Teacake7882
Another Update
Dec 10, 2007
I haven't been on OH in a while, my computer had severe issues. All better now (Praise the Lord)!!! Anyway, I was a little over 300 lbs the day of Pre-Op testing and now I weigh 240. I dumped for the first time Fridaynight/Saturday morning. It was the equivalent to having food poisoning, the cold sweat, the pain, oh the pain. I do not want to go to that place, ever again! It's painful thinking about it. I've learned my lesson. I still feel that the decision to have weight loss surgery is one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I was squeezing into a 24, and I do mean squeezing, I should have been in like 26/28 but refused to buy any clothes in that size, so I wore my snug 24's and now I can wear 18's and 20's. I ordered a few things from Old Navy and they were 20's. My hair has started shedding, alot, I'm going to up my protein and go have some extensions put in, tree braids to be exact. I can't cry over losing hair, I've lost hair before due to a stylist using a relaxer that was too strong for my hair, I cried that time, and was quickly told by my mother "It's hair, it will grow back!" I got over that one pretty quickly and this time I have nothing to get over, just a matter of making a decision on what type of extensions I prefer. I just want to wish all of those of you who have made the decision to have the surgery well, and to those who have just had the surgery, I want to say that it definitely gets better, if you are at the point under 8 weeks out, I know it can be a bit challangeing trying to get the liquids and the protein in, you will be able to do it. To be honest I haven't found a protein supplement I actually like but I drink the shakes anyway. I just found one that I can tolerate. I will be purchasing some proteinex to give my intake the boost it needs, and I'm going to up my workout, I've been doing the walking thing, I need to kick it up to Tae Bo or The Firm and throw in one of Mari Windsor's DVD's and work on my core. I'll be sure to post later to let you know how that works out. I'm trying to get TIGHT! LOL! I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but I love looking at myself in the mirror now more than I ever have, and I do this multiple times. I love the changes my body's going through, I laugh because my "girls" have been greatly reduced in size and will one day require a lift. Well, in the words of my 2 yr old nephew "PEACE OUT" really I gotta throw them twos, my bedtime has come and gone. Have a blessed week.
Just an update
Nov 04, 2007
Hey everyone! I want to first thank everyone for their comments and messages, I do read them. I'm really busy lately, but wanted to do an update today. I'm doing well, energy is great, confidence levels have soared and I'm enjoying this life that God has blessed me with. I'm still walking and doing weight training and The Firm's Cardiosculpt, I love it. On the food note, I don't tolerate meat well, and I'm not going to cry over it, I just have to try other alternatives, I'm not afraid of tofu or soy, so maybe I will be posting about that at a later time. I stay away from simple sugars and bread and I found out that soynuts are a great protein snack. Muscle Milk Shakes are the best in my opinion and they don't make me sick like the EAS low carb one does. I have lost 53 lbs, and quite a few inches and some hair. About the hair thing, I just have to up my protein intake. It's hair, it grows back, there are wigs, fabulous stylists that are miracle workers with hair extensions, and there's always that new haircut I've been wanting, so the hair loss thing isn't stressing me and don't allow it to stress you, if you see that you are losing more strands than usual, kick up your protein intake, find the best protein building products for your hair type, a stylist who not only cares about the style but also the health of your hair and scalp.
Be Blessed, Vi
Be Blessed, Vi
Just an update...
Oct 04, 2007
I haven't been on OH in a month or so, I hope everyone is doing well, meeting goals, living life and loving it. That's what I've been doing. I'm 7 weeks out and I began at 302 the day of my consult, I was 292 the morning of surgery and now I weigh..........290 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just think that is a spectacular number, in just under 2 months I have lost a little over 32 lbs. I can look in the mirror and see it, and I smile. I feel so much better, better than I have ever felt. I have energy, and this is just the beginning. I thank God every day for this gift that he has given me, this tool. I'm taking every opportunity to work on me, to better myself. I now need hobbies because I used to come home and do nothing after work because I would be so tired. Now, I don't feel so tired, don't want to go home. I walk for an hour in the evenings, the first time I went walking I had a butt cramp later that night, it was both painful and hilarious. I'm not saying this is easy there are things about this that I could complain about, like my chewable calcium citrate, but I elected to have this surgery, no one forced me to go through months of testing and then surgery and recovery. I take my calcium citrate and my multi-vitamins and whatever else my surgeon says and keep it moving. I keep it positive, I enjoy myself. I don't need anyone else to validate my weight loss, I can look in the mirror, laugh at the way my pants are baggy in the butt area, smile at the couple of sizes I have gone down, and that validates my weight loss. Not what anyone will or won't say, gone are the days of needing validation from others. I've committed myself to living a life of excellence, the only validation is need is from Jesus. Be Blessed
I just think that is a spectacular number, in just under 2 months I have lost a little over 32 lbs. I can look in the mirror and see it, and I smile. I feel so much better, better than I have ever felt. I have energy, and this is just the beginning. I thank God every day for this gift that he has given me, this tool. I'm taking every opportunity to work on me, to better myself. I now need hobbies because I used to come home and do nothing after work because I would be so tired. Now, I don't feel so tired, don't want to go home. I walk for an hour in the evenings, the first time I went walking I had a butt cramp later that night, it was both painful and hilarious. I'm not saying this is easy there are things about this that I could complain about, like my chewable calcium citrate, but I elected to have this surgery, no one forced me to go through months of testing and then surgery and recovery. I take my calcium citrate and my multi-vitamins and whatever else my surgeon says and keep it moving. I keep it positive, I enjoy myself. I don't need anyone else to validate my weight loss, I can look in the mirror, laugh at the way my pants are baggy in the butt area, smile at the couple of sizes I have gone down, and that validates my weight loss. Not what anyone will or won't say, gone are the days of needing validation from others. I've committed myself to living a life of excellence, the only validation is need is from Jesus. Be Blessed
I return to work tomorrow
Aug 29, 2007
Not that excited, but thankful that I have a job to return to. I'm feeling much better than I have since surgery. I've only hacked once and that was my fault, I was being a bit ambitious. Today I weighed, and my weight is 274, I was 292 the day of surgery, 303 the day of my consult with the surgeon. I went to see him for my two week check up Monday the 27th and he was pleased with my progress. I have to be honest, either it just hasn't sunk in that I've lost a significant amount of weight or something else is going on. I can look in the mirror and see my progress, I can also tell by the fit of my clothing, or the lack of.
Be Blessed. ViEveryday is different
Aug 18, 2007
If I had to pinpoint an issue post surgery for me, it is finding a protein, that I can like enough to sip on. I am doing much better at getting my water in. I did find that the chicken salad from Chick fil a is good, and doesn't make me dump. I can only tolerate about an ounce of food at a time, so I try to make it protein filled. I am not that excited about weighing myself, but my mother is so excited about this she's asked me to weigh and I did. I was 292 lbs the day of surgery today I weigh 281, I lost 11 lbs prior to surgery during my liquid diet, so my total including the 11 is 22 lbs. I'm sleepy so, sweet dreams.
It's been a week
Aug 15, 2007
since I last posted, which was the day before my surgery. According to my surgeon, everything went well, after surgery I was in an abundance of pain. I can't sugarcoat that fact, but as the days have gone by I feel soooo much better. My surgeon, his staff, and the ladies and gentlemen of 4WestB & A (they even helped and I wasn't one of their patients), made my hospital stay and recovery so much more easier. My family, especially my mom, I thank you Lord for blessing me with such a wonderful presence in my life. Anyway, my mom took vacation days and has been so instrumental in my recovery, telling me everyday, how proud of me she is, she told me that going into surgery and she told me coming out, I'm beginning to believe it.
My pain was severe, but I had to walk within two hours of having surgery, the nurses had me by both arms, I was so full of anesthesia. I did have the boots on my legs also that would inflate and deflate to keep the circulation going, to prevent a blood clot. I didn't like having them on but my surgeon wasn't having it any other way. I was in on a Thursday, out on Saturday, the pain was still great on Saturday. Let me get to the pain relief, I passed the real gas on Sunday night and all I could say was thank you Jesus. Since that day, recovery has been on a roll, but I'm tired, and it tires me just to take a shower. So after showers, I complete my hygenic regimen, dress, get in the bed. I do walk often up and down the halls, and I'm trying my best to get the full 2 liters of liquids in every day. I don't have the desire to eat, the smells, nor sight of foods are bugging me, and I know it differs from person to person. I just really took myself through a process of weaning myself from my problem foods, before my surgery happened. I'm praying that God grants me this resilience for life. Of course everything still looks good, the smells are wonderful, some of them are nauseating. I'm just resting and right now rambling, and my experience won't be your experience, even with the pain, which was expected, but since I had never had surgery, I didn't know to what extent. Everyone's prayers, and the love that I have received has made my recovery much less complex. It's by the Grace of God that I've come through surgery, no complications and with plenty of love and support. So thanks OH for all of your love and support, it feels good to be on the loser's bench.
My pain was severe, but I had to walk within two hours of having surgery, the nurses had me by both arms, I was so full of anesthesia. I did have the boots on my legs also that would inflate and deflate to keep the circulation going, to prevent a blood clot. I didn't like having them on but my surgeon wasn't having it any other way. I was in on a Thursday, out on Saturday, the pain was still great on Saturday. Let me get to the pain relief, I passed the real gas on Sunday night and all I could say was thank you Jesus. Since that day, recovery has been on a roll, but I'm tired, and it tires me just to take a shower. So after showers, I complete my hygenic regimen, dress, get in the bed. I do walk often up and down the halls, and I'm trying my best to get the full 2 liters of liquids in every day. I don't have the desire to eat, the smells, nor sight of foods are bugging me, and I know it differs from person to person. I just really took myself through a process of weaning myself from my problem foods, before my surgery happened. I'm praying that God grants me this resilience for life. Of course everything still looks good, the smells are wonderful, some of them are nauseating. I'm just resting and right now rambling, and my experience won't be your experience, even with the pain, which was expected, but since I had never had surgery, I didn't know to what extent. Everyone's prayers, and the love that I have received has made my recovery much less complex. It's by the Grace of God that I've come through surgery, no complications and with plenty of love and support. So thanks OH for all of your love and support, it feels good to be on the loser's bench.Wow!!!
Aug 05, 2007
My surgery is fast approaching, this Thursday August 9th, I will join so many of you on the loser's bench. I want to thank everyone for their prayers, support, and advice. I'm excited, emotional, ecstatic, and a bit nervous, but that's to be expected. What's going to be hilarious is my family in the waiting room, LOL!!! I have two brothers, and two sisters. My baby brother is only 11, he won't be there, I didn't let him in on this one, but my 25 year old (brother) and 26 years old (sister) younger sibs will be present along with my s-i-l, she's like my sister. We have a close family, and I love it. We can make anyone feel like family, we love to laugh and have fun, and we have each other's backs. I think all three of my parents will be there, my mom, my dad, and my other mom (parents are divorced) My grandmother will be there along with my best friend Yolanda. I'm blessed to have these wonderful people and of course my niece and nephew, Ja'Nia and Jailen they have my heart. LOL!!! I really want to thank each and every one of you for your prayers, it really means so much to me.
Just a thought
Jun 29, 2007
When I visited my surgeon's office Wednesday, I paid attention to how hard these ladies work. (Laura, Kelly, & Michelle) Imagine having to literally deal with "us" as we are ever so anxious to get approval from insurance, to get a date, to have surgery. Just think about it, some of us call, and call, and call, and drop by the office, and call a few more times. Multiply one person calling that many times in one day times about 20 anxious patients with not an inkling of patience. Their days are pandemonium to say the least and sometimes our attitudes don't make it any better. I paid attention while I was at Dr. Woodman's office, these ladies are working, they are calling the insurance companies checking on the status of your approval and they are coordinating schedules and such. If you ever call and not receive the perky voice you're looking for, just remember what they do for a living, they are doing the very best that anyone could do (IMO). So I have stepped down off of my soapbox just to say that I appreciate them. I really appreciate these ladies because I didn't have to deal with my insurance company once, they handled everything. All I had to do was call and make sure they'd received information that was faxed to their office, and make it to my appointments on time. Having Patience is tough, esp when you are looking forward to such an awesome life changing operation. I can't speak for all practices because I have heard some horror stories, but these ladies do a marvelous job. Be Blessed Vi
I HAVE A DATE!!!!!!!
Jun 27, 2007
I went to see Dr. Woodman today, to set my surgery date and it is tentative, the nurse will call me tomorrow to confirm, but for now it's August 9. Dr. Woodman is very straight forward, if you happen to be sensitive, you might need to take something to take the edge off before you meet him, because he cuts you absolutely no slack. The truth is the truth and he points it out that you are overweight because you eat too much of the wrong things and you don't exercise or exercise enough. I agreed, I'm not in denial about why I'm overweight, I came to terms with why a loooong time ago. He spoke, I listened because I want to be successful at this. I was given a binder when I first arrived for my appointment, the nurse spoke with me, explained everything in detail. She stressed the importance of protein, and taking the supplements. I had to fill out some forms and a contract for the program and I also had to take a quiz, just to make sure I knew what I was about to do. I only missed 2 questions. They make sure you know everything about the procedure the complications are mentioned at least 3 times during the visit. You are fully educated, the binder is thorough, covers everything from A to Z and I was instructed by Dr Woodman to be an expert on this procedure before I have it, so to read it at least three times. They leave no stone unturned, and I thought that was just spectacular. I almost forgot to mention that he wants me to lose 10 lbs before surgery, but said I should strive to do better, and I cab only have clear liquids the day before surgery (water, coffee, tea, apple juice, grape juice, cranberry juice, bouillon, broth, clear popsicles, soda and gelatin.) I also have to drink one bottle of mag citrate.
My opinion of Dr.Woodman, is what it is, my opinion. I choose to allow others to form their own opinions of others, not influenced by how I ''feel". I will say that I chose an excellent surgeon, who knows what he's doing and expects nothing less than excellence from his patients. I'm up to the challenge. Be Blessed Vi
My opinion of Dr.Woodman, is what it is, my opinion. I choose to allow others to form their own opinions of others, not influenced by how I ''feel". I will say that I chose an excellent surgeon, who knows what he's doing and expects nothing less than excellence from his patients. I'm up to the challenge. Be Blessed Vi
Haven't posted in a while
Jun 23, 2007
I haven't posted in a minute, but only because I've been waiting to see the surgeon. I see him Wednesday the 27th, I'm taking both my parents with me, blessed to have their support. My momma has always supported my decision as a matter of fact she's in the process of being approved for lap band. It took daddy a minute to warm up to it, but he's realized that this is something I need to do and will do regardless of whose support I have. My brother and sis in law have been my biggest supporters (next to mom) I love them so much.
I spoke with Laura, Dr. Woodman's nurse and she told me that they are scheduling in August, so I'm praying for a date in early August. It's Saturday, Jailen and Ja'Nia are here and me being the most awesome Te-Te ever created, is about to take them out to play. I have to go, but I will do a full update Wednesday on surgeon's orders, if he requires me to lose and weight, my pre op diet if necessary etc., after the appointment. I'm scheduled for 1 pm and was told I should expect to be there 3.5 - 4 hours.
Later, Vi
I spoke with Laura, Dr. Woodman's nurse and she told me that they are scheduling in August, so I'm praying for a date in early August. It's Saturday, Jailen and Ja'Nia are here and me being the most awesome Te-Te ever created, is about to take them out to play. I have to go, but I will do a full update Wednesday on surgeon's orders, if he requires me to lose and weight, my pre op diet if necessary etc., after the appointment. I'm scheduled for 1 pm and was told I should expect to be there 3.5 - 4 hours.
Later, Vi
About Me
Memphis, TN
Location
39.9
BMI
Surgery
08/09/2007
Surgery Date
Jan 30, 2007
Member Since
