tleach3mom
Where did the happy camper go?????????
Nov 22, 2010
Here it is 9 months since my last post and I now weigh 224lbs!!!!!!!!! I could just kick myself - and hard!
I'm completely miserable being back in a fat suit. Uncomfortable in all my clothing, starting to get the knee and back pain all over again. I know it's all my own fault - I failed, not the surgery.
Miserable in my personal life too ---- they say that this surgery will make a strong marriage stronger and a weak one weaker - it's the truth. I hoped my husband would have his DS, fix his diabetes, get healthier, and happier. And maybe, just maybe we'd be happy again. Instead he still eats like it's his last meal every minute of everyday. He's miserable, and blames me for "talking" him into this surgery.........his diabetes has caused neuropathy of his stomach and he doesn't feel full so he just eats and eats and it seems food is still the only thing we have in common. No rainbows and butterflies here. i think he's more miserable since the surgery than he ever was before thanks to his increased BP, low Vit D that he's had to start taking injections to increase, low calcium that NOTHING is working to increase, constant gas (even though he KNOWS this is self-inflicted). He's at the dr more now than before. The ONLY thing that has improved is his ED, and the amt of insulin he's taking even though the amt of food he's eating is just as much as before.
Sorry for the rant, just wanted to get this out of my head and thought typing it to the cyberworld would help...
0 comments
I'm completely miserable being back in a fat suit. Uncomfortable in all my clothing, starting to get the knee and back pain all over again. I know it's all my own fault - I failed, not the surgery.
Miserable in my personal life too ---- they say that this surgery will make a strong marriage stronger and a weak one weaker - it's the truth. I hoped my husband would have his DS, fix his diabetes, get healthier, and happier. And maybe, just maybe we'd be happy again. Instead he still eats like it's his last meal every minute of everyday. He's miserable, and blames me for "talking" him into this surgery.........his diabetes has caused neuropathy of his stomach and he doesn't feel full so he just eats and eats and it seems food is still the only thing we have in common. No rainbows and butterflies here. i think he's more miserable since the surgery than he ever was before thanks to his increased BP, low Vit D that he's had to start taking injections to increase, low calcium that NOTHING is working to increase, constant gas (even though he KNOWS this is self-inflicted). He's at the dr more now than before. The ONLY thing that has improved is his ED, and the amt of insulin he's taking even though the amt of food he's eating is just as much as before.
Sorry for the rant, just wanted to get this out of my head and thought typing it to the cyberworld would help...
Regain, who me?
Feb 03, 2010
Ok, so I've been MIA for quite a long long long while.
Well, I've been in hiding - very ashamed of myself. My tag line is no longer accurate unfortunately. I let the sugar slut and carb monster back into my life and they've never left. I'm a carb/sugar addict and don't know how to stop.
I had a slight regain of 10lbs before Christmas last year. I was actually even ok w/ this, my face/neck area was too bony -- even the plastic surgeon told me to not loose another pound or I'd look anorexic from the waist up (he could take care of the bottom half - it was all just skin anyway - like a melting snowman). He said if I gained 10 or so lbs, it would be fine. So I was content at 175 - happy to stay there until after plastic surgery and then who knows how much he could cut away.
Then, I had a total hysterectomy in Jan. 09. I had to go on hormones and BAM I've gained from 173 to 207lbs. YEAH that's right I now weigh 207lbs!!!!!!!! I'm busting out of my 16 pants and XL tops - sometimes having to go for the 1X.
I have a closet FULL of size 12s, tiny 14s and regular size Large tops. IT IS SOOOO depressing! The weight just flew on, the first 25lbs happened in 6 months or less and now I just keep adding and adding more to it.
No, I do NOT eat like I should, no I do NOT exercise - so big suprise that the weight came back. The hardest part for me though is I am eating and not exercising the exact same as I have for the last 3 years and I had only that tiny bit of weight regain until the hysterectomy and now I just can't stop gaining. I never developed the great post-surgery diet skills, because I never had to. I was just one of those that no matter what I did or ate, the weight stayed off and now, 3 1/2 yrs later, that is NOT THE CASE anymore. So, now it's up to me to go back and start over, no I'm not having surgery again, just going to have to retrain my brain to what I should have been doing all along. I've got to get my obviously screwed up metabolism back in gear. The only way to do that is to go back to the basics and pray my surgery will still work as intended, cut out those carbs, increase my protein and water and get off my lazy backside and exercise. I don't ever want to see 300lbs again and if I don't stop this spiral now, I will get that by this Christmas. My goal for myself is to get back to 175 (or lower) and stay there for a minimum of six months and get my plastic surgery!
0 comments
Well, I've been in hiding - very ashamed of myself. My tag line is no longer accurate unfortunately. I let the sugar slut and carb monster back into my life and they've never left. I'm a carb/sugar addict and don't know how to stop.
I had a slight regain of 10lbs before Christmas last year. I was actually even ok w/ this, my face/neck area was too bony -- even the plastic surgeon told me to not loose another pound or I'd look anorexic from the waist up (he could take care of the bottom half - it was all just skin anyway - like a melting snowman). He said if I gained 10 or so lbs, it would be fine. So I was content at 175 - happy to stay there until after plastic surgery and then who knows how much he could cut away.
Then, I had a total hysterectomy in Jan. 09. I had to go on hormones and BAM I've gained from 173 to 207lbs. YEAH that's right I now weigh 207lbs!!!!!!!! I'm busting out of my 16 pants and XL tops - sometimes having to go for the 1X.
I have a closet FULL of size 12s, tiny 14s and regular size Large tops. IT IS SOOOO depressing! The weight just flew on, the first 25lbs happened in 6 months or less and now I just keep adding and adding more to it.
No, I do NOT eat like I should, no I do NOT exercise - so big suprise that the weight came back. The hardest part for me though is I am eating and not exercising the exact same as I have for the last 3 years and I had only that tiny bit of weight regain until the hysterectomy and now I just can't stop gaining. I never developed the great post-surgery diet skills, because I never had to. I was just one of those that no matter what I did or ate, the weight stayed off and now, 3 1/2 yrs later, that is NOT THE CASE anymore. So, now it's up to me to go back and start over, no I'm not having surgery again, just going to have to retrain my brain to what I should have been doing all along. I've got to get my obviously screwed up metabolism back in gear. The only way to do that is to go back to the basics and pray my surgery will still work as intended, cut out those carbs, increase my protein and water and get off my lazy backside and exercise. I don't ever want to see 300lbs again and if I don't stop this spiral now, I will get that by this Christmas. My goal for myself is to get back to 175 (or lower) and stay there for a minimum of six months and get my plastic surgery!
18 months rambling
Feb 06, 2008
I can't believe it's been over 6 months since I posted on here..........where does the time go???
I'm so happy I made the decision to have the DS! It changed my life 100% for the better. I feel like a new person, a better person because I'm not constantly worried about how others are preceiving me. I go on about my life and my weight is no longer a constant thought. I no longer have the worries of "will I fit in, will I big the biggest person in the room, will there be somewhere for me to sit or will I have to stand the whole time, will I be able to park close or have to walk a long distance, will I have to eat in front of everyone??" These things no longer matter, because I AM NORMAL!!! I can fit in any chair, I can stand for long periods if I need to, I can walk forever without getting out of breath, sweaty, or feeling like I'm about to have a heart attack! Those weight issues are just GONE and that is exactly why I had this surgery.
I have GREAT news too -- my husband was just approved to have the DS surgery with Dr. Donald Maynard -- we're waiting to hear back on his surgery date, but hope to have it by early April. He has Type 2 diabetes and has been on an insulin pump for 3 years -- we are praying that his is in the 98% that are cured of diabetes with this surgery.
I also got a call today from my best friend who just got a referral from her pcp to see Dr. Dennis Smith (my surgeon) for the DS. I can't wait for her to be free of her weight issues and enjoying life like I have been this past year and a half. She was dead set against me having this surgery when I first set out. She was so worried about something happening to me and didn't think it was worth the risk. She's been my best friend since we were 16 years old and we've been through everything together. After watching my success and happiness since surgery, she's finally decided that it could offer her a new lease on life too. I NEVER pressured her or anyone into even considering surgery, but I'm so happy that she's come to this decision on her own and I'll be there with her every step of the way.
I'm so happy I made the decision to have the DS! It changed my life 100% for the better. I feel like a new person, a better person because I'm not constantly worried about how others are preceiving me. I go on about my life and my weight is no longer a constant thought. I no longer have the worries of "will I fit in, will I big the biggest person in the room, will there be somewhere for me to sit or will I have to stand the whole time, will I be able to park close or have to walk a long distance, will I have to eat in front of everyone??" These things no longer matter, because I AM NORMAL!!! I can fit in any chair, I can stand for long periods if I need to, I can walk forever without getting out of breath, sweaty, or feeling like I'm about to have a heart attack! Those weight issues are just GONE and that is exactly why I had this surgery.
I have GREAT news too -- my husband was just approved to have the DS surgery with Dr. Donald Maynard -- we're waiting to hear back on his surgery date, but hope to have it by early April. He has Type 2 diabetes and has been on an insulin pump for 3 years -- we are praying that his is in the 98% that are cured of diabetes with this surgery.
I also got a call today from my best friend who just got a referral from her pcp to see Dr. Dennis Smith (my surgeon) for the DS. I can't wait for her to be free of her weight issues and enjoying life like I have been this past year and a half. She was dead set against me having this surgery when I first set out. She was so worried about something happening to me and didn't think it was worth the risk. She's been my best friend since we were 16 years old and we've been through everything together. After watching my success and happiness since surgery, she's finally decided that it could offer her a new lease on life too. I NEVER pressured her or anyone into even considering surgery, but I'm so happy that she's come to this decision on her own and I'll be there with her every step of the way.
1 year ago.........yesterday!
Jul 26, 2007
Can't believe I haven't posted on here since APRIL!!!
I opened my email today and had a congrats on your anniversary yesterday email from ObesityHelp and OOPS realized that YES in fact yesterday was my 1yr anniversary............For the last week or so, I kept thinking - well it's almost been a year and now that day came and went and I was so busy just living my everyday life that I completely forgot!!!!
How could I have done that, I'm actually kinda embarassed and disappointed in myself that I could forget such a monumental day in my life.
It's so strange to think that last year the planning and researching this surgery completely consumed my every thought for months - then I got my surgery and aftercare and adjusting to my new life/body was all I thought about and dealt with and I thought a million times that yes one day it will be my 1 yr anniversary and how will I celebrate my new b-day..............well, then real life kicks back in - the surgery doesn't consume my every thought anymore. I'm so used to my food/supplement/protein way of life that it's second nature and I don't have to constantly think about it. I'm not obsessed with my weight loss anymore. Yes I still have weight to lose and I've been stuck for a couple of months with the same 5lbs up and down, but I've mentally adjusted to well - if this is it then this is it. I've gone from a 28 pants to a 14 and I'm pretty darn happy with that. I can enjoy life now - walk all day w/o pain and sweating to death. I'm actually handling this GA heat with no problems at all! My weight just isn't a constant thought anymore like it was before surgery and during the early weight loss stages. Now if I want to go somewhere or do something I don't have to consider my size first (will I fit in the seats, is there anything I can wear to blend in, will i have to walk far, etc. etc. etc.) - that in itself is a miracle, a life I only dreamed about and now actually live everyday................you know I finally feel........dare I say it......NORMAL!!!!
I never want to take the miracle of this surgery and what it has done for me for granted. It changed my life for the better and I am eternally grateful to my surgeon and to all my friends on OH who helped me get where I am today!
I opened my email today and had a congrats on your anniversary yesterday email from ObesityHelp and OOPS realized that YES in fact yesterday was my 1yr anniversary............For the last week or so, I kept thinking - well it's almost been a year and now that day came and went and I was so busy just living my everyday life that I completely forgot!!!!
How could I have done that, I'm actually kinda embarassed and disappointed in myself that I could forget such a monumental day in my life.
It's so strange to think that last year the planning and researching this surgery completely consumed my every thought for months - then I got my surgery and aftercare and adjusting to my new life/body was all I thought about and dealt with and I thought a million times that yes one day it will be my 1 yr anniversary and how will I celebrate my new b-day..............well, then real life kicks back in - the surgery doesn't consume my every thought anymore. I'm so used to my food/supplement/protein way of life that it's second nature and I don't have to constantly think about it. I'm not obsessed with my weight loss anymore. Yes I still have weight to lose and I've been stuck for a couple of months with the same 5lbs up and down, but I've mentally adjusted to well - if this is it then this is it. I've gone from a 28 pants to a 14 and I'm pretty darn happy with that. I can enjoy life now - walk all day w/o pain and sweating to death. I'm actually handling this GA heat with no problems at all! My weight just isn't a constant thought anymore like it was before surgery and during the early weight loss stages. Now if I want to go somewhere or do something I don't have to consider my size first (will I fit in the seats, is there anything I can wear to blend in, will i have to walk far, etc. etc. etc.) - that in itself is a miracle, a life I only dreamed about and now actually live everyday................you know I finally feel........dare I say it......NORMAL!!!!
I never want to take the miracle of this surgery and what it has done for me for granted. It changed my life for the better and I am eternally grateful to my surgeon and to all my friends on OH who helped me get where I am today!
Finally updating...
Apr 10, 2007
Since my last post (feb 9) I have lost 12 more pounds. I went a whole 3 weeks without a weight loss. It seems to be a new pattern for me. The weight loss has definitely slowed way down, but hey, I'm still losing and not gaining so I'm happy. I'm now 186.5lbs. I'm comfortably in a size 16. My feet and legs no longer swell - I can wear cute shoes again - just in time for summer! My knee no longer hurts daily - in fact it's very seldom. Life is good. I feel great - tons of energy and I'm starting to look at life differenty. I don't want to sit back and watch it pass me by anymore, I'm ready to jump right in and LIVE IT!!
Easter was wonderful this year. All my family was so nice and complimentary - I got a new haircut, actually cut into a cute style - yeah, gotta get a new avatar to show it off. It's cut shorter in the back in a wedge and everyone loved it. My husband is very happy with my new looks and especially my new found joy to be alive instead of the vegetative wife he had before. Can't keep his hands off me...LOL!!
Even my aunt who was very opinionated to put it nicely right after my surgery, came up to me on Easter and wanted to hear all about my surgery and to get the info for her daughter who is about the size I was before my DS. Yeah so it seems I'm a walking DS advertisement and more than happy to be one................I truly feel blessed to have been given this second lease on life.
Easter was wonderful this year. All my family was so nice and complimentary - I got a new haircut, actually cut into a cute style - yeah, gotta get a new avatar to show it off. It's cut shorter in the back in a wedge and everyone loved it. My husband is very happy with my new looks and especially my new found joy to be alive instead of the vegetative wife he had before. Can't keep his hands off me...LOL!!
Even my aunt who was very opinionated to put it nicely right after my surgery, came up to me on Easter and wanted to hear all about my surgery and to get the info for her daughter who is about the size I was before my DS. Yeah so it seems I'm a walking DS advertisement and more than happy to be one................I truly feel blessed to have been given this second lease on life.
Today I LOVE the scales!!
Feb 08, 2007
This morning I am officially in ONEDERLAND and I plan to never ever leave!
The scales read 198.5 and I am over the moon! Now if I can just get around to updating my pictures on here it would be great. Man I look so different - it's just amazing to me that less than 7 months ago that was me and now here I am back in the 100s and I know without my DS surgery, it would NEVER have happened. I'm on cloud 9 today! Oh and I've hid the scales in the closet and am forbidding myself from going anywhere near them for at LEAST a week, that way there'll be no disappointments when the dreaded water retention tips those scales right back up for a day or so. I never want to see 200+ again!
The scales read 198.5 and I am over the moon! Now if I can just get around to updating my pictures on here it would be great. Man I look so different - it's just amazing to me that less than 7 months ago that was me and now here I am back in the 100s and I know without my DS surgery, it would NEVER have happened. I'm on cloud 9 today! Oh and I've hid the scales in the closet and am forbidding myself from going anywhere near them for at LEAST a week, that way there'll be no disappointments when the dreaded water retention tips those scales right back up for a day or so. I never want to see 200+ again!
Love the scales....hate the scales
Feb 08, 2007
I weighed this morning and the darn thing says 200.00lbs.....will I ever be in onederland? At least it's moving. I'd been stuck between 203.5-206 for the past 2 1/2 weeks! Yesterday it was 201.00 and today 200 so I should be happy........who knows maybe tomorrow will be 199!!
I know I should just stay away from the darn thing for a week and then be happily suprised with a loss (hopefully a loss anyway).......I'm obsessed, what can I say?
I know I should just stay away from the darn thing for a week and then be happily suprised with a loss (hopefully a loss anyway).......I'm obsessed, what can I say?
Looking forward to a happy 36th year!
Feb 02, 2007
I'm now 36 years old and for the first time in my adult life I did not get depressed on my birthday having let yet another year slip by without doing anything about my weight. Nope, not this time. I know that this year will be wonderful. I feel 10 years younger, not older. I'm enjoying life and can't wait for all the new changes and challenges to come my way.
I've now lost 93lbs and am still loving my DS surgery. I'm 6 months out from surgery and feel fantastic. I am having to increase my Vit D to add 50,000iu x twice a week - I did have low Vit D levels before surgery as well so it wasn't a suprise that it hasn't improved. Other than this and adding a low dose extra Beta Carotene and Iron to my daily regimen, everything is fine. I feel very fortunate to have not had any complications.
Life with my family just gets better and better. My husband is still looking into having the surgery, he's getting his clearances out of the way. I hope and pray that he will get approved and be on the "losing side" with me. Part of me is selfishly wanting him to have this to make my life easier - easier for me to stay focused on my food plan w/o him wanting to go to buffets and pizza places all the time. The other part of me really really wants him to have this surgery for his health......he's a Type II Insulin dependent diabetic and has just about every complication it can cause and I just want him to be around for me and the kids for many many years to come and I think this surgery can help him achieve that.
I've now lost 93lbs and am still loving my DS surgery. I'm 6 months out from surgery and feel fantastic. I am having to increase my Vit D to add 50,000iu x twice a week - I did have low Vit D levels before surgery as well so it wasn't a suprise that it hasn't improved. Other than this and adding a low dose extra Beta Carotene and Iron to my daily regimen, everything is fine. I feel very fortunate to have not had any complications.
Life with my family just gets better and better. My husband is still looking into having the surgery, he's getting his clearances out of the way. I hope and pray that he will get approved and be on the "losing side" with me. Part of me is selfishly wanting him to have this to make my life easier - easier for me to stay focused on my food plan w/o him wanting to go to buffets and pizza places all the time. The other part of me really really wants him to have this surgery for his health......he's a Type II Insulin dependent diabetic and has just about every complication it can cause and I just want him to be around for me and the kids for many many years to come and I think this surgery can help him achieve that.
New Years is almost here
Dec 30, 2006
Well the Christmas Holiday has come and gone and it was great!! Food wasn't the BIG issue I worried it would be. I ate a bite of something if I wanted it, but truly found that the sweets just didn't hold the same desire they used to. I actually managed to lose two pounds the week of Christmas. I have now officially lost 80lbs and I'm 5 months out from surgery. I'm still on the lower losing end, but I am THRILLED with my results. This was the 1st year in as long as I can remember that I was actually excited to get clothes for Christmas. My hinny is wearing a size 18 Levis right now!!! It's been 16+ years since that's happened. I've got to update my pics on my profile VERY soon, I'm shocked at how different my face looks now. I'm starting to feel more and more like the real me and I'm not worrying so much about how other people are seeing me anymore.......I no longer feel like the biggest person in the room and like everyone is staring at me like I'm an elephant about to stampede. I just don't think about my size as much anymore, I'm not obsessed with what I weigh or look like. I know I'm going to feel better and better and get smaller so it just doesn't control my every thought anymore. I finally feel like (although I still have a lot of weight to lose) I blend in w/ everyone else. I know that everyone probably never stared at me in horror as I always thought, but to me that's what I always felt like. Now I have accepted who I am, what I look like, and that I am a worthy person who doesn't have to be defined by my size. I'm happy with myself. That's the best gift I could have ever gotten out of this surgery.
My weight loss journey
5/3/06
Had all tests done today at the hospital. The Upper GI (NOT FUN!!) which required drinking crystals that fizz in your mouth and this thick stuff that doesn't taste too bad, it's just really thick and hard to drink. The worst part of the test was all the moving around on the stinking machine, I got motion sickness. The good news was even though I had to take off everything but my panties and socks, they gave me a HUGE gown that way more than covered me - it overlapped - boy is that a first! The hospital where I had my tests run is a Bariatric Center of Excellence (although not the one I will be having my surgery at) and they really had everything for morbidly obese patients (larger wheelchairs, gowns, and waiting room chairs). The chest x-ray was painless, as was the EKG. The gallbladder ultrasound was ok too. The ultrasound technician was a very nice and obese nurse who was very interested in hearing more about the DS. Of course I filled her in on all my research, and she was very supportive and had even heard of Dr. Smith and only good things at that. It was great to meet someone I could relate to. Everything should be sent to my pcp in time for my 5/8 appt to get the results.
5/4/06
Attended the info mtg. last night for Dr. Smith and I was very impressed as was my husband, which is saying a lot! My husband's fears have been laid to rest and he is now 100% on board for me having this surgery. We were both very comfortable with Dr. Smith and can't wait for my first initial one-on-one appointment. I have a pcp appt. on Monday to hear the results of my lovely tests I had run at the hospital Wednesday. I hope it is all good news and he'll be ready to give me a LOMN to take to the surgeon. Wish me luck!!!
5/8/06
Met w/ pcp today and found out that all this acid reflux is being caused by a hiatal hernia. He says it's 4cm and not too much to worry about. It could be the source of all my stomach/heartburn/acid reflux problems. I'm hoping it's something that can be fixed during my DS surgery. I plan to discuss it with Dr. Smith at my consult. Now for the embarassing news: the gallbladder results were undertimed due to the patient's extremely large size. Wow! Doesn't that make you feel special! LOL! It's good to know that I am so obese that they can't even see my gallbladder (or liver for that matter) through all my fat. As my husband said, at least maybe it'll help get you approved for the surgery.......one can only hope! As far as the blood test go, it looks like my triglycerides are a little high, my good cholesterol is a little low, my lipid levels are elevated (big suprise - I have a fatty liver), and my vitamin D levels are too low.....only 14. My pcp said he would get my LOMN letter together and forward it along with everything in my file to the surgeon's office in the next couple of days. I'm on my way!!
5/11/06 Had my psych and dietician visits today. Let's just say the psych visit is way too long! I had over 500 questions to pencil in the little circle True or False. My hand was killing me! My favorite question was "Evil spirits posess me." T or F. Is it evil of me to want to put T just to see what'll happen.....lol. In my opinion, anyone who is psycho doesn't know it, therefore won't answer the questions accordingly, so really how useful are they? As for the one hour consultation, the doc didn't really get into much. I felt like it was just a formality. She did ask some probing questions, but didn't ask me to elaborate on anything. Most of the questions were straight forward and I felt like they weren't really designed to learn too much about you. Maybe I'm just normal (boring) and didn't send up any red flags to be asked more in depth questions. I thought it was pretty painless. I was told the info would be sent to Dr. Smith in about a week. So, it sounds to me like I passed. Guess we'll see.
5/18/06
Good News! Talked to Dr. Smith's office today, they have received all of the info from my pcp, including his LOMN, and they received the psych eval and dietician's report and now I am ready for packet number 2. I apparently passed those evaluations with no problems. This means that I am officially accepted as a patient and they're putting my LOMN packet together to go to the insurance company. Apparently I have to get insurance approval before my initial consult with the surgeon.
I attended the support group mtg. for Dr. Smith tonight. WOW!! I can't believe how many people were there. There were tons of newbies like myself there seeking wisdom from the losing side. I'm amazed everyday when I read these profiles and see the pictures of people who looked like me and are now a normal healthy weight, but to see it in person is a whole other ballgame. I am more determined than ever to have the DS surgery and live the life these "losers" now enjoy. I met two people especially who look amazing. They both had the DS and showed me their before pics and there's no way you'd even recognize them. They were my size or bigger, just as (excuse the term - no offense intended) "roly poly" as me and now they look like any other healthy person. They look wonderful and they don't look like someone who used to be fat, just a normal fit person. That's what I want -- to just look normal -- to not look like the girl who used to be huge -- just look like all the other moms at school who've never had the big weight problems. I want to meet people for the first time and them never even think of my weight one way or another. Know what I mean?
5/22/06
Got a call from Dr. Smith's office today. Turns out even though his website states that they accept all PPO insurance plans and patients are only charged their "IN-NETWORK" copay, that this isn't the case for all insurance plans, especially BlueCross/BlueShield. Which is what I have. This policy has recently changed (in the last week or so) and now BC/BS patients pay a higher co-pay upfront to the surgeon. I was pretty floored by this since I was told at the info mtg (and several times over the phone before and after that mtg) that my part would be $1300 to the surgeon and $500 to his assistant. Now I'm told today that my co-pay before surgery is $3500 to the surgeon and $1000 to the assistant. That's quite a huge difference. I've been so upset since that phone call. I don't know what to do. I know it's still a small amount compared to paying for the full surgery out of pocket, but it's way more money than we have available. I've talked to my mom and she's going to loan us her credit card for the $3500. The only good news is that the insurance co. will send the payment check for the surgeon directly to me and per the surgeon's office, I will keep anything up to $3500, and I will need to send anything over the $3500 to the surgeon's office. If they send less than the $3500, I will be out the remaining money, but will not owe the surgeon's office anything else. The $1000 will not be reimbursed by the ins. co.
5/23/06
OK, I'm feeling better about the money situation. I've talked to a lot of people online and according to everyone I've spoken to w/ BC/BS insurance, they usually pay about $3000 of the surgeon's bill, that means I should (stress the word SHOULD) get paid back all but the $1000 to the assistant and $500 to the surgeon. That puts me at $1500 out of pocket so maybe it will come out better in the end. Of course, I will still owe 10% of whatever is reasonable and customary of my hospital stay, since they are officially in-network. I feel much better about the money situation, especially after my wonderful husband told me to not worry about the financial cost - he will find a way to pay for it. My health is worth it. I just love him!
5/24/06
Paid my $150 paperwork processing fee to Dr. Smith's office today so my packet should be ready any day now.
5/25/06
Dr. Smith's office called to let me know that all of my information was faxed to BC/BS today, all 61 pages. YEAH!!!!! Keeping fingers and toes crossed!! They said to give it 72 hours (not counting weekends and the holiday) and then call to see if everything was received on their end.
5/30/06
Called the ins. co. and according to them, nothing is in the system yet. They said to give it another day or so.
5/31/06
Called the ins. co. again and guess what, still nothing in the system. This time I was told that it won't show up until I've been approved.
6/1/06
Called ins. co. again and was told it's not there yet, give it a few more days.
6/5/06
Spoke to ins. co. again and was this time told that they don't even show ever receiving my packet of info and I should have surgeon's office refax it. I called Dr. Smith's office and was told they would resend it and they said it was a stall tactic by the insurance co. and they do this all the time, not to worry.
6/6/06
Spoke to ins. co. and they stated they still don't have it.
6/7/06
Spoke to a very nice lady at ins. co. who said they don't have my info and she'll look into it and see what's going on. She said if medical review does not have it, then it should be resent to her and she will hand deliver it to them. She stated she would research it and call me back.
6/9/06
Nice lady from the ins. co. called today to let me know that the medical review dept. received my full packet on 6/6/06 (hope all those 6's aren't a bad omen...lol) and they were reviewing it now. She told me they have up to 10 business days from 6/6 to make a decision and I would be receiving a letter in the mail letting me know their decision. So, at least they finally have it - it's just frustrating to be waiting an extra week. Everyday seems like an eternity.
6/19/06
I have been calling the insurance co. daily waiting to find out their decision. I called at 12:50pm today only to be told they still haven't made a decision. At 4:30pm today, I got a call from my surgeon's office telling me that BC/BS just faxed them my approval letter. Oh yes, I am approved!!! I am so unbelievably in shock and happy. WOW!! I don't have to appeal. Dr. Smith's office is supposed to call in the next day or so to give me a consultation date. YEAH!!!!
7/7/06
OK, I've been VERY slack in updating this profile. Things are moving so fast. I had to up my Vit D and Calcium before surgery, so I have started with my supplements and 2 multi vits a day. I also had to schedule an appt w/ a Pulmonologist and Cardiologist. The Pulm. said I was just fine and gave me clearance for surgery, but the Cardio. sent me for a stress test and echocardiogram. The stress test was fine, but I won't know about the echo until 7/10. All other tests are COMPLETE! YEAH FINALLY!!
AND........drumroll please............I HAVE A DATE!
July 25th at 10:00AM at Kennestone Wellstar Hosp. in Marietta, GA - I will be SWITCHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm excited and scared to death all at the same time. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions, one minute I'm on cloud 9 and the next I'm crying my eyes out. It will be here soon!
7/18/06
OK so i've been even more slack in updating. There is so much going on to get ready for surgery that the days are just flying by. One week from today - I will be in surgery! That is just amazing to me. I have to admit that I have NOT been doing a good job of dieting before surgery. I have been having a farewell to food tour, but have luckily managed to still lose 4lbs. I hope I can keep it off during this last weekend of freedom.
I got the results from my echo and they were fine too. No problems, thank you LORD. I'm still doing my vitamins and supplements to get ready for surgery. I've ordered all my products off the internet and shopped for my soft and pureed foods for after surgery. Who knows what the rest of my family will be eating the three weeks after surgery, but other than my milk, i'm covered. Lots of sf jello, pudding, protein powsders and drinks galore, instant potatoes, cream of wheat, healthy request cream of chicken soup.........doesn't that all sound so yummy? No wonder it's so hard to diet now knowing that'll be my menu for 3 weeks. My son's b-day party is 2 days before my surgery and you know i'm gonna be eating cake and ice cream.........i'm trying to be good other than one meal a day. That way I won't put on any extra pounds - at least i'm hoping! It's so hard right here at the end!
I'm starting to get really excited about the surgery, just knowing what's coming. I was looking in my garage last night at clothes that I've kept for YEARS that I still love and haven't been able to let go of or wear in 7-9 years and I was thinking, HEY, I might just get to wear these again afterall. It's so exciting! Next summer will finally be that elusive summer that all overweight people hope for, when Ill finally be able to do all those things that normal people take for granted, like go to Six Flags - fit in the rides and be able to walk the park without dying and be able to go swimming without feeling like a beached whale (that is if i can find a bathing suit that'll hide all my lose skin i'll have by then....lol) and just be able to stand being outdoors without sweating to death! Here's hoping, anyway. I don't have unrealistic expectations, I know I'm swapping fat for loose skin, but I know the health aspects are well worth the trade!
9/13/06 (a catch up from 7/23 - 9/13 including my surgery)
OK - I have been beyond slack with posting to my profile. This is inexcusable. I can't believe I haven't posted in 2 months. Well, let me see if I can catch this up to date. On 7/23 I had my son's 9th b-day party and I made it through the whole party w/o eating a single bite of solid food. I did however drink a few Dr. Pepper's - the real stuff too, no diet. I really didn't even miss eating just knowing my surgery was coming up was all the motivation I needed. Then on Monday morning, I headed straight to the hospital with my husband and daughter to get my picc line inserted, which was less dramatic than I'd feared then off to our hotel to check-in. Most of my day was spent lying around the hotel room trying to find something to watch on tv, re-reading all my info on what to expect for surgery and aftercare etc. I sent my husband and daughter out for dinner while i stayed in the room to do the dreaded bowel cleansing which wasn't as bad as I'd feared but not truly pleasant either. I was up and down most of the night. My surgery day started at 5:30 am at the hospital. Most of that day is a haze but the only complaint I have is they left me in the recovery room for 7+ hrs b4 taking me to my regular room, my back was KILLING me from lying in that hard bed. I was immense pain by this time, causing my blood pressure to shoot up and me to become incredibly nauseated. The nurses kept telling me to push my pain pump but I was afraid i'd get sick so I refused to do it until they gave me something for the nausea so they finally gave me something then overode my pain pump and gave me medicine to get my blood pressure back down. After that one incidence, my pain was totally managable the rest of my stay. I had NO complications and no complaints. Drinking/eating liquids was harder than I'd thought it would be. I just plain out didn't want anything. On the day of checkout, the surgeon had told me the night before that I could leave the next day. Well, it was 6pm the next day before he FINALLY came around to let me go home. Then it took the nurses until 8:30pm to finally get my paperwork done. With an hour and half drive home, I was miserable when I finally got there. My pharmacy was closed by the time I got home, so I didn't get any pain meds until the next day. I only ended up needing pain meds for the first few nights. I did have a lot of trouble sleeping - mainly just getting comfortable, the sleeping pills the dr. gave me didn't seem to help at all.
The first week was uncomfortable, but not painful. Getting in my water was ok, but it was harder to get in the protein. I found that most of the supplements I'd bought just flat out smelled to me then so I couldn't tolerate them. It took 30+ min to finish one supplement so it was an all day job getting in water/protein/supplements. After that first week, my drain came out and all pain/discomfort was gone! YEAH! My sleeping still hadn't improved and I think it was basically a side effect of the anesthesia. I lost 11lbs at my 1 week check-up.
My children started back to school when I was 9 days out from surgery, so my real life got started back pretty quick. I just did all I could do to keep up my food/liquid intake and maintain my household and kid responsibilities. After week 2 I started experimenting with soft foods, there's only so long you can go without chewing before you start to go mad....lol. I found I could hold about 3 oz at a time of soft foods so I tried to eat something 2-3 times a day while continuing my protein and water. At 3 weeks out, I went back to the dr and discovered I'd now lost a total of 22lbs. He said this put me at the average as far as wgt loss goes. I feel great and my surgery and so far my recovery have been textbook - no complications whatsoever. I honestly don't even feel like I had surgery, there's no pain at all. The only thing wrong is the fact that I get tired easily, my energy level isn't back to normal yet, but it will come back hopefully better than before. (I went back to work at week 4.) As for food, this just continued until week 5 when I started eating solid foods again. It was heaven! I do eat small bites and chew until there's practically nothing left. I'm now 7 weeks out from surgery and have lost 35lbs. I can eat anything I want (although I don't indulge my every whim), but only in SMALL quantities. There are days that I really just don't want anything to eat and have to force myself to get in food/protein. Protein drinks suddenly don't sit well on my stomach so I'm trying real hard to get in enough through my food. Some days are better than others. Remembering my supplements is a lot harder now that I'm back to work. It's not as easy as I'd thought it would be. There have only been a few days that I've missed a dose or more, and I'm trying to make that not happen anymore.
*Heads up for anyone reading this -- I hit a STALL (more like standstill) on the scales right at 3 weeks out and it lasted for almost 2 weeks with 0 lbs lost. It scared me to death!! It sent me into panic mode thinking this surgery didn't work for me, then straight into depression mode, thinking what did i do? Why did I do this to myself to only lose 22lbs?? Then BOOM, the scale moved 1lb, then 2lbs, then 3lbs and for a whole week, I lost a lb a day. Then I had a few days of 1 1/2 lbs. Now, I am back to not losing for 4 days straight so far so I've decided to KEEP OFF THE SCALES!!! I know the stall will break and I'll drop some more lbs soon. I've been an average to low end loser so far. There are tons of patients out there that've lost double the amt of wgt that I have in the time that I have, but I'm not them, my body has always been resistant to wgt loss and I just have to hang in there and know that this surgery is working and my wgt will come off. Heck, I've lost 35lbs and that is the MOST wgt I have ever lost as an adult and I did it in less than 2 months and the best part is, it will stay off this time!
9/26/06
Well, I am now down 42lbs!! This has been an amazing journey. Today is my 9 week anniversary and I am thrilled with my progress. I am still complication free and feel back to normal. My energy level is back where it's supposed to be. My eating patterns are pretty close to that of a normal person. If i want something, I eat it. Many times it turns out that what I think I want doesn't taste as good as it used to, so it's all trial and error. I try to avoid very fatty foods - they mean lots of trips to the bathroom. Of course, that was true for me before surgery too. I've learned to eat burgers etc. without the bun and I don't feel like I'm missing anything. I've found that stuff that used to be spicy to me isn't anymore and I actually like them spicier. I still crave mexican and have found that whole grain tortilla chips are actually very good and do the trick. I crave protein so it's easy to eat what my body needs. Exercise on the other hand, is just as hard to get motivated for as it was before surgery. I still have no desire to walk, run, lift weights or anything else. This has been my dowfall, I've yet to get into an exercise routine. I know this is hindering my wgt loss from being all it can be. I'm trying, but it's no easier than before. For some crazy reason, I just thought I was going to wake up from surgery with this newfound love of exercise. The reality is just another reminder, that the surgery only works on our stomachs, not our personalities or our minds.
12/6/06
WOW it has been so long since I've updated this site -sorry folks! Life just goes so fast after surgery - it's true what everyone says that you start living and get very busy. I'm still doing amazing with my weight loss, still NO problems at all. I'm am eternally grateful to Dr. Smith for my life changing surgery. He is the most wonderful surgeon and has literally saved my life. I have now lost 73lbs and feel so wonderful. It's amazing what that amount of weight did to my body. I can climb stairs, sit with my legs crossed, walk all day and I just feel great. I still have another 75lbs to go, but I am so happy with my results so far.
Had all tests done today at the hospital. The Upper GI (NOT FUN!!) which required drinking crystals that fizz in your mouth and this thick stuff that doesn't taste too bad, it's just really thick and hard to drink. The worst part of the test was all the moving around on the stinking machine, I got motion sickness. The good news was even though I had to take off everything but my panties and socks, they gave me a HUGE gown that way more than covered me - it overlapped - boy is that a first! The hospital where I had my tests run is a Bariatric Center of Excellence (although not the one I will be having my surgery at) and they really had everything for morbidly obese patients (larger wheelchairs, gowns, and waiting room chairs). The chest x-ray was painless, as was the EKG. The gallbladder ultrasound was ok too. The ultrasound technician was a very nice and obese nurse who was very interested in hearing more about the DS. Of course I filled her in on all my research, and she was very supportive and had even heard of Dr. Smith and only good things at that. It was great to meet someone I could relate to. Everything should be sent to my pcp in time for my 5/8 appt to get the results.
5/4/06
Attended the info mtg. last night for Dr. Smith and I was very impressed as was my husband, which is saying a lot! My husband's fears have been laid to rest and he is now 100% on board for me having this surgery. We were both very comfortable with Dr. Smith and can't wait for my first initial one-on-one appointment. I have a pcp appt. on Monday to hear the results of my lovely tests I had run at the hospital Wednesday. I hope it is all good news and he'll be ready to give me a LOMN to take to the surgeon. Wish me luck!!!
5/8/06
Met w/ pcp today and found out that all this acid reflux is being caused by a hiatal hernia. He says it's 4cm and not too much to worry about. It could be the source of all my stomach/heartburn/acid reflux problems. I'm hoping it's something that can be fixed during my DS surgery. I plan to discuss it with Dr. Smith at my consult. Now for the embarassing news: the gallbladder results were undertimed due to the patient's extremely large size. Wow! Doesn't that make you feel special! LOL! It's good to know that I am so obese that they can't even see my gallbladder (or liver for that matter) through all my fat. As my husband said, at least maybe it'll help get you approved for the surgery.......one can only hope! As far as the blood test go, it looks like my triglycerides are a little high, my good cholesterol is a little low, my lipid levels are elevated (big suprise - I have a fatty liver), and my vitamin D levels are too low.....only 14. My pcp said he would get my LOMN letter together and forward it along with everything in my file to the surgeon's office in the next couple of days. I'm on my way!!
5/11/06 Had my psych and dietician visits today. Let's just say the psych visit is way too long! I had over 500 questions to pencil in the little circle True or False. My hand was killing me! My favorite question was "Evil spirits posess me." T or F. Is it evil of me to want to put T just to see what'll happen.....lol. In my opinion, anyone who is psycho doesn't know it, therefore won't answer the questions accordingly, so really how useful are they? As for the one hour consultation, the doc didn't really get into much. I felt like it was just a formality. She did ask some probing questions, but didn't ask me to elaborate on anything. Most of the questions were straight forward and I felt like they weren't really designed to learn too much about you. Maybe I'm just normal (boring) and didn't send up any red flags to be asked more in depth questions. I thought it was pretty painless. I was told the info would be sent to Dr. Smith in about a week. So, it sounds to me like I passed. Guess we'll see.
5/18/06
Good News! Talked to Dr. Smith's office today, they have received all of the info from my pcp, including his LOMN, and they received the psych eval and dietician's report and now I am ready for packet number 2. I apparently passed those evaluations with no problems. This means that I am officially accepted as a patient and they're putting my LOMN packet together to go to the insurance company. Apparently I have to get insurance approval before my initial consult with the surgeon.
I attended the support group mtg. for Dr. Smith tonight. WOW!! I can't believe how many people were there. There were tons of newbies like myself there seeking wisdom from the losing side. I'm amazed everyday when I read these profiles and see the pictures of people who looked like me and are now a normal healthy weight, but to see it in person is a whole other ballgame. I am more determined than ever to have the DS surgery and live the life these "losers" now enjoy. I met two people especially who look amazing. They both had the DS and showed me their before pics and there's no way you'd even recognize them. They were my size or bigger, just as (excuse the term - no offense intended) "roly poly" as me and now they look like any other healthy person. They look wonderful and they don't look like someone who used to be fat, just a normal fit person. That's what I want -- to just look normal -- to not look like the girl who used to be huge -- just look like all the other moms at school who've never had the big weight problems. I want to meet people for the first time and them never even think of my weight one way or another. Know what I mean?
5/22/06
Got a call from Dr. Smith's office today. Turns out even though his website states that they accept all PPO insurance plans and patients are only charged their "IN-NETWORK" copay, that this isn't the case for all insurance plans, especially BlueCross/BlueShield. Which is what I have. This policy has recently changed (in the last week or so) and now BC/BS patients pay a higher co-pay upfront to the surgeon. I was pretty floored by this since I was told at the info mtg (and several times over the phone before and after that mtg) that my part would be $1300 to the surgeon and $500 to his assistant. Now I'm told today that my co-pay before surgery is $3500 to the surgeon and $1000 to the assistant. That's quite a huge difference. I've been so upset since that phone call. I don't know what to do. I know it's still a small amount compared to paying for the full surgery out of pocket, but it's way more money than we have available. I've talked to my mom and she's going to loan us her credit card for the $3500. The only good news is that the insurance co. will send the payment check for the surgeon directly to me and per the surgeon's office, I will keep anything up to $3500, and I will need to send anything over the $3500 to the surgeon's office. If they send less than the $3500, I will be out the remaining money, but will not owe the surgeon's office anything else. The $1000 will not be reimbursed by the ins. co.
5/23/06
OK, I'm feeling better about the money situation. I've talked to a lot of people online and according to everyone I've spoken to w/ BC/BS insurance, they usually pay about $3000 of the surgeon's bill, that means I should (stress the word SHOULD) get paid back all but the $1000 to the assistant and $500 to the surgeon. That puts me at $1500 out of pocket so maybe it will come out better in the end. Of course, I will still owe 10% of whatever is reasonable and customary of my hospital stay, since they are officially in-network. I feel much better about the money situation, especially after my wonderful husband told me to not worry about the financial cost - he will find a way to pay for it. My health is worth it. I just love him!
5/24/06
Paid my $150 paperwork processing fee to Dr. Smith's office today so my packet should be ready any day now.
5/25/06
Dr. Smith's office called to let me know that all of my information was faxed to BC/BS today, all 61 pages. YEAH!!!!! Keeping fingers and toes crossed!! They said to give it 72 hours (not counting weekends and the holiday) and then call to see if everything was received on their end.
5/30/06
Called the ins. co. and according to them, nothing is in the system yet. They said to give it another day or so.
5/31/06
Called the ins. co. again and guess what, still nothing in the system. This time I was told that it won't show up until I've been approved.
6/1/06
Called ins. co. again and was told it's not there yet, give it a few more days.
6/5/06
Spoke to ins. co. again and was this time told that they don't even show ever receiving my packet of info and I should have surgeon's office refax it. I called Dr. Smith's office and was told they would resend it and they said it was a stall tactic by the insurance co. and they do this all the time, not to worry.
6/6/06
Spoke to ins. co. and they stated they still don't have it.
6/7/06
Spoke to a very nice lady at ins. co. who said they don't have my info and she'll look into it and see what's going on. She said if medical review does not have it, then it should be resent to her and she will hand deliver it to them. She stated she would research it and call me back.
6/9/06
Nice lady from the ins. co. called today to let me know that the medical review dept. received my full packet on 6/6/06 (hope all those 6's aren't a bad omen...lol) and they were reviewing it now. She told me they have up to 10 business days from 6/6 to make a decision and I would be receiving a letter in the mail letting me know their decision. So, at least they finally have it - it's just frustrating to be waiting an extra week. Everyday seems like an eternity.
6/19/06
I have been calling the insurance co. daily waiting to find out their decision. I called at 12:50pm today only to be told they still haven't made a decision. At 4:30pm today, I got a call from my surgeon's office telling me that BC/BS just faxed them my approval letter. Oh yes, I am approved!!! I am so unbelievably in shock and happy. WOW!! I don't have to appeal. Dr. Smith's office is supposed to call in the next day or so to give me a consultation date. YEAH!!!!
7/7/06
OK, I've been VERY slack in updating this profile. Things are moving so fast. I had to up my Vit D and Calcium before surgery, so I have started with my supplements and 2 multi vits a day. I also had to schedule an appt w/ a Pulmonologist and Cardiologist. The Pulm. said I was just fine and gave me clearance for surgery, but the Cardio. sent me for a stress test and echocardiogram. The stress test was fine, but I won't know about the echo until 7/10. All other tests are COMPLETE! YEAH FINALLY!!
AND........drumroll please............I HAVE A DATE!
July 25th at 10:00AM at Kennestone Wellstar Hosp. in Marietta, GA - I will be SWITCHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm excited and scared to death all at the same time. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions, one minute I'm on cloud 9 and the next I'm crying my eyes out. It will be here soon!
7/18/06
OK so i've been even more slack in updating. There is so much going on to get ready for surgery that the days are just flying by. One week from today - I will be in surgery! That is just amazing to me. I have to admit that I have NOT been doing a good job of dieting before surgery. I have been having a farewell to food tour, but have luckily managed to still lose 4lbs. I hope I can keep it off during this last weekend of freedom.
I got the results from my echo and they were fine too. No problems, thank you LORD. I'm still doing my vitamins and supplements to get ready for surgery. I've ordered all my products off the internet and shopped for my soft and pureed foods for after surgery. Who knows what the rest of my family will be eating the three weeks after surgery, but other than my milk, i'm covered. Lots of sf jello, pudding, protein powsders and drinks galore, instant potatoes, cream of wheat, healthy request cream of chicken soup.........doesn't that all sound so yummy? No wonder it's so hard to diet now knowing that'll be my menu for 3 weeks. My son's b-day party is 2 days before my surgery and you know i'm gonna be eating cake and ice cream.........i'm trying to be good other than one meal a day. That way I won't put on any extra pounds - at least i'm hoping! It's so hard right here at the end!
I'm starting to get really excited about the surgery, just knowing what's coming. I was looking in my garage last night at clothes that I've kept for YEARS that I still love and haven't been able to let go of or wear in 7-9 years and I was thinking, HEY, I might just get to wear these again afterall. It's so exciting! Next summer will finally be that elusive summer that all overweight people hope for, when Ill finally be able to do all those things that normal people take for granted, like go to Six Flags - fit in the rides and be able to walk the park without dying and be able to go swimming without feeling like a beached whale (that is if i can find a bathing suit that'll hide all my lose skin i'll have by then....lol) and just be able to stand being outdoors without sweating to death! Here's hoping, anyway. I don't have unrealistic expectations, I know I'm swapping fat for loose skin, but I know the health aspects are well worth the trade!
9/13/06 (a catch up from 7/23 - 9/13 including my surgery)
OK - I have been beyond slack with posting to my profile. This is inexcusable. I can't believe I haven't posted in 2 months. Well, let me see if I can catch this up to date. On 7/23 I had my son's 9th b-day party and I made it through the whole party w/o eating a single bite of solid food. I did however drink a few Dr. Pepper's - the real stuff too, no diet. I really didn't even miss eating just knowing my surgery was coming up was all the motivation I needed. Then on Monday morning, I headed straight to the hospital with my husband and daughter to get my picc line inserted, which was less dramatic than I'd feared then off to our hotel to check-in. Most of my day was spent lying around the hotel room trying to find something to watch on tv, re-reading all my info on what to expect for surgery and aftercare etc. I sent my husband and daughter out for dinner while i stayed in the room to do the dreaded bowel cleansing which wasn't as bad as I'd feared but not truly pleasant either. I was up and down most of the night. My surgery day started at 5:30 am at the hospital. Most of that day is a haze but the only complaint I have is they left me in the recovery room for 7+ hrs b4 taking me to my regular room, my back was KILLING me from lying in that hard bed. I was immense pain by this time, causing my blood pressure to shoot up and me to become incredibly nauseated. The nurses kept telling me to push my pain pump but I was afraid i'd get sick so I refused to do it until they gave me something for the nausea so they finally gave me something then overode my pain pump and gave me medicine to get my blood pressure back down. After that one incidence, my pain was totally managable the rest of my stay. I had NO complications and no complaints. Drinking/eating liquids was harder than I'd thought it would be. I just plain out didn't want anything. On the day of checkout, the surgeon had told me the night before that I could leave the next day. Well, it was 6pm the next day before he FINALLY came around to let me go home. Then it took the nurses until 8:30pm to finally get my paperwork done. With an hour and half drive home, I was miserable when I finally got there. My pharmacy was closed by the time I got home, so I didn't get any pain meds until the next day. I only ended up needing pain meds for the first few nights. I did have a lot of trouble sleeping - mainly just getting comfortable, the sleeping pills the dr. gave me didn't seem to help at all.
The first week was uncomfortable, but not painful. Getting in my water was ok, but it was harder to get in the protein. I found that most of the supplements I'd bought just flat out smelled to me then so I couldn't tolerate them. It took 30+ min to finish one supplement so it was an all day job getting in water/protein/supplements. After that first week, my drain came out and all pain/discomfort was gone! YEAH! My sleeping still hadn't improved and I think it was basically a side effect of the anesthesia. I lost 11lbs at my 1 week check-up.
My children started back to school when I was 9 days out from surgery, so my real life got started back pretty quick. I just did all I could do to keep up my food/liquid intake and maintain my household and kid responsibilities. After week 2 I started experimenting with soft foods, there's only so long you can go without chewing before you start to go mad....lol. I found I could hold about 3 oz at a time of soft foods so I tried to eat something 2-3 times a day while continuing my protein and water. At 3 weeks out, I went back to the dr and discovered I'd now lost a total of 22lbs. He said this put me at the average as far as wgt loss goes. I feel great and my surgery and so far my recovery have been textbook - no complications whatsoever. I honestly don't even feel like I had surgery, there's no pain at all. The only thing wrong is the fact that I get tired easily, my energy level isn't back to normal yet, but it will come back hopefully better than before. (I went back to work at week 4.) As for food, this just continued until week 5 when I started eating solid foods again. It was heaven! I do eat small bites and chew until there's practically nothing left. I'm now 7 weeks out from surgery and have lost 35lbs. I can eat anything I want (although I don't indulge my every whim), but only in SMALL quantities. There are days that I really just don't want anything to eat and have to force myself to get in food/protein. Protein drinks suddenly don't sit well on my stomach so I'm trying real hard to get in enough through my food. Some days are better than others. Remembering my supplements is a lot harder now that I'm back to work. It's not as easy as I'd thought it would be. There have only been a few days that I've missed a dose or more, and I'm trying to make that not happen anymore.
*Heads up for anyone reading this -- I hit a STALL (more like standstill) on the scales right at 3 weeks out and it lasted for almost 2 weeks with 0 lbs lost. It scared me to death!! It sent me into panic mode thinking this surgery didn't work for me, then straight into depression mode, thinking what did i do? Why did I do this to myself to only lose 22lbs?? Then BOOM, the scale moved 1lb, then 2lbs, then 3lbs and for a whole week, I lost a lb a day. Then I had a few days of 1 1/2 lbs. Now, I am back to not losing for 4 days straight so far so I've decided to KEEP OFF THE SCALES!!! I know the stall will break and I'll drop some more lbs soon. I've been an average to low end loser so far. There are tons of patients out there that've lost double the amt of wgt that I have in the time that I have, but I'm not them, my body has always been resistant to wgt loss and I just have to hang in there and know that this surgery is working and my wgt will come off. Heck, I've lost 35lbs and that is the MOST wgt I have ever lost as an adult and I did it in less than 2 months and the best part is, it will stay off this time!
9/26/06
Well, I am now down 42lbs!! This has been an amazing journey. Today is my 9 week anniversary and I am thrilled with my progress. I am still complication free and feel back to normal. My energy level is back where it's supposed to be. My eating patterns are pretty close to that of a normal person. If i want something, I eat it. Many times it turns out that what I think I want doesn't taste as good as it used to, so it's all trial and error. I try to avoid very fatty foods - they mean lots of trips to the bathroom. Of course, that was true for me before surgery too. I've learned to eat burgers etc. without the bun and I don't feel like I'm missing anything. I've found that stuff that used to be spicy to me isn't anymore and I actually like them spicier. I still crave mexican and have found that whole grain tortilla chips are actually very good and do the trick. I crave protein so it's easy to eat what my body needs. Exercise on the other hand, is just as hard to get motivated for as it was before surgery. I still have no desire to walk, run, lift weights or anything else. This has been my dowfall, I've yet to get into an exercise routine. I know this is hindering my wgt loss from being all it can be. I'm trying, but it's no easier than before. For some crazy reason, I just thought I was going to wake up from surgery with this newfound love of exercise. The reality is just another reminder, that the surgery only works on our stomachs, not our personalities or our minds.
12/6/06
WOW it has been so long since I've updated this site -sorry folks! Life just goes so fast after surgery - it's true what everyone says that you start living and get very busy. I'm still doing amazing with my weight loss, still NO problems at all. I'm am eternally grateful to Dr. Smith for my life changing surgery. He is the most wonderful surgeon and has literally saved my life. I have now lost 73lbs and feel so wonderful. It's amazing what that amount of weight did to my body. I can climb stairs, sit with my legs crossed, walk all day and I just feel great. I still have another 75lbs to go, but I am so happy with my results so far.
About Me
Flowery Branch, GA
Location
29.4
BMI
Surgery
07/25/2006
Surgery Date
Apr 04, 2006
Member Since
