SueMiller
Six months flew by
Apr 20, 2008
Wow... 6 months flew by. I only came by here to get info on gallbladder issues after WLS but I'll quickly update while I'm here.
Weight loss came to a halt around Sept or Oct (about 7 months out). I hovered between 178 and 183 for months. I wasn't getting any exercise after Oct because my gardening days were done for the season. Although I have a free gym membership I never go. I was looking so forward to this year's gardening when my feet were knocked out from under me.
On Feb 24th, 2008 - - one day after my WLS year anniversary - - I got appendicitis. It was a Sunday and I held on with the pain till Tuesday. I went to urgent care and was misdiagnosed with diverticulitis. I was put on a week of antibiotics. Two days after I finished them the pain came back. By the next day my Mom had finally convinced me to go to the ER. I really just thought I was constipated or had really bad gas pains or that it was just a post WLS symptom. I was so wrong.
That Saturday, 13 days after the onset of pain, I got a CT Scan (instead of just sending me home with antibiotics like the ER doc originally planned to do) and it showed I had a horrible case of appendicitis. The previous week's antibiotics kept me from going 'septic' but the problem grew nonetheless. I was put in the hospital and had emergency surgery the next day, Sunday, March 9th. My appendix had inflamed and wrapped around my colon and started leaking pus into my bloodstream. So, it was removed as well as part of my colon (called a bowel resection).
I was in the hospital 8 days. Went home and went back for 4 days after horrible pain. It was a bowel obstruction. My surgeon would only x-ray me vs. CT Scan and said I was fine and 'unkinked' and sent me home.
Six hours later I was in pain and went to a local hospital near my parents' house. They x-rayed me, gave me valium and a stool softener, and an enema. I blew it out at the hospital and then went back to Mom and Dad's. They sent me home with a laxative to drink. I was in pain already and once I took the laxative I was dying. Shortly after that I was in an ambulance screaming in pain on the way back to my original hospital.
I was finally scanned and told I have a bowel obstruction. The next day, April 1st, I had surgery to remove nearly 3 feet of scar tissue from my colon that was causing the kink (obstruction). It was a 5 1/2 hour surgery. I ended up in the ICU several hours later because my heart rate was so high. ICU was a terrible experience with mean nurses (at least in the beginning). After a few days I was back in a regular hospital bed. After a total of 8 days I went back home.
Not too long after that I had pain again and went to the ER. I was scanned and told I had an abscess on my colon. My original surgeon looked at the films and said he thought it was a blood clot (hematoma). So I went into the hospital for another six days. Antibiotics shrunk the mass down and therefore I didn't have it drained. I also had an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy done (after a GI doc looked at my scans) but all came back normal. The GI doc had originally said that my gallbladder looked a little distended but my surgeon said it was normal because that's what happens when you're starving. (I hurt after eating 2 bites, would get very full, and become nauseated so I ate very little). He said when they want to look at a gallbladder they starve the patient in order to distend the organ in order to see it better.
But... I have been home 3 days and I'm still in pain. My surgeon is arranging a 2nd opinion with my WLS surgeon who also deals with gallbladders, hernias, etc. Hopefully I'll have some answers this week.
It's so weird to have no issues after WLS and then have a horrible run these last couple of months.
Anyway...I'm tired. That's all for now.
Oh yeah... I've lost 19 or so pounds since March 9th due to this whole saga.
Weight loss came to a halt around Sept or Oct (about 7 months out). I hovered between 178 and 183 for months. I wasn't getting any exercise after Oct because my gardening days were done for the season. Although I have a free gym membership I never go. I was looking so forward to this year's gardening when my feet were knocked out from under me.
On Feb 24th, 2008 - - one day after my WLS year anniversary - - I got appendicitis. It was a Sunday and I held on with the pain till Tuesday. I went to urgent care and was misdiagnosed with diverticulitis. I was put on a week of antibiotics. Two days after I finished them the pain came back. By the next day my Mom had finally convinced me to go to the ER. I really just thought I was constipated or had really bad gas pains or that it was just a post WLS symptom. I was so wrong.
That Saturday, 13 days after the onset of pain, I got a CT Scan (instead of just sending me home with antibiotics like the ER doc originally planned to do) and it showed I had a horrible case of appendicitis. The previous week's antibiotics kept me from going 'septic' but the problem grew nonetheless. I was put in the hospital and had emergency surgery the next day, Sunday, March 9th. My appendix had inflamed and wrapped around my colon and started leaking pus into my bloodstream. So, it was removed as well as part of my colon (called a bowel resection).
I was in the hospital 8 days. Went home and went back for 4 days after horrible pain. It was a bowel obstruction. My surgeon would only x-ray me vs. CT Scan and said I was fine and 'unkinked' and sent me home.
Six hours later I was in pain and went to a local hospital near my parents' house. They x-rayed me, gave me valium and a stool softener, and an enema. I blew it out at the hospital and then went back to Mom and Dad's. They sent me home with a laxative to drink. I was in pain already and once I took the laxative I was dying. Shortly after that I was in an ambulance screaming in pain on the way back to my original hospital.
I was finally scanned and told I have a bowel obstruction. The next day, April 1st, I had surgery to remove nearly 3 feet of scar tissue from my colon that was causing the kink (obstruction). It was a 5 1/2 hour surgery. I ended up in the ICU several hours later because my heart rate was so high. ICU was a terrible experience with mean nurses (at least in the beginning). After a few days I was back in a regular hospital bed. After a total of 8 days I went back home.
Not too long after that I had pain again and went to the ER. I was scanned and told I had an abscess on my colon. My original surgeon looked at the films and said he thought it was a blood clot (hematoma). So I went into the hospital for another six days. Antibiotics shrunk the mass down and therefore I didn't have it drained. I also had an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy done (after a GI doc looked at my scans) but all came back normal. The GI doc had originally said that my gallbladder looked a little distended but my surgeon said it was normal because that's what happens when you're starving. (I hurt after eating 2 bites, would get very full, and become nauseated so I ate very little). He said when they want to look at a gallbladder they starve the patient in order to distend the organ in order to see it better.
But... I have been home 3 days and I'm still in pain. My surgeon is arranging a 2nd opinion with my WLS surgeon who also deals with gallbladders, hernias, etc. Hopefully I'll have some answers this week.
It's so weird to have no issues after WLS and then have a horrible run these last couple of months.
Anyway...I'm tired. That's all for now.
Oh yeah... I've lost 19 or so pounds since March 9th due to this whole saga.
Almost 8 months out...
Oct 18, 2007
I logged on today and was surprised to see that it's been 3 and a half months since I last was here. I can't believe how fast time has gone. When you're waiting to get surgery it seem like time just crawls.
I've been tired lately and depressed for almost two months. I saw my psychiatrist about two weeks into it and she upped one of my meds. After a few weeks I wasn't getting better, maybe even worse. I couldn't wait two weeks till my next appointment and she was able to squeeze me in. She said she thought that I may not be absorbing one of my antidepressants because it's in a capsule. Since the day after surgery I have opened the capsule and poured it in my mouth. So, apparently the little granules are not breaking down as they should and my serotonin got low. She started me on a different med the next day and I started feeling better that same day! And it's been 6 days so far and I feel like my old self. So...that taught me a lesson about capsules and granules.
I'm still working in the yard a lot. I have a bunch of projects going on at once - - none finished. (Typical for ADHD.) I was almost finished with a long term project last night and I was so proud that it was actually coming to fruition - - but things didn't go as planned.
I was hanging privacy curtains on my back porch (that's not screened in) and it took a long time to get to this point. I went through lots of ideas (over the last 3 years) and recently tried out some ideas and they weren't working. The challenge was to find inexpensive curtains to cover a 15 foot width on my porch back opening. So I had to also find a drapery pole that was 15 feet long that was all one piece that I didn't have to support in the middle. I finally reached a solution of using canvas drop cloths from home depot (3 panels to cover 15 feet) with a 16 foot wood pole and end sockets (for mounting).
I put up the canvas drop cloths with clothespins to just see how it would look and give myself some semi privacy till I could get them up properly. It hardly rained all summer but it rained for a few days after pinning these up. They mildewed almost immediately. I sprayed clorox on them but it didn't help. My mom, who came up with the drop cloth idea, said to soak them in bleach + water. So I did. They each had to be soaked individually for several hours, or overnight. The mildew came out! The bleach lightened the curtains a little and one of them came out not matching the others so I had to soak it again overnight.
I know this is more than you care to know, but I want to vent.
My mom also said to find 'water repellent' to spray on the curtains to prevent the mildew again. I found the spray at walmart and tested it out. I let it sit on a square foot area on the curtain and waited till it had cured overnight. I sprayed water on it the next day and voila! The water beaded up where I sprayed but soaked the unsprayed area. So I ironed each of the curtains to get all the wrinkles out before spraying each one, on both sides, one at a time. You can see how this project is time-consuming, huh?
So...the curtains have been ready for about two weeks and I just needed to get the pole and accessories. I didn't know how I was going to get a 16 foot pole home without killing someone. My mom came to my aid again and we were able to strap it to her SUV luggage rack, no problem. I was able to find the wood end sockets and wood drapery rings with clips. I was so happy.
So, a couple of days ago I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel as I sanded, primed and painted all the pieces. I wasn't happy with the final color and had to go over each piece with a dry brush technique to give it some color and interest. On the pole I put too much on a few areas and had to use alcohol to wipe it off. Then when I tried to go back and redo them it overlapped the existing areas and looked weird. I had to spray paint the whole pole again and start fresh! And I couldn't quite get the dry brush paint formula (color) right to match the end sockets and rings I had already finished. Finally, I got it to a place I could live with and prepared to hang it all up.
Mind you... I had to figure the measurements exactly so that the curtains would fall to the floor, but not puddle. That was a nightmare in itself. I tested it many times with the pole in the unmounted sockets between the two posts (down low where I could work with it). And one post was a little askew so the pole couldn't end up flush with the post so I had to cut it at a angle. It took several times to get it right because I didn't want to saw off too much and not be able to go back. So, I finally got the end sockets up and secure and then went for the pole. I get to the top of the ladder with this huge pole and I'm struggling to get it in the sockets and I find that it doesn't fit. It doesn't come close. The pole is short by a few inches.
It just didn't make sense. How could this be? I hopped down and checked the pole between the two posts (down low) accounting for the fact that I couldn't check it with the end sockets as they were already mounted up high. All looked good. I went back up the ladder and tried the pole again (like something had magically changed?). It didn't fit. I just couldn't believe I had come this far to have it not work. If the pole had been too long by a few inches it would have been an easy fix. But when it's too short, you have to start over with a new pole. It turns out that the width between the poles is larger at the top vs. the bottom. I wouldn't have thought to measure up at the top, in case it was different from the bottom. And I really couldn't measure it, even now, unless I have another person and another ladder to hold the tape measure.
I was disgusted and just dropped everything and came inside. I fixed two packets of grits with lots of butter to comfort myself. It only helped a little. I felt defeated.
Eventually I went outside and moved my saw and other items under the porch cover, in case it rained (which it hardly ever does). I woke up this morning and it had rained a lot. I forgot to bring in a couple of tools and I hope they are not ruined. But worse is that I forgot to bring the curtains in from the fence that they were draped on. They were soaked and bunched up and had blown off the fence into a grassy but muddy area. I guess the water repellent only works to a point. I was just like, "Well...that just tops everything." I brought them inside and started drying them one by one on a low temp (hoping to prevent removing the water repellent treatment). Right now the third one is being dried and I hope I don't have to re-treat them.
I told my mom my tragedy last night and she said that we'll just have to get another pole. But I'm taking a few days off, out of disgust, and for my birthday. I'll be 39 on Saturday.
Yay...I'm not fat like I was for my 38th birthday!
Weight loss has averaged 10 pounds a month and slowed down after 6 months. Still losing, but slowly. I'm down to 179 - 9 pounds from a normal BMI. A total loss of 88 pounds. It feels good. I'll post the stats later.
I had my second 3 month checkup with my doc and all seems to be well. Bloodwork is good, like last time.
I started losing hair at about 5-6 months. It was a lot in the beginning but has slowed somewhat. I have lots of hair so it's not too noticeable. At the same time I was losing hair I started growing new hair around the hairline. So it kind of compensated for the loss. Hopefully this will come to an end soon.
My doc said if I didn't lose another pound he'd be happy. He said they don't like to have patients lose all the weight because of skin issues, and something else that I don't remember, but that he knows that women like to lose all the weight. He also said that from this point on any weight I lose will have to be like everyone else: diet and exercise. I was surprised. I thought I had 12-18 months for that to happen! We'll see. I haven't lost anything for a couple of weeks and it would be great to lose a little more and know that I still can lose and that the doc is wrong.
As far as skin issues... After losing about 70 pounds I noticed that my skin was wrinkly. It's not bad, but it makes my skin look older than it is. I have very minor bat wings that probably aren't noticeable to anyone else. My stomach still has a small pooch and is very wrinkly. I don't have an apron or too much extra skin so I can't complain. But it does look weird and I don't look forward to a future mate getting an eye-full of it. It's below the bikini line so it's hide-able all the time, except when I'm nude. I did get in a bikini this summer and go down to the pool twice. That's the first time in the three summers I have lived here and been paying HOA dues. So that was a milestone for me.
We also had a family portrait done recently and I would have refused to be part of it a year ago. The pictures turned out pretty good, although I can see that 9 pounds makes a difference. If I get down to 170 I'll look normal in pictures. Right now I look normal walking around, it's just pictures that make me feel like I'm not a small as I thought. But it'll come and I'm satisfied at this weight if I never lost another pound.
Later...
I've been tired lately and depressed for almost two months. I saw my psychiatrist about two weeks into it and she upped one of my meds. After a few weeks I wasn't getting better, maybe even worse. I couldn't wait two weeks till my next appointment and she was able to squeeze me in. She said she thought that I may not be absorbing one of my antidepressants because it's in a capsule. Since the day after surgery I have opened the capsule and poured it in my mouth. So, apparently the little granules are not breaking down as they should and my serotonin got low. She started me on a different med the next day and I started feeling better that same day! And it's been 6 days so far and I feel like my old self. So...that taught me a lesson about capsules and granules.
I'm still working in the yard a lot. I have a bunch of projects going on at once - - none finished. (Typical for ADHD.) I was almost finished with a long term project last night and I was so proud that it was actually coming to fruition - - but things didn't go as planned.
I was hanging privacy curtains on my back porch (that's not screened in) and it took a long time to get to this point. I went through lots of ideas (over the last 3 years) and recently tried out some ideas and they weren't working. The challenge was to find inexpensive curtains to cover a 15 foot width on my porch back opening. So I had to also find a drapery pole that was 15 feet long that was all one piece that I didn't have to support in the middle. I finally reached a solution of using canvas drop cloths from home depot (3 panels to cover 15 feet) with a 16 foot wood pole and end sockets (for mounting).
I put up the canvas drop cloths with clothespins to just see how it would look and give myself some semi privacy till I could get them up properly. It hardly rained all summer but it rained for a few days after pinning these up. They mildewed almost immediately. I sprayed clorox on them but it didn't help. My mom, who came up with the drop cloth idea, said to soak them in bleach + water. So I did. They each had to be soaked individually for several hours, or overnight. The mildew came out! The bleach lightened the curtains a little and one of them came out not matching the others so I had to soak it again overnight.
I know this is more than you care to know, but I want to vent.
My mom also said to find 'water repellent' to spray on the curtains to prevent the mildew again. I found the spray at walmart and tested it out. I let it sit on a square foot area on the curtain and waited till it had cured overnight. I sprayed water on it the next day and voila! The water beaded up where I sprayed but soaked the unsprayed area. So I ironed each of the curtains to get all the wrinkles out before spraying each one, on both sides, one at a time. You can see how this project is time-consuming, huh?
So...the curtains have been ready for about two weeks and I just needed to get the pole and accessories. I didn't know how I was going to get a 16 foot pole home without killing someone. My mom came to my aid again and we were able to strap it to her SUV luggage rack, no problem. I was able to find the wood end sockets and wood drapery rings with clips. I was so happy.
So, a couple of days ago I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel as I sanded, primed and painted all the pieces. I wasn't happy with the final color and had to go over each piece with a dry brush technique to give it some color and interest. On the pole I put too much on a few areas and had to use alcohol to wipe it off. Then when I tried to go back and redo them it overlapped the existing areas and looked weird. I had to spray paint the whole pole again and start fresh! And I couldn't quite get the dry brush paint formula (color) right to match the end sockets and rings I had already finished. Finally, I got it to a place I could live with and prepared to hang it all up.
Mind you... I had to figure the measurements exactly so that the curtains would fall to the floor, but not puddle. That was a nightmare in itself. I tested it many times with the pole in the unmounted sockets between the two posts (down low where I could work with it). And one post was a little askew so the pole couldn't end up flush with the post so I had to cut it at a angle. It took several times to get it right because I didn't want to saw off too much and not be able to go back. So, I finally got the end sockets up and secure and then went for the pole. I get to the top of the ladder with this huge pole and I'm struggling to get it in the sockets and I find that it doesn't fit. It doesn't come close. The pole is short by a few inches.
It just didn't make sense. How could this be? I hopped down and checked the pole between the two posts (down low) accounting for the fact that I couldn't check it with the end sockets as they were already mounted up high. All looked good. I went back up the ladder and tried the pole again (like something had magically changed?). It didn't fit. I just couldn't believe I had come this far to have it not work. If the pole had been too long by a few inches it would have been an easy fix. But when it's too short, you have to start over with a new pole. It turns out that the width between the poles is larger at the top vs. the bottom. I wouldn't have thought to measure up at the top, in case it was different from the bottom. And I really couldn't measure it, even now, unless I have another person and another ladder to hold the tape measure.
I was disgusted and just dropped everything and came inside. I fixed two packets of grits with lots of butter to comfort myself. It only helped a little. I felt defeated.
Eventually I went outside and moved my saw and other items under the porch cover, in case it rained (which it hardly ever does). I woke up this morning and it had rained a lot. I forgot to bring in a couple of tools and I hope they are not ruined. But worse is that I forgot to bring the curtains in from the fence that they were draped on. They were soaked and bunched up and had blown off the fence into a grassy but muddy area. I guess the water repellent only works to a point. I was just like, "Well...that just tops everything." I brought them inside and started drying them one by one on a low temp (hoping to prevent removing the water repellent treatment). Right now the third one is being dried and I hope I don't have to re-treat them.
I told my mom my tragedy last night and she said that we'll just have to get another pole. But I'm taking a few days off, out of disgust, and for my birthday. I'll be 39 on Saturday.
Yay...I'm not fat like I was for my 38th birthday!
Weight loss has averaged 10 pounds a month and slowed down after 6 months. Still losing, but slowly. I'm down to 179 - 9 pounds from a normal BMI. A total loss of 88 pounds. It feels good. I'll post the stats later.
I had my second 3 month checkup with my doc and all seems to be well. Bloodwork is good, like last time.
I started losing hair at about 5-6 months. It was a lot in the beginning but has slowed somewhat. I have lots of hair so it's not too noticeable. At the same time I was losing hair I started growing new hair around the hairline. So it kind of compensated for the loss. Hopefully this will come to an end soon.
My doc said if I didn't lose another pound he'd be happy. He said they don't like to have patients lose all the weight because of skin issues, and something else that I don't remember, but that he knows that women like to lose all the weight. He also said that from this point on any weight I lose will have to be like everyone else: diet and exercise. I was surprised. I thought I had 12-18 months for that to happen! We'll see. I haven't lost anything for a couple of weeks and it would be great to lose a little more and know that I still can lose and that the doc is wrong.
As far as skin issues... After losing about 70 pounds I noticed that my skin was wrinkly. It's not bad, but it makes my skin look older than it is. I have very minor bat wings that probably aren't noticeable to anyone else. My stomach still has a small pooch and is very wrinkly. I don't have an apron or too much extra skin so I can't complain. But it does look weird and I don't look forward to a future mate getting an eye-full of it. It's below the bikini line so it's hide-able all the time, except when I'm nude. I did get in a bikini this summer and go down to the pool twice. That's the first time in the three summers I have lived here and been paying HOA dues. So that was a milestone for me.
We also had a family portrait done recently and I would have refused to be part of it a year ago. The pictures turned out pretty good, although I can see that 9 pounds makes a difference. If I get down to 170 I'll look normal in pictures. Right now I look normal walking around, it's just pictures that make me feel like I'm not a small as I thought. But it'll come and I'm satisfied at this weight if I never lost another pound.
Later...
18 Weeks out
Jul 01, 2007
Wow...it's been almost a month since I last updated. Time is going so fast. My 4 month appointment with my doc would've been a couple of weeks ago but the office rescheduled because he went out of town. And then I had to reschedule. So I see him July 5th.
There is just not a whole lot new going on. Except that I haven't lost as much this past month. I stayed at my parents' house (at the lake) about 1/2 the time this last month and it probably has made a difference in the weight loss. I end up eating stuff I don't normally eat (sweets) and get less exercise since I'm not working hours and hours in my yard. I think I lost about 6 pounds in the last month as opposed to 12 the previous month. Maybe it's time for a stall anyway, but I think it has more to do with the lifestyle change in the last month. Until you see it on paper (tracking my weight and activity) you don't realize how good or not so good you're doing. It's definitely a wakeup call. But...I will say that I haven't suffered at all in the last month and I still lost weight. That would have never happened in my pre-wls life!
Another good thing is that I'm not obsessed about the weight. Yes, I get on the scale every day (unless I'm at my parents' house) but I don't get that 'down' feeling I used to get if I'm not losing enough (in my mind). I just kind of monitor what's going on by getting on the scale every day but don't fret about it.
Yesterday I finally went through my closet to find out what fits and what doesn't. It was a fun experience to pull out all the things that don't fit me at all anymore. Some of the clothes from my last job (2002) are fitting now. I weigh 1 pound less than my highest weight at that job. [I'm in the 100's - Yay!] I lost 30 pounds in last few months at that job and bought a lot of clothes to fit my 170 pound frame. I didn't get to wear them long before I went on disability and ended up gaining 100+ pounds over the last 5 years. So...those '170 pound' clothes have to wait a little longer. Most of them are like new and some still have tags on them. They all have a little dust on them from hanging out in the closet for 5 years! I have so many more choices now and it's not depressing to get dressed to leave the house now. I used to wear the same thing all the time (see my black pants story) and now I have several things already in my arsenal to choose from. I'm not interested in buying new clothes since I won't wear them for long if I continue to lose weight - - and I will. So...what I've got now will do just fine.
I'm trying to get more stuff done inside the house right now (i.e., the closet) instead of gardening all the time. I prefer gardening (no matter how hot it gets) but I've really got to get my house under control. When I moved into this house almost 3 years ago I was sooo sick that I needed a wheelchair at the airport when flying back to Tucson to see my doctors (and visit my parents). My health has slowly progressed over the years to where I am now - - much, much, much better (especially after surgery). What happened in the meantime is that I sat in a recliner for three years, just existing. Standing up was so difficult (because of my dysautonomia) so I stayed seated or lying down most of the time. If I had the energy or health to do anything, it was going to be fun: gardening. Therefore, my house suffered. What's worse is that I never completely unpacked when I moved here! I used to not make excuses for it because I was so sick and everyone could just 'kiss it' because they weren't walking in my shoes (or sitting in my recliner). Now I have no excuse. I've enjoyed the past few months post-wls actually having a life or working in the yard. Now I really have to buckle down and do what I don't want to do and have been putting off for nearly 3 years. I am starting with my room/bathroom/closet and finishing it. I have ADHD so I normally start something and then move to another thing before finishing the first. I'm working hard to finish this first project before going back outside in the yard or moving on to a different room. It sounds simple, but it's hard for me. And I am so disorganized and cluttered. Just the little bit I've done so far for the past two days has made me feel 'lighter'. Clutter and crap can really weigh you down. I don't want anything holding me back now that I'm getting my life back after 5 years! Also...I'm highly motivated now because if I venture out and get a social life, I'm gonna have to have a home I can let people visit. It's a huge undertaking. Pray for me! :)
P.S. The dermatologist said to forget the Robinul (to stop my excessive sweating) since it was exacerbating my dysautonomia. I had Botox injected into my armpits 9 days ago. I'm not sure it's working yet. She said it should take a week. In the meantime she's seeking insurance approval for other areas.
Here's the latest stats:
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Week 8 (221.5) - 2 pounds
Week 9 (220.5) - 1 pound
Week 10 (217.0) - 3.5 pounds
Week 11 (212.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 12 (211.5) - 1 pound
Week 13 (210.0) - 1.5 pounds
Week 14 (205.0) - 5 pounds
Week 15 (203.0) - 2 pounds
Week 16 (203.0) - 0 pounds - Yikes!
Week 17 (201.0) - 2 pounds
Week 18 (199.0) - 2 pounds
Total - 53.5 pounds down since surgery (Feb 23)
68.0 from my highest weight (Jan 2)
There is just not a whole lot new going on. Except that I haven't lost as much this past month. I stayed at my parents' house (at the lake) about 1/2 the time this last month and it probably has made a difference in the weight loss. I end up eating stuff I don't normally eat (sweets) and get less exercise since I'm not working hours and hours in my yard. I think I lost about 6 pounds in the last month as opposed to 12 the previous month. Maybe it's time for a stall anyway, but I think it has more to do with the lifestyle change in the last month. Until you see it on paper (tracking my weight and activity) you don't realize how good or not so good you're doing. It's definitely a wakeup call. But...I will say that I haven't suffered at all in the last month and I still lost weight. That would have never happened in my pre-wls life!
Another good thing is that I'm not obsessed about the weight. Yes, I get on the scale every day (unless I'm at my parents' house) but I don't get that 'down' feeling I used to get if I'm not losing enough (in my mind). I just kind of monitor what's going on by getting on the scale every day but don't fret about it.
Yesterday I finally went through my closet to find out what fits and what doesn't. It was a fun experience to pull out all the things that don't fit me at all anymore. Some of the clothes from my last job (2002) are fitting now. I weigh 1 pound less than my highest weight at that job. [I'm in the 100's - Yay!] I lost 30 pounds in last few months at that job and bought a lot of clothes to fit my 170 pound frame. I didn't get to wear them long before I went on disability and ended up gaining 100+ pounds over the last 5 years. So...those '170 pound' clothes have to wait a little longer. Most of them are like new and some still have tags on them. They all have a little dust on them from hanging out in the closet for 5 years! I have so many more choices now and it's not depressing to get dressed to leave the house now. I used to wear the same thing all the time (see my black pants story) and now I have several things already in my arsenal to choose from. I'm not interested in buying new clothes since I won't wear them for long if I continue to lose weight - - and I will. So...what I've got now will do just fine.
I'm trying to get more stuff done inside the house right now (i.e., the closet) instead of gardening all the time. I prefer gardening (no matter how hot it gets) but I've really got to get my house under control. When I moved into this house almost 3 years ago I was sooo sick that I needed a wheelchair at the airport when flying back to Tucson to see my doctors (and visit my parents). My health has slowly progressed over the years to where I am now - - much, much, much better (especially after surgery). What happened in the meantime is that I sat in a recliner for three years, just existing. Standing up was so difficult (because of my dysautonomia) so I stayed seated or lying down most of the time. If I had the energy or health to do anything, it was going to be fun: gardening. Therefore, my house suffered. What's worse is that I never completely unpacked when I moved here! I used to not make excuses for it because I was so sick and everyone could just 'kiss it' because they weren't walking in my shoes (or sitting in my recliner). Now I have no excuse. I've enjoyed the past few months post-wls actually having a life or working in the yard. Now I really have to buckle down and do what I don't want to do and have been putting off for nearly 3 years. I am starting with my room/bathroom/closet and finishing it. I have ADHD so I normally start something and then move to another thing before finishing the first. I'm working hard to finish this first project before going back outside in the yard or moving on to a different room. It sounds simple, but it's hard for me. And I am so disorganized and cluttered. Just the little bit I've done so far for the past two days has made me feel 'lighter'. Clutter and crap can really weigh you down. I don't want anything holding me back now that I'm getting my life back after 5 years! Also...I'm highly motivated now because if I venture out and get a social life, I'm gonna have to have a home I can let people visit. It's a huge undertaking. Pray for me! :)
P.S. The dermatologist said to forget the Robinul (to stop my excessive sweating) since it was exacerbating my dysautonomia. I had Botox injected into my armpits 9 days ago. I'm not sure it's working yet. She said it should take a week. In the meantime she's seeking insurance approval for other areas.
Here's the latest stats:
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Week 8 (221.5) - 2 pounds
Week 9 (220.5) - 1 pound
Week 10 (217.0) - 3.5 pounds
Week 11 (212.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 12 (211.5) - 1 pound
Week 13 (210.0) - 1.5 pounds
Week 14 (205.0) - 5 pounds
Week 15 (203.0) - 2 pounds
Week 16 (203.0) - 0 pounds - Yikes!
Week 17 (201.0) - 2 pounds
Week 18 (199.0) - 2 pounds
Total - 53.5 pounds down since surgery (Feb 23)
68.0 from my highest weight (Jan 2)
14 1/2 weeks out
Jun 05, 2007
Hi. I had the family reunion from Wed-Sun this last week. It went well. It was great to spend time with my brother and niece. I had more energy this visit than I had in years. Unfortunately, I ate a lot of crap during the reunion so I didn't feel as good as I could have.
I haven't really 'dumped' yet. At about 3 months out I started trying more adventurous things. I had a small candy bar. It didn't taste so great (as a lot of things don't after surgery) and I didn't dump. I didn't feel great afterward but I never did before surgery after eating junk. So...I tried a small piece of cheesecake. No problems. I had some Twizzlers. No problems. I made a huge batch of oatmeal raisin cookies for the reunion. I tried the dough, which is just about my favorite thing on earth to eat. It tasted like heaven, just as I remembered it. I couldn't eat much (like how I used to eat dough) because I felt gross. Well, throughout the reunion I tried all kinds of sweet things. Sometimes I felt like I had a stomach ache or kind of 'sicky' but I never got truly sick. I got really sleepy and lethargic though. So that's my 'dumping' if you can call it that. My blood sugar would spike and drop and I'd feel kinda crappy but not the typical 'dumping' feeling that I've heard described (and seen first hand with my Mom).
I'm back home and back to eating normal. Which I prefer. The taste of the sweets were not worth the crappy feeling and low energy. The sweets just didn't taste as good as they used to...but still, I couldn't help myself. Just like the 'old' me. Which is kind of scary. I know that old habits and cravings don't necessarily change after WLS - - but we're given a tool to help us get the weight off and keep it off. I don't want to go back to the old me. I feel so much better when I eat healthier and I really want to make that my goal and focus. I won't deny myself little treats now and then, but I won't make them a regular part of my life.
For once I wasn't totally embarrassed by my weight to attend a family gathering. It felt good to be more than 50 pounds lighter than I was at Thanksgiving. And I'm still very overweight! It's funny how you can feel 'skinny' while overweight once you've lost 50+ pounds.
And the stats...
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Week 8 (221.5) - 2 pounds
Week 9 (220.5) - 1 pound
Week 10 (217.0) - 3.5 pounds
Week 11 (212.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 12 (211.5) - 1 pound
Week 13 (210.0) - 1.5 pounds
Week 14 (205.0) - 5 pounds
Total - 47.5 pounds down since surgery (Feb 23)
62.0 from my highest weight (Jan 2)
I haven't really 'dumped' yet. At about 3 months out I started trying more adventurous things. I had a small candy bar. It didn't taste so great (as a lot of things don't after surgery) and I didn't dump. I didn't feel great afterward but I never did before surgery after eating junk. So...I tried a small piece of cheesecake. No problems. I had some Twizzlers. No problems. I made a huge batch of oatmeal raisin cookies for the reunion. I tried the dough, which is just about my favorite thing on earth to eat. It tasted like heaven, just as I remembered it. I couldn't eat much (like how I used to eat dough) because I felt gross. Well, throughout the reunion I tried all kinds of sweet things. Sometimes I felt like I had a stomach ache or kind of 'sicky' but I never got truly sick. I got really sleepy and lethargic though. So that's my 'dumping' if you can call it that. My blood sugar would spike and drop and I'd feel kinda crappy but not the typical 'dumping' feeling that I've heard described (and seen first hand with my Mom).
I'm back home and back to eating normal. Which I prefer. The taste of the sweets were not worth the crappy feeling and low energy. The sweets just didn't taste as good as they used to...but still, I couldn't help myself. Just like the 'old' me. Which is kind of scary. I know that old habits and cravings don't necessarily change after WLS - - but we're given a tool to help us get the weight off and keep it off. I don't want to go back to the old me. I feel so much better when I eat healthier and I really want to make that my goal and focus. I won't deny myself little treats now and then, but I won't make them a regular part of my life.
For once I wasn't totally embarrassed by my weight to attend a family gathering. It felt good to be more than 50 pounds lighter than I was at Thanksgiving. And I'm still very overweight! It's funny how you can feel 'skinny' while overweight once you've lost 50+ pounds.
And the stats...
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Week 8 (221.5) - 2 pounds
Week 9 (220.5) - 1 pound
Week 10 (217.0) - 3.5 pounds
Week 11 (212.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 12 (211.5) - 1 pound
Week 13 (210.0) - 1.5 pounds
Week 14 (205.0) - 5 pounds
Total - 47.5 pounds down since surgery (Feb 23)
62.0 from my highest weight (Jan 2)
13 1/2 weeks out
May 29, 2007
I haven't updated in a couple of weeks. Weight hasn't moved much and life is about the same - - not much to write about.
As an aside...
I have an extreme sweating problem (hyperhidrosis) which has been bothersome enough over the years that I listed it as a chief complaint to my rheumatologist about 3 years ago. That's when she said she thought I had POTS. She was an extremely smart doctor and very compassionate. Unfortunately, she's in Tucson and I'm in Alabama. Anyway...she sent me to a cardiologist to get tested for POTS via a 'tilt table test'. She said if I have POTS the hyperhidrosis is easy to fix with beta blockers. Well, I tested positive for POTS and have been on beta blockers for nearly 3 years. The hyperhidrosis is the same - - but worse now that I live in a humid environment.
I know its not related to my weight (as sweating sometimes is) as this started in college over 15 years ago when I was 150-160 pounds (at 5'10").
So last week I went to my dermatologist to get some answers (as I found she is listed on the International Hyperhidrosis Society website). I mentioned that I have lost over 50 pounds but that it has not made a difference in the sweating. I knew that there are some treatments for hyperhidrosis but not many and many are unsuccessful. She recommended Robinul to 'dry' me up. It's an 'anticholinergic' similar to detrol (for overactive bladders). I've taken both detrol and vesicare for my overactive bladder but didn't have the good side effect of less sweating. I agreed to try the Robinul although it would cause terrible dry mouth and blurry vision. I would see her two weeks later and see how it worked and in the meantime she would be trying to get botox shots approved by my insurance. One of the treatments for HH is botox! It's good for people that have 'focal' HH in specific areas (i.e., underarms, feet, hands...). My HH is generalized so I have it all over. And I mean ALL over. It's annoying and embarrassing.
I tried the Robinul the night after my doctor appt. and it made me feel horrible. Like I was having a POTS attack. I was also drowsy. The next day I went to my Mom's house to help her around the house (for a family reunion this week) but I was too fatigued and just laid on the floor. That night I took the Robinul and woke up the next day with the fatigue and POTS feeling again. I had a lot to do and it was very depressing to feel like the 'old' me. Up until the day before surgery I had bad POTS symptoms. I've been fine ever since surgery except for one POTS attack about 6 weeks after surgery. Since the 'old' me was only 13 weeks ago, it is still fresh enough to feel depressed if I feel 'POTSY'. Like the surgery didn't work on it and the good feeling and energy (a.k.a. 'health') was just a 3 month post-op fluke.
I stopped the Robinul after those two doses and have felt fine since. I have this reunion this week and can't afford to be sick. I haven't seen my brother and niece since Thanksgiving and am so excited. This will be the first time I've felt 'up' for a family visit in nearly 4 years. I used to look forward to them, but dread them at the same time because I knew I would feel like ka-ka the whole time and then worse the following week. So there was no way Robinul was going to rob me of my health and joy this week! I'll deal with it next week or when I see the doctor again.
That's all... Outside of Robinul I've felt pretty good. Same as before: I work, work, work in the yard, I get tired and rest and then work, work, work. So I have about 1-2 'down' days a week. Compared to 7 days a week, I'll take it! The Robinul experience really showed me HOW sick I was before surgery. I mean, I knew it, of course... But I was used to it and I pushed myself on. Now that I feel so much better, going back to the 'sick' me is a terrible experience. But it reminds me of how far I've come and how grateful I am. It also reminds me of how sick I really was even though I didn't 'look' sick. That's one of the hardest things about POTS... Looking relatively normal to other people (including family) when you feel like you're dying. And they say stupid things like, "You just need to exercise to get your energy up." That's when I would like to say (but don't), "Kiss my A$$. You don't have a clue!"
Here's the latest weight stats:
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Week 8 (221.5) - 2 pounds
Week 9 (220.5) - 1 pound
Week 10 (217.0) - 3.5 pounds
Week 11 (212.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 12 (211.5) - 1 pound
Week 13 (210.0) - 1.5 pounds
Week 14 (208.0) - 2 pounds (so far)
Total - 44.5 pounds down since surgery
59.0 from my highest weight
Later gators.
As an aside...
I have an extreme sweating problem (hyperhidrosis) which has been bothersome enough over the years that I listed it as a chief complaint to my rheumatologist about 3 years ago. That's when she said she thought I had POTS. She was an extremely smart doctor and very compassionate. Unfortunately, she's in Tucson and I'm in Alabama. Anyway...she sent me to a cardiologist to get tested for POTS via a 'tilt table test'. She said if I have POTS the hyperhidrosis is easy to fix with beta blockers. Well, I tested positive for POTS and have been on beta blockers for nearly 3 years. The hyperhidrosis is the same - - but worse now that I live in a humid environment.
I know its not related to my weight (as sweating sometimes is) as this started in college over 15 years ago when I was 150-160 pounds (at 5'10").
So last week I went to my dermatologist to get some answers (as I found she is listed on the International Hyperhidrosis Society website). I mentioned that I have lost over 50 pounds but that it has not made a difference in the sweating. I knew that there are some treatments for hyperhidrosis but not many and many are unsuccessful. She recommended Robinul to 'dry' me up. It's an 'anticholinergic' similar to detrol (for overactive bladders). I've taken both detrol and vesicare for my overactive bladder but didn't have the good side effect of less sweating. I agreed to try the Robinul although it would cause terrible dry mouth and blurry vision. I would see her two weeks later and see how it worked and in the meantime she would be trying to get botox shots approved by my insurance. One of the treatments for HH is botox! It's good for people that have 'focal' HH in specific areas (i.e., underarms, feet, hands...). My HH is generalized so I have it all over. And I mean ALL over. It's annoying and embarrassing.
I tried the Robinul the night after my doctor appt. and it made me feel horrible. Like I was having a POTS attack. I was also drowsy. The next day I went to my Mom's house to help her around the house (for a family reunion this week) but I was too fatigued and just laid on the floor. That night I took the Robinul and woke up the next day with the fatigue and POTS feeling again. I had a lot to do and it was very depressing to feel like the 'old' me. Up until the day before surgery I had bad POTS symptoms. I've been fine ever since surgery except for one POTS attack about 6 weeks after surgery. Since the 'old' me was only 13 weeks ago, it is still fresh enough to feel depressed if I feel 'POTSY'. Like the surgery didn't work on it and the good feeling and energy (a.k.a. 'health') was just a 3 month post-op fluke.
I stopped the Robinul after those two doses and have felt fine since. I have this reunion this week and can't afford to be sick. I haven't seen my brother and niece since Thanksgiving and am so excited. This will be the first time I've felt 'up' for a family visit in nearly 4 years. I used to look forward to them, but dread them at the same time because I knew I would feel like ka-ka the whole time and then worse the following week. So there was no way Robinul was going to rob me of my health and joy this week! I'll deal with it next week or when I see the doctor again.
That's all... Outside of Robinul I've felt pretty good. Same as before: I work, work, work in the yard, I get tired and rest and then work, work, work. So I have about 1-2 'down' days a week. Compared to 7 days a week, I'll take it! The Robinul experience really showed me HOW sick I was before surgery. I mean, I knew it, of course... But I was used to it and I pushed myself on. Now that I feel so much better, going back to the 'sick' me is a terrible experience. But it reminds me of how far I've come and how grateful I am. It also reminds me of how sick I really was even though I didn't 'look' sick. That's one of the hardest things about POTS... Looking relatively normal to other people (including family) when you feel like you're dying. And they say stupid things like, "You just need to exercise to get your energy up." That's when I would like to say (but don't), "Kiss my A$$. You don't have a clue!"
Here's the latest weight stats:
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Week 8 (221.5) - 2 pounds
Week 9 (220.5) - 1 pound
Week 10 (217.0) - 3.5 pounds
Week 11 (212.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 12 (211.5) - 1 pound
Week 13 (210.0) - 1.5 pounds
Week 14 (208.0) - 2 pounds (so far)
Total - 44.5 pounds down since surgery
59.0 from my highest weight
Later gators.
13 1/2 weeks out
May 29, 2007
I haven't updated in a couple of weeks. Weight hasn't moved much and life is about the same - - not much to write about.
As an aside...
I have an extreme sweating problem (hyperhidrosis) which has been bothersome enough over the years that I listed it as a chief complaint to my rheumatologist about 3 years ago. That's when she said she thought I had POTS. She was an extremely smart doctor and very compassionate. Unfortunately, she's in Tucson and I'm now in Alabama. Anyway...she sent me to a cardiologist to get tested for POTS via a 'tilt table test'. She said if I have POTS the hyperhidrosis is easy to fix with beta blockers. Well, I tested positive for POTS and have been on beta blockers for nearly 3 years. The hyperhidrosis is the same - - but worse now that I live in a humid environment.
I know it's not related to my weight (as sweating sometimes is) as this started in college over 15 years ago when I was 150-160 pounds (at 5'10").
So last week I went to my dermatologist to get some answers (as I found she is listed on the International Hyperhidrosis Society website). I mentioned that I have lost over 50 pounds but that it has not made a difference in the sweating. I knew that there are some treatments for hyperhidrosis but not many and most are unsuccessful. She recommended Robinul to 'dry' me up. It's an 'anticholinergic' similar to detrol (for overactive bladders). I've taken both detrol and vesicare for my overactive bladder but didn't have the good side effect of less sweating. I agreed to try the Robinul although it would cause terrible dry mouth and blurry vision. I would see her two weeks later and see how it worked and in the meantime she would be trying to get botox shots approved by my insurance. One of the treatments for HH is botox! It's good for people that have 'focal' HH in specific areas (i.e., underarms, feet, hands...). My HH is generalized so I have it all over. And I mean ALL over. It's annoying and embarrassing.
I tried the Robinul the night after my doctor appt. and it made me feel horrible. Like I was having a POTS attack. I was also drowsy. The next day I went to my Mom's house to help her around the house (for a family reunion this week) but I was too fatigued and just laid on the floor. That night I took the Robinul and woke up the next day with the fatigue and POTS feeling again. I had a lot to do and it was very depressing to feel like the 'old' me. Up until the day before surgery I had bad POTS symptoms. I've been fine ever since surgery except for one POTS attack about 6 weeks after surgery. Since the 'old' me was only 13 weeks ago, it is still fresh enough to feel depressed if I feel 'POTSY'. Like the surgery didn't work on it and the good feeling and energy (a.k.a. 'health') was just a 3 month post-op fluke.
I stopped the Robinul after those two doses and have felt fine since. I have this reunion this week and can't afford to be sick. I haven't seen my brother and niece since Thanksgiving and am so excited. This will be the first time I've felt 'up' for a family visit in nearly 4 years. I used to look forward to them, but dread them at the same time because I knew I would feel like ka-ka the whole time and then worse the following week. So there was no way Robinul was going to rob me of my health and joy this week! I deal with it next week or when I see the doctor again.
That's all... Outside of Robinul I've felt pretty good. Same as before: I work, work, work in the yard, I get tired and rest and then work, work, work. So I have about 1-2 'down' days a week. Compared to 7 days a week, I'll take it! The Robinul experience really showed me HOW sick I was before surgery. I mean, I knew it, of course... But I was used to it and I pushed myself on. Now that I feel so much better, going back to the 'sick' me is a terrible experience. But it reminds me of how far I've come and how grateful I am. It also reminds me of how sick I really was even though I didn't 'look' sick. That's one of the hardest things about POTS... Looking relatively normal to other people (including family) when you feel like dying. And they say stupid things like, "you just need to exercise to get your energy up." That's when I would like to say (but don't), "kiss my a$$. you don't have a clue!"
Here's the latest weight stats:
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Week 8 (221.5) - 2 pounds
Week 9 (220.5) - 1 pound
Week 10 (217.0) - 3.5 pounds
Week 11 (212.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 12 (211.5) - 1 pound
Week 13 (210.0) - 1.5 pounds
Week 14 (208.0) - 2 pounds (so far)
Total - 44.5 pounds down since surgery
59.0 from my highest weight
Later gators.
As an aside...
I have an extreme sweating problem (hyperhidrosis) which has been bothersome enough over the years that I listed it as a chief complaint to my rheumatologist about 3 years ago. That's when she said she thought I had POTS. She was an extremely smart doctor and very compassionate. Unfortunately, she's in Tucson and I'm now in Alabama. Anyway...she sent me to a cardiologist to get tested for POTS via a 'tilt table test'. She said if I have POTS the hyperhidrosis is easy to fix with beta blockers. Well, I tested positive for POTS and have been on beta blockers for nearly 3 years. The hyperhidrosis is the same - - but worse now that I live in a humid environment.
I know it's not related to my weight (as sweating sometimes is) as this started in college over 15 years ago when I was 150-160 pounds (at 5'10").
So last week I went to my dermatologist to get some answers (as I found she is listed on the International Hyperhidrosis Society website). I mentioned that I have lost over 50 pounds but that it has not made a difference in the sweating. I knew that there are some treatments for hyperhidrosis but not many and most are unsuccessful. She recommended Robinul to 'dry' me up. It's an 'anticholinergic' similar to detrol (for overactive bladders). I've taken both detrol and vesicare for my overactive bladder but didn't have the good side effect of less sweating. I agreed to try the Robinul although it would cause terrible dry mouth and blurry vision. I would see her two weeks later and see how it worked and in the meantime she would be trying to get botox shots approved by my insurance. One of the treatments for HH is botox! It's good for people that have 'focal' HH in specific areas (i.e., underarms, feet, hands...). My HH is generalized so I have it all over. And I mean ALL over. It's annoying and embarrassing.
I tried the Robinul the night after my doctor appt. and it made me feel horrible. Like I was having a POTS attack. I was also drowsy. The next day I went to my Mom's house to help her around the house (for a family reunion this week) but I was too fatigued and just laid on the floor. That night I took the Robinul and woke up the next day with the fatigue and POTS feeling again. I had a lot to do and it was very depressing to feel like the 'old' me. Up until the day before surgery I had bad POTS symptoms. I've been fine ever since surgery except for one POTS attack about 6 weeks after surgery. Since the 'old' me was only 13 weeks ago, it is still fresh enough to feel depressed if I feel 'POTSY'. Like the surgery didn't work on it and the good feeling and energy (a.k.a. 'health') was just a 3 month post-op fluke.
I stopped the Robinul after those two doses and have felt fine since. I have this reunion this week and can't afford to be sick. I haven't seen my brother and niece since Thanksgiving and am so excited. This will be the first time I've felt 'up' for a family visit in nearly 4 years. I used to look forward to them, but dread them at the same time because I knew I would feel like ka-ka the whole time and then worse the following week. So there was no way Robinul was going to rob me of my health and joy this week! I deal with it next week or when I see the doctor again.
That's all... Outside of Robinul I've felt pretty good. Same as before: I work, work, work in the yard, I get tired and rest and then work, work, work. So I have about 1-2 'down' days a week. Compared to 7 days a week, I'll take it! The Robinul experience really showed me HOW sick I was before surgery. I mean, I knew it, of course... But I was used to it and I pushed myself on. Now that I feel so much better, going back to the 'sick' me is a terrible experience. But it reminds me of how far I've come and how grateful I am. It also reminds me of how sick I really was even though I didn't 'look' sick. That's one of the hardest things about POTS... Looking relatively normal to other people (including family) when you feel like dying. And they say stupid things like, "you just need to exercise to get your energy up." That's when I would like to say (but don't), "kiss my a$$. you don't have a clue!"
Here's the latest weight stats:
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Week 8 (221.5) - 2 pounds
Week 9 (220.5) - 1 pound
Week 10 (217.0) - 3.5 pounds
Week 11 (212.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 12 (211.5) - 1 pound
Week 13 (210.0) - 1.5 pounds
Week 14 (208.0) - 2 pounds (so far)
Total - 44.5 pounds down since surgery
59.0 from my highest weight
Later gators.
11 Weeks out
May 11, 2007
Life's the same right now. I didn't update last week 'cause there's nothing new. I work outside. I rest. I work outside. I rest.
Doing well with all that. I still get tired if I put in a particularly strenuous day and sometimes have to sit and vege (sp?) out for 2-3 days. That's a little annoying. I would love to be 'full-on' every day, but it's not possible yet. I'm not even 3 months out yet so I'm doing better than I could be doing.
I tried to put on a pair of denim capri pants a few weeks ago and I couldn't zip them. I was paranoid about trying them again but now that I've lost a few more pounds I tried them on. They zipped easily and were comfortably loose! When I got them three years ago I could zip them but they were pretty tight and uncomfortable to sit in. I'm so glad I'm smaller than I was 3 years ago. I feel like I'm going back in time. It took me about 4 1/2 years to put the weight on and I've already traveled back through 3 of those years. Wow...I feel so good.
Here's the latest stats:
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Week 8 (221.5) - 2 pounds
Week 9 (220.5) - 1 pound
Week 10 (217.0) - 3.5 pounds
Week 11 (212.5) - 4.5 pounds
Total - 40 pounds down since surgery
54.5 from my highest weight
That's all. Have a good weekend.
Doing well with all that. I still get tired if I put in a particularly strenuous day and sometimes have to sit and vege (sp?) out for 2-3 days. That's a little annoying. I would love to be 'full-on' every day, but it's not possible yet. I'm not even 3 months out yet so I'm doing better than I could be doing.
I tried to put on a pair of denim capri pants a few weeks ago and I couldn't zip them. I was paranoid about trying them again but now that I've lost a few more pounds I tried them on. They zipped easily and were comfortably loose! When I got them three years ago I could zip them but they were pretty tight and uncomfortable to sit in. I'm so glad I'm smaller than I was 3 years ago. I feel like I'm going back in time. It took me about 4 1/2 years to put the weight on and I've already traveled back through 3 of those years. Wow...I feel so good.
Here's the latest stats:
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Week 8 (221.5) - 2 pounds
Week 9 (220.5) - 1 pound
Week 10 (217.0) - 3.5 pounds
Week 11 (212.5) - 4.5 pounds
Total - 40 pounds down since surgery
54.5 from my highest weight
That's all. Have a good weekend.
9 Weeks
Apr 27, 2007
Not a lot going on. I'm working outside a lot still. And then getting tired and taking time off when needed. I'm able to stand on my feet for long periods of time without feeling like I'm going to pass out from my POTS. However, I did have a POTS attack about a week ago that surprised me. I was painting my fence and I felt like I was going to fall over in the heat. I hadn't even been working that long. That's what life was like before surgery (all the time) but seemed to stop a few hours after surgery. This was my first incident since surgery. I had to do what I used to do: come back inside/turn off the lights/turn the fan on high/get horizontal and use a cold pack on my neck for about an hour. After that I was fine. There is no rhyme or reason. What works on one day (amount of hydration/temperature/length of working, etc.) doesn't work on another day. Hopefully this will be one of the last episodes I ever have.
Because of working outside I end up eating less calories since I'm so busy - - but still getting in all my protein and water. However my weight hasn't changed much. It's time for another 'stall' so I don't think there is any correlation between less calories/lots of exercise and a stall in weight loss. In fact, it should be better. So...I'll keep things as they are unless this stall keeps going.
Here's the latest:
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Week 8 (221.5) - 2 pounds
Week 9 (220.5) - 1 pound (however, the number goes up a pound or two and back down a lot. Today I started at 222...)
Total - 32 pounds down since surgery
46.5 from my highest weight
I've had brief moments of the old me where I look at the scale and think, we'll that's it, I'm not going to lose any more weight. That's the way it has been for years. I get just so far and I can't get any lower. Now when it happens I remind myself that the old life is gone. This is just a temporary slow down. I know it's a common feeling that new WLS patients go through.
One good thing is that I took my measurements for the first time since surgery, at 8 weeks. I've lost inches everywhere, including my wrists and ankles. I knew my clothes were looser, but since I wear mostly stretchy/knit clothes it's harder to tell. I've lost 5" in each: waist, hips and butt. It's nice to shrink in proportion vs. losing more in my waist than my butt, for example. I've also lost 3" around my ribcage so my bras are so much more comfortable. Like my black pants that I continued to wear as I ballooned, I did the same with my bras. They were so tight and uncomfortable. Now it's probably time to start going through my closet and figuring out what to keep or give away. Most of it is still too small, but the bigger items (like shirts) don't look right on me anymore.
Some other nice things have happened that I suddenly noticed one day. It's easier to buckle my seatbelt (and get in and out of the car). It's easier to bend over to pick something up because my huge stomach is all but gone. Tying my shoes, squatting down and getting back up, and rolling over in bed are so much easier. It's more than just less weight that I'm dealing with. It's less mass. That mass got in the way of such normal activities - - like bathing! I'm not even halfway there but life is so different now. In church last week I noticed that my hips don't touch the arms of the seats (theater seating) when I sit down. I used to have to plop down to get past the arms and then push off the arms to unhinge my hips when I stood up.
So, all in all life is good. My next step is to join a singles Sunday school class. Not for dating, but just to have a social life again. That's a big step for me so I'm taking it sloooooow.
Susan
Because of working outside I end up eating less calories since I'm so busy - - but still getting in all my protein and water. However my weight hasn't changed much. It's time for another 'stall' so I don't think there is any correlation between less calories/lots of exercise and a stall in weight loss. In fact, it should be better. So...I'll keep things as they are unless this stall keeps going.
Here's the latest:
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Week 8 (221.5) - 2 pounds
Week 9 (220.5) - 1 pound (however, the number goes up a pound or two and back down a lot. Today I started at 222...)
Total - 32 pounds down since surgery
46.5 from my highest weight
I've had brief moments of the old me where I look at the scale and think, we'll that's it, I'm not going to lose any more weight. That's the way it has been for years. I get just so far and I can't get any lower. Now when it happens I remind myself that the old life is gone. This is just a temporary slow down. I know it's a common feeling that new WLS patients go through.
One good thing is that I took my measurements for the first time since surgery, at 8 weeks. I've lost inches everywhere, including my wrists and ankles. I knew my clothes were looser, but since I wear mostly stretchy/knit clothes it's harder to tell. I've lost 5" in each: waist, hips and butt. It's nice to shrink in proportion vs. losing more in my waist than my butt, for example. I've also lost 3" around my ribcage so my bras are so much more comfortable. Like my black pants that I continued to wear as I ballooned, I did the same with my bras. They were so tight and uncomfortable. Now it's probably time to start going through my closet and figuring out what to keep or give away. Most of it is still too small, but the bigger items (like shirts) don't look right on me anymore.
Some other nice things have happened that I suddenly noticed one day. It's easier to buckle my seatbelt (and get in and out of the car). It's easier to bend over to pick something up because my huge stomach is all but gone. Tying my shoes, squatting down and getting back up, and rolling over in bed are so much easier. It's more than just less weight that I'm dealing with. It's less mass. That mass got in the way of such normal activities - - like bathing! I'm not even halfway there but life is so different now. In church last week I noticed that my hips don't touch the arms of the seats (theater seating) when I sit down. I used to have to plop down to get past the arms and then push off the arms to unhinge my hips when I stood up.
So, all in all life is good. My next step is to join a singles Sunday school class. Not for dating, but just to have a social life again. That's a big step for me so I'm taking it sloooooow.
Susan
7 Weeks Out
Apr 14, 2007
Shock of shocks. I got below 225 by the 7 week mark (which I wasn't expecting to get to). I'm 223.5. Yee ha.
Here's the weight loss update:
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Total - 29 pounds down since surgery
43.5 from my highest weight
Here's the weight loss update:
Week 1 (247.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 (245.0) - 2 pounds
Week 3 (239.5) - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 (234.0) - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 (234.0) - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 (229.5) - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 (223.5) - 6 pounds
Total - 29 pounds down since surgery
43.5 from my highest weight
Six and 1/2 weeks out
Apr 11, 2007
Last week I worked a lot in the yard. It was great to have the energy to do it. I love to garden, but it's more like landscaping. However, I'm really slow so it doesn't look like I've done that much considering this is my third spring season in this house. Even though I'm slow, I burn a lot of calories with all the shoveling, hammering, grass cutting, weeding, planting, etc. To me it's the best kind of exercise because it's enjoyable and I don't even think about how much exercise I'm getting. I look up and 4 or 5 hours has gone by. And having something to show for your work (vs. just a log of how many miles I put in on the treadmill) is really satisfying. I would probably supplement my gardening with walking, just to make sure I get in enough cardio, if I wasn't so pooped afterwards.
Speaking of which, I've been pooped for 5 days straight. The last day I worked in the yard was Friday and it's now Wednesday. I didn't even get to go to my monthly support group last night. I feel like my old POTS self. It's always disappointing when this happens, but at nearly 7 weeks out I realize that it's just a short phase that will pass. My body is still healing and I forget that when I have many good (and productive) days in a row and I'm on such a roll - - only to be flattened out again. Yeah, I know, if I paced the gardening a little better I might not get so pooped. But I can't help myself!
I looked back over the weeks since surgery to calculate what I'm losing each week. Here's where I am thus far:
Week 1 - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 - 2 pounds
Week 3 - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 - 2.5 pounds so far...
Total - 25.5 pounds down since surgery
I'm down to 227. My lowest last year (while on an 'organic' kick) was 225. So, I feel pretty good to be a couple of pounds from my lowest. In fact, I weighed 225 the summer of 2004, when my body stopped cooperating and wouldn't diet to anything lower than that. So...in the next week or so I could be under my lowest weight for the last three years. Wow...am I looking forward to that mile marker.
Susan
P.S. I had my first 'outing' with family since the surgery over the Easter weekend (as well as the weekend before). It went well (except for having to vomit during both events) and everyone says I look great and that I'm starting to look like the 'old Susan'. I have good coloring in my face and my dark circles are gone. I started to look more normal right after the surgery. POTS was kicking my butt and really just draining the life out of me. I'm very definitely on the upswing.
Speaking of which, I've been pooped for 5 days straight. The last day I worked in the yard was Friday and it's now Wednesday. I didn't even get to go to my monthly support group last night. I feel like my old POTS self. It's always disappointing when this happens, but at nearly 7 weeks out I realize that it's just a short phase that will pass. My body is still healing and I forget that when I have many good (and productive) days in a row and I'm on such a roll - - only to be flattened out again. Yeah, I know, if I paced the gardening a little better I might not get so pooped. But I can't help myself!
I looked back over the weeks since surgery to calculate what I'm losing each week. Here's where I am thus far:
Week 1 - 5.5 pounds
Week 2 - 2 pounds
Week 3 - 5.5 pounds
Week 4 - 5.5 pounds
Week 5 - 0 pounds (my first 'stall')
Week 6 - 4.5 pounds
Week 7 - 2.5 pounds so far...
Total - 25.5 pounds down since surgery
I'm down to 227. My lowest last year (while on an 'organic' kick) was 225. So, I feel pretty good to be a couple of pounds from my lowest. In fact, I weighed 225 the summer of 2004, when my body stopped cooperating and wouldn't diet to anything lower than that. So...in the next week or so I could be under my lowest weight for the last three years. Wow...am I looking forward to that mile marker.
Susan
P.S. I had my first 'outing' with family since the surgery over the Easter weekend (as well as the weekend before). It went well (except for having to vomit during both events) and everyone says I look great and that I'm starting to look like the 'old Susan'. I have good coloring in my face and my dark circles are gone. I started to look more normal right after the surgery. POTS was kicking my butt and really just draining the life out of me. I'm very definitely on the upswing.
