kathiatkins
I am a typical person like all others on this site. Been overweight all my life. Tried every diet, and exercise program. My weight continues to creep up as I get older. I am 43, married, and have 4 step children, 4 dogs, 4 exotic birds, including a Green Wing Macaw, Moluccan Cockatoo, and a Military Macaw. We also have a cat and a 5 foot Iguana. I want to have WLS so that I can have energy and not have all my joints hurt. If you were to see pictures of my mother at my age, you would see me...and I know that I will continue to look just like her. She continued to get heavier and heavier, and only recently has she lost weight, and sort of stabilized. She is 71 years old, and can barely walk. I don't want to be like her and be in so much pain all the time.
12/14/2004 268.5/0/-0/150
01/01/2005 240.5/-28/-24/150
01/07/2005 239.5/-29/-1/150
01/25/2005 233.0/-35.5/-6.5/150
03/20/2005 213/-55.5/-20/150
04/08/2005 208.5/-60/-4.5/150
04/15/2005 207/-61.5/-1.5/150
04/22/2005 206/-62.5/-1/150
04/29/2005 204/-64.5/-2/150
05/06/2005 204/-64.5/0/150
05/13/2005 201.5/-67/-3.5/150
05/20/2005 197.5/-71.5/-4/150
05/27/2005 196.5/-72.5/-1/150
06/03/2005 195.5/-73.5/-1/150
06/10/2005 194.5/-74.5/-1/150
06/17/2005 193.0/-76/-1.5/150
06/24/2005 192.5/-76.5/-.5/150
07/01/2005 190.5/-78.5/-2/150
07/08/2005 190.0/-79.0/-.5/150
07/15/2005 188.5/-80.5/-1.5/150
07/22/2005 186.0/-83.0/-2.5/150
07/29/2005 184.5/-84.5/-1.5/150
08/05/2005 182.0/-87.0/-2.5/150
08/12/2005 181.5/-87.5/-.5/150
08/19/2005 182.0/-87/+.5/150....yikes...but some size 12's
08/26/2005 179.5 -89.5/-2.5/150
09/02/2005 178.5/-90.5/-1.0/150
10/10/2005 175/-93.5/-3.5/150
10/14/2005 174.5/94/-.5/150
10/21/2005 174.5/94/0/150
10/28/2005 173/-95.5/-1.5/150
11/04/2005 173/-95.5/-0/150
11/11/2005 171.5/97/-1.5/150
11/18/2005 170/-98.5/-1.5/150
11/19/2005 169/99.5/-1/150
01/06/2006 166/102.5/-3/150
02/27/2006 163/105.5/-3/150
02/27/2006. I had a hysterectomy on the 15th of Feb. Full open kind. Yikes, I will take laproscopic gastric bypass any day of the week, let me tell you. I am still slow to move around, and still quite sore. There goes the exercise program, not that I was very faithfull to it to begin with. Still having the blood pressure problems in the morning, and feeling faint when I wake up. I actually got down to 160 right after the surgery, but once I started consuming food and water again, I suppose it balanced things out. I still hope to lose that last 13 or so pounds. I know I will be able to do it if I can just get to the exercise thing faithfully. I think my basic problem is laziness, although, once I have exercised, I feel so good. I am starting back very slowly right now, just a couple of minutes a day, and working my way up. That is the doctors orders. Until we meet again....ttfn
01/06/2006 Well Happy New Year. I have been doing great. Went over that 100 lbs lost mark. I have another 12 pounds to normal BMI, and only 16 lbs to my ultimate goal. I know that won't happen without proper exercise and proper eating habits, with the right amount of protein. I struggle with the protein everyday. But trying to do the right amount. I worry so much about putting this weight back on. I love where I am, I wear a size 10 in most clothes. It is weird to even say that. I still am not that comfortable walking into regular size clothing stores. I bought size 0 tops, and size 1 pants at Chico's the other day. They size funny, but still...I am in their lower sizes, not the bigger sizes...
11/19/2005 I can't believe I am only a half a pound from losing 100 lbs. That just seems unreal to me. I am only about 15 lbs from being normal and not overweight. I sure hope I can make that. I have been exercising most days, for at least 40 minutes on my Elliptical Cross Trainer. Plus, my job moved my office, and to go to lunch I have to walk about 6 blocks back and forth, and I don't have access to a much crap, so I think I am eating alot better. I still need to get more protein, but otherwise, doing great. I feel pretty good, and have alot more energy. The other day, I was walking with someone that has always been very slender, and we started to walk up a fairly steep hill. We were walking at a fairly quick pace, and I was worried about the hill, cause in the past I would have died about 10 steps up, but I just kept walking, not even breathing hard, and the slender friend was puffing a bit half way up. I couldn't believe it. That sure made me feel great. Off to Vegas tomorrow. I hope I don't gain any weight down there. I hear you do lots of walking down there, so that may be a good thing.
10/10/2005 Can we say weightloss has slowed down...yah...bummer. I am a size 12 though, and have never been that small my entire adult life. The last time I remember wearing a ladies 12 was at 15 years old. I have started seriously exercising. I have made it a commitment, and won't budge on that commitment. So I am hoping that will jump start the whole process and get me down that next 30 pounds or so.
09/02/2005 I am getting nervouse that I won't lose anymore weight. I just can't seem to get motivated to exercise. I am so tired in the morning, and then when I get home in the evenings...well, forget it. I just don't have time. I guess it comes to a mind over matter kinda thing, and I just have to decide to do it. I want so bad to hit my goal, and I don't think I am going to do it, unless I exercise. So I guess I will just have too. Otherwise, I am feeling pretty good. Don't seem to feel like I am passing out as much as I used to. So the blood pressure issue must be under control.
08/13/2005 Well, weight loss has really slowed down. I want to lose between 25 and 30 more. My altimate goal would be 150. They say you lose for the first 12 to 18 months. So if I can maintian my 6 to 7 pound weight loss per month, I should be pretty close to my goal. I can' t believe it has been 8 months already. I have four more months to my year anniversary. I am still not exercising much. I just don't generally feel that good. I feel faint alot. I know my blood pressure has gone down significantly. So are my blood sugars. I am going to go back to the nutritionist. I had good blood tests, with a bit of an issue with B-1, and iron stores. Everything else was excellent. I snack too much at times I think, so I have to get back to the proper eating habits. I need to remind myself what brought me to surgery in the first place. I do eat quite healthy though. Salads, chicken, fish, veggies...fruit at times. Maybe too many nuts.....I will discuss that with the nutritionist. My problem, is I find protein bars, and snacks all to be sweet, too sweet, and I would rather have salty....I need salty too, because of my blood pressure. It has been averaging 95/55 for the past # of weeks. That is now that low, but considering before surgery I averaged 145/95...it is low for me. My PCP says my body needs to get used to it. But while it is hot, no exercise...that was doctors orders...I try to take walks with the dogs on cooler nights. Anyway...that's my update.
06/10/2005 I was at the doctor this week, for my 6 month check up. He said I was about average. I was hoping to be down a bit more, but then, I don't exercise that often. I have resigned myself to the fact that I am going to have to. My doctor said that the first 5 months, weightloss is pretty much all food, but the next 6 months to a year, it will depend on my level of exercise. I take that seriously. The even stroll I take with my two little dogs is probably not cutting it anymore. I can't even call it a walk, cause one of the dogs is blind, and it truly is a stroll. I will still do it, but I will have to add exercise. I would like the mornings, but I will have to eat something before, because I always feel a bit faint when I move around to much in the mornings. I truly want to reach my goal of 150. I know it is only 44 or so pounds away, but I want to do it. Whatever it takes now. I didn't go through this whole change in life just to not make my goal. I will also start keeping better track of my caloric intake. I love nuts as a snack, but I am going to cut those back. I think I will go with two protien shakes aday. One as breakfast like I am doing, and one as a snack. I need to up the protein. Anyway, that is all for now folks...
06/02/2005 Life is still good. I am buying regular size clothes, in the regular size clothing department. It is size 16, but I find the 14W's in the plus size clothes are all a bit big for me. It is strange the way everything fits so differently. I am still trying to eat right, although I do eat the odd cookie. I pretty much can eat anything, although I haven't really tried beef to a great extent. My favourite food is still Mexican. I also LOVE salmon. I find I dump on foods that are too rich. Anything deep fried makes me sick almost instantly. I guess these are all great deterents to not eating the wrong foods. Exercise isn't going that well. I just can't get my butt out of bed early enough. I am going to start going to bed earlier, and that should help.
I have a hard time recognizing myself as someone who has lost alot of weight. I know I have, cause I am wearing sizes I haven't fit into in 22 years, but my head is not there yet. I guess it takes time. I have noticed that people treat me differently, especially men. I am a bit uncomfortable with this yet, as I think weight was away of being disengaged better. My husband is definitely more affectionate, and yes, sex is better. That's all for now folks. I will try an update more often.
04/08/2005 Well, time for another update. I broke through an unbearable plateau. I stayed in the 211-213 range from the 20th of March, until yesterday. And all of a sudden, bang, I drop 5 pounds. I have nothing much to wear these days, and when I go shopping, I don't want to buy anything. It is really strange. I just don't want to spend good money on clothes that I know won't fit in the next couple of months. My husband finally brought the Precor Crosstrainer back into the house, so I am going to start the exercising on Monday morning. I will start with a mere 20 minutes, and work my way up to 45-60. I am also going to do some form of strength training, and start that in the next couple of months. I am looking forward to exercising, I am sure it will help along my weight loss. Also, my nutritionist, said I was not eating enough, and she wants me on at least 900 calories, and up to 1200 if I am doing heavy exercise. This is really hard for me, since I just can't seem to eat that much. She told me to add peanuts and nuts, and also don't worry about going with fat free everything, that it was OK to use regular cheese, and 2% cottage cheese. Other than that, just trying to hang in there.
03/20/2005 Well, I am not a very good updater, and need to be slapped. My husband asked me when was the last time I updated, and I said, duh...I don't know... Things are going so well. I am wearing a size 18, and some 16's. I bought a suit on the regular size department of Macy's the other day. What a feeling that was. I got a bit choked up actually. I am still not having a great time eating, but trying really hard. I just don't find that the food goes down really easy, but then maybe I don't chew it well, or try to eat to fast. I am getting in all the required water, Thank you Propel, it is so yummy, and I am getting in all the required protein, thank you Fuzzy Navel, another very yummy thing. I like to eat at protein bar, or Atkins Breakfast bar in the morning, and then I will sip on Propel, to usually about 10:30 or so, then I might either drink a bit of Fuzzy Navel, or I will eat a piece of cheese. Then for lunch, I am into cottage cheese with low carb peaches. Also very yummy. Then in the afternoon, I will sip the rest of the Fuzzy Navel, and then propel in between. For dinner, I usually have chicken breast, with a veg, or refried beans and cheese, which is the best. I have found the bariatric advantage vitamins are making me sick. The few times I have thrown up, was after I took my vitamins. I don't feel sick if I don't take them. I still take the iron, and B 12, and after my appointment last week, they said I was doing well. I am switching to a different vitamin, for gastric bypass patients, by vista vitamins. It isn't a chewable, so I hope I have better luck there, if not, I will go to liquid. I also take my calcium, mag, and vit D at night. It is in liquid form as well. I quite like it.
The best thing is, I thought I would miss all my favourite things. And I don't. I can't believe it. I actually had a swig of my husbands coke the other day, as the food I ate was spicy. I nearly spit it out it tasted so AWFUL. I can't believe I was once addicted to it.
Anyway, best be getting to my laundry.
01/25/05 Well, I went back to work last week. I thought things were fine, but I was incredibly tired. Then about Wednesday, I noticed this spot on my forhead, and my lymph nodes were swollen in my face. I went to the doctor, and after listening to everything, and then she noticed another spot appearing. She said I probably had shingles. Of course as more spots started to apprear, and they hurt so bad, her diagnosis is correct. Now I am on heavy duty anti-viral medication. It only comes in horsepill size, so I have to break, and dissolve in water, and then mix with juice. It is still so nasty. They make me feel kind of sick, and the pain in my face can be unbearable, but I am just trying to sleep through it all. The doctor insisted I take at least another week off work. Other than that, things are going well. I still don't have any appetite to speak of, and sometimes I just don't want to eat. I am getting in at least 48 oz of liquid everyday, and sometimes more. I can eat most types of fish, and I am doing alright with chicken. I am eating some Healthy Choice meals, and eating about 1/3 of them and saving the rest for another meal. Even then, I only eat the meat and some veg. The rest gets thrown away. I make fish about 3 times aweek. I will probably increase this, as I really like it, and it is so good for my hubby too. My doctor still doesn't want me to exercise, she said there is plenty of time for that, and she wants my body to rest and heal now. First time I have ever been told me a doctor to not exercise. I will update again soon.
01/07/2005 Things are going better. But I am really slowing down on the weight loss. I don't seem to have nearly the gas that I did, and I don't burp nearly as much. Still do, but not like before. I am started on semi-solid foods, and getting my water levels up. My diet consists of an egg in the morning, then 4 ozs of a protein shake (Atkins, although I might change this as they are quite high in fat), then for lunch it is usually cottage cheese, 4 ozs, or tuna, 4 ozs (tuna packs a huge protein punch in 4 little ozs.) then in the afternoon, I have another 4 ozs of the Atkins shake, and for dinner, I am starting on fish. I am going to poach it tonight, and it will be Halibut. Even though for the first time in almost 4 weeks, I feel bloated, I have not gained any weight. So that must be a positive sign, that I am still losing fat, even though my water level is going back to normal. I am still 25 lbs down, at almost 4 weeks. I have not lost a great deal of weight in the past 10 days or so. But that is to be expected. 25 lbs is a lot of weight to lose so fast. I went to see my PCP, and she did not give me the go ahead to start exercising. I was a little bummed by this, but she said she can clearly see that I am not ready, and that once I can do the day to day things, then I can start. I find mornings the worst. I am very light headed. I don't seem to sleep well at night, though I fall asleep right away. I wonder if my blood sugar levels go way down. I also think I could be low on iron, since I was a huge meat eater prior to surgery. Could be a bit of a shock to the system. So I take my vitamins daily, and do what I am supposed to do. I go back to work on the 18th. I was lucky and took 5 weeks off.
01/01/2005 Things have been going generally well. Being around Christmas dinners, didn't bother me at all. I just drank my water, and smiled. I had a spoonful of hummus. The garlicy taste was soooo awesome. The only problem I seem to have with the whole thing so far at 2.5 weeks out, is gas. Bad bad bad gas. I burp with every sip or bite, and pass it the other way too. If I don't have a BM, then I am in severe pain for days. So as soon as I feel that achy gassy build up, I take the Milk of Magnesia, which seems to get things going. Walking also helps. I have spent endless nights walking back and forth in my small house to help take the pain away. Other than that, I think I am doing well. I don't feel hunger, and still don't have an appetite. The dietician promoted me to semi-solids, so I have added eggs, and tuna so far. Still drinking shakes. I was told I am not consuming enough food, and need to get that up so that my metabolism says strong. I have lost 24 pounds since surgery, 28 since my highest weight. That feels good, but I know that the weightloss will start to slow down dramatically now. Just have to keep doing the plan.
12/20/2004 I am post-op, and aside from an accidental OD on the pain killer the first night home, I think I am doing OK. But I shall tell you about the surgery. I arrived at the hospital at about 10:30, we checked in, and waited till about 12:30, (my surgery was scheduled for 1:00 PM). Went to preop, and they had me do the usual things. My only complaint, is that even their size extralarge stockings are too small for large people, and I am only 265 LBS, some one larger would have a more difficult time. Dr Hunter spoke to me, told me to relax, and that if would be worse if he were nervous. I just think he is great. They had a tough time finding a vein to put the IV into, but managed, and it was successful, then Ron the anesthesiologist, spoke with me, and we talked about the effects of anesthesia, and my experiences with it. As I told him I tend to vomit coming out of it, he said he would give me his special cocktail. Then he put something really lovely into my IV, and I was off into lala land. I don't truly remember much after that. I remember being wheeled in, and being asked to take three deep breaths. The next thing I remember, is being woken up, and my throat hurting more than anything. My operation took a little less than 3 hours. Dr Hunter's nurse kept my husband informed as too what was happening every hour. I have 5 tiny little incisions. AND I DID NOT vomit at all, nor did I even feel the slightest bit sick when I came too. I was kinda in and out of sleep the rest of the day. I had a private room which was nice. They put you in a nice big bed, I loved the little massaging things on my legs. They helped me stay relaxed. I used the morphine pump on occasion. I didn't sleep that well the first night, to many people coming in and out. They removed the catherter about 6 AM, Dr. Hunter visted me about 8:00 AM was a little annoyed that the nurses hadn't gotten me up walking yet, and that was remedied pretty quick after that. Then a team of surgeons came to visit, and asked a number of questions. I was down for my leak test at 8:40 AM. Everything was great. Ron came back in the afternoon to check on me, and see how I was feeling. That was so nice. Then I started on jello, apple juice, and water. Took liquid pain meds, and they said...you can go home. I was discharged on the 15th at about 4:00 PM, and left at 5:30PM. Amazing. I got home, and my husband set me up on the couch. We watched some TV, and I went to sleep. I got up about 3 AM to get some pain meds, and took 3 times as much as I should have. I was bed ridden the rest of the day. I could not eat, or drink anything, until about 8 oclock that night. Since then, I am doing alright. I find that I like to make the protein shakes the night before so that they are nice a cold the next morning. I also find I still have some icky gas and diarrhea. I am having a tough time getting in all my fluids, but starting to do it. I went shopping with my hubby this afternoon, and walked around for about an hour. That felt good. I have lost 14 lbs according to my scale, though I am not sure that is all fat. I will keep updating my progress through the weeks and months.
12/08/2004 I went to the good Doctor today for my preopp appointment. He is so nice. Straight forward about expectations, and risks, but at the sametime very empathetic to the plight of the obese. I am looking forward (with a certain amount of trepidation) to the surgery, and then coming home again. I look at some of my fav TV shows, and think, on the finale of the Apprentice, which is next week, I will be post op and on my way to a new life. I am already thinking that in 5 weeks, I will be going back to work. I have waited to do this for almost 2 years, and can't believe it is finally here. Steve is wonderful, so kind and soft spoken. They took my vitals, my blood pressure wasn't to bad, then they took my picture, came me some stuff to drink, and perscription for pain killers, and sent me to anesthesia. There I met with Mike, he was funny, and tried to answer all of our questions. The love of my life, asked some tough ones, and he answered very well. I have purchased all the vitamins, the sugar free jello, and frozen treats. There is one by a company called Breyers, that makes them with fruit juice, and Sucralose. NO ASPARTAME....I refuse to use aspartame. I have various different protein powders, and I have Trader Joes, EGG and Milk, with Whey, there is a huge amount of protein with no carbs, that can be added to different things. We need to start experimenting. Thank you to everyone for your kind words and incouragement. I would like to find a support group in Seattle, if anybody knows of one.
10/08/2004 I can't believe it, I have been approved for surgery. I have been researching and thinking about this for a year. It almost seems to good to be true. I have set my date for the 14th of December. I have some vacation around that time, and so does my hubby, so I will have lots of support at home. This is like a dream come true. I have so many emotions about the whole thing, I can't even begin to explain them. I am excited, nervous, scared, elated, you name it. It is the best thing that I could have done for myself. I can already see the new me walking hand in hand with my husband on the beach. Feeling and looking as light and carefree as I have always imagined myself to be. All I can say is OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEEEEEEHHHAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!
