What life has been like.

Well life has generally been great. Way more energy, love looking at myself now. Before I avoided looking at me like the plague. I hated shopping, because I always felt I NEVER looked nice in anything I bought because I was so big. Now I love shopping and finding new outfits and looks for myself. I am a calmer person, I don't get as snippy as I did because I am not in pain every day of my life. My knees very rarely hurt and I just really feel good.

Eating has been a little challenging for me. Some days food goes real well and others it's pretty much protein shakes all day.
I get way more exercise due to shopping and walking the dog. I went hiking a few weeks ago and the dog pooped out before I did!

I'll leave you with this: Anyone thinking about this surgery, go for it. I would do it all over again, it was so worth it to me. I am off all of my meds and I feel better than I have since high school. Without giving away my true age it was at least 30 years since I graduated. I support anyone who would like to do this and just know it is NEVER too late for a new life.

Finally time to post

OK I know it has been a long time but things have slowed down a bit and I have time to post now. Just to catch you up: First my beloved chocolate lab named Whizzer was diagnosed with leukemia on 9/11/09 and started chemo treatments on his 7th birthday 9/14/09. He goes once every three weeks for a total of 5 treatments. Then with help from God he will hopefully go into remission and live many more years. Second, my husband had his surgery on 10/7/09 and is doing really well. I'm very proud of him. I tried so hard to be a good example for him and an inspiration too.

Ok so here are some updated pics in order from bottom to top: pre op, 1 mo, 3 mo, 4 mo, and 5 mo post op. Enjoy!

I have 2 mo pics but apparently I forgot to upload them from the camera.

it's been awhile

(this is my first after photo) 1 mo.

Ok OK I know it's been too long since my last post. I had surgery 5/6/09 and everything went well for the first 24 hrs. I developed pneumonia and an A flutter with my heart. My heart rate was 152 for several hours. They moved me to critical care and tried medicine to bring my heart rate back down but it didn't work. Luck me... sooooo they decided to do a cardio version. For those of you not familiar. It's like you see on TV with the paddles and charged and everyone yells CLEAR and they proceed to shock the everlivin shit out of you. The doc made sure I was completely asleep so I wouldn't remember anything. Which was greatly appreciated since several doctors told me it is not a pleasant experience.

Here are the numbers:
My heavest was 383
The day of surgery I weighed in at 345.1
After 6 days in the hospital I checked in with my doc 3 days after I was released so 9 days post-op I had gained 16 lbs. - FLUID-
Two week check up I was down 36 lbs.
And one month check up I was down 51 lbs. since my surgery date.

I'm feeling real good, still tired and weak, but went back to work today. Trying to get back in the groove of things.

And I promise as soon as I figure out how to get the pics off my computer at home and onto this one I will post before and after pics.

A week away

One week from today I will have had my surgery. I'm excited, not really worried, scared or nervous yet. I am on day 5 of my protein shakes and I am amazed how easy this has been for me. My husband always said I am the most stubborn woman he has ever met, and once I set my mind to something I can do it. There must be just a little bit of truth in that.

Not so bad after all

Saturday I started my 4 protein shakes a day plus 64 oz of clear fluid. Not bad, not bad at all. I really am not hungry. The hardest part for me is getting in the 64 oz on top of the 32 oz in the shakes. That's hard. But I surprised myself and did it both days over the weekend. I am allowed various veggies, up to 2 cups per day. Yesterday I had 1 c of strawberries with my lunch. Today I'm having cucumbers. But I can honestly say I'm not hungry at all. We took lots of before pics over the weekend I just have to find the time to get them posted.

Today is 9 days to go.

Finally a Date!!!!

OK OK I know it's been forever since I posted anything. I'm sorry about that but I've been really busy lately at work and with Dr. appointments. I did however get my date, May 6 is the scheduled big day!!!!! I am really looking forward to this, I am more anxious that afraid. I just figure what ever will be will be. I don't think God would let me come all this way to not have me succeed. Besides I have an angel on my shoulder..... my Mom. She is going along for the ride of a lifetime with me. She was always terrified of flying so I guess I'll stay firmly planted on the ground for at the next year or so.

I had my pre-op visit yesterday, blood work and I start my 4 protein shakes a day on Saturday 4/25. I'll keep you posted as to how I'm doing. I did get before pics taken and I plan to have them up here very soon.

Let the countdown begin!!!!

12 days

My Kids

I am an absolute animal lover. If I could rescue every stray and animal shelter pet I see I would. So I thought it was time to introduce you to my family.

This is Whizzer our 6 year old Chocolate Lab. Talk about personality he's full of it. His AKC name is Red Maples Whizzer, but he prefers Whiz, Buddy Boy or Big Guy. He has a brother and sister. He likes his sister but really can't stand his brother. Ya see when we got the kittens they wanted to suck on Whizzer. His arm pits, his ears or corners of his mouth. He loved them so much he didn't seem to mind..... for awhile anyway. Over time this got very old and annoying to him. Sassy stopped doing it but poor Squeaky he just couldn't quite break the habit. So every time Squeaks comes near Whiz he gets up and moves away from him and gives us a look as if he's saying " Oh man will you please leave me alone. Mom, Dad he's bothering me again. Make him leave me alone and get that boy some help". We adore him and can't imagine our lives without him in it. I look forward to walking in the door each day and being greeted with unconditional love and kisses.







This is Squeaks our 4 year old Tabby Maine Coon mix. He weighs 20 lbs and stands 3 feet or more tall when he is on his hind legs stretching. He loves to cuddle and is quite the little love bug. He likes to be called Mr. Squeaks or Squeaky Doo. It's a foot race everyday when I get home as to which one is going to reach me first for some hugs and kisses.






And this is our little girl Sassy. She is Squeaks sister (obviously different daddy's). She is a diva princess and knows it. She weighs 10 lbs. and can kick Squeaks butt in an argument. She likes to snuggle with anyone that comes in the door. She loves everybody and is not timid at all. She likes to be called Sassy girl, Princess or Sissy.



So you have met my family other than the love of my life, my husband Tim. I don't have any current "good" pictures of him. As soon as I can get one I will post it.

Sorry I've been MIA

I've been busy busy busy. Lots of appointments lately and more scheduled. So I really haven't had the time to post lately. I'll try to do better with that though. As far as my journey goes I'm in a holding pattern right now. The Dr. submitted to insurance on 3/13, so I'm just waiting for the word and surgery date. Trying to stay busy and keep my mind off of it. This weekend I plan on working on packing away some of the large dishes in my cabinets and putting in my small stuff. I really am ready for the big event. I've found a protein powder I really like and have it ordered. I have my baby spoons and small plates. I will say I am still anxious and nervous about the whole thing, but that's normal. At least there is something about me that is normal!

Patience is not a virtue of mine....

Ok I get this letter in the mail on Saturday saying the surgeons office submitted to insurance for approval of my surgery. I was so excited, I didn't think this was going to happen until April 7. So this puts me almost a month ahead of schedule. Don't get me wrong that's a good thing!!!! It also said go get a chest x-ray and EKG ASAP and once they get the results back they will schedule my surgery. Well let me tell you I flew I say I flew to the imaging center to have it done 3/16 after work. So here comes the patience part.......... I feel like I'm watching grass grow, waiting for paint to dry, water to boil or that ungodly fart the dog just let to catch up to me, or get blamed for the one a co-worker just let fly at my desk. I guess all good things come to those who wait but gee come on already. Put me in coach I'm ready I really am!!!!!

It's a great day!

I'm so happy I can hardly stand myself. I just got my blood test results I was waiting on.
Factor V Leiden Genotype (in real people terms it is a test to check to see if I am predisposed to a genetic clotting disorder.) I'm NORMAL you hear that people all you doubters that thought there is no way there was anything normal about me. Well I'm normal at least in this way. lol This means I do NOT have to have a procedure prior to my surgery to insert a screen into my main artery. YIPPPPPEEEEEE

Time Flies

Boy it's been awhile since I posted. I've been very busy at work and once I get home I just forget. Well we are going to pick up new furniture tonight and set up our big screen TV tomorrow. I haven't been feeling real good .... cold.

Well it looks like April 7th is the day we submit to insurance for approval and then it shouldn't be long till I have a date. YAHOOOOOOO! YIPPPPEEEEE!!!!!

So Close.....

Well I pre-registered this morning for my final blood work prior to surgery. It's to check for Factor 5 to see if I'm genetically predisposed to a clotting disorder. If it comes back that I am, then the morning of surgery Dr. Nicholas will make a cut in my groin area (ouch!) and place a screen in the artery. This will catch any clots that may form from traveling to my lungs or brain during my GBS. My doctor will submit to insurance on March 2nd yipeeeee and then it shouldn't be too long till I have an actual date for surgery. Sometime in April is my guess.

I'm expecting and know I can count on a lot of support from my husband, family and close friends. It won't be easy but I knew that going into this. I've had almost 2 years of information gathering and learning as much as I possibly can about this surgery. I'm excited and apprehensive too.

Till later.......

Sad but true.......

Theft Problem IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

You've heard about people who have been abducted & had their kidneys removed by black-market organ thieves, Well...........

My thighs were stolen from me during the night a few years ago. I went to sleep & woke up with someone else's thighs. It was just that quick. The replacements had the texture of cooked oatmeal.
Who's thighs were these & what happened to mine? I spent the entire summer looking for my thighs. Finally, hurt & angry, I resigned myself to living out my life in jeans.

And then the thieves struck again. My butt was next. I knew it was the same gang, because they took pains to match my new rear-end to the thighs they had stuck me with earlier. But my new butt was attached at least three inches lower than my original!! I realized I'd have to give up my jeans in favor of long skirts.

Two years ago I realized my arms had been switched. One morning I was fixing my hair & was horrified to see the flesh of my upper arm swing to & fro with the motion of the hairbrush. This was really getting scary - my body was being replaced one section at a time. What could they do to me next?

When my poor neck suddenly disappeared & was replaced with a turkey neck, I decided to tell my story. Women of the world, wake up & smell the coffee! Those plastic surgeons are using REAL replacement body parts - stolen from you & me! The next time someone you know has something "lifted", look again - was it lifted from you?

THIS IS NOT A HOAX. This is happening to women everywhere, every night. I have not had the chance to look into Snoopes but I'm sure it's there!

WARN YOUR FRIENDS!

P.S. Last year I thought someone had stolen my boobs. I was lying in bed & they were gone! But when I jumped out of bed, I was relieved to see that they had just been hiding in my armpits as I slept.

Now I keep them hidden in my waistband!!!

This could happen to you too!!!!!

A little inspiration......

I read this on a weight loss site I belong to and thought it pretty much says it all.

Keep Believing in Yourself and Your Dreams

Every goal that has ever been reached began with just one step...and the belief that it could be attained.
Dreams really can come true, but they are most often the result of hard work, determinations and persistence.
When the end of the journey seems impossible to reach, all you need to do is take one more step.
Stay focused on your goal and remember that each small step will bring you a little closer.
When the road becomes hard to travel and it feels as if you'll never reach the end...
Look deep inside your heart
and you will find strength
you never knew you had.

My little "Monkey"

I thought I'd better post a pic of the little guy (my great nephew and the apple of eye). He's 3 months here. Doesn't it look like he's thinking " Why are you bothering me?"

Quiet Time

It's been pretty quiet lately. No appointments, just waiting for March 1 to get here. I've had a terrible pain in my neck for about 2 weeks now. I think I need to see a chiropractor or something. I am trying to have better posture at work today so we'll see. Bought a different car yesterday. We got Tim's dads Chrysler New Yorker only 53,000 miles. Don't know what year I'll have to ask the expert (Tim) so I know. I babysat on Sunday, I think it's safe to say Bobby was not real happy with me for about the first hour. But after that he took a nap and woke up in a really good mood.
More later

it's a time to celebrate , c'mon lets dance!!!!!!

I've been really stressed lately worrying about changing insurance at work. I was soooo afraid that the insurance they were going to offer wouldn't cover gastric bypass surgery. I've just been a basket case. Crying at the drop of a hat, not really hungry but eating out of stress, fine one minute, crying the next and crying some more. I've been missing my mom so much lately. I guess it's because, ya know it was New Year's, then her 83nd birthday, not being able to share the whole journey towards surgery with her, because after all I have no doubt in my mind that she would be so proud of me. My birthday is coming up and I just keep thinking... no card, no phone call with her singing happy birthday, and us laughing till we about peed our pants, It's been so hard lately. Drum roll please!!!!! The insurance I will be changing to on March 1, 2009 DOES cover my surgery. Of course there are requirements I must meet for approval, but that shouldn't be an issue. I will be posting before pictures very soon, and of course pictures all along the way of my progress. After all this is about "my new life" and my journey.

And on another note.....

For those of you who still are blessed to have your parents with you on this earth be thankful, very thankful. If you think you honor your parents now, honor them more.... love them more.... cherish them more....

Good News

Well I had the day off yesterday and had 2 doctor appointments. First I went to see the pulmonary doctor and she released me for surgery. It was a checkup to see how I'm doing with my CPAP and if my O2 levels are staying up while I sleep. She said everything looked real good and wished me luck with surgery. Then I went to see my family doctor to get results from blood work. I was impressed... my good cholesterol was good, my bad cholesterol was good, my fasting glucose was 105 (should be under 120), and my blood pressure was 116/66. YEAH considering it was running 155/80. I have my support group meeting on Feb. 2 and the only thing left to do is change insurance on March 1, and then submit my request to the insurance company and PRAY!!!!!! Oh I also had to get a tetanus shot yesterday and OMG is my arm sore, I couldn't even lay on it last night. It feels like it's being crushed. Hopefully it won't last longer than a day or two.

All's Quiet.....

It's been relatively quiet lately. I did an overnight study of my O2 levels since I've been on the CPAP for awhile now. I'll get the results when I see Dr. Tudor on the 27th. I hope it turned out good. I'm just patiently waiting to change insurance companies, then my surgeon can submit to insurance for approval and I should get a surgery date. Tim (my wonderful husband) has decided to have the surgery also. He has his informational meeting for clinical weight loss on 1*26*09 and his consult with the surgeon on 04*07*09. I'm stoked about him having it done too, we can be such a great support for each other. My knees have been horrible lately, so much pain and stiffness. I'm really hoping I can stand it just a little bit longer. Once I start loosing weight they should start feeling better. Loosing weight will NOT fix the problem and keep me from having a knee replacement surgery but hopefully will delay it for a long time. That is definitely something I am not looking forward too. I'm a wussy when it comes to pain!!!

It's been awhile

Sorry it's been awhile since I posted anything. Not much has been happening lately. I found out I don't have to do 6 months worth of clinical weight loss YEAH!!! I'll be done the beginning of March and the surgeon can submit to insurance at that time. So keep you fingers crossed that everything is a BIG GO!!!!! I'm so anxious for a new life I can hardly stand it. People who have never had a weight problem just can't understand. I'm ready for simple things that thin people take for granted like:
1.)Having my Mom look down from Heaven and see her wish has come true, that her daughter is finally thinner and healthier.
2.) Being able to do more with my husband.
3.) Being able to do more with my sister.
4.) Taking my dog on a really long walk. (god he would love that)
5.) Walking up a flight of steps like a normal person and not one step at a time.
6.) Looking in the mirror and liking the person staring back at me.
7.) Being able to wrestle on the floor with Whizzer and my new great nephew Bobby. And not worrying if I'll be able to get back up.
8.) Being able to go on trips and not worrying if I can do all the walking required.
9.) Going shopping and not having to ride in a handicapped electric cart.
10.) Being able to shop in a regular store off the rack for less money, instead of having to order everything through plus size catalogs and paying an arm and a leg.
11.) Going out to eat and not having to request a table instead of a booth.
12.) Going to a ball game and fitting in those little seats.
13.) Looking down and seeing my toes.
14.) Walking up a flight of steps like a normal person and not one step at a time.
15.) Having joint pain pretty much all the time due to the weight.
There are many many more things.... maybe I'll list more at a later date. Two of my biggest regrets.
1.) Not doing this sooner so my Mom could have seen the results in person before passing away. She would have been so proud of me.
2.) Not doing this sooner so I could have made my husbands one wish in life come true, to be called Daddy. I know we would have made wonderful parents.