseous, and it is impossible to get down. I told Dr. Hobson about that this week, and he didn't really seem too concerned as long as I was getting protein from somewhere, and honestly, I do get about 40-50g from food a day. I'm going to try some protein powder next. He did warn me about the hair loss, and it happening a little bit. But, I feel like I'm doing really well. I have been fighting bronchitis and a sinus infection for about 3 weeks. So, I haven't been to the gym in a while. I'm hoping to start back next week. I actually miss it. I just wanted to take a minute to post an update. I know I haven't been good at doing that too often. Thank you again to everyone who reads this. I hope it helps, and I appreciate the support.

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1/4/06 Well, I'm finally taking some time to do an update. So much has been going on. I have lost over 100 pounds. It is too amazing. I bought a bike from a thrift store...for get this...$10!!! It is pretty nice, and I can ride it. Well, I need some practice, but I didn't blow the tires out. I can shop at "regular" plus size departments. Which is a big deal for me. I am wearing mainly 1x's and 18/20's. Again, I think this is amazing!

I was thinking back today about how much I ate and some of the things I did...like hiding in the car and eating 3 beef and cheddars, large curly fries and large coke. Or, eating so much from Taco Bell that I was physically in pain. Until this surgery, I didn't realize how much I really ate. I actually feel more normal now than I ever have.

This is such a personal decision. I know this has been a lifesaver for me....but, I know it isn't for everyone. I just read a post about someone who died from complications. It is heart breaking to know that this doesn't work for some people. I just think you have to be at a point in your life where you decide, no matter what, you have to make this decision.

3/13/05 This is my first post, and I'm not really sure where to begin. I have been overweight my entire life. I remember when I was 8, my mother and I went to a place that put an accupressure device in your ear. You were supposed to press on it whenever you felt hungry. Crazy, huh? Well, I remember that I weighed 160 pounds then. The largest I have been was 350+ when I was pregnant with our now almost 3 year old son. They just stopped weighing my at the OBs office. I have since gotten back down to around 340. The thing is, I don't see myself as that big. I'll see pictures or video of myself and just be shocked at how large I am. I have several health problems due to my weight: PCOS (I'm so blessed to have a son), hypothyroidism, heel spurs, sciatica, other back pain, knee pain, etc. This is something I have known about and thought about since I was 16. A girl at school had it done, and my mother approached me about having it done. At 16, that was the scariest thing I had ever thought about!

Now, I'm 34, married to my best friend, and we have the most perfect 2 1/2 year old anyone could ever want.

My husband has a surgery date of 3/23. So, a lot of my initial posts will probably be about him, his surgery and how we are handling it. I'm so excited for him and our life together. Please pray that all goes well for him. He is currently sick with a pretty bad cold (I've been sick for 3 weeks now). I'm hoping he will be well and all will go as planned for the surgery, but if he isn't then I expect them to post-pone it.

Well, I guess that is all I'm going to post for now. I'll write more. I do want to say that I'm enjoying reading other's posts, and the support here is amazing.

3/21/05 I am beginning to get very nervous. My husband is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday. He starts the Phospha-Soda today and tomorrow as well as clear liquids. I know he is nervous too. I'm trying to be very supportive and focus on the positive things that are going to come from this surgery. My mind keeps thinking about the "what-ifs", and I have to stop that! Everything is going to be o.k...no complications...short hospital stay and short recover time. :) I have to get my packet turned in. I feel like I have already started the process since I went with Derrick to all of his appointments. But, I haven't. I'm going to ask if I can skip the group appointments since I have already been through them, and I have all of the paperwork they gave out there. I doubt they will let me do that. Well, off to work. I appreciate all of the support OH provides! 

4/3/05 I just thought today that I hadn't posted since Derrick's surgery. Everything has gone very, very well. He is doing such a great job with eating what he needs, getting fluid and protein in, and walking. I'm so proud of him. I'm excited to see how much he has lost when he goes for follow-up on Wednesday.

As far as I go, I have submitted my paperwork, and I have a doctor appointment with my PCP tomorrow evening. I hope to expedite all of this, and have surgery maybe in June...just one day at a time. 

4/10/05 My newest information is that I have my initial appointment set with Dr. Duncan's office. I sent my packet in on 4/1, and I sent Yakima an e-mail Thursday. She called with an appointment on Friday. Thank you, Yakima for your prompt reply. :) So, my appointment is 4/26 at 7:30am. I'm getting very excited. My appointment with my PCP went very well. He is so wonderful and supportive. If anyone on the Southside of Atlanta is looking for a PCP, Dr. Wyatt of Eagle's Landing Family Practice is so great! He was genuinely excited about Derrick success. Derrick, by the way, is just melting away. I'm planning on taking a copy of the insurance plan that states that the surgery is covered with my on the 26th. I want them to send it in with the packet they send to the insurance. Derrick was denied the first time, but he shouldn't have been. I have a call into the psychiatrist, but he hasn't called me back. I hope I don't have to have a lot of other tests.

4/24/05 I'm taking a short break from working today. My boss is being very supportive and very cool about me working some on weekends so I don't have to take leave for all of my appointments during the week. So, I'm working on Sunday. I had the psych eval done on Friday. It went very well. I would highly recommend Dr. David Rush for anyone needing to get their psych eval done. He is very to the point. He realizes you are there for the eval so you can have surgery. So, he doesn't try to pull things out of you. I think they are mainly looking to see that you have a support system in place and that you have healthy expectations of what will happen after surgery. I think it helped that he knows that Derrick has just been through this. I also went ahead to the gynecologist. I figured they would want me to do that. So, other than the nutritionist (which is May 4th), I have everything done prior to the first consult on 4/26. I'm so trying to expedite this thing! :) As long has they don't make me go to a specialist for testing or something, then I'm done. Every one of my doctors from my podiatrist to my gynecologist is very supportive and has said they would do whatever I needed them to do to help facilitate the approval.

Well, back to work. 

5/13/05 Well, it is Friday the 13th, and so far so good. :) I go to the nutritionist on Monday, then everything will be complete. I spoke with Tracy at Atlanta Medical Center, and she said she had everything but that ready to submit to United Healthcare. I was a bit nervous that they might change insurance in July, but my husband informed me that if they do change, it won't be until September! So, i should be good to go. Tracy said they will fax the information from the nutritionist on Monday or Tuesday. Then, she will send everything in. So, a June date just might be happening.

The consult went very well. I need to try to lose 20 pounds, and I don't have to have any additional clearances. That was good news. So far, I have lost 6 pounds. I swear, every day is a challenge, and these past two days I have made HORRIBLE choices. Oh well...I can't dwell on that.